I'm always happy when newbies ask question. My Mantra is, "Everything operates properly when properly operated."
Read: I always screw it up the first time. So ask away! (This is my shoulda-woulda-coulda)
Once you pick a home state, what address do you put on your drivers license if you no longer have a sticks & bricks home? I still have my sticks & bricks. But I use the
America's Mailbox mail service when I am on extended trips. On the web site they describe the advantages and requirements of South Dakota residency. You can compare this to other states.
Is the water hookup at parks considered potable (for cooking, drinking, etc) or better to have bottled or major filtering systems installed? I think running out of water is my major concern at this point. I got in the habit of buying bottled water for cooking & drinking during a volunteer gig where the water was brackish. I generally rely on the water provided at parks or my volunteer gigs for showering and washing. But I rarely use water in my tank because I only boondock at Wal Marts or Flying Js while traveling.
For 1 person full time, what's the average for propane life? Granted this may depend on cold or warmer climates, just a ballbark guess is OK. I top off my propane tank before each trip. I made the mistake (See Mantra) of using my furnace on one volunteer gig and had to take the rig into town twice. Then I wised up & bought space heaters and an electric skillet. My water heater runs on electricity or propane.
Where do you get propane refilled? Do most parks offer this service. These tanks seem a lot bigger than those used on a BBQ and I can barely lift that one! Others have addressed this. But if you drive into a station to get your tank filled, make sure you can get in -- and out! -- of the propane filling station. In fact, I have
One Standard Rule when I travel: I do not drive into any gas station, etc., unless I can see that I can get out. I always look for gas stations whose pumps are parallel to the C-store. (see Mantra
).
Do you use leveling blocks on a motorhomes? Most dealers I've spoken to said no because the suspension on the rig takes care of most of it, including slides, and if it's too uneven, they suggest just asking for a different site. I had an a older Class C and no leveling system. Traveling alone, that was an enormous pain in the patootie. So when I got my Class A, I insisted on two things: levelers and WARDROBE SPACE. Which means a bedroom slide. The Class C had two teeny closets and small drawers on either side of the bed, which would be fine for weekend camping, but not long-term travel. I digress: I carry those plastic leveling blocks with me because many sites where I volunteer are so out of level that my levelers won't handle it fully extended. So I sometimes I put the blocks under the jacks. In some circumstances I've had to use railroad ties PLUS the blocks to get level. To avoid breaking a leg, I carry this
secondary step.
Where do you do laundry? Campground or somewhere in town? I have a Splendide washer/dryer combo (dirty clothes in, dry clean clothes out). Yep. Spoiled.
Do you recommend driving lessons? So far I think they're a good idea, but can't find a place in Illinois for a 1-2 day class. Dealers say they'll give me an hour lesson. Think that's enough? I'd recommend a multi-day RV driving clinic. An hour isn't enough. They're cheaper than auto body repair. (See Mantra)
Finally do you have any regrets about your first camper or motorhome? (coulda shoulda woulda?) Yep. Bought a junk Class B, moved up to a Class C (see above) and now have a 35-foot Class A with two slides. I tow a Honda CRV (towing is another thread altogether).
One thing you didn't ask about: Towing insurance. I have had a MH towed, um, I think, twice. One time the aforementioned junk Class B died in a podunk Wyoming town. The roadside assistance company (AAA at that time) found a towing company that was set up to tow my type of MH, then found a shop that could service it. Well worth the $$. I wouldn't have known where to begin. Just make sure the towing policy specifically covers RV travel. My current policy (Good Sam) also provides roadside service for my car.
Keep the questions coming!
! thanks Ellen I didn't even think about snowbirds heading south and open spots in storage!
Yup - I've got insurance on my list of stuff to research, but since I don't have my MH yet, can't get quotes, etc.
