Category: Travel Tips

4 Unforgettable Snowbird RV Camping Trips to Escape the Winter Chill

By: RV Wholesale Superstore
Last Updated: March 24, 2023

Christmastime may have been warmer than Thanksgiving this year but there is still a chill in the air. You know that winter weather is inevitable, not to mention how it can drag on well past the date Punxsutawney Phil predicts spring to arrive. So are you ready to escape the onslaught of snow to warmer climates? Here are some great snowbird RV campgrounds, ready to keep you warm until spring weather makes its way back north. Depending on your snowbird lifestyle, you may even want to visit them all!

RV Emergency Preparedness Tips for Safer Trips

By: RV Wholesale Superstore
Last Updated: January 20, 2023

Emergency preparedness is an essential part of RVing and travel in general. Whether you’re out on the open road, or parked in one spot, being prepared for any kind of emergency is critical. From storms to accidents, knowing what to do ahead of time can make all the difference. That’s why it’s important to take the time to plan for an emergency before you embark on your RVing journey.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the steps you can take to ensure that you’re prepared for anything that might come your way. By being prepared for any kind of emergency, you can rest assured that you’ll be safe and secure during your RVing adventures. So read on to learn more!

1. Have a Plan in Place

The first step to emergency preparedness for RVers is to have a plan in place. Some items are universal – things you can set up once and have ready for every RV adventure again without needing to think about it. These would be things like contact lists for when things get dicey. It’s always good to know you have a number on hand in case you lose access to your own phone, since we nobody remembers important phone numbers these days!

Additionally, create a plan for how to handle various emergency scenarios, such as a medical emergency, a fire, a flood, or a natural disaster. Knowing what to do in each situation can give you peace of mind and better help you prepare for any situation.

Your plan should also include guidance for evacuation. Especially for children in your RV, knowing how to get out of the RV fast when it matters can be important. After all, homes can catch fire in the kitchen and there’s always a possibility of that happening in you RV too.

2. Keep an emergency kit ready

As an RVer, having an emergency kit that is well equipped and ready to go is essential. Your kit should include items such as a flashlight, a set of multi-purpose tools, a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, a battery-operated radio, and a maybe even a whistle. These can all be used in various emergency events to make it easier to find help when it’s needed.

Spare parts for your RV and tow vehicle should be considered part of your emergency kit. It’s always a good idea to pack items such as a spare tire, a full tank of fuel, and extra oil. If a flash flood or other incident happens, you may need to detour far away from the pit stop you were planning to make.

Lastly, a good emergency kit in your RV should include a road hazard kit, a blanket, and food and water.

3. Know Your Route

Knowing your route is an important part of emergency preparedness for RVers. Before you take off on a new journey, it’s wise to research the best route to your destination and plan accordingly. Use online resources to find out about local destinations, alternative campgrounds, and you may even pick up some useful local information from RV forums online. Certain areas can be challenging to maneuver with larger RVs, and you can be sure the locals will tell you!

Be aware of any road closures or detours you may encounter. Additionally, make sure to have a map of the area with you so that you can quickly find an alternate route if needed. This can help you get to your destination quickly and safely.

If you’re using a digital map, like the one on your phone, you can download a version of the map before you leave. That way, even if you don’t have any signal, you can reference the map in the app to plan an alternate route. That said, it’s still a good idea to have a paper map in your RV – there’s plenty of place to store one, and you never know when they might come in handy!

4. Create a system of safety protocols

Knowing and understanding safety protocols is essential for RVers in the event of an emergency. In addition to having a plan in place for evacuation, store a list of contact information for emergency services relevant to your destination. For instance, traveling along the western forests could put you in wildfire territory. You should have an idea of what to do if you encounter a risk common to the area you plan to visit.

Don’t forget to store important documents, like insurance information, in a waterproof container and have them easily accessible. If something were to happen, it can save you a lot of stress to know you have the resources you need to contact ready and available no matter what.

Familiarizing yourself with safety protocols is the key to being prepared and staying safe in the event of an emergency.

5. Know where to turn for assistance

RV emergency preparedness while traveling in an RV starts with knowing who to call! Creating a list of where to turn for assistance on your trip can be a major help if you find yourself in an emergency situation. Find resources for emergency services like police, fire, and medical help in the areas you are visiting.

If your camping trip includes recreation activities that could be unsafe, like rock climbing or other dangerous hobbies, you may want to consider researching places like the nearest hospitals, fire stations, and police departments in the area so you know where to go.

6. Most Importantly – Don’t Stress!

The most important thing to do on any RV trip is to relax and enjoy the trip. While it’s a great idea to be prepared for emergencies, you’re statistically unlikely to encounter them on your trip. Don’t let the idea of preparing for an emergency make you feel like you’re going to experience one. It’s all about being ready for anything!

Taking the time to research and prepare will make sure you can enjoy your RV experience without worrying about the unexpected.

Do You Have RV Questions? Contact RV Wholesale Superstore!

The professionals at RV Wholesale Superstore are ready to help you find your first RV and answer any questions you may have about taking care of one. Visit us in-person at 5080 W. Alexis Road, in Sylvania, OH or call us at 844-601-1171

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5 Mistakes to Avoid on Your First RV Trip

By: RV Wholesale Superstore
Last Updated: March 24, 2023

The excitement and anticipation of your first RV trip can be quickly replaced by frustration and disappointment if you haven’t done your research and planned things out before you hit the road. Taking the guesswork out of the picture can be a big help in avoiding these 5 common first RV trip mistakes. Even if you are the spontaneous type, a little planning can go a long way when it comes to having a pleasant first RV trip experience.

