Community Forums

Vac4lf · 07-19-2015, 01:54 PM

Hello everyone,
We are new to RVing. Bought our first one, a 1995 national sea breeze. It's overall condition is good, but I can't leave things alone so I'm sure some changes will happen.

We will be taking our rig to Florida in two weeks for our first trip. We decided to do a a "test" weekend trip 10 miles away. Thank God we did. We learned some good lessons like, make sure all the plumbing is connected before turning the water on. One of the feed pipes to the bathroom had disconnected. Didn't realize it till water came flowing out under the bathroom door. Luckily it was an easy find and fix. Another lesson, know how the water heater works. Figured out how to turn it on but still no hot showers?? After getting back home and trouble shooting found out there was a bypass. Duh, so we had hot water the whole time. It just never left the tank. We learned that unlimited fresh water does not mean unlimited water out (site had water spicet and electric but no sewer). Found out after the shower back filled with 10 inch of used sink water. Thank God RVs have black and gray tanks else there would be new meaning to floaters for us.

Well, wish us luck and if anyone out there has some good advice for a newbie let me know.
Jerry

the_vfox · 07-19-2015, 02:15 PM

Welcome

We all have our little lessons. If they deny it, they are not remembering it right. Our only hope is that the lessons don't cost much$$$$

Mich F · 07-19-2015, 02:22 PM

As for the water heater, make sure the water tank is full before turning it on.

Best of luck with your new to you MH.

wb7auk · 07-19-2015, 02:26 PM

Use water like it was priceless
When you open the refridg do it fast and close it as their recovery is very slow.

KarenS144 · 07-19-2015, 02:38 PM

Welcome to iRV2 and to RVing! The good news is that you're a Noob only once.

MSHappyCampers · 07-19-2015, 02:41 PM

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

Congrats on the new rig! Keep her between the ditches! Hang in there, it's gonna get better!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

denlock · 07-19-2015, 04:48 PM

nothermark · 07-19-2015, 05:20 PM

Do yourself a favor and do not connect to city water. As long as you run off your tank with your pump you limit the damage from both human and mechanical failures. Most folks also hear the pump running and wonder why when it should not be. ;-) If you do that it also helps you track how full your black and gray tanks are getting. Get in the habit of scanning your tank and battery levels on a regular basis like when you get up and before you go to bed. It helps avoid surprises.

Before you leave and after every time you stop walk around the unit checking things just before you get in and drive away. Things get forgotten and folks get "helpful" with anything tied or connected. Also run a hand over your tires and wheels when you do a road stop. Do it CAUTIOUSLY. You will be surprised how things heat up and what is normal. You are looking for not normal situations because that is a sign something is failing. Might be inflation pressure, might be bad bearings, might be dragging brakes. Might be you just came off 5 miles of 6% grade and it's more or less normal. ;-)

If driving gets nasty for weather or really most other conditions find a spot to pull over and let it go by. You probably will not lose much time but will be a lot more comfortable sitting there watching the mess out the window with a beverage and break or book or whatever. While you are at it plan trips so you do not need to do high milage in one day. That way if you do lose time you can make it up.

Bruce C · 07-20-2015, 02:31 AM

hal1phx · 07-20-2015, 07:07 AM

J Birder · 07-20-2015, 07:38 AM

Actually, you may not have hot water all along. If the water heater was bypassed, then it is likely that there was no water in it. If so, You will want to check to see if any damage was done. If you were heating electrically, then the heating element may be burned out. If you were only using propane, damage is less likely, but seill should be checked.

Joel

Troostr · 07-20-2015, 08:17 AM

Welcome, and don't sweat the lessons. There's someone that will learn from you (or anyone else) sharing them.

LynnD · 07-20-2015, 10:24 AM

Welcome!! We made so many mistakes (or rather....learning experiences!) when we started out with our fiver....now we will do the learning curve thing with the motorhome! LOL! Life is just an ongoing lesson!