As long-time fans of Organized Obie storage products, we thought we’d share some of our favorite RV organization products that have helped maximize our limited campervan space…
Continue reading Organized Obie: 5 Best Lightweight RV Storage Solutions at RV Lifestyle.
As summer is now officially here, one of the most common questions we get is how we plan an RV Trip. So in this week's Episode #401 of the RV Podcast, we share the resources we use in the hopes they will be very helpful to you, too.
Making healthy snacks and meals for your dog doesn’t have to be difficult. Learning the basics of safe ingredients for your dog is a good beginning! Being able to make your dog’s treats, snacks and occasional meals is possible, even while traveling. We know! We have been making our dogs treats and meals for over ten years, and for over six years on the road with our pets in our RV!
Convenience is key to many of us. I have found that being able to shop for our food and our dogs’ food at the same place is easier than having to go to a pet supply store! I can also control the ingredients that go into my dogs’ food and save money. Just a little preparation and packing ahead of time, especially on travel days in the RV makes for easy snacks and mealtimes.
Make sure to pick up a cooler, cooking utensils, food storage containers, and dog supplies at your nearest Camping World. A cooler is essential in our RV to pack our dog’s meals and snacks ahead on travel days! These are just a few of the 2 Traveling Dogs’ favorite supplemental meals and snacks on the road!
Please note, we are not dog nutritionists. Always consult your personal veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.
Easily, our dogs’ favorite, go-to treat anywhere, any time, any place! Chicken jerky for dogs is not only easy but cost-effective and delicious. If your dog is not a fan of chicken, feel free to substitute beef or boneless fish.
Trading an RV in? Do the right things, and you’ll get the most for your RV. In this video, we’ll go over all the things you should do when you trade in your model. Marcus starts on the outside and works his way in, touching on every detail that you must address to get the very best RV trade-in value possible.
Selling an RV or travel trailer is a lot like selling a home. Focus on curb appeal and make sure all the parts of the unit work properly. Ensure nothing is damaged or out of place. Assess your RV through the eyes of a buyer and an appraiser.
What would potential buyers want to see? What would you want to see if you were buying the RV you’re selling?
Proper preparation is important in everything you do. You must prepare your RV before you trade it in. Here are Marcus’s suggestions for prospective sellers on where to begin and what to focus on when selling recreational vehicles:
It’s amazing what a good cleaning will do for your possible trade-in value. People buy with their eyes first and then with their noses. The fact of the matter is a dirty or smelly RV gets a fraction of the sales price it could have if it came clean and ready to go. You want your unit to appear as close to brand new as possible.
Find more value at top travel destinations across North America. Thirty-one campgrounds have recently joined the Good Sam Campground network, increasing your odds of finding savings on the road. Good Sam members get a 10 percent discount at any of our roughly 2,000 Good Sam Campgrounds in North America.
If you’re not a member, Sign up online to purchase a membership or simply buy it at the Good Sam Campground you visit (discounts apply immediately). As you plan your trip, check each campground’s link to determine seasonal availability and make reservations.
Visit one of these new Good Sam Campgrounds today:
Birdwatchers flock to this region to see migratory avians fly over Lake Guntersville. The fishing isn’t bad here either, and visitors can enjoy this region from River Ridge RV Park, which has a marina with kayaking along with nearby trails for hiking, biking and ATV riding.
Wilderness RV Park
Whether you love hosting everyone at the campground for the big game or looking for something with plenty of space for your family, these RVs with front entertainment are an excellent option. We’ll show you four amazing floorplans that provide a front entertainment center so that you can find the perfect design for your future vacations. Learn more below!
There’s plenty of space for your family in these amazing RVs.You’ll find sleeping for four inside this CrossRoads Zinger 259FL travel trailer on sale at RVingPlanet.com. You’ll love front entertainment center that gives you a 50″ TV, plenty of storage space, and a sofa for seating. The walk-thru bathroom gives you a great space for getting ready in the mornings.
Additional Features:
Front Entertainment CenterRear Private Bedroom30″ x 36″ ShowerKitchen Bar Stools50″ TVThis open kitchen with a bar is ideal for making meals for your crew.Save big on your adventures with this used 2018 Keystone Outback 333FE travel trailer available today! The living room features dual opposing slides with ample seating for you and your guests. In the bedroom, the king bed makes it really easy to get a great night’s sleep.
Additional Features:
It is legal to ride in a 5th wheel or travel trailer in SOME states, but even some that allow it have certain restrictions. So, it’s important to know state laws.
