New to RVing

Topic: New to RVing (Read 2301 times) previous topic - next topic

New to RVing

March 20, 2014, 12:25:10 pm

My wife and I are new to RVing and just purchased a 1999 U270 36' from a family member who had passed away. We have not taken her out yet and I have been reading manuals to learn what I can and had RVing friends show me things. We plan on taking her to a local state park for first try to see if everything works. I guess I will learn what I know and don't know. Any words of wisdom from any experienced RVers before we try her out? I am looking forward to it!!

Re: New to RVing

Reply #1 – March 20, 2014, 05:59:42 pm

Welcome to the group.

Take your internet phone, and count on us to help with your questions. These things are full of systems and complications. I am learning something new almost daily from the posted questions and answers.

Share your location either in your signature or profile, along with your year, model and build number. This will really help you get the best of help. And who knows, you might just be down the street from another forum member.

And maybe the most important RV tip ever. Don't leave your black tank valve open, or open it till you are ready to drain everything. And make sure the hose is really tightly connected! Good plan is to fill your water tank full, and then use your pump for water, and know that about the time you are low on water, your grey and black tanks are full. Plus we always travel with water, as you never know if the water is on when you arrive. Or find out, you are not going to arrive, but stuck on the side of the road, or in a service parking lot till they open on Monday. Just a couple of weeks ago, we left the coach for a several hour repair. Well, at 6 we found out the coach was still outside and not looked at, with to be 10 degrees with snow. We spent the night there, comfortable, warm after hot showers, with lots of diesel, water and food on board.

Find your "salesman" switch for the battery, before you need to find out why you have no power inside.

Re: New to RVing

Reply #2 – March 20, 2014, 06:22:52 pm

Make certain the tires are at correct pressure. Engine and trans oil full, and coolant in good shape and topped off. If you don't know when they and their filters were changed last, put that on your to-do list. Make sure the service brakes are up to snuff, slack adjusters set right and pads and discs in good shape. This can be a DIY check, but if you have access to a big truck mechanic, it might be worth it to have it gone over. I kinda need to check slack adjusters meself, now that I think of it. Spend time in the beastie in your driveway, just getting used to where things are. Spend time on this site and ask lots of questions, this is one of the best forums on the internet! Oh yes, if you haven't already, go print out the "50 things to check before you buy your used foretravel" sticky on the general discussion page. I use a slightly modified copy of it as a preflight checklist.

Re: New to RVing

Reply #3 – March 20, 2014, 06:59:59 pm

I would suggest spending the night before you leave in the driveway. Do dinner, showering, sleeping and breakfast. It's just too hard to remember or think of everything and once your at your campsite - and little too inconvenient to run back home.

Re: New to RVing

Reply #4 – March 20, 2014, 07:18:42 pm

First thing I learned long ago in the used coach biz was to replace all the batteries in the coach. And redo all the cabling ends.

Must have perfect 12 volt in the coach or you will chase your tail trying to figure out why and how long things will work.

Buy the best if this is a keeper coach IMO.

Red top optima's for the engine start and deka MK 8G8D's for the house.

Solar to keep everything charged and sized to your budgetary limits is a asset if not plugged in when stored.

Wiper blades, coach water pump are the other things I normally replace first.

Better rving with good power, and water pressure and the wipers if it rains.

Good coach. Welcome. Bob

Re: New to RVing

Reply #5 – March 20, 2014, 07:27:10 pm

Another welcome! Good advice above, and my addition is to check the members map to see if anyone is near you. We're getting ready to go out full-timing and are starting to live in the coach. We bring things in daily, and some are things that we would have forgotten if we didn't need it here. We're about 20' from the front door of the house, and that is a lot more convenient than getting in the car and running to Wal-Mart because you forgot something.

Re: New to RVing

Reply #6 – March 20, 2014, 07:34:35 pm

We join the others here who have welcomed you. The members of the Foreforums "family" are an incredible bunch, and you will find the advice here to be priceless.

We also suggest you "camp" for a night or two at home. That will help you become familiar with the systems, and also make it very easy to ask questions here. Even the simplest Foretravel is a pretty complicated machine, and you may find yourself needing to ask the same question more than once--because there can be so much to remember. Don't worry: We've all "been there."

Hope to meet you in person down the road sometime!

Re: New to RVing

Reply #7 – March 20, 2014, 07:49:21 pm

As everyone has said, Welcome! Good advice from all above. The Foretravel Motorcade Club is free to new owners for a year. It is another way to find nearby owners. If you aren't sure about service status get all the normal service done, then you know where you are.

Be curious, ask questions, try and figure things out for yourself, learn how things work, fix what you can and find someone you can trust for the rest of it.

Go to RV driving school if you want to. It is well worth it.

And then, above all, travel, have fun, seek out adventure, make new friends and enjoy the life style.

