by
Phil Rowe (08/98)
Okay. So you've just purchased your first recreational vehicle, a like-new travel trailer to pull behind your spiffy new pickup truck. You've taken the financial plunge, are convinced that you bought the perfect rig and got a darn good price. You can't wait to take that first trip and enjoy the thrill of seeing America "up close and personal".
You're anxious to travel the "blue highways", those secondary roads to interesting off-the-beaten path destinations. You're ready and raring' to go. Are you really? Is your enthusiasm too far in front of your knowledge and ability? Are you sure you know what you are doing and what's ahead? Maybe it's time to think about what you're about to do. Perhaps it's worthwhile to consider some basics, before you hit the road ... or something else.
You're probably saying, "I don't need this. I've been driving cars and even trucks for years. I know what I'm doing." Again, I say ... are you sure? RV-ing is not the same as commuting to work or those past automobile trips to the lake or mountain resorts. If you really are new at all of this, let's consider some of what's ahead. Unless you are one of the lucky few who really got a thorough orientation from the dealer or individual who sold you that recreational vehicle, you may only have a vague idea about what you've got.
Did you get some hands-on coaching and practice operating all of the vehicle's systems and components? Did you actually practice hitching up, unhitching and activating all of the vehicle's elements? And do you know how to perform routine chores like filling and emptying tanks, switching from gas to electric, or leveling the unit on an uneven site? If you did get that kind of starting-out coaching, congratulations. You are probably close to ready for the road.
Did your RV come with an Owner's Manual? Does it take you through the procedures for getting ready for travel? And what about setting up in campgrounds? Do you know what to expect out there in terms of utility hookups? Have you ever actually emptied a holding tank? And do you know the difference between gray water and black water? Do you know how to winterize and store your expensive vehicle? What about servicing the various systems?
It's really much better to know all of this stuff before you are on the highway. Discovering that you don't know what to do when you are 300 miles from home can be pretty frustrating. I actually met a fellow in an Oregon campground one day who felt he had to turn around and go home because he ran out of fresh water and didn't know how to replenish his supply. And he had a great big brand new motorhome that must have set him back 100 grand or more. Boy, did his dealer drop the ball.
Just how much stuff do you have to know? You want to know how to use your rig, not build one. So, what's the best way to go about it?
Well, there may be more than one "best" way to learn and follow all of the procedures you should know. I strongly suggest the use of a checklist, the kind that not only itemizes necessary actions in proper sequence but also indicates the correct responses. Perhaps that's because my background is aviation and safe flyers always use checklists. Several checklists may be appropriate, for instance one for hitching up, another for last-minute items before starting down the road, and others for routine procedures to be followed upon arrival at a campground. And we've always found it useful to refer to a checklist for loading up the RV, to make sure we brought the things needed.
You might be surprised to learn that the very process of developing and verifying your checklists will put you well up on the learning curve toward becoming a better, safer and much less frustrated RV-er. And don't be timid about asking old hands about their checklists, suggestions and advice. Campers are generally very helpful and anxious to offer suggestions. So don't be too proud to ask for the knowledge and experience of others. You will probably want to pick and choose from the tips provided, tailoring the input from several sources to meet your own specific needs and preferences.