Planning the Great Australian Road Trip with your RV

Planning a road trip with your RV is one of the most exciting things you can do and now is the perfect time to make sure you and your van are prepared. Whether it’s a quick getaway to the beach or a long journey across the country, road-tripping and camping with an RV are certainly worth your every effort. Nothing feels better than traversing the roads and being able to cover long distances under your own terms. That said, any great Australian road trip requires a bit of planning and preparation to ensure a safe and memorable adventure.

The upshot is you only get to buy everything you need all at once. This makes it extremely important that you are well-equipped with the right tools and equipment before taking off on a whim. Here is how you should prepare for your next great road trip with your beloved RV.

Choosing the right RV for your adventure

RVs come in many different shapes and sizes. In general, the bigger the RV, the more amenities, attachments, and transformable features it has. But that’s not to say you shouldn’t consider getting a small RV as they can also prove advantageous in certain situations. Here are the different types of RVs for you to choose from.

Camper trailer

Camper trailers are very popular in Australia. They’re usually much smaller than other RVs, but what they lack in size, they more than make up for it in terms of affordability and maneuverability. Camper trailers often come with extendable berth tents and a pop-top roof. Think of it as a modern hybrid between a tent and a trailer. It’s lightweight and you don’t need a 4WD to bring your home to the country.

Pop-top

As the name suggests, a pop-top has a retractable roof that pops up to increase headroom and provide a more comfortable living space. You can also erect an awning to provide shade during the hot summer months or when the rain is pouring. Pop-tops are perfect for those who are looking for additional space while maintaining a sleek profile similar to that of a camper trailer.

Caravan

Modern caravans offer a spacious and luxurious home while you’re out on the road. They come complete with a bathroom, kitchen, and all the headroom in the world for a truly comfortable RVing experience. Caravans are great for long-term stays in your chosen location whether it be a campsite or in other permitted areas. The only downside is that you’ll need a vehicle with plenty of horsepower to tow a caravan as it is very heavy.

Motorhomes

If you don’t have a vehicle for towing purposes, don’t worry. Motorhomes are built specifically for this purpose. Motorhomes are basically an RV that’s fitted with a vehicle engine. They have plenty of seating capacity and come complete with all the amenities you need for camping like a kitchen, transformable dining/seating, and multiple sleeping areas/berths. For occasional road-trippers who want an all-in-one solution, a motorhome should be on top of your list.

Equipment you need for your road trip

Before you head out, you want to make sure that you’re carrying the right equipment with you. Being caught unprepared can potentially be dangerous, so make sure to go through this entire checklist for your safety and peace of mind.

• Communication -  This is an absolute must if you’re going into remote places. For this reason, you may want to consider investing in a satellite phone, a portable wireless router, a mobile broadband dongle, or even satellite WiFi.

• Power - If you’re planning on staying in RV parks with an electrical hookup, then you may not need to worry about this. However, if you’re planning on camping out, you may want to install solar panels to keep your RV’s battery constantly charged.

• Storage - Stock up on water tanks and jerry cans with a minimum capacity of 20L so you can bring your own fuel and water when you’re out on the road.

• Food - Portable fridges are great for when you’re camping and you want to keep perishables fresher for longer. Don’t forget to bring a cooler with you as these will come in handy when chilling beverages and non-perishables.

• Entertainment - A little bit of entertainment can go a long way towards keeping everyone sane during a road trip. Bring several board games with you and have fun playing with family and friends while camping out.

• Security - It is imperative to ensure that your RV is carrying the necessary security features for your travels. Whether it is locks or clamps, this is something you need to prepare before you set off.

From there, you can explore a whole host of RV gadgets available on the market to make your RVing experience more fun and exciting. Road tripping has long been an Aussie tradition and there’s a huge sense of reward after coming back from a long adventure. By choosing the right RV and bringing the right equipment with you, you can traverse any road in Australia and create life-changing experiences.