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So You Own an RV... Now What?
TIPS FOR NEW OWNERS
PHOTO COURTESY OF SHANE H. ON THEDYRT.COM
You’ve done the research. You’ve homed in on what you want. You stepped into several models on your quest. Now, you’ve found it. The recreation vehicle of your dreams.
If you’ve made it to the point of purchase, then you already probably have a pretty good idea of how you’d like to spend your time with the RV. However, now that the papers are signed and the RV is sitting in your driveway, you need to do a few things before you take your first big outing.
Doing the following things help to make your first trip more fun and less stressful, which is exactly what you’re looking for by traveling and camping via RV.
To go along with the orientation information you received from your dealership, here are a few more tips to begin your RV ownership.
Get to know your RV.
As you are aware, there are lots of RV types, which means there are a lot of obvious differences – towable, motorized, sports utility, short, long, compact, sleeps eight. You get the picture. Before you purchased your RV, you made sure that it would be able to handle the number of people you expect to be camping.
To really enjoy the RV lifestyle, you need to know the ins and outs of your chosen RV and its various systems. It’s like a sticks and bricks house. You know what sounds to expect and what sounds are “different.” This takes time, of course, but try to learn as much as you can before you embark on that first anticipated camping trip.
You need to know where the breakers are located. Systematically check all systems and appliances to make sure they work as intended as well as where they are located on the breaker panel. The most important breaker to know
is the location of the GFI circuit. Know where to find a spare tire, where to hook up water and sewer hoses, how to read the dashboard, etc.
Practice setting up and
breaking camp.
Practice makes perfect. You should avoid setting up camp in the dark, but if it came to that, you should know how your RV works and handles so well that you can practically do it with your eyes closed. To practice, put out your slides, hook up water and sewer if you have it. Learn your switches, such as those that make steps go out or awnings go up.
Then, go in reverse. Break camp. Practice putting everything away neatly and in a designated location – and in a way that doesn’t cause damage. Put away antennas and awnings. Following a checklist can be a big help so that nothing gets missed. You can adjust the checklist to suit your approach to setting up or breaking down the campsite as time goes on and you gain experience.
Learn to drive.
If you’ve never driven a large, motorized RV before, then go to an empty parking lot and give yourself a driving test. Get used to the breaks, the heaviness of the vehicle, its propensity to shift its weight, how well you can see, how the backup camera works. Practice backing into a tight space – a space about as wide as
a campsite.
The same goes for a towable RV. Get used to hooking it on to your tow vehicle, check the brake lights, practice making turns and backing in. Understand your blind spots.
You need to feel as comfortable as possible on the road and at the campground. Taking some practice drives will help you to accomplish this – and you’ll be a safer RVer as a result.
Don’t be too quick to
make changes.
When it comes to things such as solar panels, generators, appliances, lighting fixtures, etc., take your time getting to know and understand your RV – and to do the research before you make any additions or switches.
Some things, however, may be quick
to fix, such as cabinet handles, storage organization, and adding command hooks everywhere. A mattress, whether it’s for the main bedroom or bunks,
is one of those in-between things.
Many RVs don’t come equipped with a comfortable mattress, but there are things you can do to make your sleeping areas more comfortable. RV forums also offer
a lot of advice from seasoned RVs as to where to find a good mattress for your RV – and sheets that fit more snugly
than standard sheets from your home linen closet.
6 • 2022 MICHIGAN RV & CAMPGROUNDS
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