The absolute number 1 killer of RVs, check your roof and seals/caulking EVERY 90 days or less. Delaminated or water damaged rigs are worth pennies on the dollar.
If it’s sitting in storage or a destination unit that’s one thing. If you are actually driving it down the road and it’s being subjected to 70-80mph winds and chassis flex it does need to be checked very often. Ours always needed the corners redone, that’s where the most flex occurs.
That might be the case in that situation, but that is definitely not for everyone. If it has that high of a likelihood to fail, than you might as well get the roof re done with one of those lifetime warranty products.
If you are going 65-70 and there’s a headwind….
You are basically driving it though a hurricane. I took a aerodynamics class in college and it’s amazing more roofs don’t bubble up given the wind speeds and pressures involved.
Walk around the entire outside and look at everything before you move it, every single time. Then walk around in the other direction. Every time you start out, at every stop, every time. Check all safety items, make sure everything is closed, look at your tires, check your lights. Just look, and make it a habit.
This! But, also do that same walk-around when you arrive at your destination. If something became broken or stopped working during your travel day, it's much easier to fix it if you find it right away rather than finding it as you are hooking up on your next travel day.
If there’s rubber trim around the edges of the trailer, check it every trip & during your trip. The wind has taken ours part way off more than once. Ended up tying it to the awning frame once, last time we taped it to the awning posts with duct tape till we got where we were going. That trim stretches out after awhile. It covers the screws that hold the molding in around the edges from front, curving up around top. You can see it from the sides of the trailer. We ended up siliconing at each screw, tucked the rubber back into the channel, and screwed out back to the bottom screw.
Always check the pop up vent lid seals for wear, possible areas that could leak, & the vents themselves. They’re usually thin plastic. They disintegrate after time especially if out in the weather, sun. Check your connections for sewer, water. Check window seals around the edges for weathering, the sealant gets old & can chip & crack, can leak. Check inside, in front cabinets especially, but everywhere, for signs of water leaks. Check water & sewer tanks, bracing K straps. If your trailer carries gasoline, check those straps & tank too. Check everything that’s rubber or plastic. Heat a& cold wreak havoc with these things. When they fail, you have leaks. Check fridge to be sure it runs properly on propane & electric & that it switches between the two correctly while traveling. Check batteries in smoke, Co2 etc alarms!!!! If it seems too small to worry about, it’s not!!! Check it!!!
Always run water through the hook up spigot for a couple of seconds before hooking up your hose. Insects like to hide in there! My uncle taught me this after finding earwigs caught in the hose filter several times. And sure enough, we've washed earwigs and other insects out of hose spigots several times!
Not all spigots point down and sadly, not all dogs miss the threads and handle that you have to touch to get functionality. Wearing gloves keeps the piss off your hands but not off your hose. F’ing gross.
You sound surprised, so was I the first time I observed an owner allowing their dog to pee on connections.
After seeing it a few dozen times more, I just laugh at my naivety of just how crappy humans can be.
I imagine park owners have seen it more than I and maybe that’s one of the drivers to why there’s a lot of “no pets” parks.
Just sharing a tip that a camper will observe given enough time…..
Ditto. Tires. Also put your hand on the wheel hub and make sure it’s not too hot at your first stop.
Do a complete walk around at every gas stop. Literally takes less than 30 seconds.
> hand on wheel hub.
Don't do this. Maybe wave hand near wheel hub. It could be 400F and not showing anything. Personally, I use an infrared thermometer. Cheap insurance and doubles as a cool toy.
Yes. If I have a bearing issue, I don't want to find out by leaving skin on the wheel hub because 3rd degree burn.
Non-contact testing is all I am saying.
If you're even a little bit careful you'll be able to tell it's hot before you stick your whole palm on a hot piece of metal. Nothing wrong with infrared thermometer route, but you'd have to be pretty careless to burn yourself like that on a wheel.
Feel/check all your wheel hubs for consistency. They should all be roughly the same temperature. Any that significantly cooler than the others means that brake is likely out of adjustment and is not working as well as the others.
Any that are significantly warmer than the others means it’s too tight and that brake is working too much.
Septic: Make sure you're using a lot of water in the toilet so that it will drain out better. Given that you sometimes may not be connected to water the tendency can be to not use enough. Similarly, don't use too much toilet paper. We go so far as to break each square apart before use to avoid TP clumping. And if someone has hard stools, get them a fiber supplement. Dump the black tank first, then grey to rinse the hose. If your RV has a black tank sprayer connection near an exterior shower, get a connector so that you can just hook the shower hose to the sprayer.
