WEnRV travel news, products, and industry trends

With winter around the corner, many think it’s time to put the RV in park until warmer weather reappears. Not true! In fact, many places become the type of winter wonderland you read about or see in the movies. After a summer spent traveling in hot and humid temperatures, a winter excursion is the perfect reward.

Because winter isn’t the most popular time to travel, it’s the ideal time to take advantage of the empty roads. Some of the best destinations are national parks, which enjoy a quiet off-season. We’ve gathered up seven of the best national parks you can RV to in winter. So grab a coat, pack the RV, and start planning your next adventure.

Mount Rainier National Park in Washington

In Destin, located on Florida’s panhandle, the menu for fun includes fishing, paddleboarding, shopping and dining on fresh seafood. Once a sleepy fishing village, Destin has grown to become one of the premier vacation destinations in the Sunshine State. Between the soft, white-sand beaches, the world-class fishing excursions and the thrill-a-minute attractions on shore, there’s a little something for everyone in this warm-weather paradise. Drop a line in Destin for snowbird adventure.

For a great place to stay, Camping on the Gulf is a top-rated destination situated right on the coast.

Hook, Line and Dinner

Billed as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin is home to one of the country’s largest charter fishing fleets, making it easy to arrange the excursion of your dreams. For an accessible, family-friendly outing, try the inshore waterways of Choctawhatchee Bay, where king mackerel, red snapper or grouper are a quick cast away. However, more serious anglers will want to book a deep-sea outing 25-miles offshore, where the shallow waters of the harbor give way to the rich waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Tuna, billfish, and sharks, as well as plenty of seasonal sportfish, call these bountiful waters home, so you can expect plenty of fight and plenty of fish as you cast a line alongside some of the Gulf’s most experienced guides.

Surf and Sand

Baltimore and the surrounding area seem tailor-made for autumn. The fall colors in the trees add splashes of bright crimson and gold to the town and the outlying regions. The many historic sites related to local hero Edgar Allan Poe are the perfect companions to Halloween season. And the hot seafood from the Chesapeake Bay wards off the fall chills that blow off the Chesapeake Bay. Discover Baltimore’s natural side this fall.

Known as Charm City, Baltimore is home to bustling communities, historic ships, exciting museums, and the Inner Harbor — the city’s focal point. When you’re not outdoors, explore this Jewel of the Chesapeake with a visit to the art museum with a huge selection of Impressionist paintings while harbor ships provide history lessons that span the centuries. With the African American Wax Museum, the National Cryptologic Museum and a chance to follow Edgar Allen Poe’s wanderings, you’ll find plenty to keep your mind stimulated.

Camp out in a nearby Good Sam Park and enjoy the magic of Charm City.

Hiking Outside of Town

Before exploring urban landscapes, check out the natural areas surrounding the town. Escape to Gwynns Falls, an urban hiking and biking trail with nine trailheads connecting 30 neighborhoods along with a historic greenway stream valley that provides access to Baltimore. Gunpowder Falls provides views of 18th-century Hoffmanville Cemetery and leads to Pretty Boy Reservoir. On the Chesapeake, Downs Park offers a variety of natural and recreational activities throughout its 236 acres. Black Marsh Trail winds for six miles along wild wetlands and bordering forests, perfect for birders and naturalists searching for bald eagles and swamp sparrows.

Winter’s hard on all of us, but it can be particularly hard on RVs. With lots of plumbing and areas for water and moisture to hide, winterizing your RV is a critical step in saving yourself a lot of expensive fixes once things start to thaw in the spring.

In the video above, we list a step-by-step walkthrough of the winterization process. If it feels overwhelming, don’t fret! The trained service technicians at your local Camping World can winterize your RV for you. However, if you want to take on the process yourself, follow along with our step-by-step process. We break down the details of the video in 8 easy steps below.

Please note every RV is different and some may have additional items that are harder to winterize, such as icemakers and refrigerators or dishwashers, but our guide covers the basics. Let’s dive in!

Tools Needed Before You Begin

For proper winterization, you’ll need the following tools and supplies:

cordless power drill with #2 square tip driver bitsocket wrench and 1-1/16″ socketflashlightnew anode rod or plastic plug3-4 gallons of antifreeze (a little extra never hurts)2 crescent wrenches or a set of open-end wrenchessiphoning kit (if the pump is not already equipped)water heater bypass kit (if not already equipped)needle nose pliers or a screwdriver

Steps To Winterize Your RV

Image from Getty

If you follow all of the steps as outlined, your RV will be as ready as it can be for winter storage. A properly winterized RV means less headache and stress when spring comes around again.

