Advice for newbie

[Scarroll]

My husband and I just bought a 24' rv and are getting ready to travel. My question is how to keep things from falling off the counter. Also how long does it take to get comfortable driving an rv

[DutchmenSport]

It does not matter what type of RV you have, pop-up to behemoth bus, everything needs to be packed away when on the road.

I did once leave a C-size battery sitting on end, on the counter. Drove about 3 hours before the first stop. Got out, checked the inside of that camper and that battery was just sitting there ... unmoved!

But last Friday we were on the road, drove only 25 miles, and in that short time, 2 cabinet doors popped open and stuff fell out on the floor! How do you figure that?

Your best bet is to make sure everything is put away, in some kind of a container in the cabinets where, even if the door opens, it still will not fall out! (I'm getting a couple more small baskets for those 2 cabinets now!

How long to feel comfortable with your new rig? About 3 trips!

[W5CI]

Dont leave anything on the Counter or table, set it on the floor or put in Center of the bed

[Tyler0215]

Secure everything in a cabinet or closet Make sure the doors latch tightly. We roll up a big bath towel and put it in the microwave to secure the tray. If you have to stop quickly in a MH any thing loose is a missle that will find the back of your head. In a trailer or 5th wheel loose items generally break something. No matter how smooth the ride anything left on the counter will find the edge and fall off.

[koladog]

One other thing to think about - if you have a microwave with a rotating turn table be sure to take that turn table out and store it securely somewhere. We've had ours pop out probably because of all the bouncing around on some rough highways. Chipped the ceramic turn table. Oh well, lesson learned.

[DrewE]

Definitely put stuff away in cabinets or in the sink. Even if you have things that tend to stay put on the counter pretty well, in the even of a sudden stop or a collision they can very readily become airborne missiles. (If you have a trailer, they won't tend to actually hit you, but still can wreck havoc on themselves and other things in the RV; and often trailers tend to bounce around more than motorhomes.)

Comfort level kind of depends on the person and on the conditions. It doesn't take too long to get rather more comfortable than when first starting out, but things like construction zones or nightime driving (or nighttime driving through construction zones, should you be so unlucky) take somewhat longer. Careful practice is about the best antidote.

[Dick_B]

and search this Forum for any questions you may have. They've all been asked before and you can get immediate answers by searching.
When you get to a campground ask around. Owners love to talk about their RV's.

[bikendan]

It would help if you posted what model RV you have.

An RV can be a motorhome (class A, B or C), a 5th wheel, a travel trailer, a popup or a truck camper.

[Two_Hands]

With an rv your size it should not take long at all to feel confident and comfortable in it. Maybe two or three short trips or one long one. You will quickly become pros and wonder what you had worried about. That's about the time you will buy a larger one and worry about driving it.

[jplante4]

We just put everything away. I spent the first spring refit in our Sahara adding magnetic latches to all the cupboard doors.

I assume your 24' rv is a class C. I think you'll find it drives like a big van.

To avoid an extra question on your posts, add information on your RV to your signature. My Forums->My Profile - down at the bottom on the form.

Welcome to rv.net

[Oasisbob]

Anything breakable should go in the sink or somewhere safe. Not the counter. Confidence in driving your RV comes with time and lots of practice. Find an empty parking lot and practice backing, turning etc,. Take lots of pictures and make lots of great memories. Welcome

[2oldman]

Put them away. 5 years to life.