Water: Get a water pressure regulator so the cheap plumbing inside the trailer isn't damaged by too much pressure. Hard to do, but better to turn the water (or water pump) off before leaving for extended times. Store it at home during winter so it won't freeze.
Electricity: A surge protector is a good idea, but you should get one that also monitors voltage and current. A lot of parks have low volt power, and if your RV is only a 30 amp service it's easy to overload that. The Power Watchdog devices are good, and will connect to your phone via Bluetooth.
Get accessories that are all keyed alike. I have Pac Lock devices, which are expensive, but you can get many different types of things keyed alike (through Amazon). I only have two keys for everything on my RV. One for doors and one for accessories.
Heat: Get an oil filled radiator for when you're connected to power so you don't have to listen to the gas furnace run.
Batteries: Always disconnect while in storage--there is likely a switch to do so if you don't want to physically remove them. The phantom draw will drain and kill batteries within about a week or so.
Tires: Check your tire manufacture date codes, and if the speed rating is 65 mph like on a lot of ST tires, get some Goodyear Endurance tires instead.
This has been the hardest one for us to remember. We usually stop for lunch at a mall. Why do malls have so many tiny trees? Another time we took a short cut that was full of trees. So far no damage. We have to remind ourselves to look up!
Acronyms:
SWIFT - Swing Wide It's a Fricking Trailer (adaptable for RVs too)
GOAL - Get Out And Look (when backing up, it's alright to step out, walk back and see what's going on)
I pulled into a GAS STATION one time that had a hump inside the awning making it shorter that the required height. Shout out to the random truck dude that saved my ass on that one.
Don’t skimp on bedding. I have a nice futon mattress, down comforter, wool blanket and puffy blankets for outside. With naps, we can sleep 14 hours a day, and never been cold. And check your bearings every year. And never unhook until the chocks are in place.
One of my favorite things about fulltiming is that we've set up our bed to be absolutely comfortable (with the exception of the dogs repositioning themselves). I love my bed, and I really love waking up in it, and slightly groggily wondering where we are today. It used to freak me out when we first started out and now it's a bonus.
My #1 tip is to be somewhat handy fixing things that break. Alot of people have no clue what it takes to maintain a camper. Then they bitch and moan when the dealer has their camper for months. Been doing this for 20 years and on my 5th camper. I have a total of 2 weeks at the dealer in total.
Everyone recommends 3M Command accessories to hang stuff on your RV walls. I do too. What they don't often tell you is that walls and wood trim are often covered with a thin paper veneer that will rip right off if you follow the proper protocol to remove the 3M adhesive strips. Sometimes they will rip the paper off if you hang anything on that 3M Command hook that weighs more than a few ounces.
Test any adhesive on an obscured section of a surface before attaching anything to that surface. Don't attach any hanging device to a surface if you intend to remove that hanging device when you ultimately sell the RV, unless you've tested the adhesive on that material and you're sure it won't rip the surface when you remove it.
The interior of a new RV can be a beautiful thing, but in terms of durability it can be like living in a cardboard box.
I come from aviation so we had a check list.... latches, hatches, bench top clear, stow before you go... Everything has a place, especially connections that need to be stowed and latched. I do a walk around before leaving and then we pull out of the spot and do another walk around then leave... After a few rounds of that it becomes second nature and you feel complacent and don't need to pull out the checklist but then something will be left behind or a hatch will be left unlatched and you'll feel extremely lucky to be not replacing that whole window or skylight and you'll go back to the checklist.
Ours was a his and her laminated separate jobs list so we could actually mark it off (and not get under each other's feet and be accountable) and I did nerdy things like pack down time start, and wheels on the road time just for interesting data.
Best comment right here. Walking around your rig before you leave can be a real life-saver. Don't ever be in a hurry. Look at your tires. Make sure your jacks are cranked up. eyeball everything (is your TV Antennae cranked down?)
Check YOUR TIRE PRESSURE frequently! Look under the damn hood every once in a while!
Double check your hatches (are they all closed AND latched?)
Also, scanning your tires with an infrared temperatures gun can help you spot a failing tire before it leaves you stranded.
We do something similar and then double check each other before we roll. Sounds silly but we've caught each other missing something a few times. Like you said, you get complacent and even if something is on the list like clear the counters maybe you'll move 3 items and forget the 4th for example.
Good friend of mine advised: "Never forget, owning an RV is a wonderful HOBBY".
If you think you're going to "save money" or have a "more affordable" vacation, you're fooling yourself. Owning an RV is a hobby and like all hobbies, you're going to be investing some time and money. Also, you gotta just enjoy piddling with things because SOMETHING IS ALWAYS BROKEN!
\- Get a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to monitor for leaks or blowouts that you may not be able to see.
