Three Easy Packing Tips For Extended RV Trips
Now that we have our RV trip loosely planned, lets start packing.
Packing Tip #1:
Weight is everything when it comes to fuel economy in your RV on a long (extended) road trip. The less weight you carry the better fuel economy you get with your RV. One mile per gallon extra may not seem like much now, but over a 2000 mile vacation, it can add up to more than $100.00.
Next to your speed, weight is the easiest way you can reduce the cost of your RV trip.
I know that you are going on a long or at least an extended trip. I also know that this means you need more clothes, food and other supplies. All I’m saying is that you need to ALWAYS be thinking weight as you pack. For instance, we take out the heavy blankets and quilts and replace them with lighter blankets and quilts when we head south or for summer trips. The same goes with our heavy winter coats, gloves and boots unless we plan on staying in the mountains. Another good example is my tool box and maintenance supplies. I keep only multi-adjustable wrenches and a few smaller sockets instead of a full line of working tools.
If I need any heavy maintenance on the trip, I let the roadside assistance plan take care of it. I don’t have a shop or work area on the road to use for any major repairs, so why carry the extra weight in tools I can’t use anyway. The fuel savings will more than make up for any tool I might need to pick up on the road. You can also plan on only filling your fresh water tank half way unless you know you won’t have access to fill your tank at the destination or along the way. I do recommend keeping some water in the tank… you never know when power and water won’t be available due to a forest fire or other natural event. As you travel more, you’ll find things in your bins and storage compartments that you don’t ever use. Make sure you go through your bins from time to time and take out items that rarely if ever get used.
Think light and if you can leave it behind, take less or find a lighter version… take advantage of that.
Packing Tip #2:
Pack a small air compressor if your rig doesn’t have one built in. Tire pressure also makes a big difference on your fuel economy. Having your own air compressor or means of inflating your tires is a big asset on the road. My rig also has air suspension so being able to adjust the ride on the road is critical. If you have a generator, a small 110 volt compressor will make filling things a lot faster as they have larger cylinders and push more air. If not, a 12 volt battery powered compressor is still better than nothing at all. Just make sure it has the inflation capabilities you need for your RV. My motorhome tires require more than 90 psi…
Spare tires are packed and forgotten until they are needed. They rarely have the correct pressure when they are most needed.
Packing Tip #3:
Fuses and electrical cords are the life blood of your RV. When power goes out, you will most often not be anywhere you can get replacements easily. Make yourself an electrical kit and always replace anything you use in it as soon as you can. Have a complete set of spare fuses for your RV. My Rexhall Aerbus has 3 different fuse panels and 3 different sizes of fuses. Some of them aren’t always available at local stores and parts stores. Have at least an extra 15 foot of electrical power cord in the correct size for your RV hookup. For instance, I have a 50 amp plug for my motorhome and so I carry a 15 to 20 foot 50 amp extension cord.
Why?
Some older campgrounds, especially older state and federal parks, are not set up with standardized hookups. At Millersylvania State Park in WA State the sewer hookup in the host site is at the far back of the campsite while the power hookup is all the way up near the front. In order to keep the sewer as short as possible (less leaks and easier to drain,) my standard 20 foot power cord isn’t long enough and I have to use the 50 amp extension cord to hook up to the electric.
I also carry 50 to 30 amp as well as 30 to 15 amp conversion connectors. This way I can always hook up to whatever electrical power is available and have some power.
Summery:
Everyone is different and every RV has different needs. A few things hold true for all.
Pack as light as you can including fresh water and an empty gray/black water tank
Carry an air compressor so you can keep your tires and suspension in perfect running order.
Carry spare fuses and an extra length of power cord to hook up your RV with. Don’t forget the amperage adaptors that go with it.
No one knows everything there is or that might be needed for a long RV road trip. As you spend more time on the road, you’ll find the things you must have, the things you like and can use and the things that you can’t or don’t want to deal with. In the mean time, these lessons I’ve learned first hand on the road, will serve you well as you get started.
Welcome to the RV Lifestyle.
Wes and his wife are now full time in their 38 foot Motorhome traveling the USA and volunteering as Camp Hosts for the State Parks and National Forest Services. Learn from their mistakes and from the long time RV full timers that they meet along the way. Their story is always being told as they go at: http://www.FreeTravelScrapbook.info BLOG.
What’s it like to work and live in your RV full time? Check out the BLOG and find out first hand. We are just getting started and we hope to see you all out on the road.
You can also find us on TWITTER at: Twitter.com/Scrapbooks
I love reading this over here in the UK the majority of us tow our RV’s we call them caravans or tourers most have only a small payload 125-250kg and that includes cooking pans etc.
Plus we also have much higher costs for fuel at present £1.12 a LITRE for a UK gallon thats over $6
We have huge ranges of lightweigh equipment to help us though so we need not remove anything from hte house and except for clothes and food for a couple of nights our little tourer is packed ready to roll even now though theres work to think about worse luck