There never really is any down time, just more time to think about and plan the RV adventures you want to experience next season.

Did you miss something this year that you don’t want to pass up again? Did you go somewhere, fall in love, and long to return to “your spot”? Do you want to scratch something off your bucket list? Even though it’s chilly outside, here are some things you can do to get ready for next season.

  1. Research, research, research! This is a give-in. You need to decide where and when you’re going to stay. Learn about the area in which you want to visit and make a list of everything you think would be fun to do. Check to see if any attractions, such as museums or parks, have entry fees. Sometimes they offer online discounts if you purchase them in advance. Also check to see if they RV and large vehicle parking accommodations. You may need to use your tow vehicle for some of those in-town locations. And once you pick a spot, check it out on Google Maps to peruse the surrounding area to see if there’s anything of concern that could be enough to lead you elsewhere.
  2. Book your site at the earliest opportunity. Even if that means staring at your computer until the clock hits 9am on Thursday and it’s exactly 6 months from the end of your intended trip. Though many private campgrounds, RV resorts, and RV parks don’t limit when you can make a reservation through their online booking system, some of them – and national forests and lakeshores in particular – make reservations available during a particular window. This could mean bookings aren’t accepted until March, when someone at the campground is ready to handle and process the request. This could mean you can book only six months in advance. Want to go somewhere in June? Book in December. August? You’ll have to wait until February.
  3. Take stock of what new or replacement items you’ll need next season. Think ahead, or go through the RV in the spring, of what you’ll need to add or swap out so that when the time comes, you already have everything you need to make quick, effortless adjustments as you prep the RV for its first outing. This relates to more common items such as kitchenware, cooking supplies, outdoor gear, tools, bedding, etc. A better practice is to do this throughout the season, at the moment something is needed.
  4. Update your GPS, maps, apps, and road atlas. Guide books are one thing, but don’t be caught with outdated maps. Roads and hazards change all the time so make sure everything is the most up to date. It’s best to save this task to just before the RV comes out of storage, at least for the initial update. You may find you need to make changes as you go along.
  5. Update your medical records. Did you change doctors? Emergency contact? Is someone on or off a medication, or change a dose? If you have access to a patient portal, download the medical records for each member of the family. Add them to your medical folder and shred the old ones. Provide pictures of prescription bottles for reference (more in case of an emergency than for yourself) as well. Write the dose alongside the photo for easier readability.
  6. Work through the winter. If you own a lot, then you may be able to make some changes during the off season.  For example, if you’re building a new coach house, a lot of contractors work through the winter/spring so that the coach house is available when the campground opens up again. Or maybe you need to purchase new lawn furniture or yard games that can apply to renters, too.

Dreaming about and planning your RV trips for next season is fun and a good use of time when life seems to slow down a bit. By doing this, you’ll be more prepared when it comes time to roll out, which can help alleviate stress and help you focus on what’s really important: the adventure that awaits.