WEnRV travel news, products, and industry trends

It’s no secret that summer is the most popular time of year to go camping. The long days, warm nights, and generally great weather make it the ideal season for travel and spending time outdoors. But when the mercury starts to climb—and the temperature moves from warm to scorching hot—camping in the heat can become an uncomfortable experience.

Fortunately, it isn’t hard to make a few adjustments and learn how to stay cool camping. Here are some tips for staying comfortable that don’t involve huddling inside the RV with the air conditioning blasting.

Stay Hydrated

It’s important to stay hydrated, especially when in the heat for long periods of time.

One of the most important ways to stay cool and safe in the summer heat is to drink plenty of fluids. When your body starts to overheat, it begins to sweat in an effort to cool itself down. But if you’re not adequately hydrated, you may not be able to create the perspiration you need to maintain a safe temperature. This can lead to dangerous conditions like dehydration or heatstroke.

Drink plenty of water while active in the outdoors and enjoy other cool drinks while relaxing at the campsite. However, be careful not to indulge in too much alcohol when outside in hot conditions. Alcoholic beverages can actually cause dehydration, so save those for later in the day when temperatures are cooler.

Have a go-to insulated cup, mug, or thermos and keep it filled with fresh drinking water.

Portable generators are a great addition to certain camping setups. They give you a safe power supply when you’re not camping with full hookups and can extend your boondocking trips. They can also be great for backup power at home during power outages. But you should know how to hook up a portable generator to use this RV accessory safely. 

Disclaimer: Read all operating instructions and safety precautions for your generator BEFORE starting it and plugging in your RV. Generators are different, so additional steps may be required for your specific model. 

How To Choose The Right Portable Generator

It all starts with choosing a generator model that can supply enough power for your RV. RVs have different electrical demands, which means there isn’t a one-size-fits-all option. 

Please watch the video above to learn more about choosing a generator for your RV. But at the basic level, here are the minimum recommendations for generator size based on RV electrical systems: 

When you first lay eyes on Lake Tahoe, it’s almost hard to believe it isn’t a protected national park. But for the millions of visitors that flock here each year, that means unprecedented public access to some of the clearest water in the world. 

There’s no shortage of fun in the Tahoe Basin, from motorized or human-powered boating to exploring the Sierra Nevada mountains on foot or bike. To help you set up your RV as an adventure sports basecamp in Tahoe, here’s everything you need to know about Lake Tahoe camping. 

How To Get To and Around Lake Tahoe

Photo by Vineyard Perspective via Shutterstock

A common remark that I hear from visitors is, “I didn’t realize it was so spread out.” Indeed, the lake is approximately 22 miles long, 12 miles across, and 72 miles in circumference. Because of the windy mountain roads, RVers will need to travel slowly and carefully when visiting Lake Tahoe. 

Be aware that it usually takes about two hours to drive around the entire lake–if you don’t run into any summer traffic. There are multiple ways to get to different parts of the lake. So here’s a quick rundown: 

From The East

Photo by instacruising via Shutterstock

If traveling in from the east, the two main cities before Lake Tahoe are Reno and Carson City. From Reno, you can take Interstate 80 to the town of Truckee. From there, you’ll have the option of taking Highway 89 to Tahoe City or Highway 267 to Kings Beach. 

If you are looking for an RV to take you and your family around the country or just to your local campground, you’ll find an incredible deal on your favorite brands when you shop used RVs! Check out these five amazing pre-owned RVs on sale today at fantastic prices you won’t want to miss. Learn more below.

Take home a fifth wheel for your family at a low price today!

2022 Alliance Paradigm 365RD

Save on this luxury fifth wheel when you snatch up this incredible used 2022 Alliance Paradigm 354RD today! This unit is in fantastic condition and features two separate living areas so that you can easily entertain friends and family. You’ll love that the basement pull-out storage tray gives you ample space for your outdoor gear and camping equipment.

Additional Features:

Separate Living RoomTwo Sleeper SofasBasement Pull-Out TrayPull-Out Fireplace StorageFloating Dinette TableKing Bed SlideThe residential French-door refrigerator is perfect for keeping snacks and drinks in easy reach.

