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RVs provide the adventure of camping with the comforts of home. Towable RVs can be one of the least expensive ways to enjoy RV camping. While that’s true, you might be under the impression you need a larger budget for a motorhome or a heavy-duty truck to pull a towable RV. 

However, did you know there are RVs small enough (like the Happier Camper, for example) that you won’t need to buy a truck to pull it. Whatsmore, they’re small enough not to need to pay for RV storage!

We’ve got you covered with five RVs you can pull with your SUV. Keep your car, save on storage, and camp in the comfort of an RV. 

Key Things To Know About Towable RVs

When shopping for a towable RV, you will need to know a few terms. Knowing what these terms mean will help you figure out if your current vehicle can tow the specific RV you’re looking at. 

Your Tow Vehicle

In your vehicle’s owner’s manual, you’ll want to look for your vehicle’s towing capacity. Most SUVs will be rated to tow somewhere between 1,500 pounds and 5,000 pounds. Each one is different, and of course, there are exceptions. Some SUVs can tow more than 5,000 pounds. Find out your vehicle’s tow capacity with a few clicks by using our handy tow guide.

If it wasn’t for the RVing dads of this world, many of us would be clueless about the joys of the RV lifestyle. Outdoorsy fathers introduce us to nature’s beauty, the joys of RV travel and the rewards of a well-maintained rig. Father’s Day is our annual opportunity to thank our adventure-loving dads, with great camping and RV gear that makes their life easier and fun.

Give Thanks Where Rubber Meets the Road

From the moment any RVing dad buys the family camper, he makes safety a priority. Most start where rubber meets the road, by purchasing top-quality RV tires. But too many dads put off the added expense of a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). They simply don’t know that even the best tire brands are sometimes casualties of tough RV driving conditions.

We learned this the hard way during our Alaska Highway adventure. Endless potholes and frost heaves triggered two flat trailer tires on that summer trip. If we didn’t own a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to keep tabs on our wheels, those situations would have been much worse.

A TPMS is a smart buy. It looks out for your safety by audibly warning you about deteriorating tire conditions. Your dad will instantly know when a tire is too low, too hot or quickly losing air. The newest TPMS systems have high-tech features that can catch tire problems before they happen. These warnings can help him avoid serious highway accidents commonly caused by tire failure.

Part of the joy of RV travel is the wonderful places we discover by serendipity. Over the years, we have found a lot of them, almost always by following our curiosity and getting off the main roads. Here are 10 quirky museums we have found that are worth re-routing the RV for:

1. The Tupperware Museum, Kissimmee, FL

The Tupperware Confidence Center,  located just behind the main lobby at the Tupperware Brands Global Headquarters in Kissimmee just south of Orlando, is one of those quirky little looks at American culture sure to fascinate. There you can see the lettuce keeper and the celery keeper and the snap-top salt and pepper shakers you remember, as well as all the new Tupperware products.

Yes, Tupperware is still very much in business. You can watch demonstrations in the on-site kitchen and visit the gift shop for an eye-popping array of colors and uses. Earl Tupper was a prolific inventor, and received hundreds of patents, but will always be remembered for Tupperware, which had sales of nearly three billion dollars last year.  Women around the world are still selling Tupperware and attending jubilees.

A new look at old ideas, some historical tidbits you never knew (but probably should), and just the right thing to solve that storage problem in your RV—they’re all waiting for you, out in Kissimmee.

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2. The Castle Dome Mining Museum, near Yuma, AZ

When we find something that catches our eye, we’re more than willing to change directions and check it out. That’s what happened in Arizona when we saw a small, dusty sign for the Castle Dome Mining Museum. We were on our way somewhere else but, hey, what’s a detour? It had to be close, right? Wrong.

Learning how to maintain your RV doesn’t have to be a monumental task. Join RV Expert, Ian Baker, as he runs through the simple basics of RV maintenance in under four minutes. Or, use our outline below to make sure you’ve covered all your bases.

If you’re not a do-it-yourselfer, or you just don’t have the time to do these tasks – leave the labor to someone else. Good Sam members receive $50 off service and installation at Camping World service centers, up to twice a year. That’s $100 toward upgrades or common repairs! Enroll in a Good Sam membership to start earning points and enjoying member benefits.

Read Your RV Owner’s Manual

Follow the manufacturer’s owner’s manual to see exactly what you should do to keep your motorhome or travel trailer in top condition. You can always schedule an appointment with a certified RV service technician at one of our many Camping World locations.

How to Maintain your RV Roof

RV roofs take a lot of abuse from harsh weather like hail, sun, wind, and rain. Roofs should be checked periodically for damage.

As a general rule, if your RV comes equipped with a factory-installed ladder, your roof is walkable. If not, use a stable ladder to maintain your roof from the side. Keep your roof clean by washing it with a light solvent and water. Parking under sappy trees warrants a wash as soon as possible.

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Much like 2021, 2022 is seeing a record number of people reserving (or trying to reserve) campsites. Reservations must often be made months in advance to be successful in state parks or national parks (or provincial parks if you are reserving in Canada). 

But who knows exactly what’s going to happen in life, months down the road? Nobody plans to cancel a campsite reservation, but life has its own way of making us change our plans.

With the pandemic, natural disasters, and all the other unpredictable life events, campsite cancellations can be impossible to avoid. Even with all that in mind, canceling a campsite can cause problems. 

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Stay Connected While Camping With Starlink For RVs

As a technical family, we rely heavily on the internet. People often ask us where we prefer to stay when we’re out on the road as fulltimers. Our answer is usually “near the cities, because we need good Internet access for work”. And that is the truth; we heavily examine the cell system coverage maps and check campground reviews before booking any campground. 

We are also firm believers in redundancy and have cell packages from AT&T, Verizon, and additional hotspot data on our T-Mobile phones. And we all know, of course, that campground Wi-Fi is rarely worth even attempting.

But now, with the new Starlink RV just announced, we are really excited! This mobile internet will allow us to do more boondocking. While Starlink does have upfront costs, these expenses should easily be recouped by more off-grid camping during our travels. 

In addition, for roughly the same monthly cost as any of our current cell packages, Starlink RV has potentially much greater speeds. According to PCMag, speeds can range from 5 Mpbs (Megabits per second) download to as high as 250 Mbps! The best cell speeds we’ve seen, infrequently, is about 110 Mbps.

Travel with your loved one is easy when you have a class B motorhome to get you to your destination. These RVs are built with compact designs that are comfortable to drive and easy to maneuver so that you can feel more confident on the road. Learn about the top five class B motorhomes available near you below!

This Chinook Bayside DB class B motorhome is an excellent example of the sleek designs available in class B motorhomes. You’ll love that the full bath in the rear of the RV gives you all the space you need to get cleaned up after a long day on the road. The 10′ power awning on the exterior of this RV ensures you always have a shady place to rest.

Additional Features:

The Coachmen Beyond 22C AWD class B motorhome is a perfect couple’s coach with everything you need to make your week away at the campground comfortable. The all-wheel-drive feature allows you to get to even the toughest campsites without worrying about getting stuck. The living space features plenty of seating with the power sofa and swivel captain’s chairs.

Additional Features:

Georgia is home to some of the most beautiful areas in the whole country. Many of the state’s best attractions and natural landscapes can be found within the state parks.

The wild, rocky landscape of the Peach State is home to many gorgeous attractions. Some of these attractions are shrouded in mystery, like the ancient rock wall found in Fort Mountain State Park, while other state parks boast incredible canyons with powerful waterfalls, like those of Tallulah Falls or Cloudland Canyon. Another notable state park, Stone Mountain, is a veritable time capsule to the state’s complicated history, and several of the others offer the unique feature of yurt-style glamping, a treat for campers of all ages (and levels of experience).

