Travel

5 Tips For Your First RV Trip Across America

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America boasts numerous natural landscapes and artificial wonders that provide a unique experience for travelers. Various people dream of embarking on an adventure across the vast land, but only a few consider journeying in an RV. A recreational vehicle (RV) is one of the best ways to travel while towing along every homely necessity to have an ideal trip without compromising comfort. The best part is it is economical, and you can have as many stops as you want!

If you’re wondering whether staying in an RV can let you partake in fun hotel amenities like pools and upscale dining, you’re lucky because some resorts allow you to hook up your RV or even stay in tiny homes. You can balance out luxury with comfort in the most exemplary way.

Here are some tips you will undoubtedly need if you’re planning your first RV trip across America. 

  1. Build An Itinerary

While setting off into the unknown sounds like a thrilling experience, it is best to set that aside for when you’re more experienced traveling in an RV. The first order of business is the same as it would be for any other trip: building an itinerary. You should plan out where your journey will start and end and list the various states you plan to explore. Set a generic number for how long you plan to stay in each location to build a concrete plan.

You might assume residing in an RV will dampen your chances of getting a glamorous resort experience. However, some resorts, such as Firefly Resorts in Fredericksburg, Texas, provide a unique RV experience with on-site hookups. If you don’t fancy staying in the RV, you can consider staying in a fire fly tiny home equipped with everything you need for a memorable stay. 

There will be plenty of fun activities at the resort. You can swim in the multi-million dollar swimming pool, soak in the gorgeous views as you lounge outside, have an outdoor cooking experience using the outdoor grill, and have a relaxing time with your family in the park.

  1. Consider The Season And Weather

America is not devoid of dangerous hurricane seasons or monsoons that could put you at significant risk. Heavy rainfall might lower visibility and cause accidents or skidding that may result in a tumultuous journey. 

Additionally, winter roads are always less than ideal to plan road trips in, as your RV may lose control if the roads are covered with black ice. Several campgrounds in the north also tend to close for months in the winter, so finding an ideal spot to camp for the night may be challenging.

Safety isn’t the only reason you should keep an eye out for the season. There may be specific attractions you’ve been eager to visit, such as theme parks or museums. Such attractions may not always be open to the public year-round. Furthermore, peak tourist seasons make it harder to get around, especially in tourist-centric places such as national parks like Yellowstone or famous theme parks like Six Flags Magic Mountain. You would have to wait in long queues and show up earlier to beat the crowds. 

However, it is better to be safe and pack clothes according to all kinds of weather to avoid getting sick. Several trusty weather tracking apps can alert you to weather changes and tell you what to expect at the next destination.

  1. Know The Basics Of Mechanical Engineering

Residing in an RV is challenging since you need to handle several technical aspects independently. You may not always be around a mechanic who can determine the technical aspects. Hence, it is advisable to have some basic mechanical knowledge that can help you have a comfortable trip with all the necessary amenities. It would help if you had a reasonably sound grip over basic systems like gas, sewer, water, and electricity. 

Keep your RV juiced by having enough battery power to last you enough to get to your following location. However, just to be safe, you should have spare tools and parts if you encounter mechanical issues on the road. 

  1. Keep Your RV Stocked With Fuel And Food

You may think you can find food just about anywhere with the tremendous expansion of fast-food chain restaurants and local eateries, but that might not always be the case. The same goes for fuel as there are usually petrol pumps at an adequate distance. However, you could go several miles in some areas without finding any service stations. 

That is especially common for the west, which means you can’t scrounge for food and fuel in case you run out. It would be a nightmare getting stuck in the middle of nowhere with nothing to eat or drink until help could arrive. The best way to avoid it is to brace yourself for all scenarios.

  1. Set A Daily Travel Limit

Traveling and exploring new places sounds like a highly thrilling prospect, but it can result in fatigue sooner than you might think. It would be better to switch with the people you are traveling with after a certain time. However, if none of them knows how to drive or if you’re traveling with kids, it is better to set a daily limit. 

You could either set it according to a specific number of miles you can travel per day or take periodic stops according to particular timings. It can let you take a much-needed nap and bathroom breaks. 

Driving without proper rest could lead to a potential accident if you feel drowsy.

To Conclude

Traveling in an RV can be an exciting experience, especially if it is your first time. However, it comes with challenges you must watch out for. The best way to avoid them is by setting travel limits and creating an itinerary that can let you identify all the locations and determine if you’re going during a good season. It is also better to stock up on necessities as you may drive long stretches without stopping.