8 GREAT RV TRIP TIPS FOR NEWBIES

Guest post on behalf of Shelley Trupert

RV trips are a great way get out and enjoy time with friends and family. Unfortunately, they can be overwhelming if you are a new owner or renting one for the first time. There are a few important tips to keep in mind that can help avoid any unpleasant experiences. When driving such a large vehicle, and essentially carrying your home one the road, things can quickly go south and become less than enjoyable. There are, however, some great ways to make sure this doesn’t happen to you. Here are eight great RV trip tips for newbies.

1) PLAN YOUR TRIP

When it comes to having a great RV trip there are two basic ways of going about it. First you need to have a plan. Know where you will be, where you are going and what you plan to do for each day of the trip. In this case it is important to book your campsites for each night you anticipate being gone. Making a reservation ensures you know where you will end up.

The other option is to have no real plan set in stone. Not having a plan is different from not having a clue so do not try to just wing-it or go with the idea that we’ll figure it out when we get there. Doing that is a recipe for disaster. At a minimum you should take a look at the route you are traveling on. Have an idea about potential free camping and other rest stops of interest. This works great if you are going on a bucket list trip and have many destinations and options to choose from and you don’t want to choose until you get there.

2) KEEP TRAVEL DAYS SHORT

Traveling in an RV can be very stressful, particularly in congested areas. If driving a car wears you out in 12 hours, RV travel will likely wear you out in eight hours. Fatigue issues will be amplified by the size and maneuverability limitations which are inherent to RVs. Short travel days will keep the stress level lower and allow more time to unwind at the end of the day.

The size of the RV will determine how slow you need to go. Some campervans are no larger than private vehicles so you will make similar time. Another reason to keep travel days short is to allow for unexpected stops. Road trips are great when you can check out the unexpected roadside attractions!

3) EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Nothing ruins a day faster than ignoring recommendation #2 and planning a long travel day only to have a breakdown or run into a major highway jam in the middle of the day. By keeping days short and expecting the unexpected you will have plenty of time to deal with those issues when they come up. You will also have a clearer head and make better decisions, which can save you significant time and money.

The best way to follow this tip is to have good insurance coverage and roadside assistance. Having those assurances in place makes a trip much more relaxing and enjoyable. Many rentals offer this service as it keeps people safe and makes mechanical issues a mere inconvenience.

4) PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

If you are new to RVing, and you have time, take it out to practice a little. While it is still sitting in your driveway, go through a complete setup and take down so you know where things are and how they work. Make some notes, or a checklist, in a notebook of each step in the process so you can repeat it later. Also, practice backing it into your driveway. Hitting a single lane driveway from a two-lane road is roughly equivalent to backing into a campsite. This practice can save significant stress and embarrassment later on.

5) WATCH THE WEATHER

RVs are a great way to travel and stay comfortable while on the road. They are not necessarily the best things out there to handle bad weather, or to protect you from it. Know where to go if bad weather strikes and understand the limitations of RV gear when it comes to weather. For example, do not leave your awnings out while you will be away from the RV for any length of time. Sudden wind gusts have ruined many RV trip by literally tearing the awnings off the side of the RV. Thousands of dollars of damage can occur from a single, seemingly moderate, gust of wind. Taking note of the weather can save a trip, and you, from disaster.

6) PACK YOUR OWN FOOD

Eating out can be one of the biggest expenses on an RV trip. Packing your own food will not only save you money, it can make the trip much more enjoyable. First off, having food available during, or at the end of, a long trip can quickly breathe life back into your tired body. Also, spending time cooking and enjoying a meal around the campsite with family or friends is a great way to bond and spend an evening.

7) EVERYONE HAS A JOB, EVERYONE HAS A PERSON

If you are traveling with a group, or with your family then make sure everyone has a job to do. While on the road it is good to have a navigator, or someone dedicated to locating the next stopping point or making reservations for the night. It is also good to have someone who can get out and be another set of eyes in tight places like a gas station. Once you arrive at, or when it comes time to leave the campsite, have the set-up/break-down duties assigned to people. When everyone contributes there is a greater sense of accomplishment for everyone and things tend to go much more smoothly.

8) DON’T TRY TO DO TOO MUCH

This one is last, but certainly not least. The goal of RVing is to relax and enjoy the journey. A week at a local park can be a lot more enjoyable than trying to cram a 1000 mile round trip pilgrimage to the top 10 themes parks in the Eastern US into 7 days. Look at the amount of time you have and plan something reasonable. Travel days should be no more than 400 miles and remember that for each travel day out, you have to plan for a travel day back. While at your destination(s), plan no more than one or two activities a day. By sticking to this you will have the option to do more if you wish while avoiding the stress of missing out if you cannot.

GREAT RV TRIP TIPS

There are many things that can put a damper on your RV trip. However, with some basic RVing knowledge, many of those pitfalls can be avoided. With the eight tips outlined here you should be well on your way to a fun trip full of unforgettable memories!

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