To the uninitiated, the RV world can seem like a perplexing place full of strange norms, commonalities, and practices. It’s a unique and exciting form of travel in which people take a sense of pride and belonging. This travel subculture is full of adventurous, fun-loving, and friendly people who simply enjoy having a good time on the open road with their RV. Here, we’ll take a look at some insider tips to make your trip as successful as possible. With these tips, people will think you’re an RV pro – even if you’re not.
Stay in the right places.
The main advantage of traveling in an RV is forgoing all the costs of accommodation. There’s no need to seek out a hotel when you’ve got everything you need on wheels. But you still need to find a place to park your RV for the night. Newcomers might assume all places are essentially the same, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Generally, RV stops can be broken down into two categories:
- RV Campgrounds – These spots are exactly how you imagine a campsite just with more space for an RV. They don’t offer many – if any – amenities and are usually located in harder-to-reach locations.
- RV Resorts – As you can tell by the name, these higher-end places offer guests WiFi, satellite TV, electrical hookups, laundry service, and other handy amenities. They’re also generally located near towns for easier accessibility.
RV campgrounds might be fun every once in a while to get closer to nature but RV resorts are your best bet for a smooth trip.
Get the right equipment.
An RV comes stock with everything you need to hit the road. But just like with a car, it’s smart to load up on a few essentials to ensure things continue running smoothly. Here are just a few items that can take you from gringo to RV pro:
Leveling Blocks
The sheer size of an RV amplifies even the smallest unevenness. With leveling blocks, you can make your RV level for additional comfort when you’re on a slope. This makes sleeping, eating, cooking, and showering much easier.
Air Pump
RV wheels are under a lot of pressure – pun intended – when on an extended road trip. A portable air pump is a simple way to make sure your wheels have the air needed to run smoothly.
Jumper Cables
You never know when your RV might have difficulty starting. Having a pair of jumper cables onboard turns every vehicle around you into a lifesaver.
Extended Sewer Hose
Most RVs come with a standard sewer hose for disposing of blackwater. Unfortunately, they’re not always long enough to reach waste stations which is why it’s always a good idea to invest in a 20-ft or longer hose.
Understand proper maintenance.
RVs require routine maintenance to run optimally. You have the standard vehicle upkeep such as oil changes, tire rotations, brake changes, and other common basics that should be handled according to your RVs owners manual or at least before you hit the road for your next trip. Unlike other vehicles, RVs require additional maintenance to handle the wastewater produced while on a trip. Yes, it’s nasty! But it has to be done. Although it varies between models, RV black tanks typically need to be pumped every 3 to 5 days. You’ll also want to flush and sanitize your RV’s water filtration system at least once before embarking on your trip.
Go on a practice run.
Unless you have experience driving larger vehicles, getting behind the wheel of an RV is going to feel like a different world. Instead of waiting until you hit the road to see how it goes, it’s smart to go for a practice run near your home. Simply driving around will make you more comfortable with the handling, stopping speed, rearview mirror, blindspots, and more. If you want to take things a step further, you could even do a miniature RV trip to a park near your home to see how you do in tighter spaces and at an actual RV resort when dumping blackwater, hooking up electricity, and more.
Are you ready to make that dream RV trip a reality but aren’t sure where to begin? Head over to RV Inn Style Resorts today for a complete list of some of the best RV resorts in the northwest. These easily accessible, fully equipped, and conveniently located resorts offer an excellent starting point for planning your entire vacation.
