Greetings All,My bride and I are the proud owners of a 2007 Damon Daybreak 32' motorhome. Our first journey is scheduled for our 13 year anniversary to the town of Bedford PA (the scene of the crime). Suggestions from the forum members regarding essentials to make the first trip successful are coveted. Thanks.

Essential to do some weekends close to home first, if you want the long trip to be pleasurable.Welcome to the forum.

As said, a couple weekends spent in the coach near home or even at home if possible, is highly recommended. Make lists of the things that you either ran home for or wished you had brought along.

Two things will happen, it's inevitable! 1) You will pack things you will not use and wonder why you brought it along once you get home. 2) You will fail to pack something you really wished you had! It WILL happen. It takes about .... what ???? 30 years of camping to finally figure out what you really need and things you don't need???So, don't be too miffed if you forget something you wish you had. With that said, make sure you have located 2 things near your destination point. The first is a local dealer with an RV repair shop you can scream for "help" if something happens and you find yourself in over your head. The second is a good accessible Wall Mart to purchase those items you absolutely MUST have and you forgot.As suggested above, if you can do a couple driveway camps, this will help you figure out these 2 things and avoid frustration once you're on the road.This is true for any first time RV owner regardless of what type of RV anyone purchases.Edit: Even if you purchase a tent, you always set it up in the back yard first to make sure all the parts are there and you understand how it is set up so there are no surprises once you reach your campsite.

other than the usual things like kitchen stuff, linens, food, etc, get folding chairs for outside, beverages, small gas grill and gas, picnic table cloth. Start making list of things by room you don't want to forget like coffee maker, can opener, lighter for grill. For example have a kitchen list, bathroom list, outside bin list. For things in the house that you want to take like clothes, start bins by the door and keep adding to it for last minute loading.

Go to Bedford and have fun. You will figure out what you need and don't need.Congrats and enjoy your travels. :)

First-timer: essentials for that maiden voyage...

rv3g
Explorer
Feb 16, 2016
Thanks to all for great suggestions - especially the reiteration of doing a "driveway test". Once the snow and ice clear, and the new mattress has been delivered and installed, a driveway test is in order.
It is going to be very helpful to have each of you as mentors for this new page in our leisure-life. Thanks again to all!
TarheelBornGal
Explorer
Feb 16, 2016
Lots of great suggestions here! We are in the same boat (uh, RV!) as the OP as we purchased a 2007 Newmar Bay Star 3202 in early January. We have been in a campground in Florida (where we purchased the MH) ever since, waiting out winter. And we have bought a ton of stuff that we discovered we needed. Walmart, Camping World, Amazon, and Mattress Firm (before our FIRST night) have been our best friends. We are finally settled in and will take off early next month for NC, where we have family. We're hoping we've thought of everything, but I am sure there will be a few surprises along the way. Hopefully nothing we can't deal with. Good luck to you in your maiden voyage!

TBG
big_jim_2
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2016
MY father used to say take one/half as much stuff you think you need and take twice as much money and you can't go wrong!
cbshoestring
Explorer II
Feb 15, 2016
A bottle of wine, don't forget the wine glasses, and an anniversary gift. Sure hate to see you get divorced on the maiden trip because you forgot the anniversary.

For most of us that have an RV and a B&M, we have two of everything. We don't take the can opener from the house, the RV has one of its' own. We pack clothes and food when we head out. Even then, rain jackets, towels, wash clothes, flip-flops, etc...are always in the closet in the TT.

Go, have fun, there is a WALMART distibution center in Bedford, PA. You can always pick up that forgotten item.

For the basics...there are a lot of list on-line, like this one....here...or maybe thisone
BobR
Explorer
Feb 15, 2016
As mentioned earlier, Walmart is your friend. Buy what you forgot there and don't worry about it.
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Feb 15, 2016
Really and Truly,

The first night driveway camp is one of the few ways to survive. Be sure to do everything as you plan on the excursion before you are out of walking distance to your door.

Matt
Steeljag
Explorer
Feb 15, 2016
Patience....Good attitude.....Sense of humor.........alcohol !

Have a great trip!
korbe
Explorer
Feb 15, 2016
rv3g wrote:
.........essentials to make the first trip successful are coveted. Thanks.

The only thing essential is for the two of you to enjoy yourselves and not worry about the small stuff. Then it will be successful.
downtheroad
Explorer
Feb 15, 2016
Sense of humor
Credit Card
Busskipper
Explorer
Feb 15, 2016
Run down to the Local Wal*Mart spend the night.

While there purchase all you forgot.

Dump the tanks,(in the proper location) and you are ready for the "Great Weekend"

BOL,

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First-timer: essentials for that maiden voyage...

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