But more so, it’s important to consider whether or not riding in a 5th wheel is safe regardless of laws…
Continue reading Is It Legal to Ride in a 5th Wheel? (Is It Safe?!) at RV Lifestyle.
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Fishing is a favorite pastime of many campers. Whether you prefer tent camping, RVing, or staying in cabins, there are plenty of destinations for you to check out this year. It can sometimes be hard to find campsites with fishing nearby though (especially if you want to actually catch something).
To help you out, we’ve found 10 great campsites that are located close to popular fishing destinations. We’ve got options for river fishing, ocean fishing, and even ice fishing! No matter what your style is, one of these destinations is bound to speak to you.
The campsites are also spread out over the U.S. so everyone should be able to find something that’s close to them. You can find even more great campgrounds and RV parks with a quick search on RV LIFE Campground Reviews or while planning your travels on RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
Grab your fishing pole and pack your camping gear because it’s time to find your new favorite campsite!
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We all want life to be simple when we are RVing. These easy hacks will help you get the most out of your RV with little to no effort on your part. We researched the best RVing hacks that will keep your RV comfortable and organized wherever you happen to be.
Some RVs are better equipped with storage than others. However, all RVs have very limited storage. It’s a good idea to have multifunctional items in the RV to minimize storage needs and lighten your load. Here are some of the best RV storage hacks we’ve heard of.
One of the best RVing tips is for everything in the RV to have multiple uses. While that’s not always possible, having 5-gallon buckets with lids can give you:
Dry goods storageA water toteSecure food storageA place to store iceA laundry washerStorage for hoses, electrical cords Storage for hosesStorage for toolsTenacious 5-gallon bucket lids can be hard to get on and off. Gamma seal lids are twist-off lids that fit onto any 5-gallon bucket to make sealing and unsealing the bucket as easy as taking the lid off a jar.
We've had it for six weeks now so it's time for a complete Arcadia Fifth Wheel tour. We have the 3250 RL Model, meaning it's 32.5 feet long with a Rear Lounge. And while it is smaller than many Fifth Wheels out there, we're luxuriating in the extra room and storage space.
Continue reading Complete Arcadia Fifth Wheel Tour at RV Lifestyle.
Early experiences in the Dakotas provided valuable inspiration for the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. That inspiration drove his desire to form the National Park Service, and you can easily imagine why he took up the cause at five national parks destinations to visit in the Dakotas.
Four of these parks are within two hours of each other in South Dakota. The fifth — Theodore Roosevelt National Park — is roughly five hours away in North Dakota. So you can reasonably hit all five on your next RV trip through the Dakotas.
Here’s your guide to these five national parks in the Dakotas, with nearby camping options for each:
The park named after our 26th President is a great location to start or end your national park road trip in the Dakotas. Because it’s a little separated from the other four, hit it on your way to South Dakota or on your way home.
The Little Missouri River. Getty Images
Glacier National Park is located in Montana’s Rocky Mountains right at the US-Canada border. It’s often called the “Crown of the Continent” and is one of the most photogenic of all the national parks. With the park’s abundance of beautiful landscapes and wildlife, it’s truly a paradise for nature lovers.
If the park photos alone don’t convince you to visit Glacier National Park, know that it’s even more stunning in person. The park is home to some of the most pristine forests, meadows, mountains, and lakes. In fact, there are 762 lakes in Glacier National Park, only 131 of which are named.
It’s also home to 26 glaciers and 175 mountains! That’s not to mention the wildlife you’re guaranteed to see with 71 species of mammals roaming the park. Mountain goats are the official symbol of the park, and bears are spotted so often that you’ll want to be armed with bear spray at all times.
The campgrounds near the Apgar Visitor Center are large and offer an excellent basecamp for exploring the park. From the campground, it’s a short walk or bike ride to the village, where there’s a small store, gift shop, restaurant, vendors for renting kayaks, and the beach on Lake McDonald, which is one of the park’s best locations for sunset watching.
In addition to its natural beauty, Glacier National Park has other unique qualities that set it apart from other parks. It has over 300 historical structures that are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Paddling is one of the best ways to cool off during summer RV trips. But renting kayaks or paddle boards at each new destination gets expensive. That’s why many RVers transport inflatable paddle boards, so they’re ready to paddle wherever their adventures take them.
Transporting larger personal watercraft like kayaks and canoes is near-impossible with an RV or travel trailer that is not a toy hauler. On the flip side, inflatable paddle boards pack into convenient storage bags that fit in the underneath storage compartment in most RVs.
