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cookelma/istockphoto


ROOKIE MISTAKES FIRST-TIME RV DRIVERS MAKE


1 / 31
cookelma/istockphoto


RV NEW TO THIS?



As air travel slowed during the pandemic and hotels became potential sources of
increased virus risk, Americans turned to RVs. After an initial slowdown
relating to lockdown factors, by the end of May 2020 industry production had
begun to surge — RV rentals were up nearly 650% too, The Drive reported — and
never slowed down. Big manufacturers and dealers reported huge backlogs
amounting to billions of dollars (yes, that's billions with a "b") with drivers
taking them off lots as soon as they arrive. Translation: There are a lot of
inexperienced RV drivers on the roads. We reached out to experts, who offered a
wealth of advice for these novices.








Related: RV 101: Boondocking and Other Terms You'll Need to Know

2 / 31
iofoto/istockphoto


NOT PRACTICING BEFORE HITTING THE OPEN ROAD



Before you shift that massive RV into gear as you embark upon your first major
trip, it makes sense to practice getting to know your vehicle first. "Take your
time and get familiar with driving the RV in a safe, open area like a large
parking lot where there's no one around and put out some safety cones," say Marc
and Julie Bennett of the RV Love. "Schools on weekends are a good option.
Practice driving, staying in lanes, turning, parking, and backing up until you
get the hang of it. It's better to encounter cone obstacles while you're
learning instead of real ones, like trees!"




Try before you buy — browse sites such as RVshare and take rentals for a spin.




Related: Little-Known Facts About RVs


3 / 31
Ziga Plahutar/istockphoto


NOT CONSIDERING AN INSTRUCTION COURSE



Even better might be some professional intervention, say the Bennetts,
especially if you plan on driving a bigger RV or aren't comfortable driving,
towing, or backing. "Consider taking a professional RV driving instruction
course. You will learn from professional RV driving instructors and by the end
of your training, you'll have much greater driving skills and confidence to hit
the road in your rig."




Related: Thinking About Buying an RV? Read This First

4 / 31
ewg3D/istockphoto


OVERLOADING YOUR RV



Many experts agree that one of the biggest mistakes new RV drivers can make is
loading up their RV beyond its capacity. "Everyone wants to take all the cool
gear for the perfect campsite setup, but all those extra items can make your
weight too high to safely drive or tow," says Diana Hansen, who runs the site
Let's Camp S'more with her husband, Eric.




Related: 30 RV Accessories That Are a Waste of Money

5 / 31
Amazon


FILLING UP TANKS AT HOME



Another weight-related tip? "Many people do not realize that filling your tank
adds a lot of extra weight. Water weighs about 7 pounds a gallon, so a full tank
of water can make your load too heavy," Hansen notes. "Instead of filling your
fresh water tank at home, get a good filtration system, and fill up with water
once you arrive at the campground."




Related: 12 Expert Tips for Saving Money on RV Living

6 / 31
JaySi/istockphoto


NOT KNOWING YOUR RV'S CARRYING CAPACITY



The key to not overloading your trailer lies in this tip from the Bennetts.
"Check the yellow sticker inside the door of your RV and account for your gear,
passengers, and water on board. If you overload the safe weight rating for your
RV, you're increasing the risk of an accident — and one that your insurance
company may not cover if your RV is overweight," they say. 




For more great RV stories and tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.

7 / 31
Solange_Z/istockphoto


DRIVING TOO FAST



This is another no-no that makes many RV experts' lists of things new drivers do
wrong. "An RV isn't a car, so slow down," the Bennetts say. "Allow extra time
for your drive than you normally would in a car. Driving an RV is usually, or
should be, slower than usual, as there is a lot more to think about and
navigate. Plan for your drive to take at least 20% longer than you would in a
car — even longer if you like to stop and take in the sights along your way."




Related: Beautiful Short-Haul RV Trips for a Memorable Summer Weekend


8 / 31
pchoui/istockphoto


NOT KNOWING THE HEIGHT CLEARANCE OF YOUR RV



David Kosofsky of Go RV Rentals notes that low bridge underpasses, low hanging
branches, and overhangs at gas stations can cause major roof damage if you
collide with them. "Be sure to watch out for these and know the height clearance
of your vehicle," he says. "If there is any doubt about the seriousness of this,
please check out this video. The best thing is to know your height clearance,
watch signs and warnings, and if there is any doubt whatsoever, backup and/or go
another way."




