10 THINGS WE LEARNED our first year RV full timing

There are a lot of things we’ve learned this past year RV full timing, but we both sat down wanting to do a video on this subject, so we brain stormed on what the 10 things we thought we learned and what some folks might not think about.
Having pretty pictures and video of us prancing on a open beach, or hiking in a national forest are always nice to look at, but sometimes more factual, or a lessons learned video is more helpful to those who are just now getting started.
Traveling full time in your RV presents a whole new set of challenges and things you have to learn. So hopefully this video will help you as you travel around the country in your RV.
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EVERYTHING I USED IN THIS VIDEO IS IN MY AMAZON STORE:
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HOWEVER, I'VE ALSO LISTED THE-INDIVIDUAL LINKS-TO THE PRODUCTS USED IN THIS VIDEO BELOW
• weBoost Drive 4G-X RV, Cell Phone Signal Booster for Your RV - amzn.to/2S2UuhU
NOTE: The new "weBoost Drive Reach RV" is rated 10x more powerful than the one we currently have. It can be found here: www.amazon.com/dp/B08L9SG331?...
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DISCLAIMER:
We are in no way experts or professional mechanics. But being a journeyman millwright for years & being EX Military, has proven to be very helpful in my lifetime learning how to care for & maintain all sorts of machinery & equipment like: helicopters, airplanes, tanks, motorcycles & many types of other vehicles. That, along with 18 months preparing & upgrading our RV before we went full time, & now traveling for several years has gained us a lot of knowledge. Regardless of what we recommend, consult a professional if you're unsure about working on your RV. Work you perform or products you purchase based on any information we provide is at your own risk.

[@deniseendicott4495]

LOVE THIS ALOT!

[@gereshomeE]

THANK YOU really useful! ☺

[@InChristalone737]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@inspirationalnomad]

You both due an Excellent job on your videos, I have subbed.. Thank you for the content (BTW, love how you show the roads leading to campgrounds, not just the campgrounds itself. Great job!)

[@RVstreet]

Yep, the details is what matters isn't it. thx fellow Nomad. 👍

[@mslisakayedwards]

I shared your videos to all 6 of my Facebook groups just now.

[@RVstreet]

Thank you Lisa 👁👄👁

[@MariaCandelaful]

Thank you! Great video! I love your sharing! It is very useful to me!

[@TheSilverCrownNaturalGreyHair]

We've been in our RV for nearly six years now and love it EXCEPT for all of the constant maintenance! lol We always look on a map to find laundry mats and grocery stores BEFORE we head out for our next destination. That way we know if we need to do those things BEFORE we leave or if it can wait until we get there because they are close by.

[@markschultz926]

As usual Martin enjoyed your video you and your wonderful wife are right on God bless both of you I go to Florida for 2 months out of the year and stay at an RV park and welcome stations on the way down last year was my first time and you are right it takes six months to a year to get your RV the way you like it and I have my stocks with all the tools you've recommended but I will need along with my Harley that I bring with me for I have a toy hauler and I also have a 40-gallon fuel station along with my generator for emergencies

[@LuisHernandez-km5uz]

Me and my wife just purchased an RV... Gotta tell you, just love yours and your wife's advise. And with the best attitude in the world. Soooooo happy I stumbled onto your channel... God bless and keep those videos coming.

[@RVstreet]

thx so much Luis. Glad to have you along for the ride. We luv sharing what we learn.

[@heyoldman2003]

Thank you 👍🏼 live n learn ..😎

[@dougbas3980]

Great advise from great people. I subscribed. Hope to see you sometime on the road. We are part timers (we love our 10 acres & greenhouse & shop & barns & many hobbies). We do not want to pare down to live an RV life, but we will be on the road 6/6 to 7/23 & 8/30 to 9/9 this year. Next year we may have chickens, rabbits, a rescue dog, and big garden. We only plan the current year around Feb. This year we picked travel and maybe next year using our homestead. As you know, there are many paths to a happy life. We are in our 70s, so health is a factor too. We are good now, so travel while we can and make a decision each year (flexible is good)😄

[@smokiencooper4264]

We enjoy your videos! We start looking for fuel at the half way mark also. With our 42 ft fifth wheel we are sometimes limited where we can fuel up. I now have the Flying J and the Love’s app on my phone to find us the nearest stop. They both are easily accessible for large rigs. The RV community is the friendliest group of people. Our 20 min walk around a park with our 2 dogs can turn into an hour or more with us stopping to chat with fellow RVers. We love it!

