Nailed it again John. I would add to your list one thing. Try to limit your time on the road for each day of travel. Factor in departure time, frequency of rest stops, and a fairly early arrival time so there is less stress on travel days.
I’m a long time RVer, one thing I recommend to friends is…if the campsite you want to visit is close to home( within a couple of hours) take a drive and check out the sites. Write down the site numbers you like, all of them. You never know which ones will be available if you have to book ahead. Then you can check out water, dump site and the campsite area itself in your car/truck. Much easier to manage without a trailer or motor home.
As a brand new camper owner, I think I'm lucky to have camped in the bed of my pickup truck for several years. I know how much gear i need and have plus i always scope out campsites in advance. Reservable spots take away alot of the pressure. If its FCFS, I go early. (Being retired helps😄)
Absolutely! We only camp in the beautiful fall. Reserve 6 months in advance and fortunate to even get a spot! Find it easier to pack as little as possible. Yes, safety first and common sense. Happy Camping
I just discovered your videos, and I love them! You are so helpful. I’m an extreme newbie.. have purchased my TT but haven’t yet brought it home. I bought a 2019 Ameri-Lite, but I also needed to upgrade my car, so did that and will get a tow package installed in a few days and be trained on how to hook up my camper. Then I’ll finally be able to bring it home! I decided to take a “simple” first trip close to home and have visited a few in my area. I’m nervous but very excited. Your videos give make me feel more confident. Thank you!!
Great to hear. I have a set of curated videos for newbies on my website if interested. If you join the New to RVing group, you can get this video list emailed to you. All the best! johnmarucci.com/getting-started-with-rving-16-videos/
One thing I’ve learned is to never let your gas tank get below 1/4 tank before looking to fill up, more than 1/4 tank if you’re in a sparsely populated area that you’re unfamiliar with. The most important campsite setup advice I have is to make sure you chock the wheels of the trailer before unhitching or else your trailer may roll away.
Thank you for another great video! I’ve learned so much. I recently bought an Aliner Ascape, we’ve tented our entire lives so this is a big step up. Your suggestion of buying the extra day is priceless and we’ve done that now for years. It gives us so much time to pack up and then enjoy that last day at camp. I want to enjoy that cup of coffee in the morning and not feel rushed. I think another newbie mistake is not understanding the additional costs of buying an rv and to not over buy every gadget Amazon sells for camping. It can be like falling down the rabbit hole!
Great to hear that the videos are helpful! I have a list of getting started videos here if interested: johnmarucci.com/getting-started-with-rving-16-videos/
John, Thanks for the list. Your comment on mosquitoes, requiring a delay in timing. As a Canadian we know how annoying mosquitoes are & because we have so many lake & wet lands, they are often around the bulk of the summer. They should be Canada's national bird. Several solutions: Mosquito coils, that will kill the ones that gat in the TT, a good bug tent to escape them, bug spray including spray for dogs. (We use an equine spray). Note to that black flies have the decency to die when it gets warm.
Check out all the mosquitoes trying to get into my trailer in this campground review! Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Michigan - czcams.com/video/felGl7Hp5CM/video.html
I can remember camping with a 15 foot scotty, 10 gal fresh water, no bathroom, no 12v dc lights, only a propane light. Simplity, planned for the enjoyed, No TV , no Cell phones, just the outdoors. 😀
Taking too many small appliances is the thing I see the most. It's amazing what you can do on a 2 burner stove with a little ingenuity. I do take an ice maker which isn't light when I have h/u, but I now leave the slow cooker and other stuff at home.
We’ve been Full Time RVers for a little over a month and have realized all of the things that we DON’T need. We’re excited to lighten the load the next time we pass through our hometown where we’re storing some things.
Thanks for the info, however, I own a 2013 Honda Pilot 4WD and have been told that WD hitches are not advised, but that an anti-sway bar is better. Thoughts?
David, you are correct, WDH are not recommended by Honda for the Pilot given its unibody construction. I used one because of the tradeoff between towing safely for very short periods vs the long-term structure of the vehicle. I only used the my 2014 4WD Pilot for towing for one year and only on a few shorter trips before I realized I needed a truck for my R-Pod 179. The 4WD Pilot can be a decent tow vehicle for very light weight trailers, but really is not great with anything 3,000+ lbs. IMO. A sway bar is the minimal I would use.
Also, do you have tips and tricks for living full time in an R-pod? I have been doing it for 6 weeks now and have enjoyed the simplicity. I also have a great outdoor space. If I knew how to attach pictures I would.
