Things Every RVer Owner Should Know...Mistakes to AVOID AFTER you buy an RV

We made the mistake of purchasing an RV without knowing what we were doing. If you're considering buying a camper, do these things after buying your RV...Doing shakedown trips would have helped us find issues much faster.
These are hands down the best tips after you buy an RV and hopefully it helps you to avoid ending up in a situation like ours.
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CHAPTERS:
0:00 You just bought an RV...Now What?
1:15 Steps to a successful Shakedown Trip
1:21 Plan a Trip with a short distance
2:00 Stay a Full-Service Campground
3:13 Build a Checklist
4:05 Locate and learn about your electrical and water systems (check the filter!)
7:14 Check all connections and tighten them when needed
9:46 Make sure the water system functions properly
10:46 We learned a hard lesson on our 1st RV Trip
11:20 Understand how your appliances work
12:02 Bathroom Tips and Tricks
13:11 Check that your electrical system is secured properly
14:12 Locate your Water Tank and check the connections
14:42 Check under your hood
16:40 Benefits of a Shakedown Trip
18:27 Have a plan
18:52 Post-Trip Actions
20:08 Our Biggest Regret
21:47 #1 thing to do BEFORE you buy an RV!
WHO ARE WE?
We're Bob and Hillary, and we're on a journey to see the world in our Van. We are all about being honest. We want to show you the real side of traveling by Van and our experience of buying two Vans. We share our highs and lows, ups and downs, and everything.
*This channel is for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV or travel experts. We share our opinions and what works for us, but you should do your own research.
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Pss...looking for other channels about RV/Van Life...here are some of our favorites!
Eamon & Bec
HappilyEverHanks
Kara and Nate
The Endless Adventure
Mathers on the Map
Ryan Twomey
Flying The Nest
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[@Vancaskeys]

Thank you all so much for the support! If you liked this video, please like, comment, and subscribe! It's a great way to support us and helps us grow. 😊

[@MegaSolegirl]

Life is short. Buy the hammock!

[@Vancaskeys]

Yes!!! 👏

[@user-ty3yo3er6v]

Great place to do shakedown trip is to a friend or relatives place. Can stay in your own bed and if there are problems you have help. Get to see each other and have some fun.

[@Vancaskeys]

Good idea. Love it!

[@michellewhite6692]

👍🏽 for the hammock.

[@Vancaskeys]

Yay! Thank you! I

[@sparks701]

We’ve had our Thor sequence 20L for a year and a half. Only minor issues. Only been back to general Rv once for a loose wire. Window valances are a little loose but I’ll fix that. We count ourselves lucky after seeing your problems. Fingers crossed your issues are all fixed. I wish I could handle the problems as calmly as you guys. The Thor is a good 1st Rv for us to figure out what we really want next.

[@Vancaskeys]

So great to hear!

[@sandydemars8100]

👍 on hammock. Love it. But if your like us you have no room left for one more chair in the van 😂 we never knew about putting stuff in the grey tank!! Checking our filter by the pump now too. THANKS FOR THE TIPS!!!!

[@Vancaskeys]

Thanks 😊 not sure we have the room sadly. So glad the tip helped you!

[@Dana-.-]

When we bought our travel trailer, we did our shake down in our driveway. BUT! We forgot a pretty important detail our salesman told us to do at home. We used our camper on a few adventures over the summer, successfully. On a late October weekend, we boon docked in a primitive state campground surrounded by other fall leaf peepers and families. That night, it dropped to 26°F. We turned on our never before used furnace. The first use made a smell and set off our smoke alarm at around 11PM. We felt terrible! We had to open our door and windows, and hoped it didn’t scare anyone else awake like it did us. Run your furnace for the first time with your door and windows open…🫣🥸😉 Informative video and sound advice!

[@Vancaskeys]

Oh no!!!! That’s a great point! Thanks for adding it. Will be adding to our checklist.