Roger

Re: New to RVing

Reply #8 – March 20, 2014, 08:55:42 pm

Agree on a set of hand signals with a spotter for movements in tight quarters. Check the internet for a set of simple signals. Always use a spotter when backing. If you can't see the spotter don't move. When in doubt, don't move, get out and look for yourself. Be patient anywhere, but especially in a campground.

Re: New to RVing

Reply #9 – March 20, 2014, 08:56:41 pm

Welcome to the forum! We have the same year/model coach and love it. Don has become an expert on this particular model so if you have questions about how things work, just ask him!

Tys

Re: New to RVing

Reply #10 – March 20, 2014, 09:21:22 pm

Congrats and welcome to the forum. My first Foretravel was a 99 U270. Ask away

Re: New to RVing

Reply #11 – March 20, 2014, 09:41:44 pm

Welcome! Same as Don and John S, my previous FT was a 1999 U-270

Here to help

Re: New to RVing

Reply #12 – March 20, 2014, 10:23:45 pm

Welcome! For a quick overview of RV driving, here's a great link to the Driver Confidence Course (free at Lazydays locations in Tampa, FL and Tucson, AZ). Scroll to the bottom of the page for links to 7 very helpful driving videos... I especially liked the two on mirror adjustment and backing into a campsite. Enjoy your new-to-you Foretravel!

Lazydays Driver Confidence Course: Driving An RV From Dream to a Reality -

Re: New to RVing

Reply #13 – March 21, 2014, 08:55:06 am

Welcome aboard. This site can make your experience a whole lot less stressful than learning on your own. Ask questions, make an effort to meet us as you travel.
Have fun
Gary B

Re: New to RVing

Reply #14 – March 21, 2014, 09:07:16 am

Congrats on your new acquisition. This is indeed a lifestyle event for you. There are so many things to learn. The best way is to search this site and "beamalarms.com" for a PDA (pre delivery inspection) sheet and go over this carefully. This is the best way to become familiar with all the possible pitfalls you'll encounter along the way. And then there is "us". We're here to help.

Re: New to RVing

Reply #15 – March 21, 2014, 09:51:48 am

Welcome the the forum. Tires age out not wear out. check the date on the tires. They can look good and be old and dangerous.

Have fun!

Roy

Re: New to RVing

Reply #16 – March 21, 2014, 10:01:31 am

Welcome to the forum and congrats. We had never had a motorhome b/4 we got our FT. This forum has been a lifesaver. Lot's of great, helpful people here. I have found that most everytime I have asked a question a reply/response was forthcoming within minutes of posting. At first I was completely overwhelmed by the complexities of the coach, but now after a year of ownership we are feeling more comfortable. Any question is worth asking. Also the Search function became my best friend. I spent hours reading previous threads to try to aquaint my self with the language and get and overall feeling for our Ol Girl. Our PO was also a forum member and I found his posts. That was very interesting.

Re: New to RVing

Reply #17 – March 21, 2014, 10:53:19 am

Congrats on your new coach! Above posts cover most all. Couple things. Yes, parking lot practice is excellent. Make sure mirrors are working and adjusted. If you have the habit of cutting across corners on country roads, especially right hand, lose it in a hurry. The coach will not stop like a car so allow plenty of distance between yourself and the car ahead. Don't drive at night until you have time behind the wheel. Get all driving and fueling done early in the day. You WILL get tired in the afternoon and are more susceptible to mistakes. Don't let other cars intimidate you.

In cities or narrow roads, I watch my driver's side rear tire in the mirror and keep it close to the stripe. That way, I never worry about the right side even in bumper to bumper traffic in places like San Francisco or construction zones.

We use GRMS radios in some remote campgrounds with the toad going ahead. Also good for backing up at night. Spotter MUST be trained to be in driver's vision at all times and to look UP, not just at ground level when backing. Have seen several people back into tree limbs, gas station overhangs, etc when they had plenty of room at ground level. Do everything slowly.

Your coach will get smaller and smaller each time you drive it until it's not that much bigger than a car. Until comfortable, don't push the envelope.

Pierce

Re: New to RVing

Reply #18 – March 21, 2014, 12:12:21 pm

Thanks guys for the advice. I am looking forward to getting to know y'all. Yes I am a southerner living in Columbus, MS. As I have questions I will ask even if it seems dumb. Again Thanks!

Re: New to RVing

Reply #19 – March 21, 2014, 12:16:25 pm

Oh, what fun!! Jeff and I had never set foot in an RV before we bought our first ... and it was a Foretravel. We were SUCH dummies! If we could do it, you certainly can. We had no idea how easy it was to just live in such a self contained unit for a few days. If you have an electric hookup, and your tanks are empty and your fresh water is full, you are good for several days with no worries about all the "plumbing" exercises, so you can focus on other stuff first. Staying in the driveway is a WONDERFUL idea. The hand signals for backing in are REALLY important ... but just go slow, and if you aren't sure about something just STOP. Talk, get out and look, and then proceed. We were such novices that we needed help from a stranger to back the thing into a site on our first night on the road! AND, we thought that you needed to hook up your water and sewer EVERY time you pulled into a campsite and dump all the tanks each morning. Ha!! Ask every question ... don't ever feel like anything is too dumb. We have all been there. ENJOY!!!

