After a long dreary winter, spring break is often the first chance to take an extended vacation with your kids. Depending on where you live, better weather may be within easy reach — or, you may have to book a road trip to chase the sunshine with your RV to a spring destination. 

My husband and I are both teachers, and we’ve been lucky to have the same break as our children, up until our older son left for college. We usually take shorter trips close to home but know many RVers who take cross-state treks.

Planning for Spring Break Weather

While the word “spring” might conjure up images of blue skies and gentle breezes, the weather can vary greatly depending on your timing and your destination. My family’s break is usually early in March, a time when Midwestern weather sometimes serves up surprise snow storms. 

Most U.S. students have spring break at some point in March or April. For many regions of the U.S., the weather this time of year might best be described as “persnickety,” with temperatures and precipitation varying greatly, sometimes changing dramatically from day to day. 

You could easily argue that the national park system wouldn’t exist without the contributions of President Theodore Roosevelt. He was a force for change in how Americans valued land and championed the conservation of the country’s natural resources.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park honors that legacy and protects one of the most spectacular landscapes in North Dakota. One that held a special place in the heart of the President himself. Here’s our guide to RVing Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Why Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park in an RV?

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is an excellent destination to add to a Dakotas national parks road trip, looping in spots like Wind Cave National Park and the Badlands along your route. Because the closest major airport is nearly two hours away in Williston, ND, an RV road trip is the best way to explore everything this park has to offer. 

You can camp inside the park or just outside the entrance in the charming town of Medora – sometimes referred to as “North Dakota’s #1 Tourist Destination.” The town is an excellent place for an RV base camp because it provides easy access to the park’s scenic drives, hiking trails, and fossil displays. 

Should I RV with or without a toad? Once you’ve chosen a motorhome versus a towable RV, it’s common for this to be the next question.

What is a Toad?

A toad is a vehicle that RVers tow behind their motorhome. It’s also called a dinghy or a tow vehicle. Many people, including full-time RVers, RV without a toad. Depending on your travel style and your RV’s towing capacity, you may or may not need to pull a compact car behind your RV. 

If you’d like to know more about dinghy towing, check out Good Sam’s 2020 Guide to Dinghy Towing.

The Benefits of RVing With a Toad

RVers tow a vehicle because of the convenience once they reach their destination. It makes it easier to shop for groceries, sightsee, and navigate tight or congested city streets without moving your large motorhome.

Do you have a pesky drawer or cabinet in your RV that doesn’t want to stay closed? While RV drawers and cabinets have closures, most RV travelers deal with this problem at some point. 

Learning to keep RV drawers closed during travel protects your RV from damage and ensures the safety of belongings and passengers. You don’t want items falling and breaking while on the road. 

Properly organizing your RV and securing cabinets and drawers can prevent items from falling out or falling on you when you open them once parked. 

Kinds of RV Drawers

Let’s learn what kind of RV drawers and cabinets are in your coach and how to secure each type. 

Overhead Cabinets

In RV floor plans, you’ll see these denoted as ‘O/H’ or ‘O/H Cabinets.’ There are kinds of overhead cabinets – doors that swing open to one side and doors that open upwards and are supported with struts. They hold shut with a double-roller catch, magnetic catch, or spring-loaded catch.

I would do anything to keep my dogs with me as long as possible.  But like humans, our dogs get older and time flies by too fast. Fortunately for our dog, Peanut Butter Brickle, we found a “fountain of youth” – the RV travel lifestyle.

I often hear people say that older dogs just want to sleep. Peanut Butter Brickle, our 14-year-old dog, would wholeheartedly disagree. For almost seven years, we have traveled in our RV with our dogs by our side. We sincerely believe that the RV lifestyle has added not only years to his life, but that the RV lifestyle has added quality of life.  And isn’t that what we all want? – a rich life of memories made with man’s best friend.

Don’t Underestimate Your Dog

People can still accomplish many fun and active things as we get older. Our dogs can too! You know your dog better than anyone. You know your dog’s health, limitations, and personality. If your dog is physically able to enjoy a walk, consider the RV travel lifestyle.

