Class A diesel motorhomes, also known as diesel pushers, are typically considered the top of the line for any motorhome manufacturer. These Class A RVs usually have the most sought-after features and the highest-end finishes available. In fact, some Class A motorhomes are positively luxurious. That said, they’re not for everyone in the market for an RV. Depending upon your specific needs and desires as an RV owner and traveler, there could be another option that is better suited for you and your family.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself before taking the plunge to determine if a diesel pusher is the right RV for you.

Can You Afford a Class A Diesel Motorhome?

It’s always wise to make a budget and stick to it, even when RV shopping.

As we mentioned above, these RVs are commonly the top of the line when it comes to materials and manufacturing. As a result, they’re also the most expensive motorhomes to purchase and own. Buying a diesel pusher is a considerable investment, one that shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially when you take into account the additional expenses of fuel, insurance, interest (if you choose to finance), and decor.

The RV life is full of adventure! It’s the best part of owning one. However, one of the few things that can make or break an RV trip—financial stress. It’s imperative to make sure you’re not stretching yourself or your finances thin to afford a Class A diesel. A proper assessment of your budget could ensure that not only is this particular RV the right one for your family and lifestyle, but that the trips you take with it are full of fun and relaxation.

Do You Have Somewhere to Park a Diesel Pusher?

Image from Camping World

Did we mention these are the biggest motorhomes out there? It’s true! On average, Class A RVs run about 33′ in length. Consequently, many models won’t fit in a standard driveway and a lot of neighborhoods or homeowner associations have rules that dictate where you can park an RV on your property and for how long. It’s wise to think ahead and have a plan for parking and maintaining your RV when not in use before you make the purchase.

Hauling all your toys to the campground is easy when you have a toy hauler fifth wheel in tow! These toy hauler fifth wheels with separated garages for sale near you are an excellent way to upgrade your vacations with your favorite outdoor equipment.

2021 Dutchmen RV Triton 3571 Toy Hauler Fifth Wheel

The 13′ separate garage provides an ideal space for your toys; the power ramp door makes it easy to load and unload your largest toys. The tie-downs ensure your gear stays in place while you’re in transit, and the twin-sized loft is great for additional sleeping space or for storing even more of your outdoor equipment. Enjoy 13′ of separated garage space that easily doubles as a second bedroom or dining space at the campground.

Additional Features:

Twin-Size LoftHappi-Jack BunkHalf Bath in Garage13′ Separate GarageTriple SlidesKing-Size Bed

Hi Mark My Words Readers! This month we’ve got questions on axle flips, generators, toilets and propane. Remember to send your RVing questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Mark,
Could you discuss the pros and cons of doing an axle flip on a fifth-wheel that results in gaining three to four inches clearance from your truck bed? Also, a friend gave me one of those brass fittings that allow you to fill a 16-ounce propane bottle from a larger bottle. However, no instructions were included, and I can’t make it work. Can you explain the process?
Ron

Hi Ron,
Flipping the axles is a common way to raise the fiver to accommodate a taller tow vehicle. It will gain you around three to five inches of increased hitch height. The job should only be done by a competent shop, as new spring perches must be welded onto the axle. You can’t simply flip them over, as the axles are designed with a built-in bow to provide for proper toe-in and camber. Most trailer service places can do the job. The only disadvantages will be the need for an additional step at the entry door and a slightly raised center of gravity on the rig. These modifications don’t usually adversely affect either tire wear or handling.

The bottle filler is a mixed blessing, in my opinion. To use it, you attach it to your large tank and then screw the small disposable cylinder onto it. Then you must invert the large tank so as to feed only liquid propane to the small cylinder. Open the valve and some gas will be transferred to the smaller tank. I have played with one of these refilling fittings and attempted to refill a number of cylinders. I have found that you typically don’t get a complete gas charge into the little tank.

