We’ve included a list of the most important myths and musts and offered tips on how to manage each one.

We encourage you to take the time to build your portfolio and keep it in a binder or accordion file so that every long-distance trip you take in your RV requires minimal work and allows for maximum relaxation! In addition, click here to find some of the best checklists for preparation, departure and campsite arrival.

Myths

Filling your tank in the morning saves money.
You may have heard that it’s best to fill your gas tank in the early morning while the fuel is cold. The theory is that fluids are more dense at lower temperatures, so a gallon of cold gas actually has more gas molecules than a gallon of warmer gas. But the temperature of the gasoline as it comes out of the nozzle varies little during the course of the day, according to Consumer Reports, so there’s little, if any, benefit, to getting up early to pump gas.

Going on a long trip means no cares, no worries.
You’ll have most of the same challenges you had in a house—you’ll just experience them in closer quarters. Clothes still need to be washed, food bought and prepared, and cleaning done. Plus, you’ll be emptying septic tanks, trying to follow a map, and adjusting to a lot of new experiences. Prepare before you leave and you’ll have less worries and more fun.

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You have to stay in expensive campgrounds to get the amenities you want.
There are many alternatives to “name brand” campgrounds that cost a fortune. Joining a club like Escapees RV Club (escapees.com) means you pay a low annual fee and get discounts. Some parks charge members only $10 for admission. Seniors pay just $10 for a National Park Service pass (nps.gov/fees_passes.htm) which entitles you to free admission to national parks and a 50% discount on camping fees. If you’ve served in the military or have immediate family who has, you can get substantial discounts at military parks. You can get more information at
old.armymwr.com/portal/travel/paths. If you prefer very low budget accommodations, there’s always the boon docking option. You can find plenty of them at freecampgrounds.com. Remember to check out Lazydays RV campground near Tampa, FL at LazydaysRVCampground.com for rates as low as $24.99 per night.

Musts

Do a thorough physical inspection of your vehicle before departing.
It cannot be emphasized enough how important it is to do a thorough inspection of your RV before heading off on your dream trip. Use the links we’ve discovered to connect to web sites that offer you all you need to ensure adequate preparation for a safe trip.

Arrange for mail delivery.
You may be having fun on the road, but bills still need to be paid and important communication will continue even though you’re not home. One option is to let the post office hold all of your mail until you return. This is great for short trips, but not very effective if you’re planning to be gone for several months.

A better choice for RVers who’ve planned a long trip is a mail forwarding service, where a company will hold your mail and then send it wherever you are. There are many forwarding services to choose from, including Mail Boxes, Etc. (mailboxesetc.com), USA2Me (USA2me.com), as well as the United States Postal Service (www.usps.com). Charges usually include a small setup fee of approximately $15, plus weekly shipping charges.

You can also receive mail at the main post office for many of the cities you visit by forwarding it to:

Your Name
c/o General Delivery
City, State, Zip

General Delivery usually holds mail for 30 days. Not all post offices will accept and hold mail arriving c/o General Delivery, so it’s a good idea to call before you have your mail sent. Call the post office’s toll-free number (1-800-ASK-USPS) and ask if the office in that town will receive General Delivery mail.

Although e-mail and cell phones seem to rule the communication highways these days, choosing a reliable way to receive your mail while traveling is essential.

Secure your home.
This most important task requires thorough thought and planning. Ask someone you trust to be the contact person for your land-locked home. It’s important to have someone stop by periodically to remove sales flyers and to be available to make repair appointments if necessary. Make it look like someone is living there. This can be done by putting lights on timers, canceling regular deliveries such as newspaper or water, and hiring a lawn service to maintain your yard. In addition, check all of your locks before you leave to make sure they’re secure. BRV