One of the best parts about RV travel for dog parents is that you can customize how you travel! Having a house on wheels allows you to take breaks more often, have your dog supplies on hand, and move to accommodate the weather. As our dog, Digby Pancake, got older he was more sensitive to hot temperatures. So we planned our trips and RV routes to avoid very hot temperatures. Invest in a remote RV thermometer so you can regulate temperature inside the RV at all times. A cooling dog bed can also help pups who are sensitive to heat.  We were known to get to a campsite that wasn’t shady or too close to others and ask to change campsites. If it didn’t work for the dogs, we moved on.

Even if your dog has limitations with age, like decreased mobility, there are ways to accommodate your dog. We purchased dog stairs from Camping World to get Brickle in and out of our tow vehicle more easily. We also purchased a ramp for Digby Pancake to safely get him in and out of the RV. Just like a regular house, your house on wheels can be altered in order to help your dog enjoy life to the fullest.

Recreational vehicles, like automobiles, require repairs from time to time. However, the RV has an additional assembly apart from just the vehicle, and that is the house and all the components that go with it. Because of the growing complexity of RVs today, these repairs can become commonplace over the years of ownership. Keep in mind, the need and frequency for many repairs is reduced by timely maintenance.

So, let’s look at some of the more common repairs that may be encountered on many travel trailers and motorhomes.

Replacing Burned-out Halogen Bulbs

These were, and are, used in mini ceiling pot lights as well as other wall-mount fixtures. They are 12-volt DC bulbs that tend to run quite hot and have a relatively short life. Adding to the reduction of life is improper installation procedure. Rubber gloves or a rag must protect the bulb from being contacted by a person’s fingers or hands as skin oils on the lamp will cause early failure. While these little halogen bulbs are quite pricey themselves, it may be worth spending even more by replacing them with the LED (Light Emitting Diode) types. These run cool and have a life that’s 25 times longer than halogen bulb and do not require the more cautious handling. LED replacements may be less costly in the long run.

RV Features Failing to Operate

This can be due to several reasons, including a tripped breaker or fuse, a wiring or component fault, or a mechanical issue.  However, it may be a condition that is becoming more common: poor contact of a switch or connector due to oxidation. The correction of this may require replacing a switch or disconnecting an electric contact and re-connecting it.  A contact cleaner aerosol should be applied to plug-in connector contacts to help renew their connectivity.

America’s Deep South never got the memo that winter meant huddling inside with a pile of blankets. In the Southeast snowbird region, the sun shines through much of the winter (although there may be a slight chill in the air) and locals welcome snowbird travelers with exciting festivals. Hoist a microbrew or feast on chili at fun-filled gatherings in the South.

Looking to catch some beads? You can find Mardi Gras celebrations throughout the region, not just in New Orleans. Looking for something less boisterous? Treat your snowbird sweetheart to Valentine’s Day treat with legendary Southern cuisine.

Alabama

You’ll find a range of environments in Alabama, from the 150 miles of untamed inland waterways to high-tech rockets in the city of Huntsville. Visit towns like Mobile, the original home of Mardi Gras, or Birmingham, where steel is king.

Take a break from your home away from home RVing and visit Voyageurs National Park. Voyageurs is Minnesota’s only national park and is unique because it offers a completely water-based experience for those willing to take the plunge.

With over 218,000 acres that are accessible year-round, Voyageurs National Park is an oasis of forests, waterways, and wild, undeveloped areas. Sharing its northern border with Canada, you will enjoy some of the best-unspoiled nature available in Minnesota.

Why Visit Voyageurs National Park in an RV?

Take a break from the road and trade in your tires for oars. Experience over 84,000 acres of waterways, 655 miles of undeveloped shoreline, and more than 500 islands. Open year-round, with no entrance fee, you can explore the pristine nature anytime. 

Boating, hiking, snowshoeing, stargazing, paddling, and more are all great ways to experience the park. The solitude and beauty of the park keep visitors coming back year after year.

Off-grid camping is the ideal alternative when you can’t find any spots at RV parks or campgrounds for your RV. 

In fact, some RVers prefer boondocking spots over RV parks or developed campgrounds. Camping off the grid often means better views, fewer people, and the ability to camp for free. 

Off-grid camping requires a little more preparation. From finding an off-grid-capable RV to learning how to drive it on the backroads, camping without electric power or running water takes planning and the right tools.

Here’s Everything You Need to Go Off-Grid Camping

Learn how to boondock in an RV with the right camping gear and mindset before your next trip.

