Thanks, dear for this amazing informative post. More than this, I highly recommend a 1,000-pound window between what you are towing and what your truck claims it can tow. Check out these 10 essential tips every RV newbie should know! Well be sure to do this so the sun doesnt face the furniture. If I had known I was going to do this I would have hunted longer and found one of the Suburban/Yukons on a ton frame with the bigger engine. Get everything nice, neat and organized. First Time Travel Trailer Owner Tips,Beginner's Guide. Also, with your truck free, you can explore the town or drive the children to the swimming hole. Lesson learned! My tip: Check GoRVing.coms RV Essentials checklist! About that backing thing. Careers; 800-232-6535. Hammock A hammock for reading and resting when at the campsite easily enhances your experience. Coffee Maker There are so many high quality coffee makers out there. Takes 5 minutes. I think it is a good idea to stock your RV with a hand-sanitizer. Beginner RV Packing Tips Park the trailer out in front of your house two or three days before departure. I hope our mistakes and lessons learned help you on your first travel trailer camping trip or your next one! The third weight is called tongue weight. While each RV will have different essentials, based on the type and it's features, here's a basic list of must-haves. Just remove your foot from the gas pedal and continue forward momentum. Incredibly Useful Advice for First-Time RV Owners - AxleAddict A full year membership is just $29. Thank you for the heads up that its best to purchase trailers during the start of the season. Find her atwww.escapewithkim.comor @escapewithkim on Twitter and Instagram. Roads full of tree branches can be a nightmare for a trailer or any size. There are three weights. Airline points transfer ratios are poor. What type of first time RV makes sense for you? Check reviews of the dealer online. After dumping the black tank this will shoot water straight into the tank and wash out those items that may be stuck in it. The solution is simple. Camco Rhino FLEX RV Sewer Hose Kit | Features Transparent Elbow and Easily Detachable RV Solar Panels and Beyond: A Simple Guide to RV Solar Power, RV Living With Kids: How To Make Traveling as a Family a Breeze, RV Leveling Made Easy: Tips, Tricks, and Equipment Recommendations. You need a checklist to make sure that your camper is ready to leave your driveway. You want some water in there to, well, keep things moving and movable. A lot of people use these porta packs because its a convenient little bubble of chemical that you just drop down the toilet and youre set. When the new models start coming in there are often good deals on last years model. This requires you to store the nasty hose inside a trailer compartment. We just bought a new toy hauler and we drove it from Kansas (where we got an amazing deal) back to South Florida. The Ultimate RV Essentials Guide - RVshare It fits all of the above criteria, and costs half of what comparablehoses sell for at Camping World. I really like the article and appreciate the sharing of personal experiences. When I walked into a dealership, I knew the right questions to ask and I felt like I was taken more seriously when the salespersons noticed I knew more than they did!, Read and research thoroughly. First time we saw an Ollie, we really liked the layout and exterior/interior finish. Videotape your walkthrough, so you have a quick reference tool available when you dont have Wi-Fi at a campground to research for an answer., Crystal says, We are fortunate to live in an area with lots of RV dealers within a two-hour radius. Then, you must set up the stabilizers. Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award. 2 gallons will typically keep the generator running for 8 hours. Once the nastiness has washed away, remove the dump hose, wash it thoroughly, and store it. thanks for the tips, but I am still having a hard time to compare different models. Then wed have been looking at a fifth wheel and probably for one of the bunkhouse variants that sleeps several kids stacked nicely. He might not just get big discounts, but also free trailer beds! And there is a freshwater tank for the drinkable supply. One of them will be a RV fresh water hose that is only used to get city water into your trailer, or to fill the fresh water tank. Some RV campgrounds have too high of water pressure, which can cause undue stress and eventually leaks in your system. Just about everyone uses a filler valve when filling the fresh water tank on their trailer. Mat for Outside Steps Youll want a doormat to keep outside of your trailer to prevent dirt from coming in. The second is the GVWR, or its weight once water and supplies are loaded. Im pretty confident that I have enough truck to handle the trailer but if Im being honest here, Ill be watching gauges VERY closely