A trip with an RV can be a lot of fun, but there will be times when you have to stop for a while. And some of these stops could be for longer than you first anticipated.
Doing this for the first time can be a bit of a challenge since newcomers do not possess enough experience to take care of every little thing.
It is natural to expect that people would be interested in reading some tips before taking the journey.
This article will provide you with the most important things for your long-standing RV camp. Make sure to read it until the end.
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Get a Waste Tank
It should be a no-brainer that staying in the same spot for a long time will cause certain challenges. One of those is emptying your grey and black water tanks without moving the RV.
This becomes an even bigger issue if you are spending time in a park or a state for more than your waste tank is capable of supporting you. Not to mention the fact that when you are returning home the tanks are full of waste and you have no opportunity to get rid of it.
There is a good way to solve this problem. Choose one from many portable waste tanks and you will be set to go.
Check RV Tires
You should always check the tires when you are about to start driving, but you should do the same after you stop and are about to begin camping. Older tires are very prone to losing pressure.
You can take an extra step and protect them by covering it and preventing sunlight. Any way that helps with increasing their lifespan is worth the effort. After all, having to pump them with air or changing can be a pain, especially if you are about to leave in a hurry.
Fuel Levels
Despite the fact that you are static, you should check on the fuel. A water heater will still need some propane. Generator and engine should also be active every now and then to ensure that everything is in order. Individuals with more experience do not leave their houses without fuel stabilizers.
If you are not a big fan of fuel and are looking to become eco-friendly, you can always go with solar panels as they have become quite popular recently.
Batteries
Battery levels should also be checked constantly. There is no shame in being prepared since staying on a grid might take an extra toll on the batteries.
Stabilize the Trailer
Stabilizers come in pretty handy if you want to have even more comfort and ensure that you are in a good position. The trailer needs to stay level not just for your comfort. Every appliance and stuff like fuel levels might become disproportionate if things are not stable.
Outdoor Space
It depends on the person but you can make all sorts of adjustments to have the best possible experience. Some actually like to spend the night in tents because they get tired of having to drive in the RV all day and cannot bother being inside it anymore.
Everything else is just extra and, ultimately, comes down to your needs.
Cook Yourself
When on a road, having a place to cook yourself is always a big advantage. Food is healthier and more delicious. Not to mention the price and the fact that stuff from places like gas stations are not that good in the first place.
Sleeping
A decent meal is all well and good, but you need to get a good night’s sleep more than anything else. Like previously mentioned, some would rather sleep in a tent, but the place is not that important. It is all about what you find comfortable and having a dedicated sleeping place when you are staying somewhere for longer is definitely a plus.
Shower and Bathroom
You can make do with nature depending on the season and the place of your stay. However, it is always better to have a toilet and a shower with you. After all, an RV is a house on wheels, and the more commodities you have, the better off you will be.
Entertainment
One of the biggest problems you might face is coming up with things to do while there, especially if the weather does not end up being as good as you anticipated.
Again, this does come down to personal preference, but there is certainly more than one way to keep yourself entertained.
You can have a TV and watch DVDs, a laptop could also work, though keep in mind that there will likely be problems with the internet connection, even more so if you decide to camp in a remote area. But then again, some pick such spots precisely because they want to run away from modern society.
Books are always a good answer, though if you want to spend time socializing with others, board games are probably the best option. There are so many to choose from, and board games have certainly become more popular recently, even among those who have tried playing nothing but Monopoly like once or twice.
At the end of the day, you need to enjoy yourself since this is what these trips are all about.
Ask for Advice
If you know somebody who has done this sort of thing before, or if you happen to meet other people along the road, you should always ask for some advice, more so if you have not had a lot of experience before.
People who travel with RVs tend to be extremely friendly and helpful. They should be more than happy to share everything they know with you.
So to make a conclusion, you should definitely get a general idea of what to do the next time you are going to camp with an RV and stay at one spot for a longer period of time. The first time might be a bit scary but as long as you are willing to study on the tips written here, you should be more than fine.
What should you know before selecting your RV campsite?
You don’t need to be an experienced RV camper to know that selecting the proper RV campsite is crucial for the camping experience. Not all trips will be equal and you should choose the RV campsite that meets your needs and preferences the best. As a matter of fact, there are several elements that you need to consider when picking an RV campsite:
Length of stay
You will probably stop several times when you go on an RV trip. Sometimes you may stop for just one night, whereas other times, you will stop for several days. Unless your budget is limitless, we recommend you pick a cheaper place for the one-night stays and spend a bit more for spots where you will stay for several nights. You want the RV camping to be as comfortable as possible, so pick a campsite with enough amenities.