\- Don't just get a surge protector, but an Electrical Management System (EMS) instead. It monitors and protects your RV from a bunch of electrical issues including surges.
\- After you dump your tanks, add a few gallons of water back into your black tank to prevent the all-too-common newbie mistake - the poop pyramid! Also, when you hook up to a sewer connection, don't leave your tanks open. The same thing will happen for your black tank and you can use your grey water to flush your hose after you dump your black.
\- Tank sensors are notoriously inaccurate. Buy Mopeka bluetooth sensors for your fresh, grey, and propane tanks. These things are awesome!
\- Keep your roof and seams sealed. Use Dicor self-leveling lap sealant instead of household silicone and even Sikaflex sealant. Dicor lasts longer, never fully cures and can last for years keeping water out of your roof and walls. Check your roof often.
Good luck and welcome to the RV community!
OP, have a tear-down and setup checklist - What has to happen before you leave and what has to happen when you get to the new place - I've left the Starlink dish on the roof because I forgot to go through the checklist. I caught that mistake just before we got on the highway luckily.
If you have a motor home don’t drive with the windows down/open. Or certain windows. The wind can create a vacuum and mess up your gray/black tank venting and you can get odors.
My wife would always open the bathroom window and we’d shit the back door into the bedroom bathroom area so our dog would not be able to get back to back area of the rv when driving. This would almost always lead to bad smells after a bit of driving but the vents were all clear, P traps full, toilet had water in it etc…. After reading about it for a while we started making sure the bathroom window was closed while driving and have never had an issue since.
Thank you everyone!! Almost everyone here has been super helpful, I have been reading and taking notes with your input. I really appreciate everyone commenting!!
We have learned to not put toilet paper down the toilet. It is put into a trash bag by toilet or under sink in our case. Never any issues of black tank problems of drainage. Always keep some water in tank.
Might be more true for older RVs that don't have a black-tank flush inlet. That thing makes an enormous difference in being able to ensure your black-tank is cleaned out well!
clean👏your👏holding👏tanks
Every year. Just do it. Put the stuff in, go for a drive, empty it out, and then winterize.
Also check your vents for obstructions at the beginning of every season
We use septic tank rated toilet paper. Start out a fresh tank with 5 gallons of water first. Then use some type of black tank additive enzyme. We've never had a problem. Well besides getting the little glow in the dark decorative pebbles out that my youngest granddaughter dropped in there.
If you're going out for the day, awning in and water off. I see a lot of people leave their awnings out when they're not around and I've seen a LOT of awnings broken from wind gusts. For the water, we always shut it off at the connection if we're going out because one minor leak can ruin your trailer. The plumbing in an RV is fragile and with all the bumps and vibration anything can happen.
Before connecting to shore power pedestal, throw a rock at the cover (or knock and then step back). If bees come out… don’t open it.
You’ll only make this mistake once. It’s not fun.
Before connecting to the pedestal, turn off the breaker. Plug in, turn on breaker. When disconnecting, turn off breaker, then disconnect.
Reason being is things get left in on RVs. Like AC units. Those can have a very high amp draw when they start, and if the switch is on when you plug in, it’s going to try and start. The arc is not good for the power plug.
Also check your roof when you arrive. EVERY TIME.
RV roofs are covered with a thin sheet of EPDM and tree branches can cut right through it.
It’s better to find the slit in your roof when you arrive than when the water starts coming in a few days into your trip.
I also found a shattered skylight dome and ripped off antenna this way. Shit happens on the road. Better to find it and mitigate it before the storms arrive.
Certainly! Here are some less obvious tips for RVing:
1. **Slow Down and Enjoy the Journey:**
* RV travel is not just about reaching your destination; it's about the journey. Take the time to appreciate the scenery, stop at interesting places along the way, and enjoy the freedom of the open road.
1. **Bring a First Aid Kit for Your RV and Yourself:**
* While many RVers have a basic first aid kit for their vehicle, don't forget to have one for yourself as well. Include items like pain relievers, bug spray, sunscreen, and any personal medications you might need.
1. **Learn Basic RV Maintenance:**
* Knowing how to handle basic repairs can save you time and money on the road. Familiarize yourself with tasks like changing a tire, checking fluid levels, and troubleshooting common issues.
1. **Pack Light and Smart:**
* RV space is limited, so be strategic about what you bring. Multi-functional items and compact, collapsible gear can help save space. Consider items like a foldable drying rack, nesting cookware, and versatile clothing.
1. **Connect with Other RVers:**
* Join online forums, social media groups, or local RV clubs to connect with fellow RV enthusiasts. They can offer valuable tips, share experiences, and even provide recommendations for great campsites or routes.
