“The open road is there; it will always be there. You just have to decide when to take it.” – Chris Humphrey
Whether you just want a getaway or want to explore and see new places, there’s no better way to do this than embark on a good ol’ road trip. The journey itself is exciting and thrilling while arriving at your destination is the icing on the cake. And if you are traveling with your family or as part of a group, road trips offer the opportunity to bond, listen to each other’s favorite music, eat together, dance together, travel down memory lane, and overall create precious memories.
The approach to road trips has changed in recent years and people now prefer to road trip in a recreational vehicle (RV) rather than a car. RVs allow travelers to travel more and spend less without sacrificing comfort. Essentially, an RV is a mobile home away from home and with travelers having control over their spending and schedule, they can spend as much as they want on the road.
There’s also no baggage limit. You can pack as much stuff as your RV can accommodate. Equipped with a kitchen, you can prepare your own food, a feature that’s of massive advantage to picky eaters, those with special dietary restrictions, or food allergies. These aside, you get to enjoy home-cooked meals on your travels. Mobile home away from home, remember?
Embarking on your first RV road trip can be intimidating. But let’s face it, it’s the same as any new thing you have to learn. So, you shouldn’t let your fear let you miss out on such an enjoyable experience. Thankfully, you can tap into the experience of veteran RVers by following the tips below when planning an RV road trip. Here we go.
- Choose The Right RV
The right RV varies from person to person as it is the RV that meets your style and needs. There are different types of RVs ranging from travel trailers that are very versatile and easily towed by different vehicles to fifth wheel RVs that offer more stable towing and are popularly used by full time RVers.
There are also the smaller and more compact lightweight trailers that are easily towed by smaller vehicles. Toy haulers, which can be available as travel or fifth wheel trailers, provide a place to sleep and a garage to store your toys which could be anything from bikes to full-sized ATVs.
Each of these RV type have their pros and cons, something you have to understand to choose the type that’s the best fit for you.
- Route Planning
RV travel is generally slower and longer than average weekend trips and this requires you to plan your route in advance and pick overnight stops. Ideally, the distance between stops shouldn’t be more than 300 miles or 4 hours.
The cost of campgrounds should also be considered. While RVing is cheaper than conventional road travel, you’ll still have to spend on food, gas, and campground fees. Putting this into consideration will allow you to choose routes that have cheaper campground fees especially if you are on a tight budget.
- Book Campsites in Advance
The best campsites tend to be booked in advance and this is something you’ll also have to do before embarking on your trip. There are several online resources you can use to find campsites available in your destination.
If you are the outdoorsy type that enjoys kayaking, hiking, boating, swimming, and so on, chances are, you’d want a campsite that’s close to where you can enjoy these activities. For those traveling to Austin, a cultural hotspot for live music performances and hub for several fun outdoor activities, the best attractions and campsites near these attractions can be found at https://www.reserveamerica.com/articles/camping/best-austin-rv-parks-campgrounds-and-camping-sites.
It’s not enough to make campsite reservations and bookings. Make copies of these reservations as they may be needed as proof at campsites.
- Arrive Before Dark
First-time RVers should arrive at campsites before dark as setting up camp can be more tricky or difficult after dark. You won’t find much supplemental lighting at most campgrounds as the groundkeepers try to minimize artificial lighting to preserve the natural atmosphere. Another benefit of arriving before dark is the increased likelihood of having a campsite staff assist you in case you have any issues.
- Level Your RV
Believe it or not, some components of a RV such as the fridge and tank sensors won’t function well if the RV isn’t level. And if your fridge isn’t working well, it means your food isn’t being cooled enough and they become more prone to spoilage.
This means you’ll need to pack a bubble leveler to check if the RV is level after parking it. Then, level blocks can be used to raise tires on the side that needs lifting.