[@RVstreet]

Oh...OK...so the next time you two are walking your fur buddies and see us.....please stop and chat.

[@free2roam492]

Like your genuine nature.

[@RVstreet]

thx Cindy 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@bobpowell9397]

Really enjoy you guys! Thanks for doing these videos

[@TheRoadsWeRoam]

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us!

[@RVstreet]

thx guys for taking the time and watching

[@judystreich7333]

New to your videos, love your attitudes about meeting people, my father was a people person, I learned a lot from him. He was such a social butterfly, loved meeting new people, the first Hello is usually all it takes. And like you say, some people are so shy until the first “hello”. Safe travels🙋🏼‍♀️🇺🇸😎

[@janebray9392]

6 minutes into watching the 2nd video of yours and I Smashed that subscribe button‼️👍🏻🙋‍♀️🇨🇦❤

[@RVstreet]

Thank you Jane. 🙏

[@mikebrant192]

Probably your best episode. The information is rock solid, well-thought out, and well put.

[@RVstreet]

Good morning Mike. Yep time to my comments. It's coffee time ya know. Thank you Mike so much. Ya, these things I've done has made a HUGE difference.😜

[@markreynolds9570]

Great video and tips Love to meet up someday. Thanks guys.

[@RVstreet]

Absolutely. We'll reserve a bottle of wine.

[@VETUSAF1]

Outstanding video I can relate to most of this. Wish my gas fill was on the side mine is on the back in the center. Wife gets out and pulls hose out and tells me when to stop. People look at us funny. Would love to run into you guys and just sit talk and have a few adult beverages. Stay safe and wishing you safe travels.

[@RVstreet]

Thanks KC. We have a friend that also has a rear, centered gas filler tube and it's a PIA. Having ours just behind the drivers side dually's makes it sooooo much easier.

[@martharitaville3074]

Great video picked up some new tips

[@RVstreet]

Yeah our favorite M&M's. See ya in Nov. thx guys.

[@yepworkinonit]

I'm not even an RV er, but enjoy your vids. You have an honest, to the point delivery. Info someone will get the hard way if they don't stumble onto your KZbin.

[@mslisakayedwards]

I just found your channel! You have some great advice! You two act like good partners & communicators. I am single living in my RV with my dog & cat. I have a 2003 Class C. Everything but the refrigerator has quit working on my rig. I forced myself to learn off KZbin how to fix all of it: hot water heater, water pump, inverter, air conditioning, all faucets, all ceiling lights, my Ford 450 resistor, air conditioning, of course all relay switches & fuses. Thank you sooo much fur the video I watched in maintaining the roof air. I put a new one up there 9 months ago. Should I clean it now, then once a year? I clean the roof every 6 months because I am on the southern east coast & mildew is an issue. I have found an extremely shady park & use the air maybe 7-10 hours a week. ❤️

[@RVstreet]

Yes clean the AC now and then once a year there after. Even just sitting still or not using it a lot during a the entire year it will still get dirty up there. AC units like being clean to run efficient and improve the overall life of the unit. Make sure you also clean the return air filter inside your RV every 2 or 3 weeks too, especially in the summer when you use it more. Thanks so much for the kind words. 🔧 👍 BTW...if you haven't seen my PLAYLISTS already check these out: kzbin.infoplaylists

[@annafraley5388]

Is your VISTA like a 31 KE …?? 🤔 Never mind, I see it’s the 35 ft 24:32 with the V-10 ford triton engine.

