Planning a RV Summer Trip
When warmer weather approaches, so many summer activities start popping up in the back of your mind, and your next RV camping trip might be first and foremost! There's no better way to experience the great outdoors than in a fifth wheel or travel trailer, so to ensure you get the best out of your summer vacation (or many summer vacations), be sure to plan accordingly for the areas you want to see, campgrounds you need to stay in, and how to get there. At Carolina Coach & Marine, we want every RV trip to be the best it can be, so whether you're an experienced traveler, just bought your first camper, or want to get into the RV lifestyle, this list of recommendations has useful information for everyone!
The professionals at our dealership also have a wealth of knowledge about RV travel, and we'll also set you up with the travel trailer you need to enjoy this summer, so stop by our dealership near Charlotte and Winston-Salem, NC if you want to experience camping this summer like never before!
Choose Your Location Early
Even if it's late in the summer, you can still find great places to camp, but we recommend that you decide where you want to go as soon as possible. That way, you'll have more options for campgrounds and places to visit, since popular RV campgrounds usually get booked by regular campers early in the season. If you're unsure of where to go, but just know that you want to get out, doing a little research is a great way to find the best campgrounds in the area for all activities and scenery you want to see.
Find the Right Campground
Once you figure out where you want to good, book a campsite in the area ASAP! Campgrounds fill up quickly, especially around holidays like Independence Day and Memorial Day, and with more and more people realizing how great RV camping is, it's not a bad idea to reserve your site at least 6 months in advance. Also, be sure you research the policies of the campground you want to stay at. Not all campsites accommodate multiple vehicles, so if you want to bring your motorhome or travel trailer, an extra car, and/or some four wheelers, check the parking policies before you book!
Plan Activities, and Budget!
Every great campground has great activities, so you might figure out which activities you like after you find a good campsite. However, if you're shooting for specific activities, or if there's an event near your campground that also gets booked early, try to reserve your spot before or at the same time that you select your campsite. Also, activities, camping fees, and meals all cost money, so take budget into consideration, and overestimate how much it will cost, as extra expenses almost alway pop up when on the road. Don't forget to factor in gas, snacks, and miscellaneous spending as well.
Anticipate Your Route
Sure, there's probably one simple way to get to the site you've booked, but keep in mind that you're not just driving a car -- you're driving a motorhome, or possibly hauling a fifth wheel, and some roads might not be conducive to RV travel. Look ahead before you start driving to figure out if low bridges, steep inclines, or sharp turns will be obstacles to your path, and plan the alternate routes you'll need to take to avoid these difficulties. Studying the map yourself is one way to do this, but you can also use an RV GPS, which factors in height and weight limits, making your journey that much easier.
RV camping is the best way to go, but like any vacation, it requires a lot of planning. As a first time RVer, all this might seem a little overwhelming, but practice good planning methods, and after a few trips, these preparation tactics will become second nature to you. At Carolina Coach & Marine, we have a lot of experience with traveling in motorhomes, fifth wheels, and travel trailers. If you have any other questions or need any repairs before your next journey, stop into our dealership near Asheville, NC and Spartanburg, SC to learn how to make your RV vacations worry free!