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From Cannons To Creepy Cats, Harvest Hosts Members Share Their Best Camping Stories

Regardless of age, we all love good camping stories. As kids, we remember spooky stories around the campfire. As adult RVers with a firmer grasp of the supernatural, spooky stories tend to revolve more around slides that won’t extend and leveling jacks that won’t come up than they do about things that go bump in the night. 

RV LIFE recently partnered with Harvest Hosts to hear a few camping stories from Harvest Hosts members. The winners were awarded RV LIFE Pro subscriptions and Harvest Hosts membership extension. Here is a recap of those stories and more.

Of China Bombs and Corn Cannons

Our 1st place contest winner related the following story that is both frightening and humorous. Every RVer can relate to the fear, and relief, in this story.

Funniest Camping Stories 1st Place Winner

By now, everyone has probably heard of “China Bombs”—those tires that come with a brand new camper that most RV buyers feel you should change out before taking any long trips with your new RV. Well, we did not replace the brand new tires and were in the midst of our second long trip. As I was very aware of potential issues, I was very careful with maintaining correct pressures and monitoring the RV tires while traveling. I was also very wary and paranoid that something was going to go wrong.

Hello! I’m Kirsten from @fifth_wheel_living. I’ve been living in an RV full-time with my husband, Devin, and our dogs since January 2018. We are beating the cost of living in Nashville, Tennessee because of our RV lifestyle. I’m going to share how we do it and how you can too.

Deciding to Move to a Large City

One night in 2017, while I was waiting for Devin to get home from work, I had a thought – ‘We needed to move to Nashville, Tennessee.’ It was a very random thought because Devin and I had never talked about moving to Nashville before. We were living in Dover, Delaware at the time. I thought it was odd, and I was actually a little overwhelmed thinking about it. Then, in that exact moment, Devin called. He said that he had just finished listening to a podcast and that he felt like we needed to move to Nashville, Tennessee. I told him about how I just had the exact same thought, and that I was all in.

So, we told our families the next day. They thought we were being rash and “a little crazy”, but that didn’t deter us. We decided to continue to pursue moving to Nashville. But, after looking at the housing market options for both purchasing and renting a home, we felt like maybe we were being “a little crazy.” Both options were so expensive! We started to doubt if we should even go anymore. But, despite our uncertainties, we continued to feel pulled to Nashville. We had faith that God would provide a way for us. Soon, Devin discovered RV living.

Our RV Journey Begins

Devin found Kevin and Mandy from @188sqft on Instagram. He told me about how they were traveling America while living in a renovated fifth wheel full-time. He asked me if living in an RV was something that I would want to do. At first, honestly, I was skeptical and a little hesitant. I basically assumed that all RVs were small and didn’t have kitchens or bathrooms. But Devin showed me their photos and story, and I saw how they were saving money, paying off debt, and experiencing new, beautiful, amazing things.

Watch Kevin and Mandy of 188sqft Renovate a New RV Into Their New Home

It's time to tell the truth about RV solar and lithium batteries. Not that they aren't great to have. It's just that too many RVers have been talked into getting solar/lithium packages by unreasonable claims by RV salespeople who just don't understand the limits of the technology.

Let me be very clear: We've been using RV solar and lithium batteries since 2015. Jen and I love RV solar and lithium batteries. We wouldn't have an RV without a robust systems and, indeed, we just did a major upgrade of the RV solar package and lithium battery bank on our Keystone Arcadie fifth wheel.

But the key is having enough RV solar and lithium to do what the salespeople promise.

This week, we talk to two experts as we explore the capabilities of our new system and learn about battery draw and what is reasonable and not reasonable to expect from it.

Continue reading The Truth about RV Solar and Lithium Batteries at RV Lifestyle.

If you’re ready to take home an RV that’s lightweight and easy to tow, it’s time to consider some of these RVs with fiberglass exteriors. This design keeps the RVs durable without making them heavy, so it’s an excellent way to give you the best of both worlds. Learn more about our seven favorite RVs with fiberglass exteriors below.

Take your family on unforgettable vacations when you have one of these lightweight Coachmen Apex Nano 194BHS travel trailers with a spacious interior with sleeping for up to five. The outdoor kitchen lets you make delicious meals for your crew without missing a moment of the action. Lastly, the full bathroom provides a simple way to avoid the campground bathhouse during your stay.

Additional Feature:

Sleep up to five comfortably in this Cruiser Hitch 17BHS travel trailer, available for $24,995. You’ll fall in love with the way this floorplan gives everyone a space of their own, thanks to the bunks and the large queen bed with storage underneath. Outside, you’ll enjoy a power awning to give you plenty of shade no matter how sunny the day.

Additional Feature:

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Go RVing In Vermont To Discover Natural Beauty, Outdoor Fun, And Historial Landmarks  

The 14th state to join the union is rich in history and a modern-day marvel for anyone who ventures into its borders. If you and your traveling crew decide to go RVing in Vermont, be ready for an adventure filled with natural beauty, endless outdoor fun, delectable staples, long-standing traditions, and much more!

