Are you a new RV owner? There’s nothing like the thrill of getting out on the open road. The freedom you get with an RV is inspiring, and it’s what makes people buy one of these recreational vehicles in the first place. Learn all about the most common mistakes by new RV owners in this article. Read about the beginner RV mistake or mistakes. Knowing more about these RV newbie mistakes will help you to prevent situations that could happen to any new RV owner.
RV newbies to the RV lifestyle sometimes find themselves blindsided by their aspirations for a life out on the open road. Many don’t realize there are several common beginner RV mistakes new owners make with their vehicles.
Some new RV owners might even make these mistakes before they get their new RV out on the road! We decided to give you a heads-up about your new RV lifestyle. This post unpacks the most common mistakes by new RV owners.
I encourage you to read (and re-read if needed) this article about the Common Mistakes by New RV Owners.
Common Mistakes by New RV Owners – No Experience Purchasing RVs
Common Mistakes by New RV Owners – No Experience Purchasing RVs. If you did not purchase yet an RV, I strongly recommend reading our RV Inspection Checklist & RV Purchase Checklist.
Common Mistakes by New RV Owners – No Experience or Practice Before Taking Delivery
No Experience or Practice Before Taking Delivery. There are several RV categories. They range from small weekend vehicles for couples to monster units that cater to up to ten people or more.
Each model handles differently, and drivers need to know what to expect before getting behind the wheel. Check if the dealer offers courses, especially if you’re purchasing a large Class-A RV.
Drivers need to consider the wider turning radiuses, higher center of gravity, and other design elements that create risk for RV drivers.
Common Mistakes by New RV Owners – No Spotter when Backing Up
Possibly the most common mistake made by new RV owners is their failure to use a spotter when backing up their vehicle. New owners, especially new owners of expensive models, may be overconfident in their ability to operate the vehicle correctly.
This overconfidence places them in bad positions when they are looking to back up their vehicle. A spotter is absolutely essential for use when backing up your RV, especially in tight spaces.
The spotter acts as a visual guide, ensuring you don’t hit a tree or parking pole, damaging your vehicle. They act as a lookout for anything in the way as you’re backing up, like an animal or burrow.
Let’s continue reviewing the beginner RV mistake or mistakes.
Common Mistakes by New RV Owners – Failing to Complete a Walk-Around Inspection
Even the most seasoned RV owners are guilty of failing this one from time to time. The RV is very different from a car or a pickup truck. If something goes wrong with your RV on the road, it’s way more serious than a car in most circumstances.
A tire blowing out at speed puts you in a much more scary experience than you would be dealing with in a car.
If you complete a walk-around of the vehicle before each trip, it ensures you don’t encounter any nasty surprises on the road.
Other Common Mistakes by New RV Owners
Here are some more common mistakes made by new RV owners.
- Failing to adhere to or notice clearance limits on the sides, bottom, or top of the vehicle.
- Disregarding the weight limit of the RV, the towing capacity or how to tow a vehicle behind the RV.
- Failing to secure the awnings.
- Failing to research weather conditions or winterize an RV.
- Disposing of the wrong waste items in the toilet.
- Not performing regular tire safety checks.
Leverage Other People’s Experience
Before hitting the road with your new RV, take some time to read all the sections and articles we have to recommend on our site.
We have a lot of information on RV life, and you will learn a lot about your vehicle and your new lifestyle in just a few hours of reading. We recommend our article about the RV air conditioner repair guide.
