Use checklists for setup, teardown, winterization

Last week, we shared the first 13 tips in our two-part series for RV newbies—and the response was a great reminder that the learning curve is real, even when you’re having a blast. This week, we’re back with 15 more tips to help you reduce stress, avoid common mistakes, and keep your focus where it belongs: on time outside with the people you love.

We’re going to pick up right where we left off, and we’re going to stay true to the spirit of these episodes: no gatekeeping, no judgment, and no pretending that anyone is “born” knowing how to operate an RV.

Tip 14: Camp your way and ignore the noise

This is a cornerstone tip—and it applies to everything from meals to screen time to where you camp. Social media has created a very loud, very opinionated culture around what camping is “supposed” to look like. But the reality is that every family has different needs, comfort levels, budgets, and energy.

If ordering pizza to the campground on Friday night keeps everyone happy, do it. If you want to keep limited screen time as part of your routine—especially with young kids—do it. If you want to cook on a Blackstone instead of mastering campfire cooking right away, do it. If you can only camp 20 minutes from home, do it. You will build memories whether you’re at Yellowstone or a county park that’s practically in your backyard—and you don’t need anyone’s permission to enjoy camping in the way that works for your family.

Tip 15: Expect things to break, and don’t let repairs steal your weekend

This one is blunt: things will break. Sometimes it’s your fault. Sometimes it isn’t. But either way, you don’t want to spend your precious campground time spiraling over a broken stereo, a cabinet latch, or a loose piece of trim.

We’ve been there—especially early on, when buying an RV felt like this huge, exciting “we made it to middle class life” purchase and we wanted everything to be perfect. But the campground is the point. The RV is the delivery vessel. If something breaks and it doesn’t prevent you from safely camping, put it on a list, handle it later, and get back outside.

Tip 16: Batch your warranty items so you don’t lose camping time to the dealer

New RV owners often make the same mistake: they run back to the dealer for every little issue. The problem is that dealerships can keep your RV longer than expected—sometimes waiting weeks for parts—and you can lose a big chunk of your camping season.

Instead, keep a list on your phone and batch the items. Unless it’s a safety issue or prevents the RV from rolling, wait until you have a real punch list. If possible, limit dealer visits to once a year. Your camping time matters, and “prime season” is not when you want your RV sitting behind a service bay waiting for a part you didn’t even know was backordered.

Tip 17: Join the right Facebook groups and avoid the mean ones

There are amazing RV Facebook groups… and there are “rage-baity” groups where people smell newbie blood and circle like sharks.

Our recommendation: join manufacturer-specific groups and make/model subgroups. Those communities can be incredibly helpful when you have a problem and want a fast fix from people who own the same rig. Also look for smaller, niche regional groups where people actually share campground intel and want to help.

If a group makes you feel stressed, embarrassed, or angry after you read it, leave. Protect your peace. RVing is supposed to be fun.

And of course–join the RV Atlas group on facebook! We keep things friendly there!

Tip 18: Make spare keys and consider an electronic RV lock

At some point, most people lock themselves out of their RV. Don’t wait for that moment to realize you should have planned ahead.

Get spare keys made and stash them in a smart place. And if you want to level up, consider an electronic RV lock with a keypad and fobs. We’ve used these across multiple RVs and love the convenience—especially when you can keep fobs in different vehicles so you’re never “one forgotten key” away from a campground puzzle you don’t want to solve.

Tip 19: Replace the RV mattress immediately

This tip is so popular because it’s so true: RV mattresses are, in general, terrible. Rock-hard. Thin. Uncomfortable. And the fastest way to improve your camping experience is to replace it right away.

We’ve replaced mattresses in five or six RVs at this point, and the difference is always dramatic. One key pro tip: pay attention to mattress thickness. A thicker mattress can block bedside cubbies or storage areas, so measure before you buy. Also, don’t assume a pricey mattress pad is the cheaper answer—many pads cost almost as much as a new mattress and still don’t solve the problem.

Tip 20: Make checklists for setup, teardown, and winterization

Lists are your friend—especially in year one.

A setup checklist prevents the classic mistakes: forgetting stabilizers, leaving steps down, not securing a TV, missing a latch, skipping a final walk-around. A teardown checklist reduces stress on travel day. And a winterization checklist can prevent very expensive “I thought we drained everything” surprises.

Eventually, a lot of this becomes second nature. But in the newbie stage, checklists are your safety net.

Tip 21: Try different camping styles 

There are more camping options than ever: KOAs, Jellystones, Spacious Skies Campgrounds, mom-and-pop parks, state parks, national parks, county parks, Harvest Hosts, Corps of Engineers, and more.

