A Short Shakedown Trip
Most dealers and manufacturers recommend that, before heading across the continent, you take your new (or new to you) RV on a shorter trip first. You may find a few problems with your new RV, and you will be closer to help if you do.
Taming the Systems
Like most travelers who are new to RV travel, you probably want to jump immediately into the driver's seat and hit the road. While that is understandable, your first trip should be a destination that is only an hour or two from your home. It may not seem like a lot of fun to take your new toy only a few miles down the road instead of on the cross-country trip you have been planning for years. However, if you save the cross-country trip for a little while, you will be much more prepared when you take it. Your long trip will be much more likely to be enjoyable and trouble-free.
As experienced RV travelers can tell you, no matter how well you think you have prepared for a trip, you will always forget something important. Think of your first excursion as a “test” trip, where you will be able to check out how well everything is working and how comfortable you are on the road.
ALERT
If you have problems with any systems or construction of your RV, be sure to retain all documentation of the complaint you have and the repairs that were or were not done. If your problems continue, this documentation may help you in getting items replaced or in filling a “lemon law” claim.
A good RV dealer will offer you instructions on how to operate all of the systems that are available on your new RV. Depending on your level of experience with RVs, these instructions could be very brief or a little lengthier; if you are an experienced RV owner, you will probably just need a refresher specific to your new rig. Before you leave the lot, make sure that you know:
How to hook up and unhook your trailer or fifth-wheel from its tow vehicle.
How to stabilize and level your RV.
Where the utility hookups (water, shore power, and sewer) are.
How to turn on and turn off the propane tanks for cooking and heat.
How to light the stove and water heater (if it is manually lit).
How to work the refrigerator (most work on electric or gas mode with the flip of a switch, but some may still have to be “lit”).
If you find it to be helpful, take notes as the dealer explains all of this to you. Be sure that you get all of the user's manuals (and the warranty cards) that go with these systems.
Your first RV trip to an RV park close to home will give you the chance to try out all systems to discover any problems that need to be corrected before you head cross-country. Most new RVs are very well built and problems should be minimal, but you should have them dealt with promptly.
Driving the Beast
A short first trip will help you get a feel for driving your new RV, with considerably less pressure than you would have on a longer trip. If you are an inexperienced driver, you also may find it helpful to have an experienced copilot along for support.
A drive of an hour or two should give you a feel for the brakes, steering, and cornering.
ESSENTIAL
For the complete novice, RV driving schools are available in many areas of the country. The course will generally last two to three days and cover the basics of RV driving and driving conditions with an experienced instructor by your side. The certificate you earn may also qualify you for an insurance discount (you will need to check with your insurance company).
Try to plan your first trip to get some experience on demanding roads if possible. It may be difficult to find any steep grades in Iowa, but you should be able to find some routes that will give your driving skills a workout.
Basic RV Driving Skills
In some ways, learning to drive an RV can be like going back to those nervous early days of driver's ed. Here are some things to keep in mind when starting to drive an RV for the first time, or when driving an RV of a type and size that is unfamiliar to you.
Driving in traffic can be a white-knuckle experience for an inexperienced RV driver. Plan your first trip to avoid the heaviest traffic times and areas. This is not the time to get stuck in rush-hour traffic.
Plan your trip to take you on a highway with on and off ramps. This will give you experience in accelerating to highway speeds and decelerating to exit. You will find that an RV weighing four to five times as much as most cars will not be as responsive on acceleration or braking. Try changing lanes when traffic is light.
Do try some in-town driving, to get a feel for turning corners on narrow streets and stopping suddenly. This is a great way to get oriented to the size of your rig.
Practice backing up and parking your RV into a camping space–size area before you get to your destination. Mall parking lots are great places to practice, especially early on a weekday. Motorhomes can be fairly easy to park, at least compared to travel trailers and fifth-wheels. Drive-through camping spaces are great, especially for novices, but can be difficult to find in many areas. Learn to back into a parking space and you will find that you will have a much greater variety of campgrounds to choose from.
