I don’t know about you, but I’m excited for the resurgence of the road trip.…
9 mistakes that newbie RV campers make
My husband and I rented an RV a few summers ago. And boy oh boy, did we learn a lot. If you’re considering RV travel, I highly recommend renting first. It’ll give you a better idea of what works for your particular needs. GoRVing.com is a great resource for finding the perfect rig in the USA. While this is not an exhaustive list of things to consider, I feel this list is the most helpful for those of us who are just starting out. There’s no reason to be embarrassed if you do make any of the below mistakes. They are shared by literally EVERY seasoned RV’er out there. The good news? This community is more than happy to help out the “new kids on the block.”
*GoRVing.com is a proud sponsor of my show, Places to Love, but all opinions are my own.*
Mistake #1: Skipping a test drive
It’s a great idea to get the feel for driving your ship on wheels. Unless you’re, say, a bus driver in real life, maneuvering an RV presents its own set of challenges. On our maiden voyage, my husband and I headed to the nearest big parking lot (at a shopping center) and drove around to literally get a feel for how it moved.
Paying attention to the turn radius and overhead clearance. Practice backing into a spot for those RV parks that don’t have what’s called pull-through sites. Trust me, it’s good to have done this at least once in a stress-free setting before parking your rig for the first time at a packed campground… Though I am sure your audience of seasoned RV veterans will find it quite amusing!
I should mention that you’ll start to get confident driving your RV… and then you’ll take a turn too fast. Remember, you always have to drive slower and brake sooner.
Mistake #2: Not watching the gas gauge
Running out of gas the in the middle of the wilderness is literally something out of a horror movie. It’s so important to acquainted with your vehicles capabilities, and pay attention to the proximity of the nearest gas station. This is especially important if you’re hauling a camper with your regular vehicle. You may be used to getting a lot more mileage from a tank of gas, but your load could drop efficiency to less than 10 miles a gallon. One other tip here, with an RV you might be driving through more remote places than you are used to and the next gas station might be much further away than you think.
Mistake #3: Forgetting paper maps.
Our smartphones sure make navigation easy… that is, until you find yourself without service and in the middle of nowhere. (Also see not watching Gas Gauge) It’s important to have a good old fashioned paper map at the ready.
Mistake #4: Forgetting to do a walk-around before leaving an RV site.
We’re all anxious to get on the road, but before you do, walk around the RV. Check the tire pressure. Make sure all the slide-outs are back in. Ensure the outside storage cabinets are closed and locked. Double-check that you didn’t leave your empty luggage next to the RV–you know that kind of thing.
There’s also things you need to do inside, like place coffee maker and toaster in sink so they don’t slide around. The one thing my husband and I just COULD NOT remember was making sure the refrigerator door was shut tight. We’d make a turn and, to our children’s total delight, the door would fling open and 10 apples would come flying out. If you are renting an RV, ask for a checklist.
Mistake #5: Over-packing.
It’s so enticing to over-pack when you have all this space! However, an RV starts feeling pretty cramped when things aren’t neatly stored away. You really don’t need every kitchen gadget in the world. One set of plates, bowls and silverware will do. Remember, you have a sink and can wash things! Though it may not feel like it, you are camping. Even if it is fancy camping.
Mistake #6: Not making reservations.
Part of the fun of RV travel is spontaneity. However, if you’re touring in the states, Memorial Day through Labor Day is busy, busy, busy—especially on holidays and weekends. Many great sites fill up early, and if they’re first-come, first-served, you best be at the campground when it opens. It’s always a good idea to book ahead of time or call and find out the best way to ensure your spot in the RV park you want.
Mistake #7: Not being level.
Not only does this mean you’ll be uncomfortable as you sleep, a wonky RV set up means the fridge doesn’t work properly and you run the risk of your food going bad. Most RV’s have some sort of leveling system, so find out where it is and how it works. Also, a small level is a handy-dandy item to have in your tool box.
Mistake #8: Forgetting Tetris-able storage.
Organization and storage are important elements of RV travel. Square containers will just about always fit better than round ones. Ziplock bags pack small and have a myriad of uses.
Mistake #9: Skimping on essential tools.
You don’t need every tool known to man, but a few items will make your trip so much easier.
- Duct tape is a must—this is true in almost every life situation!
- A small level is helpful for ensuring you’re not parked at a slope.
- A multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver set
- 1/2-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/4-inch socket set including adapters and extensions.
- A Leatherman multi-tool
- Bungee cords with hooks
- Hatchet/hammer combo
- Headlamp with extra batteries.
- Tire pressure gauge.
- Rubber gloves.
- First aid kit
What newbie mistakes have you made while RV camping? Share in the comments!
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Know how to use the electrical connectors, hose connectors and emptying the gray and black water tanks.
If renting, be sure to have the emergency road service number of the rental company and what to do in case they are unavailable. Check that your insurance will cover you in an RV. Know how tall the unit is and put a sticky note on the dash for a reminder.
On one of my first trips, my friend and I did our departure walk-around, checking that all was properly stowed and locked. As we drove away, we were alerted to the fact, by another camper, that we had forgotten to retract the awning! Remember to LOOK UP as well as AROUND. !!!
I am sorry I couldn’t quit laughing. That is definitely something I would do. I remember pulling a camper last year to Michigan and back to AZ. We kept having people flashing their lights at us, my friend flew out and drove with me back a bit. Anyway we couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong. Then it dawned on us that I didn’t have my lights on. We laughed so hard I had to pull over!
Thanks for the great lists
One helpful hint is that those in motor homes using generators: make sure you have at least a 1/4 tank of gas or it will stop running
Stop Now you are making me laugh, that’s funny 😅.
Same thing happened to me in Alaska a few years back. Leaving a rv site in Valdez, AK. I checked my mirror and saw this guy running beside me, waving his arms. I stopped and a good thing, because my 2 ft. Awning was out.
I can’t imagine the amount of damage I could have caused someone.
That is funny!
I remember when we had VW caravett, and on a very hot day when we were in a long queue to go under a railway bridge to go on to the beach my two children 7&9 Popped the roof with out telling me! but didn’t tell me 🤯 and when the traffic started moving forward in to the arch there was a BANG with loud scream’s from the family in the back 🙀. It was very lucky that it was only the double vent that was hit and not the full pop up🙃. I fitted a microswitch and a warning light after that.
We have a vintage VW Campmobile. We pulled out of a rest stop on I-80 up near Donner’s Pass and drove a good 10miles or so. I was thinking it was real windy..kinda blowing us around a bit.. until I looked back and realized the pop top was still up..
Forgot to lower T V antenna. Drove good number of miles home with it up. Until we hit our own overhead canopy.
I did this as well!!! Except nobody saw me do it and I bent the whole thing and almost ripped it off…. also ripped the water hose out once before!!! Walk arounds are a must.
We drove about 100 miles down the interstate with our steps out, so we know that feeling!!
im new to this just bought our rv.. thx for the heads up on things to remember😊
Thanks guys, I’m new as well I need all the help I can get. I’m overwhelmed and excited
A lot of people forget their antenna and don’t lower it.
Been fulltiming for 19yrs. All suggestings right on. This was mentioned, but I have to say, a week doesn’t go by that we don’t see someone pull out with their tv antenna up, weather a local antenna or a dish. This is after we see them do a walk around. Look up. Put a list by the steering wheel before turning the key……enjoy.
Check Lists are a must when RVing, I have been RVing since 1966, and still use a list when loading, unhooking and preparing to depart a camp site.
One important check is putting the step in if your RV is not equipped with an automatic step. Slow down.
Hi, there,
I was wondering if you could share your list with us…. we purchased a travel trailer today and trying to do as much research as possible… thank you so much!
Would you share your camping check lists please?
I like the list on the steering wheel part!!!
It is a real inconvenience to pull your RV into a campsite carefully positioning it to clear for your slideouts, level, connect the electric, fresh water, sewer, and TV cable then realize that you have to make the trip to the grocery store or pharmacy.
Hi,
I wish I had read this article before leaving with my family of 5 in a 34 feet long RV to a 15 days trip to Quebec to visit 4 national and provincial parks. This was in September this year. We did not have any accidents, but we learned as we drove. This was taxing on our nerves. Several tips, such as a test run, cluttering, etc. could have come in handy. We will surely not buy an RV, but we are hooked on them for renting.
Thank you for a great share!
Regards,
Suhail
Oh shoot. That would be a bummer. I would have asked for a ride from someone!!??
I have found that it helps as a reminder to hang something from the antenna crank handle.
I work in aviation, a “remove before flight” flag would be perfect for this. There is a reason aviation is so safe, CHECKLISTS!!!
Hang your keys on the antenna retractor.
Love that idea!
I put a small clip, like a clothespin on my antennae crank. When I raise it, I put the clip on the ignition. Haven’t left with my antennae up since.
I’ve been rv since I was 16, I’m 54 u get use to being alone, have all the tools, it’s most important to be nice to people, watch it gas , and how u handle it , plus ur rv gets dirty, no biggie, clean it or get it cleaned, just check for leaks, also bugs, ants eat other wise camping is nice, so remember,u are under 30 ft in leight, u can go to nation Parks
Renting from cruise america getting a 30 ft . It’s been a long time since I drove a r v. We are going from Florida to the grand cannon. Any suggestions
Follow the advice in the article. It was right to the point. keep in mind overhead clearance.
Be SAFE and ENJOY.
We rented from cruise America several years ago and the brakes went out and they had no one tow it for several days. We were stuck with no vehicle for for 4 days. Make sure it has been serviced and the phone numbers on how to reach them in case of a problem.
If it’s a diesel RV, put a big red “Diesel Only” sticker on the filler cap. For obvious reasons!
CB radios are cheap as chips and could be a life-saver.
A set of warning triangles are essential, especially if you break down on a narrow road, at night or on a blind curve.
Check the air pressure in the spare wheel.i once rented a motorhome and found that instead of a spare wheel there was a tire but no rim!!
We have been RVing since the early 70s. We have run into a number of new people in parks that hook up the sewer drain and open the gray and black tanks to drain all the time. Big mistake on the black tank. All the liquid drains out. They end up with a mountain of hardened poop after a few stops doing this, and can no longer use the toilet. Leave the black tank closed, use one of the many products that break things down, make sure there is plenty of water in your tank, then drain it when needed or before you leave the park.
Has anyone ever left the dump with there drain hose still attached to their RV. I have.
Quick tip for your black tanks to help keep them cleaner try before you leave putting a bag or two of ice in the black tank. The ice breaks up the waste and melts .
