teknomad
Land of Enchantment
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Joined: 10/06/2009
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We are about to embark on our first RV adventure in our rented 24’ Itasca Navion diesel. Me, DH and our 2 beloved canine companions can hardly wait to hit the back-roads and blue highways of the great American SW. Of course, we are exited and a bit nervous (OK, scared) at the same time.
So, do you have any advice, tips, warnings for us RV-greenhorns?
Intrepida
___________
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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Scared of what, I won't be out there for awhile yet. Relax and enjoy. Bill
Oh, and stay south of Interstate 40 if you don't like it to cold.
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awsmom8
Tehachapi, Ca
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Joined: 01/09/2008
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Take a roll of duct tape so you can fix your awning when it unrolls while you are driving. It also comes in handy to seal up a crease when you got a little to close to a sign! 
 Women who obey the rules don't have any fun!
1998 Class C Jamboree 29' Bunkhouse KidHauler 30,000 miles
1998 Saturn SW with 40,000 miles
1993 & 1995 year kids
My Best Friend Frosty-Chi/jack Russel Mix
My Other Best Friend Garmin 330
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Dakzuki
Carnation, Wa, USA
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Joined: 11/01/2002
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Just relax and have fun. Take a notepad so you can write down all the stuff you forgot to take or need to get while on the road. I still keep a notepad in the RV.
95 Chinook Premier
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Eycom
Fl to NY
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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Best tip I can offer....
Slow down. Drive 1/2 day, rest one day, preferably two.
You'll eventually understand.
F-350 PSD
Lance 1121
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hotbyte
Barnesville GA
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Joined: 08/31/2004
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Don't expect everything to go perfect and be easy/simple. Some of the best memories from trips are the things that don't go exactly as planned.
110% agree with notepad! We also keep one and have used it almost every trip.
Take your time doing the things you aren't practiced at...leveling, hooking up utilities, dumping tanks, etc. Don't feel you have to rush and look like a pro. Like when backing into campsite, it is OK to pull forward to get straight or get out to look behind MH multiple times.
Enjoy!
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2006 Yellowstone SE, 1998 Dodge Durango SLT 5.2L and 2002 Glastron GX205
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Frosty's Mom
Treasure Valley, SW Idaho
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Joined: 01/29/2008
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it's all an adventure--every RV is different--but every one of us went thru a fairly steep learning curve. know how to operate everything? you'll know a lot more by the time you get back, and every trip--you get to learn something new.
wee3-gin, clyde & the bichon frise
2003 Minnie Winnie 30V - "The Frosty Hauler"
May the Angels guide your wheels and ride on your shoulder.
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j-d
Sunny Florida USA
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Joined: 09/04/2003
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Did rental give you a walkthrough and/or a checklist? Review and follow it.
Take it slow setting up and tearing down at the campsites.
Personally, I don't back or maneuver on a site without a spotter.
AND!!! Talk to others. Pick up some of what they know.
Like above, the mission doesn't have to be perfect to be lots of fun!
God Bless, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100
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gandalf42
Fort Collins, CO
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Keep a blog or a travel diary so later you can laugh at all of the mistakes you made along the way and smile that you know (or at least think!) it'll all go so much smoother next time.
Enjoy the journey each and every day!
Mike
Fort Collins, CO
'99 Born Free 26' Rear Side Bed
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teknomad
Land of Enchantment
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Joined: 10/06/2009
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Thanks for the responses folks.
Polishnurse wrote:Scared of what, I won't be out there for awhile yet. Relax and enjoy. Bill
Oh, and stay south of Interstate 40 if you don't like it to cold.
Planning to go south and avoid “crazy” Polish drivers. 
Reading these threads has made us keenly aware of all the things that can go wrong with the machine and then there are the “neighbors” that so many of you have posted about.
Insurance is an issue. We don’t believe that the rental agencies offer adequate insurance in the state mandated minimums. Supplemental is a joke with no uninsured motorist insurance. We have clean driving records. Let’s hope nothing untoward happens because to be frank, we don’t trust the insurance agency based on their lying to us.
Oh, and the deposit to the tune of hundreds of dollars. We just hope that the broker is honest and won’t find “something” wrong with the RV when we return it in order to hold our deposit.
Of course, we plan to take lots of photos.
j-d wrote:Did rental give you a walkthrough and/or a checklist? Review and follow it.
Take it slow setting up and tearing down at the campsites.
We don’t know enough to go fast.
Quote:Personally, I don't back or maneuver on a site without a spotter.
AND!!! Talk to others. Pick up some of what they know.
Like above, the mission doesn't have to be perfect to be lots of fun!
No, we haven’t had had a walkthrough yet. We’ve been trying to bone up via internet info.
I have many lists. 
I hope to keep a journal and photos will of course be taken on the trip.
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