Marnie & Stephen's RV Trip Planning Page

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Marnie & Stephen's RV Trip Planning Page

Last updated 2011 August 6

Marnie and Stephen went fulltime September 2006 but Steve has owned various RVs for camping and hunting since the early 1990s. Over the years we have developed checklists and resources to help plan our trips. Trip or travel planning can mean the difference between a fun adventure or a complete disaster.

This page is an opportunity to organize those resources for our use and as a helpful resource for others. Feel free to make this page a Favorite or link to it from your own site.

Planning Steps
________________ Activity
__________ Description
________________________________ Resources
________________________________

Step 1 Insurance & ERS Do you have adequate insurance and road side assistance (ERS) that covers your RV and toad (Towed Vehicle)? Some insurance companies will want you to call before a trip, like Progressive if you are a FullTimer. Consider special insurance needs if you are leaving the USA. How about emergency medical care and medication refills? Have a list of important info to provide on the phone to any service provider like this. Emergency Roadside Assistance from GoodSamERS.com

Step 2 Travel Plans and Itinerary This starts with putting a dot on an atlas where you are, and a dot where you are going (if you have a specific destination), then picking the route based on your preferences (main highways, freeways or back roads), the things you want to do and places you want to see. While this is the first step prepare to change your plan as you interact with the rest of these steps. Use the internet to find nearby points of interest in cities along your route:

Custom Search

Step 3 Camping Sites & Reservations Have the Length of your rig and toad (Towed Vehicle) handy when calling to make reservations.

National RV Parks directory and reviews

Here are some more useful resources provided by Good Sam Club:

RV Park Directories from TrailerLifeDirectory.com

RV Camping Directories from Woodalls.com

Camping Discounts from Good Sam Club

Also, this KOA resource: http://www.koa-directory.com/koadirectory/201112#pg1

Step 4 RV Dimensions You will need to know the dimensions of your RV for a safe trip. No excuses. If you haven't done so already, have the rig weighed at a certified public scale (at least each axel and preferably each wheel) and document it, both for making sure you are not overloaded and to prove it in the event of an accident. You will need the absolute height, including antennas and your overall length including your toad (towed vehicle). You need these dimensions posted where the driver can read them while driving. Consider taking a picture of your rig and writing the dimensions right on it.

Step 5 Check for Low Bridges Armed with your RV height it is worth the effort to make sure you fit under bridges an such on your route, especially if you are going on back roads. AITA Low Clearances
Low Clearance Resource

Step 6 Maximum Length Routes There are restrictions on the length of an RV on some roads, we learned that the hard way on the "scenic bypass" Mckinsey Pass, OR and they often don't post the restriction until you are committed to the route. Besides that you could miss the sign so do yourself a favor and research the routes you intend to take for length restrictions.

Custom Search

Step 7 Meal Plans/Grocery list Make a list of meals you plan to have on the road. You'll probably budget for eating at a restaurant once or twice a week but you will need a grocery list for meals you prepare at "home". It is easiest if you just have a few dishes that you will be making to keep it simple. We plan a meal for each day of one week and then we just multiply that plan by the number of weeks. From that list we can know the quantities of food for the number of meals for our grocery list. You don't have to stick to the plan strictly, this is just to make sure you have what you need. You'll find your list handy when trying to decide what to have for dinner. Also, consider just keeping some nonperishable staples for some of your favorite meals; Chicken Soup, Mac & Cheese, Spam or whatever. Here is a form we printed out and had laminated to use for planning our Weekly Menu.

Step 8 Check Firearm Laws for Each State Steve had to give up the shooting sports due to his disabilities, but the firearm laws in other cities and states might apply to you if you decide to take a firearm on your trip. While the Federal Government supports your right to transport on Federal highways, it gets more fuzzy when you stop for fuel or camping. The laws for each State change frequently so try and find up-to-date laws on travel, carry and storage of the type of firearm you will have with you for sporting or self-defense. Some states, believe it or not, do not recognize individual rights to self-defense. Not only is that absurd but an illegal law! Try making it illegal for a rattlesnake to bite, or make its fangs illegal - then pull its tail. Self-defense is an instinct and a God given right! Consider subscribing to the free CCW newsletter at http://www.ccwreport.com

Get the latest synopsis of each states laws as they change quite frequently http://www.gunlawguide.com/

Step 9 International Here are some additional considerations:

Passport (Remember you need this even for Mexico and Canada now)

Transfer some money into savings for ATMs as some banks default to this account when overseas (I.E. Credit Unions)

Call your credit card companies, share travel plans (so they don't freeze your account to prevent fraud)

