27 BIG Lessons RVers Learn the Hard Way - Things Every RVer Owner Should Know
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- Опубликовано: 21 сен 2024
- Close to 6 years of full-time RV living has shown us some ugly lessons. We show you our best 27 tips and worst mistakes every RV owner should know. We cover everything from ant infestations to having no trailer brakes on the highway (our scariest moment).
RV life is full of stress, but we will bring you the best tips and tricks for the upcoming camping season!
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I flew helicopters for the Army for many years. Two things I've brought over to our RV life. 1) Do the walk around close up to your RV and do another walk around about 20 feet from your RV. You'll be surprised what you can find with the two perspectives. It's saved my life several times. 2) Pull out of your parking site, stop and look back at the empty site for anything left behind or fallen off of your RV. Love your vids.
Did the same thing driving 35 years for UPS. I first do a walk around checking that all latches are locked and a 2nd walk around visual.
@@brucefranklin6765 Local 639 UPS. Learned the same process as well as a lot more on being a defensive driver.
❤
This is a very great tip!!
One last check that everything is disconnected, closed or connected as needed!
Can’t tell you how many times we have been gifted with small items left behind from previous campers
Thanks for mentioning us mobile techs. We really are a viable alternative to the dealers.
- Andrew, Ranger RV Services, Houston, TX
We use to drive semi for a living, we always as traveling with our Rv do a pre trip inspection, and if we stop for fuel we check again before hitting the road. Very good habit to get into.
When we first bought our RV I heard a story of a couple that left their awnings out with a storm coming and a big gust of wind caught their awning and flipped their RV over!! Their RV was also an older model with only one emergency exit (that was blocked) so they were stuck for hours. Because of that story we have never left them unattended but we see other people do it all the time 👀 this is great advice!
Great tips! One caution: if you’re going to put a bunch of stuff on the bed (which is a great place to put it on travel days), be aware of the weight if the bedroom is on a slide. Just had to replace a slide motor and it might have been from overloading the slide while it was going in and out. Used a mobile tech to do the repair and he was awesome: Sean at Tucson Mobile RV Repair.
I used Sean too for major water leak that soaked the whole storage area and everything in it. He was great, reasonable and helpful.
Checking tire pressures the morning of leaving...THIS ONE IS HUGE! I can not tell you guys how many times we have told people to always double-check before you hit the road! It's huge! Always appreciate your videos and the wisdom you all spit on the daily!
On my daily walk around found a tyre with side damage just before leaving civilisation and heading across the Nullarbor. Could have been very bad had it failed at highway speed.
Thanks! We’re a year before we leave on our 4 year Odessy so having this list will do us good. We’ve been tent camping since we were babies so some of these can be transferee to RV life.
One thing I would add is have a physical check list to use for the arrival & leaving jobs. Also put the height/length on your dash.
Well presented & All great tips! 45+ years RV-n & still learning (mess-n up too !) . One of my worst disaster was trying to 'multi-task' with the neighbor who came over to chat while we were setting up. Attached the city fresh water supply to the black tank swirly clean out (bad design; they're next to each other). 10 minutes later Ol' Facefull geyser in the bathroom. needless to say the "Boss" was not happy. You could hear the screech from inside for miles. It was so high pitched all the dogs in the CG came running or howling. I got to do the clean up. ...
Just a tip - whenever anyone interrupts me during set up or tear down - I would turn off or halt anything I was in the middle of ( assuming I did not ask them to please wait) so in this example - if you decide to talk even for 1 minute, just turn off the water and start over when you are done!
You tell tall tales
Been there, done that!
I see you are being nice to Carl by throwing him on the bed, instead of bounding him, taping his mouth and throwing him under the bed!😂. Have a good week. Rick
In addition to practice backing in a large open area (Walmart parking lot), I would HIGHLY suggest that the practice should be done during both daylight and dark. We both know that certain circumstances require the O-DARK 30 backup experience
And pick up a couple of orange cones to use for practice. You can grab them at Home Depot. Set up a couple of obstacles.
Ain't that the truth !
I learned the dark-30 lesson after I backed into the pole holding the water valves. Luckily the owner was super awesome about me breaking 2 valves off.
