If you are a first-time RV owner, you might be a little intimidated about your new purchase. It’s exciting to plan trips and explore the outdoors, but how do you get started? There is a lot to learn, but these RV camping tips for beginners from RV by LIFE can provide you with a nice boost of confidence as you prepare for your first outing.
Start Close to Home
It’s easy to let your mind run away with thoughts of long trips that take you thousands of miles from home. Those kinds of RV trips can certainly be a lot of fun, but as a beginner, it may not be the best way to start. Instead, plan a trip that’s close to home so you can test out your rig without investing too much time or straying into unknown territory. This way, if you forget a few things you need or have some unexpected problems with your RV, you can simply return home and reset.
Driving Practice is Essential
This next tip is along the same lines as the first. It takes some time to get comfortable driving an RV, and you don’t want to get into a spot where you find yourself on a tricky road without the confidence you need to make it through safely. Put in plenty of practice time on familiar roads near home—preferably when there is little traffic. This will help you get comfortable with the size and handling of your new rig.
Resist the Temptation to Pack Everything
New RV owners often fall into the trap of packing just about everything from home as they prepare for a trip. Don’t do it! Not only will overpacking make your RV feel crowded, but that extra weight will do a number on your gas mileage. Remember, your RV explorations should be a good chance to get away from it all, so you don’t need to take everything with you. With a little practice, you should get better at knowing what you need to bring and what can stay home.
Planning is Essential
Earlier, we mentioned the idea of taking a long road trip far from home. Once you are ready, these can be some of the best kinds of RV adventures. With that said, it’s important to do your homework and carefully plan out your trip in advance. Some key points to manage include:
- Reservations. Especially in summer, RV reservations are important so you don’t find yourself out late at night with nowhere to park. Whenever possible, secure a reservation so you’ll know exactly where you are staying and what kind of amenities you will have.
- Dump stations. You won’t always have full hook-ups when you camp in your RV. As such, you will need to visit dump stations so you can empty your grey and black water tanks while also refilling your freshwater tank. Determine where dump stations will be available along your route so you never get stuck without a place to handle this important chore.
- What’s for dinner? There is only so much food that will fit in an RV fridge. If you plan to camp off-the-grid for an extended period of time, think about where you will be able to go to refill your food supply.
The Walk-Around
This just might be one of the most important rv camping tips that you receive as a new RV owner. Each time you are getting ready to head out on the road in your rig, do a last-minute walk-around before you start the engine and depart.
The motivation for this walk-around is safety. Did you put everything away properly and lock up the rig? Are all of the tires in good condition and properly inflated? If you notice that your RV is dirty during the walk-around, remember to give it a thorough washing with a product like Suds when you get home. It will only take a minute or two of your time to perform this walk-around, and it could save you from making a dangerous or expensive mistake.
Shop RV by LIFE
We hope these RV camping tips for beginners make your travel as seamless as possible. As you prep for any trip, it’s also important to note that RV maintenance is key. Be sure to get your rig in top condition for your travels with cleaning products from RV by LIFE!
