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As a kid, I used to loath washing my parent’s RV. We did it regularly after each trip, so I learned how to wash an RV at a young age. Now that I’m older, I look around and my parent’s 2000 Fleetwood Bounder looks better than some modern motorhomes I see in our favorite RV parks. 

Washing your RV may not be glamorous, but it’s an important part of maintaining your RV. It can extend the life of your RV as a whole, help you avoid costly fiberglass or paint repairs, prevent mold, and maintain seals and gaskets to keep your interior protected from the elements. 

Plus, a clean RV is more visually appealing. With many RV parks only allowing RVs manufactured within the last 10 years (and reviewing older RVs on a case-by-case basis), washing and maintaining your RV’s exterior could be the difference between being turned away or enjoying a comfortable stay in your desired campground.

How To Wash an RV

Washing an RV is not like washing a car. It’s a lot more like washing a small house–with wheels. There isn’t an abundance of commercial RV wash locations to simply drive your RV through. Rolling up to a high school fundraiser and letting them tackle it is a lot to ask.

Before we get into the details, here’s a short overview of the steps for washing an RV:

The best thing about owning a toy hauler is being able to bring your big toys on all your camping trips. But to make sure everything stays in good shape while you’re towing, you need to know how to safely pack a toy hauler with flammables. 

Securing everything is important when packing ATVs, dirt bikes, and other toys containing flammable liquids – not to mention the canisters of extra fuel you’ll bring to keep your toys refueled. 

Preliminary Tips for Packing a Toy Hauler Safely

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Whether you’re packing a toy hauler with flammables or renting a regular RV, make sure it is equipped with at least one fire extinguisher. Check the date on the extinguisher to ensure it will still be effective if needed. 

If your extinguisher doesn’t have a clearly labeled expiration date, check the pressure using the gauge or green test button on top. For extinguishers with gauges, the reading should be in the green. For models with a button, push it down completely and release. The button should pop back up if the extinguisher isn’t expired. If it stays down, it’s time to get a new one. 

It is a good idea to pick up an additional fire extinguisher when traveling with a toy hauler. Keep one in the garage and the other somewhere in the cabin. This is also the time to check carbon monoxide, propane, and smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly. 

James and I just got back home from a week-long RV trip. We didn’t go far, just took our Ekko Number One to a state park we had never been to that’s only a few hours away. It’s funny, we’ve been RVing for a dozen or so years now, all over North America, and it’s the close-to-home destinations we’ve yet to visit.

We met some RV friends there for our typical RV shenanigans; biking, hiking, exploring the area. So now that we’ve wrapped up the trip, I’m currently experiencing the post-trip glow. If you’re an RVer, you know the glow. It’s those feelings of contentment and satisfaction that settle in after any good trip—where your mind is happily at work filing away the trip memories and polishing the experience.

According to research, there’s actually something to the post-trip glow. There are many research-backed mental health benefits to traveling, research that supports my current healthy frame of mind. Those benefits go way beyond your typical expectations of traveling, like having a chance to relax.

Sure, relaxing tends to be a major draw for wanting to hit the road. Ironically though, if you take an RV trip and all you do is kick back and relax, you’re doing exactly the opposite thing you need to boost your mental health. To reap the health benefits of travel, forgo rest and instead do things that get you out of your comfort zone. Find opportunities where you can experience and learn new things. Because it’s when our RV trips challenge us that the real health-boosting magic happens.

With that in mind, here are 5 ways RV traveling benefits our mental health.

Your health should be a priority regardless of your living situation. Whether you live in a sticks and bricks house or RV full-time, it’s important to make time for yourself. If you do reside full-time in an RV, living in 300 square feet is no excuse to not work out. Here are six ways to stay fit while RVing, each with its own adventure rating from light (1) to intense (5) levels of exercise.

Biking

Adventure Level: 2

Image by Pexels.com

Whether it’s on a mountain, around town, or even around the campground, biking is always a great workout. It gets the heart pumping and is also a wonderful way to check out the surrounding area where you are camping. For a gentler ride, consider an electric bike to assist in propulsion. Learn How to Know Which E-Bike is Right for You.