AAA RV Plus is the best you can have especially for towing.
All of the above is great advice. We have been r ing for 30+ years and have done a few of these things. The best advice is a list and ice in the black water tank. Grey water tanks can also become smelly if not emptied daily. Put a little of the chemical for breaking down the black water down the sink drain this really does help with the odor
You tube videos…”keep your daydream”. They’ve made lots of mistakes and offer great tips and lists. Take notes
Suggestions, yes make a reservation as parks NEAR GC fill up fast. There is boondocking free as you head to the south rim
Take your time, drive under the speed limit and enjoy the ride. If you get tired pull over and sleep. That’s the reason for the convenience.
If you buy a class C RV and plan to tow a vehicle- be sure you have a vehicle that can be towed without a tow dolly! It will add extra steps to your list!
As already stated..watch fuel levels but an add on to that thought. Remember if you are going to need your generator, it will not run with less than a 1/4 tank of gas.
I don’t understand what you mean? I’ve towed on all fours, but also towed with a tow dolly. Can I ask what’s the issues ?
A Fiat500 5 speed is a great tow
Yes try a different company or be prepared for a very bumpy rife. Their suspension are horrible. Yes I know you should not take a nap while driving but I did and a pot hole threw me off the bed. Another one sent me over a foot off the bed and back down. Seems standard for their rigs. We used them and El Monte loved them, their rig so much better shape and great ride. Have fun and if possible no more than 400 miles a day and that can be pushing it a bit.
Oh man! I’m jealous. I’m also in FL. and that trip is on my bucket list. Not sure it will ever happen but I’m keeping it at the top of my list. Have fun take your time and be safe.
Check out Badger Springs near Cordes Lakes AZ, a short hike and you can see the petroglyphs where the stream meets the river.( Both the stream and river at dry most of the year.) RV sites are available near Cordes Lakes.
I would not recommend Cruise America. They don’t allow you many miles per day and they charge for each hour you run the generator.
Insect repellent, and an extra 5 gallons of water for the engine. Watch for snakes at night on the payment. It’s a great trip! Hope you all have a wonderful time. Oh, BTW, no generators allowed at Grand Canyon after 10PM.
Trudy Lee
August 2020
Hi To All NEW & OLD RVers,
I am a single retired woman having travelled in A and C class Motor homes. I’d like to add part of my check list I have been using for travelling from Alberta to Oaxaca, Mexico.
1) Gerry can filled with gas
2) 2 Litres of Oil and ready mix coolant
3) Advil or Tylenol, Hydrogen Peroxide great for disinfecting cuts and counter tops
4) Tensor bandage
5) Rope for Clothes line and pegs
6) Rubber boots to wear at dump stations
7) Water hose for fresh water only
8) Pail, rubber gloves, cotton rags
9) Shovel – Spade & Blunt nose
10) Extension cords for indoor and outdoor use, power bars
11) Buck saw, axes long and short handles
12) Plumbing tape for water leaks or engine hose leaks
13) Hammer & Nails of assorted sizes
14) Multi-Screw Driver, assorted pliers and wrenches, roll of wire
15) Last but not least Hot Chocolate
& Baileys (or a great Scotch) for those unplanned rainy days and a good book
And cudos to all the people who took time to post their stories and ideas
Really nice list. Thank you and all who shared
That’s a trip I would take.
Trudy,
Awesome list.
Right now we have a TT but come spring upgrading to a Class C
We have been considering doing the same drive Alberta to Oaxaca Huatulco area.
Neither of us speak Spanish which also has held us back.
Which route do you take?
I’ve been inquiring on Trip Advisor and a Huatulco FB page about places to park.
Do you travel to Huatulco?
We drive our class c between Calgary and Puerto Escondido and back once a year. We’ve taken a couple of routes. I would NEVER even try to drive highway 175 from PE to Oaxaca city EVER! I’m sure of you posted in the Locals and Foriengers in PE my husband would give you the exact routes we took. He’s great at that. I am not. Hahaha
I would add, when driving an RV into Mexico read about “Topes” . Research what the roads you’re going to be are like. We drove our 29 footer from Calgary to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca and the roads are incredibly narrow and most have no shoulder. We scrambled to pull our mirrors in a number of times when a buses or trucks were coming our way!
Trudy!
Thanks for your list. I am a 69 year old married woman whose 91 year old husband has Parkinson’s and is living in an assisted living facility. We spent many years camping with our travel trailers from So California all over the West and Vancouver, BC, Alberta, Banff, Jasper…But when my husband couldn’t handle taking care of and driving our Suburban and our 30’ travel trailer anymore 5 or 6 yrs ago, we sold it. I cried to have lost our RV lifestyle. We moved to Utah to be near family and I’m surrounded by beautiful mountains and places to explore! And many wonderful sites are close by! But my husband reached a point where he couldn’t take site seeing drives anymore and will never travel with me ever again.
Well, for months I started thinking that I’d like to get a small Class C and travel again without him. I finally bit the bullet and bought myself a used 2019 Thor Chateau 26B motorhome! It’s longer than I wanted (27’6”) but to get what I wanted inside, I had to go that long. It’s sitting in our driveway now and I’ve been having a ball shopping for the necessities for it. I loved reading your list and have wondered about carrying my husband’s heavy tool box. He always packed it on every one of our trips. Not sure if I’d ever need everything in it!
But I wanted to ask you if you have a checklist of what to do upon arrival at a campground or RV Park. And your departure checklist… I’ve never done this by myself but I’m game to learn! A motorhome has sooo much more for me to worry about than a travel trailer! Batteries, generator, propane, solar panel, and mine doesn’t have levelers!! I’m trying to decide if I should buy ready made leveling blocks or have my lumberjack neighbor just cut me some blocks of wood. I did buy chocks for my dually tires but I hesitated buying the leveling blocks. And I’m still looking for a green hose for my black water tank flushing.
Any wise and experienced advice would be welcome! My daughter thinks I’m ridiculous for attempting this venture by myself! I do plan to tag along with some of my RVing neighbors until I get the hang of all of it. I’m already doubting myself somewhat cause I don’t know how to operate everything yet. The owners manuals are really intimidating!
I’d love to join a Senior RV Camping Group too!
Thanks !
Never doubt yourself. Ofc there will be mistakes and accidents…hasn’t it been that way for all of us our entire lives? F*ck it. Live and learn and enjoy the ride 😎
This list of comments is really great. Going to save and study. THANKS EVERYONE, helpful and free advice is probably going to save me some gray hairs.
We did rent a RV this year and now want to buy one. I’ve heard from many people that the ones made in 2020 are having problems because of the demands for new,too many weren’t properly built. Rushed to make and sell.
Hi Jane, My situation was so similar to yours it’s not even funny. I am now by myself for the past 7 yrs. After my husband passed away I sold our RV and that was a big mistake. I really missed camping. It took me 7 yrs. to decide to buy another one (class B motor home) and yes my daughter thinks I am crazy too. Here is my thought process….
I am now 75 years young and you are 69 years young our lives are not over. So I say get and live. There is much to see and do in this beautiful country of ours. All I say to you is be brave you can do this. If your husband could do it so can you! P.S. Make sure you take those leveling blocks with you especially if you go to state & national parks. I preferred the plastic ones. Good Luck & Happy Camping
Check out YouTube. You can find videos on everything you may need
I’m 68 single, I bought 2021 Thor Chateau 22B motorhome! I’m planing my trip in June I’ve driven the roads many of times but not with an RV. I’m starting in Sacramento CA to Powell WY to Sioux Falls SD to Mobile AL to Houston TX to Roy NM to Lakewood CO back to CA. Around 6000 plus miles. Wish me luck. Maybe see you on the road.
Wow! Someone who knows about Roy, NM. I live in Clovis and had a good friend who grew up in Roy. I say had because he died last month. Good luck on your journey. You probably already know this, but Roy has no services. No gas, no grocery. Nearest gas is in Springer, NM.
I too am 69. I say go for it! You’ll regret it if you don’t. Safe travels!!
The greatest website for ALLgroups of RV”ers is Workamper.com Here you will find specific groups of senior, single, others for group travelers. Also workshops, events, and best of all jobs offered in every state at all kinds of campgrounds. I have done this the past 5 years and there in nothing better than living working and seeing all the beauty of our national parks and the private campgrounds that surround them.
Thanks for all the encouragement. I’m 68 just purchased a class C. I have camped a lot in the past with my ex-husband but now on my own. Looking forward to new adventures.
Jane, when I was 15, my grandfather passed away. He and my grandma traveled a lot in a similar fashion as you and your husband. When he died, my grandma did exactly what you are doing! She traded in her truck and trailer and bought a new truck and 5th wheel. Then she had me fly to Southern California where she lived and we traveled together. The first summer, we did the whole west coast. The second summer, I flew to Nashville, TN to catch up with her the day after school got out. We traveled the whole East Coast, clear up to the tip of Nova Scotia, then headed west through the Great Lakes. I flew back home from Bismarck, ND to SLC, UT the day before the new school year started. These were memories I will love, cherish and never forget. Now, I am 45. I have 6 children. One year ago I purchased a 33’ RV trailer. I pulled my kids out of school and I have been taking them to all the places my grandma took me to! Even with COVID running through our country, we have seen SO MUCH!
You can do this!! I’m so excited for you! If you get the chance, take a grandchild along for the journey!
Jane, I will be 82 next week, and I’ve been driving first a 27′ Class C (150,000 miles in 10 years) and a 30′ Class A (33,000 miles last 3 years). My husband usually made about 1 trip (2500 miles) a year in the Class C. He bought both units for ME, and I was 69 when we bought the first one. Many of my trips I’ve been alone, and now I’m the only driver. You can do it! Be careful, take your time, and ENJOY! Don’t push the miles per day. It’s a wonderful way to see this beautiful country of ours.
Jane, I will be 82 next week, and I’ve been driving first a 27′ Class C (150,000 miles in 10 years) and a 30′ Class A (33,000 miles last 3 years). My husband usually made about 1 trip (2500 miles) a year in the Class C. He bought both units for ME, and I was 69 when we bought the first one. Many of my trips I’ve been alone, and now I’m the only driver. You can do it! Be careful, take your time, and ENJOY! Don’t push the miles per day. It’s a wonderful way to see this beautiful country of ours.
If you have a 2019 Thor, it should come with auto levelers. Having a 2×2 block of wood to go under them when parked on softer surfaces can be a great help.
I’ve been RVing for the past few years. I recommend taking a short “shake down” trip.
