Congratulations on owning an RV! No doubt you’re looking forward to the adventures ahead. My husband and I share your excitement. As campground owners and fellow RVers, we also have a few tips to share. Tips to make your first trips ones you remember for the great times and not the hard lessons learned in RV ownership.

Invest in the Extras

Before you invest in patio mats, outdoor lights or new camping chairs, take a look at your water hoses and sewer lines. All the twinkling lights in the camping store won’t be a comfort to you if your lines and hoses are too short. Based on our personal experience and that of our campers, we recommend that first-time RV owners buy two ten foot sewer hoses. Check the fittings to make sure they work for your RV. Also, purchase a 25 and a 15 foot water hose.

Additionally, make sure you have a long electric cord and adapters. If your RV is 30 amp, purchase a 30 to 50 adapter. For RVs that are 50 amp pick up a 50 to 30 adapter.  Some other buys to consider are a surge protector, jumper cables, sewer bridge, hitch lock, septic safe or RV toilet paper and toilet deodorizers.

Go over every aspect of your RV

Before you buy anything for your RV, go over every aspect of it with your salesperson, and read all of the documents they give you. After you do that, set your camper up at home, and take your time going over all of the systems. There is a lot to learn about owning an RV, and it will take you a bit to get it all down. Your goal before you pull into your first campground is to at least know how to work your slides, hook-up the water and sewer lines, level the camper and operate the TV. Also, make sure to check your tail lights, running lights and blinkers.

Learn how to use your fresh water tank and pump

Another aspect of your camper to learn about is your fresh water tank and water pump. We have one RV site on our campground where some campers experience low water pressure. More than once, an RV owner stared back at us blankly when we ask them to fill up their fresh water tank and turn on the water pump. Taking time to learn about this part of your RV is handy when you experience less than desirable water pressure or an issue arises with the campground’s water system. If you ever want to boondock or try dispersed camping, you’ll need to fill up your tank and turn on the pump to wash dishes or shower. Plenty of RV owners go years without using their tank or pump, but when you need it, you’re better off knowing how to use it.  

Practice Driving and Backing Up

The scene in the movie RV where Robin Williams drives a Class A motorhome over his front lawn and knocks over stone stairs is funny. When an RV owner drives on the grass, over railroad ties, almost clips a cabin, hits directional signs and flattens water hydrants, no one is laughing. Yes, all of that happened on our campground because of inexperienced drivers.

Our suggestion is to find a place you can practice driving your RV. Make turns, accelerate, break and back up. In fact, learn to back your motorhome, trailer or fifth wheel. Practice how you and your travelling partner will communicate during the backing process. Trust me, booking pull-through sites won’t prevent you from having to throw your rig in reverse to get situated. Owning an RV requires mastering the essential skill of backing up. Don’t put it off. Go ahead and tackle it.

Start Close to Home

A great way to practice driving and operating your RV is to make your first trip to a campground close to home. You’ll have the advantage of knowing the roads and can visit the campground ahead of time to take a look at the sites. Make sure to call, and let the campground owners know you’re coming. Many owners are fine with drop ins, but some may not be. You also want to visit at a time when they can answer your questions. Another advantage of staying close to home is that if you need a repair or forget something, you know who to call and where to go.

Buy the Right Truck and Good Tires

One tip for travel trailer and fifth-wheel owners is to buy the right truck to pull your camper. You need to be ready for hills, turns, dirt roads and any terrain imaginable. Our campground has gravel roads, and we are on the Blue Ridge Parkway situated on the side of a mountain. We’ve never had a truck and camper unable to get in or out of our sites or the campground. RV owners with under-powered vehicles for the weight of their camper sometimes struggle, especially on the hill exiting the campground. And one more thing, buy good tires for your truck and camper and replace them before they’re bald.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

Owning an RV means that something will go wrong when you least expect it no matter how thoroughly you prepare. Remember every RV owner around you at a campground paid their dues as a rookie too. Fortunately, RVers help one another so don’t be shy about asking for help. If the RV owners around you don’t have the answer, go to YouTube. You can find a video about any RV problem and how to solve it.

Again, congratulations on your new RV. We hope these tips eliminate a few first-time RV owner problems so that you can begin your adventures smiling and finish them that way too.

Learn more about our thirteen, full hook-up RV sites at Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground.