WEnRV travel news, products, and industry trends

Traveling is meant to be fun and exciting! When we add pets to our camping trips, the fun never stops. Unless that fun is interrupted by an emergency and you need pet care immediately. But what do you do when you are in a new or unfamiliar place with your pet and you need a veterinarian? We’ve been in this situation many times during our five years of full-time travel. And we have learned what to do and what not to do when it comes to helping your pet. 

By preparing right, you can soften the struggle of a pet emergency on the road. If you’re a Good Sam member, you may have some helpful travel tools already at your fingertips, like discounted pet health insurance and pet subscriptions. Explore Good Sam pet benefits.

Records 

Photo: Rachael Johnson

Your pet’s records are your first line of defense when it comes to emergencies. Have all of your pet’s vet records, licenses, and test results on hand in case of emergencies. During an emergency, you may not have the time to look for papers. We keep physical copies of Brickle and Fruitycake’s records not only in our RV but in our vehicle and our backpack that we take on trails. We also keep a file of their records on our phones. These records can help a vet know how to care for your dog and be made aware of allergies and prior complications. 

Important records to have on file:

Vaccination records or titer test resultsMedication names and dosage amountsHeartworm test resultsMicrochip informationYour dog’s allergiesYour primary veterinarian’s contact informationPet insurance plan information

Make a List

When our dog Digby started having frequent bouts of illness, it made us nervous to travel. We like to be spontaneous when picking camping destinations, but as our dogs got older, that changed. So just as we mapped out our routes, we started mapping out veterinarians in the areas we planned to travel to. I make a list of emergency clinics, vets, and even mobile vets. Looking at online reviews helps to have a first choice of who to call if you need to.  

First Aid Kit 

First Aid Value Pack

The fact is that, sometimes, you will be in a remote area and a vet may be miles away. A first aid kit can come in handy until you can reach a veterinarian. You can purchase a first aid kit pre-made or make one yourself. Some items to include:

There’s a lot to consider when it’s time to get your RV ready for camping season. From spring cleaning to performing an RV walk around to check all components, getting your vehicle prepared to hit the road requires a proper checklist (find one here!). But in addition to all the cleaning and equipment checks that you carry out in your driveway, it’s good to plan a quick local trip to use your RV just like you would on a longer trip. Use these tips for a spring RV shakedown cruise to plan your first trip of the next camping season!

Tip 1: Set Your Intentions

Let’s be clear: the idea of a shakedown cruise is to focus on general RV maintenance. It gives you a chance to operate all of your RV’s components and appliances to double-check that nothing needs major repairs. 

You might find that certain things require a tune-up (i.e., changing the oil in your generator). So make sure you build some time into your shakedown itinerary for general RV maintenance. 

That said, you can have additional intentions for your shakedown cruise. Planning an RV staycation is a great way to explore areas close to home that you might otherwise overlook on your way to far-flung destinations. 

Taking your family to the campground is a great way to spend your summer together. If you’re looking for some delicious recipes to keep everyone fueled and ready for fun, check out these three easy camping recipes from CountryLiving.com. These recipes will help make your stay at the campground more memorable than ever!

S’mores with a Twist

INGREDIENTS

1 package Chips Ahoy! cookiesPlain marshmallows1 lb. sliced strawberries1 package chocolate wafer cookiesCinnamon for dusting toasted marshmallows3-4 milk chocolate bars1-2 dark chocolate bars1 package graham crackers1-2 sliced bananas1 jar of creamy peanut butter

DIRECTIONS

Strawberry S’mores:

Toast your marshmallows to a golden brownLayer sliced strawberries on top of a Chips Ahoy! cookie.Top with the toasted marshmallow and a second Chips Ahoy! cookie. Enjoy!

Death by Chocolate S’mores

Toast marshmallow to a golden brown and dust lightly with cinnamon.Layer a square of dark chocolate and a square of milk chocolate on top of a chocolate wafer cookie. Top with the cinnamon toasted marshmallow and a second chocolate wafer cookie.Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Banana S’mores

Toast a marshmallow to golden brown. Spread a layer of creamy peanut butter over a graham cracker square and top with banana slices. Add the toasted marshmallow to the s’more and top with a square of milk or dark chocolate and another graham cracker. Enjoy!

