Summer is the perfect time to hit the road with the family or to take a romantic getaway for two. The open road is a great way to travel at your own pace and see all the amazing things that so many planes pass by. Drive cross-country or tour down Route 66. Go see your favorite national monuments, or check out some amazing state parks.
These are adventures that could be difficult if you were driving a car, to say nothing of the RVing experience. However, different adventures require different planning. Here are some tips for planning your perfect RV Vacation.
Destination
Ok. It’s more fun to be a bit spontaneous but having an idea where you are going is important. For instance, many mountain passes are only open for a short window in the summer, and often close during that period anyway because of mudslides. You also need to have an idea where you’re going so you can bring appropriate clothing, shoes, and outerwear. Besides, if you outline a route, you can plan the best way to visit all the things you want to see.
Checklists
You should also make some checklists. This may be less important when it is just two adults traveling, but for a family on the road, this is indispensable. For instance, if you have young ones remember that wetting the bed is always a possibility; bring extra bedding and clothes. Do you plan to eat in the RV? Remember your condiments, seasonings, cooking utensils, and the can opener. Does someone in your group get car sick? Better bring a bucket, and motion sickness medicine.
Know Your Load
Before driving the RV, make sure you know your “load.” Make sure to know how tall, wide, and long the RV is, as well as how much it weighs. In certain parts of the country, low bridges or low capacity bridges may make passage difficult. You’ll also need to know how much electricity load you have. One great thing to do is label appliances with how many amps each requires. That way you know that if the toaster is 14 amps and the electric skillet is 20 amps, and your RV only supports 40 amps, you know not to run your 15-amp air conditioner while cooking breakfast.
Maps
Always bring paper maps. You may have the best GPS system and navigation applications on each of your family’s smartphones, but the United States is a big place. Sometimes dense tree cover, driving between skyscrapers, or navigating a narrow valley can prevent you from getting a GPS signal. Even without the physical obstructions you can see, there is always satellite maintenance and solar flares to contend with — and the last thing you want is to be lost in the middle of nowhere.
RVing is a great way to travel with the whole family and see monuments, parks, and roadside attractions that you would never get a chance to see if you hadn’t hit the open road.