Spring break is just around the corner — are you ready?

The perfect Spring Break can be elusive. You’ve got one week to melt away those winter blues before the big work and school obligations return with a vengeance. The pressure’s on to find the right place — free from cold weather and rowdy college spring breakers — or you’ll have to wait until summer for your next big family excursion.

Fortunately, travelers can find lots of places across North America that welcome campers with moderate crowd sizes and reasonable temperatures (current weather conditions notwithstanding). Take advantage of the spring season to visit popular destinations long before they’re overtaken by summer crowds.

Sedona, Arizona

The crisp spring air makes Sedona the perfect place for mountain biking and hiking amid the iconic red rock formations that dominate the horizon. Cyclists of all levels can experience stellar trails that wind through rocky landscapes. Start at the Bell Rock Pathway (for beginners) and work your way up.

If you’re looking for a powerful RV to help you take your family and friends to the campground for unforgettable vacations, you’re in the right place. These Dynamax FORCE class super C diesel motorhomes are ideal for large groups who enjoy luxury features. Learn about three of our favorite floorplans for these amazing RVs, and order yours today!

2023 Dynamax FORCE 37TS Class Super C Motorhome

This Dynamax FORCE 37TS class super C motorhome features sleeping for up to six and offers plenty of interior living space. The master bedroom is equipped with a slide-out king bed to give you a great place to rest and recuperate after a long day on the road. You’ll love that the bedroom offers dual wardrobes, so you have plenty of space for all your clothing and gear. Save over $64,000 on this unit today.

Additional Features:

2023 Dynamax FORCE 37BD Class Super C Motorhome

Get more sleeping space when you order a Dynamax FORCE 37BD class super C motorhome from a dealer near you. There’s a bunk over the cab, a king bed in the master bedroom, a set of bunks, and a tri-fold sleeper sofa. Altogether, you can sleep up to nine comfortably. There’s a fireplace to help keep you warm on chilly nights or add a little atmosphere to your space.

Additional Features:

The Captain once said that space was the final frontier. But not if you have an RV. Chances are, you’ve already explored and exploited every inch. By now, you’re probably looking at ways to create space in your RV – or at least use it more efficiently. 

One of our favorite space-creating features in our previous Class A motorhome was a built-in stovetop cover. This allowed us to maximize our RV’s counterspace when the stove was not in use. Unfortunately, our current fifth wheel did not come with that feature, so we had to get creative. 

Camping World has a great selection of stovetop covers. These vary in materials from metal to glass and, our favorite, cutting boards. But what if you want something a little more unique? Then it’s time for a DIY stove cover.

Where Did We Get the Inspiration for a DIY Stove Cover?

Our first idea was to make a stove cover from scratch. After all, it’s really just a flat work surface that fits over your stove – simple enough. For inspiration and ideas, we looked at some crafting and DIY sites. We discovered two things:

While these DIY versions were nice, they certainly didn’t fit our style. 

If your RV interior doesn’t feature a bed, you might as well drive a car around the US. Your RV bed is critical to your road trip comfort, but there’s a lot you need to know about RV mattresses to make your RV bed the most comfortable bed ever.

It all starts with a quality mattress selection, and you might think you already know mattresses because you’ve probably slept on them for most of your life. RV mattresses are a little different, and here are some helpful tips you should know.

Are RV Mattress Sizes Different?

Many RV mattresses are different than standard residential sizes. A queen RV mattress in an RV differs from a residential queen mattress. This means you can’t make any assumptions when shopping for an RV bed.

Other sizes are sometimes the same as their residential counterparts, such as twin and full (aka double) beds. King-size beds in RVs are usually narrower than residential mattresses. Here’s a breakdown of RV mattress dimensions: 

Some of these dimensions match what you’d find in a mattress store. For many RVs, shorter beds are preferred to provide space to move around the bed on either side. 

There’s a lot of buzz around new RV models hitting the market this year. So you might be wondering – what’s so special about 2023 RVs?

Totally a fair question, so let’s highlight some new RVs in each main class. 

Travel Trailers

Keystone Outback 328RL

Who’s It For?

The Luxury Glamper

Who Can Tow It?

Use our Towing Guide to see if your vehicle can tow this RV.

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.

Want to get more out of your RV? Subscribe to the Camping World YouTube channel to catch all of our new videos.

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