9 tips and tricks for your first RV adventure
9 tips and tricks for your first RV adventure
Use these handy tips to navigate your first RV trip as you build experience.
Whether you own or rent an RV, you’ll face a learning curve at some point, especially if you’re a first-timer. In fact, even seasoned RV users still face apprehension every time they visit a new place. However, there’s nothing you should worry about as you can always make your first RV adventure enjoyable for you and your passengers.
The only thing that you should do is to keep the following tips and tricks in mind to help you make your first RV adventure a success.
Tips for your first RV adventure
Choose camping clubs near your home first
For your first RV trip, it’s wise to book camping clubs that are close to your home. This will let you gain confidence as you learn how to operate your RV. Besides, if you choose a camping club near to your home, you can easily get your must-needed items in case you forgot them. Plus, you’ll be in familiar territory.
Watch some instructional videos to navigate your RV properly
It’s something that most RV users take for granted, but watching some instructional videos to help you navigate your RV properly can help you avoid possible problems. Understanding how your RV work is crucial as its usage can be interdependent and complex. Also, this will help you determine what camping essentials you’ll need for your trip.
For instance, check if its refrigerator runs on propane and electricity. Other than that, your heater and water pump may run on an auxiliary battery while your microwave may require an electrical hookup or generator. Bringing a portable generator for camping is also a great idea. You can check the best options here on TheDrive.com.
Never play on technical driving routes
On your first RV trip, you have to remember that an RV is still a long vehicle. Several parks have roads that are advised against or restricted for some types of RV due to the road’s quality, the vertical and horizontal clearance, and turnaround space.
With this in mind, it’s important not to experiment with your driving routes to have the most enjoyable and relaxing RV experience.
Reserve a private campground
While you can opt for a public campground, a private one is much better because of the added amenities. First and foremost, a private campground typically has a full hookup.
Until you understand your family and RV’s needs, it’s wise to have water, sewer, and electricity on site. Moreover, a private park has staff members who can help you with various things like backing into the site for the first time.
Bring enough cookware
If your RV has a stove and includes other kitchen tools, you must still check if there are cooking pans, silverware, and cutting boards or knives. If you can’t find such things in your RV, you might want to bring enough cookware with you unless it’s okay for you to return home just to get everything you need.
Even if this might not always be the case with most RVs, it’s a good idea to take an inventory of your cookware and ensure that you pack thermoses.
Expect the unexpected
During your first RV adventure, things may go wrong. For instance, something breaks or stops working. If it happens, never let it get you down. Instead, do your best to fix the problem and continue with your journey.
A simple but useful tip is to pack RV covers to protect your vehicle from unexpected bad weather.
Don’t forget to bring your toolkit
It can be challenging to anticipate something like having a side-view mirror get loose that it no longer provides help when you’re changing lanes. However, when such things happen, you must be prepared for them, rather than relying on your co-pilot or finding someone with a wrench to borrow. So, make sure to bring your toolkit. If possible, bring hex or Allen wrenches, scissors, duct tape, and so on.
Don’t drive at night
Try to plan an early trip during your first RV adventure. This is because driving at night might be risky for first-timers. It’s true if you have a breakdown and you’ll have a tough time finding help since car parts shops, RV dealerships, and garages are closed. So, avoid driving at night at all costs and plan your RV trip during daylight hours.
Bring toilet essentials
If you won’t pack toilet essentials for your RV trip, you might end up looking for a river. If you don’t want to experience this, bring scented toilet capsules and dissolvable toilet paper. These are important to prevent odors and buildup.
If you’re not familiar with the toilet essentials suited for an RV, you can search online or ask other people you know for recommendations or suggestions. With this, you’ll avoid a clogged toilet and enjoy your RV adventure without experiencing any inconvenience.
Conclusion
These are just some of the tips and tricks you need to take note of for your first adventure. Regardless of your preferred destination, make sure to keep them in mind to enjoy a pleasant RV experience. Once you get rid of your first-time jitters and gain more experience, you can be assured that your next RV trip will go smoothly.