Category Archives: Holidays in your RV

The Best Gifts For The Full-Time RVers In Your Life

04 Wednesday Dec 2024

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The holidays are here and that means it’s time to start thinking about gifts for your loved ones. The thing is, not everyone has room for more stuff, especially those who live in RVs. This can make buying gifts for the RVers in your life a bit tricky.

The good news? There is a way around this problem: experience gifts. Giving the full-time RVers in your life experiences rather than things will show them that you love them, give them something wonderful to look forward to after the holiday season ends, and ensure your gift doesn’t end up in the trash because it won’t fit in the RV.

Wondering what the best experience gifts for RVers are? Here are our top picks.

“America the Beautiful” Pass

First on our list is the “America the Beautiful” Pass. This awesome pass gives the cardholder free admission to national parks as well as a number of other government-owned lands across the country. It’s the perfect gift for someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, as well as those who enjoy traveling to see the most beautiful places the US has to offer.

Reciprocal Museum Membership

Visiting museums is one of the most fun things to do while out traveling. Give your loved one the gift of visiting as many museums as they like by getting them a reciprocal museum membership, which allows them free admission to museums all over the country.

There are several museum reciprocal programs out there, including our two favorites: ASTC and NARM. One of the best memberships to buy for access to both of these programs (and more) is the Kern County Museum Travel Membership.

Reciprocal Zoo Pass

Similar to the reciprocal museum memberships mentioned above, a reciprocal zoo pass is another excellent option. AZA is the reciprocal zoo program, and depending on the zoo you join to gain access to the program, holding one of these memberships will either give your free or deeply discounted admission to zoos all over the US.

This is the perfect pick for travelers with kids or those who love animals.

Theme Park Pass

A theme park season pass is another great pick! If your RVing friend or family member is stationary you can look into buying a pass to a local amusement park. If the recipient is nomadic, look into theme park passes that offer reciprocal benefits.

Six Flags has a pass that is good at all Six Flags parks, as do the Cedar Fair parks. The Merlin Pass is good at a number of amusement centers, and SeaWorld offers a pass that is good at several different parks.

Attraction or Show Admission Tickets

If you don’t think an annual pass or membership is the right thing, you might want to look into giving them one-day admission to an attraction, or tickets to a performance or event they would love. Just make sure whatever you buy matches up with any travel plans they might have.

Tours, Classes, or Lessons

You could also look into paying for your RVing loved one to learn something new. Find a cool tour or workshop in an area they’re visiting, or look into lessons for them to learn something you know they’d enjoy.

Fuel Gift Card

It’s no secret that RVs tend to be gas guzzlers. Because of this, absolutely no RVer will be sad to receive a fuel gift card in their stocking. If you‘re looking for an experience gift that you know will get used, this is the one!

Restaurant Gift Card

Make your RVing friend’s next travel day a bit easier by gifting them a restaurant gift card. Cooking after a long day of travel is never fun, so a gift card to a dinner spot will be greatly appreciated by the nomad in your life.

Clearly, there are plenty of amazing gift options that won’t take up any space at all, and in our opinion these are the best experience gift ideas out there. Which one will you choose to brighten the season for your RVing friend?

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

Ronald K. ~ “We called for help and the tech who we spoke to helped solve the problem over the phone. Everything was resolved within 10 minutes! It was great!”

Holiday Gifts For the RV DIYer That Has It All

07 Wednesday Dec 2022

Posted by in Holidays in your RV, Tips & Tricks

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We all know them, the RVer that has every gizmo and gadget that comes along and is impossible to shop for. Over the years I’ve assembled quite a toolbox of unique measuring tools and every once in a while come across something else new that makes my troubleshooting and repairs easier. And not only that, but some of the gadgets help tell me what is happening in places that I can’t see such as wheel bearings, brakes, and electrical systems.

So here are some must-have tools and gadgets that will make you a hit with that hard-to-shop-for RVer.

Infrared Thermometer

The Infrared Thermometer allows you to pinpoint temperatures with a laser pointer to identify issues with heating, cooling, and axles. Every day you hit the road you should not only check the air pressure in the tires but also monitor what is happening in the bearings and brakes. Stop at some point during the day and check the hub of your trailer, brake drum, and tires. Then check the ambient temperature by using the side of your rig. If the hub temperature is extremely high, the bearing is most likely getting dry and need to be repacked. If the brake drum is extremely high, the auxiliary brakes are probably set too high. Record these temperatures and you will get to understand what is an acceptable temperature and what is extreme.

