New to the Forum

wbwood wrote:
Does the rental have a generator?

Yes, everything but a slide out. Renting it from Cruise America.

Actually, I'm renting one here in Missouri first before the BIG trip. Going to take it out for about three days. Just me and DW.

Does the rental have a generator?

wbwood wrote:
First of all there is no right or wrong way of setting up camp. Everyone does it different. The end point is to get it done, be level and hooked up if on hook ups.

Seems there have been several new postings in the last few days from people getting ready to jump head first into RVing. I think most will recommend to try it out first. Rent or borrow an rv. Go RVing with an experienced person and learn from them. That way, you will have less of a chance of making a costly mistake.

Planning on renting a 30' class c this summer. Driving from Missouri to San Antonio. Will pick it up there. Then driving to Padre Island. Will boondock for 4 days. Taking wife, daughter, and oldest grandson. He has never seen the ocean.

srink wrote:
Best advice I could ever give a newby is.TAKE YOUR TIME.
You'll find out after a few times, set up and tear down can go pretty quick.
Never ever ever Rush. People get in a hurry and that's when most mistakes and accidents happen. I have seen people try to leave and still be hooked to water or electric. I have seen people take off with their stairs down or their awning out.
Every time I leave, I do a complete walk around. Take 1 minute, stand back and walk all the way around your coach. check storage doors closed, stairs up, antenna down jacks up.
Just take your time and enjoy. Don't ruin a good trip by making a stupid mistake.

X10!!

Best advice I could ever give a newby is.TAKE YOUR TIME.
You'll find out after a few times, set up and tear down can go pretty quick.
Never ever ever Rush. People get in a hurry and that's when most mistakes and accidents happen. I have seen people try to leave and still be hooked to water or electric. I have seen people take off with their stairs down or their awning out.
Every time I leave, I do a complete walk around. Take 1 minute, stand back and walk all the way around your coach. check storage doors closed, stairs up, antenna down jacks up.
Just take your time and enjoy. Don't ruin a good trip by making a stupid mistake.

For an Class A motorhome (or B or C) "setting up camp" can be as simple as stopping in a level place, shutting off the engine and setting the parking brake. Slideouts complicate matters only slightly.

Power, water, sewer hookups, site decorations, awnings, additional shelters, patio gear, are all optional. After all, it is a self-contained home on wheels, there is no need for any camping unless you want to add camping to the experience.

The harder part of getting started RVing was figuring out just what it was we wanted to do (camp, travel, have a seasonal home or vacation home) and until we figured that out, we couldn't figure out what kind of RV would fit that purpose, so we were more than a year looking at three classes of motorhome and two classes of towable (wife ruled out tent trailers and truck campers) in a lot of different sizes.

Biggest mistake I see newbies make, and they don't make it too many times, is to separate their trailer from their tow vehicle before it is firmly chocked on the parking site. First time it rolls back off the site and over the bluff will cure you of that one.

As far as backing up, learn how to do it on your own. Have your spouse within site at the rear of the camper to make sure you don't hit anything. All she/he has to do is throw their hands in the air to tell you to stop. Nothing more frustrating a wife tilting her head back and forth, curling her lips and scratching her head at the same time. Lol

I would have to say that backing up into a sight has been our biggest challenge. However, we are starting to get pretty good at it. The rear camera helps us a lot, as DH maneuvers, I can softly speak to him.."trailer needs to go more right, or "more left, " or "straighten up", and then "perfect!" (We work well together :). It has taken a lot of practice though!

hi and welcome

beemerphile1 wrote:

berreez wrote:

...what are some of the biggest mistakes newbies make....

The biggest mistake is probably buying the wrong RV. What makes you think the "A" is right for you if you have no experience?

Buy a towable immediately that can be towed with what you currently own. Buy used and buy cheap. Learn if RVing is right for you and gain experience as to what luxuries you require and what are unnecessary.

Many RVs are purchased on a whim, seldom used, and rotting in someone's storage lot. All because the owner didn't do enough homework such as getting out and camping cheap before making the big purchase.

Agree 100%. Learn to love it before dropping money in on it heavily.