Hello all-I have been camping/towing for several years....all towables (TT, 5er). Last trip in March was towing my 5er (350 miles one way). All went well. ALL of my trips have been 350 miles one way or less.In the last three months I sold my 5er and truck and purchased a 2005 Monaco Esquire 31 PBS Class C with 25K miles and have been preparing it for our first trip. I will be going with my wife and two kids (11yo son; 17 yo son. Will be towing my 2014 17' aluminum boat (2500# gross with trailer). Heading to Lake Oroville which is in Nor Cal about 550 miles one way from me (I'm in So Cal). It is supposed to be hot when we travel at the end of this month (100F plus).My Class C has new Michelin tires, I have a spare, my boat and trailer are 2014 but I am putting new tires on it as well.Things I have done to prepare for my first trip....1. 6 new tires on RV2. 2 New tires on boat trailer, bearings are oil filed and in great shape3. Sanitize fresh water system; installed new fresh water pump4. Change engine oil/filter in RV5. Change oil, air filter, and spark plug in generator6. Will carry spare tires for RV and boat trailer7. Engine coolant appears good, but may drain radiator and refill. Hoses and belt look goodNow, I am getting first use jitters! What am I nervous about?:1. My first time use of an RV I am not too familiar with 2. Not being able to see my boat when traveling (My friend who is also going on this trip towing his TT has agreed to follow behind me in the event there are any problems that I can't see).3. 600 miles one way will be my longest trip ever! What can I do to calm my nerves and be as prepared as possible? Almost feel like cancelling this trip and staying closer to home for our first trip. Boys will be sad as they are excited about doing some boating. Thanks

Sounds like you've done a great job so far!Run the generator and your house AC while driving to keep your coach cool.I'm assuming you do not have a backup camera - that is how I watch my Jeep. Stop fairly often (rest areas) to look things over and take a deep breath. Bring a set of those inexpensive walkie-talkie things so you can communicate with your friend. Sit back and enjoy the ride!! :-)

When I tow my Baja Bug (toad) all I can see is the roof top. To overcome that, and assist me when backing up, I installed a backup camera and wired it to my tail light circuit. Now when I want to take a look behind me I can turn on the parking lights and take a look. That way it works if you are in reverse or not.I suspect the generator is running well so changing out the fuel filter is probably not required at this time. Next year you might want to add it to your maintenance list.Check your battery fluid levels if you have not already done so.The only other thing I can offer is when I first started driving my Class C I felt like I was constantly making steering corrections to keep it centered in the lane. Once I learned to use a spot about 30 yards further down the road as a focal point it became a non-issue.

1. Definitely will be checking battery water levels and using distilled if needed.2. will be adding a back up camera when I return from this trip (if I don't chicken out!)....just not enough time to add it now3. Is it SAFE to run generator when traveling?4. Is it SAFE to run refer on propane while traveling? Would like to keep food at safe temps as it will be HOT! 5. Should I run with tow/haul mode ON?

You should be fine to run the generator and the Fridge on propane. as light at your boat sounds you most likely do not need to run in tow mode. If you feel sluggish then you can turn it on.

JFNM wrote:Sounds like you've done a great job so far!Run the generator and your house AC while driving to keep your coach cool.I'm assuming you do not have a backup camera - that is how I watch my Jeep. Stop fairly often (rest areas) to look things over and take a deep breath. Bring a set of those inexpensive walkie-talkie things so you can communicate with your friend. Sit back and enjoy the ride!! :-)X2 on the walkie talkies, but remember, they only work if you both have them turned on... Took a trip with a friend and gave her a walkie talkie so we could communicate - she set it down on her passenger seat and never turned it on. I'm in front shouting out the window at every stop "turn on the **** walkie talkie!!!"

First trip in my Class C.....first time jitters - HELP!

27 Replies

Baja_Man
Explorer
Jun 14, 2016
can't we just use cell phones to communicate instead of walkie talkies?
Harvard
Explorer
Jun 14, 2016
Just a heads up in case you have handling issues with your Ford E Series. Many of the E350/E450s are delivered with to little front end caster. Having too little front end +caster will manifest itself as "loose steering" (and wandering) at highway speeds. FYI
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jun 14, 2016
JFNM wrote:
Sounds like you've done a great job so far!

Run the generator and your house AC while driving to keep your coach cool.

I'm assuming you do not have a backup camera - that is how I watch my Jeep. Stop fairly often (rest areas) to look things over and take a deep breath. Bring a set of those inexpensive walkie-talkie things so you can communicate with your friend.

Sit back and enjoy the ride!! :-)

X2 on the walkie talkies, but remember, they only work if you both have them turned on... Took a trip with a friend and gave her a walkie talkie so we could communicate - she set it down on her passenger seat and never turned it on. I'm in front shouting out the window at every stop "turn on the **** walkie talkie!!!"
RWjSIM2003
Explorer
Jun 14, 2016
You should be fine to run the generator and the Fridge on propane. as light at your boat sounds you most likely do not need to run in tow mode. If you feel sluggish then you can turn it on.
Baja_Man
Explorer
Jun 14, 2016
1. Definitely will be checking battery water levels and using distilled if needed.

2. will be adding a back up camera when I return from this trip (if I don't chicken out!)....just not enough time to add it now

3. Is it SAFE to run generator when traveling?

4. Is it SAFE to run refer on propane while traveling? Would like to keep food at safe temps as it will be HOT!

5. Should I run with tow/haul mode ON?
Sloop_Smitten
Explorer
Jun 14, 2016
When I tow my Baja Bug (toad) all I can see is the roof top. To overcome that, and assist me when backing up, I installed a backup camera and wired it to my tail light circuit. Now when I want to take a look behind me I can turn on the parking lights and take a look. That way it works if you are in reverse or not.
I suspect the generator is running well so changing out the fuel filter is probably not required at this time. Next year you might want to add it to your maintenance list.
Check your battery fluid levels if you have not already done so.
The only other thing I can offer is when I first started driving my Class C I felt like I was constantly making steering corrections to keep it centered in the lane. Once I learned to use a spot about 30 yards further down the road as a focal point it became a non-issue.
JFNM
Explorer
Jun 14, 2016
Sounds like you've done a great job so far!

Run the generator and your house AC while driving to keep your coach cool.

I'm assuming you do not have a backup camera - that is how I watch my Jeep. Stop fairly often (rest areas) to look things over and take a deep breath. Bring a set of those inexpensive walkie-talkie things so you can communicate with your friend.

Sit back and enjoy the ride!! :-)

Forum Discussion

First trip in my Class C.....first time jitters - HELP!

27 Replies

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Greenhorn Jitters

Opening Day Jitters

Wireless Mouse Jitters Resolution

Pre Purchase Jitters... Help Please

New Member, New (to me) Truck/TC Jitters