Your first RV road trip is exciting, but there’s a lot to figure out. After 15+ RV trips across 23 states, I’ve learned what actually matters on the road. Here are the tips that made the biggest difference.

1. Plan Your Route With RV-Specific GPS

Google Maps doesn’t know you’re driving a 30-foot RV. I learned this the hard way when it routed me down a residential street with low-hanging trees. Scraped the roof, $300 in damage.

Use RV-specific navigation:

  • RV LIFE GPS app ($49/year)
  • Garmin RV GPS units
  • CoPilot RV app

These apps know your RV’s height, weight, and length. They’ll avoid low bridges, narrow roads, and weight-restricted routes.

Always double-check:

  • Bridge clearances
  • Road width restrictions
  • Steep grades (anything over 6% is rough)
  • Propane restrictions (some tunnels don’t allow it)

2. Book Campgrounds Early (Or Be Very Flexible)

Popular campgrounds fill up 6 months in advance. I showed up at Yellowstone in July thinking I’d find a spot. Every campground within 50 miles was booked solid.

Book ahead for:

  • National parks (6+ months)
  • Beach areas in summer
  • Popular tourist destinations
  • Holiday weekends
  • Any weekend in peak season

You can wing it for:

  • Weeknights
  • Off-season travel
  • Less popular areas
  • If you’re okay with Walmart parking lots

Apps I use:

  • Recreation.gov (government campgrounds)
  • The Dyrt (reviews + booking)
  • Campendium (free camping spots)
  • AllStays (dump stations, overnight parking)

3. Always Arrive Before Dark

I tried to set up camp at 9 PM once. Couldn’t see the hookups, backed into the wrong spot three times, and woke up the whole campground with my backup beeper.

Arrive by 4-5 PM when possible:

  • Gives you time to set up
  • Easier to see hookups and obstacles
  • Campground office is still open if you need help
  • Less stressful
  • You can actually enjoy your first evening

If you must arrive late, call ahead and ask for an easy pull-through site near the entrance.

4. Check Your Tire Pressure Every Morning

This tip has saved me twice. RV tires need 60-80 PSI (check the door sticker). Under-inflated tires heat up and blow out.

Morning routine:

  • Walk around the RV
  • Check all tires visually
  • Use a gauge every 2-3 days
  • Inflate at truck stops (they have high-pressure air)

I carry a digital tire pressure gauge ($25 on Amazon) and check religiously. Watched someone lose a tire on I-40 in Arizona because they never checked pressure in the summer heat.

5. Pre-Drive Checklist (Tape This Inside Your RV)

I drove away with the awning extended. Ripped it clean off. $800 repair.

Before moving the RV, check:

  • Slideouts retracted
  • Awning rolled up
  • Steps retracted
  • All exterior compartments closed
  • TV antenna down
  • Power cord unplugged
  • Water hose disconnected and stored
  • Sewer hose disconnected and stored
  • Jacks/stabilizers raised
  • Nothing left outside (chairs, grill, etc.)

Print this list, laminate it, and tape it to your dashboard. Check every item before you drive.

6. Dump Tanks Before They’re Full

The first time I dumped tanks, I waited until they were 100% full. Big mistake. The weight made the valves harder to open, and it took forever to drain.

Best practice:

  • Dump when tanks are 2/3 to 3/4 full
  • Empty every 2-3 days (depending on usage)
  • Always dump black tank first, then gray tank
  • The gray water rinses the hose
  • Never dump on the side of the road (illegal + gross)

Pro tip: Add RV toilet treatment after every dump. Keeps smells down and helps break down waste.

7. Level Your RV (Yes, It Actually Matters)

I skipped leveling once. The fridge stopped working overnight. Turns out RV fridges need to be level to operate properly. We lost $100 in groceries.

Why leveling matters:

  • Fridge won’t work if tilted more than 3 degrees
  • Doors swing open/closed on their own
  • Uncomfortable to sleep
  • Water doesn’t drain properly

How to level:

  1. Use leveling blocks under low wheels
  2. Most RVs have a bubble level inside
  3. Apps like RV Level can use your phone
  4. Auto-leveling jacks (if your RV has them)

Takes 5 minutes. Worth it every time.

8. Always Use A Water Pressure Regulator

Campground water pressure can be 80-100 PSI. Your RV is designed for 40-50 PSI. I blew a water line at 2 AM once. Water everywhere.

Buy a water pressure regulator ($15-25):

  • Attaches between the campground spigot and your hose
  • Limits pressure to safe levels
  • Prevents burst pipes and leaks
  • Lasts for years

I also use a white or blue “drinking water safe” hose, not a regular garden hose. Makes a difference in water taste.

9. Bring More Propane Than You Think

Propane runs your stove, fridge (when not on electric), water heater, and furnace. You can burn through a tank faster than you expect, especially in cold weather.

Propane lasts:

  • 2-3 weeks if just using stove
  • 1 week if using fridge while driving
  • 2-3 days if running furnace at night

Where to refill:

  • U-Haul (cheapest, $15-25)
  • Gas stations with propane exchange
  • Some campgrounds
  • Truck stops

Check your gauge every few days. Don’t run out in the middle of nowhere.

10. Take Notes For Next Time

After every trip, I write down:

  • What I overpacked
  • What I forgot
  • Campgrounds I loved
  • Routes to avoid
  • Gear that broke or failed

This list has evolved into my perfect packing system. Now I pack light, bring exactly what I need, and know which campgrounds are worth rebooking.

Keep track of:

  • Miles driven per day (helps plan future routes)
  • Gas costs (average mpg)
  • Campground favorites
  • Gear that worked well
  • Stuff you never used

Bonus Tips

Don’t drive more than 4-5 hours per day. RV driving is exhausting. You’re piloting 10,000+ lbs, checking mirrors constantly, and navigating unfamiliar roads. Plan short drives and enjoy the journey.

Fill up gas at truck stops, not regular stations. RVs need pull-through lanes. Truck stops have them, plus high-pressure air for tires.

Download offline maps. Cell service is spotty in rural areas and national parks. Download Google Maps offline or use AllStays for offline campground info.

Join an RV forum or Facebook group. The RV community is incredibly helpful. I’ve gotten advice on everything from tire blowouts to finding last-minute campsites.

About Sarah: After 15 RV trips across 23 states, I’ve learned what actually works and what’s just hype. I specialize in helping first-time RV renters avoid the expensive mistakes I made early on. Follow me for practical, tested RV advice.