Editor
Before purchasing an RV, you do your best to educate yourself, but there are certain things that can only be learned via experience. Also, by reading this article...
What our RV Lifestyle members wish they had understood about RVing before traveling was a topic that was recently raised.
Guess what else? RVers wish they had known a lot of things. Nearly 300 people commented on the page, offering advice that RVers had learned while traveling.
RVers' Wish List of Knowledge
The following list includes all the information about RVing that our RV Lifestyle members wish they had known before hitting the road. If RVing is new to you, their errors and discoveries might help you be ready!
#1. Variable Gas Prices
The changing cost of petrol is the first thing on our list. Of fact, most people shouldn't be surprised anymore given the recent spike in petrol costs has severely affected all of us.
Many RVers wished they had known how to improve RV fuel efficiency.
Kari, a member of our RV Lifestyle community, posted the thread's initial remark. The big red exclamation point at the end, not the fact that she brought up shifting petrol costs, caught my attention.
Depending on how far you go and the kind of rig you purchase, gas may be one of the biggest recurring costs for RVing.
Your vacation plans may be affected since a place that was previously within your budget may no longer be. Many folks will ultimately choose to remain nearby.
Any vehicle you're seeking to buy should have size and fuel efficiency in mind.
Connie, another RVer, also spoke about her discovery that fuel treatment may assist overcome this difficulty. She said that it "gets me 7 extra miles per gallon."
#2. Tires
All about the tires. This is yet another crucial element of RVing. That's because your vehicle's tires are the only thing separating it from the road you're on.
Before becoming an RVer, a lot of our members remarked how crucial it is to understand tires.
Chinese tire bombs, that's all John L. said. Later, he clarified that this meant that you should be cautious when buying things since cheap tires from China may blow up on you.
Another participant concurred since he had his own significant tire blowout.
Make sure your vehicle always has sturdy tires, but be aware of the expense. In the short term, buying quality tires is expensive, but in the long run, they may save you money (and a lot of headache).
The preventative maintenance that every RVer should do also includes having healthy tires.
#3. Unforeseeable Costs
Caroyln, a different participant, made a statement about growing total costs. She highlighted the growing expense of RV parks and petrol.
RV park owners are feeling the effects of inflation just like the rest of us. That indicates that they are shifting the expenses to you.
According to Carolyn, they decided to live in an RV full-time in order to save a third of their salary. They discovered that they were unable to save as much as they had hoped due to escalating RV park prices.
She also said that although the accommodations she stayed in while visiting Florida were about $1,200 per month last year, they would cost $2,000 per month starting in 2019. Over the course of a year, the price has increased by almost 66 percent. Ouch!
#4. Avoid overpacking
Leave all that STUFF at home, Hank said. He wasn't the only one who felt this way.
Susan M. added, "Take half of what you anticipate you would utilize (in terms of items)."
Our two members have a strong point. Most of us fill our RVs too full. Yes, it makes sense to keep some products on hand that you may need but won't always use.
Pack, however, with care. Do you really believe you will utilize something? Also, don't forget to include these little items for a lengthy RV trip.
After a few travels, if you find that you no longer need anything, you may choose to remove it from your RV. That may save up useful space in the gear.
Additionally, it may make the whole car lighter, which over time may result in gas savings for you!
#5. Be aware of your water system!
Knowing how your valve system works is another crucial point Julia brought out. She said that knowing about the grey and black tanks is important information, and she is correct!
Before your first journey, it is a good idea to test these systems out. By doing this, you avoid wasting water or harming your sensitive system while traveling to your destination.
#6. Where and When to Buy Alcohol
Although it was a humorous message, it may be significant to some of you.
Not all states allow the sale of alcohol in typical supermarkets. In some places, supermarket stores only carry beer, wine, and soft drinks.
Additionally, several states prohibit the selling of alcohol on Sundays, often on a county-by-county basis.
Pay heed to local and state alcohol rules if you want to purchase any alcohol while driving.
#7. Let It Go
Another suggestion that surfaced in the comment thread was to rent out your RV while you're not using it to generate money!
It may not be for everyone to rent out their RV. Cleaning and delivering it in between rentals is labor-intensive. In the long term, repairs and wear and tear may cost you money.
However, some individuals like and are quite successful at renting out their equipment!