Biking can be a fun workout for the entire family or the perfect opportunity to clear your mind on a solo ride. Not sure how to travel with a bicycle in tow? A bike rack can easily mount onto the bumper or rear hitch of your rig.

Find a bike to take on an RV trip.

Most modern motorhomes come with an RV black tank flush. This feature helps clean your RV’s black water tank after emptying its contents. If this feature is new to you, let’s talk about how to use an RV black tank flush. 

Why Use an RV Black Tank Flush?

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Most RV old-timers probably remember the days before this feature was commonplace. Without it, the best way to flush your black tank is to go inside and flush the toilet a bunch of times—filling your tank with several gallons of water—before emptying it a second time. 

Or, you open your bathroom window, run a hose inside, stick it down the toilet, and try to flush your tank out that way. DON’T TRY THAT! I’ve been there and done that—unsuccessfully.  As a result, I think I’m blacklisted from a certain Southern California RV park. But that’s a story for another time. 

Here are the benefits of an RV black tank flush: 

Eliminates the need to go inside to flush water down your toilet.Dislodges stuck toilet paper and solid waste.Clears holding tank sensors to provide more accurate level readings.Removes “leftovers” that can cause irritating odors.As a side benefit, it cleans out your sewer hose.

Where Can You Use an RV Black Tank Flush?

Photo by Benjamin Clapp via Shutterstock

Campgrounds with full hookups and RV dump stations are the best places to utilize your black tank flush. They offer the two main things you need to get your black water tank clean: a place to dispose of your waste and a source of clean water to clean out your tank. 

While the beaches of Florida are justifiably popular, we have found RV campgrounds near dreamy Florida freshwater springs that have made us appreciate the Sunshine State just as much (or more) than the flashier tourist spots on the coast. We’ve done so with way fewer crowds, up close, and experiential. And, we’ve almost always been able to get a reservation or find a spot. in these days of crowded campgrounds, especially in A1 destinations like Florida, it’s a treasure worth sharing.

Florida’s peninsula – bordered by the Atlantic ocean on the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west – has a huge underground aquifer that pretty much stretches from Gainsville on the north to the Keys on the south. And from it bubbles up nearly 900 natural springs.

No other geographic area on earth has more.

Florida’s freshwater springs produce an estimated 800 billion gallons of crystal clear water every single day, mostly never more or less than 72 degrees all year round. The characteristic of those springs is a lush and diverse surrounding ecosystem of plants and trees and wildlife. And, in many spots, RVers can swim, float, kayak, snorkel, SCUBA dive, and explore in glass-bottom boats.

Ready for some suggestions for excellent and interesting Florida campgrounds? Here are my three favorites.

Move over Portland, there’s another city winning over beer lovers in the Pacific Northwest. Between Vancouver’s beaches and mountain peaks is a thriving craft beer scene gaining accolades and finding fame across the globe. You’ll find breweries peppered throughout the city, with beer hubs centered around East Vancouver (aka “Yeast Van”) and the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Whether you’re into West Coast IPAs or more experimental brews, I’ve rounded up Vancouver’s 13 best craft breweries, so you’re guaranteed to find that perfect pint.

East Vancouver

Storm Brewing

The city’s longest-running craft brewery, Storm Brewing is known for concocting creative brews like the Cream Soda Pilsner and Vanilla Whisky Stout. All beers are unfiltered for maximum flavor, made without additives or preservatives and crafted in small batches to ensure freshness. Swing by and see what’s on the ever-changing beer menu. There are no tables or chairs, but you’re welcome to stand and sample what’s on tap.

Powell Brewery

Run by a husband-and-wife duo, Powell Brewery focuses on full-flavored beers made with natural and local ingredients. Grab a spot on the outdoor patio and try the Old Jalopy Pale Ale, which has won countless awards over the years. Tasting flights are also available if you want to sample the wide array of IPAs and pale ales.

