The Stress-Free Approach To Planning An RV Trip

A little planning can go a long way when it comes to RV vacations. It can get you a spot at your preferred campground, save you the hassle of driving to town to get more groceries, cut time on the road down, and more.

But knowing you want to plan out your RV trip is one thing. Knowing what exactly to plan out is another! It can be tough balancing out the desire to cover all the details with the desire to stay flexible. That's why we created the following guide to planning an RV trip. Use the following tips to set your trip up for success...without being too rigid or too spontaneous. If you want more travel planning tips or want to shop RVs for sale, chat with the experts at Airstream of Utah. Our dealership is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and we also serve those in Park City and Provo.

Decide Where To Go

The first step is picking your destination. There are many great places to visit in Utah or you can go somewhere outside our beautiful state. 

Think about what type of adventure you are wanting. Are you hoping to go on lots of hiking treks? Find a campsite that offers easy access to trail heads. Do you enjoy powersports vehicle riding? Look up nearby powersports parks and see if they allow RV overnight bookings.

Once you've selected your spot, make a reservation as soon as possible. The more popular an RV campground is, the faster it books out.

Decide How To Get To The RV Campground

The next step is figuring out how to get from your home to the RV campsite. Sure, you can hop into the driver's seat on the travel day, load up the GPS, and start driving. But it's smart to do some planning in advance.

First, think about what routes you will be comfortable driving on. If you are brand-new to towing, for example, you may want to avoid exceptionally winding areas or tightly winding roads.

Next, take into account RV-related restrictions. A vehicle by itself may be able to pass under a short bridge or sign, for example, but a tall motorhome or fifth wheel might not.

Then, factor in fuel needs. If you will need to refill the gas tank during the drive, think about when and where you will fill up. You don't want to be in the middle of a desert and realize you're running on fumes with no gas station in sight.

Finally, don't forget about the importance of breaks. Long road trips are tiring for the passengers - and especially tiring for the driver! Take advantage of rest areas, scenic viewpoints, and even tourist destinations along the way. Plan breaks into your route to ensure you take enough breaks. If possible, try to switch drivers each break to ensure the driver stays alert and fresh.

Keep A Budget In Mind

While you plan an RV trip, don't forget about the financial aspect. Road trips aren't free, after all! You will need to pay for campsite rental, fuel, food, entertainment, and so on. If you don't begin a trip with a budget in mind, it's easy to overspend. Think about how much you can spend on this vacation, then plan the RV trip accordingly.

Get Your RV Ready

Before your trip, give your RV a thorough inspection. Here you are looking for any red flags that could pose a problem on the road or at the campsite. If you uncover any, bring your RV to a service department as soon as possible. That way, the issues get solved long before your travel day. Remember that the experts at Airstream of Utah can get your rig repaired and ready to go.

Make A Packing List

It's easy to forget essential items, which is why a packing list is so helpful. Think about the toiletries, clothing, and medications that each passenger needs. Figure out what meals you want to cook and what ingredients they require. Don't forget cleaning supplies! Finally, think about the "items for fun", such as board games, movies, toys for your kids, and so on. Write the packing list down on paper or on your phone, then check off items as you pack them into your RV. This will help reduce the chances of leaving something behind and needing to take a long detour to a nearby store.

We hope you found this guide to planning an RV trip useful. For more travel planning advice or to shop RVs for sale, visit Airstream of Utah. Our expert staff is happy to help with anything you need, from discussing financing options to servicing your camper. We are a family owned and family operated dealership dedicated to exceptional customer service. You'll find us in Salt Lake City, Utah. We also serve those in Park City and Provo, Utah.