So you have done your homework and made your choice and there is your RV sitting in front of you. What do you need to do know?

The first thing you do is read the manuals! Yes, the manual is pretty thick and has a lot of detailed information. What you need to remember is that's the information is there if you need to go back and check. It's pretty easy to remember the basics.

The second thing you need to do is sit in the drivers seat and study all the controls. You don't have time to read the labels going down a crowded highway at 60 mps. Where is the wiper switch? How does it operate? Does your motor home have a rear view camera? What do you see? Where are the headlights? How do you operate the AC? The radio? The DVD?

You probably had a short test drive before you bought your RV, you know now easily it steers and that the brakes work. You need to find a large, empty, parking lot and practice your turns and backing into a parking space. Our first motor home was a 21? class B ? not too big. We were at a beach front campground where the spacing was tight. I was having a hard time getting into the space when the campground manager realized that I needed some expert help. He lined me up properly and I backed right into the tight space. An RV is larger than your family car and it needs to use different portions of the roadway. It's a good idea to get some practice operating your RV before you plan a long trip.

When you do take your trip, you need to plan how far you want to drive each leg of your trip. Then you need to pick a campground and make reservations. If you are planning on taking a family pet with you, make sure the campground allows pets, remember a leash and be prepared to pick up their waste. The campground will need to know the length of your vehicle (feet), the power requirements of your electrical system, (30 amps? 50amps?) and the services you require ? water, sewer, TV, etc. For example, if you are on a long trip and stop for just one night, you may not want to hook up the sewer connection. Your vehicle-holding tank will handle the black water if you use your facilities sparingly.

A ?pull through? parking spot is the easiest in and out. And if you are towing a vehicle, you my not have to unhook it for the night.

Packing for a trip deserves some serious thought. Remember that every extra pound you put on board reduces your miles per gallon of fuel. Campgrounds have facilities for washing clothes so take only what you need. The people at campgrounds are casual, friendly, and helpful. Don't be shy about talking to them and asking for help if you need it. Somebody probably gave them a helping hand when they first started in their RV.

If packing a refrigerator, it may be operated by LP gas and you need to turn it on several hours before loading. (read the manual!). Most RV's have a 24 volt electric system for use when not plugged into a 120 volt system. This operates from batteries, so remember that you can't use this system forever. The batteries recharge when your motor is running or you are hooked up to a 120v supply. There is also a water tank for necessary use like flushing the toilet. Only fill the tank with enough water to your next camping stop. Filling the tank means having extra weight. This water sits in your tank when your vehicle is parked for a time so don't drink the water until the supply has been replaced.

OK, you have pulled into your assigned parking space and want to hook up to their facilities. What do you do first? First, you do not open the slide outs (if you have them). Slides overhang the working area when you are making he hookups. Being safety conscious, I like to hook up the water line first, turn it on and make sure it doesn't leak. Some water connections are close to electrical connection, (having spare hose washers is a good idea).

The electrical connection is a heavy duty extension cord. Make sure the switch is off in the campground outlet before plugging in. In our RV, you have to reset the clock on the microwave after plugging into the electric. The TV requires a coaxial cable connection. Sometimes the campground outlet is well hidden. The programming available is different at each campground we have visited. We now have direct TV which has its limitations for multiple sets.

And then there is the sewer connection. Most models still use the 3? corrugated sections that connect from your vehicle discharge to the campground receptacle. This is OK but it is a chore unloading and cleaning. We have converted to a ?Sewer Solution? which uses water pressure to pulverize the solid waste from the black tank and transports it through a ?? plastic tube to the campground receptacle. We find this much easier and very satisfactory

If you are pulling a travel trailer you will have a vehicle to use for side trips and visits to the grocery store. If you are driving a small motor home you have to disconnect and reconnect your utility lines or rent a car to go to the store. Some campgrounds rent golf carts and have limited groceries available.

If you have a sizeable motor home chances are you will want to tow a car. Towing a car is not too difficult ? you just have to remember your ?tail? and allow room when making turns. You can't back up with a car in tow so don't go where backing up is required. Making the hook-up of the car to the RV is not too complicated once you've done it once or twice. It does take time. A requirement is a brake attachment in your car that applies the car brake every time you step on the RV brake (prevents jackknifing). Besides the brake hookup there are cables for directional signals, safety cables, and the main tow bar. You will need a few basic tools.

Before starting with a tow, you must turn the car ignition to ?the first click of ON?. That lets the front wheels turn and all wheels rotate. If you turn the ignition past the first ?click? you will activate some of the electrical systems in your car and the battery will go flat if you drive any distance. Always carry jumper cables in the car that you are towing so they will be available if you need them.

Before going on a long trip, you should take one or two short trips to a campground close to home. Then you can easily drive home to pick up the newspapers or get your sunglasses. It is easy to not have everything you need to make your stay enjoyable. You soon will make a checklist to avoid leaving things like your cell phone charger behind. Your RV was built to help you enjoy life ? so go do it!!!

Judith Githens