Parallel 49 Brewing

Parallel 49 will win you over with its cartoony beer labels, funky murals and food cart that functions as a full working kitchen. Dozens of taps spit out everything from pilsners and radlers, with local favorites including the Trash Panda IPA, Gypsy Tears Ruby Ale and Salty Scot, a sea salted caramel Scotch ale. Pair your pint with a poutine and you’ve got a match made in heaven.

If you are looking for a great RV for your family of six to travel to the campground with, we’ll help you find five amazing models for sale near you. These RVs are the perfect way to give you entire crew plenty of space for all the kids. Learn more about these deals going on today for RVs that sleep up to six.

Find more travel trailers for sale near you.

2022 Coachmen Clipper Camping Trailers 107LS

Looking for an easy-to-tow RV that gives you an upgrade from tent camping without losing the things you love about camping. This Coachmen Clipper Camping Trailers 107LS pop-up camper features two queen bed tents and two gaucho sofas for the kids. The interior storage space gives you plenty of space for keeping everyone’s things in order.

Additional Features:

Queen Tent End BedsTwo GauchosDark Ash CabinetryInterior StorageYou’ll love this cozy queen bed tent with weatherproof sides.

2022 Keystone Cougar Half Ton 25RDS

You’ll fall in love with the open floorplan of this Keystone Cougar Half Ton 25RDS travel trailer that features dual entry doors that offer easy access throughout the RV. The open kitchen design with a three-burner stove and a large stainless steel undermount sink, you’ll feel like you’re cooking at home. The fireplace ensures you’ll be comfortable even on chilly nights.

Additional Features:

Are you craving some warm weather and beach time? Dreaming of an RV vacation? This time of year, aren’t we all? Well, the following five waterfront RV parks and campgrounds will have you ready to hop in your RV and go. They literally have me trying to figure out how to fit every one of them into my summer RVing plans. The even better news is that they are all part of the Good Sam network, which means if you’re a member you can get 10% off your stay.

1. Ocean Lakes Family Campground – Myrtle Beach, SC

Photo: Lindsay McKenzie

The Ocean Lakes Family Campground ranked in the top 1% out of 8,000 different parks! For good reason, too – as if the location and beach access weren’t enough, you won’t believe the amenities!

You can’t beat its location in Myrtle Location, which is known for its 60 miles of beautiful beaches, large selection of golf courses, excellent seafood restaurants, and endless entertainment and fun for the whole family. Ocean Lakes is the largest campground on the east coast and one of the largest in the country, with 210 oceanfront acres, almost a mile of beach, and 859 campsites. It’s a huge park with, as I mentioned, huge amenities.

There are 9 different beach accesses on-site, but you may have to be pulled away from the on-site Sandy Harbor Family Fun Center to even go to the beach. The center’s most notable feature is its water park, which has a mat racer, tube slide, lazy river, an additional kiddie pool, and a Splash Zone for kids. The family fun doesn’t end there though, you can enjoy a game center, a Mini-Golf Course, and an indoor/outdoor café. Guests will also love Ocean Lakes’ large playgrounds, workout stations, volleyball in the sand, shuffleboard, basketball, and can even rent bicycles to cruise around on. Find some shells on the beach? Take them into the Ocean Lakes Nature Center Discovery Lab, where they have 10,000 shells and fossils!

Photo: Lindsay McKenzie

Along with all the fun that’s offered, Ocean Lakes also has a store and laundromat for your convenience. But get this, they also have an RV Center, with new and used RVs for sale, an RV supply store, and an award-winning service and parts department! You literally never have to leave the property if you don’t want to. They even thought of little details that make a huge difference, like having an express check-in so that once you arrive, the fun begins! Now pick your jaw up off the ground and go book your next RV vacation at Ocean Lakes Family Campground now. You can visit their website to book your stay.

RVers love nature and when nature is in its most beautiful attire, it’s covered with wildflowers. But it’s the nature of wildflowers to grow up fast and fade away, maybe lasting a month or two at most. If you want to see them year-round, you’re going to have to rely on planning and timing things just right. Don’t worry, it can be done!

