Our first RV - now what?!

Also, all the manuals are ridiculously confusing. Is there a post or video somewhere that runs through the standard operation of such a rig? Like what needs to be on or off while driving? How do you set up camp? Pilot lights, power cords, generator, potable water lines, LP tank, water tanks, etc.

You need to read your manuals. They should not be confusing. They are geared toward the end consumer.

Depending on your RV, you don't want to run the generator and have your house batteries slaved to the engine alternator at the same time - you can fry the voltage regulator in the alternator or in the generator or both. In my RV I have to pay special care not to slave the batteries while the engine is running and the generator is running.

You can run pretty much all of your RV appliances while driving. Some states have laws about pilot lights in certain situations (like tunnels). It's a good idea to shut down pilot lights before pulling into service stations.

Check the date code on your tires. Tires last about 6-7 years and then need replacement regardless of tread wear. They almost always age out before they wear out.

Setting up camp is simple. Pull into your spot, plug into shore power if you have it, hook up to the city water if you have it, and hook up to sewer if you have it.

If you are hooked up to sewer, you still need to leave your sewage waste gate closed until your tank is full. You can leave your grey water waste gate open to flow into the sewer all you want. But if you leave the sewage waste gate open you will end up with a mountain of poo in your waste tank as all the liquid runs out. So you leave the waste gate closed until the sewage tank gets full and then you pull the gate open so everything gets flushed out of the tank in one tidalwave of sewage. Always close the grey water gate when you are opening the sewage gate. You don't want sewage waste backing up into the grey water system. When you are done, close the sewage gate again and open the grey water gate.

It can be a good idea to use an external pressure regulator and water filter on your hose bringing city water into your RV. You can buy these at a camping store. They fit onto your garden hose hookup.

You'll need to locate your water system drain valves. There may be multiple - my RV has 4. These should be opened at the end of every trip to fully drain your system.

Google on how to sanitize your RV water tank.

We generally don't drink water from our RV tank but use bottled water for drinking.

You should run the generator 20 minutes every month to exercise it and keep all the internal parts lubricated.

Some campgrounds have rules on hours of operation for generators due to noise.

I bought a big 3 ring binder and then I would go to the equipment used by your Motor home house. Search around and find name of manufacture and the model no and serial number of each piece of equipment IE: (heater, air conditioner, Generator, hot water heater, refrigerator, water pump, toilet, slide , jacks, & such). Then go to internet and find the equipment manufactures and usually you can find PDF files of the equipment manuals. print same and 3 ring punch and put in your binder. then you have a dossier of all your major equipment. you can generally find quite a lot of information this way. and it is really handy if you keep it in a storage drawer in you motor home. I carry on all the time and it is handy. Usually there is one with the Motor Home when you buy it but they do get lost. I have a special place i keep mine. And as you will find out you will have to fix something every timr you take the motorhome any place. It happens weather you pull a tralier drive a motorhome or pull a fift wheeler. There is always something to fix or tighten....!!!!!! It is just a part of the game. Another Fact....!!!! ALWAYS CARRY A SET OF TOOLS AND KEEP THEM HANDY....!!!! YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY.....!!!!!

Other than that it is the greatest way to travel and I love getting behind the wheel and seeing this beautiful country of our's. I love it. Please don't be scared off it is not anything you can't handle and you will love it...!!!

when i started there was no youtube or websites one trip at a time we learned now 40 years later we are still learning but other rvers are a wealth of info . congrats on your new adventures you will wonder why it took you so long . happy trails

I can sure remember the feeling of not knowing where to start with our new RV. I read the stickies here and watched a few YouTube vids too. Stayed in the driveway a few times. Learned to level it and found out how important that is to keep the refrigerator working.
I flushed the coolant and changed the oil--using synthetic as most people recommend it. Had the brakes checked. Bought new tires. Luckily they were replaced in full under warranty and I have new tires again!
I have a complete list of purchases from the first 3 or so years. I must confess I love RV stuff and seem to have a lot. But most of the stuff is very light weight--and foldable to fit in our little RV.
This is the first page of the 9 page list--the rest is on photobucket in the same folder.

Hope it helps you get started!

We use paper plates and bowls a lot but use metal flatware and utensils. A few versatile pots and pans will suffice. Think minimalist on almost everything including clothes and footwear. Make a plan/list of essentials to take or to buy along the way as needed including food, condiments, drinks, clothes, personal items, cameras and chargers, perscription and OTC meds, first aid kit, glasses, binoculars, cell phones and chargers, books and magazines. Make a list of people to call and things to do before you leave. Turn on the fridge the day before you leave to get cool enough.

I'll add one more thing that's minor. Its about cooking and eating. Realize that you don't need complete service for 8 unless you have 8 travelers. There's no place to keep dirty dishes, so wash them when you're finished eating and put them away. Corelle is unbreakable, unless one falls out of an overhead cabinet and lands on the floor at the perfect angle. (Don't ask). Then you will have a lot of very sharp pieces the size of a sewing needle to pick up. Melamine is unbreakable. However, if you pour boiling hot coffee into a melamine coffee cup you can watch a crack form immediately around the seam where the thin sides meet the thicker bottom. The coffee forms a nice 360 degree hot puddle and moves fast. Tervis Tumblers are double walled for insulation, really unbreakable, and come in many sizes, with or without removable handles. And some fit nicely in the cup holders in the doghouse in my 'C'.

Another great learning experience is the Escapees RV Club "Boot Camp". One was just held in Tucson at their annual "Escapade" RV Rally. The next "Boot Camp" is scheduled for July 24-26 at the Escapees Raccoon Valley RV Park in Heiskill, TN (I-75 exit 117 just north of Knoxville). You can check it out at
www.escapees.com/bootcamp

Thank you all for some great advice! I have our rig scheduled for tires and complete service checks next week, spent most of last night watching you tube videos on RV systems and components. At least now I don't feel all alone with no where to turn. I know there are some lessons that will be learned the hard way, but it's alway great to learn from those who've been there first! Thanks again!!

RV for Dummies
First camping trip in your driveway overnight. Second any where within 60 miles from your home. If you have questions ask other people for help in the campground, including camp hosts, most will be willing to help Finally enjoy and don't stress out.

Welcome to the group. You will learn a lot by reading all the Great post. We got our 1st RV in 1969. Have had lots and all kinds over the years. Had to learn most of what these guys have told you the hard way. The only real big change for us is we no longer make plans. Just get to the highway and decide left or right. Stop when ever we see some thing that intrest us.

Hope you have great travels. Take lots of pics.. They are great to look at many years later.