Related: RV Nightmares: From Annoying to Messy to Costly

9 / 31
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NOT KNOWING ABOUT TAIL SWING



When turning, the back of your RV might go into areas a shorter vehicle won't —
this is called tail swing, and not knowing it can cause wrecks and other damage.
"Not figuring out your tail swing could cause you to get in an accident," says
Lindsey Maxell of RV travel and lifestyle site Where You Make It. "It's crucial
to have someone help you find out what your tail swing is, so you know how far
the back of your RV is going to swing out in the opposite direction you're
turning."

10 / 31
Amazon


NOT INVESTING IN AN RV-SPECIFIC GPS ...



Another way to make sure you steer clear of those low bridges and other hazards?
A GPS made specifically for RV driving. "You can input your rig size information
[and] the GPS will make sure you don't go down small roads you can't fit [on] or
under bridges that are too low for your rig. It's a lifesaver and will certainly
make you feel more confident driving," says Carrie Price, director of marketing
and community support for Boondockers Welcome. Cindy Scott, an RV expert at the
site Cinders Travels, recommends going with a Garmin. She says she bought one a
few weeks into RV ownership after initially eschewing the expense. "After about
a month of experiencing those nerves, we felt it was worth the investment never
to have those concerns again."




Related: How to Find Places to Boondock or Free Park in Your RV

11 / 31
Amazon


… OR A LESS EXPENSIVE OPTION



RV ownership can be expensive, so if you can't afford a GPS right away, Sean and
Julie Chickery of Chickery's Travels recommend an app called CoPilot for
RVs that also lets you enter your RV's specific details. "It is only $30 per
year and will direct you appropriately." An even lower-tech option they
recommend is the Rand McNally Motor Carriers' Road Atlas. "It shows every
highway in North America where truckers can pass, and if a large commercial
truck can pass, so can an RV." 



12 / 31
vgajic/istockphoto


NOT PLANNING YOUR ROUTE PROPERLY IN ADVANCE



Tools that keep you safe en route are great, but you should also plan before you
hit the pavement. You don't want to make on-the-fly decisions with a vehicle
that weighs thousands of pounds. Another tool that can help you do this? The RV
Trip Wizard, which the Bennetts recommend. "It allows you to enter the RV
dimensions like length, height, and weight, find fuel stops and campgrounds
along your route, and provides RV-GPS safe-driving instructions that you can
download onto your smartphone and help you get there safely."




Related: The Best Budget-Friendly RV Campgrounds in Every State


13 / 31
ClaraNila/istockphoto


NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO ROAD SIGNS



Bill Widmer of RV travel and lifestyle site The Wandering RV notes that one of
the biggest mistakes he sees new RV drivers make is "not paying close attention
to road signs, such as low bridges or weight limits, and getting stuck in a bad
situation … keep an eye on those signs even if your GPS says you're okay!"






Related: 15 Safety Tips for Taking a Road Trip Right Now

14 / 31
Eisenlohr/istockphoto


NOT PREPARING FOR MOUNTAIN ROUTES



Mountain roads might be one of the trickier driving situations for new RV owners
to master. For that reason, the Bennetts say, "if you plan on driving in areas
with steep grades or mountains, review your driving options in advance and
consider changing your route to one that may be safer and easier on you and the
RV." They recommend the Mountain Directory — there are Eastern and Western U.S.
version — to help plan your route.




Related: 12 Roads You Should Never Drive in an RV

15 / 31
Dmitrii Guldin/istockphoto


NOT DOWNSHIFTING ON STEEPER DESCENTS



Speaking of mountain driving, you'll want to know the ins and outs of your
transmission on roads with steep descents, says Kevin Read who, with his wife,
Ruth, runs the website Travel With Kevin and Ruth. He's addressed safely driving
in the mountains on his blog, recommending that RV drivers get very familiar
with what their rig will do in lower gears to avoid burning out their brakes.
"Your transmission is designed to be able to slow you down when going downhill,"
he writes. "In fact, I've often driven very steep downhill stretches without
ever touching the brakes at all."

16 / 31
leightrail/istockphoto


NOT USING A SPOTTER FOR BACKING UP



Kosofsky — and many of the other experts we contacted for this story — noted
that not using a spotter for backing up is a big mistake of those new to RV
traveling. "Backing up can be challenging because you can't see back there
behind a long RV. While backup cameras help some, they can be a distraction and
don't solve the problem, because there is too much real estate to cover," he
notes. "The almost foolproof way to back up without hitting something is to have
a spotter stand behind the RV."

17 / 31
Yaraslau Saulevich/istockphoto


NOT HAVING A BACKUP CAMERA



While it's true that mounting a camera to the back of your RV won't solve every
problem, many experts note that it often comes in handy. Scott, of Cinders
Travels, notes that she and husband, Barrett, bought a Furrion backup
camera after purchasing a fifth-wheel. "Most of the new RVs come pre-rigged for
a backup camera to be added, as did ours. Adding a camera seemed like a
no-brainer. Neither of us had ever driven a truck or towed a trailer this big
ever before. We knew having eyes behind us would be a huge help."




Related: Renting a RV? These Are the Features You'll Want — and Some You Won't


18 / 31
welcomia/istockphoto


NOT USING WALKIE TALKIES OR PHONES



Having a spotter is great, but — as Scott points out — "being 50 feet away from
each other with a groaning diesel truck between the two of you can easily lead
to raised voices, and then raised voices almost always lead to arguing, even if
it didn't start that way." She recommends that drivers and their spotters use
phones or walkie talkies to communicate. 

19 / 31
Maria Sannikova/istockphoto


NOT USING HAND SIGNALS



Also, "don't underestimate the power of hand signals," Scott notes. "They are oh
so very helpful. A lot of the time, words aren't even needed. An uncomplicated
hand signal can do the trick. And then that's one less time you're tempted to
scream across the campground to convey some information."

20 / 31
bruev/istockphoto


NOT LEAVING ENOUGH SPACE



Frank Foley, one half of The Roving Foleys, who's been RVing full time with wife
Gráinne and their two kids for six years, reminds newbie RV drivers that while
on the road with other vehicles they "will never stop as fast as you think.
Leave ample space between you and the next car. Don't worry if someone slides in
front of you — just reopen the space."




Related: Roadschooling: Meet the Parents Turning Their RVs Into Classrooms

21 / 31
welcomia/istockphoto


NOT HAVING A PRE-DRIVE CHECKLIST



Unlike a car, where you can pretty much just make sure all the doors are closed
and roll, many RVs have awnings, antennas, stairs, and other features that need
attending to before you put your rig into drive. "Not fun when these things get
ripped off by a branch or low bridge," Widmer says. "Have a checklist you check
— and double-check — every time you set up or take down your RV."

22 / 31
Adam Petto/istockphoto


NOT THINKING ABOUT FUEL EFFICIENCY



Of course that massive motorhome isn't fuel-efficient. You already knew that,
but there are some things you can do to improve it. "Don't drive over 60 mph for
optimal fuel efficiency and safety. If you drive over 60 mph, your fuel economy
will plummet, making your gas bill more expensive. Take it nice and easy for a
safer, less stressful, and cost-effective drive," the Bennetts say.






Related: 20 Ways to Save Money on Gas for Your RV


23 / 31
GoodLifeStudio/istockphoto


NOT CHECKING YOUR TIRE PRESSURE REGULARLY



A blowout could spell disaster and quickly ruin a trip. "Know the correct tire
pressure for your RV tires. Always check your tire pressure before every trip
and inflate them if needed," say the Bennetts. "Or better yet, consider
investing in a Tire Pressure Monitoring System so you can keep track of your
tire pressure and temperature before and during your RV road trip. While they
won't prevent a tire failure, they can warn you before a blowout occurs and
allow you to pull over safely." 

24 / 31
mladenbalinovac/istockphoto


NOT HAVING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE



RVs, say the Bennetts, "break down more often than you might think, and if you
need a tow, it's a lot more expensive. Make sure you have adequate 24/7 RV
roadside assistance to cover you in the event of a breakdown, and check that
you'll be covered for towing." Good Sam Roadside Assistance specializes in RVs. 