Whether you’re looking to purchase your first RV and dip your toes into the RVing lifestyle, or you’re wanting to upgrade your current RV before embarking on your next trip–now is the time to explore your options. In fact, the new RVs for 2022 are making their debut, so if you’re looking to buy then you’re in luck!

To start, let’s look at a few options for both the RV rookie venturing off the grid for their very first time, and another RV for the experienced camping couple on the hunt for something exciting. The good news? Both of the following 2022 RVs are under 5000 lbs.

Explore more lightweight travel trailers under 3,000 pounds.

Gulf Stream Enlighten

Choosing the RV life is a rush. The thrill of hitting the road, driving away from the city, and seeing all the beautiful landmarks our country has to offer is a high you’ll never stop chasing. However, before you select a path (well-traveled or otherwise) your first task is purchasing the perfect RV for your travels. The Gulf Stream Enlighten is a great entry-level camper for many reasons.

The bunkhouse travel trailer floorplan makes the Enlighten a solid option for an introductory rig. Whether you’re venturing out alone or traveling with your partner and kids, trying on the RV life with a basic setup is a great place to start. With the Enlighten, you get a few comforts and conveniences on top.

Ever since our first trip to Flagstaff, Arizona in 2015, this dog friendly mountain town has become one of our favorite places to RV in ... Read more

As if a road trip isn’t fun enough, imagine a family adventure where pickleball fuels your travels every stop along the way. If you’re familiar with pickleball, you know how much excitement currently surrounds the game and its wild growth and popularity lately. If you’re not familiar, no worries. Picture the playfulness of ping pong with the energy of tennis and you’ve got the entertaining game known as pickleball.

Known for its social and friendly dynamic, pickleball is one of those games that’s easy to start and hard to stop. It’s a craze that’s sweeping parts of the country and, like with most trends centered around fun, the RV community has fully embraced it. So where can you get in on the action?

Buckle up for a pickleball road trip. We’ll help you discover the best places to play ball.

Pickleball Courts to Visit in the Southwest

There’s no wrong way to start your tour of pickleball. You can find courts all over the country. So arrange your road trip route in the way that works best for you and in the season you like traveling in the most. We’re starting in the south and working our way up.

Pickleball paddles are easier to hold than tennis rackets. Image from Shutterstock.

Green Valley Recreation in Arizona

Located less than 20 miles of Tucson, the Green Valley Recreation Pickleball Club hosts an impressive 36 courts for members and guests. Perfect your skills surrounded by scenic views of the Arizona desert during the day and, if you’re not tired by sundown, keep playing on one of their many lighted courts. It’s the perfect stop for beginner and experienced players alike.

If you’re just getting into the world of camping in an RV (let me be the first to welcome you – you’re going to love it here), and you’re not sure what type of RV to get, the list of possibilities, floorplans, and weight capacities can seem overwhelming. We’ve all been there.

We’ve learned that the best place to start is by deciding what type of RV you want to have, a towable one or a motorized one.

The distinction between the two might seem like an obvious one in name alone, but it can be hard to decide exactly what to get to best suit your needs (and that growing list of wants and add-ons). Here are a few factors to start considering:

Your current and desired travel lifestylePlanned frequency and style of useYour current and future possessions

The list goes on. Your lifestyle will impact your decision.  To help you narrow down your search, I thought it’d be a good idea to take a look at both types of RVs and discuss the pros and cons of each one. Buckle up! Don’t be intimidated, finding your RV is a fun and rewarding process.

Motorized RVs

PIctured here is a Class A motorhome. These RVs can be fueled by diesel or conventional gasoline.

The motorized RV type—often called a motorhome—is divided up into three distinct classes of RVs. There are the Class A (the largest), the Class C (the second largest), and the Class B (the smallest). Class As are built on bus chassis (a chassis is the steel frame connecting axles and supporting the structure), Class Cs are built on truck chassis, and Class Bs are built on full-size van chassis.