This will help you decide how much you can safely pack without feeling unequipped, and can help you figure out what the baseline motor sounds and feels are when at speed and warmed up. It can also give you a good understanding as to what needs to be tacked down and what you absolutely cannot live without.
I personally prefer to have a full tool kit when on the road. I don’t always have access to a mechanic, so knowing the basic needs of my vehicle and being able to address them on the road is highly important.
Things I’ve learned on the road:
Understand how to remove the doghouse and replace the serpentine belt(s) and sparkplugs and carry extras.
Check how well the cooling system works in your vehicle, as this can be crucial for long trips. Knowing where your needles are at optimal running conditions can help prevent issues before they occur.
Carry extra fuses for the engine as well as for the inside. Know where all the fuse boxes are (some of them can be hidden).
Have a storage bay for emergency household maintenance supplies that include plumbing, electrical or structural repair as well as that necessary for engine maintenance.
If you’re in an RV Park and have issues with your vehicle, ask your neighbors for help or if they recommend a place that could assist. You’d be surprised how many people will jump in and lend a hand.
Hey Jane….anyway you could practice with ur t.v. while parked in ur driveway? Maybe spend a couple days/night’s in it and use it like you would at a camp site….just to become more familiar with it and maybe help you start a list of your own? Don’t let doubt overshadow your dream! You can do anything you want and ask your daughter to go with you when that day finally comes! Wonderful memories for mother and daughter to make rving!! Good luck and have fun on your journey!!!!
My husband passed away in March. After enjoying 50 years of camping (tent to 27ft TT) I wasn’t prepared to give up another part of my life with him. Thanks to my son I have taken our trailer & truck out 3 times. Now looking for a 28ft MH. Jane, please go out with friends until you are comfortable with everything. The only part of trailering I found intimidating was hitching up. JUST GO SLOW. Recheck everything & look down, up & around before leaving. Make lists of everything you need to do before leaving a site. You’ve already lost so much-don’t lose this too. by the way-I’m 74 and had never done the outside work of the trailer before. But I’m learning & just as important- I’m enjoying it.
I watched a ton of YouTube videos on how to do anything and everything in and around an RV. I’ve found that you won’t need as much “stuff” as you think you will. Take the tool box, a cell phone, maps, and make connections with other RVers on your travels. I use snap bracelets with reminders written on them that I put on the steering wheel. You won’t drive away with your awning out if you have a snap bracelet for that! Happy travels!
Check out Girl Camper online. There are lots of ladies our age/younger/older who travel all around in campers of all kinds, mostly alone. They share great tips, decorating ideas, meal ideas, encouragement. You can do it!
I’d love to join a senior club. Count me in!
Hi and good for you to keep going with your RV lifestyle! I’ll be taking delivery of my first TT in mid 2024, a Scamp 16’ . I plan to drive myself and my German Shepherd wherever I want to go! I’ve joined several Facebook RV groups; once you join one, others will be suggested for you. I’ve learned so much from these nice folks and when someone has a problem, there’s usually several responses within minutes!
Search for Older Ladies Camping (sorry, I can’t recall all of exact names), several Scamp camping groups that are a wealth of help and general knowledge.
I have NO experience with this other than renting a few times with my ex. I’m planning on camping close to home many times until I’m comfortable with my camper and its systems.
I wish you all the best and hope we cross paths one day! I’m glad you and your husband had so many happy years together.
At age 66, my husband & mother passed and our special needs son is in a group home, so I don’t have so many responsibilities. I invited a number of people to take a month long trip out west (I’m from OH), and no one was available, so I went anyways. I tried a 1 week trip first, and gained confidence. Plan on things not going perfectly. Learn as you go. Ask for help (even backing up), people love to share their experiences and skills. I felt safest using Harvest Host and Boondockers Welcome sites. I had to remind myself, I could change my mind about my itinerary. Since I only planned to drive 4-6 hrs/day, detour/distractions were allowed, and still set up in daylight. Also it’s less stressful to let people pass than try to keep up with the speedy little cars, (and it saves on gas). Invest in good tow mirrors (and use them).
People seem so impressed I went alone. At this point I could go alone, or stay home alone. Choose to go. (Praise the Lord for GPS!)
Thanks for the excellent tips and checklist!
Very sensible! After purchasing a small second hand travel trailer, and before traveling, I tried to pull together a great list. Yours has great commonsense things that I overlooked. Thank you.
This was our first camping trip we only went few miles to our li state parlk we had a blast did do skittle over stock on food but it was ok. Loved it cNtuywait to go again.
Been fultiming 2 yrs now worse thing was tried to pull in the sides (17.5ft) when not level and burned the motor up 1000 bucks.
Hi: I hate to say this, but the older I get, the more I appreciate the fact that I married a woman who cleans most of my major messes. This isn’t to say I’m incompetent, it’s just to say that she’s very competent. So, the best thing you can have while RVing is a good life partner!
As one half of a partnership, I totally agree! ????
The only reason she is good at it is because of practice. You couldn’t tie your shoes perfect the first time, took practice. You should practice more on taking care of your own messes so that she can also have an awesome partner. No one wants to be someone’s maid for life.
Man is good at spesifick tasks and concentrate on one thing at a time. Woman can multitask and is much more observant as to what happens around them. It is just the way we are made.
I know the comment is old…but I was thinking the same thing. He was giving props to his wife/partner and she took it to a “whole nother level”.🤨 Kenneth’s post pays homage to his wife.
I’ve been in the Rv business for 50 years and retired now and enjoying the fruits of my labor we had a lot of fun camping and building memories with the family try it you will like it if you are a family person you will never forget the family trips even when the kids go on there own way you will always remember good thing in life have fun go Rv Ing great tips Bob M Ny now in FLa and Myrtle beach SC
Really Jessica? Such a nice thread till you showed up.
I agree WTH Jessica?
I agree . He was making a nice comment about about his life partner and someone had to get nasty. Their comment about what NO ONE wants to do that forever pretty assuming don’t you think????? Keep this thread about RV omg and be nice please.
No, that would be you Gary. Jessica put the situation perfectly.
Really William??
I agree with Jessica.No one needs to be caretaker in a marriage.Its a fifty fifty deal unless of course one partner is ill.
Sorry, it’s a 100%/100% to whatever capacity that partner has. I would never give my wife only half of me.
On point!
OMG, people, keep it focused on RVing, not mate advice!
Right-on with your Perspective on jumping in- it’s the sign of a true partnership. 🙂 I always joke about the “Magic laundry basket”- I toss stuff in, it reappears washed & folded on my bed! Amazing! I do get waves of guilt…but only jump-in to medicate that feeling, then back to taking advantage again! I’m a pretty sad male example, ya think! But, I fix all the stuff that fails in our world! It’s a balance🙏
Hey, just so you know- I am truly taking “notes” here! My check-list is getting more and more refined to fit our travel plans, and the “route reality” hit home big-time! Thx all for contributing!
Oh man! A tad OT ~ Magic laundry basket, made me remember the children’s book my mother had published, The Magic Clothes Basket. LOL, though nothing to do with the RV life.
Thats a Karen comment…. you don’t know what they compromise are…. he may be having to fix the rig or work or something that his wife doesn’t know how to do or maybe she would rather clean then do whatever he does to make up for his “messes”.
The worst thing you can do is judge someone you don’t know…. and just by a simple comment you don’t have any idea as too there relationship…. he just praised her and said having a great partner is the biggest thing when traveling in an rv. Me and my wife are full time in out motorhome and we delegate responsibilitys…… smh… why do people think its ok to make such negative comments about someone. Its like me saying h made that comment because you have and a bad experience with a man. But I don’t I don’t assume that and be rude by telling you what I assume….. grow up…
Kudos to Jessica! So what if he gave her credit, it is ridiculous! He’s a slob & is grateful that she cleans up his messes! She must be a door knob!
Don’t forget to raise the step!
It’s really easy to forget. And close all of the vents that lift or flap open. I had the flap of a stove went to the outside fly off somewhere in Utah. Or Arizona. Or…I have no idea. Luckily stuff like that is usually easy to replace. Have fun, savor the time together and pull over at every tacky stop that you can.
Just did this! Hit in on a tree pulling in… live n learn
Kenneth You are precious to say your wife is such a dear. And of course you appear to be kind enough to let her know how much in person you appreciate her too. I camp alone usually but I appreciate the things my husband does for me like refiguring my solar battery system last year from a deep cell system to the new Goal Zero Lithium which was quite the job and beyond my abilities. Happy Camping Season to both you and your wife have a great one.
We’ve camped for 50 yrs. It is a well orchestrated process: setup and take down. Both of us have tasks. Sharing responsibilities is half the fun…to see how fast we can setup or to get on the road.
Worse mistake. We forgot to close the vent over our bed (my job). We drove through torrential rains that day. Our bed was sopping wet, down to the mattress. After that mistake, husband replaced all ceiling vents with hooded ones. Since that mishap, I never forget to check the vents.
Also if camping with pets, make sure you clean up the site so they (and you) are welcomed back.
you’re a good man
Picked up camper from dealer in ohio and pulled to Wisconsin. No drive around and inspection. Didn’t get hitch I wanted and dealer set up wrong too low in truck. Fifth wheel. Anyway hit the side rails on truck for damage and popped back window getting in driveway at home.. 1st day with trailer. Luckily different dealer put right hitch on and adjusted correctly. Works fine now
Remember the extension of the mirrors. Almost took a park guard head off at Rushmore
Another head to add on as you Rushmore.
When I retired I bought a 33 ft motorhome with a Jeep that I tow. I then started a project of playing the oldest golf course in every state in the US and all ten provinces in Canada. My learning curve had to be fast and furious but I’d like to reinforce some of the advice already given.
1. Walk around your RV as the last thing you do before getting behind the wheel. Power cords are expensive to replace.
2. Empty your gray and black tanks whenever a dump is available, You don’t need to be lugging that water around at 8 lbs a gallon.
3. Keep only enough fresh water to handle your needs for flushing, washing dishes etc while driving, if you are boondocking then fill it up.
4. When filling up with gas leave plenty of space between the rig and the pumps, the last thing you need is to take a pump out because your back end swung around, usually a good idea to pull forward 20 ft before starting to turn.
5. Add 1/4 cup of household bleach to your fresh water tank and run all taps if you’ve had your RV sitting in storage for a month or more. Algae and scum can form on tank walls and pipes.
6. Buy an inline carbon water filter at Walmart for $10 the next time you stay in their parking lot. It will keep the bad stuff out of your tanks when you are filling or using direct hookups.
