You’ve done the research. You’ve honed in on what you want. You stepped into several models on your quest. Now, you’ve found it. The recreation vehicle of your dreams.
If you’ve made it to the point of purchase, then you already probably have a pretty good idea of how you’d like to spend your time with it. However, now that the papers are signed and the RV is sitting in your driveway, you need to do a few things before you make your first big outing.
Doing these things help to make your first trip more fun and less stressful, which is exactly what you’re looking for by traveling and camping via RV anyway.
Get to know your RV.
As you are aware, there are lots of RV types, which means there are a lot of obvious differences – towable, motorized, sports utility, short, long, compact, sleeps eight. You get the picture. Before you purchased your RV, you made sure that it would be able to handle the number of people you expect to be camping. You likely wouldn’t have chosen a Class B campervan if you have a family of six. You would have opted for a travel trailer or pop-up camper instead.
To really enjoy the RV lifestyle, you need to know the in’s and out’s of your chosen RV and its various systems. It’s like a sticks and bricks house. You know what sounds to expect and what sounds are “different.” This takes time, of course, but try to learn as much as you can before you embark on that first anticipated camping trip.
You need to know where the breakers are located. Systematically check all systems and appliances to make sure they work as intended and where they are located on the breaker panel. The most important breaker to know is the location of the GFI circuit. Know where to find a spare tire, where to hook up water and sewer hoses, how read the dashboard.
Practice setting up and breaking camp.
Practice makes perfect. You should avoid setting up camp in the dark, but if it came to that, you should know how your RV works and handles so well that you can practically do it with your eyes closed. To practice, put out your slides, hook up water and sewer if you have it. Learn your switches, such as those that make steps go out or awnings go up.
Then, go in reverse. Break camp. Practice putting everything away neatly and in a designated location – and in a way that doesn’t cause damage. Put away antennas and awnings. Following a checklist like this one can be a big help so that nothing gets missed. This is just a starting point, and you can adjust the checklist to suit your approach to setting up or breaking down the campsite.
Learn to drive.
If you’ve never driven a large motorized RV before, then go to an empty parking lot and give yourself a driving test. Get used to the breaks, the heaviness of the vehicle, its propensity to shift its weight, how well you can see, how the backup camera works. Practice backing into a tight space – a space about as wide as a campsite.
The same goes for a towable RV. Get used to hooking it on to your tow vehicle, check the brake lights, practice making turns and backing in. Understand your blind spots.
You need to feel as comfortable as possible on the road and at the campground. Taking some practice drives will help you to accomplish this – and you’ll be a safer RVer as a result. (Check out this article for more driving tips.)
Don’t be too quick to make changes.
When it comes to things such as solar panels, generators, appliances, lighting fixtures, etc., take your time getting to know and understand your RV – and to do the research before you make any additions or switches.
Some things, however, may be quick to fix, such as cabinet handles, storage organization, and adding command hooks everywhere. A mattress, whether it’s for the main bedroom or bunks, is one of those in-between things. Many RVs don’t come equipped with a comfortable mattress, but there are things you can do to make your sleeping areas more comfortable. RV forums also offer a lot of advice from seasoned RVs as to where to find a good mattress for your RV – and sheets that fit more snugly than standard sheets from your home linen closet.
Be intentional in using your RV.
You just made a big investment, and you had dreams when you bought the RV – so don’t let it sit idle. If they aren’t used, then electrical can go bad, the gaskets can rot, or the tires can get flat. RVs last longer if you’re using it and maintaining it. Meaning, make some goals as to how you want to use your RV. And, RVs are meant to be used.
Look at your entire year and make your plans accordingly. Do you love traveling so much that you want to spend one long weekend every month someplace new? Have you always wanted to camp in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for the entire month of September so that you never miss a leaf change color?
Planning ahead not only helps you utilize your RV, it helps to ensure that you have a place to camp. Sure, it can take some thought and a little legwork to get all the ducks in a row. Sure, life gets busy, and it’s easy for us to put off our plans when we feel overwhelmed with everything else going on.
Remember, RVs are a way to help you relax and get away from it all. When that weekend you marked on the calendar rolls around and you know you’ll be sitting at a campsite looking at Lake Michigan with a beer in your camping chair pocket and dinner cooking in a Dutch oven, it’ll be all worth it. And if you have kids, yes, it is worth “dragging” them along. They’ll thank you for it later.
Enjoy life.
RV ownership opens up new doors to experiences you may have otherwise not have had. An RV gives you freedom, a chance to get away from home (and work), and to try new things or spend much-needed time with old favorites. You may find that you love to fly-fish or kayak; you may grow to become an expert in minerology of the Great Lakes. You can embrace your passions and your pursuits. RVing is intended to be fun. So get out there, and enjoy your life!