Beginner Guide to Camping with a Travel Trailer
- Charmaine Warren
- Apr 4, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 18
From Rental Rookies to Trailer Owners
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Picture this: You're scrolling through Instagram, seeing all those dreamy camping photos, and thinking "That looks amazing, but where do I even start?" Trust me, we've been there. What started as a simple Thanksgiving getaway rental turned into us becoming full-fledged travel trailer owners faster than you can say "hook up the utilities."
Spoiler alert: It's been one of the best decisions we've made for our adventure-loving lifestyle.
How We Accidentally Fell in Love with Travel Trailers
Back in 2021, we had this brilliant idea to spend Thanksgiving outdoors. We marched into Byerly RV Center wanting to rent a cute little camper van, only to discover they were all booked. The sales guy looked at us and said, "Well, we have this 23TW Gemini RV Motorhome Motorhome available..." Check out about our experience about our Thanksgiving on a rented RV Adventure!
Fast forward through an amazing weekend, and we found ourselves at the St. Louis RV show like kids in a candy store, gawking at all the shiny trailers and motorhomes. We weren't planning to buy anything (famous last words), but we ended up chatting with Anthony Hill from Bill Thomas Camper Sales. This guy knew his stuff and didn't give us the hard sell – just genuine advice about what would work for our lifestyle.
Two days later? We were the proud owners of a used 2021 Grand Design Transcend 221RB. Sometimes the best adventures start with saying "why not?"
The Reality Check: Our First "Test Camp"
Here's where things got real. We decided to take our new baby for a test run at Cuivre River State Park – just 30 minutes from the dealership. How hard could it be, right?
Plot twist: Hitching a travel trailer is like performing surgery while doing calculus. Every. Single. Step. Matters. Miss one, and you might find your trailer taking an unscheduled solo trip down the highway. No pressure!
But we survived, backed into our campsite (site 19 at Campground 1-68, if you're keeping track), and felt like absolute champions. The campground was pretty busy, and seeing all those other happy campers made us feel like we'd joined some sort of exclusive club.
What We Wish Someone Had Told Us: The Real Beginner's Guide
After our maiden voyage and many trips since, here's what we've learned – the good, the slightly terrifying, and the "why didn't anyone mention this?!"
🚛 Choosing Your First Trailer: Size Matters (But So Does Sanity)
The real talk: Bigger isn't always better when you're starting out. Our dealer helped us figure out what our truck could actually handle, and thank goodness for that. There's nothing fun about white-knuckling it down the highway because you're towing more than you should.
What to consider:
Your vehicle's towing capacity (and be honest about it)
Where you plan to camp (tight state park loops vs. spacious RV resorts)
Storage space at home
• • Your comfort level with maneuvering
🎯 Practice Makes... Well, Less Disasters
Remember that surgery-calculus analogy? Yeah, that's why we spent quality time in the dealership parking lot practicing backing up, turning, and generally not looking like complete rookies. Your future self (and anyone sharing the road with you) will thank you.
Pro tip: Find an empty parking lot and set up some cones. Practice until hitching and unhitching becomes second nature, not a panic-inducing event.
🗺️ Route Planning: Your New Best Friend
Gone are the days of spontaneous "let's just see where this road goes" adventures. Well, mostly gone. Travel trailers require a bit more forethought, especially when it comes to:
Bridge heights and weight limits
Campsite reservations (seriously, book ahead!)
Gas stations you can actually maneuver into
Scenic routes that won't give you nightmares
🎒 Packing Like a Pro (Without Overpacking Like an Amateur)
We learned this the hard way: just because you have space doesn't mean you should fill every cubic inch. Weight distribution is real, and your trailer will let you know if you've overdone it.
Essential categories:
Cooking gear (think compact and multi-use)
Bedding and comfort items
RV-specific supplies (those regular extension cords won't cut it)
Emergency kit (because Murphy's Law loves camping)
The Setup Survival Guide
📐 Level Up Your Leveling Game
Nothing ruins a good night's sleep like feeling like you're camping on the side of a mountain. Invest in leveling blocks and learn to use them – your back will thank you, and you won't spend the night rolling toward one end of the bed.
