Greetings from DE; totally new and petrified about long trips

[sue1bill1]

A spur of a moment suggestion on my part just a week ago to my husband that we get a RV (after almost 18 years of being unable to travel due to my health and with us entering our "golden years" I decided I needed suck it up and do something)...my husband looked shocked and said NO! but at his urging the next day we were RV shopping, and 1 week later we have a Winnebago View sitting in our driveway that we picked up yesterday (wanted something small that would be easier to maneuver) and on the drive home from the dealership, I suddenly became petrified - envisioning the worst as we start out on our new adventures. We decided to start with a destination (yet undefined) that we can reach in a day and then hopefully late August or Early Sept. head from Delaware to Yellowstone park with maybe a few close to home trips this summer if the first goes well before we attempt something as distant as Yellowstone. But I have visions of running out of propane with none nearby, not being able to find a RV parks with hook ups along a longer route, etc etc. Spent about 2 hours reading threads on the RV GPS by Rand McNalley (7720) which it sounds like we would benefit from and have ordered numerous books which I'm waiting to arrive but I know there's no better advice than that offered by those who have experienced travelling by RV and love it. If anybody has a top suggestion for starting to plan a real trip (beyond home to RV park in a day) so that we can find RV parks to stop for a day or two along our longer route, in a pinch how to locate Walmart stores which I understand are open to dry camping in their lots? - Basically anything that will get this feeling of impending doom to change to anticipation of great times ahead...Thank you in advance for any suggestions (and reading this far through my fears, etc.), no matter how brief on how to best get started on planning for longer trips in the future! From what I've read so far in the forums this evening there are so many great members here who offer their advice. Stay safe on the roads this summer and happy travels!
Oh, I do have one specific question - when visiting via RV without a car in tow, can you drive the RV during the day to points of interest, grocery stores, etc. or will RV's be banned?

[JohnRR]

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by sue1bill1

A spur of a moment suggestion on my part just a week ago to my husband that we get a RV (after almost 18 years of being unable to travel due to my health and with us entering our "golden years" I decided I needed suck it up and do something)...my husband looked shocked and said NO! but at his urging the next day we were RV shopping, and 1 week later we have a Winnebago View sitting in our driveway that we picked up yesterday (wanted something small that would be easier to maneuver) and on the drive home from the dealership, I suddenly became petrified - envisioning the worst as we start out on our new adventures. We decided to start with a destination (yet undefined) that we can reach in a day and then hopefully late August or Early Sept. head from Delaware to Yellowstone park with maybe a few close to home trips this summer if the first goes well before we attempt something as distant as Yellowstone. But I have visions of running out of propane with none nearby, not being able to find a RV parks with hook ups along a longer route, etc etc. Spent about 2 hours reading threads on the RV GPS by Rand McNalley (7720) which it sounds like we would benefit from and have ordered numerous books which I'm waiting to arrive but I know there's no better advice than that offered by those who have experienced travelling by RV and love it. If anybody has a top suggestion for starting to plan a real trip (beyond home to RV park in a day) so that we can find RV parks to stop for a day or two along our longer route, in a pinch how to locate Walmart stores which I understand are open to dry camping in their lots? - Basically anything that will get this feeling of impending doom to change to anticipation of great times ahead...Thank you in advance for any suggestions (and reading this far through my fears, etc.), no matter how brief on how to best get started on planning for longer trips in the future! From what I've read so far in the forums this evening there are so many great members here who offer their advice. Stay safe on the roads this summer and happy travels!
Oh, I do have one specific question - when visiting via RV without a car in tow, can you drive the RV during the day to points of interest, grocery stores, etc. or will RV's be banned?

OK! Welcome to the forum! First, just relax... this will all be second nature to you in no time. It really will help for you to "driveway camp" or stay overnight in a nearby campground to familiarize yourselves with the RV systems before heading out on a long trip.

