5 Signs You're An RV BEGINNER

Sometimes when you see an RVer in a campground - you just can tell that they're a beginner, it's practically written all over them! In this video we want to show you 5 mistakes, which are signs of a new inexperienced camper. But we'll not only show you these beginner RVing mistakes - we’ll also show you the way to correct them, just in case you need it!

Campground Review Videos mentioned in this video

Here are the examples of stuff we mentioned in the video for your reference

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[zenderxt]

Conversely to seasoned campers, the number of times I see people trying to back into their site and someone quickly runs over to "try" and help, just don't it's incredibly stressful and frankly irritating. People will ask for help if they need it. I once watched a husband and wife backing in their trailer and they didn't even finish the first attempt before someone walked across and practically dismissed the wife and started barking orders on backing in. When told to leave the guy was extremely upset that his help wasn't wanted.

[dave]

I make it a point to never bother someone setting up or getting ready to leave. But, I was taking my daily walk and spotted some new folks with a 5th wheel trying to get it unhooked from the truck. I finished my walk and they were still trying to get it unhooked and I finally went over to help. They were on just a little bit of a slope and I could tell from across the campground they had some tension on the jaws in the hitch. I went over just as nice and friendly as I could and the husband was an unhappy camper and very frustrated. I suggested very nicely to chock the tires on the camper and let the truck roll back a little to free up the jaws and he wasn't exactly cooperative, but his wife was! She threw a block behind the back wheels and told him to back up the truck and he reluctantly did and I reached over and pulled the handle and unhooked it. He was a little better after that and I think his wife wanted to kiss me! I told them it was good to have an ol guy around once in a while.

[RosannasFamilyZannazone_family]

We've been RVing for a while and THANKFULLY we didn't run into very many judgemental people during our first year.

[SuperSushidog]

We've been living in our motorhome full-time for the last 4 1/2 years, boondocking most of the time. We try to avoid RV parks and campgrounds whenever we can. While it is true that one should always keep their rear tires are on the ground for stability, quite often the most beautiful wilderness camping spot is so unlevel that we must lift our front tires slightly off the ground to get her level. This will not hurt our motorhome. In fact, it is desirable to do so, so that the frame doesn't twist when leveling the motorhome side to side. The front jacks are connected so that the hydraulic fluid can flow between them, while the rear jacks operate independently to level the RV from side to side. But if the front end is on the ground and you lift one rear jack to level the RV, to keep the fridge and slide working properly, it can twist the frame causing the windshield to pop out or crack. I saw a neighbor's windshield do just that when he used his jacks incorrectly - an expensive mistake. Sure, if they are more than an inch or so off the ground it only makes sense to put some leveling blocks under them after the motorhome is properly level, for safety's sake. Just remember to remove them before you drive off, so you don't damage your RV.

[patriciabandeko]

When you're new at ANYTHING it's always good to pick the brains of folks with experience. They're like walking encyclopedias.

[maxwelljrdn]

I’ve owned two motorhomes, two bumper pulls, a fifth wheel, and now I’ve downsized to a truck camper just for simplicity. But still amazing how people see a restored 43yo truck camper in the bed of a 25yo truck, with a 32yo single guy driving/setting up and automatically assume I’m a beginner. I’ve lived in campers long term as well, nothing is really new to me. But those few things that are obvious of a rookie;

-Using the cheap blue sewage hose the unit comes with
-using a green garden hose for running water
-with a travel trailer, the weight distribution hitch is mis adjusted and the unit is bowed on the tongue
-takes them more than 5 mins to dump the holding tanks (clogged with excess paper)
-using charcoal or matches to light the campfire
-they don’t store any outdoor gear in totes
-awning is out during rain
-if class C rv using a tarp or blanket to cover the cab windows/windshield
-children screaming and running around wreck less like they would at home (a park or manager has never confronted them before)
-leaving trash bags at the campsite when leaving

Those are my picks for beginners

[nightranger]

The real pro is the guy who can dump hundreds of gallons of gray water every night and not get caught
😂😂😂

[NitinC]

The RVs in those RV parks are so close together. It’s almost like living in a parking lot. I don’t see the point of going there.

[piushorning]

I have been RV'ing since the 60's and I still act like a beginner. I went to bed one night and forgot to take inthe awning and almost lost it, got up and took it in while in my skivvies, never again. I also was dumping my tanks in Yuma one year and forgot to close them. fortunately we had a bathroom in a small building at the lot we were staying in so we dumped two bottles of digestor into th eholding tank and let it set for a few days. we got it cleaned out but never did that again. I've done other stupid things but nothing to damage my rig. I just get forgetful at times

[dhillman]

Worst beginner mistake using auto level with rig still hooked to tow vehicle and lifting it as well. For leveling, Anderson leveling blocks are the easiest and act as tire stops too. We sometimes use them before auto level to prevent tires from being off thr ground. I always plug in surge protector and check power with indicator lights before plugging in rig, I have found bad grounds and had to move a couple times.

[kerrischuh]

I’m a newbie but even I know all tires need to be on the ground. We saw an expensive class A RV with their front tires close to a foot off the ground. I was surprised they didn’t see how much damage that could do to their expensive RV.

[joyfulhomemaker]

I’m seasoned and guilty leaving the awning out… I went 30 min away to visit my brother and could SEE a storm in the distance and my family in town by my RV started texting me because there was a tornado near my rig!
Shockingly, my awning was fine… the whole campground was seemingly untouched

[norme]

The "rookie rug" that 8'x12' rug on grass for two weeks kills the grass and leaves a muddy pit for the rest of the year for others to cuss about. Personally I think they should be banned, but if you insist, pick your "rookie rug" up and give the grass some sun a few times a week.

[gobysky]

We bought a high quality Progressive Industries surge protector. Much more than just surge. Protects from under voltage and reversed polarity. Well worth the money. Saved us a couple of times. Additionally, when we back into a tight campsite, I put my phone on speaker phone with my wife while she stands behind the camper and guides me in. Works great. And finally, always use a pressure regulator on your city water connection, which is a must have protector against blown internal water lines.

[brianbyrd]

My experiance was a campground in Tn. Pulled up to my spot an had to figure out if i was wrong or what pulled in like everyone else was but my neighbor they came in wrong way an hooked up to my hookups went to camper nobody there went to office an they tried to call them no luck so campground moved me to a another site.

[steverus]

Always ues a 90 fitting at the hose connection to the RV. Keeps stress off the water connector.

[Lee-yylr]

Everyone has to learn somehow.
Forgetting things probably the biggest beginner mistakes.

[joyfulhomemaker]

Tires off the ground… I’m shocked to discover that some people don’t know that their STABILIZING jacks are NOT leveling jacks! If I find a window to say something, I do. It could seriously cost them so much damage

[davidgulfstream]

Huntsville Space RV park was a great stop! Just note, the campground is now closed for good. The last night of camping was Dec 30, 2023. SpaceCamp is expanding, so they closed the Campground.

[birdmanrobertlabodajr.]

I’ll tell you the one thing I do I watch the weather always watch the weather when you know things are going in and out and flying around. That’s one thing I do watch whenever the weather is windy. I don’t leave my awning out and you can strap it down, but I would never leave it out during your windstorm. I’ve seen many tore off, literally tore off while someone’s camping with that and then where the hell my thing go left off because that’s a very big fix. I’m thinking that we’re gonna be a $900 fix with parts and labor not if you don’t have that money. why do you have CamperTravel fifth wheel motorhome things happen expect the unexpected