6 Simple Steps for Getting into RV Travel

So, you’ve never owned an RV? But you want one? And you want to travel in or with an RV? That’s great! It’s one of the most rewarding, family-friendly ways to travel, but there are some considerations before you get started.

If you’re interested in becoming an RVer – part-time, weekender, or full-timer, you’ll need to do some research, thinking, and planning to get started. This is not a comprehensive guide for becoming an RVer, but here are six simple steps for getting into RV travel.

1. Decide how you’ll use an RV. Before you purchase an RV, you’ll want to consider what you actually need in a camper. Here are some questions to get you started:

   • Do you want to travel with friends who camp?

   • Do you want to do lots of outdoor adventures?

   • Do you like camping?

   • Do you want an affordable way to travel without hotels, cabins, etc.?

   • Do you like the freedom of picking up and moving on down the road to your next destination?

   • What kind of space do you need? Beds for everyone? Furniture that converts to a bed? Will you only camp with lots of people occasionally?

   • Do you like having the comforts of home on the road – kitchen, a nice bed, places to plug in your media, etc.?

   • Will you be using your RV for work purposes?

Pro Tip: You’ll probably go through this process more than once as you start to travel in an RV. Renting a “type” of RV is a great test drive before you purchase. You can rent Class A (motor coach), Class C (truck with camper on the back), fifth wheel (towed with a special hitch), or travel trailer (towed with a traditional trailer hitch).

2. Go to an RV show.

Want to see the most RVs in one place? Go to a large RV show. You can also go to a large dealership, but the shows often have a wide selection of new and used inventory. There’s nothing like spending a day walking through all the different types of RVs out there. You can look at all the different types, learn about floorplans, explore what makes different manufacturers unique, and get a handle on what it takes to tow, maintain, and purchase your RV.

What should you do/not do while you’re at the RV show?

• Do talk to the salespeople. Ask them questions. Have them show you around. Use that list of what you want in an RV to see campers that meet your needs.

• Don’t commit to a sale. Just because you get someone to show you an RV doesn’t mean that you have to commit to a sale. They will push, but you have the right to walk away without making a purchase.

• Do take good notes and pictures. When you get home, you’re going to be overwhelmed with information, and you’ll forget model numbers. Take a picture of the model number before you walk into an RV you like (it’s often right next to the door).

• Imagine your stuff in a camper. What fits where? Do you need more storage, or do you want more living space? Do you want an outdoor kitchen? Or do you prefer cooking indoors? These considerations will affect your purchase decision.

3. Take what you learned at the RV show and go home to YouTube.

Seriously, if you’re trying to choose between a few RVs, watch some YouTube reviews and walkthroughs. You’ll learn so much more seeing other people’s stuff in them and the product specialists (one favorite is The RV Nerd) are excellent at telling you about problems and considerations with particular models.

4. Purchase your RV and tow vehicle (if you still need to do this).

Purchasing a tow vehicle is a big part of getting started in RVing. You’ll probably want to select your RV before you purchase your tow vehicle. However, sometimes you can narrow down your choices because you already have the tow vehicle.

We did this. We had a GMC Denali 2500 diesel truck for my hubby’s work. We decided to stick with a fifth wheel that fit his tow package. We had to buy a hitch have it installed. It was easier for us (financially) to get started with a camper that met our existing vehicle specs. This is another route for getting started with RV travel – get your tow vehicle first and then purchase an RV that fits with it.

5. Make a reservation at a nearby campground and take a test trip.

We full-timers highly recommend doing several test trips within a couple of hours of your home base before you take a long trip. RVing has ups and downs and ins and outs. You’ll want to figure as many of those out as possible before you head out on a big trip.


Here are some kinks to work out before you hit the road:

• Make sure you are comfortable towing or driving your rig. This is really important because when you hit traffic, rain, difficult turns, or steep passes, being comfortable with your RV is really important.

• Make sure you know how to set up your RV. Do you understand all of the controls? Do you understand how to hook up the water? The electric? The plumbing? All those dials and knobs mean something. You don’t want to deal with black tank spills!

• Be sure you can hook it all back up and take it home. This can be the most stressful part of getting started as an RV – packing up. It takes longer than you think. And having a great checklist will help you take it home the right way.

6. Have fun out there and take pictures!
   Beginning RV travel is a lot of work. It’s a lot of decisions. It’s a lot of details. However, once you get the hang of it, it’s fun and even easy (as long as you’re paying attention and taking your time).

Our best advice for getting started is to get out there, take a trip, and don’t forget to take picture of all your great adventures!