2018 Forest River Salem Villa Series 4092BFL

Set up your home away from home for an unbeatable price when you take home this used 2018 Forest River Salem Villa Series 4092BFL destination trailer. This floorplan features a loft with sleeping space for the kids and private master bedroom. The living room offers plenty of seating space, and you’ll love the kitchen island with a dual basin sink.

Additional Features:

Most of us associate summer with some form of camping or outdoor recreation. But not all national parks are great summer destinations. Many parks in the Sun Belt, for example, experience sweltering temperatures. So if you want to check off a few destinations on your national parks bucket list this year, you’ll need to focus on the best national parks to visit in the summer in the U.S. 

As a general tip, many U.S. parks experience the height of visitation during the summer months. You’ll need to plan ahead to secure campsite reservations, book guided tours and research safety tips for the activities you want to do once you reach your destination. 

Because national park campgrounds fill up quickly, consider campgrounds outside the park too. Park campgrounds can also get expensive, and because they see such high visitation, keeping up with maintenance can be tough for park staff, especially toward the end of the camping season. 

Good Sam Parks provide an affordable alternative to camping inside the parks during peak season. Good Sam members can save big with a 10 percent discount at any of our 2,000-plus Good Sam Parks across North America. Sign up online to purchase a membership or simply buy it at the Good Sam Park you visit (discounts apply immediately).

The 10 Best U.S. National Parks To Visit in the Summer

That being said, your journey begins with a simple decision: deciding which park to visit and planning your national parks road trip! So here are a few of the best U.S. national parks for summer trips: 

If you’re looking for an amazing RV for your family, don’t miss out on these fantastic travel trailers! Coachmen RV is one of the best-loved RV manufacturers known for its quality construction and reliability. Learn about the top Coachmen travel trailers for sale near you below.

Find more Coachmen Apex Nano travel trailers for sale near you.

2022 Coachmen RV Apex Nano 185BH Travel Trailer

This RV is built for a family of five and features a 54″ x 80″ bed to ensure you always get a great night’s sleep. The bunks are 30″ x 74″ so they can comfortably sleep your kids or teens. In the kitchen, you’ll find plenty of space for making all your meals. The two-burner cooktop allows you to make meals for your crew in the morning or after everyone has settled in for the day.

Additional Features:

Front BedBunk BedsRear Corner BathroomMicrowaveExterior StorageThe front bed is a great place to rest after a long day on the road.

2022 Coachmen RV Apex Ultra-Lite 211RBS Travel Trailer

Enjoy traveling with your loved one inside this Coachmen Apex Ultra-Lite 211RBS travel trailer! This unit features a full bathroom and plenty of space for a couple that loves adventure. There’s plenty of storage throughout the RV for long camping trips, so you can feel free to load up all your gear and enjoy weeks on the road!

Additional Features:

Summer is finally here, and with warmer weather comes new adventures! Late nights, bonfires, and camping are a few of our favorite things. Whether you’re planning on boondocking or staying at an RV campground this summer, consider these products that are sure to enhance your experience:

Club Chairs

Take your outdoor living space to the next level with a MacSports club chair. It folds down easily and stores well in small spaces, perfect for the RVer on the go. These chairs sit like indoor chairs but are made for outdoor conditions. It’s much more comfortable than a standard bag chair! Bring one, or several, to the next campfire with your family and friends. If you’re up for it, you could even spring for the MacSports Club Chair, Ottoman, and Table Bundle for maximum comfort and convenience. For all things camping chair-related, check out our RVers guide to choosing the best camp chair.

Patio String Lights

Image: Shutterstock

Patio string lights add a personal touch and a warm glow to your campsite. Most sets of lights allow you to connect two or more strands for extra length so you can string them as far as you’d like for maximum nighttime ambiance. Now you will want to spend even more time outdoors once the sun goes down. Try the Black Lantern Mini Light Set for a nostalgic feel or go with the Color-Changing Edison LED Light Set for a more modern display.

