New to TT Camping

[ScottsSweetie]

Hello, all. Just bought a 1999 Starcraft Travelstar 21' camper (moving up from pop-up). We really want to make sure that we do everything right, and we really know NOTHING. When we bought the pop-up, we basically hitched it up and went, no owners manuals, no instructions on "winterizing", etc.

Now, we want to make sure we do it right and maintain this camper. We do have all of the owners manuals that came with the camper (camper, appliances, etc.). We have a load levelling hitch, already got the brake control installed, and are going to have a transmission cooler installed on tow vehicle. I have seen a book on the market called "The RV Owners Handbook". Would this be a good resource for me, or is there something else you would suggest? Thanks for your help.

Donna

[ScottsSweetie]

Hello, all. Just bought a 1999 Starcraft Travelstar 21' camper (moving up from pop-up). We really want to make sure that we do everything right, and we really know NOTHING. When we bought the pop-up, we basically hitched it up and went, no owners manuals, no instructions on "winterizing", etc.

Now, we want to make sure we do it right and maintain this camper. We do have all of the owners manuals that came with the camper (camper, appliances, etc.). We have a load levelling hitch, already got the brake control installed, and are going to have a transmission cooler installed on tow vehicle. I have seen a book on the market called "The RV Owners Handbook". Would this be a good resource for me, or is there something else you would suggest? Thanks for your help.

Donna

[RVrs R US]

Hi Donna,

First of all, sorry for missing your post earlier and a big hearty welcome to iRV2!

The RV Owners Handbook is excellent for "Newbies". We bought it when we first went fulltiming and had it around for about three years.

You may want to check out E-Bay or their sister site Half.com to see if it is available as you will pay a lot less for it there.

IMHO, the best places for accurate, timely and first hand into is iRV2 and/or your fellow RVer at a campgound.

Dave

[Hoverbug]

I agree with Dave and would recommend Woodall's Rv Owners Handbook. It's written by Gary Bunzer who hosts http://www.rvdoctor.com I think the book is well written and easy to understand. Welcome to irv2 and Happy Trails!!

[ScottsSweetie]

Thanks to you both = I will be purchasing this book very soon!

[Sweeper]

Doing "EVERTHING" right is kind'a like hav'n the "PREFECT" wedd'n.

Read/learn all you can, but there's a learning curve, and you'll make mistakes, just like I did. try not to beat yourselves up BEFORE and after the mistakes. remember it's "CAMPING" it's suppose to be fun!

Experience is what you gain, 30 second after you need it.

[ThunderRock]

I know the feeling. When we first talked about a new trailer last summer, I did a LOT of reading; on-line & off.
Here is a great DVD that covers every aspect of your trailer, 5th wheel or motorhome.
http://www.rvwalkthru.com/
He mixes it with a little humor & his wife is just great throughout the show.
I got this DVD & carry it with me on every trip, JIC. Good luck!

[Armycamper]

Another way to learn a few tricks and ideas is go camping. Then observe what others are doing, even stop and talk with the other campers about their trailers or rigs.

[Bruce, wife, & pet rabbit Jett]

Welcome to the family of addicts.

For the first night or two of camping, camp in your driveway if you can. Do EVERYTHING in the camper. This will let you test all the systems, stock that one missing spatula for breakfast, and so on.

Good Luck!

Bruce