How to Prepare for Your First RV Trip

If you own a recreational vehicle, you have a great opportunity to go on road trips with your loved ones and make the most of your vacations. However, there are some important tips that you should keep in mind in order to get the best out of your first RV trip. Here is a list of some of the most useful RV travel tips for first-time travelers. Follow these tips to ensure a pleasant, stress-free journey on the road.

1.      Get to know your RV

Don’t leave home without a good understanding of how to use and repair your RV. If you go ahead on your journey without having a basic understanding of how your RV works, you could run into trouble.

Take the time to figure out all the basic components of your RV. This way, if you encounter a problem with your RV during your journey, you should be able to get it fixed within a short period of time. This can help you stay away from frustration throughout the journey.

2.      Go for a practice drive

Before you hit the road with your loved ones, think about going for a practice drive. With its larger size, handling an RV is different than driving your average vehicle. Once you have become comfortable driving around town, think about the roads you will be driving on during your trip. It’s a good idea to go for a practice drive in similar terrain. Make sure to also practice driving on hills, switching lanes and parking. Don’t underestimate the amount and types of driving you’ll be doing on your first RV trip.

3.      Prepare your RV kit

You should always have a well-packed tool kit inside your RV. If you don’t have a one, start making it well before your trip. Your RV kit should include jumper cables, light bulbs, fuses, connectors and bolts. Be sure to also include any components that are unique to your RV.

4.      Plan your journey

Before you go on your first RV trip (and every trip after), make a proper plan. Make sure you know your budget, route, stops and the campgrounds where you will spend your nights. Have a plan for the food you will bring along and where you will stop to eat. If you know someone who has gone on an RV trip before, you can get useful advice from them. Also look for RV blogs or travel groups on social media to find more helpful tips and tricks.  

5.      Create a campground checklist

Last but not least, you should create a campground checklist before you go on tour with your RV. Many campgrounds require you to book ahead. After checking that the campsite has a suitable area for RVs, complete with sewage, water and electrical hookups, book as soon as possible. This will ensure you have a spot and prevent the stress of finding out that your campsite is fully booked when you arrive.

Follow these tips and your first RV trip will become the first of many fun travel adventures in your life!