RV Patio Mats

The Hambricks enjoy outside time dancing on their RV’s patio mat. Image by Tyler Cave.

While we are on the topic of patio décor – style yours up with an RV mat. The breathable material won’t hurt the grass and keeps your area looking new. UV protection resists sun exposure and maintains the mat’s appearance. It’s easy to clean by simply spraying with water or sweeping for a restored appearance. The mat can be folded into a compact size for easy storage as well. There are several options, but a few stand-outs are the Reversible Geometric Design Patio Mat and the Reversible Magnolia Design Patio Mat. Are you interested in combining your patio mat with your lighting sources? Then the LED Illuminated Patio Mat will do just that.

Camping Grills

Image: Camping World

Don’t like cooking over an open campfire? No worries! Grills designed for camping outdoors have come a long way. Oftentimes, they’re small and portable – perfect for camping life. Also, they’re typically foldable and can be stored in tiny spaces when traveling from one campsite to the next. Get ready to prepare delicious meals for the whole family. The Razor Portable LP Gas Griddle has a versatile cooking surface that can take you from breakfast to late-night snack and every meal in between. If you’re looking for more of a traditional grilling experience, the BBQTek Portable Grill and Table Bundle will have the entire campsite calling you a chef in no time.

Traveling is meant to be fun and exciting! When we add pets to our camping trips, the fun never stops. Unless that fun is interrupted by an emergency and you need pet care immediately. But what do you do when you are in a new or unfamiliar place with your pet and you need a veterinarian? We’ve been in this situation many times during our five years of full-time travel. And we have learned what to do and what not to do when it comes to helping your pet. 

By preparing right, you can soften the struggle of a pet emergency on the road. If you’re a Good Sam member, you may have some helpful travel tools already at your fingertips, like discounted pet health insurance and pet subscriptions. Explore Good Sam pet benefits.

Records 

Photo: Rachael Johnson

Your pet’s records are your first line of defense when it comes to emergencies. Have all of your pet’s vet records, licenses, and test results on hand in case of emergencies. During an emergency, you may not have the time to look for papers. We keep physical copies of Brickle and Fruitycake’s records not only in our RV but in our vehicle and our backpack that we take on trails. We also keep a file of their records on our phones. These records can help a vet know how to care for your dog and be made aware of allergies and prior complications. 

Important records to have on file:

Vaccination records or titer test resultsMedication names and dosage amountsHeartworm test resultsMicrochip informationYour dog’s allergiesYour primary veterinarian’s contact informationPet insurance plan information

Make a List

When our dog Digby started having frequent bouts of illness, it made us nervous to travel. We like to be spontaneous when picking camping destinations, but as our dogs got older, that changed. So just as we mapped out our routes, we started mapping out veterinarians in the areas we planned to travel to. I make a list of emergency clinics, vets, and even mobile vets. Looking at online reviews helps to have a first choice of who to call if you need to.  

First Aid Kit 

First Aid Value Pack

The fact is that, sometimes, you will be in a remote area and a vet may be miles away. A first aid kit can come in handy until you can reach a veterinarian. You can purchase a first aid kit pre-made or make one yourself. Some items to include:

There’s a lot to consider when it’s time to get your RV ready for camping season. From spring cleaning to performing an RV walk around to check all components, getting your vehicle prepared to hit the road requires a proper checklist (find one here!). But in addition to all the cleaning and equipment checks that you carry out in your driveway, it’s good to plan a quick local trip to use your RV just like you would on a longer trip. Use these tips for a spring RV shakedown cruise to plan your first trip of the next camping season!

Tip 1: Set Your Intentions

Let’s be clear: the idea of a shakedown cruise is to focus on general RV maintenance. It gives you a chance to operate all of your RV’s components and appliances to double-check that nothing needs major repairs. 

You might find that certain things require a tune-up (i.e., changing the oil in your generator). So make sure you build some time into your shakedown itinerary for general RV maintenance. 

That said, you can have additional intentions for your shakedown cruise. Planning an RV staycation is a great way to explore areas close to home that you might otherwise overlook on your way to far-flung destinations. 

