WEnRV travel news, products, and industry trends

The problem with accidents is you can’t predict them. But when armed with RV emergency survival tools, at least we are prepared when a mishap does happen. Too bad I wasn’t as ready for the inevitable on the afternoon a tree fell over and hit me on the head.

It happened during a volunteer outing to clear dead trees from the forest. One minute, I was gazing south toward the sunny, snow-capped Rocky Mountains. The next, I was on my back looking up at people shouting, “Are you OK?” No, I was not OK. A dead aspen tree had just hit me square on the noggin, almost knocking me out cold. Seconds later, I heard a voice shouting, “Call it in! Chopper on the way!” Through my foggy mind, I made sense of the command. Accident. Chopper. Life flight.

 “NO! Stop! I’m fine!” I screamed back, remembering that air ambulance bills can be tens of thousands of dollars—even when you do have health insurance coverage. There was no way I would allow it. Before dispatch got our coordinates, I stumbled to my feet to prove I could walk and talk. Then I persuaded the volunteer organizer to call it off. After signing a release of liability, my husband and I drove to the hospital in our truck.

I was fine, but it wasn’t the first time an emergency happened to us in a remote location. However, it was the only time we needed to learn that it pays to be prepared with safety tools for RVing in remote locations. From a lonely 10-mile trek on an injured ankle through the Southern Oregon backcountry to crash-landing onto a lonely road while running in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the peace of mind I get from being prepared is as helpful as the actual treatments for my injuries. Want to feel that same sense of preparedness? Here are the top tools you need for remote RVing in far-flung destinations.

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Spring is right around the corner, and your camper is calling. The beginning of the camping season is the perfect time to assess the condition of each distinct part of your motorhome or trailer before hitting the road.

According to many RV technicians, proper dewinterization is the most neglected point of RV ownership.

A little time, effort, and investment go a long way, and we can’t overstate the importance of learning how to dewinterize your RV properly. You can do many of these tasks at home, but your local Camping World Service Center can help. Before you break your RV out of winter storage and pack for your spring camping trip, it’s essential to dewinterize your RV thoroughly.

How to Dewinterize Your RV

Save this post for step-by-step guidance on preparing your RV each spring. Ian’s tips above provide a good baseline but keep reading for more important spring RV maintenance tips.

Welcome to Tucson, Arizona, where towering cacti defy gravity and Mexican food takes flavors to new heights (this is the birthplace of the chimichanga, after all). Visitors can travel back in time to neighborhoods dating back to the 1600s or follow trails that stretch hundreds of miles past prickly plant life. See stars at one of North America’s premier observatories or experience gravity zooming on bicycles down winding desert trails.

Campers can find a spot near the heart of Arizona’s second-largest city. On the northwest side of Tucson near Interstate 10, the Prince of Tucson RV Park welcomes RV travelers seeking adventure. From here, guests are within minutes of some of Tucson’s best urban attractions or nearby national parks. As the sun sets, the campground’s amenities keep guests comfortable and recharged for the next day’s adventure.

Pincely Camping

Prince of Tucson maintains a beautiful environment with lots of conveniences. The paved, all-weather roads lead travelers to a wide range of RV sites, which accommodate everything from tent trailers to big rigs. Each of the 176 spaces has full hookups with 30- or 50-amp power; back-in sites have patios and picnic tables, with plenty of room for slideouts. All of the 42 Pull-through sites stretch 80 feet. Note the RV age restrictions.

Football fans (and fans of multi-million dollar commercials) rejoice because the 57th installation of the Big Game is upon us. In the spirit of its return to Arizona, we figured it was time to start planning that next Phoenix adventure. So whether you’re looking for a home base away from the tailgate, or just an excuse to take in the beauty of the desert, we’ve got you covered with a list of activities and campgrounds to explore in the Valley of the Sun.

Activities

When it comes to gorgeously painted landscapes and outdoor excursions, Phoenix is pretty tough to beat. Here are a few reasons why.

Desert Botanical Garden

 

Founded by the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society, this 140-acre botanical garden has preserved the beauty of more than 50,000 plants for over 85 years. Come for the vegetation, stay for a cocktail, and leave with some prickly pear jelly. Just what the doctor ordered.