1.Diatomaceous earth IS a gardening item and it's not soil although it comes from the ground. It looks and feels like flour. Best used in a garden on the ground to keep crawling insects off the plants. It actually cuts insects when they get in it so they die but it's messy and slow acting. A better, cleaner, mess free and very long lasting product that kills all insects is Bifenthin. You'll find it in the garden section too. It's the active ingredient in products like Orthos Home Defense. If you buy it ready to use, just wet a paper towel and wipe it on the floor in a narrow band next to walls and cabinets. (wear a glove) It takes VERY little. I use it in my house this way and spray it around the perimeter outside. It lasts inside over 8 months. If you have pets or little children apply it where they can't get in to it and where you won't step in it. I wouldn't use it outside at a campsite. The next people wouldn't know. You could spray the tires, jacks and other place where ants would get up into the rig. Keep in mind that you wouldn't want to touch these places with bare hands later.
2. I'm surprised that you missed the obvious.
MAKE A CHECKLIST. Do it on your phone or on a computer so you can print it. Either way it's easy to add to it and make adjustments, and you certainly will. You'd be surprised at how long and useful the list can be. I print mine and keep it on the engine dog house in our motor home. I have one for set up and one for leaving. As a pilot I know that checklists are extremely important. I also do a walk around and look underneath at every stop.
3. I wrote my height and length on a post it and stuck it to the dashboard so I can quickly see it at a glance at any time.
4. All excellent ideas that I always have been doing. Probably your most useful video for all experience levels.
My wife & I get so excited on thursdays just to watch y’all new video
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Just a word of advice don’t let your RV set too long without checking on it. I have mine in storage for the winter and don’t have room to open it up and check it out. I do however have room to open the door and give it a quick look but that’s not good enough. I just purchased and second AC unit and was going to it install it myself so I brought the unit home. I got a big surprise when I opened it up. It had a leak in the roof at the point where the nose cap and the roof come together. What a mess. Needless to say I have a lot of clean up todo before I can install the AC unit.
Thanks for the show.
Thank you for sharing these tips! Excellent video! One I might add is that during your walk around, take a few pics of your rig and site. You never know when they might come in handy down the road.
Stumbled upon your channel when researching full-time RV living, I have started saving all of your tips and tricks videos! I am excited to go FT in a year and half myself! Keep up the great job!
Honestly this is the best place to learn. Not only do the Hanks have great info they are fun to watch. I’ve been full time 12 years and they’ve got the best videos.
So happy for you! 🤗
Mr Hank reminds me of the actor French Stewart from 3rd Rock From the Sun! The longer I watch, the more I'm convinced yer related!!❤😂
Another great video. We can't be reminded too much. You're so right, check, check, check. What we've found is take your time. Don't hurry. Time spent checking and re-checking is time well spent.
You made any good points. Keeping hitched until electric, sewer, and water hookups are connected is a time saver. Nothing more frustrating than the electric is 1 foot too far away.
I've also found that you need to make sure your slides can open before leveling and hooking up. Before leaving look on the roof and make sure that the satellite dish and any antennas are down and properly stowed.
This will be our second year rving! And we are excited about this year! Miles and are are continuing to learn from our mistakes! I’m glad we are not the only ones with issues!
Tip #28 - If you do a pull check on your fifth wheel pin after hooking up, lets you know if it's locked and that your electrical brakes are working and connected. Can't wait for vids of your adventures this year!
I do a walk around before pulling out, then stop on my street in a level spot and do another walkaround. Same on the way back, before pulling out, and again at the dump site or in the road out if I had full hook-ups.
So many good tips. We've learned to start our water heater with propane then switch to electric. We now have spare black tank hoses. (Don't ask us have that came about.) Absolutely try that black water tank pull before you need to empty your tank with a line of rigs behind you and it comes off! Oops!! Always put the steps up prior to moving for sure. NEVER PUT ANYTHING ON YOUR TRUCK BUMPER YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE. 😁😔 Great idea about using the fans to help the hot air out. Will definitely try that. We're all learning together. You guys are the best! #ThanksHanks
We’ve been part timers for the last ten years. Thanks for the video. All good advice. As motorhomers always check all the compartment doors they sometimes swing open while in motion even though they appear to be locked.
