Whether own a Texas RV, or not, there’s never been a better time to take up the RV life. Whether you’re a weekend wanderer, a snowbird or a full-timer, there’s a used RV to suit any travel budget and any taste. With baby boomers starting to hit retirement age, more and more people are taking to the road with their motor home, fifth-wheel or travel trailer. In fact, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association recently reported that nearly 8 million American households have and RV, motorhome or travel trailer and that there are as many as 30 million RV enthusiasts in the US.
Looking for a few helpful tips? Here you go:
Map it Out
A large part of the RV appeal is the exhilarating freedom of the open road to go wherever you want, whenever you still should have a solid travel plan in place. Look in travel guides, contact tourism boards in states you’ll be passing through and search on the Internet. A GPS system is a good idea, especially if you’re new to this kind of travel. If you’ve carefully designed the route you’ll be taking, it makes it easier to do spur-of-the moment things like checking out that oddball museum you just spotted on a roadside billboard!
Have A Checklist? Just Checking
As a part of your “pre-trip preparation” (in addition to the essentials) put together a thorough checklist of things to do when setting up at a campground. There are the basics, like finding out where all the campground connections are, making sure your RV is level and properly hooking up your water, gas and electric systems. Equally important, you should have a second checklist of what has to be done when you break camp, both in terms of setting up your RV for departure (quick hint: when you think the job is done and everything is ready, check again).
Be Prepared – Have A ‘Just-For-The-RV’ First Aid Kit
Always make sure you have a fully stocked, up-to-date, just-for-the-RV First Aid kit, and keep it in an outside storage compartment. It should include basic medical supplies (bandages, ointment, OTC pain reliever, insect repellant, scissors, etc.) and items like a flashlight, paper and writing implements, and a disposable camera in case you have to take photos of an accident site. If you don’t feel up to the task of putting one together yourself, an extensive range of ready-made First Aid kits are available for purchase. Also include an emergency supply of must-have medications and a list of important contact names (family members, doctors, insurance agents etc).
Camping with Kids
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to set aside time during the day for outdoor activities, as even the roomiest RV can be confining for kids. And give each child his or her own space in the RV, no matter how small, for personal stuff and toys and games. RV traveling is a unique opportunity for your children to see new and different places and faces. There are often plenty of other kids at campgrounds – but be sure to walk around a new campground with your children when you first get settled.
A Little Help From Your Friends
When in doubt, ask your fellow RVer. However well-traveled you might be, odds are there’s someone you’ll meet along the way who has been somewhere you haven’t, solved a problem you haven’t yet encountered, or spotted an out-of-the-way delight you’ve never heard of. No matter how much research you’ve done, there’s bound to be a campsite you haven’t read about, a storage system that has escaped your notice – or a funny anecdote that you’ll laugh about for years to come. The new folks you meet may or may not become close friends for life, but they’re an important part of the journey.
Storing Your RV
When your trip has come to an end, and you’ve seen all you can see, you may need a place to store your RV. Finding the right RV storage solution for your recreational vehicle isn’t always easy, but it might be a necessity, as many neighborhoods have deed restrictions and home owner associations that don’t allow for storage in your driveway. Besides a RV represents a major investment in terms of cost, time and long term maintenance, so it’s important to make sure the storage facility meets your needs for safety, access and amenities.
I can guarantee that all of us here at PPL Motorhomes look forward to one of two things: helping you get the RV of your dreams…or, dreaming about going RVing ourselves! Can you think of anything to add to this? If so, leave me a comment…(ex. A Little Help From Your Friends).