How to Start Planning Your Next RV Trip Right Now!
Before you know it, the RVing season will be upon us, and if all goes well, it’ll be a little safer to travel to campgrounds this year. At the very least, you can use this opportunity to get away from crowds and simply enjoy time with your family.
You’ll want to start planning your RV trips now, especially if you’ll need to make reservations, but if you’ve never planned anything like this before, it can be a little overwhelming. That’s why we here at Pete’s RV Center Indiana have provided some tips to make this part of the process less stressful, so you can focus on what matters most. You can also contact our staff here at our location in Schererville, Indiana, for their own tips. We proudly serve those from Indianapolis, as well as Champaign and Decatur, Illinois, so let us know how we can assist you, today!
Choose Your Destination
This one may seem fairly obvious, but choosing the destination will help set you up for success. It’ll be a lot easier to plan the rest of the trip if you know where you’re going. This may be a single destination, like a family-favorite vacation spot or a location you’d like to explore for the first time.
It can also be a series of stops if the journey is more important than the destination. If you’re looking to tour the entire midwest, consider which areas you’ll definitely want to visit and consider those your stopping points.
Plan the Route
Once you know where you’re going, you can choose the route you’ll take. This can help you plan stopping points ahead of time and locate attractions you’d otherwise miss from the road. Why stop at a grungy old rest stop when you could explore a national park along the way?
You’ll also want to confer with your driver—if that isn’t you—about the kinds of roads they’re most comfortable driving on. Some drivers prefer the lighter traffic of backroads, while others may choose the generally straighter freeways.
Packing Tips
Packing for an RV trip is a little different from packing for a car trip. You won’t just need to pack your suitcases with clothes and hygiene products, you’ll also need to stock the camper with all the right camping gear.
We recommend creating your packing list early. Write down everything you can think of and then, as you go about your day and think of other items, add to it. You can also look into smartphone apps that come with a blank packing list or a pre-generated list to help you get started.
Preparing the RV
Prepping for a trip isn’t just about preparing the people. You’ll need to prep your RV as well, no matter how fresh off the lot it is. If you’re just pulling it out of storage for the spring, you’ll need to dewinterize and wash it.
While you’re at it, perform a thorough inspection of the rig. Look for signs of damage or excessive wear and tear that should be addressed before your first camping trip. This includes testing appliances.
Refill any propane tanks you may use or prepare your generators if needed. And, in general, we recommend taking the time to let the camper air out to get rid of any staleness before hitting the road.
But of course, before you can do any of this, you need the right RV to get you where you want to go! When you’re ready to start shopping, check out our online inventory here at Pete’s RV Center Indiana. If you see something you like, stop by for a safe visit to see how we can help you take the next steps. We welcome all current and future RV owners from Schererville and Indianapolis, Indiana, as well as Champaign and Decatur, Illinois.