RV Newbie 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Hit the Road (FULL TIME RV LIVING)

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RV Newbie 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Hit the Road (FULL TIME RV Living): We have 10 RV Newbie things that every RVer needs to know for a successful switch to full time life.! These RV essentials will help you start your adventure prepared for anything that may come your way. These few 'what you need to know basics' are perfect for newbies and those with RV experience. This video also shows a day in the life of an RVer.

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You, Me & the RV, All Rights Reserved
We are not RV experts. We are RVers sharing our experiences on the road. Please do your own research and make your own decisions as to what is best for you and your RV.

You, Me & the RV
You me and the RV

[dorisshanks]

My tip:
A new rig can be uncomfortable at first. No hooks, no storage for certain things, no spice rack, no paper towel holder, cannot reach some places, no lights or no outlets where you need them, Then you fix and install and decorate until it is comfortable to live in. Now it is truly your home.

[Malcolm_Q]

I'm on my 6th checkout trip because each trip has had simple and attainable goals. This trip? 1. Four-hour drive (my longest); to see how the Airstream tows after a 3" lift, 2. WFH remotely with my laptop in the Airstream for the first time using cell service internet from a hot spot on my phone; I already successfully tested running a Webex meeting on my laptop using a hot spot on my phone at home and not over WiFi, and 3. Using a 110v heater (I've already winterized so no water in the lines to heat) while having shore power at a county fairground. Step by step with simple goals. Already have cold-weather boondocked twice now. Easy breezy with propane heat. And the last checkout trip was to determine how much propane I would use heating, cooking, operating the fridge, etc. and I was surprised how little I used (half a 30 gallon tank over 3 nights at 8°F - 20°F).

Also, I love the sailor and Navy wife humour. Your dynamic as a couple is awesome. Thank you for so many excellent and helpful videos over the years. I am going full time when I sell my house in six months. My someday draws nearer and nearer... continuing the checkout trips until then and watching more of your videos! Retired Army. 🙂

[jeffmill]

My wife and myself went through much the same thing. I did 42 years of long haul and when I retired it took sometime to really get to know each other again. I may've drove about 6 million miles but I still love to rv.

[josephrobichaud]

There's one retired engineer You Tuber that went to the trouble of making up a laminated check list, written so you can read it while mounted to a lanyard around you neck. Drive off one time with the stabilizers down, forget to remove the wheel lock or chocks, forget to close the roof vents, not check the tire pressures one time and you'll see why it's a great idea. Every time I'd stop any place I'd use the back of my hand and tap all the hubs of the rims to get a rough idea of the temp. All super great advice! Getting out of the "vacation" mode has to be one of the hardest things for people to over come. Most people have that one vacation to look forward to all year for there whole working life and have to jamb in everything in a short time.

[adriannurse]

You were so right on the initial emotions. We bought our RV, a 42' class A diesel pusher, in Tampa Florida. We stayed in their delivery lot for 10 days while they taught us how to use it. When we finally left it was 4:30pm on a Friday. Not only were we in rush hour, but it was raining. We tow a Lincoln MKX. When you put the value of both of those together I definitely had that OMG! Feeling. I definitely remember thinking how much everything cost and knowing that I was responsible for it. It scared the bageebers out of me. On that first trip we learned so much. It was November. Here in Florida you we are still running the AC. When we got to Virginia that first night went down to 32 degrees. We thought we knew how to run the heat, but we were clueless! It was freezing in the RV. Neither of us wanted to get out from under the comforter. A mobile RV repair guy actually showed us how to run the hydronic heat. It was so simple. We were just missing one piece of information. After leaving the conference in Virginia Beach we stopped for lunch in Charlottesville VA. I made one wrong turn and we wound up in Old Town. The roads were super narrow. It took us over a hour to get out of there. We even came to a low clearance bridge we couldn't fit under. We wound up missing lunch and had a early dinner instead. Then we hit the road again. Again it was a Friday evening. It was dark and rainy. If that wasn't enough we were going through the mountains. Cars were flying past us. I was terrified! That night I learned the value of and how to properly use the engine brake. Lincoln says we have to unhook the car every six hours and drive it so the transmission doesn't overheat. I had hooked up the car wrong and the battery in the car was dead. The doors were locked and the keys were in the car. It was 11pm. We stayed the night in a parking lot and Lincoln got us in the car in the morning and gave us a jump start. I have never left the key in the car again. Lol!!! As we drove from Virginia into Tennessee it started snowing on us. Lol!! That first trip was a doosie! It was a 19 day trip and over all we had a blast! We went to a conference in Virginia, saw friends in Alabama, visited Tallahassee and came home. After that trip I definitely felt more confident driving the RV.

