By the start of spring, your RV may have been sitting in storage for months. Does everything still work? Do you have all the supplies you need for a road trip? Is it dusty and cluttered inside? Planning a spring shakedown trip to a local KOA campground gives you the opportunity to check all your systems and refresh your rig for the upcoming camping season.
A shakedown trip is a short trip taken close to home at the start of your camping season. Instead of traveling to a far-flung place for a full-fledged vacation, the purpose of this trip is to open up your RV and get it ready for the season. It’s a great opportunity to check things out before those longer trips you have planned.
A spring shakedown trip is less about exploring new horizons and more about test driving your RV to get it road ready for your exciting adventures ahead. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a lot of fun during a shakedown trip! In fact, many RVers create annual traditions around their shakedowns and gather at local campgrounds with family and friends to kick off the season in true camping style.
What is the Purpose of an RV Shakedown Trip?
Here are two main reasons to take a spring shakedown trip:
- If you have a new RV, a shakedown allows you to fully check your systems—and to make sure you know how to use them. You also practice “living” in your RV to see what supplies and storage solutions you’ll need. On this first trip, it’s not uncommon to spend a lot of time online looking up things like how to light your oven, use your thermostat, and cool your fridge. A shakedown trip lets you dedicate time for tasks without missing out on camping adventures.
- If your current RV has been winterized, a shakedown trip allows you to dewinterize, check your systems, and refresh your RV after it has been closed up for weeks or months. Open up the windows, do a spring cleaning, and take stock of your supplies.
What Should You Check on a Shakedown Trip?
Here are a few things to check before and during your first camping trip of the season:
- Electrical systems, including shore power, batteries, and solar power, if applicable
- Propane (some campgrounds offer tank refills onsite)
- Heating and A/C systems
- Tires and towing gear
- Water system, including sinks, toilets, and water heater
- Appliances like the stove, microwave, and refrigerator
- Supply stock (use a camping checklist to see if you are stocked up)
Take note of anything that isn’t working so you can fix problems or schedule repairs before your first big trip.
When Should You Plan Your First Trip of the Season
If you live where winter and spring collide with a tug-of-war, it can be hard to know when to plan your first campground outing for the year. The main goal is to plan your shakedown trip after the final deep freeze and before any big trips you’ve planned for your camping season. The good news is that you can winterize again if cold weather makes a surprise return.
Where Should You Go for Your First RV Trip
For a spring shakedown trip, look for a location close to home, preferably within an hour’s drive. This makes for a short easy trip without the pressure of exploring new locales. Plus, if you are new to RVing or rusty with your towing skills, you won’t have to tow your RV very far. You can gently break in your RV, your towing vehicle, and your own skills before hitting the road for longer trips.
Also, don’t go too far off grid for your first trip of the season. On your first outing, you may encounter problems or realize you overlooked necessary supplies. If you have to run out for food and groceries, repair gear, or other supplies, it’s nice to have shops and restaurants nearby.
What to Look for in a Campground for a Shakedown Trip
One of the most important criteria for a spring shakedown campground is campsites with full hookups. These allow you to check your electric, water, and sewer systems. Plus, it makes that first trip less stressful when you don’t have to do the extra steps of planning for camping without hookups.
Consider the campsite itself. You may want to book a pull-thru campsite if you are new to driving and parking your RV. These eliminate the stress of backing up your rig. Or, perhaps you want to practice those backing skills before a big trip. In that case, you can get a back-in site. Don’t forget your leveling blocks for a comfortable stay!. You can also Book a Patio Site for the ultimate shakedown experience.
KOAs are great for shakedown trips for a number of important reasons. Not only do they offer full hookups, they often have well-stocked camp stores, and you can even order camping essentials when you book at some locations. Some KOAs have onsite pancake breakfasts and snack stands (serving items like pizza and ice cream), which make it easy to spend time focusing on getting the RV stocked without planning meals.
Also, KOAs bring the fun factor! Most locations offer a variety of amenities and activities for campers of all ages, from jumping pillows to fishing ponds, making it possible to enjoy all the fun of a vacation without leaving the campground. Once you’ve figured out your RV, you can relax or play, whatever your heart desires.
Get Ready For Another Great Camping Season!
If you can’t squeeze in a spring shakedown trip, it’s okay! Try to mentally and physically walk through the items listed above and do what you can from your home. Then, get out there and get camping. The good news is that there will always be a friendly yellow shirt ready to offer help when you need it at a KOA. With over 500 locations, KOA is a great choice for your short spring shakedown or big road trip.
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
