Two Ladies RVing for the first time!

[Princess]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum. Me and my partner have camped before, but I must admit, we always went with other people and never paid any attention to the "work" involved. We got bit by the bug and bought a new trailer. We keep waiting for her brother to take us out and teach us the ropes, but he keeps rescheduling, so we decided, we are going to just try it ourselves. Please keep us in your prayers! lol

I have a big F350 and we just bought a 26.5 ft travel trailer. We have practiced hitching and unhitching, leveling and have practiced driving and backing with her brother. (She does the driving, I'm a scaredy cat.) She actually picked up on the driving rather quickly.

I video taped the walk-through and we've studied it...but we haven't actually hooked up, or dumped before. She's a quick study and a police officer, so she knows how to get stuff done. We are going to a State park just a few miles out of town. I'm very inspired reading the experiences here of women RVing on their own! I am very nervous about this first trip. I was really hoping to get a RV-er to give us hands-on lessons, instead of winging it ourselves. Any advice anyone would like to give? Since we are knew to backing up, think we should get a drive-thru?

We are 40 and fit, but I'm curious as to how some of the more petite and older are getting their tow hitch thing off? (if that's what it's called) That thing is WAY heavier than we expected! Wish us luck because we TOTALLY are gonna need it!

[Teaspoon]

Your going to have the time of your life!! Don't be scared, its not rocket science and I am sure you will both do just fine I know before I took out my trailer for the first time I read and read on rv sites about blocking my tires, leveling, how to dump the tanks, ect ect, but until you actually do it and build your confidence its intimidating. Now its like second nature and I laugh now at my trepidation. Just take your time , try to relax and its not the end of the world if you make a mistake. You might want to get a drive thru for your first time out if your that nervous about it, and just concentrate on learning the ins and out of your new trailer and camping itself. If you do get a back in site remember no one is rushing you, this is new to you both, its not easy sometimes to back in a trailer the first..second ..or third time trying!!! Remember you are women, you can do anything that takes agility,composure,intelligence and fortitude!! There are always rv'ers in the campground that are willing to give you a hand too. Good Luck and have a great first time out!!! p.s. and take pictures!!
p.s.p.s are you talking about removing the tongue of the trailer off the hitch ball? On my trailer after I have leveled the trailer with blocks if it needs it (still attached to my truck), and blocked the tires, I release the ball lock on the tongue,disconnect chains,wire harness, crank up my trailer with the hand crank ( you might have an electric) untill its clear of the ball and drive my truck forward. Then come back and crank it down or up according to my level.

[Azusateach]

Greetings from the Left Coast!

Well, you know how to jump right in to RVing! I have a 26' trailer, too, and it's actually a breeze to pull. You didn't say where you're from -- that would help in helping you find like-minded women that could be of assistance at first.

You'll find that we're an irreverent bunch, but full of laughs, support, and lots of opinions! So don't be shy and ask away. No question is silly. If you're thinking it there's a good chance someone else is too and just hasn't screwed up the courage to ask!

Again, welcome!

Laura

[Sandersmr]

Welcome! You might want to go to an empty parking lot and practice backing so that you know how the trailer is going to turn. I know that my little trailer tends to turn with big angles due to its size. I would totally do this if and when I get a larger trailer just because I know it will handle differently. And I think you were talking about weight distribution bars - I don't have to worry about those on this side trailer, but you might check on rv.net for some tips on handling them - just put your asbestos pants on first

And it also helps to have a checklist when setting up and more importantly, when tearing down your campsite. Things to remember - look for obstacles including up high, level trailer, chock wheels, unhook, lower stabilizers, electric hookup, water hookup and if you have it, sewer hookup, switch your refrigerator from propane to electric, hot water heater (mine is a manual light). When you get ready to leave, do things in reverse order. And then walk around your trailer and truck once looking up as well as down to make sure you haven't forgotten something (TV antennas are notorious for sneaking up when you weren't looking then getting hooked on trees as you leave - just kidding on the sneaking up part!). Then walk around again just before you leave, maybe walking the opposite direction. When Mark goes with me, we usually both do a walkaround.

It's a fun way to travel and soon you will get the hang of it. And remember, we all started out not knowing anything about camping.

[mitch5252]

..
Hi, Princess!

Welcome to a wonderful Forum of very experienced and helpful women. Boy, you did jump in big, didn't you?

