So many of our friends are discovering RVing and falling in love. A lot of people start with their local camper sales places, like Setzer’s in West Virginia, to buy their own. Which is understandable – particularly if they are planning to spend a good amount of time enjoying the open road in the RV regularly.
Most people think of Recreational Vehicles (RVs) as either motor vehicles or trailers with some of the same amenities as home. Although some may opt to build their own campers, it is essential to choose the right hardware. They could rely on companies like Trailer Parts Direct (https://trailerpartsdirect.com.au/) to purchase customized parts and reassemble their vehicles according to their specific long-term needs.
Of course, buying an RV comes with some basics. Do you have somewhere suitable to store it? If you have a big enough driveway or garage then that could work if you can convince your family to leave it parked at home and at the same time local ordinances allow for it. Otherwise, add in the monthly cost of RV storage which can range from $50 to $300. You’ll also need to make sure you have everything you need to keep it looking beautiful on the outside – even the roof – and inside so that you are able to drive it with pride.
Rent vs. Buy an RV or a little of both
My buddy Dave rented his first RV and 4 months later bought one. Now he’s earning revenue by adding it onto the leading RV rental platform Outdoorsy for others to enjoy. He has a love of travel and seems to get as much joy in an RV now with his family of 5 as much as he does sharing his RV adventure passion with renters from Outdoorsy.
Road Trip Rule #1: Rent the right RV
Outdoorsy is the world’s largest and most trusted RV rental platform
Skip the learning curve and go straight to Outdoorsy. 93% of renters are first-time RVers and Outdoorsy has every type of RV and trailer you could dream up.
From camper vans, airstreams, teardrop trailers to any size motorhomes, RV bookings continue to outpace hotel and vacation rental demand according to Outdoorsy. RV and trailer rentals have skyrocketed as people have an urge to get out of the house and rent an RV, camper van or travel trailer on their own terms.
Avoid the driving. Get an RV delivered to your destination.
Outdoorsy makes it incredibly easy and safe to travel where you can find a vehicle that fits your personal style, personality, and travel needs. Convenience is key to many first-time RV adventurers and RV owners are becoming more likely to go the distance to make it easier. 60% of Outdoorsy RV owners will deliver your rental to you.
And for those who own an RV, they are finding that money is to be made instead of letting their mobile palace sit in the driveway or collect dust in storage. It’s free and easy to list your RV on Outdoorsy.com and in just a few clicks, you can see how much extra money you could be making.
The average RV and camper van owner can make $36,000 a year by renting out their vehicle. The RV owner who provided me a 25′ Mercedes Sprinter Winnebago to use on live TV is doing so well that she bought 7 more and has made it a business earning over $300K in revenue so far.
My buddy Dave who bought a similar-sized RV just rented his out for the first time and said that the Outdoorsy listing process was super easy, the Outdoorsy support team is amazing to deal with, and that it’s a total win-win for everyone.
We’ve had long passionate discussions about the right gear to bring along for the perfect RV road trip and it starts with some road rule basics.
Road Trip Rule #2: Keep everyone connected
Credit: Dave Fleming
Some of the greatest destinations are far off the beaten path where cell signal is weak, but the desire to connect with technology is still strong for everyone on a road trip. A cell phone signal booster made just for the RV is the perfect solution to keep you connected powerfully regardless of which wireless carrier you use. It is especially good at boosting a mobile hotspot which we can all agree combined with an unlimited data plan is the best way to go with an RV.
Fusion2Go 3.0 RV cell signal booster
PC Magazine called it Best RV Cell Phone Signal Booster in 2020 and what I know is that it’s the go-to cellular booster that delivers faster data speeds, better call clarity, and more reliable voice and 4G LTE data speeds on the open road.
Extends your cell phone coverage for your safety when traveling and to stay connected to family and friends You can quickly access maps, weather, and news apps. Everyone can email, work, even go to zoom school lessons and stay connected with loved ones.
The power it brings to stream music and video from remote areas is really the top RV selling point. Let’s face it, some of the most magical destinations are not necessarily near populated areas with multiple cell phone towers. The Fusion2Go 3.0 RV boosts the weakest cell signal and is easily shared anywhere inside the RV.
Road Trip Rule #3: Bring your home streaming device
Credit: Dave Fleming
Apple TV or Roku Player
Of all TV streaming devices, the Roku Ultra is my favorite. The single best feature is the audio headphone jack built into the remote. This is a genius way to watch tv without waking anyone else. So smart to put in in the remote! Roku is one of my favorite streaming platforms since nearly every single thing you subscribe to is on it. We travel everywhere with the Roku Ultra since it packs with no drama and works by plugging into any HDMI tv port with the greatest of ease. Find it here.
Rather than spend extra money on another streaming device, consider just grabbing an extra HDMI cable for one you already own. Most RVs are rented with HDMI-ready TVs that allow you to easily connect and stream videos along your journey from anywhere on the road. You’ll find it an essential form of entertaining yourself and the entire family. Buy a spare travel HDMI cable here.
Road Trip Rule #4: BYOD Bring your own drive
Ruggedized G-Technology G-DRIVE mobile SSD
Keep access to your important data while away from home and have space to offload the inevitable videos and photos you are going to take on the trip.
The ruggedized G-Technology-brand G-DRIVE mobile SSD features transfer speeds up to 560MB/s and a backward-compatible USB-C™ port to deliver high-performance storage.
Ultra-fast, durable, and portable this is great for video, audio, photo, and document backup storage for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Perfect for the toughest RV road trip conditions with water and dust resistance, 3 Meter drop protection, and 1,000 lb crushproof rating. The G-DRIVE Mobile SSD starts in 500GB capacity and is available at retailers like Amazon.
Road Trip Tip #5: Know the best apps before you plan your trip
Harvest Hosts app takes you off the beaten path to amazing locations
Harvest Hosts has a $79 per year membership that unlocks access to park your RV at wineries, breweries, farms, and museums across the US. and Canada.
There are currently over 1,270 off the beaten path destinations to plan a stay away from crowded campgrounds. Consider the pros of privacy and a richer experience away from crowds balanced with the cons that include no RV hookups and no tents allowed.
So if you thought you might enjoy sleeping outside the RV under the stars, it’s not allowed. Upgrading for another $40 per year opens access to golf courses and country clubs.
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