What is a Wildflower

The proper definition of a wildflower is a flower that was not planted, that grows naturally in the wild. But I’m not going to be a stickler here. In some locations — think Texas and its famous Bluebonnets — wildflower seeds have been collected and intentionally planted in gardens and along highways and wayfares. Wildflowers, because they grow in the wild with basically no tending, they are hearty flowers and when you catch them in bloom, it’s like an explosion of color. No matter what variety you see.

Peak Time for Wildflowers

Image: Shutterstock

Obviously, in most places, the peak time for flowers is in spring. But spring comes at different times in different parts of the country. Here’s where that timing thing comes in.

In Florida and the southern states, wildflowers start popping out in early spring – think late February or March – and last until late fall, around Thanksgiving. In the north, they may not start showing up until late May or even early June, and last, in different waves for different species, until the first frosts of fall. Generally, they start to fade and wilt a bit in the full heat and humidity of summer.

But contrary to what many think, wildflowers bloom pretty much all year round as long as it’s not too cold. So if you want to see wildflowers year-round, you’ll want to set up a route. Fortunately, that route pretty much follows what just happens to be the favorite travel migration of many full-time RVers.

Location, location, location! When choosing the right home base for experiencing an area, location is a priority. It can make or break your experience. That’s why Burnaby Cariboo RV Park  (BCRV), your top-rated Good Sam Park, is your best choice!

We’re within easy access to everything Vancouver and the surrounding area have to offer. Conveniently located adjacent to the Sky Train, a rapid transit system. You can just park your RV and enjoy your time in the area. Why fight traffic if you don’t have to?

If there is a festival, the Vancouver, British Columbia, area has it! From music, art and food to heritage, it’s all here! Experience unique shopping areas, museums, tours and markets of every kind.

Prefer to explore on your own terms? Hiking, kayaking, whale watching, mountains, lakes and oceans are all day trips from Burnaby Cariboo.

Multi-family vacations are a great way to enjoy time off with the ones you love, whether they’re family or friends. When you have an RV that easily accommodates your large camping crew by providing multiple bedrooms, you’ll have more space for fun and making memories. Check out these six RVs with two bedrooms on sale near you today!

Find more travel trailers on sale with features you’ll love.

Palomino Puma 32BHQS

With sleeping for up to ten and three slide-outs, this Palomino Puma 32BHQS travel trailer is a perfect RV for multi-family vacations. The full bathroom near the master bedroom offers a radial shower, a foot-flushing toilet, and a medicine cabinet and sink. Additionally, you’ll find a half bath just off the living room near the bunkhouse, so everyone will have the space they need.

Additional Features:

Private BunkhouseLarge BedroomFull and Half BathDual EntryJackknife SofaThe slide-out provides ample living space for your family to enjoy meals together.

Palomino Puma 31QBBH

Another travel trailer with two bedrooms, the Palomino Puma 31QBBH, features a private bunkhouse with plenty of sleeping space for your adult kids and their family. Taking all of your camping equipment is easy when you have the pass-through storage that will give you ample space for everything from camping chairs to fishing equipment.

Additional Features:

It’s hard to narrow down all of the amazing aspects of a family RV trip. Not only will you and your family spend quality time together, but you will create memories you will all cherish for years to come. Whether this is your first RV trip – perhaps you’re renting – or you just take your RV out from time to time, there are a lot of tips that can make your next family RV vacation even more fun. With proper planning, your RV trip will be just as amazing.

With an RV, there’s no need to lose time waiting in airport lounges or train stations for your transport: the fun starts the moment you hit the road. Below are some helpful tips when planning a family RV trip.

Renting an RV?

Image: The Mom Trotter

If you don’t own an RV but plan to rent one, the first step is to pick the right size RV for your family. This is an important consideration since many RVs are simply too small, or too large, for your needs. You want to find an RV that will work for you.

