A lot of thought and care needs to be taken to plan a vacation to Hawaii, especially if you’re...
I love to camp. There’s something magical about waking up in the morning, snug in your sleeping bag, listening to the sounds of nature all around you. Especially in national parks, campers get to see a side of the public lands that the daytrippers miss – sunrise, quiet, and zillions of stars. Camping comes with downsides, as well: limited access to running water, cold/rainy weather can ruin a trip, it’s dirty, and your ability to get a good night’s sleep depends on your gear and the mutual respect of the other campers in the campground. So how do you reap the benefits of camping on vacation while minimizing some of the headaches? One option is to rent (or borrow) an RV!
Recreational vehicles, or “RVs,” are immensely popular in the United States; some 40 million Americans go RVing regularly, and nearly 11% of households own an RV. Additionally, there are over 26,000 locations in the United States that provide space for RVers to stay overnight: traditional private campgrounds, public campgrounds, and even more unique locations like wineries, summer camps, and even parking lots. To help me brainstorm some pointers, I recently invited a special guest to talk with me about the ins-and-outs of RVing around the United States.
Introducing Carole
My special guest for this article is my mom, Carole. Along with her significant other, Wally, Carole has been a full-time RVer since August of 2020. Since setting out, they have logged more than 25,000 miles in their class-C RV and have plenty of tips to share. Carole & Wally were not new to camping prior to setting out, but were new to Class-C life.
Pre-Trip Considerations
What kind of RV do you drive? Why did you choose this particular type?
We chose a smaller motorhome (ours is a class C type) and a small car to tow behind. There are also larger motor homes (Class A), travel trailers that you pull behind a car or truck, or larger fifth-wheel trailers that you pull behind a large pickup. All types have pluses and minuses. If you want the RV experience without actually driving one, lots of places will transport and set one up at a campsite for you.
We decided on a class C with a tow vehicle because we wanted to have a smaller vehicle and not have to pack up the RV every time we needed to go to the grocery story or go sightseeing.
How do you get ready for a long RV trip?
One of the hardest things is packing. You would think that it would be easy to pack when you’re bringing your “house” along with you, but storage is at a premium so you need to consider items that can be used for more than one purpose. Sweatpants can be pajamas, a shallow washtub can also serve as a popcorn bucket, and so on. We ended up getting rid of quite a few things on the road; for example, we found we didn’t need both a tea kettle and a coffee percolator. Do remember to pack flashlights, batteries and a first-aid kit!
Do you reserve campsites in advance?
RVing has become very popular lately, meaning that campgrounds can fill quickly. We find it very helpful to make reservations ahead of time. There are some really good websites to help you plan: RV Parky and Campendium are two that we use. We love the public (state & national) campgrounds; many of those are available on Recreation.gov or Reserve America. When booking a site, be sure to know the length of campsite and what type of electrical hookup you need.
How do you learn to drive/operate an RV?
When you are renting an RV or if you are a new owner, all of the operations of hookups, slides, water and electrical systems can seem a bit daunting. You will be given an overview at the rental location or the dealership, but they usually go over things quickly and steps can be easily forgotten. Some people video the overview for reference, or take notes and ask questions. If you are able, a trial run in your driveway or campsite close to home can be helpful.
Life on the Road
What is it like to do an RV vacation?
Even the largest RVs can seem a bit crowded, so we try to spend as much time outside as possible – recreation, eating, etc. For bad weather days, some cards, books, or board games can make for fun times inside. You also have to expect the unexpected. Occasionally things don’t go as planned. It’s all part of the experience – it helps to keep your sense of humor! We have LOVED our RV travels. It’s a great way to see the country, to enjoy being outdoors, and a relaxed pace of life.
Everyone has different travel styles, but we like to keep our driving to no more than 4-5 hours per day. If nothing else, we like to arrive at our campsite before dark – we’ve decided it’s not much fun to try to back into a site and get set up with no light.
What are most campgrounds like?
We camp mostly in public (state or federal) campgrounds, and they vary: typically, we find sites with full- or partial-hookup, and most campgrounds have flush toilets and many have showers as well. Some have additional amenities like wifi**, activities, or bike rentals.
Private campgrounds can be almost like resorts: many have swimming pools, community centers, bars, and other fun things to do.
**Don’t expect reliable internet! Even campgrounds that say they have wifi or strong cell signal can be unpredictable. Maybe it’s a good idea to leave screens at home?
What are other campers like?
By and large, campers are a friendly group and more than willing to help you if you run into a problem. If you find yourself with questions, your camping neighbors are likely more than happy to share information. We have met people from all over the country and abroad!
Favorites
What is the best place you’ve visited?
That’s kinda like saying who’s your favorite child. But if I had to pick one, I’d say Yellowstone because it’s so diverse and fascinating.
What was your favorite campground?
I think my favorite campsite was at Lake Norman State Park, near Charlotte, NC – I could have lived there. It was so beautiful and serene and the weather is great.
Where should a first-time RVer go on vacation?
It might depend on what experience you would be looking for – nature? Or more “luxury” like a resort? Or near interesting landmarks, etc? I would recommend a first trip close-ish to home. No matter how well you plan, it seems you always forget something the first few times. And a trial run before hitting the open road is helpful. If it were me (and this is what we did), I’d look for a state or National park site in the area to get familiar with the RV and all its workings.
What is the best thing about an RV trip?
Maybe the absence of limits? You can go wherever there is a road! Plus, wherever you travel, you have a home with you – no unpacking suitcases when you move from place to place. AND, you see things you didn’t expect to see and meet some interesting people along the way.
Ready to plan your RV Vacation? Click here to get started!
