Newbie: Best way to learn about your RV?

most folks on this forum will likely help you with any questions you may have about your new rt. If you'd like a general overview of things covered in detail, you may want to spend couple dollars and get your self a book that covers RV basics, they help a lot.

Go on some short camping trips to RV parks and strike up a conversation with fellow campers. Most systems are pretty much the same in all RVs so you can pick up a lot of useful information and make some new friends along the way. For the few things that are a bit different on your Roadtrek you can always ask on the forums, join a local Roadtrek chapter, search for fellow Roadtrekers on campouts, or puzzle it out yourself.

bob_nestor gave some good advice. Check with other RVers, they're usually happy to help.

Did you try contacting Roadtrek? Maybe they can furnish the info or manuals you need.

Don't hesitate to ask questions on the forum.

Enjoy your travels.

Could you talk to the previous owner??

You just learned a valuable lesson free! If your local RV dealer is going to charge you that much for information, find some other place to to business, as there is no idea what they would charge for actual work!

Go to the Roadtrek website. Along about then, they had an excellent DVD lesson on how all the systems work. I had one, but let it go with my '99/'00 RT D190V. I wouldn't be surprised if they have it online now.

Things you need to know now...

Tires: No more than 6 years old. Google 'how to read tire dates'. Rear, 80 psi. Front, 60-70 psi, whatever drives well. Michelin LTX's did not drive at all well on either of my Roadtreks. They need stiffer sidewalls.

Never start or stop the generator with a load like the A/C on it.

It's a Class B, not a C, so ask the mod to move it over there. There are some knowledgeable folks there who have owned the same or similar vans.

Jim, "The buck doesn't even slow down here."

There is a website called RV University rvuniversity.com. They have a training video package you can buy that is supposed to be an orientation for new owners. I haven't tried it because I've been RVing for years. I was researching my first Class A. Their youtube videos (rv education 101)are ok.

go to www.rvbookstore.com and browse. Lots of good books and DVDs about just about anything.

Thank you all for your replies! The previous owner was owner number 4 and only used the rig for 1 big trip and then parked it for 2 years before selling it. He did not know much of anything about the rig except how to plug it in and run the generator. I had the mechanics check everything and it's all good. Badly needed an alignment and new shocks and tires but other than that it was good! (Didn't buy the tires yet -- recommendations??) I turned on the propane and ran the stove, but couldn't get the frig to light (how many times do you keep pushing the ignitor before you decide it doesn't work?). I turned on the generator and ran the AC and the microwave. The water in the rig had been drained so couldn't check anything water related. I can't figure out how to fill the water (although finally did find the hole in the door jam of the back door). I want to sanitize the tank and lines but can't find how to do it in that model year, and know I'm going to have fits trying to figure out the hot water tank once I get water flowing. Mainly it's just a feeling of insecurity in not knowing how to do everything yet and feel frustrated. And YES, I totally got a good lesson on NOT using that RV place! They basically just wanted me to drop it off and pay them for the work and weren't interested in me knowing how to do things for myself. No thanks.

Thank you all for your suggestions!
Linda

Moved from Class C Forum