From covered bridges to snow-covered mountains to maple syrup, the Green Mountain State has everything you need in any season. Enjoy cross-country skiing, hiking, apple-picking, cheese tasting, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and maple-covered pancakes. And that’s just scratching the surface.

When is the best time to go RVing in Vermont?

This is a tough question for the state of Vermont. They tout all kinds of activities and events every month of the year. Ultimately, it depends on what you enjoy doing and what you want to experience. Here are some of the types of things you can see and do, based on the season:

People have been escaping the city to camp in the woods for hundreds, maybe thousands, of years. But innovations in the RV industry have made camping considerably more glamorous and more accessible in recent decades. So, if you’re new to the trend and you’ve been hearing the term ‘RV’ thrown around, it makes sense to wonder: what does RV stand for?

What Does RV Stand For?

RV stands for “recreational vehicle”, which encompasses many different RV types and classes. That includes towable RVs such as pop-up campers, fifth wheels, travel trailers, and toy haulers.

It also includes motorhomes, such as gas and diesel Class A RVs, Class B camper vans, and Class C and Super C motor coaches. Truck bed campers sort of exist in a class of their own, but they’ve grown rapidly in popularity over the last few years too. 

The “Unofficial” Meaning

For many, RV also stands for adventure! Recreational vehicles provide the comforts of home in a mobile unit that can be in Tulsa tonight and Albuquerque tomorrow. In that way, they also signify freedom – freedom to roam, freedom to sleep almost anywhere, and freedom to experience America’s cultural and environmental diversity. 

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that RV is also synonymous with embracing self-sufficiency. Life is different in an RV, and it requires an awareness of how to provide for our basic needs; an awareness that we often take for granted in everyday life. 

There’s roughing it, there’s glamping, and then there are literal mansions on wheels. If you enjoy the finer things in life when traveling, a luxury RV is exactly what you’re looking for. And not just any luxury RV, but one of the most luxurious RVs on the market. 

There are plenty of them out there, and they run the spectrum when it comes to being innovative and having glam interior decor. After all, luxury Class A RVs are how your favorite celebrities and musicians travel when they’re on tour. You can imagine the kind of amenities they’ve requested from an RV. Bidet? Massage chair? Fish tank? You name it.

Typically these RVs cost a million dollars or more. For that kind of money, you’ll have access to some of the best features available on a mobile home in regards to amenities, furniture, and overall design. A friendly warning though, you might find a few campers at your doorstep wanting a peak at your luxury digs. No matter where you end up, you’ll have all the best features of home (and some even better) available to you on the go.

While most think of a Class A RV when they think of luxury, there are plenty of luxurious RVs within every class. Don’t limit yourself to strictly Class As; luxury can fit into any budget.

Luxury Class B RVs

Class B RVs might be more compact, but they’re still outfitted with luxurious features. Brands like Airstream, Thor, and Winnebago stand out as Class B manufacturers of luxurious coaches that will take your next trip to the next level. Class B coaches are high quality and built to last, which is why they can have a higher price tag. But with their size and power, you also are nimble and able to drive, park, and camp almost anywhere.

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Nearly all RV manufacturers are finding ways to add better storage to the rigs they produce. Even with the best efforts of RV designers, storage space always seems to be at a premium in our RVs. However, RV storage solutions could be as close as your nearest IKEA store. 

IKEA is a well-known Swedish furniture store that has locations in many major cities throughout the US and Canada. Not only does IKEA sell furniture, but they also sell a lot of lightweight home organization products that work perfectly in an RV too. IKEA’s innovative designs make storing and finding things in the RV a whole lot easier. 

What if you don’t happen to have an IKEA store anywhere near you? First of all, don’t despair if there’s no IKEA in your area. You aren’t going to be stuck in RV organization chaos forever. IKEA makes it really easy to order most of their storage and organization products online. 

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It’s always a bit shocking how fast summer passes when you come from an area that has real winters. Summer is always halfway over just as we are in the midst of enjoying the camping season in our RV.

Many RVers plan out their summer camping and road trips well ahead of summer. Others are more free and easy with their RV camping trips, fully embracing the freedom that the RV lifestyle offers.   

If you are in the second group, this article is for you. There are so many amazing places to experience in both the US and Canada that deciding on summertime destinations can sometimes be overwhelming when we’re traveling. To make it easier to choose, we’ve found five amazing places that are best seen before summer ends. 

The end of those long days of summer arrives quickly every year. You know those days – the ones where the warmth of the sun washes over your face and you want to soak up every ounce of the light rays streaming from the sky to make these warm-weather adventures last as long as possible. But, alas, the end is near and the next season is around the corner.

So how does one maximize these last long light-filled days? By creating an end-of-summer bucket list and making sure to squeeze in every last adventure possible in your RV, that’s how!

Creating your end-of-summer RV bucket list doesn’t have to be overly complicated or even costly. Sometimes the best memories are simple and cheap, or even free! By setting a few parameters in place for your list, you’ll be able to create a finale to summer that you won’t soon forget.

Establish a Travel Radius

How far are you willing to drive? Once you determine your travel radius, you’ll be able to begin narrowing down your focus on what type of activities — waterfront or landlocked — you’d like to add to the list. If you like getting even more specific, you can divide your travel radius into sections and spend time focusing on activities or adventures in each area. Don’t feel like you have to travel far to have fun. Road trips within an hour or two from your home base can be full of surprises.

Next, what about a theme for your end-of-summer bucket list? Like food you’ve been hungry to try, or hikes you’ve bookmarked to take. Or would you rather keep it general and include random things that seem to pique your interest? If you opt to theme your list, here are a few ideas for some inspiration.

When football season, racing season, and festival season are in full swing, only one activity accompanies them all: tailgating! For many, this means getting their RV out to the stadium or on location for some big fun with friends, family, and fellow fans.

While having a great time at the game or concert is really more about the event itself and the people who are there with you, having the right gear and accessories for your rig will help you make the most of every second while you’re there. Here are some things you need to have to ensure your next tailgating adventure is your best tailgating adventure yet.

An Exterior TV

The TV inside your RV is important, but let’s face it, a lot of us want to spend time outdoors when the weather is nice and the excitement of the event is all around us. That’s where an external television comes in.

Some RVs come equipped with an exterior TV already. If you have one of these, then you’re ready to go. Turn the game on and watch everyone around you flock to your RV. If, however, your RV lacks the exterior TV, it’s worth it to consider getting one. RV televisions today are designed to live outdoors, and offer technology that helps viewing in the daylight.

TVs for RVs are affordable, and even if you don’t have an exterior outlet on your RV, you can always run an extension cord or attach a mount. Then all you need are some good camping chairs and the rest of the items on this list and you’ll be ready for tailgating bliss.

Curious about what it would be Like to Rent Out Your RV? We have rented our RV over 25 times in the past 3 years. Having some ups and downs has taught us a lot about the right way to go about renting out the RV. Trust me, these tips can save you time, money and heartache. Forget Craigslist or FB Marketplace, there are some great safe services to use like Good Sam Rentals. These are peer-to-peer RV rental platforms. Think of them as the Airbnb’s of RV rentals.

But before you turn the keys over to your first RV renter, here are a few things you need to think about. We started renting our RV a few years ago and had success. Once Good Sam Rentals launched, we quickly listed our RV for rent on that platform. Having our RV listing on multiple platforms definitely increased our number of inquiries. We were drawn to Good Sam’s RV rentals by the lower cost and brand-name exposure. 

Research the Platforms. Know the Costs and Benefits

The headlines tout making up to $50,000 plus from renting your RV. While this may be true, you need to understand the costs and the benefits provided by each platform. Each takes a “cut” or percentage of your rental income. Good Sam Rentals have a low 5% commission, while other RV rental platforms charge significantly more. Most provide up to a million dollar liability insurance and free roadside assistance. 

Pro Tip —if you want to earn top dollar on your RV rental, a few “extras” go a long way.  A simple “thank you for your rental” basket is a great surprise for renters and definitely will have them starting their vacation with a smile! 

Choose Your Renters Carefully 

Most if not all peer-to-peer rental platforms “vet” your potential customers. The depth of this vetting varies and typically it’s a driving background check. For most RVers, their RV is the second largest purchase of their lives and our RV is truly our home away from home. We would not rent it to anyone we felt would not treat it in the same fashion as we do. Accidents can happen (that’s what insurance is for) but abuse or mistreatment of the RV doesn’t fly with us. I wouldn’t want anyone treating our RV like some people treat rental cars. Verify your rental platform rules; Good Sam’s Rentals rules clearly stated that we would not be forced to rent to anyone we didn’t feel comfortable renting to.

Electricity is essential to modern RV life, and while there are clever ways to get the most out of solar panels, your system is only as good as the protection you provide. You may not think about it, but protecting your RV’s electrical system is vital to the health of all the appliances connected to it. 

Unfortunately, electricity is somewhat of an unstable entity. Even though it’s been more than 140 years since Thomas Edison patented the light bulb, harnessing electricity still comes with a risk. 

Surge protectors are critical for RVers because they minimize that risk. When you can’t be certain about the quality of an electrical connection at an RV park, surge protectors guard against electrical surges, low voltage, and a host of other potential issues. 

Do I Need a Surge Protector for My RV?

The truth is that it’s possible to RV without a surge protector – possible but not recommended. Unless you want to get your volt meter out to test the quality of the electrical service every time you reach a new campground or RV park, surge protectors are the best way to protect your RV’s electrical system. 

Here are some of the electrical issues surge protectors can help to avoid: