Must haves on a new RV

[Burnt]

Hi all,


Newbie RV owner here....well, not yet really. Ordered and waiting for it to be built. Newmar 4369 DSDP.


Never had an RV much less a class A. I need to kill some time waiting for it to be built so I am looking for must haves when it arrives. Obviously chairs, maybe a tent for visitors tools, extra filters, fluids, portable grill.



What else....going to be taking it for a week after delivery right from the dealer. Thanks.

[Mr_D]

Sewer, water and electrical are imperative. Dealer may give you a starter pack that might include some items. Electrical adapter, outside chairs, cooking utensils, plates, glasses.
Pretty much what ever you need to make and eat a meal.

[theoldwizard]

Grill, if you like that. An ice chest. A good sized piece of outdoor carpet. Extra USB charging cables, different lengths. A couple of light duty 5'-10' extension cords. A couple of good flashlights. Fresh water hose (50'). Water pressure regulator. Electric adapters (50A-30A, 30A-15A). Surge protector.

Review your "kitchen gadgets" and decide which are "must have" (can opener, bottle opener, wine cork extractor, carving/bread knife, steak knives, pizza cutter, pie/cake server, garlic press, etc. etc.)

[Jim_HiTek]

You'll need 2X 10' sections of 'good' sewer hose. Rhino Flex is good. They come with most of the couplings, but getting a clear coupling or two doesn't hurt. Spare couplings probably aren't necessary unless you're making sewer detail a teenagers chore.

Buy several quick connect/disconnect water hose couplings. Get a 'Y' with shutoffs. Get a pressure reducer. Toss the cheap hose that likely comes with the RV (usually it's only 10' long too, much to short to use at most parks) and get 2X 25' water safe hoses (not garden hoses!). While at the dealer, get a fill of your water tank and check for leaks everywhere inside before leaving the lot. Underneath too.

Go to a truck stop and buy an expensive tire pressure gage with dual head, swivel gage, and long reach. Check out the pressures on your RV so you can see how difficult it is to just make that simple air pressure check, make sure the tire pressures are at least what's mentioned on the plaque next to the driver. Get a thick kneeling pad to use when you need to kneel on the ground.

Sign up for Coachnet Roadside assistance before you drive off the lot. Since this is your first RV, they may turn out to be invaluable if you have a breakdown or flat as they have real techs available when you call.

Get a good assortment of tools to keep with the RV. Maybe a plastic tool case to carry them.

Google for a propane dealer near the dealership. Fill up. The tanks are usually empty but some dealers will fill them and call it a gift. Note that the tanks valve is shut off when it's filled but rarely turned back on. It's a standard looking faucet handle. CCW opens it.

That should do it for the first trip.

[Kraken]

if there is no built in surge protector, then you might consider a 50 amp Progressive industries surge protector/voltage monitor. There are other brands, but electrical protection for the rig I consider mandatory. Under or overvoltage in parks does happen and can ruin your appliances etc. I left a park in Sacramento once because of unacceptable electrical voltage. They admitted it and gave me a full refund.

[CoachDitka]

I have a Kobalt flashlight that runs on a rechargeable battery pack or AAs. It has magnets built in. It's pretty handy.

Would recommend some keychains with a tiny flashlight as well for the keys to your storage compartments.

Look for a nice outdoor table and chairs that fold flat. Target has some right now that I just picked up on sale.

A couple of good multi-tools is also not a bad idea.

If you'll ever drive in the winter in the mountains get tire chains now. Cheaper to order in advance and you'll never know when they will save you a giant hassle.

If the dealer doesn't give you a dogbone 50/30 adapter get one of those so you can plug into 30amp power, sometimes thats all they have.

Command hooks and command strips or something similar are great for hanging things on the walls of the coach without damaging the walls. A closet organizer is probably not a bad idea either.

Start thinking now about how you are going to maximize your storage space inside the cabinets and stuff. That's really the biggest thing.

[Isaac-1]

A lot depends on how where you like to travel. If you are more into the camping side of things, then yes a BBQ grill (the Webber Q series with optional folding stand popular), propane firepit, nice folding camping chairs, etc. are all nice, though perhaps not as needed if you go from RV resort to RV resort. Most recently I bought a Clam brand Escape series mosquito shelter, and ask myself why I didn't but it sooner.


