When planning an RV route, you’ll need to keep away from these purple flags that may depart you stranded, in an accident, or breaking the legislation…
Planning an RV route is NOT the identical as planning a street journey in your automobile. There are a number of issues you should concentrate on to maintain your self out of hassle (each figuratively and with the legislation.)
When you don’t keep away from these purple flags, you may find yourself stranded on the aspect of the street, misplaced, or (worst of all) in an accident. Or, yow will discover your self with costly fines!
We’ll define these purple flags and embody useful assets to keep away from them. We’ll additionally focus on RV-friendly GPS and route planners that can make RV journey planning a lot simpler!
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10 Crimson Flags When Planning an RV Route
The next purple flags apply to all RVs, however are particularly vital for bigger RVs.
Nevertheless, no matter your RV sort, you ought to be conscious of all of those purple flags. Ensure you think about them when planning your RV route!
1- Lack of RV-Pleasant Gasoline Stations
One of many first purple flags to look out for when planning an RV route is the dearth of RV-friendly gasoline stations alongside the best way. Common fuel stations might not have the mandatory house or lodging for bigger RVs, making it troublesome so that you can refuel.
It is vital to map out your route forward of time and be certain that there are ample RV-friendly gasoline stations out there alongside your journey. This fashion, you will not end up in a panic, working on empty with no appropriate gasoline station in sight.
Sources:
- Learn how to Discover RV Pleasant Gasoline Stations (5 Apps & Extra)
- SAVE on Gasoline & Diesel! (RV Gasoline Low cost Playing cards & Extra)
- Learn how to Get Higher Gasoline Mileage in Your RV (13 Ideas)
2- Lack of Dump Stations & Water Fill Stations
Lack of entry to dump stations can rapidly develop into a major inconvenience and create disagreeable conditions throughout your journey. RVs have holding tanks for wastewater, together with blackwater from bathrooms and grey water from sinks and ers.
These tanks have to be emptied usually to keep up a sanitary and practical RV. With out entry to dump stations, you could end up working out of house in your holding tanks, resulting in foul odors, clogged plumbing, and potential well being hazards.
The identical goes for freshwater fill stations!
Useful Sources:
- Learn how to Simply Discover RV Dump Stations
- Can I Legally Dump Grey Water on the Floor Whereas RV Tenting?
- Learn how to Dump RV Tanks at House (Choices & Solutions)
- The place to Fill Your RV Recent Water Tank (5 Locations & Apps)
3- Low Bridges & Overhangs
**WARNING: THIS VIDEO’S CONTENT MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME VIEWERS**
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The above video is frightening to look at, however the first clip will drills into you the significance of top clearance.
It’s essential to know the peak of your RV and the clearance required for protected passage beneath bridges and different overhangs. Failing to contemplate this might end in a disastrous collision with a bridge or overhang, inflicting substantial injury to your automobile and critical danger to you and others.
At all times test the peak restrictions of bridges alongside your route and select different paths if wanted. RV GPS helps with this, as effectively.
4- Excessively Curvy or Steep Roads
Whereas a winding street might add some pleasure to a daily street journey, it may be a nightmare for these touring in bigger RVs. Excessively curvy roads can current challenges in the case of maneuvering your RV safely.
Sharp turns, slender lanes, and steep inclines could make navigation troublesome and doubtlessly result in accidents. If attainable and sensible, go for routes with wider and straighter roads extra appropriate for RVs.
See our harrowing journey as much as Pikes Peak in an RV.
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5- Distant Nation Roads
We love going “off the overwhelmed path,” nevertheless it’s vital to train warning when planning your RV route by means of distant nation roads. These roads may not be well-maintained, lack correct signage, or have restricted providers out there.
When you encounter any mechanical points or want help, it may take a major period of time for assist to reach. It additionally typically results in the subsequent purple flag…
Useful Sources:
- Why RVers Want RV Roadside Help Protection (5 Causes)
- 5 Emergency Roadside Package & Merchandise for Your RV
- Why We Ought to Not Belief GPS fully
6- Lack of Cell Service
together with an Atlas – a few of these may be useful.