You can also use this device to get an exact temperature of what is coming out of the roof air conditioner rather than just guessing it’s not cooling enough. The roof air conditioner can only condition the ambient air coming in down 15 degrees so if it is 110 inside your rig, the air coming out can only be 95 degrees and that is not cool. You can also test the temperature of the air coming out the furnace vent to make sure it is acceptable. Knowing the exact temperatures will help with troubleshooting over the phone in case of an emergency.

You can get this device at any home improvement store or for a great value on Amazon here.

Magnetizer/Demagnetizer

There are times I could really use a magnetized screwdriver, especially in those hard-to-reach places with a tiny screw. But I don’t like it sitting in the bag latching on to everything metal including nuts and bolts. Plus it seems that the times I do have one in the bag it’s not the right size or I need a Philips, not a flat head. This is where the Magnetizer comes in handy.

Simply run the head of any metal screwdriver back and forth through the magnetized (+) slot and you have a tool that will latch on to the screw going in or coming out. To demagnetize, simply run it through the demagnetize (-) slot and it’s a normal tool. You can do this with needle nose pliers and drill bits to help catch metal shavings when drilling in metal. I’ve also used it to magnetize a metal coat hanger and retrieve a screw or bolt that dropped down the furnace vent. Find it on Amazon here.

Universal Grip Wrench

For years I’ve called this a “puck wrench” and just recently saw the actual name on Amazon! This not only has both SAE and Metric deep sockets but a unique feature is the rounded 12-point teeth rather than the sharp ones used on most sockets. Snap On patented this years ago and when that ran out, everyone copied it. The rounded edge means it contacts the side of the nut rather than at the point so it will not only fit both Metric and SAE but will also loosen a nut that has been stripped! It has a slot for a screwdriver tip and can also tighten a rounded cup holder.

Find it on Amazon here.

Air Gun

One of the most important maintenance items you can perform on an absorption refrigerator is cleaning out the burner assembly, flue, and back cavity of the compartment

The more you use your absorption refrigerator on LP, the more buildup of soot you will get in the burner assembly and flue. Also, spiders like the smell of propane and can block the flow of LP weaving a web. Once a year it is a good idea to open the back vent panel, put on a pair of safety glasses, and blow out the entire back of the refrigerator. Take off the metal burner assembly shield and get inside to clean it out thoroughly and clean off the back fins of the cooling unit. Your refrigerator will run much more efficiently even on 120-volt power! You might want to add a ¼” flexible hose to get in tough-to-reach spots like I did with mine.

You can find them on Amazon here.

Anemometer (Air Flow Meter)

I get dozens of questions almost every day and many times I get very generic ones that state my air conditioner isn’t running efficiently, my heater is slow, or my airflow from my roof air is low. To diagnose any issue with airflow or temperature you need to know what is normal and what is happening. This inexpensive air flow meter is known as an anemometer which will tell airflow and temperature.

Most RV manufacturers that have ducted roof air will test the ceiling ducts during final inspection to ensure the ductwork is open and the air is flowing and use a much more sophisticated coned type device. As we discussed earlier, the roof air conditioner can only condition or cool the air 15 degrees lower than the air at the intake. Using this device will help tell what the temperature is inside and if it is actually working as designed. Testing the airflow when the unit is cooling efficiently will tell you what the normal speed is and when you think it is not running correctly will help identify what is actually happening. You may be getting good airflow out of a closer vent and very little out of the far vent which might mean there is an obstruction in the ductwork? It will also give you specifics that most tech support personnel at RV manufacturers appreciate.

Find it on Amazon here.

Brake Fluid Moisture Tester

Almost every truck, car and motorhome chassis manufacturer recommends changing the brake fluid every 5 years or 50,000 miles. But who does that? While writing the RV Handbook for Trailer Life Publications I did some research with chassis engineers from Ford and Freightliner as well as talked with several auto technicians and they stated that brake fluid will break down, especially when subjected to extreme heat conditions of RVing as well as ambient temperatures. It can also get condensation with temperature changes and make the fluid break down faster.

