What to avoid

[JeffD2323]

Well…… here we go, we are taking our first trip this weekend and YES we will be letting you guys know how it all works out for us. Are there any things we need to avoid or tips to going out for the very first time…

[sfranklin]

Originally Posted by JeffD2323

Well…… here we go, we are taking our first trip this weekend and YES we will be letting you guys know how it all works out for us. Are there any things we need to avoid or tips to going out for the very first time…

It will be a bit unnerving when the semis pass you or very large trucks, but you'll get familiar pretty quickly. Slow and steady wins the race, and just be ready for anything. Semis, other drivers, they sometime can act without thinking.

Don't park under trees with acorns or nuts in fall, unless you happen to like small dings in the body.

Tire pressures, tire, pressures, tire pressures.

I'm sure I'm missing a good number of things, but get out there, have fun and you'll pick up a lot as you go and for the rest, there is the forum to ask.

[Hans627]

Some more detail on what kind of trip you are taking may help in giving specific info. For how long? How many miles will you be driving? What kind of camping spot?

Read the manuals that came with your AS. Become familiar with the systems.

After that I would suggest you make a checklist for setting up and tearing down at a campsite.

And take your time. Some of my worst mistakes came from being in a hurry.

Enjoy!

[Rich Jenkins]

When backing up the trailer, turn the BOTTOM of the steering wheel in the direction you want the rear of the trailer to go.

We use "DRIVER SIDE" and "PASSENGER SIDE", not right or left. We also have a pair of walkie talkies, they help immensely. Get a few inexpensive orange kid's soccer cones, and use them down the "line" of where you want the trailer to end up. I find the cones make a very helpful visual aide when backing in to a spot, especially if you are in a wooded area or a clearing. Below is our campsite at Lake Tahoe, a few years ago, for example.

Good luck! Have fun. Let us know how it goes.

[Bubba L]

I’m sure y’all are excited and looking forward to the maiden voyage. Don’t know what direction you’re headed and for how long, but it is really hot here in Texas. Take a pad for notes on what you need for the next trip. It is helpful to have a TPMS for the trailer tires. Ours has helped us several times. With this heat the tire pressure will be a bit higher. Take your time and get used to the trailer. Good luck

[GetawA-S]

We avoid fueling up with the trailer attached. Drive a reasonable distance, set up, and send the driver off for fuel and anything else needed short term, or fuel up while doing attractions.
We also look UP while backing in, navigating tree lined roads, and taking down camp (awning latches!). Happy travels!

[Rich Jenkins]

Ooooo...Checklists! I love checklists. I'm a bit absent minded, and use ours constantly. It has evolved over the years.

I like the concept of "Pilot" and "Copilot" for assignments, vs. who's doing the check. So mine has "P" and "C/P". I used to work in Aviation training, so it's tailored to that kind of mindset; just a reminder of the environment I was in.

Here's my most recent one I updated after our July trip to get an idea of what can go in to one, just text copy/paste because my formatting may not xfer from my word tool to the forum.

Hope this helps!

ARRIVAL CHECKLIST
□ Site survey – ORANGE MARKER CONES PLACED (P/C)
□ Back in – RV ALIGNED ALONG MARKER CONES (P/C)
□ Level – LEFT / RIGHT *WITH LEVEL (P/C)
□ Chocks – INSERTED (P/C)
□ Electrical – POWER CABLE ATTACHED, AC ON (P)
□ Hitch – UNHITCHED (P)
□ Level – FRONT / BACK *WITH LEVEL (P/C)
□ Water: Filter, Hoses – ATTACHED (P)
□ Sewer – ATTACHED (P)
□ Stabilizing Jacks – LOWERED (P)
□ Starlink – ANTENNA DEPLOYED / DISH ALIGNED (P)
□ Wheel Covers – INSTALLED (P)


PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST
□ Gray and Black Tank – CLEANED AND DISCHARGED (P)
□ Fresh Water Tank – CHECKED (P)
□ Trash – COLLECTED AND READY FOR DROP (C)
□ Laundry – LAUNDRY IN BATHROOM (C)
□ Bathroom / Shower – CLEANED / DISINFECTED (C)
□ Fridge – SET FOR TRAVEL (C)

