27 Lessons Every RV Owner Should Know
It’s amazing how much you can learn when embarking on the journey of owning and operating an RV. Whether you bought your first RV last year or have been full-timing for decades, there's always something new to discover as an RVer. We put together this guide to save you from having to make all the same mistakes that we have made: five lessons learned in five years, every RV owner should know! Dive in and take away some tricks, tips, and ideas that can help shape your setup in order to make sure your trips are safe, successful, and enjoyable!
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Let’s Dive In
Check all your connections before dumping your black tank by releasing a little grey water first.
Double-check around your slide-outs before extending AND retracting— inside and outside.
GOAL— Get Out And Look when backing into a tricky campsite.
When you leave your RV for the day- shut the water off. No water = no accidental flooding!
Flip on the propane and electric water heater if you require FAST reheating of water.
Use X-Chocks to help with stabilizing your rig, and preventing extra movement.
Check tire pressures the morning of trip departure. Also, a great time to inspect those tires!
Freezing temps? Fill your fresh water tank and unhook exterior connections to ease your mind.
More of a details kind of person? We got you covered! ⤵️
9. Awnings— They are like children, don’t leave them unattended. Beware of sudden wind gusts.
10. Looking to park and stay connected overnight? Unplug that 7-way pin which provides power from the truck to the RV to prevent draining of the truck battery. Just don’t forget to plug it back in before departure!
11. Carry extra connections—especially sewer hoses. (Ask us how we know)
12. Use large parking lots to practice driving and backing in. Think Lowe’s or Home Depot, especially after hours!
13. Have an empty bladder and a full belly for a stress-free arrival to the campground. #Dontbehangry
14. No multi-tasking when hooking and unhooking. Just don’t do it!
15. ANTS?! TERRO ant gel or diatomaceous earth should do the trick! We’ve also used Borax to act as a barrier!
16. Do a final walk-around before you go! Heck, do it twice!
17. Mobile RV techs are a great option for repairs, on the road!
18. Place heavy stuff in the front of the rig!
19. Cool down your rig fast by opening the ceiling exhaust fans to get the hot air out. Then turn off the fans and flip on that AC.
20. If you have steps that make contact with the ground, make sure they are stowed before moving or leveling the rig
21. Connect your 7-way pin to your tow vehicle if you need to recharge your RV battery in a pinch. It’s not much of a charge but better than nothing!
22. Have pictures of your license plates stored in your phone to streamline the check-in process.
23. Ice in the back of the freezer? Place plastic cutting boards on the back and peel away!
24. Know the length, height, and rough weight of your rig immediately by making a note near the steering wheel.
25. Locate your battery disconnect switch within your RV. Sometimes this switch can get bumped off and this is one of the first troubleshooting methods we would use! It’s also good to know if you winterize your camper.
26. Don’t unhook until you look! Seriously, give it your eyes and full attention so you don’t have to make a lot of adjustments. We’re talking about slide-outs, hookups, and step clearance.
27. “If it’s something you dread, throw it on the bed.” Perfect for electronics like computer monitors, and if your bed is toward the front, you can bank on a little less jolting around!
We hope these tips for RV Living served as an awesome reminder that no matter how long you’ve been living this lifestyle, it requires your attention and effort! Did we miss something? Drop us a comment on the videos above and tell us some lessons you’ve learned during your RV ownership! Safe travels!
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