Take off the cap and place the tester probes in the brake fluid reservoir for 1 second and the LED lights will tell you the quality of the fluid. You can find it at Amazon here.

Air Conditioner Evaporator And Condenser Fin Comb

Your roof air conditioner draws warm, moist interior air up through the inside return air and draws it through the front evaporator coil. The compressor then sends the coolant to the evaporator coil to flash the air and draw out heat and moisture. The fins of this coil are straight and slotted to allow the air to pass through however if the coils get bent, it restricts airflow. It is more important in the back where the condenser coils draw outside air in to help cool the coolant lines and those outside fins can get smashed with hail or backing into a branch! Visually inspect the coils and use this handy comb to straighten them out. Find it at Amazon here.

About the author: Dave Solberg: Managing Editor, RV Repair Club

For the last 25 years, Dave has conducted RV maintenance and safety seminars, developed dealer and owner training programs, written RV safety and handyman articles authored an RV handbook reference guide, and logged over 100,000 miles on the road in an RV.

RV Repair Club

RV Repair Club is your go-to online resource for enthusiasts who want quality RV maintenance, repair and upgrade information – a community where passionate RVers can come together to gather knowledge and share their experiences.

Learn more about RV Repair Club.

Karl P. ~ “Kurt from Quality Tire was exceptional. He came and pulled both sets of back tires. The inside tires on both sides of our motor home had 0 pressure. Both Valve stems had been damaged for some reason. He replaced the valve stems on both tires and checked and filled all 6 tires to correct pressure. He was a pleasant and pleasurable person to work with. We were called by Coach-Net several times to make sure everything went as it was supposed to. Thank you to all the Coach-Net Representatives and to Kurt from Quality tire. It took something that was a pain and made it a pleasure.”

Tips for Visiting Disney World in an RV

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Holidays in your RV, Travel Destinations

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Disney

When you live in an RV, you may choose to avoid the cold and head south for the winter. For this reason, Florida becomes a huge haven for RVers during the colder months. Sunshine, beaches, friends, and fun are around every corner in this fabulous southern state, and we highly recommend visiting this winter season.

Of course, if you’re in Florida, a visit to Disney World is in order. However, a successful visit to Disney World requires quite a bit of planning. This is just as true for RVers as it is for anyone else, and having a few tips before you dive in is definitely helpful.

Below are some of our top tips for visiting Disney World in your RV.

Time It Right

As mentioned before, winter is a great time to be in Florida. However, when planning a trip to Disney, you have more than just the temperature to consider. You’ll also want to think about when the park is likely to be busy and when hurricanes might make a showing.

In order to avoid both hurricane season and busy season, we recommend planning your RV Disney trip in mid- to late-January, or anytime in February besides Presidents’ Day weekend.

Choose Your Campground Well

Campground

 

 

 

 

 

Because the weather is almost always hot during the day in Florida, having air conditioning is super nice. Therefore, we highly recommend booking a campground with electric hookups. Additionally, it’s good to be as close to the parks as possible. Luckily, there are plenty of nearby campgrounds to choose from.

Want to have an especially magical experience? We highly recommend staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground if at all possible. This is a luxury campground unlike any other, and the free transportation to and from the parks makes your trip much more relaxing.

Stock Up Your Fridge

Food in Disney World is expensive. Luckily, Disney does allow outside food and drink to be brought into the parks, and since you’ll be toting your entire kitchen with you, you can take full advantage of this fact by eating breakfast at home and packing lunches to save money. Just be sure to stock up the fridge before you arrive, because you aren’t going to want to stop the Disney fun for grocery shopping.

Get a Golf Cart

Golf Cart

 

 

 

 

 

If you do end up staying in Fort Wilderness, you will definitely want to budget for a golf cart rental. This campground is enormous, and while there is free bus transportation available within the campground, it’s much easier to hop in your golf cart and drive from point A to point B.

Store Food Indoors

Florida has no shortage of wildlife. For this reason, it’s important that all food is stored indoors. Sure, you might be camping, and yes, this does mean cookouts and picnics. However, food left out on your campsite is just asking for a visit from a gator or some other Florida creature.

Shade Your Rig

We mentioned earlier that Florida is hot. Obviously, the air conditioner helps, but even in winter the hottest days can be too much for the A/C to keep up with. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to park under a shade tree and pull out your awning once you arrive.

