RV'ing for the first time?

Does the Outdoors Inspire you?? For me, tent camping inspired me with the first thoughts of... what am I missing? Is it worth it?

All those RVs around me!

What more activities could I do with all the benefits of staying outdoor?

It helps if you have tent camped before. There is no comparison to tent camping when it comes to the cost, but better value vs cost with access to nature. Yes! It is ‘glamping’ ( aka glamorous camping) for sure!

Why are "you" thinking or doing an RV? What is your inspiration?

I first started thinking while tent camping. I would watch the RV campers, and get curious of what that experience was! Then pandemic hit, forcing us to stay indoors, travel seemed not fun but I craved getting out. The option to NOT go through the crowded security or check-in lines at the airport, car rentals, hotels and restaurants made it an easy decision to pursue RV renting.

But, what does it take and how to get started?

Started researching, lots of YouTube videos, read articles from RVers and visited the RV rental place to get a preview, along with my kids! Taking the kids along proved great for me as they showed me how to have fun! My kids were excited, unlike how my wife remembered it from her childhood. She had nightmares of her RVing times with her folks, with dangling electrical cords on the freeway sort of nightmares. I guess those things gave me a checklist of things to look out and be prepared better!

RV Road trip Checklist

TO DO:

• Look at an example of how an RV looks inside/outside> scroll through the pictures, the 360 degree view.

• Watch this instructional video for an example overview of what to expect.

• RV Companies - Cruise America is the most common but we have never rented from them. We love the company Roadbear so far. Also, there are other options like https://rvshare.com, or you will find tons of local google search for “rv rentals”. Typically rentals are “Motorhomes”. The other types of RVs are “trailers”, “campers”.

• Which rig should you rent? Compare these motorhomes. example (definitely a luxury rental)- shows the options that are typically available with all rentals. 22-24 foot is perfect for a family of 4 or 5. If you have older children (teen+) / extra space go for the next level up.

• Plan where to go, and look up RV campsites. We always google for campsites near the area where we will be and then those sites will take you to the appropriate booking pages. Alternatively you can use these : https://www.campendium.com ,https://www.rvonthego.com, https://roadtrippers.com, https://www.reserveamerica.com, https://www.recreation.gov. See "guide to success" below.

TO BRING:

• Check if kitchen utensils are sufficient or bring your own + don’t forget Clothes / Toiletries / Jackets / Shoes.

• Take your favorite pillow/bedsheets/comforters/socks/scarfs - the walls are thin and doesn’t keep the heat insulated well.

• Head-lamp / Lanterns (similar to tent camping for emergencies).

• Leveler - If the campsite is not level, then refrigerators might not work well and not recommended to turn on stove. Most campsites are level, and the rentals come with few standard.

• Tools - wrench, Philip, flat screw driver, hammer, screws/nails, duck tape, scissors, pliers, Swiss Army knife, gaffers /insulation tape, cork screw, Carry tool kit (power screw-driver/spanner charged and ready/duck tapes for electrical/water connections incase something does not work as expected at the camp sites or on the road - a flat tire might require professional help, check with your RV rental!)

• Any fuel saver cards since you have to fill at mid-grade, <10 Miles per gallon and tanks are as big as 55 gallons!

• Optional - can make the trip feel even more luxurious:

  • Lawn chairs/table/

  • outdoor and indoor rugs, extension cords for exterior units/fans/lighting (most of the rentals come with awning lights)

  • outdoor bbq/stove - the indoor stoves works well, but the smoke detector is too close to allow elaborate cooking /extension cord/propane tanks depending ion your outdoor stove.

  • Firewood/camp fire items.

  • Water tanks/jugs/bottles - in case there is an issue with your plumping/de-winterized you will have an alternate option.

  • Bikes - request the rental company for racks installed (would cost extra)

• To buy: Plan your Food (typically everything else comes with the RV, if not bring from home or buy as needed)

Guide to Success

Sit back and review below tips:

1. Mileage: Rental companies rarely have unlimited mileage. So check the math whether its best to pay ahead or after. e.g. for last trip I estimated 1000 miles extra (4000 but went only 3016 due to poor weather conditions avoided few trips). This cost me around 420$ because its 42 $ per 100 miles pre-paid. If paying for after the trip, the additional cost is around 45$ per 100 miles which is better than loosing the 420$. So while booking try to keep the mileage very close to what is expected.

