New RV Owner? 10 Things You Should Do in the First 90 Days

There is nothing quite like the feeling of driving home in your first RV. The possibilities feel endless: weekend trips to the Gulf Coast, longer hauls up through Central Florida, or simply having a home base that goes wherever you do. It is exciting, and it should be.

It can also be a little overwhelming.

An RV is a home on wheels with plumbing, electrical systems, LP gas appliances, a roof that needs regular attention, and dozens of components that all need to work together. With a little preparation in the first 90 days, you can avoid the most common and costly mistakes first-time RV owners make — especially here in Florida, where the climate adds its own set of challenges.

Here are ten things every new RV owner should do right away.

Before you take your first trip, book a new owner orientation with a certified RV technician. This is not the same as the walkthrough you got at the dealership. A proper orientation is hands-on, unhurried, and tailored to your specific unit — covering every system, all shutoffs, leveling, and pre-departure checks.

At EliteRV in Palmetto, we offer new owner orientations for first-time RV owners across the Sarasota, Bradenton, and Tampa Bay area. It is one of the best investments you can make in your first 90 days.

Florida's UV index is brutal, and RV roofs take the full force of it year-round. Delamination, cracking, and failed seams are among the most expensive repairs an RV owner will face — and they almost always start with a roof that was not caught early.

Climb up and look for soft spots, bubbling, or any area where the membrane has lifted. Check around every vent, skylight, and antenna mount. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, schedule an RV inspection before your first outing. A small crack caught now costs far less than repairing water damage to walls and subfloor later.

Slide-outs add tremendous living space, but they are also one of the most misunderstood systems on a new RV. Know how to operate them manually in case of a power failure, understand the weight limits, and never have furniture or people on a slide while it is in motion. Keep the seals clean and conditioned — Florida's heat dries rubber faster than most owners expect.

Humidity and afternoon thunderstorms are a fact of life in Southwest Florida. Any gap in your exterior sealant is an open invitation for moisture, and moisture leads to mold quickly. Walk the entire exterior and press gently along every seam, window frame, door frame, and compartment edge. Any sealant that is cracked, pulling away, or missing should be addressed before your first trip. This is especially important on a used unit.

Your RV likely runs propane for the stove, oven, water heater, and furnace. Know where your LP shutoff is, how to safely light each appliance, and what a gas leak smells like. In Florida, LP gas systems must be serviced by a Florida LP Gas Certified technician — this is a state requirement. Have your system inspected by a certified tech if you are unsure of its service history. The team at EliteRV Palmetto holds the appropriate certifications and can include this as part of a new owner checkup.

A generator that starts in the driveway may not perform the same way when you are running the air conditioner at a campsite in July. Test yours under a real load — run the AC, the microwave, and a few other appliances simultaneously. Note how it runs and check the oil level afterward. Florida summers are not the time to discover a generator problem.

Every RV has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and exceeding it is both dangerous and illegal. Weigh your loaded coach at a certified scale before your first trip. Account for water, food, gear, passengers, and anything stored in the basement compartments. Many new owners are surprised by how quickly the weight adds up — especially when packing for a family.

RV maintenance in Florida is not the same as in other parts of the country. Intense UV exposure, high humidity, salt air near the coast, and hurricane season mean your maintenance calendar needs to reflect local conditions. Key items to schedule annually include:

At minimum once a year, ideally before and after hurricane season.

Florida RVers run their air conditioning far more than the national average. Have the filters, coils, and drainage checked each spring.

Inspect interior walls, under mattresses, and inside cabinets for moisture or mold, particularly after heavy rain or storage.

Know your plan before a storm approaches: where to store your RV, how to secure awnings and slide-outs, and whether your storage facility has a hurricane policy.

Do not wait until something breaks to find a service center you trust. Look for a shop staffed by RVIA- or RVTI-certified technicians with experience across multiple brands. Ask about turnaround times, whether they handle insurance work, and if they offer mobile service.

EliteRV in Palmetto serves new and experienced RV owners throughout Sarasota, Bradenton, and the greater Tampa Bay area. We work on all makes and models and are familiar with the wear patterns Florida's climate creates.

No one becomes an expert RV owner in 90 days. You will make mistakes and occasionally wonder what you got yourself into. That is completely normal. The goal of these first three months is to build a foundation of knowledge and habits that will serve you for years. The owners who enjoy this lifestyle most are the ones who invest a little time upfront, find a shop they trust, and ask questions without embarrassment.

If you are a new RV owner in the Palmetto, Sarasota, Bradenton, or Tampa Bay area, we would love to help you get started the right way. Our new owner orientation is designed for people in your position — excited, a little overwhelmed, and ready to learn.

Schedule your orientation with EliteRV today and head into your first trip with confidence.