High Anxiety

After several years of this, you should just learn to live with it. It's not going away.. lists or not. It's like stage fright - you just deal with it if you want to keep doing what you're doing.

Risks vs Rewards. If the rewards are not great enough then move on. RV'ing is only one form of traveling. Close that chapter on your life and go onto the next chapter of traveling.

The more time you RV the more you'll understand that the best time is when you shut the key off. Lot's of people feel that way, not just you. I've known FT'ers that turned snowbirds, that turned VRBO travelers. No worries, just go to the next stage.

I would think it would be simpler in a class A as it pertains to preparation, set-up, and takedown, at least that's why some state they chose this class of RV. Most will say traveling by this class of RV is less stressful as well.

Since our TT is a second home it has everything we need onboard, it is always plugged in when stored in our side yard at home, and fridge is left on during the active RVing months to simplify the process that much more.

Since our 3/4 ton Chevy gasser tow vehicle is dedicated to pulling our 10K# 33' TT wherever we plan to go, it is always packed with firewood and all the other RVing necessities, which are protected by a rolling metal bed cover.

We don't have a list we follow per say, it has become second nature as most of the packing is already done. We leave freshwater tanks filled and batteries are always fully charged and ready to go, just hitch up and away we go.

Although we are approaching 60' when hitched up, we have a very comfortable towing experience. We primarily travel on interstates to get most places here in the West, my DW doesn't mind doing a couple of hours here or there.

RVing is not for everyone, main reason why there are so many slightly used RVs on the market. Next door neighbor has a nice fifth wheel and a newer diesel powered truck to easily haul it around, even so it hasn't been used in years.

Our other next door neighbor went though every class of RV before settling on a class A rig, they are in their 70s and they still go out often. They stated having a class A is the only way they are able to enjoy RVing, just jump in and go.

Suggestions:

• a "pre-flight" checklist, both for things to pack and mechanical things to check
• take an RV driver training course; Lazydays offers them and probably others
• a setup checklist for when you get to your campsite
• another checklist for when you get home
• purchase duplicates of items you want both at home and in your RV; for us we are even buying a second wardrobe that we will leave in our coach so it is ready to go within an hour! We also have duplicate kitchen appliances, dog bowls, cellphone chargers, etc. The only thing we aren't leaving in the coach are food and medicine but if we had shore power where we store it we would leave some food items in the fridge
• plan for short travel days. And "short" has different meanings for different people. 500 miles is a short day for us but you might want to stop at 300 or less

WAFlowers wrote:
500 miles is a short day for us but you might want to stop at 300 or less

Yikes. How fast do you drive to make 500 mi per day? 300 would be a killer day for me.

I can understand your anxiety I used to get that way. It really kicked in as my RV got older and problems that would affect the ability to get to a destination started to kick in. Things like: overheating, u-joint failure, tire problems, alternator failure, battery problems...etc. I ended up buying a brand new RV and the anxiety went away because I felt comfortable that I would have up to 10 years before similar problems would pop up on my new RV.

The RV is now 10 years old and knock on wood no destination delay problems so far. However I am considering buying a new RV before the current one begins to fail me.

It's like a risk flow chart or troubleshooting chart. Do your repairs and maintenance at home not on the road. Use a check list so you dont leave the step out or whatever. From there, have the funds on hand, credit card whatever to cover whatever happens. If you dont have the funds to cover the worst repair imaginable, stay home and sell the rig.

If the water pump dies have one sent to a campground, if the engine blows rent a room and get out the charge card or checkbook. Worry will only get in the way of being cautious and paying attention to what needs attention while driving. We have all gone through this to varying degrees.

My big point is do repairs at home. I may waste some money but I consider it an insurance policy and have been stranded ONE time in 45 years of driving when a Chevy electronic distributor died on a Sunday evening in a rural area. Towed it to dealer. Belts, hoses, water pumps, starters, alternators, axle seals, brakes, bearings are all determinable by inspection or expected miles of life. Some run until stranded some by insurance.

2oldman wrote:

WAFlowers wrote:
500 miles is a short day for us but you might want to stop at 300 or less

Yikes. How fast do you drive to make 500 mi per day? 300 would be a killer day for me.

I should have said: "500 miles WAS a short day for us". Past tense.

We target just under 65mph on the Interstate; less on other roads, of course. With two drivers (my wife has probably logged more miles pulling our 5er than I do because of some solo trips she took) it wasn't unusual for us to do 10-12 hour days plus stops, switching drivers every 2-3 hours. And there were the occasional 18 hour days (including stops) where I would drive the last shift (I'm a night owl - I love those hours between 11pm and 2am on the road) while DW slept in the passenger seat, then DW would take the first shift the next morning while I slept another 2-3 hours.

The single longest drive we took in our Class C was 1950 miles in 34 hours with 3 drivers. Except for fuel stops we were moving 32 of those 34 hours, so 1950/32 is an average of 61mph although with fuel stops it was probably about 65. We didn't stop for food or bathroom breaks; with a motorhome we don't need to. That was 10 years ago when we were a bit younger.

Now that we are a little older (60) we are going to slow down a bit by doing shorter days. 400 miles, give or take, sounds just right to us. In our new (to us) Class A it shouldn't be a problem.

I get that way a little - for 40 years.

Well you can act calm.. Or you can be calm.
For one thing some of us have improved the hangling on or RV's with Trac Bars, Sway Bars and steering stabilizers. Makes 'em easier to drive.

And some of us.. Well. "Stuff happens" and you need to remember

90% or more of the stuff you worry about.. Won't happen
The remaining 10% or less. You can't prevent

So why worry?

Instead be concerned, But don't let it stop you.. Be prepared.

Accident? Well that is why I pay an Insurance company every month.
Break down.. Very minor. I fix
Minor I pay to have fixed
Major.. I pay another insurance company to fix.

Total disaster (RV Blows up, Semi blows a light and divides your house in two)
See Insurance.

Best is to know how to respond when "Stuff Happens" (Yes you can take classes) Make sure you watch the "Watching these videos can save your life" video elsewhere in this forum.. That is the very best I can give you. If you are an FMCA member make sure to catch Mac the Fire Guy at a rally.. (I did. Now understand I've caught a few such demo's by professionals.. MAC knows what he is talking about).

Take the AEON RV safety course at an FMCA rally (They show the same video).

And above all else remember this.

Many people are in the devil's own hurry to get where they are going. THey will do 90+ in a 55 zone (I do have a story about that but you can imagine top speed written that day was 105 in a 65 as I recall Minimum 85 Number of tickets 85, Later that week, Same stats, Why do I think same 105mph)

The folks in a hurry are going to a funeral.. Theirs.. Just like I'm going to my funeral.. But unlike them.. I'm in no hurry.. No hurry at all

Be in no hurry. Enjoy the trip.