Are you new to the world of camping and caravanning?  Read on for our humorous take on some of the realities you’ll encounter in your new hobby.  All of which are easily surmountable when you have the right attitude.

7 realities to consider

There is no perfect RV

You will never be completely satisfied with your RV. There will always be something missing or this little detail that bugs.

So often compromises must be made and sometimes even sacrifices.  Most important is to focus on what delights you and try to not pay too much attention to what annoys you.

Mother Nature does not always cooperate

The first idea one has when buying an RV is to make the most of being outdoors. So when it’s raining cats and dogs, it’s too cold or too hot and you wind up like sardines inside the RV… Grrr…

That’s why it’s incredibly important to make the inside comfortable and enjoyable and, of course, find some interesting things to do to fill those times when Mother Nature has mood swings.

Not immune to breaks

The more you travel or use your RV, the more likely it is to break. And, sometimes, even our newest equipment will break down.

Obviously, this always happens at the worst possible time. But the important thing is to always be ready in case … by having on hand, for example, a toolbox or spare parts.

Unexpected visit

The number of occupants in an RV can sometimes vary. We are not necessarily talking about human beings here but small creatures of all kinds that will see the RV as an extremely interesting place to visit and live. It is important to have the necessary equipment on hand to deal with these visitors because a mouse, no matter how small, can do much damage.

The watchword: reserve ahead

It becomes essential when planning a family vacation.  Reserving campsites can become a real headache if you insist on being a caravaner that wants to follow the wind.

During the high season, when you arrive in a city X at a time Y, it sometimes becomes difficult to find an available location or simply to get the reservation service over the phone.

Time to do laundry

When camping or on the road, there comes the moment when it is necessary to wash one’s clothes.  This moment always arrives, even if you were careful by, for example, wearing your jeans more than once.

If you’re lucky enough to have a washer and dryer in your RV, that’s fine. Remember, these machines are not as powerful as the ones at home, so you’ll have to be patient to better appreciate the experience.

Otherwise, there are still good old laundromats may nots not inspire trust, but who knows, perhaps, might help us make new friends.

Take a good shower

Although it is very convenient to have everything you need on board the RV, nothing can replace a good hot shower. This is why some caravaners or campers will always jump at the chance of having a real shower whenever they have access to facilities. All to not freeze or end up with a badly rinsed hair problem!

Jackie Beaudoin, Leclerc Insurance and Financial Services