[@Justme33177]

Thanks for your info! I am three years in with my Thor Tellaro 20AT and it has been great. No big issue or small for that matter, I appreciate your help and I will so check those things routinely! Thank you both, love your energy and humor!

[@Vancaskeys]

So awesome! Love to hear that you’ve had minimal issues. ❤️ thanks for watching!

[@thebillbaker4793]

Hello my friends, me and my lovely bride are picking up our new rig today. We appreciate the wisdom that you’re sharing. By watching you we learn so much. Thanks again, and stay thirsty my friends. PS- 👍

[@Vancaskeys]

Congratulations!!!!!!! Happy travels in your new rig!

[@mikerademacher4188]

Great video! Awesome comments ! Second year for my wife and I, never camping before in an Rv there was so much to learn but thanks for KZbin and people like yourselves helped us tremendously!! Thanks again to you both 😎

[@Vancaskeys]

Awesome! This makes us so happy!

[@TrishBenedict]

👍 on hammock. We learned the way hard way. Our first little RV was an A-frame pop-up, and we drove it for a shakedown to Pinnacles National Park (abt 2.5 hrs). It was March and we got cold in the middle of the night and we couldn't figure out how to turn the furnace on. And that was because we forgot to turn the propane on. Yeah, newbies. So we limped home, tails between our legs. Learned how to turn on the heater and for our next shakedown we talked the Elks into letting us use one of their RV spaces overnight. It was just across the freeway from where we live - about 10 minutes away. Along with the Subaru and the trailer, we also drove our little Honda Fit so that if we forgot something, I could just drive home without hitching. Turns out we forgot toilet paper, so I dashed home for that! One thing I would add to your list would be at #1: as soon as you've paid for your vehicle, you'll get a walk-through with a tech. Make sure to videotape that! That way you'll always have it to refer to. And don't do one long videotape. Do it in segments so they're easier to access. A segment on how to work the Truma. A segment on how/where to empty the holding tanks. A segment on where the propane switch is. Etc. In the Travato, there was one switch inside and one outside, so we again ran into a heater problem that first nite. But at 2am, I pulled out my trusty iPhone and went to the video on that; I reviewed the different modes of the Truma and how to get that set and enjoyed blissful heat. With our little Solis Pocket, space is at such a premium that every time we go out, we come back and do something to make it work better. Little flip-up table, a shelf in the back to stash camping gear off the floor - ways to arrange and secure things better and organizer products to do that. It's an iterative process. And you really need to be a minimalist in a B van, and I tend to be a maximalist - but I'm working on it… (BTW, I noticed you already have an exhaust vent in your bathroom - that's the same one I was recommending having Bob install when there was an issue with the "aroma" from the toilet use. Does it not do the job?)

[@Reneellinedance]

Excellent video and I just finished a month long trip and had two problems on the road was only supposed to be a 2 week trip but had to stop and find someone to make repairs I didn’t stress I knew I couldn’t fix it but found someone that could. Now I’m home for a month will rest and get my RV ready for the next trip. 😊

[@miaochs7716]

Just bought 2024 ❤Tellaro. 3 weeks new. Today rook 15 hour day trip 120 miles round trip. Used toilet 1st time. Used our generator for air conditioner. Water pump and refrigerator off solar. Always new sounds especially as we stock kitchen and cabinets. Have a 4 night trip in 2 months 300 miles away. Lots of day drips and possible overnight in mean time. Reading manuals and signing up for warranty associated components. Joined Good Sam’s for back up towing needs. Many things in the works learned and to be learned.

[@bah5310]

You don't know what you don't know. And it's usually expensive to learn. Thanks for the list.