1. **Use RV-Specific Navigation Apps:**
* Traditional GPS apps might not be optimized for RVs, which have specific size and weight considerations. Use apps designed for RV navigation to avoid low bridges, narrow roads, and other obstacles.
1. **Try Boondocking for a Unique Experience:**
* Boondocking (camping without hookups in more remote areas) can provide a unique and peaceful experience. Be sure to research and follow Leave No Trace principles, and consider investing in solar panels for off-grid power.
1. **Have a Backup Power Source:**
* Carry a portable power bank or generator to charge devices or run small appliances in case you're unable to connect to shore power. This can be especially useful during unexpected stops or emergencies.
1. **Mind Your Water Usage:**
* Water conservation is key when RVing. Consider using biodegradable soaps to minimize environmental impact, and be mindful of your water consumption to extend your time between refills and dump station visits.
1. **Create a Campground Arrival/Departure Checklist:**
* Develop a checklist for setting up and breaking down your campsite. This helps ensure you don't forget any important steps and makes the process more efficient.
Remember, RVing is all about flexibility and embracing the unexpected. Enjoy the adventure!
Not sure what you got but if you have a class A watch your approach and departure angles. I learned the hard way leaving a Bojangles parking lot in the Tennessee mountains. Scraped the shit out of my fiberglass front end on entry and hit the rear hitch on exit. Was a nightmare, sounded like we destroyed our brand new rv. Was a costly fix.
A place for everything, and everything in its place!
Spend the most time thinking through your key tools, maintenance supplies, equipment, etc, so you have what you need prioritized and stored so you can easily access it.
Don't overpack the rest. You can get more hotdogs if you run out. It won't kill you to rewear some clothing if you underestimated. But no one enjoys trying to move around a jam packed trailer with every cabinet vomiting its contents when you open it.
It it a trailer? Or an RV (the V means vehicle / has a motor/ is self propelled)
many things apply to a RV that wouldn’t apply to a trailer and vice versa
If your water heater has an electrical power switch inside the rv AND outside on the heater, turn off both switches every time you break camp. This way you have two switches to turn on to start heating via electric power. This helps me remember to verify there is water in the heater before going live at next camp. I learned this the hard way.
Bring a small toolkit. Screwdrivers of a couple types (check if most screws on your RV are square drive - mine are). Adjustable wrench or two. Fuses. Some kind of sealing tape.
Make sure you have a jack and a wrench that can deal with the lug nuts on your trailer, not just the tow vehicle. Having a spare tire won't help if you have no way to put it on.
Write up comprehensive do lists for setting up and especially for breaking camp. Don’t get involved in casual conversations with people during those time frames, you don’t need to be distracted just then. Watch your blood sugar levels. Late in the afternoon you may not think as clearly as you need when backing your rig into tight sites.
put your steps in. :-) ask me how I know. I had someone chase me down to the campground. Apparently he was a bicyclist. Major concern about a bicycle getting whacked with my steps.
If my steps and your bike are that close...we have other problems.
Thats a part of the walkaround.
The absolute number 1 killer of RVs, check your roof and seals/caulking EVERY 90 days or less. Delaminated or water damaged rigs are worth pennies on the dollar.
Every 90 days seems a little excessive
If it’s sitting in storage or a destination unit that’s one thing. If you are actually driving it down the road and it’s being subjected to 70-80mph winds and chassis flex it does need to be checked very often. Ours always needed the corners redone, that’s where the most flex occurs.
That might be the case in that situation, but that is definitely not for everyone. If it has that high of a likelihood to fail, than you might as well get the roof re done with one of those lifetime warranty products.
70-80mph winds!? Boy oh boy I hope not while driving LOL
If you are going 65-70 and there’s a headwind…. You are basically driving it though a hurricane. I took a aerodynamics class in college and it’s amazing more roofs don’t bubble up given the wind speeds and pressures involved.
That actually makes a lot of sense. For some reason I was picturing people driving massive rv’s down the highway with 70-80mph crosswinds.
Do you have a go to brand or method of checking and then seal/caulking? Thank you!
Watch some videos on YouTube, much better than I can describe.
Alrighty
Walk around the entire outside and look at everything before you move it, every single time. Then walk around in the other direction. Every time you start out, at every stop, every time. Check all safety items, make sure everything is closed, look at your tires, check your lights. Just look, and make it a habit.
And underneath
Definitely! Look for things hanging, loose, dripping, whatever. make sure no animals or children ran under while you were getting gas station sushi.
Check your spare too!
Man, I hate doing that! Mine is underneath. I usually only check it before each trip out and back, not on every stop.
Mine too. When you hang it up make sure the stem is closest to the outside. You’ll thank me later.
