A Few Great Tips for First Time RV Owners

Welcome to the exciting world of RV Vacationing! Your new camper is your ticket to a lot of new adventures, and the best way to see our great nation with your family! You certainly have plenty of things you'll need to learn quickly, but it’s a lot easier than you think! Seasoned RVers are never shy to dispense quality advice, and there are also tons of blogs, message boards and YouTube channels available on any RV camping subject that you can imagine. Be sure to also wander over to your neighboring campsites and meet your “extended family.” Here are a few tips from our family at The RV Guys in Valley View, Texas to help you get started. We’re your North Texas RV headquarters, and we love to help our customers find their first RV!

Get Familiar With Your RV’s Features

It might not occur to you to spend the first few nights camping in your own driveway, but it’s a great way to get ready for the main event! Your appliances will work more or less the same as they do at home, but you’ll often need to learn how to prepare meals in a smaller kitchen. The bathroom toilet is slightly different, and you’re definitely going to want to understand how to manage solid waste and odors. You'll also need to learn the procedures for dumping and cleaning your holding tanks. Your owner’s manual isn’t a very exciting read, but you should at least take the time to see how it’s organized in case you need to troubleshoot or replace a part.

Practice Towing Your Trailer

Pulling a trailer presents a unique set of challenges. No matter how experienced you are at towing, you have to get accustomed to the trailer’s sway and be ready to respond to wind and traffic conditions on the fly. There’s also a bit of a learning curve when it comes to turning and backing a trailer. Take your RV to the parking lot where you taught your kids to parallel park, set up some orange cones and get a little practice before your trip! 

Pack Wisely

Even seasoned RV vacationers still tend to overpack for long trips, but carrying too much gear can make cramped quarters get even smaller in a hurry. Prepare a checklist for each trip and eliminate as much redundancy as possible. Keep in mind that there are usually also plenty of stores in the places you’ll be traveling! 

For more information and to see our current inventory of RVs for sale, visit The RV Guys in Valley View, Texas, serving North Texas.