Each beginner wants these RV suggestions and hacks earlier than they hit the highway! Tenting for rookies comes with a reasonably steep studying curve, however, many RVers begin as tent campers and graduate to RVs. An skilled camper can simply transition from a tent to a leisure automobile with a couple of easy RV tenting suggestions for rookies. Don’t fear, in case you are heading on to the RV driver’s seat, we can assist you too!
Psst we’re compensated…see our disclosures.
RV Ideas: Tenting For Newcomers
We now have shared the finest tenting gear to assist new RVers get on the highway safely.
At present we’re discussing these 11 suggestions intimately so that you’ll really feel assured in your first journey!
- Take A Follow RV Drive
- Deliver Instruments And Spare Elements
- Dry Run Tenting In Your Driveway
- RV Packing Ideas Newcomers Want To Embrace
- Journey With out Water In Your RV
- Put together For Totally different Electrical Retailers
- Watch Your RV Load Limits
- Plan For Tank Dumps
- Reserve Your Tenting Spot
- Don’t Get Locked Out Of The Campground
- Put together For After-Darkish Setup
What are your finest suggestions for newbies going tenting in an RV?
Earlier than we truly get began, seize a duplicate of our FREE guidelines. Newbie RV campers don’t know what they don’t know! This tenting guidelines will assist make sure you pack the important gadgets you’ll want on your journey into the nice outside.
11 Easy RV Ideas And Tips For Your First Tenting Journey!
1. Take A Follow RV Drive
How you can drive an RV, or any huge automobile, may be nerve-wracking for members of the family who’re new to RVing.
Getting snug as a driver is essential, AND, so is being calm as passengers!
- A white-knuckle backseat driver may be harmful when cruising on the open highway, particularly if the motive force turns into distracted.
- If you’re touring with youngsters and pets, additionally they should be educated on RV journey suggestions rookies have to know so the driver is ready to totally give attention to one factor … driving!
Some of the generally forgotten RV driving suggestions is that you’ll most likely be “taller” and “wider” than you might be used to, so apply driving in some huge open areas.
- A smaller RV could make tighter turns than a bigger one. One of many most essential issues to be taught is how a lot room it takes to show your rig.
- Among the best methods to know how a lot maneuvering area you want is to apply in an empty parking zone.
Sadly, we’ve pulled into common fuel stations and witnessed rigs that had their rear-end utterly torn off from the remainder of the physique as a result of the motive force did not permit sufficient clearance when pulling away from the pump. The concrete posts are unforgiving when the again finish of the rig swings wider than the motive force anticipates. That is the first step to grasp earlier than hitting the highway.
- Empty parking heaps are an incredible place to set-up cones to drive round.
- A big church parking zone close to our house is the place we apply driving, turning and backing-up round completely different cones that characterize posts, timber, rocks and corners you’ll encounter whereas driving in your first RV journey and each subsequent journey afterwards.
Nationwide Parks and campgrounds on public land are sometimes troublesome to maneuver round for parking and establishing camp. These amenities have been constructed a few years in the past when RVs have been a lot smaller.
- The usual truck camper, class c motorhome and sophistication b motorhomes are often nice, however, the very first thing longer class a motorhomes, journey trailers, fifth wheel trailers and toy haulers ought to take into account is to do a couple of journeys in roomy RV parks. Most of those privately-owned amenities have loads of massive areas, lots of them being pull-through spots. This can be a nice strategy to begin tenting earlier than attempting to suit in public campgrounds with smaller areas and roads with tight turns.
Similar to driving any new-to-you automobile, you wish to know your RV (when you have a drive-type) or your tow automobile (when you have a kind of journey trailers that may be a tow-type RV). It’s a bummer when the solar begins to set and also you understand it’s too darkish contained in the automobile to see the place the swap is for the headlights!
And, don’t neglect to safe your private gadgets in order that they don’t shift whereas driving.
Secure Driving Routes
Look ahead to peak clearances underneath bridges, underpasses, low-hanging branches and anything ABOVE your path of journey.
Don’t EVER rely solely on Google maps when planning your driving routes. You need to use the app for basic course/navigation and highway closures however it would not present RV protected routes.
