We are home. The RV is unloaded, vacuumed, all the food removed. This was an important practice run for me. These are my final impressions and things I learned. Almost everything worked as it should so no real surprises.
TV stations are more readily available by antenna than I thought and that is with the antenna down. (I have to see if the hinges are rusted.)
With the battery monitor (a MUST have) I was to pretty accurately calculate how the battery would last us. It lasted a few hours before bed to watch TV, shower, and run the furnace in 32-degree temperatures. We had Amp Hours to spare. It recharged pretty quickly driving around during the day.
If you have power concerns a portable power supply/generator is a possible workable solution. We have one more designed for jumping a dead battery but it powered TV and a portable fan without draining the house battery.
The generator is still not quite right (which I knew). It starts with the inside switch but dies after a few minutes if I do not manually hold the "automatic" choke flap open for a couple more minutes. I did not want it bad enough to do that on this trip.
I must remember to plug the power line into the generator receptacle for the generator to do any good.
When it was running, it took a minute or two to realize why it was not supplying voltage.
Staying at a Walmart parking lot can be nicer than I expected.
Make or find some blackout shade for the bedroom roof vents for parking in lighted areas.
Using disposable dishes is much better than washing dishes.
My freshwater tank will barely supply enough for two days IF we drink bottled water and use disposable dishes and utensils.
I need a backup camera, probably wireless.
I need to investigate why the shower drain is so sluggish although it did encourage conserving water while showering.
The refrigerator works way better than expected. It froze our water in the lower compartment and the ice cream was rock hard.
Even on a short trip take enough necessities (meds) to last for several days because many things could alter your scheduled travels.
Soon I will know my gas mileage.
Space is truly at a premium. It is difficult to find a place for a piece of luggage, a pet crate,... in essence anything shoebox size or bigger.
I have a newfound respect for full-timers. I think I might be able to do it alone but any partner would have to be a little bit of an OCD neat freak.
The biggest single takeaway is that I want the MH to be close to turn-key ready. Having to load a lot of stuff not only tires you and makes the process less enjoyable but it prevents spontaneity. I am making a list of supplies that will stay there: Hair bushes, grooming aids, OTC Meds, umbrellas, leashes (we have a pet )
Pet medical records, pet dishes, casual clothes, eyeglasses cleaners, charging cords. I am sure the list will grow.