Getting Ready for Your first RV Trip

The sun’s out and your first RV trip of the summer is calling! But before hitching up and hitting the road, it’s time to hold back for a second and consider a few things. Most importantly, RV trips aren’t as simple as that, and if it’s your first time ever, you’ll need to learn a few basic tips to make your vacations go smoothly. From the planning process to organization, you should use this guide to get prepared properly for your first trip. Also, make sure your RV’s in good shape, and if it’s not, bring it on into our service and parts departments at the Outpost RV. We’re in Middlebury, Indiana, where we serve customers from Goshen, Elkhart, South Bend, and Fort wayne, Indiana.

Plan Carefully

Every good vacation is about planning. You’ll rarely have a good time if you don’t prepare properly, and there’s a very specific method to planning for an RV trip. If you put it off, you might be faced with added adjustments that you didn’t anticipate, which can cost you time and money. First, you’ll want to book your campsite in advance. Far in advance. There’s nothing more annoying than having to settle for a different campsite because the one you’re looking for is totally booked, so make your reservations at least a couple months before you plan to travel. Also, before you leave, fill up your propane tanks. You don’t want to get stuck in the middle of a vacation without power. You should also take note of nearby gas stations, so in the event you do run out, you’ll have somewhere to quickly refill them. For general purposes, we recommend making a list on a paper or computer spreadsheet. This should contain all the checkpoints you have to hit before you leave, including meal plans, expected activities, and what to bring.

Packing and Loading

There are things you want to take on a vacation. And then there are things you need to bring. You might feel like owning an RV means you get to pack just about anything you want, but because of weight and space restrictions, you’ll have more limits than you think. Although you can still fit a few luxuries in there, you’ll need to keep an eye on your weight, which might mean leaving behind all those extra bottles of perfume and that pantry full of delicious ingredients. Simply make sure you get all the necessities in first, then add everything else that you can fit in there.

To make your life a little easier in the long run, consider getting some items to leave on your RV full time. If you plan to travel a lot, try putting some unbreakable pots, pans, and dishes in your kitchen. If you have them on there permanently, you won’t have to worry about packing them more than once! Also keep safety equipment like a first aid kit, replacement light bulbs for smoke detectors, and maybe even a weather radio. Once again, just like when you plan, keeping a list for packing is the only way to ensure you have everything you need. Use that same spreadsheet every time as a checklist, as this will help you remember all the vital cargo.

Have Fun

It might be stressful at first, but in time, you should realize that planning and parking is just one small part of the broader RV adventure experience! Try to have fun with it, because while you’re laying out clothes and loading up your travel trailer or fifth wheel, remember that you’re preparing with all the amenities you need to feel at home on the road. At the Outpost RV, we love seeing our customers get delighted with the packing and planning process, so feel free to come ask us any questions about preparing for a vacation. Also, if you need any repairs for a smooth vacation, we’ve got a great parts and service department to ensure your RV is road ready, right here in Middlebury, Indiana, near Goshen, Elkhart, South Bend, and Fort Wayne, IN.