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How To Keep Cockroaches Out Of Your RV

Cockroaches are notoriously hard to get rid of. They’re practically the poster child for seemingly immortal pests! Plus, these insects are gross and may even carry diseases. Sometimes these insects find their way into even the cleanest living spaces, so everyone should know how to get rid of cockroaches, whether it’s in a house or an RV.

Many people have found that traditional methods of dealing with pests don’t work on cockroaches. These things are ridiculously hardy and can reproduce fairly quickly. So even if you wipe out one generation, another one is already on the way. 

Fortunately, there are some methods that have been effective in the war against cockroaches. If you target different parts of their biology and habits, you can eliminate them. You may not know how to get rid of cockroaches, but read our guide below to get a full education on these nasty bugs. 

When you think about national parks, there are a few places that immediately come to mind. Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Zion, and, of course, Yosemite. With its stunning landscapes, iconic rock faces, and pristine wilderness, Yosemite is one of the country’s most popular outdoor destinations. It is a must-visit place for hikers, backpackers, and rock climbers, although it has plenty to offer anyone who appreciates breathtaking scenery on an epic scale.

Ansel Adams spent his life trying to capture the essence of this beautiful place, capturing some of his most memorable photos there. But, you can’t truly appreciate what Yosemite has to offer until you visit it yourself. Here’s how to make that happen and what you should see and do once you get there. 

Why Visit Yosemite in Your RV?

Covering nearly 760,000 acres, Yosemite is epic in size and scope. There is so much to take in here that a single visit only scratches the surface of what the park has to offer. By visiting in an RV you’ll have the perfect base camp for your outdoor adventures, with a comfortable and warm setting to return to at the end of the day. Hike the trails, soak in the scenery, and enjoy a beautiful campfire after sunset. This is a place that any adventurous traveler or outdoor enthusiast will fall in love with, and most likely return to again in the future.

When to Visit Yosemite

As with most national parks, Yosemite is open year-round and accessible 365 days a year. If you’re RVing, it’s best to go in the late spring through early fall, avoiding chances for major snowfall at the lower elevations. You’ll find that all of the park’s areas are open from June through September, although it is the busiest time of the year for travelers. Be prepared to share the roads and parking lots, as even on weekdays, it can get very crowded. 

Yosemite in the Spring

Spring brings warming temperatures and a slow, gradual thaw to Yosemite National Park. The park’s numerous mountain peaks continue to be shrouded in snow, but at lower elevations, winter is in full retreat. Daytime temperatures average in the mid-50ºF to mid-60ºF range in the Valley, falling into the low- to mid-30s at night. All temperatures are colder at altitude, although much of the backcountry remains closed throughout March and April. Snow showers are not unheard of at this time of year, but most days are clear and sunny.

As much as we wish for it, the RV lifestyle isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Inevitably, there will be storms that delay your journey or, in the case of solar panels, threaten to break you. But don’t give up!

There are ways to weather those storms that include protecting your solar investment. As with all inclement weather, a little preparation often dictates how well you survive it.

Knowing how to protect your RV solar panels from hail will help you prepare for the worst while still hoping for the best.

How Delicate are RV Solar Panels?

Since installed RV solar panels are designed to capture as much sun as possible, their positioning can leave them vulnerable in the eye of a storm. Solar panels are typically mounted on the roof of your RV and left exposed.

While covering them would render them ineffective, this exposure can be problematic in severe weather. Most solar panels are built to withstand wind and rain, but hail is a different story.

Let's face it: These are challenging times. And after a week at the recent Hershey RV Show in Pennsylvania, where we talked with hundreds of real RVers, there are some real RV worries for 2023 clouding the future for many. Not that any are willing to toss in the towel. To a person, everyone we talked to planned to do their best and Keep Calm and Camp ON - as the silly T-shirt says. But unlike many so-called RV industry leaders, who always spin a rosy future, real RVers are realistic and candid about all the challenges they see ahead over the next 12 years in this post-COVID world, where a variety of issues are complicating their RV travel and camping plans.

Continue reading Real RVers talk about their RV worries for 2023 at RV Lifestyle.

