New to RV world 2021 Minnie 2701RBS

[Quichelle]

Hi -

We're Michelle & Quincy hailing from Massachusetts. We're heading down to Florida to pick up our new 2021 Winnebago Minnie 2701RBS. We have done some camping but never with an RV. Thought we'd just go for it - will use the towable for weekends and extend our stay for remote working ....

Looking for some advice from others on options to install.

1. Slide toppers - recommended by dealer as an option to protect the slide. Is this a good add? I haven't seen it on any list but feel like it makes sense to protect the camper.

2. 2nd AC - good air flow and venting - dealer thought we may not need it and to consider a fan instead. Skip?

3. Wifi booster - $800+ including install seems like a lot. Dealer thought this may be optional but we will be working, streaming etc. Good add?

4. 2nd battery / generator - buy 2 and connect? Should we do it now or wait? Can this be self-installed?


What else can or should we consider? Sway bars / controls are already included. Any advice would be welcome.


OTHER QUESTION: How do you store your hoses (black, gray and fresh)?

Thank you for the help.

 

[creativepart]

HI and welcome.

1. Slide toppers - recommended by dealer as an option to protect the slide. Is this a good add? I haven't seen it on any list but feel like it makes sense to protect the camper.

I think slide toppers are pretty important, but there are those out there that don't like them. With a slide topper the only real downside is noise and flapping in high winds (over ~17 mph). Without them you will get twigs, leaves, acorns, rain water and snow on top of the slides and when you bring your slides in you will likely bring some or all of it into your RV. Or you'll get on the roof all every time and clean them with a broom.

2. 2nd AC - good air flow and venting - dealer thought we may not need it and to consider a fan instead. Skip?

On a 27' TT you could go either way. If you travel south or southwest much get a 2nd A/C if you stay north maybe you won't need it. We live in Texas and there is a big difference having multiple A/Cs.

For all fans OEM or newly installed get a cover for them installed. It's easy to DIY and very necessary. With a cover you can use the fan during a rain storm and the fan's built in cover is flimsy and ages then cracks pretty quickly without a cover.

3. Wifi booster - $800+ including install seems like a lot. Dealer thought this may be optional but we will be working, streaming etc. Good add?

I'd avoid this. First, you'll find that WiFi isn't your friend. WiFi at campgrounds is routinely lousy. Boosting doesn't make it better. The thing you'll want to use for internet is cellular data - either from a phone in Hotspot mode or from separate hotspots (MiFi or Jetpack). A dedicated Router inside the TT to share your cellular data from your phone or hotspot is a definite plus and should cost less than $150 and a simple DIY install. Better still is a combined wifi router/broadband hotspot like the Netgear Nighthawk. I'd suggest holding off on doing anything until you've had time to bone up on this huge topic.

4. 2nd battery / generator - buy 2 and connect? Should we do it now or wait? Can this be self-installed?

Yes! and Yes!. You'll want a 2nd Battery and a portable generator. Maybe get the dealer to do the battery (so you get two matching batteries} and you do some research about what generator you want and how much you want to spend. Buy one too small and it won't run your A/C buy one too big and it will weigh 100lbs. But you will need one between 2200watts and 2500watts. Some carry two smaller ones and then pair them together to run the A/C.

How do you store your hoses (black, gray and fresh)?

There is not "one" place everyone carries this stuff. Usually the sewer hose fits in the rear bumper. Others like to get a plastic tub with a top and carry all the sewer gear in the tub in the back of the pickup truck tow vehicle. Always carry water hose in a totally different place. And be sure to buy a water pressure regulator on day one. I like the $40 on Amazon with a gauge and is adjustable but many just buy a $15 adapter for the inlet side of the hose.

 

[Marine359]

Hi Michelle and Quincy. Congrats on your new TT, and welcome to the forum.
It’s difficult to recommend what upgrade gear will be most valuable to you without knowing about your tow vehicle and what kind of camping you’ll mostly do. Does it bend toward campgrounds with hookups or toward boondocking without hookups. It also depends on budget. You can spend thousands buying gear, some of which you may not need. It’s important to get an inverter generator, but again, which one you buy will depend on the type of camping you do. A small 2000-2500w generator is sufficient to run everything in your Minnie except the roof ac. For that you’ll have to decide whether to buy a bigger generator of 3500w or more OR install an Easystart on your roof air compressor. If your TT came equipped with a Dometic dc only fridge, be aware that it will use over 25AH per day, so you’ll need to size your battery bank accordingly. You can put off most other upgrades like inverters and such until you use your RV and get a feel for your normal camping needs. Don’t spend money on batteries now until you know your camping needs. You can add another cheap lead acid battery to get by for now, but you’ll have to determine your daily amp hours consumption before laying down serious bucks on electrical upgrades.

As Creative indicates, water pressure regulator is a must have. I would add to must have list: in-line water filter, a good surge protector, a 15amp to 30 amp dogbone, a 50 to 30 dogbone, a sewer kit with at least 30 ft of hoses and see thru elbow, a twist-on sewer valve shut off for your main drain line, elliptical levelers, jack blocks or jack stand, separate hose for sewage use than your fresh water hose. Outside carpeting/mats to keep dirt out of camper. WDH with anti-sway. Rear camera nice to have.

We have a small rig, but plenty of space for a tub with cover to hold all sewage gear, a covered bucket for freshwater hose and gear, another covered bucket for 30amp cord and other outside electrical connectors. We stow sewer hose extension in bumper with a magnetic cap and avoid stowing it when it’s wet. You’ll need a box or something to stow your ground tackle.

 

[Quichelle]

Thank you very much for the response!