Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Ask the experts about tricks of the trade. Find out what it is like to be a full timer. What should you bring along and what should you leave home.

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david_iona

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by david_iona »

Something else to check is to make sure the factory warranty and the extended warranty will be honored by Forest River. It seems to me that I remember reading somewhere that the factory warranty was only valid with the original purchaser. Forest River could have changed that by now.
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BMullins46
Posts: 1569
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:45 pm
Location: Texas Lubbock
Cardinal Owners: 06 Cardinal 31RKT; 2016 XLR 385AMP
2012 Ford F350 DRW, Lariat 6.7 Diesel.
Location: Texas Lubbock

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by BMullins46 »

Claude & Carole,

Welcome to club. Hope you'll find that TV before the Jackson rally next spring, You'll meet lost of great folks.
You can't go wrong meeting with Don! He's a super guy and he looks like Santa to boot.
Bill
Bill & Debbie
06 31RKT, MorRyde LRE/4000; 2016 XLR 385AMP
2012 F350 DRW 4X2 Lariat, 6.7 Diesel, TransferFlow aux fuel tank
Fur babies, Betty and Cocoa
Nights camping
2011-102; '12-111; '13-89; '14-108; '15-142; '16-92; '17-163; '18-81
wild acres

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by wild acres »

Hi again Claude & Carole, you don't say where your "bird" is, or I missed it. If you have it at a campground, definitely plug it it. Or at home, plug it in. (it keeps batteries charged up if nothing else) At home: if nothing is on try the air conditioner, probably blow your house fuse, but see if it cycles. After that try microwave (not with ac), run your slides in and out. And finally the refrig. (Remember it takes 24 hrs just to get the fridge cold. The freezer will get cold way before the fridge. Check all the lights, majority of them are 12 volts, but do cost money. Not sure if they are under warrenty or not. Last, hook up a water hose and check water system. Even it a RV service tech comes out, he will want to do all of the above. Check your guage.s for black/grey/gally tanks. Make sure there is no surprise waiting for you. We can go on & on, but don't want to overwhelm you "yet". Oh yes turn on propane and see if fridge works on gas, should be button at top of fridge. May have to "bleed" air out. Just light burners on the top of stove for a little while. Chance to see if stove works at same time. Check oven after get air out of system. Can also check water heater to see if it works on gas. (Just be sure before using electric heater, that tank has water in it) ((switch is usually outside in water heater area)) Only takes a second to burn electic element out if there is now water in the tank. Red switch in house is for gas. This should keep you busy for 10 minutes or so. :)) Let me know when your done, and we'll do some other items. Good luck. John
Claude&Carole

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by Claude&Carole »

Yet another question...

Our Cardinal 37RL has a GVWR of 15,500. Does this mean I have to get a non-commercial Class A license in California. how much hassle is that?? @-)
Claude&Carole

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by Claude&Carole »

Can you place jacks on the sides to minimize rocking when in the park?
Claude&Carole

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by Claude&Carole »

After I buy the truck, what recommendations regarding type of 5th wheel hitch to have installed in the truck? Any brand names, types, etc.??? Really do not know what to look for. :-\
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Don Wilson
Region Leader Admin
Posts: 7408
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:27 pm
Location: California Riverbank
Cardinal Owners: 2019 3350
Location: New Mexico - California

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by Don Wilson »

Hi Claude,
Claude&Carole wrote:Yet another question...

Our Cardinal 37RL has a GVWR of 15,500. Does this mean I have to get a non-commercial Class A license in California. how much hassle is that?? @-)
The message is a reply from a member who is a retired law enforcement officer to a previous question on a similar issue.
Re: RV Drivers License
by tschmalz » Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:43 am

California already has an RV license requirement on the books but like a lot of the laws, it is not actively enforced. Thank God!
So the answer to your question is yes but most people don't get the license!

Jacks for stability in a Campground.

Yes you can use jacks. Once you get the trailer level then make sure you get them under the frame. There are two types of jacks you can use. Here is a link to Camping World that shows them.

http://www.campingworld.com/search/inde ... y=1&Ntpc=1

You can buy them locally at RV dealerships or Auto Parts stores as well.

