tatest
Oklahoma
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Sewer and water hoses not included in the price has always been the case, unless they are special built in types. For trailers and some types of motorhome, spare tires are optional or not available, and batteries are something the dealer installs. A battery is heavy to ship, and is too likely to go bad in the 3 to 24 months between the day the RV comes off the assembly line and the day it is delivered to a customer; dealer's technician can pop in a fresh one in less than 15 minutes.
Particularly at the low end of the price scale, a travel trailer will not have battery, awning, spare tire, wheel covers, stabilizing jacks, TV or sound system as standard equipment. Some of these, and others like an air conditioner, oven, microwave, vent fans, TV antenna, ladder, electronic ignition for the water heater will be optional equipment from the factory, but will be often be in a "value option package." Making such features optional allows the manufacturer to advertise a lower "base weight" in his brochure, and a lower "base price." Then leaving heavier, easy to install, items for the dealer to supply allows the factory to ship the trailer with a lower weight on the mandatory weight and capacity sticker.
Reason for this, entry level TT buyers are historically attracted to low advertised weights and base prices. Marketing strategies are somewhat different for other markets, i.e. sellers of $400,000 motorhomes emphasize how well equipped, not how inexpensive, they are. So "what to expect" is different for different segments of the market.
It is your choice to negotiate the for price of the trailer with the equipment you want, whether it is standard from the factory, a factory-installed option, or dealer-installed equipment, or to negotiate for basic equipment and add-ons separately.
Things like sewer hose, fresh water hose, power adapters, unattached power cords, water pressure regulators are treated as accessories. They are often included in a standard package "starter kit" which the dealer tells you contains $50 worth of stuff, and either charges that much for it or says he is giving it to you free (cost is buried in his margin). It would be worth $50 if each thing in the kit were bought separately, top grade available, but that's not what it usually is. You can get equal or better quality off the shelf at a discount store like Walmart.
If I was financing, I wouldn't want cheap accessories rolled into the price. $50 buried inside a 20 year loan means paying as much as $100 for $15 worth of stuff that won't last two years.
Similarly, if you buy a three year extended warranty or the first year's insurance, think about the length of the loan when you consider whether to roll the cost of these short-lived intangibles into the RV price, or buy them cash separately.
For a towable, you will also need to buy towing equipment. Some dealers throw these into the deal, some sell separately, or you go elsewhere to take care of it.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B
2001 Ranger Edge
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gwong02
north dakota
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Joined: 09/03/2008
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I just purchased my first RV from Northern Hills RV in Whitewood SD. I drove 500 miles to pick up our new Winnebago Sightseer. I couldn't be happier. The dealership treated us extremely nicely. The prepurchase overview/indoctrination was done by a service tech who spent close to two hours working over the RV with me. The RV came with a full tank of gas, potable water filled up, propane full and a hose kit with a electrical adapter for conversion from 30 amp to 20 amp provided as well. The staff even offered their hookups if we wanted to stay the night prior to driving home. I think I lucked out. On my drive home, on a day the dealership was closed, I encountered a problems with my leveling jacks not retracting. I called the salesman and within 30 minutes he had two technicians on the phone going over the problem . I highly recommend this professional organization. They take pride in their business and I hope you have a positive experience as we did. Good luck.
Grand
2008 Winnebago Sightseer 35J.
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Earl E
Klamath Falls, Oregon
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Just like buying cars, homes or whatever, it is up to you to give the dealer a list of items you require in the price. It really is that simple. And the should certainly include appliances, microwave, spare tire, awning jacks and whatever else you want. You can buy a stripped down rig or a fancy one. You call the shots and then compare prices. Don't worry about whether items are extras or not --they are what you want so get them.
2008 Keystone Springdale 252
2004 Chevy Silverado, 5.3 L V8
Prodigy brake control and Equal-i-zer
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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whatever you buy I would suggest you invest in three things. 1) a multi function surge protector, at about $250, 2) a watts type whole house water pressure regulator, about $40, and 3) either a sewer solution or macerator pump, $90 to $200. The first two will protect your RV, the third make an easy/clean job out of dumping your black tank.
bumpy
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adVentureMan
Memphis, TN, USA
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Joined: 02/27/2001
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jobetpaw wrote:....Can someone advise us what to expect when looking at RV's. ..
Betty
Betty, there is a Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) checklist on the web page in my signature below that will at least give you an idea of what is typically included in an RV (and battery, short sewer house, short water hose, propane tanks, fire extinguisher and smoke and propane detectors usually are). The PDI will also let you determine if everything is working. I used the PDI when I bought my last 2 fifth wheels and they are helpful. The PDI is for a motorhome, but works fine with a non-motorized unit.
