How to RV Like a Pro

Welcome to the RV Lifestyle! 

While the idea of traveling through changing landscapes and exploring the open road is enticing, as a new RVer, your list of questions might seem a mile long. Before you hit the gas, there are several things to consider and ways to prepare for this exciting new adventure. Any experienced RVer will tell you: There is a learning curve. There will be bumps in the road, mistakes made, and lessons learned. That’s okay because someday, these experiences will make for great stories around the campfire!

For camping newbies, preparing you and your RV for life on the road is vital for a smooth transition. Luckily, there are resources to ease your journey. From what to pack to time-saving apps, here are some tips to help you RV like a pro.

Learn RV-System Basics

When it comes to RVs, there are three major systems you will have to learn: electrical, water, and propane. Every RV uses both 12-volt DC power and 120-volt AC power. The DC system utilizes storage batteries that power things like lights, fans, water pumps, and specialty RV appliances.

When you’re hooked up to shorepower or using a properly rated generator, the AC power will run large appliances, A/C units (limitations on generator or battery bank and inverter power apply), and microwaves. In order to keep things charged and running, a converter is used to transform the horsepower voltage to 12 volts DC. Having an inverter, normally optional but more commonly standard equipment these days, allows you to run AC appliances from the battery bank as well as charge batteries from shorepower.

RV water systems have two components: freshwater and wastewater. The freshwater system provides dual means for supplying campers with potable water: One is with the RV’s holding tank that allows you to take water wherever you go, and the second one is the city water hookup at a campground that delivers pressurized water via a hose. If you’re going to hook up at a campground water source, be sure to use a water-pressure regulator, which is designed to reduce pressure to a safe level for an RV’s plumbing system.

The wastewater system is comprised of gray- and black-water tanks. The black water is what’s flushed down the toilet, while the gray water is what’s flushed down the sink(s) and shower. Depending on the size of your RV’s tanks and the amount of use they get, you may need to dump them every 3–4 days or every other week. Besides campgrounds and RV parks,  you can find dump stations at select gas stations, rest stops, casinos, and fairgrounds.

Since we’ve touched on everyone’s least favorite part of RVing— dumping the tanks—here are some tips: First off, make sure you are not in a hurry. Even if other RVers are lined up behind you at a dump station, you don’t want to rush the process because a mistake can be messy and certainly unpleasant. Make sure you invest in a high-quality sewer hose and keep it and any attachments and hoses separated from other hoses (you can keep it all together in a separate bin, for instance). Use gloves (disposable or ones for this purpose only) when handling dump hoses. Make sure the gate valves are closed before you remove the cap, and then secure the dump hose to the RV and place the other end into the sewer drain.

Black-water is always dumped first, then the gray-water as that helps “rinse” the sewer hose. Don’t forget to close the gate valves when you’re done! Ask a seasoned RVer to walk you through the process the first time out or watch one of the plentiful online videos available.

Lastly, the other major RV system is propane, which is used to operate many refrigerators, ovens, furnaces, and water heaters. To make sure the propane system is working safely, it’s critical to monitor and maintain it. While traveling, turn off all gas-powered appliances and close valves. Although new RVs have built-in safety features, old RVs will need smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed. And you’ll need to monitor them to make sure they’re working properly and if the batteries need replacing.

Take a Test Run

One of the most important things to do before your maiden voyage is to do a test run. For those unfamiliar with towing and backing a trailer, this is imperative. Drive your setup on the highway, practice backing up in a large parking lot, and plan an overnight stay at a nearby park. Get a feel for your setup and discover any potential issues or things you’d like to change before you hit the road. Keep a written list of what you learn. The transition from a spacious home to tight quarters can prove difficult for some folks, so it’s often recommended to plan a few sleepovers in the RV while it’s parked in the driveway.

Additionally, test runs are especially important for pets not accustomed to new surroundings or long car rides. Obviously, if a pet is going to join you for your RV adventures, you’ll need to pack the essentials (bedding, medications, food, toys) for them as well.

Finding Campsites

Whether you plan to stay at RV parks, campgrounds, or dispersed spots on public land, there are many tools to help you find the best campsite for you. One important thing to keep in mind is that many popular campgrounds like those in national parks are booked out far in advance. In order to secure a spot, consider booking a year early or visiting during the off-season.

While researching campgrounds, another crucial thing to keep an eye on is the regulations. Some RV parks and resorts have length limits, RV age restrictions, or do not allow certain pets. One way to avoid some of these issues is by “boondocking,” or dispersed camping on public land. This kind of off-grid camping means there’ll be no services so you’ll need to be prepared with your own freshwater supply and electrical power, for instance, which is what an RV is all about. And you’ll need to pack out what you pack in, which includes trash.