when we make that first trip. Actually, every tool is needed before starting your travel tour. Again, there are three liquid tanks in your RV: fresh, gray, and black. Order some before you go out for the first time in your new travel trailer. including trailers, to ensure they comply with safety regulations and are safe to operate on the . Whatever works for you. Its like $80 and bolts right on. The bride wanted a real bathroom/shower not a toilet with a shower over it. Youll want to have purchased an RV dump hose because they dont come with new trailers. Then put it in one of your open storage compartments. Thanks for some great information. RV essentials checklist for first time RVers | Outdoorsy.com There is an enormous amount of information that will help you navigate the ins and outs of RVs and RV life in general. They are much more cost efficient depending on how you use them. Thank you for joining the Wild Week Challenge. Most new generators can fit in this space, but you can also buy a mount off of amazon that will store it on the tongue of the travel trailer above the propane tanks. We have lightweight pots and pans, lightweight dishes, separate silverware (settings for four), basic spices, the obligatory cornhole game, Roku gadgetry, board and card games, wifi booster, stuff like that. Nobody wants to take a camping trip and destroy their engine or transmission on the road, especially with excited children in tow. Will the dealer include everything in the sale price? 2 and 5/16 Trailer Ball Make sure to have the right size trailer ball installed on your vehicle to tow your trailer. Also, its not a good idea to do any heavy electrical lifting when running the AC unit. She has also written and contributed to several guidebooks. WiFi Booster WiFi boosters make your internet connection stronger, which can be especially helpful if you work from your travel trailer. Some of the items on your list i would not have thought of until i needed them. More importantly, if you are parked upward or downward, you can damage the fridge inside the trailer. An RV toilet bowl brush in the camper bathroom lets you clean it on the spot, and when dumping your black tank. You need a list of kitchen stuff and food. Several nice generators provide a quiet service, but most do not. Learn how RV solar works from RV solar panels to batteries and charge controllers. As with the purchase of a car, you can mortgage the farm and bet it all on the salesman needing to check with his manager for a final price. 10 Mistakes First Time RV Owners Make - Glamper Love I learned it when the kids were quarter-midget racing and its worked for me since. Once you know that you can start to streamline your shopping options. Tiffany Bonnerbought a 2019 Winnebago Travato 59G, Class B motorhome last year from a dealership close to home. Camping griddle and pie iron. Her work has appeared in the Boston Globe, AAA Horizons, Forbes Travel Guide, Travel + Leisure, U.S. News & World Report and USA Today, among others. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We have never towed or owned a trailer before, so this is new to us. Especially in a tent, in the summer, with 4 people. The taught me that investing in a few essential travel trailer necessities can make an RVing getaway so much better. Where were you camping when you filmed this video? To ensure your trip is memorable, and for the right reasons, lets ensure youve checked all the boxes. For a would-be first-time RV buyer, truer words were never spoken. (dont ignore this one). Of course, you will need to refuel from time to time throughout your . I'm a first time travel trailer owner. First Aid Kit and Tool Box Having a first aid kit and tool box will assist you in case of emergencies. Thank you for share a beautiful and helpful information. Ollie is our third camper. So You Bought an RVNow What? 5 Tips for New RV Owners She insists its qualifies for RV travel trailer must haves. Super helpful. Thanks for posting this informative article. But, theres no better way to learn than by doing. It sounds important to do this even when you arent using it to tow, especially so it can be in good condition for when it does eventually tow. Some of these fridges, including mine, have an automatic setting that realizes when theres connected power and shifts the power mode accordingly. Ultra Quiet Remote Start RV Generator Your trailer needs a generator to keep batteries charged. Girl Camper, Janine Pettit, shares how she makes more eco-friendly decisions at the campground and how to start making them yourself. A 5-gallon bucket will help you keep your generator running for hours. Have you heard that saying You dont know what you dont know? Congratulations, youve made a big step in the right direction. A handheld vacuum will help you keep tidy and doesnt take up much space. We're a bit nervous though because we've never