Planning A Camping Trip
Every camping trip you take in your travel trailer or RV can feel like a brand new experience and a new chance to make great memories with your family or group of friends. It’s helpful to plan ahead for your trip, no matter how short or long it will be, so that you can stick to a schedule and be prepared for any eventuality. If you haven’t planned a camping trip before, this task might seem a bit daunting, but never fear! This guide by Campers RV Center of Shreveport, Louisiana, should help you with your planning so you can tailor your trip to your group’s needs. Every time you go out camping, the task of planning will become easier, too.
Plot Your Route
After you’ve chosen your destination, you’ll want to plan how you get there. If you’ve never been to this particular place, you’ll want to know the best routes and how to avoid traffic or detours along the way. Check online to see what options you have in terms of highways, and make sure that the routes you choose are RV-friendly, meaning that you don’t have to cross under any low-clearance bridges or go up narrow, winding paths with no shoulder. Steep inclines can put a real strain on your towing vehicle or RV’s engine since they’ll require more fuel and power to scale. Taking the time to figure out what the best route is will save you a headache later on.
Use this time to determine how long it will take you to drive to wherever you’re going based on how fast your rig can go and how much fuel you’ll use along the way so you can budget for gas. Then figure out where you’ll stop along the way, particularly if your destination is more than a day’s drive away. During peak seasons, RV campsites can fill up quickly, so you’ll want to reserve your place in advance and make sure you can get there on the appointed evening.
Make A Packing List
It’s wise to make a packing list, either on your phone or computer or on paper, so that everyone knows what they need to bring. Sufficient clothing, including weather-appropriate gear like rainboots or coats, medications, devices and chargers, hygiene supplies and food are all items you’ll want to list out and check off as you’re preparing for departure.
Draw Up A Budget
To help you save money on your trip, you should make a budget and try to stick to it as much as you can. Use your route-planning to figure out how much you’ll spend on gas. Pack as much food as you can in advance, but set money aside for dining out every so often and for replenishing groceries. Figure out how much each campsite will cost and set aside all the fees you’ll need. If you plan on going to any attractions, make sure you know how much those will cost and don’t forget to give everyone a little pocket money for treats and souvenirs!
Prep Your RV
Before you head out, you’ll want to get your RV or travel trailer packed with everything you’ll need from linens to dishes, but don’t forget emergency supplies. A well-stocked first aid kit, fire extinguishers, a flashlight, emergency radio, space blankets, a hatchet and a tire patch kit are all good things to have on hand. You’ll also want to make sure your RV or travel trailer is in good shape by performing all the necessary maintenance tasks beforehand, like checking your tires, changing oil, checking lights and signals and examining slide-outs. If you need some professional maintenance, bring your RV into the Campers RV Center service department so our mechanics can help you out!
If you still need an RV or travel trailer for your upcoming trip, or you want to upgrade your current model, visit our dealership today! We carry a huge selection of new and used RVs and travel trailers for sale, and our staff will be more than happy to help you pick the right one. Campers RV Center serves customers in Ruston, Bossier City and Monroe, Louisiana with our Shreveport location. We also proudly serve our Texas customers coming from the cities of Marshall, Longview and Tyler.