1. Inspect Your Recreational Vehicle
Before thinking about food or sports equipment, every RV owner, whether it's a trailer, camper, or pop-up camper, should prioritize vehicle safety, perform routine maintenance, and equip it with everything needed for emergencies or breakdowns.
Pre-trip preparation is crucial. Thoroughly inspect your RV before you hit the road to ensure everything is in good condition. Are the tires properly inflated? Keep a small toolbox on board, including pliers, a screwdriver, and a hammer, as these tools will always come in handy. A checklist can also help ensure you don’t overlook anything.
For treating minor injuries on the road or caring for your passengers in case of an accident, a first aid kit is essential: include an emergency whistle and medications (they’re often forgotten). Always have a portable charger for your cellphone; you never know what might happen on the way to your destination.
2. Be Balanced in Your Clothing Choices
Packing the right clothes can be the biggest headache before leaving. You need to bring clothing suitable for all weather conditions. Raincoat, rain boots, sun hat, sandals, swimsuit, windbreaker... Also, limit the quantity you bring: space is limited in the caravan.
However, bring enough clothes for at least 10 days, as washing machines may be scarce along your route, and you won’t want to spend all your time at the campground laundromat.
3. Don’t Buy All Your Meals in Advance
Yes, your camper replicates a kitchen interior, but remember that its storage capacity is much smaller. You will always want to have some supply on hand: non-perishable essentials like pasta and rice, dry snacks for quick bites, and containers of drinking water.
Also, leave room to plan your meals as you go, exploring grocery stores and markets you encounter along the way: it’s an opportunity to incorporate local products into your menu or be inspired by the displays, which might be quite different from those at your local supermarket.
You’ll quickly get used to planning meals for the barbecue; you’ll see, the enjoyment grows with practice! Consider simple meals that can be cooked in one or two containers to avoid unnecessarily cluttering your RV’s small kitchen.
4. Choose the Right Campsite
The adventure has begun! You’ve already driven dozens of kilometers, tasted local flavors, and embraced the vast landscapes along the road. Now it’s time to settle down for the night.
Where should you park a trailer or RV? Whether you prefer wild camping or well-equipped campgrounds, there are plenty of things to consider when choosing a site. The best spots offer both swimming and hiking opportunities: near a water body and forest trails.
In any case, think about avoiding mosquitoes. This means avoiding coniferous regions in the summer and setting up near deciduous trees. Stay away from stagnant water and choose a spot with a bit of wind.
5. Involve the Kids
Yes, kids will want to play with the array of games and equipment you’ve brought: toys, books, board games, bikes, swimming gear. On the road, they can read or enjoy fun games with you.
They will also love being part of the trip organization. Give them tasks at each stage; they can, for example, pack their own bags (under your supervision), fetch wood for the fire, help cook an appetizer or dessert, or clean the RV with you.
Before you leave, one last thing: call your broker to get recreational vehicle insurance and learn about current offers. It covers, for example, civil liability for a vehicle you don’t own or personal belongings inside the van or camper.
Take the opportunity to get information about Intact Insurance’s RV roadside assistance, which supports you anytime, anywhere in the country with fuel deliveries and towing or door unlocking services. This way, you can hit the road with peace of mind, knowing you always have a solution at hand.