An RV is a tool to get you to your adventure destination and provide shelter. RV living has its challenges, though. It is not all spectacular sunsets and campfires. Surprises happen that can disrupt schedules and mental or emotional stability for the moment.

Not test driving an RV can lead to a disaster

Test drive the vehicle before you buy it. It will almost always look its best just before purchase. But a vehicle’s looks mean nothing about its mechanical abilities. So, take it out. Listen to the engine for strange sounds. Try the appliances. Get underneath and look for rust on the chassis. The last thing you want to do is pay for something only to realize twenty miles later that the engine is in the process of blowing up on you. Don’t let the excitement of the purchase lead you blindly.

Keep an eye out for critters

Enjoying a day at a park in the van, travel trailer, fifth-wheel, or motorhome can become a disaster if a pet you travel with discovers a skunk. That smell will not only be on the pet, but anything the pet lays down on inside the RV. This translates to a lot of pungent odor on rugs, bedding, and any clothing the pet brushed upon. So, keep an eye out for critters.

Skunks are rare occurrences. Mice are not. Keep your screen door closed as often as possible. Don’t forget to look under the RV and in the storage compartments for any holes that mice can climb up into. A hole to the cabin means open season to a mouse and any other rodent or snake. So, repair them before your next trip because mice don’t just eat food, they eat wires too. Wire looms that have been eaten through can lead to disasters.

Lack of roadside assistance can lead to an RV vacation nightmare

Imagine a tire blows out on your RV during a Holiday, in the rain, at night. Now imagine you have no roadside assistance, and you’re in a remote location. Then you discover you have no spare tire (many RVs don’t). If you bought the van, travel trailer, fifth-wheel, or motorhome new, then you probably have some kind of roadside assistance that comes with the purchase. But, with many used RV purchases, not so much. Don’t end up in this situation. Get a reputable roadside assistance program.

Not having an emergency fund for RV concerns

Not having an emergency fund can lead to disasters. Sometimes repairs will come up that are a bit beyond your skill level to fix, or that you don’t have the tools to fix even if you did have the skills necessary for said repair. That’s when an emergency fund comes in handy. Every little bit set aside ahead of time will provide a financial cushion and can ensure that you get back to your travel plans as soon as possible. As an aside, you should keep some basic tools in your RV too!

RV life can be a refreshing, glorious, adventurous, memory-making experience. But we should not be naive to think it does not come with challenges as well. If we are smart and plan ahead, then potential disasters can be averted. Test driving before buying, keeping an eye out for critters, having roadside assistance, and preparing an emergency fund can all go a long way to giving you peace of mind for your next trip. They can also make it less likely that the trip’s memories would be recalled as a disaster.