We use Google maps in conjunction with our on-line journey planner. We now have the upgraded member subscription to the RV LIFE Professional app. The RV LIFE Journey Wizard characteristic does present protected RV-specific gps instructions. You set it up with your rig’s peak & weight so it directs you alongside a driving route that can maintain you out of bother. It’s useful to navigate steep mountain passes, low clearances, bridge weight limits and propane-restricted tunnels.
We now have an total publish devoted to RV journey suggestions for RV protected routes!
I need “5 Secrets and techniques To Profitable Tenting Journeys” plus weekly tenting suggestions & recipes.
Driving Courses
It’s a nice concept to take some driving programs that will help you drive like a boss earlier than you truly hit the highway. There are many free YouTube movies that assist with suggestions.
Driving is among the largest challenges for solo vacationers, particularly women, so we’ve created a whole record of RV suggestions 101 for girls touring solo that addresses their commonest fears and learn how to overcome them.
2. Deliver Instruments And Spare Elements
Don’t attempt to turn into a transferring auto components retailer! That being stated, you do wish to carry primary instruments and spare components.
Many instances new RVers are getting away from the craziness of metropolis life and escaping for some R & R in quieter locations.
- Bear in mind, the additional away from providers, the extra self-reliant you wish to be.
- It’s a stability and every RV journey could have distinctive circumstances … plan properly.
Use A Software Guidelines
We suggest RV fundamentals 101 instruments, however, ultimately you will have a couple of extra instruments in your assortment. My husband created an superior first time RV proprietor guidelines that’s particularly for instruments we use once we journey. You may print it and maintain it inside your own home on wheels!
You’ll love this FREE RV Software Equipment Guidelines as you broaden your device assortment to suit your particular person rig and elegance of RV tenting.
Finally you’ll get to the purpose that you’re feeling very snug with RVing and also you’ll start to create little RV tenting hacks to suit the wants of your loved ones and the type of tenting you get pleasure from.
P.S. I have to replace this publish as a result of Alisha supplied an incredible tip within the feedback …
- “We discovered to at all times verify the climate earlier than mattress and let the awning in as needed. It’s no enjoyable waking to the awning about to blow off and working out in pj’s and no glasses and within the rain together with your husband to let the awning in!”
Thanks for the tip Alisha!!!
Not solely will you wish to use a guidelines on your device field, additionally, you will wish to use an RV tenting guidelines for stocking your inside gadgets and common gear. Get your FREE printable copy of the Tenting Guidelines!
3. Dry Run Tenting In Your Driveway
It might appear contradictory however one in all my favourite tenting suggestions for brand new RVers is to remain put! Take a look at your course of, packing and persistence … fail at residence!
Should you neglect to pack the espresso pot, you wish to discover out early! Severely, might anybody go a day with out a good cup of espresso? The reply is “NO” in my household.
That is one in all my finest RV suggestions and methods … you’ll PRETEND like you might be Free Tenting within the center of a desolate Nationwide Forest however you might be actually going to be in your driveway!
Should you pack and check your processes and gear whereas tenting in your driveway, you gained’t have far to go to treatment any failures.
- Every time you’ll want to go into the home or storage to get one thing … you may have “failed” at packing or prepping one thing and might simply determine the changes you’ll want to make earlier than an actual journey.
- As soon as you might be snug that your RV is correctly packed and working, you possibly can take your first highway journey with the boldness of a professional …
- first to a campground or RV park
- and ultimately boondocking at a free campsite the place the views go on for miles and your cash stays in your pockets!
Additionally, don’t neglect to safe your RV from rolling whereas parked and degree it.
“Follow tenting” is basically essential for restricted mobility tenting. For individuals with bodily physique limitations, testing your physique is simply as essential as testing your course of, packing and persistence.
T-levels and wheel chocks make nice sensible items for first time RV house owners. You’ll discover concepts like these and different completely loopy distinctive options in our Present Concepts RV Homeowners Will Be Loopy About publish!
4. RV Packing Ideas Newcomers Want To Embrace
RVs are available all sizes … from cute little teardrop trailers to diesel pusher motorhomes which might be greater than the standard New York Metropolis condo!
