McLAUGHLIN’S RV & MARINE · OWNER RESOURCES
Owner Help & How-To
More time having fun. Less time figuring things out. Use these checklists, how-to answers and manufacturer resources before your next day on the water or weekend at the campsite.
Find the help you need
Jump to a topic, or start with the new-owner checklist below.
New owner? Start here
- Keep your information together. Save your year, make, model, VIN or hull number, engine serial number and appliance model numbers with your manuals.
- Revisit your walkthrough. Make a short list of controls you want explained again: battery switches, pumps, shore power, slides, engine displays or surf settings. Send a photo of the control when asking our team.
- Practice before the trip. Read the operating instructions while you are beside the equipment. Find the switches, connections and shutoffs before you need them away from home.
- Keep a service record. Record dates, engine hours where applicable, work completed and receipts. Use the maintenance schedule for your exact model.
Equipment varies by model and year. These are starting checks; your boat, engine, RV and appliance manuals provide the exact operating sequence and specifications.
Boat & pontoon help
Get ready to launch, build a useful after-trip routine, and know what information to have when something needs attention.
Before you leave the dock
- Review the weather and your route. Tell someone ashore where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Check that each passenger has a properly fitting life jacket. Locate your fire extinguisher, sound signal, first-aid supplies and other required equipment.
- Check fuel and the fluid levels specified in your engine manual. Look for leaks or damage before starting.
- Test navigation lights and the bilge pump where fitted. Confirm drain plugs and other fittings are in the correct position for your boat.
- Explain seating, handholds and emergency equipment to guests before getting underway.
Make your first outings easier
Plan a short first trip with time to learn your boat. Launching, docking and loading are easier to practice when you are not rushing to meet a full schedule.
Before towing, work through the boat and trailer instructions together: tow-vehicle compatibility, hitch connections, lights, tires and securing the load all matter. Ask for a demonstration if any part of launching or retrieving is unfamiliar.
Keep dock lines and fenders where they are easy to reach. Agree on each person’s role before approaching the dock, and keep hands and feet inside the boat.
After a day on the water
Remove loose gear and rubbish, clean spills, and let wet upholstery and storage areas dry before covering. Use cleaners approved for the material; an aggressive household cleaner can damage a finish.
Follow your engine’s flushing instructions. A built-in flush port and a running-engine flush attachment are different methods. Do not start the engine just because a hose is attached. Use the method, cooling-water supply and engine on/off instructions in your specific manual.
Inspect the hull and trailer, and record anything that needs attention before the next outing.
Watch Yamaha’s outboard flushing guidance →
Moomba boat-care guide →
Surf boat screens, ballast & settings
Start with the screen guide for your model year. The display guide explains controls; the boat and engine manuals cover operation, capacities and maintenance. Save all three when available.
Before asking about a surf or ballast setting, note your model/year, the screen or message you see, and what you are trying to change. A clear photo lets our team identify the right control instead of guessing from a description.
Use your boat’s specified limits and setup instructions. Settings from a different boat or model year may not match yours.
Moomba owner & screen manuals →
Ask about your boat’s controls →
Camper setup & everyday systems
Use these reminders at the campsite, then follow the manual for your RV and installed equipment.
Arriving at your campsite
- Walk the site first. Check space for doors, steps, slides and awnings, plus the reach of your hoses and power cord.
- Position and level the trailer using its approved procedure. Chock the wheels before unhitching.
- Follow the instructions for your hitch and leveling equipment. Stabilizer jacks reduce movement; they are not lifting or leveling jacks.
- Connect the appropriate power and water supplies, then operate slides only when their path is clear and the RV is prepared as its manual requires.
Connecting campsite power
Check whether your camper uses a 30-amp or 50-amp connection and confirm what the campsite provides. Use suitable RV power equipment and inspect the cord and plug for damage.
Turn the pedestal breaker off before connecting, and follow the instructions for your RV and surge protection equipment. A plug adapter does not increase the power available from the campsite.
If power is missing, check the campground supply and any message on your surge protector. Have campground staff or a qualified technician address a damaged, overheated or faulty connection.
City water or the freshwater tank?
City water uses a pressurized campground supply connected to the labeled inlet. Use a drinking-water hose and a suitable pressure regulator.
Tank water uses the water you carry in your freshwater tank and the RV’s 12-volt pump. It is the usual option when camping without a water hookup.
Match your valves and connection to the selected mode. Do not assume that connecting to city water fills the freshwater tank; filling arrangements differ. Keep drinking-water equipment separate from sewer equipment.
Understanding your holding tanks
Freshwater supplies clean water. Gray water collects wastewater from sinks and showers. Black water holds toilet waste.
Watch tank levels throughout your stay. At an approved dump connection, wear gloves and secure the sewer hose before opening a waste valve. Follow your RV’s procedure; normally the black tank empties first and the gray tank follows to rinse waste through the hose.
Close the valves when finished, store sewer equipment separately, and wash your hands. Use the model-specific instructions for any tank-flush system.
Why lights can work when outlets do not
Your camper has separate electrical systems. The battery supplies 12-volt equipment, while shore power supplies 120-volt equipment. A converter changes incoming AC power to DC power; an inverter, if installed, serves a different purpose and may power only selected outlets.
