Setting out for the first time on a camping trip with your new RV can be an intimidating experience. What if you can’t figure out how to turn on the water heater?  How do you empty the gray and black water tanks? What if you can’t get it backed in to your camp site? Never fear. We’ve got 10 tips here to help you navigate that first RV trip with ease!

  1. Make sure to take notes and maybe even take some pictures on your phone during your RV orientation walk-through. You’ll be given a lot of information here, and we know from experience that you won’t remember it all! Ask any questions; there are no stupid ones! This will be your first introduction to your RV and the service member walking you through it knows it inside and out. Finally, they’re available to answer any and all questions or concerns you have about heading off on your first RV trip.
  2. Make a checklist. There are several RV Travel Checklists available online, so you can always start with one of these and then modify it to suit your own needs.  Items you’ll definitely need include levelers for your camper, a level to make sure everything actual IS level, water hoses and regulators, latex gloves to wear when emptying your black tank, a small toolkit with basics in it like screwdrivers, a hammer, a wrench, etc., a charger for your phone (because if you have cell service sometimes being able to “Google” the problem is the easiest way), your power cord, and wheel chocks.
  3. Pick a campground that’s not too far from home. We recommend choosing a campground that’s fairly close to home for several reasons: first, if this is your first time towing an RV, visiting a campground that is only a few hours away can alleviate some stress.  Next, if something DOES go wrong (and we’re sure it won’t), it will be nice to know you aren’t too far from your local dealer.
  4. Choose a campground with amenities. On your first RV trip, you’re going to want to try out all that your RV has to offer, so for your first trip choose a campground with electrical hookups and with water available. Also, the other advantage of a campground like this is that they will most likely have larger sites for backing your RV in, and will probably have some pull-through sites as well. If you’re nervous about backing in that RV, a pull-through site is a great option to have!
  5. Plan time to explore your RV. Make this at least a weekend trip with enough time to explore all that your new RV has to offer. You’ll want time to get everything set up and organized, enjoy the stereo system, test the hot water heater, and enjoy sitting under that nice awning!

If you have any questions about taking your RV out for its inaugural run, give us a call at (970) 245-1305 and we’ll be happy to help you out!