Home for the Holidays - tips for the full timer
Last year, we shared some insights on how to handle holiday celebrations when you’re on the road instead of with family. This year, happily, we have some insights on how to work out the logistics of traveling home for the holidays.

Obviously, one way to get from Point A to Point B is to drive your RV there; however, at times this is not possible. This year, our family members used different modes of transportation – including both the wheeled and airborne variety – to reach our holiday destination.

My wife and I are second-generation RVers; both Jolene’s parents and mine have been or still are actively involved in the RV lifestyle. So when my daughter, Heather, offered to host Thanksgiving at her home in Virginia, it meant that family would be traveling in from various points throughout the country. Jolene and I were at the Lazydays RV Campground in Tucson. My son, Justin, also lives and works in Tucson, and planned to fly out a couple of days after us. My parents, Rip and Marge Whetstone, were in Florida, not far from Lazydays Tampa. Ah, the logistics.

Since my parents, Rip and Marge Whetstone, were just two days’ drive from Heather, off they went in their motorhome. Near the halfway point in their journey, they availed themselves of the hospitality of a local Walmart®. (Store managers often allow RVers to dry-camp overnight where permitted by local laws.) When they arrived in Virginia, Heather provided them with space and a hookup in her side yard, so they were set for accommodations.

Some campgrounds offer storage with electric connections.
However, timing and schedules did not allow Jolene and me to make a cross-country trip in our coach; so we had to make alternative travel arrangements and opted to fly. Based on our experience, we’ve prepared a few tips for fellow full-timers who will be traveling without their RVs this holiday season:

Long-Term Parking

If you’ll be flying to your destination, you’re not likely to find long-term RV parking at the airport. In most cases, you’ll need to store your RV in a campground, as you’ll want to have access to electricity. Some campgrounds offer storage with electric connections, or you can always rent a site for the duration of your holiday travel. If you’re living in an RV park and pay by the month, parking is not an issue – you can leave your RV hooked up there.

Temporary Storage To-Do List

When leaving your RV for an extended period, be sure to remember to take care of a few items before you go:

  • Disconnect the water.
  • Dump and then close your waste tanks.
  • Lower your antennas; if you have a satellite dish, you may want to store it in the event of high winds, hail or snow.
  • Close the curtains. (You don’t want to advertise the fact your RV is unoccupied.)
  • Turn off and/or disconnect your electronics. You mainly want power just to run the refrigerator and maintain house batteries.
  • Set the furnace or air conditioner – whichever is appropriate for the expected temperatures. If you’re staying in an area with moderate weather, you may be able to turn off both while you’re away.
  • Turn off the water heater.
    Take advantage of downtime for RV Service

Take Advantage of Downtime for RV Service

If you need to have RV maintenance or service work done, your travels present a great opportunity. I had a cracked windshield that needed to be replaced, a long drive’s worth of grime to be cleaned and a transmission that could benefit from a fluid flush and filter change. So, I contacted Lazydays RV Service here in Tucson and made arrangements to have it all taken care of while I was away.

Toss Your Perishables

Leftovers, milk, produce and other perishable foods should be discarded prior to your departure. If you don’t do it before you leave, you’ll have to deal with it when you return – and it’ll be far less pleasant then. Save the biology experiments for the school kids!

Toss your perishables to avoid unpleasant chores when you get back.

Make Plans for Your Pets

If you have family members of the furry variety, you’ll need to either book special travel arrangements or pet care.

Most airlines allow pets to fly with you for an additional charge. Obviously, the size of your pet dictates where he or she will fly. Smaller pets may be able to travel with you in the cabin, while larger ones will be placed in a temperature-controlled, pressurized cargo hold. You’ll need an approved pet carrier, whether for carry-on or checked baggage. (I like the Sherpa® line of pet carriers, which you can order from the airline or through online pet supply stores. If you’re facing a time crunch, you may be able to buy a carrier at the airport.) Many airlines require traveling pets to have a current health certificate, issued within 30 days of travel. While you’re at the vet, you might consider getting a light sedative to keep your furry kid calm on the flight. Before you decide to bring a pet on the plane, be sure to check your airline’s requirements, restrictions and fees. And be aware the gate agent often has the final say in how or whether your pet will travel.

Happy traveler in an airline approved carrier
Another option is to board your four-legged friend at a pet-care center. We checked the Lazydays RV Campground Web site and found a local veterinarian who offered boarding. I told our furry kid to think of it as “doggie summer camp.” Of course, just like with your RV, this might be a good time to schedule grooming or veterinary services for your pet. A nail trim, bath or checkup can all be taken care of in your absence. In comparing the cost of boarding versus flying, I found that 10 days at the pet resort was equal to the additional fare of taking our dog with us.

Spending a holiday with family is very rewarding, and worth every second of all the pre-travel planning and preparation. Our recent holiday gathering marked the first Thanksgiving in years when Jolene and I, both of our children, the grandkids and my parents were all together. Four complete generations! Definitely one for the memory book.

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