Outline Your Route
The first thing you’ll need to do before starting your trip is to decide where to go! Spontaneous trips are always fun, but it’s helpful to have a basic idea of where you’re going and for how long. Are you taking a trip to the local campground for the weekend or doing a cross-country tour of all the national parks?
It is a good idea to make a list of RV parks, national monuments, tourist attractions, and places that will help you daisy chain your route.
Once you have a basic idea of where you want to go and for how long, start thinking about the places you’d like to see along the way. Google Maps is a great place to start and can help you identify the routes that will take you through busy metropolitan areas and which will take you through scenic, less-congested areas that are better suited to RVs.
Create Your Timeline
Once you’ve established the route you want to take, you’ll be better able to map out your timeline. You don’t have to budget every minute of your day—unless that’s your thing—but you should know about how long you’d like to stay in each spot. This step of planning is especially important if you’re planning to stay at busy campgrounds that are unlikely to have spare spots available. You’ll need to show up on time for your reservation and check out before your time is up.
Build a Budget
Though RV camping is generally an affordable travel option, you’ll still need to plan your budget. Remember to keep these things in mind:
- Transportation, including RV rental fees (if you’re renting), other transportation, gas and vehicle maintenance.
- Accommodations, including campground fees and hotel rooms.
- Food for you and your travel companions.
- Costs associated with sightseeing and other trip activities.
Purchase RV Insurance
Don’t skip this step! If you don’t already have insurance, make sure you get it before your trip. It will help you keep your rig and everything in it safe in the event of an accident.
Make Checklists
Making checklists now will save you some scrambling later on. Make lists of the food you’ll need, the spare parts you should pack, the clothes you want to bring and anything else you can think of. Making a checklist before its crunch time will help ensure you don’t forget anything.
Pack What You Need
We’re all used to packing clothes and toiletries when we go on a trip, but you’ll probably need to pack more essentials for your RV trip, including plates, cutlery, pillows, bedding, toilet paper and more. Don’t forget to add those items to your checklists!
Secure Your Items
Your RV is meant to be your home away from home, but don’t just leave all your stuff sitting out in the open before you hit the road. Sharp turns and potholes could send your items flying and create a mess for you to clean up later. So, put your items away and secure cabinets before you get started.
And that’s it! Follow this checklist and you’ll be all set to make the most of your next RV trip. With all of the details of your trip taken care of, you’ll be free to enjoy yourself and make memories of your latest adventure.