Hello from North Louisiana

[Rbare31]

Hello to everyone, we just bought a 2014 Cardinal 3850rl and can't wait to use it. We've been looking at trailers for about 3 years and almost bought a couple along the way. I wanted a 5th wheel, so I traded in my 16 crew cab 1500 for a 13 crew cab 2500 ltz diesel at Thanksgiving and started looking harder. Found the Cardinal 10miles from the house and jumped on it! Weathers been bad here and been working out a few problems with the camper and my truck so we haven't had it out yet. Having def problems with my truck and have a few questions on the 5er I'll ask in the right forum. Been reading other posts and have learned a lot on here so far. Thanks

[PharrOut]

Welcome from south Arkansas

[philhan69]

Welcome from South Carolina

[wmtire]

Welcome from just down I-20.

Is this your first RV?

[Rbare31]

It’s my first RV but I grew up camping in a slide in truck camper. Many memories of lookin out over the cab window. Lol

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Rbare31

It’s my first RV but I grew up camping in a slide in truck camper. Many memories of lookin out over the cab window. Lol

Good deal. The reason I asked was that I usually provide the following to newer RV'ers who may find the following helpful. Maybe this can help you too.


The below is a copy and paste of useful information, and I usually recommend it to those just starting out. Some of it, you may already know, or may not be applicable to your particular RV. You will be able to filter out what pertains to your situation or not. I would suggest you read the electric threads and energy management first, and then the converter thread. This will help explain your different electrical systems of your RV, and how they operate...as well as what the converter does. The very first link will explain what operates off what system.

You can just peruse at your leisure as you get to know your RV:

Basic electric:

Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

RV Electric

Your very important converter:

RV Converters and Amp Draw - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

Installing a dedicated 30 amp RV outlet at home (Make sure you understand it's 120 volts ONLY):

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post231880

Suburban water heater (if applicable to your RV):

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post327988

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1527599

Water Heater bypass/crossover valves:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...st-103381.html

And the newest additions to help understand what constitutes a true full cylinder in refilling vs exchanging propane cylinders... as well as how the automatic propane changeover regulator works:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ng-133760.html

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1649595

Inverters and residential refrigerators in RV's:

http://rveducation101.com/articles/rvinverters.pdf

Bobby

[geeman53]

Welcome from SW Ohio ,enjoy your 5thwheel !

[Wilco]

Welcome from Western PA. I hope you get your Def issue fix so you can take that trailer on a shake down cruise.

[Rbare31]

Originally Posted by wmtire

Good deal. The reason I asked was that I usually provide the following to newer RV'ers who may find the following helpful. Maybe this can help you too.


The below is a copy and paste of useful information, and I usually recommend it to those just starting out. Some of it, you may already know, or may not be applicable to your particular RV. You will be able to filter out what pertains to your situation or not. I would suggest you read the electric threads and energy management first, and then the converter thread. This will help explain your different electrical systems of your RV, and how they operate...as well as what the converter does. The very first link will explain what operates off what system.

You can just peruse at your leisure as you get to know your RV:

Basic electric:

Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

RV Electric

Your very important converter:

RV Converters and Amp Draw - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

Installing a dedicated 30 amp RV outlet at home (Make sure you understand it's 120 volts ONLY):

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post231880

Suburban water heater (if applicable to your RV):

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post327988

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1527599

Water Heater bypass/crossover valves:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...st-103381.html

And the newest additions to help understand what constitutes a true full cylinder in refilling vs exchanging propane cylinders... as well as how the automatic propane changeover regulator works:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ng-133760.html

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1649595

Inverters and residential refrigerators in RV's:

http://rveducation101.com/articles/rvinverters.pdf

Bobby

Bobby, Thanks for the great info. I’ve been watching the rv101 videos on YouTube and several others as well. I will definitely check them out. I told my wife, “ there’s a ton of moving parts on this thing, and a lot of little things that can throw kink your plans”. Lol