Top Tips for Your First RV Road Trip

Top Tips for Your First RV Road Trip

It has been on your bucket list forever and you dream of being on the open road. You imagine that sense of freedom and adventure. You’re not alone because an estimated 9 million RVs are registered in the US. The RV Industry Associations says that 1 million of those are used as full-time residences in 2020. Younger people are getting in on the act too, with sales in the 35-55 age group rising steadily. Some wait for retirement to spread their wings, while others take their work on the road with them. It all seems idyllic but there’s a lot to consider. Even if you can’t head off right now, you can certainly investigate and plan. We’ve constructed this list of important things to consider before you embark on your first RV road trip.

Health and Safety Checklist
Safety should always come first, so here is a checklist of must-dos before departure!

• Before you set out, make sure your first aid kit and roadside emergency kit are in a place that’s always accessible.

• Your vehicle should be roadworthy and up to date with services and MOTs. Before departure, take some time to check your tires and engine, and do a short test trip.

• Know your vehicle because it’s a monster. To avoid any unwanted problems with access, make sure you know its weight and dimensions.

• To stay alert and avoid accidents, take ample breaks. Generally, it’s advisable to take 15-minute break every two hours with a maximum of 8 hours within a day. If you have another driver on board, take turns to ensure you get the rest you need.

• It seems obvious but knowing your tank’s reserve capacity means you’ll always have enough gas to get where to your next stop.

Travel Light
Whether you’re going it alone, travelling with a group or family, you need less than you think! To avoid cluttering your space, think about what you really need before packing.Remember, you can use laundry services along the way, and you can cook many dishes in the same utensils. Picture yourself on the road and think about items you need, ensuring your environment doesn’t feel cluttered with unnecessary things. Making lists is an effective way of working this out.You can break them down into categories like Kitchen, Bed & Bath, Activities, Tools, etc.


Essential Tools
Tools can be big and bulky so it’s advisable to get compact sets that cover a multitude of jobs.
Home Repairs sets with your basics like screwdrivers, allen keys, plyers are useful. The same goes for wrench sets. “Make sure you have the appropriate lug nut wrench in there too! Head lamps, flashlights and torches are a must, and you can easily carry battery and dynamo lights. That way, you have a backup in case of power problems. A good quality digital tire gauge will measure your tire pressure accurately,” says Sam Klive, atravel blogger at Write My X and Nextcoursework. Levelling blocks will help stabilize your RV on almost any surface – handy if there’s been heavy rainfall at your campsite!

Cooking and Eating
Fast food may be quick and easy, but when you feel like some good old homemade or healthy food, pull out your utensils and start cooking. Your body and your budget will thank you later! It’s good to have some basic seasonings and condiments from the get-go.Canned foods are a great addition to your food stock and are easily prepared, but don’t be under the impression that you should hide your culinary skills while on the road. Afterall, what do you need to cook up a nice steak dinner or a chicken fajita?There are plenty of healthy delicious dishes that don’t need much prep space.If you’re travelling in rural places, check out local sources for fresh produce in the area.


Technology & Communication
“When free Wi-Fi is shared it often just isn’t good enough, and this can be a common problem on the road. If you’re working remotely, or just want to stream movie, you’ll need a solid connection. You might want to consider investing in a hotspot modem that will connect to your nearest accessible network,” explains Iris Dan, alifestyle blogger at Britstudent and Australia2write. This handy gadget will allow you to create your own private network for several devices. You’ll have sockets for charging all your devices, but if you plan on stopping in serviced areas, you can always take the opportunity to top up your charge! Many opt for small solar panels on their roof to cover device recharging and refrigeration. Two-way radios are an old favorite for communicating between vehicles or within a campsite.

Where will you sleep?
The best advice is to plan your route and check out your options along the way.It really depends on your budget and what kind of experiences you’re looking for. You might like the idea of mixing it up;alternating between campsites and boondocking is a budget friendly way of parking up. There are lots of apps and sites out there with detailed directories, so you won’t have any problem finding what you’re looking for.Campsites are a great idea for families, or simply having downtime on your trip. Some campsites have sophisticated facilities that will ensure you can have a nice relaxed rest before you hit the road again.If you’re planning on just pulling up spontaneously and parking up for the night, check the laws around ‘boondocking’ in that state. If you’re willing to do the research, you’ll find that there are plenty of places where you can park for free. RV forums and network groups have up to date information on free designated sites and businesses that allow RV parking on their premises.


Ultimately, the most important thing is to enjoy it. Being organized and setting up your RV to your advantage will make a World of difference to your daily life. If it’s a lifestyle revamp you’re looking for, plan a few trips to see how you feel on the road.If you want to make that dream a reality, stay connected to your vision of RV life.


Katrina Hatchett, a lifestyle blogger at Academic Brits and writer for Assignment Help, is involved in many business projects. She enjoys identifying project problems and find solutions for these, and her goal is to improve the effectiveness of our communication. She also writes for PhD Kingdom blog.