First time RV'r

[pugspapa]

Hi, My name is Carl. I am 60yo and had just retired. Forgive the depth of this first post, but it may give perspective to the complete and total lack of knowledge and preparation I had prior to this decision. My wife was on disability and I finally reached my goal and we decided it was time to retire. So I did Dec 12, 2023 was my last day at work. On March 14, 2024 my wife became ill and was sent to the hospital. We have been here since, in 13 days it will be one full year. Do to her medical condition, it is unlikely she will be able to leave the hospital anytime soon, if at all. However, they are going to be moving her to a new facility, out of state to continue her care. I have no job, I do not want to draw my social security for two more years, but they are going to take every nickel we have left to keep her in a facility that handles her needs (she has been on a ventilator for 8 months). So now, no employment, no home, wife being shipped out of state. I needed a fix. that's the camper. I bought a 2006 Tioga 31w today. That's what I know about camping and campers. I don't have the slightest idea what i am doing, or what i need to do. I am a complete loss and would greatly appreciate any guidance. And please, I do greatly appreciate everyone's kind hearts and encouragement, but this is not the purpose of this post. I can't change the circumstances that brought me here, So I need to use what time I have getting as much guidance and knowledge as possible for general use, care and life of rv'ing and in particular if anyone knows the 2006 fleetwood tioga 31w.

 

[rvlifer]

Welcome and sorry about the med probs. You have company here on that front.

Did the people you bought the rv from give you a walk through and explain anything about how it works?

If you have specific questions that would give us a starting point about where to help.

 

[pugspapa]

Thanks for responding, no, I didn't get a walkthrough. it was a reputable dealership, so I am certain they would be happy to provide one, but I was working in a fog of uncertainty at the time. Well, I assume I have to get tags and title and insurance, like every other vehicle. I really just don't even know what I don't know. I need to be able to basically live in it, in a parking lot so I don't expect any hookups to be available, so I don't know what I would need to do for any of it. And thank you for both your kind remarks and your restraint.

 

[rvlifer]

The dealer should have taken care of taxes and tags. If not check with your states dmv for requirements.

Without hookups you will need a way to get electricity and water to the rv and dump the gray and black water tanks. Without any rv experience that is going to be a challenge.

If you have the option it would help if you could stay at a campground for a while, maybe at least a month, so you can get familiar with how it all works.

Many people think living in an rv is less expensive, but unfortunately that isnt usually the case.

try starting with a search on rv basics, look through threads and the library here, and ask a lot of questions when you think of them.

 

[pugspapa]

I will, thanks. I am afraid staying in a campsite just wont be an option. I will have to learn on the fly as it were. thankfully we have the internet now. I will keep researching and hitting up these sites as you recommended
Thanks again

 

[rvlifer]

Make sure you understand the 2 electrical systems and what runs on 12v vs 120v

 

[Derby6]

WoW. That’s a lot.
Where will you be staying. Not address, but area/state to give better climate advice.
Hopefully you can find a parking lot that will allow you to stay. Then can they provide power or will you need a generator— will they allow that to run?
Then we can look at how you can get fresh water and dump you black and gray tanks.

 

[TheBar]

Besides staying warm without electricity and where to dump your full black water (sewage) tank, I think your biggest problem is finding a parking lot that will let you stay more than 1 night.

 

[rvlifer]

One thing that should be towards the top of the list is how to properly manage the black tank. You dont want to have to deal with blockages. Here is a very basic guide

https://www.harvesthosts.com/blog/rv-black-tank-maintenance

 

[Laura & Charles]

Hi Carl and welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your circumstances.
Lots of experienced folks here, so ask anything.. usually less confusing if you create a new thread for each issue.

As others are going to address the how/where issues you need to address, I’ll focus on what rvlifer mentioned, you have two electric systems and understanding those is a good place to start. They’re separate, but they interact. I’ll start with the 12 volt DC side of the house side. (Actually, you have a third electric system if you count the 12 volt chassis side of things.. we’ll address that later.) On the house side, the 12 volt system runs most everything: all your lights, water pump, furnace. It’s powered by the house battery(ies) and you need to locate it(them). They’re likely flooded cell, lead acid type and they need to have the distilled water covering the plates. (You may think the dealer would’ve topped up the batteries, but I can almost guarantee they didn’t.) The house batteries get charged by one of three sources (four if you have solar panels): 1) from the converter when plugged into shore power, 2) the generator when running, and 3) the engine’s alternator when running.
When plugged into shore power or running the generator, the converter is energized and supplies charging current to the house batteries. It also supplies 120 volt AC to the microwave, the TV(s), the air conditioner. Both your refrigerator and water heater can run on either propane or 120 AC, but they both need their circuit boards to be supplied with 12 volt to operate at all..even if You have set for propane. (The air conditioner’s thermostat needs 12 volt power, too.) That’s as deep as I’ll go for now on this topic.

But I will note something else. It sounds like you don’t have health insurance. If so, Medicaid will be involved. Medicaid is pretty state-specific and I’d be concerned about transferring your wife to an out-of-state facility. Please work closely with the facility’s social services folks during this.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

This forum goes lights out tomorrow for a few days. If there's any questions, get them in now. Myself and I'm sure others will be happy to answer questions via email. We could send our addresses via the chat here (not public) if you want before the forum shuts off.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Kirk]

Well, I assume I have to get tags and title and insurance, like every other vehicle.

I suggest that you contact the selling dealership about that and also for a walk through to at least once see how each thing works. There is so much that you need to learn quickly so I'll not go into any depth at first.

I need to be able to basically live in it, in a parking lot so I don't expect any hookups to be available, so I don't know what I would need to do for any of it.

There are several very important things to consider as you prepare to do this. Fist of all, does the RV have a built-in generator to supply 120V power? It will be helpful if it does but not critical. If it doesn't then you do need to think about getting some sort of generator as running the chassis engine will very slowly recharge the coach batteries, but it is not good for the chassis to run the engine for long periods without driving it somewhere. You will also need to replenish the water for the onboard tank and to empty the two wastewater tanks. Most truck stops have dump facilities and will allow you to fill the water tank and driving there will be good for the engine and chassis. In case you need help and the forum isn't available you can email me at woody (at) 1tree (dot) net. Feel free to test that asap if you wish.

This forum goes lights out tomorrow for a few days.

What is up with the forum going dark? I wasn't aware of that.

 

[rvlifer]

What is up with the forum going dark? I wasn't aware of that.

https://www.rvforum.net/threads/forum-downtime-software-update-3-3-6.151742/

 

[Kirk]

I guess that I should look at that forum occasionally! I suspect that it has been at least a couple of years since I have done so.

 

[Larry N.]

I guess that I should look at that forum occasionally!

Check it now, Kirk- the work has been postponed for a few days. When that forum section has a new post I always check it out, even if I don't read every word (often I do, though).

 

[garyb1st]

First of all I'm sorry for your very challenging situation. Your signature says you're based in Huntsville. I'm not familiar with the area so can't speak to the availability and cost of RV parks. However I can recommend a source I use to identify parks in a specific area. It lists the campgrounds by area as well as the rates and utilities they have. It usually lists the web address as well as the location so you can check availability.

I understand your need to minimize cost and while I don't know much about the issue, many campgrounds have what they call Campground Hosts. These are RVers who are given an RV spot in exchange for a few days work. Not exactly sure how it works and whether or not you have the necessary RVing knowledge to satisfy a campgrounds needs, but I'd check into it. Even though you don't qualify now, you may after living the RV lifestyle for a few months. I've never used one but have heard of several. Hopefully one of the other members will be able to provide a web address.