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So you’ve caught the RV bug—congratulations! You’re dreaming of open roads, campfire sunsets, and waking up to mountain views from your own mobile sanctuary. But before you sign on the dotted line at the dealership, there’s a Reddit thread you absolutely need to read.
When user Automatic-Kick8383 asked the r/GoRVing community about “the most expensive mistake first-time RVers make,” the floodgates opened with hundreds of cautionary tales, wallet-draining mishaps, and hard-earned wisdom. From $1,200 frozen water heater disasters to nearly killing an entire family due to bad towing advice, these stories aren’t just entertaining—they could save you thousands of dollars and potentially your life.
Whether you’re about to purchase your first rig or you’re just dreaming about the lifestyle, this compilation of real experiences from seasoned RVers will help you avoid the painful (and expensive) lessons they learned the hard way.
The Biggest Mistake According to Reddit: Actually Buying an RV
Let’s start with the most upvoted response in the entire thread, which received a whopping 330 points. User mtrayno1 didn’t mince words:
“Buying an RV”
Simple. Brutal. Honest.
But user Worldly_Ad4352 took it a step further with 154 upvotes:
“At camping world”
The sentiment against this particular retailer runs deep in the RV community. First-time buyer Rdubya44 shared their painful experience:
“First time buyer here who got shafted by them 😞”
User docere85 elaborated on their Camping World experience, describing overpriced “Let’s go camping” packages and a “pro inspection” that missed critical issues. Their lesson? “Love and learn. Never again.”
The thread reveals that many RVers wish they’d understood the true cost of ownership before diving in. According to ConsumerAffairs, approximately 11.2 million U.S. households now own RVs, but here’s the kicker: many wish they’d done more research first.
The “I Almost Killed My Family” Category: Towing Horror Stories
If there’s one theme that appears repeatedly in the thread with genuine fear and regret, it’s improper towing setups. User Dmunman shared a chilling story that earned 59 upvotes:
“Buying a new one and listening to the jerk that told me I was safe towing it with a Chevy Astro. Almost killed my entire family.”
When asked how they figured out what was safe, Dmunman explained they had to visit an RV repair specialist who showed them the weight labels and did the math. The solution? They had to buy a Suburban—turning their 26k trailer into a $75,000 mistake when factoring in the new vehicle.
Critical Towing Mistakes to Avoid:
- Trusting dealership advice without verification
- Ignoring your vehicle’s actual towing capacity
- Not understanding the difference between dry weight vs. loaded weight
- Skipping weight distribution hitch (WDH) setup
User HeligKo summed it up perfectly:
“Not having a big enough tow vehicle. If it’s close, get a smaller RV or a bigger TV. Don’t gamble with your life or others. If the person advising you on tow vehicles uses the phrase ‘send it’ get another opinion.”
The Reddit consensus? Buy your RV first, then purchase the vehicle you need to tow it safely—not the other way around.
The $1,200 Lessons: Water System Catastrophes
Water damage and plumbing failures dominate the “expensive mistake” category. User I_dont_know_you_pick learned this the hard way with 72 upvotes:
“The first expensive mistake I made was last fall (my first year of RV ownership), I forgot to empty the hot water tank and it split over the winter. That was a $1200 mistake.”
Essential Water System Tips from the Thread:
| Mistake | Cost | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen hot water tank | $1,200+ | Proper winterization |
| High water pressure burst pipes | $500-$2,000 | Always use a water pressure regulator |
| Leaving water pump on | Flooded interior | Turn off when not actively using water |
| “Poo pyramid” in black tank | $300-$1,000 | Keep black tank valve CLOSED until dump time |
User DeCoyAbLe received 52 upvotes for this simple but critical advice:
“Something simple. Buy a regulator for your water hose.”
Why? Because some campground water pressure exceeds 80 PSI, while RV plumbing systems are designed for 40 PSI maximum. A $10 regulator can save you thousands in burst pipe repairs.
The Black Tank Horror: Understanding the “Poo Pyramid”
One of the most colorful discussions in the thread involves proper black tank management. User CoMisch (40 upvotes) warned:
“Keep black tank closed even when hooked up to sewer until you need to unload it and wash it out. Do not just leave it open.”
