For some people, the perfect camping trip is spending a few days away from the hustle and bustle of life with close friends or family. For others, it’s catching the perfect fish or making it to the top of a mountain they’ve dreamed of hiking for years. At Lazydays RV, we believe the perfect camping trip can be any of these things, so long as there’s an RV waiting at the campsite. RV camping allows you to enjoy all that nature has to offer, all the while enjoying many of the comforts of home.
Like a regular camping trip, an RV camping trip requires a good deal of preparation before hitting the road. Besides choosing the right campsite and making sure you have the right gear, enough food, and plenty of bug spray, you must ensure your RV is in top shape. No need to worry though, the RV experts at Lazydays RV have you covered. In this handy guide to all things RV camping, we’ll cover everything from recommended maintenance to just how much bug spray is enough to keep the peskiest of critters away. Read on to learn how to get ready for your first RV camping trip!
How to Get Your RV Ready for a Few Nights of Camping
Much like when going traditional tent camping you need to check to see if you have all your tent poles (there’s nothing more frustrating than being a peg or two short), first-time RV campers must make sure their rig is in the right condition. Since the warmer months of spring and summer are the most popular times for RV camping trips, this guide will cover your standard RV camping excursion. If you do plan on RVing in the winter, make sure to check out our comprehensive guide to RV winterization.
First and foremost, you’ll want to cover the basic, essential systems in your RV. These include the engine, generator, batteries, plumbing/freshwater system, and the AC unit. A maintenance issue with any one of these systems is reason enough to take your RV in for service. Make sure to check each one at least two weeks before your trip to leave some buffer time for a last-minute trip to the shop.
Next, check your secondary systems for any issues and to ensure they’re in working condition. Areas to check will vary depending on the type of RV you have, but many common areas to inspect include the RV awnings, slide outs, propane hookups (and tanks), kitchen and bathroom appliances, tow jacks, TVs, solar power, and more. Depending on how often you use your RV, some of these appliances and systems can be inspected quickly, while others will require a more thorough inspection. The kitchen appliances, AC, awning, and slide outs (if applicable) are four areas RVers should check with extra vigor. Nothing puts a damper on that first dinner under the stars like a slide room that won’t budge or a burner that won’t light. Awnings are the best way to enjoy a post-hike nap outdoors, but can sometimes not agree with us and have trouble opening.
The easiest way to ensure your RV is ready for the open road is to stay on top of your annual and regular maintenance schedules. Lazydays RV is proud to offer incredible RV maintenance specials for everything from premium RV generator service to appliance checks. Make sure to schedule an appointment at your nearest Lazydays dealership or service center today!
How to Get You and Your Family Ready for an RV Adventure
Once your RV is ready for a few days and nights in the great outdoors, it’s time to make sure you’re ready to go! After your destination and itinerary is planned out (or not, having no plans is a great way to spend a vacation), make sure you have a rough idea planned out for setting up your campsite. A few important factors to consider are the size of your RV, amenities available at your campsite (power hookups, waste disposal, etc.), where the sun will set, and the weather. If you’re boondocking, no need to worry about campsite amenities, but make sure to consider other factors. You’ll want to have plenty of room to park your RV, set up a few chairs, a table, a grill or a tent. Gauging where the sun will set is a great tip we like to tell RVers, since it can play a major factor in keeping your rig cool during the day. Positioning your RV where the least number of windows face the sun keeps the interior from getting too hot during the day, meaning you don’t have to run your AC unit as long.
Tying into the next part of the RV camping prep list is packing and the weather. Check the forecast for the entirety of your trip and cater your packing list around the weather and what you have planned. Make sure to bring at least one set of warm clothes (thick socks, sweats/pants, flannel/long-sleeve shirt, and jacket) for the nighttime, especially if you’re heading to a desert or mountain area. Even in the summer, both regions can get quite cold at night. From there, it’s up to you. It never hurts to have a good pair of boots or comfortable hiking shoes to explore in, a pair of sunglasses, and a hat or two.
When it comes to grocery shopping for an RV camping trip, the simpler the better. You’ll often be tired at the end of a long day of adventure, so having a few easy recipes to fall back on is a great idea. Check out our RV recipe guides for everything from ways to grill food to how to grocery shop for an RV trip.
Finally, you’ll want to have the right RV accessories to make the most out of your RV camping trip. Most RVers will agree you can’t go wrong with a grill, a fold-out table, and a few lawn chairs. A compact gas or charcoal grill adds another dimension to any RVers cooking, with a table and chair set turning the beach, woods, or anywhere into your dining room. A portable cooler or two can help you keep your favorite beverages cool and make time spent on or near the water just a bit more special. A Wi-Fi or satellite range extender allows RVers to enjoy their favorite shows and movies in even the most remote locations and a Bluetooth speaker can turn your RV patio into an outdoor dance floor. Make sure to check out these and other accessories as part of Lazydays RV’s Big Summer Sale, going on until July 31, 2020!
To learn more about Lazydays RV’s selection of the latest travel trailers, RV accessories, and service packages, contact us today or visit a Lazydays dealership near you!
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