Regardless of whether you are planning on spending time camping with your family or hitting the road to enjoy your retirement, it is important to learn as much as you can about RVing before you head out on your first trip. Below are six tips and tricks that will help ensure that you have a great time:
1. Weigh the advantages of buying versus renting
One of the first things that you should consider is whether it is better to buy an RV or rent one. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options.
If you plan on regularly using your RV, it makes sense to purchase a rig outright. On the other hand, if you are only going to camp in an RV once or twice, renting may make more sense.
2. Familiarize yourself with your RV
Before you head out on the road, you should learn everything that you can about your RV. Whether you purchase your own RV or are planning on renting one, spend some time getting to know how everything works.
The more familiar you are with your RV, the better position you will be in to address any problems that arise when you are away from home.
You are also less likely to make mistakes that could wind up damaging your rig. For instance, you could wind up blowing your breaker if you aren't familiar with the maximum number of amps that it is capable of handling.
You can avoid these types of dangerous situations by learning everything that you can about your motorhome.
3. Go for a test run
Before taking a long trip, try going on several smaller trips. Choose areas that are similar to the areas where you plan on going. For instance, if you are planning a long trip that involves a lot of steep hills and curves, try to find an area close to home where you can familiarize yourself with driving in these conditions.
A stay-cation can be the answer here, as it allows you to drive somewhere familiar but also different and is actually discussed here on the Leisure Access website.
This will also give you an opportunity to assess how your RV performs. As an example, if you find that your drawers slide open every time you go around a sharp turn, you can take steps to keep it from happening while you are on a longer trip.
4. Be prepared
Like other types of vehicles, RVs frequently break down. The more prepared you are, the more likely it is that you will be able to fix any problems you encounter on your own. Put together a toolkit that includes all of the tools that you may need while you are on the road.
Don't forget to bring along spare parts, as well. For instance, stock your kit with extra fuses, spare light bulbs, a set of jumper cables, and a spare tire.
Make sure that all of the parts that you bring will work with your RV. That way, you won't have to wait around for parts to arrive if you run into any problems on the road.
5. Plan ahead
One common misconception that people have about RVing is that it frees you up to be completely spontaneous. In fact, however, even the most seasoned RV enthusiasts do best when they have a plan.
Knowing how many miles you are going to drive each day, where you are going to stay, and where you plan on stopping along the road can make your trips far more enjoyable and can eliminate unexpected surprises.
Here are some of the factors that you should consider when coming up with your plan:
- How much money do you have to spend on food, entertainment, and campgrounds?
- What type of food do you need to bring along with you?
- What routes are you going to take? If you can't take those routes for some reason, what alternatives are available?
- What attractions are you interested in seeing?
- Where are you going to stay each night?
6. Put together a checklist that you can use when setting up and tearing down your RV
The more you camp out in your RV, the easier it will be to remember all of the steps that you need to take when setting up or tearing down camp. Until then, however, having a checklist is essential. Be sure to include the following on your list:
- Inspect the site for obstacles.
- Find out where the hookups are.
- Park your RV and make sure that it is level.
- Chock the wheels to prevent your RV from rolling away.
- Connect the electrical supply, flipping the switch in your RV to stop drawing power from the battery.
- Connect your sewer hose to the hookup, taking proper steps to protect yourself.
- Set up your awning and your campsite.
Conclusion
Getting started on your RVing adventures is an exciting time. By properly preparing ahead of time, you can improve your chances of having a great experience.
(This is a guest post)