Originally Posted by TurnerFam
My advice for 'new' buyers is to IMMEDIATELY make good use of their RV, even if it's just in their own driveway. Don't plug in right away, don't hook up to pressurized water right away, and don't give yourself use of your home when you 'need' something...in other words, go somewhere or park in the driveway and make use of EVERYTHING you can possibly think of within that RV without being 'hooked up' or access to anything you might have 'forgot'.
This learning 'tool' will quickly give you a 'hard to forget' list of things, systems, and items that you need to always be aware of, learn how to use, and make sure not to 'forget' to bring. Toilet paper is a big one : )
Then, and only then, hook up to shore power, or run your generator, and learn what is now available that wasn't to start with, such as Air Conditioning! (or elec water heater). Find out if you can run everything at the SAME TIME, (or not!)... and what the limitations are(tripping breakers!).
Then hook up to pressurized/spigot city water. Turn your water pump off and see if everything still 'works', as it should.
Then, find a plumbing 'dump station' for your tanks, sometimes you'll have one next to your own home, or a business, or a local campground might let you 'test' your skills. Pull the gray first(if you have any 'leaks', this is the 'preferred' way to find out!), then close it before it's finished, and pull your BLACK tank release, when you hear it 'swoosh' toward the end, you can then pull the gray release again to 'wash out' the hose. Also, having a clear adapter between your hose and the sewer outlet is a great way to 'see' when each tank is finished.
You'll quickly gauge the issues, if any, that you need the dealer or the factory to take care of well in advance of running out of warranty time.
If you purchase an RV and don't use for an extended period to start with, you're asking for a lot of issues. Make use of it, have a 'weekend' outing in the driveway, even.
Some of us have learned an important lesson: go ahead and call your manufacturer's customer service and have them schedule you for warranty service in 9 months. You can already plan for things to go wrong and have them 'right' those wrongs, AT the factory or factory service center. Make a trip of it. Plan it now.
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