RVing for Beginners (Best tips how to start)

Finally, you bought your dream RV or Travel Trailer, but you don’t know what is next? You don’t really know that much about RVing? Are you searching for some easy to follow tips you could definitely use for RVing for Beginners?

Want to know what to do next?

 

 

RVing for Beginners – where to start

So it took you a long time to decide what kind of an RV or Travel Trailer you want to buy.

It took you a long time to decide if you buy your camper used or new, what the best floor plan is for you and your family, and where to buy it.

Now you brought it home and it is parked in your driveway and you and your family are so excited to go on your first trip.

 

Also, read  “How to plan the perfect Road Trip”.

    

 

 

Before you start loading the Camper and cruising away, read these tips:

1. Practice RV Driving especially backing it up
2. Don’t forget the necessary tools (print out the tool list)
3. Plan a weekend trip close by to practice setting up the RV
4. Reserve your Camping Spot
5. Print out the packing list 
6. Travel with 1/3 full water tank 
7. Check your electrical outlets/extension cords
8. Do you know your RV load limit, your height, and width?
9. Before you drive back home, dump your tanks. 
10. Get the must-haves to be safe and prepared. 

 

1. Here are some tips before you actually drive off to your first adventure:

Drive to the next empty parking lot and practice driving your RV or Trailer.

If you bought a Travel Trailer practice backing it up, brake slowly and come to a complete stop, steer it around obstacles. You will feel so much better if you know what you are doing.

If you feel more secure taking a class, check out RV Driving Schools 

You are going to feel more confident and of course, it is so much safer for everybody.

 

 

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

2. Absolutely necessary to get are the following items:

 

It is necessary to have a pair of Tow Mirrors in order to see what is going on behind your camper.

 

 

 

3. Go on a close-by weekend trip 

Plan a weekend trip not far away from your house where you can practice setting up the camper. Unpack all the stuff you brought.  Forgot anything important for you? Add to the packing list that you need and what you don’t need.

Become confident and know all the steps you have to take to set up your camper until you can sit in your comfy chair in front of the fire.

Take it easy and don’t stress yourself out. Get to know your RV. Take plenty of test drives before you take on a longer trip. Also, you will learn a lot while you are doing it.

 

 

4. How to set up your Camping Site:

Of course, before you pull into a site, check if the place is clear, that no big rocks are laying around or branches hanging low. Just give the place a glance before you pull in.

Check where the electrical, water, and sewage hookups are and park your RV or Trailer close to the hookups. Always good to have is an extension cord, in case the electricity hookup is too far away.

Level your RV with blocks or stabilizing jacks and chock the wheels.

Connect the electricity and switch your appliances on to this source.

Also, I have read a lot about surge protectors and we finally bought one, just to be safe.  What is a surge protector good for? A surge protector safeguards against things like low and high voltage. So if the electricity you are plugged into is running at a very low voltage like 100 or less (normal is 120v), the surge protector will cut power so your RV equipment isn’t running on that low voltage which can cause serious damage.

So there are people out there who say it is nonsense to have and others who say this is something you should absolutely have. Decide for yourself.

Attach your sewer hose to the drain hook-ups. Leave your black tank valve closed when staying in your RV. Use plenty of water when flushing the toilet. Dump when it is 3/4 full. Leaving the valve open all the time can clog your system. You don’t want that!!!

Don’t forget a water filter and attach it to your freshwater hose. Connect it to the waterline. 

When the RV or Travel Trailer is leveled, let the slide-outs out and make yourself comfortable. 

 

 

Here is a bundle I made for you if you need some help:

 

This bundle combines a Checklist of

• what to do before you leave 
• what to do when you arrive at your campsite
• what to do when you leave your campsite
• Packing Lists for summer travel, winter travel, tools, necessary items

 

 

 

 

 

5. RVing for Beginners

We bought our travel trailer about 3 years ago and we didn’t really know anything about Camping.

And because it took us a long time to find all the information we were looking for, I wrote this E-book “Best tips before and after buying an RV or Travel Trailer.

Check it out, included are 40 pages of good information from

• deciding what kind of Camper to buy
• how to check it through if it is a used one
• what you need to know about Campers
• how to update an older RV
• what you should do and what you should not do and so much more.     It is definitely worth getting.

 

 

6. Looking for remodeling ideas? 

Our travel trailer was around 10 years old when we bought it. It didn’t look very pretty on the inside when we bought him, but it had no issues, everything worked well.

But it needed a facelift and this is what I did the first thing it parked in our driveway.

After the remodel:

 

 

7. Must have, if you don’t like to argue with your partner   

The one thing we absolutely missed was the backup camera. And seriously, I am still not the best in backing up the trailer. What definitely changed the game for us was updating our camper with a backup camera.

After doing a lot of research we ended up with a Furrion camera, ideal for travel trailers, 5th wheels, and trucks.

• Durable and intelligent camera system: Includes a High Resolution (720×480) IP65 waterproof camera with infrared night vision, live streaming, intelligent IR cut filters, and wide viewing angles of 120°.
• 4.3″ Anti-Glare Monitor: Comes with park assist marker lines. The windshield and table mount allows for easy viewing
• Long-Range Signal Strength: The 2.4GHz wireless communication digitally locks to the camera systems which makes it safe and reliable for all vehicle sizes. Tested for 50 ft at high speeds and extended range of up to 492ft in open spaces. Compatible with RVs, motorhomes, trucks, semi-trailers, box trucks, shuttle buses, commuter buses, and tractors.
• Easy & Quick Installation: Most RVs are already prepped for the Vision S sharkfin camera system, eliminating extensive drilling requirements.
• Microphone & Motion Detection: Automatically detect movement behind your RV to auto awake the display. The rear camera also includes a microphone with audio transmission for when you are backing up your vehicle.

If you are lucky and you bought a newer RV, they are already prepped for the Vision S sharkfin camera system, eliminating extensive drilling requirements.

Watch the video 

Here is an easy to follow video on how to set up a backup camera when your RV is already prepped for adding a camera.

If you need to wire it yourself, you might want to get a professional to get this job done. Get it wired and set-up perfectly for you and you don’t have to fight to get it done right.  Especially if you don’t have the knowledge of how to do it, like me. 

 

8. Are you collecting information before you buy your dream RV?:

The best thing you can do is to rent a Camper before you buy it. Rent a couple of different models to know what is right or wrong for you. Go on a short weekend trip to make yourself comfortable with your decision to buy. Rent an RV from RV share, they have the best options:

 

 

Final words of RVing for Beginners

Sometimes it can be overwhelming to know all the tips and tricks to get started. So start slow, get informed and nothing can get wrong. Buying an RV or Travel Trailer is a life choice and it is so much fun to get on the road. Travel to different State Parks and National Parks, make memories with your children and loved ones, see and explore your country. It is so beautiful.

Don’t forget to get the E-book with so much information for your travels. Get rolling. 

 

I hope you are very excited about your new adventure and I am sure you will have a great time.

See you next week,

Conny xoxo