The best way to learn about where to camp on national forest and BLM land is to ask the local ranger station or use one of the many camping locator apps available.

What to Pack

One of the best things about RV travel is the fact that you’re essentially taking your house with you. Your home on wheels goes where you go, which gives you a level of convenience and comfort you can’t get while traveling by plane. It’s good to be prepared, but you also don’t want to overpack. Packing lightly and only taking what’s necessary helps reduce clutter and will make for better gas mileage.

When it comes to deciding what clothing to pack, it’s best to have items that are comfortable, keep you warm and/or cool, and are suitable for adventure and relaxation. For home goods and kitchen items, you’ll want things that are easy to clean, collapsible, and made of durable materials. To keep you entertained back at camp, bring games, books, crafts, or movies.

You’ll need RV basics like chocks and levelers, hoses, and properly rated extension cords. Perhaps more essential than anything else you pack, you’ll need safety gear. Plan to bring a first-aid kit, an emergency road kit, and a fire extinguisher.

Stay Flexible

Everyone needs a plan, but what do you do if your plan doesn’t work out? One of the best tips for new RVers is to always have a Plan A, B, and C. You might get a flat tire somewhere, the weather could change, or the perfect boondocking campsite you picked could already be taken.

Do not panic! By having a backup plan (or two) in place, you’ll be ready for anything that comes your way. And when you’re prepared, things will go smoothly, and you’ll become an RVing pro in no time!

There’s an App for That

Here are some of our favorite user-friendly apps to help save you time and money.

• Fuel:  GasBuddy is a crowd-sourced app that relies on its users to report gas prices. It will find you the cheapest and nearest gas available. Download for iOS or Android.
• Weather: WeatherBug provides weather forecasts and helpful info like pollen counts, wildfire alerts, and live webcams for real-time conditions. Download for iOS or Android.
• Campgrounds:  The Good Sam Travel app lets you search for campgrounds by city, state, province, or current location. Includes the trusted 10/10*/10 rating system. Download for iOS or Android.

Packing Lists

Though these items are important for most RVers, individual needs will diff er depending on your lifestyle. As you RV more and more, you’ll likely modify this list into things that stay in the RV all the time and things you pack, such as seasonal clothing, for any one trip. It’s all part of a fun learning process.

Household and Personal Checklist

• Bedding, blankets, and pillows
• Towels
• Portable fan and/or heater
• Umbrella or awning
• Doormat
• Cast-iron skillet
• Pots and pans
• Camper-friendly bowls, plates, and cups
• Grill
• Extension cords
• Food storage containers
• Coffee maker
• Instant Pot pressure cooker
• Storage bags such as Ziploc bags
• Sewing kit
• Water purifier
• Camping chairs
• Broom and dustpan
• RV-friendly toilet paper
• Wet wipes
• Command strips
• Matches or lighter
• Bungee cords
• Shower bag and personal hygiene essentials
• Electric device chargers
• Hammock
• Games, books, crafts, and entertainment
• Firepit
• Scissors
• Camera
• Trash can and bags
• Cleaning supplies
• Oven mitts
• Portable speaker
• Knives and cutting board
• Can opener
• Earplugs
• Pet essentials if you’re bringing your BFF

Clothing Checklist

• Short- and longsleeved shirts
• Comfortable pants and shorts
• Rain gear
• Waterproof hiking boots
• Sweater
• Jacket
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Swimsuit
• Socks and undergarments
• Shower shoes or flip-flops
• Gloves
• Long underwear for cold weather
• Pajamas and loungewear

RV Gear Checklist

• Sewer hose
• Black-tank treatment and deodorizer
• Drinking-water hose
• Generator
• Propane
• Jugs of water
• Solar panel
• Shovel
• Chocks
• Leveling blocks
• Tire pressure gauge
• Batteries
• Power adapters
• Surge protector
• Essential tool kit

Safety Checklist

• First-aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• GPS
• Smoke detector
• Carbon monoxide detector
• Jumper cables
• Sunscreen
• Flashlight and headlamp
• Duct tape
• Bear spray
• Road atlas and NFS road map
• Compass
• Backup propane
• Extra drinking water
• Motor oil and coolant
• 5-gallon gas tank, filled
• Bug spray/net
• Walkie-talkies

Adventure Gear Checklist

• Backpack
• Durable water bottle
• Bicycle and helmet
• Hiking poles
• Inflatable kayak