Are you thinking about going on a road trip this year? As soon as it became clear that covid was here to stay, there have been an influx of travelers who have opted to hit the road in search of a new adventure. Whether it’s to a new city, national park or simply a secluded spot in nature, a road trip is a great way to explore destinations closer to home. All you need to take a road trip is a car, but if you’re looking for a new experience, I highly recommend renting an RV. By doubling as a vehicle and a place to stay, RV’s can provide you with comfort, flexibility and added luxuries on your vacation.
This summer I jumped on the road trip bandwagon, rented an RV, and headed to the Adirondack Mountains. Before this trip I knew absolutely nothing about RVs. So, after taking the plunge myself, here are the top 10 things you need to know before your first RV road trip.
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Table of Contents
1. Where to Rent an RV
Let’s start with the basics – how to find a vehicle. Just like renting a house, you can rent an RV from a rental company or directly from an owner. Similar to Airbnb, Outdoorsy and RVShare are popular sites that can connect you directly with RV owners in your area.
2. Where to Park an RV
After you’ve secured an RV rental, you’ll need to find a place to park it. For first timers I recommend staying at an established RV Park or campground. Kampgrounds of America KOA has establishments all over the U.S. and is the best in the business when it comes to running a campground. Check out all of their locations here.
3. Look For a Site with Full Hook Ups
When an RV is in use, but not plugged into anything, the sewage and water empty into a storage tank and the electricity, water pump and air conditioner are run by the generator. Although the storage tank and generator are great for short time use, you’ll have to use the amenities sparingly to conserve space and power.
When you book a campsite with full hook ups, you will get a private water spigot, electric box and sewer pipe you can connect your RV to. The great thing about this is once you’re all plugged in you can run all the amenities as you please as long as you empty the sewage tank accordingly.
4. Check Your Electric
Before your trip, check to see if the electric service at the campground is compatible with your RV. The most common services are 20A, 30A and 50A. Some campgrounds offer just one and others offer them all. If they’re not compatible, make sure you bring a converter so you don’t blow a fuse.
5. Drive a Second Car
If you’re staying at a campground, check to see if they allow a 2 vehicles per RV site. Depending on your trip, it might be nice to have a second car to take day trips in the area. By doing this, you can keep the RV set up and plugged in on site instead of having to pack everything up when you need to take a drive.
6. Bring a Cooler
Want a cold drink after a long hike? There’s only so much an RV fridge can hold, so I definitely recommend bringing one of these along.
7. Bring Cases of Water
Always bring an extra case or two of water. You never know what could happen, and this is definitely something you don’t want to run out of.
8. Bring an RV Patio Mat
If you don’t know what this means, I was right there with you. An RV camp mat is a cross between a doormat and a picnic blanket. It’s flexible yet durable and provides you with a mud free area outside your vehicle. Not only does it elevate your outdoor set up, but it also helps stop tracking dirt inside. If you want to see what they look like, check them out here.
9. Toilet Paper
Before you load up with your favorite Charmin Ultra, think again. I hate to break it to you, but RVs take their own toilet paper and it’s not the ultra-soft or ultra-strong kind. If you’re renting, hopefully the vehicle will come fully stocked. But, just in case I’ve linked an example here.
10. Rainy Day
Don’t let a rainy day ruin your vacation. As the weather can be unpredictable, pack along a few extra activities for a gloomy day or stormy night. Whether it’s a movie, book or your favorite board game, it can’t hurt to have in case the forecast doesn’t fair your way.
-Kira