Useful Advice for First Time RV Owners
There is nothing like the freedom of hitting the open road in an RV and traveling wherever your heart desires. Nonetheless, if you’ve never owned an RV before, there are a number of important things you need to know before setting off on your first trip. For more information and advice on RVing, contact Chesapeake RV Solutions or visit our location in Chesapeake, Virginia, also serving Virginia Beach and Suffolk.
Get Used to Driving Your Rig Before Taking Your First Trip
The most important piece of advice for new RV owners is to make sure you can handle your rig before setting off down the road. An RV is likely to be much taller, wider and heavier than anything you’ve ever driven before so it’s important that you practice driving and parking it before taking your first trip. While this is something you can do on your own, taking an RV driver safety class is definitely something you should consider. In addition to learning how to drive your rig, you should also practice leveling and stabilizing it.
Make Sure All Systems Are Working
Nothing is worse than getting to your campsite only to find that your generator or refrigerator isn’t working. Luckily, this problem is easy to avoid if you take the time to test your RV’s engine and all of its systems and components before hitting the road. You’ll also want to make sure that your batteries are fully charged and that your electrical and plumbing systems are functioning properly.
Never Exceed Your RV’s Weight Limits
Exceeding your RV’s weight limits can be dangerous as it drastically increases your chances of an accident. Therefore, it is vital that you consult your owner’s manual to determine your vehicle’s load and towing weight limits. In this way, you can ensure that you’re not creating a risky situation by overloading your RV.
Pack Carefully and Travel Light
Along the same lines, you’ll also need to pack carefully and travel lightly. You are limited by both your RV’s interior space and weight limits, which means thinking about what you need and what you don’t need. Food, cooking utensils, cleaning items and clothing all take up extra room, and trying to pack too much can make the space feel cramped.
The more you pack with you also means the more your RV will weigh. RVs aren’t the most fuel efficient vehicles, but traveling as lightly as possible can help improve your gas mileage. This means making sure to empty out your gray water and sewage tanks and only carrying as much water as you need.
Watch Your Fuel Gauge Closely
Your RV will burn fuel much more quickly than other vehicles. The last thing you want to do is run out of gas. Therefore, you’ll want to pay close attention to your fuel gauge until you get a better idea of how much fuel you’ll use for both driving and running your generator.
Purchasing an RV can be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. Nonetheless, following this advice is essential to ensuring your first trip is as enjoyable as you dreamed it would be. If you’re looking to purchase your first RV, Chesapeake RV Solutions is here to help. We are located in Chesapeake, Virginia, and we also serve the cities of Virginia Beach and Suffolk.