Getting Started with RVGather — 5 Simple Steps

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If you're new, the best path is not to do everything at once. The fastest way to make the app useful is to follow the same flow the dashboard is built around.

1. Create a trip.

2. Add stops and reservations to it.

3. Invite friends and share what you want them to see.

4. Add your interests so Matchmaker can help you discover people and groups.

5. Use overlaps, events, and chat to turn plans into actual meetups.

You can move through these in order or jump to the one that solves today's problem.

Step 1 - Create Your First Trip

Start with a trip, not just a single reservation. Trips are the container that keeps your route, stops, reservations, and planning all tied together.

• Create a trip manually and give it a clear name so it's easy to spot later.

• Import from TripWizard or Thousand Trails if you already have travel plans somewhere else.

• Use the AI assistant if you want help deciding how to set things up. A prompt like "Help me create my first trip and organize the stops" is enough to get started.

Once your first trip exists, the rest of the app gets much easier to use because everything has a place to live.

Step 2 - Add Stops and Reservations

After the trip exists, build it out with the real details: where you're going, when you'll be there, and which reservations belong to that route.

• Add stops to map out the journey from place to place.

• Add reservations for campgrounds, parks, and sites so your schedule is accurate.

• Use the map and timeline to review the whole trip visually and make sure dates and locations line up.

This is the step where the app starts becoming a real planning tool instead of just a list.

Step 3 - Invite Friends and Share Your Plans

Once your trip has real dates on it, bring other people into the picture.

• Invite friends by username or name if they're already in the app.

• Use your QR code when you're meeting people in person.

• Send an invite link by text, email, or any messaging app.

After you're connected, choose what they can actually see.

• Open a reservation or trip item and set it to Shared with Friends or Public.

• Use batch sharing when you want to update several reservations at once.

• Remember that sharing is always opt-in. Nothing becomes visible until you choose it.

This is what unlocks overlaps, social planning, and coordinated meetups.

Step 4 - Add Interests and Use Matchmaker

Friends are one way to connect, but interests are how the app helps you discover new people and communities.

• Add your interests so your profile reflects the kind of camping, travel, and activities you actually enjoy.

• Use Matchmaker to find people with similar interests and travel styles.

• Browse groups that match what you're into, whether that's caravanning, family travel, full-timing, weekend trips, or specific campground communities.

The more complete your interests are, the better your recommendations become.

Step 5 - Turn Overlaps Into Meetups

This is where planning becomes social.

• Check overlaps to see when your schedule lines up with friends or shared contacts.

• Create events when you want to turn an overlap into a real meetup.

• Use friend chat to coordinate one-on-one.

• Use group chat when you're organizing something with a bigger crew.

At this stage, you're no longer just tracking trips. You're using the app to stay connected, coordinate plans, and make it easier to actually see people on the road.

Quick Tips

• Use the AI chat on the dashboard any time you get stuck or want help with the next step.

• Use the Getting Started cards and dashboard shortcuts to jump right back into trips, friends, and planning tools.

• Collapse completed cards to keep your dashboard focused on whatever still needs your attention.

If you only do two things today, do Step 1 and Step 2. Once your trip and reservations are in place, everything else starts to connect naturally.