Nervous first time driver, any good apps to help?

You've gotten some good tips. I could echo the same, but you get the picture. Having said that, you say you are picking it up and INSTANTLY heading out for a nice trip. It's probably too late for this advice, but I would try to either do driveway camping for a night or two, or something local as my first outing. I don't know if your rig is new or used, but either way, a little shakedown would be good before you hit the road, to make sure everything works. You can live in it over the weekend, and make a list of all the things you need so you are better prepared to hit the road.

Make sure you have a decently stocked tool box. Electrical tape, voltmeter, 12v tester, flashlight, batteries etc... If something fails along the way, you need to be somewhat self sufficient. Road side assistance can take hours and mobile RV Tech's, while good, do cost money.

Mike

No apps while driving.

So far all I see is references to length...do NOT forget height. Your 10' 6" RV will not fit under the 9' 8" drive-thru at the local greasy spoon.

My recommendation is to take the RV to a surface that is level. Measure from the highest point of your RV to the road surface. You will probably have to hold a level from that high point, so that it hangs over the side of the unit. Once I have that measurement, I like to add an inch or two (just to be on the safe side). Then NEVER, EVER go under anything that does not have clearance for you to fit.

Do NOT base you height on the manufacture's spec sheet. Like weight, they are a generic number based on general assumptions. This is especially true with travel trailers that are assumed to be level...when in fact, you may be towing a bit nose/tail high, which changes the clearance numbers.

13'6" CLEARANCE means 13'6" will fit. 12'8" means 12'8" will fit. Clearance numers tell you what CLEARS, not the actual height of the object. So if you stay under your clearance measurement and hit the obstruction...someone else is to blame.

I will not discuss New York in this post....I don't want to scare you.

Plus remember your under-carriage clearance. R/R tracks, curbs, etc... You don't want to wipe out your plumbing.

WyoTraveler wrote:
When getting fuel or entering any area plan your exit before entering.

THIS.

It is MUCH better to go around the block, even twice maybe, than it is to get into a situation that's hard to get out of.

And.....find a big empty parking lot and practice backing up in an imaginary tight space. Eventually you will have to do this at least once.

JustinG30 wrote:
So we pickup our RV tomorrow and instantly taking a nice little road trip. My issue is ending up somewhere that I get stuck or can't fit (our RV is only 25ft overall) is their any type of app or something that will tell me which roads to stay on and which gas stations are made for rv? Thanks

I use a Garmin GPS and have never had a problem. Just keep your Garmin updated with the latest maps. No charge for up dating, just plug Garmin into computer. If you are diesel, I use truck stops which plenty of room and you don't have to worry about getting blocked in.

Gas stations that are part of highway / interstate rest stops should be fine for larger vehicles. I tow a trailer, and many times when I have to get off the highway to fuel up I will watch for gas stations checking out how to get in and out of them... if I see one on my side of the road with easy access, I just pull in. If it is on the other side, I look for a parking lot to pull into and then turn around to head back to the gas station. Ideally a parking lot for a shopping center that has a traffic light at the entrance is best - big parking lot, and a traffic light to get me back on the road.

Since you say "RV is 25ft overall" I am assuming it is a Class C or Motorhome. Check what the overall height is and keep that on a sticky note on the dashboard. You should be fine on most roads, but keep your eyes out for the signs that you probably have always ignored when driving a car - "Bridge ahead 12ft" or whatever height is listed. You most likely will not have any problems with height, just keep it in mind. Speaking of gas stations - the vast majority I've see have the roofs over the pumps well high enough to be above all but the very largest vehicles, you shouldn't have a problem with that.

If you pull in somewhere and find you need to back out blocking a road, get a spotter if you can to guide you and/or stop traffic. Otherwise sometimes you need to sort of creep into the road until someone stops to let you out. Be careful and be patient.

Not long after you get used to driving the rig, you will be fine, and have fun camping!

When getting fuel or entering any area plan your exit before entering. I like to pull into the stations so I am facing toward the street. It only takes a couple of times getting blocked in and you will become more aware. No side road sight seeing unless I know exactly where they lead and if there is room to turn around.

You didn't say what type of RV you have, but 25' should be able to anywhere a car can. Our 5th wheel was our first RV and we dove up to Schnectady via Lancaster county the first trip using state roads and interstates, went through tunnels, etc., no problem. Get the GS road Atlas, it marks clearly all the roads available including truck routes. There are few places semi trucks can't go, so if they do it, we can do it. Except for parkways in CT and NJ, we have gone everywhere we wanted. Semi trucks deliver groceries and fuel to little towns all over the country, so there few roads you cannot navigate either. Relax and have fun!!