[Terry & Carol Participant Point Clark, Ontario Cheers: 1 470]

Having discussed this with the RV dealer and some RV friends I find myself a touch confused.  How far do you go for your shake down trip when this is your first RV?  The dealer, with confidence, said go a far as you want.  Some friends say stay close to home just in case and others say go with a group as far as you want.  We have several fine provincial and private parks within a couple of hours drive or do we set out for the far flung corners of North America?

[Dan Huhn Participant Shoreline Wa. Cheers: 1 020]

Terry & Carol those provincial parks are fine, your not that far from home if you do have a problem. Most likely everything will be fine. Make sure you bring a pad and paper that way you can write down things you need to get fixed, or need for your RV. In any case enjoy your new RV before long you will be pros..  Dan

[Ray Keymaster Vancouver Island Cheers: 7 249]

I think it’s best to hang around closer to home for a trip or two. RVs are complex beasts and you may find something wrong or want changed or added. Easier to do that in your own home town where you know all the parts and services places than trying to do it on the road.

In our case when the fifth wheel was brand new we booked in to two different campgrounds not far from home, first for a week and then for 2 weeks, after that we blasted off for a year long adventure.

LoveYourRV.com

[Corbin & Erin Participant Placitas, NM Cheers: 14]

Agree to sticking close to home.  We are new to the 5th wheel world — we took our maiden voyage at a (nice) KOA close to our home (3 miles – ok that’s REALLY close), but glad we did.  It helped us to understand that things we did NOT need to bring in the 5’er, and then be able to run home and get that which we forgot.  Just having the comfort of  “home” made for more relaxation.   E&C

[Terry & Carol Participant Point Clark, Ontario Cheers: 1 470]

Thanks to all for the quick replies and great ideas. There is an RV camp about 15 miles south so when the snow goes away (soon please!) and we pick-up our RV we will go on our maiden voyage.
T & C.

[Gale Walton Participant Kinston, NC Cheers: 16]

It’s a bit late to tell you this but just in case other newbies may be reading this threadI thought I’d share what we did and are doing.  We bought our Class A a couple of weeks ago and spent three nights in the dealership campground where we had access to everyone from the salesman to the manager to the technicians.  Needless to say we asked innumerable questions.  Our next trip is next week and we’re going back to the same city although since we’re going to a horse show we’ll be staying on the show grounds.  However we know we’ll be seeing the folks at the dealership and they’ll be available to help us if we need them.  Following that we’re going to Charleston,  SC during Easter.  Hopefully by taking these two shorter trips we’ll be able to venture out on our own successfully!

[Pat Participant On the road Cheers: 22]

When I bought my first C Class 1977 motorhome in September, 2013, I took it on 3 shake down cruises to the local KOA and found 3 new problems each weekend which took a week to 10 days to correct. By that time it was late October in Wyoming and I was shopping for a newer and larger motorhome.  I purchased my 2000 Class C Four Winds 31 ft home in middle of November.  It was winterized – no shake down cruise.  I left Wyoming in freezing weather and drove to Las Vegas in two days.  I was scared to stop in case I got in a bad spot and would have to disconnect my dolly, remove car, etc. Three days into Vegas my furnace stopped on Saturday night. New neighbors loaned me electric heaters, as well as the office offered to loan me also. Hitchin Post RV Park has an RV repair business next door and I had a new furnace motor by Monday afternoon. I had to jump in with both feet and I did it. Needless to say, I would have preferred a shake down cruise. Boy, did I get a lot of experience fast.

[Rick Participant Winnipeg Canada Cheers: 127]

We bought our first RV last summer it was a 30 year old 19′ fifthwheel. It’s in excellent condition for its age but we were a little worried about taking it out the first time as this RV thing was all new to us. So we pick a KOA campground 5 miles outside of the city at 5 1/2 miles from Walmart and home and 3 miles from the local RV shop. Were we ever glad we did after making seven trips back into town over the July long weekend for stuff we forgot and stuff we didn’t even know we needed, it really paid off being so close. The next trip out was 150 miles from home up in the lake country for five days. It went smooth as glass and we had a really good time. The 5 1/2 mile shakedown cruise was well worth it and it actually was a lot of laughs.

Rick

[Terry & Carol Participant Point Clark, Ontario Cheers: 1 470]

Well we are booked for 3 short trips this summer.  The first is the close to home shake down – 15 k south of us, MacKenzie Tent & Trailer Park, north of Goderich, Ont.  Second is an RV park by Round Lake near Kilaloe, Ont., Covered Bridge Park.  Third is at Lake St. Peter provincial park near Maynooth, Ont.  We’ve decide to make La Feria, Tx. home base for next winter.  Pick up the new-to-us 5th wheel in 2 weeks (2008 Wildcat).  Really looking forward to the change in lifestyle!

[Norma Participant Texas Cheers: 5 924]

Here’s what I’m going to do and an FYI if you’re ever in our area.  Brownfield is about 10 miles from me and the city park offers 30 amp elec and water hookups for around 15 rigs.  There is a free dump there as well with water hose.  They have a donation box, but the sites are free.  There is a dumpster nearby (not too close).  You can stay up to 5 days.

The city park is beautiful and well kept.  There is a pool at the top of the hill and one of those skateboard parks.  They have a small basketball court and a grass volleyball court too.  Lots of swings and slides.  Oh, and a frisbee course.  Big pecan trees, pretty grass.

The sites are on asphalt.

Anyway, that will be my shakedown cruise.  Close enough to home in case I get into trouble…lol!

 

1996 Honorbuilt Eldorado C320 "Lurch" | Chewbacca is my co-pilot

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