On the first night of driveway camping as a family in our brand-new RV, something strange happened when we gathered inside those fiberglass walls. We found ourselves immersed in an evening of playing cards, telling stories, and bellyaching laughter. Spontaneous, undistracted connection — which seemed so elusive in our daily lives — filled the air. I knew in those first few moments that RVing had something special to offer. Our tiny weekend-warrior-mobile soon turned into a home away from home for our whole family.

While RV travel certainly provides all the ingredients for enriched family life, you don’t just drive off into a made-for-YouTube sunset. Those moments of connection often have to be earned. With structure and intention, you can take your kids on the road and foster great memories, family bonds, life lessons, and unforgettable learning experiences. Here’s how.

Identify your family’s travel mission — and involve kids in the planning.

Every great adventure starts with a destination in mind — either a physical place or a feeling to achieve. Family trips are group experiences, yet parents often neglect to include their kids in the planning! Unite your family under a common travel goal, such as visiting ten national parks or checking off a must-do list. You’ll ensure your itinerary has experiences that appeal to each person, thereby increasing each member’s commitment and excitement.

Start with a family brainstorming session to develop a wish list of possible travel experiences — there are no wrong suggestions at this stage. Encourage ideas for simple moments, like watching a sunrise together or enjoying a campfire in each state. In addition, include activities to try, places to visit, and things to do, like snow sports, hiking, or attending a music festival.

Next, include school-age children in the process of researching destinations, travel routes, and even costs. These responsibilities prove to be educational and challenging while making kids even more involved in the trip-planning process. Create the shortlist of travel goals for your next trip or season and post them in a high-visibility spot the whole family will see. Keeping your family’s big-picture mission top of mind will help your group ride out the inevitable hiccups of an extended road trip.

When we, the Harbuck family, started RVing a year ago, I really had no idea what features to even consider when choosing a rig for our large family. Frankly, I didn’t even know what was available! It turns out there are several features that make an RV particularly suitable for large families. Here are some important things to consider when choosing an RV for a large family.

Seats & Seat Belts

The very most important thing to consider when choosing an RV (in this case, a motorhome) for a large family is the number of seats and seat belts. You want to make sure that everyone can sit safely and securely, and that everything complies with local and state traffic safety laws.

Especially if you’re traveling with little ones, there are special considerations when buckling in car seats. You’ll want to make sure that your car seats can be safely buckled into your rig, and also that you have the proper seat belts to secure them. There are only certain seats that can accommodate certain child safety seats, and this is often affected by height, weight, and make of the rig. Some child harnesses can’t go in most standard RVs at all, including booster seats (unless you have a lap and shoulder belt available in the rig). Here is some more info on safety considerations when using car seats in RVs.

Sleeping Arrangements

Each year, recreational vehicle associations and RV dealers put on RV shows throughout the United States and Canada. This is a round up schedule of ... Read more

Picture this…

A quiet campground, free of the growl of a generator.

A silent forest, undisturbed by the grumble of ATVs.

A bike ride, less the sweaty uphill climb that leaves you too tired to go further.

A crackling campfire providing warmth, but also powering your cell phone.

Keeping a solid and leak-free roof over your head is one of the most important things you can do for an RV of any type. If you don’t have a good roof, then the rest of your RV is compromised. Water coming in from leaks in the roof can be a serious issue. It can cause mold, mildew, and other unhealthy conditions. In simple terms, it will destroy your rig.

One of the best ways to ensure this doesn’t happen to you is to do regular roof inspections. Many suggest doing at least an annual roof inspection or maintenance. Even if you’re not interested in actually doing maintenance work yourself, you can save some money and time by doing an easy roof inspection. Here’s where to start.

Establish Your RV Roof Type

An RV will have either a walkable or non-walkable roof. This will determine whether the roof is rated to hold a person’s body weight, thus making it walkable. For the exterior roof material, RVs can use EPDM, TPO, PVC, fiberglass, aluminum alloy, or galvanized sheet metal among others. As for the interior construction, RV roofs are fortified from trusses and decking that form the structural skeleton of the roof. Further inside, insulation is used for retaining heat or cold within the camper itself.

A roof membrane provides protection against the elements, while a lap sealant applied on top of the membrane keeps the seams, joints, and transition points from leaking. Usually, the roof membrane is made up of a single layer of material that is stretched tight over the decking. It’s attached with a heavy adhesive between the membrane’s underside and decking, then secured with mechanical fasteners used along the edge.

