Going for an RV trip is an exciting moment! It feels liberating – but also quite startling at the same time. Many people, especially beginners, find preparing for an RV trip to be a daunting task. Fortunately, this post will discuss five of the best RV camping tips for beginners. Keep reading to find out more about these tips:
- Renting over buying
- Plan your trip in advance
- Pack Wisely
- Take a Practice Drive
- Mind the size of the RV
1. Renting over buying
When going for an RV trip, the question that many people ask is, “Should I buy or should I rent?”. Well, if you’re a beginner, it’s better to rent an RV rather than purchase one. RV rental is advantageous for several reasons such as:
- You can try it out and see if you like it
- You can change the RV model next time you rent
- You’ll save plenty of costs since an RV is not a vehicle you’ll use often
- Renting an RV saves you the maintenance costs associated with owning one
There are many different RV models available for rent, particularly on peer-to-peer rental platforms like Campstar. These platforms allow you to compare the most well-know RV rental companies and choose the best RV for you among the different models(Class A, Class B, Class C, Truck Campers, Campervans etc.).
2. Plan your trip in advance
When you have an exhilarating trip ahead, you may find yourself distracted by all the things that you intend to do once you get to your destination. But have you thought about the entire journey to get to that destination? There are numerous advantages of planning your journey out in advance, including:
- There is a high likelihood that you’ll enjoy the whole trip if you get to your destination stress-free
- You’ll make the most of your trip if you know what to expect ahead
- Planning means you’ll have a backup plan should the original plan not go as expected
- Planning will help you identify where to take rest-stops and will keep you and your passengers happy
- When you plan, you can also save on fuel costs as you’ll determine the most efficient route
That said, you should plan out an itinerary and make reservations at campsites to make sure you get the smoothest trip possible.
3. Pack Wisely
When you rent an RV, you’ll be amazed by the amount of space in it. It feels quite bigger as compared to the space you get when tent camping. However, when you begin filling the cabinets and all the space, you’ll realize that it’ll get filled quickly if you’re not careful. Not only should you keep the space organized, but also you should bring only the items that you’ll need. Do not overcrowd your RV with unnecessary items.
Instead, choose the items to pack wisely and carry several essential tools such as a small level, duct tape, a multi-tool, a headlamp, a first aid kit, batteries, tire pressure gauge, and rubber gloves.
During your RV trip, there are instances where you’ll need to use the aforementioned tools. Having these tools could come in handy. However, you don’t have to go overboard and carry every tool. Make a checklist and use it to pack the items you might need.
4. Take a Practice Drive
This is quite an important exercise to undertake. One of the first things you should do before going on an RV trip is to practice driving the RV and towing the travel trailer. Just like you would with a regular car, you want to make sure that you feel the RV and how it drives. An RV is quite bigger as compared to a normal car, so it has to be handled differently.
Many people tend to experience challenges when it comes to driving an RV for long distances and reversing. Fortunately, RV rental company provides practice services to help you sharpen your Rv driving skills. When you undergo these practice sessions, make sure to ask all the questions you may have so that you can be confident driving the rented RV.
5. Don’t underestimate the size of the RV
As mentioned earlier, RVs are huge vehicles and they require quite a different handling as compared to normal cars. When you drive the RV for a while and become confident, you can soon forget that it’s a big vehicle and put yourself in risky situations. You should drive it carefully to make the best out of your trip.
You should also mind the height of your RV – pay extra attention when you’re driving through narrow streets and tunnels.
Conclusion
Whether you’re intending to go on short or long RV trips, you can be guaranteed that you’re going to enjoy the RV life. To make the most out of your RV trip, follow the tips mentioned above and you’ll be set for a thrilling adventure. Drive carefully and enjoy your trip!