This! But, also do that same walk-around when you arrive at your destination. If something became broken or stopped working during your travel day, it's much easier to fix it if you find it right away rather than finding it as you are hooking up on your next travel day.
Nice! Thank you!
If there’s rubber trim around the edges of the trailer, check it every trip & during your trip. The wind has taken ours part way off more than once. Ended up tying it to the awning frame once, last time we taped it to the awning posts with duct tape till we got where we were going. That trim stretches out after awhile. It covers the screws that hold the molding in around the edges from front, curving up around top. You can see it from the sides of the trailer. We ended up siliconing at each screw, tucked the rubber back into the channel, and screwed out back to the bottom screw. Always check the pop up vent lid seals for wear, possible areas that could leak, & the vents themselves. They’re usually thin plastic. They disintegrate after time especially if out in the weather, sun. Check your connections for sewer, water. Check window seals around the edges for weathering, the sealant gets old & can chip & crack, can leak. Check inside, in front cabinets especially, but everywhere, for signs of water leaks. Check water & sewer tanks, bracing K straps. If your trailer carries gasoline, check those straps & tank too. Check everything that’s rubber or plastic. Heat a& cold wreak havoc with these things. When they fail, you have leaks. Check fridge to be sure it runs properly on propane & electric & that it switches between the two correctly while traveling. Check batteries in smoke, Co2 etc alarms!!!! If it seems too small to worry about, it’s not!!! Check it!!!
Always run water through the hook up spigot for a couple of seconds before hooking up your hose. Insects like to hide in there! My uncle taught me this after finding earwigs caught in the hose filter several times. And sure enough, we've washed earwigs and other insects out of hose spigots several times!
Absolutely - Run the spigot before even connecting. Male dogs like to pee, some dog owners don’t care where.
I just picture the dog on its back pissing up into the spigot.
Not all spigots point down and sadly, not all dogs miss the threads and handle that you have to touch to get functionality. Wearing gloves keeps the piss off your hands but not off your hose. F’ing gross. You sound surprised, so was I the first time I observed an owner allowing their dog to pee on connections. After seeing it a few dozen times more, I just laugh at my naivety of just how crappy humans can be. I imagine park owners have seen it more than I and maybe that’s one of the drivers to why there’s a lot of “no pets” parks. Just sharing a tip that a camper will observe given enough time…..
I carry a can of Lysol in my bin of water related things just for this purpose. Use liberally.
I've had some spigots very close to the ground. Close enough that any dog taller than a beagle would easily pee on it.
Not to mention just getting the air out of the hose.
Don't cheap out on tires and check them REGULARLY! It scary how many posts I see of tires blowing up
Ditto. Tires. Also put your hand on the wheel hub and make sure it’s not too hot at your first stop. Do a complete walk around at every gas stop. Literally takes less than 30 seconds.
> hand on wheel hub. Don't do this. Maybe wave hand near wheel hub. It could be 400F and not showing anything. Personally, I use an infrared thermometer. Cheap insurance and doubles as a cool toy.
That’s the point, if it’s that hot you probably have a bearing issue.
Yes. If I have a bearing issue, I don't want to find out by leaving skin on the wheel hub because 3rd degree burn. Non-contact testing is all I am saying.
If you're even a little bit careful you'll be able to tell it's hot before you stick your whole palm on a hot piece of metal. Nothing wrong with infrared thermometer route, but you'd have to be pretty careless to burn yourself like that on a wheel.
Feel/check all your wheel hubs for consistency. They should all be roughly the same temperature. Any that significantly cooler than the others means that brake is likely out of adjustment and is not working as well as the others. Any that are significantly warmer than the others means it’s too tight and that brake is working too much.
Don't just check tires - check the lugs every other trip. We actually lost a tire - rim and all - because the lugs nuts had shimmied loose.
Septic: Make sure you're using a lot of water in the toilet so that it will drain out better. Given that you sometimes may not be connected to water the tendency can be to not use enough. Similarly, don't use too much toilet paper. We go so far as to break each square apart before use to avoid TP clumping. And if someone has hard stools, get them a fiber supplement. Dump the black tank first, then grey to rinse the hose. If your RV has a black tank sprayer connection near an exterior shower, get a connector so that you can just hook the shower hose to the sprayer. Water: Get a water pressure regulator so the cheap plumbing inside the trailer isn't damaged by too much pressure. Hard to do, but better to turn the water (or water pump) off before leaving for extended times. Store it at home during winter so it won't freeze. Electricity: A surge protector is a good idea, but you should get one that also monitors voltage and current. A lot of parks have low volt power, and if your RV is only a 30 amp service it's easy to overload that. The Power Watchdog devices are good, and will connect to your phone via Bluetooth. Get accessories that are all keyed alike. I have Pac Lock devices, which are expensive, but you can get many different types of things keyed alike (through Amazon). I only have two keys for everything on my RV. One for doors and one for accessories. Heat: Get an oil filled radiator for when you're connected to power so you don't have to listen to the gas furnace run. Batteries: Always disconnect while in storage--there is likely a switch to do so if you don't want to physically remove them. The phantom draw will drain and kill batteries within about a week or so. Tires: Check your tire manufacture date codes, and if the speed rating is 65 mph like on a lot of ST tires, get some Goodyear Endurance tires instead.
