Seeing into the future is a superpower that most coach owners wish they had to avoid costly mistakes. Sadly, that superpower doesn’t exist. However, the next best thing does, and that is a list of things motorhome owners learned the hard way. The top 15 things to remember with Class A Motorhome that owners said they wish they knew when they bought their first coach.
- Always know your height clearance. Make sure your height clearance is total height including AC units and anything else mounted on the roof. Be sure to add a few extra inches for additional clearance. A may be measured incorrectly or has been paved over between surveys. That extra paving may not be taken into account on the posted height clearance. Better safe than sorry!
- Never be in a hurry. Most accidents happen when you are rushed and distracted. Patience is the name of the game, so take a deep breath and take your time.
- Always keep the black water tank closed even if you have a sewer hook up. The black tank needs to fill half or most of the way before opening the valve to dump. This will help wash as much debris out as possible. If you leave the tank open to the sewer you will quickly learn about the poop pyramid aka turd mountain. Google the term if the description isn’t enough to figure out what happens.
- Never run the fan or have the vent in the bathroom open when you flush the toilet. Doing so will create a vacuum effect and suck the fumes from the black tank up through the toilet. That smell will likely fill the coach. Trust us, that smell that is hard to get out and a mistake no one wants to make.
- Always tell visitors about #4 above! Be sure to give them the dos and don’ts of the coach upon entering. At a house, it’s common to run the exhaust fan while in the bathroom. However, in a motorcoach, it’s a smelly mistake. Take a few minutes to give visitors a briefing on the coach. A few minute tutorial can save heartache and prevent things from being broken.
- Be sure to leave a reminder note on the steering wheel to lower the satellite dish or antennae. Usually, it’s one of the last things you do when packing up and is easily forgotten. Leaving a post-it note on the dash or steering wheel will help you remember to put it down before leaving.
- Make a checklist. Ideally, you would have two – one for arrival and one for departure. Download arrival checklist – Class A motorhome. Be sure to have it laminated or put into a plastic sleeve to keep it nice and easy to read. Also, make any notes as to extra steps or things to remember for your particular coach. Having a checklist will give others a step by step guide of what to do in case of an emergency or you aren’t able to be there to give instructions.
- Don’t assume a store or city is RV friendly. If you need to boondock, always check with the store manager. They will advise as to where to park and any other information needed. While most Wal-Mart locations allow boondocking, some cities such as Naples, FL don’t. If you have to boondock without approval, see the next point below to avoid problems.
- Be sure to post contact info on the windshield and main door window of your coach. A simple sign that says “If you have a problem with this motorhome, please call us at xxx-xxx-xxxx”. If you are parking somewhere you aren’t quite sure is ok, this sign will let others know how to contact you. Type up a sign, have it laminated and store it in an overhead cabinet above the dash so you always know where to find it. When in doubt display the sign on the inside of the front window where it will be easily spotted.
- Make sure you have enough toilet paper! Actually, having too much is a good thing. Double-check the package says septic or RV friendly otherwise you are going to have a mess on your hands. Tip: Never ever flush the flushable wipes in an RV.
- Always start a journey with a full fuel tank. Also, never let your fuel drop below a quarter of a tank. Most coaches don’t get very good gas mileage. Be sure to plan your stops well in advance to reduce panic or undue stress when the fuel tank is getting low.
- Regularly check the carbon monoxide sensors in your coach. When in doubt, change the batteries.
- Always travel with basic tools. Essentials include zip ties, duct tape, gloves, and a couple of metal coat hangers from the dry cleaners. Coat hangers can be fashioned into a variety of things and used when zip ties would otherwise melt. Having a set of tools can get you out of a jam and allow you to make repairs on the road. Even if you aren’t very handy, you may be able to Google the problem and follow a video tutorial to make a repair good enough to get you to the closest repair facility.
- Don’t forget to have a coin jar handy. Inevitably you will encounter unexpected tolls, parking meters, or something that requires change.
- Never let your guard down while driving and always be alert on the road to other drivers around you. A common insurance scam is the bump and swoop. Two cars work together with the lead car pulling in front of the coach then slamming on the brakes. The second car will run into the back of you when you stop fast. All parties in the cars will immediately claim neck and back injuries to get a pay off from your insurance company. Motorcoaches are easy targets, especially Class A as they are expensive and usually well insured. Having a front-facing camera installed on the windshield with recorded memory will help you in case this ever happens. The camera will also give you an extra visual around the coach when you are away or closed up for the night.
Final Thoughts
Remember that patience is the key to success…and having a checklist to make sure nothing is skipped or forgotten. When you take delivery of your unit, ask the previous owner or dealership if they can take you through all the arrival and departure steps. Take lots of notes in numbered order or, better yet, video the entire process so you can save and review later as needed.