Even if you’re towing a small camper with minimal storage space, you can find room in your tow vehicle to transport an inflatable paddle board.
In addition to being the best personal watercraft for RVers to transport, inflatable paddleboards are easy to inflate and require minimal maintenance. They’re also great for bringing pets on the water, so no one gets left in your camper during the hottest hours of the day.
Finally, inflatable SUPs are easy to carry from your campsite to the water. If you can’t always snag waterfront campsites, many paddle boards come in backpack-style storage bags. So you can easily carry them to the water without dragging or lugging a heavy kayak or canoe.
As an RVer, you'll quickly learn that you don't need to continuously pack, load, and unload most items in your RV. To get you ahead of the learning curve, here are 15 things to leave in your RV...
Continue reading 15 Best Things to Leave in Your RV at RV Lifestyle.
Lake life is where it’s at. Whenever our family goes RVing, we make sure we are camping near a lake so that we have opportunities to play at the beach, go fishing, boating, canoeing, or stand-up paddle boarding. Being by the water not only gives us plenty of things to do but also triggers a sense of calm and joy. I love hearing the sound of loons calling or waves hitting the shoreline. And there’s nothing better than ending a beautiful day of RVing with an even more beautiful sunset at the lake.
To prepare for a day of RVing at the lake, there are a few essentials to check off the list to make sure you have a great time while lake camping.
Waterfront campsites are among the most popular spots to get taken at campgrounds. Be sure to book your lake campsite far in advance if you want to guarantee a spot for your RV. Be sure to hit the refresh button often because there are last-minute cancellations at campgrounds all the time.
Where there is water, there are typically pesty insects — especially when temperatures warm up. It’s the unfortunate part of camping next to a lake. It is hard to truly enjoy the outdoors when you’re constantly swatting away unwanted insects. Mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks are among my worst enemies when lake camping so I always come prepared with my anti-insect weapons of choice: bug spray with DEET, permethrin-treated clothes, Thermacell, and a screen room. Learn How to Repel Bugs When Camping.
Bug spray. Look for a spray with 25 to 50 percent DEET will get the job done. I spray every couple of hours, especially if I’m using repellent that isn’t sweat or waterproof. After a day on the water, I always make sure to douse myself in bug spray before coming back to the campsite.Permethrin. Treating your clothing with permethrin will work wonders. I always try to treat my clothes a few days before a big camping trip to make sure it’s working at its highest potency. The treatment usually lasts up to five or so washes though. The best part is that after you treat your clothes, there’s no smell or sticky residue that bug spray sometimes leaves behind. Thermacell. Create your own little forcefield of protection around your lake campsite by using a Thermacell or two. This thing works wonders and I make sure to bring ours with us anytime we’re going to be hanging out at an outdoor area whether it’s the dock, beach, campsite, or the park. Thermacells run off a butane cartridge which heats up a replaceable mat that’s saturated in a repellent called allethrin which releases into the air to create a protection zone. Screened room. A screened room is an easy way to create an outdoor space that’s bug-free. It’s basically a large tent with screen walls so that you can still see and feel the outdoors while keeping unwanted pests away. It does take up space so make sure you have room for one when booking a campsite.If we’re camping by a lake, we never leave without our fishing gear. In fact, we usually choose lake campsites because we want to fish. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors alone or with friends and family. Plus, we are teaching our kids about conservation and how we can cook lake-to-table meals. We always keep an extra travel rod in the RV just in case we forget to pack the fishing gear or we end up breaking a rod. Find fishing gear at Camping World, and get inspired for your lakeside RV trip:
Phew! Everything on your pre-vacation to-do list is checked off. You’ve sent your last work email and packed up your RV with all the gear you need for a great vacation. Now the only thing left is hitting the road, right?
Not so fast. Before you head out on that RV dream trip, take a moment to ask yourself: what have I done to secure the home that I’m leaving behind? How do I keep my home from becoming the target for thieves? Arrange a few extra security measures so that these questions don’t dog you for every mile of travel.
This one is a no-brainer. Of course, it’s easy to remember obvious entry points like your front door, but it’s important to think creatively. Consider all the potential entry points for a thief. Make sure all ground-level windows are locked and secured, along with your garage and side or backdoors. Consider locking the gates to your backyard to deter thieves from sneaking around the back.