Get a roadside assistance contract set up ASAP...Coach-net, RVRoadHelp, Good Sam, etc. This will help with peace of mind should you ever need a tow, tire change, etc.

Check out national parks websites, campgroundreviews.com, and Google for campgrounds in the area(s) you will be traveling. A good RV GPS is a great idea.

You can certainly drive the RV to points of interest, stores, etc...but you probably won't want to have to "break camp" every time you need to buy milk. Once you get hooked up to water, electric, cable TV, etc, you won't want to have to unhook it all, pull in the slides, raise the levelers, etc. until you want to hit the road again.

Don't get discouraged! All of us were newbies at one time. You will find a wealth of information here. Just check out all the sections of the forum and post as many questions as you want!

[spinn]

Great advise Sarah

["007"]

Welcome to irv2.
Here is some info on the Tech end of things in your RV a little more than your owners manual.
As Sara said plenty of info on camping on web and forums on irv2 and we are always here to answer a question for you.
Relax and enjoy the experience.

[Selah]

Relax is is easier that it firs appears. Get the rand McNally GPS for RVS. That will help with plotting a course for point to point. Also get a 4G iPad with the "All Stays" apps. It will show camp ground along the way, fuel stops and whether the stop has propane. Most KOAs are OK if only staying overnight and most have propane.
THE Ad is a great companion to the GPS.

[Bruce C]

from NH.

[damdannyboy]

Glad to meet you guys, and have fun! Remember the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask? Because answers and advice we got you covered, ask away.

[damdannyboy]

Sue and Bill, in RI we have some great State camping areas, so after you get settled with you new MH. Come to NE. for short a drive and see the sights.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by sue1bill1

A spur of a moment suggestion on my part just a week ago to my husband that we get a RV (after almost 18 years of being unable to travel due to my health and with us entering our "golden years" I decided I needed suck it up and do something)...my husband looked shocked and said NO! but at his urging the next day we were RV shopping, and 1 week later we have a Winnebago View sitting in our driveway that we picked up yesterday (wanted something small that would be easier to maneuver) and on the drive home from the dealership, I suddenly became petrified - envisioning the worst as we start out on our new adventures. We decided to start with a destination (yet undefined) that we can reach in a day and then hopefully late August or Early Sept. head from Delaware to Yellowstone park with maybe a few close to home trips this summer if the first goes well before we attempt something as distant as Yellowstone. But I have visions of running out of propane with none nearby, not being able to find a RV parks with hook ups along a longer route, etc etc. Spent about 2 hours reading threads on the RV GPS by Rand McNalley (7720) which it sounds like we would benefit from and have ordered numerous books which I'm waiting to arrive but I know there's no better advice than that offered by those who have experienced travelling by RV and love it. If anybody has a top suggestion for starting to plan a real trip (beyond home to RV park in a day) so that we can find RV parks to stop for a day or two along our longer route, in a pinch how to locate Walmart stores which I understand are open to dry camping in their lots? - Basically anything that will get this feeling of impending doom to change to anticipation of great times ahead...Thank you in advance for any suggestions (and reading this far through my fears, etc.), no matter how brief on how to best get started on planning for longer trips in the future! From what I've read so far in the forums this evening there are so many great members here who offer their advice. Stay safe on the roads this summer and happy travels!
Oh, I do have one specific question - when visiting via RV without a car in tow, can you drive the RV during the day to points of interest, grocery stores, etc. or will RV's be banned?

Everyone has a fear of the unknown and right now this mobile lifestyle is unknown to you. It will quickly pass.
1. If you run out of propane, you have a microwave, the frig will run on electric, the A/C is a heat pump, and you have a magic device called a generator that will make electricity all night.
2. No park with hook ups, no problem. See 1. Above. Spending a night at Walmart or a Flying J is liberating and you will never worry about that again.
3. Your small RV can park in the space of a couple of cars, so going to most any place you want to go is only a problem in that it will require you to unhook at the campground when you go somewhere. I predict that after a few trips, you will be shopping for a small vehicle to tow.

