When it comes to hunting on the road, there’s only one tool that meets all your needs, all the time – an RV. Just ask Zach and Mary Phillips.

Mary O’Neill Phillips is the host/producer and co-founder of Country Outdoors and an avid RVer. Originally from Australia, Mary has 11 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Working on a variety of film, television, reality, and radio projects, she knows all too well the stress and inconvenience that comes with traveling, such as leaving the comforts of home behind for days, weeks, or even months at a time.

These days, she’s traveling from location to location in her Toyhauler with Zach Phillips and their Golden Retriever, Forest Gump. Gone are the frequent hotel stays and the lugging of belongings from one place to another. Now, everything is within reach since their home is literally on the road with them.

Zach, born and raised in Georgia, is a host, producer, and content creator for Country Outdoors. He’s super talented behind the lens, but when he’s not filming the outdoors, he’s out there living in it. With Mary (and Forest Gump) by his side, they’re always traveling. At first, for work and then later from hunting camp to hunting camp. It was hunting that pushed the pair to purchase an RV of their own.

Why the RV Lifestyle?

I’ve always been drawn to vintage things. Through high school, college, and now adulthood, I’ve perused the aisles of thrift stores and antique shops in hopes of finding unique treasures. In the same way, I knew when my husband and I were searching for an RV, we wanted to buy a vintage travel trailer – one that looks classic, timeless, and with a story to tell. 

We have two campers now and both look vintage, but only one is truly vintage. The other camper is retro-style. They’re so alike yet so different. We call our first camper “the Lil Hotdish,” and it’s a canned ham-style RV made in the 1960s by Monitor. I found it in the online classifieds after endlessly searching for a vintage camper that is also an ice house. Unlike regular RVs, ice houses have drop-down axles and holes on the floor for ice fishing. We ended up renovating most of it while preserving a few original features.

The second camper is a used 2017 Riverside Retro 820R and it has modern amenities but a retro look. It’s curved on one end like the canned ham but flat in the back since it’s a toy hauler. We’ve gone back and forth on the name but most recently agreed to call our newest addition “Peppermint Pattie,” because of its red and white colors. The plan is to convert this to a fish house as well, but that’s still in the works. 

Whether you want to buy an old vintage RV, or a modern retro-style RV, there are plenty of pros and cons that come with each type of camper.

The Advantages of a Vintage RV

Dream RV Come True

With a vintage RV, you have the opportunity to make your RV exactly how you want it. Since true vintage RVs are old RVs, updates are typically necessary. This is a great opportunity to do a complete renovation and make it your own. Camping World offers renovation services so that you can make upgrades to your electrical components, lighting, windows, bathroom, appliances, or whatever your heart desires. I think the best part about a vintage RV is that you can completely gut it guilt-free. I would feel much more guilty about taking apart a nice new camper versus an old one.

In every camping escapade, from the early mornings to starry nights, only two things are constant: campfires and food. For children, camp stories will be an addition. While camping, a child’s vivid and nostalgic memories revolve around these three. Cooking by the campfire, especially with its varying temperatures, which will need extensive patience from everyone, will always be a challenge. But for the kids, what can we do? Cooking in the wilderness is fun enough that the challenges to be encountered (i.e., the fire going off with every gust of wind, keeping the food at the right temperature, etc.) will likely be worth it in the long run. But for a hungry brood of kids to feed, having scrumptious recipes planned out in advance will be best. Pack up the essentials, grab your ingredients and cookware, and cook up these kid-friendly camping recipes we’ve listed below.

Savory Breakfasts

For early morning arrivals at camp, watching the sunrise will be the best way to spend the time. What better way to upgrade this experience than eating an extra special breakfast that will keep you and your family energized throughout the day? Pancakes make the perfect campfire food: You can pre-make (and pack) the dry and wet ingredients separately, then mix them up just when you need them. Another classic that kids can make themselves are peanut butter and jelly with a twist: they’re muffins. These can make this classic delicacy easy to grab and go.

Super Sandwiches

If barbecuing would be your choice for lunch, halloumi would be a perfect option as it holds its shape while cooking and develops a beautiful chargrilled, salty flavor. Light up the coals and get grilling with those cheese slices! Try these quick and easy veggie halloumi burgers (top) featuring toasted brioche buns with fresh lettuce and tomatoes. These tasty little salmon tacos with lime dressing will be a real treat for your kids as they can assemble their own after you’ve cooked the salmon on the barbecue. With just a frying pan in hand, a tasty no-oven pizza is a popular camp meal for the kids. They can simply make their dough and choose a selection of their favorite toppings to garnish!