Consider how much storage space you need. Try to ensure that each family member has their own space for their things. Will you be taking large, bulky items such as bikes? Are you going on a sports trip that requires lots of equipment? Another consideration is the layout of your RV. Will the sleeping arrangement be suitable for your family, and give everyone space and privacy?

Is a Special License Needed?

Image: The Mom Trotter

You don’t need a special license to drive an RV: most people rent a Class C, which is on a truck chassis and is similar to driving a truck. However, driving an RV is different than driving a car. Its height and length are much bigger than a car’s, plus it needs much more room to turn.

It’s hard to narrow down all of the amazing aspects of a family RV trip. Not only will you and your family spend quality time together, but you will create memories you will all cherish for years to come. Whether this is your first RV trip – perhaps you’re renting – or you just take your RV out from time to time, there are a lot of tips that can make your next family RV vacation even more fun. With proper planning, your RV trip will be just as amazing.

With an RV, there’s no need to lose time waiting in airport lounges or train stations for your transport: the fun starts the moment you hit the road. Below are some helpful tips when planning a family RV trip.

Renting an RV?

Image: The Mom Trotter

If you don’t own an RV but plan to rent one, the first step is to pick the right size RV for your family. This is an important consideration since many RVs are simply too small, or too large, for your needs. You want to find an RV that will work for you.

Consider how much storage space you need. Try to ensure that each family member has their own space for their things. Will you be taking large, bulky items such as bikes? Are you going on a sports trip that requires lots of equipment? Another consideration is the layout of your RV. Will the sleeping arrangement be suitable for your family, and give everyone space and privacy?

Is a Special License Needed?

Image: The Mom Trotter

You don’t need a special license to drive an RV: most people rent a Class C, which is on a truck chassis and is similar to driving a truck. However, driving an RV is different than driving a car. Its height and length are much bigger than a car’s, plus it needs much more room to turn.

A nexus of New Mexico culture, Santa Fe welcomes the spring season with a long menu of festivals and events. Check out the  Northern New Mexico Fine Arts & Crafts Guild on May 28-29. See creativity at its most inspired at second-largest art market in North America, located in the heart of the city. And throughout the season, special events see vintners, brewers and top bartenders serve up thirst-quenching beverages to eager visitors.

But there’s more to Santa Fe springtime than cocktails and crafts. Visitors can discover a bevy of cultural and outdoor adventures during a visit. Long considered one of the world’s great art cities, Santa Fe is home to more than 250 galleries, as well as an extensive collection of museums and cultural institutions.

It’s no mystery why the city pulsates with a blend of dynamic cultures. Over the course of that 400-year history, the city has served as the capital for no less than four distinct political sovereigns: the Spanish Kingdom of New Mexico, the Mexican province of Nuevo Mejico, the American territory of New Mexico and (since 1912) for the state of New Mexico.

Fantastic Spring Flowers

While touring the city during spring, you’ll witness one of the most beautiful springtime scenes in North America. Gaze at iris flowers that burst with purple petals throughout towns. See cherry blossoms explode outside of the Bataan Memorial near the state capital. Outside of town, the Aspen Vista Trail in the Santa Fe National Forest bustles with colorful wildflowers. In town, the Santa Fe Botanic Garden showcases flowers like marigolds that shine brightly in the sun. Asters and other wildflowers grow in profusion outside of Bandelier National Monument and other protected areas.

Power and water are two elements that make RV camping more comfortable than tent camping. To harness these elements safely and effectively, you need to know how to hook up power and water to your RV. We’ll walk you through it. 

The video above provides a quick tutorial on connecting water and electricity to your motorhome. To get the most out of your RV, subscribe to the Camping World YouTube channel to receive notifications for future videos.

Let’s walk through the basic steps to get your RV hooked up to power and water.

What is Shore Power?

Shore power is any power source provided by a campground, RV park, or even an outlet on the side of your friend’s garage. You’ll need to make sure that the power source is compatible with your RV’s internal electrical system. 

