Top 10 Beginner RV Mistakes (And How To AVOID Them!) || RV Living

These are our top 10 beginner RV mistakes! We're almost to our year mark with full time RV living and you better believe we've made some mistakes. We're giving you the chance to learn from our mistakes so you can avoid them in the future! Happy travels!

What are your RV beginner mistakes? Let us know in the comments!

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Who is Getaway Couple?
We're Rae and Jason! In July 2017, we downsized from a three bedroom house in Los Angeles to a 400 square foot fifth wheel to travel the United States. We've decided to document our journey from the beginning to show you the ups and downs of this lifestyle. It's been a tough start but definitely rewarding! Follow along to see what kind of adventures we get into.

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[miconn]

As a trucker, I thank for remembering and reminding others that we are on the clock. The biggest pet peeve is parking on the fuel island. If you are going to be in there longer than the time it takes to get your fuel receipt, please pull off the island and park in the lot.
Thanks!

[oxenforde]

Before you drive off, walk completely around the rig. Doors/windows closed. Hoses/cables disconnected and stowed. Nothing loose. Look in the campsite for things left behind. Look under the rig for anything hanging down. Obstacles blocking the rig. Trees. Obstructions on the ground.

[willthetrucker]

I'd recommend a Garmin or Rand McNally GPS in lieu of Co-Pilot. As a trucker, I can tell you that Co-Pilot is notoriously bad. I'd also recommend getting a full updated trucker atlas too. It will show you truck routes, low clearance and restricted roads. All National Forests have an Motor Vehicle Usage Map (MVUM) available to the public. That will show you where you can and can't go, as well as what type of camping is allowed for all areas inside the NF.

Lastly, tires. Get the 2lb sledge as a tire thumper and you'll know by the sound of the thump if there's a problem. A high pressure tire gauge is a good idea too. We check our tires at the beginning and end of every leg of every journey. Kinda like I do when I'm trucking. 10 minutes a day checking your truck and camper goes a long way.

[vegas]

As a truck driver, I approve this message and have 1000% respect for these guys..

[sportscardsdistributions]

Just an FYI on the electrical extension cord for outside hookup. I have a 50 amp 25ft extension. It is quite heavy and bulky. Most people just put it in a bulky box for storage. I bought a $5 5 gallon sturdy plastic with handle paint bucket and dual wrap spiral the extension inside it. It is easy to carry and when parked I leave it in the bucket and unwrap only the amount I need. keeping the bucket under my slideout and out of rain.

[steve_put_this_here]

The bad 1st time Newbie mistakes: 1) Not checking wheels/lug torques leaving, and at least once on the road. 2) Thinking that its a great idea to leave the grey/black water valves open when hooked up, and letting sewer gases into your rig. 3) Not learning the fast shower techniques while boondocking and burning through 3 days of water in 1 day. 4) Going RV'ing anywhere in the winter without a generator. 5) Having no tools to fix common RV repair issues 6) Thinking your (enter any small SUV make here) will effectively tow close to your vehicle's tow rating effectively on inclines at highway speeds, in 98 degree weather. 7) Thinking "potable" means you can hook your supply lines up directly to that gnarly faucet and expect pure alpine spring water. 8) Expecting the 'amazing' wifi coverage at the campground will satisfy your family's need for phone/video/social media because it's advertised on their website. 9) Not turning on the vent hood over your stove, and thinking the RV's air conditioning will keep up with yoru stove's BTU output. 10) Expecting the guy you're parked next to will, a) not be slightly detached from reality, b) not be noisy, c) clean up after his dog, d) keep his dog quiet at 3am, e) clean up his trash.

[johngoodell]

When packing up we always complete the task we are working on before starting anything else. Examples: when disconnecting the water hose, always disconnect everything, including the pressure reducer and filter, and put everything away before starting the next task. Same idea with the electrical cord. When stowing the camp chairs, make sure the storage door is shut and locked when you are done. When closing the door to the trailer, make sure the welcome mat is stowed, the steps are up, hand rail folded, and door is locked. In other words, don't do any of these tasks halfway. My wife does the inside tasks, and I do the outside. She has her own system for making sure everything is done inside before bringing in the slides. I think shared responsibilities are a formula for disaster. We both do a walk-around inspection looking high and low, including windows and antennas. Finally, and do a tail-light check.

[misschristine]

KNOW THE HEIGHT OF YOUR RIG!! Yes, The first time we rented an RV in Las Vegas, we drove through a covered patio area as we were leaving our car behind in the parking lot. I'll mention, it was a a little over 100 2 dogs and a cat. We ripped the air conditioner right off the top of the rig... had to spend the night in a hotel and buy the rental company a new air conditioner before we could leave on our trip. Great video!! You two are so cute.