I saw you on let's turn it up world at the Hershey's RV show I am subscribing to you because you were so friendly to Tanya and her husband
Great advice...
Thanks Hanks... 😊
I am 4 months new to RV living.
If you ever come back to Florida. I am just north of Ocala and would love to meet you two.
Been following you 3 for about a year now. From consideration to full time RV’er. I am glad to say I only missed one or two of these tips. I’m sure I learned it all from you and loved the education.
Thanks Hanks! You reminded me to unhook my 7 way pin!! I don’t want to drain my tow rig battery!!
This is where I use Silicone Slap Bracelets. Keep one on the electrical cord. When I disconnect it I put it on my steering wheel as a reminder the next day to reconnect the power.
Cool information. Ty.
Got one for you . I am a big rig driver (32 years) when ever backing up , always steer towards the trouble and it will push your trailer away from trouble.
Boy these are great suggestions. No matter how long you’ve been RVing- you can’t learn too much.
My best takeaway from today was the pic of your license plates.
Keep ‘em coming!
You guys are totally awesome! I love how you deliver your messages in such a way that captures our attention! I have tried to watch other videos, but I can not stay focused because of their delivery!
Completely agree on travel day dinner. Keep it simple we stow a couple of frozen microwave dinners ready. You really can't go wrong with salisbury steak or turkey dinner, stay away from anything with a crust and you will be very happy in 15 minutes!
Tire pressure monitors are a saving grace. A tape measure, because some tools needed.
ALL excellent tips! Thanks Hanks!
We miss you guys. If you put your water hose away because it is to cold please put your water pressure regulator away to. The water in the regulator can freeze.
Cutting board freezer tip was golden ! What a good idea !!!
Oh yeah, thx for the cutting board idea in the fridge. Just about froze my hands just last week scrapping off all that ice.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Yes, I use Diatomaceous Earth in my garden. It is safe for Dexters and other animals. We have 4 cats so I love this for in the house too.
On the 7pin. You can write up your 12v trailer feed through a relay that will only be energized while the tow vehicle is running and charging. When the tow vehicle is shut off, it will disconnect.
I love this channel. I'd like to travel with you guys sometime.
Oh wow, that's a really great idea! Thank you for your kindness and taking the time to share this 😃
Awesome info as always, keep up the great job guys!
Great information. My husband and I have learned a lot about full-time RVing from watching your videos. We just purchased our 1st rv and hope to be on the road soon. Thanks for all you do.
are going fulltime?
Congrats! 🤗
These were SO helpful and SO true!!!! EVERYONE should watch this when they’re getting started, and then every few months as a reminder!!!
A note on tire pressure checking, before you leave in the morning is good but remover the pressure will go up when the temperature rises while driving. Don’t go for max pressure cold.
Lol, i was thinking the same thing, the day temperature rising and the tire temp too, u be pulling over n letting air out filling it up first thing in the morn lol. 🍻
Great Video! Some super tips. Please set me straight. Stabilizer/leveling square blocks, orange. Which direction do the little mounds go? Up or down. You guys put yours down and some other videos show them up. Is there a reason/advantage for placing one way or the other? Put that in a newbie video ;-) or tips - episode 2. Love ya guys.
Well, pictures of the lynx levers show em being used with the knobs/mounds up. I always used em that way too. I would think that more platform that touches the ground would be more secure, less tilting in gravel.
Not sure why carl using er had em upside down lol. 🍻
We always like to put them upside down, either way is the same
Another great vidio guy's, & great travel day tips we all need a refresher on. One thing my wife & I both say at the end of your vidios is our time with you is to short. We start each Fri morning with your vidios. Keep them coming & safe travels.
You guys are great! I really enjoy your videos and the great advice!
Thank you very much!! Your support means so much to us ❤️
Good advice - one little check I always do is mace sure the brake controller is showing your 7-pin IS connected BEFORE you pull out of your camp-site
Happy Hanksday!
Excellent info! Yes we learned sometimes by trial and error!
