Winter is not prime camping season; however, many RV shoppers consider this the prime time to shop for a rig. Prior model years are discounted, and new models are hitting the lots. If you’re lucky, you may find yourself emerging from winter hibernation with a new rig to prep for the upcoming camping season. Whether you’re a total RV newbie or a seasoned pro, here are some tips for prepping your new rig:

• Put the Systems through their Paces

  If you want to save yourself some campground frustration, learn the ins and outs of your new rig’s systems before you hit the road. Plan a day to set up your RV in the driveway (or similar convenient location), and put it through the paces. This includes cooling the refrigerator, running the air conditioning, pulling the awning out, and so on. If your RV was winterized, de-winterizing gives you the chance to familiarize yourself with the water system, black tank, and more. Keep those owner’s manuals handy. If you’re stumped by anything, consider joining a friendly RV forum, like the RVFTA Facebook Group. You’ll likely find plenty of advice.

• Stock Up!

  RV pros may think stocking a new rig is no big deal. After all, you’ve done this before, right? Surprisingly, it’s not as simple as moving items from one RV to another. Adjusting to the layout and storage space of your new rig may require you to rethink as you restock. If you’re a total newbie, learn from experienced RVers by finding sample stocking checklists online. Adapt them to fit your needs, and adjust each year until you have your perfect stocking list. As you load items into your RV, consider adding new storage solutions to maximize the orderliness and convenience of your new space.

• Find Items that Need Fixing

  As you check out your systems and stock your rig, you may come across items needing repair. Make a list of these, and take care of them before your first trip. If you’ve purchased a new RV, these tasks may be part of your warranty work; however, making an appointment well before your first trip is a must. If you’ve purchased a used rig, you may be facing some do-it-yourself jobs. Even if you don’t consider yourself handy, websites and YouTube videos can walk you through many simple maintenance tasks.

There’s nothing quite like kicking off the camping season with a new RV – and with these three items marked off of your to-do list, you’ll be ready to hit the road as soon as spring has sprung.