Going on a trip in your RV can mean anything from a long weekend to an extended road trip. The items on your RV pre-trip checklist depend on where you are going and the duration of the trip you are planning. That said, there are essential mechanical preparation checks and RVing basics that everyone should review before setting out in their RV.

Let’s take a look at what those are and when you should do them. Use this prioritized checklist to prep your RV for travel.

1+ Months Before RV Road Trip

Make unforgettable memories traveling in a well-maintained RV (Image from Getty).

Start with a Roadworthy Check-up (ideally, 3-6 months before your trip). Before you even think about heading out on the road, you need to check your RV’s condition and ensure it is safe and ready for travel. The last thing you want to do is end up stranded and have to deal with mechanical or electrical issues instead of enjoying your vacation. Consider having your RV inspected by a certified technician at least annually while you perform regular preventative and condition-based maintenance. Remember, an ounce of prevention outweighs a pound of cure.

The Big 4 in RV Trip Preparation

These top four checks will go a long way in avoiding costly repairs down the road. So, allow for plenty of time, a month or more, to check these items in case you find issues.

RV Roof

Check the roof. UV and water deteriorate the roof sealant coating over time. Regular care, preventative maintenance, and periodic inspection can maximize your RV roof lifespan. RV roof replacement can cost $300+ per linear foot (labor and materials) while resealing your RV roof can cost $250-$500 total.

Memorial Day weekend is coming up fast, and that means you’ll probably be planning a trip to your favorite campground.  If you’re looking for a way to spend your holiday in luxury, enjoying the company of friends and family, don’t miss these deals on the best luxury fifth wheel for Memorial Day camping.

DRV Luxury Suites Mobile Suites 36 RKSB

Find the perfect luxury RV for your needs inside the DRV Luxury Suites Mobile Suites 36RKSB fifth wheel on sale now!  This unit provides a private front bedroom with a king bed, a large kitchen, and a spacious living room.  You’ll easily sleep four or use it as a comfortable and spacious couple’s coach.

Price: $113,995

Additional Features:

Front Private BedroomKitchen IslandStainless Steel AppliancesCeiling FanTwo SofasCrown Molding

Spice up your spring camping cookbook with these delicious and easy camping recipes!  As a full-time RVing mom, I’m always looking for meals that are filling, easy to make, and healthy.  Check out these three go-to meals for our lunches and dinners at the campground.

Campfire Stuffed Pepper Hash

Ingredients:

5-6 snacking peppers4 large peppers – green are most commonly used, but we prefer red, yellow, and orange peppers in our home.1/2 lb ground turkey – you can use beef, but turkey tastes just a good and is a lighter option1 small onion1 cup cooked rice – use brown if you want a more hearty meal.1/2 teaspoon garlic powder1/2 teaspoon onion powder1/8 teaspoon cumin1/4 teaspoon chili powder1/4 teaspoon paprikaSalt and pepper to taste — I recommend about an 1/8 teaspoon eachColby Jack cheese for topping

Instructions: 

Wash all produce.If cooking over a fire, spread the coals out to give you a medium-high heat and set the iron skillet on the cooking grate. Dice the onion and snacking peppers and add to the skillet with the ground turkey. Cook until no longer pink. Drain the excess oil.Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir in garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until thoroughly coated. Cut the tops off of the large peppers and remove all seeds. Slice into fourths and set aside. We’ll leave these uncooked for extra crunch!Spoon the filling onto the fresh cut pepper slices and top with shredded cheese! You can even add sour cream for dipping or a squeeze of lime for some zing!

Campfire Walking Tacos

Ingredients:

Individual bags of chips — I recommend the following flavors:Doritos Nacho CheeseFritosHint of Lime Corn Chips1lb Ground turkey1 small onion1 can black beans2 cups cooked Spanish rice1 packet taco seasoningShredded lettuce2 Roma tomatoesSour CreamShredded fiesta blend cheese

Instructions:

Wash all produce.Dice onion and roughly chop tomato.Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the onion and ground turkey.  Cook until no pink remains, drain, and add the taco seasoning packet, setting aside two teaspoons of seasoning. Removed from the heat and set aside.Heat the beans in a pan, bring to a boil and remove from the heat.Cook the rice and add the remaining taco seasoning to finished rice.  Stir until thoroughly coated.Open your bags of chips along the side and top with the meat, beans, rice, lettuce, tomato, and other ingredients to your heart’s content.

If you’re looking for the perfect RV to take your family to the campground this summer, check out the hundreds of RVs for sale at RVingPlanet.com!

Start your next adventure off on the right foot when you take home one of the many incredible travel trailers for sale near you!  When you shop on RVingPlanet.com, you’ll be able to browse hundreds of RVs with features like outdoor kitchens, dual entry, and more!  Check out our favorite deals on travel trailers for couples in 2021 below.

Gulf Stream RV Ameri-Lite Ultra Lite 218MB Travel Trailer

This Gulf Stream Ameri-Lite Ultra Lite 218MB travel trailer is available for just $21,419, which makes it an incredible deal for a couple who loves to adventure. The queen bed ensures you always get a great night’s sleep, while the multiple wardrobes ensure you’ll have plenty of space for your clothing and camping gear. Enjoy the energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the RV and pump up your favorite tunes with ease on the Bluetooth radio!

