Welcome Savannah, and thank you for sharing your story with Camping World.
Q. Savannah, you’re a full-time photographer that travels in a van—Can you describe your travel style in five words or less!
A. Boondocking
Q. A few lightning questions:
Favorite snack, meal, or beverage to have on hand in the RV.
A. Tea, cheese and crackers, and popcorn!
Let’s face it, there’s really no such thing as “maintenance-free.” Everything needs a little routine care in order to work and perform at its peak, and that includes your motorhome, trailer, or fifth wheel RV.
RVs provide the ultimate escape while bringing along the conveniences of home. Some of us are escaping the big city, a stressful work week, weather, or even the seemingly never-ending parade of home improvement projects.
When tourism and hospitality services came to a screeching halt, RVs provided the safest way to escape quarantine confines. Unsurprisingly, consumer demand for RVs continues to grow even after lifting quarantine restrictions. That’s great news for RV owners interested in making extra income renting their RV.
Before your RV delivers you to a coastal breeze or cozy mountain town, you have to show it a little bit of love. The purpose of maintenance is to maximize value from your investment. Properly maintaining your RV is the most important thing you can do to keep it running and help retain its value.
Maintenance is like that part of the iceberg below the waterline. What lies beneath are not unseen costs lurking to surprise you, but rather unaccounted total ownership costs. Whenever anything is unaccounted for, it feels like it adds up quickly. RV owners experience this hit to the wallet wondering why they have less leftover than expected—whether it’s food, fuel, or travel money. Easily sidestep this pothole by learning exactly what is needed to support your RV’s maintenance plan and personalized usage needs.
One of our favorites Ventura Beach camping spots is Rincon Parkway on Old Pacific Coast Highway. This campground offers beachfront RV camping in Ventura, California ... Read more
Affectionately known simply as “The Rockies,” this wild, rugged mountain range defines and divides the continental US. Stretching more than 3,000 miles, from Canada down to New Mexico, the Rockies serve as the gatekeepers to the West. Today, the mountain range defines the wild landscapes of states like Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and more. While the eastern Appalachian mountain range has soft curves and rounded peaks, eroded over millennia by wind and rain; The Rockies are characterized by sharp, dramatic peaks and valleys, carved by glaciers and dramatic tectonic shifts.
Spanning several states, the Rocky Mountains are no quick trip. To see, experience, and fall in love with the mountains, you’ll want to get up close and personal–in an RV. Imagine falling asleep to the howl of a herd of coyotes, or waking up to a field of grazing elk outside your doorstep. In an RV, you’re connected to the land–seeing the sun warm up the mountainsides in the morning, and watching it sink behind the ridgeline as you keep warm by an open fire at night.
Get ready to harness your inner Lewis and Clark. The Rockies are truly “the Wild West,” and you’ll need a fully stocked RV and a penchant for adventure to see it all.
Elevation is everything when it comes to exploring this mountain range. No matter the time of year, pack layers for a trip to the Rockies. The summer months are the best time to enjoy the mountains as the weather is fair and predictable. Still, some regions of the mountain range are open year-round. A 4WD vehicle won’t go to waste scaling the grades of the mountains. Remember to plan and prep accordingly for an RV trip in the mountains.
Start at the namesake Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado to introduce yourself to the mountain range, its history, and the story of this national treasure. A scenic drive along Trail Ridge Road will introduce you to the alpine tundras and forests that characterize the Rockies. Hiking, night sky photography, and backcountry camping are popular here, pushing visitors to unplug and sink into solitude.
At 6,684 feet, the highest point in the eastern US is Mount Mitchell, in North Carolina. Idaho, where I live, has several peaks over 12,000 feet. They’re beasts.
Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, where I grew up, reach heights of 13,000 feet. They’re mega-beasts.
And when I spend time in Colorado’s Collegiate Peaks for work, I breathe fairly well but my nose tends to bleed. Those peaks are beyond beasts. They’re pushing more than 14,000 feet above sea level.
I share these stats to illustrate why mountains in the East are considered hills in the West. When you go West, you go up. The higher you go, the more you need to plan and prepare — and the more time you need to take it all in. Views above treeline are unmatched; alpine lakes seem almost ethereal. The national parks and forests, the craggy peaks and deep valleys; they all demand your time and attention.
