Whether you’re brand new to camping or a seasoned RV veteran, one thing is always true: every trip brings a new adventure—and usually at least one new lesson. As veteran RVers, these are some of our favorite RV lessons… learned the hard way.
GPS Cannot Be Trusted When You’re in an RV
For no obvious reason at all, GPS devices love to suddenly abandon perfectly good interstates and reroute you onto roads that were clearly not designed with RVs in mind. One minute you’re cruising along, and the next you’re wondering why you’re on a narrow, unpaved road with loose sand and zero turnarounds.
Before heading out, review your route and use GPS tools designed specifically for RVs. And if your GPS tries to take you off a route you know to be safe, pause and double-check conditions before committing. A good copilot is worth their weight in gold here.
Also—pro tip—if your GPS offers multiple route options, recheck it every time you stop and start again. Do. Not. Trust. That GPS.
A “4-Hour Drive Day” Is Never Just 4 Hours
Somehow, a four-hour drive day magically turns into six… or seven. Every. Single. Time.
Fuel stops, food breaks, leg-stretching, traffic, construction, big city rush hours, and the occasional mystery traffic jam all add up.
Be realistic. Your GPS might say the trip will be 4 hours but traveling with an RV can mean traveling at a different pace and unexpected delays can mean the difference between arriving during daylight or setting up camp in the dark. And let’s be honest—after a long day on the road, no one wants to arrive tired, cranky, or hangry. You’ll need a clear head for arrival.
A Pro tip for you: Try the 3:30 rule—travel 330 miles or stop by 3:30pm, whichever comes first— this is a great way to plan when your RV is involved and gets you settled in time for dinner and the sunset.
Let’s Play “Parking the RV” — Family Feud Edition
Ah yes… arrival challenges. If you’ve ever backed an RV into a campsite with your spouse, you already know this is where communication skills are truly tested.
Every campsite is different—varying by size, trees and other campsite hazards, neighboring RVs—and the driver and spotter always have very different viewpoints that might be the root of most RV related arguments.
Pro tip: use GOAL— Get Out And Look.
When we arrive at a campsite, we walk the site together, check for hazards, and agree on where the RV should end up before we put anything into reverse. This saves both accidents and (most) arguments.
Pro tip: use clear directions — driver’s side and passenger’s side. The spotter gives these directions based on where the rear of the RV needs to move. Reminder: adjustments at the wheel don’t instantly show up at the back of the RV. Patience is key. Backing in takes practice, trust, good communication, and deep breaths. Try not to lose your cool—this is already a stressful task.
If You Love a Campfire…
Then you already know this truth: campfire smoke always follows you. No matter where you sit. Every time. Am I the only one?
Watch for Hazards—Everywhere
Hazards are everywhere when traveling in an RV, and no matter the size of your rig, blind spots are real.
If you have a larger RV, watch that tail swing! It’s easy to clip a tree, another vehicle, or drag your bumper on a slope or steep driveway if you’re not paying attention.
The #1 Hazard? Other drivers. Not everyone has the needed patience when caught behind an RV, and some drivers will speed around you, cut sharply in front, and slam on their brakes with little regard to the momentum of a large RV. Consider installing cameras that record these moments—you’ll thank yourself if you ever need to show a police officer or your insurance company what actually happened.
And the big one: always look up! Low-hanging branches are an easy hazard to miss and can catch even experienced RVers off guard. Ask us how we know…
Every trip is an adventure—and we truly learn something new every single time. How about you? What RV lesson did you learn the hard way?
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