Step 10 Fuel Stops Depending on your rig (oversized or specialty fuel) you may need to go back over your route to find accommodating fuel stops. As an example, a station carrying diesel that is easy access for our MH is difficult to find in our area. We can only fuel well on our way down the road.

rv-info.net/rvfuel

More resources and handy checklist to come so please check back periodically.

if you have any question or comments send us an email at:

snmdurbin@earthlink.net

FulltimeRV & Personal Sites Map

Planning Steps ________________	Activity __________	Description ________________________________	Resources ________________________________
Step 1	Insurance & ERS	Do you have adequate insurance and road side assistance (ERS) that covers your RV and toad (Towed Vehicle)? Some insurance companies will want you to call before a trip, like Progressive if you are a FullTimer. Consider special insurance needs if you are leaving the USA. How about emergency medical care and medication refills? Have a list of important info to provide on the phone to any service provider like this.	Emergency Roadside Assistance from GoodSamERS.com
Step 2	Travel Plans and Itinerary	This starts with putting a dot on an atlas where you are, and a dot where you are going (if you have a specific destination), then picking the route based on your preferences (main highways, freeways or back roads), the things you want to do and places you want to see. While this is the first step prepare to change your plan as you interact with the rest of these steps.	Use the internet to find nearby points of interest in cities along your route: Custom Search
Step 3	Camping Sites & Reservations	Have the Length of your rig and toad (Towed Vehicle) handy when calling to make reservations.	National RV Parks directory and reviews Here are some more useful resources provided by Good Sam Club: RV Park Directories from TrailerLifeDirectory.com RV Camping Directories from Woodalls.com Camping Discounts from Good Sam Club Also, this KOA resource: http://www.koa-directory.com/koadirectory/201112#pg1
Step 4	RV Dimensions	You will need to know the dimensions of your RV for a safe trip. No excuses. If you haven't done so already, have the rig weighed at a certified public scale (at least each axel and preferably each wheel) and document it, both for making sure you are not overloaded and to prove it in the event of an accident. You will need the absolute height, including antennas and your overall length including your toad (towed vehicle). You need these dimensions posted where the driver can read them while driving.	Consider taking a picture of your rig and writing the dimensions right on it.
Step 5	Check for Low Bridges	Armed with your RV height it is worth the effort to make sure you fit under bridges an such on your route, especially if you are going on back roads.	Low Clearance Resource
Step 6	Maximum Length Routes	There are restrictions on the length of an RV on some roads, we learned that the hard way on the "scenic bypass" Mckinsey Pass, OR and they often don't post the restriction until you are committed to the route. Besides that you could miss the sign so do yourself a favor and research the routes you intend to take for length restrictions.	Custom Search
Step 7	Meal Plans/Grocery list	Make a list of meals you plan to have on the road. You'll probably budget for eating at a restaurant once or twice a week but you will need a grocery list for meals you prepare at "home". It is easiest if you just have a few dishes that you will be making to keep it simple. We plan a meal for each day of one week and then we just multiply that plan by the number of weeks. From that list we can know the quantities of food for the number of meals for our grocery list. You don't have to stick to the plan strictly, this is just to make sure you have what you need. You'll find your list handy when trying to decide what to have for dinner. Also, consider just keeping some nonperishable staples for some of your favorite meals; Chicken Soup, Mac & Cheese, Spam or whatever.	Here is a form we printed out and had laminated to use for planning our Weekly Menu.
Step 8	Check Firearm Laws for Each State	Steve had to give up the shooting sports due to his disabilities, but the firearm laws in other cities and states might apply to you if you decide to take a firearm on your trip. While the Federal Government supports your right to transport on Federal highways, it gets more fuzzy when you stop for fuel or camping. The laws for each State change frequently so try and find up-to-date laws on travel, carry and storage of the type of firearm you will have with you for sporting or self-defense. Some states, believe it or not, do not recognize individual rights to self-defense. Not only is that absurd but an illegal law! Try making it illegal for a rattlesnake to bite, or make its fangs illegal - then pull its tail. Self-defense is an instinct and a God given right!	Consider subscribing to the free CCW newsletter at http://www.ccwreport.com Get the latest synopsis of each states laws as they change quite frequently http://www.gunlawguide.com/
Step 9	International	Here are some additional considerations: Passport (Remember you need this even for Mexico and Canada now) Transfer some money into savings for ATMs as some banks default to this account when overseas (I.E. Credit Unions) Call your credit card companies, share travel plans (so they don't freeze your account to prevent fraud)
Step 10	Fuel Stops	Depending on your rig (oversized or specialty fuel) you may need to go back over your route to find accommodating fuel stops. As an example, a station carrying diesel that is easy access for our MH is difficult to find in our area. We can only fuel well on our way down the road.	rv-info.net/rvfuel