And to have that luxury, you’ll want a home on wheels. You’ll want an RV. Yes, you need to be mindful when camping at elevation, but it’s always worth the extra effort. Here are nine tips for RVing successfully and safely in the mountains.
Torn between camping in the woods and crashing into some waves this season? Spend your summer doing both, and have the best of both worlds!
Want to go hiking and wakeboarding on the same trip? We’ve got you covered. Traverse the American landscape this summer and visit cragged mountain terrains, beautiful seascapes, and lush forests by the lakeshore. Here we list 8 outdoor activities to do when you combine camping and watersports: The perfect summer combo is right at your fingertips.
After a long and hard year, it’s finally summer. Ease into the backcountry and embrace the wilderness through these outdoor activities.
Point Reyes Beach North, Inverness, CA. Photo Credit: Unsplash, Kitera Dent
Camping is not complete without this classic outdoor activity. Explore the wilderness while setting your own pace, taking in your surroundings, and enjoying the tranquility of the woods.
After a fun-filled RVing experience, you’ll want to thoroughly clean and disinfect your RV. Why? Prompt RV cleaning extends its life, helps retain its resale value, and keeps your RV in tip-top shape for more memorable adventures. Plus, post-trip RV cleaning lets you see any damage more easily to catch potential maintenance issues before they become costly problems.
The sooner you clean your RV after a road trip, the better. Here’s how to do it.
Detailing the interior and exterior of your RV is worth the effort. Save time by outsourcing this to professionals. Or, save money detailing it yourself.
Clean the RV inside and out after each trip.Around the campground and online, you’ll find many well-meaning opinions to this question. The answer is always:
“Use the manufacturer recommended cleaning products and guidelines to clean your RV.”
As travelers with pets, my husband and I have an extra responsibility onboard. We also have an extra element of fun, adventure, and excitement when we take our fur-kids with us on the road! It’s our job to make sure our pets have as much fun traveling as we do. And the most important component to a good time for all is feeling welcome and comfortable at the campground we choose.
When we first began our travels almost five years ago in our RV, we took for granted that we would be welcomed with open paws at any campground. We found out quickly that every campground will have its own pet rules and guidelines. Some have breed restrictions. Others weight restrictions and limits on the number of pets we camp with, and a few have restrictions on all of the above. Doing your research ahead of time, and asking questions upfront, will ensure that you are not disappointed when you arrive. More importantly, this extra step ensures your pet is not disappointed! There is a perfect campground for a family with pets–and you can find it!
We have traveled to all of the 48 contiguous states with our dogs Peanut Butter Brickle and Digby Pancake. We have cut some campground stays short due to disappointment, but we’ve also extended our stays at some of the most pet friendly campgrounds around! Just like every person is different, every pet is different. Take into consideration your pet’s age, health and activity levels. There is a campground that is incredible for you and its waiting for your reservation!
Mayport, Florida
Hanna Park is a county owned park near Jacksonville, Florida. If your dog is a beach lover, this campground is “pawfection”! Park your RV and set up camp in the wooded and shaded campground and then walk to the dog friendly beach at night. The staff is welcoming to pets and their people. I know this firsthand as we’ve visited this park for long periods at a time. We just couldn’t leave! Brickle loves the beach and Digby loves the wooded trails. This may be our perfect campground, but try and keep the secret!
Return to the road in a big way. Embark on an ecotourism adventure to see nature in its most raw form, from sprawling wetlands to towering trees. The following wild spots will make you forget about the past year’s Zoom calls, lockdowns and mask mandates.
Eco-tours are available in the locations below, giving visitors a chance to learn about spectacular flora and fauna that have to be seen to be believed.
A bear in Denali National Park. Photo: OrnaW/Pixabay
Denali National Park is home to North America’s highest mountain, Denali, which stands 20,310 feet above sea level. But you don’t have to climb the peak to get an appreciation for the six-million-acre park. Denali harbors some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, including grizzly and black bears, caribou, wolves and moose. Even though roads are limited in the park, tourists are bound to see some of these creatures roaming the rugged terrain. Visitors can see animals from a bus tour or take the designated bike trail between the Nenana River and Denali Visitor Center. Observe park warnings about wildlife near bike trails.
