What are the best RV travel tips for beginners?
Here are some more RV travel tips for beginners. 4. Take your time. One of our most important RV camping tips for beginners is also one of the easiest to overlook, especially at the very start of your RVing journey.
What hook-ups do I need for my RV?
Trailer Hook-Ups RV Checklist 1 ⬜ Sewer hose 2 ⬜ Freshwater hose 3 ⬜ Power cord adapter 4 ⬜ Black/dark color hose for black tank 5 ⬜ Rv Manual (You won’t have internet access everywhere should you have a question!) 6 ⬜ Water pressure regulator 7 ⬜ Wheel chocks 8 ⬜ Propane 9 ⬜ Rubber gloves 10 ⬜ Water filter More items...
What are the different types of RV checklists?
1 Trailer Hook-Ups RV Checklist. ... 2 Outdoors Camp Gear. ... 3 RV Bathroom Checklist. ... 4 RV Bedroom Checklist 5 Other RV Needs. ... 6 RVing with Babies/Toddlers. ... 7 RVing with Pets Checklist. ... 8 Leave in the comments any items you think I should add to these checklists! ...
What is the 3 3 3 rule for RVing?
By adhering to this simple rule of thumb, you can make traveling easier for your whole family. What is this? First, limit your travel to no more than 300 miles in one day. Second, arrive no later than 3 p.m. Finally, stay at your destination for at least three days.
What is the 2 2 2 rule for RV?
The RVing 2/2/2 rule is a safe and effective way to plan your travel. It means drive no more than 200 miles a day, stop every 2 hours, and stay 2 nights in each place. Some RVers also put an appendix on the rule encouraging drivers to arrive at an overnight destination by 2:00 p.m.
What is the easiest RV to own?
Class B Motorhomes The tradeoff for snug living quarters is drivability — because of their compact size, Class Bs are some of the easiest RVs to drive. And there's no need to tow an extra vehicle behind, as these RVs are perfect for day trips and excursions.
What is the downside of owning an RV?
The number one con to owning an RV is definitely the cost. And there are many other costs involved in owning an RV than just the price of the RV. There is maintenance, storage, insurance, and many other costs as well.
How far should you drive an RV in one day?
Drive no more than 200 miles in one day. Stop every two hours for a stretch break. Arrive at the campground by 2 p.m. Stay at least two nights at the same campground.
Where do you sit when an RV is moving?
the backClass A, Class B and Class C motorhomes offer passengers the ability to sit in the back while the vehicle is in motion. This is because these types of motorhomes are equipped to withstand driving accidents.
Is driving an RV difficult?
While RVs can be relatively easy to drive, some RVs are harder to maneuver than others. According to Camper Report, longer RVs can be challenging to drive. If you're not used to driving a longer RV, you should practice turning without swiping the vehicles on either side of your RV.
Is it cheaper to live in a house or an RV?
So the initial cost of RV living is certainly lower than buying a house, and you'll save money by not having to stay at expensive RV parks every night. After all, the average cost of an RV park is around $30 a day.
Is it easier to drive an RV or a trailer?
Ease of Driving Many find that towing a vehicle is easier than driving a large motorhome, but driving preferences will obviously differ depending on who you ask.
What is the average age of an RV owner?
In terms of demographics, 40% are between ages 18-54 and 66% are ages 55+. 46% are female and 53% are male. 42% are retired and 74% live with no children in the home. Among those who are in the workforce, 58% of Class A owners make over $65,000.
Are RVs a waste of money?
Is an RV a Financial Investment? The short answer is no. With the exception of some in-demand vintage models, the value of an RV depreciates over time. An RV is an investment in a lifestyle, but you can mitigate the expense by renting it out when not in use through a third-party rental site like Outdoorsy or RVshare.
What is the true cost of owning an RV?
The average cost for a previously owned camper or small travel trailer RV is roughly $15,000 or more and around $40,000 or more for the average previously owned motorhome or fifth wheel, with significantly higher cost for a brand new RV. How you plan to pay for the RV will directly impact what you end up paying.