had a "trailer" with black water, gray . Trust us on that one. Dont forget to check where the TV is. Alternatively, store it inside. Dish towels and rags. I think a better way to go would be to just run to Walmart and buy a simple net bag hamper like a college student would use to carry laundry to the laundromat. The research helped boost my confidence, especially as a woman. RV sewer hose that fits in the travel trailer bumper is convenient. Plan for the unexpected, put a budget together and ask a lot of questions, says Kimberly. Not only does it cover the RV in the case of an accident, but it can give you coverage if someone gets injured while visiting your home on wheels. I like that you mentioned you should make sure that you do maintenance on the tow vehicle. Once youve got some basic equipment to keep your RV up and running, its time to fill the interior with must-have items so that living on the road feels as cozy as days at home. But, you can at least tell that liquid is going through so you dont pull out the hose prematurely. Check out my full review of the Champion75537i generator for RVers. Today our retirement home is 30' long (26' of living space). We have command hooks for our keys by the door. These forums are worth every minute you spend there. Remember, much of the stuff is built in and so the design is constrained. GPS Having a GPS frees up your phone and keeps you on route. Great post I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this interesting and knowledgeable article. We love our trailer. To learn more about the history of travel trailers, we go back to 1910 when early adventurers would place their tents on platforms on wheels to create the first tent trailers. Copyright 2023 Go RVing, Inc. All rights Reserved. Here are the best checklists to make sure you cover all of the important things during the road-test, walk-around inspection, and what to look for before you take delivery of your new RV: My in-laws who have been camping like 40 years, still have a list. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This post was updated on April 20th, 2021, Travel Trailer Must-Haves for Easy Camping, All the Time, my full review of the Champion75537i generator for RVers. If you're new to travel trailer camping you've probably spend a lot of time reading and asking and learning how best camping should be done. I was aware of them but not how huge the selection or the range of prices. Published on December 15th, 2019 by Charles JosephThis post was updated on June 5th, 2020. I cant wait to read far more from you, especially in gift idea for backpackers. Carrying two water hoses is essential RV gear. Nothing too heavy. As a kid you love getting outside, playing with dirt, experiencing the outdoors. Like everyone else in 2020, I had to figure out new ways of working and traveling. This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy. keep the good work up. And, I wish I would have bought used. Beyond you feeling odd, the RV will also bounce a little with each step. And never keep food outside. Does it have a laundry room? Pat, how do you like the auto stabilizers. Then, we are going to a local RV Park right after we have our dealer training on hoses, gas, etc.. We will be there while the dealership is open on Friday and Saturday and their number will be on speed dial for those what do I do or how do I do this questions that probably will occur once we are on our own. We had spent a few weeks looking online and researching the type of trailer we wanted (5th wheel vs pull) and had looked a couple of times at Camping World on Colfax. This cheap alternative to the quiet Yamaha / Honda RV generators is the one I own. Join Date: Jan 2011. What exactly was the part called that you bough from Walmart? Its a lot smaller than mine, but you get the point. This generator was discontinued about 3 years ago and obtaining original replacement parts is extremely hard to nearly impossible. For Christmas, I am thinking of surprising the whole family by going to an RV dealer and buying one for us to go on road trips. For us, since we already had the Yukon, the travel trailer was the obvious choice. Dumping RV tanks is NOT a fun job. Youre also supposed to put in chemical that can break down the toilet paper and prevent smells. We purchased our Ollie used 2016 and paid the original owners close to what they paid new in 2015. There are lots of good ones and some are extremely expensive, but Camco sells an all-brass regulator for about $10 on Amazon. Leveling blocks help make your experience comfortable and prevents your coffee from sliding off the table. They may not be entirely essential, but they come highly recommended from seasoned travel trailer owners. Especially the torque wrench, socket & drill is your very essential tools because it will help you in repairing your car. Hiwere in our 60s and new to travel trailer camping. Rent an RV or a cabin at a campground and ask your neighbors what they like about their motorhome or trailer. A broom really doesnt solve the problem of so many dirty feet and shoes coming in and out from the campground. When we did camp it was in a tent with 3 kids and my mom for the weekend. If the campground doesnt have shower installations, we cant all take showers daily. It is important that NONE of these figures is more than your trucks towing capacity. