Newbie needs help

[Badbird2000]

Hello all. We are taking delivery of our new Jayco 19XUD this weekend! My first time owning a camper. I grew up as a kid camping in a StarCraft pup and TT. This is our first. The dealer is setting us up with basics, wdh, brake controller, electrical power cord, water pressure regulator, potable water hose, sewer. I will be pulling with a 2012 Silverado Crew cab. I have already bought mirror extenders that clip on. I'm looking for the no-brainer stuff, like pads for the stabilizer jacks to rest on, leveling blocks, wheel blocks, etc. I like the scissor stabilizers that mount between the wheels. It seems like those hold the camper more stable, from what I read. Is it just as easy and cheaper to order the other items on Amazon vs going to Camping World? I have one close by, so that is not an issue. We tent camped for years, so we have those basics (rain flys, outdoor stove, pots, pans, chairs, etc.)
I know there will be things we are missing we figure out once we need them. Want to get the basics figured out before we get started.
Thanks! I'll post pics once I pick her up!

[Woodworker]

Just watch Campin World. I do purchase things from them from time to time but they play with their prices all the time. A member only deal on something can be purchased a week later for cheaper. I think they just get bored and make changes to prices without remembering what they just charged.
After a while you'll know what is actually a sale and what is not.

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[kayakterp]

One thing I have read on here (and other forums) is that it is best to "pretend camping" in your driveway at home for a couple nights first. Then you get a feel for the trailer and get a better idea of things you need/want for future use and get to know how your trailer works.
Some things I need to buy are:
Fresh Water hoses, not the garden hose in my back yard
Toilet chemicals (different people use different things)
wheel chocks
a pad for front area
door mats
water regulator
water filter (blue camco that hooks to outside hose, even though I use bottled water for drinking/cooking)
RV toilet paper
30 amp extension cord (only use dit once but glad I had it that one time)
lots of blocks for leveling the stabilizer jacks
tire chocks to level one side of trailer

There is a thread about a month ago that asked what people brought with them and there is a lot of ideas. Sorry I can't remember what its title is

[Ohiofinlander]

Besides all of the camping gear you will need. Put together a simple tool collection for the basics. Screw drivers, wrenches, ratchet and sockets, rags.......

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[Sundancer330]

You will also want some surge protection for all your expensive electronics. Any electrical surge damage is not covered under warranty, the Progressive Industries EMS is one of the best available, lifetime warranty, made in USA. Here is a link to Amazon, easy to install, takes about 30 minutes. https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-I.../dp/B0050EGS5W

[vcbice]

I know many will disagree, but, I have never used a surge protector and only used a water filter once (at someone's private well). For many years I never used a water pressure regulator. If we were at a campground with too high pressure I would just fill the tank and use the trailer's water pump. Most campground water pressure is in the 60psi range or less and is either softened or isn't very hard. FWIW, we drink bottled water, even when we had a brick home.

And, yes, in the past 20yrs of RVing have been in some pretty bad thunderstorms, complete with power blackouts cause by lightning. Three of those were in the last year that we have been full time.

We have xchocks for the wheels. If you use regular wheel chocks correctly the xchocks offer no benefit to stability. They are easier to set up and remove, which is why I still use them. For stability the best are the tripod screw jacks.

For leveling I like the lego blocks. Easy to store and set up. Lighter than wood blocks. Anderson levelers might be better for you but I've never tried them.

Get good sewer hoses (I like the brown ones). It is also handy to have a clear section so you can see when the system is 'clean' or if something is plugged up.

If you plan on boondocking then a better battery (or two). If you camp for weekends only then two batteries will last you as long as you don't use the furnace much.

And, yes, do a dry run with the unit when you get it. Many dealers will have a campground close by so you can spend the night to make sure everything works and you know how to use it.

[BillV]

2" x 6" lumber makes great wheel chocks and leveling blocks. 18" long blocks work very well leveling our Jayco 24.

