4 Tips for Planning Your First RV Road Trip in a Rental

4 Tips for Planning Your First RV Road Trip in a Rental

Sometimes, even if you know you would enjoy RVing, you’re not ready to commit to buying an RV. Other times you might just want to try out an RV on a road trip to see if you like it or not. In either one of these situations, it’s appropriate to rent an RV.

There are plenty of places that rent RVs, including lots that sell them. You can also take advantage of a peer-to-peer rental platform where people list their RVs for rent. Shop around and see where you can get the best rental rate for the RV you’re interested in renting. But before you sign the rental agreement, take a look at these tips for planning your trip, so that you can have a much smoother ride. 

1.Think About What Your Needs Will Be

When it comes to RV rentals, there are all different types and sizes that you can choose from. For example, there are luxury motor coaches, camper vans, and bumper-pull travel trailers. There are also much smaller models that are lighter and have a lower profile, which would be easier to pull. 

If you do not have at least a half-ton truck, you’ll want to abandon the idea of pulling a travel trailer — unless, of course, you’re planning to rent a mini trailer that’s lightweight. If you’ve never driven a big rig, renting a 33-foot-plus motor coach might not be a good idea either for your first time out. A camper van could be a good pick for a rental, however. 

Of course, what type of RV you rent also depends on how many people will be traveling with you, how long you’re planning to be on the road and where you are planning to go. If you have a large family going with you, you will probably want to choose an RV rental unit that has at least one slide out, so that you will have more room. 

If you’re still unsure, get some advice from the rental company to help you make a decision. 

2. Plan Your Route

When you’re planning an RV road trip that just lasts a weekend, don’t get too ambitious on distance. The miles you would be able to cover in a car won’t be the same as they will be in an RV. Unfortunately, traveling in or with an RV behind you is slower. So, don’t plan a trip that requires that you spend half of your time getting there and back because you won’t have very much time to enjoy the destination.

For example, if you live in Florida, you can check out https://www.goodsam.com/campgrounds-rv-parks/florida/, which is a site hosted by Good Sam that gives detailed information about various RV campgrounds in the state of Florida. You can also find information about RV parks in other states. https://www.lifewithheidi.com/wp-admin/media-upload.php?post_id=228519&type=image&TB_iframe=1

3. Research How to Set Up and Break Down Camp

Although the RV rental service should take the time to give you a walkthrough about what you need to know about your RV rental, you should spend some time researching how to set up and break down camp when you’re in an RV. A few hours spent researching could make the difference between a trip filled with frustration and one that will go as smoothly as possible. 

There are all kinds of things you need to know. First of all, you’ll likely need to know how to level the RV and chock the wheels. Some RV parks have nice, level spots, whereas others do not. You’ll also need to know how to hook up your electric and water systems. When leaving, you’ll need to know how to do the process in reverse, plus visit the dump station to dump the waste from the RV before you take it back.

4. Pack What You Need, But Don’t Go Overboard

Even if you’re tempted to bring everything but the kitchen sink when you go on an RV trip, don’t. There are some camping items you should leave behind. What you should do is make yourself an RV packing list of the things that you need. Think about what you will be doing. If you’re planning to spend time outside of the RV, bring folding chairs to sit in. You also might want to bring outdoor games, and a cooler. For the inside of the RV, you’ll need to supply sheets and towels, food, toiletries, and paper goods. You also might want to bring a first aid kit.