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Camping World’s RV product specialist Ian Baker and Camping World Service Technician Sean Harless provide helpful tips on maintaining your RV, including DIY maintenance tasks and frequently asked RV maintenance questions.

Guides to Maintaining Your RV

Make sure you download Camping World’s RV ownership and maintenance booklet to track your RV’s seasonal maintenance needs. Then you’re ready to learn more about the ins and outs of maintaining your RV.

For any task on this RV maintenance checklist, you can always schedule service at your local Camping World.

“Conventional” has never been part of this RV traveler’s vernacular. After selling all her personal belongings and hitting the road in a 1978 Dodge Commander, Jessy Mueller set off on a solo RV journey that doesn’t seem to be losing any steam. Since 2017, her approach to deliberate living has slowly taken her around the country, living in the moment while sharing the joy, humor, and unfiltered moments of nomadic life along the way on her blog and on Instagram.

Before her great escape, Jessy was a 30-something single from Minnesota who was looking for a change. After 14 years working pizza delivery and later in marketing and branding, she began saving money for her future rolling digs. Following a solo vacation to Colorado, she came home inspired to make her daily life more centered around nature, travel, and living with less. For her, RV life was the answer.

Renovation Rejuvenation

Without experience in renovations or even RV travel, she scoured Craigslist until coming across her vintage Dodge Commander motorhome. With extensive water damage in the back, she spent over a year rebuilding the walls and ceiling, while also remodeling the rest of the RV. With intentions of mostly boondocking, she installed solar panels and ditched the original toilet for a compost toilet. For many, this kind of a project would seem overwhelming, but Jessy doesn’t shy away from challenges.

Water is essential when RV camping – dishes, showering, and, perhaps most importantly, staying hydrated. As a new RVer, be sure you know how to make clean drinking water. 

For those who always camp in RV resorts with full hookups, you might never worry about filling your fresh water tank. But, if you’re interested in boondocking and camping off-grid or just need water for travel days between campgrounds, all RVers should know how to fill an RV fresh water tank.

Where is my RV Fresh Water Tank Fill?

Photo by Camping World

On most motorhomes and travel trailers, you’ll find the fresh water tank fill on the off-camp side – opposite the main entry door. This is the same side you’ll find the city water inlet and sewer outlet more often than not. Some, however, have the fill location on the camp side or in the back of the RV.

On new RVs, the fill location should be clearly labeled on the exterior. However, that label sometimes falls off or is accidentally removed on used RVs. Consult your owner’s manual if you’re having trouble locating your RV’s fresh water tank fill.

If you are looking for the best way to start your RVing life, these pop-up campers with outdoor kitchens are an excellent option. You’ll love that these units offer plenty of space for your family and give you the ability to make food around the campfire with ease. Learn more in this pop-up campers with outdoor kitchens review.

This folding pop-up camper is the ideal size for a family of five.

Forest River RV Flagstaff High Wall HW27KS

One of the most popular options for families just starting their RVing journey is the Forest River Flagstaff High Wall HW27KS pop-up camper. This unit offers a set of bed tents to give you sleeping for up to five and features an outdoor kitchen and a 13′ awning. You’ll enjoy having a slide-out U-shaped dinette that gives you plenty of space to have meals together or enjoy a game of cards.

Additional Features:

Tent End BedsU-Shaped DinetteOutside Kitchen w/ GriddleExterior StorageA spacious kitchen for making quick lunches for your crew.

Opus Camper OPUS OP4

If you’re looking for a compact solution that offers sleeping for up to six, this Opus Camper OPUS OP4 folding pop-up camper is the perfect fit. The two double-sized bed tents provide plenty of space for your family. Additionally, there’s a kitchen slide-out to help you make incredible meals with ease and a slide-out refrigerator to keep your cold drinks within easy reach.

Additional Features:

RVing has transformed the way my family experiences fishing. Gone are the days of booking mediocre hotel rooms so that we can be near our fishing spot when we wake up. And when hotels weren’t an option, I certainly haven’t missed the body aches from sleeping on a hard surface while tent camping.

