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Camping in an RV presents endless opportunities for people to have unique journeys around the globe. There are different levels of camping and adventures, but each requires a baseline of essentials to ensure that you and your group are always safe. Having critical camping gear or a camping “kit” is the best way to go!

Having emergency / essential supplies provides peace of mind and security to any travel environment. Most adventures require you to rely on yourself in some capacity, so having these essentials empowers you to take control of your situation and survive no matter what.

Some essentials can be carried with you, while others are tools, systems, or components that work with your RV. There are survival levels, so it is important to be ready for all of them, even if it is just fixing an AC on a hot day. Essential is essential.

Tools of the (Camping) Trade

Image: Samantha Baderschneider

Critical gear starts with ensuring your equipment works or can be fixed. A toolbox composed of electrical tape, wrenches, screwdrivers, superglue, self-tapping screws, tinsnips/wire cutters, white lithium or lubricant, and a carpenters knife will cover most jobs that may arise.

Ensure that your tools fit the bolts or screws in your RV, and you will be ready to tackle most jobs. Come to expect minor repairs. For example, lights fall, jackets rip, and leaf springs rattle loose. Good preventative maintenance is one of your best defenses against a crisis or significant problem.

Dealing with RV waste isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. If you haven’t learned how to empty your RV’s holding tanks, start there. But if you’re comfortable with how RV waste systems work, you may want to know what an RV tote tank is and why you might need one. 

What is an RV Tote Tank?

Photo by Camping World

An RV tote tank is a portable waste tank. It allows you to empty the contents of your RV’s holding tanks to the nearest dump station without transporting your entire RV. It’s a popular option for full-time RVers who aren’t always at campgrounds with full hookups, especially campers that tow travel trailers and fifth wheels. 

RV tote tanks come in varying sizes, but most are smaller than your RV holding tanks. That means you may need to make multiple trips to completely empty your tanks. Tote tanks are useful for extending your trip a few more days before it’s time to move your recreational vehicle. 

What are the Pros and Cons of RV Tote Tanks?

Photo by Camping World

There are definite benefits to the ability to dispose of your black and grey water without moving your RV, but there are also some considerations. Let’s look at them closely:

Advantages of RV Tote Tanks

Tote tanks expand your campground options to parks without full hookups.Tote tanks save you money by providing the option to boondock or camp at sites with fewer amenities.Tote tanks help dispose of holding tank waste without hitching up and moving your RV.Tote tanks can extend your stays when camping off-grid.

Disadvantages of an RV Portable Waste Tank

Tote tanks need storage space when it’s not in useTote tanks may need multiple trips to the dump site because the capacity is less than your RV’s holding tanks.

Why You Might Need an RV Tote Tank?

Photo by Camping World

RV tote tanks are great for many reasons. First off, always finding RV parks with full hookups isn’t a reality of RV life for everyone. If you’re a weekend warrior, you probably don’t need an RV tote tank because you’re either camping at full hookup sites or staying for such a short amount of time that hitting a dump station on the way home isn’t too much trouble. 

Get all the space you need and more when you take home a Highland Ridge travel trailer with 4 slides! These incredible travel trailers are packed full of amenities and features that will keep you and your entire family comfortable no matter how long you plan to stay! Learn more about four of our favorite floorplans below.

You’ll love traveling with this RV in tow!

2022 Highland Ridge Mesa Ridge MR330BHS

You won’t want to pass up this deal going on right now! You can save over $20,000 on this Highland Ridge Mesa Ride MR330BHS travel trailer that features a bunkhouse and a private master bedroom. Additionally, the interior gives you ample floor space because of the four slides outs!

Additional Features:

Front Private BedroomRear Private BunkhouseKitchen IslandDual Entry BathroomOutside KitchenCheck out this massive seating area!

2022 Highland Ridge Open Range OT338BHS

Sleeping for seven and two outdoor awnings are just a couple of the features you’re going to love about the Highland Ridge Open Range OT338BHS travel trailer. There’s a full and a half bath on board to ensure everyone has space to get ready for the day, and you’ll love that the outdoor kitchen makes it easy to cook around the campfire! Plan your next multi-family vacation in this amazing travel trailer!