As to the rest of the stuff start with picturing a small vacation cabin, and think of the essential items you will need, bedding, toiletries, basic kitchen items, first aid kit, at least a basic set of tools, etc. But don't go overboard as you will likely have less storage space than you imagine, particularly in the kitchen. For kitchen appliances we try to buy multi function items, our slow cooker is also a rice cooker and steamer, we have a Ninja brand master prep similar to this one https://www.amazon.com/Blender-Proce...004XK4N9Cwhich has a power head that can be used as either a blender, or a food processor, the blender pitchers even have their own lids and can be stored in the refrigerator. While perhaps not the best at any one task, they do ok for what we need while traveling. Don't go too overboard, wait until you get your coach, as it is frustrating to find that the vacuum cleaner you bought is 1/2 inch too tall to fit below the shelf in hall closet...

[oscarvan]

What you need is a THOROUGH understanding of how to operate and maintain the thing. Avoiding beginner mistakes is the difference between adventure and ordeal.

But since you're waiting you have time.....perfect.

If you don't have previous heavy equipment driving experience get yourself some lessons. You can go to a local driving school and buy 10 hours in a school bus. Anything large. And read the CDL driver's manual. There's a lot of stuff in there that applies to us. Pay particular attention to the air brake section. Understand how it works, how to work it and how to check it. I know Il doesn't require a CDL but it MAY require a non commercial class B. Look in to that.

Get the maintenance manual for your chassis ahead of time. Understand the major components and their maintenance requirements.

Get a THOROUGH understanding of the electrical systems on your coach. Chassis 12V versus House 12V versus 120V from shore or generator. The inverter charger. You're buying a top of the line Coach, I suspect it comes with a Multiplex system. Understand what that is and how it works. There will also be some automated management of the inverting and charging process. Understand how it works.

Understand the plumbing system. Fresh water, pump(s), waste water tanks.

Try to get a hold of a list of the accessories on your coach. The manuals for just about anything are on line. Electric toilets, the Aquahot system, ( I suspect that's what it'll have) climate control, awnings, SLIDES!!!! etc. etc.

An RV is for all intents and purposes a rolling earthquake and hurricane in one. There is a LOT of demand on the construction and systems. Understanding how they work, and knowing how to work them will make your life a LOT more pleasant. Self reliance in this hobby is, again, the difference between adventure and ordeal.

Get yourself a basic tool kit.

In short, don't worry about lawn chairs and grills. Those needs will manifest themselves readily enough and a 1 hour visit to Wallymart takes care of that.

Lastly... there's a very strong Newmar community on line. Find them and start reading. Everything.

Congratulations you are getting a fine Coach, with some knowledge you will enjoy the heck out of it. Happy camping!

[Lt Dan]

Depending on your state of residence you may need to plan on an upgraded driver's license. About a third of states require some type of special licensing.

[Jean n Steve]

I've been seeing these things a lot: https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Set-928...-garden&sr=1-1
We can always hide inside if the bugs get bad, but...

[Burnt]

Thanks, all great ideas. Keep them coming.


One question, seeing how it's an all electric coach why/where is there propane?

[oscarvan]

Originally Posted by Burnt

Thanks, all great ideas. Keep them coming.


One question, seeing how it's an all electric coach why/where is there propane?

Read the books. Something is using it. But, could just be there for the connection for the outdoor grill. (I have seen that).

[oscarvan]

Originally Posted by Lt Dan

Depending on your state of residence you may need to plan on an upgraded driver's license. About a third of states require some type of special licensing.

According to his profile OP is in Illinois. They appear to exempt RV's from CDL requirement, but one website stated the requirement for a non commercial class B. (This is also the case in my home state, PA).

OP may want to look in to this.

Now, this starts a whole forum thread puke where lots of people will tell you they've been driving a 50,000 pound coach with a class C for 50 years and never had a problem. And indeed getting pulled over and inspected in an RV is pretty hard to do..... They leave us alone. And, your insurance will probably not ask. Why not has been boggling my mind forever.

Because, when people get hurt or worse.......SOMEBODY pays. I went and got a CDL which exceeds the requirement, but it was fun to do.

Proceed at your own risk.

[BCam]

Don't go overboard buying stuff. Get the minimum (sewer hoses, etc.) and go from there as you use your rig.

Everyone's needs are different and you don't want to fill all your storage with excess stuff. Camping World is always sending out emails with loads of interesting but unnecessary stuff to buy.

One thing that I don't think has been mentioned is an outdoor carpet like this:

https://www.campingworld.com/reversi...at-8-x-16-teal

They're available in different colors, patterns and sizes. Buy when on sale, they do wear out after a few years but, IMHO, are indispensable, especially if you camp in state parks and the like where dirt and mud can be an issue.