Related: What You Need to Know to Start RVing Full Time

25 / 31
MarioGuti/istockphoto


NOT HAVING AN EXIT STRATEGY



This is one that Stephanie Puglisi, an RV expert who also leads the editorial
efforts of ToGo RV, calls "getting yourself into a pickle." Never drive your RV
anywhere if you don't see a clear way out. "Avoid turning into a parking lot
without a clear exit strategy. Many new RVers end up having to do an 85-point
U-turn to get out of a tight spot." For this same reason, she recommends fueling
up at truck stops and big-rig friendly gas stations whenever possible. "Many
Pilot/Flying Js even have dedicated RV gas lanes," she notes. "You'll have more
room to maneuver and won't need to worry about your vertical clearance."

26 / 31
Hirkophoto/istockphoto


NOT KNOWING YOUR TRAILER WEIGHT OR TONGUE LOAD



Just as you should know your vehicle's cargo capacity, you should also know your
trailer weight and tongue load if you're towing a trailer. "Sometimes new RV
drivers don't take all the steps necessary to ensure their RV trailer and
vehicle are a match," says Mike Betts, Nissan's RV "guru." "Check both your RV's
curb weight – the weight of the vehicle without passengers or any cargo – and
gross vehicle weight – the maximum total safe weight of the vehicle, including
passengers and cargo – to ensure your vehicle is a match."




Related: How Much RV Can You Get for Your Money?

27 / 31
Askolds/istockphoto


NOT KNOWING TRAILER-SPECIFIC SAFETY



Betts also urges trailer owners to get comfortable with following the following
maintenance tips:



 * Check all fluids, especially oil and coolant levels. Towing puts an extra
   strain on a vehicle, especially in summer.

 * Check and lubricate trailer wheel bearings at the beginning of each season.

 * Ensure you have the proper hitch, and be sure you have the right size tow
   ball to match your trailer coupler.

 * Be certain the safety chains are connected and properly crossed, not in
   danger of dragging on the ground. If you have a trailer with brakes, don't
   forget to connect the cable for the breakaway switch.

 * Connect your trailer wiring with either a flat, four-pin connector for
   light-duty trailers or a seven-pin connector for trailers with brakes.


28 / 31
fstop123/istockphoto


NOT TAKING DRIVING BREAKS



Just because you have a home on wheels doesn't mean you should skip breaks.
"Plan to stop every two to three hours to take a break, use the restroom,
hydrate, and have a snack or meal," the Bennetts say. "Driving an RV can be
tiring, so you don't want to overdo it. Consider following the RV Rule of
Threes: Drive no more than 300 miles in a day, take a break at least every three
hours, and arrive before 3 p.m."




Related: Best Restaurants for RV Road Trips

29 / 31
onsuda/istockphoto


ARRIVING AT YOUR DESTINATION AFTER DARK



On the subject of when to arrive at your destination, the Bennetts say to do so
while it's still daytime — "and ideally during business hours. Arriving late and
especially in the dark just increases the risk that something will go wrong,
like hitting something while parking your rig."

30 / 31
jerryhopman/istockphoto


FORGETTING ABOUT YOUR TIRES



This piece of advice is especially important if you've recently bought a used
RV. "Tires usually age out before they wear out, so even if your RV tires look
okay and still have a lot of tread, if they are too old, they will be
compromised and not as safe." A general rule is that your RV tires should be
less than 7 years old and show no signs of sidewall cracking. How do you check?
On each tire, you should see four digits inside an oval circle. "The first two
numbers represent the week of the year the times were manufactured and the
second two numbers represent the year. So 2218 would mean the tires were made in
the 22nd week of 2018. If you're unsure, take the RV to a tire shop and get
their opinion."




Related: Tire Installation Cost Comparison: What's the Best Place to Get New
Tires?

31 / 31
IPGGutenbergUKLtd/istockphoto


NOT ENJOYING THE TRIP



Finally, slow down and appreciate this new way of travel, the Foleys say, and
enjoy it for what it offers. "So many bad things happen because people are in a
hurry to reach their destination. It leads to bad decisions like driving too
fast for your rig, pushing your awareness limits, etc. The journey is half the
fun. Seeing the country, forests, rivers, animals, farms, etc. The Grand Canyon
isn't getting any grander, and it's not filling in. Take your time and enjoy it
alive."




Related: 76 Attractions to See While Driving Across the Country




Find more great RV stories right here.