With roof membranes, you generally can’t tell the difference between the two most common brands (Alpha or Dicor) by just looking at it. The best and easiest way to tell the difference is by asking the RV dealership or RV manufacturer. They will let you know which brand was used based on the year/model of your RV. If you’re a Good Sam member you can call the elite service tech advisor line and have this info provided for you. Why is knowing the difference such a big deal? The type of roof membrane you have determines what kind of lap sealant you should use since they are only chemically compatible with each designated brand.

Families from all across America are bound by tradition to go camping. There is nothing quite like hitting the road and having fun outdoors with your own folks.

Whether you want to experience cuddling your kids close to the campfire or sleeping soundly after staring up at the starry sky, there is always a sense of togetherness when exploring nature with your family. While you’re enjoying nighttime comfort and extra snacks, you can see it’s a different experience with kids in tow, especially when you need to slow down and look after them. We’ve listed the top 10 kid-friendly camping destinations in the U.S. Hopefully, the kids will enjoy them too!

Camping Destinations

Here is the list of a variety of kid-friendly camping destinations you can with your little ones. If you have an exclusive membership, you might get a discount and more from the campgrounds we’ve listed below.

Snake River Campground, Nebraska

At the lake, you can find sugar-white beaches to spend your days swimming and boating around. Every summer night, the campgrounds host a “star party,” so be sure to come in season or you’ll miss it.

Other stellar activities to pair with this is making rockets out of soda bottles, which is included in the program. Ride a canoe down the Niobrara River and try to spot the occasional blue herons and bald eagles.

Welcome, Peter Holcombe and the “Famagogo,” family. Thanks for chatting with us at Camping World about your RV experience!

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself, and what first drew you to RV travel? 

A. While we’ve always traveled extensively, we never actually planned on becoming RVers. Originally, we had planned a year-long road trip in a van that we converted ourselves. But Peter’s dad begged us to go look at a few RVs before we purchased a van. And with our first step into a Winnebago View, we felt like we found both a vehicle and a home. And because we felt completely at home on the road, one year turned into two, then three…and here we are on our eighth year of full-time RV living with no end in sight.

Q. Describe your travel style in five words or less! 

A. Driven by adventure.

While being the country’s least populous state, what Wyoming lacks in people, it makes up for in natural wonders. With over 109 mountain ranges including 7 national parks and monuments, the state offers endless outdoor opportunities and the chance to explore some of the most breathtaking landscapes in North America.

Wind River Range

Though one could easily assume the Tetons claimed the state’s highest mountain, the Wind River Range is actually home to over 40 peaks over 13,000 feet, including Wyoming’s tallest- Gannett Peak. Located in the west-central region of the state, the “Winds” follows the Great Continental Divide, featuring over 1,300 lakes and the single largest glacier in the American Rockies. Its remote wilderness encompasses an area of 2.25 million acres and provides 600 miles of trails that beckon outdoor enthusiasts.

While planning a visit to the Wind River Range, Pinedale serves as a perfect basecamp and your best bet to find supplies. In order to access this untamed land, be prepared for a 20 mile drive down a dirt road that takes every bit of two hours with a trailer. For those that don’t mind a little adventure, I can guarantee you every one of those washboards was worth the views you will be awarded once you reach Green River Lakes. Here, you’ll find the trailhead into the Bridger Wilderness and ample camping, between the national forest campground and dispersed sites along the gravel road. The majestic views of Square Top mountain, perhaps the most iconic of all the Wind’s peaks, can be seen from the campground as well as the remnants of several abandoned homesteads. Whether you’re looking for a day-hike or a multi-day trek, this is a great jumping off point into the Wind River Range. For an incredible and relatively easy day hike, take the 10-mile Highline Loop Trail that meanders along the shore, meadow, and forest. If you prefer a more strenuous backpacking adventure, take the 24-mile Cirque of the Towers Loop via the Big Sandy trailhead that showcases summer wildflowers, pristine lakes and rivers, and stunning views of glacially carved peaks.

Welcome, Demetrius and family! Thanks for chatting with us at Camping World about your RV experience!

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself, and what first attracted you to RV travel?

A. My wife and I love to try different things, go different places, and we want to see more of the world especially here in the US. Watching YouTube videos on van life and living life different fueled our desire to wanting to own an RV. We both made this a goal and wanted it part of our life journey together to make memories.

Q. Describe your travel style in five words or less! Where too?

A. Let’s go!!

Whether you’re looking for an RV that will help you improve your fuel consumption on the road or you just need a lightweight travel trailer to get you where you’re going, we can help. These five incredible RVs under 5500 lbs are easy-to-tow and feature a variety of floorplans that will fit your needs. Learn more below.

Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup 18TO Travel Trailer

Take home the Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup 18TO travel trailer today, and you’ll find sleeping for five with a beautiful interior that will make you feel right at home. The hidden bunk is ideal for providing sleeping space at night and folds away to reveal a sofa during the day. You’ll find that the galley kitchen gives you plenty of room to make your favorite campground meals. 

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There are some things that are just better in summer, like swimming in a lake, spending long evenings outside and eating your fill of watermelon! This juicy and refreshing fruit is the perfect way to cool off on those hot summer days. But instead of basic and plain watermelon, why not skip the typical slices and make a delicious and tasty watermelon salsa instead?

If you’re a fan of chips and salsa (and who isn’t?), this fresh fruit salsa is the perfect way to shake up your typical salsa or dip. Instead of a tomato base, this recipe calls for chunks of fresh watermelon, crunchy cucumber, zesty lime and cooling mint. It’s a great mix of salty and sweet, and even spicy if you choose to add a jalapeno or two. It’s a perfect treat to enjoy after an intense hike or after a long drive day and setting up camp. And you can even make it in one bowl, so there’s not a lot of clean-up.

While the salsa can be made before you leave on your camping trip, this recipe is best when it is fresh. If it’s easier, you can chop up all the ingredients before you leave and then just mix them together at the campsite. But this recipe really shines when you make it right before you serve it. Luckily, it’s incredibly easy to make and only involves chopping a few fruits and vegetables!

Besides eating this as a delicious dip (or straight out of the bowl with a spoon!), try using it as a topping for grilled chicken, fish or fish tacos. Can’t get enough watermelon this summer? Try our Grilled Watermelon Salad with Goat Cheese and Basil recipe for another tasty summertime camping dish.

We’ve been RVing for about a decade now, and believe it or not, we’ve always been able to drink the water that has come through our RV’s plumbing system. At first, this may have been just through ignorance. As a new RVer, I simply wasn’t aware of all the ins and outs of RVing, and drinking water from the tap seemed completely “normal”. Fortunately, nobody ever got sick. These days, I pay more attention. Our water is better for it, and we drink our RV’s water with complete confidence.

I know many RVers who choose to bring along bottled water for drinking. They use the water from their fixtures mainly for showering and washing dishes. There’s no one right answer here, and this is a completely valid way to go about it. But for Stef and I, being into fitness and cycling… we tend to go through a lot of water. We’d have to bring along a lot of bottled water to make that work. And we’re not that crazy about the cost, the storage requirements, or the plastic waste that comes with bottled water. So for us, drinking the water from our RV makes good sense.

I’ve been known to go “over the top” on a lot of things. But I don’t think there’s any harm in overdoing “clean drinking water.” The more we know about our health, the better. So I’ll share with you what we do, as full-time RVers, to drink our RV’s water with confidence and safety.

Basic Clean Drinking Water Equipment

The Hose

If you’re new to RVing, there are a few basic items you’re going to need. The first are drinking water hoses. RV fresh water hoses are either white or blue. You might be tempted to save a few bucks by using extra hoses you may have around, but don’t. Just…don’t. Here’s why.

You never know when some well-meaning friend or neighbor may decide to help you with your hookups, or with rinsing out your sewer hose. By keeping your hose colors on the same page as everyone else, you avoid any unintentional mistakes in this area. Besides the potential mistakes, the freshwater hoses are also guaranteed not to leach any unwanted chemicals into your water. So please, stick with white or blue.

As the weather cools, it just feels good to be outside grilling, laughing, relaxing, and cheering on your favorite team. Tailgating season means good food, good friends, and good games. Let the tailgating begin! Whether you camp out at the arena, the campground, or just out in your yard, the spirit of tailgating makes any sporting event more fun.

Chances are someone in your friend or family group tailgates, whether it’s at the kids’ soccer game or the NFL playoffs. Tailgating is all about indulging in those extra accessories that make outdoor dining and entertaining so much fun. Consider gifting your tailgating friends something they’ll really use. Or put a few of these items on your wish list.

Here is our favorite gear for tailgating.

Toyhauler RV

Tailgating starts and ends with the RV. For this kind of camping, a toy hauler is one of the best. Drop down the rear garage and you’ve got yourself an awesome indoor-outdoor entertaining space. Set up two TVs, one inside and one outside, so guests can watch the game wherever they want. Or, stream two different games at once. Deck out your patio space with plenty of seating and tables, so everyone has somewhere to put their drink. When you need a refill, just head inside and grab a cold one from the fridge.

