Solo RV Nomad

The Thrill of Hitting the Road Alone Embarking on a solo RV journey is like opening a new chapter in a thrilling novel. The excitement of hitting the road alone lies in the boundless freedom it affords. Imagine the excitement of picking your own destinations, setting your own pace, and enjoying the solitude and serenity of the open road. With every mile, you’re not just traveling; you’re rediscovering your own spirit, testing your limits, and embracing the joy of solitude. Solo RV travel also fosters a profound sense of independence. With no one else’s schedule or preferences to accommodate, you can indulge in spontaneous detours and impromptu stops. The open road can transform ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. This exhilarating freedom is not just about the journey but about redefining your boundaries and embracing the essence of self-reliance. How Does Solo RV Travel Boosts Confidence? Venturing out on your own in a van or travel trailer can be a powerful confidence booster. Each challenge you overcome—whether it’s navigating unfamiliar roads or setting up camp by yourself—strengthens your problem-solving skills and self-assurance. The first time you face an unexpected challenge, and you troubleshoot your way through it, your confidence will soar. Solo RV travel also provides a unique opportunity for self-discovery. Without the distraction of companions, you have the space and time to reflect on your personal goals, values, and aspirations. The journey becomes a mirror, reflecting your inner strengths and capabilities. This newfound self-awareness not only enhances your confidence but also equips you with a deeper understanding of your own resilience and resourcefulness. Now that you've made the decision to empower yourself with solo RV travel, let's talk about how to keep that confidence. Plan Your Solo RV Planning Your Route: Safety Starts with Preparation Embarking on a solo RV adventure requires careful planning to ensure a secure and enjoyable journey. When planning your route, prioritize well-traveled and well-maintained roads with plenty of opportunities to find help if needed. Avoid isolated paths or shortcuts that could pose risks, especially if they lead to unfamiliar or remote areas. For example, there may be more than one route to your destination; one that travels through the middle of nowhere, with very few towns or rest-stops, or another that passes more towns with mechanics, and travel centers where you can gas up, take a break, or even stay the night. Utilize resources like travel guides, online maps, street view, and online forums to learn insights about potential hazards or road closures. Make sure you have a reliable road-side assistance plan. Services like AAA likely won’t cover your Class C or Class A motorhome, or your travel trailer, so make sure you invest in services like Good Sam, FMCA, or Coach-Net, and make sure you know what your plan covers and what it doesn’t. How to Research and Choose Safe Campgrounds Picking a safe campgrounds is crucial for a stress-free solo RV experience. Look for campgrounds with positive reviews, secure facilities, and reliable staff. Many RV parks offer security features such as gated access and surveillance cameras. Websites and apps like Campendium or AllStays can provide detailed information about campground safety and amenities. You can also use a map app with satellite and street view to look at a campground and the area surrounding it. In my experience, when visiting a busy city, or staying just outside a city, a Google search for RV parks will often come up with a few results that are actually mobile home parks with full-time residents, and maybe a few spaces for visitors. While there’s nothing wrong with mobile home parks in general, some can be a little sketchy, and a quick check with satellite view will help you decide if you want to stay there or not. Create a Flexible Itinerary to Stay on Track While it’s important to have a plan, flexibility is key to a successful solo RV trip. Always have a plan B. Craft an itinerary that includes your must-see destinations but allows room for spontaneity. Unexpected detours can lead to hidden gems, and having a flexible plan ensures you can adapt to changing conditions or desires. A flexible plan can also help you out if your first plan doesn’t work out. If you arrive at a planned stop for the night, and for whatever reason that spot doesn’t work out; too crowded, not safe, bad weather, etc. A backup plan with keep you safe and give you peace of mind. Essential Safety Gear and Gadgets for Solo Travelers Best Tech Tools: For solo travelers, having the right safety gear in your RV is essential. Invest in a high-quality first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and a roadside emergency kit. Additionally, a GPS tracker or satellite communication device like Spot, can provide an extra layer of security by allowing you to share your location with trusted contacts and contact emergency services if you have no cell signal. Here's a list of apps you should have on your smartphone that will help you stay up-to-date on travel conditions. A good weather app like AccuWeather or WeatherBug Windy App to check wind conditions. I usually avoid driving if the wind is more than 30 mph. Use FireSpot App to check for wildfires in your area, or those that could cause road closures along your route. This is especially important when traveling the western states during the summer and fall. Use maps like Waze, Google Maps, or Apple Maps to check for road conditions, closures, and construction. The American Red Cross offers an Emergency: Severe Weather App to keep you informed about hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding. Clime: NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radar App is another great all-around app for check weather conditions on your route. Self-Defense Items to Consider Self-defense tools, such as pepper spray or a personal alarm, can provide peace of mind and are essential for solo travelers. Pepper spray is a non-lethal option that can deter an attacker by causing temporary blindness and respiratory discomfort. Personal alarms emit a loud noise to attract attention and scare off potential threats. Additionally, stun guns, or tasers, are effective for close encounters, delivering a high-voltage shock to incapacitate an assailant temporarily. Other options include tactical flashlights, which can be used to disorient an attacker with bright light and serve as a blunt force weapon if necessary. Expandable batons offer a portable and effective means of self-defense, allowing you to maintain distance from an assailant. For those comfortable with firearms, carrying one can be a significant deterrent and provide a higher level of protection. However, it’s crucial to undergo proper training, secure necessary permits, and understand the legal implications of firearm use. Taking a self-defense course can further boost your confidence and preparedness, teaching you practical techniques and how to effectively use your chosen tools. Always ensure your self-defense items are readily accessible and that you’re familiar with their operation to maximize your