Venturing out on an RV adventure holds an alluring air of excitement, yet, as with any travel, it presents its own distinctive set of challenges. To fully bask in the beauty of your road trip and guarantee a seamless journey, it is crucial to navigate around some typical trip-planning oversights. Let’s unravel those potential obstacles and show you some effective strategies to enhance your experience on the road.
1. Not Planning Your Route
Planning your route is more than just inputting your destination into a GPS. RVs come in many shapes and sizes and not all roads, bridges and tunnels are friendly to their size. Always be aware of the height of your RV and choose routes that accommodate your vehicle’s specifications. Remember to add a few inches to the overall height of your rig (and don’t forget solar panels, a/c units, satellite dishes or other items that may be attached to your roof. Give a few inches over the TOTAL height (extras included) to be sure you have enough clearance without damaging anything on your rig. Good news! Technology has an answer! Try using RV Life’s RV Safe GPS tool to plan your next trip.
2. Not Considering Weather
Weather plays a crucial role in RV travel. Always plan ahead by checking the weather along your route AND at your destination. Since RV season and hurricane season overlap and the southeastern United States is a popular RV destination, be sure that you are aware of any upcoming storms. Never push through inclement weather. Also, choose RV parks with no-fee cancellation policies in case Mother Nature (or another emergency) changes your plans. Check out this article for a list of some helpful weather apps for RVers.
3. Not Making Reservations
Want an easy recipe for stress? We didn’t think so, but not making reservations prior to your trip is definitely a recipe for finding yourself dry camping in a Walmart parking lot! Don’t assume just because a location has many campgrounds, that those camp sites will be available. For those of you traveling in more unique rigs, make sure the campground allows them. Many commercial campgrounds have 10-year rules, meaning that no campers over 10 years old may park at that location. Always check on a park’s specific rules and make a reservation before arriving, especially during peak travel times.
4. Not Planning Rest Stops
Plan your rest stops strategically. Make sure to enjoy the journey by allowing time for interesting stops along the way. Don’t forget to plan your fuel stops as well. If you happen to be traveling in our great state of Texas, there are many places here that have hundreds of miles between stops, so plan accordingly! Use the RV Safe GPS to help you navigate to stations that has your rig’s (or tow vehicles) fuel type and clearance for pulling in.
5. Going Too Fast
Let’s remember that RVs are not cars, and driving too fast in them not only jeopardizes your safety but it also reduces fuel economy and increases the risk of tire failure. Slow down, enjoy the ride, and stay safe on the road. Here are some additional tips for driving RVs.
6. Traveling Too Long
Don’t push yourself too hard. Did you know that fatigue can be as dangerous as drunk driving? Have you heard of the 3-3-3 method for RV travel? The pattern equals the number of miles you should drive in a given day (*100), the second is your ETA for your destination, and the third is the number of days you should plan to stay in a location. You can adjust to match your method of travel to a 222 or 444 rule, but don’t push yourself, remember the art of RVing lies in the sense of adventure!
7. Driving at Night
Driving at night can certainly pose a multitude of challenges. First and foremost, it significantly reduces visibility, and from the surrounding darkness, animals and other obstacles that are hard to see can come out of nowhere. After sunset, the number of available services also drastically drops. Whether you need a snack, a meal or even need to top off the tank, finding these services proves to be much more difficult at night compared to daytime driving.
8. Planning Too Many Activities
While it may seem tempting to fill up every available minute on your itinerary, give yourself room for some flexibility. Enjoy the places you visit, and don’t stress about checking off every item on your to-see list. Involve everyone in the trip planning to make sure everyone gets to do something they like. Taking a vacation means vacating things from your life, so don’t bring the “must see it all” mentality to your trip; slow down, relax, and enjoy all that your destination has to offer! Remember also, that if you don’t see it all, but want to, you can always plan a return visit!
9. Not Checking Your Campsite Before Setup
Be sure to arrive at your campsite early with plenty of available light to ensure a safe setup. Check for level ground, assess connections and make any adjustments while you still have daylight. Fumbling around in the dark trying to connect your black tank isn’t going to be a fun experience for anybody!!
10. Packing Too Much Food
Plan your meals in advance and consider purchasing necessities at your destination instead of prior to travel. From propane-restricted tunnels to unnecessary travel weight, overpacking adds weight to your rig reducing fuel efficiency and increasing the risk of equipment failure. Besides limiting weight, packing light in the fridge also allows you to try more local restaurants!
11. Overloading Your RV
OK, we could have combined these two, but there is more than just food you need to consider paring down on when packing up your RV. First and foremost, know your rig’s GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Restriction) and avoid going over it. Keep clothing and other items to a minimum, ensuring a safer and more efficient journey. Think carefully about what you bring, and remember to ask yourself if you really need that item while you are away.
12. Forgotten Essentials
A basic toolkit and first-aid kit should be the first thing you put onboard your RV. These are essential for unexpected situations. Be prepared for emergencies by keeping these items on hand at all times! Here is a great list for putting together your First-Aid Kit and this one will help you put together your toolbox.
13. Not Testing Your RV
Whether your rig is brand-spankin’ new or just new to you, conduct some short-distance practice runs before you venture out on a longer journey. Test all your onboard equipment, and familiarize yourself with your rig to avoid surprises down the road. Spend some time in your RV, too, and take an overnight or weekend trip (or a few) to familiarize yourself with your rig before setting off on your adventure.
When it comes to planning your adventure, by sidestepping a few common RV trip-planning mistakes you’ll set the stage for an enjoyable and stress-free journey. These simple, yet effective tips will have you on the road to fun times with no worries. Wishing you safe travels!