Summer brings with it the chance of hitting the road and kissing goodbye to our worries. We all look forward to the opportunity to get away, and a road trip could be the perfect way to do it. But, before your time on the road offers you the chance of escape, you need to think about how to make the most of it. While your car may be up to the job, an RV could take your trip to the next level. Chances are, you chose a holiday on the road because of the freedom the option offers. And, an RV could take that further. But, there are some things to consider before you get going.

TO BUY OR RENT?

If this is your first RV venture, consider whether you want to buy or rent. This all depends on how often you’re planning to live the vanlife. An RV could set your back upwards of $200,000, so it’s important you think carefully. If you’re not planning to go away often, renting may be the way forward. With this option, you won’t have to think about maintenance costs either. All that will be taken care of. There is, of course, the risk of having to pay out for an accident. If you plan only to go away once a year, renting could pay off. But, if you would like to get away more often, it might be cheaper to buy. When tallying up the costs, make sure to consider parking and insurance. The upfront cost isn’t the only thing that could leave you out of pocket.

THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

Before you head off on a long journey, note that the RV driving experience is different to that of a regular car. The main difference being size. If you’re used to driving vans, the change won’t be so extreme. But, if you haven’t driven a large vehicle before, you may want to get some practice in. You’ll need to get used to having a different view and having to think about the space your RV takes on the road. It might be worth installing rear view camera systems to help you adjust.
For the most part, though, practice makes perfect. Ensure you’re comfortable before heading out on a long journey.

MECHANICAL KNOW HOW

It’s also important you do a little research into how to maintain your RV. A breakdown could ruin your experience if you don’t know how to deal with it. Make sure to stock up on some essential emergency equipment. And, take the time to learn how to use it. Taking this step will also save you money on repairs. You won’t have to worry if you know how to deal with problems yourself. You can’t prepare for every eventuality. But, knowing the main causes of breakdown will go a long way towards helping. Of course, it’s also important to know when to admit defeat. Trying to fix a problem which requires a professional could do more damage than good!