Camping in an RV is a completely different experience than tent camping. There are a few different challenges and rules to follow. But there are also so many advantages that make your camping experience even better. If you want to be prepared for the best RV camping experience, these 10 tips will help.
1. Get familiar with your RV before your trip
We know it’s exciting to buy an RV and you can’t wait to get on the road, but we encourage you to comfortable with your RV before heading to new and unknown destinations. Practice driving your RV, preferably in a large open parking lot. Practice driving in reverse. And practice parking. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be when on the road.
In addition to driving, take time to familiarize yourself with how to level your RV. You will be thankful when you are setting up camp.
2. Pack a tool box and essential tools
You never know exactly what will happen when you’re on the road or at camp, so it’s wise to be prepared. Essential tools may look different for you as a new RVer than when you were camping in a tent. Here are some tools you want to have on hand just in case:
- Bungee cords
- A level
- Socket set with extensions and adapters
- Batteries (think of all the sizes being used in your RV)
- Tire pressure guage
- Screwdrivers (Philips and flat heads)
- Wrenches (multiple types)
- Pliers
- Cordless drill
- Hammer
- Zip ties and duct tape (you can do so many things with them)
- Flashlight, headlamps, or both
- Tape measure
3. Make sure you know the rules
Not all campgrounds are the same and you can’t park your RV and set up camp just anywhere you decide. Take time to understand the rules of where you are headed. Get familiar with where you can park for the night if you need to or how many days you can stay in each location.
Understanding this before you stop for the night or set up camp will help you save time and possibly the headache of needing to move by ending up somewhere you shouldn’t be.
There are also common RVer rules such as:
- Don’t walk through other people’s sites
- Spray the dump station after use
- Take all your trash with you
- Check out on time
- If boondocking, don’t park right next to a stranger unless they are comfortable with it
4. Arrive to your campsite during daylight hours
Setting up camp at night can be challenging in a larger rig. Try to leave yourself two hours of daylight to park your RV and set up your campsite. This will give you time to do things like backing into your campsite while you can easily see, leveling the RV, moving your tow vehicle (if you have one), getting your awning up and any outside areas set up like you want.
Not only will this make set up easier, but you can then enjoy your night and wake up to a ready campsite in the morning.
5. Keep an eye on the weather
Watch the weather for things that may impact your RV experience whether you are driving or in camp. This includes things like wind, thunderstorms, hail, frost, or ice. You want to know what the driving conditions will be or what you may need to do to secure your RV. It’s also helpful to keep a weather app on your phone so you will always be prepared incase of weather situations such as a tornado so you have time to get to safety.
6. Keep up on maintenance
Doing preventative maintenance on your RV and tow vehicle will help you avoid negative experiences on the road. Learn about what type of regular maintenance needs to be done on your specific type of RV and then stick to the schedule. You can do these tasks on your own if you know how or allow an RV service department to help you keep your RV in great running condition.
7. Keep a pack of clothespins with you
Clothespins are a cheap item that you can use in so many ways when RVing. You can use them to hang up clothes that need to dry. You can use them to keep tablecloths in place on picnic tables. They can be used to keep food bags, like chip bags or the bags in cereal boxes, closed tighter so food stays fresh longer. They don’t take up much room and you can find a ton of ways to use them on the road. 8.
9. Learn space saving hacks
The internet is full of tips and tricks to help you save space and figure out creative storage solutions for your RV. A few we shared in the past include:
- Hang organizers on the back of the car seats
- Utilize the backs of all doors
- Hang a pegboard in the kitchen
- Hang canning jars from the ceiling
- Buy items that nest
- Look for small containers
If you’re struggling with figuring out the best way to store things, do a quick online search to explore the options. RVers are a helpful community and love to share their ideas and what works for them.
10. Clean your RV inside and out after use
When you get back from RVing, the last thing you’ll probably feel like doing is cleaning your RV, but it’s essential for keeping it in good condition. Take time to clean out the inside to make sure you didn’t leave anything that could spoil, mold, or smell if forgotten about. Wipe everything down. Wash down the outside. Doing this cleaning also helps you notice if there are any service items or maintenance tasks that need to be done before your next trip.
The best tips we can share to make your RV camping experience a great one is to make sure you purchase the right RV for your family from the start. If you are looking to buy a new RV and want help finding the right one, contact us today to explore your options.
