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Old 12-08-2016, 06:59 PM   #1
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How to books?

Hasn't anybody written a how to get started book for beginners.? Is the topic too broad? What I'm talking about is a "private pilots course " for RVs. Topics would be tailored for each RV type.
But basically I'm talking about after you've made your decision and bought your first RV. How in the heck do you set up a learning program that gets you to basic operational competence.
I have the manual for our coach but it is woefully inadequate. For example, on circuit breakers it discusses in detail what trips them and why but doesn't tell you where the dame things are locates . Another example, 12 volt vs 110 volt systems. This is barely covered in my manual and even neglects to tell the new owner where th damn 12 volt switch is. So you plug into your sites 110 volts system, but find you have no 12 volt power inside, turns out in our coach there's a 12 volt on/off switch up front. Well duh, does our manual say squat about this? No. you aspiring authors out there here is your call.
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Old 12-08-2016, 07:10 PM   #2
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I think there are so many differences between coaches that the manual would be too general to be of use. I think reading this forum is the best way to learn a lot of stuff. It does scare you though as most posts are about problems, not trips with no problems.

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Old 12-08-2016, 07:16 PM   #3
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I would recommend this book. It is not model specific but covers a great deal of information about all aspects of RVs. They have an excellent podcast as well.

https://www.amazon.com/You-Want-RVer...SIN=1519561342


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Old 12-08-2016, 08:28 PM   #4
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Of course the web is an ever changing, great resource book, and there's a ton of info on Youtube that shows & covers a lot of what we need to know.

This may or may not be exactly what you're looking for but as far as a understanding some of the basics of RV electricity, 12V etc. try this for starters:
RV Electric
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Old 12-09-2016, 04:30 AM   #5
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Deb and Rick-

I understand your frustration. It took me a couple times before I found the chassis battery cut-off switch, which was not where the owners manual said it would be.

RVs are not as standard as cars, not as custom as houses. Some manufacturers are better than others at making model-specific owners manuals.

A way to think about the beasts is that the manufacturers (and sometimes the individual installers) get to fold the "standard" equipment and systems into a box of varying size and shape (think boat, but a bit more rectlinear). Your job, as the owner, is to figure out where they put all the stuff.

That said, I find myself reading the coach and component manuals often, and learn something new each time. iRV2 members help you figure out some of the things the manuals don't tell you. In the computer world, the abbreviation "RTM" means "Read the Manual," and there's a reason why it's become an abbreviation, through frequent use.

On the electrical side, you can learn about 12V systems (in general) at "The 12 Volt Side of Life (Parts 1 and 2)," at this link.
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Old 12-09-2016, 04:46 AM   #6
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Another way to think about this is with limited information in your manual it requires you to dig to get the info either through going through your coach meticulously or asking here on the forums. Either way you will learn your coach's systems better.
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Old 12-09-2016, 05:54 AM   #7
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Our coach also came with 8 or 9 inches of manuals that were sometimes less than informative. One thing that I did find was that I could take the model number from those manuals, and plug it into the internet. You can frequently find a better manual online, or a YouTube video that clears up some questions.
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Old 12-09-2016, 07:35 AM   #8
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Please check Rv101 by Mark Polk.
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Old 12-09-2016, 03:09 PM   #9
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Thanks everyone
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