Hello expert RVers! I just bought my first RV a couple days ago and I'm looking for some expert advice. First things first, I bought a 2000 Winnebago Chieftain 34y. Its been well taken care of, has low mileage, and I took it to a local expert who spent hours with me walking through everything and it all checks out to be a great coach in great shape. We're getting the couch, dinette, recliner & captain chairs re-upholstered, and new carpet put in.My question is, what do I need to put into it? What items or upgrades can you experienced weekend warriors just not live without? What are the coolest new accessories? We got it for what I feel like is a fantastic deal, so I don't mind putting a little money into it. Don't know if it may help, but we're in our mid-thirties and have 4 young kids.Any help would be much appreciated!!

You might want to upgrade the TV's to HDTV, if not already changed out.Did you have the basement air checked out?

Welcome to the forum.Hopefully your expert checked the age of the tires. RV tires usually age out before they wear out. And, the condition of the roof is very important. A small leak can cause a lot of damage if not repaired.If possible, camp for a few nights in your driveway or yard. You will learn to operate everything while at home. If that is not possible, go to a local campground for a night or two before you start traveling.Don't hesitate to ask questions or search the forum. There is a lot of information available.Enjoy your travels.

Depending where you camp if you are on battery power a lot you will want LED bulbs. I like our 14 speed remote controlled Fantastic vent also. Its easy on the battery and quiet.

Welcome to the forum. If you have any windshield leaks, you may want to put some black moisture resistant tape around the top black rubber molding to hold it tight against the fiberglass cap. I developed a small leak that kept dripping around the passenger side surround sound speaker. I figured that the roof mounted satellite dish was leaking so I put dicor around the base of it and the bat wing antenna since I don't use either. The only upgrade that I did was replaced the 13 inch tv in the bedroom with a 19 inch led tv on an adjustable swivel base mount. Like others stated before, check the dates on the tires. It is cheaper to spend about $2000.00 now than thousands of dollars later trying to replace damage caused by a blowout.

chieftain wrote:Hello expert RVers! I just bought my first RV a couple days ago and I'm looking for some expert advice. First things first, I bought a 2000 Winnebago Chieftain 34y. Its been well taken care of, has low mileage, and I took it to a local expert who spent hours with me walking through everything and it all checks out to be a great coach in great shape. We're getting the couch, dinette, recliner & captain chairs re-upholstered, and new carpet put in.Any help would be much appreciated!!Are you having the carpet/upholster done now, if not maybe hold off, you need to use this RV a few times and get the expensive stuff if needed done 1st, tires would be a good start if over 5 years old, replacing old rubber hoses around motor, belts, batteries, oil changes, checking brakes, checking a/c and heater, checking rv fridg, etc, etc, these things are needed 1st to get it running good and usable, carpet and upholster should come later, hard floors might even be better than carpet, upgraded rv's are very costly over time, put the money 1st in the right areas than pretty it up last..Just my 2 cents..

help! I'm new at this... looking for advice. | Good Sam Community

kjburns
Explorer
Jun 21, 2014
I would certainly start with a toad. Traveling without a dinghy is a pain.
Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Jun 21, 2014
Cool stuff for a weekender?

1. Digital TV(s). The biggest set(s) you can fit.
2. DVD player and lots of movies.
3. Carry out satellite antenna.
4. Satellite receiver and a subscription to your service provider of choice (Dish or Direct).
5. A Weber Q1000 Grill and a propane fitting to run the grill off the coach tank.
6. Rope lights to hang from the awning.
7. A bike rack that fits into the hitch receiver.
8. Anti gravity chairs.
9. Couple of Dutch Ovens.
10. Portable Ice maker.
11. A Go Pro Hero 3+ camera.

That should keep you busy and have fun.
TZScales
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
Congrats on your first Class A RV. Ensure that the generator is working okay and provides the AC voltage to the coach. Welcome to the forum.
Octanefam
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014
Congrats on your new rig. We are in the process of buying our first Class A hopefully within the week. So I will be following your thread.

Thanks
micd1111
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014
Check the smoke, CO and LP gas detectors. Those age out and need to be replace but are often overlooked. Consider adding fire extinguishers. We have them in the back bedroom, behind the drivers seat and near the entrance door. We also put in redundancy by having a CO and smoke detector in the kitchen as well as the back bedroom.

Edit, if you do put the new carpet in covering it with throw rugs and/or the self adhesive plastic carpet protector makes life easier.
dbates
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014
If it doesn't already have one consider installing a Progressive Industries EMS to protect you from all external electrical hazards. It's very good insurance against expensive damage to your RV electronic equipment.

Dave
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Jun 18, 2014
You will never hit a tree limb with basement air---mine has worked for 15 years now......and I agree on getting rid of the carpet----does anyone camp where there is no sand or dirt to track in?
jsmart
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014
We have a 2002 Itasca Sunrise 32V, 6 grandkids, 2 dogs. My wife would love to have hardwood or tile floors. We just keep cleaning the carpet with our carpet cleaner after each trip. We've learned so much on this forum, and we keep learning with each trip. We just kept taking trips and finding out what works and what doesn't. Happy Camping, and we'll see you on the road.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
Mr. Chieftain, a couple of people mentioned not going with carpet, I would agree.

You might want to look at a laminate wood or vinyl type flooring. Our current coach has tile and we use area rugs that can be thrown in the washer (very easy).

Good luck and safe travels!

MM.
J-Rooster
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
You purchased a very nice coach and welcome to RV.Net! Hands down the greatest thing I bought for my coach is a dehumidifier It stops all condensation from getting into and rusting out my windshield holder (the holder keeps both your windshields in place) I place mine in my Winnebago between the split windshields. Winnebagos windshields are glued into place so you want to take care of them, if there removed they break and you have to buy a new set. Also when buying items for your coach think light weight!

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