Stay: Cantwell RV Park, located a half-hour south of the entrance to Denali National Park, is close to berry picking, hiking, fishing and water excursions.
Now’s the time or order your 2022 RVs from a dealer near you. Today, we’ll take a look at some of the best upcoming floorplans that are on order today. You’ll get a glimpse at travel trailers, fifth wheels, and motorhomes that will help your family find adventure wherever you go.
Find more 2022 RVs for sale and on order at RVing Planet today!
Get the space your family needs to enjoy a weekend or extended stay at the campground with the 2022 Grand Design Imagine 2400BH travel trailers. These floorplans feature double-sized bunk beds to give everyone a comfortable place to rest at the end of the day. You’ll love the shoe storage near the door that makes it easier than ever to keep your floors clean during your stay.
Additional Features:
Double-Size BunksBike StorageWardrobe/PantryShoe StorageOutside KitchenSolar Power InletGet a lightweight RV in the 2022 Jayco Eagle 332CBOK Travel Trailer, which is an ideal couple’s coach for anyone who loves to travel with ease. This trailer is excellent for entertaining guests at the campground, thanks to the bar with stools and the theater seating in the living room. The entertainment center features a 50″ HDTV so that you can catch the big game with your crew.
If you’re planning to visit a national park on your summer RV trip, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans flock to our national parks during family summer vacation. However, you don’t have to let the crowds put a damper on your fun. Follow these tips for enjoying the national parks during the busiest time of year.
Before we begin, don’t forget to plan ahead for bringing your pets to National Parks. And, make sure your rig is an allowed size for national park campgrounds, as they do not often accommodate big rigs.
Many of the busy parks limit the number of visitors that can enter on any given day. By getting up a little earlier than usual, your family can be first in line.
This will be easy to do if you take a few minutes to prepare for your trip a day in advance by packing a lunch, a blanket, and some games. Then get a good night’s sleep so you can an early start to your day. Once you arrive at the park, you can go ahead and visit the most popular sight or two on your list right away before the rest of the crowds arrive.
As the park begins to fill up, you can find a shady spot to put out your blanket and have a relaxing picnic lunch. Stick around a little longer playing cards or other games so that later when everyone else is hot and tired, you’ll still have plenty of energy for more activities.
There’s so much to love about traveling and vacations, but meals and food prep isn’t usually one of them. It can definitely get tiresome eating out every day for an extended period of time, or having meals that only consist of shelf-stable packaged foods. That’s why we love traveling by RV. Having a kitchen in our RV means that we can create our own meals!
But it can also get complicated to prepare meals for a lot of people in a small space. And with a family of seven, we’re always cooking for a crowd! Whether you’re preparing food for just your family, or whether you’re RVing with friends or relatives, here are some tips on how to cook for large groups in an RV kitchen!
The number one most important thing for us to be able to use our RV kitchen in a functional way is to organize our food and supplies! It can be maddening to try to cook and to either not know where to find the things we need, or to know where they are but not be able to quickly and easily access them.
In our particular RV, we have a sink and cabinet area that has our most frequently used food storage. The cabinet right under the sink has some basic cleaning supplies, and the one right next to it has our dishes and shelf-stable breakfast foods. That way, if our kids wake up early, they can easily and quietly get themselves breakfast. The drawers under the sink hold utensils, spatulas, ladles, and other kitchen supplies, while the cabinets above the sink hold more lightweight items like bread and crackers.
Store high-use items within easy reach.We also have a fridge, which is wonderful! It’s not as big as our fridge at home, so we try not to overpack it but it’s great to keep perishables like yogurt, milk, cheese, berries, and fresh veggies. The cabinet underneath holds heavy grocery items like canned beans.
Towing can be one of the most stressful things about RVing. Even for veteran RVers and professional truckers, towing isn’t something to be taken lightly.