Additional Features:

So, you want to buy your family an RV? Awesome! RV ownership and all that comes with it can be one of the most rewarding things you can do.

By buying an RV you’ll learn new skills, travel to breathtaking locations, and show your family all that this great country has to offer. There are state parks, national parks, lakefront campsites, and so much more.

Before you hit the open road though, you’ll need to purchase your RV. Where do you start when shopping for an RV? I thought you’d never ask.

1. Start at the Kitchen Table

Image from Getty

It might sound kind of odd, but you should really start at your kitchen table. You need to sit down with your family, specifically your spouse or significant other, to go over your finances and potential budget to determine what you can afford. Snacks are optional, but one thing should be mandatory: don’t go into the RV buying process without knowing what you can easily afford.

You should have a full dollar amount that you feel comfortable paying for the RV and a monthly amount that you can easily afford. If you’re taking out a loan to buy the RV (the vast majority of buyers choose to finance an RV purchase) then you need to make sure you have a number that you can pay each month without putting needless strain on your family.

Have you recently retired (or are about to) and are ready to buy an RV so you can spend your retirement exploring the open road? If so, you’ve probably had some worries over what RV is the best fit for your lifestyle.

We’re here to help! First, there are a few questions to ask yourself to narrow down which RV is the best RV for all the adventures up ahead in your retirement.

How Will You Use the RV?

Image: Mike Wendland

This is the most important question you need to answer before buying an RV. How you use your RV determines the best type of RV for you. Here are some typical scenarios and the implications to consider when searching for the best RV:

Will you be fulltime RVers? If so, you’ll want enough room and features to truly make it your home on wheels. That means slides for extra elbow room, maybe a washer and dryer, and higher-end residential-sized appliances. An RV over 30 feet is a comfortable size here.Will you be frequent but not full-time RVers? If so, you can get by with something a bit smaller. Since you presumably will still have a sticks-and-bricks home to return to, the RV doesn’t have to be fully equipped. You will be traveling enough that slides and space are still important, but an RV between 25-30 feet should be sufficient.Will you travel mostly on holidays and weekends? In this scenario, the RV will be used to get to a destination, stay a short time, then get back home. You can go for mid-grade and mid-size. Comfortable but lightweight, maneuverable, and in the 19-25 foot range will meet your needs.

Where Will You be Staying?

Image: Mike Wendland

These are also important qualifying questions. Will your camping mostly be in…:

Campgrounds, state parks, and RV resorts? If so, you’ll almost always be plugged in for shore power. That means you can bypass expensive lithium batteries and a rooftop full of solar panels.Boondocking? Conversely, boondocking is off the grid, usually in remote and wild places. Solar power and lithium batteries will be important features to have so you can power lights and RV systems.Moochdocking? Moochdocking is sometimes called driveway camping, meaning you’re staying on the property of friends and relatives. Solar and lithium are still important but not as much as they are for off-the-grid campers.

What Can You Afford?

Image: Mike Wendland

Only you can answer that, of course. But here are two things to consider:

Make sweet vacation memories at Candy Hill Campground in Winchester, Virginia. Sitting in the Shenandoah Valley, Candy Hill serves as the perfect base camp for exploring a region known for its lush rolling hills, apple orchards and award-winning wineries. Folks who prefer to stay local can relax and enjoy the ample amenities and activities of the campground. Also, Civil War History and rugged hiking trails are on the menu in this northern Virginia destination.

History and Hiking, Above and Below

Visiting history buffs will discover a bounty of Civil War battlefields. Twenty minutes from Candy Hill Campground, the Cedar Creek Battlefield preserves the spot where Confederate forces surprised sleeping Union troops on an early October morning in 1864. In Luray Caverns to the south, visitors can walk through the cathedral-like rooms of the largest caverns in the eastern United States. Adjacent to the caverns, the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum showcases vehicles that transported people over the past century. Marvel at towering rock columns formed over the course of millions of years.

