First timer

[ChuckSnow14]

Hello everyone.

My family and I excited to say we are no longer tenters! We have stepped up to our first camper. A 2021 Salem FSX 178 BHSK. We are excited to try it out this year. And hoping for my kids to enjoy it as they grow.

As it is our first camper always looking for any helpful tips and tricks.

Glad to be apart of the community

 

[Willhound]

Welcome! Congratulations on your first "tin tent" as we called our first. A bit of a learning curve, but all good advice here.

 

[Brother Les]

You will get pages of helpful hints, all will be good. But... you could/will be overloaded before ya know it. If you have never driven a trailer very much, there is a learning curve. Never get in a hurry going down the road and have good spacing. If you get in a hurry.... SLOW down. Know and plan where you will get fuel while on the road with your trailer. Getting into and out of fuel stations will be very interesting and the last thing you ever want to do is run into something or another vehicle. Some times it is good to set up your trailer in your drive way and 'camp' in it a day or two to know what you have and make sure everything works correctly.
what are you pulling this with?

 

[Minthillbill]

1 stay a couple nights in the driveway, Make a list of the stuff you have to go to the house for. Saves a trip home or to the local Walmart while camping. Check all your systems: water, hot water, heat/ AC etc.
2 make a checklist for setting up. I will attach nine
3 do not be in a hurry to set up, leave plenty of time. No setup in dark for the first few times. I have yet to setup in the dark.
4 Always use a water pressure regulator and an EMS or Surge protector.

Good luck.

 

[Brother Les]

I noticed on your list 'Minthillbill', that you turned on your Propane at the campsite. I turn ON my propane at home in order to have my fridge on (on propane) during my trip. with a 10-20 hour trip on the road, I want everything in the fridge, just as cold as when I left my house. I have been doing this for 40 years with no issues.

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

Congratulations on your first travel trailer.

As a former owner of a trailer about the size of your Salem, that trailer might be a challenge to back up at first. Put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and turn the wheel in the direction you want the back of the trailer to go.
Take it slow at first and ignore most of the people who want to help.
Keep everyone away from the back of the trailer. That seems obvious, but accidents do happen when everyone is excited.

All the above suggestions are good. You're going to enjoy not having to set up and tear down a tent. As a former tent camper, the that's one of the things we liked best.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Minthillbill]

I noticed on your list 'Minthillbill', that you turned on your Propane at the campsite. I turn ON my propane at home in order to have my fridge on (on propane) during my trip. with a 10-20 hour trip on the road, I want everything in the fridge, just as cold as when I left my house. I have been doing this for 40 years with no issues.

My trip is 50 mins, my fridge is 12v only. I am 74, 2 hrs is my limit

 

[Oaklevel]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia............ You will note everyone does some things differently not necessarily a right or wrong in many things.

 

[5picker]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia............ You will note everyone does some things differently not necessarily a right or wrong in many things.

X2... they do.
And... not every R/V is the same nor have the same components as others so that makes the processes different.
Just as was mentioned above, someone with a 12v DC refrigerator who travels 2 hours does not need the LP on for their refrigerator but someone with an absorption refrigerator, who wants to travel all day, would likely want/need the LP on.

My point... (and especially for a newbie) one must take forum advice/suggestions and apply the things that match/fit their R/V and particular needs, to make them work for them.

 

[tomkatb]

Every rv is different. Every situation is different.

Carefully examine your camping style. Most rv’s sold today will run out of battery the first or second night! Batteries are the issue.

Our first trip was to a campground 200 miles away. Walmart, Ace Hardware and a rv place were near. Spent a week eating and drinking like a king and we made everything work.

There is much to learn.

 

[ChuckSnow14]

Thank you all. I have downloaded the setup check list thank you! I like the idea of staying a night or two in the driveway to feel it all out and make a list for forgotten items. My kids already love that idea.

Our first trip isn't until May so I will have some testing out to do. And i believe I have purchased most of the required goodies like water/sewer/electrical. Regulator and surge protector. I should make a list of that as well I suppose and see if I'm missing anything.

 

[tomkatb]

You are not done buying stuff until Amazon has worn a path to your door!

You need that decal of the US with the stickers to add when you visit a state.

These rv's today need a battery monitor.

Have fun.

 

[sherman12]

Welcome to The Forum and congratulations on your new RV.

I suggest that you read and bookmark with Post-it notes all of the owner's manuals that came with your rig. So if a problem crops up with your awning, you'll think, "Hey, I read about that in the manual" type thing.

Don't forget to put together a tool kit and some basic supplies that will stay in the RV at all times. Duct tape, wire ties, electrical tape, and some regular Scotch-type tape will come in handy. Check the fuse panel on your rig, and buy spares to have on hand in the RV. In regards to what tools to carry, a popular multi-tool kit bought on Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, or Harbor Freight will get you going. Don't forget a good pair of pliers and several good screwdrivers. Back in my boating days, a good piece of advice I received that I follow with my RV'ing is even if I don't know how to use a tool, like a multi-meter, someone may come by that does.

Good luck with your rig and we are looking forward to your stories of adventures and experiences.

 

[Minthillbill]

Thank you all. I have downloaded the setup check list thank you! I like the idea of staying a night or two in the driveway to feel it all out and make a list for forgotten items. My kids already love that idea.

Our first trip isn't until May so I will have some testing out to do. And i believe I have purchased most of the required goodies like water/sewer/electrical. Regulator and surge protector. I should make a list of that as well I suppose and see if I'm missing anything.

Sounds like you will have a great first year! Good luck.

 

[Baker9713]

Welcome from Mississippi!

 

[aceinspp]

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy and Later RJD