One of the biggest perks to living the RV lifestyle is seeing the country in different, more intimate ways. Traveling through states and over new territory has a way of expanding our perspective. Every stop along the way is a learning experience where you and your family can make memories while absorbing stories, food, and history about the land you’re visiting.

For many RV travelers, it’s not uncommon to have a favorite campground that you return to for the comfort of familiarity. However, there is something special about the unknown and visiting new campgrounds, especially seasonally.

As you plan your next RV trip to parts unknown, consider these Native American-owned RV campgrounds for a truly unique travel experience.

Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation

When it comes to camping, you don’t have to sacrifice the comforts of home just because your adventures take you to places unknown. In fact, many RVs are redefining what it means to have a “home away from home” while on the road. For all the fulltimers out there, you already know what we’re talking about.

What you may not know is just how comfortable RVs are today.

We’re talking upgrades.

We’re talking premier features.

We’re talking luxury.

Getting around the country to your dream destinations with your kids is easy in one of these motorhomes with bunkhouses available at a dealer near you. These spacious designs help you and your kids to enjoy a great night’s sleep no matter where you go so that you can wake up refreshed and ready for adventure. Find your ideal motorhomes with bunks below!

2021 Coachmen Freelander 30BH

The bunks in this Coachmen Freelander 30BH class C motorhome give you the space you need for sleeping up to nine campers. You’ll enjoy having a full-sized closet to keep all of your clothing in the private master bedroom. The booth dinette gives you plenty of space for playing a game of cards after dinner and converts into additional sleeping space for the kids. 

Additional Features:

Value Leader UnitFlip-Down BunkPrivate BedroomFull-Size ClosetBooth Dinette

With 2021 slowly winding down, it can be bittersweet to wrap up the year without knowing what lies ahead. Lucky for RV enthusiasts, we can share a few of the new motorhomes of 2022 that are sure to lift your spirits and get you excited for future camping trips.

So, before costumed kids ring your doorbell, before the turkey hits the table, and before Santa slides down your chimney, let’s set our sights on what we have to look forward to – a new year of adventures, family memories, and life on the road.

Class B: 2022 Thor Motor Coach Tellaro 20AT

Tellaro 20AT Floor Plan. Image from Thor Motor Coach.

Length: 21’1”

Weight: 11,500 lbs.

Sleeping Capacity: 4

So, you are preparing to set out on a long RV journey stretching over miles of ever-changing landscapes and distant urban silhouettes. This is one of the biggest trips you will take this year. You have spent a great deal of time planning the route and activities that you seek to enjoy.

Now comes the big question: How many miles are too many miles to drive per day? Do you have the constitution of a long-haul trucker, or do you prefer trips with short legs between stops? This article will help you arrive at answers to those questions.

Planning

Proper planning for such a journey entails identifying locations of points of interest, night stopovers, extended stay venues, probable fuel stops and so much more. Making campground reservations for each planned stop is highly recommended, especially during the busy season. Arriving in an area that is totally sold out can really spoil your day, and, of course, your night. Though through all of this, free time and time to just relax must also be considered. Making too tight a travel schedule can dampen some of the enjoyment.

Don’t fall into the trap of planning too great a distance each day. Generally, this leads to the need for earlier on-the-road starts each day and later-than-anticipated evening arrivals. In addition, this usually includes the need for higher vehicle cruise speeds and minimized stops. This generally can heighten the fatigue and travel stress you may experience throughout the day.

Remember when we were kids, and it came time to put away our toys? We simply threw them all in the toybox and closed the lid? Childhood wasn’t that long ago. The main difference between the toys we had then and the toys we have now is that they’re bigger, usually more expensive, and, honestly, a lot more time-consuming in the best way possible. The issue, as an adult, is how do we transport them?

In a toybox, obviously! Let us introduce you to the adult version of a toybox – the 2022 Toyhauler. It’s the perfect solution for all your big toy traveling dilemmas. We’re talking kayaks, golf carts, ATVs, and more. They can all be loaded into the travel trailer of your dreams and unloaded at your destination. No stress. No worries. The only thing left to focus on is fun.

Here are a few of our favorite new Toyhaulers of 2022.

2022 Heartland Fuel 305

What size RV is the best? There’s no right answer. Honestly, the best size is the size you and your family will be comfortable traveling in. To determine your comfort level, there are several factors to consider.