You may need the urge to over-pack your first RV simply because you may have new storage areas to fill and cool devices you suppose you want.
- DON’T DO IT!
- That is key: How you can RV with out feeling such as you outgrew your rig in your first roadtrip … resist the temptation to purchase each RV accent at first.
- Begin with a minimal tenting record and solely pack what you want and maintain it organized as a result of muddle builds quick in small areas … you possibly can keep away from that drawback with correct planning and group instruments.
- Then, as you advance past the RV fundamentals starting phases of tenting, you possibly can add the RV equipment you determine are helpful to your type of tenting … AND … are definitely worth the “expense” to retailer them within the restricted area you may have in your RV.
That is actually essential in the event you determine to go full time in your house on wheels!
We now have a publish that dives deeper into the topic regarding RV packing suggestions for rookies that will help you know how, the place and what to pack for touring safely in your new rig!
Organizing small areas appears to be a few of the largest challenges for RVing rookies … but it surely doesn’t should be! Take a look at my Tenting Storage Concepts publish with 15+ concepts to maintain your camper organized!
5. Journey With out Water In Your RV
RV packing suggestions newbies might not take into account however have to: strive to not “pack” water.
- We take into consideration packing meals, drinks, clothes and tenting gear … however … we don’t actually take into consideration packing water.
- Right here’s what you’ll want to know: Water is HEAVY and it’s best to keep away from transporting it as a lot as doable!
- In case your vacation spot has water accessible, don’t journey with full tanks however you might determine to journey with a small quantity of water for these “simply in case” conditions.
In case your camp spot has full hookups, you should have water simply accessible as quickly as you join to your hookups.
In different cases you might have to fill your recent water tank on the fill-up station, often situated on the campground entrance, after which drive to your precise camp spot.
One phrase of warning: earlier than you hit the highway, make a fast name to your vacation spot campground and confirm there are no surprising points with the water on the facility (just like the dreaded water principal break that occurs as soon as each 20 years or so),
The identical goes on your grey water and black waste tanks … empty these tanks earlier than you begin driving so that you don’t carry pointless weight.
- Your pockets will thanks for it as a result of the heavier you might be … the more severe your fuel mileage turns into.
Along with bettering your fuel mileage, you should use GasBuddy (when you have a smaller camper) or TruckMap (when you have a bigger RV) to seek out the finest deal on gas alongside your journey route.
When you be taught the ropes and really feel snug RVing with full hookups, you might wish to strive your hand at dispersed tenting aka boondocking, however be sure you are ready to be totally self-contained.
- You may be taught extra about dispersed tenting in our Boondocking: How And The place To Go Dispersed Tenting publish.
6. Put together For Totally different Electrical Retailers
In relation to RV electrical hookups, there’s no “actual” customary at campgrounds and RV parks. You must name forward when making your reservations to inquire about the kind of electrical receptacle put in at your camp spot.
The three ranges of energy are 110 volt/15 amp, 30 amp and 50 amp … which might make you suppose there are solely 3 doable plug sorts … BUT … that’s NOT the case.
- Actually small trailers have a 110 volt/15 amp plug
- Small to mid-sized RVs have a 30 amp plug (that is commonest)
- Most massive RVs have a 50 amp plug.
RV plugs are at all times feminine … campground receptacles are at all times male.
- You will have a number of completely different adapters to make sure that you’re in a position to join to electrical energy wherever you go.
Ensure you have the correct plug or adapters for the receptacle at your particular camp spot, listed below are some examples…
If you’re tenting in a location with out energy, you may have two choices to offer electrical energy to your RV. You may both use a generator or you possibly can function off of your RV batteries.
Along with electrical energy, many RV home equipment and equipment use fuel gas sources. Try to be accustomed to the wonderful makes use of of tenting propane and be sure you have an ample provide.
7. Watch Your RV Load Limits
It may be straightforward to miss your weight in case you are a primary time RV proprietor. Your automobile has printed load limits … know what they’re and don’t exceed them … It’s a tenting security factor!
- You may simply verify the load of your automobile on a truck scale at a truck cease.