In in the present day’s interconnected world, shedding cell service is usually a main inconvenience, particularly whenever you’re counting on GPS navigation or want to speak in case of emergencies.
Think about if any area you undergo will possible have dangerous cell service, equivalent to closely wooded and distant areas. We extremely advocate conserving a street atlas in your RV in case your GPS fails, and it’s also possible to think about investing in a cellphone booster.
Useful Sources:
- Finest Highway Atlases
- Do RV Cell Cellphone Boosters Actually Work?
7- Crossing Bridges (with Propane On)
Many RVs use propane for cooking, heating, and different important features. It is essential to pay attention to particular laws when crossing bridges with propane tanks turned on.
Some native and state laws prohibit the transportation of flammable supplies, together with propane, because of security considerations. Be sure to familiarize your self with these laws and switch off your propane tanks when crossing such bridges.
Useful Sources:
- 7 RV Propane Security Tricks to Stop an EXPLOSION
- Learn how to SAFELY Transport Propane Tanks for Your RV
8- Crossing Borders
Crossing into Canada or Mexico requires sure documentation and customs procedures. These procedures are totally different than what they have been pre-pandemic and may change at any time.
So, you need to at all times test border crossing necessities and processes earlier than your journey. Confirm you’ve gotten the correct documentation and know what you may and may’t take over the border.
For example, if you’re taking your grandchildren, you could want particular father or mother launch varieties. And do you know that it’s at the moment unlawful to take CBD merchandise when crossing the Canadian border? These are the issues it is advisable know when planning your route.
9- Crossing State Traces
Some state traces have restrictions, too, and will cease you on the state line for inspections. California, as an example, may cease you at state traces to test your wheel wells or fridge for potential parasites that might injury California’s agricultural business (which gives practically half of the US fruit & nut manufacturing).
So, it is advisable know California Crossing Restrictions and different states’ potential restrictions, too.
10- Toll Roads
Whereas toll roads can present a faster and extra environment friendly route for normal automobiles, they will pose challenges and extra prices when touring with an RV. Toll roads can influence your price range, route planning, and total RV expertise.
Furthermore, many toll roads now not have manned toll cubicles. Typically you must register on-line to make use of the toll street. And generally, you must pay for it electronically &/or pay a nice or invoice you obtain within the mail.
You may learn extra about tolls and a common toll cross for RVers.
RV-Pleasant GPS & Route Planners
One sensible change EVERY RVer ought to make is switching from common GPS to RV-specific GPS apps. RV GPS will mechanically keep away from most of those purple flags.
Nevertheless, you need to NEVER belief GPS fully! Don’t observe it blindly, or you could find yourself with a tragic story of your individual.
Listed here are useful assets to assist with planning an RV route:
- RV Journey Planning with RV Life Professional (Routes & Locations to Keep)
- Learn how to SAVE MONEY on an RV Highway Journey (Prime 10 Ideas)
- Learn how to Get Higher Gasoline Mileage in Your RV (13 Ideas)
- Household Tracker Apps: RVers Set Household at Ease with Life360
Mike and Jennifer’s Nice Lakes Shoreline Tour (U.S. Aspect)
As an alternative of the standard 7 Days that a few of our different guides will be accomplished in, with this one, we’re suggesting that you simply price range extra time. This is the reason we’re calling it a “Tour” as a substitute of a 7-Day Information! There are 86 pages on this new e book.
On this new Nice Lakes Shoreline Tour we cowl intimately:
- Notable U.S. Cities/Cities alongside every Nice Lake (US aspect) like Watertown, Grand Island, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Vermillion, Mackinaw Metropolis, and so many extra!
- What to See/Do Round EACH Lake: Ocqueoc Falls Scenic Web site, Les Cheneaux Islands, Vintage Boat Museum, and plenty of, many extra locations, together with BONUS aspect journeys!
- And good Campgrounds for every Lake (US aspect) – a minimum of 4 or 5 for EACH Lake! With all the data it is advisable arrange reservations.
