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Tips for Traveling in an RV

RV camping is a lot of fun, but your trip could be ruined if you don’t prepare well enough. Meticulous planning is a challenge you need to deal with before setting out. Without such planning, you may forget to carry something essential and land in trouble. 

You may lose things if you have yet to decide on specific places to keep them. Luckily, you could have a much better camping experience with some RV camping trips we have shared here. 

Before Setting Off, Check Your Vehicle

You never know, but your vehicle may have specific kinks you have no idea of. You set up base at a camping site, and it starts pouring. You find that you have a leaky roof, and your RV trip becomes a nightmare. 

Other common issues with RV include the following: 

  • Toilet issues. Such problems typically refer to the challenges your bathroom experiences due to the road or terrain. Most RV travelers notice problems with rubber seals or valves. 
  • Tire issues. This point should be clear: check how worn out your tires are and whether they will be equipped to deal with the climate you plan to visit. 
  • Water lines or water pump problems. If your RV stands still during the cold winter, it is essential to ensure that the water tanks are in good condition. Issues usually arise if people forget to empty it before the cooler temperatures hit. 

Check Routes and Possible Road Issues 

The chances are you will know your destination. However, have you checked all the possible routes you can take? Of course, you might have a general idea of how to get there. But you also need to consider whether the road won’t be closed for construction or maintenance. 

Many car GPS systems can indicate the best routes, considering the traffic and availability. Thus, using such gadgets can help you avoid unpleasant surprises. If you do not want to purchase a GPS, you can download traffic applications to your smartphone or laptop. They do not require additional equipment and can update your route as you drive. 

 

Check Your RV’s Height

You may come across places with low clearance when you are on the road. That’s when the height of your RV becomes a significant factor. There’s every chance of you coming across an overpass with a specific height limit. Again, there are places to park where the ceilings are lower than usual. 

To avoid the top of your RV scraping what lies above, you must know what the height of your RV is. When you know it, you can decide quickly about the route to take so you meet all height restrictions. 

Ensure an Early Start by Finishing Your Chores Early

As the day of travel approaches, get done with the significant chores. It’s best to get done with the laundry, have the eggs boiled, fill enough gas into your truck before hooking up the trailer, stock up the fridge, and finish every other necessary chore you can think of. It makes sure that you are well prepared before the travel date has arrived. Finishing chores early also ensures you don’t forget something essential and ruin your trip or, worse still, cancel it altogether. 

Look for Free Camping Spots

As camping becomes more and more popular, the number of people setting off for some fun is increasing every day. It has made locating affordable camping spots quite a challenge. 

Fortunately, for those on a budget, free camping sites are available, though there is no water or electricity. There are camping apps you may download to locate such camping sites. You may also opt for the old-fashioned method of referring to a map showing free camping sites. You’ve only got to abide by the rules and regulations for a happy camping experience. 

Stay Connected and Available

Even when you’re on the go, you’ve still got to stay connected with what’s happening back at the office. Besides, you can’t miss your favorite shows, can you? Hence, you need a good internet connection. Having a portable Wi-Fi hotspot can be of immense help. They let you connect to the internet without any hassles, and they offer good speed making sure there’s no buffering. 

You likely park your RV near coffee shops and malls to connect to the free internet. It’s a very risky thing to do as they offer no protection. It is best to install a VPN for PC if you connect your personal or work laptop to the free Wi-Fi you find available. If you use smartphones or tablets, enable VPN protection before joining unknown networks. 

A Virtual Private Network is an app that encrypts your internet traffic and spoofs your virtual location. Thus, it might also be helpful when you need to access services from home if you take your RV to other countries. 

More tips for a pleasant trip 

A lot goes into planning your perfect trip with an RV. You have a lot to think about, from the route to comfortable utilities. These recommendations will also assist your traveling in making it as seamless as possible: 

  1. Buy enough food and snacks to last unexpected stops, traffic jams, etc. 
  2. Fill your gas tank as frequently as possible to avoid inconveniences. For instance, if you travel through rural settings, you might not spot a gas station for a while. 
  3. Try to avoid driving past dark. The chances are you will be tired, and it could take a lot of concentration to stay alert behind the wheel. 
  4. Make frequent stops to stretch and exercise to boost your energy. 

Conclusion

Planning well before your trip makes a lot of difference. It ensures you are done with everything vital to enjoying your trip. Your RV trip is meant to give you a much-needed break from the stress of daily life. 

An unplanned trip may be chaotic and might only add to the stress. Following our tips ensures that you have a smooth trip and you face no hassles on the way. Pack up and get going. Bon Voyage!  

Clair Ricketts
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