[@shelliejones3179]

I really like you 2, you really inspire me as I am doing my research on becoming a full-timer, I am working on all your video's and hope to see you on the road someday.. the only thing that worries me the most is the up keep on the RV as I am a single gal.:)

[@RVstreet]

Well Shellie single gal....No need to worry about the upkeep. It takes time to learn but you can do this. The best advice I can give you is what I say all the time in my vid's, and that is get your rig ready BEFORE you go full time. Do a maintenance item BEFORE it needs it. The biggest mistake so many people make is they get the bug to travel, buy an RV and off they go, only to run into a host of problems that could of been avoided. You're starting off on the right foot by learning and watching how things are done. Your next step is to get the right tools and your stuff together. Then allocate enough time to implement the things you've learned and prepare your rig BEFORE you get on the road. We have met a lot of "single gals" of all ages on the road that do this themselves. So don't sell yourself short or perhaps see yourself as incompetent or unable. You're more able than you think. And besides, you'll meet a lot of people along the way, make new friends, that have their stuff together concerning upkeep, that would be more than happy to help you along the way. The RV culture is full of beautiful people and most of them will help anybody in need if asked to. Think of taking care of your rig as just another ADVENTURE. Because it is. Once you do get on the road and happen to get into a jam, you can always contact me on my FB page and if I can help you, I will do my best. 💗💗💗💗

[@shelliejones3179]

@@RVstreet Thank you so much for the kind words you really inspire me, In my younger years I would have never been this way but now I have COPD and not letting that stop me from my dreams just a little slower. I have learned a lot from your video's and can't wait to get it all together and someday meet you two you seem like such a hoot and my kind of people, after all wine for breakfast is the best! (when not driving of course) LOL I will look for you on Facebook and continue to watch your video's. Happy New Year It can only get better by faith and Hope :)

[@RVstreet]

@@shelliejones3179 💗 💕

[@Burnstravels]

6 month to get organized, Well not for us...LOL but its been 2 years and we are fine tuning what works for us.

[@RVstreet]

Well I hear ya. 6 months just to get started. Like you, it also took me a couple of years to get our rig the way I really wanted it. I'd say the past 3yrs. or so it's pretty much been the same now. Now when I buy something new-like you'll see coming up in the next few weeks-I had to move a couple things around to help distribute my weight properly. Thanks for taking the time to comment. 👍

[@HammerBG]

Great video guys! Thank you! I started using earplugs when I sleep years ago because one of the residents (woman) in my old apartment complex took in stray dogs but let them run loose 24/7. The only good thing was they wanted nothing to do with my 90-pound Black Lab (even though he doesn’t bark). It took months for the leasing office to do something about it. They moved the lady and her dogs to the opposite side of the complex.

[@RVstreet]

OMG...barking neighbor dogs. Been there done that. AWEFUL. Glad you escaped by them moving.

[@firstlast6292]

I started this on double time, videos require so much more attention bandwidth than I have. Ha, I had to slow it down and really enjoyed this! We have been fulltiming about 17 mos and just now I feel I am getting the hang of it. We are 24 ft, tow a car and are diesel. We try never to go less than half full. Do you know how few stations clearly mark their one diesel pump? Almost none. One of us is forever out running around the lot looking for the correct color of handle before we can commit. Everything is an adventure. And thank you for your service.

[@RVstreet]

Hey firsty... Yeah it takes quite awhile to develop a rhythm for this kind of lifestyle doesn't it. BTW...some of these fuel stations mark their gas and diesel pump handles in all kinds of ways...I know right...it's crazy isn't it. Did you see what we ran into about these mis colored pump handles in our video going to Texas from Florida? Unbelievable. Who makes these decisions? If you haven't seen it, check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIunhWaHeM2AZrc Thanks so much for your input and yup...everything is an adventure.

[@stevedo9936]

Mr. Martin, I've been watching and studying the KZbin you made for a few days. And I bought a lot of stuff from Amazon that you made. I just retired and bought a used Tiffin Allegro Open Road 34p. I'm trying to do maintenance from the generator as you taught, and it's so dirty, I wonder if it's okay to do it your way after first cleaning it with a water pressure machine???

