Summer is here, and it’s time to go on that RV trip you have been planning with your friends for so long. And what better country to tour in your bungalow on wheels other than the US? America has everything to offer to travel enthusiasts. The cities offer everything you need to enjoy your vacation. From historic places to scrumptious foods to beautiful landmarks, there is nothing you won’t get to experience in the US. One example of such a place is Fredericksburg, Texas, which attracted 1.4 million local and international tourists in 2022 due to its rich history, culture, and delicious food. Thus, RVing across America will prove to be a memorable travel adventure for your friends’ group. However, you must plan strategically if it’s your first RV trip. From the travel route to packing, you need to plan everything. So here are five tips for your first RV trip.
1. Plan Your Itinerary:
When traveling, the journey toward your destination is as beautiful, important, and enjoyable as the destination itself. That’s why you must plan all the stops you are going to make during the trip, what you will be eating, which places you want to visit etc. You will also need to pause driving for a while and get some rest to refuel. That’s why it’s also important to have a booking in an RV park that offers luxury amenities so that you can enjoy your trip even when you are not on the road.
You can search for the best RV park options in the place you are traveling to. For example, if you are traveling to Fredericksburg, TX, Firefly Resort is a very famous Fredericksburg RV park that offers a luxury experience. It has a resort-style swimming pool and offers facilities like restroom suites, laundry facilities, etc. Thus you can stay in your RV and enjoy the scenic views of the Hill Country or stay in a tiny home resort.
Gather your friend group, open Google, and plan all your stops and activities together.
2. Pack Lightly:
The excitement of your trip can often lead you to overpack. Yes, you can cook whatever and whenever you want, but this doesn’t mean you have to pack every item of cookware that you have. Or do tons of groceries for the trip.
There will be times when you feel too overwhelmed to cook a meal yourself, and when it comes to groceries, you can always get them on the go. So be practical and pack lightly. Similarly, you might not need as many clothing items as you pack. When it comes to packing for an RV trip, less is more. When you pack so many things, it will only eat up your time and storage space.
Most RVs have very limited storage, and thus you should use that wisely for only the things you will actually need. Packing a lot of things and stocking up the fridge too much also means increased use of gas. So by packing light, you will also save money on gas.
3. Don’t Forget Your Toolkit And Leveling Blocks:
It’s essential to carry a toolkit when you are driving an RV. Many things can go wrong during your trip, but if you have the right tools, you can solve any problem before it worsens. For example, if your RV’s side view mirror gets loose, you will face difficulty changing lanes safely. This puts you and others on the road in danger. But if you have a toolkit, you can fix the side view mirror in just a few minutes.
When you are on the road, you must have a backup to fix any problems. You cannot hope to find someone on the road who is magically carrying the exact tools you need and will let you borrow those as well. So it’s sensible to bring your toolkit that includes hex wrenches or Allen wrenches, scissors, duct tape, zip ties, rubber bands, etc.
Another important thing that beginner RVers often forget is carrying leveling blocks. Leveling blocks are placed under the vehicle’s wheels to level an unleveled parking spot. Your RV needs to be leveled while it’s parked. Some RV functions don’t work properly when it’s not leveled. For example, the fridge in an RV only works when the vehicle is leveled, as it depends on gravity to cool properly.
4. Buy Mattress Toppers:
Usually, RVs have a main sleeping bed and other sleeping areas in addition to that bed. But in most RVs, only the main sleeping bed has a comfortable mattress. And even though other areas are appropriate for sleeping, such as dinettes, convertible sofas, drop-down bunk beds, etc., they might not be as comfortable as the main bed. And everyone must have a good night’s sleep, so they can wake up refreshed the next day, ready for more travel and adventure.
So it’s recommended to buy mattress toppers for your RV trip. Since you are traveling with your friends’ group, not everyone can fit in a two-person main bed, and those who will get to sleep in bunk beds or convertible sofas might start complaining of them being uncomfortable. And it’s not only about your friends complaining; sleeping on hard and uncomfortable surfaces can cause hip, shoulder, neck, and back pain.
And since you will be traveling for many days, no one can afford to sleep in an uncomfortable place for that long. If someone already has a back or shoulder problem, you must be extra careful.
5. Stop Driving Every 3 To 4 Hours:
If you are planning a long trip with your friends, it’s best if you set daily travel limits and simply plan to stop every 3 to 4 hours. Traveling for longer periods consistently will make you tired and drowsy and slow down your reaction time, and these are the things you should never experience when you are behind the steering wheel.
During the stops, stretch your legs, drink water, get fresh air, eat some snacks, and simply just recharge and refresh before continuing your journey. Also, avoid driving at night. Wild animals are more active, and the visibility gets reduced too much during the night.
Conclusion:
Congratulations on finally getting the whole friends group together for your first-ever RV trip. But as exciting as it is, you must consider some very important things before you set out for your first RV trip. Driving an RV is nothing like driving a car. From what you pack to how much distance you travel each day, you need to understand and plan every aspect.