I use heavier Command Strips to hang pictures which seem to work well. I don’t live in my RVs full time but have done several longer multi-month trips. Probably my number one tip is to pack much lighter than you might think. This is especially true the smaller the trailer. I don’t have a specific video on the subject but I do have one on going south for the winter: czcams.com/video/uGog1P9ei3I/video.html
@@JohnMarucci I plan to do both, off grid and RV parks and state/national parks... I don't mind using bathhouses but will also use the unit's batroom and as far as cooking, both.... I plan to do both because I don't want to cook fish inside but plan to cook inside as well.. what do you suggest?
John, I also have a 2018 R-pod 179. Any tips or tricks for backing it into a campsite? With a single axle, it doesn't seem to play by the normal rules.
Diana, I recently published a video on backing up a trailer. The process is the same for single axle trailers, except any change is steering has a more dramatic affect on the turn of the trailer: czcams.com/video/rzdzJWX-dbY/video.html
I am looking at a 2017 RP171 to live in while working for NPS as an Interpretive Ranger. (Retired science teacher.) Was wondering what you ran into as limitations with this rig? The positions are for 3-4 months with full hook up. It would only be me and my dog. Thanks
John, Thanks for responding! Yes, I have been through it a few times. It's small, but I would try and arrange for an outside protected area to cook and hang out under. Also the locations they provide usually have facilities. My thought was since it would be my first RV experience, start out small and if I like it upgrade later. I was also looking at the Airstream Basecamp 16X, seems more comfortable, but the $$$$$$$ ouch! Thanks again, your channel is very helpful to newbies!
Nailed it again John. I would add to your list one thing. Try to limit your time on the road for each day of travel. Factor in departure time, frequency of rest stops, and a fairly early arrival time so there is less stress on travel days.
Tim, great advice on planning out travel days. Thanks for sharing!
I’m a long time RVer, one thing I recommend to friends is…if the campsite you want to visit is close to home( within a couple of hours) take a drive and check out the sites. Write down the site numbers you like, all of them. You never know which ones will be available if you have to book ahead. Then you can check out water, dump site and the campsite area itself in your car/truck. Much easier to manage without a trailer or motor home.
Great tip. Thanks for sharing!
As a brand new camper owner, I think I'm lucky to have camped in the bed of my pickup truck for several years. I know how much gear i need and have plus i always scope out campsites in advance. Reservable spots take away alot of the pressure. If its FCFS, I go early. (Being retired helps😄)
Thanks for sharing!
When backing my trailer I learned to put my truck into 4 low, and this gives me more control over the backing speed.
Good tip. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely! We only camp in the beautiful fall. Reserve 6 months in advance and fortunate to even get a spot! Find it easier to pack as little as possible. Yes, safety first and common sense. Happy Camping
Reserving campsites in advance is certainly a great tip, especially as camping has gained popularity over the past few years. Thanks for sharing!
I just discovered your videos, and I love them! You are so helpful. I’m an extreme newbie.. have purchased my TT but haven’t yet brought it home. I bought a 2019 Ameri-Lite, but I also needed to upgrade my car, so did that and will get a tow package installed in a few days and be trained on how to hook up my camper. Then I’ll finally be able to bring it home! I decided to take a “simple” first trip close to home and have visited a few in my area. I’m nervous but very excited. Your videos give make me feel more confident. Thank you!!
Great to hear. I have a set of curated videos for newbies on my website if interested. If you join the New to RVing group, you can get this video list emailed to you. All the best! johnmarucci.com/getting-started-with-rving-16-videos/
One thing I’ve learned is to never let your gas tank get below 1/4 tank before looking to fill up, more than 1/4 tank if you’re in a sparsely populated area that you’re unfamiliar with.
The most important campsite setup advice I have is to make sure you chock the wheels of the trailer before unhitching or else your trailer may roll away.
Great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for another great video! I’ve learned so much. I recently bought an Aliner Ascape, we’ve tented our entire lives so this is a big step up. Your suggestion of buying the extra day is priceless and we’ve done that now for years. It gives us so much time to pack up and then enjoy that last day at camp. I want to enjoy that cup of coffee in the morning and not feel rushed. I think another newbie mistake is not understanding the additional costs of buying an rv and to not over buy every gadget Amazon sells for camping. It can be like falling down the rabbit hole!
Great point on buying too much at first. It is good to get some experience prior to buying additional items. Glad the videos have been helpful!
Thanks John! I'm a newbie to RV/travel trailers and looking forward to my first trip, your videos are excellent prep work and guidance.
