We Americans love nothing more than an adventure in the great outdoors. Heck, over 40 million of us go on camping trips every year! And these excursions into nature get even better when you can take your RV along for the ride.
There’s nothing quite like backing a 30-ft vehicle into a tiny campsite to get the anxiety flowing. Thankfully, a few simple RV parking tips and tricks can make an almighty difference. Sound good?
Read on for all the advice you’ll ever need on parking an RV.
Research Ahead of Time
Our first suggestion is to research the campsite you’re heading to before setting off. Why?
Because the last thing you want is to spend hours behind the wheel, only to realize when you arrive that the road to the site (or the site itself) isn’t suitable for RVs as big or unwieldy as yours!
If there’s going to be rough ground and hairpin turns, then you’re probably better off going elsewhere. Check the campsite’s website for advice here and/or use Google Earth to see the situation for yourself.
Assess the Space
Let’s fast forward and imagine that you’ve now arrived at the campsite. If you can (avoid blocking traffic!), try to scout out your spot before driving in.
Keep an eye out for possible hazards (such as big rocks, posts, divots, ditches, and trees), and plan the best way to actually enter the space. For example, should you drive in backward or forwards? If forward seems simpler, is there somewhere to turn around when you eventually leave, or will you have to back out?
Get a Spotter
“Spotter” is the term used for someone who stands behind the rig, helping to direct the driver into the space. Needless to say, they can be invaluable when it comes to parking an RV and avoiding obstacles.
If you have a passenger, then ask them to fulfill this key role. If not, consider asking someone else on the site for support. Another handy tool here is having a two-way radio so you don’t have to yell at each other!
Practice
Practice really does make perfect when you’re parking RVs. So don’t wait until your camping trip to try it for the first time! There’s a time and place for diving into the deep end, and, trust us, driving a huge (not to mention expensive) RV definitely isn’t it.
Remember, depending on the rig you buy from the RV dealership, you may have to get used to turning in the opposite direction to your final destination! Practicing your parking will boost both your confidence and capabilities whenever you do it for real.
Start Parking an RV Like a Pro
It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from. Parking an RV is tricky- especially when you’re trying to get into the tight, awkward spaces you find on campsites around the country. Know the struggle?