Hikers will be glad to know that Winchester is a short drive from access points to the Appalachian Trail. The Trails at the Museum of Shenandoah Valley constitutes a network of short, kid-friendly paths with some great art installations along the way. Advanced hikers will find thrilling vistas on Signal Knob, a 10.7-mile trek in the George Washington National Forest. This hike culminates on Signal Knob Overlook, once a Confederate lookout.

Candy Hill Campground also sits just 27 miles away from Shenandoah National Park. The sweeping expanse of land preserves 200,000 acres of a landscape dotted with rocky promontories, fields of wildflowers and bubbling streams. Take a hike to the rock formation known as Old Rag, which dishes out a stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape. Ascend the 4,000-foot-tall Stony Man mountain for even more stellar vistas.

I used to think that having pizza while camping meant finding a local place and ordering delivery — this, despite pizza being a family favorite. To say my family loves pizza would be the understatement of the year. I grew up not far from NYC, and anyone who has tried a delicious slice of NYC-style pizza knows how a good slice can turn around your whole day. And yes, I fold my pizza slices. 

We started eating pizza regularly, so we have changed our Friday meal plan and renamed it “Pizza Friday“. We don’t just do take-out pizza – no way. We have taught our kids how to make homemade pizza, everything from fresh dough to unlimited toppings. The kids have really gotten into creating their own pizza masterpieces.

Pizza Night at the Campsite

It has been fun to see them grow in the cooking process and experience the joy of making something with their own two hands. So it was natural for me to try to figure out how to incorporate our Pizza Fridays while we’re camping. I looked up many recipes on how to cook pizza outdoors. Most of those search results yielded how to do so over a campfire or in a cast iron pan.

I love my cast iron pan and cook many different dishes in it. As for cooking over an open flame, I’ll admit that I have not mastered that type of cooking yet (that excludes my excellent s’mores). And to be a hundred percent truthful, we travel in a Class A motorhome and enjoy bringing along as many of our “at-home “ cooking gadgets with us. This truly makes us feel that we’re home wherever we park our motorhome.

Use a Portable Pizza Oven

Image: Keith of Soulful RV Family

Since I’ve taken the lead on cooking outdoors during our trips, I’m facing the dilemma of how to make pizza at the campground. For us and many of you, the best and possibly easiest answer will be a portable pizza oven. I know, I know storage space is at a premium. I already carry at least two grills and adding a pizza oven would definitely make a dent in my precious storage space. After checking out a few on the market, I settled on Pizza D’lite propane-powered kit.

A tour of America’s national parks is on many RV bucket lists, but bringing your pup to these destinations can be a challenge. It’s important to know pet restrictions in the national parks you’re hoping to visit in order to minimize your impact on these sensitive environments. But an easier alternative is to target the most dog-friendly national parks in the US. Some of these parks offer miles of pet-friendly hiking trails, as well as boarding services if you plan a hike to a location where your pups can’t go. 

So let’s check them out!

Acadia National Park

The most northeastern park in the United States offers nearly 120 miles of pet-friendly hiking trails. The park’s multi-use carriage roads, which are popular for horse-drawn carriage rides and biking, also are open to dogs. 

The only exceptions include technical trails that require ascending iron rungs or ladders, as well as several public areas in the park. Those exceptions include Duck Harbor Campground and the Wild Gardens of Acadia year-round, as well as Echo Lake and Sand Beach from mid-May through mid-September, the park’s busy season. 

On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant changed the world. On that day, Grant signed the eloquently written “Yellowstone National Park Protection Act,” which stated that a huge corner of Wyoming and narrow slivers of Idaho and Montana would be “hereby reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or sale…and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”

“What an audacious idea it was,” said Ryan Hauck executive director of Cody Yellowstone. “The very thought of setting aside 2.2 million acres of natural resource-rich land must have seemed outrageous. But a few visionaries convinced Congress and President Grant that it was the right thing to do. And the entire world is fortunate they did.”