Working ceiling lights do not prove that the air conditioner, microwave or wall outlets have the power they need. Identify which items work and which do not before asking for help.
Use the electrical section of your manual to find the correct controls. Do not open electrical equipment or keep resetting a breaker that trips repeatedly.
Packing up before you tow
- Secure loose items and latch cabinets, windows, doors and the refrigerator.
- Retract slides and awnings, and stow steps and equipment as directed.
- Turn off the systems specified in your departure checklist. Disconnect and store water hoses and the power cord.
- Complete the hitch, safety-chain, breakaway and wiring checks for your towing setup. Check brake lights and turn signals.
- Finish with a full walk-around. Look above, below and on both sides for anything still extended, attached or unsecured.
Common problems: what to check first
Start with the simple observations below. If a check does not resolve the problem, send our team the details instead of repeatedly operating the affected equipment.
The water pump runs, but little or no water comes out.
First identify your water source. For tank use, check the freshwater level, pump switch and 12-volt power. Confirm that any utility-center valves match the tank-use diagram in your manual.
For city-water use, check the campground supply, hose and regulator. A pump running continuously with faucets closed can indicate a leak or another plumbing problem. Turn the pump off and investigate; do not leave it running unattended.
The water is flowing, but it is not getting hot.
Identify whether you have a tank or tankless heater and which power source it uses. Check the normal control setting, available power or propane supply, and any displayed fault code.
A tank-style heater must be filled before heating. After winter storage, confirm the water system and bypass valves have been returned to the operating configuration in your manual. Do not remove a hot or pressurized drain plug or open the heater to attempt a repair.
A slide will not move or stops partway.
Stop and inspect the path inside and outside for obstructions, keeping people clear. Check that the RV is prepared as directed and that the required battery power is available.
If the room binds, moves unevenly or will not finish its travel, stop using the switch. Record any controller light or fault message. Override and reset procedures differ by slide system; identify the system before following one.
An engine alarm or warning appears.
Read the exact warning and follow the response in your engine manual. Do not assume an alarm is only a routine service reminder.
When it is safe to do so, record the message or alarm pattern, engine hours, and what was happening when it started. Explain whether the engine lost power, ran unusually or showed a temperature warning. That information is more useful than “the boat beeped.”
Which manual should I use?
Match the boat or camper manual to its model and year. An engine, refrigerator, water heater, awning or slide system may have its own separate manual and model number.
For an engine question, include its serial number. For an appliance question, a photo of the model label helps. A manual for a similar-looking unit may show different controls or service requirements.
What should I send when I need help?
Include your year, make and model, a description of the problem, and when it happens. Add the exact warning message, a photo of the control or model label, and what you have already checked.
Tell us your preferred location and best callback number. For a service request, also mention your next planned outing so our team understands your timing.
Seasonal care & service
Planning winterization, storage, routine service or help with a problem? Start here and our team can help with the next step.
Spring: before your first outing
Camper: Inspect tires, lights, seals and visible water lines. Test safety detectors, check the battery, and de-winterize and sanitize the freshwater system using the procedure for your RV. Test equipment at home before packing for a trip.
Boat: Inspect the hull and trailer, test onboard equipment and review the engine’s spring-start procedure. Confirm any storage work has been reversed correctly before launching.
During the season: keep small issues small
Record engine hours and follow both time-based and hour-based service intervals in the engine manual. Add upcoming service dates to your calendar instead of waiting for a problem.
For your camper, keep checking tires, exterior seals and signs of water intrusion. Report new leaks, unusual noises or changes in operation promptly. Keep notes and photos so you can describe what changed.
Fall: plan winterization before freezing weather
Camper: Freshwater lines, water heaters, pumps and connected equipment need the correct winterization procedure. Tank and tankless systems can require different steps. Use only products approved for RV freshwater systems; automotive antifreeze does not belong in them.
Boat: Engine and onboard-water systems require model-specific preparation. A cover alone does not winterize a boat. Ask our team about the service and storage options for your equipment.
Before putting it into storage
Remove food, rubbish and personal items. Clean and dry the interior, check for water intrusion, and choose the storage and battery-care instructions for your equipment.
Keep a written record of what was winterized, when it was done and anything still needing attention. This makes the spring restart easier and gives the service team a useful history.
For a wake boat, use its boat and engine manuals together; storage preparation includes more than cleaning the seats.
Have your year, make and model handy. For service questions, tell us what you need help with and which location is most convenient.
Manuals & how-to videos
Choose your manufacturer, then match the resource to your model and year. Save the pages you use most so they are easy to find before your next trip.
Camper owners
Find the manual for your Jayco and explore owner training and walkthrough videos.
Campsite setup & pack-up walkthrough →
Follow Jayco’s illustrated sequence for a travel trailer.
Water & power explained →
Learn what each tank does and how your hookups work.
Boat & pontoon owners
Use your engine information to find the matching manufacturer manual. Need a boat manual or help identifying your model? Contact our team.
Moomba owner & screen manuals →
Find the operating and display guides by model year.
Yamaha outboard flushing video →
Review the correct flushing approach for your engine.
Yamaha maintenance schedules & care →
Plan ongoing care and service with the manufacturer’s guide.
Still need a hand?
Tell McLaughlin’s RV & Marine what you own and what you need help with. Include the model details, photos or warning message, and your preferred location so our team can help you find the next step.
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