Love all of them,,you guys are good ,,thank you
Ney Ney says you bring the info in an entertaining way. You guys are our Thursday entertainment. Wish the videos were longer as They normally end before the popcorn is gone. 🙂 Another good info video from the Hanks. Let er rip Hanks and enjoy your travels..
I always click on the earlier videos and rewatch a few
❤️🤗
Already knew all this but very entertaining and informative to new rv couples/families
We learned early on about backing up and we use walkie-talkies. Jeremy gets out and looks first and let's me know what to watch for so I can help.
Ya I need to make a check list it's better than trying to remember all to do happy camping
Yall crack me up!!! I don’t have an rv one but I’m stockpiling knowledge ❤
Love watching your videos. We've been living in our RV for 2 yrs now and love your tips. And absolutely do it "the ne ne way# love u too "Carl"❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, guys, for your time this video was great and to the point.
Thanks, Hanks! Y’all are amazing! Great ideas...we’ve made some of these, too!😉 Have a great week! Jane in SC ❤🙏🏻
Great video and tips. We each do a walk around from opposite directions prior to pulling out of the site. For high value items, we have a “Remove Before Flight” type flag hanging in a conspicuous spot to remind us as an extra safety measure (we started this with the old crank up TV antennas 😂).
That’s such an awesome idea! It sounds like you guys have a great system worked out. Thank you for your amazing support and for taking the time to watch our videos 😃 - Kyle and Renee
@@HappilyEverHanks Thank you very much. Love your content and you two.
LOL! You folks are brilliant! I'm buying a camper . It's a small camper and a truck. I'm single and this is all I need. I am thinking about buying some land just to park on. Have water and stuff. Live there and not have to pay $1300/ rent for a fancy apartment.
Awesome! Wishing you great luck on your new adventure!
Backing up I talk to the wife on the phone. Makes it a lot easier. We also book the site for extra day just so we're not in a rush. Not only do we walk around but we sweep the slides before we retract them. Nothing like a stick ripping your slide seal.
When I had a trailer I made most of these mistakes. 😂. I ripped a window out on a campground pavilion roof. We pressed on with some plastic sheeting and tape from Wal Mart. 👍🏻
You guys are great at explaining different ideas and procedures.
Also love how y'all have been doing this for years and still smile and love each other (on camera anyways) ..haha 🤣JK on that last comment. Keep up the good work and keep rollin out great vids😎👍🏼
Good tip on unplugging the 7-way connector when parked for a while, and making sure it's plugged back in. I've gotten in the habit of always checking all the lights after hitching up, if only to check for burned out bulbs.
One thing we have done while navigating parking/backing up is for my husband and I to both have our Bluetooths on and make a call to each other (hands free babby!). This allows us to communicate to each other as he backs the camper up and I help navigate. 👍
Love this!
I always walk rig before departure and fill my airbags on my trucks rear end so the rig rides level.
Furrion S camera’s help watch the surroundings as well.
Good video to keep the newbies in check👍
Love the videos, they are always spot on.... You are truly blessed to be making memories and living the dream.
I've started doing that after watching you guys, KYD and LJMJ. Thanks for all the great info? Now how to keep the mice out of the trailer over the winter!!!!
We use CabFresh. Dryer sheets are only good for mouse bedding when the smell wears off.
Great advice. Thank you for all your video’s.
Keep them coming.
We’ve been learning so much from your channel! Thank you for all your tips! Joeh and I are starting RV life full time in a few weeks and we are super excited!!
Best fun tip video!
Good points all and enjoy the youthful energy injected into you presentation
Thanks Hanks! We were on our afternoon walk around the park tonight and spotted Dex in y’all’s door ❤️❤️
Put your back up against the rig. Stretch your arm straight out. If your fingers don’t touch any obstructions then its safe to put your slides out.
You must have gorilla arms! Can you touch your knees without bending over?
Putting the valuable cat on the bed made me chuckle, but valuable Karl pushed me over the edge into outright laughter! LOL Great list of tips, thanks!
Terro ant baits are god tier against ants. It's takes a day or two for them to get a lethal amount but a day or two and they are gone gone...