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California visitors have no shortage of RV parks and resorts to choose from. The problem becomes finding the best spot to stay! You can guarantee that there are a lot of resorts vying for attention, but the Emerald Desert RV Resort near Palm Springs should rank high on your list. 

This is a beautiful and lush RV resort that boasts wide open spaces, lovely landscaping, and tons of amenities. It’s the perfect resort for RVers who want to travel in style. 

California has been a destination for travelers, RVers, and snowbirds for a long time, so there’s a thriving hospitality culture in this state. When you stay at Emerald Desert RV Resort, all of your needs will be met (and probably exceeded). Let’s do a deep dive into this resort and explore exactly what makes it such an appealing destination for RVers. 

Go RV camping near Palm Springs

Emerald Desert RV Resort is located at 76000 Frank Sinatra Dr, Palm Desert, CA. This location is nestled in the Coachella Valley, close to Palm Springs. It’s also right in the middle of Santa Barbara and San Diego, so you can enjoy these large coastal cities during your visit. 

The Los Angeles RV Resort (formerly Acton / North LA KOA) is now open as a Good Sam Campground for guests in historical Acton’s beautiful Soledad Canyon. Located just 45 miles from Los Angeles, Action Camp has all you need for the ultimate camping getaway or as a base camp for your SoCal explorations. The fun family-friendly campground offers lots of amenities.

Enjoy the swimming pool, volleyball & basketball courts, convenience store, outdoor café-style area, indoor lounge and more. Perfect as a large group retreat center with wide open fields for family reunions, school groups, clubs and nonprofits. There are full hookup RV sites but if you don’t have an RV, reserve our Woody tents, cabins or teepees or maybe a deluxe tent site with power. Camp with a touch of glamour… Glamping! This lovely canyon area has limited cellular signal but there is Wi-Fi available for those times you do need to stay connected. There are plans to add educational programs and more, so checkout our website often for activities.

Local area attractions include Universal Studios, Hollywood, Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Dodgers Stadium, museums and more! Enjoy day trips to Santa Monica, Malibu and Venice Beach. AND it’s a must-stop base camp for hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. Stay for a night, a week, a month or more!

Get a great deal on your next fifth wheel and take something to the campground that gives you all the space you need for a great night’s sleep. These fifth wheels with a master bed slide–out offer a spacious bedroom for you to get your beauty sleep in every night at the campground. Learn more about these five amazing fifth wheels below!

This couple’s coach offers residential features that will help you feel right at home at the campground. There’s a residential refrigerator, a kitchen island, and a king bed in the master bedroom! Additional features you’ll love include a 50″ HDTV with hidden storage behind it.

Additional Features:

Get an incredible deal on this Coachmen Brookstone 290RL fifth wheel that offers a king bed set into the slide in the master bedroom. There’s a large wardrobe for all your things and a spacious shower in the bathroom to help you wash away the day before you crawl into bed. You’ll love the theater seating in the living room for family movie nights.

Additional Features:

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Clever Ways To Reuse Plastic Bags & Bottles In Your RV

We live in a world that emphasizes single-use items. This is a simple truth and one that we all need to try to work around. Although many items (such as plastic bottles and grocery bags) are designed to be thrown away after a single use, many people have discovered how to reuse these items.

We tend to accumulate plastic bottles and bags in bulk, especially if you buy a lot of bottled water or forget your reusable bags at the grocery store. Although they can be reused for simple purposes like multi-use water bottles or trash can liners, many people have found unique and interesting ways to make these items useful again. 

Just remember that it’s usually a good idea to thoroughly wash your bottles and bags before you use them for anything else. Plastic is sometimes porous, so it absorbs things it has touched before. Give everything a good soak and rinse before repurposing them!

How to reuse plastic bags

Plastic bags are very easy to come by, especially if you frequently go grocery shopping. Common uses for these bags include trash can liners, dog poop bags, and storage for additional grocery bags. But with a little work and imagination, you can use them for so much more!

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How Does The Harvest Hosts Membership Program Work?

