First Timers

[North Florida]

We are preparing for our first trip. More excited than nervous. I am looking for a easy to follow set up check list or a video to show me the way. We have a Flagstaff Micro Lite, 25BDS.

 

[rowdy boys 3]

Just take it easy and do one thing at a time. Before you head out, make a list for what you need or want for the trip. Ensure the trailer is hooked up and double check it before you leave. While youre out camping make a list of what you want or need to make your camping life enjoyable. When you break down the campsite, make sure the trailer is hookes up and double check it before you leave. You'll get an idea of what you want and need after a few trips. Always make a list, even after 20 (+) years of rv'ing, we always make a list before we head out on any lenghth trip. The object is to enjoy yourself, Happy camping...

 

[Scrapper]

We are preparing for our first trip. More excited than nervous. I am looking for a easy to follow set up check list or a video to show me the way��. We have a Flagstaff Micro Lite, 25BDS.

Using the search function on the top right of the forum page will bring up many threads on check lists. Here are a few threads to get you started.

Link to another site with various check lists ; https://www.rvchecklist.info/

Arrival / Departure Check List ; https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f8/arrival-departure-checklists-21312.html

Setup / Take Down Check Lists ; https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f230/setup-and-take-down-checklists-196840.html

RV Check List for Android phones ; https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f88/rv-check-list-for-android-phones-90607.html

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

Congratulations on your new rig and welcome to the forum!

 

[NavyLCDR]

How long out (time) is your first trip? If you have time, hook up to the trailer, pull it around the block, and then camp in your driveway for two days. You should be able to connect to a standard household outlet using a 30 amp to 20 amp dogbone electrical adapter. Just try to connect to an outlet that is not on a circuit with a lot of other electrical loads on it, such as a garage outlet. Then, if you have a dump station close by, after you camp in your driveway for 2 days, hook up and head to the dump station to dump your tanks.

Also, how far out in the boonies are you going for your first camping trip? If you are going to be within a reasonable distance to a big store like WalMart, don't worry too much.

That being said, you will need a level. I like the small level, I prefer magnetic, that you can get at Walmart or any hardware store for less than $5. When you first pull into campsite check for side to side level. Then you will probably need leveling blocks. You can get RV levelling "legos" at Walmart. That's the FIRST step, BEFORE you unhook from your TV (tow vehicle)! I can't tell you how many times I back into a spot, unhook, pull the van forward, then.....well....darn I forgot to check for side to side levelling! You level side to side by putting leveling blocks under one side's wheels.

It helps to have 1" thick, 6" x 6" wood squares to put under your tongue jack and stabilizer jacks. I would recommend a true water pressure regulator:
https://www.amazon.com/Circrane-Lea...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

2x 25' fresh water hoses is plenty, from WalMart. You should also get black tank treatment chemical. Suggested already, the 30 amp to 20/15 amp electrical adapter. Very rarely will you need 30 amp to 50 amp adapter. Many people swear you should have a surge protector/EMS:
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Protector-Integrated-Protection-55301/dp/B00JFWKM2K

I don't use one.

I also recommend the Rhino 2x hose kit:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-39...t-with-Fittings-and-Caps-for-RV-Use/279701117

I prefer to use a cordless drill with an adapter for the stabilizer jacks:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-57...onnect-Shank-for-Scissor-Jack-Setup/453275305

Also, make sure you have a lug wrench with the correct size for you trailer lug nuts. I've got one of these in all my vehicles:
https://www.amazon.com/EPAuto-Teles...=collapsible+lug+wrench&qid=1602477365&sr=8-4

Lighter and flashlight. Bottle opener! Although it's pretty easy to open a bottle of beer by smacking the edge of the bottle cap against the side of your trailer steps.

Finally, if you forget something that you need, do not be afraid to go to a nearby campsite that has people outside and ask them to borrow what you need or to just ask a question. 90% of campers love to help fellow campers with anything they might need.

 

[aceinspp]

Welcome to the forum and the world of RVing. Congrats on your purchase of a Flagstaff Micro Lite, 25BDS. Hopefully you took some notes whend doing your PDI and asking questions. Good luck and have Later RJD

 

[Fun finders]

Welcome from Winnipeg, Manitoba

 

[North Florida]

Just take it easy and do one thing at a time. Before you head out, make a list for what you need or want for the trip. Ensure the trailer is hooked up and double check it before you leave. While youre out camping make a list of what you want or need to make your camping life enjoyable. When you break down the campsite, make sure the trailer is hookes up and double check it before you leave. You'll get an idea of what you want and need after a few trips. Always make a list, even after 20 (+) years of rv'ing, we always make a list before we head out on any lenghth trip. The object is to enjoy yourself, Happy camping...

Thanks you guys have been doing this for years! I appreciate the tips. I just started making my list.

 

[North Florida]

Using the search function on the top right of the forum page will bring up many threads on check lists. Here are a few threads to get you started.

Link to another site with various check lists ; https://www.rvchecklist.info/

Arrival / Departure Check List ; https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f8/arrival-departure-checklists-21312.html

Setup / Take Down Check Lists ; https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f230/setup-and-take-down-checklists-196840.html

RV Check List for Android phones ; https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f88/rv-check-list-for-android-phones-90607.html

Oh that is what I was looking for. I need this! Thanks

 

[North Florida]

Welcome to the forum and the world of RVing. Congrats on your purchase of a Flagstaff Micro Lite, 25BDS. Hopefully you took some notes whend doing your PDI and asking questions. Good luck and have Later RJD

I took videos the entire time but I need to save them now so I can access them easily on trip. Thanks for the welcome .

