Picking up FW, what to bring?

[tbarb]

Picking up an order out FW--WC 29RLX in two weeks. It is 20 hour drive away and we will camp our way back. I should mention we are semi-Newbies.
Question is, what do I need to bring along so we can camp our way home. DW has a fair size pile of totes ready to supply the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen.
I have no pile yet and I am in charge of mechanical items, and functional things.
What should be in my pile ?

[doc73]

First thing.. Congrats

Seconds... Print the PDI sheet from the library on here. Bring a multi sided screw driver (one of those ones with the two sizes of the phillips and blade tips), a Roberson screw driver (square tip). I also like to bring a multi meter / circuit tester to make sure all the outlets work.

Have them fill your FW tank a bit for usage on the ride home. I'd prob use disposable stuff if only making the shot home. If I was stopping at CG's then I'd use my dishes.

It will be an emotional time but TAKE YOUR TIME and check the PDI list BEFORE signing anything. If you sign and it is broke they could take their time. If it is broke and they do not have your money they will be quicker to get it fixed. 20 hrs is a long time to drive to pick up, I hope it is all good, but if not be prepared to walk w/o a trailer if it does not pass your tests..

[5picker]

Most places give you the essentials like an inexpensive sewer hose and a city water hose.

Make sure they show you how to connect/work everything during the PDI, just like you would be camping. Tell them, "OK, we have just pulled in to the campground... what do we need to do to stay overnight." They should show you EVERYTHING and how EVERYTHING WORKS unless they are just after your money. Be sure they give you a battery & propane.

Take along a few 2x6' pieces to use to level up with until you decide what method you might stay with. (boards, Lynx levelers, Anderson levelers, etc.)

[Iwannacamp]

Reminds me of our trip late last year. We had everything but the kitchen sink(already in rv). Just take the normal stuff.

I suggest a ATC fuse assortment....Amazon is cheap. A couple ratchet straps. Air supply. Jack.

I had everything plus what I had in the old unit. I took minimal camping stuff as space was limited in TV.

[ependydad]

Ohhh, I have the perfect article for you:
Newbie – First Trip Essentials | Learn To RV

Second, tools-wise- a simple toolbox should suffice. A vast majority of the time, I get by with a 50-60 piece junk toolset that was gifted to me. They aren't quality tools but I get by. Other than that, hammer, multi-meter, breaker bar, torque wrench, appropriate deep-well sockets (for the tires, mostly), and a drill/screw gun.

Nothing fancy- I get by fulltiming with that crappy toolset and Harbor Freight tools for the rest. I don't tackle anything too hard, but can usually get by with what I have.

Also, as mentioned- a PDI checklist is an absolute must. I like this one and have used it 3-4 times. The only thing I really missed was taking a DVD along to test the radio (which didn't have one of the speakers wired up at all).

http://www.angelfire.com/trek/buenav...PDI_V113_2.pdf

Try to do the PDI *before* you sign papers and prepare to site tight while they scramble for fixes. They had to replace a control board on my furnace (in July) when we did my walk through.

[kenandterry]

Yup...you sign that they have your money, you have no leverage.

That said....after you read the PDI list....

Minimum to camp your way home..
Whatever electrical cord to connect to 15/30/50 amp service your rig needs
Drinking hose (the white ones) minimum 25’
Sewer hose minimum 25’

Minimum Tools....
screwdriver assortment
adjustable wrench(s)
pliers
socket set (metric/imperial)
wrenches (metric/imperial)
Allen keys
Gorilla tape
mallet/hammer
multi meter
flashlight
WD-40 or similar

Essential features of any RV...
fridge (propane and/or electric)
water heater (propane and/or electric)
furnace
generator...does it power everything AC powered
air conditioner and heat strips if equipped
all RV lights....these will all be 12 volt
AC electrical outlets....test easily with any household table lamp
water....portable and using 12 volt pump to test all taps/toilet(s)
city water under pressure to test all taps/toilet(s)
test both grey and black tanks empty correctly with pull levers

These above items should be considered the essentials....

televisions, radios, DVD, etc are fluff but you may want to verify they at least power up and make sounds...all remotes accounted for and communicating?

Geesh.

[Oaklevel]

Have no idea what a FW--WC 29RLX is but..............

Fresh Water hose
Wheel Chocks
2 x 8s for leveling
Good Sewer Hose
Extension cord for whatever
Misc Tool Box & Misc Tiools
Spare fuses.
Lug Wrench and Jack for the trailer hopefully you will not need it.
Make sure that the trailer came with a spare there are optional but often added by the dealer.

Good Luck

[4daveb]

Take a camera or video (could be phone) of the PDI for later reference. You forget a lot the dealer said because you get excided, I would anyway.

