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 definitiv