Know the Parking Rates

Finally, if you plan to visit a park for just a day and wish to drive the rig into a Disney World parking lot, knowing the parking rates is important. You see, Disney parking is super expensive even for small cars at $25 per vehicle per day. As you might expect, RV parking is even more expensive, and RV owners can expect to pay $30 a day to park in the theme park lots.

These are our best RV-specific tips for visiting to Disney World. That said, there is much more to learn about Disney World, and everything you learn can help make your trip a little more magical. Therefore, seeking out more info and doing as much planning as possible is definitely a good idea.

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

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Robert E. ~ “I called in pretty late and didn’t think I’d get assistance with my slide out. I spoke with Mary and she helped me solve the problem I was having. She was real knowledgeable and walked me through a few steps and had my slide out going back in. Thanks for the help at a crazy hour!”

Are You a Holiday Nomad? Tips for Your Christmastime Road Trip

16 Wednesday Dec 2015

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Tips for Your Christmastime Road TripTaking a Christmas RV road trip is a fun way to experience the many ways our nation celebrates the season and rings in the new year. From the blustery shores of New England to the sunny beaches of Southern California, hitting the road in December might be a little crazy because you’re taking a chance that Mother Nature will play nice, but the risk usually pays off with an unforgettable look at holiday traditions that our fellow Americans hold dear.

As a Southern California native I always took our sunny holiday weather for granted. I never knew the white Christmases that Bing Crosby sang about, but I was always glad we weren’t shoveling snow on the big day. When my husband and I hit the road as full-time RVers, I really looked forward to the opportunity to experience the holidays in other regions of the U.S.

RV HolidaySince I’m a cold weather wimp, one of my favorite Christmases on the road was while camping along Florida’s Atlantic Coast. On a warm, sunny December morning while waiting for NASA’s space shuttle to launch at our Cape Canaveral RV park, a fire engine rolled into the resort with a wailing siren. Like any nosy neighbor we peered outside and were thrilled to see cheerful waves from a full-bellied Santa leading the park’s Christmas parade! As the fire engine merrily meandered while playing Christmas carols over the bullhorn, the tropical, beachy scene was right out of a Jimmy Buffet song.

If you’re dreaming of a Christmas RV road trip like this, you’ll need to do a little bit of preparation first. Take time to think about weather preparation, holiday decorations and the menu and you’ll be set for the perfect holiday no matter where you land. Let’s take a look at all three:

Weather Preparations

When Old Man Winter is flexing his muscles, RV travel can be exciting at best and scary if you’re caught unprepared. Consistent weather watching and trip planning with alternate routes are two important keys to safely traveling cross-country in your RV. Keep your RV safe by ensuring it’s mechanically ready to travel under wet or snowy conditions and pack appropriate gear to keep you comfortable.

Decking the RV

Holiday in Your RVRVers really know how to show their holiday spirit in RV parks and campgrounds. To the Scrooge types out there (like my husband who insists on limiting our décor to one shoebox), Christmastime decorations seem like a waste of perfectly good RV storage space. But I keep a few on board because I think they’re an excellent way to remind us that we should take time to celebrate making it through another year, healthy and happy.

Holidays in your RVMany full-time RVers travel with heaps of holiday décor, but for those of us living in smaller rigs we have to pick and choose our decorations carefully. If you live with a Scrooge who doesn’t want to give up his sock drawer for your ornaments, you might be able to win your case by agreeing to only keeping multi-purpose decorations in the RV, like all-occasion twinkly lights. Another way you can stay festive during your Christmas RV road trip is to buy cheap holiday decorations at a thrift store, then donate them back when January 1st rolls around. Your RV park might also appreciate these gently used items.

Preparing a Christmas Meal

Christmas cooking is always easier if you go out to celebrate, especially when you live in the close confines of an RV.  But if the sentimental side of you insists on a traditional homemade holiday meal, keep your expectations in check. RV ovens aren’t usually as nice or accurate as the one in your stick house and your refrigerator won’t have adequate space to store everything you really want to make. Don’t try to do too much at once either: it’s best to tackle your recipes in small steps a few days ahead of the big day. Finally, remember that it’s better to have just a few really well-made menu items on the table, with a couple of store bought items to enhance the meal, instead of making a lot of mediocre things.

