Hi - Newbies from South Texas

[TommiRulz]

Hi everyone - OMG my husband and I got crazy and bought a giant first camper. (The Sandpiper 355RE) We are CLUELESS !!! We will be needing your help!! We have taken it out several times - still can't get the hot water on. Now the AC Thermostat wont go to zone 2 - ugh! Help before I back it over a cliff !!!!

[Capt. Mike]

Originally Posted by TommiRulz

Hi everyone - OMG my husband and I got crazy and bought a giant first camper. (The Sandpiper 355RE) We are CLUELESS !!! We will be needing your help!! We have taken it out several times - still can't get the hot water on. Now the AC Thermostat wont go to zone 2 - ugh! Help before I back it over a cliff !!!!

Congratulations on the new Sandpiper and welcome to the forum

With regard to your hot water heater, do you have the by-pass valves set to summer use? On the back on the water heater, where the lines are attached, there should be three valves, one in the blue (cold water in), one in the red (hot water out) and one in a short line that connects the blue and red lines (usually, this short by-pass line is half blue and half red.

For summer use, to get hot water, the valves in the blue (cold) and red (hot) lines need to be open; that is, the oblong handles need to be running parallel to the lines. The valve in the by-pass line needs to be closed; i.e. running ACROSS the by-pass line.

Fill the water heater with water (Open a faucet or two or the "pop-off" (relief) valve on the tank to let the air escape as the water comes in. Turn the heat on (electric or gas) and you should be good to go in a short time. Be sure NOT to turn the electric heater on when there is no water in the tank...it will burn up the heating element pretty quickly.

Hope that helps. Good luck, and again, welcome!

[Wiscampsin]

Welcome from Wisconsin and congrats on your Sandpiper 355RE. First - don't back it over a cliff. You mentioned this is your first camper so expect a learning curve. Here's a couple pics of the bypass valve positions Capt. Mike mentioned.





Summer position/normal use



Winter position/bypass

[Mowgli64]

Welcome from Minnesota. You got some good advice above. When you are at a campground don't be afraid to ask a fellow camper most are willing to help. Enjoy you new camper.

[ColoradoRick]

Welcome from Colorado! Yes, it can, at first, seem overwhelming with a new RV but the more you take it out, the better you'll get!! (We've watched hundreds of RV tip videos on Youtube which really helped!!)

[rabraz]

Wow, what a great start! You will find RVers are really good folks for the most part. You will not find an end to the good advice and experience. Your best experience will be to just get out there, do it and get used to it! I know you will have a great time and this forum is the best place for good info. After 40+ years of camping in one form or another, I find there is still a learning curve but you get better as you go.
Good Luck and Happy Trails!!

[TommiRulz]

Originally Posted by rabraz

Wow, what a great start! You will find RVers are really good folks for the most part. You will not find an end to the good advice and experience. Your best experience will be to just get out there, do it and get used to it! I know you will have a great time and this forum is the best place for good info. After 40+ years of camping in one form or another, I find there is still a learning curve but you get better as you go.
Good Luck and Happy Trails!!

Oh THANK YOU !! We are headed out today --- Wish us luck!
I see you are in San Antonio - we are in Corpus. When you get a chance can you tell me about any of your favorite parks/campgrounds. I have found that most places just have really small camp sites. And the campground books are misleading. So I would love to hear from real people about nice places with big lots and trees!
THANKS for your time!! Tommi

[rabraz]

Originally Posted by TommiRulz

Oh THANK YOU !! We are headed out today --- Wish us luck!
I see you are in San Antonio - we are in Corpus. When you get a chance can you tell me about any of your favorite parks/campgrounds. I have found that most places just have really small camp sites. And the campground books are misleading. So I would love to hear from real people about nice places with big lots and trees!
THANKS for your time!! Tommi

This is going to be a bit long winded but here goes. We like all the state parks. Good family fun and rates are reasonable. I support the state park system and suggest you do too! It is worthwhile. That said, one of my favorites is Goose Island. I prefer the sites in the woods but the water front is pretty cool too. You might find that Off to keep the skeeters away after dark in the woods can be real helpful.
At the Copano Bay bridge is A Bay View RV Resort. I have reservations at this park July-Oct this summer. Most sites are what I would call oversized and have slabs. Mostly level. Two pools, one adult (was not in service the last time I was there) and one large common pool area. Many full timers but good folks for the most part. Everyone knows everyone else. Many families set up here for the summer, every summer.
Mustang Island State Park puts you on the beach for a great price but is really plain Jane. We have enjoyed it many times and would stay there again.
Pioneer Park is a really fun RV Park if you like the party crowd and are good at dodging golf carts. (In fact, you need to be good at dodging golf carts at just about all rv parks except state parks). Again, good beach access. Two pools along with really clean showers and common areas.
You know, we tend to set up at a park then drive thru all the parks in the area making note of what we like and don't like. If we find one we like, we set up there and start making note of the sites we really like so we know what to ask for if given the opportunity.
As you probably already know, there are a lot of parks in your area. I know you will have a blast exploring them for yourself and will find the ones that suit you best.
One last thing I would say is to book early for the holiday weekends. The parks fill up fast.
Happy Trails! Maybe see you on the road!!

