Read RV Park Reviews Before Making Reservations
There are many websites out there that showcase RV park reviews from all over the country, and looking into the overarching opinion of a location ahead of time could save you from a disappointing venture. By doing this, you’ll gain insight into what amenities are available, how the staff treats their guests, what the view is like, etc., and you’ll be able to ensure that the location you choose has what you desire.
While reviews are not the be-all and end-all of what a business is, it’s best to take them with a grain of salt, but if the majority of opinions are overwhelmingly positive or negative, it’s safe to bet that you’d end up having a similar experience.
Have a Professional Look Over Your RV
There is nothing worse than finally hitting the road towards your exciting destination only to have something major malfunction. This is why it’s always in your best interest to have a professional mechanic look over your recreational vehicle and give you the go-ahead before you start your trek.
It may be irritating to add one more step to planning your vacation, but it’s well worth both the time and money you’ll spend to avoid using your vacation time sitting on the side of the road waiting for roadside assistance; besides, the peace of mind you’ll have knowing you and your family are safe is priceless.
If you have enough skills to look over the vehicle yourself, here is a detailed RV maintenance checklist to make sure you don’t forget something important.
Safety First
Especially when travelling with family or pets, make sure you are equipped with the tools to handle any emergency and prevent accidents. A well stocked first aid kit is a must to deal with scrapes and bruises along the road. Don’t cut your trip short because you forgot to bring proper bandages or medicines.
Another way to keep your family safe is to make sure you have a working RV backup camera installed. Backing up an RV is a challenge for even the most experienced drivers. A backup camera can keep your family safe whether they are inside or outside your vehicle.
Come Prepared for Weather Variations
When traveling long distances, it’s incredible how swiftly the weather can change its tune on you, especially in the springtime. You may dress for summer when leaving your home state and end up encountering cold rain, high winds and even snow only a few hundred miles later.
You don’t want bipolar weather conditions to rain on your parade, so you should always look up the weather forecast of each area you’ll be traveling through. Because these aren’t 100% accurate, bring warm layers with you just in case Mother Nature decides to throw a surprise your way.
Don’t Forget the Little Things
Small pleasures make all the difference in life, and they can be the best aspects of any road trip, especially when traveling with children or anyone who gets bored easily. To keep the RV trip a fun experience for the whole party of travelers, here are a few things to bring with you:
- A playlist of songs. Music helps keep the ride interesting and the driver/passengers alert. To make it fair to everyone, create a playlist of songs with an even number of suggestions from all travelers
- A variety of snacks. Traveling for long hours in a small compartment can bring out the grouchiness in anyone, and when you pair that with a feeling of being hungry, your passengers can get cranky quickly. Poor moods can wreck havoc on any trip, so make sure you bring a plethora of snacks on board, as you will often be far from any gas station or restaurant.
- Means of entertainment. Aside from music, you want to think of ways to keep all travelers engaged and excited. There are countless road trip games to try out, such as the alphabet game, license plate game, etc.
- A high quality camera. One of the most appealing parts about traveling is taking the time to enjoy the beautiful world around you. It’s one of the few times that you’re not too busy to appreciate the scenery, so you want to make sure to bring along a high quality camera that takes crisp, clear pictures in order to help you document your experience.
- A list of attractions. Chances are, you’ll be driving your RV through many small towns that you’ve never been to before. You don’t want to miss the chance to see what these strange places have to offer, so do some research online and make a list of things to stop and see. Whether it’s a five-star restaurant, an unusual statue, or an alluring vantage point, you’ll make more memories if you take advantage of what unique opportunities pop up on your journey.
At the end of the day, making your RV trip worthwhile really comes down to exercising simple preparation and having a thirst for adventure. That said, stay safe on your next trek, and remember that the journey is just as important as arriving at your destination.