[@RVstreet]

NO...I would not use a pressure washer. Just be tedious and clean it by hand. And thank you Steve sooooooo much for using my Amazon store. It means more than you know 🙏

[@anabeave4713]

New to your videos. They are great. Would you share your lists to help us newbies?

[@RVstreet]

There will be more coming in the future

[@Dsal965]

Great video guys just figured out how to scribe

[@RVstreet]

Oh awesome. Welcome aboard.

[@vernonsteinkamp1088]

Costco only handles top tier gas.

[@MJim-ko3hd]

Another great informative video - thanks much. Re: the unlimited 30 day ATT prepaid card you described - is the speed throttled after a certain usage point ? And if so, generally at what point are you noticing it? mj

[@RVstreet]

We never noticed any throttling because this was only used as a stop gap temporary measure where you don't have your normal cell service and go back to your normal cell phone hot spot. Throttling usually only happens when you're in high traffic areas during peak time usage. Which we never are. 👍

[@MJim-ko3hd]

@@RVstreet thank you, Martin.

[@RVstreet]

@@MJim-ko3hd 👍

[@searl736]

Martin, we truly are first year MH newbies so your video’s are so very helpful to us. Question, if you both already have unlimited text and data plans, what is it that makes the ATT unlimited data plan worth the extra expense?

[@RVstreet]

We only use that AT&T option when were in areas that our regular plan doesn't deliver internet service that we need which is rare. If we find ourselves in an area that is in the "wilderness" so to speak, this easy Walmart AT&T plan is a good stop gap measure.

[@edjanssen3448]

I have 2019 Ford ranger but I don’t know what kind of brake control that I want to put on it can you do a segment on your brake control or have you are ready for your total vehicle

[@RVstreet]

Go here first: kzbin.info/aero/PLkQXtMp9xodTJ0dM4aG8P8IcYEEWBtWBc Then look for the video titled: OWN AN RV? BETTER PREPARE or bad things happen (Part 1) I covered our tow & brake equipment along with other stuff

[@dartht.3736]

Martin I want to get the sea foam engine treatment. There are 3 in the Amazon link. My Rv is a 2021 Ford F53 Triton V8. (Older V10 model is now V8). Which seafoam?

[@RVstreet]

Not sure what Amazon link you're speaking of that has 3 types.... I have only one (1) Sea Foam in my Amazon Store and it's the one you need. V8 models doesn't matter. It's in the "Tires, Engine and Chassis Care" category. www.amazon.com/shop/rvstreet

[@dartht.3736]

On that Amazon link there is a gas and diesel motor treatment, a high mileage treatment, and a truck and SUV treatment. I’m sure Amazon added all those choices. I’m guessing I want the gas and diesel motor treatment?

[@RVstreet]

@@dartht.3736 Yep and that's the one in my store.

[@beautifuldreamer3991]

54 foot plus a tow! Thats like a big rig! 😳 my ex husband and I used to drive 18 wheelers...yes...including me.... I think your best bet would be to fuel up at truck stops instead.... yeah....the refrigerator rigs are Loyd as F...my ex hated them he referred to them as Reefer Rigs...one night he got so angry when a Reefer Rig pulled next tobus...that ven in his sleep....he spoke...doggone Reefer Rig sneakin up like a 🪳 cockroach

[@RVstreet]

54' including tow car.

[@jasff69]

All great points...… Just found your Channel and appreciate your efforts in putting your videos together.

[@fredtew4162]

What if you cannot hear the fire alarm with those ear plugs?

[@RVstreet]

Something that loud right above our head.....we'd hear that.

[@beautifuldreamer3991]

I've always said...Walmart or other chain stores are NOT created equal...what you find in one store may not be found in other stores of the same name....

[@Tsiri09]

ATT has unlimited data cards? Sign me up. This has been a source of "worry" for me. God Bless You! That's not much more than the Clear device, which was $50/month.

[@kathystevetrooperblanck609]

Or you might need a new tooth with all the accoutrements.