The writer, Loren Christie, discovered that RV road trips are a way of bringing the comforts of home, like your favourite pillow, on a vacation.Courtesy Loren Christie
A silver-lining of the COVID-19 pandemic was that I discovered the joy of RV travel. In the summer of 2021, with international travel restrictions in flux, my husband and I decided we would stay in the province and make a long overdue trip to see his family in Thunder Bay.
Initially, renting the RV was a practical choice. Travelling from Toronto, we would avoid close physical contact with strangers that just wasn’t possible if we took a plane, we could easily bring our two dogs, and we wouldn’t have to occupy a bedroom in his uncle’s house during our visit.
That decision resulted in one of my top vacation experiences of all time. We knew it would be fun to spend time with some of our favourite relatives, but we never anticipated how much we enjoyed the journey itself. An RV is an easy, relaxed and flexible way to travel.
Looking back, however, we made a couple of novice planning errors.
Pre-plan the route
We were so focused on getting to our end destination that we didn’t spend enough time planning out the route. This was particularly apparent during an overnight stop in Pukaskwa NationalPark, near Marathon, Ont. There are no hard rules about how long you can or can’t drive in a single day, but long days of driving weren’t appealing to us or Cleo and Cairo, our dogs, so we ended up randomly choosing a spot that we could reach by late afternoon. What we inadvertently discovered was an absolutely stunning park nestled next to white sand beaches along the shores of Lake Superior with beautiful hiking trails through the adjacent hills.
The next morning when we inquired about staying an additional night, we were told our campsite had already been booked so we had to move on. Although Parks Canada has approximately 3,819 serviced campsites across the country that are suitable for RV stays, they tend to book up quickly once each park’s reservation system opens, which typically happens from mid-January through mid-February.
The good news is that if you miss your chance to secure a Parks Canada campsite, there are many provincial parks that are set up to welcome RVs, as well as an ever-increasing number of private camping options. Campertunity.com is a website that connects travellers to Canada’s history and natural beauty, while building community with local landowners who open their “homes” to campers. Think of it like AirBnB for outdoor enthusiasts.
Enjoy the ride – and the vehicle
The writer, his husband and their two dogs enjoy lunch in Trowbridge Falls Campground in Thunder Bay, Ont.Courtesy Loren Christie
I also wish I had made more time to enjoy the actual experience of RVing. It is so much more than just a mode of transportation, and it’s perfectly suited to soft outdoor adventure. Travelling via RV offered the ability to enjoy nature but with the comforts of home – making dinner with groceries we grabbed out of the kitchen fridge, having drinks around a campfire while watching the stars, and listening to the sounds of the park at night while lying comfortably on a mattress away from the dirt and bugs. I was almost sorry to arrive at my in-laws.
Remember to slow down
”The biggest mistake first-timers can make is to overestimate how much they can pack in on a holiday,” says Kathryn Munro, vice-president of sales and marketing for CanaDream, an RV rental company in Canada with locations from Halifax to Whitehorse. “Less is more with an RV. Enjoy the experience and slow it down.”
If you are planning on going for a week’s holiday, book two campsites for a few nights each. Allow yourself the time to settle in at each spot and relax. Choose spots that match your interests. “Whether it’s golfing, hiking, visiting wineries or whatever, Canada has lots to choose from,” says Munro.
A well-planned itinerary will also help with your budgeting. Most RV rental companies offer packages that come with a pre-set amount free kilometres, but you will want to consider the total estimated distance so you can manage costs effectively. The journey from Vancouver to Calgary, for example, is approximately 1,600 km, but also you need to factor in potential diversions and spontaneous trips off the beaten path, making 2,000 km a more likely total distance for that experience.
And don’t forget the details
Wherever you’re staying, there are practicalities to be aware of when. Look for services like potable water, pump out stations for your toilet and an electrical hook up to recharge your RV’s battery. Although most RVs can last on battery power for a few days when parked, certain added comforts that you may choose to bring along from home, such as a coffee maker, toaster or hair dryer, will quickly drain that battery.
When it comes to RVing, size does matter. You will want to ensure that you pick the right size vehicle for your needs. The best rule of thumb is to simply consider the number of people (and dogs) you are travelling with and make sure you have enough spots for each person to sleep. Typically, RVs come between 20 and 33 feet and can sleep between two and seven people.
Although the RV was initially just a way for us to travel between Toronto and Thunder Bay, we quickly realized it was more than beds on wheels. It was a unique experience for our family – and no special license was required.