Instead, we can park our camper just steps from our fishing hole for days or even weeks at a time. We can fish the early morning bite, have lunch, take a cat nap and head back out for the evening bite. We can clean our catch in the kitchen and store fresh walleye fillets in the fridge or freezer – or better yet, cook it on the spot. RVing is how we make fishing a family activity, because our kids now have a place to nap and play comfortably.

Our Fishing RVs

Our family fishes year-round and we have a few different pull-behind campers to make that possible. One is a retro camper from the 1970s that we primarily use for ice fishing and the second is a newer camper for regular camping. Currently, I’m researching how to convert our newest camper into an ice fish house too. What can I say? We love fishing.

While neither camper has everything I like, they’ve allowed me to figure out what features make the perfect fishing RV. I’ll break down these features below.

Off-Grid Living

Most RVs these days come with battery and propane hookups. But if you bought an old converted camper like us, you’ll want to know the basic power sources for off-grid living.

Take the “highway that’s the best” to USA RV Park in Gallup, New Mexico. The highly rated campground lies on Route 66 (following Interstate 40) and offers a host of amenities to guests. From the Gallup campground, visitors are just a short drive to iconic Desert Southwest attractions, from Native American trading posts to world-famous archeological sites. 

If the name, Gallup, sounds familiar, you may have heard the town mentioned in the iconic tune, “Route 66.” A half-century since Nat King Cole’s version of the hit song first started spinning on turntables, Gallup still gets plenty of love from travelers looking for “kicks” along the fabled Mother Road. The John Mayer version played on the hit 2006 Disney movie, “Cars.”

Enchanted Park

The 136-space USA RV Park has sites as long as 80 feet and most sites are full hookups. Several pull-through sites accommodate guests, with ample shade trees and room for slideouts. Most sites in the four-season campground offer WiFi and almost all are all-weather sites. Dog owners can turn their pooches loose in the enclosed dog run, although there are some restrictions for canines. 

Guests have lots of amenities at their fingertips, including a restaurant, groceries, and RV supplies. Also entertaining visitors are a heated pool, putting green, and playground. A game room keeps the fun going. Guests can take advantage of the laundry facilities, restrooms, and showers. With a 10/10*/9 Good Sam rating, the campground meets high qualities of cleanliness. 

Two weeks ago, we looked at repairs related to recreational vehicles with a focus on those items that pertained to the house portion of the unit. But problems can also occur to components and systems that make up the vehicle chassis.

What to Look For

Many RV repair issues start with the chassis, which supports all the vehicle’s accessories, components, and rolling ground equipment. This includes a frame, towing tongue, axle(s), suspension assembly, leveling jacks, and possible battery and propane tank mount for a simple tent trailer rig. At the extreme end of the spectrum, a motorhome’s chassis may support multi-axles, a prime mover, transmission, complex suspension assemblies, vehicle braking systems, steering configuration equipment, and much, much more.

Needless to say, there can be a lot of components and complexity, depending on the RV type and model. When it comes to chassis repair, a simple trailer or smaller motorhome chassis can generally be serviced by most RV dealer service shops. However, some of the larger vehicles use custom-manufactured chassis such as Freightliner, Spartan, or Roadmaster. These may have specific warranties and services in addition to those of the coach builder.

Mind the Chassis (and Related Components)

So, what are some of the more common chassis-related issues that occur within the first five years of ownership?

You don’t realize the urgency of having the best RV insurance you can afford until things go sideways. This fact became clear to us on a cold night in Texas, when a mysterious cracking noise woke us up. We stayed there in silence for a few minutes, listening and wondering what it could be. The noise grew louder, almost like the crackling sound of hot flames leaping up from a roaring campfire. “FIRE!” I yelled while jumping out of bed. But when I ran into the living area, there was no orange glow or heat to be found. That’s when I saw the cause. The tempered glass on our dinette window was shattering into a mosaic of tiny pebbles, and falling all over the cushions and table.

RV Insurance Comes Through When You Need It

Most of us accept RV insurance as a necessity. Anything can happen when moving from place to place. But as my husband covered our window with cardboard and I cleaned up the mess, we were flummoxed. Our fifth-wheel had been stationary for a month, sheltered from the effects of potholes, bad drivers, and icy roads. At least we thought it was safe. At breakfast, we remembered seeing a campground worker wrestling with his weed whacker near our gravel site. At one point we thought we heard a rock hit our window, but shrugged it off.

Later, when the claims adjuster visited, he found a tiny hole in the glass. Upon inspection, he surmised that our fiver had been hit by a flying rock. When hot afternoon temperatures gave way to a steep, unexpected hard freeze at night, he deduced that the weakened window lost its integrity and shattered to pieces. We will never really know if that was the real cause. But what we do know is that getting the best RV insurance coverage we could afford is why we had a new window installed in less than 72 hours.

Your Lifestyle, Your RV Insurance

Insurance is something you never want to use. But the peace of mind that RV insurance can provide in a bad situation is priceless. Our shattered window was a minor incident, but now I know that if we ever had a bigger problem, our policy will help us get our life back in order. But just don’t ask me what kind of plan we have, because, after all, my RV is not your RV. I can’t guarantee that the coverage we selected for our RV is the best protection for yours. We all have different RV insurance needs, but we can learn how to shop for RV insurance from each other. Here are some of the things I considered when I was looking around for a policy.

 

RV owners typically have a lot of questions surrounding RV insurance. It can be an overwhelming topic, and it’s not always clear whether you need it for your type of RV, how you’re covered under a given policy, and what you need to have covered.

Here we’ll break down each of those issues and more. Because the more you understand the options and legality — and price — the more informed your decision-making will be.

Legal requirements exist for having RV insurance, and most states require a minimum form of liability insurance for RVs to travel legally. But there’s more to the issue than legality. Your RV is an investment. And you should have a broad understanding of how to protect your investment with products like roadside assistance, extended warranties, tire protection, or even RV insurance.

And as RV rentals have gained in popularity, owners now have additional questions about RV insurance and what’s covered for those renting their RVs out.

Standing 14,410 feet in height, Mount Rainier is one of the most iconic and imposing sites in the entire Pacific Northwest. The mountain’s snowcapped peak looms large on the horizon, even 70 miles away in the city of Seattle.

The breathtakingly beautiful mountain sits at the center of a vast wilderness expanse that is Mount Rainer National Park, a place where visitors can find glacier-fed waterfalls and lakes, miles of Douglas fir forests, and vibrant flowering meadows.

This wild and untamed place is a vast, spectacular playground for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Adventurous travelers will find the national park holds an undeniable allure that is hard to ignore. The mountain is calling, and you must go.

Why Visit Mount Rainier National Park in Your RV?

Photo Credit: arshad ullah/Getty

Despite its remote and wild nature, Mount Rainier National Park is actually very accessible by RV. Located just an hour outside Seattle, this wilderness setting is perfect for day trips or extended camping excursions.

One of the greatest perks to camping in an RV instead of a tent is reliable cooling and heating. It’s much more comfortable to wake up and prep your coffee in a heated recreational vehicle than climbing out of a wet tent to light your camp stove and try to get a fire going. 

Just like residential units, RV heating systems require regular maintenance. But how can you service or repair an RV furnace if you don’t know how it works? To maintain an RV furnace, you’ll need to know how it works.

An RV furnace heats air and then circulates it through your RV using a fan. Most RV furnaces operate on DC power even when your RV is plugged into shore power, allowing them to work at a campground or when camping off-grid.

But there’s much more to it. So let’s dive into everything you need to know about operating, servicing, and troubleshooting RV furnaces.  