Great to hear that the videos are helpful! I have a list of getting started videos here if interested: johnmarucci.com/getting-started-with-rving-16-videos/
John, Thanks for the list. Your comment on mosquitoes, requiring a delay in timing. As a Canadian we know how annoying mosquitoes are & because we have so many lake & wet lands, they are often around the bulk of the summer. They should be Canada's national bird. Several solutions: Mosquito coils, that will kill the ones that gat in the TT, a good bug tent to escape them, bug spray including spray for dogs. (We use an equine spray). Note to that black flies have the decency to die when it gets warm.
Glenn, thanks for sharing these tips!
John.
Thank you again for all you do to help us all.
Your videos provide hands down the best information available.
Thank you again.
John and Linda.
Thanks John, I appreciate the encouragement. All the best!
"Let's attack humans week" LOL I found this too funny as I just came back from Black Fly attack week in Algonquin Park Ontario.
Check out all the mosquitoes trying to get into my trailer in this campground review! Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Michigan -
czcams.com/video/felGl7Hp5CM/video.html
I can remember camping with a 15 foot scotty, 10 gal fresh water, no bathroom, no 12v dc lights, only a propane light. Simplity, planned for the enjoyed, No TV , no Cell phones, just the outdoors. 😀
Yep, it seems like RVs now have everything a house has. Yep with all those amenities comes more problems for sure. Thanks!
Taking too many small appliances is the thing I see the most. It's amazing what you can do on a 2 burner stove with a little ingenuity. I do take an ice maker which isn't light when I have h/u, but I now leave the slow cooker and other stuff at home.
Yep, great tip Mark. Thanks!
We’ve been Full Time RVers for a little over a month and have realized all of the things that we DON’T need.
We’re excited to lighten the load the next time we pass through our hometown where we’re storing some things.
Yep, bringing too much stuff is so easy to do. Sounds like you have a good idea to lighten your load.
Great reminder even after all these years!
Thanks Jason!
Thanks for the info, however, I own a 2013 Honda Pilot 4WD and have been told that WD hitches are not advised, but that an anti-sway bar is better. Thoughts?
David, you are correct, WDH are not recommended by Honda for the Pilot given its unibody construction. I used one because of the tradeoff between towing safely for very short periods vs the long-term structure of the vehicle. I only used the my 2014 4WD Pilot for towing for one year and only on a few shorter trips before I realized I needed a truck for my R-Pod 179. The 4WD Pilot can be a decent tow vehicle for very light weight trailers, but really is not great with anything 3,000+ lbs. IMO. A sway bar is the minimal I would use.
lol- you are right on point - thank you for the tips
Thanks!
Thank you for this video
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much love your content
Great to hear. Thanks for the encouragement!
Great advice…
Glad it was helpful!
Great advice!
Thanks Kathy!
Also, do you have tips and tricks for living full time in an R-pod? I have been doing it for 6 weeks now and have enjoyed the simplicity. I also have a great outdoor space. If I knew how to attach pictures I would.
I use heavier Command Strips to hang pictures which seem to work well. I don’t live in my RVs full time but have done several longer multi-month trips. Probably my number one tip is to pack much lighter than you might think. This is especially true the smaller the trailer. I don’t have a specific video on the subject but I do have one on going south for the winter: czcams.com/video/uGog1P9ei3I/video.html
You mention narrow roads and obstacles a number of times. So, curious how do you deal with these situations when backing in
I put a video together on the process I use… czcams.com/video/rzdzJWX-dbY/video.html
@@JohnMarucci I plan to do both, off grid and RV parks and state/national parks... I don't mind using bathhouses but will also use the unit's batroom and as far as cooking, both.... I plan to do both because I don't want to cook fish inside but plan to cook inside as well.. what do you suggest?
John, I also have a 2018 R-pod 179. Any tips or tricks for backing it into a campsite? With a single axle, it doesn't seem to play by the normal rules.
Diana, I recently published a video on backing up a trailer. The process is the same for single axle trailers, except any change is steering has a more dramatic affect on the turn of the trailer: czcams.com/video/rzdzJWX-dbY/video.html
I am looking at a 2017 RP171 to live in while working for NPS as an Interpretive Ranger. (Retired science teacher.) Was wondering what you ran into as limitations with this rig? The positions are for 3-4 months with full hook up. It would only be me and my dog. Thanks
I really liked the 171. The wet bath is small, so count the cost on that. Have you been through one?
John, Thanks for responding! Yes, I have been through it a few times. It's small, but I would try and arrange for an outside protected area to cook and hang out under. Also the locations they provide usually have facilities. My thought was since it would be my first RV experience, start out small and if I like it upgrade later. I was also looking at the Airstream Basecamp 16X, seems more comfortable, but the $$$$$$$ ouch! Thanks again, your channel is very helpful to newbies!