RV Tips for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Your First RV Trip
Planning your first RV trip can be a mix of excitement and nerves, especially if you’ve never driven an RV. When you’re a beginner the idea of steering and parking something bigger than a car, figuring out hookups, and finding the right campground can feel overwhelming.
Read on for tips based on first-time RV renters’ experiences and the knowledge of Blacksford’s 5-star customer service team to give you confidence and comfort on the road.
Table of Contents
Planning Your First RV Trip
Stick to RV-friendly roads with wide shoulders, pullouts, and easy access on your first trip. Before leaving, check your route for low clearances, steep grades, length restrictions, and seasonal closures.
Download maps to your phone in case you lose cell service (common in national parks). Use the Gasbuddy app to mark gas stations and the iOverlander app to locate dump stations along your route.
Preview unfamiliar stops in your mobile map’s satellite view to avoid tight turns or low-clearance areas.
Keep your drive times realistic. Plan for 4 to 5 hours behind the wheel and aim to arrive before dark. Leave a buffer for weather delays, lunch breaks, rest stops, or a scenic viewpoint you don’t want to miss.
If you’re traveling with kids or pets, plan short breaks every couple of hours to stretch and reset.
Campground Reservation Quick Tips
Book spots in or near national parks well in advance
Reserve sites with full water and electric hookups for your first and last nights
Know the rules for first-come, first-served campgrounds if you plan to try one.
RV Orientation: Learning the Basics Before You Depart
Every first-time RV renter needs an orientation. Big rental brands usually combine a short class or walkthrough with how-to videos. Expect 30–120 minutes for pickup, paperwork, and a system demo, and plan to watch videos ahead of time.
Peer-to-peer rental orientations can vary a lot. Some hosts do a full walkthrough, others send video links and others use self-pickup systems. Read your listing details and reviews to learn how handoff will happen before you book.
What to Do at Your RV Orientation
Ask for a complete systems walkthrough of power, water, heat and AC systems, plus the fridge, stove, awning, slides, and tank monitors. Use your phone to record short videos for reference.
Confirm safety specifications: heights and clearances, weight limits, tire pressure, and how to secure cabinets and gear.
Practice hookups in daylight. Ask how to connect water, power, and sewer, and how to dump tanks cleanly.
Take a short test drive and practice backing with a spotter if the owner or agent allows it.
Get the binder or digital manual, roadside assistance info, and a phone number for help on the road.
If you rent with Blacksford, you’ll get a thorough walkthrough and 24/7 support if questions come up on your trip. Want to get a head start on your orientation? Watch our RV video guides to preview the systems you’ll use on the road.
Driving Your RV for the First Time
Driving your first RV feels like driving a large SUV, which you’ll get used to quickly.
Start with a short practice run in an open parking lot to get comfortable with the size, wide turns, and braking distance.
On the road, the best advice is to slow down and give yourself room. RVs take longer to stop, catch more wind, and need wider turns at intersections.
In hot or windy areas, start early in the day when roads are quieter and temperatures are lower.
Pre-Drive Checklist
Slides in, steps and awning retracted, vents and windows closed
Power, water, and sewer disconnected and stowed
Levelers up, chocks removed, bay doors and latches locked
Interior gear secured, cabinets latched, fridge locked
Mirrors set, lights and signals checked, route confirmed
Height and length noted on the dash
Your confidence will build with every mile. Start slow, stay aware of your surroundings, and pull over if you need a moment to regroup.
RV Camping Basics for Your First Trip
Book campgrounds early if you’re near popular destinations, and choose pull-through sites when you can for easy arrival after a long drive.
Setting Up Hookups
Water and electric are pretty straightforward, just plug in and turn on. Sewer takes a little more care. Connect water and power first, then sewer last.
When you leave, disconnect in reverse: sewer first, then water and power. Wear gloves, keep a separate bin for hoses, and rinse everything before you stow it.
Campground Etiquette
Keep noise down and generators off after quiet hours, don’t cut through other campsites, and leave your site cleaner than you found it. Small gestures like these make RV parks better for everyone.
What About Boondocking?
Boondocking is camping without hookups, usually at trailheads, rest areas, or on public land. It’s appealing, but you’ll manage your own water, power, and waste. Start at campgrounds with full-hookup sites until you’re comfortable with your RV’s systems, then experiment from there.
Packing and Gear Essentials
It’s easy to overpack for your first RV trip, but most rentals come stocked with the basics. Bedding, towels, and kitchen supplies are usually included (Blacksford includes even more at no cost!), so you mainly need clothes, food, and personal items. Always confirm what’s provided before you start packing.
Focus on items that will make your life easier: bags or duffels that fit in cabinets, reusable water bottles, and a headlamp for setup after dark. Toss in a small toolkit and a basic first-aid kit.
Download maps and save campground reservations offline before you lose cell service. If you need reliable internet, bring a hotspot or Starlink Mini.
Comfort on the Road
Living in an RV is easier when you keep routines simple. Cook one-pot meals that take 20 minutes or less. Shop every few days instead of trying to stock a week's worth of groceries.
The RV bathroom is compact but handy for nights and long drives. Many RVers prefer campground showers for space and hot water—do what works for you.
Budgeting for Your Trip
Every renter wants to know how much an RV trip really costs. Break it into categories: rental, fuel, campgrounds, food, and activities.
Rentals are the largest expense, but they sometimes include unlimited mileage and generator use, kitchen supplies, and bedding (like at Blacksford). Many companies charge fees for every little thing. For a detailed breakdown of costs, check out our guide on RV rental costs.
Fuel varies based on RV size and route. Class B vans use less, while larger Class Cs burn more per mile. Plan fuel stops ahead of time.
Campground fees range from around $20 for basic sites to $60 or more for full hookups near national parks.
Cooking in your RV is one of the easiest ways to keep costs down. Stock groceries for simple meals and save dining out for special stops.
Set aside a little extra for park entrance fees, tours, and activities.
Budget Tips
Estimate 200–300 miles per day and calculate fuel based on your RV’s MPG
Book some full-hookup sites for comfort, but mix in cheaper options
Cook most meals in the RV to save money
Add a buffer for activities and unexpected costs
Common Beginner Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Every first-timer makes a few mistakes, but most are easy to avoid once you know what to watch for.
Overpacking is the most common. RVs have limited storage, and heavy loads hurt fuel efficiency and handling. Bring less than you think you need and use soft bags that fit in cabinets.
Rushing wears you out. Long drive days are exhausting, and setting up in the dark is stressful. Keep drives to 4–5 hours and arrive before sunset.
Skipping the pre-drive check causes problems down the road. A quick walk around to latch cabinets, retract slides, and close vents takes two minutes and saves major headaches later.
Ignoring clearance limits is how you hit a low bridge or gas station canopy. Keep your RV’s height and length on the dash and double-check before you commit to a route or pull into a tight spot.
Learning as you go is part of the experience, but keeping these basics in mind makes your first trip smoother.
Your First RV Trip Starts Here
RVing for the first time can feel intimidating at first, but once you know the basics it’s one of the most rewarding ways to travel. With a little planning, full orientation, and a handle on campground setup, you’ll find the learning curve isn’t nearly as steep as it seems.
Take your time and enjoy the freedom of traveling with your own kitchen, bed, and gear on board. Your first RV trip doesn’t have to be perfect to be fun, it just has to get you on the road.