First time RV'er information needed.

[Christopherhead]

Hello all, my wife and just purchased a brand new 5th wheel rv. We are first timers, we have not taken delivery of our rv yet. I have heard so many horror stories about ppl buying an rv and they have nothing but problems once they use it. Being a first timer, I was wondering if you guys could help me out with I formation on what all I should check before taking it off the lot. What extra steps should I take to make sure everything is good to go before we actually take delivery of our RV? The dealership has a rv lot in the back of the property where they will let ppl stay for 2 days so they can teach you everything you need to know about the rv and if you find any flaws you will have that two days to get it looked at and fixed. So that two days will be crucial for us to look for any defects. We will be staying at the RV next weekend 10-27 and 10-28.

Thank you in advance for your time and help in this matter for it is greatly appreciated.

[midnightsadie]

#1 stay calm ,cool and things are gonna happen, never get in a rush, thats when you,ll forget something, copy all the advice given and you,ll be just fine.

[EgorKC]

Aside from what agesilaus said, when they run you through the hitch up process make sure they show you how to do a pull test. I do a pull test every time I hookup. 2 minutes to ensure a good latch saves a lot of grief, potentially. Oh and the DW says do a final walk around inspection every time before you leave. That saves those embarrassing moments when you pull your 5'er over a chock you forgot to remove. Please do not ask me WHY the DW points this out to me, often, ruthlessly, with a gleam in her eye because that dang chock (thankfully crushable plastic) was on my side of the truck.

Have load of fun in the 5'er and welcome to the group. 🙂
Greg

[Miss_Ellie1]

We were first timers last year and knew less than nothing. Issues we had. They winterized it for us but did not realize we had an outside kitchen. There was a secret switch for the slide outs we didn't know about and ours got stuck closed on our 2nd night travelling to Florida and something about a secret hot water switch. When we got to our Florida destination there was a handy man there who came by and taught us lots of great things. Oh and I forgot about the secret TV switch that allowed you to hook up to cable. We had the phone number for Forest River Customer Service person who was wonderful ad helped the handy man find all of the secret switches. Our 2nd night on the road was pretty awful. Still love our 5th wheel and now hubby can fix just about anything.

[Lwiddis]

“I have heard so many horror stories...”

My story isn’t a horror story at all. So you haven’t heard it. Everything worked and is still working. Normal maintenance and improvements such as solar is all I’ve done. You may not be as lucky but you will love RV camping.

[Durb]

Congratulations on your new fifth wheel and welcome to the forum. Staying in the trailer is one thing, towing it is something else. Make sure they fit your new trailer to your truck so that it tows level and has at least 6" of bed rail clearance. I would expect they would help you with hook up and hitch function and how to adjust your brake controller. Make sure they set your trailer up with the wheel chocks that you plan to take with you. I would ask them to supply a teflon or nylon lube plate as opposed to greasing your pin box plate.

Good luck and remember this stuff is fun. We all have learning curves, I'm still on mine.

[agesilaus]

I hope your statement that you have two days to find any problem isn't what it sounds like. That after two days you are on your own. Because as Two Hands points out problems will pop up after you've used the rv for awhile.

[Two_Hands]

Following agesilaus' advice and using a PDI checklist will really help in getting your fiver delivered to you in great condition. However, don't worry yourself sick that you will miss something during the PDI, because you will. And after you make a couple trips you will find other things wrong. No rv is delivered in perfect condition and no rv continues problem free. That's why you have a warranty.

[agesilaus]

First: use every single appliance, operate every switch, and check everything else in or outside the RV. Make sure they show you how to operate everything: awning, tv antenna, jacks, hook and unhook RV, steps, fill and drain tanks, hook up shore power, hot water heater and so on. I'd say take notes but in this age make a video using your phone of them doing all this stuff.

There are PDI checklists:
PDI 1


PDI 2

A list of lists