New RVers: Top Tips Before You Hit the Road
05-03-2018
Author: in Education
You have a new—or new to you—motorhome, camper, or travel trailer. Whether you're planning to fulltime, part-time, or periodically vacation in it, there are a few things you should know before heading out. Fortunately, there are lots of places to get information and plenty of people willing to help. Consider the following.
Get to Know Your RV
Due to the nature of RV manufacturing, your particular unit may not even be identical to others produced the same year by the same company. Therefore, it's necessary to become very familiar with your new home-on-wheels even if you've driven or owned one in the past. Make sure to read the owner's manual. Search for where the breakers are located—it's better to know before you need to know—as well as things like amp limits, height requirements, and load limitations, etc.
Then, get to know how your new rig handles. Take a few short "practice" drives before packing up and heading out on your first big adventure. Pay attention to how it accelerates, how wide the turns need to be, and what the braking distance is. Take it on a few steep hills (location permitting) to see how well it handles them. Make sure to practice backing up.
Know Your Abilities
If you've never driven an RV, bus, or 18-wheeler, or towed a large trailer, you may be in for a rather steep learning curve. Never drive in conditions or at speeds that make you uncomfortable. Choose lower gears for steep inclines to reduce the strain on your engine, and drive as slowly as you need to. One of my seasoned RVing friends still takes mountains at about 45-mph with his hazards on. It isn't a race.
Also, as a new RVer, you may benefit from a few classes. Many RV clubs offer driving classes for inexperienced drivers, as well as for those who just want to improve their skills.
Extended Warranties: Yes or No?
People generally have very firm opinions on the benefit of an extended warranty. For some, the feeling of security they get from having one is necessary for them to relax enough to enjoy the RVing experience. They believe that it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Others, however, see extended warranties as a rip-off since companies often pad the expense to add to their profit. Plus, if you purchase an inexpensive one from a third-party, you may be disappointed by how little it actually covers. Some RV owners prefer to save the cost and handle their own repair expenses.
Plan Your Space
When stocking your RV, think long and hard about what you need and what you can leave behind. Comestibles, first aid supplies, medication, and toiletries are good things to always keep stocked. Consider what—and how many—articles of clothing you should bring with you factoring in weather and potential activities. If you're planning to full-time, try to keep the minimum amount of clothing for the various climates you'll be experiencing. Sell, donate, give away, or throw away the rest.
Choose the minimum amount of kitchen supplies you'll need. Are you planning to cook for and serve eight people? If not, you probably don't need a full set of dishes and cutlery in your limited space. Even if you plan to occasionally entertain, disposable dishes may be a better bet. The less you have, the easier it is to organize.
Then check out your favorite discount store for cabinet, closet, and drawer organizers. In addition to making the most of your space, they keep items from shifting while you’re traveling. Don't forget the basement. Starting with a good organizational plan makes maintaining the area—and keeping your possessions intact and accessible—much easier.
Join RV Social Media Groups
There are many RV social media groups that can be very beneficial since you can immediately connect with a network of RVers who are happy to share their experiences. Just search "RV" in FaceBook. There are groups that specialize in travel tips, general RV tips, RV-specific tips, RV stories, campground experiences and advice, etc. We have been able to troubleshoot many electrical problems for our RV with the help of friends on RV-specific FaceBook groups.
In Conclusion
Beginning your life as an RVer is exciting and maybe a little scary. Generally, the more information you get, and the larger your support system, the better you'll do. RVing is an experience like no other, but with a bit of practice and a systematic approach you should be fine. So, buckle up and have fun!
Related Read: Top Tips Experienced RVers Share with Newbies
Get to Know Your RV
Due to the nature of RV manufacturing, your particular unit may not even be identical to others produced the same year by the same company. Therefore, it's necessary to become very familiar with your new home-on-wheels even if you've driven or owned one in the past. Make sure to read the owner's manual. Search for where the breakers are located—it's better to know before you need to know—as well as things like amp limits, height requirements, and load limitations, etc.
Then, get to know how your new rig handles. Take a few short "practice" drives before packing up and heading out on your first big adventure. Pay attention to how it accelerates, how wide the turns need to be, and what the braking distance is. Take it on a few steep hills (location permitting) to see how well it handles them. Make sure to practice backing up.
Know Your Abilities
If you've never driven an RV, bus, or 18-wheeler, or towed a large trailer, you may be in for a rather steep learning curve. Never drive in conditions or at speeds that make you uncomfortable. Choose lower gears for steep inclines to reduce the strain on your engine, and drive as slowly as you need to. One of my seasoned RVing friends still takes mountains at about 45-mph with his hazards on. It isn't a race.
Also, as a new RVer, you may benefit from a few classes. Many RV clubs offer driving classes for inexperienced drivers, as well as for those who just want to improve their skills.
Related Read: 3 Newbie RVing Mistakes You Won't Want to Make
Extended Warranties: Yes or No?
People generally have very firm opinions on the benefit of an extended warranty. For some, the feeling of security they get from having one is necessary for them to relax enough to enjoy the RVing experience. They believe that it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Others, however, see extended warranties as a rip-off since companies often pad the expense to add to their profit. Plus, if you purchase an inexpensive one from a third-party, you may be disappointed by how little it actually covers. Some RV owners prefer to save the cost and handle their own repair expenses.
Plan Your Space
When stocking your RV, think long and hard about what you need and what you can leave behind. Comestibles, first aid supplies, medication, and toiletries are good things to always keep stocked. Consider what—and how many—articles of clothing you should bring with you factoring in weather and potential activities. If you're planning to full-time, try to keep the minimum amount of clothing for the various climates you'll be experiencing. Sell, donate, give away, or throw away the rest.
Choose the minimum amount of kitchen supplies you'll need. Are you planning to cook for and serve eight people? If not, you probably don't need a full set of dishes and cutlery in your limited space. Even if you plan to occasionally entertain, disposable dishes may be a better bet. The less you have, the easier it is to organize.
Then check out your favorite discount store for cabinet, closet, and drawer organizers. In addition to making the most of your space, they keep items from shifting while you’re traveling. Don't forget the basement. Starting with a good organizational plan makes maintaining the area—and keeping your possessions intact and accessible—much easier.
Join RV Social Media Groups
There are many RV social media groups that can be very beneficial since you can immediately connect with a network of RVers who are happy to share their experiences. Just search "RV" in FaceBook. There are groups that specialize in travel tips, general RV tips, RV-specific tips, RV stories, campground experiences and advice, etc. We have been able to troubleshoot many electrical problems for our RV with the help of friends on RV-specific FaceBook groups.
In Conclusion
Beginning your life as an RVer is exciting and maybe a little scary. Generally, the more information you get, and the larger your support system, the better you'll do. RVing is an experience like no other, but with a bit of practice and a systematic approach you should be fine. So, buckle up and have fun!
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Author: Carrie Todd