Taking your family to the campground is a great way to spend your summer together. If you’re looking for some delicious recipes to keep everyone fueled and ready for fun, check out these three easy camping recipes from CountryLiving.com. These recipes will help make your stay at the campground more memorable than ever!

S’mores with a Twist

INGREDIENTS

1 package Chips Ahoy! cookiesPlain marshmallows1 lb. sliced strawberries1 package chocolate wafer cookiesCinnamon for dusting toasted marshmallows3-4 milk chocolate bars1-2 dark chocolate bars1 package graham crackers1-2 sliced bananas1 jar of creamy peanut butter

DIRECTIONS

Strawberry S’mores:

Toast your marshmallows to a golden brownLayer sliced strawberries on top of a Chips Ahoy! cookie.Top with the toasted marshmallow and a second Chips Ahoy! cookie. Enjoy!

Death by Chocolate S’mores

Toast marshmallow to a golden brown and dust lightly with cinnamon.Layer a square of dark chocolate and a square of milk chocolate on top of a chocolate wafer cookie. Top with the cinnamon toasted marshmallow and a second chocolate wafer cookie.Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Banana S’mores

Toast a marshmallow to golden brown. Spread a layer of creamy peanut butter over a graham cracker square and top with banana slices. Add the toasted marshmallow to the s’more and top with a square of milk or dark chocolate and another graham cracker. Enjoy!

Skillet Spinach-Artichoke Dip with Fire-Roasted Bread

Recipe adapted from one found on CountryLiving.com

You’ve asked for it, and here it is: our review of the Boondockers Welcome membership. Spoiler alert – we love it! Boondockers Welcome is a ... Read more

RV interior design and technology have made plenty of advances over the years, but just because you have an aging RV doesn’t necessarily mean you need to trade it in for a new model. There are several steps you can take to modernize your rig and make it feel like new. Having your home away from home reflect your personal style is now easier than ever, especially with Camping World’s Design Center.

Featured in several stores throughout the country, the Design Center serves as both inspiration and a resource to help you achieve that home sweet home feeling while on the road. From complete renovations to simple upgrades, bringing your RV design vision to life is not only possible, it’s now part of the adventure. Here are a few ways you can spruce up your current RV and make it look and feel brand new.

Select New Furniture Pieces

Image: Camping World

Furniture is one of the first items you should look at when thinking of modifying your rig’s interior. If it looks outdated, old, and overdone, you should be able to do some easy updating or altering that will give your RV a more modern, personal, and homier feel. The couch, chairs, and dinette table are the key things you may want to turn to for the biggest impact. Layering in current furniture is a surefire way to change the way you feel about your old RV.

When starting with furniture, look at options from Kathy Ireland or Thomasville — two brands that design living room pieces with style in mind that never sacrifice comfort. From recliners to sofas to ottomans, they offer furniture to take your RV from old to new without breaking the bank in the process. If you’d rather start in the bedroom, look at mattresses from Cozyway and bedding from Enclave. Together, these brands will turn your bedroom into the retreat you deserve after a long day of exploring.

Even if your RV isn’t too old, changing up the furniture to better fit your needs can make the whole space feel new. If you have a single large couch, consider replacing it with a couple of comfy recliners or gliders. Try updating the seating around the kitchen table or even adding cabinets to create more storage space. You don’t have to replace every piece of furniture either. Try going one piece at a time to build the modern-feeling living space you dream of.

One of the barriers to starting to RV for many people is their vehicle. Most people own an SUV, crossover, minivan, or midsize pickup that can tow a moderate amount. However, many travel trailers can get pretty heavy, and that means your everyday vehicle likely isn’t rated to tow the weight.

Rather than purchase an entirely different vehicle just to tow your RV, use what you have. Contact your vehicle manufacturer to see whether your car can be equipped with a hitch. It may not be a costly or timely adjustment to alter your vehicle to tow. You’d be surprised how useful it can be. Tow a small cargo trailer to move your house without hiring movers. Or tow a jet-ski or ATV out for a joyride. But our favorite use has to be to pull an RV.

