So you have decided to pack up your RV and hit the road! Planning an RV road trip can be a lot of fun, but it’s also a ton of work. You have to plan where you will stay and what you will do once you get there. There is much more to planning an RV trip than just loading everything into your vehicle and hitting the road.
In this blog post, we will show you how to plan for your next RV vacation so that it is stress-free and enjoyable!
1. Plan your route
When planning your route, consider how much time you want to spend at each destination. If it’s just a day trip, you might not need any overnight accommodations and can park in the lot outside the attraction. Think about which famous landmarks you want to take on the route; consider the weather, how long you want to be in each place and the type of RV you have when choosing a route.
- Please do some research into different national parks or state parks near where your destination is located and see what they have in common. Several scenic sites are within driving distance of each other for easy day trips or overnight camping stays!
- If possible, try looking at pictures of each campsite so you can get an idea of what makes them unique—this will help when deciding which ones sound best for your trip!
- Research things to do in the area around your destination during travel time and while staying overnight at campgrounds. You may find some great activities nearby! And don’t forget about theme parks–there are tons of fun ways for families with kids who love roller coasters and water slides.
Not all RVs can go everywhere—some need help over mountain passes or other terrains that may require special equipment or permits. If this is true for your RV, then be sure to check with local authorities before planning anything too ambitious on your trip.
Route scouting is crucial. This is the process of exploring the area you will be visiting before your trip so that you can plan your route, know the places you want to go and find out about camping spots and amenities.
You should also make sure you have a map of the area and check out local events, activities, and attractions while you’re there!
2. Parking
You might have spent years cruising around in your car, but now that you’re planning an RV road trip, parking will be different. While vehicles can fit into smaller spaces and leave some room for others to park next to them, RVs often take up more space than the average vehicle. Therefore, it’s essential to plan ahead when it comes to finding parking for an RV so that other drivers aren’t inconvenienced by having their cars blocked in by yours.
RV parks are a great option for anyone looking for ample space and amenities such as laundry facilities, storage options and generally safe surroundings. However, these options tend to cost more than free roadside parking or short-term lots used by tourists visiting nearby attractions like state parks or national monuments. Another great idea is to look for long term parking options in the locations you want to be. You can book parking and then use public transport to get to nearby attractions.
3. Make a checklist of what you need to pack
There’s nothing worse than forgetting something important on your road trip, so make sure you have a checklist for packing. An inventory also ensures that your family is prepared for any situation; there are some essentials we have noted below to help you:
- Food and drinks
- Clothing, shoes and boots
- Pillows and sleeping bags
- Toilet paper
- Toiletries
- Dishes and cutlery
- First aid kit
- Torch
- Compass
4. Check the weather for where you will be traveling through
It is easy to follow a predictable routine of making sure you have your typical wardrobe and toiletries when traveling. Still, it is essential also to consider what type of weather you will be traveling through. If you are going from one extreme to another, remember that different types of clothing may be needed for each temperature range. For example, it may be best to pack enough clothes for all environments if travelling from a cold winter to a warm summer climate.
5. Keep a toolbox in your RV
Keep a toolbox with tools that can fix basic things like electrical problems, water leaks and repairing furniture that has come loose. A toolbox is crucial because it’s easy to underestimate the number of things that can go wrong with an RV. For example, while traveling, you could get stuck in a place where you cannot find the necessary parts or tools. In addition, having these items available ahead of time will help when things break down more than expected.
6. Reserve campground sites in advance
Reserving campsites in advance is especially important if you want a spot with hookups (water and electricity) or if you’re going during the busy season. In addition, if you don’t want to stay at a campground, find out whether there are nearby RV parks open for overnight stays.
Bring a generator with you if your RV has an extended battery life and can be plugged into an electrical outlet. This will let you run power tools and charge other electronics while camping without draining the batteries too quickly.
7. Consider renting before buying
If you’re on the fence about buying an RV, renting is a great way to get familiar with the experience. You can rent an RV for as little as a weekend and still have plenty of time to test out your travel style and determine whether or not it’s right for you.
Renting from a local dealership will give you access to their inventory of available models, so if there’s something specific in mind that they don’t have, they may be able to work something out with another dealer nearby. This is especially helpful if you want something unique or uncommon.
Conclusion
An RV road trip is a great way to see the country, but it can be stressful if you’re not prepared. By following these tips and researching before hitting the road, you will be well on your way to enjoying your trip.