I could go on forever, but most importantly get out there and experience this great country you’ll have a blast.
I am looking at doing a cross Canada golf trip and was wondering did you park overnight at many or any of the golf courses . Just wondering if this might be an option after a day on the links and a few beverages . Any comments would be welcome .
A good thing to remember is to check all hose fittings. Under sink in kitchen and bathroom, under fridge for drain and water heater connections etc. These often come loose. If you purchase a new rig, that is the first thing I would check as the dealers don’t always tighten these down. No fun having them leak and get your floor all wet after doing dishes or taking a shower.
Good stuff to know, thanks for the insight . We miss seeing you on the Travel Channel. Happy Trails, J.D. Warren, Annapolis, Md.
You know that she’s on PBS now.
All very good tips!!! When we started rving we had a checklist for everything outside that needed to be done and a list for everything inside that needed to be done before heading off on our next adventure. Also there is a great free app called “rvparky” that I use all of the time to find gas stations, campgrounds, rest areas, and Wal-Mart. You can choose what you want it to show you to suit your needs. Happy travels!
Hi Jacqui,
We are totally new to the RV life. Would you mind making your Outside & Inside Checklists available to us? We could use all the help we can get!!
Thank you,
Barb
Sounds like a half-decent leveling device as well. It could get you ‘in the ballpark’.
I would love a checklist I will be full-time RVing in the next couple months I’m a lady alone with a small dog and a reasonable checklist for me to use would be wonderful
Oh my people lets get together at the next campground and PRINT out our own CUSTOM check lists. Even laminate it. I mean bring that printer and laminator and paper and you certainly can make as many as you need. I took notes from these six listed here along with several wonderful ideas from all the people sharing their information. I do not have a smart phone but do have paper maps including water proof map covers for all of them and though I have
big printers at home we have 1-2 small less expensive but very adequate printers to hit the road with us and surprise they do not take a lot of power to run. The full size laminator might be a bit much for our solar lithium battery but not our tiny 9 inch version. A box of precut paper and or standard copy paper take some sheets out and add in a few lamination pockets and you have plenty of black and white even color printing to make those lists. Share with your fellow campers if they happen to see yours and you’ll be making camping friends for years to come. A lap top small printer with or without a small laminator. If not print out a good check list from these hints and suggestions right here today before you leave home and have ready to take. I suggest if you are not laminating use good white card stock or light colored card stock. Lime green or yellow to catch your eye. Hapy camping everyone.
Page protectors and tape to seal them if you don’t have a laminator.
All great comments, remember to shut off the water pump if you plan to leave for more than an hour…I ended up with a small leak from a sink water line, only to come back to 50 gallons of water on the floor
Did you ever make it on the road full-time??
New to RV camping? Make your first camping adventure a solid week in your driveway! You will learn tons like what did I forget, what can I live without and is that mattress really as comfortable as I thought? It gives you the opportunity to make changes while you are still at home!
Two of the most important things to take along that no one has mentioned?? Pack your patience and your sense of humor!! They are as important as the duct tape! Take your time and enjoy!
I agree with you 100%, take your time . You will always find bumps in the road. Keep a good sense of humor, Catherine knows that at the end of a travel day after driving for 6-8hrs, I want to get the basic set-up done. Then a COLD beverage and let me wind down some. Driving a large rig can be very stressful and having that understanding helps. Remember you’re doing this to relax and have fun. Your destination is only part of the adventure, the journey getting there is part of the fun as well. Enjoy the ride.
Wow that is a great idea!!!
Another tidbit, when learning to drive one of these or bigger, place a 2 liter bottle half full of water sideways on the dash. When you make a turn your goal is to have the water not move. Whatever you feel in the front is amplified BIG time in the back.
Love that idea and I will try it.
That’s a great tip. We just got back from our maiden voyage and that is what scared me the most! I do all of the driving because my husband has severe arthritis in his hands, but today I feel like I have it holding that thing on the road.🌼
I like that idea. I can see it working good enough. My parents had a Pace Arrow they had trouble on turns because it was long behind the rear wheels/ bedroom area, I bet that idea would’ve helped earlier in the game.
Must do before moving a rv.
I. Make sure all ceiling vents are closed or just barely cracked.
2. Make sure all cupboards are securely closed.
3. Make sure the refrigerator is latched. Or be prepared to clean up a mess. Think blueberries all over the camper.
4. Make sure all cords and hoses are unhooked. I rinse the sewer hose before stowing it. Take the time to neatly stow the electrical cord and your drinking water hose. If you have kids they can be taught to do this at about 10 years old. I did the hose and electrical cords for my Dad from age 12 when we bought our first rv.
5. Make sure all outside compartments are securely closed or locked.
6. Don’t forget to pick up your leveling blocks before you lock the storage.
We keep our refrigerator locked at all times. Just so we don’t have a repeat of the blueberry mess. It is always the last thing I check before starting the rv. That happened over 45 years ago and it is a lesson that became a habit over the years.
Just a few more:
; Antenna down, steps up.
: stabilization jacks up and lock. Handle stowed
; awning closed and secure
; Check lights, turn signal & stop on tow vehicle, camper and motor home
; Diesels – check / fill DEF tank
; Windows closed and locked
: Turn off 12 v system
; Clean Vehicle windows and mirrors
; Check tire pressure, all around, (Including the spare). Make sure lug nuts are tight
Additional checks:
Make sure covers are on bumper after inserting septic hose
Attach cover on black/grey water septic outlet
Shades up so they don’t rattle
Drawers and cabinet doors closed
Shower door latched
In the checklists I haven’t seen To make sure the umbilical cord is hooked to your truck if you are pulling a trailer or fifth wheel. I failed to do this on one leg of my journey one time. Our fifth wheel is so light I did not notice the difference In the braking. The worse part is knowing that my brake and turn signal lights were not working either. We were extremely lucky we didn’t cause an accident.
Lesson learned!,
This is something we’re planning in the future, thanks for all the tips!
You can use a Woblr device to level your RV! It uses an app on your phone.
Cellphone leveling apps are not all that reliable Packing a small electricians level and “eyeballing” your rig is much easier
To be sure your rig is level for the fridge to work properly, put a level INSIDE the fridge. There are differences between the fridge and the floor …
I’m A newbie with class C Integra Odesey. I have not gone any where yet. I want to join a group of folks who like Rving and can show me the ropes. I hope to make good friends in the process. Hope someone reaches out as this single man is flying solo????
alot of churches have camping groups that welcome folks. might want to try that. also check with camper dealerships for suggestions. and campgrounds may also have suggestions as they book groups. good luck & don’t forget to visit PA –PA Dutch food will put #s on ya!! and *just watch out for our world famous potholes–hahaha!
Hi Mike Stevens,
So, how did you do in your new RV? I am a newbie traveling solo as well. Any tips for me?
Debbie
Mike we are also new owners of an Entegra Odyssey. We got it Nov of 2019 and have used it 5 times now. I am pretty knowledgable about all issues so if you need any help, feel free to email me.
Regards,
Bob Wehr
Andreas, PA
These suggestions are excellent. They also remind us why we’re still happy in our REI tent! Haha
Trish, Oh so fun I still tent camp. I have tried to talk myself into a tiny camper or small van Rv but just not there yet. Though I find myself looking more and more into it. After camping over 50 years often as a lone female (there are suprisingly a lot of us ladies of all ages out camping in Rv’s and tents.) my husband has never been into camping and he is fine with me on my own. But I’m here today because a lot of the hints apply to tent camping too. I’ve added a lot of special items that could be added to an RV in the future that past 5 years including lithium solar charged batteries. I made my own folding solar panels out of two semi flexible 50W solar panels. The book is light weight easy to use can be hung either direction provides 100Watts and folds flat in it’s heavy duty cordura fabric case. Originally made 3 years ago for two deep cell batteries with boxes for solar charging but they died last year so switched to a single lithium. Worked amazingly well. Kept the battery topped off at 100% daily and nice thing is you could run the dometic freezer that kept us in ice for two campsites and their coolers 24 hours round even during charge time which the deep cell system didn’t allow. I even have a porta potty identical to many of the smaller RV’s have and now won’t go without it. No more tripping over roots etc. to midnight trips to the outhouse. But oh yeah I’m looking at the Lance 1475 for light weight full bath perfect for 1-2 people. And variety of tents would expand to accomodate more guests if need be. Happy Camping Trish hope to see you up here in the NW Rockies of MT.
I have been camping for about 40 years , had no major problems but I use a hardware store plastic spring clamp on the antenna crank when traveling ,then when camping I put the clamp on the stearing wheel , its in the way for driving.. Have fun.
Try a Casita trailer if moving up from tent. 17 ft including tongue. Lightweight, has stove, fridge, sink, microwave, small table chairs, double bed. Small bathroom, too. Fiberglass. We love it! Good for those up to 6 ft tall. Fan, electric heater and AC. Pull it w Toyota highlander. Tows easily. Your non renter hubby may love it!
Kathy, I’m still contemplating going full time living in a Casita, but wonder if my Toyota Venza 4 cycl. Will pull the Casita. Do you have 6 cycl in your Highlander? I’m also going on 78 in April, and wonder if I’m too old to do this. I’m very healthy but have a bad back, and no one to help…..?…?
I’d love to hear from you. I live in Winters, Ca
Have fun wherever you are!!!! Judy
I checked into the Casita and Northwood Nash in 2009 when going from a tent trailer to a small pull trailer. I’m 71, live in Woodland, CA, and hook up my 17 foot Nash by myself. The two weight distribution bars are heavy. I just went to a battery operated hitch which is nice. I went with the small Nash for the layout, oven and shower.
Hi I used to have fifth wheels sold them when my husband didn’t/couldn’t go on trips anymore. I am waiting for my Class C motor home to get done. I may get it in October . It is nice to find someone In CA as I am in Concord CA. When I receive mine I am hoping to find others to travel along with. I have two small dogs that will travel with me.
Leslie,
I have always wanted to own an RV and travel in my spare time but I am a single female (age 55) and worry about the safety factor. Have you always felt safe? What precautions do you take to ensure you stay in safe places? And while I enjoy solitude, do you ever feel alone on solo adventures? Thank you all for any advice or tips you can share.
Be sure to check your route. Some tunnels and road do not allow rv’s or propane tanks. Not fun to figure that out right before you enter, or worse, when the blue lights are behind you. Some of the roads in and around national parks out west are I paved and not great so before you do damage to a rig you don’t own and have to pay for…check the route.
