An RV trip allows you to avoid costly hotels, cook your own food — especially handy if you have dietary restrictions — and enjoy outdoor living. But there are a few things you should consider before you embark on your journey.
1. RVs Are Expensive, So Consider Renting
If you’re like a lot of seniors, you’re probably on a fixed income, and a motorhome can seem overwhelmingly expensive. While it’s true that RVs don’t come cheap, renting them is far less expensive and can be an ideal solution for seniors looking to try RV camping to see if it’s right for them.
2. Driving An RV Can Be Challenging
When was the last time you drove a school bus? You probably never have, but you get the point. A motorhome is a big vehicle, and it can be difficult to drive if you’re unaccustomed to it. Plan for the driver to take frequent breaks and get plenty of rest at night. Divide your trip into a series of short hops, so you’re not fighting interstate traffic for hours on end. These will ensure your trip is safe and much more enjoyable!
3. Consider A Test Drive
You’ve thought about the driving challenges and you’re ready to face them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t practice! Getting comfortable with driving a vehicle as large as an RV is important for both drivers and passengers.
One of the most important things to remember when driving an RV is that you are taller and wider than you are in a car or SUV. It’s a great idea to take your RV for a practice drive to get accustomed to how it handles. Keep a watchful eye for height clearances at bridges, tunnels, and underpasses.
4. Plan Ahead To Reduce Stress On The Road
This is a great tip for any road trip but especially so on an RV trip. RVs take up space — lots of space — so plan your trip accordingly. Get a campsite designated for RVs to be sure you’ll have enough room. And remember, peak tourist seasons and holiday weekends are busier times. Planning ahead will help you lock in your preferred space and avoid surprises later on.
5. Ask About Senior Rates
You may have overlooked this one, but it’s a great idea to always check with the campground you’re considering to see if there is a senior rate available. Searching for suitable campgrounds ahead of time will help you find the most affordable rates. You’ll often find special discounts, such as multi-day or weekly pricing that will help you stretch your retirement dollars.
6. Be Prepared To Rough It
Camping is about getting away from it all, enjoying the simple lifestyle and experiencing nature’s majesty. RV camping is about doing all of this while still maintaining a certain level of comfort. This often depends on water and electricity. While these things are readily available at most campgrounds it doesn’t hurt to prepare for the occasion when they’re not available. Having plenty of bottled water on hand, and outfitting your RV with a generator will come in handy at times when there are no water or electric hookups to be had.
7. Parking Can Be Difficult
This is important to remember, especially if you’re towing your car behind your RV. You need enough room to park your RV and your vehicle. You may think that you won’t be taking the RV out for the day, you’ll leave it at the campground. But that’s not always true. There will be times when you’re traveling between destinations, and you need room for your full rig. So keep parking in mind!
8. Seniors-Only RV Parks Cater To Retirees
You may be looking for peace and quiet from your RV camping trip, but the family in the RV next to you may not. This is why seniors-only or retirement RV parks operate with the needs of campers over 55 in mind. Benefits of these parks include a quiet location — free from the noise of children and teens. They also frequently offer activities that older adults enjoy. These parks are usually easy to find in states that attract large numbers of winter campers.
Have Fun!
After all, this is what it’s all about. Senior RV campers have so much to look forward to as RVing is a great way to explore our beautiful country and the outdoors. Simple planning and knowing what to expect will go miles towards making your trip hassle-free, so you can focus on making memories with your spouse or family and more importantly — having fun!
