How to Prepare for an RV Trip This Summer
Ready to hit the road for another summer adventure that will help you escape the heat in the Denver metro area? There are a few things you’ll need to do to prepare for your next RV road trip. Here are a few key tasks to take care of before you leave.
Make Reservations Now
RV campgrounds can fill up fast, especially during the summer months. As soon as you start thinking about your RV trip, start reserving sites at campgrounds along your route. If you’re planning on leaving in a week or two, you may need to check several campgrounds in the area to find availability or be prepared to move to a new campground every couple of days. But if you’re planning things a few months in advance, you should be able to find a great site without an issue.
Plan Your Route Ahead of Time
The last thing you want to do when driving your RV is end up on a narrow, tree-lined street where the limbs are so low that they hit your RV’s roof. You can avoid hazards like this by planning your route ahead of time.
Consider where you’re going and the types of roads you’re comfortable driving on. For example, if you’re in a 4x4 campervan and want to boondock in the middle of nowhere, you’ll likely be fine on just about any route. But if you’re in a 40-foot Class A motorhome, you’ll want to look for roads that are wide and give your rig enough clearance to let you drive safely.
Not sure how to plan your route? Start with Google Maps. You can always preview your route by checking the roads on street view. Or you can use a paid RV navigation app like RV Trip Wizard or CoPilot GPS. These apps let you enter your RV’s dimensions and generate routes that can accommodate your rig with ease.
Pack Only the Essentials
When you’re traveling in your home away from home, there’s a real temptation to bring everything you could possibly need with you. But you really don’t have to. Instead, pack only the essentials. This should include items like the following:
As a general rule, only pack what you’re going to use. RVs are much smaller than most homes and you’ll want to avoid filling up the dinette, countertops, and storage spaces on your trip. When your RV isn’t cluttered and full of stuff, you’ll find it easier to relax and enjoy your trip.
Do a Walkthrough of Your RV
Before you hit the road, you’ll always want to inspect your RV. Walk around the exterior and make sure all storage bays are closed and locked. Check the air pressure in the tires and make sure they’re inflated to your rig’s specified PSI. Secure the awning and make sure it’s completely rolled up. Check the slides and make sure they’re sitting flush with the side of your RV and that they’re fully retracted.
Once inside, secure any loose items to keep them from rolling around as you drive. Lock the bathroom or shower stall door to keep it from swinging. Close all cabinets and make sure they’re latched firmly.
Enjoy Your Trip
These are just a few things you’ll want to do to prepare for your upcoming RV trip. As long as you follow these tips, you’ll set yourself up for a fun and successful adventure, whether you’re gone for the weekend or several months at a time.
Once you come back, you’ll need a convenient place to park and store your RV until the open road calls your name again. Contact us today to discuss your needs or reserve a storage site that’s conveniently located to Denver, Englewood, and the surrounding area!
Go Back Make Reservations Now
RV campgrounds can fill up fast, especially during the summer months. As soon as you start thinking about your RV trip, start reserving sites at campgrounds along your route. If you’re planning on leaving in a week or two, you may need to check several campgrounds in the area to find availability or be prepared to move to a new campground every couple of days. But if you’re planning things a few months in advance, you should be able to find a great site without an issue.
Plan Your Route Ahead of Time
The last thing you want to do when driving your RV is end up on a narrow, tree-lined street where the limbs are so low that they hit your RV’s roof. You can avoid hazards like this by planning your route ahead of time.
Consider where you’re going and the types of roads you’re comfortable driving on. For example, if you’re in a 4x4 campervan and want to boondock in the middle of nowhere, you’ll likely be fine on just about any route. But if you’re in a 40-foot Class A motorhome, you’ll want to look for roads that are wide and give your rig enough clearance to let you drive safely.
Not sure how to plan your route? Start with Google Maps. You can always preview your route by checking the roads on street view. Or you can use a paid RV navigation app like RV Trip Wizard or CoPilot GPS. These apps let you enter your RV’s dimensions and generate routes that can accommodate your rig with ease.
Pack Only the Essentials
When you’re traveling in your home away from home, there’s a real temptation to bring everything you could possibly need with you. But you really don’t have to. Instead, pack only the essentials. This should include items like the following:
- Dishes
- Food
- Clothing
- Linens
- Personal Hygiene items
- Toilet paper
- Dish soap
As a general rule, only pack what you’re going to use. RVs are much smaller than most homes and you’ll want to avoid filling up the dinette, countertops, and storage spaces on your trip. When your RV isn’t cluttered and full of stuff, you’ll find it easier to relax and enjoy your trip.
Do a Walkthrough of Your RV
Before you hit the road, you’ll always want to inspect your RV. Walk around the exterior and make sure all storage bays are closed and locked. Check the air pressure in the tires and make sure they’re inflated to your rig’s specified PSI. Secure the awning and make sure it’s completely rolled up. Check the slides and make sure they’re sitting flush with the side of your RV and that they’re fully retracted.
Once inside, secure any loose items to keep them from rolling around as you drive. Lock the bathroom or shower stall door to keep it from swinging. Close all cabinets and make sure they’re latched firmly.
Enjoy Your Trip
These are just a few things you’ll want to do to prepare for your upcoming RV trip. As long as you follow these tips, you’ll set yourself up for a fun and successful adventure, whether you’re gone for the weekend or several months at a time.
Once you come back, you’ll need a convenient place to park and store your RV until the open road calls your name again. Contact us today to discuss your needs or reserve a storage site that’s conveniently located to Denver, Englewood, and the surrounding area!