RVs provide one of the cheapest and most convenient options for weekend campers and/ those that love taking an extended week long or month-long expeditions. It is usually more like moving around with your home as you visit all the places or destinations you fancy. But as fun-filled as it might be, organizing an RV trip presents many challenges, especially for beginners.
Here are quick tips to consider when planning an RV trip as a beginner, which we believe will come in handy:
1. Buying Or Renting: Which Is The Better Option?
Deciding on whether to buy or rent an RV pretty much comes down to your travel objectives. If you are planning to go camping quite often or are considering travelling full time, then buying an RV would definitely make much sense, both in terms of finances and convenience.
If, on the other hand, your plan is to go on a single trip and have a good time with family or friends or simply would want to test what travelling with an RV feels like before making a purchase, then renting is the best way to go. You can always weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a decision.
2. Understand How an RV Works
Before setting out as a beginner, it is important to take time to learn how an RV works. Aside from knowing how to drive it, you should be able to understand other aspects of the motorhome such as the number of amps the main breaker can handle and how to manage waste. If your RV doesn’t have a portable waste tank, you may need to buy one. In this case, looking up reviews of the best waste tanks online can help you in deciding which tank is ideal for your RV.
Knowing your rig and a few other operational issues can save you a lot of time on the road or at the mechanic’s place. You can actually find someone, a friend or family member, with experience in RVs to teach you a few things about its operation before getting onto the road. This could potentially save you from a lot of expensive repairs.
3. Practice Makes Perfect
If you’re new to the world of motorhomes, you’ll obviously want to practice before hitting the road. And what’s the best way to do it? It is simple. First, consider the type of road(s) you want to drive on and then find a road with similar terrain (preferably with less traffic) and take a small trip.
It is at this point that you’ll learn how to ascend hills, switch lanes, turn around and park. With RVs, it is possible for things around the living area to move around or even drawers in the kitchen to pop open when driving. So, understanding such intricacies of driving a motorhome can help you adjust accordingly and drive as if it were a normal vehicle.
4. Carry All the Necessary Tools and Spare Parts
Going on an RV trip is like moving with your entire home. So it can be prudent of you to stock your tool kit with such things as jumper cables, bolts, connectors, light bulbs and extra fuses. Taking this into consideration will help you get a quick fix to minor issues, without having to travel long distances to purchase a spare or wait for days for your order to be shipped.
5. Have a Proper Plan
Being spontaneous when travelling can be fun and thrilling, but it can turn out to be costly too. So the best thing to do as a beginner is to craft an itinerary and have everything during your trip budgeted for. Know in advance the places you want to visit, the routes to use, where to make stops and the campgrounds to spend nights in. Also include in your plan, the amount to spend on food, fun activities and/or shopping.
6. Have Basic Knowledge on the Kind of RV Setup to Expect on a Campground
Before setting an overnight camp at any campground, there is a list of features or things you need to check out for or know. First, the campground must be open with no low-hanging branches or ground obstacles.
Secondly, it should have hookups for electrical, water and sewage for convenience of staying around and disposing waste from your waste tank. Once you’ve checked for these things and done what needs to be done, you can go ahead and set camp and spend your night away.
As a beginner, these tips can give you a perfect head start for your RV camping or weekend trip. RV provides a great way to explore the outdoors and if you have a proper plan and know what to expect, you’ll no doubt have a blast.