[@Vancaskeys]

So true. 😃

[@pjt3887]

I watched a KZbin video once where they went to a place where RV's and campers had been taken to demolished after being on fire. It was always the stupid refrigerator! I highly recommend you disconnect that refrigerator when you're not using it. In almost all of these cases it was the propane connection to the refrigerator that was the problem. It led to the RV catching on fire. I will tell you it was the eye-opening experience. This was across the board it wasn't one manufacturer versus another. This was literally all kinds of various RVs from class A all the way down to vans. Highly recommend everyone has a carbon monoxide detector in their van or RV and remember you need to install it lower to the ground! CO2 gas fills the room from the floor up. If you put a CO2 monitor higher up on the wall chances are you will have passed on before the monitor goes off.

[@Vancaskeys]

Oh wow. Good to know. Thanks!

[@RedwoodsAndRain]

Good reason to not use propane and have an electric only rv.

[@fbr65]

@@RedwoodsAndRainthat’s what we did in our DIY van. No propane for us.

[@MrSpaceace1999]

I think the first thing that sucks is all your controls and monitors are on the floor lol

[@Vancaskeys]

lol. You’re not wrong. 😅

[@jeepsandrvs]

We are currently in Elkhart Indiana at Factory Service for our rig, along with thousands of others of all rig types and sizes. Our whole hotel seems to be folks doing the same. That first year is pretty full of bug repairs. Being experienced RVers, we planned for this and planned our summer trip around this. Next stop is Freightliner for chassis items. It is part of the lifestyle. Good thing the really good times are great, LOL. Good video. Safe Travels!

[@rbhare7667]

Embassy RV encourages their customers to camp a night two or so nights in their lot or at a very nearby camp ground before you go for that long ride home. Nick from Sunshine State RV in Florida does much the same for new or used purchasers. Good when your RV distributor has your back and puts education of their product so front and center.

[@Vancaskeys]

This is fantastic info. Thank you for sharing. Agree, when the RV distributor has your back it’s amazing.

[@sgtzilla58]

Very informative videos for newbies.

[@patti3566]

We like Happy Campers. I pre-mix a half gallon ... it works for both toilet and sink. I also squirt a little of the original blue dawn dish detergent and pour a capful of Calgon water softener in both. Been using it for 8 years and never have any order. I've heard good things about Liquified but still using Happy Campers that I own. There's another product call Tank Tune-up put out by another KZbinr, The Getaway Couple.

[@Vancaskeys]

I am so glad we asked this question. This is excellent info...wow! Thank you so much!

[@robynidyllwild6755]

I can’t buy happy camper in California. Tells me it’s pretty strong.

[@pamking8137]

Love Happy Camper! No smells at all!

[@annekruszka8441]

The closest dealer (ours) is an hour and a half from us. We took it there for service once. Then we were coming home from having a ladder/spare tire installed in Chattanooga and discovered there was an rv repair place less than 20 miles from our house. When I researched it, I discovered they were an authorized warranty service center for Forest River. We have a 2023 Coachmen Nova. Their reviews were glowing and well deserved. And they did our work while we waited. They did my awning recall, checked my roof sealant and fixed a water leak from the Truma combi! The dealer is not your only option.

[@user-ei5ks5qe2h]

Here are some things I have learned from owning my van and prior RVs. If you have a generator, run it at least once a month. These are not like your portables where you can run the carb dry when you are done. These will always have fuel in them and will gum up. Mine is headed to the shop since it will not run right now. It is on me for being lazy. And, that is on you and is not a warranty item. New carb is $1K. While we are on that, know where you can take the Van for repairs and warranty work. Vans are a bit different than other RVs. The dealer may not (in my case will not) work on the chassis. I had to take it to a Ram dealer. The Generator is being looked at by a company that installs generators since the dealer does not work on them (They referred me since that is who they use). Water is gonna get you at some point. My latest was we hooked up to city water and power. The air conditioner was was running so I couldn't hear the bathroom sink running. My wife had accidentally bumped the faucet getting out (small bathrooms) and the water was going into the sink and filled the grey tank. I was outside and noticed the water coming out of the overflow. I shut off the city water to figure it out and when I went in it was coming out under the bathroom door. The overflow could not keep up with the amount of water flowing in. Also, with the water off it took me forever to figure out the sink was on. I got a million of them but still own an RV.

