Tips on options and accessories when purchasing a Casita Travel Trailer, or other RV

Recently, I had a friend who is a new mold avoider ask me to give my opinion about Casita travel trailer accessories and options. So I am going to do that here, and make this document public, for the benefit of anyone who wants to read it. 

However, be aware that which options you do or do not get on an RV will have very little impact on your success as a mold avoider. Much more important considerations include:

• Is the RV coming from a contaminated facility? My Casita felt good to me right from Rice Texas, but it was made in the springtime. I do not know if the same can be said for other times of years. 
• Will the RV be contaminated on the trip to you? Where will the driver overnight? 
• Do you know some basic mold avoider wisdom about not ruining RV’s with mold and water damage? Be sure to also read my general Tips for using an RV for mold avoidance (about half way down that page).
• Where will you park your RV? Is it legal in your neighborhood? If you have to store it, have you considered rodents, humidity, and other issues in storage?
• Have you thought about the fact that many campgrounds are closed due to COVID?
• Are you prepared for winter camping, if you are planning to live in the RV in the wintertime? 
• Do you know that the casita, due to its being made out of fiberglass, is particularly vulnerable to long-term MT contamination? 

This is just a partial list of considerations and warnings when it comes to using RV’s for mold avoidance. I just want to be sure that people don’t use “picking the right options” on the unit as a security blanket for thinking that “everything will go well.” 

Nevertheless, the Casita tends to have a really good resale value, so if things do not work out it can be easy to get most of your money back. This is a huge consideration with mold avoidance, because many times, things do not work out. 

Here is an initial video review of my purchase of a Casita, as well as a review of my purchase of an ATC travel trailer. 

Without further delay, here are my comments, in bold, about options available on the casita. In most cases I will use very few words, because they don’t matter that much 🙂

The comments prior to my comments are the thoughts of my friend, who is getting started with avoidance. My comments will show up after his.

