10 RV tips for beginners

Transwest products and services strive to make RV travel easy, but any new hobby comes with a learning curve. We've compiled five essential tips to ensure your first RV experiences are fun, safe, and relaxing.

1. Keep up with regular maintenance

Just like a car, RVs require upkeep on the part of the owner. Don’t let the different exterior fool you: you should be checking your RV’s oil and tires just as often as you would with other vehicles. Ignoring maintenance issues can cause more problems down the road, so it’s better to have repairs done sooner rather than later. 

2. Don’t forget to run your generator

Depending on the season, RV owners might go months without taking their vehicles for a spin. Letting a generator go stagnant for extended periods of time can wind up costing you hundreds in repairs, because running it periodically is what keeps the fuel in good condition. Be sure to run your generator every so often for a period of about five to ten minutes.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice

You may have been driving cars since you turned sixteen, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re completely prepared for handling an RV. Before embarking on a long trip, you should get used to the feeling of operating an unfamiliar vehicle. Experience in steering, braking, and switching lanes in an RV will equip you with the familiarity needed to confidently control a large vehicle.

4. Arrive prior to sunset

Even seasoned pros don’t recommend setting up an RV under the cover of darkness. For beginners, our next tip is especially important: arrive at your campsite when the sun’s still out, giving yourself at least two hours to set up in proper lighting. Setting up in the dark can lead to mistakes and confusion, and it’s not polite to inconvenience fellow campers with bright flashlights. 

5. Don’t break the scales by overpacking

We get it: vacation luggage often takes up more space than you initially anticipated. When traveling in an RV, however, one should defer to the old adage: Less is more. Though our vehicles are spacious and comfortable, you shouldn’t overestimate how much storage you’ll have onboard an RV. Weigh what you really need, so you don’t wind up feeling overcrowded. Before packing, you should always be aware of a vehicle’s storage space and load capacity. Taking this precaution will prevent your space from feeling overly crowded, and it also keeps drivers from putting unnecessary stress on their tires. 

6. Reserve your campsite spot ahead of time

RVs are a popular mode of travel, and campgrounds fill up more quickly than you might expect. When planning a trip, research which campgrounds would be most suitable for you. Once you’ve made your decision, book a spot so you don’t have to worry about finding one at the last minute. This will also give you a chance to review park rules and regulations. 

7. Make friends with fellow RV campers  

Though doing research is great, there’s nothing quite as helpful as hearing advice directly from a friend. Chatting with other campers or joining an RV travelers' Facebook group are great ways to find companions with similar interests. Joining the community of RV lovers can be knowledgeable, fun, and rewarding. 

8. Slow and steady wins the race

When excited to get behind the wheel of a new ride, putting the pedal to the metal is the first instinct of many drivers. Speeding is never a good idea, but it can be even more dangerous when you’re manning an RV.  These heavy vehicles don’t brake as quickly, so keeping speeds within the 55-66 mph range is usually better. 

9. Calculate water usage before your trip

Running out of water can cause chaos on an RV road trip. Storing water is necessary for drinking, flushing toilets, and maintaining personal hygiene. In general, RV trips require about four gallons of water per person. Finding campgrounds with restrooms and showers can help limit your water use as well, so you don’t have to worry about transporting so much.

10. Make the big decision: Buy or rent

The biggest tip of all comes into play before your foot ever hits the gas. Not everyone is meant for RV ownership, and you should strongly consider whether renting or purchasing an RV would be a better fit for your lifestyle. Buying typically works for those with enough free time to justify the price, but renting might be better if you’re only planning a single trip. If you decide buying is the choice for you, check out our vast selection of RVs or visit one of our locations today.