When searching for an RV, identifying the right one can be difficult. First, you must decide between motorhomes and towables. Then you need to identify what type of motorhome or towable is right for you. Before you decide, it’s wise to note just how versatile (and plain awesome) toy haulers are.

Toy haulers regularly come in travel trailer and fifth-wheel forms. A toy hauler is an RV with an added space in the rear, a garage, to store and transport your ATV, motorcycle, dirtbike, golf cart, or any other motorized toys you have that you want to bring along while you travel.

While not everyone needs a toy hauler, everyone should consider this type of RV as an option (especially if you’re an active camper). Regardless of your lifestyle and the places you’re visiting when you hit the road, toy haulers check nearly every box on that long list of must-haves and nice-to-haves. Here are three advantages of the RV type to help you decide before your next RV trip.

Toy Haulers Come With a Large Garage Space

Toy Hauler RV with ATV. Image: Shutterstock

Have a dirtbike, motorcycle, ATV, or golf cart you want to take camping with you? Then a toy hauler is the only way to go. The large garage spaces are perfect for these types of items. In fact, they’re designed specifically for them! They often have tie-down points on the floor and walls for maximum convenience and security during transport.

A fifth-wheel toy hauler, for example, is one most RV enthusiasts gravitate towards and with good reason. The active RVer will have plenty of space to store their favorite toys, you know, the ones that make every destination feel like Christmas morning. Travel worry-free knowing your expensive bikes or ATVs are safe and secure while in transit eagerly awaiting the next campsite stop. After you’re done, storage is simple as you can simply drive them back into their hiding spot.

When most RVers think of hitting the road, their minds immediately jump to the spring or summer months. Understandably so, as those seasons offer some of the best weather of the year. Plus, they can make traveling simply wonderful. But, it’s important not to dismiss fall though as an ideal time of year to hit the road. Fall traveling can mean fewer crowds, more park availability, and more fun to be had in the outdoors as temperatures drop and leaves change. In fact, there are several areas around the country that shine most in the fall.

When considering your next RV excursion, don’t discount autumn as an excellent time to plan for a trip. Witnessing the leaves change colors as Mother Nature paints the landscape in fiery hues never stops being breathtaking. In fact, it’s hard to snap a bad photo when your RV’s backdrop is bursting with fairytale fall foliage. If you want to enjoy the best of late September through November, like scenic drives, picture-perfect overlooks, and crisp weather–then get the family together and go RVing. On the road is really the best way to experience the season in all its glory.

We can assure you there is plenty of fall family fun to be had both off the grid or at the campground. Here are five fantastic, photo-worthy fall RV destinations around the country to fill your Instagram grid or your family photo albums.

Newport, Rhode Island

Set on Aquidneck Island, Newport is a beautiful harbor city in the state of Rhode Island. It’s known as a sailing town with plenty to do, and that’s a true assessment. There is also some seriously inspiring scenery. Without a doubt, you’ll want to enjoy a therapeutic walk through Fort Adams State Park and take advantage of the numerous wineries in the area; you should also drive through the beautiful countryside to soak it all in. 

Take your RV down Route 4, south from Providence, to enjoy some breathtaking views. With the trees changing in the fall you’d better have your camera ready or a full charge on your phone. Rhode Island is packed with RV parks, so you’ll have no problem finding a place to set up camp and relax after a busy day if only to scroll through the dozen, possibly hundreds, of insta-worthy images you managed to capture.

