Introduction
It’s time to start planning your next RV adventure!
RV vacations are for everyone. They’re a great way to create family memories, and they’re also a way for you to reconnect with the outdoors. In fact, research shows that people who take RV excursions are healthier than those who don’t. So, if you’re looking for a way to get back in touch with nature or just want to have some fun on the road with your family, consider an RV vacation!
Establish a budget
Establishing a budget is the first step in planning your next RV adventure. A budget is simply the amount of money you have to spend on a vacation and it can be as big or as small as you want it to be. To establish your own budget, add up all of your expenses for an average month (mortgage/rent, utilities, food costs), then subtract out anything that won’t be needed while on vacation (bills). This number represents how much money will be available for traveling in an RV.
If you don’t like thinking about money too much or if this seems overwhelming, there are many websites available that offer free financial tools and calculators to help simplify things for you! Some of my favorites include Mint.com and Personal Capital.
Once you’ve created a realistic spending plan for yourself—and stuck to it—it’s time to start looking at what type of RV might work best for your needs and lifestyle.
Choose your destination
Once you’ve settled on the direction of your trip, it’s time to decide where exactly you want to go. Choose a destination that is within your budget, and one that fits within your family’s comfort level. For example, if you have teenagers who aren’t used to being outside in the sun for long periods of time or are prone to motion sickness, then maybe Florida isn’t the best destination choice. But if they are outdoor adventurers and love hiking through mountains or exploring caves by flashlight, then it might be ideal!
When considering destinations for your next adventure trip with family or friends (or alone!), also think about how much driving time is involved. You can cut down on this by choosing a place closer than others; however, sometimes these places may not offer everything you’re looking for in an RV camping experience. If this is the case for you then choose an area that offers something out-of-the-ordinary but still within driving range so as not to stress out those traveling with you
Plan your route
You will want to choose a route that is comfortable for you and your family. This can be as short or long as you want, but if you’re looking to get some miles under your belt, consider how long the trip will take and how many stops along the way are necessary. Think about which season would work best based on weather patterns—and remember that winter circumstances are different than summer ones! Are there certain roads or obstacles (like snowdrifts) that might require more time? What about night driving? Is it safe to do so in certain areas? You’ll also want to consider terrain; mountainous terrain may slow down your speed significantly. Lastly, take into account any planned activities along with travel times between them—for example: if there is an event at one end of a four-hour drive away from where we’d like our RV parked overnight then maybe we should plan on spending two nights rather than just one!
Research lodgings
Your next step is to research lodging options. There are a number of different ways to do this:
- Check reviews online. Many sites, like TripAdvisor and Yelp, have user-generated content that will give you an idea of what the hotel or motel is really like. You can also ask friends and family for recommendations (and be sure not to take their word for it—check out the place yourself!).
- Compare prices. Hotels and motels often charge different rates for their rooms depending on the season and day of year, so make sure you know what’s being offered at each option before booking anything!
- Look at amenities. If a place has a pool or hot tub, that’s something worth considering if you enjoy spending time outdoors; however, if there isn’t much else within walking distance then it might not be worth paying extra for these luxuries just yet (more on this later). In addition to pools and hot tubs, other common amenities include free breakfast items like muffins or bagels with jelly packets; microwaves so guests can heat up leftovers instead of eating out all day long every single meal; vending machines stocked with pop/soda cans as well as bottled water bottles which are cheaper than buying snacks from convenience stores; laundry facilities where guests can wash clothes while away from home without having wear dirty outfits every single day during their RV adventure!
Plan your itinerary
Once you’ve decided on your route, you can start planning for each day. This is an important step because it will help you plan for the unexpected and rest stops, as well as where to eat and stay along the way.
The first thing to think about when creating your itinerary is what activities interest you. Once you have a list of all the things that interest you, rank them by priority so that if something isn’t available or doesn’t work out for any reason, it won’t be too disappointing. If there are things that aren’t on this list but are still possible (i.e., visiting friends), make sure they’re also included in case they become reality while traveling! It can be easy to get caught up in planning every detail of every minute but don’t forget that rest stops need time too! It’s important not only how long we spend doing something but also how often we take breaks from whatever activity we’re doing at any given moment so always keep this in mind when making plans both big and small!
Check the weather forecast
Checking the weather forecast is a must. Not only can weather change quickly, but it can also affect your travel plans, enjoyment of a destination, health and budget.
If you’re headed somewhere cold and snowy, check what the temperature will be while you’re there. You don’t want to get caught in a snowstorm! If possible, try to plan your trip during warmer months so that if there’s any kind of extreme weather (like torrential rainstorms), it won’t ruin your vacation.
Take into account the time of year
- Most people love to travel during the summer, but there are pros and cons to doing so. If you are looking for a more peaceful vacation experience, consider traveling in the off-season. This can mean going away during the fall or winter months when crowds are smaller, or even staying at home and planning a staycation if that’s more your style.
- There are many different types of leisure travelers: family groups, couples on their honeymoon or anniversary celebration, solo adventurers who want some time away from work—to name just a few! You might find yourself among them on your next adventure as well! Regardless of who you’re traveling with though (or even if nobody is joining you), consider picking destinations where there are activities available all year round because then everyone could enjoy themselves no matter when they visit
Plan for emergency situations
It can be easy to get caught up in the planning of every little detail, but it’s important to also plan for what you would do in an emergency situation. It is a good idea to have a first aid kit and fire extinguisher on hand before heading out on your adventure, as well as a mobile phone that works outside of your service provider’s coverage area.
Make sure your RV is ready to go
When you’re planning an adventure, it’s important to make sure your RV is ready to go. Here are some things you should check:
- Check the tires (including the spare tire) and make sure there’s enough air in them. It’s a good idea to check your tires every month or so, even if they’re not low on air.
- Make sure the battery is charged properly and that it works when you turn on the key. If it doesn’t, call someone who can fix it before you leave!
- Empty all of your water tanks (the black tank for toilet waste and gray tank for washing up) so that they don’t fill up during travel time—this will save money on fuel too! If there are any leaks anywhere inside this area, make sure they’re fixed beforehand because sometimes there aren’t mechanics at every campground worth their salt who can fix everything here.
Pack accordingly
You’ll want to pack plenty of food, water, clothing and blankets. You’ll also want to bring a first aid kit and a cell phone with charger so you can call for help if needed. If you have room in the back of your rig, throw in a power pack or two—one for each vehicle battery so you don’t have to worry about running out of juice on a long haul; one for keeping all your electronics charged up when camping at an RV park; and another for charging items like laptops while driving down the highway. Finally, it’s always good practice to keep fire extinguishers handy as well as flashlights that don’t need batteries (handy if there’s no light switch nearby).
Conclusion
The next time you plan an RV adventure, use this guide to get started. You’ll be able to dream big and get organized before you hit the road!