A common beginner RV mistake is choosing an RV size that’s larger than you’ll be comfortable maneuvering.

If you’re hoping to travel around the U.S. full-time as a retiree, think about an RV’s size in terms of everyday travel, rather than a full-time living space. Most of the time, the most comfortable size RV is just a little bit smaller.

Think about what roadways you’ll be traversing. Big rigs will be difficult to maneuver on windy mountain roads with changing elevations.

Consider these five benefits of smaller RVs and confidently go just a touch smaller. After all, RVing is all about comfort on the road.

1. More Parking and RV Storage Options

Image from Getty

Sometimes being just a foot or two shorter makes parking your RV much easier. When you’re maneuvering in and out of parking spots often, this small detail makes a big difference.

You decided you want to buy a motorhome. Congrats! Deciding on a motorized RV is a first step in the RV buying process that will narrow your choices when you hit the dealer showroom. Once you’ve made that decision, your choices have narrowed to three types of RVs: Class A, Class B, or Class C.

Many RV shoppers go back and forth debating Class A vs. Class C. This is a common fork in the road and we’re here to help. Let’s take a look at what both of these motorhomes have in common. Then, let’s take a closer look at where they differ—it’s the differences that will help you confidently decide which type is right for you.

Class A vs. Class C: What They Have in Common

A major benefit of choosing a motorized RV is having access to your bathroom, closet, and snacks while driving down the road. This convenience is shared by both Class A and Class C RVs.

“Wet Baths” found in some RVs (meaning your shower and toilet space are one and the same) are sometimes a concern for RV shoppers. If you’re looking to avoid a “wet bath,” you’re in luck—both Class A and Class C RVs almost always have full baths (where there is a separate shower for bathing).

When it comes to sleeping capacity, both Class A and Class C RVs almost always sleep 3 or more people. This makes both Class A and Class C RVs ideal for couple and family travel.

It’s no secret that fall is the best time to go camping. What many don’t realize is just how many fun activities there are to make the fall family camping experience extra special. If you’re thinking of taking the RV out for the last several months of the year, use this RVers guide to fall family camping. We guarantee it will add thrills to your adventure.

Why Camp at This Time of Year?

Beautiful fall colors. Image: Unsplash.

In addition to witnessing the gorgeous leaf changes up close, fall camping also boasts some of the best weather of the year. The crisp chill in the air warrants cozy hoodies and blankets, adding a layer of comfort and childhood nostalgia to the mix. Plus, there are numerous Halloween festivals to attend that pile on the fun… and the scares.

If you’re in the New Orleans, Louisiana area, or the bayou, it’s worth it to take the family to the “Boo at the Zoo” held at the Audubon Zoo, in partnership with the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans. The zoo is transformed with decorations galore, while kids (and adults) can visit their favorite animals trick-or-treat style. New Orleans also hosts parades and street parties with costumes and candy everywhere you turn.

Want to park the RV close by? Visit the Pontchartrain Landing RV Park and enjoy luxury waterfront sites with private outdoor kitchens and hot tubs. Use their shuttle service to slide right into the French Quarter for a boo-tifully good time. New Orleans isn’t believed to be “the Most Haunted City in America” for no reason. Plan a fall family camping trip here and see for yourself – you won’t regret it.

What Can You Do to Celebrate?

Image by Sweet Berry Farms

Celebrating Halloween has become quite the childhood ritual. Kids start brainstorming costume ideas early in the year, change their minds a million times leading up to October 31st, and make mental maps of the houses with the best candy to revisit (and those to avoid). What is Halloween, the actual holiday, about though? And why do many confuse it with Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)?

Autumn in New England is a stunning experience to behold. But fall RVing in the Southwest is an equally impressive leaf-peeping journey. If you haven’t experienced the change of seasons in Nevada, Arizona or New Mexico, it’s not too late.

Fall in Love with Southwest Leaf-Peeping

I had no idea what fall is supposed to look like until I went RVing to New England in the fall. As a child growing up among the evergreen landscapes of Southern California, the only way I knew when seasons were changing was by paying attention to department store displays. Years later, I figured out how to tell it was fall when my husband and I took a leaf-peeping excursion to Maine. Until then, I had never personally experienced the joy of fall colors painting my surroundings. That breathtaking East Coast experience left me yearning for another fall experience, but with better weather and taller mountains. When we took a fall RVing trip to the Southwest, I finally found that and so much more.