I can say that we were guilty of some of them. No we do a "Pre -Flight Checklist and a Before Takeoff Checklist." We haven't had any mistakes by incorporating these checklist. Our rig has a few safety things like not allowing the motorhome to switch to drive when the jacks are down. Same thing with the slides. I thank y'all for this video. It's a great refresher. I enjoyed the video. Looking forward to your next one.
Hanks you make everything fun. Thanks for the tips. been rving for 20 years and picked up 2 new great tips..#thankshanks
Finally got to catch up on the latest 3 installments and I once again I laughed and thought about what you were spittin and just enjoyed! #ThanksHanks
Great video...Thanks Hanks! Yeah, multiple walk-arounds are essential. We also learned that the hard way...once when we made a 3 hour drive to our destination and a fella pulled up alongside us and said we didn't have turn signals...didn't plug in the plug 🙄. On our trip to AK, someone got a free Anderson Leveler we left behind 😒. Lesson learned... multiple walk-arounds!
Well done guys! Very good 101s covered here.
Me and my son love you guys keep making those videos
You guys are totally awesome, love watching your videos , there informative with a touch of humour love it! Keep it going Jerry a new subscriber
We just got back from Alaska, the last stop in Denali. Wow the Mosquitos were out of control there. There is a lot of construction on highways. Just a heads up. Absolutely stunning.
It rained everyday in Anchorage,ugh
I guess my fav was Ketchikan, love all the homes on al hill side.
Also if you get a chance to ride strain in the mountains you can see a lot of wildlife. Saw everything but Caribou. Safe travels
Wonderful video. Great information that Newbies and Oldies can always learn from. Thanks Hanks!!
Terro is fabulous. Diatomaceous earth is sold at garden centers and feed stores. Its food grade as its used on garden vegetables it dehydrates their bug bodies.
YALL ROCK! Thank you for these tips. I really appreciate your knowledge.
Thank you very much, Lee! We appreciate your wonderful support 😊
Loving all the content. We are old (over55) and have been RVing since the early 90's. We have stayed at several of the campgrounds you stayed at in Florida and have looked into some of the others youve used. Stay safe.
Wow! Thank you.. so many things learned at odd times.
Thanks for the tips! Fun video!
G.O.A.L- get out and look
On the water heater, get a tankless. The rv I have now has one and it is the best.
We have thought about this multiple times. They definitely seem to be worth it!! Thanks for sharing
How do you not mention the clock you’ve destroyed multiple times. Lol
😆
This was a great one !!!
I drove a semi for a few years. One of the companies I worked for put stickers on the rear view mirrors that said, "G.O.A.L." That stands for Get Out And Look. We were professional drivers and most of us really didn't need to Get Out And Look every time we backed the trailer into a dock. But, every couple of days things got tight. Super tight. There are some asshole drivers who will be critical of a driver that takes "too long" backing up. But most of us would rather forego backing into an unexpected object and we certainly don't want other drivers backing into US! Sometimes, especially at night if the dock wasn't well lit, I would discover that I really could NOT see anything in my mirrors. I would Get Out And Look, back up a few feet, then Get Out And Look Again. Repeat as many times as necessary. Once I was backing into an indoor dock through an extremely narrow door. There was only a few inches clearance on both sides. I was in bright sunshine and the door was just a big black hole. I must have got out five times at that facility and I don't regret any of it.
Good for you! You never get in a hurry. I know you are looking in your mirrors too when making a turn due to the trailer "off tracking.
Very good tips.Thanks! Hope Dexter is doing OK...
Thank you for all the tips! We took our camper out for the very first time this week. I should have looked before I unhooked. Of course we parked too far back and the stabilizers in the rear couldn't be put down. We we're just doing a trial run so we didn't move as we only stayed 2 nights. I did check around the camper before pulling off, but thankfully the attendant driving around yelled for me to remember my Y water valve connector. Then I did pull out of my spot without noticing the stairs were still down. Our camper is much smaller so it's a single step that doesn't touch the ground, no harm done.
Tips tips. Thank you. Great video
We love you! All great advice especially for us newbies! Thanks Hanks! You're awesome!