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A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO PLANNING THE ULTIMATE RV CAMPING TRIP

Wouldn’t it be great to wake up and be within striking distance from the day’s hike, paddle, or climb? And end your day sipping your favorite beverage by the campfire instead of making the long drive out of the backcountry to get home? If this sounds like a dream come true, an RV trip may be in your future.

In an RV, you can stay longer and take your home on the road. But it can seem like a big leap from car camping and backpacking to an RV road trip. With a little research, pre-trip planning, and the support of a growing RV community that’s eager to share their passion and experience with you, it’s easier than you think. Here are a few tips for planning that first trip.

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT

With so many types and sizes of RVs on the market, an important first step is to find the one that fits your lifestyle and maximizes your fun. Each RV, from Class A to fifth wheel to camper van, offers different benefits and challenges, so you’ll want to check them out online, rent what feels like the best match, and know that you may change your mind after you’ve spent a few days on the road.

There are also a few logistics to consider before you rent, like how many people will be traveling together? How long do you want to be on the road? Where do you want to go? Start simple with a long weekend, including at least two overnights at different campgrounds so you get the feel of setting up and breaking down your campsite, and two nights in one spot so you can enjoy the benefits of staying longer in one destination. Fight the tendency to go big with long drives and distances, popular (and therefore crowded) destinations, and weeks on the road. Learning the operating systems and driving a bulky vehicle can leave you stressed and burned out if you overload your itinerary too soon.

RV RENTALS

Your rental options come down to one simple choice: drive it or tow it. For your first trip, a Class A, B, C, truck camper or camper van (all RV’s that you drive instead of tow) are going to be the easiest to maneuver and to rent. If you have an SUV or truck with a hitch and have done some towing, you could consider renting and towing a travel trailer instead.

ROUTE PLANNING

RV travel is a lot slower than your average weekend road trip, so pick overnight stops that are no more than 300 miles—or about four hours—apart. Less time on the road gives you more time to live in your RV and enjoy your stops.

Find campsites that are easy in and out (preferably pull-through), offer amenities like food service and showers, and have knowledgeable staff to answer your questions.

CAMP SET UP AND BREAK DOWN

Your biggest challenge is most likely going to be setting up camp, and that’s why the orientation is so important. After parking and leveling your RV, electric and water (grey, black, and fresh) systems need to be hooked up. If you have slides, extend them, flip on the fridge, and turn on the heat/AC to fully enjoy the creature comforts. It’s now time to unpack and enjoy.

When you wake up to a sunrise over the coast or hike back to your RV doorstep for dinner, it’ll be so worth it.