Desoto Big Tree Sun RV Resort, Arcadia	Riptide RV Resort, Key Largo
Outback Springs RV Resort, Bonifay	Mill Creek RV Resort, Kissimmee
Arbor Terrace RV Resort, Bradenton	Lakeland RV Resort, Lakeland
Horseshoe Cove Sun RV Resort, Bradenton	Rainbow Village of Largo, Largo
Pleasant Lake RV Resort, Bradenton	Monroe Pelican RV Resort & Marina, Marathon
Vista del Lago MH & RV Resort, Bradenton	Glades North Lake Estates, Moore Haven
Blueberry Hill RV Resort, Bushnell	Club Naples RV Resort, Naples
Red Oaks Sun RV Resort, Bushnell	Marco Naples RV Resort, Naples
Grand Lake RV & Golf Resort, Citra	Naples RV Resort, Naples
Buttonwood Inlet RV Resort, Cortez	San Marino RV Resort, Naples
Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park, Crystal River	Zachary Taylor RV Resort, Okeechobee
Blue Jay RV Resort, Dade City	Orange City RV Resort, Orange City
Citrus Hill RV Resort, Dade City	Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort, Panama City Beach
Grove Ridge Sun RV Resort, Dade City	Daytona Beach Sun RV Resort, Port Orange
Polk Kissimmee South RV Resort, Davenport	Nova Camp Resort, Port Orange
Tampa East RV Resort, Dover	Charlotte Shell Creek Park Campground, Punta Gorda
Dunedin Sun RV Resort, Dunedin	Hidden River Travel Resort, Riverview
Ellenton Gardens RV Resort, Ellenton	Sun-N-Fun RV Resort, Sarasota
Broward Paradise Island RV Resort, Fort Lauderdale	Buttonwood Bay RV Resort, Sebring
Groves RV Resort, Fort Myers	Lake Josephine RV Resort, Sebring
Siesta Bay RV Resort, Fort Myers	Spanish Main RV Resort, Thonotosassa
Indian Creek RV Resort, Fort Myers Beach	Baker Acres Sun RV Resort, Zephyrhills
Polk Rainbow RV Resort, Frostproof	Glen Haven Sun RV Resort, Zephyrhills
Central Park MH and RV Resort, Haines City	Majestic Oaks Sun RV Resort, Zephyrhills
Homosassa River Sun RV Resort, Homosassa	Rainbow Village of Zephyrhills, Zephyrhills
Three Lakes RV Resort, Hudson	Settler’s Rest RV Resort, Zephyrhills
San Pedro RV & MH, Islamorada	Southern Charm Sun RV Resort, Zephyrhills
Pecan Park RV Resort, Jacksonville	Sweetwater RV Resort, Zephyrhills
Martin Ocean Breeze RV Resort, Jensen Beach	Water’s Edge Sun RV Resort, Zephyrhills

The post Table Text appeared first on Good Sam Camping Blog.

Alabama

Lake Osprey RV Resort, Elberta

Alaska

Anchorage Ship Creek RV Park, Anchorage

Arizona

Campground USA, Apache Junction
Sunrise RV Resort, Apache Junction
Superstition Sunrise RV Resort, Apache Junction
Weaver’s Needle RV Resort, Apache Junction
Vista Del Sol RV Resort, Bullhead City (N)
Verde Ranch RV Resort, Camp Verde (N)
Verde River RV Resort & Cottages, Camp Verde (N)
Casa Grande RV Resort & Cottages, Casa Grande
Pueblo El Mirage RV & Golf Resort, El Mirage (N)
Eagle View RV Resort Asah Gweh Oou-o At Fort McDowell, Fort McDowell (N)
Arizonian RV Resort, Gold Canyon
Canyon Vistas RV Resort, Gold Canyon
Gold Canyon RV & Golf Resort, Gold Canyon
Apache Wells RV Resort, Mesa
Good Life RV Resort, Mesa
Mesa Regal RV Resort, Mesa
Sun Life RV Resort, Mesa
Towerpoint Resort, Mesa
Val Vista Village RV Resort, Mesa
Valle Del Oro RV Resort, Mesa
Western Acres, Mesa
Payson Campground and RV Resort, Payson (N)
Desert Shadows RV Resort, Phoenix (N)
Picacho Peak RV Resort, Picacho
Sunflower RV Resort, Surprise (N)
Crazy Horse RV Campgrounds, Tucson
Far Horizons RV Resort, Tucson
Rincon Country West RV Resort, Tucson
Grand Canyon Railway RV Park, Williams (N)
Del Pueblo RV Resort, Yuma
Fortuna de Oro RV Resort, Yuma
Sundance RV Resort, Yuma
Villa Alameda RV Resort, Yuma

