When you decide that buying an RV is right for your family, you may find that the best choice to make is to buy a pre-owned model. However, vetting a pre-owned RV is a little different than evaluating a brand new model – which is why you need the ultimate checklist for buying a pre-owned RV to find the right motorhome for you and your family!

This checklist is divided into the three main phases of the pre-owned RV buying process: Pre-Purchase (Research), Purchase, and Post-Purchase – with everything you need to keep in mind during each phase.

The Pre-Purchase Phase: Researching Pre-Owned RVs

It’s important to be diligent when making any purchase, but that’s especially true for RVs. It’s not a small decision and there are many factors to assess. Take the factors below into account before you even consider driving off the lot:

Set a Budget

This may seem like common sense, but it’s easy to walk into an RV dealership and become transfixed by all of the features and upgrades that many RVs offer today. Knowing what you are comfortable spending – and sticking to it – will be critical as you move through the process. Establish your must-haves and your like-to-haves, then set a budget that allows you to comfortably navigate that list while shopping for your RV.

Decide on a Type of RV

Pop-Up, Travel Trailer, Fifth Wheel, Toyhauler, Class C, Class B, Class A — These may all seem like foreign terms at first glance, but choosing the best type of RV for your needs can easily be narrowed down by deciding if you would like to drive the vehicle (Class-B, Class-C, Class-A, or Class-AD), or tow the vehicle (pop-up, travel trailer, or fifth wheel). From there, you can narrow it down again by deciding how much interior living space you’ll need to be comfortable on the road.

During our RV downsizing journey, we looked at quite a few small travel trailers. The number one requirement was the travel trailer had to be lightweight. ... Read more

A house is only as sturdy as its foundation, and your RV is only as reliable as the condition of its tires. While we’ve discussed RV tire basics before, it’s time to address how to take care of your RV tires in storage. 

Prepping your RV’s tires for storage is essential no matter the time of year. With that in mind, here’s how to care for your RV tires before putting your rig in storage.

Clean Your Tires

RV tires are constantly exposed to abrasive chemicals and harmful substances such as motor oil, industrial cleaning solutions, and anything else spilled on roadways. 

That’s why cleaning your tires and removing those substances is the best place to begin when putting your RV in storage. Fortunately, you can work this into your seasonal RV winterization process. Use a basic RV wash kit bundle if you don’t already have appropriate RV cleaning supplies. 

It’s best to work from the top down when cleaning the outside of your RV, so cleaning your tires will be the last thing you do.

It’s that time of year again. You know, when the resolutions are fizzling out and you’re looking to channel your energy elsewhere. Don’t get discouraged! It’s the perfect opportunity to check off a few boxes on the ol’ RV checklist before the season kicks into high gear.

I say start with the kitchen and living room. After all, the kitchen is the heart of any home and, when it comes to an RV, the living room is just an extension of that sentiment. Check out these 12 must-have kitchen and living essentials that will easily take your RV from last season to next season.

Omnia Stove Top Oven Exclusive Starter Kit

Where to start? With the Omnia Stove Oven Exclusive Starter Kit, it’s obvious. Baking is a breeze with these convenient cookware accessories designed specifically for life on the road. The kit includes the Omnia Stove Top Oven, Silicone Mold, Baking Rack, Muffin Ring, and a storage bag. This is the absolute perfect set to use when RVing or camping and cooking on the go without access to a conventional oven

Granite Stone Stackmaster 10-Piece Cookware Set

When space is limited in the kitchen, it’s wise to opt for items that don’t take up more than necessary. Save space with Granite Stone Stackmaster 10-Piece Cookware Set that lets you easily stack and nest the pots and pans to get the most out of your cabinets. Triple-coated with an ultra-nonstick cast-texture that doesn’t need to be pre-seasoned, it’s perfect for that Roasted Red Pepper Hummus you’ve been wanting to make.

