New to OWning an RV

[ODNT]

So, we pulled the trigger and are buying a new 2022 310RLTS. We know the learning curve can be steep, but we've wanted this for a long time.


Promise I will search the forums, but some initial questions:


1. Top items we should buy first that we will need (beyond sewer hoses, water hoses, chock blocks)?


2. What are the best brands of power cord adapters and surge protectors, and water pressure regulators?


3. What RV specific tools do I need? I see torque wrenches and all I know is how to spell it...


4. Your favorite travel planning app?


5. Other suggestions!


Looking forward to the journey!

[JFlightRisk]

Congratulations on the new 5er! I'll try to answer some of your questions, and others will offer up their thoughts as they see this.

Besides the items you mentioned,

Your torque wrench should be 1/2"drive so deep well sockets for the sizes of lug nuts on
the trailer and the truck, along with a jack or Trailer Aid Plus for the trailer.

30-amp male to 50-amp female dog bone adapter.

Leveling blocks such as Lynx Levelers, or similar.

A good water pressure regulator like the Renator (that has a gauge attached).

An EMS like a Hughes Watchdog or Progressive Industries.

A good assortment of tools, one of which being a #2 square drive screwdriver, a multi-bit
screwdriver with Phillips and flat blade bits.

A cordless drill and basic set of drill bits. 1/4" and 3/8: socket sets.

A ball peen hammer, a 12" Crescent wrench, and Channel Lock pliers.

Spare fuses for both the camper, and your truck.

RV Life Trip Wizard trip planner.

We carry so much with us that I'm sure I'm forgetting some things this late in the day. Others will fill in the blanks for you.

[Frosty22]

There's a lot of good you tube videos on Fifth wheeling. I enjoyed a Couple that goes by "changing lanes" the best.

[Happy wife / happy life]

Duct tape ( I prefer Gorilla tape ), assortment of zip-ties. , emergency roadside warning triangles , a very good flashlight.

[LuckyDuck]

JFR’s list above is a great start. Use the search button above and you should find more threads on tools and helpful gadgets. But rather than going out and buying everything you see at Camping World, I’d recommend starting with the basics and do some camping. As you travel, you’ll discover what you need (and don’t need). You will also see what others have and recommend.

That said, here’s a few more I wouldn’t leave home without:

— A quality tire pressure gauge
— A couple of plastic tarps, just in case
— IR temp gun to check my hubs after traveling a bit
— Second sewer hose, water hose, power cord extension etc. for that rare case the hookups are far.
— Some silicone spray lubricant and dielectric grease.
— Good rain gear and a bag of clean terry towels or rags.
Enjoy your new rig!

[LuckyDuck]

Here’s a recent thread with some good suggestions…
https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ets-99667.html

[fochman]

Welcome from York County, South Carolina!

[Jerry713]

Welcome! Searching this forum can provide a wealth of info. If you want to go the YouTube route here are a couple of channels I have found really useful.

https://www.youtube.com/@iLoveRVlife
https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWait

[cgalutera1]

A gps that has a RV setting to avoid low hanging bridges!!!

[TaftCoach]

RV Life Pro for all your planning. Link at the top of the page.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by ODNT

1. Top items we should buy first that we will need (beyond sewer hoses, water hoses, chock blocks)?

NOTHING except for what you need for an overnight at a hotel + making meals. You will find so many "must have" lists that will cost you thousands on things you don't need.

Buy the bare minimum and the should haves and avoid the rest.

https://learntorv.com/newbie-first-trip-essentials/

Originally Posted by ODNT

2. What are the best brands of power cord adapters and surge protectors, and water pressure regulators?

Camco or power cord adapters.

A surge protector only protects against surges which aren’t very common. What’s more common are miswired pedestals and low voltage. To protect against surges, low and high voltage, and bad pedestals, you want what Progressive Industries calls an electric monitoring system (EMS) or as Hughes calls it “emergency power off” (EPO).

https://learntorv.com/what-surge-pro...est-for-my-rv/

For water pressure regulators, look at RVWaterFilterStore.com.

Originally Posted by ODNT

3. What RV specific tools do I need? I see torque wrenches and all I know is how to spell it...

What tools people carry go hand-in-hand with their skill level. Mine is, “I have to think righty-tighty lefty-loosey when I use a screw driver.”

