The Ultimate RV Travel Guide: All You Need To Know About RVing Vacations

RV Travel seems to be on the radar now as a preferred method of travel. It has been one of the top performing sectors in travel for 2020 and probably will be again in 2021. Trip planners prefer to have their own space with a self contained trip. They want to spend more time outside enjoying the open road , nature and national parks. Interaction with other travelers are controllable. They don’t have to use public bathrooms. It is a great opportunity to spend focused time outside, with family or friends, and maybe the family dog.

Changing RV Travel Demographics

The old misconception that most of the RV travelers are retired senior citizens has changed dramatically. They now only make up 20% of the demographic that travel by RV. There are now larger groups of families going to national parks and other family friendly destinations. With all these new destinations and experiences, RV travel journeys are an excellent opportunity for family vacations.

Brand New Experiences

Where are these new groups of RV travelers going? National parks, music festivals, exploring I-10 or Route 66, rodeo’s, and out-of-the-way events.

It also has turned out to be a brand new experience for most. Only 35% of the RV travelers this year have ever done it before. Where are all these RV’s coming from to be available for rent? Owners of RV’s are seeing this as another stream of income just like people do with AirBnb and spare rooms in their house. Even better, RVing encourages you to visit a new realm of travel destinations. Think less cities, and more small communities, mountain towns, and camping trips. If you are looking for some exciting destinations for your first RV trip, be sure to read out all-season Jackson Hole Wyoming travel and recreation guide.

RV Travel Cost

So how much does this type of travel cost? The base cost of the rental depends on if it is driveable or towable. Towable is less expensive, you have your own car with you but you will need to set up in each location you go to. It also matters what you expect in amenities. Do you want hi-tech or luxurious accommodations or are you okay with basic amenities and you are more concerned about getting from point A to point B?

Believe it or not, some of the best deals are last minute. If you are not particularly selective in what you are looking for, you may hit a home run and save significant dollars on a rental.

Overnight Accommodations Fees

Overnight fees vary as well. Do you find a Walmart parking lot for free or do you go to a RV Park which offers you facilities to use? If you want free you will be boondocking. It is basically where overnight parking is allowed. That may include rest areas, truck stops, hotel/motel parking lots, and visitor centers. Look for signage in those locations. Allstays.com can list options for you in all your destinations for $35/year.

Of course long drives can be affected cost-wise by the RV you select and miles per gallon.

Remain Spontaneous

When you plan your trip try to stay spontaneous since you are not tied down to hotel reservations anywhere. If you are expecting multiple overnight stops it is important to at least lock in a reservation at your final stop before heading home.

If you are looking for a one way RV trip and fly home from there, it is possible but harder to find.

Specialized Driving Requirements

The best thing about it is you don’t need a special drivers license. You can rent a class B van or a class C  U-Haul truck to attach to your vehicle. How to pick up your RV? If you are going to a destination, the owner delivers it to the campground and sets it up for you. They make sure they follow guidelines and sterilize it for you prior to your arrival. If you want additional cleaning measures you can hire someone from a company like TaskRabbit who offers a disinfectant cleaning service.

Roadside Assistance & Customer Support

Most organizations that you rent RV’s from also offer 24/7 roadside assistance and customer support on any questions you may have on your journey.

Travel Insurance Requirements

Travel insurance is imperative to avoid common travel mishaps on your motorhome vacation. It is recommended that you purchase adequate travel insurance like driveway coverage. Most likely the auto insurance you have as your primary will not be enough or even cover RV vehicles.

Campground WiFi

It is also important to inquire about WiFi at your selected campground, especially if it is rural. Check into Skyroam to purchase or rent a WiFi booster if it is necessary for you to have connectivity.

Check out a website of inventory like RVshare.com as a great place to start. Before you book your reservations, talk to the owner about logistics on how to receive your RV, MPG for long drives, policy on bringing your pet, and most of all, read reviews on previous rentals with that owner. If this excites you, be sure to read more in our guide on the top pet friendly travel options.

Future Of RV Travel

The future of RV travel is bright. You will see upgrades in technology with improved WiFi, larger work spaces for remote workers, fuel efficiency, and cooking functionality. You will see more options for one way travel. You will also see it not just as a mobility asset to go anywhere but also a hospitality asset with more comfort while you travel.

Packing

Before you embark on your RV travel journey, you need to familiarize yourself with what to pack. Remember that motorhomes tend to be fairly limited when it comes to storage space. Therefore, it is highly recommended to strategically pack in order to avoid running out of space or feeling claustrophobic. For U.S. RV travel, you should not pack too many kitchen and cooking supplies. You probably also do not need to pack an abundance of food, toiletries, and hygiene products. After all, you will be able to purchase most of these products at RV sites, camping stores, and rest stops along the way.

Timing

Obviously, it is beneficial to learn about the best time of year to go RVing. Fortunately, with the diverse climates across the United States, you can always find somewhere for your RV travel adventure. Some destinations like the Western United States or California, are notoriously enjoyable for RV travel year-round. Similarly, U.S. States like Florida have been coined the ‘Sunshine State’ for their warm weather all year. Here, you can take your RV throughout Orlando, the Florida Space Coast and Kennedy Space Center. For RV travel lovers in the Northeast United States, vacations are likely only possible throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Outside of these seasons, most RV campgrounds remain closed for the Winter.

Sleeping, Naps, & Rest

It goes without saying that sleeping, naps, and rest will be much different on your RV travel journey. Before you embark on your motorhome vacation, consider the sleeping habits, ages, and abilities of those you are traveling with. If you are unsure in your ability to get a good night’s rest, consider purchasing sleep aid or gear beforehand. If you are traveling with small children, measure the RV living space to see if a crib or ‘pack and play’ can fit inside. You may also want to look into a rail or bumper for your kid’s beds. This way, you can ensure they do not roll of the bed while driving.

RV Travel Maintenance

Of course, it is additionally important to learn about RV travel maintenance before your first big trip. While RV renters will not have to worry too much about maintenance, this will be essential should you ever want to purchase your own rig. At a minimum, you will need to create a preventative maintenance schedule where you analyze your tires, brakes, and electric systems. At the same time, it is important to regularly clear your roof of any debris. In addition, successful maintenance additionally requires changing fluids, deep cleaning, as well as checking batteries. In fact, you may even want to regularly test your safety equipment, run your generator, and clean out your AC unit. Once you are confident in your RV upkeep capabilities, you are ready to begin experiencing family camping vacations in the United States.