There are a few things one should know before venturing on the road in a new RV. It could take time to get the hang of the ins and outs of RV operation, and jumping full speed ahead from the onset may result in a less-than-pleasant experience. You can visit Camper Front or read on for coverage of the basic things every new RVer should know about owning their motorhome.
What To Know About Owning an RV
Ensure the road ahead is as smooth as possible by following these tips for RV newcomers:
1. Keep It To the Necessities
The less you bring, the sooner you can drive off. If you’re like any new RVer who buzzes with excitement upon their ride’s arrival, you’ll be anxious to take it on an adventure as soon as possible. Thus, upon checking off your basic safety and essential items checklist, don’t keep thinking about other things to bring or consider.
Sometimes, one focuses too much on having that “perfect trip”, considering all the possible gadgets and gizmos to make it happen, that the trip ends up not happening at all. Every seasoned RVer would tell you to gas up, pack whatever you think you need, and start making memories on the road. Of course, that goes without saying that an emergency roadside kit should always be among your necessities.
2. “Tire-Tracking” Is a Must
Motorhomes are driven long distances, and their tires tend to take the brunt of these travels. Not keeping track of the state of your tires could spell disaster down the road.
If your RV is new, check your tire’s dates. There are cases when they don’t match, and the tires are older. It sounds crazy, but it happens. Tire dates usually come in the form of a four-digit number on the back of the tires. Go ahead and check it.
Another thing you mustn’t overlook is the RV weight relative to the tire load using the PSI capacity chart. If the PSI aligns with your camper van’s weight, you’ll know that you can have a safe and smooth ride.
If you’re unsatisfied with the tires, consider giving them an upgrade or having them replaced entirely. You could be in for an expensive venture, but safety and comfort aren’t things you can’t put a price on.
3. Avoid
Anything That May Lead To Mistakes and Accidents
People can throw caution to the wind when they have a shiny new toy. A new RV can have you anxious to jump in and just drive off. But hold your horses! Loosen that foot on the gas pedal and give yourself time to think; about not just how you’re driving but how you’re doing everything else.
Faster isn’t likely better when you’re still getting the hang of things. Slowing down can be good, too. It lets you take stock of what’s happening and actually enjoy the process. You’ll get to “fast and furious” soon, but give yourself time to let things sink in for now. Take it one step at a time until you’re sure all the bases are covered for the safest possible road travel.
4. Always Communicate
It usually takes a team to operate an RV efficiently: the driver, the navigator, and the passengers. The latter tend to fulfill their roles upon arrival at the destination. Whatever your role, it’s important to communicate clearly with the rest of the team so everything goes smoothly.
The driver usually assigns who does what to the passengers, while the navigator directs the driver and checks the site. Of course, you can opt for a format more suitable for your team. Whatever format sets clearer expectations and is less stressful is the one to follow.
Pressure can rob you of all the excitement of a trip. When everyone’s pressured, and there isn’t a proper system of communication, you may as well all head back for all the undue stress you’d be causing each other. Even your brand-new mobile home can’t stop the eventual implosion.
Avoid fighting, too. A good system isn’t necessarily immune to miscommunication, but make sure to keep your tempers in check when someone does something wrong. So, the navigator mistakenly took you off course. Hash things out without shouting at each other since that’ll only make things worse.
You Should Always Plan the First Trip
It can be tempting to drive off then and there, but barely any good ever comes out of that. In a period when you’re still trying to learn the basics, planning things thoroughly helps ensure a safe and smooth trip.
As exciting as it can be to put the pedal to the metal and drive off into the sunset, reality may set in a few hours later that you have no idea where you are and where you’re headed. Plan every step of your initial journey, so the process eventually becomes second nature, and you no longer have to take nearly as much time to prepare in the future.