If you’re seeking a new travel experience, a motorhome vacation may be what you need. Not only will you be able to explore new places easily, but you can also enjoy some time away from the monotonous feel of everyday life. Moreover, it’s a great way to disconnect from technology and spend more time with your family or friends. Undoubtedly, approximately 25 million Americans opt for this kind of travel annually. If you’re planning a motorhome vacation for the first time, here are some helpful tips you can consider.
1. Make plans for your motorhome
Several motorhomes are available, and you want to determine the right option before renting them. For instance, class A motorhomes are the most spacious and luxurious, perfect for larger families, although you may struggle with finding a parking space or a conducive camping ground. Class B motorhomes are more comfortable to park but lack the space to accommodate your family. In contrast, Class C motorhomes offer convenience and comfort, making them popular for first-time motorhome vacationers and smaller families. Other options are travel trailers, folding campers, fifth-wheel campers, and trunk campers.
After choosing your desired motorhome, you want to ensure it’s in top condition before your trip. Therefore, you should take it for a spin and look for funny noises or weird things. While at it, you can practice how to drive a motorhome safely to prevent accidents. Consequently, ensure that your rented motorhome has insurance to cater to unexpected circumstances, and reach out to the rental company if you experience any major or minor accident. For instance, if you damage the windscreen, you and the rental company can devise a plan to undertake an RV windshield repair.
2. Book your campsite in advance
Few things can be more annoying than finding out your chosen campsite has been fully booked upon arrival. Fortunately, you can avoid this by booking your campsite in advance. It’s not uncommon for the most desirable grounds to be reserved many months in advance, so researching and booking yours can help you decide where and when to go. As a tip, ensure that your chosen site can accommodate your motorhome. You also want to consider your vacation type before choosing a campsite. For example, national parks will work well if you want to be in tune with nature and avoid technology for a while. On the other hand, some RV resorts have swimming pools, RV hookups, and other amenities, making them a perfect option for a luxury vacation. By all means, read online reviews to help you choose the right campsite.
3. Make sure you pack everything you need
Every long trip requires packing certain essentials, and your motorhome vacation is no exception. Therefore, it’s essential to start packing early to avoid forgetting some items at home. You can start by packing your maps, campsite information, licenses and passports, money, and credit cards. You also want to bring clothing items best suited for the weather. Light clothing for the day and warmer clothing for the night will work well. You can also consider bringing your toiletries, cooking appliances and ingredients, sleeping bags and duvets, entertainment, a first aid box, safety items, etc.
4. Arrive at your campsite before dark
Although late arrivals are allowed in most camping sites, getting to your campsite before dark may be the best idea. For starters, it’s easier to park and level your motorhome correctly and determine if your camping space has water or water hookups. However, it’s not unusual to get to your campsite at night due to unforeseen circumstances. In this case, you’ll find it helpful to alert the campground’s office of the changes, so they can make the necessary changes for you. Since you would be sharing the campsite with other vacationers, you want to be courteous when arriving late. Try as much as possible to make less noise to avoid interrupting their sleep.
5. Plan your activities
Irrespective of how nice your motorhome is, chances are you don’t plan to be indoors always. Therefore, planning your fun activities makes sense. Fortunately, you can participate in several outdoor activities, so feel free to consider this. If you’re with family, you can try mountain climbing, hiking, horseback riding, scuba diving, and so on. Hot air balloon rides, sea glass hunting, and hay wagon tours can be beneficial if you have a senior on your vacation, so keep this in mind. As a tip, ensure that your campsite is closer to the location for your planned activities. This way, you can enjoy your day without worrying about long drives.