Arkansas

Crown Lake RV Resort, Horseshoe Bend

British Columbia

Burnaby Cariboo RV Park, Burnaby

Sometimes, there’s a benefit to getting older. That’s particularly true for those looking for the perks and benefits of senior passes for RVers!

There are so many senior passes available that most RVers are not even aware that, had they asked or taken the time to check around, they can get steep discounts on camping, admission fees, products, and services.

It’s hard to come up with an exhaustive list – it would take many pages and thousands of words. But here is our list of what we think are some of the best senior passes for RVers currently out there.

The National Parks Service Senior Pass

The National Park Senior Pass is hands down is the absolute best of the best. It used to be known as the “Golden Age Pass,” but several years ago, the park service made it even easier to understand by simply calling it the Senior Pass. They also raised the price but, still, at its current $80 fee for a lifetime pass ($20 for an annual pass), it provides a value that is truly priceless. That’s $80 for a lifetime pass–paying for itself in just four years.

The only requirement is that you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident age 62 or older. You must have an ID that proves so like a Driver’s License, Passport, Passport Card, or Green Card.

Temple View RV Park is in the heart of St George, Utah. It’s convenient to everything — 45 Minutes to Zion National Park and a short drive to Las Vegas!

Enjoy the park’s year-round heated pool and hot tub, clubhouse, bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, putting green, billiard tables and more…

Consistently ranked as one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, St. George, Utah provides an ideal mixture of big-city appeal and small-town feel. The city has become a popular retirement destination and a favorite getaway spot for those seeking pleasant weather, unrivaled scenery and year-round recreation. You will not be disappointed in your surroundings when you choose McArthur’s Temple View Southern Utah RV Park over other nearby RV parks.

Are you ready for an epic RV road trip through South Dakota? We first discovered the beauty of South Dakota in 2019 and recently revisited ... Read more

Snowbird season is just around the corner. And if you are frustrated trying to find a winter camping destination that isn’t all filled up by those who made early reservations (sometimes a year in advance!), check out these unsung snowbird destinations. While not entirely undiscovered, these warm destinations are still great locations where you probably can find some openings for the 21-22 season.

The most popular RV snowbird states are Florida, Arizona, and California. These states see a “flock,” of winter visitors, and that’s been a given year in and year out, with and without COVID.

But, four other states are also great snowbird spots that deserve to be on your radar. Consider Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and New Mexico.

Crab Island. Destin, Florida. Image: Shutterstock

When is Snowbird Season?

In general, the snowbird season is from November 1 to March 1. There are two waves.

The early wave heads to snowbird destinations right after Halloween. The second wave leaves right after Christmas.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best hiking destinations in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. While it can be quite busy during the summer, many people believe that the changing colors and cooler temperatures make fall the best time to hike in the park.

Because the park covers a total of more than 522,000 acres, you will have many routes to choose from if you want to hike in the Smokies. Today, we are going to highlight five very different options for hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park that will give everyone from beginners to experts something to enjoy during their trip.

Appalachian Trail Loop From Newfound Gap to Charlie’s Bunion

Distance: 8.1 milesTrail Type: Out and backElevation Gain: 1,640 feetDifficulty: Hard

While you might not initially like the idea of making a bunion your primary hiking destination, no visit to the Smoky Mountains is complete without setting foot on the Appalachian Trail. The trailhead for this hike is located at Newfound Gap on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.

Be prepared for a nice climb to start the first two miles of this hike, but make sure you lift your head up to appreciate the foliage from time to time. During the spring and summer, wildflowers line the trail and the changing colors of fall are definitely a sight to see.