Whether you choose to spend the holidays in an RV park, at a public campground or in the solitude of the southwestern deserts, you’ll always have the makings of a great campfire story when you celebrate from your cozy home on wheels!

About the Author:

Rene Agredano, a Coach-Net member since 2015, is a self-employed full-time RVer who enjoys writing, jewelry design and animal advocacy. Her adventures with a three-legged dog and husband Jim are chronicled at LiveWorkDream.com.

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Cookie Truffles

16 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Favorite Recipes, Holidays in your RV

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Cookie TrufflesIt wouldn’t be the holiday season without the multitude of sugary treats everywhere you turn. These white chocolate wonders are great for parties or to give as gifts. And, with less than 30 minutes to prep and only 3 ingredients, you will have plenty of time for gift wrapping, decorating and fun with family.

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg. (8oz) brick cream cheese, softened
  • 1 package chocolate sandwich cookies, finely crushed
  • 24 oz. package white baking chocolate, melted

Instructions

  1. Crush cookies in a blender or food processor until fine
  2. Mix cream cheese and cookie crumbs until well blended
  3. Shape into 1-inch balls
  4. Freeze for 15 minutes
  5. Dip balls in melted chocolate and place on a wax-covered cookie sheet
  6. Let chocolate set then refrigerate 1 hour or until firm

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Proper Flag Etiquette

12 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by in Holidays in your RV

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Flag-DayOld Glory, Stars and Stripes, Red, White and Blue, and the Star Spangled Banner are the nicknames used in reference to the flag of the United States of America. Regardless of what nickname you may call her, we’re sure your heart, like ours, swells with pride each time you see her unfurled. The American flag represents a living country and as such, considered a living symbol deserving of respect. It represents the honor, courage, and sacrifice of those who have struggled to preserve the ideals upon which our country was founded: freedom, justice and opportunity for all.

American-flags-in-field“Throughout the history of our nation, the flag has evoked intense, sincere feelings of patriotism.” ~ Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States

There are many holidays within the calendar year where the display of the American flag is observed. Among them is Flag Day, which is observed on June 14th as a result of a 1916 presidential proclamation. This special day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States in 1777.

In 1942, Congress set forth guidelines for the proper use and care of the U.S. flag known as the Flag Code. Here are a few examples of proper etiquette as outlined in the Code:

  • The flag of the United States is the emblem of our identity as a separate nation. Therefore, citizens should stand at attention and salute when their flag is passing in a parade or being hoisted or lowered.
  • The custom is to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on flagstaffs in the open, but it may be displayed at night with proper illumination to produce a patriotic effect on special occasions.
  • The flag should not be dipped to any person or thing.
  • It should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, or water.
  • The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
  • It should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement.

Proper flag etiquette and care of our nation’s symbol will ensure you wave your flag proudly and with the patriotism she deserves.

How to Fold the Flag

Why 13 folds? The American flag isn’t deliberately folded this way because of special symbolic meaning. It is folded in this manner to distinguish folding a flag from folding another ordinary object such as a bed sheet and because it results in a visual pleasing, easy-to-handle shape. This folding method was practiced long before any ceremonial meaning was applied to each of the steps. Although there is no “official” meaning of each of the 13 ceremonious folds, many flag-folding ceremonies incorporate special scripts or meanings to each of the 13 folds symbolically significant to those who participate in the ceremony. Here are a few examples of those scripts:

O Canada

Canadian-flag-over-mountainsAlthough our friends and Coach-Net members in Canada observe Flag Day in February, we thought it important to include Canadian flag etiquette here as well. Much like the American flag does for its citizens, the Canadian flag symbolizes honor and pride for all Canadians and should be treated with respect. With nicknames of the Maple Leaf flag or in French as L’Unifolié, which means “one-leafed”, the single-leaf design of the flag was proclaimed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on January 1965 and was later inaugurated on February 15th, 1965. These momentous words from the Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Maurice Bourget, adding deeper meaning to the occasion, “The flag is the symbol of the nation’s unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion.”

To learn more about Canadian Flag Etiquette, click here.

How to fold the Canadian Flag

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Great Gifts for RV Owners

17 Wednesday Dec 2014

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Gifts-for-RV-OwnersThere is nothing like traveling around the country in an RV. You get to see the world from a different perspective. Living an adventurous life on the road can be exciting and exhilarating with new experiences, meeting new people and viewing new scenery.  So what type of gift can you get for the RV owner? There are many choices depending on how much you’d like to spend.

