New To RVs!
First and foremost – WELCOME! Camping is a great way to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the everyday, and allows you to enjoy all of the incredible things offered in nature. Take a quick read through this guide so you feel ready to start your camper journey. Depending on your camping style you may be looking forward to totally disconnecting off grid somewhere, or you might enjoy a bit more of a glamping style with tons of creature comforts but freedom to explore the open road. Regardless of what style of camping dream you have we are ecstatic that you’ve decided to explore RVing!
Finding the perfect RV can be overwhelming at first – luckily there’s a couple of different guides at the McGovern’s RV blog that can break down how to find the right RV style for you, a guide to towing, another for batteries and more! We’ve even got a list of some great camping spots for you to check out!
But you don’t have to do this part on your own, the more you tell your sales team about your camping trips the more they can help from towing to sleeping capacity, dream features to preferred floorplans our team wants to help you find the right fit to keep you in your home-on-wheels for many years to come. The most practical thing to figure out first is what you can tow! Send your vehicle information to your sales representative or follow our towing guide on the blog to find out what you can pull.
RV Types:
These RVs are generally a little bit more glamorous! Enjoy a kitchen island, increased seats in the living area, and things like a full-size wardrobe in the bedroom. But that comes at a cost! Generally speaking, these RVs are heavier, and given their design they will require a truck to tow.
If you are looking for a full-time living RV, the fifth wheel is an excellent choice, since you’ll appreciate the increased space and extra features that much more. Furthermore, the taller ceilings sometimes mean a loft with additional sleeping space, or ceiling fans to help the RV not get stuffy.
Often considered the most versatile, since a travel trailer covers everything from price-point friendly couples coaches to extensive travel trailers with dual bedrooms. These RVs are more versatile to tow, and if you’re looking to tow with your SUV this’ll be your stop.
The (typically) lower weight also makes it easier to pick up and move on to the next spot if you’re looking to make several shorter stops as opposed to setting down RV roots somewhere.
Depending on your brand selection, you might find that your travel trailer has all the amenities you could need or want! Broadly speaking, travel trailers offer a wider variety of sizes and budget options.
These campers sit inside your pickup truck bed and are made for those looking for a bit more of an off-grid adventure. Disconnecting and getting away in your truck camper is easy and offer a great towing experience with easy navigation of any difficult spaces. Made for rough terrain and able to get off-road these RVs are a favorite for the adventurous seeking remote areas. Whether its hunting, hiking or just some peace and quiet, the truck camper will help you get out there. Truck campers are also designed for extended stay off-grid to keep you out there!
One of the downsides to truck campers is the limited living space. While size and trim levels can vary, these may not be recommended if you’re taking the kids and their friends out for a weeklong campout!
Another benefit of truck campers is the ability to tow something behind the truck camper, like a boat! However, you should consult an expert before you hook up and hit the road to account for weight and length restrictions, and ensure that you stay safe and street legal.
The biggest pro to a motorhome may seem obvious – the self driving capability makes this RV unparalleled in ability to pack up and go. With comfort and convenience a motorhome can be an exciting option, especially if you’re thinking of planning a road trip to snowbird this winter.
There are three classes of motorhomes – while you should consult a sales member before moving forward, here’s a quick breakdown of the three types.
Class A – The “Big Bus” motorhome
These motorhomes are often the most luxurious, and take up the most space on the road. With tons of luxurious amenities they embody the term “home-on-wheels”. One thing to remember is the higher cost associated with Class A motorhomes and we don’t just mean the initial price tag. Their large size can cause lower fuel efficiency, and they can be difficult to maneuver on the road as well as park. Some class A motorhomes may also have different licensing requirements so make sure you’re informed before you hit the open road in one of these alluring RV mansions.
Class B – The “Little Guy” motorhome
This motorhome is a trade off compared to your Class A motorhome. Built on a van chassis, you get easier travel and it’s (probably) better on fuel but you’ll sacrifice for more compact living and some of the upper-end creature comforts.
Class C – The “Goldilocks” Motorhome
An in-between the compact Class B and the extensive Class A. Balancing space and maneuverability the class C motorhome can be a great option to hit the road in depending on your needs, budget and camping style.
Then What?
After you’ve found your RV fit there’s a lot to consider and remember. Here’s a couple things you may want to keep in mind!
When you pick up your RV you’ll have a walk through which shows you all the features and how to operate them, taking you through the different systems and showing you set-up. It’s a great idea to record it to reference back to when you can’t quite remember what switch does what on your first trip out.
It’s a good idea to take your RV close to home for the first trip out to make sure you’ve got a handle on everything. Things like hitching, levelling, or getting the tanks set up sounds easy until you’re somewhere with no cell-service.
Keep a list of all important maintenance for your RV and how often you have to do it to keep your warranty valid. If you’re not sure about something reach out to our service team and they’ll be happy to answer any and all of your questions.
A couple of important ones to stay on top of are roof inspections/re-seals, winterization and de-winterization, and wheel bearings and re-pack.
Here at McGovern’s RV we want you to enjoy your camping experience and our team would love to help you with any questions or concerns. Stay up to date via the McGovern’s blog, text us or come in and chat with our expert parts and service teams to make your RV experience go smoothly. You’ve got this, and happy camping!