You have a lot to learn, but it's all fun learning (well, for the most part)

My most important (for me) piece of advice is check left/right level, adjust, then CHOCKS DOWN.
When pulling out, chocks are the last thing up.
Ask my rear bumper how it knows this...

Well, anyway - ask away - anything at all. Someone here will have had the experience and be able to give advice.

..

[avalen]

just wanted to add my welcome, enjoy your first time out. I'm still dreaming of the day.

[bfandlw]

Hi there and welcome to the forum. We just purchased our first RV a few months ago and I understand your concerns. You will fine after a trip or two. Lots of woman have many years experience and are really helpful, so ask away!!
Congrats and have a blast traveling this summer.

[cnq50b]

Welcome, Princess!
I just took my van on a 3300 mile trip. It's starting to feel like home. I know you'll get to that point too. Everythins is a little scary at first but with time, I know it'll feel like nothing. Just get out there & 'do it'!!! And enjoy!

[WickedLady]

Other RVers in the parks are almost always more than willing to give a helping hand. Enjoy.

[Princess]

Yes, I'm guilty for always going too big when it comes with things with wheels! My first motorcycle was a Harley Dyna Wide Glide and I've been driving a F350 for years. I gotta have bigger toys than all the boys.

At first we went in planning on getting a small Class C, but the price sort of scared us...plus I already had that big truck.

It's not the bars I found the heavy but the part that goes into the hitch of your truck. We were told to remove it from the back of the truck when we are not towing, because people will steal them and if anyone hits us, it will be a mess. We store it in the garage. Its quite heavy. What is the proper name for that thing?

She's been practicing in a big parking lot and did a good job backing into her driveway, which was a very tight turn. I'm just afraid we will freak out with everyone watching us trying to back up. I was totally tweaking out with all the crazy noises the trailer was making when she was backing up and turning tight, but her brother said it was normal later. My partner is quite confident, but I am a natural worry wart and stress monkey, I guess.

Oh by the way we are from central Ohio. Thank you for all the words of wisdom. I'm taking notes. If the weather isn't totally crappy this weekend, we are gonna give it a try. It's hot as heck, we will try to park in shade. If we get really confused, I might be hopping on here via my cell phone asking a bunch of real stupid questions!

Thank you so much, ladies!

[BayouLady]

Welcome to the group ! Words of wisdom, have gloves on when emptying the tanks, that's one that was told to me, not from experience. I'm a newbie as well, in fact, I'm not bringing my baby home til NEXT week. Have fun and take lots of pictures, I'll be looking for those questions that you'll be posting so I won't have to ask the same thing on my first time out.

Bonnie

[Azusateach]

She's been practicing in a big parking lot and did a good job backing into her driveway, which was a very tight turn. I'm just afraid we will freak out with everyone watching us trying to back up. I was totally tweaking out with all the crazy noises the trailer was making when she was backing up and turning tight, but her brother said it was normal later. My partner is quite confident, but I am a natural worry wart and stress monkey, I guess.

When you're backing up, make sure you've got your sway control & WDH bars OFF. They can do a nasty number on your hitch if you turn too sharply. And yes, those noises are normal. You'll learn to distinguish between what's normal and what's not.

Your next task: figure out how to post pictures!

What kind of trailer do you have? We have a Starcraft 265RLB. Love it!

Laura

[Bethers]

Welcome, Princess. I can't help about towing a tt ... although I've helped friends hitch/unhitch at times. I can give moral support and like others have said, tell you that it's a matter of doing it and practice - just like about everything in life.

Glad to have you with us.

[Princess]

Azusateach, I have an equalizer hitch....so I don't think I remove anything when backing up, do I? I think it's the equalizer hitch which is so heavy to remove. We have a Viewfinder 24SD. You know, that Starcraft 265RLB was one we really looked at too! I think it had a pantry I liked and rear chairs. We went with the Viewfinder because we really like the front kitchen. We looked at so many trailers we were going cross-eyed. It was SO hot..running in and out of those un-AC'ed units.

We heard about making sure we have gloves for empty black tanks. One of the first things we got, big long plastic black gloves. I'll definitely take pics if we make it out. Weather is now saying "potential for severe thunderstorms" on Saturday. Hopefully, that will change. Booooo!

[Bethers]

Oh please, please, do NOT use gloves that you use over and over to dump. I don't use gloves at all - don't use them to clean the toilet ... rarely use them when dumping - It's a valve. But if you do use them, get throw aways. Or make sure you wash them each and every time you use them (which isn't always possible).

I DO wash my hands good after dumping.