Been RVing for awhile. It’s always a good idea to invest in a good RV GPS. You can, for example, put in your type of RV, it’s highth and how wide and long it is and the GPS will select only routs your rig will fit through and even avoid bad 90 degree narrow turns your rig can’t negotiate. Good Sam puts out a great one that will fit anywhere inside any kind of RV or car or truck. It’s portable so you can use it on any vehicle you like.
It also has literally all the RV parks in North America and there rules directions from your location and contact information and much much more you will be very happy to have.
Wow good to know!
We bought the Garmin for trucks and RVs, you put your height and weight of your unit in it, it will redirect you if are coming into construction or a bridge that is to low for you. Great GPS
thank you , this sounds great
Thank you for the wonderful, informative article and fabulous and helpful supportive comments!!!
Do you have a link to the RV GPS you are referencing?
Go to Camping Worlds website or Good Sam’s website you’ll find everything you will need, I also recommend a book titled
“The Next Exit” this book tells you everything that you might need while on the road at every Exit on ANY Interstate highway your on in the USA. Great Book.
Great ideas and thoughts, for your few mistakes. Actually there are so many mistakes that are made with / by “NEW-BEES” that they can not be counted on fingers and toes. And typically everyone new-bee or not make mistakes. This is why the communications need to be well used for everyone. Sometimes it’s about being to tired, stressed, or even mad. (Hopefully not because of drugs or alcohol). You will have the best time when you are well rested, good spirited, and relaxed. Please do your best NOT to be distracted with anything like family members, food, pets, maps, any electronic devices, or in a rush. Just try to remember that if you are in an RV it’s because you are trying to have enjoyment and to get away from stress. Safe travels….
Excellent reminders. Tks.
Travel trailer owners will want to plan for weight distribution hitch storage. Here’s our affordable solution. See DEMO http://www.hitchport.com
Remember the sewer hose that came with your RV will not work in all full hook up locations. You will need to have a hose to sewer pipe connector or as we found out a much longer hose
We consider ourselves Newbies still after about a year in our RV, but here are 2 more things to know #1. Plastic, plastic, plastic. Your kitchen moves, so everything slides and bounces. No glass. #2, because of #1, do not take any speed bumps, pot holes or curbs for granted even at 1 mile per hour. There is a slingshot effect that literally will hurl things in every direction.
Another tip for the big riggers is to make sure you know the length limit of the park you are going to. Here in Wisconsin the length limit for our state parks and forests is 35 feet.
When a turn says 30 mph – it seriously is 30 mph. Respect those speed limits – this is not a car.
Another mistake. When plugging into campground power. Before plugging into the power source. Make sure the
breaker switch is in the off position, then plug in. I saw a person get shocked because the plug had a crack in
it and another. When the person plugged in to power they blew their whole electrical system, power surge . Not good.
Investing in a good surge protector is a must. Campground electricity is very erratic.
…and PLEASE, for the love of all things fragrant and bright, do NOT leave your black water tank open when using full hook-ups! By the end of your trip, you will have earned yourself one rock hard, almost-impossible-to-get-rid of, dreaded Poop Pyramid! Please remember- when it comes to the black water tank, water is your friend! LOL
I didn’t bring a portable waste tank. I should have strapped it to the ladder on my RV I was at a site that didn’t have a full hookup. I thought my tank was going to be enough but it wasn’t. Also I now bring a surge protector and use it. I was at a campground that had old boxes and one entire side of the campground took a hit. Luckily I had no damage but I had to replace my electrical cord.
How do I find out which roads/tunnels do not accept RV/propane tanks?
All I can say is “know where your water heater by-pass is and how it works for your camper type” just say’n
Thanks for all the great tips, mirrors in the right spot to see well, I almost took out a car my first trip, my mirrors tended to shift in transit so check them as part of your departure check list. In my defense he was driving too fast weaving in and out of traffic, so watch out for the speed demons. Also I like to stay in the inside lane and let others who feel the need for speed fly by, and gives you only one lane to worry about. I also try to stay off major hi ways and toll roads, the road less traveled is much less stressful in a big rig.
I agree. Pass if you are in a hurry!
I dropped the ball on storing the satellite dish. Luckily it wasn’t completely demolished when we hit a low hanging tree but, it was an expensive lesson nonetheless.
We are new bees and we bought slap braclets and write everything we need to do before leaving an RV park we slap them around the steering wheel as we do 1 thing we take the bracket off then we know if we have done everything course tly
Never be afraid of asking another Rvers for help if you don not how to do something we have all been in your spot before its call experience by doing. Just this weekend had to help someone who didn’t know how to get his sewer hose out of the bumper, it was just stuck.
My husband and I have been looking to buy an RV and I loved your tips on the best way to avoid mistakes when buying an RV. I really liked your advice to take a test drive and pay attention, not just to the way it drives but also to the turning radius, overhead clearance, and trying your hand at backing the RV to see how it handles. We will have to remember this when we starting looking at different RVs.
Rachel if you and your hubby buy a rig KNOW matter the type or size take the first weekend (better to take 4-5day) and camp at a Campground very close to home. You will learn about your RV, you will make a list of things you need to add, and you will have the opportunity to meet people with experience that can help you out. Happy camping hope to see you on the road.
Thanks for the tips on mistakes that you should avoid when buying an RV and traveling with an RV. You definitely want to have a paper map with you just in case your GPS or other electronics fail, so you still know where you are going. It’s probably a good idea to bring things like books and what not so you have something to do if your power goes out.
I’d like to add miss judging driveway angle and the length of the rv. Scraping the up undercarriage.
We are newborns to RVing. We so desperately wanted to be able to go for the weekends and/or a week or so to visit kids/grandchildren, we bought a used RV and haven’t a clue how to do anything. We don’t know how to turn on the power/generator or plug in let alone leveling. So my suggestion to all who want to start RVing is make sure you know something and if you don’t, ASK!! We didn’t even ask. Now big beast in our driveway and haven’t a clue what to do with it.
Lol want to sell it? Send pics. Thx
I suggest going to an RV repair/Supply location and pay them to test it and give you a walk through. We did a walk through in our new trailer and we learned a lot, and it was our 3rd RV. Have fun!
The place you bought it from, go back and have them show you. Pinterest has boards about RVs. We left in ours and who helped us the most was other campers. Find a friend who has one and have them help you with a checklist in the order you hook up and a checklist for leaving. You learn as you go with your first one. Enjoy
You can Ytube instructions on just about anything
We bought ours used several years ago from local dealer. (We made the leap from tents to a “fiver”, skipping the in between steps). The walkabout was good for starters, but realised quickly that we needed owners manual. The first was the one from the manufacturer – downloaded/printed via internet. It even had a couple checklists, which we’ve updated as we learn new ways. It’s also fairly generic, so we’ve made specific notes in it – eg. the water/waste section now has notes on tanks capacities. We keep this in a binder with others we’ve added as needed — like for the hitch, solar panels / charging system we’ve added, fridge, toilet (had to fix flush valve once), &c.
You can get a manual for it on line just type in the year make and model for you rig. It will tell you were everything is and ask fellow campers how to do things with it. Camping is one area where it doesn’t matter someone is always willing to help just so you have a great time
I just accomplished my life long dream of owning an RV and I am in love with her ????. I named her Classy and you guessed it she’s a Class-C, my parents can’t believe I’m the one behind the wheel. I use to buy a lot of stuff from Craigslist and got extremely comfortable driving a huge
U-haul truck. My advice to anyone that doesn’t want to spend the money renting an RV is to rent a U-Haul big truck and see how comfortable you feel. It’s a lot cheaper than renting an RV and it will give you an idea of what it feels like behind the wheel of a 20 foot vehicle. My Jayco Eagle is 28 feet long and sits on a Ford E-350 Chassis and she is perfect for me . I spent a lot of time in my driveway and just had our first adventure and I can’t wait for many more. Thanks for all the great advice.
This is great advice! I want to try driving a big truck before I buy my future home Class C, but the cost of renting a rig around Seattle is what I’d planned to put down on a purchase! I drove a deuce ‘n a half in the Army, but that was a while ago.
Know what runs off of propane and where the pilot lights are. On the Washington state ferries you must shut off the propane when you board. You need to relight the pilot lights when you disembark the ferry.
Samantha really miss you on the travel channel. Thank for all the hours i watched recovering from several back surgeries. From a war injury in Vietnam
Back to stuff moving around while driving…I’ve been wondering about buying some little spring rods for some of the cabinets and the fridge. Thoughts?
I did that for my glasses, I bought nice plastic glasses and non breakable dishes . For the dishes to not rattle I bought these plate pads that are rubber, the spring rod helped greatly.
Get the nonstop mats and cut them to size…put them under and between plates or whatever else you don’t want rattling or moving. If you can’t find the real thin nonstop mats yoga mats will work if you cut them to size.
we do our FIRST camp out with the new RV in OUR DRIVEWAY….it be amazing how many little things you forget to throw in….easy to run into the house and get them… second tip given to me by some FULL TIMERS;
when you get your new rig, full the black water tank with water and RED food coloring…then go to a dump station and practice emptying your black & grey water holding tank(s). red colored water is an easier mistake to clean up then “the other stuff”
This “red water” tip is pure genius. Don’t forget to flush the toilet bowl water after the water is disconnected before moving the rig (less slosh).
De rigor:
Laminated pre-departure checklists (like an airline pilot!), secure EVERYTHING, plan route, make as many reservations as possible in advance, have an RV road service provider like CoachNet which can help talk you through issues, and DO invest in a heavy duty sewer line with a rack and a cap – good drainage and deodorant/enzyme pods are essential.
Have been RV almost 2 years in a 30’
Class A. We are thinking about towing a car. Any suggestions on what is a good car to tow
Fiat Pop manual shift. No miles recorded. No electricity drain. Light. Easy to hook up.
We spent nearly a year finding a car we would like to tow. Ecwryrine we saw one st a campground we annoyed the owner with questions. Jeeps seem the most popular. Lots of Fiat Pops. All sorts of stuff…almost all standard.
You have to decide if you want to trailer, dolly tow, or flat tow (all four wheels on the road). We wanted to flat to an automatic. We bought a 2018 Chevy Sonic LT RS. After about $4000 of Blue Ox tow gear we have a great little car to toe. She follows along very nicely .
No matter what and how you tow, do your research, do your research, and do your research. A 2018 Sonic RS can be flat towed but a 2017 cannot. Ask the service department at the car dealership. They can tell by VIN what can be towed.
When you tow with a Class C or A, remember you can’t see your “toad” behind you.
