RVing Beginners Guide

The RVing Beginners Guide will help you prepare for your first RVing adventure

Are you the proud new owner of an RV? If so, you are likely excited to take it on your very first adventure.  While it’s an exciting time, there are a few things you need to know before venturing out on the open road. While getting gas, checking the tires, and tuning in to your favorite radio station, like ESPN NY, are all great places to begin, there are other factors to consider, too.

Go for a Practice Drive

Driving an RV or any large vehicle can be stressful if you are new to it. It’s important to make sure you are comfortable behind the wheel and that you keep your passenger’s calm.

Also, if you have to deal with nervous passengers, it can make everything more difficult for you – especially if you get distracted behind the wheel.

If you plan to travel with kids, it’s important to educate them on RV travel tips, too, which will ensure the driver can remain focused on the road.

Take Spare Parts and Tools 

While you don’t need to turn your RV into a moving auto parts store, you do need to take along spare parts and essential tools.

As a beginner, you may be so excited to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life that you don’t think about what you really need when departing on your first RV adventure.

Remember, if you are going to venture “off the grid” and far away from mechanic or repair services, you need to ensure you can take care of things yourself. Some of the essential RV tools you need to keep on hand include:

• T-handle style lug wrenches

• Heavy gauge jumper cables

• Digital tire gauges

• Extra fuel

Taking time to gather these parts and tools will help ensure you can handle breakdowns or issues as they occur while you are on the road.

Pack Properly

If you plan on taking a trip in your RV, you need to make sure you have it packed with everything you will need.

Some of the basics include kitchen tools, bedding, linens, garbage bags, and similar items. Think about everything you would need in a day, and be sure to prepare it for your RV. Having things well-stocked and ready to go is going to help you avoid being caught in the middle of nowhere without something you need, such as towels to dry off with.

Don’t Travel with Water in Your RV

There’s a lot of packing tips to get your RV stocked and ready. However, something you want to avoid is packing water.  Something to remember is that water is heavy, which means you should avoid keeping it in your RV as much as possible.

If you are going somewhere that provides water hookups, don’t travel with a full freshwater tank. While you may want to put a small amount in it for “just in case” situations, you should avoid this in other cases.

Prepare for Different Electrical Connections 

There’s no “real” standard when it comes to electrical hookups for RVs. Because of this, it’s a good idea to call the area ahead of time to find out about the type of electrical receptacle you will have access to.

You will find three basic power levels that you may have to accommodate, including 110 volts/15 amp, 30 amp, or 50 amp. While this would make you think that there are just three plug options, this isn’t the case. Knowing what type of power hookups are available will help you understand what to take along on your trip, which is essential if you want to use the electrical components in your RV.

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RVing for the First Time

When it comes to your first RV trip, you need to consider more than a few factors. Take some time to review the information here, which will help ensure you are fully prepared for your upcoming trip.