If there’s one thing you can expect during the summer, it’s that camping season will draw out hundreds, if not thousands of campers, so it makes sense that you might be looking to join in. But if you’re not so into the rigors of tent camping, then RVing might be more your style. It’ll let you enjoy the outdoors and all the best parts of camping while still having a comfortable place to sleep.
If this is your first time camping in an RV, then check out some of the tips we’ve provided just for you (or even for some of the veterans out there who are looking for refreshers or new ideas). Then, when you’re ready to check out one of the many RVs we sell here at RV Four Seasons, like travel trailers, toy haulers, and fifth wheels, stop by one of our locations in Loveland and Wheat Ridge, Colorado, near Denver and Colorado Springs.
Planning
Like any type of road trip, you’re going to want to make some plans and take some notes. It can be fun to just hit the road with no responsibilities and no plans, but there are also a lot of benefits to planning ahead of time, even minimally (and if you have kids, spontaneity is going to be a little harder). Some of the bare bone basics should include figuring out where you’re going to be staying every night. This could mean the areas where you’ll just need to stop for the night and where you’ll be spending an extended period of time. You can risk leaving that kind of thing until the last minute, but keep in mind that a lot of other people will be camping too. There may not be a lot of open spots and you might find yourself fighting the clock to locate an open site before the campgrounds close for the evening.
You may also want to search the areas you’ll be passing through for fun activities. There are a lot of attractions and vistas you’ll be passing that may not be advertised from the road, so not searching for these things ahead of time may cause you to pass up potential for wonderful new experiences. Combine a scheduled rest stop with a fun point of interest to stave off boredom.
There are a lot of other one-off reminders and planning necessities that you might think of as you go about your daily routine: fill the propane tank, check the tires, map out your route, restock the cabinets, etc. As you think of these things, make sure to write them down so you don’t forget them when you finally get a moment to work on trip prep.
Packing
One area where you may be scratching your head is packing. Packing for an RV trip is very different from packing for other kinds of trips. Even with the extra storage space, you’re going to need to balance that with avoiding overloading your rig. There are a couple ways to do this. You can start taking note of all the items you use day after day, and we mean all items, including cooking utensils, dishware, and linens. This will probably give you a pretty long list, but from there, you can cross out items that you won’t necessarily need on a short camping trip. Or you can add camping-specific items, like food for s’mores, outdoor sport gear, and campfire supplies.
If you’re still a little worried about hitting all the right bases, check out one of the many RV planning apps available for smartphones. These often provide tools to help you with the basics, like route planning, helping you locate RV-friendly stops, and packing lists. These lists can be blank or they can provide you with a pre-generated list to help you get started.
Through all this work, you’re going to want to try and remember the most important part of camping: to enjoy it! Don’t lose sight of the fact that RV camping is supposed to fun and relaxing. And keep the stress away by making sure your RV is ready to roll. For any maintenance checks or repairs you may need, contact our service department at RV Four Seasons. We proudly serve Loveland, Wheat Ridge, Denver, and Colorado Springs, Colorado.
