Owning an RV, especially for the first time, is very exciting. You want to get out there and visit all the beautiful places you’ve always wanted to see. In recent years many people have embraced the RV life. As easy as it may seem, there are some vital preparations you have to make before hitting the road. It’s rather a large list to look at in a single article. Here are some essential guidelines for first-time RV owners:
Perfect Your Ability to Drive and Park
If it’s your first time driving and parking a large vehicle, it’s crucial you get conversant with the process before your first trip. They are usually taller and wider than your everyday rig, thus they can be a challenge for first-timers. It’s therefore compulsory that you take an RV Driver Safety class to get acquainted with your rig. Regular practice will ensure you are comfortable with your driving.
Practice on wider areas at the initial stages, then advance to heavy traffic areas to know how to tackle the challenges you may face. It would help if you also practiced parking frequently till you perfect the skill. Another crucial skill to perfect is leveling your RV and ensuring the slides are stable.
To achieve stability, you need a pair of wheel chocks, a pair of leveling blocks, and a level. These are must-have essentials you can not afford to miss if you are to camp comfortably.
Check All Systems Before Hitting the Road
Preparing your RV for your first trip might take long before you get everything ready and in perfect shape. There are some vital things you need to check before you start your trip. All your RV systems should be working perfectly before you drive away from home. Check your engine, batteries, generator, refrigerator, brakes, lights, interior and exterior, and the washer-dryer if your RV has one. A good way to make sure you don’t miss anything is preparing a checklist and clearing it a day or two before the trip. Your first camp should be somewhere not far from home. A double-check never goes wrong.
Adhere to Your Weight Limits
All RVs have a maximum weight limit. It’s usually indicated in the manufacturer’s books or online. It’s critical that you are well conversant with this information before you start using your RV. Make sure your rig doesn’t exceed the maximum limit to avoid accidents. That said, you need to have contacts of companies that offer heavy equipment transport services at hand. You’ll need them in case your RV is damaged and can not move.
Be Diligent with Your Packing
As much as an RV is your home on wheels, you should avoid bulky packing considering the amount of space and weight limit. Pack only the essential things like food, medicine, the right clothing, cooking utensils, cleaning products, and other everyday items. You’ll need to sacrifice some things that are not necessary to cater to the small space available. Use your imagination to ensure you make the best use of the space available. Your target is to carry as little as possible. In this case, organization is key, so you can easily get what you need when you need it.
Do a Comprehensive Research on RV Hotspots
First time RV owners find it had to get the perfect spot to camp. Doing research ahead of time will ensure you get a good place to meet fellow RV owners and learn a thing or two from them. It’s important to note that most hotspots are usually booked way earlier. Doing research will help you ascertain things like size limitations of the park, arrival and departure times, and the time the park is closed for the night.
Keeping these simple preparations will ensure you have successful and joyful camping on your RV.
