![\"Packing](\"https:\/\/rvusa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/iStock-1322116126.jpg\" "\\"Packing")
<\/a><\/p>\nPacking too much<\/h3>\n
Few things can make your vacation stay feel more stressful than clutter. That\u2019s why you\u2019ll want to avoid overpacking as you head off in your RV. Effective RV travel planning includes a having a standing packing list of things you want to bring on every RV trip. Your essentials list should include things like RV toilet paper, an emergency kit, toiletries, camping chairs and other practical items. The rest of what you pack should be determined by weather, destination and activities. Because of the limited space inside an RV, experienced RVers advise you to bring less than what you think you\u2019ll have room to bring.<\/p>\n
Another element you\u2019ll need to consider is packing food for your trip. RV travel planning means meal planning<\/a> as well. You don\u2019t want to bring so much food that it will go bad by the end of your trip, but you also don\u2019t want to get stuck in a remote area without food options. Having a meal plan ahead of time allows you to pack only what you need yet still be prepared for any scenario.<\/p>\n The biggest thing you can do to protect yourself from potential breakdowns ruining your RV vacation is to follow a strict RV maintenance checklist<\/a> before each trip. Neglecting pre-trip maintenance is the fastest way to put yourself in a situation where a rig issue robs you of valuable hours spent enjoying your vacation. By checking things like your oil, fluids, fan belts and generator before you even leave, you\u2019re increasing your chances at a worry-free trip.<\/p>\n It might sound fun and spontaneous to hit the road without knowing where you\u2019ll end up for the night, but this ill-advised strategy belongs on the list of RVing mistakes. If you don\u2019t book campground reservations ahead of time, you risk arriving to a fully booked campground and no fallback plan. Having a reservation at your campground ahead of time is especially important this year as the world eagerly returns to travel again and RV parks are busier than ever. It\u2019s recommended to book weeks in advance so that you ensure your spot is saved at the destination of your choice.<\/p>\n One way to plan unique stops into your trip is by getting a Harvest Hosts membership<\/a> or a Boondockers Welcome<\/a> membership! These companies have thousands of host locations across the US combined in beautiful places like farms, wineries, museums and other attractions. And when you use our link, you can get 15% off Harvest Hosts! We wrote all about how to find these unique campsites in our blog about how to camp at wineries and farms<\/a>.<\/p>\n Even if you prefer boondocking on public lands, at least make a plan for the area you plan to turn in for the night using a site like Campendium<\/a> or Dyrt<\/a>. No one wants to reach their driving limit for the day only to find out you have to keep driving in order to find a place to set up camp for the night.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Browse All RVs CTA” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”85%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”95%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”7px|auto|30px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”20px||20px||true|false” border_width_all=”10px” border_color_all=”#CECECE” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” background_enable_image=”off” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|12px||12px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” background_last_edited=”on|phone” background_enable_color_tablet=”off” background_enable_color_phone=”off” background_enable_image_tablet=”off” background_enable_image_phone=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_cta title=”Get 15% off Harvest Hosts” button_url=”https:\/\/www.harvest-hosts.com\/MMFT5D\/2CTPL\/” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Learn More” content_tablet=”<\/p>\n Check out other seasonal pillow covers in our RV holiday store!<\/p>\n ” content_phone=”” content_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”30px” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16px” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#000000″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|||on|||||” button_use_icon=”off” button_alignment=”left” button_custom_padding_tablet=”10px|35px|10px|35px|true|true” button_custom_padding_phone=”” button_custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” background_layout=”light” width=”100%” width_tablet=”95%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”26px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” link_option_url_new_window=”on” header_text_align_tablet=”center” header_text_align_phone=”” header_text_align_last_edited=”on|tablet” body_text_align_tablet=”center” body_text_align_phone=”” body_text_align_last_edited=”on|tablet” button_alignment_tablet=”center” button_alignment_phone=”” button_alignment_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” background_enable_image=”off” background_last_edited=”on|phone” background_enable_color_tablet=”off” background_enable_color_phone=”off” background_enable_image_tablet=”off” background_enable_image_phone=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rvusa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/HarvestHostsBlogCTA.jpg” alt=”A fifth wheel camps at a winery. Get 15% off Harvest Hosts Memberships ” title_text=”Harvest Hosts” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||10px|20px|true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”10px|0px|10px|0px|true|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment_tablet=”center” module_alignment_phone=”” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Finally, we recommend mapping your route ahead of time so you know exactly how many miles you\u2019ll travel, where you\u2019ll stop and how much gas you\u2019ll need to get through it. Apps like Roadtrippers<\/a> are fantastic for this purpose and can calculate the amount you\u2019ll spend on gas based on mileage and current prices in the area.<\/p>\n By avoiding the mistakes we\u2019ve listed here, you\u2019re well on your way to a great RV vacation or full-time RV transition. Create a packing list, complete your maintenance checklist, map your route and campgrounds, and don\u2019t try to do too much in one trip. We promise following these tips will lead you to an even better experience on the road!<\/p>\n For more RVing tips and tricks, check out the RVUSA blog<\/a>. To get started finding the right RV for you and your family, search new and used RVs<\/a> on RVUSA.com.