How To

Tips for Planning and Executing Travel Days in a Pleasure-Way

PW Industries

July 2, 2024

This blog is focused on the best tips and tricks for setting yourself and your Pleasure-Way up for success on the road. We understand that travel days can be stressful and overwhelming at times, especially if it is an unfamiliar journey or a spontaneous unplanned trip. Here’s some helpful advice we would recommend considering to help alleviate stress and have more success for your next road trip!

Set Your Budget

The first step of any trip should be setting a budget! Doing this helps you preplan your trip so you can spend more time enjoying yourself at your destination instead of planning. Setting your budget will also allow you to prioritize and maximize your stay and align all your activities and accommodations with the amount your comfortable spending.

Plan Your Route

Begin planning your desired route and include a rough time line of any stops you want to explore on the way and include the estimated arrival time. Utilize gas station locations on a map to ensure you won’t risk running out of fuel. Minimize the long travel days and maximize rest stops by stocking up on food, water, and gas. Don’t forget to stretch and stay hydrated!

Plan to Arrive Before Dark

If this is one of your first few RV road trips, we recommend aiming to get to your destination before it gets dark. The loss of light can add extra stress and confusion when trying to get everything properly sorted and set up. This might mean you drive a little less each day than you’d prefer, but it will minimize the stress in the long run. Additionally, arriving early to your campsite ensures you won’t get stuck with the left-over sites. Some campgrounds may require a check in time during specific hours, be sure to check before you arrive!

Prepare for the Weather

Become familiar with your destination’s climate. Choosing the right clothing for varying weather is crucial for your safety, comfort, and enjoyment outdoors. Being too hot or too cold can be super uncomfortable, so pack accordingly and don’t be shy of layering up! In extreme conditions, packing the right attire can be life-saving.

Photo by Pam Solomni, Donna Lamontagne & Bobbi Bergstrom

Plan What to Bring

Having your Pleasure-Way allows you to have the freedom to pack things you couldn’t necessarily bring on other trips. Your Pleasure-Way is yours to stock and make comfortable and accessible to suit your needs on and off the road. Take inventory of what you currently have in your motorhome so you can gain a better idea of what you will need. Some emergency items you should consider bringing on your trip are:

First aid kit
Paper map
Spare tire
Flashlights
Food that won’t spoil
Bottled water
Tow rope
Fire extinguisher

Reserve Campgrounds Early

A general rule of thumb when booking campgrounds is to try and book at least six months ahead of your trip, especially if it’s a National Park. Most National Park campsites are available for reservation six months in advance, however they all vary with location; some can be three months in advance, and some will be open to nine months in advance. Do research and know when you can book, as not all campgrounds require a reservation. Campendium is a great website resource that can help you with this process. Summer is the most popular season for camping and the busyness tends to run from Memorial-day to Labour day, so it is best to follow these tips and book early.

Meal Preparation

One of the biggest perks of travelling in your Pleasure-Way is taking your fridge with you everywhere you go. Taking the time to plan out the meals you desire before you leave on your journey will allow you to save money or cut down on meal preparation time while you’re relaxing on the road. Here’s some ideas!

Yogurt parfait
Bagels and cream cheese
Overnight oats
Breakfast burritos
Pasta salad
Wraps
Salads
Lasagna
Fried vegetables with rice
Rice stir fry
Soups
Spaghetti

Photo by Pam Solomni, Donna Lamontagne & Bobbi Bergstrom

Level Your RV

A perfect RV trip depends on a properly leveled rig. Leveling is made to compensate for any unevenness in the ground, as parking on a slope is not safe and uncomfortable. Being level will prevent any doors or cupboards from opening unwantedly, objects falling off the counter, uncomfortably sleeping on a slant, and will prevent stumbling or tripping in your motorhome. Leveling your Pleasure-Way is important in order to allow the amenities in your coach to function correctly. Your RV appliances work best when the motorhome is level, especially regarding the refrigerator- it must be leveled so it can function to its optimal potential. This also applies to the drainage and air conditioner for condensation purposes. Especially in rainy weather, ensure your motorhome is levelled so the water can drain and shed in the appropriate manner.

Properly Distribute Weight

Weight distribution plays a factor in your safety while on the road, and revolves around where the weight sits in your vehicle. A motorhome that isn’t packed or loaded properly can lead to several issues regarding braking and steering, and can cause tipping or swaying especially in difficult winds or when taking sharp turns. It is important to have a stable weight distribution to ensure that your motorhome’s centre of gravity is even and you can drive safely.

Understand Your Motorhome

Knowing and understanding your RV inside and out will help make your life much easier and less stressful when you’re on the road. Allow yourself to become extremely familiar with the basics of your Pleasure-Way and study the owner’s manual to ensure that if something does go out of plan, you know how to properly handle it without additional stress and hassle.