Are RV Tours and Travels For Me?

RV tours and travels are growing in their popularity among people who RV throughout the year or are uncomfortable RVing on their own, or people who don’t own their own RV.

Not only do RV tours give you the chance to see a new place and meet new people, but an RV tour also takes the stress out of trip planning and allows you to enjoy the experience better.

What is an RV Tour?

An RV tour is a professionally led excursion for a group of RVers through a designated area. Exploring destinations beyond the places you are comfortable with can be overwhelming if you have never done it, so many people like to book an RV tour.

When you book an RV tour, all of the planning is taken out of the trip. All you need to do is meet up with the caravan at the designated place and time and enjoy the journey.

While many people choose to use RV tours to explore destinations like Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, many RV tours exist in the Lower 48 States. The companies that lead these excursions take the time to do extensive research before selling a tour package to their customers.

This research allows the company to travel the best roads, choose the best campgrounds, plan the best day trips, and stop in the best towns. When you go on the RV tour, you will be accompanied by a Wagon Master who will lead the caravan and take care of any mishaps.

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Pros and Cons of RV Tours

RV tours and travels aren’t right for everyone. While some people like the assurances of a preplanned trip, others don’t like that they don’t have the freedom to change their journey partway through. Below is a list of some of the pros and cons of choosing to take an RV Tour.

RV Tours and Travels Pros

You always know what to expect. Because a guide leads you, you are far less likely to find yourself in a situation that delays your trip. Your guide can ensure that you don’t hit a low bridge or get stuck in the sand in a campground. You will have the reassurance that you are safely guided through any area that you visit.
Your money goes further. When you travel with an organized group, you will save money on admission fees, campgrounds, and even meals. This is because RV tour companies have more buying power than individual travelers.
Meeting new people. When you are traveling in a caravan, you will have things in common with the people you are traveling with. The people around you are fellow RVers who love the outdoors and enjoy new adventures. This means you are likely to find new friendships that will be lifelong.

RV Tours and Travels Cons

Being sociable adds to the trip. If you prefer to stick to yourself, you can still participate in the RV tour, but you aren’t likely going to have much fun if you aren’t willing to get out and meet some of the other travelers. Many RV tours include potlucks, happy hours, and other get-togethers. Similarly, if someone else on the tour complains a lot, it can ruin the entire tour for people.
Predetermined schedules. When you are on tour, you are on a pre-set timetable. This means that you are leaving at a set time, eating at a set time, and stopping where they’ve decided to stop. For some people, this can be frustrating.

Ultimately, the only way to know if an RV tour is for you is to try. You might think that you aren’t going to enjoy being around other people and then making friends with someone who makes the trip worth it.

On the flip side, you might think you will like having someone else do all the planning and then realize that you enjoy being in control of your trip.

What Should I Consider When Choosing an RV Tour and Travel Company?

When you have decided to go on an RV tour, there are some things that you should take into consideration when you are choosing your company.

Is the company a member of the BBB, and what is its rating?
How many years of service have they provided? This applies to both the company and the trip guide.
What is the size of the group that will be traveling on the RV tour? People find the best tours include limited RVs to enhance the travel logistics and tour experiences.
Is there a possibility of date changes?
What type of insurance might I need?
Which activities are included on the trip?
What costs are included in the package, and what are you responsible for?
Is there a cancellation policy?
Do they allow pets? Do they allow children?
How are mechanical issues going to be handled? Is a pre-trip mechanical check required?
Will you have any free time? How much time and in what locations? Will you be given options for side trips?
What do past customers have to say about the company and the guide?

RV Tours and Travels Companies

If you want to explore some more specific RV tour options with US-based operators, see the list below.

Frequently Asked Questions About RV Tours And Travel

Do I Need to Own An RV?

When you are taking an RV tour, you need an RV. However, you don’t need to OWN the RV. Taking a rented RV on tour is an acceptable solution. When you rent an RV for a tour, you can make sure that it has all the amenities that your specific trip will need.

Should I Bring a Tow Vehicle?

When you go on an RV tour, a tow vehicle typically isn’t mandatory. However, when you have free days to explore, a tow vehicle makes it a lot easier to get around without having to worry about your RV.

How Should I prepare My RV For the Tour?

Before you go on your tour, there are some basic things that you should take into consideration. First, ensure that your RV is in good condition to make the trip.

You should make sure that you have the warranty information, the name of the dealer you purchased from, factory telephone numbers, warranty numbers, and the year, make, and model of your RV, so you can have parts delivered quickly if you need them.

How Do Overseas Tours Work?

If you are traveling to an overseas destination, you will not be bringing your RV with you. Typically, you are responsible for booking your flights to and from the destination for these trips, but the RV rental will be included in your tour price.

What is a Wagon Master?

The Wagon Master is the person who will head out first and ensures that all reservations are ready for the trip participants when they arrive. The Wagon Master will give the RV owners advice on which routes they should take and some sights to see along the way. They will also give suggested arrival times for that day’s destination.

What is a Tail Gunner?

The Tail Gunner follows at the back of the group to help anyone who experiences difficulties. This could mean breakdowns or accidents, or if someone gets lost.

Often, the Tail Gunner is an experienced mechanic or RVer who has the skills to assist with any problems. This ensures that no one is left along the highway’s side with no way to communicate with the group.

Do I have To Stay with the Convoy?

When you are taking an RV tour, it isn’t always mandatory to drive as a caravan, although there are circumstances that make convoy travel more appealing. In most situations, you know where the endpoint of the day is, and you are free to make additional stops along the way if there is something that you want to see.

However, most RVers exploring a new country or an unfamiliar place prefer to stick with the group to ensure they don’t get lost.

What comes with my RV Tour?

All tours will be different, making it essential that you ask your Tour Company for a list of what they do and do not include. Most RV tour companies will consist of RV Park fees and reservations. Some other features that are often included are:

Trip logs and maps
Services of the Wagon Master and Tail Gunner
Emergency Medical Assistance Insurance
Fees for border crossings and visas
Pre-arranges side excursions
Organized social hours
Trip preparation packet and checklist.

Things that are NOT included are the cost of a rental RV, fuel, food, and personal expenses. If you require ferries or toll highways while you are on your trip, those are usually at your own cost.

An RV tour might not be right for everyone, but for most people, they are an excellent opportunity to see parts of the country and world that you might otherwise not explore. Ensuring that you know what is and isn’t included in your RV tour is key to ensuring that you have a successful and relaxing RV tour trip, wherever you decide to go.

Use this article as a guide to determine if RV tours and travels are for you.