Tips for First Time RVers
So you’ve recently bought or are seriously considering buying your first RV or travel trailer. That means you’ll be thinking about taking your first trip in it. While this prospect can be daunting, you can ensure your maiden RV voyage goes swimmingly by planning ahead and keeping things organized. At Cedar City RV of Tennessee, we remember what it’s like to have those first-time jitters, so we’ve prepared this handy list of tips for novices to the recreational vehicle lifestyle. Follow these and you’ll be on the road towards a memorable and relaxing vacation in no time!
Plan Your Journey
Every great trip starts out with at least a little planning. You don’t want to find yourself lost for hours or in a bad situation because you didn’t look ahead or anticipate problems. This means your first priority should be narrowing down where you want to go well in advance of actually going there, so you can book a campsite and have it ready for you. Campsites will fill up quickly, particularly during the warmer months, so reserve your space as soon as you know where you’re going. Look up local attractions and see what amenities the RV park offers to make sure it’s suitable for you and your family, with easy access to the activities you want to do.
Get everyone’s schedules aligned so that you can take off work or school as necessary without causing any abrupt shifts in routine. Look up routes to your destination to see if there are any traffic or construction concerns you may want to avoid, or scenic routes you might want to take that offer photogenic views or places of historical interest. Determine how long you’ll need to spend on the road and give yourself an extra day for traveling in case you get a late start or need to stop early or even just want a little more time to unwind.
Organize!
Organization goes along with planning, since you can’t really have one without the other. Maintaining a spreadsheet or checklist that everyone going on the trip can access and update will help you to stay on a schedule, even if it’s a pretty loose one that leaves a lot of room for spontaneity. Get everyone involved in the prep work and break up tasks into smaller portions so you don’t feel like you have a bunch of insurmountable jobs to complete ahead of your trip. Write up how to set up and break down the campsite and maybe practice this on a weekend before your trip, so you know how your RV’s slide-outs work if it has them.
If you have a trailer, knowing how to level it is important and probably something you should practice at home. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with best towing practices, too, so that you’re confident when you hit the highway. Make sure both your towing vehicle and your trailer are in good shape and that the tires on both are evenly pressured.
Pack Lightly
While your RV or trailer may seem like it has infinite space to hold everything in the space-time continuum, you’re unfortunately bound by Earth’s gravity and manufacturer’s weight ratings, so you’ll have to take weight into consideration as you pack. You’ll want to store some things on your RV so they’re available to you every time you use it, including bed linens and blankets, pillows, first aid kits and medicine, flashlights, batteries for your electronics, silverware, lightweight plates and cups, and a few pots and pans for cooking. The more trips you take, the more you’ll be able to determine what’s most important, but this is a good starting list. Make sure you have some emergency equipment aboard, like signal flares, a mylar blanket, a fire extinguisher and a radio in case your cell phone doesn’t get service where you are.
If you know you’ll have access to laundry facilities either on your RV or at the campsite, pack only a few outfits that you can wash and wear again. You probably only need a few pairs of shoes -- comfortable walking shoes, hiking boots and sandals are all good options. Pack rain gear like raincoats and umbrellas just in case the weather turns and a few warm layers for chilly nights by the fire. Bring your favorite electronics, of course, but try to limit your possessions to what you’ll actually use, like fishing equipment or sketchbooks or sporting gear. Packing lightly means you have less work to do, won’t clutter up your space or go over your weight limits, and you can focus on the world around you instead of the stuff you brought.
If you still haven’t purchased the RV of your dreams, come down to our dealership to see our vast selection of new and used travel trailers and RVs. When your RV needs service or parts, we’ve got a dedicated maintenance department to help you out with that, too. Don’t hesitate to call or stop by to schedule a service appointment with us. Cedar City RV is in Lebanon and Smithville, serving the greater Nashville, Tennessee, metropolitan area.