RVs are one of the best inventions when it comes to luxury road trips. Not only are you fully comfortable during the duration of the trip, but you also have built-in living space so you can save money on hotels and other accommodations. In fact, taking a cross-country trip in an RV can become one of the most memorable vacations you have. But before you head out on your getaway and exploration, be sure to follow these five tips for your cross-country road trip in an RV.
1. Check up on your warranty.
Your RV is the main hub that holds this entire cross-country trip together, so the first thing you’ll want to do is ensure you have a warranty on the vehicle to cover any issues that may arise while you’re gone. If you have a newer model, chances are your warranty is still effective and provides you with everything you need for peace of mind. However, if you have an older model, or if your current warranty is pretty limited, you may want to consider an RV extended service plan, which provides additional coverage for your trip. Doing this provides added peace of mind for everyone on your vacation and helps keep you covered in an emergency while away from home.
2. Budget appropriately.
While using an RV to travel can be a cost-savings, there are still things you’ll need to pay for along the way, so it’s important you budget accordingly. While everyone’s expenses will vary, these are just a few of the necessities you will need to keep in mind before you go:
- Food
- Fuel
- Overnight campground costs
- Toiletries
- Tolls
- Entertainment fees (museums, parks, concerts, etc.)
Be sure to have an idea of where you want to go and what you want to see, then do the research to see what it would cost. This will allow you to create a budget that is more in line with your trip and your goals.
3. Don’t have a tight timeline.
While you may be forced to have a start date and an end date, traveling in an RV requires you to be a little more loose with your scheduling. After all, there are things out of your control, such as construction, road closures, or bad weather, that could make your travel from one destination to the next take longer. In addition, there is actually a lot of unique and fun things to see and do while on your trip. Maybe you didn’t plan to stop at the US’s biggest ball of yarn, but when you don’t have a tight timeline, you can stop and see all the unique wonders along the way without panicking.
4. Know how it all works.
Your RV is a complex machine, so it’s important for you to know how it all works before you hit the road. Before you leave, be sure you know how to drain the sewage pump, fill any water tanks, and work all the knobs and shifters. Having an idea of what you need to do and how your RV works will ensure you don’t run into any issues while you’re on the go.
5. Understand the downsides.
While traveling in an RV will certainly be a memorable experience and one you’ll actually enjoy, it’s still important that you have an understanding of what the downsides can be:
- Tight quarters: If you have a small RV and a bigger group of people, understand the living area will be tight.
- Limited electronics: While this may be the point of your trip, understand that Wi-Fi will be spotty and your devices may not charge as fast as you’d like.
- Parking: When you need to do normal things like go shopping or eat at a restaurant, you’ll find that parking is very limited for RVs.
- Noise: Sometimes the noise inside the RV is loud due to pots, pans and cabinet doors clanging, so be sure to have headphones along for the ride.
- Campsites: There may not be as many places to park your RV overnight as you expected, or you may be disappointed with the places that are available. Just be sure to do your research ahead of time.
Traveling across the country in an RV can be very exciting and memorable. As long as you use these tips, you can rest assured you’ll be making all the right decisions and taking the necessary steps to ensure everyone has a good time.
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