Tips for Long-Distance Travel with RVs and Campers

While long-distance travel with RVs and campers can be an incredible experience and the ultimate way of travel for many Americans, it can also be complicated, challenging, and time-consuming. Essentially, you should expect the unexpected and be prepared for that.

However, don’t let this deter you from this lifetime experience. A few tips and tricks can help you make the most of this adventure by making long-distance travel more manageable.

Realistic goals, planning, packing the essentials, and making frequent breaks are only a few of the things you can do.

There is more, so let’s touch on that in more detail.

Why Traveling With a Recreational Vehicle is Worth It

Traveling with a recreational vehicle is a wholesome experience. It’s exciting, but it’s also worth it compared to traditional traveling by car, plane, or bus. With an RV, you don’t have to worry about where you’ll stay or use the bathroom, as in the case of long-distance travel by car.

Spend Less While Traveling More in the Long Run

When you spend your vacation time with RVs, travel trailers, and campers over several years, you can notice you’re spending less money than if you were to travel by bus, car, or plane. When you accumulate all the expenses and compare them to other ways of traveling for vacation, such as fuel, plane tickets, places to sleep, and food, it’s easy to understand how RVs and campers are cheaper in the long run.

Don’t Worry About Places to Eat, Sleep, or Bathrooms: You Have it All With You

As mentioned before, you have everything you need in your RV and camper. There’s a place to eat, sleep, shower, and wash your teeth, which is not something you’ll find as easily when traveling by plane, train, car, or bus.

Hundreds of Public and Private Campgrounds in North America to Choose From

If you’re worried about where to park your RV, don’t be. There are hundreds of public and private campgrounds in North America alone, making it easy to stop pretty much everywhere. Some are free, some are not, but either way, you’ll have a place to stop, rest, and recharge.

The Essentials for Long-Distance Road Trips

Apart from great planning and a calm mind, you’ll also need a few essentials that’ll make your trip easier. Long-distance road trips are no joke, and you had better come prepared, or you might not enjoy the experience as much.

Bring Plenty of Water for Both RV and Travelers

As with any road trip, you need to bring water with you. But because this is long-distance travel and you’re also living inside what you’re traveling in, you need to bring a surplus of water for you and everyone else on board. While it’s also crucial you plan your trip around access to water, you can’t rely solely on picking up the vital liquid on the road. Your RV also needs water, so make sure you have some for that as well.

Do a Safety Check Before Departing

Even though you’ve packed everything, you should not depart before running a safety check on your RV or camper. Make sure all safety devices are running properly, the mirrors are clean, the windshield is clean, the wipers are working, and so on. Check the brakes, tire pressure, and all the other details you don’t want to be surprised by mid-journey.

Don’t Overpack

You might think you need a lot on your long-distance trip, but you actually don’t. You’d be surprised how little things you need, especially when it comes to clothing. Now, everyone’s different, and you probably know what’s best for you, but we advise you to think twice about how many shirts and pants you really need for this trip. Avoid adding extra weight to the RV. 

And Don’t Take Pets You Can’t Properly Secure and Accommodate

Long-distance trips usually take a while, which can be a problem if you have pets. Can you bring your pets? In most cases, yes. However, it’s important to ensure your pets are properly secured and accommodated. First and foremost, think about how well your pet travels. If you have a cat who hates car rides, it might not be the best idea to bring them along. On the flip side, if it’s a dog that is just too hyperactive and does not take traveling in a cage or secured to a leash well, also think twice about bringing them along. If you can’t accommodate and secure your pet, consider leaving them with a family member, a friend, or a pet hotel.

Make Sure Propane Tank and Connections Are Filled and Secure

Before you even depart, it’s important to ensure your propane tank and connections are filled and secure. This is as important as the safety check we mentioned earlier, so set some time for it before packing everything in.

Always Dump Waste Tanks Before Parting

If you’ve made a stop somewhere, make sure to dump waste tanks before parting again. This way, the tank is empty for you to fill it again, especially if your next stop is not as near.

However, let’s not forget to dump the waste tanks only where we’re supposed to. Don’t do this in rivers or on the side of the road.

Set Realistic Goals and Expectations

You probably have an idea of how this trip will look, as well as what you’ll see, do, and experience. And while it helps to have a plan, it’s also important to set realistic goals and expectations. Be realistic about when you’ll arrive, when you’ll depart, and how long your breaks will be. This is especially important if you’re not alone.

Purchase an RV Extended Warranty 

Extended warranties are meant to protect your RV from mechanical breakdowns while you’re on the road, with most also offering roadside assistance, repair services, and even help in getting back home if your RV will need extensive work done that lasts longer than a day. 

This is an essential investment for your long-distance RV trips, as RV repairs can be costly without them, and many insurance providers don’t cover basic repairs if they’re not accidents or severe enough. 

Plan Your Route and Book Campground Reservations in Advance

You might think winging it is fun if you’re feeling adventurous, but long-distance travel can be unpredictable, so it’s best not to go this route. Instead, plan as much as you can, focusing on the routes you’ll take, campgrounds you’ll stop at, where you’ll refuel, and more.

Have a route in place so that you always know where you’re at and where you’re going next and so that you don’t waste any travel days. Also, book campground reservations in advance to make sure you can actually stop where you want.