Did you know there’s free overnight parking at truck stops throughout the United States? The Flying J, Pilot and Love’s are some of the truck ... Read more

As an RV owner, there’s a chance you’ll need to replace the seal around the base of your toilet at some point. Why? Because over time and with use, this seal breaks down, causing leaks and waste system issues. 

Replacing this toilet seal, called a flange, is certainly one of those RV maintenance tasks you can do yourself. We’ll show you how.

Why Replace an RV Toilet Flange Seal?

Photo by Camping World

The most common reason you would replace a toilet flange is if you’re installing a new toilet in your RV. Once the old toilet is removed, it’s best to install a new floor flange seal at that time. While you could theoretically place a new toilet on an old flange seal, we don’t recommend it. 

Another reason for replacing the flange seal on an RV toilet is that you’re suffering from a leak that’s coming from the base of the toilet. To identify that the flange seal is really the culprit, however, you’ll need to start by emptying your RV’s holding tanks.

Finding the right travel trailer can be overwhelming. Narrowing your options down starts with an understanding of RV weight ratings, but you may still have thousands of models and floor plans to consider.

Travel trailers come in all kinds of configurations – not to mention the features and amenities included. Choosing a travel trailer based on floorplan makes it easier to find a travel trailer that really suits your day-to-day routine and travel style.

Popular Travel Trailer Floor Plans

To make your decision easier, here’s a breakdown of the most popular travel trailer floor plans:

Bunkhouse Travel Trailers

Photo by Camping World

The most popular travel trailer floorplan, with over 3000 available models, the bunkhouse is designed to have plenty of room for your family to sleep and plenty of storage for all of their gear. Popular options include a bathroom with a direct entrance from outside, power stabilizer jacks for easy camp setup, and outdoor kitchens.

Sitting by the campfire telling stories, mesmerized by the flames, makes for some of the best camping trip moments. Of course, there is an art to the campfire, and preparation is key. 

Even if you know how to build the perfect campfire, you probably rely on modern technology, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Why labor over the simple act of starting a fire when the right campfire accessories can make life much easier?

Must-Have Campfire Accessories

We’ve probably all been caught, at least once, without our best campfire setup during perfect campfire conditions. To help you always be ready for the perfect campfire, here’s a list of must-have campfire accessories and patio furniture for your next camping trip. 

1. Axe, Hatchet, and/or Multi-Tool

Click to view slideshow.

Fuel is a vital component of building a campfire. Getting wood of the right size is where your axe, hatchet, and/or multi-tool comes in handy. Ideally, you can use something like dry grass or dead pine needles. 

However, there are times when none can be found, especially at developed campgrounds. As long as you remember firewood, these tools allow you to create tinder without using a dangerous amount of lighter fluid. 

Most RV owners can tell you about the freedom and adventure the lifestyle allows but they will also likely follow by telling you just what an investment it’s going to be to maintain that RV.

From plumbing to brake pads, fuses to hydraulic fluid, and anything in-between, owning an RV can be an education in DIY maintenance, resourcefulness, and handiwork. And even then, with the best upkeep and care, there are still inevitable repairs that require professional help.

To plan for and stay ahead of potentially expensive and inconvenient RV issues throughout the years of ownership, we’re looking at a wide-ranging list of major RV repairs to expect and what you can do to prepare.

Plumbing and Water Systems

Let’s start with what many dread: plumbing and water. Not only can plumbing be potentially unpleasant, water systems in general can lead to significant damage to your RV. Knowing common problems and repairs is a good defense. 

Clogged toilets

Clogged toilets are a crass reality of RV ownership, but certainly, one that can be mitigated with proper care and attention.

You turn the key, and the engine roars to life. That low rumble in the engine compartment is music to your ears and the perfect soundtrack to what’s shaping up to be a perfect trip. You’ve followed all the checklists for a trouble-free journey and you’re confident that the sunny weather will hold up. As you guide your RV out onto the main highway, you ask yourself, what could possibly go wrong?

An hour later, you get your answer. You hear a loud pop, and the vehicle shakes and loses traction as your right-front tire disintegrates into tatters. With white knuckles, you limp to the shoulder as cars whiz past. You evaluate the damage to your vehicle and realize that you’re going to need professional help, stat. Now what? You’re stranded on the side of the road and the dream of a trip to America’s top national parks melts away.

Breaking the Ice on RV Breakdowns

Let’s face it: We don’t like to think about RV breakdowns. Our beautiful machines were meant for fun and exploration, not for getting stranded on the edge of the highway. But bad things happen, and a decent roadside assistance plan can bring unmatched peace of mind to travelers who want a worry-free vacation. 

That begs the question: How much protection is enough protection? Do we really need more than the emergency road service that we already have for our automobiles? 

If your RV experiences freezing temperatures, you must learn how to winterize your RV. A big part of that process is using RV antifreeze, and there are many questions about what to choose and how to use it correctly. 

For starters, let’s give you a brief overview of the RV winterization process: 

Now that you’re familiar, here’s everything you need to know about RV antifreeze.

What is RV Antifreeze?

Some RV owners call it “the pink stuff,” but antifreeze can be many colors. More importantly, it’s a liquid with a much lower freezing point than water. Replacing the water in your plumbing lines with RV antifreeze protects it from freezing, expanding, and potentially bursting. 

Not too long ago while touring around the east coast in our camper van, we decided to take a few days and finally explore part ... Read more

Most new motorhomes and travel trailers come equipped with a retractable RV awning. There’s really no better way to deploy added protection from the sun and light rain when you’re camping. But RV awnings don’t last forever.

Our guide to RV awnings covers how to maintain your awning and replace the awning fabric if it’s damaged. But what if you need an entirely new awning? 

Find RV awning replacement and enhancement accessories at Camping World online.

What’s the Difference Between a Retractable Awning and a Standard Awning?

Photo by Camping World

Retractable awnings permanently mount to the side of your RV and extend or retract manually or mechanically, with the latter typically using a 12-volt DC electric motor. Awning sizes typically range from 8 to 21 feet, depending on the RV. 

Standard awnings (also known as canopies or instant shelters) are independent of your RV and must be stored underneath between uses. They aren’t as easy to deploy, but they can be moved around according to where you need shade in your campsite. 

Does this sound familiar?

‘I love the idea of traveling in an RV, but I’ve never driven anything bigger than a sedan.’

Many would-be RV campers worry about driving a motorhome safely, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. Unless you have an especially long or heavy model, you don’t need a special license, and you’ll learn easily with a little practice. 

Are RVs Hard to Drive?

Photo by Camping World

In short, all RVs are easy to drive once you get used to them. Longer, heavier motorhomes will feel like a new driving experience for beginners. Of course, towable RVs have their own considerations compared to motorized RVs. Today, we’re talking about RVs with a steering wheel – motorhomes.

Motorhomes aren’t hard to drive once you learn how to make wider turns and get used to accelerating and braking slower than in a car. RV drivers must look further down the road to prepare for stopped or slowed traffic. 

With the new year in full swing, you’re probably starting to think about where you want to spend your family vacations. If you’re looking for a luxurious RV to help you make the most of your time at your dream destination, don’t miss the DRV Luxury Suites Mobile Suites fifth wheels. These incredible fifth wheels are packed with features to ensure you and your family are comfortable and happy no matter where you go.

Find more deals on fifth wheels when you shop at RVingPlanet.com.

2022 DRV Luxury Suites Mobile Suites MS 41FKMB Fifth Wheel

Save big on a luxury RV for your family when you take home this DRV Luxury Suites Mobile Suites MS 41FKMB fifth wheel. This unit offers an impressive six slide-outs to maximize your living space. You’ll find that the front kitchen gives you a perfect place to make meals for your crew and offers a bar with seating.

Additional Features

Six Slide OutsSpacious Front KitchenFireplaceDishwasherTwo SofasFull Rear BathThis kitchen is built for a master chef!

2023 DRV Luxury Suites Mobile Suites MS 41RKDB Fifth Wheel

There’s sleeping for up to five inside this DRV Luxury Suites Mobile Suites MS 41RKDB fifth wheel. This unit offers a residential dishwasher, so you won’t have to worry about cleanup after the meal. The master bedroom offers a private bathroom with a walk-in closet and a dual vanity sink.

Additional Features

Welcome to the Good Sam camping news spotlight, where we cover some of the month’s notable trends, events, news stories, and information helpful to campers and RVers. In the first month of 2023, we’re making note of fuel price projections for the year, recent winter camping popularity, RV and outdoor shows in January, camping predictions for 2023, and more. 

Winter Camping

This year saw more RVers and campers enjoying the outdoors this winter. Recent poll numbers indicate winter camping has been more popular in 2022 and 2023 than a year ago. Over 8.2 million households said they planned or plan to camp this winter, and 15.3 million planned to travel in RVs between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. 

Winter camping means a lot of different things depending on which part of the country you go to. While sunbelt states like Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona offer warm temperatures for snowbirds looking to escape the cold, more moderate climates like those in the Pacific Northwest offer more traditional winter weather camping while avoiding many travel hazards caused by snow and extreme temperatures. 

Ultimate RV Show

January kicks off the 2023 Ultimate RV Show with January events in Denver, Syracuse, and Nampa, and a February event in Minneapolis, MN. These events showcase new and used RVs for sale of various types, sizes, and classes, with many shows featuring outdoor vendors displaying countless products and accessories. Unique to these events are the special show pricing on both new and used RVs unavailable anywhere else.

Special VIP appointments are available at each event and include such perks as:

After spending three winters camping and exploring Tucson, Arizona, we can easily say it’s one of our favorite places to be during the winter months. ... Read more

The rolling, snow-like dunes of White Sands National Park offer a stark but truly unique landscape – a brilliant minimalist canvas worthy of quiet contemplation, reflection, and peaceful moments of solitude.

There are some 275 square miles of dune fields in the Tularosa Basin, with the park holding nearly 40% or about 115 square miles. Elevations range from 3,890 to 4,116 feet above sea level, and it’s home to the world’s largest collection of fossilized footprints from the Ice Age – prints that tell the story of more than 20,000 years of human presence in the region.

Why Visit White Sands National Park in an RV?

Photo by Andriy Blokhin via Shutterstock

Using an RV to explore White Sands National Park is a great way to experience this unique park, which is home to the world’s largest gypsum dune field. The dunes are quite dynamic, and some individual dunes move up to 30 feet per year. 

This white, rolling landscape is home to various species of plants and animals, all of which have evolved to survive cold winters, broiling summers, minimal surface water sources, and ground waters that are very high in mineral content.

When winter temperatures start plummeting, some RVers outfit their rig for winter RV camping and others prepare to put their RV in storage. If you’re going to brave the winter chill, however, it pays to know about the different types of space heaters for RVs.

Even if you don’t plan on RVing during the winter months, a space heater will help you keep things toasty on cool nights. Let’s discuss the varying types of space heaters so you can choose the right kind for your motorhome.

Why Space Heaters for RVs Makes Sense

When the temperature drops, you naturally run your RV’s furnace more frequently. Your furnace is the most efficient way to heat your RV and it will certainly do a reliable job, as long as you don’t run out of propane. 

Therein lies the rub of relying solely on your furnace as a heat source. Not only will you burn through propane quickly, but you’ll also use electricity to circulate hot air throughout your RV.

During the coldest months, you’ll burn through propane way faster than normal. If you can’t move your RV to refill or find a propane company that offers a mobile refill service, things in your RV will get dangerously cold dangerously fast. 

Urban camping isn’t for everyone, but if your camping adventures take you to Washington D.C., you should take your RV along, as one of the nation’s best campgrounds provides a perfect base camp for exploring the city. Cherry Hill Park, located in College Park, Maryland, offers an outstanding camping experience and easy access to the nation’s capital. 

While my family had a lengthy debate while picking our summer road trip destination, once we selected Washington, D.C., we didn’t have a hard time choosing a place to stay. Cherry Hill Park is a renowned camping destination that visitors brag on far and wide. We were eager to camp at a park we had already heard so much about.

When camping, my family (which includes my husband and two young adult sons) has three main requirements: electricity, cell service and a safe, clean environment. Beyond these, our favorite campgrounds have run the gamut from rustic state parks to over-the-top resorts, as we easily find things to enjoy about each. Our goal is constantly to find ways adjust our expectations for the type of park we are visiting.

After a quick check on the Good Sam website, it was clear that Cherry Hill Park should easily meet our initial requirements — and more with high Good Sam ratings on all aspects. But would it live up to our expectations in person?