30 Amp Versus 50 Amp Service

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Most RVs require either thirty-amp or fifty-amp electrical service. To check yours, look at the plug on your shore power cord. Thirty-amp plugs have three prongs, and fifty-amp plugs have four. 

Check out these three outstanding Utah RV Parks, close to beautiful locations.

Mountain Valley RV Resort in Heber City, Utah

Mountain Valley RV Resort, located in beautiful Heber City, Utah, welcomes you to one of the finest RV resorts in the Western United States and the highest-rated park in Utah. You will find our family-friendly resort just off Highway 40 in Heber City, located in Northern Utah just 45 minutes east of Salt Lake City, 20 minutes south of Interstate 80 (Park City) and 30 minutes east of I-15 (Orem). Open year-round and sheltered by the stunning Rocky Mountains of the Heber Valley, we offer the absolute best in full-service RV lifestyle and accommodations.

Grand Plateau RV Resort in Kanab, Utah

Grand Plateau RV Resort is Kanab’s newest RV destination, located just outside of town and offering stunning desert views. Kanab is located inside the “Grand Circle,” with access to National Parks, Scenic Byways and Native American attractions. Some of America’s most diverse scenery can be found in the Grand Circle — the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell and Arches National Park, just to name a few. Bold splashes of color, fascinating geologic shapes and the mysterious remnants of Native American cultures await you at every turn. After a day of exploring, return back to the resort to relax in the pool and spa! Open all year!

If you are familiar with the types and classes of RVs available, then you might also know that there’s an RV out there called a Super C RV. What is a Super C RV? It is a Class C RV that’s built larger and more along the scale of a Class A motorhome. However, while it is built larger than the average Class C, the Super C RV is still not built on a bus chassis.

It still has a large commercial truck chassis as its foundation. This enables some advantages that make the Super C special. Personally, I think these RVs are super cool and a good alternative to a Class A motorhome. I know I’m not alone in this thought, so let’s take a closer look at why they’re so awesome.

What Is a Super C RV Exactly?

Super C RVs are motorhomes that offer a design similar to a Class C coach, but with a larger chassis and a larger powerplant. The super-large frame and extra-powerful engine open up a lot of possibilities when it comes to the details of the motorhome.

So the chassis on Super C’s are a lot bigger, but how much bigger? Class C motorhomes will typically use the Ford E-450 chassis or a comparable chassis from Chevrolet or another manufacturer, Super C RVs get the larger truck chassis. For example, the 2020 Thor Motor Coach Omi Motorhome features the F-550 chassis. This is a considerably larger option.

Santa Fe Skies RV Park is family-built, owned and operated. It sits on 17 acres overlooking the beautiful mountains of Santa Fe, New Mexico. We are “Big Rig friendly”: Fifty-five sites are pull-thrus designed to accommodate large motor coaches and travel trailers. All sites are equipped with 20-, 30- and 50-amp electrical service. Water and Sewer are available at all pull-thru and almost all back-in sites. We are “pet friendly.” Free Wifi is available.

Santa Fe Skies is within a short driving distance to two major shopping malls (one an outlet mall), several restaurants, a large supermarket and other local businesses. We are located just off the scenic Turquoise Trail, which includes the historic Villages of Cerrillos and the artist center of Madrid. It is only a short distance from the 17th-century Spanish Colonial Living History Museum, El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, which was the last overnight stop for travelers coming to Santa Fe on the El Camino Real from Mexico.

The city of Santa Fe is located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains at an altitude of 7,000 feet above sea level. (That is 1,500 feet higher than Denver, Colorado.) Since the Santa Fe Skies RV Park sits on a ridge just outside of town, you get a panoramic view of the entire Santa Fe area! Not only can you see the historic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where the sunset makes the mountains shine with a red glow in the evening (hence the name “Sangre de Cristo” or “Blood of Christ”), you can also see the Jemez Mountains to the west, and in the south and southwest the Cerrillos Hills, the Ortiz Mountains and the Sandia Peak at the base of which lies the city of Albuquerque.