How to Prepare for Extended & Remote RV Travel

How to Prepare for Extended & Remote RV Travel
Tips for minimizing risk when RVing in far-off places.

By: Peter & Kathy Holcombe

There is a big and beautiful world out there, and RVs are becoming more and more capable of extended periods of exploration of remote roads in the backcountry. (Check out Winnebago’s Backcountry Series of RVs!) But, before tackling a backcountry trail, it is important to make sure that you are self-sufficient and as prepared as possible to minimize your risk. You should also be able to get yourself into and out of remote areas safely. 

We’ve taken our Winnebago Revel on many remote adventures over our decade of RVing, and we are currently on an extended RV trip south of the border. We have learned a lot through research and personal experience. Here are some important things to consider before you head off into the wilds …

Is your vehicle in good working order? 

Be sure to do a thorough walkaround of your vehicle and check to see that everything is in proper working order. 

• Does anything look unusual? Are there loose wires, or anything out of place? 
• Check your tire pressure. Are your tires in good condition, and do you have a full-sized spare? 
• Check the lug nuts and suspension. 
• Check all of your fluids: oil levels, antifreeze/coolant, brake fluid, etc. 
• Are all of your lights in working order? 
• What about your brakes, are they squeaking or making any unusual noises? 
• Are there any known repairs that need to be addressed? 

Starting with a vehicle in good working order is a great way to ensure a successful trip.

Do you have an adequate tool kit to complete a field repair?

In general, your toolkit should match your skillset, but there are some basic tools that everyone should carry with them when heading off of the beaten path. 

This includes: 

• flashlight and batteries
• a good jack 
• lug wrench and proper key for wheel locks
• tire patch/repair kit
• all wrenches and sockets to do basic repairs on your vehicle
• a variety of screwdrivers, pliers, torx and external torx bits, hex drivers, etc.

John at Agile OffRoad has compiled an incredibly comprehensive list of parts and tools to complete just about any field repair of a Winnebago Revel or other Sprinter-based RV. Don’t feel like you need to carry all of these, but it is a good point of reference for items to consider adding to your toolkit. 

In this video, Peter walks you through everything he keeps in his Sprinter repair kit.

Can you get your RV unstuck?

If you spend enough time exploring rough dirt roads in the backcountry, you will inevitably find yourself stuck at some point. Having the right tools and skills to get yourself unstuck is critical. Some basic recovery tools are a jack, MaxxTrax, a shovel, and an air compressor (so that you can deflate your tires to escape deep sand and then reinflate them when you’re finished). 

Note: Not all RVs are able to explore off-road. Be sure to know your rig’s capabilities before taking off on this kind of adventure. The Revel, EKKO, and Solis Pocket are part of Winnebago’s Backcountry Series of RVs and will likely have many of the features you are looking for. Learn more here.

Many RVers have also made modifications to make their vehicles safer and more capable off-road. This article shares some of the gear we added in preparation for our long PanAmerican Highway journey.

In this video, Peter walks you through what you need to know and do to get yourself out of a sticky situation:

Can you communicate with the outside world if you need help?

It is absolutely best practice to be completely self-sufficient in the backcountry, but occasionally things happen outside of our control that necessitate outside assistance. Communication with the outside world is easier than ever, and there are many options available to overland travelers. 

The obvious first point of contact is a cell phone, but what happens when you are out of range? We have a Starlink mounted to the roof of our van via a Starmount. This enables us to connect to the internet anywhere the van can go. When we leave the van, we carry a Garmin InReach device that has two-way satellite messaging capabilities. Regardless of the communication device that you choose, make sure that you have a way to call for help (and extra batteries) in the event of an emergency.

Do you have what you need to survive in the event of a breakdown?

Traveling with an RV is a comfortable and fun way to explore the wilderness, but you should always be prepared to survive outside of the RV when on these kinds of adventures. Make sure that you have adequate food, water, shelter, and clothing to survive in the event that you need to spend the night away from the RV. 

We always carry a tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and backpack. Usually this is so that we can go on a spontaneous backpack trip if the opportunity arises. But these also double as a redundant system in case we need to hike out of a remote area and get help. 

Do you have enough food and water? Be sure to carry a few extra days of supplies just in case you find yourself stranded for longer than anticipated. We carry a gravity-fed water purifier that allows us to filter water from a stream or lake in the event of an emergency. 

Make sure that you have appropriate clothing to spend long periods of time outside in case you need to do a field repair in the elements. This includes insulative layers, rain gear, protection from heat/sun/mosquitoes, etc. It is also useful to have the tools to make a fire, including a hatchet or axe, firestarter, lighter, etc. 

When we drove to the Arctic Ocean, we experienced a mechanical issue that resulted in us sitting for four extra days in remote and harsh conditions. You can watch how we used what we had aboard to complete a major field repair here. 

Do you have a good first aid kit?

A comprehensive first aid kit is critical if you plan on spending any time in the wilderness. It should include basic supplies to deal with cuts and scrapes to more severe injuries like broken bones or deep lacerations. You should also carry medications to deal with fever, infection, gastrointestinal illness, pain, allergic reaction, etc. 

In this article, we share our gear for our long-term, remote trip (including our new favorite medical Kit from Duration Health). You can learn more about the kit here.

Can you navigate your way back to civilization?

We are in an era where navigation is a piece of cake. Most of the time, you simply key in your destination and are hand-fed directions with the simplest and most efficient route. However, you need to be prepared for the event that you don’t have service, or even worse, you run out of power. Nothing replaces the beauty and simplicity of a paper map and compass. 

However, if you are on an extended trip like we are (traversing 20,000 miles on the PanAmerican Highway from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina), detailed paper maps are not always a realistic option. We typically use Gaia GPS, OnX, and/or Google Maps on our phones. Plus, we have a Garmin Overlander device to navigate while driving. We also have a Garmin InReach that serves as a backup device. Be sure you have extra batteries for your handheld navigation devices.

Final Tips for Remote, Off-Road RV Travels

Having the proper safety equipment is half of the battle when it comes to dealing with the unexpected while exploring the backcountry, but knowing how to use it is just as important. If remote exploration is new to you, then consider taking a basic recovery class at an event like Overland Expo or go on a group trip with the experts at Agile OffRoad.

Remember it is always safer (and often more fun!) traveling with friends. Equally as important is to practice good ethics (like leave no trace) while on the trail, so that sensitive areas will remain open for off-road vehicle use for future generations to enjoy.