When considering buying a second hand RV, what is the Latin adage?
When considering buying a second-hand RV, remember the Latin adage caveat emptor or let the buyer beware.
What does it mean to drive an RV?
Not planning Your Route and Destination. Driving an RV means that you have a unique set of requirements specific to your vehicle. You need to plan your route to take these features into accounts such as low bridges, narrow roads, and general conditions that will affect your travel.
How much do RV Solar Panels Cost?
Most RV users travel with between one and three 100 watt solar panels, delivering six amps per peak sun hour on an average.
How much weight can a motorhome weigh?
Know Your Brake System. A fully loaded motorhome can weigh more than 7,000 lbs weight, and you should consider that when braking. Know your RVs braking capacity at a variety of speeds before you embark on a long journey. Keep an eye on your weather app and know when to wait out a storm.
How is RV driving different from a car?
Driving an RV is quite different from driving a standard car and may take some getting used to handling. Most new RV or motorhome drivers find it challenging to cope with fast traffic at first, with other vehicles making rapid lane changes or following behind your RV too closely.
What happens when you drive a motorhome?
When driving your motorhome, the coach behind your vehicle’s pivot point tends to swing out in the opposite direction to your turn. The longer your motorhome is, the more likely you will encounter tail swing issues on the road.
What is RV life?
The RV life is a trial and error lifestyle until you have the RV life set out in your perfect style. Try and make it more about trial and less about the error. Be sure of your RV before you buy one, be prepared, make checklists, and work out your budget.
What to consider when choosing an RV?
An important consideration when choosing your RV is how many people will typically be hitting the road with you – or, more specifically, how many beds you’ll need.
How many people can a travel trailer sleep?
Travel trailers can fit a crowd of nearly any size. Some have just enough space to comfortably sleep two people, while others have beds for up to 10, some of which serve other uses during the day. This much flexibility means your options are nearly endless, so you can focus on the features and amenities you’re looking for.
Do RVs have entertainment?
RVs offer many of the same entertainment features you enjoy using at home. Depending on the RV’s price point, you’ll find everything from basic TVs and DVD players to impressive entertainment systems with surround sound. Remember that some entertainment features don’t come standard but can be added on at an additional cost. If you’re looking for a specific amenity, be sure to tell your dealer so they can advise you about your options.
Can a RV dealer show you the features?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about even the smallest details – your dealer is there to help. They should be able to demonstrate how many of the RV’s features work, too, so feel free to ask them to show you.
Do you need a tow vehicle for a motorized RV?
Motorized RVs don’t require you to have a tow vehicle – the driver’s seat is right inside the RV itself. They offer the convenience of already being inside your home away from home the moment you unbuckle your seatbelt. No hitching and unhitching is required when you arrive at your destination or when you’re ready to leave. Class A RVs are the largest class of motorized RVs. In a Class A RV, you can expect to find a separate bedroom, a full kitchen, a living/ entertainment area, central heating and air conditioning – even a washer and dryer in some cases. Their homey, spacious living quarters and high-end finishes make them popular with full-time RVers. Class B RVs are the smallest motorized RV type, and they’re a perfect fit for one or two people who take shorter trips. Their smaller size means the floor plans work harder: the lounge space often converts to the sleeping space, and the bathroom may be a wet bath (the shower and toilet are in the same space). But that doesn’t mean they’re short on features. You’ll find plenty of luxury amenities and high-end finishes in a Class B RV. They’re also easy to drive and park, and you’ll get good fuel economy. Larger than Class B but smaller than Class A, Class C RVs offer a middle ground. In Class C RVs, you’ll find an over-cab area that usually serves as your sleeping quarters, freeing up the rest of the interior for living space. They offer plenty of room for longer vacations, but they’re not usually big enough for full-time living.
What to keep on hand for RV?
