Hitting the Road - The Newbie RV Travel Guide
Gearing up for an RV adventure? You're in the right place! But wait, before you hit the road, we need to make sure your rolling palace is ready to go. Here's our detailed guide to getting your RV travel-ready.
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1. Step One: Check Your Rig
Kick off your pre-trip ritual by giving your RV a thorough once-over.
Inspect Your Tires: Keep an eye out for cracks, bulges, or any other signs of damage. An AstroAI Portable Air Compressor will help you ensure your tires are at optimal pressure.
Check Your Lights: Confirm that all your lights, including signal, brake, and headlights, are glowing like the stars they are.
Look Under the Hood: If you have a motorhome, ensure your oil levels, coolant, and brake fluid are topped up.
2. Step Two: Check Your Exterior
Next, we're doing a walk-around. Ensure all external parts of your RV are safe and secure.
Check all Latches and Locks: This includes storage compartments, doors, windows, and the like. You don't want your beloved lawn chairs making a bid for freedom halfway down the highway!
Don’t forget your RV steps are up and secured.
Slides and Awnings: Make sure your slides are in and secure, and your awnings are fully retracted.
If You’re Towing: Double-check all connections. Ensure your tow hitch is secure, safety chains are in place, and all lights are working correctly.
3. Step Three: Get Your Utilities in Order
Here's where we ensure your home-away-from-home is fully functional.
Water Systems: Test your fresh, gray, and black water systems for leaks.
Gas and Electric: Check your propane tanks for leaks and make sure all your electrical systems are lighting up as they should.
4. Step Four: Secure Your Interior
Now, let's pop back inside for a minute.
Secure Loose Items: Everything from your forks to your favorite novels should be stowed securely.
Double-Check Appliances: Confirm your refrigerator door is locked and make sure everything in your bathroom is secured.
Secure all interior doors and latches: Walk through the inside of your rig and touch each closet, cabinet, and interior door to make sure all are secure and closed.
5. Step Five: Plan Your Route and Reservations
With the pre-trip checks done, it's time to focus on the journey ahead.
Plan Your Route: Use RV-friendly apps to plan your route, considering your RV's size when picking roads.
Book Campsites in Advance when you can: Remember, the early bird gets the best campsite!
6. Step Six: Pack Smart
Thoughtful packing makes for a smooth journey.
Essentials: Pack necessities like medications, important documents, and enough food and water for your trip.
Gear: Don't forget your Camco Heavy Duty Leveling Blocks or your trusty Fire Extinguisher. For a full list of gear items we think you’ll need (and more importantly use), check out The Must-Have RV Gear List guide.
Fun Stuff: Pack the goodies that make your trip a blast. Board games, hiking gear, and your Big Dill Pickleball Set!
7. Step Seven: Final Checks
Just before you pull out, do one last walk-around.
Make sure all doors and windows are locked.
Are your jacks up and secure?
Check that nothing's hanging off your RV that shouldn't be, you’d be surprised what you can forget if you don’t double-check.
If you have a partner with you, make sure you both do one last walk-around. (It’ll help keep you both from reverting to the blame game later!)
And there you have it! You're ready to hit the road and start making memories. Remember, the journey is the destination when you're traveling by RV. Happy travels, adventurers! 🚐💨