Congratulations on your new toy! All of the above posts are good advice. I would add:
1. If you or your wife are the least bit wary of driving the rig, there are plenty of driving schools out there at a reasonable cost. Otherwise, you will continue to get more comfortable the more miles you put on it and see what it feels like under real highway conditions.
2. Make WallyWorld your friend for a lot of your "goodies". Most stores have an RV section in or near the automotive section.
3. Start a series of scrapbooks of your adventures.
4. Join a couple camping clubs and enjoy life.
5. Don't hesitate to post here. This forum is great if you have any questions...don't be afraid to ask and ignore those who are negative. Most of us have been RVrs for years and are only too happy to give you our two cents worth.
6. Don't forget to make a list of things to do before you move your rig after setting up camp. Put down antenna, check tire pressure, awnings in and locked etc.
7. Watch the movie RV.....
8. Finally, remember to look up, branches love the tops of mohos, and watch the overhang from the rear wheels. Too sharp a turn could allow that post to bite the rear of your new coach.
I'd reinforece the comment from Dennis on going to a driving school. Lazydays has a half-day one that they don't usually charge for if they think you may be a customer.... Also they will give you a certificate for a couple of free nights in their park. MAKE SURE YOU BOTH TAKE IT!
The big things it teaches you is how to know where you are on the road. How to put a dot on the windshield to line up with the yellow line so that your wheels are tight to the line - same for white line - how to check how far your back corners swing over the line when you turn - where to start turning when going around a corner so your back wheels don't go over the curb - how far ahead you need to be looking to stop in time - when to turn when backing into a campsite.
The only other advice I can give is whether on this forum or in a campground or a Wal-Mart, RV'ers love to help. I've never met one who didn't. All you have to do is ask. The only time to not accept is when it comes to backing directions. Then you should only listen to your partner or one of your kids, but even your kids are a judgement call! At your age that will wait a few years, I guess.
Agrnbrt wrote: Simple... please learn to drive it in your neighborhood before going out on the roads. Nothing personal. But I am tired of newbees that go out and buy something too big for their britches just cause they have the money. They tend to endanger others on the road because they have no clue about just what they have under their control. Or in so many
cases, lack there of. See I worry when someone with no experince towing something jumps into a big rig of some kind. I tend to have more respect for those who have gone up the ladder so to speak. i.e.: pop up,trailer, 5er or MH of some type. Remember this. That rig is somewhere around 18k to 21k lbs. It don't handle like your SUV and it sure as heck don't stop on a dime.
Just my opinion, but you did ask.
Yeah, I hear you on the experience part.
The largest thing I have experience in is a 24 foot 18,000 pound GVWR U-haul powered by the same Ford V10 as the RV we're buying. But I kept it on I40 between North Carolina and Tennessee since interstate twisties, declines, and inclines are always easy (unlike highways and local roads where they may not be). Just a 700 mile drive pulling the same minivan I'll pull behind the new RV.
This RV is at nearly 36 foot with a 22,000 pound GVWR, so I don't really count previous experience in that loaded U-haul as nearly enough experience, but its a start.
2008 Chevy 3500HD Big Dooley Crew Cab Long Box LTZ 4x4
Duramax 6.6 liter diesel, Allison 6-speed automatic transmission
Congrats & Enjoy, That model is similar to our 34B.
Best of luck & don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions. The PDI is a service you are paying for, so take as much time as you need & bring a notebook to write down everything that you are not familiar with for future reference.
Have a Blast... "Life is Good"
Congrats! The first thing I messed up on was I didn't do a dry run on connecting all the sewer hoses together. Turns out some would not connect to the other, and some that did were too short. Nothing like doing this in the dark after a long driving day. Get one of those LED lights you put on your head or one built into a ball cap. They look dorky, but they sure work when it's a no moon night. Have fun and relax.
Dan and Cindy FMCA# 402249
2002 Itaska Suncruiser 37ft (1) slide W22 Workhorse chassis; 1990 Komfort Trendsetter 25ft 454 4bbl carb
Tow VW manx bug; '07 Honda Shadow 750
Snowflake Az.
"If you don't learn something new every day, you've wasted that day!"
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