Cooking Gear

Tailgating food often overshadows the main event–the game! Hearty and satisfying, tailgating food should be full of fresh flavor: smoked meats, savory dips, salty finger food. Level up your menu with the camp cooking trifecta: a smoker, grill, and griddle. A set of grill tools and a digital thermometer complete your chef set up. Keep it all organized in a grill caddy or basket stocked with your favorite seasonings and rubs. Feeling rusty cooking over the flame? Brush up on barbecue tips with NFL’er and RVer, Keith Sims. Don’t forget to keep the bugs away from your food with bug repellent products designed to create an invisible barrier around your campsite.

Sometimes you need to get away from it all. The hustle and bustle of life may have caught up to you. If you’re in California, you may be ready to throw your phone off the Golden Gate Bridge and run towards the hills.

I get it, and I’m totally on board for that. It’s important to get away from the tourism hot spots every now and then, and there are many perks to wilderness camping. It’s quiet, peaceful, the air is fresh and crisp, and you don’t have to worry about people breathing down your neck all the time.

In this guide, I’m going to highlight all the benefits of staying away from the big crowds with these wilderness fantastic camping locations in Northern California.

Olema Campground

Located next to the Point Reyes National Seashore, you can explore 65,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness. You’ve got wine country in one direction, San Francisco in another, and miles upon miles of splendid wild bliss in the other.

If you plan to travel in your RV while working, it’s important you have somewhere to work. Your workspace doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, the more simple your setup–the better! Whether you’re a freelancer, part-time employee, or juggling a traditional 9-5 from the road, it can all be done. We’ll show you how. Ideally, you will want to trim down those needs and be as minimalist as you can. Pare down your home office set up to just the essentials and you’ll find you need less, but do more. 

The Office Basics for an RV:

Computer – A laptop works well since you can easily take it to work outside, at a coffee shop, in the car. If you have a desk set up in your RV, an extra monitor is an added luxury.

Dreaming of the perfect family vacation? After all, there are few things in life better than gathering your loved ones, jumping in a camper, and exploring new places or old favorites. To make things easier, we’ve listed five practical tips for choosing the best RV park for your family’s needs.

What are some summer activities you’re itching to try? Maybe something more adventurous rather than going the conventional route? RVs, or recreational vehicles, continue to be a hot topic. While you might associate RVing with Baby Boomers or retirees, RV travel has something for everyone, with more families have becoming open to RV camping and boondocking. It’s a fun and exciting way to travel as a family, adding the right amount of spontaneity. Of course, planning ahead always helps. For some, the RV location, more specifically the RV Park, could make or break your family trip. Knowing that, we’ve compiled some recommendations for choosing the right RV parks to ensure your trip is one for the books.

1. Personal preferences

First things first, always take into consideration the requirements for your beloved recreational vehicle. Is the RV park large enough to accommodate your motorhome? If you don’t have a generator in tow, always try and find out what power connections are available in the park you are eyeing. Next off, consider what your family will need. When you are traveling with kids, always choose parks with playgrounds and other kid-friendly recreational areas. If you have a pet with you, be aware that parks have different regulations when it comes to pets. Last but not least, if you have any preferred amenities, research will be key. If  Wi-Fi is an absolute necessity for you, it’s better to do some research beforehand.

2. Online presence

We are all expect successful businesses to run a thorough and complete website that mirrors what they do, and how well they do it. The more attention to detail given on the website can often show how likely the owners are to pay attention to their guest’s experience. It doesn’t just provide potential clients with significant amounts of information, but it also somehow unintentionally advertises the amount of attention the campground owners or managers give to the park itself.

Although the Willamette Valley is often regarded as Oregon’s wine capital, over the past several years, Southern Oregon has emerged as a world-class viticultural region, known for its unique ability to grow a wide variety of grapes due to its complex geology, soil and mesoclimates. This region, which is actually the birthplace of Oregon’s wine industry, saw its first grapes planted in the mid-1800s and today boasts over 88 vineyards and numerous tasting rooms across four river valleys. Compared to popular wine regions like Napa and Sonoma, here, wine enthusiasts will escape the crowds and find prices more accommodating. With stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains, wine aficionados can revel in world class-wine without an air of pretension at this underrated wine destination.