[naknaksdadn]

Excellent tips guys! Write the height plus 6 inches onto your mirrors because the DOT might have added pavement and did not change the height signs. This could be costly! For travel trailers, lock the tongue hitch with a pad lock and the hitch on the truck with a locking pin. Do not assume there aren't pranksters out there that will unhitch your trailer while you are stopped for a rest somewhere. Also, always do a walk around each time you stop, check the hatches, doors and windows as well as your tires. We carry 25 extra gallons of fuel. Got caught in an area that just got hit by a storm and only one gas station was open. i pulled out the tanks, used a pump and filled up. Also extra propane tanks and always have them full. Pack up the day before the travel day so you aren't stressed out/worn out. Landing gear is it up, is it up, is it up? Stabilizers, are they up? Don't assume hubby or wife did it. My wife actually lowered the landing gear when i assumed it was up and i dug a ditch in the dirt road for a few feet. i got out and pretended to be planting seeds into it. Had the grounds keepers falling out of their mowers. We actually shower up and hook up and stow the stinky slinky just before bed so we are ready to pull in the slides and get going rested early in the morning. Food shopping is also done the day before. With families traveling with kids (like ourselves) Plan frequent rest stops. We are in no hurry to move along (full time) so we do not travel more than 250 miles/ 5 hours/ day. Just our 2 cents, hope we helped.

[WanderinPat]

carry at least ONE FIRE EXTINGUISHER.... and make sure it's operational.

[oxenforde]

Hoses still connected when you drive off. Not that I did that once. Which was extremely embarrassing. Not me. Never happened. EVER. Didn't.

[BobWright]

Turn off your outdoor speakers, before watching a "Non Family Friendly" movie!!

[frankgioia]

Use a dry marker and write the height by the driver side windshield so you can easily compare it to signs.
Actually add 2 or 3 inches to it.
A little wiggle room in the event that there was an error made, especially when repaving is done under the bridge.

[robertd]

I went out to check on my new camper a few days after I put it in storage. I opened the vent in the living room and . . . left it that way. To my incredible good fortune, the neighbor of a friend who helped me learn about RV's also had an RV in storage there, texted a pic to my friend, who then told me so I could go close it. The second I got back, I began 3 checklists - one for leaving it in storage, one for setting up camp, and one for breaking camp. I dutifully use those lists like I'm about to pilot a full 747.

[ericvisser]

The issue with 30amp vs 50amp is if you use too much power (watts not volts), then you will trip the breaker on the post outside because too much current (>30 amps was demanded). The issue is not voltage. RVs can have both fuses (12 volt DC side) and circuit breakers (120 volt AC side). GFCI means Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. These are outlets which can send excess electricity to the ground wire in the event of a short and offer additional protection on top of circuit breakers. GFCIs are located near sinks. People commonly trip GFCIs by plugging in items that pull too much power from a single plug (toaster and electric frying pan will sometimes cause it to trip)

[kevinsigler]

#2, after you measure your height I recommend writing it down in front of your face in the cab. (was it 14'-13" or 13'-14"?)

[jamesharoldsmith]

Hey guys! As a life long RV’r ... and a professional RV Sales and Service provider who worked at one of the Southeast’s most reputable RV dealerships... I say “Hats off to you both!” Great job on the video. Your oh so correct in that most everything you mentioned is going to happen to you at some point. No doubt there will be the lucky ones that haven’t encountered any of these issues yet. ( they’ll have their day, lol) The key to understanding your RV and some of the issues that you WILL encounter will make the difference between a GREAT TRIP ... and a MISERABLE TRIP! Great job! Thanks for the posting!

[northerniggy]

A few extra you might want to add to the list:
Pack extra electrical fuses... particularly if you run a generator. The 40 amp fuses can be tricky to get, so hit-up an RV dealer before you leave (if your box uses them).
Wood blocks... for leveling. 2x6 wide works great for most.
30 to 15 or 50 to 15 adapters, leave them in your trailer, you might not make it to your intended destination, and not all parks have the full range of power outlets.
Duct tape, electrical tape.
Roof Vent Covers... they should be standard on all RV's, but they are not. When it rains, you'll understand!
Fold-away dirty laundry bags.
Garbage cans... two.. one for garbage, one for pop/water bottles. They add up quick.
Screws, various lengths, and a screwdriver or drill/bits to use them. Things get loose (valances, etc).
Sewer line extensions. Sewer line supports (sloped is best). Nothing like having hookups and not being able to reach them either!

[openskies]

Fairly new to RVing ourselves but I have three memories from doing it with my parents and we managed to repeat the same mistakes in slightly alter forms that made us refer to them as "The Three Curses." I'll share my post but you've given me inspiration for a video. Completed the #4 Elliott RV Curse: mosquitoes. History lesson: somewhere in Nebraska, the RV's air conditioner wouldn't work, so we had to open windows only to find there were no screens and the rig quickly filled with mosquitoes. So, last night, we forgot to close the passenger window after using it to help D positon the RV in its spot. All night, we were killing oversized - but not Daddy mosquitoes. We were calling then Covid mosquitoes and wondering which sign of the apocalypse they were. About 6AM, the boys woke to hear a kitten mewing outside and found Popeaux (an inside only cat) had escaped through said window and wanted back INSIDE! #openskies

[richardweitzel]

Great video and love your sense of humor! I would add three additional mistakes. (1) Not knowing how to properly hook up the trailer to the tow vehicle; (2) Not practicing backing up techniques with your partner. I have found from personal experience that some folks are better than others with hand signals. Now my 10 year old grand-daughter helps me flawlessly! ; (3) start the fridge up several days ahead of time to get it precooled and make sure that it is working!