First time dad, first time RV!

Abulldog08 · 05-30-2016, 05:17 PM

Hey there, I'm Andy, from MI and I'm picking up a 2017 Grey Wolf 26BH on Thursday. Bought a boat 3 years ago and used it 4 times, so I sold it and decided this would be a better family bonding toy with less risk.

Was always terrified of something blowing up in the motor and my equity plummeting, and I take very good care of my things so assuming I can maintain this RV well, I'm hoping it will last our family a long time.

Any advice on stocking the rv, preparing for our first camping trip (next weekend 20 miles away in case s*** hits the fan, haha), etc. would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks!

Here's a pic of the rig I bought.

Brother Les · 05-30-2016, 05:53 PM

There is a long list of should and should not do with campers. Someone will come along with a thread link on this subject. You will buy a lot of 'stuff' over the next couple of years that you 'need', and after three years take half of it out of the camper.

Buying a camper for a investment avenue is funny and will never happen..... You have a family and plan to go camping, right?.... these are the times for having fun and making memories, not worrying about a cabinet gouge or a crushed skirting or a bend tv antenna caught in a tree or a back bumper rusting out. You will need to maintain your camper sometimes to keep it in usable shape, fixing a little plumbing, resealing the roof, grease and install new wheel bearings, etc, etc....

Before every trip, check and double check, and plan and remain calm. Add two hours for every day on your trip, because you will 'loose' them somewhere (why do the kids have to go to the bath room 5 minutes after we are back on the road from filling up?)... remain calm. Watch your mirrors and blind spots. Do not drive over 65mph. Get a TST tire system monitor (to help you remain calm. Have a great time because you Planned your trips and keep your family safe.....

Abulldog08 · 05-30-2016, 07:35 PM

Great advice! Sound like you've got a lot of experience. As far as the investment business goes, I'm not too worried about it. I'm sure RVs depreciate even faster than cars, but like you said, gotta keep my eye on the prize and that's weekend fun and relaxation. Convincing the wife of that may be a doozie though lol.

BandJCarm · 05-30-2016, 07:55 PM

Just sold one of those. We loved ours. Never had a single problem with it other than the POC plastic (painted chrome) kitchen faucet. .... Well, that and me not disconnecting the dometic commode valve in the winter!! My fault, not the campers. LOTS of storage in these things.

Keep the tires inflated properly, use your WDH correctly, and find a place to camp!

Welcome and Congrats!

Abulldog08 · 05-30-2016, 07:57 PM

Thanks for all that! Couple quick questions....what is a WDH, and what does "DW" stand for? I keep reading it and I think it's a wife, but can't figure it out. Haha

BandJCarm · 05-30-2016, 07:58 PM

Weight Distribution Hitch

Dear Wife

Abulldog08 · 05-30-2016, 07:59 PM

Oh duh. Thanks!

**Terier** · 05-30-2016, 10:39 PM

Brother Les is right about buying stuff that you never use. I figured that out in time and returned many unused items for a refund.

My suggestion would be to keep things simple in the beginning. I like to heat up something simple like Sloppy Joe's or tacos for dinner for the first day and keep actual cooking for the other days.

Abulldog08 · 05-30-2016, 10:41 PM

Good call...thanks!

Abulldog08 · 06-06-2016, 01:49 PM

Took a few pics of the RV after I picked it up this past weekend.

rmac04401 · 06-06-2016, 02:10 PM

Almost looks like mine on outside. Same color and shape. Any pics of inside?

mrpep · 06-06-2016, 02:57 PM

Super nice ! Congrats !

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mrpep · 06-06-2016, 02:58 PM

Just remember , when it rains , drop one side of your awning so water can run off .

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Brother Les · 06-06-2016, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrpep

Just remember , when it rains , drop one side of your awning so water can run off .

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With the electric arms..... should have the 'auto-dump' on the awning, if it is needed.

doc73 · 06-06-2016, 03:15 PM

Don't rely on it, mine does not auto anything.. Ask the DW. Checked it the other day and dumped all the stored water onto her as she was sitting in her camp chair! LOL

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Dennis and Julie · 06-06-2016, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Les

With the electric arms..... should have the 'auto-dump' on the awning, if it is needed.

Ours has auto dump, but it dumps right by the main door so we lower the other end a bit.

Nancyc7 · 06-06-2016, 03:54 PM

Hi abulldog08,

Congratulations on your new adventures. I really would have loved to have been able to do this when my kids were little, I think it would make for great family memories and bonding.

My husband (DH) and I just bought a class C and there is not a question we can think of that is not addressed already here. So much good information.

I just used my first acronym!

I am trying to go really slow at furnishing this, shopping our house, Dollar Tree, Goodwill and of course Amazon. You want to make it easy to pick up and go and yet not overload it either.

Wumba · 06-06-2016, 04:10 PM

Check out this...lotta good first time tips and info!

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ce-107178.html

You may also like: