Tips And Tricks For Planning a Successful RV Trip
By SANJAY SURANA
Travelers quickly encounter other RV owners and hear terms like black water, control panels, dump stations, fuel hookups, and holding tanks.
Learn The Lingo
Familiarize yourself with these terms before the trip. Knowing the difference between a front galley and a slide-out will make the ins and outs of each day a lot easier.
An RV is like a car with a house welded onto it. The mechanics are similar to other vehicles but also have water tanks, a water pump, and an RV battery.
How An RV Works
Power for the appliances comes from the battery or electrical system when plugged into the grid at a campsite or motorhome park. Efficiency is the hallmark of any RV.
Furniture is usually adaptable; a dining area, for instance, can become a sleeping area, and the space above the driver's seat is a sleeping quarters.
Mobile homes come in various sizes, and it's important to get one that closely aligns your needs with the space needed and prevents unnecessary gas usage.
Size Matters
Class A homes are huge, can sleep up to 10 people, and are the most likely to have a slide-out. Class B RVs are significantly smaller, nimble, and often sleep four or fewer.
A happy medium is Class C, which offers more space and comfort than Class B but can sleep up to eight without the bulk of Class A.
While RV traveling brings freedom, you must plot the route between your destinations and calculate the best way in advance.
Plan Your Route
You should always aim to drive in the daytime and take regular breaks. These vehicles are much larger than a standard car and require much more concentration to operate them.
Some seasoned RVers like to quote the 2-2-2 rule: travel no more than 200 miles per day, drive a maximum of two hours without a break, and arrive at your camping spot before 2 p.m.
The easiest campsites to stay at let you dispose of wastewater, refill the freshwater tank, recharge your battery, and use appliances without draining it.
Setting Up Camp
Reserve America is a site with listings across the United States, while Recreation.gov is government-run and allows users to specify the size of their vehicle.
Harvest Hosts has thousands of listings of wineries, farms, and other locations where camping is free, while Boondockers Welcome details free spots on private land.