One of many principal weights you want to concentrate on is your Obtainable Payload Capability and relying on the kind of RV you may have, you might also have a Towing Capability in case you are pulling your RV with a tow automobile.
- Test your manuals on all of your limits to function safely and legally.
8. Plan For Tank Dumps
Know in case your RV spot has full hookups or if it’s a must to fill recent water and empty your holding tanks at a distant station.
You’ll want to have needed gear for dumping your waste grey and black tanks. And, for the love of all mankind … don’t neglect the dump gloves!
- This is among the “most appreciated” suggestions for brand new RV house owners, however, in the event you occur to neglect the gloves, gallon measurement freezer luggage make less-than-desirable substitutes. You don’t wish to find yourself just like the Cousin Eddie RV in Christmas Trip … if you already know what I imply!
9. Reserve Your Tenting Spot
Make your campground reservations as far prematurely of your journey as doable. Get all particulars on the time you’re making the reservation.
Minimally, you’ll wish to ask about:
- What’s the check-in time?
- What’s the check-out time?
- Does this campground have quiet hours? If that’s the case, what are the instances?
- What’s the availability and site of water, energy and dump amenities? Does your campsite have full hookups or will you’ll want to transfer your RV to a fill/dump station?
- Are turbines allowed?
- Are there automobile dimension limits?
- The place are the trash receptacles?
- The place are the campground toilet/bathe amenities?
- Are pets allowed?
- Are provides accessible close by? (meals/drinks, gasoline/diesel gas, firewood and so forth.)
- Is there a campground map?
- Are printable campground guidelines accessible?
- Are there any space or highway closures as a result of climate, wildlife, hazards and so forth?
- Another query you may have concerning your RV tenting journey.
Reserve Early
Some campgrounds and RV parks are booked months and even years prematurely so reserve your campsite earlier than you journey.
- Relying on the measurement of your RV, you might be restricted to particular spots at some locations.
- Lots of the Nationwide and State Parks have been designed years in the past and are unable to accommodate the bigger RVs available on the market as we speak.
- The bigger your RV, the extra restricted your choices, so … reserve early to make sure you have a spot to name “residence” upon your arrival.
Within the busy season it may be tremendous troublesome to get a spot in standard locations like Yosemite Nationwide Park. They even let you know to verify your clock is correctly set so you possibly can name for a reservation as quickly as they open the method for the season! Severely, I can’t make these items up!
From the Yosemite Nationwide Park Web site Campground Reservations Web page:
Bear in mind that just about all reservations for the months of Could via September and for another weekends are stuffed the primary day they turn into accessible, often inside seconds or minutes after 7 am! To your finest likelihood of getting a reservation, ensure your clock is ready precisely and begin the primary few steps of the reservation course of at www.recreation.gov earlier than 7 am Pacific time.
It doesn’t matter what the Yosemite web site says … Don’t let that discourage you from attempting to get a tenting reservation there. It’s critically one of the crucial majestic locations on the planet! See our spotlight video in our Yosemite Nationwide Park Should See Sights VIDEO And Ideas publish! Oh, and no matter you do … don’t neglect to pack your digicam!!!
10. Don’t Get Locked Out Of The Campground
Journey planning and arrival timing are sooooooo essential!
- Some campgrounds are open 24/7, others have quiet hours and truly lock the gates throughout these hours every evening.
- Know the gate hours or you might want one other tip sheet: How To Legally Camp In A Wal-Mart Parking Lot … after which, we gained’t give you the option that will help you.
However, there’s such a factor as a Walmart retailer listing … Hopefully you gained’t want it!
11. Put together For After-Darkish Setup
Warning: Parking and establishing at the hours of darkness is difficult … even for individuals who have been RV tenting for years!
- Attempt to arrive early sufficient to setup in daylight … however, be ready if it’s a must to setup at the hours of darkness.
- We now have an total publish devoted to tenting lights so ensure to try that for lighting your campsite space exterior your RV in addition to lights inside.
- P.S. Don’t miss the half about swapping your RV’s energy-sucking bulbs to environment friendly LEDs!
You additionally wish to do as a lot set-up as doable earlier than you allow your driveway … like make your beds … and don’t neglect RV mattresses are often not full residential sizes so you’ll want to get the appropriate sheets!
