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Tips for New RV Owners

Dec. 3 2020 RV tips and Maintenance By Hannah L.

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Once you drive your new RV off the lot, there are some other important things you should know before hitting the road. Here are our tips for new owners:

Purchase and Pack Essentials 

Before you head out here’s a basic list of must haves:

  • Leveling blocks
  • Wheel chocks
  • Fresh water hose
  • Sewer hose
  • 15M/30 F Amp power adapter
  • RV Septic safe toilet paper
  • Water pressure regulator
  • RV cleaning items


Once you’ve purchased the essentials there may be other accessories and tools, you’ll want to consider such as outdoor gear, a satellite antenna, or solar panels. We can help you with those purchases.

Checklist 

With every RV comes a list of precautions and steps to take before you are ready to hit the road. Forgetting even the smallest tasks can put you, your RV, and others in danger. Each RV has its own unique features but some basic items to start with are:

  • Secure loose items
  • Turn off fans
  • Lower the antenna
  • Water heater off
  • Water pump off
  • Slide in
  • Secure loose items
  • Retract jacks
  • Turn off LP tank

Be prepared 

  • Make sure your RV and towed vehicle fuel tanks have plenty of fuel at all times
  • Check tire pressure frequently throughout the trip
  • Use an app or the radio to keep track of the weather conditions where you’re going
  • Look up a list of nearby hospitals and doctors in the area where your traveling to and a list of nearby vets if you are traveling with pets
  • Keep a provision of food and water on hand for several days
  • Have emergency gear packed such as flares, hazard triangles, flashlights and even rain ponchos
  • Have a backup plan for finding alternative campgrounds, should the need arise to settle down in a hurry
  • Always tell someone you trust where you are traveling along with a list of phone numbers for each campground or location as well as license plate numbers for the RV and tow vehicle

 

Setting up your RV for the first time at a campground (pull thru-site) 

 Don’t forget to set the parking brake and chock the wheels

  • Disconnect tow vehicle and put down stabilizer jacks
  • Disconnect battery
  • Test the voltage of electricity with a volmeter before hooking up your rig
  • Plug your RV into the receptacle that matches amperage requirements. Anything below 105 volts and above 135 can damage your appliances.
  • Some campgrounds may require the use of an electrical adapter while other have a circuit breaker which you will need to turn on for the flow of electricity
  • Check to ensure your electricity is working
  • Turn on your fridge
  • Hook up your water regulator to the water supply. Attach your white water hose to the camp supply and your RV. Make sure the water is flowing into your RV. Do not use the water pump. The pump is only used to draw water from the freshwater tank when no other water source is available.
  • Wear gloves to attach the sewer hose to the drain outlet. Make sure the locking tabs are secured.
  • Turn the LPG supply on. Turn the valve of the tank or bottle.
  • Make sure the heater tank is full of water.
  • If the campground and RV have cable TV, hook up the TV coax cable. If there is no cable connection raise your antennae or set your satellite.

 

Remember to have fun and enjoy the road!  Join us for more education and inspiration on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.