The destination has been selected, the gear packed and you're on your way. There are still a number of things to keep in mind to ensure your outdoor adventure is safe and successful, particularly when camping in wilderness areas.

 
• Arrive at the campground a few hours before sundown to allow enough daylight to choose a campsite, inspect the area and set up camp,
• When selecting a campsite, be on the lookout for trees with dead branches that could fall.
• Avoid gullies that could flood in heavy rain and areas that could become particularly muddy.
• Attempt to find a site that has trees or shrubbery to the north and west to provide shelter against the wind.
• Look for level sites with ample room.
• Inspect the area carefully for poison ivy, bee's nests or other hazards. Clear away any rocks, branches or other debris to prevent accidents.
• Be extremely careful with the campfire, if permitted. The fire should be built in a spot where it cannot spread. From the time a fire is lit until it is put out, someone should always watch it with water nearby in case of an emergency. When the fire is no longer needed it should be put out completely with water and soil until the ashes are cool enough to touch with a bare hand.

Buckle Up: Always Wear Saftey Belts!
Whether you're on the road for a camping outing or everyday driving, make every trip a safe one by buckling up your safety belt and making sure all passengers are also secured. Wearing a safety belt is the single most effective thing you can do to prevent serious injury and death in a traffic accident, according to the National Safety Belt Coalition.

RV Travel Check List:

Binoculars Camera, film Can/bottle opener Extra batteries First aid supplies Fishing tackle/bait Flashlights, lanterns Folding chairs Folding shovel Food, drinks

Galley gear Games Grill and its fuel Maps, nature books Matches, sparker Paper goods Road flares Sports equipment Toilet articles Tools Trash bags

General Tips for Successful RV'ing

Keeping Your Engine Cool When Towing
Towing motorhomes in extreme temperatures while climbing hills and towing an RV can cause overheating. Here's a tip that may make you uncomfortable, but could just keep your engine's coolant from boiling over. If the engine temperature gets near the danger zone, shut off the dash air-conditioner, open the windows and turn on the heater (not Defrost, which runs the air-conditioner compressor, too) as hot as it can go with high fan speed. This often reduces coolant temperatures by 10 to 15 degrees. Never drive with an overheated engine.

Flush Out Freshwater Tanks
When taking a motorhome out of storage, flush the freshwater tank. Add 1/4 cup of household bleach for each 15 gallons of capacity. Fill the tank almost to capacity, leaving room for sloshing. Drive the coach to mix the bleach. Run the hot water to get the bleach through the water heater. Drain the freshwater tank. Refill, along with 1/4 cup of baking soda per 15 gallons. Drive to mix, run the hot water, drain and refill with fresh water.

Gas-$aving Tips
Make sure your motorhome engine has fresh filters and is properly tuned. Slow down; high speeds and fast acceleration burn much more fuel. Maintain a steady speed and use cruise control, if you have it. Remove nonessential cargo from roof racks to lower wind resistance. Excess weight hurts mileage; carry as little extra water, fuel and luggage as you can. Consider leaving the dinghy vehicle at home, if you don’t use it much.

Driving in Wet Weather
Slow down, but look and plan farther ahead. All vehicles take more distance to stop on slick roads, so allow extra distance for braking. Stay extra alert when driving and avoid distractions. Inattention can cause you to slam on the brakes and/or swerve. Most skids are caused by panic braking and abrupt steering inputs.

Winter Driving Tip
If you plan to drive your motorhome in winter, spend some time practicing on slippery surfaces. Use an empty parking lot and try a gentle skid on purpose. Slam on the brakes at a low speed and practice steering out of the skids. Practice until you're comfortable regaining control. Do this in a large, empty snow-covered parking lot with no barriers or wheel stops. The more comfortable you are at regaining control, the better a winter driver you'll be.

Speedometer Check
Here’s an easy way to check the accuracy of your speedometer. On a clear highway where it’s legal, drive at exactly an indicated 60 mph (use cruise control if it works well). Using a stopwatch or stopwatch function on a watch, have your co-pilot time exactly how long it takes to go from one mile marker to the next. Convert seconds to actual speeds: 65.45 sec. = 55mph; 64.28=56; 63.16=57; 62.07=58; 61.02=59; 60.0=60; 59.02=61; 58.06=62; 57.14=6356.25=64; 55.38=65. If you do it over several miles, it will be more accurate.

Backing Into a Site
Here are some common-sense tips for backing into a campground site.

• Decide in advance where the motorhome is to go.
• Take note of posts and hazards, the hookups, where the wheels should go, and where the door(s) will open.
• Be sure the power cord and hoses will reach.
• Check if there's room for slide-outs, awnings and steps.

Fuel Stabilizer
Here's a tip if you won't be using your motorhome regularly during the winter months. Be sure to add a fuel-stabilizer product (such as Sta-Bil for gasoline) to the tank(s). Drive the motorhome afterwards so the fuel stabilizer gets mixed.