Hitch to Purchase -

There are several brands to choose from but you were originally talking about a short bed truck so if you do get the short bed truck you neer to get a slider hitch. The weight of your trailer is going to require that you purchase at least a 16k hitch but I would strongly suggest 18,000 lb hitch and suggest you also look at a 20,000 lb hitchand if there is not much differnce in the price going with th 20k hitch. Also you want a hitch that has both forward and side to side movement. There are also hitches that have air ride systems. Trailer Saver and Air Safe both have them.

The are some of the brands Reese, Pullrite. Drawtite, RBW Husky and Valley.

Good Luck in your choices

Don
We don't know a stranger only friends we haven't met yet!

Don
2019 Cardinal 3350RLX Luxury Edition
2014 Dodge 3500 2WD DRW Long Bed

2023 Nights Camped 33
2022 Nights Camped 24
2021 Nights Camped 46


Rallies Attended - 50
Frog - 5
Claude&Carole

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by Claude&Carole »

Thanks again for all the info. We are learning so much. Very grateful for this website. Claude
Claude&Carole

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by Claude&Carole »

The freezers are frosting up and the refrigerators have excessive condensation. Any suggestions?? Really clueless here. @-)
R & D

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by R & D »

I don't know your situation, but, we leave the fridge on all camping season with lots of frozen foods & a few bottles of frozen water. Ours too started to frost up on the back of the freezer. I just scraped the build up off and all was well.
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Don Wilson
Region Leader Admin
Posts: 7408
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:27 pm
Location: California Riverbank
Cardinal Owners: 2019 3350
Location: New Mexico - California

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by Don Wilson »

A couple of members have used a internal fan to better control the temperture and set the cooling level at four.

Don
We don't know a stranger only friends we haven't met yet!

Don
2019 Cardinal 3350RLX Luxury Edition
2014 Dodge 3500 2WD DRW Long Bed

2023 Nights Camped 33
2022 Nights Camped 24
2021 Nights Camped 46


Rallies Attended - 50
Frog - 5
R & D

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by R & D »

Tks Don....I left that little fact out.....we also use that extra fan in the fridge....yes, I helps. :thumbrt:
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jonandjolene
Posts: 125
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 6:01 am
Location: Illinois Chambersburg,
Cardinal Owners: Blue Ridge 3125RT
Location: Illinois Chambersburg

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by jonandjolene »

We also use a small fan in the fridge and it works well. We leave the fridge on all year as we winter in our Bird for 5 months. As for the hitch, we have a Pullrite slider that works very well. We have a short bed pickup and have not had any problems at all. The hitch may seem a little expensive, but well worth the cost and peace of mind.
Jon and Jolene
Both retired
2013 Blue Ridge 3125RT
2015 Ford F250 Super Duty 4X4, 6.7 PSD
Pull Rite Super Glide slider hitch
Claude&Carole

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by Claude&Carole »

Okay, another dumb question... how do you put a fan inside the refrigerator? Still clueless here. :(
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Don Wilson
Region Leader Admin
Posts: 7408
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:27 pm
Location: California Riverbank
Cardinal Owners: 2019 3350
Location: New Mexico - California

Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer

Post by Don Wilson »

Hi Claude,

These fans are small battery operated fans. I have taken the description of one and pasted it below and also included the link so you can check out what they look like and see the types available

Circulate air inside your fridge to reduce food spoilage.
Battery-operated fan cuts initial cool-down time by 50%. Helps maintain more consistent temperature inside refrigerator compartment. Runs over 30 days on 2 D cell batteries (sold separately). Also works in ice box or ice chest, dropping cooler temperature up to 25%. Convenient on/off switch. Not for use in freezer compartment. 3 1/2"H x 2 3/4"W x 2 1/2"D.

http://www.campingworld.com/search/inde ... y=1&Ntpc=1

Don
We don't know a stranger only friends we haven't met yet!

Don
2019 Cardinal 3350RLX Luxury Edition
2014 Dodge 3500 2WD DRW Long Bed

2023 Nights Camped 33
2022 Nights Camped 24
2021 Nights Camped 46


Rallies Attended - 50
Frog - 5
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