User echo138 explained the consequences:
“This is a great tip to avoid the dreaded ‘poo pyramid’. Black tank issues are the worst.”
For the uninitiated (like user billyraylipscomb who asked “Wait what?”), here’s what happens: When you leave the black tank valve open at a full hookup site, liquids drain immediately but solids accumulate directly under the toilet, forming… well, exactly what it sounds like.
User seasonsbloom provided the definitive explanation:**
“If you have a sewer hookup and leave the valve open, liquids will drain right away. Solid will accumulate right under the toilet. The toilet just drops straight into the black tank in most units. Leave the valve closed until ready to dump.”
Pro tip from the thread: Dump black tank first, then grey tank. The grey water rinses out your sewer hose.
The “Driving Away with Everything Still Attached” Club
Multiple users confessed to trying to drive away with various things still deployed, attached, or connected. User shucksan (9 upvotes) shared:
“Not following my checklist and trying to drive away with the trailer when all the jacks were down. Including the front one at the hitch. Not my finest moment.”
Common “Drive Away” Mistakes:
- ✗ Leaving stabilizer jacks down
- ✗ Forgetting to disconnect shore power
- ✗ Driving with awning still extended
- ✗ Not retracting TV antenna
- ✗ Leaving entry steps deployed
- ✗ Wheel chocks still in place
User pyxus1 shared a messy (but less expensive) version:
“So far, the only bad thing has been not checking that the fridge was locked before getting on the road… lasagna all over the floor. Now we are OCD about it.”
The lesson? Create a checklist and use it religiously—even when you think you’ve got everything down.
The Hidden Cost Reality: What They Don’t Tell You at the Dealership
User PipsPalMerry (35 upvotes) offered sage advice from experience:
“We could have stayed in really nice hotels for every vacation of the past 15 years on the money we’ve wasted in RV’s, excise tax, maintenance, etc., not to mention the physical exertion of hitching/unhitching, which gets harder every year. (We’re in our 60s now.) My best advice is not to buy an RV at all unless you are going to be using it for a significant amount of time every year.”
According to John Marucci’s 5-year RV ownership analysis, the total cost of ownership can reach approximately $29,000 over five years, which breaks down to:
- $5,800 per year
- $483 per month
- $290 per night (at 20 nights average per year)
Unexpected Costs RVers Mentioned:
- Insurance (often more than expected)
- Storage fees ($50-$300/month depending on location)
- Maintenance and repairs (budget at least $1,000/year)
- Campground fees ($30-$100/night)
- Fuel (RVs get 8-20 MPG)
- Registration and excise taxes
- Unexpected breakdowns (always at the worst time)
The Setup & Breakdown Learning Curve
User HemiJon08 (10 upvotes) provided valuable insight into the time investment:
“Before my first trip I pulled it for 50ish miles over all kinds of roads just to understand how it handles… I arrived to the campground and set it up a day before my family arrived just to figure out how everything works. That first time took me over 2 hours from the time I located my spot until I was done.”
Their brilliant organization system earned 6 upvotes:
“I keep it specific. Water has all the hoses, splitter, water pressure regulator, and filter. Power has the camper power cord and extension cords… I keep them all in specific places in the storage based on when you need them during the Order of Operations.”
The lesson? Organization by workflow rather than by item type saves massive amounts of time and frustration.
The “Know Your Rig” Essential Rules
Several critical safety tips emerged from the thread that every first-timer needs to know:
Height & Clearance:
User 1320Fastback (16 upvotes) warned about bridge strikes and tight turns. User LoganND shared their dad’s mistake:
“This is something my dad did. Exploded the roof vents.”
User BizzyLizzee has the solution:
“That is why I have truck GPS with my rigs measurements.”
Pre-Trip Inspection:
User Specialist-Two2068 (6 upvotes) laid out the non-negotiables:
“ALWAYS check your tires and lights before you leave. No, your bald 9 year-old dry-rotted tires with cords showing will not survive ‘one more trip’.”