Whether you tow a vehicle with your motorhome, or an RV with a tow vehicle, you need to know the hitch and tow fundamentals to travel safely. Choosing an RV setup that works best for you is the first step. There are so many configuration setups to fit an RV lifestyle. As a rule, it’s best to practice with your setup to really get a feel for how it tows.
Consider these things when selecting your RV setup:
What type of towing are you most comfortable with for your ability level?What is the overall traveling length of your RV, tow vehicle, and hitch you can manage?What vehicle capabilities do you already have (truck, SUV, motorhome, toad)?What type of terrain will you encounter on your road trips?What destinations are you dreaming of visiting in your RV?What are your general transportation preferences at any given destination?What are your RV ownership maintenance preferences—money-saving DIY, versus time-saving outsourced to trained RV maintenance professionals?Your choice here is key because your RV and tow vehicle must be compatible. This is where RV hitch types join the conversation.
With motorhomes you’ll use a tow bar or a tow dolly to pull a towed vehicle. You can also use your motorhome to pull a boat trailer or haul toys, like ATVs.
Lewis-Clark Valley AVA is home to 2020 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year as well as 2020 Idaho Winery of the Year. Wine judges are consistently ranking Lewis-Clark Valley wines among the best of the best in northwest competitions and beyond. Lewis-Clark Valley gained a lot of notoriety over these past years for our wine, landing us on the map as a go-to destination for wine lovers.
The Lewis-Clark Valley is the first and only wine region to be nestled in the unique mountainous backbone of the Bitterroot Mountains. With steep river canyons and plateaus, it is home to the lowest elevation vineyards in the state at 950 feet. It’s also unique in that it spans both Idaho and Washington. Nearly 72 percent of the land is in Idaho, while the rest lies in Washington State. The area is home to 16 vineyards growing more than 80 acres of grapes, including 14 red and 9 white wine grape varieties.
Photo: Jill Wellington
This region is considered part of the new frontier of wine-growing areas in the United States. But the region actually has a long wine history. Grapes were introduced into the Clearwater Valley in 1872. Thanks to the pioneering efforts of two Frenchmen, Louis Delsol and Robert Schleicher, and one German immigrant, Jacob Schaefer, the region rapidly become known for its wines.
Learn about our area and its rich wine history by booking a wine tour with Twisted Vine Wine Tours. Customize your winery and vineyard tour for groups of 2 to 7 people. Your guide, Clint Hoiland, will take you to each location while narrating the rich history of the Lewis Clark Valley along the way.
RV safety practices put you back in the driver’s seat…literally! There will always be factors outside of your control, but a checklist of safe practices leaves less up to chance. Foresight, contingency planning, and practicality make up the bulk of RVing safety essentials. At the end of the day, being safe is a habit–one that could save you time, money, and heartache. But remember, when you’re out there one the road, it’s not what happens to the RVer that’s defining, but how the RVer responds to the situation.
Implement these simple precautionary actions to strengthen your safety readiness level. Afterwards, you’ll find that you truly have more control than you realized. An ounce of prevention outweighs a pound of cure.
While the journey and destinations are unique and often spontaneous, the preparation process is routine and predictable. Organize RV planning and prep with manageable checklists. As your RVing experience grows, you’ll collect checklists along the way. Customize these checklists to match your RV lifestyle.
Traveling unfamiliar roadways poses a challenge to safely operating your rig. Gaining confidence as a driver takes time and practice. Before setting out for your road trip, practice somewhere safe. Make turns, change lanes, get a feel for braking at various distances, back it up, and park it. Practice communicating with your spotter using radios and hand signals. If you still don’t feel comfortable towing your RV, you can always schedule a pick up and delivery to the campsite.
Among the RVing community, you’ll find many campground neighbors are especially gracious with first-time RVers to ease the learning curve.
Whether you’re a Florida native or you’ve only traveled there a few times, one thing you can’t help but notice is the advanced canal system that runs through all the cities and towns dotted across Florida.
This state is known for some of the best fishing in the world but what a lot of anglers don’t realize is that you don’t need to charter a huge fishing boat at sea to take in some awesome fishing. A lot of the best fishing happens in these canals and the goal of this guide is to teach you how to fish the canals, where to go, and what to expect when you’re there.