🔌 Utilities: It's Like Adult Legos
Connecting water, electricity, and sewage sounds intimidating, but it's actually pretty straightforward once you know what goes where. Just remember:
Water: white hose (not your garden hose)
Electric: 30 or 50 amp, know which one you need
Sewer: nobody's favorite job, but someone's gotta do it
Golden rule: Always carry adapters and extra cords. The one time you don't is the one time you'll need them.
🏠 Making It Home-ish
Once you're hooked up, it's time for the fun part – making your little home on wheels actually feel like home. Deploy those stabilizer jacks (unless you enjoy feeling like you're in a rocking boat), extend your slide-out if you have one, and arrange your space.
Comfort Hacks We've Discovered
💨 Beat the Heat (And the Stuffiness)
Most trailers come with AC and ceiling fans, but we've found that a good portable fan is worth its weight in gold. It helps circulate air and can make those hot summer nights much more bearable.
🛏️ Sleep Better Than at Home
RV mattresses have a reputation for being less than luxurious. A good mattress topper can work miracles – we're talking two to four inches of pure comfort improvement. We like this RV Short Queen Mattress Protector – Mattress Cover and Bedsure RV Short Queen Mattress Pad
💡 Light Up Your Life
Those deep closets and cupboards can be black holes. Motion sensor LED lights that stick to the walls are game-changers, especially the rechargeable ones that don't require any electrical work. We used this particular Closet Light Motion Activated Light in pair in closet
🌡️ Stay Warm, Stay Cozy
Heat loss through vents is real. Vent cushions help seal things up and keep your warmth where it belongs – inside with you.
💧 Keep It Dry
Moisture and RVs go together like... well, like things that shouldn't go together. Moisture absorber boxes with silica gel are your friends. Stick them in corners where air doesn't circulate well. We use moisture absorbers to make sure we don't grow mold
What About Our Four-Legged Adventure Buddies?
Quick note for pet parents: travel trailer camping with dogs is absolutely doable and incredibly rewarding. Most campgrounds are pet-friendly, and your furry friend will love all the new smells and trails to explore. Just remember to bring their gear, keep them leashed, and always clean up after them – we're all sharing these beautiful spaces.
The Real Cost of Getting Started
Let's talk numbers for a hot second. Yes, there's an upfront investment, but when you consider that our first camping trip cost just over $53 for two nights (compared to what we were spending on hotel rooms and rentals), the math starts making sense pretty quickly.
Factor in the freedom to camp when and where you want, the ability to bring all your own stuff, and the pure joy of having your own little adventure basecamp, and suddenly that initial investment feels pretty smart.
Our Biggest Learning Moments
Looking back on that first trip to Cuivre River State Park, we were definitely rookies figuring things out as we went. But that's part of the adventure! Some of our best stories come from those "learning experiences" (aka the times when things didn't go exactly as planned).
The key is staying flexible, having a sense of humor, and remembering that every experienced RVer was once exactly where you are now.
Ready to Start Your Own Adventure?
Here's the thing about travel trailer camping – it's not just about the destination, it's about the freedom to explore at your own pace, wake up in beautiful places, and create memories that last a lifetime. Sure, there's a learning curve, but isn't that true of anything worthwhile?
If you're sitting there thinking "this sounds amazing, but I'm not sure I'm ready," let me tell you a secret: nobody ever feels completely ready. We certainly didn't when we walked into that dealership. But sometimes the best adventures start with taking that first step, even when you're not sure where it'll lead.
Your turn: Start by visiting a local RV show or dealership, just to look around and ask questions. Rent a trailer for a weekend if you're not ready to buy. Talk to other campers – we're a friendly bunch who love sharing stories and tips.
The trails are calling, the campfires are waiting, and your adventure is out there ready to begin. All you have to do is take that first step.
What's holding you back from starting your travel trailer adventure? Drop us a comment below – we'd love to hear about your plans or help answer any questions!
Happy camping, fellow adventurers! May your travels be smooth, your campfires bright, and your adventures unforgettable.
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