RV Trip Prep

Ready to hit the road!

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Ready to hit the road in your RV? Getting away to recharge the batteries is not a luxury, it's a necessity—and probably cheaper than a shrink in the long run. The more journeys logged under your belt, the smoother these departures will become. Here are some tips to help you get out of Dodge.

Choosing a Campground

Disney World, Acadia National Park, or over the hills and through the woods to grandmother's house you go. Where you go is up to you—based on budget, distance, and how much hazing you can withstand from the kids—but chances are you'll need a place to stay when you get there, and for RV owners that means a campground. With more than 16,000 U.S. campgrounds, and probably a few million campsites, RV travelers can be as picky as they want to. This is particularly true in traditional tourist areas and vacation hubs with lodging aplenty.

But just as nights in hotels vary from place to place, so do campgrounds. Do you want to spend the night in a campground with water, electricity, and sewer hookups for all your onboard functions, or would you rather go self-sufficient and head out into the boonies, living off your vehicle's generator, batteries, and holding tanks? Do you want a full-service RV resort complete with cable TV, phone service, and days spent golfing, playing tennis, or hot-tubbing, or would you prefer the modest charms of a small Ma-and-Pa campground in a rustic setting? Maybe you prefer the low costs and big views found on government-owned lands, such as those found in a state or national park. A campground directory, such as those produced by Woodall's and Trailer Life, provide comprehensive listings and evaluations for almost every private campground in the country.