Top Things Every New RVer Should Know
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If you're new to the thrilling world of RVing, then congratulations! You've taken the first step towards embarking on an amazing and fulfilling journey. But before you hit the open road, it's important to know some key tips and tricks that can make your RV experience even more enjoyable (and a whole lot easier!). In this blog post, we'll cover the top things every new RVer should know, from choosing the right RV setup for your needs to making sure all of your gear is properly packed. So buckle up--it's time to get ready for an unforgettable adventure full of fun, excitement and new friends!
top things every newbie rver should know
1. You Don’t Need to Know everything before you start
There are a few safety things you should know before you jump into RVing, but most things can be learned once you hit the road. Just know everyone is nervous when they first start RVing. There is a bit of a learning curve but it is not hard! RV life can have challenges but nothing is insurmountable. Just stay calm and you will make it through any hurdle that comes your way.
2. How to Drive/Pull an RV
If you have concerns about pulling or driving an RV, we recommend one thing: practice, practice, practice!
Start with a test drive before you purchase a drivable RV. It will allow you to see how comfortable you will be behind the wheel.
Take your RV to an empty parking lot and practice. It is a great way to gain confidence behind the wheel. If you are still nervous you can attend one of the many RV driving schools across the country.
Take plenty of short trips (shake down trips) to learn to drive your RV as well as how to operate it. Remember everyone can drive these things! Yes, that means you too!
3. Must-Have RV Gadgets & Tools
Although, there are a lot of cool gadgets and gizmos that are cool and make RV easy and fun the reality is there are few real necessities. The list below are what we would recommend for every RVer. You could set up an Amazon wish list to help keep track of the the items that you would love to have that are not really required to get started.
Setup and breakdown checklist (Download our checklists here)
Leveling blocks or wood
Wheel chocks (trailers & 5th wheels)
Gloves for emptying the black tank
RV-friendly toilet paper
There are many more items that you can purchase that will make RV life much easier and fun, but this list will get you started. Some of these items might come your RV. Check out our favorite gear and gadgets here or in the video below.
4. How to Find and Book a Campsite
Here is where the fun begins—booking your first trip. So, you have done all your homework, purchased your RV, and are ready to head down the road. You might want to start with a few weekend trips to get some driving time under your belt. Short shakedown trips a great way to learn how your RV works and get comfortable with it. If you book at a campground or RV resort, you will have plenty of neighbors more than willing to help you get set up once you arrive.
These days, many campgrounds allow you to book online. Once you decide on your destination and dates, you can go online to book your reservation. When booking your reservation you will need to answer questions such as the type and length of your RV, if you need 30 amp or 50 amp hookups, whether you have pets and more.
Want to plan a trip with a few campgrounds but don’t know where to start? The process is easy once you do it a few times. We use RV Life Trip Wizard for all of our RV trip planning and reservations. For help planning your next RV trip CLICK HERE.
5. How to Set Up Your Sewer Hose
RV tanks are separated into gray, black, and freshwater tanks. The gray tank holds the sink and shower wastewater. The black tank collects the toilet wastewater. The freshwater tank has clean water for your kitchen, bathroom, and toilet.
Keep your black tank closed to prevent the liquids from draining out and leaving the solids behind. Also, keep enough water in the black tank to cover the solids. You may need to add water by holding the tank flush down or through the black tank flush. The water will create an odor barrier and keep sewer smells inside the tank where they belong.
You can add treatments to your black tank to help break down solid waste and decrease odors. A few we recommend are Unique Tank Cleaner and Liquified.
Sewer hoses standard lengths are 10 and 20-foot. You will need enough hose to reach the campsite sewer hookup. These hookups are never in the same place. To make sure you can reach them we recommend having one of each at a minimum.
Once your black tank is about ¾ full, it’s time to dump the contents. Your RVs tank sensor panel will indicate how full the tanks are. Sometimes the sensors in the tank can get covered with waste, and the readout may be incorrect. If the toilet burps or bubbles when flushing it means the tank is pretty full. Another indication of a very full tank is water rising when you look down into your toilet. Once you have been camping awhile, you will know how long you and your family can go before you dump the tank.
To dump your tanks, hook up the sewer hose. Dump your black tank first and then your gray tank. The grey water is used to push black tank particles out of the hose and down the sewer.
6. A Little About RV Electricity
You will need to know if your RV electricity runs on 50 or 30 amp. If you have a 50-amp RV, you will be able to run more things at the same time. If you have 30 amps, you will have to be more careful about how many appliances you power simultaneously.
Campgrounds often offer both 50 and 30-amp hookups. Choose the outlet that matches your plug. If the pedestal at your site doesn’t have the type of outlet you need, you can use an adapter. There are 30-to-50 amp and 50-to-30 amp adapters. We recommend having an adapter that allows you to use 50 and 30-amp connections.
Steps to plugging in your RV
Make sure the breaker is turned off
Plug in your surge protector
Turn on the pedestal breaker
Review the codes on the surge protector to ensure there is not an electrical problem with the pedestal that could affect your RVs electrical system. If the codes are good procede. If you get an error code stop and contact the campground. Do not plug your RV into the pedestal.
Turn off the breaker.
Plug in your RV power cord to the surge protector.
Flip the breaker on
That’s it!
If you would like a better understanding of the RV electrical system check out the blogs below. They will walk you through RV electrical and make it easy to understand.
7. Safety First
Safety should always be in the front of your mind when you set out on your first trip. Below are a few of the basics to keep in mind to prevent accidents and injury
Use a checklist so you don't miss anything when setting up or breaking down your RV.
Tire safety includes visual inspection, accurate tire pressure, and knowing the tire's age. Tires age out (are too old to be safe) at five years. The picture below will help you find the year of your RV tires. For more information on tire safety head to our blog 4 Corner Weighs.
Inspect your fire extinguishers. If you purchased a used RV, ensure your fire extinguishers are not recalled or expired. Also, ensure you have enough fire extinguishers for your space. There are many types on the market that you can place throughout your RV.
Know where you are! Write down your campground name, address and site number in case of emergency. Not knowing this information may delay medical care for your loved one. We recommend filling out the emergency magnet every time you arrive at a new location.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations on joining the RV life! There are so many fun and unique adventures that await – you won’t be disappointed. As you take this journey, remember to stay safe and enjoy the ride. Life on the open road is exhilarating and liberating; there’s something so special in being able to travel from place to place, soaking in new sights without being tied down by a single location. The experience may be intimidating at first, but it will soon become second nature. You will be surprised when just a few outings you will be the one helping new RVers. Bon voyage!
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Every Saturday, Phil & Stacy publish the You, Me & the RV Newsletter, where they share weekly articles about all things RV and travel. Each week they scour the internet for articles that will inspire and inform you. They also share discounts, sales, and freebies! So don’t miss out! Sign up for the newsletter below.
About the Author: Terri Nighswonger and her husband, Todd, are well-traveled RVers and work campers. They've work camped from Maine to Arizona with their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Newton, and their Minnie Australian Shepherd, Remi.
They love Arizona, where winter coats are a thing of the past. They plan to enjoy the west for a while. Writing is Terri's passion, but she also loves hiking, kayaking, walking her dogs, and anything she can do outdoors.