Have a Plan B Travel Plan for Any Destination or Entire Trip

A plan B is important if things go sour in any way. Maybe the route you planned is closed, or you end up not liking the destination. In this case, it helps to have an alternative plan of what you’ll do if things don’t go as planned. For example, let’s say you wanted to make a stop at this campground that turns out to have no space to accommodate you at this time. The last thing you want is to wander around with your family, so make sure you always have a plan B.

Give Yourself Plenty of Extra Time to Get to Any Destination

Long-distance traveling can take a long time. We’re talking hours or even days, depending on where you’re going. For this reason, don’t rush it. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going because rushing is dangerous, and you don’t really get anything when you arrive there an hour earlier. Extra time is advisable because of traffic, necessary breaks, and possible unexpected road and park closures that will force Plan B, C, or D to be put into place.

Make Sure Your RV Park, Campground, and State and National Parks Can Accommodate Your RV

As mentioned before, some campgrounds and national parks might not have any space to accommodate you at the moment of your visit. In some cases, they might only let small campers make a stop. For this reason, it’s crucial to check (and book) this in advance so you’re not surprised.

Read Campground Reviews

When looking at different campground sites, it helps to pay special attention to the reviews. People will always voice their opinions, no matter whether they’re good or bad, and hearing them out can help you decide and prepare. If a campground has poor reviews, you’re likely to feel more or less the same about it, whereas good reviews indicate the campground is safe, comfortable, and easy to navigate.

Never Forget The Emergency Kit and Tool Kit

Because we can never know what can go wrong on your long-distance trip, it’s always a good idea to have emergency and tool kits with you. It doesn’t have to be anything serious, but it should be a simple cut. Having the emergency kit with you helps you sanitize the cut. A tool kit is good to have around for small repairs.

Invest in an RV-Friendly GPS Map

Google Maps works great for many things, but it’s not the best for traveling by RV. The thing is, your RV might not be allowed on all roads and this doesn’t always show up in Google Maps. So, it’s best to invest in an RV-friendly map that will direct you exactly where you want to go through routes and roads that are RV-friendly as well.

Watch the Weather Constantly

Long-distance travel is not fun when the weather is off, so make sure to watch it constantly. If you notice any indication of bad weather, it’s best to make a stop until the clouds clear out again. Although traveling might take longer, it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially with extreme weather conditions.

Make a Playlist of Songs and Podcasts for all Travelers

Traveling is always more fun when you’re listening to good music or even a podcast. Make sure to make a playlist to last you throughout your trip, but try to include others as well. You can listen to whatever you want when you’re alone, but make sure to have something for the rest of your crew. Ask them what they want to listen to and prepare that beforehand so that everyone is happy and entertained.

Fill Up for Gas Whenever You Can

Fill up for gas whenever you get a chance to avoid getting off-guard in case you can’t make the next planned stop. Unexpected things can happen, and you might not be able to stop for a long while, so it’s best to have enough gas to get you to the next place. Don’t wait to run low, or you will expose yourself to potential unwanted scenarios like staying on the side of the road without enough gas to move along.

Be Prepared for Losing Cell Services from Time to Time

Traveling by RV and camper can lead you to different roads that might be far away from phone service. You should prepare for this by downloading offline maps or opting for good old-fashioned printed maps. This way, you’re less likely to panic when you lose cell services.

Switch Drivers if Possible and Take Breaks When Needed

Long-distance traveling can be exhausting, which is why it’s best to take long breaks whenever you need to. Also, it helps to have another driver on board so you can switch places when you’re tired. You can take turns napping so you’re always fresh and ready for another few hours of eyes on the road.

Travel Short Distances as Much as Possible

Long-distance is actually driving short-distance for a longer while. When you plan your trip, make sure to plan for stopping frequently to fill up gas, get refreshments, and stretch your legs. This way, you’re essentially driving short-distance, which is easier and safer. It does all add up to a longer distance, but you’re less likely to be as exhausted at the end. After all, the trip itself is part of the adventure, so take it easy and enjoy it.

Know How to Change A Tire on Your RV

Knowing how to do any repair is good, but knowing at least how to change a tire on your RV or travel trailer is a must. Long-distance travel brings all kinds of unexpected scenarios, one of which is easily a split tire. Needless to say, you must have a spare one, but it’s always good to know how to use it. It’s cheaper than having someone else do it, and it also takes less time.

Study Your RV Engine

It helps to know how your RV operates, so studying its engine is always a good idea. Familiarize yourself with its sounds and how it feels when you drive, its running temperature, the cooling it requires, and so on. This way, you’re less likely to be caught off guard.

Check Any Noise or Issue With the RV Immediately on a Road Trip

If you notice any weird noise or you think there might be an issue with your RV, you should check on it immediately. Don’t wait for your next destination, but try to stop as soon as possible. Being prompt in these situations can literally save lives.

If Traveling with Kids, Don’t Forget Games, Books, and Toys

Kids might not enjoy long-distance traveling as much as they tend to get bored quickly. When bored, kids can be a distraction from the road, so it’s best to keep them entertained. For this reason, bring toys, books, and games for kids to enjoy while you drive so that everyone can have fun.

Southeast Financial Can Make Your Dreams of Long-Distance RV Road Trips a Reality

Have you always wanted to take a long-distance RV road trip? If so, Southeast Financial can help your dreams come true through our loans for RVs.

All you need is an idea, and we’ll help you make it happen by offering a consultation, loan, and advice on how to take an RV trip of a lifetime.