[BillV]

Walmart carries a good supply of RV accessories. The products are the same you find in RV stores and prices are better in most cases.

[Jagiven]

Most importantly have a notepad and a pencil. with a camping background you will be fine.

One thing to note, that most newbie run into. Your holding tanks only hold so much. If you are not connected to both a sewer connection and a water you will empty your FW tank quickly if you use water like at home. Just watch how long you leave faucets open for. With some practice, you can go 5 days on a tank. I still carry a 5 gallon water jug.

[RyRoRyan]

Amazon will be much cheaper than CW in most cases.

[bdreinv]

Originally Posted by Badbird2000

Hello all. We are taking delivery of our new Jayco 19XUD this weekend! My first time owning a camper. I grew up as a kid camping in a StarCraft pup and TT. This is our first. The dealer is setting us up with basics, wdh, brake controller, electrical power cord, water pressure regulator, potable water hose, sewer. I will be pulling with a 2012 Silverado Crew cab. I have already bought mirror extenders that clip on. I'm looking for the no-brainer stuff, like pads for the stabilizer jacks to rest on, leveling blocks, wheel blocks, etc. I like the scissor stabilizers that mount between the wheels. It seems like those hold the camper more stable, from what I read. Is it just as easy and cheaper to order the other items on Amazon vs going to Camping World? I have one close by, so that is not an issue. We tent camped for years, so we have those basics (rain flys, outdoor stove, pots, pans, chairs, etc.)
I know there will be things we are missing we figure out once we need them. Want to get the basics figured out before we get started.
Thanks! I'll post pics once I pick her up!

Wall Mart carries a good deal of what you may need.I think the company CAMCO makes a ton of RV stuff and can be bought online. Happy Camping!

[DonaandDon]

Agree with Kayakterp; driveway camping is a great testing area, also a great inspection area. When it rains and it will rain you'll need to preform a detailed inspection. Have a good flashlight because night time inspections for light penetration and or water intrusion is critical. "Stay thirsty my friend"

[Bassdogs]

Don't over think this and don't plan a trip to Disney for your first outing. Grab the wife and kids, some bedding, kitchen utenzils, and food for a day or 2. Head over to a close by state park that is close enough to a Walmart to grab whatever you forgot that you really need. Let the day unfold and enjoy your new rv. Don't stress over this stuff, its not rocket science and everybody was a rookie at some time. You can't screw up because it is just a shake down cruise. Don't set big goals, this is not going to be the trip of a lifetime. Put a notebook on the dining room table and jot down stuff that you think you need, questions you run into like what is this for or how do you turn this on. If you have a friend with a couple years of experience, have his number or better yet invite him to come along.

On our first trip in our first pup, we hit a county park a few miles from my mothers home in a small town in Indiana. We set up and immediately discovered we needed an extension cord to plug in to the powerpost. No flashlites, no water hose, and I remember bringing the kids may not have been the best idea. A coleman lantern was our only light and Mc Donalds was our choice for breakfast [no cooler]. Stop at Wmart rang up a total of
$100 and we went back to camp to give it a 2nd chance. Kids had fun with their cheap flashlites and a kickball to keep them busy and DW and I set about to unpack the new stuff with a bit of a grin because over half of it was stuff we had at home. Things got a lot better after that first weekend, but the key is keep it close and keep it simple.

[muelldawg]

Originally Posted by kayakterp

One thing I have read on here (and other forums) is that it is best to "pretend camping" in your driveway at home for a couple nights first. Then you get a feel for the trailer and get a better idea of things you need/want for future use and get to know how your trailer works.
Some things I need to buy are:
Fresh Water hoses, not the garden hose in my back yard
Toilet chemicals (different people use different things)
wheel chocks
a pad for front area
door mats
water regulator
water filter (blue camco that hooks to outside hose, even though I use bottled water for drinking/cooking)
RV toilet paper
30 amp extension cord (only use dit once but glad I had it that one time)
lots of blocks for leveling the stabilizer jacks
tire chocks to level one side of trailer

There is a thread about a month ago that asked what people brought with them and there is a lot of ideas. Sorry I can't remember what its title is

Kayakterp, Best idea I've heard in a long time..... pretend/test camping in driveway with new rigs.

