Unique Tips for New RV Owners

Lippert Scouts Jill and Jim Dillon of Glamping with the Dillons have transformed their RVing experience from humble beginnings with a 1983 Rockwood pop-up camper to their dream RV, a 2020 Rockwood 2604SW. With years of experience and countless upgrades, Jill offers invaluable advice in this guest post for making your RV adventures smooth and enjoyable. From essential gear to campsite setup steps, her unique tips for new RV owners will help you hit the open road with confidence. 

By Jill Dillon of Glamping with the Dillons

Congratulations! You are a new RV owner! Being a newbie to RV ownership is very exciting and scary all at once. So, let me tell you about our journey into the great fun of RVing.   

We are Glamping with the Dillons. As you can tell by our name, we glamp, not camp. When my husband, Jim, and I got married 9 ½ years ago, I was the proud owner of a 1983 Rockwood pop-up camper. We took it out a few times that first summer. I remember getting to the campground and not knowing where the adapter was so we could plug in the camper. This is a big mistake because the adapters are expensive at campground stores. That first winter, we stored the camper in our backyard. Mice got in and ate the canvas, so we sold the camper to someone making a trailer to haul things.  
 
Then, we bought a 1997 Jayco pop-up and went on a camping trip up north in Michigan. We froze at night and baked as soon as the sun hit the canvas in the morning. It was then that we decided we needed to look for a different camper.  
 
We knew we wanted a bathroom, bed, electric awning, someplace to cook, and a TV. We bought a 2017 Salem Cruise that was about 16 feet long. When we came home with it, our neighbor said, ‘You still have two more campers to go until you find the one you really want.’ We laughed at him, but 18 months later, we were the proud owners of a 22-foot Wildwood. We still had the same wants as before, but we added a separate room for the bed, stable stairs, and recliners to sit in. So, we happily upgraded the camper over the next two years. The problem was that we watched YouTube videos and saw a camper that would work if I could work from home.  
 
This is when we bought our Rocky, a 2020 Rockwood 2604SW. We swapped out the jackknife couch for recliners, removed the two swivel rockers, and replaced them with a desk. We bought Rocky in December 2021. So, that is our journey from popup to forever camper, but our story doesn’t stop there. 

The year 2022 was not a friend to us. Jim was hit by a driver that came into his lane head-on in March 2022. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2022 and a brain tumor in November 2022. We have survived all of these setbacks and are still going strong.    
   
My employer has been great, and I am able to work from home. Once we found this out, the RV upgrades really started. We added lithium batteries, Starlink, an inverter, weBoost for the internet, another AC unit, RV door locks, handle extenders, and better handles to get into the camper. If you have an option for auto-leveling, please get it! They make set up and tear down a lot easier. Jim is an IT guy, so yes, we have a smart trailer now, lol.   

Now, let me share some unique tips for new RV owners just like you! At first, just use your camper and take the bare minimum. These are the items I would recommend: 

• An electric adapter if you need one. Do your research to see what your trailer uses and what the campground has.  
• A surge protector. Spending $100 could save your trailer!  
• A stinky slinky with adapters  
• A water hose rated for drinking water 
• Chocks to keep your trailer from moving 
• A weight distribution hitch with sway control 
• A set of walkie-talkies or cell phones to talk to your camping buddy when backing up into a camping spot. These could save your relationship! 

I would also watch YouTube videos to see what other people recommend, and decide if their suggestions are things you really need. Remember, you have limited space and weight limits you need to work within. What one person loves may not work for you. We have so many things we don’t use, and they are sitting in our garage collecting dust. So, be smart and really think about that purchase before buying something.   

A list of what you need to do before you leave is great. No matter how long you have been traveling, a list will make sure you do not forget an important step. Here’s a list of things you should do before your trip to make life easier: 

• If you can, practice backing up your camper in a parking lot. It is much easier to do that instead of feeling the pressure of having people watch you in the campground during your first backup maneuver. Get a feel for how your truck and camper handle when driving. If you are at ease, your trip will be more enjoyable for everyone.   
• Make a list of what food you must take for your trip. If you have a freezer and can precook some food, do so. It will save time when you are trying to relax at your campsite.     