If you’re looking for fun activities to do while camping in Georgia, look no further. Here’s the information you need to know about the best state parks in Georgia for RV camping. 

1. Stone Mountain Park

Located just 15 miles from Atlanta, Stone Mountain is the state’s most-visited attraction. The park highlights many unusual and exciting attractions, including The Lasershow Spectacular in MountainVision, an iconic show featuring lasers, choreographed drone flights, flame cannons, fireworks, lights, and music. The Summit Skyride uses a high-speed Swiss cable car to provide fantastic views of the world’s largest relief carving, the Atlanta skyline, the Appalachian Mountains, and up to 60 miles of the surrounding area!

The Stone Mountain Museum at Memorial Hall displays artifacts and stories that span 12,000 years, from ancient civilizations that lived on the mountain, to Civil War history, to present-day events. When it comes to Georgia, you’ll find some of the best campsites at Stone Mountain State Park, including traditional RV, camper, and primitive sites. Stone Mountain is unique in offering furnished yurts, RV/campers, and safari tents for rent. WIFI is available throughout the park, which is great for downtime. Your family is sure to make tons of memories at Stone Mountain State Park.

The first two Village Camp resorts are being developed near Lake Tahoe, California, and Flagstaff, Arizona. The resorts will offer luxuriously appointed tiny homes that can be rented or purchased as private getaway cabins.

Village Camp, a new concept in RV resorts, is being launched with the development of resort communities near Lake Tahoe, California, and Flagstaff, Arizona.

Developed by Roberts Resorts, Village Camp will be an upscale outdoor resort company that combines oversized RV sites with luxury adventure cabins that can be rented or purchased as private getaway cabins.

Village Camp Truckee

Village Camp Truckee Tahoe is being developed on the site of the 130-site Coachland RV Park in Truckee, California, while Village Camp Flagstaff will be built on the previously undeveloped property in Flagstaff, Arizona.

One of the first things an RV enthusiast does when the weather starts to warm up is hit the open road. Who could blame them? Not me! I’m right there with you. While you tend to spend the latter part of winter and the first part of spring getting the inside of your RV ready for your next adventure, it’s time to think about your patio once the weather hits those warmer temperatures.

A huge perk of the RV lifestyle is outdoor living, so your patio pulls double duty. It’s a way to enjoy your surroundings, sure, but it’s also a way to expand your living space to make the most of your time on the road. Check out these ten outdoor patio ideas for a better camping experience to help your next trip become your best trip.

LED Illuminated Patio Mat with Wave Design

Everything is evolving these days, and welcome mats are no exception. With the LED Illuminated Patio Mat, you’ll always be able to find your way back home – even in your home away from home. Featuring tight weaving and reinforced stitching, this mat ensures long-lasting durability while the UV-coated polypropylene prevents fading. To illuminate, simply plug it into an RV exterior 100-volt GFCI outlet. Leaving the patio light on just took on a whole new meaning.

Black Lantern Mini Light Set

Speaking of lights, is there anything better than a set of string lights strung across a patio? There’s something about the soft glow at night that encourages everyone to relax, and the Black Lantern Mini Light Set will provide a nostalgic feel with its throwback design. There are plugs on both ends for linking multiple strands together, so you can have as much or as little light as you want.

Color-Changing Edison LED Light Set

If you’re looking for a light source that’s a little bolder, a little more fun, and a little more exciting then check out the Color-Changing Edison LED Light Set. The retro Edison-style bulbs give off a variety of changing colors making for a festive patio space whether you’re having a party or kicking back with your loved one after a long day of adventures. Changing colors? Now that’s a bright idea.

Nothing can ruin a camping trip quite like bugs. While they may serve a great purpose in maintaining nature’s delicate balance, they’re quite annoying when trying to relax at your campsite. To make life more enjoyable, you’ll need to know how to repel bugs when camping. 