We have a full time rear facing camera that looks back at our Sonic and the traffic coming up behind us. We have the monitor on the dashboard where we can watch it.
>Mistake #4: Forgetting to do a walk-around before leaving an RV site
Ha, it only takes one time of one of your exterior cabinets emptying itself as you pull away to never forget to do a walk around ever again. I know from experience 😛
Wife and I are researching new class c rvs and would like to know what books or mags to get to find out the best and safest and well built for the value .
I would love suggestions to retired lady alone getting ready to buy RV would love recommendations. Class C Is what I want on the smaller side just me and my little dog. I’m looking at the conquest I like the layout of the smaller one because I want a full bathroom and walk around room by the bed
Join Girl Camper, no charge. We are women who often travel alone, many of us solo campers. Lots of good advice, ideas and laughs about the fun and stupid things we do
Dont! Get yourself a good roomy vehicle! And stay in motels! More trouble than it is worth!
LISTS! I have been planning my RVing for years. I make lists. In fact I am now copying and pasting ideas from this site. I have lists with items I will need along with photos and prices. I have a list of Hacks. DIY ideas that are fun to do and make sense. Check List after check list. I make check lists in my Memo program so I can add the boxes to check off. I save Maps and Phone lists on my tablet in case something should happen to my phone. I like to over prepare, or atleast have backup copies of info. Then all info is copied to my laptop and a hardcopy is printed. Making copies helps me remember. And with my memory that’s a good thing.
My kind of girl
I’m reading this as I’m spending my first night in our new RV. It’s not level and we are feeling it. Should have read this last night, lol. I would also say hook up water at home before you take out your RV for the first time, especially if it’s used. We didn’t do that and found a leak in our sink when we got here. No biggie but would have been nice to fix before hand.
I’ve read through most of these and agree with everything. After my second 6 month stint in an RV park in AZ, I pack kitchen items small and lightweight. Two changes of sheets, etc. When getting ready to leave a park, I start in the bedroom and look at absolutely everything that could cause me problems when I close or open the slides. I go room by room and I do it myself. Don’t let others help or if you do, be sure and follow up.. For instance, someone was going to drop the table leaf and forgot. Once you’ve done it a few times, it will be a piece of cake! Enjoy your RV’ing. We have a 2017 40’Cardinal and love it and all the people that we have met along the way!
Duct tape
Sanitary pads (sterile first aid for major wounds) and stretching tape
Sanitary pads for first aid. What a great idea and not just for RV, home, etc. something I could have used a few times in my life. Thanks Linda
Don’t forget your wife/ husband/ kid(s), or others in your party, when you stop for gas, or other breaks.
I especially found the tip about bringing paper maps with you, especially if you headed for somewhere you haven’t been. I find myself losing cell signal when I need it most. But this tip has really helped me recently.
We just returned from our first rental experience and learned a lot. We did not take paper maps but found if you stop at each state rest area/information center you can get current state maps free. Thank you all for the great information.
I just bought me a 2021 Rand McNally road atlas. I love my phone but the atlas I really depend on. My last atlas was so old the pages fell out I think it was 2012 .
I thought it was very helpful that you mentioned some of the tools you will want to have for some rv repair needs. I’ve been wanting to get an rv to camp in with my family and wanted to know some things to do and some things to avoid. I’d love to try renting an rv and see how we like it.
Before I bought my camper I spent hours watching tutorials on camping on YouTube. You can learn everything you need to know there and even get lists for setting up and taking down. One important item to remember before leaving your campsite is to turn off the propane gas at the tanks.
I am not sure if this was brought up, but I get excited about our next adventure reading these posts and want to share our biggest mistake and hope if can help others. Before purchasing our own pull behind, we rented one and had a great time setting up our deer lease for the upcoming season, here in Texas. As we are loading up and hooking up, we hear a pop in the the back of the camper. Oops, we hadn’t removed the stabilizer blocks and lifted the stabilizers. Sure enough, the back stabilizers had just buckled and one even broke. A $1,500 mistake we will not forget. Checklists are key…Happy Camping everyone!
We just started rving full-time in January of this year. Our biggest problem is realizing this is not an automobile! Don’t forget. Slow wide turns just like the truckers use !
There is a slight lag in the GPS distance for the upcoming turns so sometimes I get a last minute instruction. I have learned not to react quickly with this 30,000 pound vehicle. Just go around the block or into a large parking lot to get back to the turn. Much safer-they are not sports cars! Remember, It’s all part of the adventure.
I appreciate the tip you offered about test driving an RV or camper before finalizing your purchase. My wife and I would like to drive across the country on a grand road trip next month, and a camper seems like a great way to do that. We’ll be sure to look further into our options for getting one and test driving it in the future.
I made the mistake of not locking the fridge door and securing the coffee pot.Rookie mistakes but caused me to make sure each time i got underway everything is secure.
Download Google Earth and check out the campgrounds location. It’s not unusual to place a campground close to a railroad track. In 2014 on our road trip to Glacier National Park, my husband and I stayed at a campground, and I counted 13 trains that came through that night each time blowing its whistle. No sleep that night.
It is better to have a travel trailer than an RV.
Watch the RV videos on YouTube.
Have a essential list in your trailer that you check before and after you leave for your trip. (The list grow all the time that you travel)
Have two pair of keys.
Ensure to keep the tools that belong to the trailer stay in the trailer all the time.
When the trailer is at home it must be plug, you must have a 30 or 50 amp plug at home to do so.
Do your homework….
Do not believe in the salesman of the trailer store…
Took us a year before we bought our trailer .
We were prepared for the adventure.
One thing if your site don’t have sewer tap watch out how you use the water in the trailer. The tank in the trailer is not that big.
We still learning.
Don’t stress enjoy your trip….
I may have miss this suggestion but… Watch your tail swing if you have to do any sort of u-turn. A lot of new RV drivers don’t realize how far the back hangs from the rear axle. That tail swing can get you into a pickle if you have to do a u-turn.
We have a checklist we follow each time we break camp. Step by step by step. We flat tow a car do we have a checklist for that to. Takes us about a half hour to be ready to roll but it’s worth taking the time.
We might add a few things. When we park in a site we sanitize both ends of our fresh water hose and the supply spigot. Our fresh water hose is white and the hose we use for rinsing our waste hose is grey. The grey hose is stowed in the waste water compartment and our white hose is in a fresh water compartment.
Before we power up the RV we test the camp power point. We use a surge protector, plug it in, turn the power on and check the lights on the protector. Then turn off the breaker and hook up the RV. Then power on .
We also changed our compartment locks to barrel locks.
Someone said to use 5 gallon buckets to store hose. A white bucket for fresh water (white hose) and a grey bucket for grey water and grey hose. Laundry soap bucket would work fine for the fresh water and seal both ends of the hose.
Regarding fresh water hoses, my husband always removes the hose from the spigot and thread both ends together . That way nothing can “crawl” into the hose and it stays clean.
Totally agree on everything, but gotta really agree on paper maps. GPS has tried to send me down some terrible roads.
Have a check list to follow…add to it as things come about…put it in plain sight
Having read all of the comments out of the USA ( God Bless America) then look at Australia we live in the Indian Ocean side where Western Australia is as big as Texas and California combined, the population of WA is just over two million of which 1.998 million live in the city of Perth ,traveling over here is NOT for the feint hearted we have driven for hour ( in the Outback) and never spotted another vehicle not even a kangaroo, you need to carry …everything …and even more a Sat phone a radio and plenty of mechanical knowledge should the inevitable happen . Those travelers that hire a RV (Maui /Apollo etc) are very brave people as they often go out unprepared and never enough time to go where they want to go , oh once last comment never ever drive at night over here as that is when the Kangaroos, Emus , wild cattle come out to play … have fun Gudday
My husband and I recently borrowed his parents’ fifth wheel for our first RV adventure. We should have read this post before doing it, but I’m happy to say we did everything on your list and had all the recommended items, thanks to his dad stocking the RV with tools, a level, duct tape, etc. Unfortunately, none of the prep helped us avoid a blown RV tire (we later discovered the tires were over 8 years old…), but otherwise I’d call our first time a success!
If you go through customs and they go through your rig, check before you pull away that they closed all your cabinets! We assumed they did and by the time we stopped again everything was all over the floor!
If you’ve never driven a large vehicle or towed a trailer, please find a huge empty parking lot and practice, practice, practice before hitting the road. It is a very different type of driving and you cannot maneuver near as fast as an automobile.
Our worst newbie mistake was parking our Motorhome in a resort for a month, thinking we could let the black/grey water hose stay open to the sewer. (I hear you laughing!)
We owned a truck camper for many years so were familiar with most of the systems involved in an RV but recently bought a Class A which really is a new experience. Once we felt confident and ready to travel our maiden voyage included 3 local parks over 3 nights. My wife and I wanted to practice setup and take down, using checklists, navigating, etc… practice practice practice..
Make sure your awning has some kind of locking mechanism. Our first RV was a used 1996 Hornet Class C and we knew absolutely nothing about RVs. While driving on I-90 across South Dakota in 40mph cross wind gusts, our awning unfurled, ripped, and twisted the hardware. We had to detach the awning from the RV which required my husband to stand on the roof on the side of the interstate in those strong winds. What a harrowing experience! Our new RV has an electric awning with an interlock that the dealer said couldn’t come loose. But you can buy awning locks if you need one. I highly recommend it!
Since good functional lighting in your outdoor living space, especially at the picnic table and grill, don’t forget your EZ-UP Camping & Patio Lights which one clamps onto a table and the other one is a tripod style and is mobile. Good lighting provides ambient, task and accent lighting that dramatically enhance the outdoor living space.
Take a “test run” at a campground not too far from home. Plan a couple of nights and see who it goes to get the feel for your new camper or RV. You will know what you need then.
This is a great web site. I have owned a Class C RV with my late husband and have just purchased a travel trailer with my son. I also have rented RVs twice with only inexperienced ladies as travel companions. I felt fairly confident about this new adventure. However, I can’t tell you how many good tips I read, and I read them all. Many were very informative. Makes me realize how blessed I’ve been in not experiencing some of the problems outlined. Ignorance is bliss, but I don’t want to push the bliss part any longer, so I am going to follow all the safety precautions outlined above. Many of the comments were very entertaining as well. Easy to identify with the mishap of other RVers as I experienced many of the same things. Only thing I could add would be to not forget to include the A/C unit to the height of your RV. We drove our Class C under a carport over a circle driveway when dropping off our dogs for boarding. The RV fit but the A/C did not. There were water sprinklers hanging from the roof. We broke them off and water came pouring down and all the fire alarms went off outside and inside. The manager didn’t know how to turn off the water or the alarms so we had to wait for the fire department. Besides being totally embarrassed by the kaos we caused, it also coast quite a bit in repairs🤩
We’ve decided in a smallish RV that we can pull our Jeep with. Any suggestions on make, model, type for 2 future RV amatures?