Driving Tip
Never drive while fatigued; stop every two hours or about 100 miles and take a short rest. Rather than staring directly ahead of the motorhome, look farther down the road, which will give you more time to anticipate and adjust to changing traffic conditions. Keep your eyes moving -- and scan. Shift your eyes every few seconds, and check your mirrors frequently. Be observant. Knowing what's ahead, beside and behind you can help you make safe driving decisions in an emergency situation.

Stop at the Top
In hilly terrain, if you have to stop for a driver change or to read a map, etc., the safest place to pull over is at the crest of a hill. This affords vehicles approaching from either direction a good view, plus allows you to brake going uphill and accelerate downhill.

Get Ready for Summer
It’s time to prep your motorhome for summer. Begin by cleaning and inspecting it from top to bottom, noting any damage. Check the maintenance book and records to determine what items were done prior to storage and what’s due now. Set tire pressures, check the fluid levels in the engine and genset, differential and transmission. Charge the batteries, clean the terminals and check electrolyte levels. Flush out the freshwater and holding tanks. Remove any cobwebs or debris, and test the refrigerator and water heater.

Camping On Public Lands
Camping facilities are generally simple and rustic, but are set midst some of the nation's most spectacular scenery. These sites are convenient to scenic byways, waterways, trails and numerous outdoor recreation activities.

National Parks -- At the nation's 367 national parks there are over 440 campgrounds offering 29,000 campsites.

Call 1-800-365-2267 to make reservations at some of the busiest National Parks.

National Forests - The USDA Forest Service boasts more than 4,000 campgrounds in its 156 forests, which covers more than 191 million acres of land with 124,629 miles of trails, 128,000 miles of streams and rivers, 16,500 miles of coasts and shorelines and 2.2 million acres of lakes.

For information on camping in the national forests, write to individual forest supervisors. A list is available free by writing to:

USDA Forest Service
Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 96090
Washington, D.C. 20090-6090
Web Site: www.fs.fed.us

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Recreation Sites - The BLM oversees 270 million acres of scenic outdoor recreation sites in the western United States, including Alaska. Recreation activities from hunting to hang gliding abound in BLM areas. For camping information, write to:

Bureau of Land Management
Department of Interior-MIB
1849 C Street N.W., Room 5600
Washington, D.C. 20240
Web Site: www.blm.gov

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Projects - Discover more than 53,000 campsites located near oceans, rivers and lakes, and created through Corps projects, in a series of lakeshore brochures provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. To obtain information, please indicate regional preference or "nationwide" and write to:

USACE Publication Depot
2803 52nd Avenue
Hyattsville, MD 20781-1102
Web Site: www.usace.army.mil

National Wildlife Refuges - The 504 National Wildlife Refuges are dedicated to wildlife conservation. Camping is allowed if compatible with conservation efforts at each location.

A free list of refuges that permit camping is included in "National Wildlife Refuges -- A Visitor's Guide," which highlights facilities and activities offered on refuges. This publication is available from:

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
National Wildlife Conservation Training Center
Shepherd Grade Road
Rt.1 Box 166
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Ph: 1-800-344-WILD
Web Site: www.fws.gov

State & Local Parks
In addition to federal and privately owned campgrounds, the nation is dotted with thousands of state and local-run facilities.

To find out what's available in a particular area, contact the local travel and tourism bureau for camping information. A free list of state travel offices, entitled Discover America Vacation Guide, is available by writing to:

Travel Industry Association of America
1100 New York Ave., N.W.
Suite 450
Washington, DC, 20005
Web Site: www.tia.org

Please include a self-addressed, business-size envelope with requests for the guide.

RV Park & Campground Directories
Several companies publish campground directories which list camping opportunities nationwide at both private and public campgrounds.

Listings are divided by state and include information about the campground's location, amenities offered, calendar of operations and a telephone number to call for reservations. These publications are available in many bookstores or in local libraries.

AAA Campbooks
(11 regional US/Canada editions)
Contact your local AAA Chapter for ordering information

Anderson's Campground Directory
Drawer 467
Lewisburg, WV 24901
Ph: 1-304-645-1897

Camping Guides (8 regional editions)
Woodall Publications Corp.
13975 W. Polo Trail Drive
Lake Forest, IL 60045-5000
Ph: 1-847-362-6700
Web Site: www.woodalls.com

KOA Directory/Road Atlas/Camping Guide
Kampgrounds of America, Inc.
P. O. Box 30558
Billings, MT 59114-0558
Web Site: www.koa.com

"Plan It-Pack It-Go" Camping Guide
Woodall Publications Corp.
13975 W. Polo Trail Drive
Lake Forest, IL 60045-5000
(847) 362-6700
Web Site: www.woodalls.com

Trailer Life Campground & RV Services Directory
TL Enterprises
2575 Vista Del Mar Drive
Ventura, CA 93001
Ph: 1-800-234-3450
Web Site: www.tl.com

Wheelers Recreational Vehicle Resort & Campground Guide
Print Media Services
1310 JaRVis Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Campground Directory
Leisure Systems, Inc.
6201 Kellogg Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45230