Some say there are 2 types of RV’ers: those that camp in the Winter, and those that don’t.

RV camping in the Winter is certainly possible in a 4-seasons RV. Fun winter-weather activities like ice-fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, and snow-shoeing are all excellent ways to get outside and enjoy the crisp winter weather. There are a few things you need to know for Winter RV camping, so be sure to prepare accordingly. If you’re a fan of frosty camping, don’t forget to brush up on these essential tips for towing in the snow.

For the rest of us, the camper is headed in for a long winter nap. Splendid spring and summer camping awaits your RV after hibernation, but only if you properly winterize your RV before putting it in storage. Don’t know how? Follow our helpful guide on how to Winterize your RV, then pick up these must-haves for RV winterization at your nearest Camping World, in-store or online. When starting the winterizing process, there are certain items that help make the activity easier and smoother and, most of the time, quicker

Before Mother Nature gives you the cold shoulder, you should think about the process of winterizing your RV. Procrastinating this item on the old to-do list could be the difference between a successful spring start-up or a lengthy, expensive list of repairs.

Whether you plan on camping this winter or putting your RV in storage, you’ll need some of these must-have items to get through the harshest season.

Many readers have emailed us throughout the years on how to start a RV travel blog so in this post I will walk you through ... Read more

With winter around the corner, many think it’s time to put the RV in park until warmer weather reappears. Not true! In fact, many places become the type of winter wonderland you read about or see in the movies. After a summer spent traveling in hot and humid temperatures, a winter excursion is the perfect reward.

Because winter isn’t the most popular time to travel, it’s the ideal time to take advantage of the empty roads. Some of the best destinations are national parks, which enjoy a quiet off-season. We’ve gathered up seven of the best national parks you can RV to in winter. So grab a coat, pack the RV, and start planning your next adventure.

Mount Rainier National Park in Washington

In Destin, located on Florida’s panhandle, the menu for fun includes fishing, paddleboarding, shopping and dining on fresh seafood. Once a sleepy fishing village, Destin has grown to become one of the premier vacation destinations in the Sunshine State. Between the soft, white-sand beaches, the world-class fishing excursions and the thrill-a-minute attractions on shore, there’s a little something for everyone in this warm-weather paradise. Drop a line in Destin for snowbird adventure.

For a great place to stay, Camping on the Gulf is a top-rated destination situated right on the coast.

Hook, Line and Dinner

Billed as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin is home to one of the country’s largest charter fishing fleets, making it easy to arrange the excursion of your dreams. For an accessible, family-friendly outing, try the inshore waterways of Choctawhatchee Bay, where king mackerel, red snapper or grouper are a quick cast away. However, more serious anglers will want to book a deep-sea outing 25-miles offshore, where the shallow waters of the harbor give way to the rich waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Tuna, billfish, and sharks, as well as plenty of seasonal sportfish, call these bountiful waters home, so you can expect plenty of fight and plenty of fish as you cast a line alongside some of the Gulf’s most experienced guides.

Surf and Sand

Baltimore and the surrounding area seem tailor-made for autumn. The fall colors in the trees add splashes of bright crimson and gold to the town and the outlying regions. The many historic sites related to local hero Edgar Allan Poe are the perfect companions to Halloween season. And the hot seafood from the Chesapeake Bay wards off the fall chills that blow off the Chesapeake Bay. Discover Baltimore’s natural side this fall.

Known as Charm City, Baltimore is home to bustling communities, historic ships, exciting museums, and the Inner Harbor — the city’s focal point. When you’re not outdoors, explore this Jewel of the Chesapeake with a visit to the art museum with a huge selection of Impressionist paintings while harbor ships provide history lessons that span the centuries. With the African American Wax Museum, the National Cryptologic Museum and a chance to follow Edgar Allen Poe’s wanderings, you’ll find plenty to keep your mind stimulated.

Camp out in a nearby Good Sam Park and enjoy the magic of Charm City.