Skillet Spinach-Artichoke Dip with Fire-Roasted Bread

Recipe adapted from one found on CountryLiving.com

You’ve asked for it, and here it is: our review of the Boondockers Welcome membership. Spoiler alert – we love it! Boondockers Welcome is a ... Read more

RV interior design and technology have made plenty of advances over the years, but just because you have an aging RV doesn’t necessarily mean you need to trade it in for a new model. There are several steps you can take to modernize your rig and make it feel like new. Having your home away from home reflect your personal style is now easier than ever, especially with Camping World’s Design Center.

Featured in several stores throughout the country, the Design Center serves as both inspiration and a resource to help you achieve that home sweet home feeling while on the road. From complete renovations to simple upgrades, bringing your RV design vision to life is not only possible, it’s now part of the adventure. Here are a few ways you can spruce up your current RV and make it look and feel brand new.

Select New Furniture Pieces

Image: Camping World

Furniture is one of the first items you should look at when thinking of modifying your rig’s interior. If it looks outdated, old, and overdone, you should be able to do some easy updating or altering that will give your RV a more modern, personal, and homier feel. The couch, chairs, and dinette table are the key things you may want to turn to for the biggest impact. Layering in current furniture is a surefire way to change the way you feel about your old RV.

When starting with furniture, look at options from Kathy Ireland or Thomasville — two brands that design living room pieces with style in mind that never sacrifice comfort. From recliners to sofas to ottomans, they offer furniture to take your RV from old to new without breaking the bank in the process. If you’d rather start in the bedroom, look at mattresses from Cozyway and bedding from Enclave. Together, these brands will turn your bedroom into the retreat you deserve after a long day of exploring.

Even if your RV isn’t too old, changing up the furniture to better fit your needs can make the whole space feel new. If you have a single large couch, consider replacing it with a couple of comfy recliners or gliders. Try updating the seating around the kitchen table or even adding cabinets to create more storage space. You don’t have to replace every piece of furniture either. Try going one piece at a time to build the modern-feeling living space you dream of.

One of the barriers to starting to RV for many people is their vehicle. Most people own an SUV, crossover, minivan, or midsize pickup that can tow a moderate amount. However, many travel trailers can get pretty heavy, and that means your everyday vehicle likely isn’t rated to tow the weight.

Rather than purchase an entirely different vehicle just to tow your RV, use what you have. Contact your vehicle manufacturer to see whether your car can be equipped with a hitch. It may not be a costly or timely adjustment to alter your vehicle to tow. You’d be surprised how useful it can be. Tow a small cargo trailer to move your house without hiring movers. Or tow a jet-ski or ATV out for a joyride. But our favorite use has to be to pull an RV.

Lightweight Travel Trailer (Image: Getty)

There’s nothing more freeing than towing your home behind you. The possibilities for fun, adventure, and vacation memories are endless once you hitch up and hit the road. Are you pining for a hitch yet? Let’s look at the RVs, including new and used travel trailers, available for lightweight towers.

There are many towable travel trailers that have very low dry weights. They’re lightweight and nimble, making them perfect introductory RVs for entering the RV lifestyle. To help narrow down your options, I’ve rounded up a few lightweight travel trailers with a dry weight of fewer than 3,000 pounds. That means most crossovers, SUVs, minivans, and smaller trucks should have no problem trailering them!

Jayco Lightweight Travel Trailers

Focused on designing and building RVs with exploration in mind for over 50 years, Jayco continues to satisfy the needs of every RV enthusiast. When it comes to family, fun, and relaxation all wrapped up in a lightweight travel trailer package – Jayco is the gift that keeps on giving.

Shelter Cove Resort and Marina — a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Winner.

Visit Shelter Cove Resort and Marina just once and you will see why it received this coveted award in the travel industry! Opened year-round, fishing, skiing, swimming, hiking and boating are just a few of the adventures that await at Shelter Cove Resort and Marina.