Re: New to RVing

Reply #20 – March 21, 2014, 01:35:55 pm

Welcome! All good info. Foretravels have such huge capacities, in the form of Fuel, fresh water, grey and black tanks, propane, and even electricity. That was one of the draws for me. There is "self contained" with tiny tanks, and then there is the Foretravel version. You can spend a LOT of time completely unconnected to anything. It is a real sense of freedom to be able to just park it and do nothing but press the level button and maybe the generator button...all from the inside. Enjoy your new freedom!

Re: New to RVing

Reply #21 – March 21, 2014, 02:15:43 pm

We bought our first DP (diesel pusher) on a whim when our grandchildren (and their parents) moved to a home 800 miles away from us. It was an SOB (Some Other Brand). We enjoyed a couple of great adventures. One adventure was so exciting (and life threatening) that I started looking for more substantial unit. We bought the 1997 U295 36', which was the same vintage and size as the SOB. The difference in was indeed _substantial_. We are pleased that we had to opportunity to experience the difference between brands. We've traveled in temperatures from 0F to 110F. The FT has allowed us to do that in safety and comfort.

We've had the Foretravel four years and are beginning to do some significant upgrades and remodels. We are also planning more and "bigger" trips. We don't plan to full time, but we really enjoy being some timers.

Your plan to camp close to home for starters is excellent. The advice that you have received so far is excellent. If you think you will enjoy the FT experience, spend the money for tires, batteries, and maintenance. Don't try to save bucks by cutting quality. Get to Nacogdoches for service and to meet people. Get to a Foretravel rally and meet your FT "family."

Re: New to RVing

Reply #22 – March 22, 2014, 08:23:32 am

There are Corps of Engineers (COE) campgrounds all along the Tenn-Tom, a couple just outside of Columbus. DEWAYNE HAYES is just about 8 miles away. If you have the Golden Age Passport (or the new one - America The Beautiful, I think) the fee is something like $10-12 per night. Otherwise $20.

HTH

Re: New to RVing

Reply #23 – March 23, 2014, 09:40:15 pm

Welcome to ForFums. All good advice above. Take a few basic tools with you. One of the most useful - I think absolutely necessary - is a digital voltmeter. Another is an IR thermometer. Good luck and enjoy!

Re: New to RVing

Reply #24 – March 24, 2014, 06:22:08 pm

Quote from: deputydick – March 20, 2014, 12:25:10 pm

My wife and I are new to RVing and just purchased a 1999 U270 36' from a family member who had passed away. We have not taken her out yet and I have been reading manuals to learn what I can and had RVing friends show me things. We plan on taking her to a local state park for first try to see if everything works. I guess I will learn what I know and don't know. Any words of wisdom from any experienced RVers before we try her out? I am looking forward to it!!

As you say you are new to RVing, there is some really basic stuff you need to know. Here is a link to Barry Brideau's website that has lots of info both about RVing and Foretravels. Scroll down to the beginning RV section and click on the links. FORETRAVEL Motorhomes service and Repair Information

About the black water tank, it needs to be precharged with at least 10 gallons of water before use. You will have to guess at this as a hose is used to do it. It can be done at the bay outside, by connecting the hose to the flush bib for that tank. You have a newer coach than mine, but I think it is similar. Even if connected to a sewer, the black water dump valve needs to be closed except when dumping. Otherwise you get a buildup under the toilet that can dry out and is difficult to remove. Also the precharge water helps keep down odors, and one can wait a few days between dumping even without toilet additives. The grey water dump valve can be left open or closed when connected to the sewer. Best to have it open though if the coach has a clothes washer and it is in use.

I second the motion to try it in your driveway, if it's level. The refrigerator if it is the absorption type (operates on propane or electric) can be damaged if it is operated more than a few degrees out of level for a length of time (see the manual). If not reasonably level it will also stop cooling, but that will not be noticed for awhile. It works fine when driving as the motion of the coach keeps everything going. Some of the newer types will automatically shut off when not level. It takes about 8 hrs or more to cool down when first started. The freezer cools first.
If the coach has been sitting awhile with the propane shut off at the tank, it may take several attempts to get the items that the propane serves to start.

You need some knowledge about air brakes if you have never driven anything with air brakes. After the engine is started it takes a few minutes for the pressure to build and the coach to achieve travel mode. Hope you know that already. The transmission does not have a park detent like a car, so when parked the only thing that keeps the coach from rolling is the emergency/parking brake. The yellow diamond shaped button on the dash. It will not release with low pressure, but it will release with enough air pressure and it is easy to accidentally bump to the off position. A dog has been known to do that as well as adults and children.

Hope this helps keep you safe and is not too basic.

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