Oregon Wine Country: A Region That Has Aged Well

Beginning in the 1840s, early pioneers who made the trek West along the Oregon Trail planted roots in the newly established territory, and soon afterward, the region’s first grapes. One of these early settlers was Peter Britt, a Swiss photographer who left the east coast in search of gold in Southern Oregon and who’d later become Oregon’s first commercial wine producer. Britt began growing grapes in the mid-1800s and established Valley View Winery, Oregon’s first official winery, near present-day Jacksonville. By 1870, his 20-acre commercial vineyard and orchard had experimented with over 200 varieties of American and European grapes, producing between 1,000-3,000 gallons per year. With his extensive horticultural knowledge and innovative practices, he installed an underground irrigation system by 1855 and used techniques like smudging to prevent frost and raised bees to improve pollination. By the time Britt died in 1905, there were dozens of vineyards in Southern Oregon, many of which were shipping grapes across the country and down to California.

Oregon’s wine industry took a turn for the worst when Prohibition was enacted in the state 1915 — five years before Prohibition became nationwide. Wineries closed, vines were dug up and replaced with orchards, and the wine business was out of business for nearly half a century. During the 1960s, the wine industry began to recover when California winemakers headed North in search of cooler climates and launched the first post-Prohibition wineries in the state. In 2005, the Southern Oregon AVA (American Viticultural Area) was established, covering 2.2million acres stretching south of Eugene to the California border. This region encompasses the Umpqua Valley, Rogue Valley, Applegate Valley and Illinois Valley and is separated by 4 major rivers and 3 different mountain ranges. Today, there are over 8,000 acres dedicated to grape production within the Southern Oregon AVA and the number is growing rapidly!

It’s the Climate and Geology!

As far as RV destinations go, we can hardly think of a place that offers more variety than a trip to the Great Lakes. Explore national parks, historic sites, lakeshores, remote islands, and even battlefields for an action-packed adventure you’ll never forget. The five massive freshwater lakes resemble the ocean based on their sheer size alone. Waves crash on sandy shores, and the sun dips beneath the endless waterline, much like a beach sunset. So, if you’re looking for something to take your breath away then look no further than Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Superior.

Visiting the Great Lakes in an RV is most enjoybale when you’ve got time to explore the 9,500 miles of the ocean-like shores. With so much to see, you’re bound to miss something if 24-hours is all you’ve got. Embrace the outdoor activities, hike to hidden waterfalls, climb historic lighthouses, and save room for freshly caught food.

The Great Lakes and their shores are spilling with history and culture. Discover this unique area and the ecology of this magnificent glacial lakes from the comfort of your RV.

Weather at the Great Lakes

Stretching across 8 states and into a portion of Ontario, Canada, the weather throughout the Great Lakes is surprisingly stable throughout the year. It’s true! For the most part, the winters are cold, summers are warm, and the shoulder seasons are delightful. During winter, the moisture from the lakes can lead to heavy snowfalls, typically referred to as “lake effect,” snow.

Part of what makes the lakes so interesting is how their size controls the weather around them. Acting as heat sinks, the water from the lakes has the unique ability to cool the air during summer and heat it up during winter for a pleasant experience year-round. If you’re looking for the ideal time to visit, aim for late spring (May and June) or early fall (September and October) for the most pleasant temperatures.

Give your family adventures for years to come in an incredible travel trailer that delivers plenty of room for everyone in an easy-to-tow package. Check out the incredible features you can expect when you take home one of these 2022 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 8 Series travel trailers for sale near you. We’ll take an in-depth look at the features and amenities packed into these incredible RVs in this 2022 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 8 Series travel trailer review. 

Kitchen Features

Wherever you plan to explore, the kitchens in these Jayco Jay Flight SLX 8 Series travel trailers will ensure you always have what you need to make delicious meals. You’ll love the seamless countertops, stainless steel appliances, and plenty of storage space in the cabinets. Washing dishes after dinner is easy with the large acrylic sinks with a high-rise faucet.

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People ask us all the time, “What’s the scariest thing that has happened to you while driving your RV?”

In our nearly 10 years of RVing, We’ve been nearly run off the road by other drivers, had a tire blowout, been hit by roadside debris, driven in blizzards, and had a high voltage power line come down across the road just ahead of us.

Scary moments, all.

Caught in an RV in High Winds

But one of the scariest was the time when I was caught in a sudden, violent windstorm. It served as a great example of how fast the weather can change. Whether you’re driving a motorhome or towing a travel trailer, high winds are an RVers enemy.

You Do Not Want to Be in an RV in High Winds!

This incident happened very early in our RV Lifestyle, way back in 2012, on I-75 in Ohio.