Water Recreation abounds on Oregon’s Odell Lake

With nine docks, moorings and a boat launch, there is plenty of room for you to enjoy your water toys on Odell Lake.  After a successful day of fishing, a fish cleaning station is conveniently located near the boat docks, so you can clean your catch for a campfire grilled fish dinner! The cabins at the resort also have fully equipped kitchens if you choose to cook indoors. Forgot to bring everything you need for that yummy fish dinner? Pick up the items you need in the convenient on-site store located next to the Hook and Talon grill. You don’t need to bring your own boat or be an expert angler to enjoy Odell Lake. Shelter Cove offers boat rentals as well as connections to the area’s knowledgeable fishing guides. Fishing licenses are also available in the convenience store.

Cross-Country and Downhill Skiing

Winter weather brings out the downhill and cross-country skiers who enjoy skiing and snow-shoeing the Oregon Cascades, as well as the Deschutes National and Willamette National Forests.

The US is full of wide-open spaces. RV travel provides the freedom to go seek out these destinations whenever you hear the call of adventure. You’ve seen the photos, there’s nothing more majestic than a visit to America’s national treasure–one of its 50-plus national parks.

But what if everyone goes to national parks? Will they become overcrowded? During select times of the year, that’s possible. However, good planning can reap big rewards. 

Why Stay Near a National Park and Not Inside?

Image from Getty

The larger parks, like the colossal Yellowstone National Park, have fantastic campgrounds close to everything you want to see. The downside is having to reserve several months in advance (or sometimes even longer), especially for the high season from June to September when school is out and families are on the road.

If you can, the best times to visit the national parks are either in the spring or fall. Visitation numbers are at their lower at most parks, but the weather hasn’t turned too wintery just yet. That said, reservations are competitive if you can only visit during the summer.

One more item about national park campgrounds: bear in mind they may not always fit larger RVs and most will have limited full hook-up accommodations. If you have a large travel trailer, 5th wheel, or luxury class A motorhome, your choices for national park campgrounds will be more limited than for those with smaller campers.

The more we RV – and we’ve been doing this for ten years now – the more we dislike driving the Interstates and instead opt for backroads. Granted, there are times when you have to be somewhere fast and the Interstates are the only viable options. But fast is the problem. With speed limits of 70 miles per hour in most states (more in a handful of mostly western states), it’s very rare these days to find traffic moving at the speed limit. It is much closer to 80, we’ve found.

It is not unusual now to find people going 90, especially with traffic apps like Waze that use crowdsourcing to share real-time information on where the police are set up with radar. When you are in an RV – be it a towable or motorhome – speed is not your friend. The faster you go, the harder it is to stop and control.

Add to that the fact that the tires on most RVs are not engineered to be able to go as fast as the tires on your tow vehicle. Suddenly there’s a compelling case for traveling the backroads. But aside even from safety, backroads travel is just a lot more enjoyable.

Why Drive the RV on Backroads?

Image: Camping World

On backroads, top speeds are usually limited to either 55 or 65 miles per hour. We’ve found through experience– and top RV technicians have told us the same – that the sweet spot for safe speed and better gas mileage with an RV is around 60 miles per hour.

Lower speeds can also result in much-improved mileage compared to interstate driving. Budget stretching and safety are probably the two top reasons you should consider driving the backroads. But there are two more reasons:

So you decided to take the plunge into the RV lifestyle. You have made the wise decision to rent an RV to see if you like the experience or the type of RV. You have navigated the RV rental options, like Good Sam’s rentals. Your trip is only a few days away, and the euphoria of booking your first RV trip has switched to pure panic. You read blogs and watched YouTube videos on everything you need to know about your destination, where to stay and sites to visit. Only one big mistake… You have no idea what to pack for your trip! Well relax; I’m here to help make this first RV rental a memorable one for you and your family. Check out the top 10 things to pack on your first RV rental trip.

Blanket/Sheets/Towels

While some rental companies will either provide or offer a charge for a package of linens, we highly recommend you bring your own. First of all, you will know they are clean and only your family has used them. Secondly, if you enjoy higher thread count linens, it’s not easy or comfortable to step down.

And if you have kids ( like we do), they love bringing one of their favorite blankets from home. It really makes the RV “feel” like a second home, no matter where you wake up.

RV Toilet Paper

If you didn’t know before, you learn quickly that you cannot use just any toilet paper in RVs. If you love the soft triple-ply toilet paper, you’ll be out of luck. Most likely, your rental company will provide some RV toilet paper, but our experience is that it’s the cost-effective type that if you hold a sheet up to the sun, it won’t block a single ray. We recommend you get a septic tank-safe soft brand. Your bottom will thank you for it.