Should you find yourself arriving to your campsite after the solar goes down (don’t fear, that is a kind of RV suggestions each newbie forgets to plan for at the least as soon as LOL), you’ll be REALLY HAPPY in case your RV battery system is in prime form.
FREE Journey Planner For Your Complete Journey
We now have a FREE printable tenting journey planner template that walks you thru the planning course of and retains you organized on your RV highway journeys!
Gas Stops
The typical newbie RVer is good about planning their journey route in addition to their vacation spot particulars. One essential issue that’s usually ignored is the distance and places of the gas stops. Lots of people simply begin occupied with pulling off a freeway when their gas indicator begins hovering across the 1/3 mark. That’s not a good suggestion.
- When driving lengthy distances, use these finest practices full-time RVers use to remain out of bother.
- Know how a lot gas you’ll burn/mile and pre-plan the place you’ll refuel.
- Truck stops are a a lot better choice to buy gas than common fuel stations. They’re constructed for semi vehicles so even the largest RVs are protected to maneuver round them.
- You may discover them throughout North America however you’ll have to do your analysis earlier than you begin driving.
P.S. I have to replace this publish as a result of as Rick talked about within the feedback … you’ll want to watch your fuel gauge too!
Thanks for the reminder Rick!!!
The Garmin RV Moveable GPS Navigator is a well-liked gadget for RV driving with specialised routing primarily based on personalized data concerning your peak, weight, width and size restrictions.
- It supplies you with cautions and advisories concerning threat of grounding, lateral winds, slender roads, sharp curves, steep hills, state borders and extra.
- It additionally supplies RV-specific providers like restore retailers, truck stops and a nationwide complete record of restore and tow amenities.
- You don’t have to fret about altering data as a result of it contains free lifetime map and site visitors updates too!
You probably have an electronic-gadget loving man who’s a kind of RV newbies in your reward record, this stuff make nice tenting items for him!
RV Ideas For Extra Superior Campers
Depart The Dispersed Tenting For One other Day
We completely LOVE dispersed tenting however I’d NOT suggest it with a new-to-you RV.
- It’s a good suggestion to get a couple of “full hookup” journeys underneath your belt earlier than you wander away into the wilderness.
- BUT … When you find yourself able to go dispersed tenting (or boondocking, or distant tenting … or no matter you wish to name it) we can assist you with some suggestions for that too!
- Test our our VIDEO and Dispersed Tenting Ideas publish!
How To Empty Propane Tanks
There are a number of causes you might have to empty your RV’s propane tanks. The commonest are:
- Your RV goes in for service and the tanks should be empty, or,
- You might be touring/transporting your RV and your propane tanks are required to be empty (like on a ferry).
Winter Tenting In An RV
We do NOT suggest winter RVing for newbies.
There are so many further issues to think about with regards to RV tenting suggestions and methods to
- maintain your pipes from freezing,
- safely journey on roads that could be packed with snow or ice and extra.
However, once you really feel like you may have the RV suggestions for newbies mastered and also you wish to broaden to tenting throughout seasons of more difficult climate, take a look at our Winter RV Tenting Ideas publish for useful data.
Preserving Moisture Out Of Your Rig
Moisture can harm your RV and your well being. That you must know How To Hold Moisture Out Of RV In Winter with these easy suggestions.
Heating With out Electrical energy
You don’t should camp within the winter months to expertise chilly climate. Right here’s How To Warmth A Camper With out Electrical energy.
Once I wrote this publish, I assumed you might be renting or already personal an RV. However, in case you are researching suggestions for RV rookies in anticipation of shopping for an RV, it’s best to take a look at our 5 suggestions that will help you via the choice making course of of buying the proper RV to suit your wants.
- It should make it easier to determine your “must-haves” to discover the appropriate rig whether or not you might be buying a used RV or shopping for a brand new one straight from an RV seller.
Should you really feel overwhelmed, RV leases are a good possibility. They mean you can hire various kinds of rigs to expertise the RV life-style with out making a dedication to buy one thing earlier than you’re feeling assured about realizing what you really want.
