5 Common Mistakes RV Newbies Make
Are you thinking of buying your first RV? It’s a great way to add some luxury and convenience to your camping trips. However, some people get a bit nervous when faced with the idea of driving a big rig. That’s easy to understand. There’s a lot to learn and that can overwhelm some. At Howdy RV, we’ve been dealing in campers for so long that we know most newbie RV drivers end up making some common mistakes. Read on to learn how to avoid these rookie mistakes. To check out some of the best campers for sale, visit our dealership in Mathis, Texas. We proudly serve Corpus Christi and San Antonio!
1. Not Doing the Full Walk-Around
With everything packed into the RV and everyone raring to go to or from a campsite, it’s easy to just jump into the driver’s seat and take off. Don’t turn your exit into a rushed scene, as that’s the surest way to forget that you’re still connected to hookups, or that you have leveling blocks laid down, or that you’ve forgotten to pack some essential supplies. When you’re packed and ready, and before you get in the driver’s seat, take a walk-around the camper to ensure that everything is in place and you’re truly ready to go.
2. Not Fully Understanding Your RV
The more you drive your camper around, the better you’ll understand it. This will happen over time and use but there are some things with which you can become familiar right from the outset. The first to get used to is knowing the real size of your RV. As you drive around, you’ll come across routes that have height and width limitations. If you don’t pay attention to these, you’ll end up in a real sticky situation (as a quick YouTube search result will show). Knowing the exact size of your RV will help keep you and your RV safe.
Also try to familiarize yourself with the sounds that your camper makes. This way, if your rig ever starts to sound off, you’ll be able to tell something is wrong and needs attention. Over time, you’ll probably discover new things about your RV, all of which will make it easier to operate.
3. Taking Corners Too Fast
Before you head out on your first trip, you need to practice, practice and practice. Not practicing is the biggest mistake that rookie drivers can make. Driving an RV is very different from driving commuter vehicles. One of the ways you’ll have to change your driving style is by never taking corners too fast.
When you’re taking a corner in your RV, you need to start slowing down way before you hit the turn. When you recklessly turn corners in a heavy rig, that additional weight can cause the vehicle to tip, slide, etc. This endangers not only you and your passengers but other commuters on the road. Always spend time practicing the basics of driving an RV before hitting the road.
4. Not Preparing
Once you’re an RV veteran, you’ll probably be confident enough to hit the road spontaneously. When you’re new to it though, you should always spend some time preparing for each trip. Knowing early on what you’ll need will help you avoid a rushed search later on. Sometimes you can forget really essential things when you don’t plan ahead. Some important trip prep steps should include making campground reservations, knowing where you’re going, and packing all the supplies you need.
5. Giving Up
When you start driving RVs, there’s quite a bit of a learning curve you have to cover. It’s rather easy to make rookie mistakes, which can result in new drivers getting discouraged. Use those mistakes to learn and improve rather than beating yourself up about them. Think of them as bumps in the road that you have to cross. As with anything else, if you persevere, you will become a much better RV driver.
We hope these tips help you avoid some mistakes and become a more capable driver. If you’re still looking for that perfect RV to call your own, visit Howdy RV at our location in Mathis, Texas. We have some of the best RV models for sale and our helpful staff will happily guide you through the selection process. We welcome all our patrons from Corpus Christi and San Antonio!