If you’ve recently purchased an RV to upgrade your camping experience, then you’re probably yearning to hit the road and test out the new rig. RVing is a great pastime, even if you’re not going very far. There are lots of other ways to use your RV so use your imagination and make the most of your new vehicle. But now that you’re ready to start RVing, you may be struggling with the preparations because it can be overwhelming. Here at Country Road RV: Sundre, we’ve provided you some essential first steps to help you get started on your first trip. If you’re still looking for the perfect RV, then come visit our showroom to see what we have in stock. We proudly serve the regions of Sundre, Olds, Canmore, Cochrane, Lethbridge, Edmonton, Calgary, Airdrie, and Red Deer, Alberta, as well as Kamloops, British Columbia.
Planning
The key to an amazing RV weekend is proper planning. It’s much better to have a plan in place than to try and react to situations, especially if you’re going to be fairly removed from civilization. Start by making sure you have a place to park your RV every night. If you know you’ll be traveling for a few days, then outline your schedule so you know where you’ll end up every night and book your campsite in advance. This will prevent you from having to drive around late at night, looking for a place to set up camp. And keep in mind that you might be restricted as far as where you can camp based on your RV’s size. Not all campgrounds can accommodate the bigger fifth wheels and motorhomes.
Start keeping track of the things you’ll want to pack for every RV trip, including food, linens, and dishware. Food can take up a surprising amount of room, so try to save some space by freezing meals and using non-perishable ingredients that you can store in your cabinets. Clothes and linen may also take up a lot of room, so if you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, try to utilize laundry services as much as possible. And keep in mind, all RV trips are unique to the group. Plan for any other activities or necessities that are important to you, like outdoor activities or special meals.
Packing
Now that you have a basic plan for your trip, make sure you pack everything you need. Just because you have a lot of storage room, doesn’t mean you should use it all. Stuffing your RV might lead to overloading it. Because of this, you’ll want to start with the essentials. Consider everything we’ve already mentioned, and make sure you’ve got the basics covered, trying to consolidate wherever you can. In fact, if you go RVing often enough, you may find there are certain essentials you’ll want to leave in your RV all the time, like linens and cooking utensils. Just make sure you have all the most important tools for camping, including safety equipment. Only then should you consider luxury items. And always keep your weight in mind. There are weight restrictions that you’ll need to adhere to, so make sure you know what these are and that you’re not exceeding these limits.
Organizing
We highly recommend having some form of tracking system, whether it’s a spreadsheet, checklist, or just some scribbled notes, that keeps track of your packing list and your pre-camping routine, which should include checking your RV for internal issues and engine problems (if you have a motorhome). It will help alleviate the feeling that you’re forgetting something and help you remember your pre-camping routine should you step away from your RV for an extended period of time.
Enjoy the Process
As stressful as this may be, don’t forget to enjoy your camping trip. These steps are meant to help you streamline the planning process so you can have more fun every time you spend time in your RV. Plan fun activities that let you and your passengers explore the outdoors and plan times in which you won’t have anything to do but relax and enjoy one another’s company. Take lots of pictures and create many memories. Rving is meant to be fun and exciting, so make the most of it. And don’t forget to bring your RV in regularly for routine maintenance and repairs. When this time comes around, talk to our experienced professionals at Country Road RV: Sundre. We welcome all RV owners from the areas of Sundre, Olds, Canmore, Cochrane, Lethbridge, Edmonton, Calgary, Airdrie, and Red Deer, Alberta, as well as Kamloops, British Columbia.