safety on the road. The bottom line is, if you choose to have a self-defense item, make sure you know how effective it is, how to use it, and you must be willing to use it if necessary. Personal Safety Tips for Solo RV Travelers Sometimes the best self-defense method is common sense and trusting your gut. Being vigilant and responsive to your surroundings can help you avoid potential dangers. If you are in an area that doesn’t seem safe, if you get that funny feeling in your gut that the group staying down the road from your boondocking spot might cause trouble, trust that feeling and simply move to a different spot. It may be a hassle to do so, but in my 5 years of solo RV travel and solo motorcycle camping, your inner voice is a great warning system. Other practical safety strategies include: Always lock your RV doors when you’re inside. In addition to your doors, lock all windows when you leave your RV. Be cautious about sharing personal information with strangers. Avoid revealing your exact location publicly, this includes posting it on social media. How to Assess and Choose Safe Overnight Spots Sometimes it will take several days to reach your campground and you may need to pull over and stay for the night. One option is to reserve overnight stops at campgrounds and RV parks along your route. Or, you can opt for urban camping at places like Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Bass Pro Shops, or Casino parking lots. Always call ahead to make sure overnight parking is allowed, and, when you arrive, make sure the area is well-lit, secure, and check in with the manager if the establishment is still open. By the way, it’s polite and good practice to make a purchase or grab a bite to eat at these establishments in return for a free stay. Many states allow RVers to stay at a rest stop or Travel Plaza for up to 8 – 12 hours depending on state laws. Wherever you decide to stay, choosing a safe resting spot involves evaluating the security and environment of potential locations. Staying Connected: Maintaining Communication on the Road Share your Itinerary with Family and Friends Before you begin your trip, share your plans with your closest family and friends. Tell them when you’ll be leaving, when you’ll return home, and where you will be staying along the way. Include phone numbers for campgrounds so they can contact you if you have no cell signal in case of emergency. If you’re a full-time RVer, tell your people where you are, your campsite number, and the office phone number as soon as you arrive. This can be a simple text message. If you’re boondocking, use a compass app and take a screen shot of your GPS coordinates, then share that via text to your friends and family. Stay in Touch with Family and Friends Talking to your family and friends while you’re traveling alone not only enhances your safety, it provides much needed emotional support. My parents always love hearing about where I am, what’s it like, and what stories I have to tell, so try to keep a regular schedule for talking with your loved ones. A word of warning about social-media. Think twice before posting your exact location on your Instagram or Facebook accounts. Some people have hundreds, even thousands of followers, that aren’t personal friends. You may have Facebook friends that follow you and you’ve never met them in person. So, be smart about what you post, and consider waiting to post those amazing travel pictures until after you’ve left that location. Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready for the Unexpected? Creating an Emergency Plan for Your RV Travels Developing a comprehensive emergency plan is essential for solo RV travelers. Outline steps to take in various scenarios, such as vehicle breakdowns, medical emergencies, or severe weather. Familiarize yourself with nearby emergency services and establish a communication plan with family or friends. What to Include in Your RV Emergency Kit An effective RV emergency kit should include items such as a first aid kit, flashlight, multi-tool, basic repair supplies, and non-perishable food and water. Also, include any personal medications or special items you may need in an emergency. Keep a list of emergency contact names and phone numbers along with your emergency kit. How to Handle Emergencies When Traveling Solo Handling emergencies alone requires a calm and methodical approach. Follow your emergency plan and utilize your kit’s resources. If you need assistance, contact emergency services or roadside assistance. Keep a list of important phone numbers and contacts readily accessible. It’s a good idea to write down these numbers as a backup in case you can’t access them on your smartphone. Maintaining Your RV: Keeping Your Home on Wheels Safe Safety Checks to Perform Before Hitting the Road Regular maintenance is key to keeping your RV in top condition. Regularly cleaning and maintaining your RV can prevent issues and extend its lifespan. So, before you embark on your journey, make sure your RV maintenance is up to date. Before each trip, perform safety checks on items such as lights, brakes, and signals. Check the tire pressure and tire condition. Check the fluid levels such as oil, transmission fluid, wiper fluid and blinker fluid (ok, that last one was a joke.) Make sure the systems in your RV are working properly and safely. Check the propane system for leaks. Does the stove turn on? Is the refrigerator cold? Is the generator working properly? All these systems should be turned on and tested before your trip. Make sure the proper safety equipment is up-to-date and on-board such as, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, CO detectors, etc. How to Address Common RV Issues on the Go Addressing common RV issues on the go involves knowing how to perform basic repairs and having access to necessary tools and supplies. Familiarize yourself with common problems, such as tire issues or plumbing leaks, and have a list of trusted repair services along your route. Keep a well-equipped tool kit with your RV along with common RV repair supplies and spare parts. Invest in a repair manual for your RV make and model and keep that in the RV along with your owner’s manual. Connecting with the RV Community Connecting with fellow RV travelers can provide valuable support and camaraderie. Join online groups or forums dedicated to RVers to share experiences, seek advice, and build a network of like-minded adventurers. Join in on campground activities like meet-ups, bingo night, movie nights or live music. Say “Hi” to your campground neighbor, introduce yourself, and maybe strike up a conversation. Doing so will not only keep you from getting lonely but will also keep you safe. RVers are notorious for looking out for each other. Conclusion: Embrace Your Solo RV Adventure with Confidence Solo RV travel is an empowering journey that fosters independence, confidence, and self-discovery. By prioritizing safety and preparation, you can enjoy a worry-free adventure that enriches your life and broadens your horizons. Embrace the freedom of the open road with confidence, knowing that each turn holds the promise of new experiences and personal growth. Safe travels and happy adventures!