As soon as you get your Winnie stocked for traveling, do a camping trip it your driveway to get familiar with the routine. You may feel foolish but it will banish many of your fears.

Try to understand that sitting in your driveway is a magic carpet, not a vehicle. Inside you can have your own little condo complete with bed, bath, kitchen, and everything it takes to live comfortably regardless of where it's parked.

If you go to Yellowstone, be aware that Sept in the high country is the beginning of cold weather. The National park campgrounds in Yellowstone will be closing by mid Sept. Fishing Bridge is the only campground in Yellowstone with electric hookups. There are a number of commercial parks primarily in West Yellowstone available but Yellowstone is so big that if you stay outside the park you have a long commute to see everything.

Our best friends live is Seaford, DE and we are meeting them close to Williamsburg, VA in mid July. Come on down. By the end on the summer you will be comfortable with the whole deal.

[Medico]

Welcome and glad to meet you!

If you are going to stay in a park for more than a week, you can always look up car rentals. Heck, Enterprise will bring the RV to you and take you back when done. I know of many who use this route rather than having a toad.

With a smaller MH it is feasible to pick up each time you have an errand, but it will get to be a PITA after a while.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi Sue & Bill! Welcome to IRV2! It's great to have you join us!

Congrats on the new rig! Just relax and enjoy it!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[BBQ Warren]

Originally Posted by sue1bill1

A spur of a moment suggestion on my part just a week ago to my husband that we get a RV (after almost 18 years of being unable to travel due to my health and with us entering our "golden years" I decided I needed suck it up and do something)...my husband looked shocked and said NO! but at his urging the next day we were RV shopping, and 1 week later we have a Winnebago View sitting in our driveway that we picked up yesterday (wanted something small that would be easier to maneuver) and on the drive home from the dealership, I suddenly became petrified - envisioning the worst as we start out on our new adventures. We decided to start with a destination (yet undefined) that we can reach in a day and then hopefully late August or Early Sept. head from Delaware to Yellowstone park with maybe a few close to home trips this summer if the first goes well before we attempt something as distant as Yellowstone. But I have visions of running out of propane with none nearby, not being able to find a RV parks with hook ups along a longer route, etc etc. Spent about 2 hours reading threads on the RV GPS by Rand McNalley (7720) which it sounds like we would benefit from and have ordered numerous books which I'm waiting to arrive but I know there's no better advice than that offered by those who have experienced travelling by RV and love it. If anybody has a top suggestion for starting to plan a real trip (beyond home to RV park in a day) so that we can find RV parks to stop for a day or two along our longer route, in a pinch how to locate Walmart stores which I understand are open to dry camping in their lots? - Basically anything that will get this feeling of impending doom to change to anticipation of great times ahead...Thank you in advance for any suggestions (and reading this far through my fears, etc.), no matter how brief on how to best get started on planning for longer trips in the future! From what I've read so far in the forums this evening there are so many great members here who offer their advice. Stay safe on the roads this summer and happy travels!
Oh, I do have one specific question - when visiting via RV without a car in tow, can you drive the RV during the day to points of interest, grocery stores, etc. or will RV's be banned?

Welcome. I don't live all that far from you and know there are many great campgrounds within 4 hours of you. Don't know if you use an iPad or iPhone but if you do, especially the iPad, then 2 must have apps are allstays camp and rv. This will tell you everything you want to know in the area you are in or driving to. When planning I use this app then I use the good Sam app to give me park ratings. This has worked out well for us and we haven't gotten burned yet. Relax have fun doing your ore trip homework then hit the road.

[ducmons]

Great advice given here. We bought our first rig, and promptly took it on a 3500 mile trip. The best heads up we could have been given was that it would be a messy first trip, and to not rush anything. (but I hadn't joined, so I learned the hard way.) Take your time and as everyone has said, relax.