[Woodworker]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Don't over think this and don't plan a trip to Disney for your first outing. Grab the wife and kids, some bedding, kitchen utenzils, and food for a day or 2. Head over to a close by state park that is close enough to a Walmart to grab whatever you forgot that you really need. Let the day unfold and enjoy your new rv. Don't stress over this stuff, its not rocket science and everybody was a rookie at some time. You can't screw up because it is just a shake down cruise. Don't set big goals, this is not going to be the trip of a lifetime. Put a notebook on the dining room table and jot down stuff that you think you need, questions you run into like what is this for or how do you turn this on. If you have a friend with a couple years of experience, have his number or better yet invite him to come along.

On our first trip in our first pup, we hit a county park a few miles from my mothers home in a small town in Indiana. We set up and immediately discovered we needed an extension cord to plug in to the powerpost. No flashlites, no water hose, and I remember bringing the kids may not have been the best idea. A coleman lantern was our only light and Mc Donalds was our choice for breakfast [no cooler]. Stop at Wmart rang up a total of
$100 and we went back to camp to give it a 2nd chance. Kids had fun with their cheap flashlites and a kickball to keep them busy and DW and I set about to unpack the new stuff with a bit of a grin because over half of it was stuff we had at home. Things got a lot better after that first weekend, but the key is keep it close and keep it simple.

I sure wish I could listen to myself when I tell myself lets keeps this simple, its only goin to be 2 nights. But no I have this theory it's always better to bring it back not used then to not have it and need it. Who really needs 5 cast iron skilets on a weekend trip? But I swear the day I don't take them all I'll need the one I left behind i tell myself so I load em all, along with an array of other things,
Simple, what's that? Even my Wife looks at me and shakes her head sometimes LOL

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[Ohiofinlander]

Originally Posted by Woodworker

I sure wish I could listen to myself when I tell myself lets keeps this simple, its only goin to be 2 nights. But no I have this theory it's always better to bring it back not used then to not have it and need it. Who really needs 5 cast iron skilets on a weekend trip? But I swear the day I don't take them all I'll need the one I left behind i tell myself so I load em all, along with an array of other things,
Simple, what's that? Even my Wife looks at me and shakes her head sometimes LOL

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So Woodworker, you're telling us that you would be a great neighbor to have at the CG. If we forget something, you'll have plenty to go around! LOL

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[Woodworker]

Originally Posted by Ohiofinlander

So Woodworker, you're telling us that you would be a great neighbor to have at the CG. If we forget something, you'll have plenty to go around! LOL

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That's me for sure. I'm like a scaled down version of a street peddler in the camp ground loaded with goods. LOL

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[vcbice]

We follow the rule that if we haven't used it in a year then we get rid of it. Sometimes we'll get rid of it sooner depending on what it is.

It is a bit easier when you live in it After a month you know if you will need it or not.

[Astronuts]

We have a 2016 SLX 145RB. Test camped in our driveway for about 2 months before taking it on the road. Having a great time with it. Beats tenting.
Some other items you may want to consider.
Anderson Leveler. Fantastic. No guess work when leveling. Installed a pair of bubble levels to rear of TT for quick reference.
Portable holding tank for emptying grey water tank when not hooked up to sewer hookups. Greywater tanks fill up quickly.
Portable Generator if you plan to dry camp. We have a Champion 2000w inverter generator. Very quiet.

Enjoy your new TT

[Badbird2000]

Thanks for all the pointers. I hit up Amazon first, but made the mistake of wandering into Camping World over the weekend. 😮
We leave out Wednesday for our first trip. Only 1.5 hours from home, we will see what we don't know!