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As the sun comes out and we consider going on our RV adventures, it’s important to have a check list. The following are 7 classic mistakes newbie RVers make.
It’s a great idea to get the feel for driving your ship on wheels. Unless you’re, say, a bus driver in real life, maneuvering an RV presents its own set of challenges. On our maiden voyage, my husband and I headed to the nearest big parking lot (at a shopping center) and drove around to literally get a feel for how it moved.
Paying attention to the turn radius and overhead clearance. Practice backing into a spot for those RV parks that don’t have what’s called pull-through sites. Trust me, it’s good to have done this at least once in a stress-free setting before parking your rig for the first time at a packed campground — though I am sure your audience of seasoned RV veterans will find it quite amusing!
I should mention that you’ll start to get confident driving your RV — and then you’ll take a turn too fast. Remember, you always have to drive slower and brake sooner.
Running out of gas in the middle of the wilderness is literally something out of a horror movie. It’s so important to get acquainted with your vehicle’s capabilities, and pay attention to the proximity of the nearest gas station. This is especially important if you’re hauling a camper with your regular vehicle. You may be used to getting a lot more mileage from a tank of gas, but your load could drop efficiency to less than 10 miles a gallon. One other tip here, with an RV you might be driving through more remote places than you are used to and the next gas station might be much farther away than you think.
Our smart phones sure make navigation easy — that is, until you find yourself without service and in the middle of nowhere. (Also see not watching Gas Gauge.) It’s important to have a good old-fashioned paper map at the ready.
We’re all anxious to get on the road, but before you do, walk around the RV. Check the tire pressure. Make sure all the slide-outs are back in. Ensure the outside storage cabinets are closed and locked. Double-check that you didn’t leave your empty luggage next to the RV — you know, that kind of thing.
There’s also things you need to do inside, like place the coffee maker and toaster in the sink so they don’t slide around. The one thing my husband and I just COULD NOT remember was making sure the refrigerator door was tightly shut. We’d make a turn and, to our children’s total delight, the door would fling open and 10 apples would come flying out. If you are renting an RV, ask for a checklist.
It’s so enticing to over-pack when you have all this space! However, an RV starts feeling pretty cramped when things aren’t neatly stored away. You really don’t need every kitchen gadget in the world. One set of plates, bowls and silverware will do. Remember, you have a sink and can wash things! Though it may not feel like it, you are camping; even if it is fancy camping.
Part of the fun of RV travel is spontaneity. However, if you’re touring in the states, Memorial Day through Labor Day is busy, busy, busy — especially on holidays and weekends. Many great sites fill up early, and if they’re first-come, first-served, you best be at the campground when it opens. It’s always a good idea to book ahead of time or call and find out the best way to ensure your spot in the RV park you want.
Not only does this mean you’ll be uncomfortable as you sleep, a wonky RV set up means the fridge doesn’t work properly and you run the risk of your food going bad. Most RV’s have some sort of leveling system, so find out where it is and how it works. Also, a small level is a handy-dandy item to have in your tool box.
I know these may be some obvious examples of classic RV mistakes. But, hopefully they will act as friendly reminders to make someone’s adventure a little more pleasant.
Paul Hemphill welcomes questions about this article, ideas for future articles, or solutions forwhere to consign, rent or buy RV’s. He can be reached at RVcornerNRtoday@gmail.com.
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