Here are some of the best canals you’ll want to plan a trip around.
Construction of the Tamiami Trail Modifications Project was completed in December 2013. Photo Credit: Jenn Miller, USACE, Flickr
This canal rests right in the center of Miami-Dade County in southeast Florida. It drains eastward and provides 27 miles of accessible canals by boat and shore. There are also plenty of small lakes throughout those miles.
One big advantage of owning your camper is being able to style it your way. Creating the specific look and feel for your home-on-wheels is a breeze with these inexpensive fixes.
Even the least crafty among us will find some painless options in this article for making their rig feel more like the home they imagined. And the best part? Most of these options were designed with renters in mind, so they’re not only easy to install: they’re easy to remove. No matter you sense of style, there are plenty of lighting and decor options to choose from.
Try some of these DIY options and see how it transforms your space. If interior design isn’t your strength, have the Camping World team bring your vision to life with their renovation services.
Hi all! Hope your summer of RVing is off to a great start! This month we’ve got some questions on common RV problems. Remember to send your RVing questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Howdy Mark,
What product can I use to remove “sap” from my rubber roof and travel trailer?
Thank you,
Frank
Hi Frank,
This is a common problem, and the rubber roof complicates it a bit as you should not use petroleum solvents on it. You can always use a cleaning product designed for rubber roofs, like Thetford’s Rubber Roof Cleaner & Conditioner, but there are some other possible solutions. Folks report good results using rubbing alcohol (or drinking alcohol), and some folks have successfully used Goo-Gone, but I would suggest caution as it is powerful stuff! You may think I’m a loony when I tell you that mayonnaise is very effective on tree sap. Really! I read about it somewhere years ago, tried it, and was amazed at how well it works. It will dissolve tree sap on skin, clothing, auto paint and even on rubber roofs. Spread it on, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe off. Then clean the area with soapy water to remove the residue.
Photo: Frantisek Krejci
Hi Mark,
What is the best way to flush out the galley tank and the grey-water tank? For the black tank, you can pour water down the toilet. Do you do the grey water and galley the same way? It would take a while to fill the two tanks that way.
Sincerely,
Tom
While the downtown core of Grande Prairie is bursting with fantastic urban adventures, there’s a lot to do beyond the central streets of this beautiful city. With the Grande Plan, come explore the excellent shops, strolls and sports of the South Bear Creek neighborhood. There’s both indoor and outdoor fun for the whole family, so pick your favorites from the list and get ready for an unforgettable time together!
A great place to start is at the Bear Paw Par 3 Golf Course & RV Park, which is a perfect excuse to practice your short-game skills while still spending quality time with the family. It features a shortened 9-hole golf course that’s suitable for kids, and great for sinking those long-distance putts. After polishing up your game, kick back for some relaxation at your campsite. The Bear Paw Campground is the perfect site to explore this area!
Bike Skills Park
Nearby in South Bear Creek is the Bike Skills Park. If you have an aspiring mountain biker or BMX rider in the family, this is a place for them to practice their wheelies, balance and descents before tackling the real thing on a bigger scale. Nothing builds confidence like getting better at something that was once difficult.
Wild duck with chicks in Muscoseepi Park Grande Prairie, Alberta.
You, the pup, and the open road. It doesn’t get much better than that.
You might not be surprised, but over 60% of the RVers we surveyed said one of the main reasons they wanted an RV was to get out into nature with their dogs! In fact, if you’re reading this, you’re probably one of them! Most people I know wouldn’t dream of traveling without their dogs and I’m in the same boat.
We travel with a 65-pound Norwegian Elkhound named Bo. He’s 5 ½ years old now and has literally grown up RVing.
He is very popular among our followers. In fact, the other day at a gas statio off I-65 in Alabama, I was with him in a doggie exercise area when a couple who follow us on our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel recognized Bo. They pulled over and jumped out to come meet him. They were so excited it was as if they met a celebrity. They would have asked Bo for his autograph if he could hold a pen. When Bo went off sniffing, they turned to Jennifer and me and asked what is probably the most common question we get from our followers who travel with dogs:
“How do you keep Bo safe and happy when you bring him on an RV road trip?”
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