Our first camper was a Palomino pop-up that slid into the back of our pickup truck We acquired dozens of stickers for the back, and learned so much in 4 seasons of travel all over the Southwest US. This year, we sold it and bought a 19’ travel trailer with a bath, shower, and toilet inside. For the two of us, it’s perfect and we don’t have to trek 1/2 mile for a wash house anymore! Big lessons learned; put a checklist on the passenger’s windshield visor. Change the locks on the outside storage bins. Bring a good 12” level. Keep your grey/black water hose and equipment in a separate box and stow it in a garbage bags. Never use your water hose for anything else! Save money by buying a used rv or travel trailer.
A chunk of dry ice in your fridge is really helpful when temps outside get over 90. Be on “island time”….you’re on vacation, so enjoy it and relax.
We are seasoned travelers and are currently on our second RV trip (one way from Florida to NY). Some of our tips:
Before your trip, download the Google map for all of your locations so you have your maps even if you don’t have cell coverage.
If you’re renting an RV be sure to bring a door mat for outside the camper door to help keep dirt and debris out of the cabin.
A bucket is a necessity for doing dishes… you’ll want to do dishes outside in the bucket to keep your gray water tank from filling too fast.
Bring lots of disposable plastic gloves for dealing with the tanks.
When planning your meals, make sure they can be prepared in the camper or on the outdoor fire. We had a couple rainy days and some fire bans and couldn’t cook outside… all my meals required cooking over the fire and we ended up eating sandwiches when the fire wasn’t available.
If you can, bring a cast iron skillet for cooking outside. The cook wear provided by the RV company isn’t made for over fire cooking. Some portable fire/outdoor cooking utensils also help a lot.
The fridge is really small. Bring a soft cooler to store your drinks and save the fridge space for food.
As Samantha mentions, don’t even think about going out without a reservation! I researched sites at Campendium to make sure we had a good idea of the site layout and privacy. They usually have a link to the reservation system.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for all the great tips, we will heed each one.
Hello all!
First timer here with a question.I am wondering if we can hike to nearby popular trails after we parked in the campgrounds?
How do I know if the how trail has a parking for RV? Most popular trails that I know, i dont see RV parking so, I’m wondering how it works because we love to hike
We bought a first time camper in march 2019. I had looked at them years. We both had items we couldn’t do without. Two sleeping areas. I have the jimmy legs & my hubbie snores badly. He had to have a couch & I had to have a stove. I will say our first time….we did run ourselves out of gas. Not b/c we didn’t watch the gas guage….we did. However the navigation system said we had 3 gas stations ahead. 1st gas station was outta business. 2nd was closed on Sundays and the 3rd was out of business. So we run outta gas in the panhandle of Oklahoma. With one house. I asked my husband about a gas can….he said he didn’t think to pack one. Now to be fair….I am the planner. He didn’t think we would need it. I’m also the extrovert & I love meeting new people but not under these circumstances. Walked to this house. Had a real nice gentleman who was 89 years old agree to help us. My saving grace? He had military stuff everywhere & I’m a navy brat! He had a gas can filled with gas. We of course paid & thanked him profusely. Our next time through we visited him & got his address where I drop him a card now & then. We never go without a gas can & lesson learned we never allow ourselves to get lower than the last quarter tank. Who would have thought that 3 gas stations wouldn’t be available in a 20 mile line but they weren’t! We have fallen in love with the camper life…so much so….my husband upped his retirement date…..in 24 months we will be selling our home & in an RV full time…..traveling & enjoying ourselves! I can’t wait to start our next big adventure!
After 22 years in the army and 17 years as a parts manager in the rv business, due to our bad backs we decided to sell the house and move to a condo. Two weeks later we bought a trailer then a truck. Best decision we have ever made. During the past 4 years of traveling this wonderful country we have met so many wonderful people. Suggestions park the rv in driveway, with the kids, if you have them. Declare the house off limits, you are going on a vacation. Pack everything you THINK you might need, don’t forget food, medicine, pet supplies etc. we lived in the trailer for a week. Then we went a park for another week. Decided what we had to have with us and kept what we needed. Sold the house in 3 hours and hit the road. Like people have said on this site. Fuel we get below half a tank we start looking. We only travel an average of 150 miles a day. There is no point in driving, in our opinion, more it is stressful enough without adding being exhausted. Make reservations. We travel one day, explore a day or more depending on location. You can setup meet your new neighbors and have a couple of hours of our time. We don’t have a plan we look at what’s coming up and go from there. When you leave the park I strongly suggest you dump the black and gray tanks before leaving just in case you have to dry camp. Split the chores if you are a couple. I make the bed, do the laundry, mop the floors and help with the dishes. There is no reason one person should do everything. I could make this into a book but during our 4 years we have only met one person that was not friendly and helpful. Last suggestion just go and have a wonderful time. Read the comments posted and I think most of your questions will be answered if not just ask your neighbors. Safe travels. Enjoy life
1. a 6 foot ladder, strapped to your rig. multiple time we or our neighbor campers needed one.
2. 300 miles a day, max.
otherwise you’ll just be beat from the mental exhaustion from dealing with drivers who think you can stop on a dime or evade their lane-changing stupidity.
3. brakes on your toad- real important for those grades that approach 9 percent, and also for the drivers in item 2 above.
4. don’t trust your gps.
we loath anything that puts us 12 miles from the campsite in the middle of the lava tubes
(some of you know exactly where that is)
we also have strong feelings about anything called a ” frontage road”
(some more of you will understand the irony in that!!!)
but other than that, every other suggestion that has been posted is worth it’s weight in sanity.
I have a small erase board where I write the name of the campground and site number. If there is an emergency during the night you don’t want to be hunting for this info. We changed out the door lock for a keypad. So nice not to have to carry the key with you on a hike. Changed the locks on the storage bays to barrel locks. Made several sizes of microwave bowl cozies. Safer to remove hot food from the microwave which is above eye level. They pad and silence rattle while driving. Always try to have things which have more than 1 use
All this stuff is “Well duh!!” To truck drivers.
my mistake, not having a pretty, intelligent and active mate to double they travel joys. I’m deaf and wife us severly deaf-blind. Making reservations for a RV or RV Park lot with a deaf relay system is often greeted with disconnects! And I want a 1977-8 GMC motorhome! Sigh! “Hearing” folks have all the fun!
Deafyharv
The biggest RVing mistake is assuming the roof over your RV will last forever without doing any maintenance at all. The truth of the matter is that water damage is the leading cause of major repairs in all types of RVs. Repairing roof leaks can be frustrating and annoying, but when you have the right kind of tools e.g. RV Roof Magic repairs become easy and satisfying.
We have owned our 31 ft class C for almost 4 yrs now and this past winter decided to sell our home and full time RV. Our first trip out went very well with the exception of forgetting to close the low point drain when filling our fresh water tank! Discovered the puddle and figured it out. We got a quick walk around how to your at the RV dealer where we purchased our RV but YouTube has so many videos to show you how to do abdolutely EVERYTHING!!! Very helpful! Never turn on the exhaust fan above the toilet without opening the vent first! The small fan blades must have been brittle because when I turned it on I got a shower of tiny pieces of plastic as the blades discinigrated . Happy camping!!!!!
I would love some advice on an upcoming RV trip!
Here are the details: This December, my husband and I are planning to rent an RV solely for the purpose of getting from our home in Maine to see our family in the midwest (i.e. we won’t be camping or stopping to sightsee). We will be traveling with our two-year-old and driving straight through–approximately 26 hours of interstate travel. Neither of us has ever driven an RV before but we’re both country kids so we’re pretty competent at driving random vehicles and machinery. Our rental options are a 24′ or 28′ Thor Chateau (no bump-outs on either). I want to rent the 28-footer so that our son has room to play and sleep while we drive (yes, we’ve researched the seatbelt rules in all the states we’ll be driving through). My husband wants the 24-footer one because he’s worried the 28′ RV will feel like a beast and be hard to control with cross-winds on the interstate.
Here are my questions: Does anyone out there have experience with the two sizes to tell me if there’s much of a difference when driving them? Given that we’re doing all interstate travel, will the ride be smooth enough that our son can sleep and/or be up and around playing during travel? Any tips or suggestions for making this a doable trip with a SUPER active toddler + Pandemic? 🙂
Thanks for sharing all of your experience
Make sure to keep a spare key to your RV somewhere! I had a crazy experience last night when I got home from my out of state job to my travel trailer at 3 o’clock in the morning. My front door was wide open which was bad enough. After a quick look around to make sure no one was in there but my cat was, I dumped my purse and backpack on the sofa then went back outside to check something, carefully closing the door behind me. When I got back to the door it was locked. Apparently when I had locked it earlier I hadn’t shut it firmly enough. My keys to the trailer and my Jeep were inside and my spare was in the Jeep. Duh. Luckily and weirdly, I had cracked the window over the dinette before I left for work earlier since it was a little warm that day. I had to move a picnic table, take off my jacket, rip the screen and squeeze in through the window. I kept waiting for the police to show up. So now I keep a key where I can get to it and got On Star in my car. Cheaper than a locksmith in the middle of the night would have been.
Practice emptying your sewage tanks. The trick is to make sure your hose is firmly connected. Twice my helpers have experienced the worst. Try not to laugh at them when it happens. All sense of humor is temporary missing. Showers are immediately necessary. Be sure to use the park hose and wash down the area after spills along flushing your hose before you store it a large garbage bag. Happy travels. BTW when purchasing your rig request a “4 seasons” version … it comes with better insulation and heaters for your tanks.
