5 Steps to Take to Prepare for an RV Road Trip
There are ways to escape mundane life. You can undertake hiking, climbing, and camping activities. But all these activities have limitations. If you choose backpacking, you can only carry so much itinerary. If you go camping, you can only have camping equipment. But RVs are changing the game. RVs are becoming more and more popular for their versatility and convenience – as long as your adequately prepared for the road trip.
Step 1: Choose Your RV Type & Budget
There are five classes of RVs to choose from. They range from Class A to a Travel Trailer. Class A RVs are 30 to 50 meters long, and they accommodate six to ten people. Class B RVs are a lot smaller, between 10 and 20 feet long, and they sleep two to four people. Class C RVs are in the middle, stretching 20 to 30 feet and accommodating four to seven people.
A larger version of an RV is the Fifth Wheel, which is 32 to 36 feet and can often accommodate up to 12 people. Another version of the RVs is the Travel Trailer which is 20 to 30 feet long and sleeps four to seven people.
RVing Budget
If you don’t have an RV, you can rent one. The rent prices range from $50 to $250 a night. Newer RVs are more expensive than older RVs.
Before you head out for your RV road trip, there are other costs that you should factor in. Although the RV rent cost can take up 50 % of the budget, these other smaller costs ensure a hassle-free road trip. These costs include RV rental insurance, fuel, mileage charges, campground fees, park entrance fees, dump station fees, propane costs, extra camping equipment, and food and entertainment expenses.
Step 2: Envision the Trip
While thinking about your road trip, it’s important to have a clear vision of what you plan to do. Do you envision a trip with stopovers along the road, or will you be moving from point A to B and spending most of your time in the prime destinations?
Pick your anchor locations in advance. RV parks and campgrounds at popular destinations can fill up even a year prior. Locations such as national parks are prime locations. If you’re late for booking your locations, it can influence your route and experiences.
Step 3: Choose an RV
Choosing an RV is a big part of the RV road trip puzzle. First, find the right RV within your budget that can accommodate the number of people or pets you want to tag along and the camping equipment you’ll be bringing. Here are some things you need to consider before choosing an RV.
How Many People Will the RV Accommodate?
The different classes of RVs cater to different numbers of people who will be on board. Remember to consider the space for your gear and your food. While being in an RV is comfortable, there are compromises to be made.
Type of Road Trip
The nature of your road trip will determine which RV will work well for you. Different campgrounds have different rules, which are crucial to understand beforehand. For example, most national park campgrounds don’t accommodate RVs longer than 27 feet.
If you’re thinking about boondocking, other amenities such as solar panels and generators will come in handy. If you’re using a generator, get a noise dampening generator cover box to eliminate the noise from a generator.
Do You Want a Towable or Drivable RV?
Driving a towable RV is different from driving a drivable RV. A towable RV comes as a rig that you pull on your car. But a drivable RV comes as a van.
A towable RV requires you to handle pulling a load, maneuvering, and backing into parking. On the other side, a drivable RV is bigger than a standard utility vehicle. You just need to be trained to handle what you’ll be driving. The amount of camping gear you’ll be carrying may also determine the type of RV you pick.
What Mileage Allowance Do You Need?
Different RV rentals come with varying allowances of mileage. It’s essential that you’re clear on the route you’ll take and how many miles you intend to go. This will help you calculate your fuel efficiency better.
Step 4: Consider the Camping Equipment You’ll Need
Apart from the big picture planning of the road trip, here is some other essential camping equipment to plan your trip.
Entertainment
While most of your time will probably be spent outdoors, if you run into bad weather for a day, and if your RV has a TV or a DVD player, bring some videos along that suit everyone on the trip. You can also bring magazines, books, games, and other things to serve as your entertainment.
Paper Goods
Be sure you get RV-friendly toilet paper, trash bags, and paper towels. These specific goods will ensure there is no clogging in your RV.
Outdoor Camping Equipment
It’s also good to factor in other camping equipment that might come in handy during your road trip, such as camp chairs, portable fire pits, propane grills, the Out-In-About BoxTM, and whatever else you think you might need.
Other essentials you can carry include bug repellents, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, bear spray, and headlamp, and other must-have RV camping accessories.
Step 5: Read These Bonus Tips
- Don’t drive yourself to fatigue. Instead, plan your trip in a way that you arrive at your destination energetic enough to enjoy your time there.
- Use Google Maps to calculate your approximate time, but plan with a 20%-time allowance.
- Avoid entering and leaving a city during the rush hour. Instead, plan yourself appropriately to eliminate stress.
- At all times, safety comes first. Ensure your RV is in perfect condition and pay maximum attention when driving.
- Pre-research the weather conditions expected and prepare accordingly.
A road trip in an RV is an excellent idea. But it requires some organized pre-planning to execute. There are a lot of pieces need to come together to make the experience enjoyable. When preparing for your next RV road trip, you want to maximize your space and minimize the time it takes you to pack your camping equipment. Download our free Essential Camping Checklist so you’re organized and ready when you reach the campsite, making your outdoor camping adventure easy, fun, and memorable.