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_cta title=”Ready to find an RV for your adventures?” button_url=”\/browse-all-rvs” button_text=”Search RVs on RVUSA!” _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#EF4035″ button_alignment=”center” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Like any vacation, a successful RV trip starts with a great plan. Just because there are no flights or hotels to be booked doesn\u2019t mean you can get away with leaving on vacation without the proper preparation! Don’t Make These RV Travel Planning Mistakes In some ways, RV trips may even take a little extra […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":55,"featured_media":15113,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Like any vacation, a successful RV trip starts with a great plan. Just because there are no flights or hotels to be booked doesn\u2019t mean you can get away with leaving on vacation without the proper preparation! In some ways, RV trips may even take a little extra forethought if you want to avoid common RVing mistakes. Failing to prepare for your RV vacation or even full-time RV life can leave you burnt out, overwhelmed or even broken down on the side of the road. With just a few tweaks though, you\u2019ll be set up for RV trip success. We\u2019ve compiled a list of RV travel planning mistakes to avoid to help you have the RV trip of your dreams.<\/p> One of the most common RVing mistakes travelers make is planning to drive too many miles in one day. We get it - you\u2019re eager to see all that the world has to offer and you want to cram in as much as possible! However, you won\u2019t be able to enjoy all the stops you do make if you\u2019re forcing yourself into long travel days. Driving an RV can be mentally and physically taxing. It\u2019s not the same as driving a passenger vehicle, and you shouldn\u2019t plan to drive as far as you would in a simple road trip. Once you arrive, you\u2019re still going to need the energy to set up your campsite and wind down for the night. That doesn\u2019t even include the need for energy for fun outdoors activities at your destination!<\/p> Not only can your personal enjoyment of your trip be affected, but it can also lead to mistakes and avoidable accidents on the road. Many RVers use the \u201c3 x 3 rule\u201d: travel less than 300 miles in a day, or arrive at your destination by 3pm. If you\u2019re vacationing, this gives you time to relax and enjoy your time away. If you\u2019re a full timer, remember the RV isn\u2019t a 24\/7 vacation; it\u2019s home now. Having limits helps you move at a sustainable pace for life.<\/p> In the same vein, you want to avoid planning too many destinations or activities into your trip itinerary. Many RVing beginners bite off more than they can chew with the number of stops they want to make on a single RV trip. Keep in mind that the more destinations you want to reach, the more time you\u2019ll spend driving and setting up camp at each different location. A different stop every night can be too much for many RV travelers.<\/p> Similarly, you\u2019ll have a hard time enjoying your vacation if every minute is scheduled to the brim with hiking, biking and other outdoor activities. One of the best parts of RV life is the slower pace at which the world turns when you\u2019re out in nature, so don\u2019t miss out on this perk because your RV travel planning included too many adventures. We encourage you to leave some time to sit outside your RV at night time and socialize with other campers at your RV park, or even look into the events and activities at the park. That way, when you come home, you won\u2019t feel like you need a vacation to recover from your vacation.<\/p> Few things can make your vacation stay feel more stressful than clutter. That\u2019s why you\u2019ll want to avoid overpacking as you head off in your RV. Effective RV travel planning includes a having a standing packing list of things you want to bring on every RV trip. Your essentials list should include things like RV toilet paper, an emergency kit, toiletries, camping chairs and other practical items. The rest of what you pack should be determined by weather, destination and activities. Because of the limited space inside an RV, experienced RVers advise you to bring less than what you think you\u2019ll have room to bring.<\/p> Another element you\u2019ll need to consider is packing food for your trip. RV travel planning means meal planning<\/a> as well. You don\u2019t want to bring so much food that it will go bad by the end of your trip, but you also don\u2019t want to get stuck in a remote area without food options. Having a meal plan ahead of time allows you to pack only what you need yet still be prepared for any scenario.<\/p> The biggest thing you can do to protect yourself from potential breakdowns ruining your RV vacation is to follow a strict RV maintenance checklist<\/a> before each trip. Neglecting pre-trip maintenance is the fastest way to put yourself in a situation where a rig issue robs you of valuable hours spent enjoying your vacation. By checking things like your oil, fluids, fan belts and generator before you even leave, you\u2019re increasing your chances at a worry-free trip.<\/p> It might sound fun and spontaneous to hit the road without knowing where you\u2019ll end up for the night, but this ill-advised strategy belongs on the list of RVing mistakes. If you don\u2019t book campground reservations ahead of time, you risk arriving to a fully booked campground and no fallback plan. Having a reservation at your campground ahead of time is especially important this year as the world eagerly returns to travel again and RV parks are busier than ever. It\u2019s recommended to book weeks in advance so that you ensure your spot is saved at the destination of your choice.<\/p> Even if you prefer boondocking on public lands, at least make a plan for the area you plan to turn in for the night using a site like Campendium<\/a> or Dyrt<\/a>. No one wants to reach their driving limit for the day only to find out you have to keep driving in order to find a place to set up camp for the night.<\/p> Finally, we recommend mapping your route ahead of time so you know exactly how many miles you\u2019ll travel, where you\u2019ll stop and how much gas you\u2019ll need to get through it. Apps like Roadtrippers<\/a> are fantastic for this purpose and can calculate the amount you\u2019ll spend on gas based on mileage and current prices in the area.<\/p> By avoiding the mistakes we\u2019ve listed here, you\u2019re well on your way to a great RV vacation or full-time RV transition. Create a packing list, complete your maintenance checklist, map your route and campgrounds, and don\u2019t try to do too much in one trip. We promise following these tips will lead you to an even better experience on the road!<\/p> For more RVing tips and tricks, check out the RVUSA blog<\/a>. To get started finding the right RV for you and your family, search new and used RVs<\/a> on RVUSA.com.<\/p>Not having a checklist<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nLeaving your campsite out of your RV travel planning<\/h3>\n
Not mapping your route<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nSuccessful RV Travel Planning<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nTraveling too far in a day<\/h2>
Including too many stops or activities<\/h2>
<\/a><\/p>Packing too much<\/h2>
Not having a checklist<\/h2>
<\/a><\/p>Leaving your campsite out of your RV travel planning<\/h2>
Not mapping your route<\/h2>
<\/a><\/p>Successful RV travel planning<\/h2>