• Flat Screen 22” HD Television w/ DVD Player – $334 – No, I’ll have them install the TV mount and then buy a TV for $70. Who uses DVDs? I wanted the TV pre-installed. Their TV’s are usually less contaminated than ones at box stores, and plus, mold avoidance kept me busy so I didn’t want the hassle of installing my own TV. Plus, its good for resale value. 
• TV Antenna w/ Amplifier – $159 – No, I can get an antenna for $15 if I decide I want one. I did not get this option. I don’t need radio TV and didn’t like the added EMF.
• Cable Ready – $39 – No, I haven’t paid for cable in years. Doesn’t Matter.
• 17’ Models Only – Air Conditioner Roof Mount – $879 – Maybe, for resale purposes Absolutely, for resale purposes. Also, and I am not saying this is good mold avoidance, but I have used my a/c extensively and it has been just fine. But you do need the mold avoidance skills to be able to tell if it is going bad. But casitas do not have a lot of duct work, so the AC and furnace systems can stay good more easily. 
• 17’ Models Only – 32 Gallon Gray Water Tank – $299 – Yes Agree
• 16’ and 17’ Models – Water Heater 6 Gallon – $595 – Yes Agree
• Gas, Electric, Electronic Ignition with By-Pass Kit  – ??? I do not know what this is. 
• Furnace – $499 – Yes, based on your previous recommendation Yes, it is good to have off-the-grid heating options during mold avoidance, but also good for resale. However, I don’t make it a practice of using propane heat. 
• Aluminum Cased Patio Awning – $879 – No, this results in more holes in the trailer and many people say the awning stands up to wind poorly. I did not get the awning. I kind of doubt that the holes would be more susceptible to leaks than all the other holes in the casita, but I felt like I didn’t want added risk. Some resale value risk here though.
• Outside Shower/Wash Station – $149 – YES Yes, very useful for mold avoidance although more places to leak, and more places to consider during winterization.
• 5 Gal. Fresh Water Tank Upgrade (17’ Model Only) – $79 – Yes Agree
• Microwave Oven (17’ Model Only) – $239 – No, many people report being happier with a $50 microwave. Yes, I got my own.
• LED Interior & Exterior Lights – $139 – No, I’m picky about lighting temperature and I can do this upgrade myself for $30. The halogens will work at the beginning until I buy replacements. I do not agree with this. We have had 6 RV’s and the LED lighting is good for a number of reasons. You won’t be picky about lighting temperature after enough avoidance. 
• *15” Aluminum Alloy Wheels – $269 – Yes If this is the upgraded wheel size… yes
• Solar Panel 180 Watt – $729 – No, I’ll have a solar plug installed and then pick up a solar briefcase for a whole lot less. If you want to do the work yourself, sure. But factory installed solar can be very nice for avoiders who don’t or can’t do the work.
• Solar Panel 230 Watt – $899 Same
• Maintenance Free AGM Deep Cycle Battery Upgrade – $279 – No, I can buy an aftermarket battery for less. Disagree. There may be wiring changes, and also it is hard to access the battery compartment, and also I think you are being overly optimistic about how much time and energy you will want to put into this project. 
• Electric Tongue Jack – $189 – No, I’ve read that it’s no problem doing this by hand, and the electric version is just another thing that can break. Disagree. I very much prefer my electronic tongue jackes and have never had an issue.
• Friction Anti Sway Control – $89 – ???, some people say they’re fine without any sway control, some say to go with the $489 option below. I really don’t know. Depends on tow vehicle size. If there is any question or your tow vehicle is on the small size, get it. 
• Anderson “No Sway” Weight Distribution Hitch – $489 Same.
• Casita Trailer Cover – $299 – No, it seems this is a good option for those who will use their trailer once in a while, and that’s not me.Unsure. Some people think the cover may increase mold in storage due to it being more air-tight. And casitas do pretty well without even being covered. I don’t think it is a big deal to omit it.
• Roller Window Shades – $299 – ???, this seems like a better option than the blinds, but it seems most mold avoiders prefer curtains over anything. Rollers would be awesome. We have this in our ATC and I very much wish my Casita had it, especially because mold avoiders are often “sneaking” living in their RV’s and they are better for blackout.
• Leveling Blocks – $49 – No, I read I can simply get a couple blocks of wood. Read up on RV accessories such as good sewer hoses, wheel accessories, etc. 
• Folding Kitchen Shelf – $89 – Yes Sure
• Surge Protector – $97 – No, experience and research have proven surge protectors to be worthless. Doesn’t matter
• Casita Kit – $99 – ??? Tools and stuff …. Maybe worth it. Remember, this isn’t all about money. If you are camping in death valley getting a great detox going on and hiking with your family and your RV breaks, you really will wish you hadn’t tried to save $17 on tools, when you are on the 2 hour drive to contaminated las vegas to pick up a $5 wrench! 
• Water Filter – $25 – No, I’ll probably go with reverse osmosis. Incorrect. The water filter is placed BEFORE the water enters the RV, so it can protect your tanks, pipes, etc from contamination. I NEVER recommend drinking water out of your RV fresh water tank. You might consider drinking it out of the city water connection (which is different from the tank). I have other thoughts on water filtration and it gets easier when you become a more experienced avoider. Be aware that putting bad water in your RV, whether filtered or not, can cause you a lot of stress. Which reminds me, learn how to manage your tanks. For example, most people don’t know that they should use A LOT of water in the black tank, and empty it only when full. There are many other little things like this to be aware of. Some people worry about using their RV tanks and don’t use the plumbing at all, but I do not agree with this and haven’t heard this from many avoiders I trust. Of course, it is most safe not to use it I guess, but sometimes you gotta poop, and being able to sustain mold avoidance is a prerequisite to doing it at all. Though we did once have HT grow in our tanks, but I do not think this was from using the plumbing… it was from doing laundry INSIDE the RV. Never do laundry in an RV!
• High Lift Suspension Package (high-lift axle & 15″ D range tire upgrade) – $199 – Yes, seems this option is good for boondocking. Absolutely