Gifts below $25:

Lasko Personal Heater Portable RV heater– This ceramic heater is excellent for the individual who tends to get cold easily or travels a lot during the cold months. It draws little power and delivers plenty of power at the same time to make you feel completely warm. This item runs from $15 to $25.

Flexible cutting boards – These cutting boards come in a variety of sizes and colors. This is a perfect idea for your RV chef to make clean up a breeze, not cross contaminate during food preparation and still fit in an RV kitchen. Prices start at $6.99.

Really Good Maps – A GPS is handy but sometimes it’s fun to travel out of cellular range. These Benchmark Maps and Atlases are detailed and helpful – especially when boondocking. Great for the RV-er and the outdoor enthusiast in your life. All the maps are priced around $20.

Portable Stool – A collapsible stool that you can take practically anywhere comes in Portable stool for your RVhandy and is highly convenient when you need to reach high up on a cabinet or if you need to clean the windows to the RV. The stool makes a great gift for any traveler with children as well so they can reach the sink to brush their teeth or clean hands. This is an inexpensive gift that costs about $17.

Gifts More than $25:

Portable Picnic Table – If there are not enough tables for the RV family in your life, Roll Up Camping Tablea portable folding picnic table is a thoughtful gift. This table can be set up practically anywhere, is easy to open and close and light enough to carry around. This gift costs around $80.

Thermal Gun – What a cool gift to give the RV-er and it sells for slightly less than $45. This non-contact infrared thermometer is used for checking temperatures at a distance. Check the ground temperature. Check your grill temperature. Check your tire temperature. The uses are endless!

Portable Dog Fence – For the pet owner who travels with a pet, this portable dog fence will allow the dog and this dog owner to relax. Easy to setup and store, there are several options and sizes to choose from. Price may vary.

Stocking Stuffers

There are plenty of different types of gifts to get the traveler in the family for the holidays. They come in small and large packages, but they will all make the RV-er in your life happy that you recognized their love for traveling across the country.

How To Decorate your RV for the Holidays

05 Friday Dec 2014

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Holiday-Decor3When you hit the road in your RV during the fall and winter, the holidays provide a great opportunity to start a new tradition and cruise the country in style. Just as you travel for a change in scenery, holiday decorations on your RV can give your home on wheels a cheery facelift that will get you and your family in a festive spirit. From a simple statement piece to an all-out holiday explosion, the only limit on decorating your RV this holiday season is your creativity.

Simple Ideas for Your RV

      • Holiday escape: If the interior of your RV has a monochromatic color scheme, Country Living recommends decorating one wall with festive wallpaper. You can recreate the same look and save money with wide holiday-themed wrapping paper. After cutting it to the appropriate dimensions, use double-sided tape to secure the paper to a wall.
      • Flat Christmas tree: To get the glowing look of a Christmas tree without sacrificing space, buy a large picture of a Christmas tree on canvas. Alternatively, take a picture of your Christmas tree at home and have the image mounted onto canvas. Gently punch small holes in the canvas and place a bulb from a strand of LED lights in each hole. Hang the picture on the wall and plug in the lights.
      • LED window decorations: To give your RV a simple festive flair, hang an LED window decoration on the back window of your rig.
      • Show off your favorite decorations: If you like looking at your decorations more than trimming a tree, Apartment Therapy suggests hanging them from picture frames. Simply install hooks along the inside border of the frame, at the top, and use pretty string or ribbon to hang the frames and decorations. Alternatively, install a screen with small mesh onto the back of frame, then hang ornaments on the screen so they form a tree shape. Hang your masterpiece on a wall.

RV Christmas tree

as seen on the Into Vintage blog

Ideas for Interior Holiday Décor

      • Deck the main cabin: Purchase a garland with integrated holiday lights and hang it along the walls of the main cabin. If you have a slide-out, hang the garland from the top of the frame where your rig pops out, as seen on The Fun Times Guide. Hang small stockings and ornaments from the garland. If you find garlands too blasé, consider hanging strings of pearls or ribbons instead.
      • Dashboard winter-scape: When parked at a campsite, give your dash a dreamy holiday look. Place a strand of white LED lights on the dash and cover it with fake snow. Then place holiday figurines in the snow, including those that light-up and small Christmas trees. Hang icicle lights from the top of the windshield. Complete the look with a snowyscene mounted on cardboard that you place on the seats to serve as a background image. Similarly, you may create a nativity scene on your dash with strategically placed lights and all the essential characters.

