7 Useful Tips for RV Beginners

When you are just starting out with an RV, you will make several mistakes. Besides, things will be hard before they get easier, but with perseverance, you can easily overcome them. And it is evident that when you try something new, there will always be some pains. Eventually, you will learn new things about yourself and your traveling life.

Most importantly, you will also get the chance to head off on vacations and experience what you have always wanted. If you are a weekend camper, a retired couple, or a family camper looking for full-time travel, then as an RV beginner, you will need to know several important things before you go on a first ride. Here are seven useful tips for RV beginners that we have gathered from many expert travelers around the world.

First Decide Whether to Buy or Rent:

Deciding whether to buy or rent an RV isn’t an easy decision as both of them have their own pros and cons. But you can consider a few factors before making your decision:

Rent: When you want to give a try to RVing and test the waters before making a purchase.

Buy – When you plan to go on camping several times with your family or partner and have storage for times when you are not traveling.

If you want to get RV accessories, then you can head to campingworld as they have a wide range of guides listing the best products.

Tips for RV Beginners

Understand everything about your RV:

With little or no experience, it is essential that every RV beginner must take the time to learn the functionality of a motorhome, even if it is just a rental. In the future, if something breaks, then you should be able to fix the problem on your own. Doing this will eventually save you money and time. 

Besides, knowing everything about the RV will help you make fewer operational mistakes on the go. For instance, if you are unaware of the number of amps that your main breaker can handle, there is a possibility that you will blow it. 

Go for a practice drive:

Before you go on a long trip in an RV, make sure you take a short trip on similar terrain. Being an RV beginner, you won’t be able to know how to move around in a living area, how to switch lanes or ascend hills and parks. Once you understand the complexities of driving an RV, you will be able to make necessary adjustments on your long trips.

Towing is easier than you think:

Many travelers are intimidated by the thought of towing when it comes to living an RV lifestyle. But if you get over this thought, RVing will take you to destinations that you have always dreamt of. Indeed, it will take some time to learn to tow, but eventually, you will be fine with it. You need to keep in mind that perseverance and practice are the keys to success. Thus, don’t let anyone convince you that towing is more difficult than it is.

Level the RV:

One of the common mistakes that most beginner RVers make is that they forget to level their RV while parking. You should never make the mistake of thinking that this isn’t an important thing, especially when you arrive late at a destination and simply want to get done with the parking. Remember that this is an important step and needs serious attention because an unleveled RV can cause you many problems. Besides, this shouldn’t be a lesson that you learn the hard way. 

Secure your Interior & Exterior Storage Compartments:

It is essential to check whether your storage compartments are locked perfectly before you start driving the RV. If you forget to lock or secure the storage compartments, then you will see your dishes, clothes, or other items flying around in the RV. Even worse, you will see them coming out of the exterior storage compartment. Arranging them back while you are enjoying the ride can be hectic and irritating. Besides, you will even lose some of them on the road. So make sure you secure all your belongings and double-check everything.

Plan and Prepare:

Many people feel excited to hit the road as soon as they buy or rent an RV. While it may be fun and entertaining to go on a vacation in RV, you need to plan and prepare ahead of time. It will help you find the right route and carry the right items with you. If you take enough time to plan your trip and prepare well for it, your vacation will become smoother and memorable.

Here are some things that you can do to prepare for your RV trip:

• Plan your budget for the food, fun, and overnight stays on the road.
• Decide how much food you need to carry and whether you need to buy some on the way.
• Plan the route along with some additional routes as an alternative.
• Decide about the places that you would like to explore on the way.
• Think about the campgrounds where you can spend some nights.

Be aware of the dirty business of dumping the tanks:

Emptying the waste tanks is the most unpleasant task that every RVer has to do. If you don’t know how to do it, then don’t try to do it on your own. First, go through the manufacturer’s instructions as they help you better handle the things. Another option is to watch the online videos that teach how to empty the tanks with visual instructions. If you feel that you are still unaware of the process, then ask for help whenever you reach the RV park or campground. The worst thing that you can do is dump your tanks without any idea of how those things work. It can later turn into a stinky situation that you won’t ever forget.

Tips for RV Beginners Conclusion:

Being an RV beginner, you need to understand that handling it will be a learning experience for you. So always maintain a positive attitude, learn new things, and don’t feel shy to ask for help from other RVers. We hope that we helped with our best tips for RV beginners.