PRE-TAXI CHECKLIST - CABIN
□ Drawers / Cabinets / Blinds – LATCHED AND SECURED (C)
□ Shower / Bathroom Mirror – CLOSED AND SECURED (C)
□ TV – LATCHED / LOCKED (C)
□ Fans – LOWERED AND OFF, INSERTS IN PLACE (C)
□ Water Pump / Inverter – SWITCHED OFF (C)

PRE-TAXI CHECKLIST – EXTERNAL WALK AROUND
□ Awnings, Wheel Covers – LATCHED / STOWED (P)
□ Power and Water – DISCONNECTED AND STOWED (P)
□ External Compartments – CLOSED / LOCKED (P)
□ Stabilizing Jacks – RAISED (P/C)

READY FOR MAIN ENGINE START
□ Coupler / W/D Bars – L-RETAINING PINS ON (P/C)
□ Chains / 7-way / Breakaway – ATTACHED (P/C)
□ Chocks / Leveling Blocks – REMOVED AND STORED (P/C)
□ Campsite Last Visual Walkaround – COMPLETE (P/C)

DEPARTURE TAXIWAY
□ Tow/Haul, Parking Lights – ON (P)
□ Backup Camera, Trailer Lights - CHECKED (P/C)
□ Trailer Brake/Gain - TESTED (P)

CHECKLIST COMPLETE / CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF

[GOUSC]

As said, Checklists / checklists / checklists.

For me, don’t overthink it. Go on your trip to figure out how YOU use it and make the list of the things you need.

No matter where you camp it can alway be hotter or colder than you expect and have clothes/ sleepware / blankets for both.

For the current trip we are on I forgot my deodorant and while in travel mode couldn’t find any for 3 days. You will always forget something…trust me, so don’t worry about it.

Enjoy your trip!

[az-streamer]

As you travel, and while camped, you will quickly find out that there are things you should have brought (like extra batteries) or should have done before leaving (turn off water heater).

We carry notepads so we can not down these things as we think of them.

Trying to remember these things while driving and then writing them down later usually doesn't work.
At least not for us.

You might want to jot this down now before you go to the next post.

Happy Travels,

[kb0zke]

Jeff, how did it go?

[SuperTrouper]

The only thing I'd add to Rich's departure checklist is "windows latched" (looking from outside). Two other high level things: When walking around arrival or departure, "look up, look down, look all around" and "chocks first, chocks last"

[jeffmc306]

I don’t remember where I found this; cannot take credit for it.

The reference to the antenna does date it a little bit

[kb0zke]

Jeff, we saw a similar sign at the ABQ KOA.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

I don’t remember where I found this; cannot take credit for it.

The reference to the antenna does date it a little bit

Hi

You very much do *not* want to know just how long the story associated with item 3 on that sign (wife in) got retold in our family ... Dad driving the class A down the road with mom chasing him riding in the cab of a semi

Bob

[3OnOurWay]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

You very much do *not* want to know just how long the story associated with item 3 on that sign (wife in) got retold in our family ... Dad driving the class A down the road with mom chasing him riding in the cab of a semi

Bob

You have to share….

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by 3OnOurWay

You have to share….

Hi

Pretty basic story:

They pulled over to get fuel at a rest area. Dad put in the billion gallons the tank needed. Mom headed over to get some snacks.

Dad got back in and *assumed* the snack run was complete and pulled out. There was seating "in the back" and they often used it. Indeed in that day and age, I can remember sleeping back there while in motion.

Mom was almost back to the RV when he took off.

A semi driver saw the whole thing happen. His comment: "I've never seen anything like that before".

He offered to help and they set off down the interstate. After some period of flashing headlights ( that period got longer and longer as the story was re-told) they got back together at a pull over.

Bob

[jeffmc306]

Great story Bob! Thanks for sharing

I was laughing as I read it and can’t imagine the exchange of words between your mom and dad afterwards! And that was many years before the National Lampoon’s Vacation movie.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Rich Jenkins

Ooooo...Checklists! I love checklists. I'm a bit absent minded, and use ours constantly. It has evolved over the years.

I like the concept of "Pilot" and "Copilot" for assignments, vs. who's doing the check. So mine has "P" and "C/P". I used to work in Aviation training, so it's tailored to that kind of mindset; just a reminder of the environment I was in.