Fire Starter

So you’ve rented an RV and are ready for a trip of a lifetime to make incredible memories. If your visions include enjoying s’mores, telling stories, or singing songs around a campfire; trust me, those times and moments to just sit and enjoy your family are so precious. Only one problem, you have never made a campfire!

Want to get more out of your RV? Subscribe to the Camping World YouTube channel, and never miss a video.

Snowbirding is all fun and games down in the nice, warm south—until the A/C goes out. Knowing how to maintain your RV’s air conditioner will keep your coach cool so you can retreat from the heat when needed. 

Whether you’re learning about seasonal RV AC maintenance, replacing AC accessories, or exploring other air conditioner options, we’ve got you covered. This guide will cover the three likely causes of A/C malfunction, how to remedy them, and best practices to avoid overworking the unit. 

Types of RV Air Conditioners

Photo by Camping World

There are several different types of air conditioning units you might find in an RV. Roof-mounted AC units like the Dometic Brisk II are by far the most common. You may also find window-mounted units, basement units, and portable units that can provide cool air in different rooms of your coach. 

For the purposes of this guide, maintaining and troubleshooting roof-mounted AC units will be our focus. Check your owner’s manual for maintenance and troubleshooting tips specific to your air conditioner if you have another type.

Understanding RV Air Conditioner Components

Several different components make up an RV’s AC system. Understanding how these components work together will prepare you to better maintain your RV’s air conditioner. 

One of the largest vintage trailer rallies in the country is set to take place on May 19- 21 at Pismo Coast Village RV Resort in Pismo Beach, California.

“We’ll have over 300 vintage trailers along with their proud owners,” said Jay Jamison, General Manager of the resort, which has hosted the annual Pismo Vintage Trailer Rally for 14 years.

The highlight of the weekend is the open house and swap meet, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 21.

The rally features beautifully restored travel trailers from the 1930s to the 1970s with famous names like Airstream, Boles Aero, Shasta, Silver Streak, Vagabond and Westcraft as well as unique special edition trailers. Many of the vintage trailer owners tow their units with beautiful vintage vehicles with matching color schemes.

If you’ve been a fan of the hit TV series 1883, you’ve marveled at the adventure, danger, beauty, and amazement encountered by the early pioneers who traveled west on the Oregon Trail in covered wagons. In 2022, though, we can now follow much of that trail in comfort thanks to today’s version of the Covered Wagon – the modern recreational vehicle.

All the way west, starting at St. Louis, are roadside parks, historic markers, small towns, and fabulous scenery that commemorates and celebrates that massive migration. The routes are far removed from the interstates, usually along well-maintained state two-lanes, with lots of places to camp. If you are thinking about making such a trip, all the way to Oregon or only for parts of the trail, the first thing you need to realize is that it’s really not just one trail you’ll be following.

A Brief History of the Oregon Trail

Image: Mike Wendland

Originally, the trails were all formed by animals and then by the various Native American tribes that transformed them into hunting grounds. Then in 1804, Lewis and Clark, using the Missouri River for much of their travels, made their way to the Pacific Ocean and, as their accounts slowly reached the population centers and small farms back east, they showed the way for those first covered wagon pioneers. The Oregon Trail was the route those pioneers followed, a journey that, in some places, almost paralleled the Lewis and Clark expedition.

It’s hard to over-emphasize the importance of these two 19th-century routes. Lewis and Clark discovered the overland route to the Pacific, thus opening up the nation to east-west travel in the days immediately after the Louisiana Purchase. It was a trip that in its day, was as monumental as the American landing on the moon is to ours. The Oregon Trail pioneers came about four decades after Lewis and Clark, mostly traveling in their prairie schooners – so named because their wagons were covered with white canvas that made them resemble a ship at sea.

Others took routes that sprang off the Oregon Trail on paths called the California Trail and the Mormon Trail as they headed to the Gold Rush and Salt lake City. The Pony Express routes also traveled parts of the Oregon Trail. The Oregon Trail, and the various other trails that led from it, constituted the single greatest migration in America – consisting of as many as a half-a-million men, women, and children who traveled by wagon and by foot west for two decades from 1842-1870.

Summer is prime camping season, but if you don’t pick the right destination you may find yourself sweltering in the heat instead of enjoying yourself. That’s why finding a great campground near the water is key!

Lakes are wonderful for camping and most have some amazing campgrounds nearby to choose from. You can build wonderful memories with your family at a lake. So, pack up your swimsuits, fishing poles, and kayaks and head to one of these fabulous lakeside campgrounds, many part of the Good Sam Campground network. A Good Sam Membership saves you 10% on stays at these campgrounds and over 2,000 other camping destinations.

Davis Lakes Campground – Virginia

Even better than camping on one lake is camping on three! Davis Lakes Campground has it all: fishing, water sports, and plenty of activities for land lovers too. Located in Suffolk, Virginia this campground is only an hour away from Virginia Beach and Colonial Williamsburg, but you might have a hard time dragging yourself away from all they have to offer onsite.

For starters, the 25-acre Lake Neal is the primary fishing spot, but don’t miss the six-acre Catfish Lake stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass, and catfish. If you’re looking for a sandy beach with a terrific swimming area, try the 18-acre Lake Helen which also boasts an Aquaglide with water trampolines, jungle gyms, and blast bags.

Other Campgrounds Nearby

Chesapeake CampgroundThe Colonies RV & Travel Park at Fort MonroeNewport News Park Campground

Camp Chautauqua Camping Resort – New York

Image: Camping World

Since 1968, the Anderson family has been providing a summer retreat for the whole family at Camp Chautauqua Camping Resort. Located on the shores of the 17-mile-long Chautauqua Lake in Western New York, this family resort has every amenity you could want including a pool, splash pad, playground, boat marina, and nature trails for starters.

Every good adventure starts with coffee. For some RVers, a daily cup of Joe is part of their morning ritual. For others, that coffee fix is essential to fuel their day on the road, trail, river, or wherever the day takes them. Thankfully, making coffee in an RV is as easy as making coffee at home. I’d argue that it’s even better because coffee tastes amazing when you’re taking in majestic views outside your RV window.

As a fellow coffee-lover, it might not come as a surprise that I always opt for whole bean coffee and a manual grinder for robust, fresh, and flavorful coffee. So put the instant coffee aside and make way for six different methods for brewing quality coffee to sip and savor while RVing and camping. 

French Press

Image: Jenny of Girl of 10,000 Lakes

Coffee snobs know a French press is a sure-fire way to make bold, smooth, and flavorful coffee. It’s so simple yet does a great job at making quality coffee. In our RV, the French press fits in a little basket designated for coffee-related things including our favorite whole bean coffee, a grinder, and a French press. It’s easy to grab out of the RV kitchen cupboard every morning.

To make coffee in a French press, add about six tablespoons of coarsely ground coffee per two cups of water; more or less coffee depending on how strong you like your java. We boil water in our kettle on the RV stove or you can opt for an electric kettle. Pour hot water into your carafe and let it steep for six minutes. Then separate the grounds from the coffee by pressing down on the filter. Pour the coffee into your mugs right away to prevent it from steeping further. Between my husband and I, we can easily make coffee in an eight-cup French press and have a mug and a half for the both of us.

Click to view slideshow.

Aeropress

If you’re looking for a specialty coffee maker that not only makes smooth and balanced coffee but is also durable, space-saving, easy to clean, and versatile, the Aeropress is your best bet. Versatility is the Aeropress’ biggest strength and it’s no wonder this little device has a cult following. Whether you enjoy classic black coffee, espresso, an Americano, cold brew, cold extract, drip coffee, French press style, or iced coffee – the Aeropress can do it all. It is truly an impressive contraption. So how does it work? The Aeropress uses air pressure to force the water through the coffee grounds. Place your coffee grounds into the brewing chamber, add hot water, and push down the plunger gently to force water through the coffee grounds and filter into a cup. Push down the plunger to extract the coffee. The Aeropress is practical for one or two cups of coffee. 

Keeping a leak-free roof over your head is one of the most important things you can do for an RV of any type. If you don’t have a good roof, the rest of your RV is compromised. One of the best ways to treat your roof right is to do a regular RV roof inspection.

