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

[rv3g]

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.

[boogie_4wheel]

Check the mattress. That was our biggest complaint! We didn't even make it our first night camping in the driveway because of the bed, walked back in the house mid-night.

[gbopp]

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

[sdianel_-acct_c]

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.

[DutchmenSport]

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.

[Dutch_12078]

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.

[Ductape]

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

Welcome to the forum.