#1. Hitting the Road Without a Plan

“Have RV Will Travel” is a great motto! There are plenty of adventures that await you out on the open road. Planning is a simple way to avoid unnecessary pitfalls. Don’t worry; there will still be plenty of adventure on your first RV trip! Taking the time to plan it just means the memories you make will not be full of mishaps and wrong turns.

Decide where you want to go for your first trip and line things up. Mapping out your route and calling for reservations means your first RV trip story won’t be about the time you got lost on the way then arrived after dark at the campground and it was full. A little planning means that when your trip goes south that’s an actual direction you planned, not describing the result of a string of unfortunate events.

#2. Going Too Far

Finding a location close to home for your first RV trip will give you a chance to get used to driving your RV. There is a bit of a learning curve with maneuvering your RV. Mastering the art of towing, backing up, and parking your new RV takes experience and when you stick to an area you’re familiar with, it helps.

If you wanted to run a marathon you wouldn’t just jump up from the couch and go run 20 miles. Similarly, you may want to take a cross-country trip, but it’s not advisable to do that for your first RV trip! When you stick within a couple of hours from home, you can take a couple of weekend getaways and take the time to familiarize yourself with driving your RV, planning meals and making lists of things you want to keep in your RV.

#3. Packing Too Much

Speaking of things you want to keep in your RV, a common mistake people make on their first RV trip is bringing too much! While and RV affords a lot more room than just your vehicle alone, it’s best to avoid packing everything but the kitchen sink (because your RV probably already has that)!

While we’ve all experienced over packing for a trip, when you overload your RV it can cost you extra time and money. The more weight you are carrying, the more you’ll spend in gas and when you over pack, much of your time will be wasted unloading and loading back up a lot of items you didn’t end up using.

The good news is it doesn’t take long to realize when you’ve over packed! The other good news is that if you do over pack, it’s not the end of the world. Simply make some notes and pack less the next time!

#4. Relying on Cell Service

We’ve all come to rely on our phones for almost everything from communication to navigation to entertainment. However, when you are camping there’s a good chance you will travel places where cell service isn’t always available. If you’ve used your phone to map out your trip, be sure to download or print them out in case you end up in an area without service. You may also want to have a backup plan for entertainment; there are plenty of games and other forms of entertainment if you are unable to get service on your phone.

The most important backup plan is telling someone where you’ll be and when you’re expected to return! There’s one thing you can be sure of: you can’t be sure of everything! So planning ahead for the unexpected is wise because accidents do occasionally happen. Planning in advance for that slight chance you may not be able to call for help can give you peace of mind.

#5. Not Packing Basic Equipment

There is one way to ensure you need a tool on your first RV trip: forget to pack it! Even those who aren’t DIYers should keep a pack of basic tools like screwdrivers, tape and bungee cords in your RV. Having a few basic tools on hand can save you in the event an unexpected maintenance issue arises.

Additionally, basic safety equipment should always be kept on hand – for your first RV trip and beyond. No matter where you go it’s always important to keep a first aid kit handy. Other items that can come in handy are blankets and extra water in the event you have a breakdown in inclement weather. Some things to pack for road safety should you have a roadside breakdown include a tire pressure gauge, lights, reflectors, and road flares if possible.

When you take some time to do a little planning, you can avoid these 5 common first RV trip mistakes. Your first RV trip will be an adventure no matter where you go. Remember these tips so you can leave the frustration and disappointment behind and only pack for excitement and great memories!

#6. Not Knowing Your RV

Whether your day-to-day car is a sedan or a big truck, you likely have years of experience driving on roads without needing to pay attention to some of those more specialized warnings. Now that you’re in an RV, though, that’s changed. There are two critical numbers you need to keep in your head while you’re traveling: your RV’s height and weight.

The roads out there aren’t always designed with larger vehicles in mind – especially backroads or shortcuts you may be used to taking. Low clearances can spell disaster for the unprepared RV owner on their first RV trip.

Likewise, hitting the road with an overloaded RV can put a strain on it or your tow vehicle. It can lead to damage and ultimately leave you stranded.

If you’re worried about forgetting, it’s a good idea to write these numbers down and have them accessible while you’re driving.

#7. Backing Up Solo

Overconfidence can put a quick end to what might otherwise be a great camping trip. When you’re new to towing a large RV, don’t let your pride get in the way of safety. Especially when it comes to putting your vehicle in reverse!

There’s a lot of RV to keep track of, and reversing with something in tow isn’t as intuitive for every driver. That’s why it pays to have a spotter when you’re getting used to it. They can help ensure you don’t damage your RV, someone else’s, or hurt anyone while you’re learning.

Just remember to take it slow!

#8. Boondocking Without Experience

We’ll start off by saying this isn’t necessarily a mistake. It’s absolutely possible to make your first RV trip a boondocking trip. That said, it’s a good idea to spend some time with your RV near hookups to get used to the daily routine and your RV’s systems first.

You have to walk before you can run! If boondocking is the reason you bought an RV, then by all means, go for it! Just make sure you really know the capacity of your RV’s water tanks, batteries and other features. As long as you’re safe, the worst that happens is you need to pack up early. But a little bit of experience can make sure your first boondocking trip is a successful one.

Contact RV Wholesale Superstore

The professionals at RV Wholesale Superstore are ready to help you find the perfect RV for you and your family. Visit us in-person at 5080 W. Alexis Road, in Sylvania, OH or call us at (419) 786-1126