Many suggest adding an RV roof inspection to your annual maintenance routine. Even if you’re not interested in doing maintenance work yourself, you can save money and time simply by giving it a quick check.

How Often Should I Inspect My RV Roof?

Photo by Camping World

Seasonal RVers should inspect their RV roof at least twice a year. Inspect at the beginning of the RV season and again at the end of your camping season before winterizing your RV.

Full-time RVers need to consider regular RV roof maintenance at least three to four times a year. Make it a quarterly check and combine it with a thorough roof cleaning. You’ll already be up on the roof for regular RV maintenance, so cleaning while you’re at it is a good idea.

Check out some options for RV cleaning products. And don’t forget, nationwide Camping World Service Centers offer free roof inspections!

Most RV owners in North America do the majority of their travel and camping in the summer and extended shoulder seasons. This generally avoids their exposure to driving in winter-like weather such as snow and ice. But poor weather driving conditions are not necessarily confined to the colder months. Late spring and early summer rains can put a damper on your RV trip. Indeed, precipitation can present very challenging driving conditions. Don’t underestimate the impact that even light rain can cause on your travels.

Because we have driven in rain countless times, little thought is given to wet weather. However, rainy weather can create several driving hazards, especially with a large heavier vehicle. Let’s take a look at some of the problems that precipitation can spawn.   

Slippery Road Surfaces

Wet road surfaces have less traction than dry surfaces, resulting in reduced tire grip and braking effect. This is especially true during the early phases of the precipitation, as oil from the highway traffic disperses. Loss of tire grip can result in skidding sideways in a turn. If you drive around a corner at a speed that is close to the side force grip of a tire’s traction threshold, even a slight bump may launch you into a skid.  Reduce speed in all turns. 

Possible Flooded Roadway

1. Food is fresh, like really fresh. On Prince Edward Island, we take farm-to-table and boat-to-table to a whole new level. As you tour the Island, you’ll better understand that food is a way of life here. You’ll see farmers cutting hay, cattle grazing in wide-open pastures and potato fields blossoming with colors of pink, white, yellow and purple. Our rivers and estuaries provide the ideal conditions for harvesting mussels and the world’s finest oysters. Perhaps you’ll catch the fishing boats coming back to the harbor in the early afternoons of June and September as fishers return with their catches of delicious Prince Edward Island lobster.

2. Highly trained chefs. Our best butchers, bakers and culinary artmakers are graduates of the Culinary Institute of Canada in Charlottetown. For a unique gastronomic experience, be sure to visit the on-site market or make reservations for the dining room for a spectacular view of the Charlottetown Harbour.

3. Chefs, farmers and fishers are neighbors and often friends. The Island provides the perfect growing conditions for food and relationships. Within minutes, chefs can visit local producers to select menu ingredients. In fact, many of our local chefs and kitchen helpers grew up in the small fishing and farming communities — quality assurance at its finest.

4. Find the makings of dinner along the way. Along our highways and byways, you’ll find roadside stands selling anything from potatoes to pumpkins and free-range eggs to firewood. You can even find a honey hut. If the season is right, ask about buying a feed of lobster at the wharf. Here, fresh can be both savory and self-serve. Most stands accept cash only so be prepared before you head out.

Maintaining the electric power steps on your RV is extremely important. Without them, you’re going to have a hard time getting in and out of your RV, unless you always carry a set of portable RV steps or a step stool around, which can be cumbersome. 

If you don’t maintain your RV electric steps, you could be on the hook for an expensive repair if they fail entirely. A few simple DIY maintenance tasks will save you money and the hassle of repairing or replacing faulty steps. 

Step 1: Make Sure Steps Are Fully Extended Before Use

Photo by Camping World

You should never put any weight on a step that is not extended and in a locked position. You’ll know your steps are fully extended when the motor has stopped running. Then they are ready to use.

If you use your RV’s electric steps while they’re still moving it can result in the weakening of joints that hold the steps together or a broken step entirely. Both of these will eventually present a significant fall risk for you and anyone else entering or exiting your RV. 

Step 2: Use Your Handrail 

Photo by Camping World

Most RVs are equipped with some sort of handrail to help you maneuver up and down your steps. Use this handhold to minimize the risk of a fall when going in and out of your trailer.