10 Things You Should Never Do on an RV Road Trip

Are you ready for an RV Road Trip adventure? You’d better do your homework. RVing across the country is sure to bring you unforgettable memories to go with some Instagram-worthy photos. But it’s not all about the destinations and pit stops. You need to know the road rules before setting out on an RV trip. There are certain things you should avoid at all costs if you want to save time, money and resources. Check out this handy guide of things to steer clear of next time you set out on your RV road trip.

1. Filling Up At Normal Gas Stations

Plenty of people steer clear of truck stops thanks to their reputation for unruly drivers and questionable food. But truck stops are an RVers best friend during a cross-country trek.

That’s because they’re specifically designed to handle the size of larger vehicles. The extra space will make backing out and parking a cinch, especially compared to the compact area in a standard gas station. Keep an eye out for truck stops on your road trip - unless you want to end up like this guy.

Related Read: Lower Gas Prices Equals More Fun in Your RV

2. Driving Through Storms
We’ve all driven in hazardous conditions. From ice storms and blizzards to giant walls of dust, driving always presents new and unexpected challenges.
While you may be able to emerge from a storm unscathed, you’re much better off avoiding storms altogether. Make sure you check weather conditions before setting out for your RV trip. Continue to monitor the weather to make sure you’re avoiding any incoming storms during your drive.

3. Packing Electronics

Yes, you heard me. This might sound radical in the era of social media and instant streaming, but packing electronics actually makes road trips worse.

Everyone put down their pitchforks? Good. Things like laptops and tablets are an unnecessary waste of space on an RV, especially when even the finest campgrounds have spotty wi-fi. Yes, you can bring your smartphone. But don’t expect it to get data when you’re deep inside a national park. You can overcome this by pre-downloading things like music, podcasts and directions. Word to the wise: use Google offline maps to download directions straight to your phone.

The exception to this would of course be if you are workamping or working from the road.

4. Buying a Day Pass at a National Park

Expenses add up on road trips. The cost of food, gas and campground passes can put quite the financial strain on your outdoor adventure.
It’s important to cut corners whenever possible to limit your costs. One way to do this is by purchasing an annual National Park Pass. These nifty passes only cost $80 and will grant you unlimited entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas. This way, you can visit all the parks you desire without having to worry about expensive day fees.

Related Read: Why All Roadschoolers Should Have an America the Beautiful Pass

5. Loading up on Canned Food

Many first time RVers make the mistake of stocking their pantries with canned food. While some is okay, you can definitely survive by only packing a few canned items. The best strategy is to meal prep before your trip. Make a checklist and map out your meals before heading to the grocery store. Don’t overpack. You can always make a last second run to the store when running low on supplies.

6. Parking Solo

Parking can be tedious for RVers - especially those on their first trip. It takes some getting used to the massive size and blind spots you’ll encounter with your RV.

Grab a spotter when turning out of camping spots, gas stations, and parks on your trip. Use them to direct you until you get comfortable parking by yourself. Even experienced vets take advantage of backup cameras to help them get out of jams. Swallow your pride and ask for help if you want to enjoy an accident free vacation. Trust us.

7. Bringing Too Much Water
It might seem counterintuitive to suggest leaving water behind. After all, we’ve all seen what happens when campers run out of this precious resource.
Here’s the thing: water is heavy. Stocking up on gallons and gallons of fresh water is a surefire way to weigh down your RV and run out of space. RVers can survive on only a few gallons of water - especially if they’re planning on staying at a campground. Stock up when you reach a campground’s aqua supply and remember to dump your tanks frequently. Your RV - and your nose - will thank you later.

Related Read: Conserving Water When You Are a Full-timer

8. Skipping Reservations
You might think that there is no shortage of camping spots for your RV, from the many national parks to the RV-friendly WalMarts. The truth is, many campgrounds have strict regulations when it comes to RVs.
Some campgrounds have restrictions on RV size and age. They may also refuse you if you are RVing with a child or pet. Even worse, many of these spots fill up quickly - especially near popular tourist destinations. The last thing you want to do after a 500-mile drive is scramble for a last-second parking spot. Research campgrounds and read campground reviews in advance to line up your best options.

9. Driving Too Fast
Slow down, speed racer. Speed limits may be an afterthought for drivers during their morning commute, but they’re critical to your safety inside an RV.
Exceeding the speed limit in your RV is a surefire way to waste fuel and put yourself in danger. RV accidents are often the result of speeding - thanks to their slow brakes and wide turns. Most driving experts recommend you never exceed a 65 mile per hour speed and they even suggest driving under the speed limit.
Stay in the right lane, take it slow, and enjoy the sights. Isn’t that what road trips are all about?

10. Winging It
RVing is all about adventure. So mapping out an itinerary will spoil all the fun, right?
While you can certainly add spontaneity to your trip, completely winging your trip can get you into a lot of trouble. You might have issues finding gas stations, full hookups, and can even run into expensive tolls.
Map out your route in advance of your RV road trip with an RV trip planner. This way, you can better plan your total drive time, your stops along the way, and your destinations. Feel free to adjust on the fly - but make sure you have a general plan if you want to make the most of your trip.

Adi Hed is a writer and traveling enthusiast. He’s also the co-founder of Tadibrothers, which specializes in Backup Camera Systems and safety equipment for RVs and other vehicles. When he’s not traveling or in the office, he can be found writing on The Tadibrothers blog at https://www.tadibrothers.com/blog/