In the case that one rogue window remains unlocked, entry sensors can alert you (or a secondary contact) immediately that it was opened. In addition, Motion Sensors and Glass Break Sensors offer additional protection.
Don’t skimp on protecting the prized possessions that you store in the home. Invest in a safe if you don’t already have one to secure your important papers, cash, jewelry, keepsakes or other valuable items that you don’t bring with you on your trip.
Call it old school, vintage, nostalgic or classic – retro campers are some of the most unique and eye-catching RVs you’ll see on the road today. They remind us of cross-country travel during simpler times. It’s a style that transcends age while also connecting with history. New, modern-day RVs can still hold onto the old soul and style of a retro RV while embracing the amenities and contemporary look of a new RV. Some might say retro and modern styles are a match made in RV heaven.
Here are some retro decor ideas for your new RV:
Wallpaper has already made its comeback so why not follow the trend while paying homage to the 50s and 60s with retro wallpaper. It can be done subtly with abstract patterns, florals, or a Scandinavian style pattern like a chevron. Make a big statement with neon block prints, a black and white checkered pattern, a houndstooth, or even a mural. Go with something kitsch for a fun retro theme that’s unique and reminiscent of the hippy days.
Wallpaper is as easy as peel-and-stick. Just apply it on a clean, dry service. If you’re ready to change things up, just peel off the old wallpaper. No sticky residue will be left behind. Check out some of the wallpaper options available at Camping World.
Give your windows, chairs, and bed the throwback textile treatment it deserves. Home and RV decor enthusiasts know that a stylish throw pillow or blanket can tie a room together. The most helpful tip when choosing textiles is to keep them cohesive in both style and color.
Towing a travel trailer or fifth wheel on the highway is easier than parking and maneuvering around a campground. Anyone who says you don’t have to worry when learning how to back up a trailer is either lying, a pro, or has never done it.
Backing up a travel trailer or fifth wheel into a campsite can be stressful. However, there are steps you can take to make things easier when backing up towable RVs.
Before you attempt to back up a trailer into a campsite with many watchful eyes bearing down on you, you can apply the steps below to any parking space that’s roughly as wide as a campsite.
Somewhere in your town, find a large parking lot that empties out sometime during the week. Take your trailer and spotter there to practice. Imagine that a set of two (or even four) parking spaces are your intended campsite.
Then apply the steps below to practice backing up your trailer into that site from various angles.
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Summer is upon us, so it’s time to prepare for hot weather. Traveling in an RV is great, but constantly running the air conditioning can be a major drain on your battery. If you want to conserve energy or don’t have a functional system, it’s important to know how to stay cool without A/C.
It takes a lot less energy to maintain a lower temperature than it does to transition a hot RV into a cool one. Even if you do decide to run your A/C, you can save energy by forming some habits that will keep the interior nice and cool.
Below we have some tips that will help your RV (and the passengers within) stay cool without A/C. These range from interior upgrades to quick cool-down hacks. Try to implement some of these ideas during your travels this summer and see how easy it is to get by without relying solely on the air conditioner.
Getting natural light into your RV is a great way to brighten up the space, but it also invites a lot of heat inside. If sunlight is allowed to enter your RV without any buffer, it could raise the temperature by 10 degrees or more. It can quickly become sweltering, especially if there is no outlet for the heat to escape.
Camping season is upon us and that means it’s time to dust off the camping gear and start planning, including what meals you’re going to have at the campsite. My parents used to take my siblings and me RVing to national parks. The most memorable part, aside from seeing the national wonders, was always the food.
Mom and dad would cook up the best Korean dishes that would inevitably lead campground neighbors to our campsite asking what we were cooking. The aromas of grilled meats on the camping griddle like pork belly, marinated beef, vegetables, and kimchi were hard to resist. And I think most people are surprised by the variety of Korean dishes that can be made at the campsite.
As most outdoor enthusiasts know, food always tastes better outdoors. Korean food particularly tastes amazing while sitting around a campfire. The smokey smell and all of the flavors meld together perfectly.
To recreate some of my favorite dishes, I fired up the Blackstone Griddle which has been a practical addition to our RV cooking lineup. There’s a lot of real estate on that griddle top so it’s a great way to cook for a crowd or make meals to last a few days. Plus the powerful, adjustable heat allows me to sear, saute, fry, and keep food warm. There really is no limit to what you can cook on a flat top griddle.
Here are four easy, delicious Korean-style recipes that you can cook on a griddle. Acquire your own griddle for your campsite and save these recipes for your next trip.