[Ford Idaho]

Congratulations on the BIG UNIT and welcome to the forums from SW Idaho.

[pops p]

Welcome from San Antonio, Tommi! My wife and I pretty much use the State Parks exclusively. Most have big sites and great amenities. Also, the price is right; usually about half of what an RV park charges. Congrats on your purchase and follow the advise from above - ask others. I did and was never turned away or made to feel dumb. That is one of the best ways to learn - and make great new friends.

[ColoradoRick]

We lived in San Antonio for 5 years in the mid-80's and our fun summer trips were to either Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels or South Padres island in Corpus!

When you want to leave Texas because of the heat, head up to a Colorado State Park for a great time...our nights are usually so cool, even in August, that you need a jacket.

[larryallenmyers]

My wife and i just purchased a 2304DS Rockwood Travel Trailer and just brought it home to Rockport from Cleburne, Texas. Our first one. Have reservations for South Padre Island for our shake down cruise. We just finished with the working stuff, and now plan to have fun. We boat and fish in Rockport, love the area. It's full of winter Texans and everyone has a blast. Hope to meet some of you down the road.

[rabraz]

Originally Posted by ColoradoRick

We lived in San Antonio for 5 years in the mid-80's and our fun summer trips were to either Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels or South Padres island in Corpus!

When you want to leave Texas because of the heat, head up to a Colorado State Park for a great time...our nights are usually so cool, even in August, that you need a jacket.

Don't mean to hi-jack the OPs page but we will be in Colorado Springs the week of July 4. Planning on staying at the Garden of the Gods. It is our big out of state trip for the season. After that it is the Texas Riviera for the rest of the summer. Woo-Hoo!
Happy Trails To All This Season!

[Zolin]

Wow, congratulations on your first ever trailer, and welcome to the RV community of good hearted folks. First, don't be too shy to ask for help. Most are eager to do so, whether here or at campgrounds. We've all been there and I think you'll experience a plethora of people wanting you to have a positive experience. Second, Don't give up too soon trying to learn. In A few trips you'll develop your own system of checklists and routine then, after you settle in, it will become second nature and you will dream of being out there camping. I've backed struggling newbies into their campsites at times, and done many things right there at the campgrounds. Same has been done for me
Have a great trip.

CP from AL

[TommiRulz]

Originally Posted by rabraz

This is going to be a bit long winded but here goes. We like all the state parks. Good family fun and rates are reasonable. I support the state park system and suggest you do too! It is worthwhile. That said, one of my favorites is Goose Island. I prefer the sites in the woods but the water front is pretty cool too. You might find that Off to keep the skeeters away after dark in the woods can be real helpful.
At the Copano Bay bridge is A Bay View RV Resort. I have reservations at this park July-Oct this summer. Most sites are what I would call oversized and have slabs. Mostly level. Two pools, one adult (was not in service the last time I was there) and one large common pool area. Many full timers but good folks for the most part. Everyone knows everyone else. Many families set up here for the summer, every summer.
Mustang Island State Park puts you on the beach for a great price but is really plain Jane. We have enjoyed it many times and would stay there again.
Pioneer Park is a really fun RV Park if you like the party crowd and are good at dodging golf carts. (In fact, you need to be good at dodging golf carts at just about all rv parks except state parks). Again, good beach access. Two pools along with really clean showers and common areas.
You know, we tend to set up at a park then drive thru all the parks in the area making note of what we like and don't like. If we find one we like, we set up there and start making note of the sites we really like so we know what to ask for if given the opportunity.
As you probably already know, there are a lot of parks in your area. I know you will have a blast exploring them for yourself and will find the ones that suit you best.
One last thing I would say is to book early for the holiday weekends. The parks fill up fast.
Happy Trails! Maybe see you on the road!!

THANKS SO MUCH!!! OK Great advice - I get it now - the State Parks are the ones with the big more natural lots - that is what we were looking for!!!! The "resorts" are SO tight! We had a great time at Coleto Creek this weekend, gorgeous campsite by the lake.
We learned a lot about our stupid Dometic Thermostat. (I came real close to ripping it off the wall and throwing it in the lake)
Thanks again for all the tips - I am keeping notes!!!

[ColoradoRick]

Originally Posted by rabraz

Don't mean to hi-jack the OPs page but we will be in Colorado Springs the week of July 4. Planning on staying at the Garden of the Gods. It is our big out of state trip for the season. After that it is the Texas Riviera for the rest of the summer. Woo-Hoo!
Happy Trails To All This Season!

Awesome! The GOG campground is very nice!! We also have a new State Park campground at Cheyenne Mountain that I've heard is very nice and we may go check it out when we don't feel like a long drive to camp.

I'm hoping the fire hazard isn't bad this July 4th so we can actually have some fireworks for a change.

[Chuck and Dianne]

congratulations we are waiting on delivery on our 2304DS please post your experiences would love to hear how things have worked out. Enjoy your Rockwood!