They say there is no such thing as a stupid question, but according to RV owners, they would disagree. Most owners we spoke with felt almost unanimously they had asked plenty of stupid questions. The bottom line, know that you are not alone in your questions. Following is a round-up of the top 7 questions stupid questions people are afraid to ask about owning an RV.
- Do all RVs have power? This actually seems like a legitimate question, especially for newbies, but also seems sort of obvious. If you didn’t want power, you could just sleep in a tent. All RVs, regardless of class and size, is equipped with a line to hook up to shore power. The only caveat is assuming where you are camping offers shore power.
- Do all RVs have a generator? No, not all models come equipped with a generator for off the grid stays. Typically towables, fifth wheels, and Class B do not have generators onboard. However, a third-party external generator can be easily added to most units. All Class A and C come equipped with a built-in generator.
- How long will the generator run? The easy answer is, as long as you have fuel. When you are in an RV park you will be hooked up to shore power. The only time you will need to run the generator is when you are off the beaten path (boondocking) or pulled over in a rest area or other approved overnight parking area with no hookups. Be sure to check to see if your RV is equipped with a smart system. That means, should there be a shore power failure, the generator will automatically turn on when the temperature in the RV reaches a preset level. This will give you peace of mind knowing that if you have animals in the RV while you are away from camp, they will be safe in all weather conditions.
- Do all RVs have bathrooms? Another question that actually is one most first-timers would likely need to know. Not all RVs have bathrooms. Towables such as pop-up and teardrop campers do not have bathrooms so you will need to carry your own portable bathroom (include affiliate link of some sort) OR make sure you are camping someplace with bathroom facilities close by. When you get into the larger towable campers, fifth wheels, and Class A, B, and C motorhomes every floor plan includes a bathroom. Be sure to check the floorplans as most Class B motorhomes have a “wet” bathroom meaning that it’s a small area with a toilet and shower all in one. Basically, you shower in the same space as the toilet since space in these smaller motorhomes is at a premium.
- How much does it cost to own an RV? There is no simple or straightforward answer to this question. It really depends on what type of RV you are looking to buy. Things to be considered in the overall budget should include monthly payments (if financed), insurance, maintenance, storage, etc. These can oftentimes be overlooked or underestimated.
- When you flush the toilet where does it go? Toilets flush into an onboard septic tank that has to be emptied on a regular basis depending on the amount of use. When you are in an RV park (aka campground), most will offer full hookups at each site. Full hookup means you can empty the black septic tank as needed while you are at your campsite. If a sewage hookup is not at the site, there will likely be a dump station located someplace at the RV park. Be sure to check ahead of time which option the RV park offers.
- TIP: Want to make sure your tank is as clean as possible? Add several bags of ice to the septic tank, drive around until all the ice melts, and then drain the tank again. Most importantly this will remove any debris that was previously stuck to the inside walls of the tank.
- Can I use my hairdryer? Yes. The power outlets in an RV work just like at home. When you are moving or not using shore power (Class A, B, or C) you will need to switch the power inverter on, or depending on your coach it may happen automatically. When you are hooked up to shore power, all outlets will work as they would at home.
New RVers will surely have even more questions. Thankfully, there are many great resources like fellow RVers, this site, Facebook Groups, and more. So don’t worry about asking a stupid question, as many others likely have the same question.
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