Here's my most recent one I updated after our July trip to get an idea of what can go in to one, just text copy/paste because my formatting may not xfer from my word tool to the forum.

Hope this helps!

ARRIVAL CHECKLIST
□ Site survey – ORANGE MARKER CONES PLACED (P/C)
□ Back in – RV ALIGNED ALONG MARKER CONES (P/C)
□ Level – LEFT / RIGHT *WITH LEVEL (P/C)
□ Chocks – INSERTED (P/C)
□ Electrical – POWER CABLE ATTACHED, AC ON (P)
□ Hitch – UNHITCHED (P)
□ Level – FRONT / BACK *WITH LEVEL (P/C)
□ Water: Filter, Hoses – ATTACHED (P)
□ Sewer – ATTACHED (P)
□ Stabilizing Jacks – LOWERED (P)
□ Starlink – ANTENNA DEPLOYED / DISH ALIGNED (P)
□ Wheel Covers – INSTALLED (P)


PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST
□ Gray and Black Tank – CLEANED AND DISCHARGED (P)
□ Fresh Water Tank – CHECKED (P)
□ Trash – COLLECTED AND READY FOR DROP (C)
□ Laundry – LAUNDRY IN BATHROOM (C)
□ Bathroom / Shower – CLEANED / DISINFECTED (C)
□ Fridge – SET FOR TRAVEL (C)

PRE-TAXI CHECKLIST - CABIN
□ Drawers / Cabinets / Blinds – LATCHED AND SECURED (C)
□ Shower / Bathroom Mirror – CLOSED AND SECURED (C)
□ TV – LATCHED / LOCKED (C)
□ Fans – LOWERED AND OFF, INSERTS IN PLACE (C)
□ Water Pump / Inverter – SWITCHED OFF (C)

PRE-TAXI CHECKLIST – EXTERNAL WALK AROUND
□ Awnings, Wheel Covers – LATCHED / STOWED (P)
□ Power and Water – DISCONNECTED AND STOWED (P)
□ External Compartments – CLOSED / LOCKED (P)
□ Stabilizing Jacks – RAISED (P/C)

READY FOR MAIN ENGINE START
□ Coupler / W/D Bars – L-RETAINING PINS ON (P/C)
□ Chains / 7-way / Breakaway – ATTACHED (P/C)
□ Chocks / Leveling Blocks – REMOVED AND STORED (P/C)
□ Campsite Last Visual Walkaround – COMPLETE (P/C)

DEPARTURE TAXIWAY
□ Tow/Haul, Parking Lights – ON (P)
□ Backup Camera, Trailer Lights - CHECKED (P/C)
□ Trailer Brake/Gain - TESTED (P)

CHECKLIST COMPLETE / CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF

Don't forget to make sure your wife and any "other" passengers you may have, are inside before pulling out! Same for when stopping at a rest area...you would be surprised to learn how many folks take off without checking everyone is back inside!

[kb0zke]

Many years ago we were told, by the man himself, how he drove off from the campground minus one child. They had six children and an eight-seat station wagon. After all the gear was loaded they started loading the children. They counted each child as he or she got into the car. When the last one was in they took off. Unbeknownst to them, one of the children decided he needed to go to the restroom, so he got out on the other side of the car. A few miles down the road, one of the kids in the back of the car asked if he could move to the middle seat. "Is there room?" "Yes." "Then go ahead."


Wait a minute! There shouldn't be room! A quick headcount and back to the campground they went. The missing child was waiting at the campsite. "I knew you'd be back for me." Dad didn't want to talk about the conversation in the car that immediately followed.

[Deholden]

After reading about leaving the wife behind it made me smile as I thought about a story when my mom and dad picked up a new rv. As they traveled down the highway in their new class A mom decided it was a great chance to use the restroom. Unfortunately as she went it she then found that the door somehow latched and she found herself locked in. Couple this with the fact that dad wore hearing aides but apparently not tuned in that day so he could not hear her knocking or calling out from the back. He assumed she decided to take an opportunity to make a sandwich or lay down for a nap. Fast forward an hour plus later he decided to stop for a break and found out she was locked in the restroom. The upside she had read just about all the warranty packet that was in the cabinet and was a real expert on all the restroom fixtures. From that point forward they never traveled without at least a paperback handy in the restroom! They are both gone now but thanks for letting me tell their story!