I don’t carry anything but basic hand tools, a socket kit, a drill, and a Jig saw for doing DIY mods. I’m also not very mechanically oriented.

The couple of “special” things I have that I recommend are:

• torque wrench for properly tightening lug nuts (applicable for trailers, not motorhomes)
• socket extension to make it easier to use
• deep well sockets that fit your lug nuts and water heater anode/plug
• Jack for lifting an axle to change a tire (applicable for trailers, not motorhomes)
• voltmeter and non-contact voltage detector for diagnosing electric problems

Originally Posted by ODNT

4. Your favorite travel planning app?

RVParky.com is my favorite trip planner. It’s free! But it’s missing a couple of features that I think could make it better- namely being able to “pin” or lock-in dates for certain stays.

RVTripWizard.com is the gold standard. It’s pay to play and I’ve heard a lot of new folks say that the user interface can be overwhelming. I’ve known more than a couple of people who paid for it and then never used it because of that. Once you master it, it’s a great tool.

When shopping for campgrounds, I’ll use Campendium.com, CampgroundReviews.com, RVParky.com, and even Google for reviews. For boondocking spots, I’ll also check TheDyrt.com, iOverlander, and FreeCampsites.net.

Or, there’s always the option of hiring out with an RV travel agent at RVTripMakers.com. They can help plan your trip, break it into individual (and realistic) stops, find you places to stay, and for places the planners have been- provide suggestions on anything from hikes to restaurants.

Originally Posted by ODNT

5. Other suggestions!

Take a breath and slow down. It's great to be excited, but be careful buying everything under the sun. YouTube is a great resource but understand that a lot of what you see there are sponsored posts (free product in exchange for videos through out and out paid sponsorships).

[spoon059]

My suggestion is to find a friend with a camper and camp with them a couple times, preferably near a Walmart. Get there good and early day 1 with your friend and watch them set up. You'll quickly figure out what you need and some stuff you want. Go to Walmart to get what you need.

Do that 2 or 3 times early in the season and you'll have everything you need.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by ODNT

So, we pulled the trigger and are buying a new 2022 310RLTS. We know the learning curve can be steep, but we've wanted this for a long time.

Glad your wish came true and....

[TaftCoach]

By the way, if you can drive through Dallas you can drive anywhere. I've started going through Wichita Falls to avoid it.

[Bigdog]

Make your campsite reservations as early as possible, and don’t forget to pack a bottle opener.

[Randel J]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

Make your campsite reservations as early as possible, and don’t forget to pack a bottle opener.

... and a wine bottle corkscrew?

[Hollander Mutthaulers]

Congratulations!

Keep reading this forum.

Get the basics you need then research, as you are doing, for what you might also need or want.

Think about everything you do and want and experience with your RV and keep notes and lists for modifications and things you need and for how to operate, set up and take down your RV.

It's a gradual process, take your time, have fun RVing, and keep thinking about how to make it better and more fun.

For the first several years we enjoyed traveling the U.S. and modifying our unit while we were at home. Both were equally enjoyable and rewarding. We now have a trailer perfect for us.

Best wishes for many great and happy experiences!

[Kim Gass]

Repair tools
Sewer hose and collar
Fresh water hose and regulator
surge protector
rubber gloves
levelers
Don't try to over think it
You are probably going to be within rrasonable distance of Home Depot
In our travels we see more shopping tham we will ever have at hone

[joe w]

Originally Posted by ODNT

So, we pulled the trigger and are buying a new 2022 310RLTS. We know the learning curve can be steep, but we've wanted this for a long time.


Promise I will search the forums, but some initial questions:


1. Top items we should buy first that we will need (beyond sewer hoses, water hoses, chock blocks)?


2. What are the best brands of power cord adapters and surge protectors, and water pressure regulators?


3. What RV specific tools do I need? I see torque wrenches and all I know is how to spell it...


4. Your favorite travel planning app?


5. Other suggestions!


Looking forward to the journey!

Welcome to the RV world and enjoy! I like to use the Good Sam travel planner. Add a quality TPMS to your list.

[Big1]

Welcome and congratulations, it look like that you have a pretty good list now. Do you have any pics of your setup?