So, if you find a unit you like, I recommend you use the PDI to check it out carefully to make sure everything is working.
Oh, our first FW came with toilet paper roll hangers, towel racks and the like, but our last FW did not. I brought that to the attention of my salesman and he promptly dropped the price $100!
Doug and Kathy
2008 Chevy 2500HD extended cab Duramax/Allison 4WD
2007 Crossroads Cruiser CF30SK
"Nuestra casa con buena vistas"
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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The starter kit that dealers typically throw in with the sale of a new unit are really mostly throw away junk. They will get you one or two trips at best before the sewer hose tears and leaks, the water hose is pretty good though. Whether buying used (recommended) or buying new ( not recommended) Plan on spending another thousand dollars or so to equip your new home with the necessary items for you and your family. Typically if you get one battery that is OK for a weekend of full hook up camping. If you intend to boon dock (rough it) then you will need more and better quality batteries. You sure don't need to run out and buy everything the first day. Keep a note book in the Rv and each trip make a list of things that you don't have/must have for the next trip and low and behold after a few trips you will have everything you need plus a lot of stuff you really don't need.
Donn
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webslave
Clearville, PA
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Joined: 04/14/2008
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Almost everything nowadays is "extra", however, I do not consider filling the propane tanks and providing a battery, water hose and a 20 / 30 / 50 amp cord as being "extra" or "optional". If I had a dealer try that on me, I would ask him exactly how he planned to do the pre-delivery inspection (PDI). He can't fire up the gas reefer, hot water tank or furnace without propane being in the tanks and the system being charged to pressure. He also can't test and verify the various 12v systems without a house battery being installed. How is he going to test to my satisfaction the 120v AC system...or the water system? I wouldn't buy a car without a battery and full tank of gas either. If the dealer's profit margin is that tight or he hasn't already worked that price into his offer, you shouldn't want to do business with him. Mind you, one way or the other you're paying for them, but, they are things that you really shouldn't have to bicker over or ask for.
To my mind, a spare tire shouldn't be "optional", either, but, I am old enough to remember when heaters, outside mirrors, and shock absorbers were "options" when you bought a car... 
As has been mentioned, the "starter kit" is really throw away quality. It will get you through the first couple of trips, maybe.
That's actually how I look at what "should be included" in the purchase...whatever is necessary to drive off the lot and go straight to a CG and exist for a few days. The essentials - propane, electricity, water and some way to empty the tanks. There are other options that you really should have, but, a lot of them are personal preference and as such really are options, but, everybody needs propane, a battery (must have for breakaway brake controller, in fact I don't think they can sell you a TT without the battery if it has electric brakes(?), 120 volt electricity and water.
Don
DW
3 Cats 
2008 FunFinder X 210WBS
2008 Jeep Hemi Commander Limited
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Kirk
Livingston, Texas.
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Joined: 06/17/2001
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If you are looking at motorhomes, many of them no longer even have a place to carry a spare. The fact is that the majority of motorhomes never use the spare tire but carry one for peace of mind.
I have never seen any new RV which came from the factory with things like water or sewer hoses. Some dealers do provide them, but if so it is the dealer. As to batteries, I think that most RVs of any brand have at least one of those with extras optional. Many now have two batteries as standard.
To learn more about how to rate an RV and what to look for, you might be wise to get yourself a membership in the RV Consumer Group.
Good travelin! ........Kirk
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Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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Most dealers include a "Start Up Pack" that usually includes a sewer hose, Toilet Paper, Chemicals, and a water hose. Good luck buying your first RV!
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
Life is short, why not spend it in an RV!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
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MFinCA
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
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Joined: 06/09/2004
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donn0128 wrote:Whether buying used (recommended) or buying new ( not recommended) This prompts me to ask a question: If a prospective buyer is brand new to RVing, how would they know what to look for in a unit?
As an experienced RVer, I have a pretty good idea of how to spot roof problems, leaks, and how the appliances (water heater, refrigerator, heater, AC, etc) are supposed to work. I can check to see if the fresh water, gray, and black tanks are operating properly.
But someone who has zero experience might not know about all these items. A used unit might not come with any warranty.
I'm not advocating that buying new is better than used--just questioning if everyone should always buy used as your post seems to recommend.
MFinCA
2004 Homestead Settler 255RS
1999 Chevrolet Suburban 2500
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