Discover a Rainbow of Autumn Hues in New Mexico

The state that pledges allegiance to the chili pepper has a wide variety of terrain There’s a lot more to see than the flat moonscape comprising the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico. With over 88 different mountain ranges towering above the state’s iconic sandstone cliffs and canyons, you’ll have plenty of high-altitude locations to embrace the season. One of my favorites is in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Just park your home on wheels at any Santa Fe RV park. They’re all great and so close to town. Then take a driving tour along the Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway. It’s one of the most scenic destinations in New Mexico any time of year, but especially in fall. Originating at the historic downtown Santa Fe Plaza, this 15-mile curvy mountain driving experience quickly ferries you up and out of the city.  You’ll find yourself in a brilliantly colored landscape of golden quaking aspens, trickling waterfalls and meandering hiking trails that take you deep into the heart of fall.

Stay: Route 66 RV Resort is just minutes west of Albuquerque on historic Route 66. Discover more New Mexico camping options.

You’ve picked a destination for your next RV vacation, figured out the route that you’ll take to get there, decided on the parks or campgrounds you’ll stay at, and now you’re super excited to start planning all the awesome things you’ll do on your trip! We’ve been there many times. So… where do you start? How do you find the best things to do on your RV trip? Don’t worry, we can help with our list of the best resources for RV trip planning.

There are so many great resources out there that help navigate the task of planning a trip (unlock several when you become a Good Sam member). We’ll dive right in with a few of our absolute favorite resources to help you not only find the best things to do on your RV trip, but also help you find some really unique experiences that you simply won’t find anywhere else.

Pinterest

When planning any trip in this day and age, it’s generally a good idea to start with Pinterest. There are so many amazing travel bloggers out there (including a few of our own) who are documenting cool things to do all over the world. Reading from their personal experiences as they navigate their trips is immensely helpful when planning your own excursion.

To start, type in your destination in the search bar on Pinterest and pin content to a board for your trip. Custom boards are an easy way to organize your favorite locations with the activities you can engage in once there. Look for posts with titles like “Things to do in _____” or “48 Hours in ____”. These will give you a great overview of what you should be aiming to do in and around your specific vacation destination. Once you’ve saved some of these articles to your board, go through each blog post and look for activities or experiences you and your family might be interested in.

From there, you can go directly to that attraction’s website or do another search on Pinterest to see more tips and advice on that particular experience. This method works for discovering National Parks along your route (with recommendations for hiking and scenic views) and even finding the best restaurants and unique roadside attractions. The possibilities are endless.

If you have no power at your electrical outlets, follow these simple troubleshooting steps to identify and correct the issue.

Check the Power Source

What power source are you drawing electricity from? Verify the power source is good to go.

Shore Power

If you are using a campground pedestal or a generator, check to make sure the shore power cord is securely connected. For the pedestal breaker, ensure the correct breaker switch is in the ON position. Adding a surge protector with an electronic management system to your shore power cord setup can help you troubleshoot whether the root cause is a power source issue.

Batteries with Inverter

Check your RV house batteries are charged and connected. Also check for corrosion.
If your batteries are good, then confirm your RV power inverter is turned on. The inverter transforms the 12 volt DC electricity from your RV batteries into 120 volt AC electricity delivered to the RV’s electrical outlets.

Check GFCI Outlets

Most GFCI outlets are near wet areas of the RV, such as sinks (Image from Camping World).

Just like your house and other buildings, your RV is equipped with GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets. The most common reason outlets stop working is because a GFCI outlet is tripped somewhere in your RV. Start with the GFCI outlet closest to the inactive electric-powered component and work your way outwards checking for tripped GFCI.

Find incredible opportunities for adventure when you have an Entegra motorhome to take you to all your dream destinations. We’ll take a look at four outstanding Entegra motorhomes for sale near you today! Find floorplans in class A motorhomes, class C motorhomes, and more with luxury features that will help you make the most of your time away. These motorhomes provide floorplans for couples, families, and more!

Entegra Coach Vision XL 34G Class A Motorhome

This motorhome is ideal for families of five and allows you to take luxury on the road no matter where you go. You’ll fall in love with the spacious kitchen and beautiful cabinetry that gives you plenty of storage space for all your cooking ingredients and utensils. The theater seating provides a cozy space for you to kick back and relax at the end of the day while you enjoy a movie with the family.