These camping tricks to keep bugs away will be especially helpful during the spring, at the height of bug season in most US locations. Here are easy ways to avoid being bugged on your next camping trip. 

How to Keep Bugs Out of Your Campsite

You should first consider reducing the number of bugs you welcome into your campsite. Various bug repellent and pest control solutions can help you keep bugs out of your campsite and avoid itching mosquito bites. 

Bug Sprays

Bug spray is the obvious one. These solutions are meant to be sprayed on clothing, tents, and other camping gear to repel mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and other insects. Bug sprays contain different ingredients, such as DEET, picaridin, and lemon eucalyptus. They must be applied and re-applied at recommended intervals. 

Shop bug sprays.

One of the many benefits of RVing is being able to bring along your furry family members. It can be so rewarding watching your dogs experience new places, sights, and sniffs—they’ll love the adventures just as much as you will! 

RVing with dogs doesn’t have to be stressful either, as long as you are prepared, know what to expect, and have planned a dog-friendly road trip. Here are some tips to make your next trip the best trip:

Plan Ahead

Research pet-friendly destinations ahead of time. Some campgrounds and RV parks do not allow pets at all, so you’ll want to know this before showing up. It’s also not enough just to verify that they allow dogs, because some have breed and weight restrictions. Check the park’s website or call beforehand to confirm and understand their rules and regulations for pets. It’s also not uncommon for parks to allow pets only on certain sites and/or charge a few extra dollars per day per pet.

Check out the pet-friendly destinations below to plan your next trip:

National Parks

Travelers are often caught by surprise when they discover that many National Parks do not allow dogs on the trails. This is usually to protect the environment of the park and ensure visitors’ safety. Dogs are typically allowed in the park and campgrounds, just not on trails, so you’ll need to plan accordingly when you head out for a hike or bike ride. It’s important to brush up on any national park pet restrictions before visiting to ensure your visit is smooth and easy once you and your furry friends have arrived.

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Sponsored by Car Generator

If You Rely On Solar, Here’s Why You Need An Alternative Power Source  

Solar power has seen a steady rise in popularity in recent years, and with good reason. This popularity has flowed over into the RV world.

Although solar power is great, it does have some limitations and disadvantages. CarGenerator can eliminate those limitations and give you ultimate freedom with your RV without the hassle of a gas generator.

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Buying a decent RV requires a lot of money. Newer RVs prices start at $20,000, but the cost of an RV can range well into millions of dollars. 

Many people make the decision to finance their RV through an RV loan. An RV loan works something like a home mortgage; terms are frequently between 10 and 20 years and are typically secured by the RV itself. RV financing pre-approval can give you a leg up when it comes to your RV purchase. 

With pre-approved RV financing, you’ll be able to get the RV you want, and you may be able to have a bit of leverage on the price of an RV at a dealership. While RV dealers can get you pre-approval for RV financing, you’ll have to buy an RV off their lot after you are pre-approved. There are lending companies who will work with you to get pre-approval for financing to buy an RV from any dealer or private seller you want. 

Leaf springs, greased bolts, equalizers, chucking, axle hangers, and more. What is RV suspension, and what exactly does it do? Not understanding suspension can cause anxiety and uncertainty, especially for new RVers or when traveling to an area with unknown terrain.

But there’s nothing to worry about when you know what you’re working with. Most RV and tow vehicle suspension systems have similar critical components at a base level and are not too difficult to understand.

What is Vehicle Suspension?

In a nutshell, suspension systems are the “knees” of the vehicle, RV, or trailer frame. They flex, distribute energy, and reduce stress on your RV’s frame. That frame is your RV’s foundation, so reducing the strain, chucking, or jerking on that frame creates a smoother ride and extends the life of your vehicle. 

Suspension impacts your driving experience in two main ways: ride and handling. Ride is your truck’s ability to make bumpy roads feel smoother. Handling is your vehicle’s ability to accelerate, brake, and corner. 

