Simple RVing: 14 Ways We Prepared for Our Family RV Trips

Planning an RV trip is exciting! Choosing where you’ll go, who you’ll visit along the way, and what sites you’ll see is sometimes just as much fun as actually going on the trip. It’s also important to spend time preparing for your trip and getting life in order before you hit the road.

Here are 14 ways you can prepare to leave your home and head out on your family RV adventures:

1. Get your vehicle and RV/camper serviced to make sure everything is up to snuff. We found many service and repair options along the way on our trips, but getting everything checked out before you leave can save you time and headaches later.
2. Pick up any miscellaneous items around town, such as dry cleaning, repairs, etc.
3. Return any items you have rented, such as library books.
4. Put your mail on hold or arrange for a neighbor to pick it up for you.
5. Arrange to have your lawn mowed and plants watered.
6. Leave a key to your home with a neighbor or friend.
7. Get gas in the car you’re not taking so it’s full when you come home.
8. Purchase non-perishable or frozen food to have as a meal when you arrive home so you don’t have to run to the grocery store (We always have pasta and sauce, plus frozen meatballs and garlic bread in our pantry and freezer when we arrive home.)
9. Pay all bills that you can and arrange to autopay any that will be due during your travels.
10. Book attractions you plan to visit that require advance booking.
11. Make sure your devices are charged and prep your camera (if you will be taking one that’s not your phone). Clear your flashcards, bring extra flashcards and batteries, and be sure to have a plan to back up your photos as you travel-either to a cloud service via wi-fi or to a computer (don’t forget the cable).
12. Sleep – It’s tempting to compromise sleep in order to get everything done to prepare for a trip. Setting off for your adventure tired and groggy isn’t helpful for you or your family. Focus on enjoying sleeping in your own bed on the nights leading up to your trip and savor those ZZZs.
13. Do some mental prep – We love to involve our children in the planning and prepping stages of all our trips. In addition to including them in the process of deciding where to go, we discuss and encourage everyone to approach the adventure with (1) an open mind (2) an attitude of teamwork (3) a combination of grace, patience, and compassion. Discussing all of this in advance makes it easier to give simple reminders when challenges and frustrations arise during the trip.
14. Pack!  Keep it simple to travel light and eliminate the stress of having to deal with excess and clutter. RVing is about enjoying freedom on the road so don’t complicate this by taking too much stuff.