Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Carmen and her family were able to spend some time having a luxury vacation in beautiful Hilton Head, South Carolina, their experience proved to them that they can get everything they want in a luxury trip while renting an RV. Watch the family’s adventure below.

 What defines a luxury vacation?

Let’s face it, free time is a luxury. That’s exactly why we should indulge when we can. A luxury vacation is an investment of time in ourselves and our loved ones, and it shows we value experiences spent together. More than physical things, those experiences extend beyond the trip, which is why you should strive to experience more on all your vacations.

Few people know this more than Carmen Sognonvi of Top Flight Family. These days, she and her jet-setting family frequently travel the globe in luxury style. Their Top Flight lifestyle began with that first fateful trip.

“We had some credit card points saved up and booked a vacation to Cabo,” Carmen said. After three straight years of growing their business without a day off, this was their first-ever trip as a family of four.

“It was such an amazing experience. Not only were we able to unplug from the business and unwind, but we reconnected with each other in a way that wasn’t possible when we were wrapped up in our hectic daily routines.”

If you’re anything like me, you have a tricky relationship with fitness. 

I tend to either set my goals way too high (like signing up for a half marathon in a month even though I’ve never ran more than a few miles) and then become discouraged when I can’t maintain them, or I don’t set any at all and therefore have no plan — becoming aimless.

However, in this past year I took tremendous strides in my health. And it was certaily no thanks to my travel schedule, considering I was away from home almost as much as I was there. But even with interrupted schedules, changing rhythms, or limited equipment at campgrounds and hotels, I feel healthier than ever.

Since 1966 travelers have trusted Good Sam more than anyone else, making it the largest RV organization in the world. And for good reason. With discounts on retail, fuel, campgrounds, and more — as well as tools to make planning your next trip a breeze — it’s no wonder why over two million members trust Good Sam every year.

But is a Good Sam membership right for you? How much will it cost? How much will you save? What are the benefits?

To start you off on the right foot, here’s the ultimate guide to a Good Sam membership.

Fifth wheel campers are known for spacious interiors and luxury amenities. With that comes a heavier overall weight, requiring a big truck with a higher towing capacity. 

But not all fifth wheel campers need heavy-duty trucks. Here’s a collection of small fifth wheel campers we love. 

Who Might Like a Small Fifth Wheel?

Many current travel trailer owners eventually transition to a fifth wheel. Once you’re comfortable towing, fifth wheels offer more spacious floorplans and luxurious amenities. However, you’ll need to know your vehicle’s towing capacity and be familiar with RV weight ratings to select a 5th wheel your vehicle can safely tow.

Use our Towing Guide to check your vehicle’s towing capacity.

Here are a few trucks that may be able to tow the following campers (tow packages vary; always check your vehicle’s weight ratings):

Everyone is feeling the inflation pinch right now. Thankfully, we RV owners don’t need to put the brakes on our adventures. You can save money on RV trips if you learn how to lower the three biggest RV costs; lodging, fuel, and maintenance. No, that doesn’t mean you need to dry camp at a big box store or park in a relative’s driveway. There are far better ways to minimize RV expenses so you can embark on this fun lifestyle with more confidence and less financial worry.

Tame the 3 Biggest RV Expenses for Happier Travels

Knowing how to lower the biggest RV expenses is why my husband and I are still full-time RVing after 15 years. This knowledge didn’t come naturally to us, and in my experience, most RVers don’t get it at first either. Like many new full-time RVers, our first year on the road was expensive. We cringed when we filled up our Dodge fuel tank. Checking into RV parks for a few nights was painful. Each time I looked at our bank account I wondered “Where’s all that cheap RV living people talk about?”

I wasn’t alone in believing that saving money RVing is as easy as free camping on public lands, or staying overnight in Walmart parking lots. Over time I learned that free camping as a way to save money is possible, but in the long run, it’s a very short-sighted approach to paying for the RV lifestyle. The three biggest costs of RVing often knock the wind out of unprepared RV owners.

When an RVer encounters one of these expenses, sometimes they get stuck in locations they don’t want to be in because they can’t afford to cover expensive repairs to their rig. In other cases, RVers stop traveling because RV vacations and maintenance cost way more than they anticipated. That’s too bad because these costs of RV ownership are quite predictable. When you budget for them, they’re also manageable for most people. Let’s dive into each RV expense category so you can learn how to save money RVing and keep your wheels turning no matter what the universe throws your way.