Cody Yellowstone is the marketing arm for Park County, Wyoming, which includes the Yellowstone gateway communities of Cody, Meeteetse and Powell, the Shoshone National Forest to the east and a large swath of Yellowstone National Park.

“Yellowstone was preserved to be a ‘pleasuring ground’ for everyone, and 150 years later, it still is,” said Hauck. “I’d call that a huge success and a testament to the scores of people who have dedicated their lives to ensuring that we continue to respect and promote the vision of the park’s founders.”

RV travel has increased in popularity over the past few years! More young couples and families are chasing adventures than ever before. RVing allows you to explore so many new locations from the comfort of your own place.

While RVing appeals to many, it isn’t for everyone. Purchasing your own RV is a commitment. If you’re interested in taking the road less traveled and chasing adventures in an RV, we recommend you rent one first through an RV rental service, like Good Sam RV Rentals.

Why You Should Rent an RV

As RVing grows in popularity, you may start to wonder if RVing is a good choice for you. Renting an RV is a tried and true method to get a glimpse into the RV world. The ability to rent hasn’t always been around, but it’s a good thing it is now! Keep reading to find out the steps to choosing the right RV and what you should do on your rental trip.

Choosing Your RV

Image: Camping World

When it comes to your rental trip, you will want to choose an RV that fits your needs. Some things to consider are the type, size, and layout of the RV. If you’re thinking about buying, we recommend renting one similar to the kind you’d like to buy someday. Think of this trip as a test run. The good news is if you don’t like it, you aren’t stuck with it permanently. There are always other classes and layouts to try.

Choose an RV Class

There are so many different classes of RVs with each having its own pros and cons. RVs vary from drivable motorhomes like Class A, Class B, and Class C to towable campers like travel trailers and fifth wheels. Are you planning on driving your RV or do you already have a truck and want to tow it? These are some of the questions you’ll want to ask yourself to help you choose the right class of RV.

We’ve been full-time RVing for four years and we couldn’t imagine doing it without our RV’s outdoor kitchen. Having this feature helps us spend more time outside, gain additional storage, keep our interior clean and cool, and makes it easier to entertain.

RV Outdoor Kitchen Features

Although it’s referred to as an “outdoor kitchen,” that’s usually all it is. Many outdoor kitchen spaces double as an entertainment center too. Since all outdoor kitchens are different, this is where you get to customize what is most important to you.

Do you want an outdoor TV and entertainment center or extra storage cabinets? Other customizable options include sinks, stove top burners, griddles, and more! Can’t decide what features you love the most? Some RVs have all of the above.

Storage

Image: Chase & Lindsay

Tiny living causes you to make the most of your space. Any chance you get to have additional storage — you should take it! Bonus points for any items that can be multi-purpose. For us, that’s exactly what an outdoor kitchen is!

Shelves and Cabinets

Most outdoor kitchens have either a shelf or cabinets. You can use it to stow items for cooking and dishware. Or you can use it for extra storage. The choice is yours. Either way, the more storage you have in your RV, the better!

Do you want to be the coolest camper at the campsite this season? Sure, you do. Who doesn’t? One of the easiest ways to do that is to have a reliable cooler with you when you pitch the tent, spark up the campfire, and set up your favorite camping chair. Not sure which cooler is the coolest? No worries! We’ve narrowed down ten coolers made for campers that are guaranteed to not only keep your beverages cool but your reputation as well.

Igloo Tag-Along Too Cooler

Igloo Tag-Along Too Cooler

Sometimes you need your hands to remain free. Whether you’re holding a beverage already or the hand of your favorite person, there are times when you simply can’t afford to have a cooler in your grasp. I understand that and so does the Igloo Tag-Along Too Cooler. Designed with a stylish, adjustable crossbody shoulder strap, this 11-quart cooler has a leakproof lid and can hold sports drinks and bottles upright while keeping them chilled for up to two days. The name says it all, this cooler is the perfect tag-along.

