5 RV Mistakes We Made
(and How You Can Avoid Them)
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Mistake #1: Driving Too Far (and late at night)
In our rush to get to our final destination, we have sometimes unwillingly made this mistake. Driving too far can lead to distracted driving, and increase the chance of something bad happening. The longer you are behind the wheel, the more exhausted and distracted you may become. This applies to driving at night as well.
Lesson Learned: We try to do a better job at planning out our route so that we don’t have long drive days. We also try to get an early start on drive days, so that we aren’t driving into the night hours. Check out THIS BLOG POST for more road trip planning tips.
Mistake #2: Not Checking Your Tires
At this point I consider myself a tire guru, but that didn’t come without a whole bunch of mishaps first. We have had several blowouts, and a bent axle! Tires are the only contact that your rv has with the road you are traveling on. Wear and tear can have huge impacts on their durability, so it is important that you maintain them properly.
Lesson Learned: We take regular care of our tires, from checking them regularly to always knowing the PSI and temperature of the tires as they are rolling down the road. Regular maintenance of your tires can really go a long way in preventing a major disaster from happening. HERE is our video on tire maintenance and helpful tips.
Mistake #3: Leaving The Awning Out
This one is important! Many people already know that they should not leave the awning out when they leave the campground. However, did you know that you should also be wary of leaving the awning out when you are at the campground? We had an incident when we were inside the camper (with the awning fully out), and a gust of wind came through and completely flipped our awning on top of our rv!
Lesson Learned: We now only leave the awning out if we are sitting under it, and somewhere where we can quickly get a handle on it if needed. Check out THIS VIDEO for more RV Mistakes that we have made!
Mistake #4: Rushing Through The Set-Up Process
There are times when you get to your campsite and all you want to do is pull that chair out and relax. We have all been there. But rushing through the setup process can cause lots of problems down the road. Unhooking your tow vehicle BEFORE you are certain that you can reach all the hookups is one of the small crimes that we are guilty of.
Lesson Learned: We have implemented the use of a set up checklist. This helps us remember ALL of the steps (in order) that need to be completed for a proper setup. You can grab your FREE checklist HERE.
Mistake #5: Neglecting the RV itself
We were so focused on enjoying the journey that we neglected some basic RV maintenance. Things that should have been taken care of fell by the wayside, and then turned into bigger problems.
Lesson Learned: Regular maintenance is key to a smooth RV experience. Perform basic checks on tires, fluids, and lights before every trip. Don't forget to schedule professional maintenance according to your RV's manual.
There you have it, folks! Our not-so-glamorous RV learning experiences. By taking these mishaps to heart, you can embark on your own RV adventure with confidence and avoid these common pitfalls. Happy trails!
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