Budget
One of the first things you need to do when you go camping is to check out your wallet. Run the numbers and see how much money you can spend for a night of camping. Once you know your budget, try to stick to it when selecting your campsite. We recommend you choose a camp close to activities; one that is both comfortable and convenient is ideal.
Your camping style
Even if you’re new to RV camping, you have an idea about your camping style. It’s crucial information to have when you select your RV campsite. Think of how you want your RV camping to be when choosing the RV and camp. Look for RV-friendly campsites with plenty of amenities, especially if you have children. Do you like to socialize with other campers, or do you want to have some distance from other campers? There are plenty of campsites, so look for one that suits your needs, preferences, and budget.
Some RV parks are filled with people and many campers choose them for the many activities and lively vibe. On the other hand, if you go RV camping for the solitude, you can find parks that are less accessible. Always select the campsite that meets your preferences!
Proximity to planned activities
Most campers go on a trip for a specific purpose, whether it’s some peace in the woods or a particular theme park. Think about the activities you have planned and see how far/close the campsite is. If you go to Disney World, you don’t want to pick a camp that is 40 minutes away when you have a 4-day pass.
What options do you have for your RV camping?
Since there are so many RV camping options, you might get overwhelmed at first. What’s de difference between an RV park and a campground? Is the RV park the same as the RV resort? Should you pick a campground, resort, or RV park? As you can see, there are plenty of terms that you will find confusing if you’re new to RV camping.
Campgrounds
If you want friendly yet basic accommodations, campgrounds make an excellent choice. Opt for a campground if you’re focused on spending time outside and enjoying a simple place to park. State and national parks typically have campgrounds with water and electric hookup. Some campsites offer flat parking spots and a fire pit. Water fill stations, dump sites, and bathrooms may not be available at individual sites, even if they’re found on the property.
RV Parks
RV parks are excellent for families with children as they have amenities like playgrounds. They don’t have many trees but offer more parking sites than a campground. Cable TV hookups, clubhouse, and sewer connection are some of the amenities you can have at an RV park. RV parks vary greatly, so check out the reviews and look at the pictures when cruising your options.
RV Resorts
If your budget is generous and you want top-of-the-line amenities and breathtaking landscapes, luxury RV resorts are your best shot. They offer numerous amenities, are close to civilization and highly maintained. Opt for an RV resort if you rent an RV and want to take it slowly in RV camping. We warn you that there’s no industry standard for the term “resort,” which means that resorts vary greatly. Typically, you can tell by the price if it’s a good resort or not. After all, you get what you pay for most of the time.
Pay attention to the “RV park and resort” option, which is not as luxurious as it should be.
Free Camping
If you wisely plan your RV camping trip, you spend a night or two en route to the final destination. Sometimes, you only need a place to park your RV after driving all day. Many campers choose free camping for such scenarios. Nine times out of ten, you won’t have hookups, water, and boondock. It’s an excellent way to save a buck until you get to your primary destination. The most accessible places to park for free are businesses casinos with large parking lots. Since not all businesses will allow you are boondocking, always check out and ask for permission.
Four tips to get the best RV campsite
To find the best RV campsite, you should know some tricks:
1. Go over the reviews
Whether you go on Google or another source of information, it doesn’t matter as long as you read the reviews. Check out the pictures, look for blog posts about the campsite you think to go to. Do due diligence and gather all the information you need before making a final choice.
2. Call ahead
If you have an idea about the campsite you want to go to, we recommend calling ahead. Talk with the desk about your rig and inform them about your preferences and needs. See if they can accommodate you. If you take time to call and give them details about you, they will offer the best available spots.
3. Don’t waste time making reservations
Did you pick a popular destination during the busy season? If so, stay on the safe side and call as soon as possible to make reservations. The last thing you want to do is drive up there and not find any vacant spot.
4. Is there a refund policy?
It’s not ideal, but what if you gather all the information, read the reviews, see the pictures, arrive at your campsite, and still don’t like it? It’s wise to ask about a refund policy before making the payment. It’s pretty standard for parks (top-rated parks in high-demand areas) to have a “no refund” policy. As long as you do meticulous research work before selecting an RV campsite, you should be able to find the one that suits you the best.
