Community Forums

NewmarNewbee · 02-21-2020, 06:13 AM

Hello! We are Paul and Jacqui from California. We just purchased a Newmar New Aire and this is our first RV. We are very excited to not only be part of the RV crowd, but the Newmar family. In order to test the waters, we are driving from Florida to California for our maiden voyage. Crazy you say? Yes! This will test many things….our RV skills (few? To be honest – NONE) and our marriage. Lol! Truthfully, we have been planning on buying an RV for many years and this is a dream come true for us. Our children are adults and it is time. According to one of us, this is the best shopping rush of all time (hint: not Paul). We have been very appreciative of all the blogs and advice we’ve received through this journey and look forward to hearing all of your advice as we drive across country. We have 6 days to get from Florida to home, so it’s definitely not going to be a leisurely trip, but we are looking forward to the challenge and seeing our beautiful country.

momdoc · 02-21-2020, 06:56 AM

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new coach.

You are joining a good group of folks here with good info to share. Read the various threads and ask questions as they come up or add info if you can.

The learning curve is long, very long, but thankfully only steep in the beginning.

Good luck and enjoy the adventure!

**Petro** · 02-21-2020, 07:39 AM

We are glad you joined us.

Congratulations on the purchase of your Newmar New Air and your first RV. You are planning a lengthy Maiden Voyage for sure. Enjoy your trip and stay safe. There is a wealth of RV info available to you here just by asking.

Browse the forums that interest you and don't be afraid to ask questions as our members like to help when they can. Enjoy the forums.

Don

YC1 · 02-21-2020, 07:59 AM

Head first. Welcome to the forum. Keep this web site handy. What a test. You need a voltmeter onboard and some tools of course. Things will shake loose. Keep a notepad handy as you are driving so the passenger can write down items you need or think of.

Build a check list for sure. Nothing like driving off with the antenna up or the steps out.

Have a safe trip. That is a very long haul. We have driven that route several times.

MSHappyCampers · 02-21-2020, 08:01 AM

Hi Paul & Jacqui! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

Congrats on the new Newmar! Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

NewmarNewbee · 02-21-2020, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YC1

Head first. Welcome to the forum. Keep this web site handy. What a test. You need a voltmeter onboard and some tools of course. Things will shake loose. Keep a notepad handy as you are driving so the passenger can write down items you need or think of.

Build a check list for sure. Nothing like driving off with the antenna up or the steps out.

Have a safe trip. That is a very long haul. We have driven that route several times.

Thank you. Since you've taken the trip, which route do you think is best (best roads, lack of weather, etc?). We are not into risk this trip. We will take a more adventurous route next time!

YC1 · 02-22-2020, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewmarNewbee

Thank you. Since you've taken the trip, which route do you think is best (best roads, lack of weather, etc?). We are not into risk this trip. We will take a more adventurous route next time!

Pay your money and take your changes with the routes. Just have to do some searching for current conditions. We have gone many different ways. The Southern route is my favorites but go a different way each direction for fun.

It is a long long trip.

Triangle Drifter · 02-23-2020, 05:39 PM

Nothing gets your attention faster than jumping in at the deep end without a floaty.

12 years ago we bought our 5er & truck, private sale, from a couple near Austin, TX. Off we went on our 'delivery trip' from Austin to the Eastern Shore, MD of the Chesapeake Bay having never ever driven anything with a trailer before.

It was a very cautious first few days. Here we are 2020, over 1800 nights on the road, more than 200,000 miles later & going strong.

Arch Hoagland · 02-23-2020, 09:09 PM

We did a trip from central California to Ft Lauderdale Florida in 6 days several years ago. Never again in that short of a time.

We went across I 10, that's the fastest.

Where in California are you headed?

NewmarNewbee · 02-24-2020, 05:16 AM

Thanks so much for the words of encouragement!

NewmarNewbee · 02-24-2020, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

We did a trip from central California to Ft Lauderdale Florida in 6 days several years ago. Never again in that short of a time.

We went across I 10, that's the fastest.

Where in California are you headed?

We know that it is going to be crazy, but due to work responsibilities, we have no choice.

We are using RC Trip Wizard and it's not taking us on the 10 and I heard that was the quickest. Good thing about apps is that we can make those adjustments manually. We live in Southern California.

Thanks for the reply!

Arch Hoagland · 02-24-2020, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewmarNewbee

We know that it is going to be crazy, but due to work responsibilities, we have no choice.

We are using RC Trip Wizard and it's not taking us on the 10 and I heard that was the quickest. Good thing about apps is that we can make those adjustments manually. We live in Southern California.

Thanks for the reply!

We've been back and forth to Florida about five times on I 10. I don't know of a faster route nor one that will have available RV parks and fuel stops along the way. Not to mention you'll be closer to help if you have a mechanical breakdown.

We too were on a schedule...had a cruise departing on the 7th day and we HAD to be there.

NewmarNewbee · 03-22-2020, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

We've been back and forth to Florida about five times on I 10. I don't know of a faster route nor one that will have available RV parks and fuel stops along the way. Not to mention you'll be closer to help if you have a mechanical breakdown.

We too were on a schedule...had a cruise departing on the 7th day and we HAD to be there.

Well - we finished and made it home with no issues! It was an amazing trip and we learned a lot on the way - like how to drive with a lot of road construction around. We did use another of the forums asking questions and this has been a great resource. Looking forward to many more trips to come.

Arch Hoagland · 03-22-2020, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewmarNewbee

Well - we finished and made it home with no issues! It was an amazing trip and we learned a lot on the way - like how to drive with a lot of road construction around. We did use another of the forums asking questions and this has been a great resource. Looking forward to many more trips to come.

Thanks for the update, glad all went well and no issues.