Thinstore Collapsible Storage Bowls

Not that leftovers are ever an issue after a good party, but stocking up on food storage containers just in case never hurts. The Thinstore Collapsible Storage Bowls are perfect for prep before or for any leftovers after. Each bowl comes with its own leak-resistant lid and they’re all dishwasher safe.

Traveling as a family of 7 might sound chaotic, but Preethi Harbuck of Local Passport Family says their journey across the country and back in a Class C RV was enjoyable and exciting for everyone.

In fact, Preethi explains, RVing as a means of travel has enriched their family adventures. It has made their travels more flexible to change while bringing everyone closer together.

Preethi joined the Camping World team to explain how her family safely and happily traversed 15,000 miles across the country.

Unless you’re constantly on the road or living in your RV full-time, your motorhome is probably sitting in your driveway a fair amount of the time. If you leave it exposed to the elements, the exterior will wear much faster than if it were protected. If storing your RV in an enclosed facility isn’t an option, there’s a simple way to protect your investment—use an RV cover.

RV covers have a variety of benefits. For starters, they keep your exterior in good shape and minimize your prep time when you’re ready to hit the road again. But let’s discuss a few more reasons why using an RV cover is a wise choice.

Why Use an RV Cover?

To be clear, the infamous blue tarp isn’t the kind of RV cover you want to use. While it’ll serve as a short-term option in a pinch, covers specifically designed for motorhomes provide the highest level of protection when it comes to maintaining your RV’s resale value.

Here are a few things RV-specific covers will guard against:

Ultraviolet Light

Whether you’re kicking back by the lake or you’re on the road to find a new campground, It’s hard to argue that a beautiful, sunny day in an RV is hard to beat. But when your RV is sitting in the driveway, the sun’s UV rays are causing the paint to fade, degrading the decals, creating cracks in the roof, and doing damage to your entire coach.

Late winter and early spring are the perfect times to take care of the RV maintenance chores. Before you know it, weather conditions will be perfect for the first trip of the season. Don’t get caught off guard. Use this time to pamper your RV and get it road-ready for spring.

Here are 10 spring RV maintenance items to tackle now:

Do a Deep Cleaning of the Interior and Exterior

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home. After being closed up for a few months and, possibly, enduring some winter storms, your RV is ready for thorough cleaning inside and out. Pull everything out of your cabinets and exterior storage, so you can wipe down the surfaces. Check carefully for signs of pests. Wash and wax your exterior.

Get Your Wheels and Tires Ready to Roll

Your tires have likely lost some pressure over the winter months. Properly inflate them and check the lug nuts and tread. If you haven’t had your wheel bearings packed in over a year, it may be time to tackle that task, whether you do it yourself or have a professional take care of it. 

All RV enthusiasts know the heavenly feel of the open road. Tall trees and endless miles stretching as far as the eye can see, the horizon begging you to explore further, and all your favorite people along for the ride.

Perhaps the only thing that makes being on the road even more carefree is having an organized RV from top to bottom. Not sure where to begin as you give your RV a clean out? No worries. Here is our complete guide to organizing your RV.

An Organized RV Improves Your Camping Experience

It’s no secret that RV camping comes with a lot of gear to corral. In fact, one of the best things about RVing is not having to rent gear when you reach your destination. That said, a little organization can go a long way in improving your camping experience.

It starts with making the most of limited space. Your drawers and cabinets have to pack a punch since they’re few and far between, but keeping items inside bins or divided into separate drawers organized by use ensures everything has a place.

Here are five products to help keep your RV organized:

Buying a Class A motorhome is the right move for many people, but there are a lot of variables that come into play when thinking about buying the right RV. One of those variables is size, but how much do class A motorhomes vary in size and why does it matter?

How Much Do Class A Motorhomes Vary in Size?

For reference, size is defined as height, width, and length. You should consider all these metrics before buying a new RV, but Class A coaches vary most in length rather than width or height.

Height and width are largely restricted by roadway design. All new RVers should take the time to learn more about RV height clearance and how rules, regulations, and road restrictions may impact your ability to travel on certain roadways depending on the size of your coach.

In terms of length, you’ll find Class A RVs under 28 feet and over 45 feet. The length of a Class A RV, along with the number and design of its slideouts, is going to have the most impact on things like interior living space and sleeping capacity.

Class A Motorhome Height Clearance

Class A motorhomes vary a little in height, running from about 11 to 13 feet. This keeps them manageable while driving and parking while still giving you plenty of height inside. Keep in mind, some older roadways have tunnels that can have low clearance.

There’s nothing like the iconic Highway 1 road trip in California, especially when you do it by recreational vehicle.

Whether you know it as PCH or Highway 1, the scenic route snakes along undiscovered beaches, rolling green hills and quaint communities in SLO CAL (San Loius Obispo, California). This bucket-list journey can’t be made in one day, so don’t miss out and plan your multi-day stop in SLO CAL to see it all.

While you drive through Ragged Point, take time to enjoy the stunning coastal views and listen to the waves crashing below. As you head south, you’ll find the beaches occupied by a SLO CAL favorite, elephant seals. These mighty animals claim the beaches of San Simeon. The elephant seal viewing area has plenty of parking, accommodating vehicles of all sizes, no matter your RV’s size.

Next, it’s time to set up camp. There’s an array of coastal RV Parks waiting for you to check in. Morro Strand RV Park has sites ranging from 20×30 feet all the way up to 40×70 feet to best accommodate whatever your needs may be. Enjoy fire pits and BBQs with Morro Rock standing tall as a backdrop. Forget the firewood? There is also a convenient general store onsite, stocked with all your needs to make your stay as stress-free as possible.

Lakes Pines Campground and Event Center in Columbus, Georgia, has become more than just a campsite that is shared among friends and travelers; it has grown into a legacy for generations of outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy and love. The Peach State welcomes travelers with modern cities and relaxing towns that echo the Old South.

Situated on 20 acres of pine forest, Lake Pines RV Park & Campground has welcomed visitors with a family-centered retreat away from the busy world for over 50 years.

Lakes Pines has grown from a local summer neighborhood into a hidden gem for the city of Columbus, and it is still growing. Columbus is the third-largest city in Georgia. This historic city that was once a Confederate Stronghold continues to ooze the Southern antebellum charm. Fine museums and artfully restored 19th-century mansions framed by majestic oak trees showcase the heady days of the city’s cotton boom.

With over six years of RV living under our belts, one of our Essential Mobile Apps for RVing is still the Allstays Camp and RV app. This ... Read more

Sharing the experience of travel, adventure and RVing with my children is one of the most rewarding parts of my life. With each camping trip, my tiny explorers (who are now ages 2.5 and 1) are exposed to new places, different outdoor activities, and the opportunity to connect with nature.

But no matter how excited I am about introducing my kids to the great outdoors, it doesn’t come without its challenges. I would consider my husband and myself experienced campers, but trying to get a family of four to sleep soundly together inside the four walls of an RV can be daunting. As soon as my son catches a glimpse of my face, he’s ready to play, even at 4 a.m. And my daughter’s middle-of-the-night cry for a bottle of milk is a guaranteed wake-up call for her brother.

Well, it’s a great thing we’re humans, and humans (both parents and children) know how to adapt.

Through the last couple of years, my husband and I have figured out what works for us and what doesn’t. Ultimately, we’ve learned RVing can be done quite successfully with toddlers and babies – and you can enjoy it too. I’ve broken it down into four categories: sleeping, eating, playing, and expectations.

Sleeping

Whether you’re RVing with a baby or toddler, it’s important to stick to business as usual. That means trying to keep nap and sleep times on somewhat of a schedule and making sure the sleeping area feels familiar with elements of home. However, our kids are no strangers to sleeping in different environments. We’ve made it a point to take them on trips where we stay in different cabins and rentals, hotels, RVs, and even tents. Even if your kids are new to RVing, rest-assured, they will eventually get used to it. 

