Community Forums

Ryan B · 11-23-2020, 06:19 PM

Hey all, I'm Ryan. I'm married with one child and a cat.

As of Saturday we bought a 2020 Jayco 24MBH and I'm both equally excited and terrified! I've got a 2020 Ram 1500 Classic (5.0L Hemi) which is more than enough to pull this rig.

I've been binge watching YT video after video learning and taking notes about as much as I possibly can, which has helped calm my nerves a lot.

But, I also need a place where I can ask questions from folks that "know stuff" to help me out when I just don't know something.

I live in the PNW and am eager to 'get out there' and learn something. I pick the RV up this Saturday too, but I don't know where I'm going to go for my first outing. Any suggestions would be awesome.

Anyways, looking forward to getting to know y'all as we join in on this exciting journey.

-R

Nellybelle · 11-23-2020, 06:44 PM

I never had TT but I have had an MH. Make sure you know about winterizing and I suggest a close local campground with Full hookups. Go and practice using all the system you can. I would NOT venture out too far until you're comfortable . Also check out the Jayco section of this forum site.
Good luck

momdoc · 11-23-2020, 06:48 PM

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new rig. The learning curve is long but thankfully only steep in the beginning.

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

Good luck and enjoy the adventure!

Ryan B · 11-23-2020, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nellybelle

I never had TT but I have had an MH. Make sure you know about winterizing and I suggest a close local campground with Full hookups. Go and practice using all the system you can. I would NOT venture out too far until you're comfortable . Also check out the Jayco section of this forum site.
Good luck

That's a great idea, I had asked about the RV being winterized and there's a big sticker inside it that says "yep, been winterized". If I take it out and use it, does that cancel the winterization?

Oh, and yes of course I do plan on staying as local as I can be and I am not yet versed at towing an RV. I have driven a 40ft Penske truck across the east coast (even through NYC!) so I am familiar with some of the nuances of driving a large vehicle, just never one that bent like a TT will.

Ryan B · 11-23-2020, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momdoc

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new rig. The learning curve is long but thankfully only steep in the beginning.

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

Good luck and enjoy the adventure!

Thanks! I had been hesitant in joining any forums because I know there are a few that aren't as hospitable as others (e.g. jeepforum vs pirate4x4). But, I've read through a lot of what's on this forum and found that for the most part people here are as you say they are.

I love a challenge, and am willing to tackle the learning curve!! Scared, but willing!

-R

**Spdracr39** · 11-23-2020, 07:28 PM

Welcome !!

There are many good folks here to offer help and advice, glad you could join the party

Safe Travels!!

Yosemite77 · 11-23-2020, 07:29 PM

For your first outing, I would find a campground close to a Walmart. It’s likely you’ll have to pick up a few things.
Living in the PNW, I would suggest having a plan on how to deal with the humidity while your trailer is not being used. You don’t want to wait until the trailer smells musty to do something about it.

2TxAgs · 11-23-2020, 07:40 PM

You are at the right place, a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience with a willingness to help.
Yes, if you use your trailer you will need to re-winterize or store in a heated environment. Frozen lines are a pain to fix and expensive damage can result from the water.
If you are not familiar or comfortable with driving, turning, and backing a trailer my suggestion is go to Home Depot or similar and and buy some traffic cones and practice, practice, practice on a large vacant parking lot. You are on the right track watching YT videos.
Hoping you make a lifetime of memories.

Xmcdog · 11-23-2020, 07:50 PM

Welcome aboard.
Glad you could join us.
May I suggest that you spend a night camping in your driveway. That way you have backup if something isn't working and you don't have the stress of setting up with strangers watching your first attempt. Wish I had done that. :

A nearby campground for your next weekend. An hour or so in a local parking lot is also helpful.

Wish you many happy miles with your new camper.

**TonyDi** · 11-23-2020, 09:05 PM

Nice to see you have joined the group.

I have always felt that the best place to "break in" a new RV is in your driveway. It allows you the opportunity to use it but be able to retreat to the house if you need to get something important.

Ryan B · 11-23-2020, 11:48 PM

Thank you!

Ryan B · 11-23-2020, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDi

Nice to see you have joined the group.

I have always felt that the best place to "break in" a new RV is in your driveway. It allows you the opportunity to use it but be able to retreat to the house if you need to get something important.

Ah, that's a good idea as well! I have a sort of Home Owners Association where I live and they do have some regulations about RVs in driveways. I've seen plenty of other folks park theirs on the street with nobody being upset. I would imagine having it in my driveway for a day or two wouldn't be an issue. Thanks for the idea!

MSHappyCampers · 11-24-2020, 09:26 AM

Hi Ryan! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

Congrats on the new Jayco! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Mark_K5LXP · 11-24-2020, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan B

I have a sort of Home Owners Association where I live

Is that like being a little pregnant? Seems you do or you don't, and what teeth they have enforcing their rules. The trick there is to get a junk car and put it up on blocks in your front yard. Give them something to get all spooled up about and they won't notice the camper.

You're going to discover lots of little things you either forgot, or didn't know you wanted or needed. When you're in the driveway it's not a trip fail. Going through some of the checklists folks have posted online can also be useful, if someone else is packing something there's probably a good reason. Create your own checklist, even after a few decades of camping and now RV'ing I still use them.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM