Looking to hit the road or have always wanted to? We know that sometimes hitting the road and traveling across the country can seem hard. Palisade Basecamp is here to provide 4 easy tips for first-time RVers to help you because we know how hard it can be to driving an RV for the first time. Our tips will go over driving, checking your RV’s systems, RV Weight limits, and packing your items smartly.

1. Practice Parking and Driving Your RV Before You Start

If you do not have any experience parking or driving a large RV, we suggest that you start practicing before you go on your trip. Unless you are a bus driver or drive semi-trucks in your daily life. The training will get you comfortable with a wider, taller, and heavier vehicle.

We would recommend that you practice driving your RV as much as possible before your trip. That way you will have experience of how to park and drive through certain situations.

To start out practicing, the best method we’ve found is to start in an open area where you can travel freely such as an empty parking lot. Once comfortable you can start moving into difficult parking and heavy traffic.

Next thing you should learn is how to level and stabilize your vehicle.

Practicing this setup will ensure that your RV is always level and stabilized so that any fluids from the refrigerator or propane tanks leak out.

Tips for first time RVers

2. Systems Check

Two wrenches and 8 lug nuts on a wooden table

Though it may be tedious to check all these systems, this will help you in the long run, it is better to find out if there is something wrong sooner than on the road. These tips for first time rvers are also important for veteran rvers.

Systems we recommend checking:

– Systems you want to test such as Engine

– Air Conditioner

-Refrigerator

-Generator

-Washer

-Brakes

-Interior and Exterior Light

Extra Tip: To maintain that you have properly checked your starship. Create a checklist of tasks so you don’t lose track.

3. Know Your RV’s Weight Limit

This is important so that you don’t lose your car behind you while towing or overload the RV that will cause too much stress for the engine.

Every recreational vehicle has certain weight limits for towing, tires, and how much the RV can load.

You can find this information by looking up the model on google or reading the manufacturer’s manual.

Knowing this information is vital and will help protect you from an accident or RV weight issue from occurring.

RV parked in the mountains in front of several yellow trees

4. Pack Smart And Efficiently

Person packing clothing into a suitcase

Unlike taking a vacation at a hotel, RVing requires you to take items such as:

-Appropriate clothing for desired locations. (Rain, Cold, Hot, Humid)

-Medications

-Cosmetics

-Tools

-Food

-Cleaning Products

-Cooking Tools

-Bed Sheets

You will have to prepare for all kinds of situations regarding weather and climate temperatures, being prepared as best you can help you on your travels.

Palisade Basecamp RV Resort hopes these tips will help you in your RV Adventure! If you are looking for a place to stay in Colorado, Palisade Basecamp is around the corner.