Welcome April!
Congrats on your new Sunny!
You asked about some tips and help on things. You found the right place for help, any and all questions are welcome.
I also saw your post in the towing section on getting a tow vehicle which gave a little about your travel plans. Which if I understand it correctly, you will be traveling in your new Sunny for about a year and see much of the US in the process. That will be a very memorable trip. There is a lot of great things to see in the US and Canada to if you make it up there.
We do not know the timing of when you are going to set out on the trip, but there is much to get to know about your camper, towing and camping in general. And making sure the camper is ready to camp and travel.
Here are a few things to think about as you plan your trip. Since this is all new to you, I will start with some basics and camper safety. I'll talk about the camper in this post and reply later about the truck in your towing post.
With getting an older used camper, planning to live in it and tow it across the country, these areas will need to be checked out, and corrected if needed so hopefully they do not break down on the road when your traveling.
1. The trailer suspension, the axle bearings, and the brakes. These are wear parts and need to be in top working condition before a long trip. Find a qualified repair trailer place or an RV dealer to help with this area. This may be expensive pending what they find.
2. Trailer tires. This is a topic in itself. Trailer tires have a very different use and needs then normal auto tires. While the tires may look like they have a lot of tread left, that in itself doesn't mean they are up to cross county travel or even 100 miles trip travel. If the tires are 5 years or older, it is recommended they be replaced due to age as the rubber itself is breaking down. Age and cracks in the rubber, bulges or other damage needs to be looked at. There are DOT date codes on the tire to tell their age which are 4 digit codes that tell the week and year the tire was made. If you do not know how to read them, see here
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11&
And there needs to be a good working spare, the same age as the rest of the trailer tires. You could very easily end up needing 5 new tires. Starting out on a long trip with questionable tires can make a bad day camping from tire failures along the way. Since you are going to be traveling for a year and unless you do not want to buy new tires on the road, consider making sure the tires you have now are in the 3 year old or newer date range. Or be prepared to get them on the road at some tire shop that handle trailer tires.
3. The camper LP gas system. Have this tested for leaks and that the main tank regulator is working correctly. The age of the tanks and if they are in compliance of being inspected usable and able to be refilled. Have all the gas appliances looked over, checked they are working correctly.
4. Smoke alarms and LP gas alarms. If your camper does not have these, consider adding them. They are not that expensive and are a real safety item. While an 86 camper might have a smoke alarm, a LP gas leak alarm did not come from the factory but they can be added. They now also make combo smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for not much more than a new smoke alarm. Consider one of these if you are buying a new smoke alarm.
5. I believe PA is an vehicle inspection state, even campers. Make sure all the trailer DOT lights (clearance lights, tail lights, brake lights) all work and the lens are in good condition.
6. The camper power converter and internal wiring. Your 86 camper may still have the original power converter with it. They are really not the greatest in battery charging and can be limited in supply clean reliable 12 volts DC current in the camper. And there can be things like loose wires at the terminals in the power converter which can create hazards. Have this checked over that it is safe and in working condition as a minimal. Pending the findings, it may need to be upgraded. The camper on board battery needs to be in this check too. It may be very old and in need of replacing.
Those above get can get you "started" on some of the safety things. Each area can present challenges and expense when a breakdown on the road come along for a year and at great distances.
Next comes, just getting used to camping in a camper. This is an topic it and in itself. There is lots to learn, our forum can be a great help, but there is nothing better then to, read up on how to do it and then, just do it!
Before heading out on a year long journey, plan several local trips, even a 1 or 2 night stay, but many of them, to just learn how to camp, setup and teardown camper and best of all, enjoy yourself and make sure you have the right things with you to get by. This makes the longer trip all that much easier. I know it may be hard to comprehend on all that will be learned on actual camping in a camper, but there is a lot and it is difficult to type it all in a note. The more you camp, the more questions you will have as they become apparent. And in time, after many trips, it will become natural and fun! And... the learning never stops.
Hope this helps get you started. Again ask away!
Thanks
John
