New to Class C

Learn as much as you can and ask questions (electrical, generator, chassis, suspension). The more preventative maintenance you can do yourself the better of you'll be.

Consider upgrading your anti-sway bars and shocks. It makes a world of difference in handling for larger class Cs.

There are lots of resources available (like this forum and YouTube) when you have specific questions.

Have fun!

I took quite an interest in how everything works, which has kept me able to handle all the difficulties myself. A multimeter for measuring voltage is easy to use and quite informative. Writing down some voltages while everything is working makes a great reference when troubleshooting. The voltage on the batteries when engine charging and shore power charging is particularly useful. Good to know if the cutoff switch, usually at the door, also cuts off charging from the engine. Nice to know what fuses are in use and carry spares.

There are good discussions here about tire blowouts (be sure to watch the video on driving through a blowout. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/13793499.cfm
If you figure on changing a flat tire on your own, read up on it here and practise at home, with an experienced friend if possible. It isn't like changing a car wheel. If not, check into the road services.

The MH changed our driving a lot. It is so relaxing having our house with us that we dawdle and have to use the cruise control to keep up with traffic. Pulling over for a dish of ice cream is such a delight. Enjoy!

Thanks again for the info. We have full timing for eight years in class A Motor Homes but wanted to downsize so he bought our Melbourne. But your various advise has opened some widows.
About the cell phones vs GPS, beware out west. Our son-in-law decided not to use his GPS against our advice. They live in Dallas and he was sure it was as good as a GPS. They came up to Northern Idaho to visit us and drove 100 miles in the wrong way before our Daughter notice they had no signal.
100 miles back to the route.
JMAT

I have opted to use my phone as my GPS and connect it into my stereo system.

Modern cell phones have true GPS and are really flexible. I use Google maps and have yet to run into a situation where it didn't work. So long as you plot your course, it seems to hold on to the map even when cell signal drops out.

Alternately, you can install downloaded apps and pull complete maps of areas you plan to visit. A large screen, dedicated GPS in the vehicle is definitely a nice feature, but my cell phone sure does a great job for me.

Jose

RVAJeff and Bordercollie, thank you for your thoughts on RV specific GPS systems. We looked at one and thought it might be a good idea, but haven't bought it yet...

I have discovered that I can really be flexible with how/where I setup now that I have purchased a 25' extension for my power (built in is about 10 feet) and a 30' dump hose. I also really like the thread on couplers for the dump hose. The couplers help keep things compact and easy to work with.

Jose

The Melborne should have the camera already built in as it is a B+ and one of their top line models. We almost bought one as it hass the best driver area with the electric seats and all the remote adjustable mirrors etc. Your camera should also work while towing so you can monitor whatever is behind you while traveling along. I think you can add the side cameras to the system not sure, but after a while they are really not needed. Just practice driving. As to tail swing go to like a school bus bay which has the warning line fot the kids. park as close to the curb as you can. from a dead stop turn the wheel all the way to the left without forward movement. Watch the r/s mirror as the tail swings over the curb to give you an idea of tail swing. Can even do this at a mall with islands but the school curb is the best. You will lose the effect if you allow any forward movement as it diminishes the amount of tail swing. For right side turn do it in a mall lot next to the median if possible.

As to height I believe it is less than 13 ft tall at the top of AC unit. Easy to measure if in doubt. Yes be careful on driveways as desert capt said. Make sure your air bags are set I run mine at 50psi and it makes a difference.

Motorhomes have bad blind spots. Make freeway lane changes after using your signals and mirrors when you are sure that there is nobody in you blind spots in small car or on motorcycle. Use your GPS to plan ahead for exits or merges and if lane changing is unsafe, pass it up and let GPS "recalculate". RV tires have a safe useful life of about 5 years regardless of tread depth/appearance. Have tire date codes checked and tires inspected for sidewall cracking. Have brake fluid flushed and replaced every two years, it collects water which leads to brake fade on grades. Get to know how to check and service your batteries, operation of converter charger, and whether your converter charger keeps engine starting battery charged wheh parked and RV is connected to shore power. Don't drive off with TV antenna up or shore power etc connected. Maneuver carefully to avoid body damage from overhanging limbs at campsites, gas stations, parking lots and other vehicle's mirrors, etc. Theres more, but these are basics IMO.

I recently purchased a used Class C and two of the best additions I have made to it are 1) adding a backup camera and 2) getting a Garmin GPS (the one for RV Use). To me, having a motorhome without a backup camera is lunacy. With it, I can backup easily into almost any space. Without it, I don't even think I'd attempt to back in to certain sites. Get one of the wireless ones -- the one I got came WITH the Garmin unit. Also...don't make the mistake of thinking "I'll just use my smartphone for GPS." That would be my response for any kind of car, but this GPS is RV optimized which means you enter all your values -- height, width, length etc. and then the RV can give you guidance based on where it KNOWS you can and can't go. It also has a database of RV specific thinks you might want to be aware of...RV parks, parts places, Repair facilities, etc.

I know these aren't JUST Class C issues, and maybe if you've had ANY RV before you already know all of this, just passing along what I've found out:)

Thanks for the info. I did get somethings I didn't think about.
JMAT