The Water Pump Rule:
User N8dork2020 (30 upvotes) stated simply:
“The water pump should only be on when you are at the camp”
Why? If there’s a leak when you’re away, a running pump will flood your entire rig. Turn it off when traveling and when not actively using water.
The Psychology of RV Mistakes: Stress & Distraction
User crownofstarstarot (3 upvotes) identified a often-overlooked factor:
“Being really stressed for one reason or another has been the root cause of all of my major mistakes. So i’d say notice your stress levels, and if they’re high, double, triple check everything. Use a checklist.”
They also warned about well-meaning “helpers”:
“But also, people distracting you when you’re hitching/unhitching/parking. Usually trying to be helpful. Usually not helpful.”
By the Numbers: The State of RV Ownership in 2024
Let’s look at the statistics that support these real-world experiences:
📊 Key RV Industry Statistics:
- 11.2 million U.S. households currently own an RV (record high)
- 62% growth in RV ownership over the last 20 years
- 70% of RV owners reportedly experience buyer’s remorse (source)
- 22% of RV owners are Millennials and Gen Z (age 18-34)
- Median age of first-time RV buyers: 32 years old
- 31% of RV owners are first-time buyers
- Average RV usage: 3-4 weeks per year
- RV industry projected to reach $47.8 billion by end of 2024
Source: ConsumerAffairs RV Ownership Statistics
The Golden Rules: Reddit’s Collective Wisdom
After reading through 344 comments and countless expensive lessons, here are the top takeaways from the r/GoRVing community:
BEFORE You Buy:
- ✅ Research extensively—don’t trust dealership sales pitches alone
- ✅ Calculate TRUE ownership costs (not just monthly payments)
- ✅ Consider buying used to avoid immediate depreciation
- ✅ Avoid Camping World (according to the overwhelming Reddit consensus)
- ✅ Understand towing math before committing to a trailer
AFTER You Buy:
- ✅ Do a “shakedown trip” close to home before major adventures
- ✅ Create and USE a pre-departure checklist
- ✅ Invest in essential safety equipment (water regulator, surge protector, tire pressure monitoring)
- ✅ Learn proper winterization procedures
- ✅ Join RV communities for ongoing support and advice
While RVing:
- ✅ Know your height, length, and weight
- ✅ Turn off water pump when not actively needed
- ✅ Keep black tank valve CLOSED until dump time
- ✅ Do a walk-around inspection before every departure
- ✅ Don’t rush—slow and steady prevents costly mistakes
Final Thoughts: Is RVing Worth It?
Despite the cautionary tales and expensive mistakes, there’s an undercurrent of genuine love for the RV lifestyle throughout the thread. Yes, these RVers made mistakes—sometimes expensive ones—but they learned, adapted, and continued adventuring.
User misterphuzz (12 upvotes) summed it up beautifully:
“To those who say ‘bot’, I say yeah, maybe, but it’s not a bad bot question and it’s getting a lot of good answers for newbies. So maybe, instead of parroting ‘bot’, maybe help out a newbie instead.”
The RV community is remarkably supportive, willing to share their hard-earned lessons so others can avoid the same pitfalls. With 9.6 million households planning to purchase an RV within the next five years, these stories and lessons are more valuable than ever.
The bottom line? RVing can be an incredible lifestyle—if you go in with eyes wide open, realistic expectations, and a willingness to learn from those who’ve gone before you. Read threads like this one, ask questions, start small, and remember: every experienced RVer was once a first-timer who made mistakes.
Just hopefully not the $1,200 frozen water heater kind.
Sources & Additional Reading
- Original Reddit Thread: What’s the most expensive mistake first-time RVers make? – r/GoRVing Community Discussion
- RV Ownership Statistics 2025 – ConsumerAffairs
- The Real $$ Cost of RV Ownership – 5-Year Analysis – John Marucci
- 12 Biggest Regrets Many RV Owners Have About Their Purchases – Escape Trailer
- The True Cost of Owning an RV – Bish’s RV
- How to Buy an RV Without Regrets: 5 Mistakes First-Timers Make – Pruski’s Auto Sales
Have you made any expensive RV mistakes? Share your story in the comments below and help fellow RVers avoid the same pitfalls!
