Now that 2016 has come to an end, it’s about time to narrow down which resolutions will make it to the new year. Here are five that are worth adding to your list for 2017 to make RVing more fun, and less stressful.
1. Travel slower
A common complaint RVers have is that they travel too fast and get burnt out. It’s easy to get caught up in the desire to see as much as possible and push the mileage driven each day and how frequently they move from one location to another. But traveling too quickly eventually takes a toll. It’s stressful to constantly figure out where the next campsite will be, set-up, and break-down camp. Commit to slowing down in the new year, take breaks on travel days, and spend more time in one place. Not only will this save fuel money, but it will also provide the opportunity to get to know a location like a local instead of visiting it as a tourist.
2. Purchase an America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass
The America the Beautiful Annual Pass allows pass-holders to not only visit any of the 58 national parks but it also covers entry fees for over 2,000 federal recreation sites at lands managed by U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Our national parks and other public lands are home to the greatest natural wonders in the U.S. There’s so much diversity, from caves to volcanoes to hot springs to glaciers to sand dunes. At $80, the annual pass is the most economical and convenient way to visit our public lands.
3. Visit places off-season
National and state parks can be overcrowded and far from enjoyable during their peak seasons. Take advantage of the flexibility and freedom that RVing brings and choose to visit those places during the off-season. Not only will you be rewarded with having a park nearly to yourself, but you’ll also get first pick at the campgrounds and no strangers photobombing your shots. Off-season visits also means you get to see those places in a different and unique way – making it an unforgettable experience.
4. Boondock more often
Boondocking is the ultimate camping experience. Escape the noise, rules and costs of RV parks while still having all the comforts of your home at your fingertips. It’s a worthwhile experience to wake up surrounded by nothing but nature. Boondocking for the first time may be overwhelming, but there are tons of online resources to help you get started – from finding free boondocking sites to how to be self-sufficient in your rig. Just remember to leave your campsite cleaner than you found it.
5. Get solar panels
Why turn down free energy? Since most RVers are chasing good weather, there’s usually lots of sunny days to help recharge your RV batteries. The freedom and environmental benefits solar panels bring is worth the initial investment – which doesn’t even have to break the bank. You can choose between adding a couple hundred watts on your RV rooftop or go with a ground deploy setup. Solar panels can help you stay boondocked longer and make you less dependent on a generator.
Do you have any resolutions for the new year? We’d love to hear them in the comments below.
Also make sure to check out these Upcoming RV Shows In 2017.
