A Guide for Planning an Extended Camping Trip: the Details© Thomas Stephens Sr.
Mar 1, 2000
On some of these cold, rainy or snowy mornings, planning for a camping vacation can seem a bit far-fetched. However, spring is really not that far around the corner-honest. In my last article (February 1, 2000), I suggested a method for planning a general itinerary and budget to better enjoy your vacation. Keeping with this theme, I offer a more detailed list of pre-trip preparations and suggestions. That long awaited camping vacation will go more smoothly, and with fewer worries, with some advanced planning.
Ready Your Vehicle A month or so before hitting the road, get your tow vehicle or motorhome's routine maintenance taken care of. If it is time for an oil change, tire rotation, alignment, brake check, wiper blades, transmission service and such, have them completed before your vacation begins. If you have been putting off some repair work, get those taken care of also. Just prior to departure, check your tire pressures fluid levels and lights. It's a good idea to carry with you an extra quart of oil, a gallon of coolant, jumper cables, windshield washing solution, a first-aid kit and-if you have the room-a gallon of gasoline. Nothing can put a damper on a camping trip like auto troubles. It is also a wise idea to have some sort of emergency road service coverage. We have AAA and have had to use it! A wireless phone can also come in very handy for emergencies.Pre-Trip RV CareAs with the tow vehicle, your trailer or RV should be inspected, and routine maintenance completed on it. My RV mechanic recommends checking the brakes and wheel bearings about every 5,000 miles. Many RV dealers have pre-trip maintenance packages that include servicing the refrigerator, furnace, air conditioner, stove and batteries. If your fresh water system has not been used over the winter, running a weak solution of vinegar through the pipes will serve as a disinfectant. (Be sure to flush thoroughly with fresh water before using.) If you have a generator, you may want to get that serviced. Finally, a good wash and wax job will get your "castle" looking sharp for the road.Home PreparationsNo one wants to leave on a long anticipated trip and then worry about their home all the while they are gone. There are a number of things you can do to give some peace of mind. My wife Pam and I have a neighbor who keeps an eye on our place. Our house sitter brings in our mail and newspapers and waters our plants. While away, we hire a lawn service to cut the grass. Tom, are wonderful sitter, checks to make sure they do their job. Also, when we had a cat, he would care for her. A house sitter is invaluable when you are on an extended camping trip!
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Yes sir, we are getting more excited each day. Our trip starts the second week in May and we have a lot of planning left to do.
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-- posted by Tom_Stephens
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I'll call Sprint today and get all their info. That's a great rate for coast to coast cell phone coverage. We really need to have that these days just to be on the safe side. We're excited to see
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-- posted by Naomi_Mathews
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Thanks for your post. Pam and I just signed up with Sprint PCS--$29.99/mo., 120 minutes, no charge for long distance. The network is coast to coast and growing.We have always camped up at Yellowst
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-- posted by Tom_Stephens
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Hi, Tom --Thanks for all of your great and timely camping advice. I'm sure many, many campers will benefit from this article -- including hubby and me. Although we've camped for a good many years,
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-- posted by Naomi_Mathews
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