Hiking Outside of Town

Before exploring urban landscapes, check out the natural areas surrounding the town. Escape to Gwynns Falls, an urban hiking and biking trail with nine trailheads connecting 30 neighborhoods along with a historic greenway stream valley that provides access to Baltimore. Gunpowder Falls provides views of 18th-century Hoffmanville Cemetery and leads to Pretty Boy Reservoir. On the Chesapeake, Downs Park offers a variety of natural and recreational activities throughout its 236 acres. Black Marsh Trail winds for six miles along wild wetlands and bordering forests, perfect for birders and naturalists searching for bald eagles and swamp sparrows.

Winter’s hard on all of us, but it can be particularly hard on RVs. With lots of plumbing and areas for water and moisture to hide, winterizing your RV is a critical step in saving yourself a lot of expensive fixes once things start to thaw in the spring.

In the video above, we list a step-by-step walkthrough of the winterization process. If it feels overwhelming, don’t fret! The trained service technicians at your local Camping World can winterize your RV for you. However, if you want to take on the process yourself, follow along with our step-by-step process. We break down the details of the video in 8 easy steps below.

Please note every RV is different and some may have additional items that are harder to winterize, such as icemakers and refrigerators or dishwashers, but our guide covers the basics. Let’s dive in!

Tools Needed Before You Begin

For proper winterization, you’ll need the following tools and supplies:

cordless power drill with #2 square tip driver bitsocket wrench and 1-1/16″ socketflashlightnew anode rod or plastic plug3-4 gallons of antifreeze (a little extra never hurts)2 crescent wrenches or a set of open-end wrenchessiphoning kit (if the pump is not already equipped)water heater bypass kit (if not already equipped)needle nose pliers or a screwdriver

Steps To Winterize Your RV

Image from Getty

If you follow all of the steps as outlined, your RV will be as ready as it can be for winter storage. A properly winterized RV means less headache and stress when spring comes around again.

One of the biggest perks to living the RV lifestyle is seeing the country in different, more intimate ways. Traveling through states and over new territory has a way of expanding our perspective. Every stop along the way is a learning experience where you and your family can make memories while absorbing stories, food, and history about the land you’re visiting.

For many RV travelers, it’s not uncommon to have a favorite campground that you return to for the comfort of familiarity. However, there is something special about the unknown and visiting new campgrounds, especially seasonally.

As you plan your next RV trip to parts unknown, consider these Native American-owned RV campgrounds for a truly unique travel experience.

Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation

When it comes to camping, you don’t have to sacrifice the comforts of home just because your adventures take you to places unknown. In fact, many RVs are redefining what it means to have a “home away from home” while on the road. For all the fulltimers out there, you already know what we’re talking about.

What you may not know is just how comfortable RVs are today.

We’re talking upgrades.

We’re talking premier features.

We’re talking luxury.

Getting around the country to your dream destinations with your kids is easy in one of these motorhomes with bunkhouses available at a dealer near you. These spacious designs help you and your kids to enjoy a great night’s sleep no matter where you go so that you can wake up refreshed and ready for adventure. Find your ideal motorhomes with bunks below!

2021 Coachmen Freelander 30BH

The bunks in this Coachmen Freelander 30BH class C motorhome give you the space you need for sleeping up to nine campers. You’ll enjoy having a full-sized closet to keep all of your clothing in the private master bedroom. The booth dinette gives you plenty of space for playing a game of cards after dinner and converts into additional sleeping space for the kids. 

Additional Features:

Value Leader UnitFlip-Down BunkPrivate BedroomFull-Size ClosetBooth Dinette

With 2021 slowly winding down, it can be bittersweet to wrap up the year without knowing what lies ahead. Lucky for RV enthusiasts, we can share a few of the new motorhomes of 2022 that are sure to lift your spirits and get you excited for future camping trips.

So, before costumed kids ring your doorbell, before the turkey hits the table, and before Santa slides down your chimney, let’s set our sights on what we have to look forward to – a new year of adventures, family memories, and life on the road.

Class B: 2022 Thor Motor Coach Tellaro 20AT

Tellaro 20AT Floor Plan. Image from Thor Motor Coach.

Length: 21’1”

Weight: 11,500 lbs.

Sleeping Capacity: 4

So, you are preparing to set out on a long RV journey stretching over miles of ever-changing landscapes and distant urban silhouettes. This is one of the biggest trips you will take this year. You have spent a great deal of time planning the route and activities that you seek to enjoy.

