5 Tips for First-Time RVers

So, you have your rig. You have your first reservation. What do you do now? The first and foremost advice any RVer will give you is to be safe, have fun, and expect a learning curve.

What else? Here are five tips for first-time RVers straight from the experts (those who’ve made the newbie mistakes for you).

1. Make your checklist(s).

You actually need a few checklists - setting out to camp, setting up camp, and checking out of camp. These checklists will help you avoid careless mistakes that can hurt your RV or your vehicle.

Here’s a look at what to include on your checklists.

Setting Out Checklist

This list is going to be different for each RVer because rigs are so different, but we’ll chat categories so you can make your list. Here are a few questions to get you started:

• Outside: Do you have all of your electrical cords, chocks, leveling blocks, sway stabilizers, generator gear, tools, water hoses, black tank hookups, adapters, antenna, satellite, cable, propane, rug, chairs, outdoor kitchen gear, tents, awnings, and other recreational gear stowed, strapped down, and locked in? Is your door handle shut (we forget this one all the time)? Did you lock your basement compartments (another one we often forget).

• Inside: Do you have all of your dishes, clothing, appliances, remotes, devices, and other loose belongings stowed safely? Did you check all of the cabinet doors, drawers, latches on pocket doors, windows, and slide paths before you walked out the door? Is there anything you need to do to the fridge such as switch to propane or attach a fridge lock?

Setting Up Checklist

This list is also going to be different for each RVer because of rig differences. However, here are some common camp setup categories:

• Outside: Once you’ve backed in or pulled through, it’s time to set your wheel chocks and check your levels. Do you need to add blocks to one side? Do you want to set up X-bar stabilizers on the tires? Next, you’ll want to hook up your services - water, electricity, sewer (if available). Next, you’ll want to get all of your gear set out.

Pro Tip: Set up your basement area based on how long you’re staying. If you’re only staying overnight, you may not want to pull out all of the chairs, rug, grill, and other gear. Pack the more necessary items on the outside, so you aren’t digging through the basement for cords and blocks.

• Inside: Don’t let your slides all the way out until you’ve checked to see that the path is clear. Sometimes cabinets or remotes or other items shift loose while you’re hauling and they can get stuck in the slide path. By putting the slide out just enough to walk over and visually inspect the path, you’ll save lots of potential damage. Some other items to add to your checklist include setting thermostats, turning on the fridge, and turning on the water pump (only when you’re boondocking or not hooked up to water) or water heater.

Checking Out Checklist
This checklist is going to be very similar to your Setting Out Checklist because it’s essentially the same exercise, but there are a few differences:

1. If you’re staying somewhere for more than a couple of days, you’ll likely have stuff out. Start packing up a day or two before. It will be less overwhelming on checkout day. Keep a list of what goes in the basement storage first.

2. Plan your list for rain or windy weather. You’ll need more time for getting ready and may want to put chairs and awnings in before the weather hits. It’s no fun to air out wet, stinky fold-up chairs.

3. Know when you have to check out and then give yourself at least two hours to pack up. If you’re traveling with family, assign tasks (we do inside and outside teams) by packing zone.

4. Don’t forget the top of your rig! You may need to close vents, pull down an an antenna, and sweep pine straw or leaves off the slides. Add these items to your checkout list so you don’t forget them.

2. Prepare for weather.

There’s nothing more frustrating than having to set up or pack up in miserable rain. You will have to do this from time to time, but there are some preparations you can make to make it easier.

• Bring the awning in when your forecast calls for wind or rain.

• Get a good rain jacket or poncho. It takes a good 30 minutes to empty tanks, unhook hoses, and pack up electrical. Stay dry with good rain gear.

• Stow gloves and paper towels near your tanks. It’s easier to take the hoses off and to dump tanks with gloves on (in the rain and in general).

3. Make your kitchen rig more like home.

Cooking in a camper is a bit different from cooking at home. You have less space and typically no dishwasher. Here are a few hacks that will make your kitchen rig a little more like home.

Add a pizza stone or cookie sheet to the shelf between the flame and rack in your oven. This will disperse the heat better and you won’t burn the bottom of your biscuits or pizza.

Consider a countertop ice maker. If you like ice, ice trays and bags of ice take up a lot of space in your tiny freezer (if you don’t have the residential fridge). A countertop ice maker frees up your freezer space.

Plan your meals. Knowing exactly what you have room for in your fridge and pantry will help you ensure you have space for food.

4. Expect noise and lights.

You’re really close to your neighbors when you’re camping. You’ll hear music, fireside conversations, televisions, children, and sometimes generators or waste treatment plants. You may also have lights outside your windows. Prep for these with sleep masks, sound machines, and blackout shades.

5. Don’t forget to...

• Pull in your awning.

• Give yourself plenty of time.

• Set up camp in the daylight.

• Buy local firewood.

• Check the check-in and checkout times.

• Have fun!

We hope these first-time RV tips will help you have a successful trip.