Our first RV - now what?!

Here ya go - read, read, and read some more, and then just DO IT, you will learn more your first night out than you might imagine.
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DrewE wrote:
A motorhome is largely a big collection of things that aren't all that much related to each other. In other words, most of the systems are more or less independent..

Well said & a good perspective for a new owner to have.

I agree with the driveway campout. It's a good way to try out appliances, etc. and make sure everything works to suit your needs.

I would also take it in to a trusted mechanic to get checked out (cab & chassis) - don't forget to have them check the fuel lines (they will deteriorate with age also).

If you're not a handy type person, now is a good time to find a good RV repair shop - have them check the propane lines, stove, heater and fridge for propane leaks. They should be able to help you out with how to operate they systems and answer questions you may have.

Well good for you! This is not a complicated matter. Just metal, wood and plastics along with some fluids. So start with basics, from the ground up. You need to check from the sellers to see if they have service records. Then if so or not have the VIN run at Ford for recalls, service records and accident reports. You need to know if the soft elements are good, like tires, fan belts hoses, and suspension bushings, and brake pads. That's easy, they show signs of age by the way the feel and look. Then the hard stuff like tie rods, springs, shocks. Then the mechanical function like cylinder compression, transmission shifting, internal fluids, that tell stories of age by detecting the particles the have suspended in them as analyzed by looking at the separation of oils and water and heavy particles that settle out when the fluids are in a glass container. Only a sample needs to be looked at as it usually is representative of all of it. Then the roof must not leak or show signs of leaks as they cause mold and delamination to the walls. Then the "house" systems like heater, hot water, roof air(s), stove, toilet, entertainment systems. Then the water holding tanks from fresh to grey to black tanks and valves both in and out. Then electric for circuit breaker condition, as they do wear out and sometimes trip due to bad internal contacts. No problem, just like taking care of a baby that sometimes has gas and a tooth coming in and is in need of a bath and new diaper. It's your new baby, love it and it will smile back at you with all the fun you have. Congratulations, welcome to the gang.

You could start off by learning how everything works. Open the awning, run the fridge, etc, etc. Then spend a couple of days and nights camping in your driveway. Level it as you would in a CG. Make a list of the things you need/want for camping. Once you have done that, you will have a better idea of what you need and how to use it.

Congratulations on your purchase!

A motorhome is largely a big collection of things that aren't all that much related to each other. In other words, most of the systems are more or less independent. This means you can figure things out one at a time to a large extent. (That's not to say that everything is independent, but you don't need to understand the water heater to extend the awning, and vice-versa.)

The Beginning RVing forum here has a bunch of helpful sticky subjects that you might find useful to read through. Cruise America has a pretty good orientation video on their rental RVs, much of which is generally applicable to class C's (and it should be fairly obvious when things don't apply to your own RV).

Congratulations on your first RV! The internet is full of information, all you have to do is Google it. YouTube is full of videos on how to's on every form and shape of RV. The new tires is a good start as well as having a mechanic check it for you. Some dealerships will do a walk through and inspection for you and teach you some things too. You many want to check a local recommended dealership for such a thing. Their mechanics are well trained and experienced with RV'ing. It would be well worth it to have a hands on walk through.