Lightweight Travel Trailer (Image: Getty)

There’s nothing more freeing than towing your home behind you. The possibilities for fun, adventure, and vacation memories are endless once you hitch up and hit the road. Are you pining for a hitch yet? Let’s look at the RVs, including new and used travel trailers, available for lightweight towers.

There are many towable travel trailers that have very low dry weights. They’re lightweight and nimble, making them perfect introductory RVs for entering the RV lifestyle. To help narrow down your options, I’ve rounded up a few lightweight travel trailers with a dry weight of fewer than 3,000 pounds. That means most crossovers, SUVs, minivans, and smaller trucks should have no problem trailering them!

Jayco Lightweight Travel Trailers

Focused on designing and building RVs with exploration in mind for over 50 years, Jayco continues to satisfy the needs of every RV enthusiast. When it comes to family, fun, and relaxation all wrapped up in a lightweight travel trailer package – Jayco is the gift that keeps on giving.

Shelter Cove Resort and Marina — a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Winner.

Visit Shelter Cove Resort and Marina just once and you will see why it received this coveted award in the travel industry! Opened year-round, fishing, skiing, swimming, hiking and boating are just a few of the adventures that await at Shelter Cove Resort and Marina.

Water Recreation abounds on Oregon’s Odell Lake

With nine docks, moorings and a boat launch, there is plenty of room for you to enjoy your water toys on Odell Lake.  After a successful day of fishing, a fish cleaning station is conveniently located near the boat docks, so you can clean your catch for a campfire grilled fish dinner! The cabins at the resort also have fully equipped kitchens if you choose to cook indoors. Forgot to bring everything you need for that yummy fish dinner? Pick up the items you need in the convenient on-site store located next to the Hook and Talon grill. You don’t need to bring your own boat or be an expert angler to enjoy Odell Lake. Shelter Cove offers boat rentals as well as connections to the area’s knowledgeable fishing guides. Fishing licenses are also available in the convenience store.

Cross-Country and Downhill Skiing

Winter weather brings out the downhill and cross-country skiers who enjoy skiing and snow-shoeing the Oregon Cascades, as well as the Deschutes National and Willamette National Forests.

The US is full of wide-open spaces. RV travel provides the freedom to go seek out these destinations whenever you hear the call of adventure. You’ve seen the photos, there’s nothing more majestic than a visit to America’s national treasure–one of its 50-plus national parks.

But what if everyone goes to national parks? Will they become overcrowded? During select times of the year, that’s possible. However, good planning can reap big rewards. 

Why Stay Near a National Park and Not Inside?

Image from Getty

The larger parks, like the colossal Yellowstone National Park, have fantastic campgrounds close to everything you want to see. The downside is having to reserve several months in advance (or sometimes even longer), especially for the high season from June to September when school is out and families are on the road.

If you can, the best times to visit the national parks are either in the spring or fall. Visitation numbers are at their lower at most parks, but the weather hasn’t turned too wintery just yet. That said, reservations are competitive if you can only visit during the summer.

One more item about national park campgrounds: bear in mind they may not always fit larger RVs and most will have limited full hook-up accommodations. If you have a large travel trailer, 5th wheel, or luxury class A motorhome, your choices for national park campgrounds will be more limited than for those with smaller campers.

The more we RV – and we’ve been doing this for ten years now – the more we dislike driving the Interstates and instead opt for backroads. Granted, there are times when you have to be somewhere fast and the Interstates are the only viable options. But fast is the problem. With speed limits of 70 miles per hour in most states (more in a handful of mostly western states), it’s very rare these days to find traffic moving at the speed limit. It is much closer to 80, we’ve found.

It is not unusual now to find people going 90, especially with traffic apps like Waze that use crowdsourcing to share real-time information on where the police are set up with radar. When you are in an RV – be it a towable or motorhome – speed is not your friend. The faster you go, the harder it is to stop and control.