 

[North Florida]

Welcome from Winnipeg, Manitoba

Thank you!

 

[North Florida]

How long out (time) is your first trip? If you have time, hook up to the trailer, pull it around the block, and then camp in your driveway for two days. You should be able to connect to a standard household outlet using a 30 amp to 20 amp dogbone electrical adapter. Just try to connect to an outlet that is not on a circuit with a lot of other electrical loads on it, such as a garage outlet. Then, if you have a dump station close by, after you camp in your driveway for 2 days, hook up and head to the dump station to dump your tanks.

Also, how far out in the boonies are you going for your first camping trip? If you are going to be within a reasonable distance to a big store like WalMart, don't worry too much.

That being said, you will need a level. I like the small level, I prefer magnetic, that you can get at Walmart or any hardware store for less than $5. When you first pull into campsite check for side to side level. Then you will probably need leveling blocks. You can get RV levelling "legos" at Walmart. That's the FIRST step, BEFORE you unhook from your TV (tow vehicle)! I can't tell you how many times I back into a spot, unhook, pull the van forward, then.....well....darn I forgot to check for side to side levelling! You level side to side by putting leveling blocks under one side's wheels.

It helps to have 1" thick, 6" x 6" wood squares to put under your tongue jack and stabilizer jacks. I would recommend a true water pressure regulator:
https://www.amazon.com/Circrane-Lea...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

2x 25' fresh water hoses is plenty, from WalMart. You should also get black tank treatment chemical. Suggested already, the 30 amp to 20/15 amp electrical adapter. Very rarely will you need 30 amp to 50 amp adapter. Many people swear you should have a surge protector/EMS:
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Protector-Integrated-Protection-55301/dp/B00JFWKM2K

I don't use one.

I also recommend the Rhino 2x hose kit:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-39...t-with-Fittings-and-Caps-for-RV-Use/279701117

I prefer to use a cordless drill with an adapter for the stabilizer jacks:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-57...onnect-Shank-for-Scissor-Jack-Setup/453275305

Also, make sure you have a lug wrench with the correct size for you trailer lug nuts. I've got one of these in all my vehicles:
https://www.amazon.com/EPAuto-Teles...=collapsible+lug+wrench&qid=1602477365&sr=8-4

Lighter and flashlight. Bottle opener! Although it's pretty easy to open a bottle of beer by smacking the edge of the bottle cap against the side of your trailer steps.

Finally, if you forget something that you need, do not be afraid to go to a nearby campsite that has people outside and ask them to borrow what you need or to just ask a question. 90% of campers love to help fellow campers with anything they might need.

Wow thank you! Sorry it took a bit to respond. We have been setting up our trailer and it’s a lot of work to prepare. We are actually heading to the state park in Georgia, which is about an hour from our home for our maiden voyage. You have a lot of great suggestions and the easiest one was a bottle opener, which I did not have. Oh lug wrenches, yes I need to make sure I bring right size.

 

[tomkatb]

Practice,
Practice,
Practice.

First trip. Go slow. Camp near a Walmart and Ace hardware. Plan no trips the first day. Practice. Cocktail time is 4:30.

The internet is your friend.

By the third trip you will operate on auto pilot.

Our trips are very stress free. All fun.

 

[North Florida]

Practice,
Practice,
Practice.

First trip. Go slow. Camp near a Walmart and Ace hardware. Plan no trips the first day. Practice. Cocktail time is 4:30.

The internet is your friend.

By the third trip you will operate on auto pilot.

Our trips are very stress free. All fun.

Oh good 4:30! I was wondering.

Do you know what our biggest problem so far has been getting the trailer off the ball hitch. We have been struggling with that hitch more than we have been preparing for our trip. Finally we asked our neighbor for help and he stepped on our rear bumper and the darn thing finally became unstuck. Do you have to break the balls in? It’s the darnedest thing. Three times we hitched and each time it was stuck! I know the bumper jump now though.

Thanks for the tips!

Lynn

 

[bikendan]

You also have to pull the tow vehicle forward, before unhitching. That pulls the ball forward so the latch clamp can release.

Oh good 4:30[emoji16]! I was wondering.

Do you know what our biggest problem so far has been getting the trailer off the ball hitch. We have been struggling with that hitch more than we have been preparing for our trip. Finally we asked our neighbor for help and he stepped on our rear bumper and the darn thing finally became unstuck. Do you have to break the balls in? It’s the darnedest thing. Three times we hitched and each time it was stuck! I know the bumper jump now though.

Thanks for the tips!

Lynn

 

[North Florida]

Congratulations on your new rig and welcome to the forum!

Hey thanks!

 

[North Florida]

Okay I’ll try that if I get in a bind. It’s just been super frustrating. Thanks

 

[CurtPutnam]

Welcome from Southern California!
A quick seaarch will turn up a bunch of check lists and even apps.

 

[North Florida]

Welcome from Southern California!
A quick seaarch will turn up a bunch of check lists and even apps.

Thanks California I am searching and I hope this will all work out. We are excited about our first time.

 

[Karbean]

Fear not.....armed with the knowledge that all those campers around you who LOOK like they can set up and break down with their eyes closed have all had the opportunity to experience the satisfaction of surviving the first time mistakes. The only advice I would offer is "safety first". We have all put little dings in the rig, or as you commented, having the hitch stuck, parked too close to the utilities to open the slide, forgotten to level side to side before disconnecting from the truck, etc etc ad nauseum. Embrace the little errors and learn from them. Don't let them ruin your enjoyment of the trip. We've all made them....they're part of the charm of camping.....something to laugh about around the campfire at 4:30.