Setting up for a long road trip means more than just changing your oil or checking tires. Choosing what to take can be a big deal when every bit of space matters. Finding somewhere to store your RV and gear between trips can also be a hassle.
Planning where your gear will go before, during, and after your trip makes everything go more smoothly.
Getting Your Vehicle and Gear Road-Trip Ready
Preparing an RV Entails Picking What To Take With You
Road trip preparation, at least on the vehicle side, has two main parts. After doing standard maintenance checks to ensure your RV drives safely, organizing the inside for extended use should be your next top priority.
Mechanically, you should check that the battery is fully charged, the tires are properly inflated, the brake and radiator fluid levels are correct, all lights are functioning, and the engine oil is changed.
Inspect belts and hoses for wear and tear, and ensure windshield wipers are in good condition. Once these checks are complete, move inside the vehicle.
Securing loose items is important, especially if you'll be driving on dirt or rural roads. Testing appliances beforehand is also wise to avoid discovering problems on the road. RV living can be cramped, especially on longer trips, so packing light and being selective is vital.
If you're a regular road tripper, having a stash of items you bring on trips could be useful. Or at least, somewhere to store gear that you're not bringing on any one particular trip.
Booking RV storage in New York, for example, puts everything you need in one place. Spaces can be booked online, with storage units also available in most locations. Booking and access are simple and convenient, with 24/7 on-site security monitoring to keep your vehicle and equipment safe.
Some things you'll need on an RV journey but probably won't need in your house year-round include leveling blocks, a sewer hose, non-perishable food, travel toiletries, extra blankets or portable fans, camp chairs and folding tables, jumper cables, fire extinguishers, and portable cooking equipment...
Basically, there's a lot of stuff you might want for a road trip that will end up as clutter if you leave it lying around your home.
Storing Vehicles - While You're Away or Between Trips
Regular travelers might switch between domestic U.S. trips and international backpacking travel. This is where vehicle storage between trips is an excellent option.
Sure, many U.S. homes have garages. But if you don't, or you also have one or more other cars in the household, then keeping an RV in the driveway for long periods between journeys could be a problem.
Vehicles left unused for a long time, especially when exposed to the elements, can become worn down and damaged. Keeping your RV or road trip vehicle stored in a controlled environment, such as RV storage, ensures it is in top condition whenever you need it.
Plus, these spaces serve as a convenient way to keep all your road trip gear close to the vehicle without cluttering your house or garage. This reduces stress when coming back home after a trip. Instead of having to leave stuff in the RV or figure out where it goes in your home, you leave it all in the same external space.
Even if you don't end up storing it there for long, having that space to mentally reorganize when you return from a trip will always be beneficial. Once you've started planning your next trip, you can assess what you need to keep or what you can bring home.
Flexibility Permits for Unpredictable Plans
Leading on from the above, month-to-month storage unit options are great for backpackers and road trippers.
You might not be sure how long you'll be using an RV each year or how long you'll be out of the country. Therefore, you'll want to store your vehicle somewhere you can easily cancel and/or pick up again without worrying about paying for long-term fixed contracts.
Imagine you have a personal emergency and need to cancel your trip. Having somewhere to keep your RV while you figure out what you're doing can be highly valuable.
On the other side, treating storage as part of an orderly routine can help prevent last-minute rushes and decisions. If you're going on multiple trips a year throughout different seasons, it is a good idea to keep all your gear stored near your vehicle and home base, without cluttering your day-to-day life.
This simplifies every step of preparing for a road trip, from vehicle maintenance to planning to pre-trip packing to post-trip decompress.
Taking a road trip, as opposed to just driving somewhere, is just as much about the experience as it is about any destination, especially when you're planning a scenic road trip route that's worth slowing down for.
To that end, carefully preparing your vehicle and gear before you set off will ensure you can concentrate on the journey.
This story was published in collaboration with Bolt Storage and edited by the Go Backpacking team for clarity and fit.