[@RedwoodsAndRain]

You guys have gotten so good at this! We are so grateful for you sharing your experience. 👍

[@Vancaskeys]

Awwww thank you! 😊

[@susanlanfre768]

Good information thanks 💕

[@Vancaskeys]

Thank you! 😊

[@stuartstuart866]

I removed a bunch of plastic from our travel trailer pump screen as well, maybe this is common thing. We are going to “camp” with our new van at the dealership in Surprise AZ, luckily, they have hookups so we can stay there for a few days, going over the various systems and get any repairs taken care of right away.

[@Vancaskeys]

So smart. It’s great that they have that option.

[@bonnierodger7719]

Love ya’ll. Stay safe and God bless.

[@Vancaskeys]

Awww thanks Bonnie! ❤️❤️❤️

[@Rashnak66]

yesterday I found out that the second alternator in the Tellaro.... which charges the house battery and is mounted very low on the front of the engine where it is prone to picking up road grit.... costs $7000 to replace.

[@Vancaskeys]

Oh wow. We had to replace our second alternator but it was covered under warranty. We never could have afforded $7k 😳

[@rbhare7667]

You may also want to check out Embassy's newest. It is a B+ vehicle called the Cape Cod. Embassy quality and innovation in a new model. (Since you liked the Noovo so much.) They will be at an RV show in Tahoe this year, I think it's in September

[@Vancaskeys]

That’s good to know! We will have to. I’m looking up that show now. Thanks!

[@TraderChick]

👍👍👍👍 💯 to the hammock! Looks soooooo relaxing!

[@Vancaskeys]

Yes! Thanks for the 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@sparkyneely]

thanks good information

[@Vancaskeys]

❤️❤️❤️

[@CarrieLaCubana]

Matt’s RVs has their own brand.

[@Vancaskeys]

Oh really? We will look into it. Thanks!😊

[@MPGunther1]

You guys are awesome and 👍 on the hammock

[@Vancaskeys]

Thank you! 😊 👏👏👏

[@minicoachlifestyle]

You mention getting another van, heck I would stick with Mr. Lemon, it seems that you got all the problems fixed. 😂 Heck Mr Lemon has given you guys great content 😮

[@darbydel5789]

Buy the hammock and a nice cold box wine!❤

[@markweiner3896]

On the propane detector..... that sensor is fine for inside the vehicle.... but, you can still have a leaking propane regulator outside the vehicle... the inside detector won't recognize that, ours different....So ... have these checked periodically when you do safety checks.

[@joeyamor5964]

That is a true statement about looking for a reputable rv dealership with amazing customer service. First-time buyer here, and my experience was a disaster 😂

[@daydreamer0923]

Thank you. 👋🙂👍

[@Vancaskeys]

❤️❤️❤️

[@CarrieLaCubana]

Actually wearing black or dark colors are better than wearing light colored shirts in sunny areas, as the dark colors absorb less sun rays and bounce off of u faster. Something like that.

[@Vancaskeys]

Oh that good to know! Thanks 😊

[@barbaragrazerrobinson1207]

Get each of you a hammock. Fun video and very True

[@Vancaskeys]

Good idea Barbara! Thanks! 😊

[@markweiner3896]

Yes, high elevations affect propane systems.... our old Dometic propane refrigerator wouldn't cool properly at 8,000 feet... Came back, re-read the owners manual instructions and discovered that it was designed to work lower than 3,250 feet.... embarrassing moment. If you want to skip leveling and the altitude issue for the refrigerator, get a 12 volt compressor refrigerator.....

[@heatherangellight8558]

Excellent video!! Buy the hammock!!!

[@Vancaskeys]

Woot! Woot! Thank you!

