I'm curious about how long it takes you all from when the idea for a trip occurs to actually being on the road.As a relatively new large RV owner, I'm pretty inefficient at getting it ready for the road. My goal is to have most of the things we need either stored on board or in plastic totes that can be loaded quickly and to do any prep work that can be done in advance well ahead of time.I own a bass boat, and I've always tried to minimize the time and effort it takes to get going for a trip. That's for day trips or multi-day trips staying in motels, cabins or the tent. I have gear organized in plastic totes by function, and I have a checklist I use to help keep the prep work organized and not forget anything important. I also have a small whiteboard mounted on the wall near the boat where I make notes about things that need addressed on the boat or things I've removed from the boat that need to be replaced.My record for the boat is 37 minutes for a 4 day trip. I had to pack my clothes and shaving kit, load 3 totes in the truck, hitch the boat, check the air in the tires and I was on the road.My plan is to work on checklists and being ready so that if we get up in the morning we can eat supper in camp without being exhausted.So how long does it take you all? What's a reasonable goal?

6 hours fresh water bleach soak time, rinse and fill while fridge cools down, clothes are loaded and tires aired up. Twenty minutes at the market for fresh foods...everything else is replaced upon return including propane. Otherwise Winnie is ready at all times for adventure...as am I.

You are my hero!!!!. I fly by the seat of my pants but DH has to plan every detail. Me on the other hand could be gone in a matter of hours. Really like the way you think.

Sorry, apparently I'm not allowed to post relevant content.

Our RV (5th wheel) is parked on our property (FHU pad) and is fully furnished ready to go........except for perishablesLoad up the groceries, disconnect/store power cord and hookup to truck ----- 45 minutes tops

IMHO, the secret or trick to planning and actually doing an RV trip is to figure out what you would normally want to bring along on your trip i.e clothes, food, tools, general supplies etc etc. Now put all your list of items in the RV and take off for your trip. The secret is, when you get home from your trip DO NOT take the list of items out of your RV, just leave them there. Now you can ready for your next RV trip in 1/2 the time!

How long to go from idea to execution for a trip?

39 Replies

wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 12, 2018
Well Wife and I decided to go Full Time in an RV once we retired.. back about 1978-1980 We got around to it this century (After we both retired). So talk about planing ahead....... 25-30 years.

However on individual trips.. We had non perishables packed year-round, Perishables (Food) got loaded the day before or the day of for short trips Day before for long trips and in one case 2nd day of trip (Well we loaded the cooler up with lots of good food but overnight it grew legs and wheels and drove off so we had to re-stock and replace the next AM. only time I've been ripped off by overnight theives. also been ripped off by daylight thieves but that's another kind of theft (5 hours labor for a 30 mintue job).
dodge_guy
Explorer II
May 12, 2018
With Yellowstone, I always had in the back of my mind. When the time came to plan, which was 2 years prior, I had some ideas. I just started doing a lot of research on where and what to do. A 2 week 4000 mile trip takes time! Other trips are usually a year. And normal trips are about 6 months.

It all depends on the destination!
pasusan
Explorer
May 12, 2018
2gypsies wrote:
I'm confused by those that say they load the RV and then stop for shopping. Why can't you do all the shopping in your own familiar store before you leave? Then pack and go. You could pre-freeze your meats or meals & just put in your RV.
This is what we do since I do not like to waste time shopping while on vacation.

As far as how long it takes - it depends on the length of the trip. When we go on a short trip it can be quick - a few hours or maybe a day. Our long trips take a lot more time - planning, making reservations, and packing up food and clothes.

The reservation thing is what drives us crazy, but it's often the only way to get a spot - especially on a weekend. Even though we are now retired our longer trips always include weekends.
Range_Maggot_Bo
Explorer
May 12, 2018
We both still work and aren't retired yet- 2 more years to go. We can only go local til then, but fortunately we have excellent campgrounds all around us. But you gotta have reservations. So we usually plan out about 6-9 months ahead and start making reservations then. So from idea to execution could be any amount of time with us. Now after we retire, it will be idea and then execution hopefully in the same day!
Edd505
Explorer
May 10, 2018
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Our RV (5th wheel) is parked on our property (FHU pad) and is fully furnished ready to go........except for perishables

Load up the groceries, disconnect/store power cord and hookup to truck ----- 45 minutes tops

+1 but it's a walk to the 5W so it takes and hour or so with loading the fresh stuff & dogs food.
toedtoes
Explorer III
May 10, 2018
2gypsies wrote:
I'm confused by those that say they load the RV and then stop for shopping. Why can't you do all the shopping in your own familiar store before you leave? Then pack and go. You could pre-freeze your meats or meals & just put in your RV.

I've actually started utilizing my local Raley's e-cart for grocery shopping. I add items to my cart as I go through the RV pantry, then add perishables. I schedule pickup for the night before I leave and pickup after work. Load the RV directly when I get home.

And Raleys will text me before pickup if something is out of stock so I can identify a substitute item - no finding out they didn't have your hamburger buns in stock so you have to make another stop. I can even order from the deli and bakery. I order a deli sandwich and text them with what I want on it the morning of pickup. Then I have that for lunch when I arrive at the campground.

This would work great for those folks who want to get groceries enroute. Just select the Raleys near your destination, fill your cart online, schedule pickup for your expected arrival time and stop on your way.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
May 10, 2018
I'm confused by those that say they load the RV and then stop for shopping. Why can't you do all the shopping in your own familiar store before you leave? Then pack and go. You could pre-freeze your meats or meals & just put in your RV.
jkwilson
Explorer III
May 10, 2018
My number one rule of packing has always been "They have a Walmart there." Applies most places anyway.

But the big benefit of a checklist is you don't have surprises like finding out you forgot the corkscrew when sitting down for a glass of wine while watching the sunset or that you never got the camp chairs repacked after you used them for the graduation party.

I print my checklist and then circle anything I'm not sure is already packed. Then I use the back as a menu guide so I can see what I might want to pack from home, like catsup or barbecue sauce. Then I make a shopping list and a to do list along the sides of the page.

Makes packing fast, makes shopping fast, and I don't spend two days worrying about what I'm forgetting!
seagrace
Explorer
May 10, 2018
Sorry, apparently I'm not allowed to post relevant content.
Blazing_Zippers
Explorer II
May 10, 2018
Mr. Anal here----I have a "take" list that I print out for every trip we take. It includes items to take care of here at the house, arrange lawn care, water, heater, computer, mail pickup, etc.
I then have a list on what to leave the house with; bear spray, which ever caliber protection, number of undies, bikes, computer, food, liquids, fishing poles, etc.
This has been a great help in not forgetting things when we want to leave.