Tricks & Tips for First-Time RVers

Stepping into your RV for the first time can be exciting and/or intimidating.  There is a learning curve unlike any other.  Most people are given a short tour and tutorial about the important controls, when and how to use them.  Then they get on the road, stop, and can’t remember what was said and how to turn on/off something as basic as the hot water heater or how to switch the refrigerator from propane to electric.  

If you have the time, take your new RV on a date close to home.  Make a reservation for a full hookup site..  Get to know each other for a couple of nights before going further.  Following are a few basic tips to get started.

• Check out everything
  • Turn on lights, open drawers, read the manuals, check your tires, fill the water tank, drain the water tanks
• Know where the breaker panel is 
• Summertime and RV living can be hot, hot, hot
  • Know that the AC cannot work miracles  
  • You’re in a tin box with little insultation and single pane windows.  The AC typically only drops the inside temp10-15 degrees cooler than the outside  
  • The whole inside of the RV holds heat, not just the air, so it takes a while to cool down
  • You can block your windows with foil window insulation, outside shades, inside blinds, close the blinds, and cover skylights  
  • Try to keep your outside storage doors closed as much as possible
• Electricity
  • Breakers can trip and AC can freeze up
  • Running multiple appliances can trip breakers  
    • The biggest draws can be from the AC, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, hair dryer, electric water & air heater
• Know what amperage matches your RV needs.  It can be challenging to get a matching or working electric service at times.  That’s why power cord adapters were created.  Although you can’t make a 20-amp or 30-amp outlet give you the same amount of power as a 50-amp outlet
• Know your black tank
  • There are many U-Tube videos and articles about RV black tanks for a very good reason - a must read
• Canopies Plus Wind = Destruction.  Don’t leave the canopy unattended
• Camp etiquette – when walking through the campground use roads or paths – DO NOT WALK OR DRIVE THROUGH OTHER SITES, even if they are empty
• Read each campgrounds guidelines - not all RV parks are created equal
• Relax and enjoy – RV life is a great life!