2. Video Manual: The rental company will give you a walk through. Take a video while they are doing it so you can review later.

3. Insurance: Check the deductible on the insurance. Your existing auto or credit card might not accommodate for RVs. Since I had a $1000 deductible that came with the rental, I decided to get the $0 deductible supplemental liability insurance which took care of few accidental damages I had during my 12 days trip.

4. Support / emergency contact numbers: Cannot test water leaks or sewer problems ahead of time, so check if there is an option to replace on the road if that happens. The rentals typically have a 24*7 number to call, but might not be able to fix anything. Since the rentals are brand new such problems are rare.

5. Distance: Try to keep the daily distance under 250-300 miles and split the drive into 2-3 portions so you can stop and enjoy on the way, also better for back to split with another driver.

6. Timing: Try to plan such that you reach destination by 4-5 pm, so there is still sunlight and can see the RV spot better, so head out sooner. Try to accomplish half the distance by noon.

7. Maneuvering: Remember your SUV is typically 16 feet long, while RVs are at least 6-10 feet longer. Remember to take wide turns and avoid tight corners. While backing have somebody help you.

8. RV Heights typically around 12 feet (SUV is around 5—6 feet max) check if gas station or bridge you are going under is less than the height.

9. Check the RV campsite for “pull through” sites. Back-in sites are tricky to maneuver, although with help from your partner you will do fine.

10. Check the RV campsite for “Full Hookups” sites. There are partial hook ups sites where typically sewer is a common dump site. So make sure the site says all the 3 - Electrical/Water and Sewer hook-ups available.

11. Generator and Propane usage - find out the limits and cost from the rental, usually a problem only when you plan to cook/heater or air-condition outside of the hooked campsites.

    • Optional: Inspire yourself by watching as many videos as you can from these other Youtube links e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Before and After Campsites

"I am at the site, now what?"

1. Electricity hook-up

Power cable and standard adapter comes with rental. While plugged in it will charge microwave and air conditioner, connection will slowly charge the batteries for motor home.

1. Sewer hook-up

Two to Three tanks (“Grey” tank for shower/sinks and “Black” Tanks for toilet). Always empty the black tanks first. Then close those before emptying grey tanks. If there are multiple, then open the right side one first and close it last.

1. Water hook-up

   1. “Fresh” water connection to city water faucet outside. There is also a tank inside which uses a pump when you are not at a campsite/without hookup.

   2. If winterized then cannot use the water or sewage - use portable water bottles and call rental support to de-winterize when warmer than freezing.

2. Awning - make sure its folded and the awning lights are off. If its raining then awning might need to be folded even when camping.

3. Slide outs - some rentals do, so check how to operate and whether the campsite has space.

4. IMPORTANT! Always walk around to inspect before moving RV.

5. What should be on and off? Propane off before filling gas at gas station and then turn back on after filling gas so the refrigerator and later generator can function.

6. Electricity - if using generator and not hook-up:

   1. Plug RV receptacle inside so it’s connected to the generator.

   2. Generator - 110v, has to be above 1/4 tank of gas to work.

   3. To start generator, turn off all electrical appliances, ( especially the roof fan ). Next, press and hold start button to turn on generator.

   4. Next, wait 2-3 minutes before turning on any electrical appliances.

   5. Check generator oil every 25 hours of use.examine the dip stick of oil level.(1800-367-4707)

7. Propane(LPG) - water heater, furnace, stove and oven

   1. Refrigerator can run on either propane or electricity.

   2. Propane tank cannot be less than 1/4. Check the tank on the side compartment. Needs to be refilled at a truck stop, RV campground, gas station - they will refill for you. Not responsible for refilling propane tank upon return.

   3. Batteries - one for engine and one for auxiliary like refrigerator or water heater.