You’ve seen the Instagram posts. The smiling couple parked lakeside, sipping coffee out of matching mugs, their dog perched perfectly on the steps of a gleaming RV. The open road stretches ahead, and the caption reads something inspirational like:
“Home is where you park it.”
Well… yes.
And also, home is where your gray water tank just hit full mid-shower, and your dog threw up on the doormat during a thunderstorm somewhere outside of Amarillo.
Let’s talk about the things most new RV travelers forget to plan for. The things that won’t make your Instagram feed—but will absolutely shape your experience (and your sanity).
1. RV Size Isn’t Just About Comfort—It’s About Where You Can Actually Park
First mistake many folks make? They buy or rent the biggest, most luxurious rig they can afford… and then realize half the places they wanted to stay can’t accommodate it.
A 40-foot Class A motorhome may feel like a palace, but trying to back it into a cozy campground built in the ‘70s? That’s a full-body workout and a potential therapy session.
Pro tip: Always check the maximum site length before you roll in. Campgrounds like Mustang Run RV Park in Yukon, OK (wink wink) are built for modern RVs, but not every stop on your journey will be.
2. Route Planning Requires More Than Just Google Maps
Google Maps might get you to the Grand Canyon, but it doesn’t warn you about low-clearance bridges, propane-restricted tunnels, or steep grades that’ll make your brakes weep.
RV-specific GPS apps (like RV LIFE or CoPilot) are your new best friends. They’ll save you from taking a “scenic” route that turns into a 20-mile reverse operation.
Also: always, always check the wind forecast if you’re driving through Oklahoma. You haven’t really lived until a 40 mph gust tries to introduce your RV to the guardrail.
3. Packing for an RV Trip? Think Less ‘Suitcase’ and More ‘Tiny Apartment That Moves’
Space is tight. Everything needs to do double duty. A collapsible dish rack? A must. A broom that hides behind the fridge? Crucial. That third pair of boots? Get outta here with that.
People pack for RV life like it’s a two-week vacation. But really, you’re setting up a mobile life. That means:
- Storage bins that actually fit in cabinets
- Command hooks on every available surface
- A dedicated “junk drawer” you swear you’ll keep organized (you won’t)
And for the love of campground karma, bring extra sewer hoses. Just… trust us.
4. Campground Etiquette: You’ll Learn Fast… or You’ll Be The One Everyone Talks About
No one tells you how fast campground culture can humble you. Your neighbor? Retired Navy who’s been RVing for 25 years. You? Just spent 45 minutes trying to level your rig and are now Googling “Why does my black tank smell like the end of days?”
Here’s how not to be that camper:
- Don’t walk through someone else’s site (in RV terms, that’s basically trespassing)
- Quiet hours are not a suggestion
- Always wave, even if you’re sweating through your T-shirt during setup. RVers are a friendly bunch, but they never forget someone who didn’t wave.
5. Staying Connected Is Trickier Than It Sounds
Ah, the promise of “working remotely” while living your RV dream. We love the optimism.
But here’s the deal: not all campgrounds are created equal when it comes to WiFi, and even the ones with “great service” can get bogged down once everyone’s streaming Yellowstone in the evenings.
At Campground Collective’s Mustang Run, we’ve made it a thing to have WiFi that actually works—even when your teenager is deep into a YouTube rabbit hole and you’re mid-Zoom call. Not every place can say that (but we’re not naming names).
Invest in a mobile hotspot, or—better yet—stay places that have figured out how to cater to real life, not just rustic fantasy.
6. Your Travel Style Will Change. Let It.
You may start out thinking you’ll boondock in the mountains and live off-grid. Two weeks later, you’re searching for the nearest full-hookup site with laundry, a dog park, and decent water pressure.
Let it happen.
RV travel is about freedom, yes—but it’s also about learning what you like. Some people live for dry camping. Some need to know their next hot shower is only a few feet away.
Campgrounds like ours exist to meet you wherever you are on that spectrum—whether you’re road-hardened or just trying out RV life before committing to the full send.
7. Oh Yeah… Things Break
Here’s a fun stat: an RV is basically a house built during an earthquake that gets dragged down the highway at 65 mph.
Stuff will rattle. Stuff will shake. Stuff will absolutely fall off.
Get yourself a basic toolkit, some sealant tape, and a healthy sense of humor. You’re gonna need all three.
Also: if your rig doesn’t make weird noises at night, are you even camping?
Final Thoughts (That You Should Definitely Screenshot and Pretend Were Your Own)
- Don’t overthink the gear—figure it out as you go.
- Pick campgrounds with solid amenities (you’ll thank yourself at 6 a.m. with a laundry basket under one arm and a cranky toddler in the other).
- Talk to your neighbors. They’ve got tricks you won’t find on YouTube.
- And don’t forget to actually enjoy it—there’s something weirdly magical about sipping coffee under your awning, even if the dog just tracked in half the trail.
Ready to try RV life without committing to a mortgage on wheels? We’ve got RVs on site, fully hooked up, and ready for your trial run at Mustang Run in Yukon, OK. Just don’t blame us if you end up loving it.