Advice for the newbies

Don't stay on interstates. If you travel secondary highways you'll really get to see this wonderful country of ours!

At first you'll probably want to use full hookup sites in RV parks (electric, water, sewer), but try to wean yourselves off them. You'll find gorgeous places if you stay in national parks, state parks, national forests and county parks. Most will not have hookups but it can be done. You'll get the hang of it after a while.

For a test you might even want to get a full hookup site but test yourselves on not using it but know it'll be there if needed. Come into the campground with empty holding tanks but fill the freshwater tank. See how long you can go without dumping. Conservation is a must. See how long you can go without plugging into the electric. Again, conservation.

We love traveling the secondary roads and our first choice is always a public park.

Also, don't be afraid to ask for help...even if you think your problem is simple or dumb. We all started out as beginners and we've all made mistakes....and still do! You'll find that RVers really do want to help.

Just go and have fun!

We try to keep our miles per day to 250 or less some say 200. We like to stop by 3:00. Plan your travel on off rush hours if traveling through cities. Take by-pass's if available, maybe more miles but less hassle. If your 62 or over get your Golden Age Pass, half price camping at many federal campgrounds.

Don't get distracted while you are hooking up and unhooking. Make sure your hitch is locked before removing the chocks (experience teaches well). Also, don't put all your faith in your GPS, do your homework. And pay attention for low underpasses.

A few boxes of latex gloves to handle the sewer hose :B

The wisest thing you can do first, is stay at a full hookup campground close to home for about a week. That will give you time to learn the ropes. Most of your fellow campers will help if you ask. If you forgot something critical, you can go home and get it.
Take a notepad and write down what you forgot to bring on the first page. If its something critical, you can run home or to WalMart to get it. On the second page, write down what you brought but didn't use. That doesn't mean you won't use it eventually, so call it your 'maybe I don't need this' list.
Things I needed but didn't bring:
20/30 amp and 30/50 amp 'dog bones' for electric hookups.
Several things for the bathroom and kitchen. Spray cleaner, sponges, rags, bath soap, dish soap, a plastic dish pan, drain board and rack. A can opener. A coffee pot, and coffee. A cutting board. A couple of sauce pans and skillets. A box of wooden kitchen matches.
Aspirin for headaches - you'll have a few. A good first aid kit. Band Aids. Bedding, including a blanket and pillows.
Things I brought and didn't need:
Place settings for 4 in the kitchen. I travel alone and there just isn't anyplace to store dirty dishes.
And don't forget a sewer hose and white (potable) water hose.

Don't take everything under the sun with you in the camper. After two months discard anything you haven't used.

Here is a bunch of threads that might help. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/264829.cfm

Take your pick. Some are very helpful.

while it will sound trite ..i will say it anyway Go slow both on the road and on the site. don't drive faster than your skills have progressed and don't buy everything you think you need, ( not directed at above post..but in general). your neighbors both on the site and here on this forum are here to help. I would have bought my lifetime with Passport America campgrounds earlier. They are not perfect, there are restrictions ( you must read each camp close and confirm them when you call) but through the weekdays i have saved alot through that system. you can look it up without joining and see it WITHOUT putting any money down, and decide for yourself!

Start at the nitty gritty part of it all. The "Sewer Hose" !:B

Throw the stinky slinky that most likely came with your RV and buy one of these. I finally bought one and I am just sorry I waited so long!

It will be the best thing you buy for your RV that will make you life so much easier while on the road.


Rhino Sewer Hose Kit contains all the connections you will need. As some are required at CG's. The hose is rigid and expands and contracts to what ever length you need and is 'real' easy to handle.



Sidewinder Support: This is the sewer support that if you are parked for a while you will be able to hook up from any height or angle and/or around trees.


Both of these can be found at Walmart!




Congrats on your new RV. Have fun!

No fear!
Don't be afraid to booboo, that makes for great memories.

Above all just have a good time and laugh a lot.
Regards!
jim