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RV owners like us are lucky. Finding the coolest camping destinations in July and August is pretty easy. With a tank of fuel and one turn of the key, our homes on wheels carry everything we need for a summer escape away from hot spots to a cool river, mountaintop or breezy beach. Endless choices make pinpointing a destination tricky, but these trip ideas can help you winnow down your options.

Where Are the Coolest Places to Camp in July and August?

Finding reasonable summer weather is tough. Most of us will put in a few hours of driving to reach the coolest place to camp in July and August. Historical weather data shows the five coldest summer states in the U.S. also happen to be filled with excellent RV camping destinations, too. The five best places to stay cool camping in summer are: Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado and Alaska.

These cool summer states are geographically immense. Each state gives you tons of camping choices from busy national parks to remote coastal destinations. Whether you can only book a quick getaway somewhere in the west, or you’ve got time for a longer journey to the far north, one of these great summer RV destinations is practically guaranteed to keep you cooler than where you’re standing now.

Oregon

I can’t help but feel grateful when I look out my window today. As I write this story, it’s nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit just a few hours south of where I’m camped in Oregon. But out here, the dense tree canopy is protected by gray and cloudy skies that keep me cool and happy.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Where are they going? Well, they’re probably going to the bathroom. It happens to all of us. Honestly, the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in any home and RVs are no exception. So how do you make sure the room that works harder than any of the others stays fresh? Yes, with air freshener, but also by updating it. Check out these 10 RV bathroom renovation ideas that will have everyone lining up for their turn.

White Oval Bathroom Sink

A dirty, outdated, old sink that you just can’t seem to scrub clean is a real RV eyesore. Update your bathroom with this white oval bathroom sink. Remember to always measure your existing sink before replacing it. This one comes in at 17-inches by 20-inches. The fresh white basin will have your bathroom looking crisp and clean immediately after installation. Instant gratification – it’s a beautiful thing.

Shop all RV sinks.

Dura Faucet Classical Arc Spout RV Lavatory Faucet

With a new sink comes a new faucet; upgrade yours with the Dura Faucet Classical Art Spout. Designed with the classic two-lever, dual handle style so adjusting the temperature and water flow is easy and straightforward. The brushed nickel finish dresses up an otherwise bland area of the bathroom. Even if you’re not updating your sink right away, simply switching out hardware, like the faucet, can give it a brand new look and feel with very minimal effort and a small budget.

Shop all RV faucets.

Navigating RV dealers can be intimidating. There are hundreds of RVs for sale in different makes and models. Every detail seems to matter: kitchen layout, bathroom details, front living versus rear living, and then there’s the age-old debate of buying a used RV versus spending top-dollar on a new model.

If you’re leaning towards buying a used RV, you’re in good company. There’s plenty of value in used RVs, and some look like the previous owner barely took them camping. If you buy a used RV from Camping World, you’re assured that the RV has gone through a thorough reconditioning program, which we’ll highlight below. 

Why Buy a Used RV?

But first, here are some reasons to buy a used RV and tips on how to get a good deal. And to help with your search, you might enjoy this checklist for buying a used RV!

1. Used RVs Can Save You Money

This is the most obvious reason to buy a used RV. You can save money by buying it outright and avoiding monthly payments altogether. Or, you can save by financing a smaller amount and lowering your monthly payment.

Financing is a part of the RV buying process that can be stressful, so check out this guide to RV financing to prepare and reduce that stress! 

As with any home, I’m sure at some point you will want to customize and upgrade certain features. There are endless things that you can upgrade and the prices can vary. While full-time RVing over the past four years, we’ve found several items that have made RV living more convenient and enjoyable.

We made a list of our top 25 recommendations for the best RV upgrades and modifications ranked by both monetary price, and convenience and value.

Monetary Price

Everyone has a different budget, so consider your own finances and what you can set aside for upgrading your RV by choosing to make the best investment to suit your specific needs. Since prices vary from time to time, you will find each item on our list paired with a certain number of $ next to it ranging from the least expensive upgrades ($) to the most expensive ($$$$$).

$$$$$ Ratings (Values Approximate)

Importance Value

Aside from monetary value, there are certain RV upgrades that, despite the cost, may be extremely beneficial and valuable for you to have. We rated each modification based off of how important and valuable we think this item is. Keep in mind that we are full-time RVers, so we may feel that some of these are well worth the cost.

Star Ratings

Here are our personal ratings for the 25 best RV upgrades, based on cost and benefit, in no particular order.

Choosing a campground will be one of the first things you do when starting to plan an RV road trip. But it can be hard to know where to look for a campsite, and many factors can dictate where you can stay: your RV’s length, the duration of your stay, campsite amenities, and how much you would like to spend will influence your campground selection.