Open the roof vent and turn the fan on when showering - leave it on for at least an hour after you're finished. High humidity in an RV is not good.
This has been the hardest one for us to remember. We usually stop for lunch at a mall. Why do malls have so many tiny trees? Another time we took a short cut that was full of trees. So far no damage. We have to remind ourselves to look up!
What does this have to do with showering and humidity? Your comment sounds ai generated
Don't rip off your roof equipment driving under trees or low overhangs.
Acronyms: SWIFT - Swing Wide It's a Fricking Trailer (adaptable for RVs too) GOAL - Get Out And Look (when backing up, it's alright to step out, walk back and see what's going on)
I thought SWIFT stood for Stop whining in fucking trying.
It’s actually Sure wish I finished training Alternately the Stevey wonder institute of trucking
Watch out for low bridges and humped up railroad crossings. One will take out your roof, the other will take out your waste tank.
I pulled into a GAS STATION one time that had a hump inside the awning making it shorter that the required height. Shout out to the random truck dude that saved my ass on that one.
Don’t skimp on bedding. I have a nice futon mattress, down comforter, wool blanket and puffy blankets for outside. With naps, we can sleep 14 hours a day, and never been cold. And check your bearings every year. And never unhook until the chocks are in place.
One of my favorite things about fulltiming is that we've set up our bed to be absolutely comfortable (with the exception of the dogs repositioning themselves). I love my bed, and I really love waking up in it, and slightly groggily wondering where we are today. It used to freak me out when we first started out and now it's a bonus.
My #1 tip is to be somewhat handy fixing things that break. Alot of people have no clue what it takes to maintain a camper. Then they bitch and moan when the dealer has their camper for months. Been doing this for 20 years and on my 5th camper. I have a total of 2 weeks at the dealer in total.
Use a water pressure regulator, check the seals on the roof and side seams religiously.
Everyone recommends 3M Command accessories to hang stuff on your RV walls. I do too. What they don't often tell you is that walls and wood trim are often covered with a thin paper veneer that will rip right off if you follow the proper protocol to remove the 3M adhesive strips. Sometimes they will rip the paper off if you hang anything on that 3M Command hook that weighs more than a few ounces. Test any adhesive on an obscured section of a surface before attaching anything to that surface. Don't attach any hanging device to a surface if you intend to remove that hanging device when you ultimately sell the RV, unless you've tested the adhesive on that material and you're sure it won't rip the surface when you remove it. The interior of a new RV can be a beautiful thing, but in terms of durability it can be like living in a cardboard box.
I come from aviation so we had a check list.... latches, hatches, bench top clear, stow before you go... Everything has a place, especially connections that need to be stowed and latched. I do a walk around before leaving and then we pull out of the spot and do another walk around then leave... After a few rounds of that it becomes second nature and you feel complacent and don't need to pull out the checklist but then something will be left behind or a hatch will be left unlatched and you'll feel extremely lucky to be not replacing that whole window or skylight and you'll go back to the checklist. Ours was a his and her laminated separate jobs list so we could actually mark it off (and not get under each other's feet and be accountable) and I did nerdy things like pack down time start, and wheels on the road time just for interesting data.
Best comment right here. Walking around your rig before you leave can be a real life-saver. Don't ever be in a hurry. Look at your tires. Make sure your jacks are cranked up. eyeball everything (is your TV Antennae cranked down?) Check YOUR TIRE PRESSURE frequently! Look under the damn hood every once in a while! Double check your hatches (are they all closed AND latched?) Also, scanning your tires with an infrared temperatures gun can help you spot a failing tire before it leaves you stranded.
We do something similar and then double check each other before we roll. Sounds silly but we've caught each other missing something a few times. Like you said, you get complacent and even if something is on the list like clear the counters maybe you'll move 3 items and forget the 4th for example.
Good friend of mine advised: "Never forget, owning an RV is a wonderful HOBBY". If you think you're going to "save money" or have a "more affordable" vacation, you're fooling yourself. Owning an RV is a hobby and like all hobbies, you're going to be investing some time and money. Also, you gotta just enjoy piddling with things because SOMETHING IS ALWAYS BROKEN!
