It's that time of year once again when the cooler weather starts to set in and the truly cold months are looming ever closer on the horizon. Northern snowbirds everywhere are already preparing for the journey south for the annual escape to the sub-tropical climates in states like Florida, Arizona, Texas and California. As you're preparing for your journey to gorgeous coastal regions, inland escapes, or breathtaking desert areas, there are some important tips to keep in mind.
RV and Tow Vehicle Inspections
It's extremely important to ensure that your RV and tow vehicle are in the very best condition before you set off for your winter destination. Here are some practical tips on making sure you're getting everything properly inspected:
Winterizing Your Home
If you're planning on being away from your home for several months, you'll need to decide if you're going to winterize your home or leave all your systems running and hope for the best. If you decide to winterize your home while you're away, you can follow these simple steps:
Packing for Your Trip
The best way to begin planning to pack for your trip is to create a checklist of items to take with you such as:
You will also want to purge old items that you haven't used in over a year with the exception of safety items to help manage the Gross Vehicle Weight Ratio (GVWR) of your RV. You can find this information in the owner's manual. Overloading your rig can affect the handling and performance of your vehicle, which can lead to potentially unsafe situations depending on road and weather conditions.
International/Canadian RVers
In addition to all of the usual preparations, international travelers, such as those heading to the southern states from Canada, must deal with extra traveling duties like: