Keeping it Simple

[WeRJuliian]

Reading some of the posts on here, I think I may be in a minority, but...

I'm a great believer in the KISS philosophy (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) , when it comes to camping and RVing.

Don't get me wrong, as an engineer, I'm a shameless geek and a gadget addict, but, at the same time, I'm well aware of two important rules:

* The more complicated you make it, the more opportunities for it to fail.

* When it does fail, it will be dark, raining and a long way from home.
(a corollary of the famous principle propounded by the learned Mr Murphy)

So, while our Jayfeather has its fair share of "toys" - mostly electronic - none of them affect its reliability or safety.
I have a firm rule that, when it comes to structural or functional changes, I keep it as basic as I can. (If it needs more than three tools to fix it, I don't want it )

Am I alone in this?

[Siamese]

I sure do with my 26BH. No slides, no levelers, no fireplace. I wish my awning wasn't motorized, as I much preferred our old manual awning. Things fail. More things = more failures. With complexity, there comes a point of diminishing returns.

Same philosophy with my sailboat, motorcycles, and home.

[Riverman]

I look for simple every time I buy something.

[Midnightmoon]

My current Jay Feather was purchased with this idea in mind. It has no slide, manual stabilizers, etc. The only power items are the tongue jack and awning.

For us, it is perfect. Not everyone would be comfortable with this type of unit though and that's OK. That's why they make so many different models and trim levels.

[Jopopsy]

Exactly 1/2 the reason I unloaded the motorhome. My rig is much simpler, and while it does have a slide it came with a crank in case it fails.

The other 1/2 was cost! My trailer is a pittance compared to the motorhome.

[Screwby]

We bought our 23RB for that reason. It’s just basically a box on wheels. All the amenities in it could fail and I’d still be able to camp in it like it was a cargo trailer. No slides, no auto level, small and nimble, and easy to work on.

[DonaandDon]

It's not rigs amenities or maybe the accessories.

When the DW and I started out in the full time world, we would lay out all sorts of lookies.

From flowers on the table cloth, numerous games in the yard, to ground effect lights.

After 10 years it's come down to just nuts and bolts. If family and or friends visit, it's then game on...

[JFlightRisk]

I agree with this, too. The only electric device, is the tongue jack, and that's because the DW works it while I back the truck, and hook up the WDH. I don't understand why she didn't like the crank jack?? Oh, and my cell phone has a rotary dial!

[morleyz]

I'll be that guy. Totally the opposite. Give me cool new features and electronics. I love being able to pull into a site and press auto level while extending my three slides from a remote control. Filtered water and ice from my resi fridge. Uncooperative weather? Big TV and a space heater (saves big on propane when I have full hookups).

Yes, more stuff mean more can go wrong, but I'm pretty handy and technically savvy, so not much stresses me out on my rigs.

[Jagiven]

I like things simple. But I do not believe I would want another TT without a slide out. It would have to be like mine, where I can bring it in manually if ever needed.

Most advanced technology I want when camping is my cell phone, and I would be happy if it did not receive a signal.

I am extremely handy, can fix just about anything. My tool box in the TT is extremely small. Just enough stuff in it to ensure I can make it home.