Going on a trip in your RV is a wonderful experience
Planning ahead will actually help you have more fun. While it might sound cool to be spontaneous, a good plan will reduce mishaps and problems that can ruin your vacation. RV Advisor has put together a list of tips to help make your RV trip more fun.
1. Consider who is going on the trip
Who will be traveling with you? Is it just your immediate family? A group of friends? Will there be multiple generations or people of varying ages? How well do you know the people in the group? It’s important to plan activities that will appeal to everyone in your group. Keep in mind the physical activity level and any special needs of the people traveling with you. It’s also important to note that you don’t have to do every activity together. Send the kids off on an adventurous hike or river rafting while another group does some shopping in town.
2. Research the amenities of the campground
You want to find out what activities you can do at the campground. Is there a pool or a lake nearby? Are there facilities for cooking outdoors? Do they offer free Wi-Fi or does the service offered have enough bandwidth to handle all the smart devices of an entire campground? If you’re bringing children, are there age-appropriate activities? Find out all of these details, so you choose the right campground for your needs and preferences. If you plan to bring your dog, be sure to inquire about the campground’s pet policy.
3. Make some practice meals at home
Have you ever cooked a meal over an open fire? How will you manage with more limited supplies than you have at home? What about new recipes? It’s a good idea to try out anything new before you go on vacation. The last thing you want is to throw out a meal because it didn’t turn out the way you wanted.
Also, everything is different when you have to cook outside. Things can take longer, but on the flip side, things can burn faster with an open fire, too. Also, make sure you have all the cooking supplies you need, including pots and pans, utensils, baking sheets, ingredients, and grilling tools.
4. Get familiar with your RV and camping gear
It might look easy to hook up an RV to a power supply or pitch a tent, but that’s not always the case. Do yourself a favor and practice before you leave. You also want to make sure your gear is suited for all weather conditions. Is that waterproof tent really going to stand up against a downpour? Is the sleeping bag you bought online warm enough if you ever want to camp outdoors? Do you know how to refill your water tanks? Have you ever had to dump a waste tank? If the answer is “no,” be sure and figure these things out ahead of time.
Here’s another tip: if you’ve never driven an RV before, do yourself a favor and practice that, too. You will be required to maneuver a large vehicle, often in limited space. It’s especially important to practice left and right turns, turning around and backing up.
5. Bring plenty of things to do
Although you might go on day adventures, there will be times when you just want to hang out and rest. Plus, there may be rain out days. Bring plenty of things you can do inside, like books, magazines, games, puzzles, and electronic devices like portable DVD or MP3 players so you can watch movies or listen to music. This is especially important if you’re traveling with children and you want to avoid “I’m bored!” complaints.
6. Check your attitude at the RV door
Sometimes having fun comes down to your mindset. If you set out to enjoy yourself, then you probably will. By the same token, a negative attitude can result in a miserable experience for everyone. Try to be flexible and calm, and roll with the punches, even if something goes wrong. If you temper gets frayed (as it probably will when you’re stuck with the same people 24 hours a day), take time to recharge and decompress. If you’re having fun, others will, too.
The point of an RV vacation is to have fun. Use these tips to ensure you have the time of your life. If you need more advice about RVing, become an RV Advisor Member today.
