The Ultimate Guide to RVing

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When you decide to begin RV camping, open yourself up to a world of infinitely amazing experiences. Start exploring what the world around us has to offer. All you need to get started is an ultimate guide to RVing.

Whether you’re a seasoned RVer looking for new tips and tricks or a newbie just starting out, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to make the most out of your RVing experience.

Imagine visiting amazing places and creating beautiful experiences with your family.

In this guide to RVing, we’d like to help you explore the fun of RV camping vacations and provide you with more information about buying, renting, and caring for your RV.  

Pick the Right RV For Your Family

Whether you have decided to buy or rent an RV, you should ensure that you pick the right one for your family.

There are a variety of different types of rigs. Each one offers a different experience.  

Towable Rigs

These are rigs you attach to the back of your vehicle. They come in different shapes and sizes.

One major advantage of towable rigs is that they are detachable. This means that you can free your car for other uses and still enjoy the camping experience.

Teardrops

These are compact RVs designed for minimalists. You can easily attach this to a small SUV.

Because of their small size, you can take them almost anywhere. Most of them are equipped with a basic kitchen, a sleeping area, and a bathroom.

5th Wheelers

When you imagine luxury in a towable RV, you are thinking of a 5th Wheel. These are large, spacious RVs that will offer you almost all the amenities you can find in a typical motorhome.

The difference is that the front section of the 5th wheeler is raised to allow for latching onto a towing truck or SUV. 

Travel Trailer

These are the most common RVs you see in any given campground. They are large but not as large as a 5th wheeler, and they can accommodate a small family. 

Motorized RVs

Motorized RVs offer more convenience than towable RVs. You do not need to hitch anything.

Once you are ready to camp, you just need to hop into your vehicle and drive away. Motorized RVs come in different classes.

Class A Motorhome

These are large, spacious, and luxurious. They contain everything from multiple large bedrooms, bathrooms, large living spaces, large kitchens, and all the storage space you can ever want.

Class B RVs

These are campervans that may have been repurposed to become RVs. They are perfect for a solo traveler or couples.

Unlike motorhomes, these are more compact vehicles that can fit in squeezed spaces and drive comfortably like normal vans. 

Class C RVs

Class C RVs can be recognized by the over-the-cab extension. This extension is usually converted into a sleeping area.

They are larger than class B RVs but smaller than class A motorhomes. 

If you’re still looking for the perfect one for you, you can check our list of the best RV brands on the market to help you in choosing the best RV camper for your family.

Do you rent or buy an RV?

If you plan on spending a long time on the road, buying your RV would be advisable. Renting is a temporary solution for people who seek to have an adventure for a short period.

You will find RV dealerships in your state, or you can go online to sites like GoRVing.com to see a list of dealers near you.

One tip in this ultimate guide to RVing is if you decide to buy an RV, make sure you are buying the right one. There are several things to look out for.

• Storage – Is the RV large enough to accommodate your family and your cargo?
• Service History – You do not want a vehicle that will break down in the middle of nowhere. Check out the tires to ensure they are not worn out. Here’s a tire pressure gauge so you can monitor them on the road.
• Budget – RVs can be expensive. Do you have a good budget for a good RV? Will you buy a used one or a new one?

RV Tips and Tricks

If you already have an RV and are ready to hit the road, here are a few tips that can make your trip more enjoyable.

Money-saving tips

We all look for ways to save money, especially when on the road. You do not want to overshoot your budget or start worrying about finances before you get back home.

Save on gas

As a guide to RVing, we recommend that unless you have to, avoid fuelling in gas stations along the highway. They always mark up their prices, and if you are traveling for a long time, you may end up spending a premium amount on gas.

Use mobile applications such as Gas Buddy so that you can get discounts and coupons when filling up your RV.

Cook your meals 

If you cook your meals instead of dining out in every mall or restaurant along the way, you will save a lot of money. Sometimes you may need to sample local cuisines, but if you do, try to avoid tourist traps.

Read our guide: The Perfect Camping Meals For Everyone

Have a well-serviced vehicle

If your vehicle is not well serviced, you can break down in the middle of nowhere. This may cost you a lot of money and inconvenience. Before you leave for the trip, always ensure that your vehicle is perfect.

Book your campsite early

Late bookings are always charged high prices. Also, inquire about the size of the campsite to know if your RV will comfortably fit on those campgrounds.

If you can find good and safe boondocking sites, you can save money as well.

Save on entertainment

In this guide to Rving, we suggest that you find creative ways to save money when RVing. You can spend time enjoying nature outdoors or come up with non-expensive ways to enjoy your time with family while RVing.

For instance, plan your trips around a free event, convention, or festival.

Other Costs to Consider

After you buy your RV, there will be other costs involved. Here are some of them:

• Insurance costs– Research this before you commit to buying the vehicle because these costs may differ depending on the insurance company.
• Camping costs– Different campgrounds will charge different costs for parking your RV.
• Maintenance costs– You may need to fix minor issues on your RV from time to time. 

Storing your RV during Off-Season

If you do not travel all the time, you will need to figure out the best way to store your RV. Buy protective material to protect your RV from harmful UV rays. If you are close to a storage facility, you can negotiate the best deal as you await the next season.

Check out our guide on how to winterize (put into storage) a travel trailer.

Download Our FREE RV Kitchen Checklist

More Recommended Resources

Food is one of the most important things when camping, so make sure you plan delicious camping meals for your family! If you don’t know where to start, here’s how to plan a camping menu.

Need a distraction for the kids while you travel to your vacation destination? Check out Four Around The World’s 20 fun road trip games to play on your next long drive.

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