Heading South with your RV: 5 things to Know Before you Leave

It’s about that time.  Chill is in the air in the north and mid-states.  Most RVers want to head toward the southern hemisphere or at least south.  You are not alone in your desire to use your RV to escape to someplace that feels tropical.  Traveling with warm weather is a goal of many RVers whether you are full-time or you are taking your rig out of storage for your next sunny adventure. 

It Still Gets Cold

First, you need to know the favorite ‘weather saying’ in the south.  “If you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes and it will change.”  Haven’t you heard that sooo many times?  And that’s because it is true.  The southern states or countries may be warm-er but it doesn’t mean they are in the 70s or 80s the entire time.  And what is warm to one person is not to another. 

Layering 

Don’t pack parkas or heavy coats.  With a small space in your RV, it is better to layer your clothing depending on the temperature. This gets you multiple uses out of clothing.  Also, small items like gloves, scarves, and hats can keep you warm without taking up too much valuable real estate.

Warm Foods 

Foods can help knock off the chill too.  It is better to pack them with you than to try to find them in a new location.  Items that don’t take up too much room are packets of soup mixes and hot cocoas.

Propane

Fill up your propane before you go.  You also might check propane fill-up areas in the south.  If it does turn up a little chilly, you will need propane for cooking up your warm foods, running propane heaters, or heating water.  You don’t want a surprise cold snap to turn your getaway into a freezing experience.

Book Early

When you head south, so are a lot of other RVers and vacationers.  The top reason for doing so is to escape the cold and enjoy a warm, beautiful view.  But this season is the time to pay attention to schedules that will get you better spots and costs.

Costs down South 

Sometimes there are early booking discounts or extra amenities when you book early.  Also, if you plan on staying for long periods, monthly discount rates may be available. Pay attention to the agreements when you book.  There may be penalties for cancellations or changes.  The more amenities you need for your site, the more you can expect to pay.

Snowbirds

You are not the only one heading south.  Another reason to book early is to get a leg up on the ‘competition’.  The more popular a destination, the earlier you need to book.  If you are considering a popular destination area, you want to try and book at least 12 months in advance.  Other areas may require six to nine months of pre-booking.

Spot Rentals

Think outside the box.  You don’t just have to rent at campgrounds or parks.  Site owners can rent out their spots.  In some southern areas, you can stay for free on Bureau of Land Management properties or pay a small fee for two weeks.  It depends on the amenities you expect for your stay.  The best and most reasonably priced spots will go quickly.

Weather Protection

It doesn’t matter what type of weather you are traveling in, there will be a list of things you need to consider for RV longevity.  You want your RV to last as long as possible to enjoy the trips you dream about taking.

Tire Covers 

Tire covers protect your tires against rain and snow, but they also protect from the sun.  They are a small investment compared to the price of RV tires, so a lot of professionals recommend them.  If you are heading south, you can expect rain and sun so protect against UV rays and your tires heating up.

Rust 

Sea salt erodes metal.  If you are planning a southern retreat to coastal areas and spending long amounts of time, it is good to consider RV undercoating, primers with rust-resistant paint or other options that will help manage rust while you are enjoying the ocean.

Personal Health 

Don’t forget about what you need as well as your rig.  If you are heading south, you will be heading a little closer to the equator.  Be sure to bring hats, sunscreens, and even RV umbrellas or shade coverings.  The last thing you want is to endure the rest of your vacation with a sunburn.

Home Base

Don’t forget about home base.  When you automatically get services daily in a brick-and-mortar home without lifting a finger, it is easy to let it slip by that you need to make a change.  Or, if you full time, you still need to make some updates.  Someone, somewhere needs to know where you are, even if it is just the mail service. 

Mail 

If you have a brick-and-mortar home you are leaving, you need to put your mail on hold or have a friend or family member pick it up.  If you are full-time, you need to check and make sure that the RV campground you are heading to will accept mail and packages.  If not, you need to arrange for a mail drop or mailbox at your southern destination.

Family

Whether you are full-time, seasonal, or a weekend warrior, it is always important to let friends and family know where you will be.  We have a group text where we send out a notification when we are moving from one location to another.  Family may not be able to get to where you are, but they will at least know you are safe during weather condition reports.  They can also help with watching your home while you are away if local and you have a stationary home.

Utilities 

Naturally you will want to make sure you can put any utilities on hold in a brick-and-mortar.  You will also want to know where you will be staying if the utilities are included.  Usually, if you are staying up to a few weeks, they are included but if you go monthly, they may not be.  Know what utilities will be included so you are prepared for what you will need to supplement or pay more.

Rig Prep

When you are taking your rig to a new location, it is always important to make sure it can stand up to the upcoming forces of nature.  You also want to be prepared for the unexpected as much as possible, so it doesn’t interfere with your trip south.  Here are a few things you can do that will make a world of difference in your escape south.

Pre-Checks

Check all the equipment in your RV that you plan to use on your trip and make sure it is serviced in advance.  Look at things like air conditioners, stoves, microwaves, or other large appliances that can be costly or impossible to get fixed or replaced in a short period.

Maintenance 

Oil, lube, refill, or replace small items around your RV that will get a lot of use, like slides, windows, doors, ladders, and wheels.  You want everything in working order and don’t want to be doing the maintenance on the road.  If you are a full-time RVer, then plan your maintenance into your travel schedule.

Replacement Parts 

Be familiar with the parts on your RV that tend to break down or apart regularly.  If you aren’t, do a little research online and you will find what tends to be an ongoing issue for other RVers.  Order these parts in advance to have them in hand.  It is important because some replacement parts can take as much as 3-6 months or more to get.  And even though some of these parts are the usual suspects for replacement, they may still not be in stock at local dealers.

I hope you enjoy the South and the warm temperatures it can bring.  We have a route we tend to like to follow around the United States.  It varies every year depending on other obligations and trying to meet up with family and friends but for the most part, we always seek temperatures in the mid-seventies.  If you don’t have a set route planned, you may want to check out climate scientist Brian Brettschneider’s map of where it is always 70 degrees for travel.  It is one of the fun things about having an RV, right?  You can escape to where you want to be.