Looking for an island getaway? The Florida Keys constitute that rare tropical island destination that can be reached without a plane ticket or cruise ship fare. Just follow the 106-mile Overseas Highway from mainland Florida to the chain of islands that stretch far into the ocean and light-years away from your troubles. 

Camp at a Good Sam Park where palm trees sway in cool breezes and turquoise waters lap against unspoiled beaches. Enjoy iconic bars that serve up tropical drinks and join one of the quirky events, like Key West’s famous Ernest Hemingway Look-alike Contest. Hit the gas for these 11 Keys getaways. We’ve included the Overseas Highway Mile Markers, so you know how far to go. 

Dive in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park • Mile Marker 102.5

Sixty-four miles south of Miami and located in Key Largo, the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park entices snorkelers and divers. Established in 1963, the first state park under the sea covers a 25-mile-long and 3-foot-wide swath of ocean and is home to a stunning diversity of plants and animals. Take a diving tour and go deep to see the Christ Under the Sea statue, which stands on the seabed about 25 feet below the surface. Prefer staying dry? Take a ride on a glass-bottomed boat and witness fantastic flora and fauna beneath your feet. Bird watchers can feast their eyes on gray kingbirds, short-tailed hawks and mangrove cuckoos.

Stay: Fiesta Key RV Resort

Fast, nimble, and fun to ride, it is easy to understand why electric bikes have become the fastest-growing segment of the cycling industry. Over the past decade, e-bikes have gone from somewhat of a novelty to a bonafide hit, selling more than 400,000 units on an annual basis. That number is only expected to climb, with sales of the high-tech bikes projected to reach $47.6 billion by 2026.

As the demand for e-bikes has grown, manufacturers have begun offering models to meet the needs of a more diverse audience. Whether you like riding on trails, gravel, or pavement, there is now an e-bike that can accommodate your needs. And to go along with the bikes aimed at more traditional riders, there are a growing number of options for bike commuters, casual cruisers, and everyone in between.

But, with so many different models to choose from, selecting the right e-bike has gotten much more challenging. Potential buyers will want to consider where they want to ride and how much range and speed the bike offers. They’ll want to look at the size of the battery pack, what type of motor it uses, and how much it weighs—something that is important when transporting any bike around.

Here’s what you need to know before picking the right e-bike for you.

E-Bike Classifications

Most states in the US have implemented regulations that enforce strict guidelines for the performance of an e-bike. To meet those requirements, manufacturers typically design their bikes to fit into three classifications levels. Most models will list the classification as part of their specifications alongside the size of the battery and motor.

I remember how awful James and I were about healthy eating our first couple of years of RVing. Gas station junk food, fast food restaurants, overindulging, gaining weight each trip—we were like kids with a wallet of cash let loose in a candy store. We’re on vacation! Throw caution to the wind! Food was a bit of an afterthought. We were too busy having adventures to worry about the pesky business of eating right. It took us a while, but we eventually realized this hedonistic style of RVing wasn’t jiving with our otherwise healthy lifestyle.

Once we started looking at things differently, we made some changes. We didn’t want healthy eating on our trips to feel like punishment, though. To avoid that, we flipped the story. Instead of food being quick and convenient so we could get on with our adventures, we focused on making food THE adventure. Turns out when food becomes a priority in your travels, it can be the best part of the journey!

Here are some fun ways we’ve reconnected with food on our own RV trips and ended up having some of our best trips ever. Mix some food-focused adventures into your own RV travels, and perhaps they’ll become some of your favorite trip memories, too.

Incorporate unique culinary experiences into your trips

How does having a local chef cook for you in their own home (or venue) sound? The website Eatwith is a bit like Airbnb, connecting you with up-and-coming chefs in locations all over the country.

Eatwith chefs have all been vetted, and you can reserve a spot at their table for a truly special experience that’s sure to be the highlight of any trip.

If you’re looking for the perfect way to make your dreams of traveling with your extended family a reality, these RVs with two bedrooms are the ideal option. You’ll love the privacy and freedom you can find with these spacious floorplans that give you all the comforts you need. Learn more about three of the RVs you’ll love in this RVs with two bedrooms review.

