What does it take to use/live in an RV ?
Whether you drive an RV or tow a trailer/5th wheel there is a process you must go through to set up your home to be ready to use.
- Drive it
- If you think you have problems parking your car you better start practicing parking your RV/trailer in a parking lot with few obstacles
- You need to learn to back into a spot, turn tight corners, and watch your height for overhead obstacles.
- Park it
- Once you've managed to park it you will need to make sure it is level
- You may have electric/hydraulic/or crank jacks
- You will also need pads (1'x1' 3/4 plywood works great) so that your jacks do not get buried in sand/dirt/clay/other
- You will also need a set of 1" pads (wood,rubber,plastic) to help raise your vehicle if the jacks travel is not enough to level the vehicle
- Water
- Most places supply water if they don't they are "Dry". If you do not have a water storage tank, you will want a water hook-up
- You will need at least your vehicle's length in "drinking water" water hose (not your typical garden hose). I would have extra for those hard to reach places
- You will need a water filter to attach before it goes into your Vehicle's water system
- You will need a water pressure regulator (most places crank up the pressure to supply large areas)
- You will also need various plumbing fittings to hook up your hose from different angles
- Sewer
- Most places have sewer. If your "site" does not have sewer, there is usually a communal "dump station" where you can dump before you leave the site
- There are two types of sewer tanks
- Grey: Sink waste
- Black: Toilet waste
- You will need "RV sewer" hoses to connect to the facility's sewer so that you can use your sink and toilets and drain (Dump) your sewage
- You connect your sewer hoses to the drain
- You monitor your use of water and dump when your tanks get full. We as a couple in "super conserve" mode can go 10 days without dumping, typically 5 days of regular use. Living/using an RV you instinctively start watching your water use.
- You want to periodically pour Pinesol with about a gallon of water into your toilet while you drive to your next destination to keep your black tank clean
- Electric
- Most places have electric.
- There are 3 types of electric hook-ups
- 110 Volts, 30 amp & 50 amp
- Electrical power supply needs will depend on your appliances use
- 110 volts: (extension cord) basic needs, power chargers, lights, basic minimum
- 30 amp: Powers 1 Ac Unit, microwave, and all other basics (lights, chargers, etc.)
- 50 amp: 2 Ac units, microwave, multiple TVs, and all other basics.
- You want to make sure you have electricity if
- you have pets and you leave them alone during the day (AC). It gets pretty hot during the day
- You have electric appliances that you plan on using (refrigerator)
- You have gadgets that need to be charged
- There are various forms of power supply for your vehicle
- Portable generator, Vehicle generator, or solar panels
- Electricity is the last thing you want to hook-up to your vehicle if you have multiple electric supply sources (generator, solar panels, RV)
- Propane
- Most vehicles come equipped with propane to run your hot water heater, refrigerator and stove
- Most RV parks or Truck stops with RV lanes sell propane
- You want to turn off propane supply during travel mode in case of an accident
- Awnings & Steps
- You can have electric or manual awnings and steps. Make sure you never leave your awning fully extended while you are not at your vehicle. A wind gust will remove it for you