RV Tools to Keep on Hand. Probably one of the most important RV checklists that you won’t realize the importance of until something breaks! This is especially true if you plan on full-timing or traveling long distances since there isn’t always cell service or a repair place nearby (that won’t cost you an arm and a leg!)
Do campgrounds accept credit cards?
Secondly – Always bring a checkbook! A lot of campgrounds don’t accept credit cards (especially the ones out of cell service) and you never know if you’ll be out of cash (ATM machines are hit or miss in small towns). We have used it as a last resort a couple of times when our other methods of payment fell through!
Can you use a shower for camping?
We don’t often use our shower for short camping trips, and on long trips we try to pepper in some hotel showers as an excuse to explore town. If you plan on using yours often though, make sure you got the basics (+ some medical items!)
Do you need a surge protector for RV?
Two things I want to point out – the surge protector you’ll need for your RV when hooking up to campsites is NOT the one you use at home! RV Surge Protectors like this are built for RVs that often plug into new power sources. They monitor for spikes and will auto shut off if they detect something dangerous!
Can you bring baby stuff on a camping trip?
Try to keep in mind that there’s a minimal amount of baby stuff you need to bring on a camping trip with young kids. But you can usually pack a few extra items that will make camp life waaaaay easier with your young child!
What is a Class A motorhome?
Motorized RVs. Class A: Our first RV was a Class A motorhome. These are the big rigs that look like buses, with a flat nose and large windshield up front. They can range from around 25 feet to 45 feet, and come in both gas and diesel models.
When did Kait and I start RVing?
Since Kait and I started full time RVing in 2015, we’ve met a lot of people on the road and many have asked how we did and what advice we have. To help those questions and more, I self-published two books on RV living.
How tall is a fifth wheel?
They are tall and usually pretty long, between 30 and 45 feet.
What is the black tank in an RV toilet?
Since you’re on the move rather than stationary, most RV toilets drain into a single holding tank (ominously called the “black tank”) rather than directly into the sewer system. What that means for you is that, eventually, you’re going to have to empty your black tank or other type of RV toilet.
Is RV living like tiny home living?
RV living is similar to tiny home living in many ways. And if you like the mobility of small RVs like ours, you have to get pretty creative on where and how to store things. Even if you’re in a 45 foot Class A diesel pusher you may find yourself benefiting from some of these tiny living hacks.
Is it scary to drive an RV?
Driving an RV for the first time can seem scary. When we test drove our first 45′ Class A motorhome at an RV show, we were sweating! But we got comfortable in the driver’s seat pretty quickly.
Is it safer to drive on the road or at home?
Safety considerations on the road are a bit different than they are at home. The chances of a breakdown are much higher, since you’re likely driving more miles at a stretch—and bringing your whole house with you.
How do RVs heat?
For HVAC- campers have heating systems that are generally propane furnaces this runs off of 120v and 12v. A cold night on 12v with the fan blowing can wear on a single battery if you’re only on 12v. If you’re on shore power, you may opt to run electric heaters to save on propane. You may or may not pay for metered. The longer you stay at a campground (monthly or seasonally , the more likely this is. For cooling, most RVs have air conditioners. This is generally only available if you have shore power (or a generator). There are 12v fans and whatnot if you’re running off of batteries. The furnace and air conditioner are likely ran off of a simple thermostat, much like your house. The catch to RVs is that they’re generally poor insulated and the windows are giant heat sinks/transfers. RVs can be hard to keep warm in cold climates and occasionally hard to cool in very hot climates. There are RVs that are considered “4 seasons”, but when you’re camping/living in very cold- water lines and tanks want to freeze, propane wants to be a challenge and things are just harder in general.
How does water come in RV?
Water comes in 2 forms, too- either hooking up to “city water” (i.e. a hose to a fresh drinking water source) or by filling your on-board freshwater tank. Again, this is commonly campground/RV park vs. not. When you are connected to city water, you essentially have an unlimited supply. With your water tank, you’re limited to its capacity (usually 30-90 gallons depending on the RV) until you have to fill it again (may or may not be convenient depending on where you are). With the city water connection, it supplies the water pressure- sometimes higher than your RV can support and there you need a water pressure regulator. With your tank, there is a water pump that runs off of the 12v system that supplies the water pressure.