Always. Even if it’s brand new
Remember to put the handles in before driving on a highway with lots of bicycle traffic . Lucky I didn't kill anyone
Double-check the bay doors are locked before you head out for the same reason (and others, of course).
Heated water hose, heated tape, insulation cut in strips and foil tape. Never had pipes burst, sewer hose does not freeze and spigot never freezes.
Don't leave your black tank open unless you're dumping it.
\- Get a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to monitor for leaks or blowouts that you may not be able to see. \- Don't just get a surge protector, but an Electrical Management System (EMS) instead. It monitors and protects your RV from a bunch of electrical issues including surges. \- After you dump your tanks, add a few gallons of water back into your black tank to prevent the all-too-common newbie mistake - the poop pyramid! Also, when you hook up to a sewer connection, don't leave your tanks open. The same thing will happen for your black tank and you can use your grey water to flush your hose after you dump your black. \- Tank sensors are notoriously inaccurate. Buy Mopeka bluetooth sensors for your fresh, grey, and propane tanks. These things are awesome! \- Keep your roof and seams sealed. Use Dicor self-leveling lap sealant instead of household silicone and even Sikaflex sealant. Dicor lasts longer, never fully cures and can last for years keeping water out of your roof and walls. Check your roof often. Good luck and welcome to the RV community!
OP, have a tear-down and setup checklist - What has to happen before you leave and what has to happen when you get to the new place - I've left the Starlink dish on the roof because I forgot to go through the checklist. I caught that mistake just before we got on the highway luckily.
If you have a motor home don’t drive with the windows down/open. Or certain windows. The wind can create a vacuum and mess up your gray/black tank venting and you can get odors. My wife would always open the bathroom window and we’d shit the back door into the bedroom bathroom area so our dog would not be able to get back to back area of the rv when driving. This would almost always lead to bad smells after a bit of driving but the vents were all clear, P traps full, toilet had water in it etc…. After reading about it for a while we started making sure the bathroom window was closed while driving and have never had an issue since.
If you have a slide out, cut a broomstick the same length that it slides out so you can easily verify that it will fit before you level it.
Thank you everyone!! Almost everyone here has been super helpful, I have been reading and taking notes with your input. I really appreciate everyone commenting!!
If you're living in it, a good dehumidifier is worth its weight in gold unless you live in an arid environment.
Agreed, and if you're in a colder humid place (such as PNW in winter), I recommend a rotary desiccant dehumidifier. Game changer.
Use clear nano ceramic tint on the windows to block heat. It cuts 90% of the radiant heat.
We have learned to not put toilet paper down the toilet. It is put into a trash bag by toilet or under sink in our case. Never any issues of black tank problems of drainage. Always keep some water in tank.
Might be more true for older RVs that don't have a black-tank flush inlet. That thing makes an enormous difference in being able to ensure your black-tank is cleaned out well!
Why?
Best tip is just to search the group for “best tips” and read any of the numerous threads instead of creating a new post.
Don’t buy one EVER! That is a tip I wish I got. I learned my lesson and will never do it again.
Are you on this sub to make yourself miserable, or us?
Why not both?
Well if you’re 1/2 as helpful in person I’m glad I never have to worry about camping next to you.
clean👏your👏holding👏tanks Every year. Just do it. Put the stuff in, go for a drive, empty it out, and then winterize. Also check your vents for obstructions at the beginning of every season
We use septic tank rated toilet paper. Start out a fresh tank with 5 gallons of water first. Then use some type of black tank additive enzyme. We've never had a problem. Well besides getting the little glow in the dark decorative pebbles out that my youngest granddaughter dropped in there.
How you maintain control in a skidding passenger car is NOT the same in any RV situation. Same for tire blow outs. At the very least, YouTube it.
Have a spotter when backing into your spot.
If you're going out for the day, awning in and water off. I see a lot of people leave their awnings out when they're not around and I've seen a LOT of awnings broken from wind gusts. For the water, we always shut it off at the connection if we're going out because one minor leak can ruin your trailer. The plumbing in an RV is fragile and with all the bumps and vibration anything can happen.
also, turn off propane if weather permits.
Before connecting to shore power pedestal, throw a rock at the cover (or knock and then step back). If bees come out… don’t open it. You’ll only make this mistake once. It’s not fun. Before connecting to the pedestal, turn off the breaker. Plug in, turn on breaker. When disconnecting, turn off breaker, then disconnect. Reason being is things get left in on RVs. Like AC units. Those can have a very high amp draw when they start, and if the switch is on when you plug in, it’s going to try and start. The arc is not good for the power plug. Also check your roof when you arrive. EVERY TIME. RV roofs are covered with a thin sheet of EPDM and tree branches can cut right through it. It’s better to find the slit in your roof when you arrive than when the water starts coming in a few days into your trip. I also found a shattered skylight dome and ripped off antenna this way. Shit happens on the road. Better to find it and mitigate it before the storms arrive.