Planning your trip to the campground this fall is easy; deciding what meal to make while you’re there isn’t always the same story. So be sure to bring along your Dutch Oven and make this roasted chicken for your crew! You’ll love how simple it is to make this filling meal.

Ingredients

Recipe from SelfProclaimedFoodie.com, adapted for this post.

½ cup dry seasoning rub – ingredients below, just combine thoroughly1 whole chicken½ cup unsalted butter1 pound baby yellow potatoes, quartered4 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped1 yellow onion, peeled and quartered

Dry Rub:

1 tbsp garlic powder1 tbsp fresh ground pepper1 tbsp kosher salt1 tbsp mustard powder1 tbsp chili powder1 tbsp cumin1 tbsp dried thyme1 tbsp brown sugar2 tbsp paprika

Instructions

Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and season all over with the dry rub. Wrap in cling wrap and refrigerator for 1 hour to overnight.When you’re ready to cook, build a fire and heat 24 coals. Arrange 8 under your Dutch oven, evenly to ensure even cooking.Add butter to your Dutch oven and melt. Sear the chicken on both sides for five minutes each.Remove the chicken and add the vegetables to the pot.Replace the chicken in the pot on top of the vegetables, breast side up, and close the lid. Add the remaining coals to the top of the lid.While cooking, rotate the lid every 15 minutes to ensure it cooks evenly. After 45 minutes, add a few more hot coals to the fire.Cook until the chicken reaches 165 degrees, approximately 1-1.5 hours.Serve with a side of toast!

This meal is perfect for your dinners at the campground, especially if you are spending a day exploring and need an easy meal to dump in the pot and let it cook.  Find your dream RV at RVingPlanet.com today!

Living in an RV or any small space can have its challenges. Our first year of full time RV life flew by in the blink ... Read more

RVing has transformed the way my family experiences fishing. Gone are the days of booking mediocre hotel rooms so that we can be near our fishing spot when we wake up. And when hotels weren’t an option, I certainly haven’t missed the body aches from sleeping on a hard surface while tent camping.

Instead, we can park our camper just steps from our fishing hole for days or even weeks at a time. We can fish the early morning bite, have lunch, take a cat nap and head back out for the evening bite. We can clean our catch in the kitchen and store fresh walleye fillets in the fridge or freezer or better yet, cook it on the spot. RVing has allowed us to make fishing a family activity because our 2-year-old and 6-month-old now have a place to nap and play comfortably.

Our family fishes year-round and we have a few different pull-behind campers to make that possible. One is a retro camper from the 1970s that we primarily use for ice fishing and the second is a newer camper we use for regular camping. I’m actually in the middle of researching how to convert our newest camper into an ice fish house too. What can I say? We love fishing.

While neither camper has all the things I like, they’ve given me the opportunity to figure out what features could potentially make the perfect fishing RV. I’ll break down the features below.

Off-Grid Living

Most RVs these days come with battery and propane hookups. But if you bought an old converted camper like us, you’ll want to know the basic sources of power for off-grid living.

If you love to take luxury on the road, you’ll fall in love with these RVs with king beds for sale near you! No matter where you go, you can get a great night’s sleep that will keep you refreshed and ready for the day ahead of you. Learn more about these four incredible deals near you.

2022 Alliance Paradigm 310RL

This stylish couple’s coach is ideal for snowbirds who love to live in luxury while at the campground. The 2022 Alliance Paradigm 310RL fifth wheel available for order features a king bed in a slide-out with a spacious wardrobe for all your clothing and gear. You’ll love the kitchen design that features an island, a residential refrigerator, and tons of counter space. 

Additional Features:

Kitchen IslandNo CarpetFlush-Floor Kitchen SlidePull-Out Fireplace StorageIndustry’s Largest OvenMultiple USB Ports