Where does RV water go?
I joke about the nicest thing when coming home from trips is that I don’t care where the drain goes anymore. In the RV, all of your waste water goes to tanks. Shower and sinks generally go to gray water tanks; toilets go to black water tanks. Like the fresh water tanks, these have limited capacity. Where you camp decides how you handle the water in these tanks. Many RV parks have sewer connections at each site. If that’s the case, you connect your sewer hose to the sewer outlet (s) on your camper to the sewer connection at the campsite. When the tanks get full (or close to it), you use handles /valves on the side of the camper to empty them. Black first and then gray to clean out the “stuff” in the sewer hoses. Many people run fresh water into the black tanks after dumping a few times to get a better flushing of the system. In fact, there are sprayers with hose attachments that you can get (or it may come with your camper already installed) that spray water directly into the tank. This gives you a better cleaning of the tank than a single flush alone. The thing to remember with the black tank- more water is good because it carries the solids down the hose. After emptying black tanks, most people put a couple of gallons of water back into it, just to keep it all wet and yummy. Some people will say you can keep your gray tanks open to the sewer all of the time, which is true- just make sure you have some left over to flush out your sewer hoses after black.
How many gallons of water can you fill in an RV?
When you are connected to city water, you essentially have an unlimited supply. With your water tank, you’re limited to its capacity (usually 30-90 gallons depending on the RV) until you have to fill it again (may or may not be convenient depending on where you are).
What do you need for a fifth wheel?
With a fifth wheel, you need to pick a good hitch. It’s pretty much hookup and go. With a travel trailer, you usually need a good weight distributing hitch and need to dial it in for your truck/camper combo. You then have basic systems – electric, water, waste and HVAC.
What do you use to empty a camper's water tank?
When the tanks get full (or close to it), you use handles /valves on the side of the camper to empty them. Black first and then gray to clean out the “stuff” in the sewer hoses. Many people run fresh water into the black tanks after dumping a few times to get a better flushing of the system.
What is the best RV for beginners?
Sometimes, the best RV for beginners is a mid-sized motorhome, which doesn’t require much in the way of special driving skills and offers a large amount of creature comforts.) 2. Give yourself time to get acclimated.
What is cool about RVing?
The cool thing about RVing is that you don’t have to worry about figuring out where you’re going to go to bed each night. That gives you the time and headspace you need to enjoy the journey — so do that! Rather than cramming as much travel as possible into a few days’ time, take the time you need to fully enjoy each stop along the way.
What is the difference between RVing and camping?
Because the word “RVing” covers a whole wide range of camping experiences… and some of them bear very little resemblance. For example, RVing in a small pop-up camper is a more rugged, close-to-nature adventure, whereas RVing in a 45-foot diesel pusher can make it easy to forget you’re “camping” in the first place.
Can you drive an RV?
No matter what kind (or kinds) of RV you end up falling in love with, it’s going to take some time to get used to this new type of travel — both when it comes to driving and actually living on board. Whether it’s an extra-large motorized coach or a towable vehicle, chances are the driving experience is going to be different from the one you have with your day-to-day vehicle, and even the most luxurious rigs have smaller amenities than the one you’re used to in your sticks-and-bricks home.
Can you camp in an RV for beginners?
While the RV itself takes some getting used to, there’s also the problem of RV camping for beginners. Even experienced tent campers aren’t always aware of how different RV campgrounds can be, and how much variability there is when you’re choosing your destination!
RV Checklists: 6 Printable Packing Lists
If you’re the type of person who always thinks “I know I’m forgetting something ” when you leave the house, then you need (yes, need) a good checklist to help you pack for your RV trip.
All RV Checklists
Click the links below to download PDFs of all Campanda’s RV checklists!