Things we have learned about RV’ing.
- Cracker Barrel really does let you park your RV in their parking lot over-night. It’s up to you as to whether it fits. There are no utility hook-ups. The RV spaces are usually well-marked. Most Walmarts, Home Depot, and Lowe’s will also allow this, but it is best to check with the store manager. I have found Walmarts with signs posted stating that over-night is NOT allowed, so it is best to check.
- Do not leave your drain valves open, even though you have your drain hose connected to the sewer. If drained continuously, “stuff” will collect in the hose, and you will have a huge mess. Drain the black tank first, rinse it (if so equipped), close it, then drain your grey water tank, and close it. The black tank should be ½ to 2/3 full before you drain it.
- Always check that your drain valves are closed before taking off the drain cap. I know, you are saying in your mind “I always close the valves after draining, so this isn’t an issue”. Trust me on this; check the valves. The potential negative outcome outweighs the slight inconvenience. All I’m saying is that I had to throw way a relatively new pair of Keen shoes for reasons that I will not detail further.
- Accept offers of help when you are backing up your RV. You can’t have too many eyes on a multi-dimensional challenge. While you are focusing on missing one tree branch or post, another will spring out of the ground on the other side. This also goes for pulling out of anything but the largest of spaces. The same things that make you want to camp in a spot (trees, shade, Ahhhhh) make it really hard to get out of without causing damage.
- Have a Blu-Ray player and a few things that you have really been looking forward to watching. You will have rainy days, and you will have campsites without adequate bandwidth for streaming. Generally, those two go together.
- Once you have helped someone park, or someone else has, wait to engage in conversation with a new arrival until they have finished setting up. Most of us have a process, and an interruption, though graciously tolerated, is usually not welcome until the Electric, water, sewer, cable, etc. are connected, the trailer is leveled and stabilized, and a few other thing, which vary by camper, are complete.
- Unless you are plugged into shore power or have your entire roof covered in solar panels, your fridge will eventually drain your batteries, even if nothing else is running. This will generally be in 2-3 days, depending upon your battery storage capacity. Boondocking with an all-electric fridge will require you to run your generator daily.
- Unplug your vehicle from your RV, even if you are only staying one night. This prevents the RV from draining your vehicle battery if you accidentally leave something on.
More to follow