Planning an RV trip can be daunting, especially if you’ve never been on one before. You’re excited to go out and explore the great outdoors, but you’re not exactly sure where to start. After all, there are so many different places you could go. It can be challenging to narrow down the possibilities and figure out the best plan of attack. 

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Fortunately, you don’t need to know everything at once. Instead, you need to know a few essential tips.

Keep reading if you’re looking to get the most out of your next RV trip. Here are six great tips for planning that perfect RV trip.

Choose the right RV for your needs.

Before you even get to the planning stage, you need to choose the right RV for your needs. There are various types of RVs, and they vary drastically in features, size, and style. The first thing to consider is what kind of trip you want to go on. Is it going to be a solo adventure? Will you be exploring vast landscapes? Or will people be joining you along the way? Once you’ve figured out what kind of RV would work best for your needs, it’s time to consider style and size. A website that sells RVs such as RV Wheelator can help you narrow down your choices to figure out which is best for you.

Make sure you know how everything works before setting off. 

If you’ve never been on an RV trip before, it’s best to research and learn how the vehicle works. Knowing how everything works before your first RV trip will help you hit the ground running.

  • Know all the RV basics
  • Where are the switches?
  • What does each knob do?
  • How does the water pump work?
  • How do I change a tire?
  • What are all the different lights on my dashboard?

It may seem like a lot of information to take in at once, but this knowledge will be essential to ensuring your safety while driving. If you happen to own your RV check if there is any renovation that needs to be done before setting off on your adventure, Check on this ultimate guide to renovating an RV by vehiclefreak.com

Master cleaning your toilet

If your RV comes with a toilet, you need to know how to clean your toilet safely. If you are hiring your RV, you should follow all the provided instructions carefully to avoid damage and accidents.

Take some time to practice emptying and refilling your toilet and knowing where you can and can’t empty black water from your toilet. Get to know the chemicals required for each step of the process and how much use your toilet takes before cleaning.

Most campsites will have a location where you can dump your black tan; however, you might end up stuck in a queue as others will likely be doing the same. But you can dump your RV black tank at home in specific circumstances, which can save you time and hassle when you are headed home and don’t want to delay leaving the site. 

Pack cooking essentials

One of the essential tips for planning that perfect RV trip is to make sure you pack cooking essentials. This means packing an ice chest and a camp stove and the pots, pans, and utensils you’ll need to prepare your meals. 

It’s important to pack these essentials because you won’t be able to cook anything in an RV unless you have some basic cooking equipment on-hand. If you want to eat something other than fast food or takeout, this is what you’ll need.

Take a tool kit

One of the most important things to remember when you’re planning your next RV trip is to bring a tool kit. You never know when you will need it! A good tool kit should include everything you need for basic fixes like wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers. You can buy a premade kit or just get the materials from local hardware stores. It doesn’t matter what type of vehicle you have; a tool kit is essential for all trips.

Arrive at your campsites before dark

One of the most essential tips for planning your next RV trip is to arrive at your campsites before dark. You don’t want to set up camp when it’s dark and don’t know where you are. Finding site numbers will also be challenging, as many popular sites are usually taken when it gets dark if you have booked ahead.

If you plan on arriving at your campsites after nightfall, make sure that you have a reliable GPS or paper map of the area. Make sure you have sufficient lighting and fuel for your RV to help you navigate to your site after dark. This makes things easier to get settled. 

Use leveling blocks

If you’ve never been on an RV trip before, one of the first things you should do is purchase leveling blocks. These are small, heavy bricks that you place underneath your tires so that your RV doesn’t rock back and forth. They take the pressure off the jacks and make it easier to stay level when you stop.

When choosing leveling blocks, it’s important to remember that they can be expensive. For ease, it might be best to look for a set that includes various sizes. If one size doesn’t work for your wheels or axles, you have a backup option available. 

Take a short local trip first.

If you’re one of those people who has always wanted to take an RV trip but is too nervous about getting started, start small! Plan a short RV trip just for the weekend. This way, you can ease yourself into the RV experience. You can explore a new area and figure out if this is something you want to do more often. If it goes well, you can plan another short trip or think about taking a longer one. 

It is a good idea to stay local, within 30 minutes to an hour of home, that way, if anything does go wrong, you can get home quickly, or if you decide it isn’t for you, you can abandon plans and make it home to your bed in no time.

An RV trip can be a great vacation for anyone providing you are happy, know what you are doing, and are comfortable with the RV you will be traveling and living in. Taking some time to understand how the RV works and how to get the best from your trip can help you enjoy it much more than simply hitting the road and figuring it out later.