At the beginning of last summer, our family purchased a used travel trailer so that we could explore the great outdoors with our teens. We had tried our hands at tent camping in earlier years and after a couple of “adventures,” took a break other than a couple of glamping trips and also renting an RV. I don’t think we realized what an adventure being beginner RVers would be.
After six trips during our first summer as RV owners, we learned that RV camping is part adventure, part preparation—and, sometimes, part learning things the hard way. From leveling our travel trailer and building our RV tool kit to avoiding a memorable black tank mishap, each trip taught us something new.
In this guide, we’re sharing 9 RV tips for beginners based on our first-hand experience as a family learning to travel with a used travel trailer. Six trips later, we still laugh about some of the things we got wrong that first summer. We learned how to level the trailer, what tools we actually needed and—most importantly—how to avoid another black-tank disaster. Here are the things we wish someone had told us before we hit the road.
InsiderTip: Read about our very first RV experience.
Highlights
- The mistakes we made: Each trip taught us something new—from leveling our travel trailer and building our RV tool kit to surviving a memorable black tank mishap.
- What we actually keep in our camper: Some of the most useful things weren’t on any packing list—we discovered them after something went wrong.
- How our family divides up the work: RV camping has become a team effort, and giving our kids jobs has turned out to be one of our favorite parts of traveling this way.
Use Leveling Blocks to Level Your Travel Trailer
Use leveling blocks to level. Duh! Yes, as beginner RVers, we thought that you level using the stabilizers. Fortunately, a couple of veteran RVers joined us on our first trip and corrected us. They showed us how to use leveling blocks to get the trailer as close to level as possible, then use the stabilizers to reduce bouncing. We also quickly realized that a level tool that was attached to the trailer wasn’t working correctly. The first thing we added to our shopping list was a reliable level.
Your First Trips Will Help You Build an RV Tool Kit
On our first trip to a campsite with fill hook ups our fresh water hook up was spraying water everywhere. A kind camper next to us gave us a rubber washer that fixed the issue. We now keep a supply of those in the camper.
Another trip we needed a wrench with the correct socket size to unscrew the cap to our hot water heater. Then we needed extra caps to the hot water heater. Now we keep all of those items in our RV tool drawer.
Choose the Right RV Storage Solution
We initially stored our camper in a dirt lot. The lot was affordable and secure. But when we found a paved lot with covered spots, even better security, power outlets to charge and ease of access we jumped at the opportunity to store our camper there. If you’re in Eagle County and need RV storage, we recommend checking out Eagle Canopy RV Storage. We definitely don’t even worry about checking on it now if we go long periods of time not using it.
Empty Your RV Hot Water Tank Regularly
On our third trip, a rotten egg smell came out of our taps every time we’d turn on the hot water. Turns out that bacteria was growing in the hot water heater. We had our RV guy flush it. He used vinegar and told us to empty the tank each time. We didn’t have the right sized wrench and so went a time without emptying it and the smell came back. I immediately got the right sized wrench and then flushed it myself but this time with hydrogen peroxide. Since then, we’ve emptied the tank after every trip and haven’t had any additional issues.
Check Your Black Tank Hose Before You Dump
As we were packing up to depart on our second camping trip, my husband came over frustrated and sat down on the log next to where I was packing up camping chairs to get me to help problem solve why the black tank wasn’t draining after he had attached the hose and opened the tank. As he was explaining the problem, you could see the light bulb go off as he realized that he hadn’t removed the cap before attaching the hose. Without finishing what he was saying he went over to close the tank and remove the hose. Well… the black tank had tried to empty and some of the waste had collected between the valve and the hose cap. Guess what happened when he removed the hose to take off the cap? Yep, black tank water sprayed him. That is not a mistake he will ever make again.
Find a Good Local RV Repair Shop
One of the best things we did as beginner RVers was find a local RV repair expert who was willing to teach us, not just fix things. We’ve heard horror stories about RV dealers keeping campers for months while they try to fix problems. Immediately following our first RV outing, we set up an appointment with a local Eagle County business, RV2GO. Nick was great. He basically gave us a complete overview of how everything in the camper worked and fixed a few things for us. Nick showed us where everything was, tightened a few things and taught us how our camper worked. Because of that, we can now handle many repairs ourselves and winterize and de-winterize the camper.
InsiderTip: Read about our first family tent camping experience, full of mishaps!
Give Everyone (Including Kids) in the Family an RV Camping Job
Create a family RV checklist.
Check your tire pressure: While we haven’t had to learn this lesson the hard way, our son has become the expert at checking the tire pressure before we head off for a trip. He also helps with the leveling blocks and wheel blocks. He makes sure the stabilizers are down when parked for the trip and back up before we depart.
Mom cleans and loads the camper. She turns on the fridge and fills the fresh water tank and tests everything before departing. She makes sure that the sliders are in and power is off.
Dad hitches and hauls and backs in. That is probably the worst job of all, backing the trailer. Backing a trailer takes practice, so give yourself plenty of time to learn. In addition, he hooks everything up and unhooks it. He levels and stabilizes it with help fromour son.
We tackle the gray and black tanks together. Typically it is father and son, but sometimes mom and dad. Always pay attention and help check each other.
This might actually be the best part of RV camping, teaching kids that they are an important part of the team.
InsiderTip: Discover more fun outdoor things to do with kids in Colorado.
Know Your Travel Trailer’s Height and Size
Don’t just trust the documentation. Know exactly how tall your trailer is with the gear on the top. We tend to stick to campsites off the beaten path and away from busy roads. But you surely don’t want to go under an overpass or bridge that doesn’t have enough clearance.
Know What Uses Electricity, Battery and Gas
Our first trip, I tried to plug in and use my Nespresso machine. That didn’t work because we weren’t hooked up to shore power. We couldn’t charge any of our devices either. Not a bad thing entirely. But now we bring power banks to charge our phones, if for nothing else than being able to take photos.
What We Learned After Six Trips
Six trips into our first summer, we finally felt like we knew what we were doing. Or at least we knew enough to stop making the same mistakes twice. Learning about our RV trailer was something of an adventure. But now we know it inside and out. The memories we’ve created with our kids are priceless. I also believe that it gave them responsibility and confidence. While getting them to do chores at home always seems like a struggle, when we go camping everyone knows exactly what to do and jumps in to make it all happen as a team. Now that’s priceless!
InsiderTip: Learn about family-friendly RV Parks in Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions About RV Camping for Beginners
What should a beginner know before their first RV trip?
Before your first RV trip, learn the basics of your specific RV, including how to level and stabilize it, connect water and power, operate the refrigerator and hot water heater, and empty the gray and black tanks. Do a practice setup at home or in your driveway if possible, and use a checklist so nothing important gets overlooked.
What should I bring on my first RV camping trip?
We learned pretty quickly not to worry about having every RV gadget on the market. Some of the things we now consider essential—a working level, leveling blocks, spare hose washers and the right wrench—were added only after we needed them.
How do you level a travel trailer?
Use leveling blocks to bring the trailer as close to level as possible before putting down the stabilizers. The stabilizers are designed to reduce movement and bouncing, not to level the trailer. A reliable level is also important because the leveler attached to your RV may not be accurate.
What are the biggest mistakes first-time RV campers make?
Some of the biggest beginner mistakes include failing to level the RV properly, forgetting to check tire pressure, not knowing the exact height of the trailer, overlooking whether appliances require electricity, and making mistakes when connecting or emptying the sewer system. A pre-trip checklist and taking your time during setup can prevent many of these problems.
Is RV camping good for families with kids?
Absolutely. RV camping can give kids a meaningful role in the camping experience. Even simple responsibilities such as checking tire pressure, helping with leveling blocks, preparing the camper and assisting with setup can teach children responsibility and teamwork while giving the whole family a chance to create memories together.
Good suggestion to give kids an RV camping job.