There are certain must-have RV tools that all RVers need. Unlike emergency essentials you should keep in your RV, these tools help you camp smarter.

Some of these RV tools will help in an emergency, but most are designed for routine maintenance. Don’t believe us? – Take the advice of experienced campers.

Before diving into this RV tool checklist, download our customer reference handbook to track your RV’s seasonal and annual maintenance needs. Keeping up with RV maintenance helps you enjoy safe adventures while maximizing your RV’s resale value if you eventually decide to upgrade. 

Use the Good Sam Valuator to check your RV’s market value in seconds. 

Must-Have RV Tools for Safe Travels

Without further adieu, here’s your checklist of must-have RV tools.

Two weeks ago, we looked at repairs related to recreational vehicles with a focus on those items that pertained to the house portion of the unit. But problems can also occur to components and systems that make up the vehicle chassis.

What to Look For

Many RV repair issues start with the chassis, which supports all the vehicle’s accessories, components, and rolling ground equipment. This includes a frame, towing tongue, axle(s), suspension assembly, leveling jacks, and possible battery and propane tank mount for a simple tent trailer rig. At the extreme end of the spectrum, a motorhome’s chassis may support multi-axles, a prime mover, transmission, complex suspension assemblies, vehicle braking systems, steering configuration equipment, and much, much more.

Needless to say, there can be a lot of components and complexity, depending on the RV type and model. When it comes to chassis repair, a simple trailer or smaller motorhome chassis can generally be serviced by most RV dealer service shops. However, some of the larger vehicles use custom-manufactured chassis such as Freightliner, Spartan, or Roadmaster. These may have specific warranties and services in addition to those of the coach builder.

Mind the Chassis (and Related Components)

So, what are some of the more common chassis-related issues that occur within the first five years of ownership?

Take the “highway that’s the best” to USA RV Park in Gallup, New Mexico. The highly rated campground lies on Route 66 (following Interstate 40) and offers a host of amenities to guests. From the Gallup campground, visitors are just a short drive to iconic Desert Southwest attractions, from Native American trading posts to world-famous archeological sites. 

If the name, Gallup, sounds familiar, you may have heard the town mentioned in the iconic tune, “Route 66.” A half-century since Nat King Cole’s version of the hit song first started spinning on turntables, Gallup still gets plenty of love from travelers looking for “kicks” along the fabled Mother Road. The John Mayer version played on the hit 2006 Disney movie, “Cars.”

Enchanted Park

The 136-space USA RV Park has sites as long as 80 feet and most sites are full hookups. Several pull-through sites accommodate guests, with ample shade trees and room for slideouts. Most sites in the four-season campground offer WiFi and almost all are all-weather sites. Dog owners can turn their pooches loose in the enclosed dog run, although there are some restrictions for canines. 

Guests have lots of amenities at their fingertips, including a restaurant, groceries, and RV supplies. Also entertaining visitors are a heated pool, putting green, and playground. A game room keeps the fun going. Guests can take advantage of the laundry facilities, restrooms, and showers. With a 10/10*/9 Good Sam rating, the campground meets high qualities of cleanliness. 

RVing has transformed the way my family experiences fishing. Gone are the days of booking mediocre hotel rooms so that we can be near our fishing spot when we wake up. And when hotels weren’t an option, I certainly haven’t missed the body aches from sleeping on a hard surface while tent camping.

Instead, we can park our camper just steps from our fishing hole for days or even weeks at a time. We can fish the early morning bite, have lunch, take a cat nap and head back out for the evening bite. We can clean our catch in the kitchen and store fresh walleye fillets in the fridge or freezer – or better yet, cook it on the spot. RVing is how we make fishing a family activity, because our kids now have a place to nap and play comfortably.

Our Fishing RVs

Our family fishes year-round and we have a few different pull-behind campers to make that possible. One is a retro camper from the 1970s that we primarily use for ice fishing and the second is a newer camper for regular camping. Currently, I’m researching how to convert our newest camper into an ice fish house too. What can I say? We love fishing.

While neither camper has everything I like, they’ve allowed me to figure out what features make the perfect fishing RV. I’ll break down these features below.