Now comes the big question: How many miles are too many miles to drive per day? Do you have the constitution of a long-haul trucker, or do you prefer trips with short legs between stops? This article will help you arrive at answers to those questions.

Planning

Proper planning for such a journey entails identifying locations of points of interest, night stopovers, extended stay venues, probable fuel stops and so much more. Making campground reservations for each planned stop is highly recommended, especially during the busy season. Arriving in an area that is totally sold out can really spoil your day, and, of course, your night. Though through all of this, free time and time to just relax must also be considered. Making too tight a travel schedule can dampen some of the enjoyment.

Don’t fall into the trap of planning too great a distance each day. Generally, this leads to the need for earlier on-the-road starts each day and later-than-anticipated evening arrivals. In addition, this usually includes the need for higher vehicle cruise speeds and minimized stops. This generally can heighten the fatigue and travel stress you may experience throughout the day.

Remember when we were kids, and it came time to put away our toys? We simply threw them all in the toybox and closed the lid? Childhood wasn’t that long ago. The main difference between the toys we had then and the toys we have now is that they’re bigger, usually more expensive, and, honestly, a lot more time-consuming in the best way possible. The issue, as an adult, is how do we transport them?

In a toybox, obviously! Let us introduce you to the adult version of a toybox – the 2022 Toyhauler. It’s the perfect solution for all your big toy traveling dilemmas. We’re talking kayaks, golf carts, ATVs, and more. They can all be loaded into the travel trailer of your dreams and unloaded at your destination. No stress. No worries. The only thing left to focus on is fun.

Here are a few of our favorite new Toyhaulers of 2022.

2022 Heartland Fuel 305

What size RV is the best? There’s no right answer. Honestly, the best size is the size you and your family will be comfortable traveling in. To determine your comfort level, there are several factors to consider.

A common beginner RV mistake is choosing an RV size that’s larger than you’ll be comfortable maneuvering.

If you’re hoping to travel around the U.S. full-time as a retiree, think about an RV’s size in terms of everyday travel, rather than a full-time living space. Most of the time, the most comfortable size RV is just a little bit smaller.

Think about what roadways you’ll be traversing. Big rigs will be difficult to maneuver on windy mountain roads with changing elevations.

Consider these five benefits of smaller RVs and confidently go just a touch smaller. After all, RVing is all about comfort on the road.

1. More Parking and RV Storage Options

Image from Getty

Sometimes being just a foot or two shorter makes parking your RV much easier. When you’re maneuvering in and out of parking spots often, this small detail makes a big difference.

You decided you want to buy a motorhome. Congrats! Deciding on a motorized RV is a first step in the RV buying process that will narrow your choices when you hit the dealer showroom. Once you’ve made that decision, your choices have narrowed to three types of RVs: Class A, Class B, or Class C.

Many RV shoppers go back and forth debating Class A vs. Class C. This is a common fork in the road and we’re here to help. Let’s take a look at what both of these motorhomes have in common. Then, let’s take a closer look at where they differ—it’s the differences that will help you confidently decide which type is right for you.

Class A vs. Class C: What They Have in Common

A major benefit of choosing a motorized RV is having access to your bathroom, closet, and snacks while driving down the road. This convenience is shared by both Class A and Class C RVs.

“Wet Baths” found in some RVs (meaning your shower and toilet space are one and the same) are sometimes a concern for RV shoppers. If you’re looking to avoid a “wet bath,” you’re in luck—both Class A and Class C RVs almost always have full baths (where there is a separate shower for bathing).

When it comes to sleeping capacity, both Class A and Class C RVs almost always sleep 3 or more people. This makes both Class A and Class C RVs ideal for couple and family travel.

It’s no secret that fall is the best time to go camping. What many don’t realize is just how many fun activities there are to make the fall family camping experience extra special. If you’re thinking of taking the RV out for the last several months of the year, use this RVers guide to fall family camping. We guarantee it will add thrills to your adventure.

Why Camp at This Time of Year?

Beautiful fall colors. Image: Unsplash.

In addition to witnessing the gorgeous leaf changes up close, fall camping also boasts some of the best weather of the year. The crisp chill in the air warrants cozy hoodies and blankets, adding a layer of comfort and childhood nostalgia to the mix. Plus, there are numerous Halloween festivals to attend that pile on the fun… and the scares.