Coleman Space Blue 28-Can Soft Cooler Backpack

Coleman Space Blue 28-Can Soft Cooler Backpack

If you want to up the drink capacity without sacrificing the hands-free convenience, then the Coleman Space Blue 28-Can Soft Cooler Backpack is perfect. Whether you’re camping out at the beach, tailgating, or hitting that trail you’ve been meaning to hike, the foam insulation of this cooler will keep drinks and snacks cold up to 42 hours. As a bonus, there’s an integrated bottle opener on the front for easy access. Two adjustable padded straps ensure maximum comfort, and the top hatch opens for quick entry.

Igloo MaxCold Playmate Elite 16-Quart Cooler

Igloo MaxCold Playmate Elite 16-Quart Cooler

This one is tried and true and proof that if it isn’t broken, there’s really no need to fix it. The design of the Igloo MaxCold Playmate Elite 16-Quart Cooler is a classic for a reason. Easy to use and carry thanks to its trademark tent-top design that swings open to either side and push-button lid for convenient one-handed operation. It can hold up to 30 cans, unless you’re me, then it holds 29 because I can’t help but grab one before heading out. Sorry not sorry.

Perma Chill 20-Quart Cooler

Perma Chill 20-Quart Cooler

With five gallons of space and weighing in at only 15 pounds, the Perma Chill 20-Quart Cooler is ideal for any day trip including a visit to the campsite. Ice retention for three days? Check. Freezer-grade gasket for a tight lasting seal? Check. Lockable lid? Tie-down slots? Integrated bottle opener? Check. Check. Check. Oh, and there’s a ruler on the lid to quickly measure your catch of the day. Trust me, you’re definitely going to want to check this one out.

For the past six years, my husband and I have RVed all over the country. We’ve also owned four different RVs in that time. But, I can honestly say that we’ve never considered renting any of those RVs out…until recently.

We had heard about other RVers who were making extra money on their campers while they weren’t using them by renting them out. While we thought it was a brilliant idea, the main reason we didn’t rent any of our RVs was because we were using them so much. In fact, we lived and traveled full-time in our first two RVs for over two years. Even after full-timing, we continued to spend more months out of the year on the road than at home, so our RVs rarely sat in storage for much longer than a couple weeks.

Recently though, after starting a family, we downsized to a travel trailer and now prefer to enjoy taking shorter camping trips close to home when the Colorado weather allows. So after planning out our camping adventures for this summer and fall, we saw several weeks on the calendar where our camper would just be sitting on our property.

We’ve made so many special memories throughout our years of RVing and are always encouraging others to get out there and adventure as well. However, we know that not everyone can justify the cost of buying and owning an RV if they only use it once or twice a summer. For those people, renting is an excellent option and we figured it would be a win-win for us to make some extra money while allowing other people to experience the joy of RVing!

Of course, we had our fears about renting out our camper. What if the renters destroy it? How will the insurance work? Can you really trust strangers to take good care of your camper?

Wyoming is home to two of the most visually striking national parks in the US: Yellowstone and Grand Teton. While Yellowstone encompasses much of the state’s northwestern corner, Grand Teton National Park to the south is equally breathtaking. 

The striking mountains of the Teton Range rise from the Wyoming plains to staggering heights. Grand Teton Mountain, the park’s highest peak, reaches an elevation of 13,775 feet, which is also the second-highest peak in Wyoming, behind Gannett Peak. 

Why Visit Grand Teton National Park in an RV?

Photo by Sean Xu via Shutterstock

The Grand Teton is an icon in the American mountaineering landscape, but there’s more to do than climb tall mountains in this wonderful park. There are lakes for kayaking and boating, the Snake River for floating and whitewater adventures, and much more. 

To truly experience what the Tetons have to offer, renting an RV or taking yours on a road trip to Wyoming is the way to go. There are RV-friendly campgrounds in the park, as well as nearby. And the proximity to Yellowstone National Park allows you to hit two of the most popular parks in the country in a single adventure. 

Or, if Yellowstone is too busy, the Tetons are one of the best alternatives to Yellowstone. From casual scenic drives to rock climbing and mountaineering, there’s truly something for everyone in the Tetons. 

When it comes to exploring the outdoors, the sky’s the limit in Big Sky Country. Montana is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking, pristine, and multi-faceted regions in the country. Being the largest landlocked state in the US, the Treasure State’s landscape encompasses desert, badlands, prairie, snow-capped mountains, and more than 8 million acres of national forest. From panoramic vistas, wild and scenic rivers, abundant wildlife, and Old West history, Montana’s offerings are endless. Visitors from around the world are drawn to its ancient glaciers and canyons, old-growth forests and nearly 100 different mountain ranges. Throughout the state, enjoy world-class fishing, Native American cultural sites, ghost towns, and dozens of hot springs. Despite its global visitation, you’ll still find more cows than people in Montana— making it the ideal spot to plan an escape.

This spring, many parts of Montana received record rainfall, and places like North Yellowstone and Red Lodge suffered catastrophic flooding with a 1-in-500-year meteorological event. With that being said, now is the perfect time to plan your 2023 trip to the impacted areas or explore other parts of Montana in 2022.

Libby and the Kootenai River

Founded in the 1880s, Libby Montana can be found in the Northwestern corner of the state along the Idaho panhandle border. Situated along the Kootenai River and flanked by the Cabinet Mountains, the town is in the heart of 2.2 million acres of national forest. Libby is home to over 140 lakes, 3 major rivers, and over 1,400 miles of trails- leaving plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. While exploring this remote part of Montana, head to the famed Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge. Follow the 1.6mile out-and-back trail to the suspension bridge, spanning 220 feet across Kootenai Gorge. Continue on to Kootenai Falls, one of the largest free-flowing waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest. Extending the entire length of the river, the vibrant turquoise falls dramatically cascade down the craggy rocks as it heads towards the gorge. If this scene looks familiar, that’s because it’s been a popular Hollywood filming sight, including credits in The Revenant and The River Wild.

James and I have been RVing for about 12 years now. We’re outdoor lovers, and RVing has been the catalyst for getting us closer to nature anywhere we want to go — which, like most RVers, is everywhere. Being able to easily get to giant outdoor playgrounds around the country has been absolutely wonderful.

What’s even more wonderful is when we can do it responsibly. I’m by no means perfect, but I do recognize the importance of being mindful of the impact we’re having on nature when out RVing. Over the course of our 12 years, we’ve come a long way in our sustainable RVing practices.

But the unfortunate truth of it is, there’s going to be some impact. RVing requires driving, after all, and until all-electric RVs become the norm, there’s just no way around us creating greenhouse gas emissions. The good news though is that there are ways to mitigate that, as well as many other RV lifestyle practices that weigh heavy on our planet.

Here are some of the changes we’ve made to be better environmental stewards on our RV trips. Perhaps some of these can work for you, too.

Be More Fuel Efficient

Image: Stef from The Fit RV

According to Natural Resources Canada, efficient driving can lower your vehicle’s fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 25%. We all know the common sense ways to be more efficient — using cruise control when you can, keeping your speeds down, and avoiding idling. But did you know your vehicle’s air conditioning can increase your fuel consumption by as much as 20%? It’s good to get in the habit of using the A/C sparingly when you can.

Whether you love to plan movie nights at the campground or you just enjoy kicking back after a long day, these RVs with theater seats will help you do just that. Find spacious interiors, luxury amenities, and so much more when you shop the new RVs for sale with theater seats. Check out our top five picks for these incredible floorplans!

Find more fifth wheels for sale near you!

Jayco Pinnacle 36SSWS

Find luxury in every inch of this Jayco Pinnacle 36SSWS fifth wheel. This fifth wheel features a master suite with a fireplace, a king bed, a wardrobe, and a bench. The living room offers dual opposing slides with a kitchen island and entertainment center to make the space feel homey and inviting. You’ll love that the theater seats are set into the slide-out to give you a great space to relax in the evening.

