5 Useful Tips for RV Camping
If you just got your new RV, the idea of taking your new ride on an RV camping trip can be pretty exhilarating but terrifying at the same time. This is why you need to understand a few tips beforehand to help you navigate the experience and make the most of your first trip.
This article was written with this in mind. It provides five of the most useful RV camping tips. Ensure to read and understand the following tips before hitting the road.
Practice Driving Your RV
Practice driving the new RV you bought from RV dealers in Wisconsin, or wherever you may have bought it. This helps you get accustomed to how the RV drives, which is essential, as RVs are more extensive than cars and therefore have different handling.
Practice in different scenarios. You can start with reversing, parking, making hairpin turns, driving uphill and downhill, etc. This will ensure that you can make any necessary maneuvers once your RV is on the open road.
Make Reservations
Rather than boondocking on your first RV camping trip, making reservations for your destination is ideal. You can always dry camp once you gain more experience.
To get the smoothest ride, prepare as much as possible to avoid any surprises and hiccups on your journey. Without making reservations, you run the risk of finding the camping ground you were going to already fully occupied. This is inconvenient, especially if you arrive late and exhausted.
Most campgrounds fill up quickly during RV season (from Memorial Day to Labor Day). To enjoy the campground fully, you can either avoid this busy season or make your reservations early to avoid disappointment. For first-come, first-served campgrounds, ensure to arrive very early.
Avoid Over-Packing
When you go on your first RV camping trip, you will be excited about the ample space at your disposal, as it’s a lot more than when you go tent camping. However, the space and cabinets can fill up extremely fast if you do not keep track of how your pack.
It is essential to keep your RV organized and carry everything you need on your trip. Prepare a list detailing your essentials before adding everything else you want to bring along on your trip. You can then judge what you need to leave behind based on the space your essentials occupy.
Carry Paper Maps and Downloadable Guides
Don’t rely entirely on technology when you go camping. Even though Google maps can be very reliable, you still need cellular service to access the Internet.
If you are going RV camping in a remote location, carry paper maps of the area you are camping in as a backup in case you lose your cellular service. This will help to ensure that you can navigate the terrain and will keep you from getting lost.
You can also get a downloadable RV travel guide to help you navigate. They work even after you lose your cellular service. Additionally, you can print downloadable guides before you go camping.
RV travel guides are preferred over maps as they provide suggested itineraries and routes. They even have local tips, indicate multiple boondocking spots and campgrounds, and show interesting places to visit or fun activities to do.
You can also print a campground map to help you navigate the campground in case you arrive after office hours.
Pack Essential Tools
Carry a tool kit when going RV camping. This is essential as you can never account for everything on the road, but staying prepared will prevent any setbacks.
An excellent way to pack essential tools and prevent overloading on spare parts is to prepare a checklist. This will ensure that you carry everything you need and can service your RV in case something stops working.
Some tools to carry include these: a small lever, a multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver set, duct tape, multi-tools, hooked bungee cords, socket sets with extensions and adapters, headlamps, tire pressure gauge, rubber gloves, hatchet and hammer, first aid kit, and batteries.
The Bottom Line
Knowing how to prepare for your RV camping trip is the first step in making it successful. This post has given you five comprehensive tips to help you understand everything you need to do before hitting the road.
Read through to prepare for your camping trip adequately. You can also prepare a checklist to ensure you follow every tip outlined above.
