Traveling by RV can be a fun and worthwhile experience. But as fun as it might be, it’s not for everyone, as it can come with many challenges as well. Not taking all aspects into consideration can turn the whole shebang into a dangerous or expensive situation. Even the smallest detail can affect your trip for the worse.
Fortunately, we have compiled a list of things you have to consider before starting your RV adventure. Read on to know what you need to do to be prepared for whatever comes your way.
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Test your system beforehand
To avoid unpleasant surprises, always check your systems before you start your trip. You don’t want to travel half the distance to find out that you forgot a power adapter or that the vehicle is leaking and you don’t have the necessary tools to fix it. A very efficient way to make sure such problems don’t occur is to test your system a couple of days before your actual departure. This will allow you to discover possible “flaws in the Matrix” before it’s too late.
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Measure the height of your RV
While on the road, there might be places where your RV’s height might become a problem. For example, trying to pass under a bridge with a 12-foot height limit or a parking structure with low clearance can become quite problematic.
To avoid getting stuck who knows where, measure the height of your RV before you go on your trip. Having this sort of information can help you choose the right routes and places to park your RV, in compliance with the height restrictions.
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Level and stabilize your RV before filling the water tank
The feeling of arriving at the destination and finally being able to park is liberating. And even if you’re just making certain stops, you’re probably eager to park and fill the RVs water tank. However, before you start filling it up, make sure you level your RV and stabilize it appropriately. This way you can be certain that you’re using the tank space to its fullest.
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Empty your RV’s water tanks before hitting the road
Usually, there are three types of water tanks that RVs are equipped with: a fresh water tank, a gray water tank, and a black water tank. These can be filled up rather fast, depending on each RVs system. Getting rid of the water before you go on your trip will decrease the RVs total load. This will help with fuel efficiency and make your vehicle run faster, even if towing another car.
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Buy a handheld vacuum
A handheld vacuum is an extremely useful tool. Apart from the fact that it can run for hours, it can be used in various situations, like gathering the debris “collected” by your traveling home. If you want to have a clean home, while on the road, you can efficiently use a handheld vacuum for the countertops and floors.
Even if you’re a tidy and organized person, it still pays off to have a handheld vacuum at hand, because you’ll surely need it.
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Invest in command hooks and suction cups for your RV
If you want to maximize the space inside your RV, buy adhesive hooks and suction cups. These can usually hold around 5 pounds maximum, so you can use them to store all sorts of items such as towels, clothing and other necessary things.
Other useful items would be magnetic strips. These can be used for metallic items such as knives and the like.
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Use solar energy to stay self-sufficient
From time to time, you might need to camp your RV in a place with no electrical or water connections. This might be problematic if you need to charge your devices. Apart from portable chargers, it’s also useful to have permanent solar energy devices as backup. This way, you won’t have to worry about your AC not working on a torrid day.
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Find free camp spots
Traveling with an RV has become more and more popular in recent years. Unfortunately, this has made things more complicated in terms of finding a camping spot. As the demand has increased, finding affordable RV parks can be tricky.
Luckily, you can also find places where you don’t have to pay for parking your RV (but no electricity and water tough). To find such places, you can use apps such as like iOverlander or Campendium. If you’re the old-fashioned type, you can just buy a map with all the Bureau of Land Management designations and free camping grounds.
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Use a signal booster
During your trip, you might end up in certain places with low signal or no signal at all. This can be quite troublesome if you use your smartphone’s GPS for directions. To make sure you don’t end up stranded in the middle of nowhere, buy a signal booster. Such a device relies on a bigger antenna and is able to find a connection faster and more efficiently, no matter the distance from cell phone towers. Even if you are in a no-service area, a booster will be able to find service connection.
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Invest in a hybrid fridge for your RV
A cooler might seem like the best solution while on the road. However, the downside of using a cooler is that you also need to great deal of ice. Do you know what’s even better than a cooler? A hybrid fridge that works both with electricity as well as propane. This way, you can ensure that your foods and drinks are properly stored and the right temperature even if you have no ice or electricity.
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Invest in a collapsible storage
When space is limited, efficient organization is crucial. Enter collapsible storage. If you use collapsible storage containers, you can save a lot of space and have everything orderly arranged and easily accessible while you’re RV is parked. The added bonus is that they won’t bother you or take up much space while on the road.
Traveling by RV is a great way to enjoy a family vacation by your own rules and needs. If you like to socialize you can do it in RV camps, if not, you can choose to limit your interactions with others by camping in more secluded places. Either way, you decide. You can visit the place that you want with your family and close friends and even take your furry friend with you, without having to worry that animals are not allowed. Here are some of the advantages of RV travel:
- You have more control over your vacation. You decide who comes along, where you go and when you stop.
- You avoid the airplane queues, the over-crowded hotels and restaurants.
- An RV trip is much more affordable than other types of vacations. You have accommodation, food and travel in one place.
- It is a great way to explore the outdoors and reconnect with nature, while maintaining a similar comfort to that of your home.
- It’s a terrific way to make great memories.
- You can bring your pet without worrying about finding a babysitter or a pet hotel while you’re away.
- RVing is a great way to disconnect from the hectic life in the city. Stay off the grid for a day by camping your RV in a place where you can fish, hike, swim and perform other outdoor activities.
Read also:13 Useful Car Features You Didn’t Know You Might Have