Fortunately, many campground options exist for all budgets and travel styles—each with strengths and weaknesses. Let’s discuss where to begin as you determine how to choose a campsite. 

How to Choose a Campsite

Start by putting your RV details on paper. How long is your RV? How tall is your RV? What amp plug does it take, 15, 30 or 50?

Then elaborate on what you “must-have” at your campsite. Water hook-up? Beautiful views? A firepit? Sewer hook-ups? Privacy from neighbors?

Finally, bring together who you’re traveling with to finalize your search parameters in campground selection. Make sure everyone’s needs are heard and considered. Will someone want a hot shower at the end of a long day? Keep this in mind when looking at campgrounds and search for shower facilities or water hookups so your party’s needs are met. Maybe you’re traveling with young kids. Think about looking for campgrounds that have fun things to do on property.

As an experienced RV owner, I often get asked for tips from people who are buying their first camper. One of the first things I suggest is that they go to Camping World.

Camping World has well over two hundred dealerships conveniently located all across the country, so there’s typically a dealership within a short drive from everyone. They also have a large inventory so you can walk through as many units as you desire, giving you the best idea of which one is right for you. And lastly, you can’t beat their prices – you’re sure to find a good deal.

Perhaps you’re ready to purchase an RV and aren’t sure where to start. Here’s a general breakdown of what to expect when you buy an RV at Camping World.

Pick a Date

A lot of people think the first step is to just stop by their local Camping World and check out some RVs. However, this can not only be a waste of your time but can also overwhelm you if you don’t go to the dealership with some direction. As I mentioned, they have a huge inventory, so walking around the lot aimlessly isn’t a great use of your time.

I’d first recommend that you spend a little time considering how you plan to use a camper — Will you be working remotely? Will you be going off-road? Do you need bunks for the kids and their friends? — and why you’re interested in purchasing one? You want to be very clear on your needs, as well as your budget, before even allowing yourself to shop. Your budget will also dictate whether you’re in the used or new market.

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Trash is a natural part of life, but it seems to accumulate quickly when you’re in a small space like an RV. Large trash cans are great for convenience, but most of them don’t fit into the carefully designed floor plan of a camper. Luckily, innovative travelers have come up with a variety of RV trash can ideas that will prevent the mess from taking over.

There are several different strategies you can use when you want to tackle the garbage problem. Some people like to use collapsible cans that are easy to store when they’re not being used. Others prefer the hidden method, where trash cans hide behind doors or within cabinets.

There are many other ways you can adapt your trash cans for RV life, and we have eight suggestions below. Even if you don’t like all of them, at least one method is bound to be useful when you head out on your next trip. Take a look at these RV trash can ideas!

1. Cupholder trash can

I don’t know about you, but while I’m driving, trash builds up quickly. Receipts, wrappers, and various other items get tossed into cupholders or end up on the floor. It’s annoying and can be distracting for the driver. 

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Camping is a wonderful way to explore new areas and connect with the great outdoors. Many people camp for a few days or maybe a week at a time. However, if you’re looking into the possibility of long term campsites, you may be interested to see all the benefits they can bring.

Long term camping is popular among retirees and people who have moved their entire lives onto the road. More and more people are jumping on the bandwagon as they recognize all the good things that long term campsites can bring. Of course, there are some drawbacks as well, but the good tends to outweigh the bad!

To illustrate our point, we’ve collected eight great benefits of long term campsites. It can be more comfortable, less stressful, and might even save you money over time—especially with the rising gas prices. Read on to learn if this lifestyle is a good fit for you. 

You have a guaranteed spot

First of all, when you book a campsite for an extended period of time, you don’t have to worry about finding a new spot in the future. A lot of campgrounds and RV resorts have a limited number of spaces, so it can be stressful to make sure you get a spot for the night. 

Relaxing and exciting times await you at the Choctaw RV Park! We offer you the serenity of camping under the stars while just steps away from the excitement and high energy of Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, Oklahoma.

You can spend the day at one of our premium 77 campsites while enjoying the beautifully landscaped park. Family fun awaits you! You might decide a dip in our sparkling pool is just the thing to start your getaway. The kids can burn off some of their energy at our playground, or if indoor activities are more to their liking, they can take in the fun of our game room. You can rest or read by our cozy fireplace or join the kids in the game room for some friendly competition! Then it’s back to your site to sit at your covered picnic table and take in the beautiful sunset as the chef in the family prepares something on the grill.

