Ahhh, springtime is officially here! The time of year when the days get longer, flowers start to bloom, and everyone wants nothing more than just to get outside. For those of us who love road trips and RV travel, now is the perfect time to make plans for a fantastic adventure in our trusty RVs.
Whether you’re looking to explore nearby parks or venture out on the open road for an epic cross-country journey, planning a successful vacation requires some preparation. We have some great tips for how you can plan the ultimate spring RV trip. It’s time to start planning your next amazing RV adventure!
Guest Post by The Adventure Detour
Get Your RV Ready For Spring Travel
Spring is in the air, and RVers everywhere are ready to hit the road. Before setting off on your exciting spring RV adventures, it’s important to make sure that your RV is in proper working order.
Checking The Battery
After being stored for the winter, you should always check the RV battery to ensure it is still working properly. This is especially important since cold weather can drain batteries and cause them to malfunction. If you have a travel trailer or fifth-wheel RV and forgot to disconnect the battery before putting it in storage, you may have a dead battery.
The first step is to check the battery level. Using a multimeter, you can measure the voltage, current, and resistance of the battery. If the levels are low, you should consider replacing or recharging it before your trip. Additionally, be sure to inspect all other components of your RV, such as brakes and lights. Make sure that everything looks in good condition before setting off.
Air Up And Check The Tires
When planning an RV road trip in the spring, it’s important to make sure to inspect the tires on your RV. After sitting in storage all winter, there can be a lot of wear and tear on your RV tires that can cause them to potentially lose air pressure or be unsafe for driving. Before hitting the road, you should make sure to check the tire pressure and inspect for any potential damage. Additionally, it is important to check the wheel lug nut torque on all tires. This ensures that the nuts are tight and secure, providing a safe ride.
Inspect The Roof
In addition to making sure your tires are in good condition before any RV trip, it is also essential to inspect the roof of the vehicle. After being in storage all winter long, the roof of an RV can suffer damage that may go unnoticed. It is important to check for any cracks or separations in caulking and lap sealant that may have come about due to the cold weather.
If these issues are left unchecked, it can lead to water leakage that may cause further damage and put your RV at risk. Therefore, before embarking on any spring road trips in your RV, make sure you inspect the roof for any potential problems and address any issues right away.
De-Winterizing Tips
Before setting off on your epic spring RV journey, you need to make sure that you have properly de-winterized your vehicle. Many RVers use antifreeze when winterizing an RV, but when the time comes to unwinterize your vehicle in the spring, it’s essential to make sure that all of the antifreeze has been properly removed.
The easiest way to remove antifreeze from an RV is to drain out all of the tanks, including the fresh and waste water tanks, as well as the greywater tank. This will get rid of most of the antifreeze that was used during winterization.
Next, you will need to flush out the lines to make sure all of the antifreeze has been removed. This can be done by attaching a garden hose to the fresh water inlet and running it for 15 minutes or more. Be sure to drain out any remaining water from the faucets to ensure that all of the antifreeze has been removed.
Finally, you will need to refill your fresh water tank with potable water and run it through the lines for a few minutes. This will ensure that any remaining antifreeze is flushed out completely.
Spring Interior And Exterior RV Cleaning
Spring cleaning an RV after it has been in storage all winter is an important step to ensure that your vehicle is in top shape before you take off for any road trips. With a few simple steps, you can make sure that your RV looks and feels like new.
Start by dusting and vacuuming the interior of your RV. This will get rid of any debris that may have accumulated during storage and make sure that the inside is clean and fresh-looking. After vacuuming, use a soft cloth or microfiber cloth with a mild cleaner to wipe down all of the surfaces in your RV. This includes countertops, cabinets, walls, appliances, and windows.
Also, wash the exterior of your RV to remove any salt or dirt buildup left over from winter. Consider putting on a fresh coat of wax to help protect your RV exterior from the sun and elements during travels or storage. Apply a roof protectant if it is advised by your RV manufacturer. Check your manual for more exterior maintenance tips.
Get your RV slides ready for spring travel by cleaning and lubing the slide rails. Also, apply a protectant to condition any rubber seals so they remain flexible and resist cracking. Treat any spots of rust that you may find on your RV stairs, landing legs, pin box, or RV frame. With a little bit of spring cleaning and TLC, your RV will be looking like new.
Plan Your Route & Stops
Once your RV is ready to go, it’s time to start planning the actual route of your adventure. You’ll want to consider how far you would like to travel and where you’d like to stop along the way. Using RV travel apps or an RV GPS can help you plan the most efficient route to avoid low clearances and steep road grades in the mountains. An app like RV Life can be very helpful in planning the best travel route.
Once you know your RV travel route, plan stops along the route for gas, bathroom breaks, or food. Consider using large rest stops that you can easily get in and out of with your RV. For gas, we recommend using truck stops so you won’t risk damaging your RV with low gas station canopies or tight gas pump areas.
Plan Where You Would Like To Stay
Additionally, you should research campgrounds and RV parks along the way to ensure that there are suitable places to stay. Depending on your camping style, you could choose to dry camp far out in the woods or stay in an RV resort full of activities and amenities. Will you overnight in parking lots or find easy to get in and out of privately owned campgrounds like KOAs? Do you prefer larger, more natural campsites that are usually found in national parks and state parks, or are you looking for full RV hookups that are often found in private campgrounds?
Once you know what camping style is, you can use apps to help find the best camping locations to meet your needs. One of our favorite camping apps is Campendium. Not only is the app free to use, but it also gives reviews of cell phone and internet service provider coverage for the campground reviews. Knowing if you will be connected during your stay can be important, especially if you require it for work while traveling. Another app we like to use to look for campgrounds is AllStays Camp And RV.
Also, consider using RV discount programs to help you save money on camping and campgrounds. We love to use Passport America to save money as we travel. Good Sam is another great option for camping savings. KOAs also have a discount card that is great if you often stay at those campgrounds.
Make Reservations As Soon As Possible
RVing has exploded in popularity over the last couple of years. It’s incredible to see so many more people out there enjoying nature. This also means that it can be more challenging to get campground reservations. Always reserve as far in advance as possible to make sure you can get a spot in the places you would love to camp during your trip.
Pack The Essentials
No matter how short or long your RV trip is, you’ll need to make sure that you have all of the essentials packed. This should include food, water, bedding, and clothing, as well as any other items that you may need for your journey.
It’s also a good idea to carry emergency supplies like flashlights, maps, roadside kits, and first aid kits. This way, you’ll be prepared for any unexpected events that may occur during your journey.
Many RVers leave the basics in their RV to use throughout the camping season, but sometimes those basics are taken out before the RV is placed into storage. Make sure to bring along cleaning products, toiletries, paper goods, and any food staples like spices and condiments that may have been taken out for winterization.
With these tips, you will be well on your way to having a safe and enjoyable spring RV trip. Make sure to plan ahead, pack all the essentials, and, most of all, have fun. Enjoy your spring travels!
Looking for the perfect RV for your spring adventures? La Mesa has the selection to find your dream road trip RV. Stop by for a visit today!
Scott, his wife Van, and their 12-year-old daughter Sissy have traveled full-time in their RV for 7 years. They have worked and homeschooled on the road through 42 states so far. They blog about RVing tips, travel destinations, and the full-time RV lifestyle on their blog, theadventuredetour. They are also RV content creators @theadventuredetour on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. They love connecting with RVers, so be sure to reach out to them and say hi!