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. It's an exciting time, that's for sure. Looking forward to much quality family time in it. We bought things like leveling blocks, chemicals, water pressure regulators and sewage hoses, says Crystal. On something like a travel trailer, theyre not terribly concerned about your repeat business. Youll want to make sure you have these items to guarantee your safety. Plan meals with as many non-perishable foods as possible. Upon arrival at the dump station, park before the dump hole so you can make sure that the trailer is on the right side. If you want a lighter more cheerful interior, you will spend a lot of money to get a custom rig. Congrats on your purchase. Ten feet is too short sometimes, and twenty feet starts to be a bit of a pain. Seat backs tend to be straight up. She grew up in the front range of Colorado where she fell in love with snowboarding, fishing and being outside as often as possible. Here youll find one moms story of what they learned and why you should take note of these first time travel trailer tips! Youll need it for everyones muddy, dirty shoes/feet. It's true. Camco sells an all-brass regulator for about $10 on Amazon, attach a cheap little RV water tank filler hose, this portable RV size Black and Decker Pivot Vacuum, buy one of these really highly-reviewed levels, detailed post about the average cost of RV insurance here, The 2024 Thor Vegas Motorhome: Get A First Look At The Newest Features, Get The Most Out Of RVing By Joining The Escapees RV Club, The 2023 Forest River R-Pod: Top Features & Floor Plans, RV Loan Refinancing: How To Lower Your RV Monthly Payment. Doing it when driving a big rig for the first time is not a good idea. Thanks for all the tips. An incredible new adventure awaits! The Hamiltons purchased a new grill, outdoor shades for the awning, bedding, command hooks (for everything), unbreakable dishes, lockbox for keys, extra Chocks, wasp vent covers, hand-held vacuum, tool kit, foldable wagon, camping chairs, an outdoor rug, lots of bug spray, chemicals to treat the tanks, back up propane tank, picnic table covers, hoses for the water hook up. I recommend that you install a hitch with weight distribution. As a first-time travel trailer owner there are some things that need to be taken into consideration before hitting the open road such as researching different models and sizes based on budget and lifestyle needs; ensuring proper maintenance of brakes, tires, electrical systems; understanding proper driving techniques; and preparing for changing . We recently purchased (18 days ago) a new travel trailer from a local dealer and did our first night of driveway camping the day we brought it home. Laundry Hampers Laundry hampers are a great way to keep laundry organized. Its generally recommended that you flush the toilet for 45 seconds or so when you take out your trailer before anyone goes to the bathroom so you can get some water in the black tank. Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. There is one near the door for the fly swatter. 15-feet is the best RV sewer hose length for most places. 13 Halloween Camping Activities, The Checklist Every First Time RVer Needs, Everything You Need To Know About Wifi For Your RV, 14 Wilderness Survival Tools You Should Have in The Backcountry, Campground Recipes: You'll Devour These 6 Dutch Oven Desserts. KimberlyandScott Hamilton,who live in Chicago, Illinois, bought a 2019 Winnebago Minnie 2606RL this past May from Airstream & Winnebago of Chicago. Once you check your truck, you need to check your trailers weight. If I had planned on hauling three tons around I would have made sure I had the 5700 (a 350) or even a 6000 (364). But, heres a post full of camping games and camping toy ideas in case you do want a few suggestions. Location: James Island, SC. Cutting board. If youre a single lady out there wanting to purchase an RV: Do it! Flush the toilet a few times before you use it. 10 Mistakes First Time RV Owners Make March 26, 2018 camper, camping . ?thanks,Bing. Find requirements, a checklist, and nearby inspections. Food storage containers. Perfect for either the seasoned RVer or a novice hitting the road for the first time, travelers will find proven RV tips, tricks, and techniques to save time, money and frustrations in the fourth edition of "The RV Handbook." Designed to be used as a fast-reference guide or a generously illustrated textbook, the guide contains helpful . I would recommend a water filter system also. The point being, youll want covers. and not be twisting around to do so. For most people, insurance is a good idea for your travel trailer. If you see it as a place youll be in for a couple of weeks vacation, you dont need as much room although you might decide you want it. I've come up with a grand scheme for the next chapter of my life and it means going full time in my little . This is causing pressures in excess of 10 PSI and resulting in high rates of generator failure. 