If you’re in the New Orleans, Louisiana area, or the bayou, it’s worth it to take the family to the “Boo at the Zoo” held at the Audubon Zoo, in partnership with the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans. The zoo is transformed with decorations galore, while kids (and adults) can visit their favorite animals trick-or-treat style. New Orleans also hosts parades and street parties with costumes and candy everywhere you turn.

Want to park the RV close by? Visit the Pontchartrain Landing RV Park and enjoy luxury waterfront sites with private outdoor kitchens and hot tubs. Use their shuttle service to slide right into the French Quarter for a boo-tifully good time. New Orleans isn’t believed to be “the Most Haunted City in America” for no reason. Plan a fall family camping trip here and see for yourself – you won’t regret it.

What Can You Do to Celebrate?

Image by Sweet Berry Farms

Celebrating Halloween has become quite the childhood ritual. Kids start brainstorming costume ideas early in the year, change their minds a million times leading up to October 31st, and make mental maps of the houses with the best candy to revisit (and those to avoid). What is Halloween, the actual holiday, about though? And why do many confuse it with Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)?

Autumn in New England is a stunning experience to behold. But fall RVing in the Southwest is an equally impressive leaf-peeping journey. If you haven’t experienced the change of seasons in Nevada, Arizona or New Mexico, it’s not too late.

Fall in Love with Southwest Leaf-Peeping

I had no idea what fall is supposed to look like until I went RVing to New England in the fall. As a child growing up among the evergreen landscapes of Southern California, the only way I knew when seasons were changing was by paying attention to department store displays. Years later, I figured out how to tell it was fall when my husband and I took a leaf-peeping excursion to Maine. Until then, I had never personally experienced the joy of fall colors painting my surroundings. That breathtaking East Coast experience left me yearning for another fall experience, but with better weather and taller mountains. When we took a fall RVing trip to the Southwest, I finally found that and so much more.

Discover a Rainbow of Autumn Hues in New Mexico

The state that pledges allegiance to the chili pepper has a wide variety of terrain There’s a lot more to see than the flat moonscape comprising the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico. With over 88 different mountain ranges towering above the state’s iconic sandstone cliffs and canyons, you’ll have plenty of high-altitude locations to embrace the season. One of my favorites is in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Just park your home on wheels at any Santa Fe RV park. They’re all great and so close to town. Then take a driving tour along the Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway. It’s one of the most scenic destinations in New Mexico any time of year, but especially in fall. Originating at the historic downtown Santa Fe Plaza, this 15-mile curvy mountain driving experience quickly ferries you up and out of the city.  You’ll find yourself in a brilliantly colored landscape of golden quaking aspens, trickling waterfalls and meandering hiking trails that take you deep into the heart of fall.

Stay: Route 66 RV Resort is just minutes west of Albuquerque on historic Route 66. Discover more New Mexico camping options.

You’ve picked a destination for your next RV vacation, figured out the route that you’ll take to get there, decided on the parks or campgrounds you’ll stay at, and now you’re super excited to start planning all the awesome things you’ll do on your trip! We’ve been there many times. So… where do you start? How do you find the best things to do on your RV trip? Don’t worry, we can help with our list of the best resources for RV trip planning.

There are so many great resources out there that help navigate the task of planning a trip (unlock several when you become a Good Sam member). We’ll dive right in with a few of our absolute favorite resources to help you not only find the best things to do on your RV trip, but also help you find some really unique experiences that you simply won’t find anywhere else.

Pinterest

When planning any trip in this day and age, it’s generally a good idea to start with Pinterest. There are so many amazing travel bloggers out there (including a few of our own) who are documenting cool things to do all over the world. Reading from their personal experiences as they navigate their trips is immensely helpful when planning your own excursion.

To start, type in your destination in the search bar on Pinterest and pin content to a board for your trip. Custom boards are an easy way to organize your favorite locations with the activities you can engage in once there. Look for posts with titles like “Things to do in _____” or “48 Hours in ____”. These will give you a great overview of what you should be aiming to do in and around your specific vacation destination. Once you’ve saved some of these articles to your board, go through each blog post and look for activities or experiences you and your family might be interested in.

From there, you can go directly to that attraction’s website or do another search on Pinterest to see more tips and advice on that particular experience. This method works for discovering National Parks along your route (with recommendations for hiking and scenic views) and even finding the best restaurants and unique roadside attractions. The possibilities are endless.