Listening to experienced campers is a good way to avoid the same problems. That is why we ran a survey to find out which beginner camper mistakes should be avoided. Those mistakes no one would make twice. And here are the results of the survey.
Mistake #1: Not knowing how to choose the RV
This was one of the most frequently mentioned beginner camper mistakes. When buying or renting an RV, people forget that it will be their home for a period of time. They only think about how great it will be to travel. And in the process, they end up overlooking very important details, such as the trailer's space, water, and power.
What to do?
We need water and power more than we imagine. So think about how many people will use these resources and how often. Then, when having your trailer built or buying a used one, use those figures as a reference. The same goes for space. If your family has 4 people, don't buy an RV that only fits 2. Likewise, once you have the RV in hand, remember to test it around your city to make sure everything works properly. Just imagine driving in the middle of nowhere and your vehicle breaking down.
Mistake #2: Traveling too fast
When you start your journey, you are excited to see as many places as possible. So you only see each place superficially. Maybe you promise yourself or your family that you will come back in the future. However, thinking about long-term costs, it is more economical to visit all the places you want in a single trip. You won't need to spend time and money making the same trip to get there again.
What to do?
If you are not going to visit a certain place in order to save money, how about giving up other comforts to make up for it in your finances? Instead of camping in a more developed area, ask the campground owner if there is space for boondocking, for example. This option is, most of the time, free. If there is no boondocking, ask about dry camping. It is not free, but it is much cheaper than conventional campgrounds.
Mistake #3: Travel insurance
Whether traveling by land, air, or water, when you leave your country you need to have travel insurance. Even if you are the healthiest person in the world, you don't know what can happen outside Brazil. We are mortal, and as such, we are subject to illness, accidents, and much more.
What to do?
Get travel insurance that covers EVERYTHING. Including Covid-19. It may sound strange, but not all insurance policies cover expenses related to the virus of the moment. So, before buying travel insurance, which is mandatory for some countries, make sure it will serve you when you need it.
Likewise, remember to bring some commonly used or doctor-prescribed medications in the trailer. It is cheaper to bring them from home than to buy them at the moment of need.
Mistake #4: Planning at the last minute
For any project the rule is the same. The more planning, the fewer surprises and, therefore, the fewer unnecessary expenses. Your trailer trip will be no different. So plan as much as possible before hitting the road. Book campgrounds or parking spots, mark all the places you will pass through, and so on.
Mistake #5: Going only to tourist spots
Of course, there is a certain limitation for those on a road trip, since not every place accepts trailers or motorhomes. But, overall, you can see that people end up following the same routes. Because the most influential people go to certain places, other campers go too.
Going to tourist spots gives the idea that a good time or beautiful photos are guaranteed. You are looking for freedom, aren't you? Then break free from the pattern and create your own routes.
Discover less obvious places. When you are with the people you love, even the simplest landscape can become special.
What to do?
The internet is here to make our lives easier. In the same way, it can make choosing destinations easier too. Join travel groups and talk to tourists and locals. Ask for tips on less famous, safe places to visit. But don't rely on just one source of information. Confirm the accuracy of the information with at least 3 different people.
Mistake #6: Traveling with the same car to other continents
Traveling the world by car is the goal of many people. But you don't have to be very clever to know that water separates some continents. One solution to this problem is to ship your vehicle by boat. However, it is very expensive. Even so, travelers pay to take their cars to another continent by water.
What to do?
It is cheaper to sell the car and buy another one when you change continents than to pay to ship it by boat. I know, many people get attached to their RVs, since they are also part of the experience. But not getting attached to things is a trait of the overland lifestyle. If you are unsure whether this lifestyle is for you, read more about it here.
Mistake #7: Too much equipment
You don't need to carry countless pieces of equipment everywhere you go. A cell phone, a camera, and a small drone are enough to capture the best moments.
Mistake #8: Not paying attention to required vaccines and documents
Just imagine having everything prepared and being denied entry to the country of your dreams because your documentation is incomplete. Or worse, being caught by surprise on the road and paying a fine.
Paying attention to vaccines, visas, passport, driver's license, and other documents required to travel through Brazil and other countries is the duty of every overlander.
If you are going to Chile, for example, a very useful website for learning about the documents required to enter the parks there is CONAF, the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture.
What to do?
Research. This is the best thing to do when it comes to anything we don't know about. If you don't make mistake #4 and plan your trip well, then you will know which countries you will pass through. Once you know them, just research which documents and vaccines are required to enter each of those countries. Check the accuracy of the information, make a list, and get all the documents and vaccines you are missing.
Keep in mind that tourism has changed greatly with the pandemic. So, besides being accurate, the information needs to be up to date.
All in all, these are the beginner camper mistakes that you, who are just starting out, should avoid. So unleash your explorer side, research as much as possible, and ensure a more enjoyable and peaceful trip. Both for you and for your family.
And so we end another journey. See you next time, fellow campers.
See also: Places to camp in the summer