Now, let’s talk about the things that you’ll need to do the day you leave for your first trip: 

1. Fill up your tow vehicle with gas or diesel prior to hooking up your camper.   
2. Back up and attach your hitch up.   
3. Plug your trailer into your tow vehicle.   
4. Retract your stabilizers and remove the chocks.   
5. Unplug your trailer if you have it plugged in where you are.   
6. Retract your tongue jack.   
7. Double-check to make sure you have turned off your water pump and hot water heater.   
8. Make sure all your doors are locked and closed tight.   
9. Do a walk around and look for anything you may have forgotten.   

When you arrive at your camping site:  

1. Get out and look at your spot. Note where trees, large rocks, or other obstacles are that you need to work around.   
2. Take your time; you are not in a race to park your camper. Other campers have been in your position, and they understand. Use your walkie-talkies or cell phones to help guide you to the spot you want to be in your camping site. Remember the saying, “Please forgive me for what I said while we were backing up the trailer.” It will happen to you; it is a rite of passage.   
3. Once you are backed into your site, chock your trailer.   
4. Plug in your surge protector to make sure the electrical connection works at your site.   
5. Make sure that your slides will go out and not hit anything on your site. You don’t want to be leveled and disconnected only to find out your slide won’t fit where you parked.   
6. Make sure your electric cord, water hose, and sewer hoses will reach the hookups. It's better to find out now than when you are disconnected from your tow vehicle.   
7. Level your camper.   
8. Plug into electric.   
9. Disconnect from your tow vehicle.   
10. Connect your water hose and sewer hose.   
11. Turn on your hot water heater and water pump (if you are not connected to water).   
12. Put your slides out and your awning, if you want.   
13. Celebrate! You have made it to your site, and now you can relax and have fun!   

Now, since we have the basics for your camper, let’s go over some places to find out where to camp.  
 
Look for county and state campgrounds around you or around where you want to visit. These are usually less costly than private campgrounds, but they may not have all the amenities you want. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to camp.  
 
There are sites you can join for a fee if you want to try dry camping (no hookups), also known as boondocking. Harvest Hosts is an app we have used to boondock overnight. There are also campground clubs you can join where you have a membership and can book a site a certain number of days out. These work like timeshares, so make sure you know what you are getting into before you buy a membership.  
 
Research where you will travel and look for things to see and do while you are there. Review the rules on booking sites. Some state campgrounds allow you to book six months before your trip; other states allow up to 12 months prior.    

• Backup and side cameras — that way, you can see around your camper as you are going down the road.  
• A weight distribution hitch is a must-have. Your travels down the road will be more relaxing if you are not fighting the wind from cars passing you on the road.  
• Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) — because you can stay informed about the status of your tire pressure before you have a tire blowout.  
• An auto-leveling system makes setting up and tearing down so much easier when camping. 
• Keyless RV locks on all your doors and storage areas. Having one key and/or fob for everything makes it so easy that you don’t have to match the key to the lock.  
• Surge protectors may be expensive, but they could save you from having the electricity in your camper fried by a surge of power.  
• We have two ways to connect to the internet: Starlink and a hotspot. The reason for two is a backup, especially if you plan on working remotely.  
• If you are going to be camping in warm climates, check to see if you can install an RV Airflow to help with the AC airflow in the camper.  
• If you have pets, a smart thermostat that you can check and adjust from your phone, when used with a Waggle pet monitor, will ensure the comfort and safety of your pets.   

We use our camper as a rolling hotel room. We have so many upgrades that we have been asked why we bother to leave our house. The answer is so we can work, be comfortable, and explore new places at our own pace.   
   
So, go out and start your own journey with your new camper. There is nothing better than camping in your own camper under the billion stars above. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to use your camper; use it once a year, once a month, or every day. You are the author of your RV adventure.   
 
If you want to follow our journey, be sure to connect with us on Facebook or YouTube!