For a different kind of excitement, you can hop on our free shuttle and take a quick ride across the street to Choctaw Casino & Resort. The best in gaming, dining and entertainment awaits you. Find your lucky seat at one of our 7,400 slot machines, 106 table games or our poker room with over 30 tables. Enjoy fantastic dining at one of our 16 restaurants, such as our award-winning culinary destination 1832 Steakhouse, round-the-clock eatery Salt & Stone or sports hotspot The League. Grab a drink and relax at one of our 20 bars and lounges located throughout the property. Kids of all ages will enjoy the 70-game arcade, bowling alley and 6-screen movie theater.

One of the benefits of owning a Class C RV is that it can tow a car or toad behind it. This adds to the list of things you can do once you reach your destination. But you’ll need to make sure your RV is rated to handle the weight of the vehicle you want to tow. 

Why Tow a Vehicle Behind Your RV?

If you’re looking to upgrade your motorhome experience, adding a toad to your setup might do the trick. Towing a toad behind your RV can help in many ways:

If you’re ready to try a toad with your motorhome, here are the questions you need to ask to make sure you’re towing safely.

What is Your Class C’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)?

Your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the total weight your motorhome can hold. Along with other towing and rating specs, it can be found on your vehicle identification label (a sticker on the inside of one of your door casings) or in your RV owner’s manual. 

When looking at GVWR, you’ll need to include your vehicle weight, the weight of everything in your motorhome (don’t forget water weight, occupants, and everything you’re bringing for your trip), and the hitch weight of your tow vehicle.

Today, we’ll dive into some of our favorite floorplans from CrossRoads RV’s fifth wheels! These RVs blend luxury and affordability to ensure you have everything you need to enjoy the campground at a price you’ll love. Learn more about these four amazing CrossRoads fifth wheels below!

The master bedroom in this CrossRoads Cameo CE2901RL fifth wheel features a spacious wardrobe and a slide-out king bed. You’ll find that the living room is equipped with opposing slides and a large entertainment unit to make it easy to watch the big game at the campground. In the kitchen, the bar with stools makes serving food to friends and family a breeze!

Additional Features:

The CrossRoads Cameo CE3891MK fifth wheel provides a luxury experience for a price you’ll love. The dual fireplaces ensure you’ll always be able to keep away the chill, and the TVs in the living room and master bedroom make it easy to watch your favorite shows wherever you’re most comfortable. In the living room, you’ll love the power theater seats that provide a cozy place to rest at the end of the day.

Additional Features:

RVing is a convenient and affordable way to travel. Paying for flights and hotels on a traditional vacation can really add up, especially if you have a large family. With any type of travel, staying within your budget requires foresight and creativity.

Fortunately, there are many ways to plan and execute a budget-friendly RV trip, from dipping your toes into the exciting world of boondocking to enjoying membership discounts at luxury campgrounds. Plus, there are ways you can change your RV habits to keep extra cash in your pocket.

Here are five ways to save money on RV trips:

1. Plan Ahead

Choosing your destination and season wisely can significantly lower the costs of any RV road trip. Certain tourist locations, such as New York City (yes, you can RV to the Big Apple!), are much more expensive than others.

Plan your RV trip during shoulder season if your dream is to visit a more costly destination. Many RV parks and tours offer a discounted rate during their low season, saving you a lot of money.

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Buying new tires for an RV isn’t cheap. Fortunately, by doing your research and going in prepared, you can make RV tire shopping a low-stress experience and ensure you leave with exactly what you need. Not only that, but there are some steps you can take to make sure those expensive new tires last as long as possible. 

In this article, we will go over eight things you need to keep in mind when replacing tires for an RV.

1. Always replace original tires

First, it’s almost always a good idea to replace the factory tires on any RV. This is because manufacturers tend to use very low-quality tires on motorhomes and trailers. These tires have a tendency to blow out easily, something you definitely don’t want to experience in your RV. 

2. Understand the reason for replacement

Besides replacing original tires, there are three reasons a tire might need to be replaced: age, wear, and damage.

Whether you’re in the market for a tiny trailer or a sprawling motorhome, shopping for a recreation vehicle involves a lot of choices. One of the main considerations is the selection of a floorplan that accommodates the owner’s requirements and preferences. In many cases, it may be necessary to change to another model, or perhaps a different make, to obtain the desired interior design. But regardless, a suitable floorplan is a key ingredient to the shopping process.

Slides are an integral part of the floorplan if the chosen unit is so equipped. These space expanders actually provide two floorplans: One for in-camp accommodation and living space and the other for stops that do not lend themselves to the deployment of slides.

So let’s first look at the in-camp configuration with all slides in the extended position. This is what is shown in the brochure.

Dinette Type

The most common RV dining configurations have a fixed-booth or wall-connected table setup. Some comprise a free-standing table with separate chairs. While the fixed location type is the most popular, the free-standing arrangement has some advantages. First, it can be moved slightly out from the wall providing more elbow room. Larger people may find this more comfortable.