RV Hacks for Safe and Enjoyable Road Trips

Have you dreamed of spending your life on the road in an RV? Well, you're not alone. Over the last few years, people have started paying more attention to RV living, and thousands are doing it full-time. While there are several reasons why the RV life is gaining a lot of popularity, the freedom that comes with this life is life-changing.

The rise of remote working during the covid-19 season made people realize they could become digital nomads. Now that people have endless opportunities to work remotely, RV living has become a staple for individuals who want to create new memories and spend time with their families.

While living in an RV and being on the road is something most of us fantasize about, the experience can be daunting, especially when starting out. However, if you want to make your RV life simpler, more exhilarating and more fun, you need some tricks and tips up your sleeve.

Since even the smallest décor and space-saving ideas can make your adventure worthwhile, we've put together some RV tips, tricks, and hacks to keep rolling on your RV comfortably and in style.

5 Important RV Hacks to Make Life Safer on the Road

If you want to curb some of the problems RVers encounter, try integrating these RV living tips and tricks into your routine adventures.

Use an RV departure checklist

One of the best ways to improve safety on the road and ensure that you have everything you need before your head out. Whether you have planned a camping expedition for two days or months, having an RV departure checklist before you leave your home is crucial. You can use a printed checklist or have it on your smartphone.

A checklist will enable you stay organized and well-stocked for your RV adventure. What is on your checklist will depend on the weather and individual needs. You can't afford to take guesswork to your next RV trip. A checklist will help you avoid getting stuck handling unexpected repairs.

Bring a basic tool kit

When heading out for an RV adventure, be ready to encounter minor breakages that might need immediate repair. Therefore, before you head out, get yourself a basic toolkit with some essentials you may need on the road. Most of the articles on the internet include many tools in the basic tool kit, even some that RVers rarely use.

On our part, we believe that believe weight and space are essential considerations when driving that little house on wheels. This is why we encourage RVers to carry tools they will likely use. For the most part, your tool kit should include the following;

• Assorted screwdrivers
• Open-end wrenches and crescent wrench
• Cordless drill with drill bits and assorted drivers
• Socket set
• Electrical tester
• A small hammer

Plan an RV-safe Route

When planning an RV trip, you must have a comprehensive plan for your designated route. Although most people love to leave room for spontaneity, it's always a great idea to know where you're going and where you'll pass beforehand. In the past, planning a route used to be challenging. However, today, there are thousands of resources to help you. These include phone apps, online maps and planning websites. With these resources, you can map out places to eat, estimate route options and even mileage.

For instance, if you enter your location and intended destination on Google maps, it will provide you with the best routing options. More importantly, the recent RV GPS will help you filter out routes with congested metropolitan, expensive tolls, low bridges and construction areas. Knowing where RV-friendly gas stations are within your anticipated route can save you time and effort.

Pack a first-aid kit

RV camping may expose us to many accidents, bruises, cuts, burns, splinters and insect bites. So, before heading out for an RV adventure, pack a first aid kit. Most of the RV camps sites are not always near healthy facilities. A first aid kit has all the basics you might require in case of illness, accident or other emergencies.

The first-aid kit for your RV camping trip should be stocked with essentials such as:

• Adhesive tape
• Bandages of various sizes
• Cotton swabs and pads
• Gauze pads or gauze
• Alcohol and sterile solution
• Sunscreen
• Pain and anti-inflammatory
• Ice packs
• Heat packs
• Antihistamine for allergies
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Eye drops
• Antiacid
• Sunburn relief spray

Make sure the fire is really out before you leave

As a critical part of RV fire safety, you must ensure the campfire is out before leaving. One of the leading causes of forest fires is abandoned RV campfires. Therefore, before you head home or move to the next RV park, ensure the firepit has no fire.

And since the heat in the firepit is hot enough to re-ignite combustible items nearby even hours later, you should ensure that the heat has cooled off. If you don't want to cause a catastrophic forest fire, smoother the fire pit with water and dirt once you're done. One unwritten rule is that you should be able to comfortably lay your hand on the fireplace before leaving.

Now that you have some essential tips and tricks to hack the RV life, let's think about the essential gadgets RVers need.

Must-Have Gadgets for RVers

Although there are lots of things that you need to make your RV experience enjoyable, there are some must-have items that make the real difference. Here are some items that no RV camper should miss in their arsenal.

Folding Electric Bike

Whether you are RVing for a few days or months, a bike is one of the gadgets that can help you get the best out of your camping trip. However, you can't carry all road bikes to your campsite. A folding bike is the best for an RV expedition because it's easy to store and carry. With incredible speed and rigidity, an electric bike can help you soak up the beauty of nature, allowing you to explore the world around you and discover new camping locations.

An electric bike has got you covered, whether you're a hardcore cycler wanting to make some dread ventures or a casual hiker looking to enjoy relaxing scenery.

Inflatable air lounge

Want to make RV camping a breeze? Get yourself an inflatable air lounge. Being inflatable means, you can fold the lounge and conveniently store it in your RV. Additionally, their lightweight nature makes them easy to carry from one point to the next in tee campsite.

Inflatable air lounges can be used when soaking up the sun outdoors, as a bed inside the RV or float on the water when camping on the beach. An inflatable air lounge is also easier to clean than other lounging gadgets and doesn't need much maintenance.

Solar panel and power station

If you enjoy camping outdoors, you understand how essential it is to have a power source. Although generators have been the go-to power source for RVers, they produce harmful fumes and can be noisy. However, solar panels and power stations have become fantastic alternatives.

They are compact, lightweight, reliable and portable, thus ideal for any camping adventure. Solar panels and solar power stations will help illuminate your RV indoors and outdoors, whether hiking in the mountains or boondocking in the desert.

Portable Wi-Fi booster

Suppose you work remotely or want to stay connected to the internet when RV camping. You can't rely solely on your RV park Wi-Fi. Since RV park Wi-Fi has a reputation for being notoriously poor, you can carry a portable Wi-Fi booster to improve connectivity in your RV.

The benefits of a portable Wi-Fi booster are that it is inexpensive, readily available and easy to use. Since Wi-Fi connectivity is one of the struggles that most people have to grapple with, investing in a top-quality Wi-Fi booster can help solve this problem.

Folding or Collapsible Furniture

One of the aspects that makes camping enjoyable is the food. And when there's food, you'll need a table and chairs. Since RVs are notorious for having little counter space, people who fancy outdoor dining should get themselves foldable furniture, including chairs and tables.

RV portable chairs are also ideal for chilling around the fire while chilling with friends and family and reading a book. Since folding and collapsing furniture comes in all sizes and shapes, you should choose those that resonate with your unique needs. However, remember to check for durability, comfort and additional amenities when choosing camping furniture.

Conclusion

Hacking camp life is the fun part of the RV adventure. So, if you are an RVer or a camping enthusiast considering hitting the road, you must keep your eyes and ears open. You need to be adequately prepared for a smooth, safer, and more enjoyable RV living experience. Incorporating the five tips and tricks for rv living discussed in this article into your routine can help you avoid common mistakes, reduce stress and make your RV adventure worthwhile.

Additionally, being prepared means having all the essential gadgets and tools. By using an RV departure checklist, bringing a basic toolkit, planning an RV-safe route, packing a first-aid kit, and ensuring that your campfire is fully extinguished before you leave, you can avoid common RV pitfalls and ensure that your journey is smooth and successful.