Add to that the fact that the tires on most RVs are not engineered to be able to go as fast as the tires on your tow vehicle. Suddenly there’s a compelling case for traveling the backroads. But aside even from safety, backroads travel is just a lot more enjoyable.

Why Drive the RV on Backroads?

Image: Camping World

On backroads, top speeds are usually limited to either 55 or 65 miles per hour. We’ve found through experience– and top RV technicians have told us the same – that the sweet spot for safe speed and better gas mileage with an RV is around 60 miles per hour.

Lower speeds can also result in much-improved mileage compared to interstate driving. Budget stretching and safety are probably the two top reasons you should consider driving the backroads. But there are two more reasons:

So you decided to take the plunge into the RV lifestyle. You have made the wise decision to rent an RV to see if you like the experience or the type of RV. You have navigated the RV rental options, like Good Sam’s rentals. Your trip is only a few days away, and the euphoria of booking your first RV trip has switched to pure panic. You read blogs and watched YouTube videos on everything you need to know about your destination, where to stay and sites to visit. Only one big mistake… You have no idea what to pack for your trip! Well relax; I’m here to help make this first RV rental a memorable one for you and your family. Check out the top 10 things to pack on your first RV rental trip.

Blanket/Sheets/Towels

While some rental companies will either provide or offer a charge for a package of linens, we highly recommend you bring your own. First of all, you will know they are clean and only your family has used them. Secondly, if you enjoy higher thread count linens, it’s not easy or comfortable to step down.

And if you have kids ( like we do), they love bringing one of their favorite blankets from home. It really makes the RV “feel” like a second home, no matter where you wake up.

RV Toilet Paper

If you didn’t know before, you learn quickly that you cannot use just any toilet paper in RVs. If you love the soft triple-ply toilet paper, you’ll be out of luck. Most likely, your rental company will provide some RV toilet paper, but our experience is that it’s the cost-effective type that if you hold a sheet up to the sun, it won’t block a single ray. We recommend you get a septic tank-safe soft brand. Your bottom will thank you for it.

Fire Starter

So you’ve rented an RV and are ready for a trip of a lifetime to make incredible memories. If your visions include enjoying s’mores, telling stories, or singing songs around a campfire; trust me, those times and moments to just sit and enjoy your family are so precious. Only one problem, you have never made a campfire!

Want to get more out of your RV? Subscribe to the Camping World YouTube channel, and never miss a video.

Snowbirding is all fun and games down in the nice, warm south—until the A/C goes out. Knowing how to maintain your RV’s air conditioner will keep your coach cool so you can retreat from the heat when needed. 

Whether you’re learning about seasonal RV AC maintenance, replacing AC accessories, or exploring other air conditioner options, we’ve got you covered. This guide will cover the three likely causes of A/C malfunction, how to remedy them, and best practices to avoid overworking the unit. 

Types of RV Air Conditioners

Photo by Camping World

There are several different types of air conditioning units you might find in an RV. Roof-mounted AC units like the Dometic Brisk II are by far the most common. You may also find window-mounted units, basement units, and portable units that can provide cool air in different rooms of your coach. 

For the purposes of this guide, maintaining and troubleshooting roof-mounted AC units will be our focus. Check your owner’s manual for maintenance and troubleshooting tips specific to your air conditioner if you have another type.

Understanding RV Air Conditioner Components

Several different components make up an RV’s AC system. Understanding how these components work together will prepare you to better maintain your RV’s air conditioner. 

One of the largest vintage trailer rallies in the country is set to take place on May 19- 21 at Pismo Coast Village RV Resort in Pismo Beach, California.

“We’ll have over 300 vintage trailers along with their proud owners,” said Jay Jamison, General Manager of the resort, which has hosted the annual Pismo Vintage Trailer Rally for 14 years.

The highlight of the weekend is the open house and swap meet, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 21.

The rally features beautifully restored travel trailers from the 1930s to the 1970s with famous names like Airstream, Boles Aero, Shasta, Silver Streak, Vagabond and Westcraft as well as unique special edition trailers. Many of the vintage trailer owners tow their units with beautiful vintage vehicles with matching color schemes.