RV Trip Preparation

Like any trip, an RV trip begins with planning. Where are you going? When are you going? How long will it take to get there? How long are you going to stay? What activities will you be involved in? How many people in your party? Does anyone have special diet or medical requirements? Will any special equipment, clothing, or supplies be needed? Are there any special events (like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or other celebrations) that will occur during the outing that require special preparations?

Once I have answered these questions, I begin preparing my RV. Plan to plug your RV into shore power and turn on the refrigerator at least a day or two before departure to cool the fridge. I always remove the ice cube trays from my RV after each trip and freeze the ice cubes in the home fridge ahead of time and put them back in the RV when we're going on a trip.  That way they won't spill while one the road.  If you can, pre-cool all the items you put into the fridge. Check to make sure your fresh water tank is filled (unless you're headed to a campground with hookups and want to reduce traveling weight) and holding tanks are empty. Check your propane level to be sure you have enough for your trip.  I like to top off the propane before each trip just to be sure, usually fillling it up at the end of each trip before storing my  RV.  Investing a little time and money in doing so sure beats running out of propane for the furnace on a cold night or for the fridge on a hot day!  Inspect non-perishable provisions and replace those you have consumed or have become contaminated or outdated. Check closets and drawers to make sure you are bringing clothing that is appropriate to the season, destination, and planned activities and remove items you won't need.  You probably don't need parkas and snowsuits for a summer trip nor speedos in the winter!

Over the years I have created a checklist I use for each RV trip. The list includes checking RV and vehicle systems, provisions, supplies, clothing, and tools. I use similar checklist to prepare my OHVs and for each individual in my family to check their personal riding gear. It may seem to you that it is way more trouble than it is worth -- until you arrive at your destination and find out you left something critical at home! No, I'm not OCD; I've just learned, the hard way, that a few extra minutes spent in preparation saves hours of frustration and "catch up" on the road. I once started to fix dinner in camp, a simple can of chili, and discovered I didn't have a can opener! We had to make a trip into the nearest town to try to get one before we could have dinner and still ended up using a "church key" (beer can opener), a clumsy and risky way to open cans.  Check lists are not just for wusses!  Air line pilots, physicians, and astronauts use them regularly and religiously.

Always leave your travel plans with someone:, a relative, a friend, a neighbor. Even if you are only going away for a weekend. If something happens and you don't return on time, someone will notice and will know where to start looking for you. If you are going to gone more than a weekend, you may want to stop mail and newspaper deliveries or have a neighbor pick them up so you don't leave clues for potential burglars that your home is unoccupied for a time. You will probably want to turn off the A/C at home while you're gone so you don't waste electricity. In moderate climates you may also want to turn off the furnace. In cold climates, where freeze-protection is needed, turn the furnace down but not off. No need to waste fuel keeping the house at a comfortable temperature when all that is needed is to keep it above freezing so you don't return to burst pipes! It is often suggested that you notify your local police or sheriff's department if you are going to be away for any length of time so they can monitor your home for suspicious activity. Just be sure to let them know when you get back so they don't think YOU are burglarizing your own home when you return.

If you have an entertainment system in your RV you may want to choose several favorite CDs or movies to bring along and make sure the components are working properly. Everything might have worked OK during your last trip, but after some time in storage, things could change.  A good rule to follow is "if it hasn't been tested, it doesn't work".

Plan your meals well in advance so you can obtain the necessary ingredients and make sure you have the proper pots and pans and utensils to cook them. You'll need a well defined menu in order to purchase provisions.  Not everyone keeps cake pans in their RV all the time, so make sure you bring some along if you're planning to bake a cake! Take stock of your disposable kitchen supplies (napkins, paper towels, paper plates, paper cups, paper bowls). Using disposables instead of washing dishes saves time, conserves water, and reduces the amount of stuff in your holding tanks. You also save on propane that would have been used to heat water for doing dishes. Environmentalists may frown on disposable dishes, but for camping, it makes a lot of sense and given the reduction in the consumption of on-board resources may actually be "greener" than washing dishes. While there is an appeal to spontaneity, having a pre-determined menu saves time in camp. It is helpful to organize and prepare ingredients ahead of time before you leave home and store them close together for quicker meals in camp. You can always switch some meals around if plans (or weather or appetite) changes.

Clean your windows and lights -- on your motorhome or your tow vehicle and trailer. Clean windows and lights on motor vehicles are essential for safety. Clean windows on your coach allow you to enjoy the views. If you let dirty windows stay dirty, they become harder and harder to clean as residue builds up. Some hard water residues can cause permanent damage to the surface of the glass.  Bad hard water stains can sometimes be removed using vinegar and a single edge razor blade or similar scraper.

Vehicle systems checks. Check all your tires. Test tire pressure and examine them for tread wear and side-wall cracks. Check radiator and heater hoses and replace any that are leaking, brittle, or spongy. Check fan or serpentine belts. It is much easier to replace them -- and probably a lot less expensive -- before you leave than it will be out on the road, to say nothing of the inconvenience and delay it may cause. Check the oil, in both your vehicle engine and your generator. Check windshield washer fluid and wipers. Top off the washer fluid and replace damaged wipers. Check and, if necessary, top off power steering, brake, and transmission fluid. If your vehicle has a hydraulically operated clutch, check the clutch fluid and top off if necessary. Check your batteries, both vehicle and coach batteries. Check fluid levels and top off with distilled water if low. DO NOT use ordinary tap water, except in an emergency, as it contains minerals and chemicals that may contaminate the battery and reduce performance and life expectancy.

Test all your internal RV systems a few days before your trip so you have time to make or arrange for any necessary repairs. Start the generator. Run the roof A/C. While the generator is running, heat a cup of water in your microwave if your RV has one.   Fire up the water heater and the furnace. As previously mentioned, start the fridge a day or so before the trip. Turn on the water pump and make sure water flows to all faucets.  If there is a problem with one faucet, remove and clean the screen on the faucet.  If none of them are working verify the fresh water tank is full and that the pump has power and correct any problems found.   I like to make sure all the interior lights are working so I am not inconvenienced during the outing. I also carry plenty of spare bulbs in case one fails on the road.

Bedding. Make sure you have adequate bedding for the climate, weather, and number of people in your group. Make sure sheets and pillow cases are clean and in good repair. When we had a large motorhome we liked to keep a couple of extra sleeping bags in the motorhome in case it gets unusually cold or we have trouble with the furnace -- or have unexpected guests.  That may not be a viable option if you have a smaller rig, but it is always a good idea to carry an extra blanket or two if you have room.  If space is limited you may have to put it on the bed.  You can always kick it off if is too warm and it will be really welcome on an unexpectedly cold night!

Medicine cabinet. Check your first aid kit and any medications you may keep on board. Replenish as needed and replace expired supplies. I try to keep a variety of over-the-counter remedies on board, such as Aspirin, generic Tylenol, antacids, allergy medications, antacids, and anti-diarrhea tablets. Verify that you have sufficient sanitary supplies (hand and face lotions, sunscreen, soaps, shampoos, razors, after shave, deodorants, facial tissue,  holding tank chemicals, tissues, and toilet paper). Consider the needs of your particular family and stock up accordingly.

Tools and supplies: make at least a quick pass through your on-board tools to make sure you still have all the essentials and they're where they should be. It is way too easy for things to be left out or put away improperly the last time the were used. Also verify your stock of spare bulbs and fuses, electrical wire, electrical tape, and duct tape. Check on board flashlights and spare batteries. If your spares have been around for awhile, test them to see if they are still good. Check batteries in remote controls for TVs, VCRS, DVD Players, and ceiling fans. Verify that you have spares for these as well as for all flashlights and battery-operated lanterns.

Cleaning supplies: you will need basic cleaning supplies to maintain the inside of your RV. A good general purpose cleaner similar to 409 is always useful. We espeically like "Awesome Orange"cleaner from Dollar Tree.   Glass cleaner does a better job on mirrors and windows. Some RV fixtures can be damaged by harsh cleansers. If yours are among them, some kind of "soft scrub" cleanser, like Bon Ami ("hasn't scratched yet") or Bar Keepers Friend, can usually be used to keep them in good shape. There are usually a lot of wooden surfaces in most RVs so an aerosol furniture polish is also handy for keeping them looking good. Most RVs have at least some carpeted areas, so a spray carpet cleaner can be useful.  Bring plenty of paper towels. You will find dozens of uses for them in and out of your RV. Sponges and scouring pads are useful for stubborn cooking utensils. Some big RVs have a washer and dryer. Even if yours does not, you may need to bring along laundry soap if you are going to be away from home for more than a few days so you can hit a laundromat or use one in a campground or at a friend's or relative's home -- or even wash out your clothes in the sink.  A mixture of vinegar and soda will often revive yellowed or faded plastic fixtures like RV bathroom sinks and toilets.

Snacks and treats. I don't know about you, but snacks and treats are a big part of the fun during most of my family's outings. Over the years we have developed some traditions we cling to. I personally find that chewing bubble gum or eating sunflower seeds helps me stay alert on long drives. The whole family enjoys cookies and milk and the kids especially like "Red Vines". Chips and dips are always a hit both on the road and once you make camp. A particular favorite of mine for colder days, picked up from a fellow camper is corn chips (scoop style) and a warm dip made from chili and cream cheese. Really quick and easy to make and sure to please on chilly evenings. The main thing is to bring along things you and your family will enjoy. You are likely to find that snacking may even replace meals when you are involved in engaging activities and most snacks require little or no preparation and minimal cleanup. With that in mind, you may want to include several "healthy" snacks. I find munching on sun flower seeds helps be stay alert while driving.  I like the dill pickle flavor.  It has enough kick to be tasty and fun to eat but isn't as hard on soft tissues in the mouth as ordinary salted seeds.

Activities: even if the primary purpose of your trip is to ride your OHVs, you will still have time in the evening or during inclement weather, for additional activities. Traditional campfire activities include sing-alongs and story-telling. If you are musically inclined, you may want to bring your instrument to entertain yourself and your fellow campers. You will usually find a warm and appreciative audience. Because we can never really predict the weather, you may want to include both indoor and outdoor games and activities. For those with entertainment systems or portable TVs in their RVs, movies can be a good way to keep everyone happy on a rainy afternoon or evening. Table games, such as Yahtzee and Uno have a permanent place in the cabinets under the dinette in our motorhome. Horseshoes is an ever-popular outdoor game and takes up little room. There are several other outdoor games, such as lawn darts, that lend themselves well to camping adventures. A soccer ball can be used for a number of different games besides soccer, such as volleyball, basketball and dodge ball. If your family enjoys baseball or football, toss in a bat and ball or a football. Badminton is a long-time campsite pastime.  For some of our desert outings we've included some skeet shooting. Let your imagination and your personal interest be your guide. Over time you will discover which activities work best for your family and begin to establish some traditions that all will enjoy.

OHVs. Be sure to review post on OHV Trip Preparations to make sure your toys and gear are ready to go and will do their jobs. That means all equipment and gear is accounted for and is clean and in good repair and properly stowed for travel.

Most important of all, HAVE FUN!