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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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5 Ways To Prepare For A Cross-Country RV Tour
Embarking on a cross-country RV tour is an adventure like no other. It’s a journey that offers the freedom of the open road, the beauty of nature, and the joy of discovering new places and cultures. The following guide will provide five ways to prepare for a cross-country RV tour. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a novice, these will help you prepare for your unforgettable journey.
- Map Your Route: Choose destinations, calculate distances, and estimate travel times.
- Budget Wisely: List expenses, including gas, food, and campsite fees.
- RV Inspection: Check tires, brakes, engine, and electrical systems.
- Pack Essentials Only: Include weather-appropriate clothes and toiletries.
- Emergency Preparedness: Have a first-aid kit and emergency contacts.
Touring the whole country in an RV is many people’s bucket list travel item. Particularly if you have an RV of your own or are looking into buying one, this is undoubtedly one idea on your radar.
There’s just an irresistible sense of freedom and exploration about it, not to mention innumerable specific destinations you will be excited to see along the way.
If you’re plotting a trip like this, there’s almost something to be said for simply hitting the road and seeing where it takes you – or at least, it’s a romantic idea.
That said, the reality is that you’ll probably get the most out of the experience if you do some fairly extensive preparation.
And to help get you thinking about the things that might help you get the most out of the trip, here are a few tips for that preparation.
1. Find A Good GPS
Today’s easy temptation for many people setting off on road trips is giving little thought to directions in advance.
Smartphones have placed up-to-date maps and even traffic updates in the palms of our hands, and the average driver would sooner trust Apple Maps, Google Maps, or an independent app like Waze before glancing at a map or planning a route.
Even so, if you’re going on an extended trip in your RV, you’ll likely want to have a good GPS on hand. These can still be more precise navigational tools, particularly if you get into more remote areas or navigate the internal roads at a national park.
In places like these, a mobile app might not quite recognize all the routes you need; in some cases, it might not be able to maintain a connection. You’ll continually drain your phone’s battery if you rely on it for navigation.
For all these reasons, we’d recommend finding a GPS to keep in your RV. Our buying guide is an excellent place to start.
2. Plot Your In-Between Stops
While your GPS will help you with your specific routes, it’s still a good idea to plot out your stops in advance – and to consider the in-between places.
For portions of your trip, you’ll likely be able to get from one destination to the next in hours, so you’re always staying overnight at a place you prioritize visiting.
If you’re genuinely looking to tour the whole country or anything close to it, there will also be some time spent between top destinations.
By plotting out your stops and estimating drive times in advance, you can avoid these dull interruptions to your exciting trip and instead try to find interesting places along the routes between primary destinations.
3. Take Out A Loan To Cover Costs
A cross-country RV tour can initially seem very inexpensive because you’ll be taking your vehicle, driving to destinations, and perhaps camping (which we’ll say more about below).
However, things can add up quite a lot between supplies, gas, campsites, and attractions along the way. Therefore, we’d like you to research title loan options to cover your trip’s costs in advance.
For those who are unfamiliar with this specific version of a personal financial loan, the basic idea is that a lender can give you cash now for you to pay back over time – with your equity in your vehicle (possibly the very RV you’re to travel) serving as your collateral for funding.
Covering title loans for the Ohio region, LoanMart further explains that these loans can be available to a wide range of people with different financial backgrounds and can be obtained via brief online forms.
They can also be arranged so borrowers have relatively small loan repayments stretching out for over a year! Now, lenders in other states may have slightly different conditions, but this general overview of a vehicle-based title loan shows what a convenient option it can be.
You can use your RV equity to secure the funding, gain quick cash, and pay it back so gradually that it will hardly feel like you spent money on the trip.
4. Seek Out Free Camps
The idea of camping sounds like it shouldn’t give you a dime. Yet, as you’reyou’rebtedly aware, if you enjoy camping, hiking, and RV travel, it’s not expected to have to pay to stay overnight at a campsite.
It’s usually a relatively modest fee, but such costs can add up throughout an extended trip, and in many cases, you can find free alternatives!
While you may reach a destination where you have to pay to stay where you are, Campendium offers a look at free camping sites that may save you a lot of money over time.
You can search around your destination and find campsites where you can park or even pitch a tent overnight for as little money as possible.
5. Emphasize Comfort Before You Set-Off
This is a broad suggestion, but one that’s essential to take to heart. When traveling in an RV – mainly if it’s one you’ve recently purchased – it’s easy to take comfort for granted.
After all, you have a lot more at your disposal than you would in an ordinary vehicle, and you’re free to sleep on a mattress rather than on a pad in a tent.
However, a complete RV vacation still means a lot of hours on the road, and if you have friends or your family along with you, things can get cramped. So, remember to consider your comfort when planning for your trip.
Whether by purchasing extra cushions for seats, stocking a closet with some spare blankets, or simply reorganizing things to maximize space, you’ll do all you can to turn the RV into a miniature hotel on the road.
How Safe is an RV?
Several factors can influence the safety of an RV. If not adequately addressed, fire hazards, carbon monoxide, and mold present severe risks in RV living.
InstalIt’sing quality smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and frequently checking for mold, especially in high humidity conditions, is imperative.
Driving and towing safety are pivotal, requiring careful attention to vehicle maintenance and road conditions. Campground and boondocking security, while often overlooked, is crucial for personal safety.
Proper RV water filtration and tire maintenance can also prevent health and travel issues. In conclusion, these safety measures can help ensure a safe and healthy RV lifestyle.
Why You Should Travel in an RV?
Traveling in an RV is not just a mode of transport; it’s ait’sestyle choice that offers unparalleled flexibility. Whether you start a cross-country adventure or explore local attractions, an RV allows you to dictate your own pace and path.
The ability to modify your route on a whim, make frequent pit stops, or extend your stay at a particular location is an enticing prospect for many travelers.
This level of freedom and control is seldom found in traditional travel arrangements, thus proving why you should travel in an RV.
Final Words
In conclusion, preparing for a cross-country RV tour involves several steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. The first of the five ways to prepare for a cross-country RV tour is to map your route carefully.
This includes choosing your destinations, calculating distances between them, and estimating travel times so you can plan your journey effectively. Secondly, budget wisely to account for all potential expenses during the trip. This could range from gas to food and campsite fees.
A thorough RV inspection is the third crucial step. It involves checking the tires, brakes, engine, and electrical systems to ensure they are in perfect working condition before hitting the road.
Fourthly, pack only the essentials, as space can be limited in an RV. This includes weather-appropriate clothing and toiletries.
Finally, emergency preparedness is critical. It is wise to have a first-aid kit and emergency contacts readily available. This could include numbers for roadside assistance or nearby hospitals, depending on your route.
Following these five ways to prepare for a cross-country RV tour, you can look forward to a memorable journey with peace of mind.
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