If you’re new, don’t fall into a lazy pattern of doing only one type because you think it’s “the right one.” Try a few different styles. You might think you’re a boondocking person and discover you actually love state parks. You might think you’re a full-hookups-only person and realize you enjoy simpler camping more than you expected. Preferences are earned—not predicted.

Tip 22: Don’t romanticize off-grid camping if it doesn’t fit your reality

There’s a lot of “off-grid, off-grid, off-grid” noise out there, and it can create pressure—especially if you live in the eastern U.S., where BLM-style options are limited compared to the West.

Campgrounds are not “less than.” In fact, campgrounds with infrastructure can be a more responsible way to enjoy beautiful places, because they’re designed to manage waste, protect the landscape, and keep camping sustainable. Off-grid camping requires skill and discipline—and not everyone using those spaces has treated them well. The takeaway is simple: don’t put a halo on one style of camping. Use the style that fits your life, your region, and your comfort level.

Tip 23: A three-night trip is twice as good as a two-night trip

This is one of our favorite “RV math” truths: a two-night weekend trip gives you one full day at the campground (Saturday). Friday and Sunday are mostly travel and setup/pack-up.

Add one more night and suddenly you get two full campground days. If you can swing a long weekend, it’s a game changer.

And here’s a hack if you can’t take the day off: book an extra night anyway. For example, if you can’t take Monday off, book Sunday night so you don’t have to leave at 11 a.m. on Sunday. You can enjoy a full Sunday and head out later. The extra night buys you time, flexibility, and a calmer weekend.

Tip 24: Secure everything inside your RV before you drive

Things shift and move inside an RV far more than most new owners expect. Cabinets can pop open. Items can fall. Glass can shatter. And it’s amazing how much damage one loose object can cause.

We learned this the hard way when a dining table (that should have been secured) went flying in a brand-new toy hauler and caused serious damage. Lesson learned: nothing goes on countertops for travel, avoid glass in cabinets, and use tubs, sinks, blankets, and buffers to keep items from becoming projectiles.

Tip 25: Check your speaker settings (the Finding Nemo rule)

This one is funny… but also a warning!

We once played Finding Nemo for our kids at 4 a.m., cozy and half-asleep—only to discover later that the outdoor speakers were blasting the movie through the entire campground. Nobody said anything, but the looks later in the day told the story.

If your rig has indoor/outdoor speaker settings, double-check them before you hit play—especially in the early morning or late at night.

Tip 26: Pick a camp kitchen setup that matches how you actually cook

If you’re not sure whether you want a grill, a griddle, or a camp stove, we’ve got a full episode called “Should I Get a Grill, a Griddle, or a Camp Stove?” that walks through the differences.

But the core tip here is simple: there is no universal “best.” Your ideal setup depends on how you like to cook, how much you want to prep, and what kind of camping you’re doing. Choose tools that fit your habits—not what the internet says you “should” have.

Tip 27: Breathe, relax, and don’t carry your workweek stress into the campground

One of the easiest mistakes to make is moving directly from a stressful workweek into a stressful camping weekend—because you’re still in that tense, problem-solving mode.

Camping works best when you hit pause. Take a walk. Watch the sunset. Let the small stuff go. If you can’t solve a problem in the moment, put it on the list and move on. The campground is not where you want to fixate on everything that isn’t perfect.

Tip 28: Don’t attend every argument you’re invited to

This tip applies to camping and parenting and life.

Kids will invite you into every emotional spiral: arguing, complaining, baiting, pushing buttons. You don’t have to RSVP yes. Sometimes the best move is to walk away, reset, and refuse the power struggle.

Camping with very little kids can be hard. Camping with middle school kids can be hard. But every phase passes, and staying calm through it is one of the best skills you can build—especially when you’re trying to enjoy time outdoors as a family.

The Big Picture: This investment pays off

Here’s the part we care about most: getting your family outside is a long-term investment.

There will be hard weekends. There will be grumbly kids. There will be moments you wonder if it’s worth it. But over time, those trips build something real. Our kids have grown into outdoor kids—kids who ask for hikes, request camping trips, and talk about outdoor adventures as part of who they are. Even after seasons where they resisted, the love for the outdoors stuck.

That’s why we’re so passionate about helping RV newbies get started on the right path.

If you’re looking for campground ideas for your first year (and beyond), check out our Where Should We Camp Next? guidebooks—three of the four are packed with campground recommendations all over the country. And if you’re new, go back and listen to last week’s “13 tips” episode so this full list of 28 tips fits together as one big, confidence-building roadmap.

We’ll see you at the campground.

The post 28 Tips for RV Newbies (Part Two): How to Make Your First Trips Easier, Safer, and More Fun appeared first on The RV Atlas.