RV News, tips, & tricks

More and more people are using RVs/motorhomes for their vacation vehicle, and there are a lot of advantages to it. Replacing the travel trailer and fifth-wheel, RVs could be the right choice for you and your family. There are some things that could make a motorhome the right (or wrong) choice for you.

What are some of the pros and cons of traveling in a motorhome? Let's take a look at a few of the advantages of traveling by RV, and then we'll take a look at some of the disadvantages too.

What are some advantages to owning a motorhome?

  • 1) Built-in shelter

    One of the major advantages of choosing the RV lifestyle is that you always have a place to stay. Whether you are stuck in traffic, or simply get tired and want to pull over for a quick nap, your motorhome is your home on wheels.

  • 2) Ameneties

    You don't have to stay in a fancy hotel to have all the best comforts. Today's RV's are well equipped with everything from luxurious bathrooms with oversized tubs, to master bedrooms with plenty of room to stretch out after a long day of driving your motorhome oasis.

  • 3) Convenience

    Since your RV is self-contained you don't have to worry about things like hooking and unhooking your travel trailer, or whether your electrical connection is compatible and working correctly. Your motorhome is ready to roll just by turning the key, without worrying about the headache of towing a trailer or fifth-wheel.

  • 4) RVs are easy to drive

    Driving a motorhome is easy and you don't need a special license. Just use caution, obey the traffic laws, and travel in style in your luxury RV.

Although there are many advantages to owing an RV there are a couple of things that might be considered to be disadvantages:

  • 1) Size of a motorhome

    Having the luxury of a home on wheels comes with a trade-off. While motorhomes are fun and pretty easy to drive on the open road, things get a bit trickier when you get into a town or city. Some streets are not made for large vehicles, and you may find yourself in a sticky situation if you aren't careful about where you go. Also, making a quick trip to the grocery store isn't always so simple.

  • 2) RV repairs

    Just like when things around the house break, your motorhome will have things go wrong. Occasionally you will need to see a qualified RV repair technician to service your RV. Getting your motorhome serviced or repaired can be time-consuming, so be prepared to spend a night or 2 in a nearby hotel or motel. Call now to schedule your RV repair or service.

Tips for traveling in your RV

  • 1. Don't carry spare gasoline.

    Plan on fueling up before the tank gets to 1//4 full. If you are mapping your trip be sure to include fuel stops along the way. If you are just traveling around without any real destination, we recommend you fuel up when the tank hits 1/2 full. This will help in the event of unexpected delays or detours, and could save you from running out of gas in the middle of nowhere.

  • 2. Carry water and blankets

    Make sure you always have plenty of water and blankets on hand, especially if you are traveling through the desert. Your RV is a palace on wheels, until something goes wrong. If your motorhome breaks down and you are left without heat, you will want to have some blankets to keep warm. Your RV will protect you from the rain and snow, but without heat you will need extra protection from the cold. Water is good to have at all times.

  • 3. Check your motorhome when you gas up.

    While you are at the gas station, make sure to check your RV's oil and other fluids (brake, transmission), tire pressure, refill washer fluid, etc. Low tire pressure can have significant impact on your fuel efficiency and steering, and low fluids can lead to costly repairs so it's important to keep your motorhome well maintained.

  • 4. Pack your motorhome thoughtfully.

    Take care when loading your RV for traveling. Store heavy items lower and keep lighter weight stuff higher up. This helps prevent back injury and will also help minimize shifting. It's better to have a bag of chips fall on you than a box of camping equipment! Keep important things accessible, but make sure to secure everything inside and outside your RV..

  • 5. Check your travel route before your start.

    With today's up-to-the-minute traffic reports you can avoid time wasting delays due to traffic, construction, or other unforseen events, so make sure to check your route to see if anything has changed. Maybe there's a new construction project starting that wasn't there yesterday so take a minute to save yourself unexpected detours.

  • 6. Make reservations

    Reserve your campsite in advance when possible. If you can't reserve a spot, the earlier in the day you arrive, the better your chances of getting a place to park your RV.

  • 7. Inspect before you park

    When you arrive at your campsite be sure to get out of your RV and visually/physically inspect the area BEFORE you park.  An unseen log, pipe, board or other hazard could puncture a tire, pull out wiring, damage the exterior, or cause other damage. Taking a mintue to take a look can save you from thousands of dollars in damages.