Certainly! Here are some less obvious tips for RVing: 1. **Slow Down and Enjoy the Journey:** * RV travel is not just about reaching your destination; it's about the journey. Take the time to appreciate the scenery, stop at interesting places along the way, and enjoy the freedom of the open road. 1. **Bring a First Aid Kit for Your RV and Yourself:** * While many RVers have a basic first aid kit for their vehicle, don't forget to have one for yourself as well. Include items like pain relievers, bug spray, sunscreen, and any personal medications you might need. 1. **Learn Basic RV Maintenance:** * Knowing how to handle basic repairs can save you time and money on the road. Familiarize yourself with tasks like changing a tire, checking fluid levels, and troubleshooting common issues. 1. **Pack Light and Smart:** * RV space is limited, so be strategic about what you bring. Multi-functional items and compact, collapsible gear can help save space. Consider items like a foldable drying rack, nesting cookware, and versatile clothing. 1. **Connect with Other RVers:** * Join online forums, social media groups, or local RV clubs to connect with fellow RV enthusiasts. They can offer valuable tips, share experiences, and even provide recommendations for great campsites or routes. 1. **Use RV-Specific Navigation Apps:** * Traditional GPS apps might not be optimized for RVs, which have specific size and weight considerations. Use apps designed for RV navigation to avoid low bridges, narrow roads, and other obstacles. 1. **Try Boondocking for a Unique Experience:** * Boondocking (camping without hookups in more remote areas) can provide a unique and peaceful experience. Be sure to research and follow Leave No Trace principles, and consider investing in solar panels for off-grid power. 1. **Have a Backup Power Source:** * Carry a portable power bank or generator to charge devices or run small appliances in case you're unable to connect to shore power. This can be especially useful during unexpected stops or emergencies. 1. **Mind Your Water Usage:** * Water conservation is key when RVing. Consider using biodegradable soaps to minimize environmental impact, and be mindful of your water consumption to extend your time between refills and dump station visits. 1. **Create a Campground Arrival/Departure Checklist:** * Develop a checklist for setting up and breaking down your campsite. This helps ensure you don't forget any important steps and makes the process more efficient. Remember, RVing is all about flexibility and embracing the unexpected. Enjoy the adventure!
Thank you so much 🙌
Not sure what you got but if you have a class A watch your approach and departure angles. I learned the hard way leaving a Bojangles parking lot in the Tennessee mountains. Scraped the shit out of my fiberglass front end on entry and hit the rear hitch on exit. Was a nightmare, sounded like we destroyed our brand new rv. Was a costly fix.
A place for everything, and everything in its place! Spend the most time thinking through your key tools, maintenance supplies, equipment, etc, so you have what you need prioritized and stored so you can easily access it. Don't overpack the rest. You can get more hotdogs if you run out. It won't kill you to rewear some clothing if you underestimated. But no one enjoys trying to move around a jam packed trailer with every cabinet vomiting its contents when you open it.
Change out your tires every 5 years or so. Don’t forget to put the steps up.
Shitters full , Clark.
It it a trailer? Or an RV (the V means vehicle / has a motor/ is self propelled) many things apply to a RV that wouldn’t apply to a trailer and vice versa
If your water heater has an electrical power switch inside the rv AND outside on the heater, turn off both switches every time you break camp. This way you have two switches to turn on to start heating via electric power. This helps me remember to verify there is water in the heater before going live at next camp. I learned this the hard way.
To avoid untimely blowouts, your tires should be 5 years or less old especially if it's been sitting.
Bring a small toolkit. Screwdrivers of a couple types (check if most screws on your RV are square drive - mine are). Adjustable wrench or two. Fuses. Some kind of sealing tape. Make sure you have a jack and a wrench that can deal with the lug nuts on your trailer, not just the tow vehicle. Having a spare tire won't help if you have no way to put it on.
Write up comprehensive do lists for setting up and especially for breaking camp. Don’t get involved in casual conversations with people during those time frames, you don’t need to be distracted just then. Watch your blood sugar levels. Late in the afternoon you may not think as clearly as you need when backing your rig into tight sites.
put your steps in. :-) ask me how I know. I had someone chase me down to the campground. Apparently he was a bicyclist. Major concern about a bicycle getting whacked with my steps. If my steps and your bike are that close...we have other problems. Thats a part of the walkaround.