If you’re looking to go camping for the first time this year, you’re in for a great experience. And you’re certainly not alone, considering camping accounted for about 40% of recreational trips last year. Camping continues to be one of the most affordable and enjoyable ways to unplug and reconnect with the people and things that matter most.

 

But if this is your first time getting out there, it might be a little daunting knowing where to begin. Do you need to make a reservation, and if so, what’s the best way? What’s the proper etiquette when staying at a campground? What kind of camping gear will you need?

 

To guarantee a great first experience, here’s a first-time camper’s toolkit to keep in mind.

Before we began full-time RVing, we had a household refrigerator with freezer, and a giant deep freezer in the basement for extra frozen goods. Downsizing to an RV refrigerator and freezer was one of the biggest challenges we faced when exploring the RV lifestyle. 

It required frequent trips to the grocery store since we couldn’t stock up like we used to. Then one day, we got the bright idea to get a cooler to supplement our RV’s refrigerator space.

Is the Camco 350 a Regular Cooler or Electric Cooler?

Photo by Chase & Lindsay @WereOutNAbout

The first cooler we tried was one of those large models that are advertised to hold ice for days. It worked okay, but obviously, the ice melted. It left us with wet, soggy groceries too many times. Frequently draining and restocking ice in a traditional cooler isn’t ideal for a full-time RVer. 

This led us to explore portable electric coolers. The Camco 350 portable electric cooler is a game changer for RVers needing more fridge or freezer space or even those who hate dealing with ice. 

Once we got this electric cooler, we could stock up on more groceries, keep them longer, and avoid soggy cooler messes. We recommend an electric cooler to fellow campers because we have loved ours so much.

Being able to build a reliable, strong fire at the campground is a must! Whether you’re a veteran camper or you’re just starting your RVing lifestyle, learning how to make the perfect fire in no time is a great way to improve your camping experience. Get these east RV tips for building a great campfire below.

Use the Fire Pit

If you’re staying at a campground, you’ll likely have a firepit as a part of your campsite. This is where you should build your fire every time. It’s designed to be a safe spot that is far enough from your camper to prevent potential problems, and it will already be set up to keep the fire contained safely.
If you are boondocking, you’ll need to either skip the fire for the night or find a safe place that is clear of debris and build a fire ring from stones to keep the fire contained.

Make Sure You Have Tinder

Tinder is the smallest part of your campfire. It’s what you’ll want to put in the base of your firepit. It’s easy to catch fire, but it burns quickly. Some good options for tinder are:

Saw dustCardboardDry leavesCardboardDryer lintPine needlesScrap paper

Gather Kindling

Kindling is the next step up from tinder. It’s slightly larger, takes a little longer to catch fire, and burns a bit longer. Having the right amount of kindling helps you to build a strong enough flame to catch the firewood before the flame dies.

Kindling Options:

Your RV’s holding tanks need to be maintained properly for you to enjoy camping to its fullest. Most RVs have three holding tanks for fresh water, gray water, and black water. Only one is responsible for providing safe water for drinking, showering, and washing dishes: your fresh water tank. 

To ensure it does that, it needs to be drained and sanitized regularly.

How Often Should You Sanitize Your RV Fresh Water Tank?

Photo by Camping World

Some manufacturers recommend sanitizing your fresh water tank “after each use,” but this is interpreted in two ways. Most RVers sanitize their fresh water system each year, usually in the spring, when dewinterizing their RV to prep for spring camping.

Others perform this task every time their RV has sat unused for up to 2-4 weeks. Either way, this routine maintenance task guarantees safe water for drinking, showering, dishwashing, and laundry on the road. It doesn’t require special tools; you can do it with bleach or a more environmentally-friendly cleaning solution. 

 

RVing requires more forethought than a typical trip by car because more components are involved, and you have more to plan for, especially in the case of roadside recovery. Factors like RV size, terrain, distance, type of towing vehicle, and type of towable can each make a mechanical problem more difficult to address and more expensive. That’s especially true in the case of towing.

