My husband and I did it! We bought a '16 Montana 3711 FL and pk it up next Weds. We are very green on this and will need to pk up some accessories, we were told, like tp and a sewer extension pipe and we're not sure what else. We heard there are check lists available online that we can print for all sorts of things like what you should have, what you should check, etc. Can anyone point me to these? Also, we need to join a club (Good SAMs??). Is this the best club to join? This community has been very helpful with our other requests and I thank you very much for that. Thanks for any insight you can provide a couple of old farts and their dogs starting a new life adventure!

If you get everything on every list you get here you'll spend more money then you did on you 5th wheel. You should get a sewer hose and a potable water hose with your camper and that's all you need. Go camping and find out what you want and make your own list.

Take somebody with you that knows RVs for your walk through before you sign the final papers. I was a total newbie and they did the walk through before they had even finished cleaning it from the factory. They then did as little as possible after that point. After taking delivery, we had to actually clean the unit as there was manufacturer debris everywhere. We also didn't know which questions to ask. I hear some people spend hours on their walk through. Mine was probably 45 minutes. I simply didn't know the right questions to ask or to actually know what I was looking at.

Take a look at these threads for beginning advice. You will need, at least, sewer hookups, potable water hose (white), pots and pans, plates and cups, silverware and then food stuffs. Other stuff can be purchased along the way at either a Walmart or thrift store such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.Beginning FAQs

Congrats on your new 5er!!!! Sounds like a really nice coach...you may need additional items for leveling can be 2X6 blocks or the kind you can purchase unless you have a leveling systedm then maybe just pads for the base of the leveler. Just think of basic items you use at home for starter...Remember extra items equates to extra weight that you may not nee to tug around the country side...Happy RVing....

Rv checklist is the app tour looking for. As for stuff you need? Paper and pencil are number one.Lawn chairs, BBQ, potable(whire)water hose,sewer hose, sewer hose connectors. Thats the basics. From there on it is up to you.As for toilet paper? We have been using Costcos Kirkland brand and pleased with it. Basically any brand that is septic approved is fine.Dishes? Lots of us use Corel. We bought a food set of pots and pans for the trailer. Others srock up from salvation army stores. Dont skimp on the kitchen. You will just have to buy it twice if you do.

Newbies to 5th wheeling &need some advice | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

sue_t
Explorer
May 31, 2015
For the dogs, carry a first aid kid for the canines.

- A can of non-spiced pumpkin is good for upset doggy tummies.
- Pepto-Bismol is also a good thing to have with you.
- PooPickup bags are essential.
- Extra leashes and even an extra collar - one of our dogs snapped the buckle on his collar and an extra collar would have been handy.
- Have your preferred stuff for cleaning and healing a cut. Dogs tend to get into things in new places.
- Doggy towels for drying off after a dip in a lake and before getting in the RV.
- We use those plastic wrapped cables to tie our dogs out at a campground. They can't be chewed through (one of our dogs could do a webbed leash in 30 seconds) and can't be broken if the dog charges at wildlife.
- For a water dish, I use a bucket with a lid. Then can seal it when we hit the road.

We also modified the screen door on our fifth wheel by putting a sheet of white PVC on the inside lower portion. Dog claws can tear the screen, and they can also see through the screen and get enticed by what is out there, and may charge through the door. With the lower door covered, they don't see it or think about it.
dapperdan
Explorer
May 31, 2015
tomthyme wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Be sure it has GoodYear "G" rated tires on it. If not play let's make a deal with the Dealer.

x2 on the tire conversation...(regardless of your brand preference). Be sure you have tires and wheels rated for your load. It has been an expensive lesson for many as it was for us. You will find lots of threads on this and other boards about tires that will provide insight.

We are only into RV'ing a few years and we have wwaayy more stuff than we need. We are in the process of purging already to lighten things up. We find it incredibly easy to buy stuff that is cool, fun or cute and never use it.

Congrats on the new rig!

Tom

X3, our "E" rated Marathons on our '11 Montana let us down on one of our trips a couple of years ago. What Cumins said might sound a little "corny" but he's got a real good point, try and upgrade right away with the dealer, you'll thank yourself later.

As far as all the "stuff" you're going to need. Take a short, close camping trip and a note pad, as you run into "needs" write them down and get them at discount stores INSTEAD of your dealer.

Dan
tomthyme
Explorer
May 31, 2015
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Be sure it has GoodYear "G" rated tires on it. If not play let's make a deal with the Dealer.

x2 on the tire conversation...(regardless of your brand preference). Be sure you have tires and wheels rated for your load. It has been an expensive lesson for many as it was for us. You will find lots of threads on this and other boards about tires that will provide insight.

We are only into RV'ing a few years and we have wwaayy more stuff than we need. We are in the process of purging already to lighten things up. We find it incredibly easy to buy stuff that is cool, fun or cute and never use it.

Congrats on the new rig!

Tom
kroghville
Explorer
May 31, 2015
I strongly recommend you join the Montana Owners Club. There you will find a wealth of information about things that pertain to your unit as well as rving in general from the friendliest folks around. May your rving always be wonderful!!!
Bemota
Explorer
May 30, 2015
Hi, We just got a FW also, reading all the helpful info and was wandering, what do you use for a jack? or use the truck jack? Thanks Dan
kaydeejay
Explorer
May 30, 2015
Curlida wrote:
My husband and I did it! We bought a '16 Montana 3711 FL and pk it up next Weds. ............. Thanks for any insight you can provide a couple of old farts and their dogs starting a new life adventure!
Most important "accessory" would be a capable truck!
With a 16,500# GVWR and a dry weight almost 13,000#, make sure you have a stout enough truck to handle that 40 footer!!
Hint - you are probably into dually territory!
ttempleton
Explorer
May 30, 2015
Truck
Curlida
Explorer
May 30, 2015
Thank you ALL for your input. It's nice to have a resource of knowledgable people that are willing to share. I hope we get the chance to meet some of you.
amandasgramma
Explorer
May 30, 2015
Congrats!!!! If you're going to use RV parks, I'd add a 50 to 30 amp adapter to your list. :) Otherwise, for things "in the home".....think of what you have in your stick home...now reduce that by 75% :) :)
kzspree320
Explorer
May 30, 2015
Some of the stuff listed above plus deodorizer for black water tank, OFF or other bug spray, a tool set since things do break while camping at times, WD40 or other lube for fifth wheel hitch, always have duck tape for emergency repairs, ice cube trays unless you have an ice maker, a flashlight since you may need to check on things at night, all your normal bedding, all your normal kitchen stuff, we tend to use paper plates to minimize dishwashing, highly recommend a surge protector at some point sooner than later, a voltmeter that you plug into socket and shows voltage.

Probably forgot some other stuff but others will add. The most important thing is to enjoy. Good luck. Keith