I thought the same thing I looked at a couple The newbies and I found out all that bull you take some things not all things they make you buy too many things that you really don’t need had a fantastic time up in Maine the only problem I had was I turned on my AC and my electric for the hot water tank boom everything shut off so what I did was went to propane for the hot water and turn the AC on Boom no problems anymore then I ran into one little problem what was no problem there was a screw that fell out of one of the pieces of my awning but I always have a handful of screws Nuts and Bolts and my regular tools how to put a new screw in it it’s a brand new trailer I love it and I hope everyone look at the new V I figure out what you think you can do make life easy and I went and got a lot of things at the dollar store and Ocean Job Lot it was the best vacation I’ve had in many years even with a beautiful house in the Outer Banks my sister on that was great but this place is fantastic anyways don’t get discouraged just make a punch list normal tools wrenches hammer extra screws whatever washers for the hose zip ties had a great time
Have a printed In Case Of Emergency number and how to set up and take down your rv posted near the door. On your smart phone, set up your Emergency contacts and medical information so it is available to EMS ( they can access without unlocking your phone, when set up)
I travel solo with a truck and travel trailer, if anyone needs to move my trailer with out me ,they need a step- by -step check list, if I get ill possibly a stranger needs to know who to call and how to pack up.
Also near your entry post your campground flyer, it has loads of info and is easy to loose in the rv.
Incident that made me do this: camping with some friends, ambulance called during the night took her to the hospital to stabilize then to another further away, of course her family went with her. We had to be out of the camping spots in a few days and I offered to take my trailer home and come back and tow theirs home. Oops, it has a slide, where do they put things, all those questions. I did manage to pack up all outside equipment, stuff that travels in their truck I took to their house on my way home, and they were able to come get the trailer on the last day. FYI, she is ok.
Be Prepared and happy camping
Does anyone have suggestions for low clearance bridge apps? I’ve searched and searched and can’t find one that will let me add a route or add to a recommended route
Turn off the LPG gas tank, and when you do so, say out loud “gas off” That way you won’t be driving along wondering if you have or not.
If it’s a diesel RV, put a big red “Diesel Only” sticker on the filler cap. For obvious reasons!
CB radios are cheap as chips and could be a life-saver.
A set of warning triangles are essential, especially if you break down on a narrow road, at night or on a blind curve.
Check the air pressure in the spare wheel.i once rented a motorhome and found that instead of a spare wheel there was a tire but no rim!!
That LEFT REAR corner really swings around (and can do a job on the corner trim and tree) when you turn out to the right from a parking spot, a Class-C with a bad front suspension is no treat on a bad concrete highway, wind on a bridge is really a blast, tolls are a lot more, make sure it can get out of ir own way depending on the engine size, otherwise, have fun, the kids will love it, especially the ability to move around when traveling, and don’t forget to lower that antenna and pull in the step…
All excellent ideas presented here. I would add get accustomed to driving your RV (motor home or towing the trailer) before setting out. I was a state trooper for 30 + years and saw more than my fair share of “rookie mistakes” simply because the operator was not accustomed to operating the rig. Simple short trips locally can get drivers familiar with such things as the “tail end swing”, blind spots, changing lanes in heavier traffic, backing properties, braking ability, and getting used the changes in the roadway surfaces and widths.
I kinda cheated and had truck and bus driving courses, but it still is nice to get the “feel” of the rig before heading out for Timbuktu.
So many great bits of advice. One I did not see is adding a small amount of water to your toilet tank before using. Helps move the solid waste through when you dump the tank. Even better try to use public restrooms as much as possible.
Thank you for sharing these suggestions, definitely going to check them out. It would be such a wonderful feeling and experience of ways of living in a RV and the techniques they use on day to day basis. Couldn’t agree more with your post! Looking forward for more.
Check everything. Stop an recheck every once in awhile. Tires especially, will save you alot of trouble.
After your summer of RVing, don’t forget to winterize your ride: drain ALL the tanks, remove the battery(ies) and connect them to a trickle charger, turn off and disconnect the gas bottles, leave the refrigerator door open, remove all food so you don’t invite critters. The owner’s manual should have a full list of steps for winterizing.
We have been in our travel trailer for almost a year. The mistakes we have made… Didn’t fully roll in our awning. Left the AC on when traveling. Drive off with the stairs out from a quick hop into the trailer at a gas station. Make sure your Hoses and plugs are out of the way when opening your slid outs. We almost ripped out our electric plug out of the trailer. Have a lantern when hooking up at night so much better then a flash light. , Don’t do anything in the dark. Keep checking your tires for wear. Never leave your awning open when you are gone. Thanks goodness so far non of our mistakes were costly or caused damage.
Rents an rv than thinks there an expert enough to write an article to tell others do’ and don’t.
My husband and I were driving through jasper national park in Canada pulling our trailer which we would tattoo in for work. For the longest time people kept flashing their lights and yelling at us but really kept their distance. Finally someone pulled up beside us and we could hear them yell, PULL OVER!!! then speed away like they were being chased. We finally pulled over to have a look to see what all the hubub was about. Well, I guess for about the previous 20 miles or so we had been dragging 2 full propane tanks by their hoses down the highway. You could see that they weren’t going to last much longer as they were soft to touch. The people that had yelled PULL OVER! Could see sparks from the metal on pavement… whoops… what a mess that could have made. No wonder no one wanted anywhere near us on the highway LOL
Love the check list ideas!! We used to have a ClassA. Old with many issues. I used to drive large vehicles, pulled long horse trailers. Then we spent many years away from it -long story but finally we came to a decision to buy a trailer. Our small poodle is aging and we don’t like to leave her in a kennel for extended times while we holiday. Bought a 23foot trailer and last week we went to a provincial camp ground not far from home for a trial run. We didn’t have any newbie mistakes but the slide out broke on one corner, hot water didn’t work, and a seat was missing screws. Manufacturers building too many too fast this past year I guess. The sales people, the service people are wonderful- so not worried about them taking care of us. Just glad we did the trial!
As I read the comments I was surprised by the single, ladies of a certain age who travel on their own. So impressed and they give me confidence in my future travels!!
I’m trying to choose a surge protector or energy management device to use when plugging my camper van into shore power at campsites. My van’s shore power input is 30A @ 120VAC. Any ideas on what amp surge protector to buy would be appreciated.
A must watch: Robin Williams in the movie RV. It covers all that you need to know and it’s very funny too.
Wow, I just picked up a 1986 Terry Taurus travel trailer by Fleetwood. For pretty cheap. All of your insights are so good! As far as I can tell, everything actually works still! So since I live in the country, we can just camp in the back by the fire pit! I have a lot to think about if we ever actually go anywhere. Meanwhile it’s a nice mother in law suite of sorts. Thanks 😁
Take out a towing rider if you have AAA/CAA roadside assistance and are towing a trailer. If your tow vehicle breaks down they will tow your vehicle for nothing but the trailer is a very expensive addition. Learned the hard way.
It always amazes me that just ANYONE can buy an RV. No one questions you about whether or not you can drive one. Just go in, buy it & drive it out. Also, secure your hoses. We had a friend that their black or gray hose came out and unfurled 20–30 feet. We radioed ahead and they pulled off. It could have easily been miles and miles before it came to lite. We lost power once in about 1/2 the RV. Turns out someone accidentally hit a switch by the exit and killed 1/2 the power.
Don’t use regular toilet paper !!
Don’t use regular toilet paper !!
If you can’t drive it. Don’t buy it ! I see so many stupid accidents thank goodness no one was killed. Happy camping
ur first camper was a Palomino pop-up that slid into the back of our pickup truck We acquired dozens of stickers for the back, and learned so much in 4 seasons of travel all over the Southwest US. This year, we sold it and bought a 19’ travel trailer with a bath, shower, and toilet inside. For the two of us, it’s perfect and we don’t have to trek 1/2 mile for a wash house anymore! Big lessons learned; put a checklist on the passenger’s windshield visor. Change the locks on the outside storage bins. Bring a good 12” level. Keep your grey/black water hose and equipment in a separate box and stow it in a garbage bags. Never use your water hose for anything else! Save money by buying a used rv or travel trailer.https://gorving.reviews/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-motorhome/
A chunk of dry ice in your fridge is really helpful when temps outside get over 90. Be on “island time”….you’re on vacation, so enjoy it and relax.
The part of your RV that is behind your rear wheels goes the opposite direction of the front of your RV. Pulling out of a tight spot (gas station – RV site – etc.) will cause the rear of your trailer/RV to swing out and hit whatever is in its path. Take slow wide turns.
Watch RPMs I found that keeping under 1950 rpms really helps with gas mileage.
Absolutely helpful to the max! Why not regular toilet paper Joel Stewart?
Thanks for your reminders, this article is very helpful for newbies like me
To have pleasant travels and keep things from dispersing as you drive across various roads, you must locate the right cabinet latch for your RV. You need a latch that won’t take long to install and won’t require much effort. Also, make sure you don’t have to drill it in because this could damage your cabinets.
The walkaround is critical, as noted several times. My addition to that is that the walk should be mutiple times: a normal walk, which is ususally 5 or 6 feet away from the trailer for most people. Then a walk-around from far away sufficient to be able to see every thing that sticks up from the roof, which helps one see awnings, anntennae, and vents. Then one where you get down on your knees from several different vantage points to get the wheel chocks you forgot, the tools you left out, the hose cover sitting on the rear bumper, and the pressure gauge still attached to the water spigot, then one last pass inside.
Having never used a motor home before, we rented one in Alaska and blissfully and ignorantly took off having received little to no instruction. One night we just pulled off the side of the dirt road to sleep. We along with our daughter and son-in-law nearly froze to death, there were no additional blankets. Several years later, after buying and using our own motor home for quite some time it occurred to me there would have been a generator and furnace in that rental but we didn’t know to use it!!!
The sound from the Jensen stereo connected to my new Alpine speakers is great using Bluetooth and Spotify or Pandora from my mobile. Better than my Bose system. I’d recommend it to everyone. Also, the front auxiliary connection, with a six-dollar auxiliary cable from Target, was a simple way on behalf of me to attach my RV TV system to the current electronic equipment.
The switches for the door and the door frame are not positioned appropriately if you have automatic RV steps that do not retract. Furthermore, the override switch that keeps the stairs extended while the RV is parked could be the culprit. Check and turn the control switch to the auto position to remedy this.
Keeping the RV drawers and cabinets closed might seem like a daunting task. If you’ve only just realized the problem, or you don’t have the means or time, then you can apply these quick fixes to keep RV cabinets closed: anti-slip mat, bungee cord or rope, compression bars, etc.
Ok, even if you know the height clearance, it is best to read those yellow bridge signs carefully! We have been RVing for 13 years but made a blunder. A yellow sign right before a bridge said 14 feet. But that wasn’t the height. It said bridge in 14 feet. The bridge was 12 ft. so in slow mo realization of the situation, we crushed in the cowling on our air conditioner. We had to use a picnic table over the area to keep the rain out. Also, pay attention, sometimes the height states “this side of bridge”. Many bridges have different heights on the right, middle or left!