Ready to Go RVing: 7 Things You Must Know When Owning an RV
In America, about 10% of people over 55 own an RV.
If you are thinking about joining this percentage, you may be wondering what you should know before you commit and buy one.
Are you ready to go RVing, but you're pretty clueless? Read this article to learn more about owning an RV and best practices when RVing.
1. They're Not Cheap
The first thing you should know is that RVs aren't cheap. Many people think they're a more frugal way to travel, but this isn't always the case.
When you start doing some research and finding out how much RVs are, you'll realize that you'll have to put out a bunch of money to get it. And the price of the RV depends on what type you want. You can check out check out Haltermansrv.com to get a good idea of what you might have to pay.
And the initial price of the RV isn't the only thing you'll be paying. You'll also have to pay for gas, insurance, campground accommodation fees, gas, and maintenance. You'll also have to pay for RV storage if you can't keep it on your property. You will save money on hotels and airfare, yes, but you should sit down and see if one price outweighs the other.
You'll need to make sure that you also have a budget in place to take care of regular and unplanned maintenance.
However, if you're okay with all of this, an RV can be a wonderful thing to take trips with.
2. Make Sure You Have the Right Tires
Before you take your RV on your next road trip, you should also make sure that you have the right tires.
Whether you're buying a new RV or doing maintenance on your current one, you should always check what the date on the tires is. Just because the RV is new doesn't mean the tires are.
There's normally a four-digit number on the back of the tires that will tell you when they were made.
You may want to upgrade or replace the tires so that you don't run into problems on your trip. However, make sure that you look up the weight of the RV and match it with the PSI of your tires.
3. Get an RV-Specific GPS
One thing people don't realize is that they should have a GPS that they can use specifically for their RV.
Most people will just type their destination into their smartphone and then follow the guided map. However, with an RV, you need to have a specific GPS for your route.
A regular smartphone app map may take you through tunnels, low bridges, and roads that aren't built to sustain the weight of your RV. However, a GPS specifically made for an RV will make sure all the routes it takes you on are safe for your RV.
In addition to all of that, you'll want to make sure you don't drive on narrow roads, sharp curves, or places with low-hanging trees.
Some RVs come with a GPS already, but if they don't, you can always buy one and install it.
4. Drive Slowly
When you are driving, make sure you slow down a little bit. It may seem obvious, but a lot of people forget that they are driving a vehicle much bigger than what they're used to.
If you are feeling rushed, you're more likely to make a mistake or get into an accident.
On top of that, a lot of RVers tend to forget to check the RV battery before they hit the road, so important to have a checklist.
Instead of stressing out and trying to arrive at your destination faster, make sure you leave early and have plenty of time for detours and mistakes.
5. Test Drive it Before Your Big Trip
Before you leave for your trip, you should also test drive it.
You should try and test drive it before you buy it, but you should be comfortable with driving it before you go for your first trip. Even if you've owned an RV before, it's important to still drive your new one because it may feel different.
By taking it on a test run, you'll learn the ins and outs of the RV. You'll know what to watch out for and where all your blind spots are.
Taking it out beforehand may take some of the pressure and stress off of you when it comes to driving it for the actual trip as well.
6. You Need Good Communication Skills
If you're going to be taking your family on a road trip in the RV, you'll need to make sure you all have decent communication skills.
When you are in charge of driving that big of a vehicle, you need to make sure your family is ready to help with anything else. You can designate someone to be the navigator so that you can focus directly on driving.
You can also have someone who will help watch the children and keep them entertained so that you can focus on driving. The point of this is to make sure that the driver doesn't have to deal with stress or distractions.
It's really easy to get frustrated with your family members when you're under pressure, and driving a huge RV can definitely be pressuring.
7. Know the Measurements of the RV
Lastly, you should also know the measurements of the RV.
If you see a clearance sign for a bridge, you'll need to know how tall your RV is to know if you can actually go under that bridge. If you can't remember the numbers, you can always write them down somewhere in your cabin where you can easily access them.
You should also know how long your RV is. There is normally a sticker next to the door that will tell you how long it is.
However, if you add anything like bikes or a car behind your RV, you'll also need to account for the overall length.
Learn More About Owning an RV
Owning an RV can be a challenging but rewarding experience.
If you're thinking about buying an RV, make sure you do your research beforehand, and then you can enjoy endless road trips!
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