Additional Features:

Slide-in-a-SlideDual-Sink VanityMaster Suite with Front Windshield36″ FireplaceResidential Stove with 3.4 Cu. Ft. OvenShoe GarageWalk-In ShowerThe four-burner range ensures you can always make delicious meals for your crew.

Forest River Cardinal Limited 377MBLE

If you love adventuring with your family, the Forest River Cardinal Limited 377MBLE fifth wheel is an excellent option. This floorplan features a mid-bunkhouse for the kids with a loft overhead. You can easily sleep up to nine in this RV, and the pass-through storage provides ample space for all your camping equipment.

Additional Features:

One of the top questions people ask when starting their RV journey is: should I buy a new or used RV? 

While there are some definite advantages to buying new, buying a used RV is a great option for your family, especially if you’ve never owned a family RV before. There’s a lot to learn when you’re just starting out. 

Here are a few ways a used RV can ease your learning curve:

Save Money

The biggest benefit of buying a used RV is financial savings. Used RVs are often 30-40% cheaper than a comparable new RV. In this case, comparable refers to a similar length, features, and type of RV.

That lower purchase price may also come with lower insurance costs, less money toward interest payments (if you’re financing), and, in some cases, lower in-state registration fees.

There is a lot of jargon in the RV world. One term you’ll come across, but might not be familiar with, is “fifth wheel” or “5th wheel.” Fifth wheels are a type of towable RV that require a large pickup truck to tow because of the type of hitch they use.

But why are fifth wheel trailers called that? Let’s explore that question, and a few other fifth wheel basics, to help you decide if this is the right type of recreational vehicle for you.

How They Got Their Name – The Fifth Wheel Hitch

Fifth wheels use a U-shaped hitch coupling that’s bolted or welded to the frame of your tow vehicle—usually a pickup truck—through the truck bed. The connection point, also known as a pin box, places the trailer’s weight directly over your tow vehicle’s rear axle.

While hitch technology has come a long way, this basic design is responsible for the fifth wheel name. Old carriages in the 1800s had a horizontal ‘5th wheel’ that allowed the front axle to pivot. The name’s use was continued with the modern-day design for the 5th wheel truck hitch.

It’s similar to the type of hitch used on semi-trucks, which means it’s safe, sturdy, and rated for heavy loads. At the front of the 5th wheel, there’s a “king pin” that locks into the U-shaped pin box in the bed of your truck, allowing you to safely pull the trailer.

Fishing and RVing go hand-in-hand, at least it does for our family. It’s hard to beat a campsite next to a pristine lake surrounded by the wilderness or the salty air and open ocean while being just a few steps away from a favorite fishing spot.

My husband and I have our own styles of fishing. He prefers trolling for big fish while I enjoy the slow but exciting moments brought by bobber fishing.  But we do have something in common in our shared hobby: we like our fishing gear somewhat organized, especially when we are RVing. Between the two of us, our 3-year-old son, 1-year-old daughter, and little Yorkshire terrier, there’s a lot of stuff to pack for each outing (including the kids’ fishing gear). It feels like we are packing up the entire house anytime we travel.

Image: Jenny Anderson

Getting our fishing gear packed in an organized fashion is essential, especially with limited RV space. Plus, fishing rods are fragile. The goal is to avoid tangled and damaged rods during transport and make sure hooks and any sharp objects stay secure. It saves us time and headaches. Organized gear means more time fishing and less time rummaging around for fishing gear.

To pack fishing gear swiftly and securely in an RV, here are some simple tips seasoned anglers and casual fishing folks can live by.

Store Fishing Rods and Reels in a Carrying Case

Lucky for anglers who are always traveling, there are plenty of rod carrying cases made specifically for fishing rods. These cases protect your fishing gear and are easy to grab and go, whether you’re packing up the RV or taking out your gear to head to the next fishing hotspot. Rod carrying cases usually come with compartments made to fit multiple rods and reels, are easy to store, and are very portable. You can find durable fabric cases as well as sturdy waterproof hard cases. Rod carrying cases can easily be stored inside your RV or pass-through storage.