Additional Features:

Theater SofaFireplaceHutchTri-Fold SofaE-Z Drive Elite PackageOutside LED TV

Let’s face it, camping in colder temperatures might not be on the top of everyone’s list of things to do – we get it. However, there are plenty of people that seek out winter destinations for RV getaways. Additionally, there are a number of fulltime RVers that live stationary in locations that experience cold winters. Whatever the case may be, if you plan on RV camping during the winter, you need to be prepared. Here are some key facts that all RV enthusiasts should know to keep your RV healthy and happy if you plan on camping in cold temperatures this winter.

Water

Photo by Robert-Owen-Wahl from Pixabay

Ensuring your water systems are functioning properly might be one of the most important things to keep in mind when camping in the winter. When temperatures drop below freezing, as they often do, ice-cold water can quickly lead to frozen pipes which can then quickly lead to a huge headache and repair bill. Avoid unnecessary stress by planning ahead. Choosing to inspect your RV and its water systems thoroughly before hitting the road can be the difference between a fun-filled trip or one that skates on very thin ice.

If you are hooked up to water, consider using a heated hose. This hose will keep water at the source, and water that is flowing into the rig, unfrozen making it less likely to burst pipes. To completely avoid worrying about a frozen hose, fill your freshwater tank and use that as your water source instead. As a rule of the road, you should only connect the hose when needing to refill your tank. Doing so can prolong the life of the tank as well as the hose and ward off any potential freezing that could occur.

Plumbing

Good Sam Roadside Assistance always ensures you’re never alone on the road.

Once the water is flowing through your pipes and holding tanks, you still have to worry about freezing, unfortunately. To keep your pipes on the warmer side, try opening interior cabinet doors so your heating system is able to keep your internal plumbing warm.

While some RVs come with heaters for holding tanks, many do not. Electric heaters are an option that you can successfully add to the tanks yourself or, if you prefer, you can consult with your local Camping World specialist for assistance. Electric heaters are typically available in both 12V DC and 120V AC models. Or another option to explore is to use a small amount of antifreeze in the holding tank to help keep the liquid from freezing.

When we first started RVing just over a year ago, I felt enormously overwhelmed. I could count on one hand the number of people in my life who had ever traveled by RV, and none of them looked like my family. I knew zero people of color who had done it. I honestly had no clue what the different types and styles of RVs even were, where we could stay, or how everyone would fit. It was pretty stressful!

But, it turns out that RVing really wasn’t terribly difficult with a bit of practice and a lot of research. Here are some tips to help things go more smoothly if you’re a first-time RVer!

Know That You Can Learn as You Go

One of the scariest things for me as we started RVing was that we really didn’t know much at all! I mean, we had done our research and knew in theory how to dump sewage, how to fill water and gas, how to get propane and so many other details. But we’d never before done it in real life. How could we take out this huge vehicle that we knew so little about?

Fortunately, we found that RVing is really something that you can learn as you go. So much RV maintenance requires doing it a few times until you feel comfortable. You learn best by doing, not by reading. That said, Camping World’s YouTube is an incredible resource! It is so incredibly helpful when we have an RV question to be able to look up a video. It truly feels like having a friend come along to show us the ins and outs of our vehicle.

We’ve also found that other RVers tend to be wonderful and helpful. While there’s obviously diversity in the way people respond, we’ve found most RVers to be incredibly kind, supportive, and helpful. More than once, we’ve asked a question of another RV family, and they’ve always been lovely and incredibly helpful. And it’s been a relief to know we don’t have to know every single thing before starting out, but rather can learn a bit along the way.

There are plenty of hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park for beginners and experienced trail buffs. The main trails near the Visitor’s Center can be explored in a single day if you are up for the task, but there are plenty of additional attractions to see in other areas of the park! Even though the park is known as the home of the longest-known cave system in the world, the trails above ground shouldn’t be missed by serious hikers.

Tip: The discovery tour of Mammoth Cave is the best way to see the main Rotunda on a self-guided adventure. If you want to explore deeper into the caves, I recommend booking a cave tour well in advance of your proposed arrival date.

Always check the national park website for the latest alerts and updates on tour availability.

The Hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park I Enjoyed Near the Visitor’s Center

I spent a full day hiking while I was in the park. From the Mammoth Cave Campground, I connected the Whites Caves Trail to the Sinkhole Trail to the Echo River Springs Trail to the Green River Bluffs Trail (with little side spurs off on the River Styx Spring Trail and the Dixon Cave Trail).