Additional Features:

Pass-Through Storage3-Year WarrantySleeps ThreePleated Shades13,500 BTU A/CMicrowaveDigital TV Antenna w/ Power Booster4 Stabalizer Jacks

Find your dream getaway in one of these easy-to-tow A-Frame travel trailers on sale now. A-Frames are the perfect combination of travel trailers and expandable trailers for couples. They offer lightweight chassis’ with functional features to provide you with everything you need to make the most of your time off. Learn more about four of our favorite A-Frame floorplans below.

2021 ALiner Expedition Permanent Bed A-Frames

When you take home one of the 2021 ALiner Expedition Permanent Bed A-Frames, you’ll have the option of adding a wet bath to your floorplan.  This floorplan is the largest ALiner model and features a spacious living and kitchen area with a 40″ x 80″ dinette.  The two-burner stove makes it easy to cook for two at the campground.  Find more ALiner Expedition A-Frame floorplans on order today.

Additional Features:

Queen BedDinette StorageMicrowaveRefrigerator

It’s time to get out to the campground for your spring adventures, and there’s no better way to do so than in one of these class B motorhomes. These motorhomes offer compact and convenient travel, easy maneuverability, and a variety of floorplans that cater to both couples and families. Learn about six of the best class B motorhomes for 2021 below.

2022 Winnebago Travato 59G

Plan your perfect getaway for two in the 2022 Winnebago Travato 59G class B motorhome. This floorplan is just arriving at dealerships and features incredible amenities like a full-sized bed in the rear and a wet bath. Additionally, the kitchen’s flip-up countertop extension gives you plenty of prep space for making delicious meals.

Additional Features:

Full-Size BedWet BathGalley KitchenFour Cab Seats24″ HDTVRear Double Doors

2021 Coachmen RV Beyond 22C RWD

If you love a design that focuses on simplicity and functionality, this Coachmen Beyond 22C RWD class B motorhome is just what you need. The rear-wheel drive is just one of the many features that make this unit a great option for long-distance vacations. The 3.5L V6 Eco Boost engine and 10-speed transmission give you the power you need to haul your gear across the country, and the Co-Pilot360 Technology will keep you safe on the drive with blind-spot assist and most.

Hi, my name is Kate. I’m a full-time RVing mom of a rambunctious, almost-two-year-old, with another on the way. Along with our golden retriever, my husband, son, and I comfortably live in a Forest River Sabre 36BHQ fifth wheel like this one that’s on sale for the amazing price of just $44,999 — seriously, folks, this is a steal at that price! 

Since September, we’ve been living exclusively in our RV, and it’s been a bit of a learning curve in some areas. Here are my four favorite gadgets that we’ve bought for our RV lifestyle and why I think they’re a must for anyone who wants to live in an RV.

1. Fifth Wheel Stabilizer Tri-Pod

One of the first items we bought for our RV after arriving was this Ultra-Fab 19-950001 King Pin Tripod 5th Wheel Stabilizer from Amazon. This tripod not only helps to reduce some of the natural swayings when you’re moving through the RV, but it helps me feel better on incredibly windy days. The tripod is a non-weight-bearing stabilizer, so it doesn’t help to hold the RV up, but it does reduce some of the wear on the RV as it sits in a location for a while. 

If you’re ready to upgrade from your tent camping days to something with a bit more protection and a lot more comfort, check out these pop up campers on sale now!  Pop up campers are the perfect way to still get that open-air tent-like experience you love with the conveniences of a comfortable mattress, kitchen, and more!  Check out the five top pop up campers for spring camping in this pop up camper review.

Forest River Rockwood High Wall Series

One of the most popular spring camping RVs is the timeless Forest River Rockwood High Wall Series folding pop-up camper. These pop-ups are the hottest campers for those who love the easy travel and storage of a pop-up camper. Additionally, the Forest River Rockwood pop-up campers provide plenty of features that keep owners coming back for more when it’s time for an upgrade. Inside, you’ll find spacious bed tents with soft mattresses, a slide-out kitchen, and all the space you need for up to six to sleep comfortably. 

Additional Features:

U-Shaped DinetteWiFi Ranger BoosterTwo Tent BedsOutdoor Kitchen

If you love traveling the country with your friends and family, you won’t want to miss these top 6 RVs for multi-family vacations. We have options from travel trailers to toy hauler fifth wheels that offer private bunkhouses that will give you plenty of room for everyone.  Learn about the features you’ll love in these RVs for 9+; some even feature second bathrooms!

Keystone RV Bullet 287QBSWE Travel Trailer

The Keystone Bullet 287QBSWE travel trailer is a great combination of conveniences to make your multi-family vacation easy.  You’ll love having a private master bedroom, as well as a bunkhouse for your guests.  The main living area features a spacious kitchen and ample seating space.  Additionally, the pantry gives you plenty of room to store everyone’s favorite snacks.

Additional Features:

Single SlidePrivate BunkhouseOutdoor KitchenSleeps NinePass-Through Storage