10 must read travel trailer tips and tricks (for first time campers) I am submitting this information unaminously so I do not loss by job. Your tow vehicle must be in good shape. We are so excited about it but looking for such a post to get ready perfectly. Then, only dirty clothes need unpacking. My memories of camping are okay. In this comprehensive guide, we demystify the process of RV leveling. See my policy page for more information). Driving in a big, busy city is stressful at the best of times. Great article. If you do happen to start fishtailing, be careful to avoid turning your wheel or slamming the brakes. So my first tip is the most obvious but also the most overlooked. Thank you! 149+ Camper Checklist For Camper Owners [6 Printable List] - Throttlebias The guys at Route66 in Oklahoma hooked up our trailer for the first time for us and quickly ran through it with us. This Garmin GPS provides warnings about steep grades, sharp curves, weight limits and more. I took the Yukon to the local tire guys that do my work and had them tune it up, change oil in the differentials and transfer case, change oil in the transmission, put on fresh shock absorbers (air shocks in the back) and, generally, give it a good going over. Great list. The 2022 Glampys: The Coolest Glampsites You Can Book Right Now, Lets Get Spooky! Starting your RV life can seem overwhelming, but once you get the hang of it, you'll love the luxurious, adventurous experience. They are there to make sure the RV doesnt bounce around when you walk inside. The common feature of travel trailers is 30 amps, but there are some with 15 or 50 amps. My credit card had $1,100 on it by the time I left, but Im confident for our maiden voyage. The thing is, with your hand on the bottom of the wheel, thats about as far as youll want to turn the wheel anyway. Heck, I might have held out for the 7400 (454) big block. Its overwhelming if you dont have a list for it all. Your mind is probably running through the seemingly endless list of items you'll need for your trip. Unless youre camping in Phoenix in August, you really shouldnt need to run the air conditioner more than a few hours a day. At 5,700 pounds, our 26 foot ultralight is about as much as I want to pull. Or something only used for a week or two at a time? We pick up our trailer on Friday and will be ordering the sewer hose you recommend! Do you want to be near the bathrooms? You might as well buy a new gas can for filling up your generator so you can keep the can in the trailer. RV Operation: The Basics of RVing for First Timers - RVshare You can get these generator boxes for the back bumper or for a tongue mount. My name is Sara and I'm the proud owner of a new-to-me 2005 17' Escape trailer. Get a water pressure regulator that goes between your fresh water hose and the trailer or RV so you prevent that problem. Does it have a general store in case you forgot salt & pepper? At this time, most cars only reached 15 mph, so campers could even leave the tents on the platforms to drive home. Recently I took my new Rockwood 2504s RV out for three days of camping. We bought solar panels. Water Pressure Regulator Some RV campgrounds have too strong of water pressure. Electric brakes? We have just retired and purchased our first camper. Once you get to camp you can unpack all that needs to get put away. If I can get the right equipment to make easier, Im in. Give your RV kitchen a quick look and make sure youre bringing all of the RV kitchen essentials that you may otherwise forget. Small Vacuum Although space is limited, youll still want to make room for supplies that keep your trailer clean. For us, the travel trailer is going to be our retirement home in many ways. By using this site, you consent to the use of cookies. So naturally, two people who didnt like camping as kids, what do they do? H Is For The History of Travel Trailers - Airstream Its hot there. It rained a decent amount that night and in the morning I noticed a small puddle of water on the floor next to the slide out. They often include stuff you would have to buy later hoses, covers, stuff like that, But you can also end up buying someone elses troubles, Inspect slide out seals to make sure theyre intact and not dried out.
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