Harvest Hosts is an RVer membership program that invites RVers to have unique overnight stays. I have been a Harvest Hosts member for every year I have been RVing, and it has been worth it.

It doesn’t matter whether you like wine or brews, farms or museums, and attractions or golf. There is a space for you at over 3,500+ choices across North America. And Harvest Hosts is adding hundreds of new ones every month. But just because it is one of the fastest growing RV services doesn’t mean you’ll want to join. So, why would you?

The Harvest Hosts stories

Every time my husband and I stay at a Harvest Hosts destination, we visit the owner and learn about their farm, winery, or entertainment venue.

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According to data published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are nearly 2,000 devastating RV fires every year. An RV fire can start anywhere, whether you are on the road or parked.

Being aware of potential fire hazards in your RV and taking steps to mitigate your risk of a fire can go a long way to keeping your RV safe.  

Which RVs are most at risk of a fire?

According to a National Fire Protection Association report on fire hazards associated with RVs, older models of RVs have fewer and less advanced fire safety measures. They also have older engines and equipment that is more likely to fail, which is a common cause of RV fires. Most fatal RV fires occur in older models of RVs.  

When most people think of Colorado, they think about the Rocky Mountains and popular ski towns. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve can often be overlooked, but it is one of the state’s most notable spots!

The sand dunes, which are believed to have started forming about 440,000 years ago from the combination of opposing winds and a huge supply of sand from the valley floor, are the tallest in North America. They’re a must-see for any RVer.

Why Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in an RV?

Not only are the sand dunes a rare natural phenomenon, but the entire area surrounding the national park is filled with beauty. As you drive to the park, you’ll quickly fall in love with the San Luis Valley and be greeted with sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the east and the San Juan Mountains to the west.

Once inside the park, you’ll be amazed by its diversity. Its high desert landscape is home to lakes, forests, wetlands, grasslands, meadows, and shrublands. Plus, with over 100,000 acres to explore, you’re sure to find what excites you most!

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve was also recently named one of the quietest national parks, which is just another feature that makes it feel somewhat bizarre. It’s truly a park of contrasts that you have to see to believe.

Want to get more out of your RV? Subscribe to the Camping World YouTube channel, and never miss a video.

RV slide-outs have given otherwise compact RVs more interior living space since their invention in 1915. They completely change the look and feel of your RV interior, providing more space for cooking, lounging, and entertaining guests. 

But what do you do if your RV slide-outs don’t retract when you’re packing up camp?

Lubricating your slide regularly is one way to avoid this issue, but there is a way to operate RV slide-outs manually. The procedure varies based on the type of slide your RV is built with, so understanding that is your first step. 

Types of RV Slide-outs

RV manufacturers use different slide-out manufacturers in their builds. While there are more than these three RV slide types, these are the most common: 

There are hundreds of thousands of miles of scenic bike trails across the country and many of them are located near some of the best campgrounds. From paved trails to rural rail trails, the opportunities to go road biking, fat biking, mountain biking, and electric biking are endless. 

Whether you want to have access to nearby cities by trail or simply want to get some exercise in the great outdoors while camping, we narrowed down five of the best campgrounds located near rail trails and bike trails — all of which are Good Sam Parks. Save 10% with your Good Sam Club Membership when you stay at any of these campgrounds! 

Susanville RV Park — Susanville, California

Discover the windy path of the Bizz Johnson National Recreational Trail in northeastern California. The 25.4-mile scenic rail trail takes you from Susanville to Westwood with much of the trail winding along Susan River Canyon. 

Susanville RV Park is nestled near downtown Susanville just 2-miles from the Bizz Johnson Trailhead. You’ll find plenty of space at this Good Sam campground with 101 full hookup sites and 45 big rig pull-through sites. It’s pet-friendly with bathrooms, showers, laundry, a fitness center, and WiFi. 

The nearby Bizz Johnson trail is unique because you not only get a view of the mountains, but it takes you across bridges, trestles, and even tunnels giving you a better look at the history of the Central Pacific Railroad. If you visit in October, be sure to check out the Rails to Trails Festival at the Historic Railroad Depot in Susanville.