[@bobmoser726]

Try Liquified for tanks. Sunshine State RV puts you up in camp ground at purchase and delivery.

[@Vancaskeys]

Ok. Thank you! That’s awesome they do that.

[@markweiner3896]

Guys, do NOT go crazy buying a whole lot of accessories until you've lived with your RV for a while. I think everyone does this, we did, and found that we never or rarely used many things. Oh, the basics are fine....I'm talking about mosquito screens, extra outdoor gas grill, etc. if you're not using it, you don't need it... And, on a Class B motorhome there's not enough space for anything extra. ..Yeah, whatever you need, an extra water pump, just buy it when it fails.

[@Rjhaack]

You definitely need that hammock and one of those fans somebody holds (ie Bob) in their hand and then he can fan you on those hot days while you are laying in your new hammock. So is a better stocked refrigerator better or do you want to go more sparely so air flows around all your food?

[@davidstickney2866]

Love the checklist but have a question. Did you have a pre-purchase inspection done on any of your rigs? I'd think especially as a new RV'er that would catch the majority of these things. No closing Mr. Dealer until these items are fixed! lol

[@joannasparks4402]

Yes 4 hammock

[@lauraSurch]

baking soda for the cassette toilet

[@Vancaskeys]

What a great idea!

[@leonardhigham1126]

Try downy, I know it sounds weird. But that really does help in the toilet.

[@Vancaskeys]

Had no idea. Thank you! 😊

[@RebeccaRaven]

I'm thinking a week in the driveway... :D

[@Vancaskeys]

👏👏👏

[@robynidyllwild6755]

Wait Wait you had a van before Mr. Lemon? Was it a Solis? I actually backed up video and went and looked closer. Wait Wait do you use a whole drop in for you 5 Gallon cassette toilet? We have a 2018 Travato K and for our 13 gallons I use a half. I actually open plastic wrap and put in 1/2. I have some liquid I can use, and I tried Matt’s brand it worked pretty good except the bottle leaked ☹️. We upgraded our van April 2023 to Lithium (400amp and 320 Watts solar, 3000 Victron inverter) We love having both the batteries and Generator!! Love your Videos!!

[@Vancaskeys]

We did...We had a Thor Rize 18t...it had no bathroom. We took it all the way down to Cabo San Lucas and back. Crazy. What a fantastic idea to use only half. I never thought of doing that, but it makes sense. We would love to have both battery and generator...it's the way to go.

[@no_worries_van]

I follow all of the channels you mentioned lol

[@Vancaskeys]

LOL! Love this! Great channels!

[@sparkyneely]

Oh yes get the hammock

[@Vancaskeys]

👏👏👏

[@mladyleander]

buy the hammock and share how it works!

[@Vancaskeys]

Good idea!

[@karenkelly1451]

They have RV stuff at Walmart? Who knew

[@vancandew7375]

Curious, do you use your van for a daily runner or do you have a car for that??

[@Vancaskeys]

We do use it for a daily runner…but also have a car that Bob takes to work.

[@johnbettiebishop6673]

Get the hammock

[@markweiner3896]

If it has wheels, it has problems.

[@rrosario4657]

👍🏽😁

[@Vancaskeys]

❤️👏👏👏

[@VanlilfewithDaleandBailey]

You live in a van. You don't need the hammock. On the other hand...

[@bjtravelersRV]

😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@Vancaskeys]

❤️❤️❤️

[@cherylhughes2988]

Buy used, so somebody else has borne all the cost and frustration of working the kinks out.

[@slalomking]

Or they did not and are passing it on to you. Like buying a used car, someone else’s problems.

[@markweiner3896]

Would you buy a Thor again??? Yes, you're absolutely right, there's no perfect rig..... I tell people all the time that "RV" stands for ruined vacation. There's just always "more drama" in the RV..... Yes, it's a huge learning curve..... And, if you're trying to save money on maintenance... don't buy a diesel.