Off-Grid Living

Most RVs these days come with battery and propane hookups. But if you bought an old converted camper like us, you’ll want to know the basic power sources for off-grid living.

If you are looking for the best way to start your RVing life, these pop-up campers with outdoor kitchens are an excellent option. You’ll love that these units offer plenty of space for your family and give you the ability to make food around the campfire with ease. Learn more in this pop-up campers with outdoor kitchens review.

One of the most popular options for families just starting their RVing journey is the Forest River Flagstaff High Wall HW27KS pop-up camper. This unit offers a set of bed tents to give you sleeping for up to five and features an outdoor kitchen and a 13′ awning. You’ll enjoy having a slide-out U-shaped dinette that gives you plenty of space to have meals together or enjoy a game of cards.

Additional Features:

If you’re looking for a compact solution that offers sleeping for up to six, this Opus Camper OPUS OP4 folding pop-up camper is the perfect fit. The two double-sized bed tents provide plenty of space for your family. Additionally, there’s a kitchen slide-out to help you make incredible meals with ease and a slide-out refrigerator to keep your cold drinks within easy reach.

Additional Features:

Water is essential when RV camping – dishes, showering, and, perhaps most importantly, staying hydrated. As a new RVer, be sure you know how to make clean drinking water. 

For those who always camp in RV resorts with full hookups, you might never worry about filling your fresh water tank. But, if you’re interested in boondocking and camping off-grid or just need water for travel days between campgrounds, all RVers should know how to fill an RV fresh water tank.

Where is my RV Fresh Water Tank Fill?

On most motorhomes and travel trailers, you’ll find the fresh water tank fill on the off-camp side – opposite the main entry door. This is the same side you’ll find the city water inlet and sewer outlet more often than not. Some, however, have the fill location on the camp side or in the back of the RV.

On new RVs, the fill location should be clearly labeled on the exterior. However, that label sometimes falls off or is accidentally removed on used RVs. Consult your owner’s manual if you’re having trouble locating your RV’s fresh water tank fill.

How to Fill an RV Fresh Water Tank

All RVers will need a potable water hose for this process. Most garden hoses are not recommended for drinking water, so make sure you check the hose’s recommended uses. You’ll also need a water filter if your RV lacks an onboard filtration system. With those supplies in hand, follow these steps: 

“Conventional” has never been part of this RV traveler’s vernacular. After selling all her personal belongings and hitting the road in a 1978 Dodge Commander, Jessy Mueller set off on a solo RV journey that doesn’t seem to be losing any steam. Since 2017, her approach to deliberate living has slowly taken her around the country, living in the moment while sharing the joy, humor, and unfiltered moments of nomadic life along the way on her blog and on Instagram.

Before her great escape, Jessy was a 30-something single from Minnesota who was looking for a change. After 14 years working pizza delivery and later in marketing and branding, she began saving money for her future rolling digs. Following a solo vacation to Colorado, she came home inspired to make her daily life more centered around nature, travel, and living with less. For her, RV life was the answer.

Renovation Rejuvenation

Without experience in renovations or even RV travel, she scoured Craigslist until coming across her vintage Dodge Commander motorhome. With extensive water damage in the back, she spent over a year rebuilding the walls and ceiling, while also remodeling the rest of the RV. With intentions of mostly boondocking, she installed solar panels and ditched the original toilet for a compost toilet. For many, this kind of a project would seem overwhelming, but Jessy doesn’t shy away from challenges.

Subscribe to the Camping World YouTube channel for the latest RV service and maintenance tutorials.

Camping World’s RV product specialist Ian Baker and Camping World Service Technician Sean Harless provide helpful tips on maintaining your RV, including DIY maintenance tasks and frequently asked RV maintenance questions.

Guides to Maintaining Your RV

Make sure you download Camping World’s RV ownership and maintenance booklet to track your RV’s seasonal maintenance needs. Then you’re ready to learn more about the ins and outs of maintaining your RV.

For any task on this RV maintenance checklist, you can always schedule service at your local Camping World.

Washing Your RV

Recommended Frequency: After each trip

Locals in the Upper South welcome spring with fun-filled events that dazzle even the most jaded travelers. Go where the air is filled with the scent of blossoming flowers, succulent barbecue and the sound Southern-fried rock. RV travelers can experience Southern spring with great hospitality to boot.

The following are just a few of the big events unfolding in the Upper South during spring.

Arkansas Roots Festival, April 1, Johnny Cash Boyhood Home, Dyes. Ready to Walk the Line? Celebrate the Man in Black as top musical acts showcase their talents a the small town of Dyes.

Good Sam Campgrounds in the Dyes area:

RV water systems supply potable water to various fixtures – kitchen and bathroom sinks, toilets, indoor and outdoor showers, etc. In this article, we’ll focus on the design and function of your RV’s water distribution system and provide tips for using and maintaining it properly. 

How Do RV Water Systems Work?

Most RV water systems can operate as self-contained systems – meaning you draw from a tank of potable water on board. This tank is usually called your freshwater holding tank. This must be sanitized regularly to ensure safe water for drinking, dishes, and more. 

Potable: (adj.) safe to drink

Your RV water system pumps water throughout your coach using a water pump – a device that pressurizes the plumbing lines to drive water from the freshwater tank out through your faucets, fixtures, and hot water heater. The water heater must be turned on to heat water, which the pump distributes to hot water lines. 

Your RV water system also heats and distributes water to fixtures when connected to a city water source. A check valve in your water pump prevents your fresh water tank from filling when connected to city water. Another check valve at the city water inlet prevents water from flowing backward out of the inlet when the pump is running.

Nathan Fluellen of World Wide Nate is an adventure traveler-turned-TV-host who’s visited 50 countries and six continents while bringing an entertaining and joyful perspective along the way. Now he’s finished an important bucket list goal of visiting all 50 states in the US.

Visiting His 50th State in a Rented RV

To complete Nate’s bucket list item to visit all 50 states, he rented a Class C RV through Good Sam Rentals and made his way through South Dakota to wrap up one incredible experience.

On this trip, Nate experiences the open road, an underground cave, goes ATVing on some trails, visits Mount Rushmore—one of America’s greatest National Memorials—and even takes to the sky in a hot air balloon while explaining the importance of living life without regret and checking off items from your bucket list.

Learn how to plan a bucket list road trip from World Wide Nate

RVing Gateway Arch National Park is easier and more accessible than in more remote national parks. In fact, this park is located in an urban setting, giving visitors unique opportunities to discover the important role St. Louis played in the Westward Expansion of the United States in the 19th century. 

Why Visit Gateway Arch National Park in an RV?

Gateway Arch National Park is located along the banks of the Mississippi River in the heart of St. Louis. Because it’s in the city, parking can be a challenge at any time, regardless of your vehicle’s size. This makes setting up at a nearby RV park a great option, allowing travelers to visit the park using the bus or light rail. 

The park’s main draw lies in its collection of US history – from Thomas Jefferson’s involvement in America’s push westward to the story of the Dred Scott trial, one of the most important court cases ever tried in the early history of the United States. 

There’s also plenty to do in Missouri and Illinois, as this park is located right along the border of those two states. From riverboat cruises to museum tours, this region is brimming with the potential for urban exploration. 

When to Visit Gateway Arch National Park

The park surrounding St. Louis’ 630-foot tall Gateway Arch is open year-round, excluding major holidays. The most popular time to visit runs from just before Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, when the park’s hours run from 9 am to 8 pm. During the offseason, the park is open from 9 am to 6 pm. 

Packing your RV trip-by-trip is a good habit. You bring only what you need and stay organized. In this way, you ensure food isn’t wasted by creating a meal list with needed ingredients. You plan out your activities to know what supplies and equipment to bring. And you pack appropriate clothing for the expected climate. But what do you bring for unexpected emergencies? An emergency supply kit is what you pack to ensure you have essential supplies for an emergency, and it’s important to include one on every RVing trip.

So as you prep for spring and summer RVing this year, carefully consider the items you should carry if for any reason your trip goes awry. There’s a difference between having sufficient backup supplies and overkill, and building an emergency supply kit is a good way to decide the difference.

So what do you include in your emergency supply kit? Here is your step-by-step approach to building out an emergency supply kit to keep in your RV with just the right amount of gear and supplies to be at-the-ready for the unexpected.

When would I need an emergency supply kit?

Things go wrong: breakdowns, bad weather, acts of God, strandings. In these emergencies, we might end up somewhere unfamiliar with fewer resources than we expected and with fellow travelers and family members relying on us for basic necessities.