Advice for the newbies

[newcomers]

Hello! My husband and I just joined, just purchased our 5th wheel trailer and are planning to go on "driveabout" for a year. I'm wondering what advice you can offer someone green. Things you wished you had known when you got started. ETC ETC. Anything will be helpful. We purchased a used 30 ft Jayco 5th wheel and are planning to take some of our home business mobile while we look for a new home. I'm nervous but excited for this new phase. Please pass on pearls to us. We are eager to hear from everyone and appreciate your knowledge

[AJR]

Winterizing…. Easy to forget toilet water line and outside shower hot & cold.

[newcomers]

We are trying to embrace uncertainty but on this front we purchased an extended service warranty to cover any unexpected repairs. I was sold when they said they covered ignorance. We just winterized it for the first time and I am still nervous that if we missed some water in a line somewhere we will end up with major plumbing problems. I'm sure in time we will get over that

[westernaccents]

WOW, I cant contribute to the wisdom in this thread, being new myself, BUT thanks for all the great tips given by you guys in this thread alone

I wont be a "full timer" and only have a TT toy hauler, but I think most of this info can still apply to me.

[tenbear]

newcomers wrote:
New Question: I'm working on the financial side trying to get ready to go full time. I can't estimate lots of things since I don't know, but I want to ask about maintenance stuff. How much money should I anticipate for maintaining everything? I mean, besides truck expenses. I have no idea how much the 5th wheel is going to need in maintenance expenses. Besides tires, of course. I know how much things like the fridge or furnace cost to replace so I'd like to be pretty picky about keeping everything working well. Since we are new I assume we will begin by paying for some of these services as we learn. What has been your experiences?

I don't think anyone can estimate your maintenance expenses. Our's has been minimal. An exhaust hanger that I replaced, a toilet seal that I cleaned, a water inlet valve that I replaced, about $25 on eBay. A battery after 3 years and another this year, 6 years after the first, and a new generator exhaust pipe. The mods I have made cost me much more than repairs.

[GoPackGo]

One more thing - Determine the height of the highest point on your 5th wheel (AC unit ?) when you are hitched up. I write that down on a sticky and attach to my dash.

Then try to avoid going under bridges that are lower then that number. :B

[newcomers]

New Question: I'm working on the financial side trying to get ready to go full time. I can't estimate lots of things since I don't know, but I want to ask about maintenance stuff. How much money should I anticipate for maintaining everything? I mean, besides truck expenses. I have no idea how much the 5th wheel is going to need in maintenance expenses. Besides tires, of course. I know how much things like the fridge or furnace cost to replace so I'd like to be pretty picky about keeping everything working well. Since we are new I assume we will begin by paying for some of these services as we learn. What has been your experiences?

[maillemaker]

Make a "checklist" that you use before hitting the road.

The checklist should include your weight and height limits for easy reference if you have to cross an unexpected bridge or go under something.

[Escargot]

In case of loss or destruction, carry and stash extra copies of important documents, including eyeglass and medicinal prescriptions, drivers licences, insurance, credit card numbers, passports, emergency numbers i.e. next of kin. (Sorry.)

You're going to have a great time. Don't worry. Be happy. 🙂

[path1]

newcomers wrote:
Hello! My husband and I just joined, just purchased our 5th wheel trailer and are planning to go on "driveabout" for a year. I'm wondering what advice you can offer someone green. Things you wished you had known when you got started. ETC ETC. Anything will be helpful. We purchased a used 30 ft Jayco 5th wheel and are planning to take some of our home business mobile while we look for a new home. I'm nervous but excited for this new phase. Please pass on pearls to us. We are eager to hear from everyone and appreciate your knowledge

Here is my newbie advice: Read here often, learn how to use this forum as in how to search here, and how to subscribe to a thread, so you can come back later. Here is another read that has lots of nuggets in it. Many pages on subject close to this topic. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17436377/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1 (Took me couple months to read, very long)

[lonesome1954]

One thing I have followed is just take things as they come and to take it easy, make a list of things to do in order that they need to be done in and use it every time. That has worked for me when I was able to work and spent time in a 5th wheel during fair time running a video service
for the county fair in Salmon Idaho. Enjoyed it but health put breaks to that.anyway.

[empty_nest]

DITTO!!! x10

We've been at it about 3 yrs. and I spent hours on this forum, learning all I could before we even took the RV out for the first time and I'm still here soaking up as much info as possible.

Based on that information, we set our fridge on "Auto".... runs on 115V when plugged into shore power and switches to propane when on the road. Worked like a charm on our road trip.

Happy Camping!

[Mickeyfan0805]

Yep - a few people will raise concerns about the propane running while on he road. Most of us, however, run the fridge while on the road.

There is a lot of good advice on here, but the one I will echo is to ask for help! If you don't know, don't guess. There are plenty of us that have been there, and we're more than happy to help others. We started, 3 years ago, with absolutely no experience. I spend many hours on this forum and learn a ton from people here and elsewhere. It will be a LONG time before I'm a veteran RV'er, but I'm light-years ahead of where I was because of those willing to help!

[deborahsheik]

Our fridge...2014 Winnebago Era...is a 3-way.
It runs on the coach battery while driving, propane while boondocking, electric when plugged in.
Even our 2005 Vista Cruiser had a 3 way fridge.

[deleted-2]

We travel with the Dometic fridge on propane.