[tmacisback]

We are on our 10th RV. Our circumstances have changed since our first one. The first one involved space for our two sons.They have since matured and on they're own. Next came one for toting along the grandchildren. Now they are involved in school and no longer travel along with us. The current one we ordered is virtually designed for our specific needs.
Since our travels are 3 to 4 months out of the year we do not need a grandiose unit. We also find being married for 52 years has provided us with things that mutually benefit us.

I started flying with my dad at about 2 years old. He was a WWII pilot. He went on to commercial flying for the remainder of his carrier. What I find as a carry over from the aforementioned is the, CHECKLIST. I live by our checklist. I obtained my pilots license at age 17. I have check lists for so many things that acquaintances often times question me. As a side note, when spending times at the US Naval Base at Subic Bay, the price to rent their prop planes was almost free. Plus I was flight instructor which padded my E rating pay.

Love the CHECKLIST.
Happy trails to you via Roy Rogers and Dale Evens. We were married at their church named, The Church at the Chapel in Canyon.

[annek]

Ladies, don’t be afraid to get in there and get your hands dirty! Have learned a lot thru common sense and experimenting when my better half was not around! Have even come to the aid of neighbors who weren’t exactly handy!

[akwolf]

Yes #4 - have a checklist. A couple of years ago we were out for a weekend and the people staying next to us were leaving. We heard a massive crunching noise and walked over to see what had happened. They had left their awning out on their smaller class-A and had wrapped it around a tree. They hadn't had the unit for more than a month. The man was pissed, but not letting on. The wife was like, "well that's why you have insurance!".

[benryan]

Being retired means the clock no longer has hands on it, travel as such. “Everywhere to go and all year to get there “ that’s how we roll. 20, 000 miles last year with new coach and hoping to get going soon. Everyone of your tips were spot on . Especially, most importantly, traveling with someone you get along with. I travel with, not only is she my best friend she is my wife and my soul. I am blessed. May all your travels be adventurous and safe. Remember to “wash your hands” !

[marlys]

Lol!!! Am solo full timer who found her “perfect rig” right out of the gate....chose to buy 4 yr old rig after I had it PROFESSIONALLY inspected which also became my initial “todo” list and the dealer honored the negotiations without much pushback! I am staying put in Montana changing out bathroom fixtures (I am 6’2” female) found a space to install a custom bookcase and so stay in place is now tweaking the fun stuff while I wait to go back out!!!! the loop trip of relatives first...helped with the learning curve on the rig and then I got out truly solo to learn more....am taking the RV tech course from Mobile RV Academy to expand my problem solving capabilities!

[graceparsons]

We researched for 2 years before buying our RV. Started out wanting a big 5th wheel, then studied Airstreams, and finally settled on a Class A Newmar Mountain Air. It is a 2000 and has everything that was important to us. 3 years later we haven’t found another one that we like better.

[brianhynes]

Love that bonus tip about asking for help from other, more experienced travelers. You should also pay it forward if someone has done you a solid in your travels. :)

[davidkendall]

Don't leave home without a tire pressure monitoring system. That's a VERY important safety item.

[AngelaRPierce]

We are getting onto this because we want to live in different geological locations without having to move an entire house.

We hope to settle in different places until we need new scenery.

We hopefully will have the money and time to "do it all".

[leonardlipton]

Love the crazy wind hair- you guys are “Real” people and your videos are very instructive and valuable

[Gerry]

RVing for 48 years with my bride. Full time for one year and counting! Loving almost every minute!

[WillardsWithaView]

Great video as usual with a lot of great tips! Not sure if it was mentioned in another comment but just another tip/reminder especially for those with travel trailers- stabilizer jacks are NOT levelers. Do not use your stabilizer jacks to level your rig, you can cause damage to them as well as your rig. Leveling is a very important part of your setup and should be considered at each stop as operation of certain appliances depend on a level rig. They’re are multiple items you can and should use to level your rig from wood blocks to specialty made leveling devices. Whatever you choose to utilize just make sure you are safely leveling and chocking your home on wheels!

[tonyndebr]

Everyone has been so nice even in the pandemic. We went full time 6 weeks ago and our house is still on the market. This is such a crazy time. Your videos have helped immensely. Thank you for keeping things normal.

[arbonneladyTN]

Love your NAVY showing... “Shake down cruuse” ❤️
...Tip?.... Really good fire 🧯extinguishers. We have one on each end and one in the truck.
Many years ago we learned the hard way that the 🧯sold with our rig was crap!

[cmhighway]

No # 1 best thing anyone needs to know about RV ing.
DO NOT TELL ANYONE ANYTHING ABOUT HOW YOU RV.
YOUR PRIVACY IS YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
STAY PRIVATE.