When your tires pass over a bump in the road, the wheel accelerates vertically. Without proper vehicle suspension, your tires would briefly lose contact with the road before gravity does its job and come slamming back down to Earth. 

In this week's RV Podcast, we pass along some little-known but very effective tips on saving on RV fuel costs. With record-high prices straining everyone's travel budget, these tips from a fuel industry insider are well worth your time. But there's lots more we talk about in Episode 398 of the RV Podcast, including some geopolitical news that affects RVers, the favorite apps we use on the road and a lively question and answer about when someone may be too old to RV.

Continue reading 4 Insider tips for saving on RV fuel costs at RV Lifestyle.

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Where To Go For National Camping Month

June is upon us! For many people, this is the time to plan vacations, get out of the house, and enjoy the warm weather. Did you know that June is also National Camping Month? This tradition was established in the 1970s and it holds strong today.  

Due to the combination of free time and warm weather, this month is the perfect time to plan a trip somewhere new. Maybe you’ll explore state/national parks, visit an amusement park, or set up camp near a special festival or event! No matter what you want to do this summer, there’s a perfect campground to put you close to the action. 

Below are 10 places you might want to check out during National Camping Month. Some of these destinations cover large areas, while others are much smaller. We hope that there’s something for everyone who loves to travel and explore the outdoors. We’ll also provide some information about campgrounds and RV parks in the area so you have a place to stay during your vacation. You can find more great camping destinations on RV LIFE Campground Reviews or while planning your travels with the RV LIFE App.

National Parks

The United States has tons of land dedicated to conservation and public use. State and National Parks provide a wonderful opportunity to hike, bike, swim, and explore various parts of the country. National Parks are often particularly impressive because of their huge size and significant landmarks. Some of our personal favorite parks include:

If lightweight comfort and quality construction are what you crave, the Gulf Stream travel trailers available today are some of the best on the market. You’ll love how these RVs feature luxurious amenities in compact designs that will make it easy for you to get the most out of your vacations. Learn about six of our favorite designs below.

The kitchen comes equipped with everything you need to make delicious meals for you and your partner. This couple’s coach features a queen bed and a rear bathroom with a shower/tub combo so that you can get cleaned up before turning in for a great night’s sleep. Another fantastic feature in this Gulf Stream Ameri-Lite Super Lite 189DD travel trailer is the large power awning that gives your campsite the perfect amount of shade..

Additional Features:

If you’re looking for something that makes traveling with the kids a little easier, the Gulf Stream Ameri-Lite Super Lite 199DD travel trailer may be the perfect fit. This travel trailer sleeps up to five and features a set of bunk beds for the kids. Additionally, the bathroom features a shower/tub combo so that you can soak after a long road trip.

Additional Features:

The Midwest is a region of the United States of America known as “America’s Heartland”. We can certainly say that traveling to the Midwest with our dogs, Brickle and Digby, touched our hearts!

Friendly people, good food, and simple living are what we will remember about our time in the Midwest. Wide, open spaces, room to roam, and a relaxed way of life made our dogs feel at home and relaxed. We found the Midwest to be very accommodating to dogs and their people.  

Although the Midwestern region of the United States is mostly flat, it does contain other landforms that vary in elevation. You’ll find rolling hills, rising mountains, plains, plateaus, and large lakes. Along with natural beauty, you will also find quite a few history lessons waiting for you and your dog as well! 

It’s time to visit some dog-friendly RV destinations in the Midwest! Remember, these destinations are only a start to the paws-ibilities of exploring this inspiring part of the USA!

Lincoln State Park – Spencer County, Illinois

Rich in history and the site of Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home, Lincoln State Park has over 10 miles of hiking trails, rolling hills, and two lakes. Dogs are welcome to explore this state park with you. You can see the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, a pioneer farm, the Lincoln cabin site, the gravesite of Abraham Lincoln’s mother, and the historic Trail of Twelve Stones. Want to stay all day? You can camp in this state park! It is great for an overnight spot.