Summer is just on the horizon and that means it’s almost road trip season! If you’re an RV owner, you’re probably already blocking out dates on your calendar for your upcoming adventure in the sun. There are a few more considerations you should remember when you’re traveling in an RV, though. The Motorcoach Store in Bradenton, Florida, has summer vacations down to a science. We’ve distilled the basics into this quick list to make sure you kick off your summer with a great trip.
Obviously, you’ve got a bucket list kicking around of dream destinations, but you’ll have to narrow it down to one or maybe two if they’re on the same route. Plan out well in advance where you want to go so you can nail down a campsite or figure out if you can boondock there. Make sure it’s a good season or time of year for this trip, too -- maybe you want to avoid a really hot climate until fall months, or steer clear of a northern destination as the winter months approach. Also, some attractions are seasonal, so make sure the things you want to do will be available to you during the time you’ve mapped out.
You don’t want to blow all your money on a single trip and not have enough left over for anything else! Keeping tabs on how much you’re spending on supplies, food, fuel, and maintenance can help you squirrel away money for future endeavors. Allow yourself some spending money for treats on the road, but try not to go overboard when you’ve already packed your motorhome full of the necessities. Set aside an emergency fund in case your motorhome breaks down on the road, and you need towing or repairs, or to check into a hotel for the night.
Creating an itinerary will help you stay focused on your destination, plus it will help with time management. If you know it’ll take you twelve hours to drive somewhere, you might want to break up your drive over two days and camp in between, for example. Take note of check-in and check-out times for campsites. Write down the operating hours of any attractions or museums you might want to visit along the way so you know how much time you have once you arrive.
Always give yourself an extra day or so in case you decide to camp for longer at a certain place. You want to relax on your vacation, after all, and if your schedule is too stringent, you’ll just stress yourself out! It only takes a bit of planning to make sure your trip runs smoothly.
While each trip will be different, once you’ve taken a few journeys in your motorhome, you’ll definitely have at least a mental list of the things you always want to bring. Keeping these items on a spreadsheet can shorten your packing time before your next trip, and save you a headache in case you forget something important that you can’t easily replace on the road. First aid kits, medicines, extra batteries and cords for devices, personal hygiene items, hiking gear -- these are all routine necessities that could go on a general packing list, and you can throw in other items depending on where you’re going.
If you’re looking to invest in a luxurious and affordable pre-owned motorcoach, head on down to our Bradenton showroom. The Motorcoach Store serves the community of Bradenton, Florida, as well as the cities of Sarasota, Tampa, and Fort Myers. We are here for any Florida customers who need RV and motorcoach advice, parts, or services.