As RVers, we’re used to self-reliance, and RV ownership means we tackle many problems on our own. But when it comes to getting towed, the best way you prepare for a trip is by being informed:

What is the cost of RV towing?What influences the price of a tow?What are cost-saving services I can invest in?What is the best roadside assistance?What affects the price of towing?

Not only does RVing require more forethought than a typical car trip, but the costs of certain services often come at a heftier price tag, like roadside towing. While the typical towing incident for an automobile averages about $109 total, RV towing by a professional service provider can cost between $135-$150 an hour. And the more complications, the higher the price tag.

Knowing what to expect makes a difference, and if you choose to travel without a roadside service plan, better to know the risk than be surprised by the cost of your particular setup. Here we break down a couple of the factors that could increase the price tag of a roadside breakdown tow.

So you’re looking to go camping, and for good reason considering that 8.3 million people had the same idea last year. Taking in the beauty that our country has to offer and cultivating community on the road are just a few of the many upsides the outdoor lifestyle brings.

But if you’re a first-time camper, knowing where to start can feel a little daunting. Where should you camp? What kind of campground is the best fit for you and your crew? How much should you expect to pay, and what should you expect to bring?

To eliminate any guesswork and to improve your odds of finding a spot you loves, here’s a comprehensive guide to finding the right campground, along with some helpful resources.

Plan your trip

Collect notes and zero in on the right campground. There’s no need to go into your trip blindly, especially when the odds are that there’s been plenty of ink spilled on whatever campground you’re looking into. 

Know what experience you’re looking for

Knowing the type of experience you’re looking for is the key to finding the right campground. Do you want something a little more remote and scenic? Do you want to stay at a park that will keep your kids (mostly) occupied? Something more friendly for dogs?  These preferences will help narrow your search. Rank what’s important to help you create a starting point.

Tantalizing for backcountry adventurists, RVing Kobuk Valley National Park is a bit of a challenge – you’ll need a base camp in Anchorage or Fairbanks. Once you’re in the park, you’ll be immersed in the Arctic Circle’s vast mountain landscapes, forests, rivers, an astounding abundance of wildlife, and every weather anomaly known to mankind. 

Yes, this 1.75-million square mile national park acts as a palette for some of Mother Nature’s most amazing handiwork, yet it cannot be explored by conventional means. Visitors must enter and exit by bush plane, as no roads segment this unchecked environment. 

The extra effort required to peer into the secret world of the Kobuk Valley is certainly outweighed by the rewards received. Here’s our guide to visiting Kobuk Valley National Park.

Why Visit Kobuk Valley National Park?

Photo Credit: NPS

Kobuk Valley National Park is an experience outside the norm, attracting those who are determined to explore the wilderness without the trappings of today’s conveniences. Self-reliance is a must here, but prepared adventurers will enjoy experiences you truly can’t find anywhere else on Earth. 

As you’ve probably heard, Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us. And while it might be little more than a “greeting card” holiday, it’s still fun to get swept up in the pageantry. What if this year you treated your significant other to a little more than chocolate-covered strawberries and whatever reservations are left on Opentable? What if this year you got really adventurous and planned a last-minute, romantic getaway?

 

To get kickstart your creative process, here are 5 romantic ideas for a destination Valentine’s Day.

 

Charleston, SC

Do you know how important it is to maintain the right pressure in your RV’s tires?

Many RVers neglect proper tire care, but you should only do so at your own peril. Your RV’s tires are its foundation – you’ll only go as far as your tires allow. While we’ve covered tips for tire care before, you should know how portable air compressors can help with tire maintenance. 

A portable air compressor is a compact, lightweight tool that provides compressed air for inflating RV tires, performing RV maintenance, and various other purposes.

Here’s everything you need to know about portable air compressors for your RV.

Why Do You Need a Portable Air Compressor?

Photo by Camping World

Here are several reasons to keep a portable air compressor in your RV: