What a New Owner RV Walkthrough Includes (And Why It Saves You Hundreds in Repairs)

Your essential guide for avoiding costly mistakes, staying safe, and learning how to operate your RV with confidence.

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⭐ The #1 Thing Every New RV Owner Should Do (But Almost No One Does)

If you’ve just purchased a towable RV — whether it came from a dealership, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or a private seller — the most important investment you can make is a professional RV walkthrough.

Not a dealership walkthrough.

Not a quick tour.

A hands-on, personalized, 2–3 hour systems training session with a certified RV technician.

Here’s why...

Most new RV owners quickly and unknowingly cause:

• water heater burnouts

• blown fuses and electrical shorts

• frozen water lines

• dead batteries

• tank contamination

• roof leaks

• slide motor failures

• wrong hookup sequences

• safety system failures

In my Omaha-area repair business, 9 out of 10 repair calls from new owners are caused by simple, preventable mistakes — the kind a proper walkthrough would have stopped before they ever happened.

Dealership walkthroughs are:

• rushed

• surface-level

• incomplete

• performed by sales staff, not technicians

• missing critical safety information

• not customized to your exact RV

A professional walkthrough is not sales-focused.

It’s education-based, safety-based, and designed to help you avoid the expensive learning curve most new owners face.

Let’s break down everything a real new-owner RV walkthrough includes — and how it can save you hundreds (sometimes thousands) in repairs.

⭐ Why New RV Owners Need More Than a Quick Dealership Walkthrough

Dealership walkthroughs typically last 20–40 minutes and cover only the most basic information:

• “Here’s the water heater switch.”

• “Here’s how the fridge turns on.”

• “Here’s where the propane is.”

What they don’t cover?

The things that actually matter.

Most dealership walkthroughs do NOT include:

• how to prevent water heater burnout

• how to sanitize your entire water system

• how to test for electrical hazards

• which valves should NEVER be left open

• how to prevent leaks in winter

• how to properly use your tank flush

• how to troubleshoot a furnace failure

• what to do during a power surge

• how to stop condensation and mold

• what causes slide motor failures

• how to maintain your seals

• what to check before towing

• how to detect a propane leak

Most new owners leave the dealership excited — and then spend their first camping trip:

• panicking

• Googling every problem

• overwhelmed by switches

• calling emergency techs for preventable issues

A real walkthrough fixes this.

⭐ What a Professional New Owner RV Walkthrough Includes

A professional walkthrough is a private class, usually 2–3 hours, completely tailored to:

• your RV model

• your experience level

• your towing setup

• Nebraska weather and winter conditions

Here's exactly what I teach new owners in a VIP walkthrough.

⭐ Electrical Systems (12V + 120V)

One of the biggest sources of early RV damage.

Your RV has two electrical systems that work together — and they can be damaged easily if misunderstood.

You’ll learn:

✔ How your converter works and why it matters

Most new owners never check it until it fails.

✔ How to test battery voltage

A weak battery causes:

• furnace failures

• slide issues

• dead jacks

• flickering lights

✔ How to prevent battery sulfation

A sulfated battery can fail in a single season — especially in Nebraska winters.

✔ How shore power REALLY works

Including:

• pedestal testing

• surge protector use

• what low voltage does to your AC

Low voltage is very common in older campgrounds, according to RVIA electrical safety testing studies (Source: RVIA Technical Reports — https://www.rvia.org).

✔ What trips breakers and how to fix it

Most owners overload circuits without realizing.

✔ Why RV outlets behave differently

They’re daisy-chained and more sensitive than home outlets.

✔ Which appliances should NEVER run together

This alone prevents hundreds of dollars in AC damage.

✔ How to maintain your battery in storage

The biggest cause of early battery death?Not winter storage — it’s incorrect charging.

Why this matters...

Most early RV electrical failures come from:

• incorrect cords

• weak batteries

• overloaded circuits

• faulty campground pedestals

• heat-damaged outlets

• reversed polarity

• broken neutral lines

Understanding your power system can save $300–$1,000+ per year in electrical repairs.

⭐ Propane System (LP Gas) Safety & Operation

Your LP system powers:

• furnace

• water heater

• refrigerator (gas mode)

• stove

• oven

You’ll learn:

✔ How to safely open/close propane valves

Incorrect opening can trigger regulator issues.

✔ How your regulator automatically switches tanks

New owners often run a tank empty without realizing.

✔ Why the furnace “locks out”

And how to reset it safely.

✔ Common water heater ignition issues

Especially in cold weather.

✔ How to test for propane leaks

A critical safety skill every new RV owner needs.

✔ Why propane burns differently in winter

Nebraska’s cold affects pressure and ignition.

✔ How long your tanks realistically last

Burn rates vary depending on appliances and temperature.

✔ When NOT to run certain propane appliances

For safety and system longevity.

Why this matters...

Improper LP handling causes:

• ignition failures

• soot buildup

• carbon monoxide hazards

• burned-out components

• dangerous leaks

This section often shocks new owners — because propane systems are simple once understood, but intimidating when ignored.

⭐ Plumbing System (Fresh, Gray, Black)

RV plumbing is NOT like home plumbing — especially in freezing climates.

You’ll learn:

✔ How your water pump actually works

And what noises are normal vs. dangerous.

✔ How to detect water leaks early

Leaks often hide behind cabinets where you can’t see.

✔ City water vs. fresh tank

When to use each safely.

✔ Why black tanks must ALWAYS stay closed

This prevents the dreaded “poop pyramid.”

✔ How often to dump your tanks

(And why “dumping too often” is a real problem.)

✔ How to prevent frozen lines

Nebraska winters demand extra caution.

✔ How your water heater works

LP mode vs. electric mode.

✔ How to avoid tank clogs and odors

Most odors come from incorrect valve use — not dirty tanks.

✔ Why sewer hoses freeze

And what to do about it.

✔ When a tank flush is safe

And when it can flood your RV.

Why this matters...

Plumbing mistakes cause the most expensive RV damage, including:

• rot

• mold

• soft floors

• saturated insulation

• ruined cabinets

• collapsed underbellies

A walkthrough prevents 90% of new-owner plumbing problems.

⭐ Safety Systems (Your Most Overlooked Equipment)

Most new owners don’t even know where their:

• CO detector

• LP detector

• fire extinguisher

• fuse panel

• emergency exits

…are located.

We cover:

✔ CO detector testing

✔ LP detector behavior

✔ Fire extinguisher locations

✔ Emergency exits

✔ Electrical panel basics

✔ Fuse replacement

✔ Tire safety

✔ Hitching hazards

Why this matters...

Safety system failures are the most dangerous and the most preventable.

⭐ Leveling, Stabilizing & Hookups — Where Many New Owners Make Their First Mistake

Incorrect leveling leads to:

• refrigerator failure

• slide damage

• twisted frames

• sticking doors

• cracked counters

You’ll learn:

✔ How to level correctly

Front/back, side-to-side.

✔ How to use leveling blocks

Without damaging your jacks.

✔ Proper hookup order

Mistakes can damage:

• water heater

• pump

• AC

• fridge

✔ Why slides must NEVER operate when unlevel

This is a $1,500–$3,000 mistake.

✔ Stabilizer do’s and don’ts

Never over-crank.

✔ Hitching safety

Including weight distribution and torque checks.

Why this matters...

Incorrect leveling is one of the top causes of appliance failure and slide motor burnout.

⭐ Appliances: Furnace, Water Heater, Fridge, AC

We go through:

• how each appliance works

• how to maintain it

• how to troubleshoot common issues

You’ll learn:

✔ How to read furnace error codes

✔ Why fridges struggle in heat

✔ When ACs freeze

✔ How to troubleshoot water heater ignition

✔ What noises are normal

✔ Why fan vibrations occur

✔ When to call a tech vs. DIY

Why this matters...

Appliance repairs range from $300–$2,000+.

One walkthrough prevents multiple technician calls.

⭐ Roof, Seals & Leak Prevention (The Most Expensive Repair Category)

Nebraska’s:

• hail

• UV exposure

• freeze cycles

• high humidity

…age RV roofs quickly.

You’ll learn:

✔ What Dicor is and why it cracks

✔ How to inspect seals quarterly

✔ Where leaks usually begin

✔ How winter causes shrinkage

✔ Slide seal care

✔ How to prevent condensation and mold

Why this matters...

Water damage is the #1 cause of RV total loss claims (Source: Progressive RV Claims Data — https://www.progressive.com).

⭐ Towing, Hitching & Safety Checks

Towable RVs require proper:

• loading

• hitching

• torque checks

• PSI monitoring

You’ll learn:

✔ How to hitch correctly

✔ When sway bars matter

✔ Weight distribution

✔ Safe PSI ranges

✔ Brake controller setup

✔ Wheel bearing basics

Why this matters...

Towing mistakes cause:

• sway incidents

• blowouts

• axle damage

• brake failures

This part of the walkthrough legitimately saves lives.

⭐ Why a Custom Walkthrough Saves You Hundreds (Sometimes Thousands)

A proper walkthrough prevents:

• burned-out water heaters

• blown fuses

• damaged converters

• flooded underbellies

• frozen tanks

• cracked fittings

• roof leaks

• mold growth

• dead batteries

• slide motor burnout

• sewer disasters

• overheated AC units

You leave with:

• confidence

• clarity

• hands-on skills

• safety knowledge

• a personalized PDF checklist

• emergency procedures

• maintenance guidance

Most importantly — you stop guessing.And you stop spending money on preventable repair calls.

⭐ New Owner Walkthroughs Available in Nebraska — Winter Spots Fill Fast

If you purchased a used RV — or plan to — a professional walkthrough will save you:

• frustration

• confusion

• unnecessary repairs

• dangerous mistakes

Rolling Rabbit RV Repair offers:

✔ Full systems education

✔ Tank + plumbing guidance

✔ Towing + hitching safety

✔ Winter prep training

✔ Furnace + water heater testing

✔ Electrical safety checks

✔ Personalized Q&A

✔ A take-home checklist

Mobile service — I come to:

• Omaha

• Papillion

• Bellevue

• Gretna

• La Vista

• Elkhorn

• Council Bluffs

• And surrounding areas

👉 Book Your VIP New Owner Walkthrough Today

👉 Call/Text to Schedule — Winter Availability is Limited

You deserve to start RV ownership with confidence, not confusion.