[atcbrownie]

Guessing fw = fifth wheel and wc = wildcat 29RLX

[merrykalia]

We purchased our new 5'er in June of this year. Picked it out, did preliminary paperwork on Wednesday and then arranged pickup for that Friday. We were heading on vacation on Friday and wanted the new RV before we left.

We came home, loaded up all the stuff from the old RV and put it in the back of the truck and headed back to Cincinnati for PDI on Friday. We looked like the Clampetts driving down the highway. We had clothing, kitchen ware, linens, tools, beach chairs, awning tent, etc. It took us almost 2 hrs to transfer stuff from the truck and put it in the new RV. It was a struggle finding stuff once we got to the beach. We took his tool box and other things, like a good sewer hose, 30amp to 50amp adaptor, dish detergent and stuff for the kitchen as well as some kitchen staples (flour, sugar, olive oil, etc.).

Good luck with your new purchase and I hope you have many years of service from this purchase.

[tbarb]

Wow some great stuff. (ependydad) with the PDI. Great reference tool. Will use.
Thanks (atc) for clarifying that. Wildcat 29RLX
Very helpful suggestions and I have started a list based on your help.
Thanks again for your responses.

Tom

[D W]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Yup...you sign that they have your money, you have no leverage.

That said....after you read the PDI list....

Minimum to camp your way home..
Whatever electrical cord to connect to 15/30/50 amp service your rig needs
Drinking hose (the white ones) minimum 25’
Sewer hose minimum 25’

Minimum Tools....
screwdriver assortment
adjustable wrench(s)
pliers
socket set (metric/imperial)
wrenches (metric/imperial)
Allen keys
Gorilla tape
mallet/hammer
multi meter
flashlight
WD-40 or similar

Essential features of any RV...
fridge (propane and/or electric)
water heater (propane and/or electric)
furnace
generator...does it power everything AC powered
air conditioner and heat strips if equipped
all RV lights....these will all be 12 volt
AC electrical outlets....test easily with any household table lamp
water....portable and using 12 volt pump to test all taps/toilet(s)
city water under pressure to test all taps/toilet(s)
test both grey and black tanks empty correctly with pull levers

These above items should be considered the essentials....

televisions, radios, DVD, etc are fluff but you may want to verify they at least power up and make sounds...all remotes accounted for and communicating?

Geesh.

That list makes sense. Gosh, I haven't seen the term "imperial" used in decades. I remember when gasoline in Canada was sold by the imperial gallon. Over 50% of the posts on this forum are when folks get the RV home they run into AC electrical problems, so one other thing I'd add to this list is a GFCI Tester:

[radio flyer]

Try & stay the first night at the Dealer where you are buying it. Try everything that night & the next day before you leave. It will help a lot to find any problems. Have fun & enjoy your new camper.

[changing it up a bit]

The only thing that I would add to what everyone is suggesting having gone through this just six months ago myself. Stay at least one or two days close to the dealer. You will either find items that don't work, or you don't know how to work. If it is critical you will have support. In my case the converter was not charging the batteries or providing AC to the coach. They had blown all the fusses by plugging and unplugging without shutting down power first. This was a very big problem for a newbie..

[timfromma]

Bring your tow vehicle.

[Underthedog]

If you are a AAA member be aware that RV coverage is not included as the standard, it is a plus and costs more. (We found that one out the hard way). Most RVs do NOT include a lug wrench of any kind so if you pick up a nail you either need to have a lug wrench you brought, or the ability to call on relatively cheap labor to change it out. (Seems I've aged to the point where I can't get the stinkin' things off by my ownself).

Plus one for the 'Take your time, Check out everything you can, Enjoy yourselves'!

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by Underthedog

If you are a AAA member be aware that RV coverage is not included as the standard, it is a plus and costs more. (We found that one out the hard way). Most RVs do NOT include a lug wrench of any kind so if you pick up a nail you either need to have a lug wrench you brought, or the ability to call on relatively cheap labor to change it out. (Seems I've aged to the point where I can't get the stinkin' things off by my ownself).

Plus one for the 'Take your time, Check out everything you can, Enjoy yourselves'!

Actually depending on where you live, AAA may not cover RVs at all. I had to buy Good Sam roadside assistance since AAA wouldn't cover my RV.

[Paulie1138]

Pressurize the water lines for as long as possible. Just before you are ready, look under each sink, toilet, shower, etc. for leaks. As you look, you may want to hand tighten the plastic drain piping under the sinks. While my drains did not leak, some of the black pipe couplings were very loose and probably would have leaked sometime soon. You should check these once a year or so anyway. Remember, you are dragging around a house and subjecting it to a 7.1 + earthquake every time out.....lol.