So, you’ve finally got the RV you always wanted, and as they say, the world is truly your oyster. RV travel is one of the best ways to get out into nature and embrace the outdoors, and you’ll have dozens of wonderful trips to look forward to.
That said, planning your first trip takes a lot more effort than you might initially think. You’ll likely have a long journey ahead of you, and then there are all the amenities you’ll need to remember to pack and check for.
In this article, you’ll learn three important things to consider before you set off!
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- Preparing Your RV for Travel
Getting your RV ready for the road can be a lot of work. For starters, there are the considerations regarding the vehicle itself. You’ll need to make sure you completely understand how all the onboard equipment works, such as how to monitor the tanks, connect and disconnect your hookups, change the fuel (and oil), and so on.
You’ll also want to read your manual thoroughly. The book often contains a list of troubleshooting guides for minor faults in case you get stuck.
Then, there’s packing your amenities. You’ll need to ensure you have pretty much everything you have at home, so start a spreadsheet on Excel or Sheets or use a pre-written checklist, and tick the items off one by one.
- Choosing Your RV Park
Choosing the right RV park is one of your hardest decisions. It’ll initially depend on where in the country you want to go, of course, so discuss this properly with your family to find somewhere everyone will enjoy. It’s then about choosing a park within that area that has the facilities you require, and each park can differ considerably in this regard.
Most large parks cater to both short and long-term stays, but be sure to check this beforehand. You’ll also need to check that the park you’re looking at has adequate clothes laundering utilities for your needs, and that it’s in a good central location for you to start exploring the local area with ease.
You must also take into consideration the size of your RV, as some sites only cater to certain vehicular dimensions.
- Practicing Your Driving
Driving an RV takes a fair amount of skill, and not necessarily skills you’ll have honed through regular driving. Even small RVs are large vehicles, so before your trip, you’ll need to make sure you get plenty of practice so that you’re ready for the road.
An empty parking lot is a great place to get your bearings; spend as much time as you need to get comfortable, and once you feel ready, head out onto the actual roads a few times to get a feel for a real-world scenario.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, you now feel a little clearer about what it takes to embark on your first RV trip. It’ll take some organizing, but you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the ride before you know it. Have fun!
