Top tips for first time RV drivers

We’ve just finished our first RV trip, picking up in Calgary and dropping off in Vancouver.  It was great but there’s a few things we wish we’d known.

  • It’s much bigger and wider than expected.  We played skittles with the upright cones through road construction zones (at the start, not all the way through)Our RV.  Luckily most roads also have rumble strips on the side and centre which really help keep you on track.  Parking can also be a challenge – our vehicle wasn’t huge but we took up over 2 spaces long and were slightly too wide for most.  Some towns have on road parking, notably a long area opposite Revelstoke visitor centre.  Parallel parking is another challenge though!
  • One of the highlights is being able to stop almost anywhere – there are loads of laybys and rest areas along major routes.  Just park up and put the kettle on, enjoying the views.
  • Once you’ve found your campground for the night, do you really want to drive out again to find a restaurant?  It’s hard enough to back the vehicle in daylight, let alone in pitch black as most campgrounds don’t have lighting! Some have pull-through or drive through sites – which are great.  We found eating out at lunchtime was preferable and just a snack in the evenings.
  • Book your campgrounds in advance if you can.  We travelled right at the end of the season – September going into October – so many campgrounds weren’t full, but some were closing on 1 October.  We had 2 nights where we just turned up and both were open, with spaces.
  • Treat the trip as you would a self-catering holiday anywhere in the world.  We always take teabags, and the kitchen on board was very well supplied with everything (including a kettle and toaster).  Check what they will do with leftover food when you return your vehicle, some depots donate to local food banks, others just set up products for new hirers to use.  Take rubber gloves with you – our vehicle had them supplied but its good to be prepared.  You’ll need them to empty the waste water tanks.
  • Remember to take torches – finding your way back to your pitch in the dark and if you use the washrooms at night is difficult.  Also remember to stock up on reading matter and games for the evenings if you’re not going out.
  • Use local tourist boards to plan your itinerary.  We also used Google maps to plan,  luckily Canada only has a couple of major roads, we used mainly the Trans-Canada Highway.
  • If you feel uncertain whether an RV trip is for you – just hire one for a couple of days to see how you fare.
  • No RV company will allow you to get off a long-haul flight straight into a vehicle.  We had a couple of nights in Calgary at the start and a couple in Vancouver at the end once we’d returned our vehicle.

Want to take your adventures to another level?  This is for you – we jumped out of so many comfort zones this trip.

Just get in touch with me to find out more.   RVs are available to hire in various countries – Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand are the obvious destinations.  However these are also available in many European countries as well as several others.  Tell me where you’d like to explore!

I wrote a blog a few years ago about motorhomes

FAQs

What is the best time of year to do an RV trip in Canada?

  • The best time is from late spring to early fall (May to October). Summer is ideal for warm weather, but September/October provides cooler temperatures and fall foliage, with fewer tourists.  A lot of campgrounds start closing at the end of September, so planning ahead if travelling then is essential.

Do you need a special licence to drive an RV in Canada?

  • In most cases, a standard driver’s licence is sufficient to drive an RV. However, for larger Class A motorhomes, it’s a good idea to check local regulations and your RV rental company’s requirements.  We got an International Driving Permit but no-one asked us for it.

If you have other questions – just drop me an email.

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