If you’re new to the RV lifestyle, you’re probably pretty excited to hit the road and start your first adventure. But then...where to start? Planning a vacation in an RV is a little different from planning a vacation by car. You’ll be staying in different places, your size will have a greater effect on where you go, and you’ll be in charge of supplying items you might normally depend on a hotel for.
Tent campers will get to pitch some of their cooking supplies since you’ll have your own kitchen, but you won’t want to leave everything behind. So to help you get adjusted, RV Station Colbert has provided you some quick tips and tricks for a successful RV camping trip.
But before you head out, you’ll want to make sure your rig is ready to hit the road, so for all your maintenance and repairs, stop by our location in Colbert, Oklahoma, near Sherman, Texas.
Plan your Route
While many people love to hit the road with no plans and no obligations, there are a number of benefits to planning your route ahead of time. Firstly, it allows you to at least outline where you’re going to go and what roads you’ll be taking. Whether you like to stick to the interstate or you want to explore the more scenic routes, make sure the road you want to take doesn’t have weight or size limitations. It’s much easier to plan for these restrictions ahead of time rather than backtracking and scrambling to find an alternate route.
This will also help you plan for weather conditions. While a car can feasibly handle most road conditions, RVs, especially big ones, can get blown around on the road. If you know a wind storm will pick up during an afternoon, plan to stay off the road for that period time. This includes any additional weather conditions you’d rather avoid--snow, heavy rain, etc.
Finally, planning your route will help you figure out where you’ll end up every night. Camping seasons, in particular, can see high traffic on campgrounds and you may not have the luxury of pulling into the first one you come across. Planning ahead will help you reserve spots as needed and check to see that a campground can accommodate your rig (this is especially important for large fifth wheels and motorhomes).
Packing
Traveling in an RV generally requires more supplies than traveling in a car. Not only will you need the usual things, but you’ll also need cleaning supplies, extra cooking supplies, food, linens, and other things you’d want in a mobile home. In the weeks leading up to your trip, make note of all the things you regularly use at home. Odds are, you’ll need to bring them with you on your trip. If you know you’ll be camping in your RV fairly often, you might even consider keeping supplies in there at all times so there’s less hassle for you.
Also, keep in mind that you’ll be in charge of preparing for emergencies. This is especially important as you get farther and farther from civilization where it won’t be as easy to get help. This should include fire extinguishers, a first aid kit, and tool box and extra parts. You may still need to quickly find professional help, but you’ll want to be able to tie yourself over until then.
Preparing your RV
You’ll also need to make sure your RV is ready for a big trip. This is especially important if you’re taking it out for the first time after storing it for the winter. Take some time to de-winterize it and air it out so you have a fresh home away from home. Inspect your rig from top to bottom for damages and repairs that will need to happen before your trip. Refill the propane, fuel the generator, test all appliances, and in general check for functionality. Better to find out there’s a problem sooner rather than later.
This information is for educational purposes. VIARV shall not be responsible nor retain liability for RVer’s use of the provided information. Prior to making any RV service decision, you are advised to consult with an RV professional.