Forest River RV Wildwood 29VBUD Travel Trailer

The private bunkhouse in this Forest River Wildwood 29VBUD travel trailer offers you a separate space for your friends or extended family. You can comfortably sleep up to ten in this spacious travel trailer, and you’ll love that the outdoor camp kitchen gives you a way to cook around the campfire on an especially beautiful day. Take the 360-degree tour and get an in-depth look at the features you’ll love. 

Additional Features:

One of the best parts of the RV lifestyle is having your home on the road with you. Because of this, your backyard is constantly changing, as are the breathtaking landscapes, which encourage you to get outside and enjoy each location as much as possible.

Sprucing up your patio space not only invites you outside every evening, but it makes you want to stay there longer. Imagine a crackling campfire, a cozy drink in hand, and scenic views surrounding you on all sides. However, there is one addition that could take the whole experience up a notch – let’s shed some light on seven charming patio lighting ideas for your RV.

Edison String Lights

They’re probably one of the first things to come to mind when someone mentions patio lights, but Edison String Lights are popular for a reason. They’re classic and nostalgic without being dated or out-of-style. The retro-inspired Edison bulb gives a nod to the first light bulbs created by Thomas Edison and their glow provides a soft, cozy vibe to your patio.

Perfect for stringing from tree to tree to illuminate small areas of your yard, these string lights can also be hung from your RV awning. If you really want to get festive, you could opt to use color-changing Edison lights instead. Sit back and watch while the bulbs slowly transition from one color to another and transform your RV patio into an instant party.

DIY Branch Chandelier

For a rustic outdoor patio lighting idea, try creating a chandelier from branches and string lights. Gather some branches – the longer, the better – and form any shape you’d like. Then, secure them with fishing line or twine.

Where else can visitors get an up-close look at a collapsed volcano, fish and swim in the nation’s deepest lake, and hike on a cinder cone in the volcano’s caldera? 

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon protects that very location and gives travelers the opportunity to see the world’s purest body of water and absorb its magical environment. Many days, the clarity of the water grants viewers a perfect reflection of the sky above.

Standing on the rim of this ancient caldera, travelers are given an enchanted view. The park’s many outdoor adventures offer opportunities for you and your family to make new memories that will last a lifetime.

Why Visit Crater Lake National Park in Your RV?

A visit to Crater Lake National Park is reminiscent of childhood fairy tales with magical vistas, villainous volcanoes, and happily-ever-after endings. What began as a scenic mountainous landscape suddenly became roiled with volcanic explosions about 7,700 years ago, settling into the breathtaking panoramas we see today.

Just imagine summer days hiking in the forests and mountains around Crater Lake, taking a tour to Wizard Island, and then coming home to your motorhome for a freshly prepared dinner and s’mores by the fire. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Prince Edward Island is a favorite destination for RVers from across North America. Located on the east coast of Canada, Prince Edward Island is known for its natural beauty, miles of sandy shoreline and delectable culinary scene. This is the place for an adventure-filled vacation or a relaxing retreat at a slower pace.

The Island, as it is affectionately named, always leaves a big impression on visitors. Its size and shape mean you can plan your tour to begin at one entry point and end at another. Arrive via the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick anytime or sail with Northumberland Ferries from Nova Scotia across the Northumberland Strait from May to December.

Prince Edward Island has so much to offer RV vacation enthusiasts, including eight provincial campgrounds. Brudenell River Provincial Park is the largest campground in the eastern region, with scheduled children’s programming each day as well as a marina and river beach for all ages to enjoy. Horseback riding, kayaks and paddleboards are available for a fee on the premises. Within walking distance is a resort with two championship 18-hole golf courses and a spa.

Also in the east, Red Point Provincial Park offers a supervised beach nestled on the Northumberland Strait and only 10 minutes to the seaside town of Souris. Local beaches are well known for digging clams and beachcombing for sea glass.