      • Mistletoe: Make a small kissing ball with mistletoe and hang it by the door.
      • Switch up the staples: Give the inside of your RV a more festive look by switching your everyday décor with their holiday counterparts. For example, slip holiday-themed pillowcases over the throw pillows on the sofa. Use festive placemats instead of your regular ones and place a red, gold or white table runner on the dining table. If you like to burn candles, use scented ones that remind you of the holidays or use holiday-inspired votive holders. Similarly, place flameless candlesticks on each windowsill.
      • Complete the atmosphere: Decorating for the holiday should involve all the senses. Go RV Texas suggests playing holiday movies or seasonal music at a low volume to fill your rig with interesting background noise.

Outside Decorations for Your RV

      • Take advantage of awnings: If you have an awning on your RV, extend it (if the weather permits) and adorn it with holiday lights. For example, wrap strands of lights along the posts that extend from the awning and hang icicle lights along the top of the accessory. If the weather is warm enough to eat or sit outside, hang an inexpensive chandelier from the awning.
      • Moving lights: Use animated outdoor lights to line the exterior of your camper. For a more high-tech approach, use a laptop to program outdoor holiday lights so they pulse to the beat of music or create an animated scene.
      • Create a walkway: Use small candy canes that illuminate to create a walkway to your camper’s door.
      • A small winter wonderland: If space (and the campsite) permits, tastefully place illuminated holiday lawn ornaments around the outside of your RV. For instance, make a small forest with illuminated fir trees, deer and a snowman. Or, show off your collection of inflatable snowmen andSantas.

        RV Christmas Outside

        Photo via DoItYourselfRV

Being on the road doesn’t mean your holiday traditions have to stop. Take the spirit with you wherever you go. We’d love to see your ideas. Please comment below or share some photos to our Facebook page.

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Thanksgiving on the Go

19 Wednesday Nov 2014

Posted by in Favorite Recipes, Holidays in your RV

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Happy-Thanksgiving-blog-headerTraveling around during the holidays is pretty common for most people, but what about when you’re looking for that next great destination and adventure in your RV? For Thanksgiving, RV campers and travelers have a unique opportunity to celebrate this great American holiday in a whole new way. What are some ways you can celebrate Turkey Day in your RV? Here are some tips to get you into the festive mood.

Thanksgiving specials in a new city
chef holding turkeySome restaurants will feature a full Thanksgiving dinner for those interested and this can create some brand new memories and traditions for your own traveling family. You can meet other travelers and the best part about it all? You don’t have to worry about all the clean up! All you have to worry about is catching the football game or getting your Black Friday shopping plan in place.

Some cities will have Thanksgiving harvest festivals or “all-in-one” Thanksgiving meals you can take on the go. You can enjoy your turkey dinner in the comfort of your RV or camper while taking in the beautiful sights of the changing seasons.

DIY Thanksgiving right in the RV
thanksgiving dinner RVYou can try out several different travel friendly recipes that are absolutely perfect for a Thanksgiving on the go. Here are some to get you started:

  • Put everything into one hearty and warm meal with a slow cooker turkey dinner! All you have to do is throw everything in together, sit back, relax and enjoy spending time with your loved ones.
  • Traditional style southern biscuits are also a great on the go meal that can be topped off with some gravy or mashed potatoes. They are soft, chewy, and will keep you filled up during your travels.
  • Or you can get really adventurous and try out a gelatin salad or molded salad like back in the 1950s and 1960s! Make it a retro Thanksgiving with a great dessert (or full dinner) that is easy to make with an RV kitchen at your disposal.

Lakeside (or Ocean side) Thanksgiving celebration
scarecrow by lakeFind a nice and secluded spot out in the forest, near a lake or right on the oceanfront for a gorgeous but simple Thanksgiving to recall how the holiday used to be celebrated. Give thanks to your camping lifestyle with seasonal vegetables and even ditch the turkey for some venison or other wild game meats to make it even more memorable and exciting. Who says you need to have the “normal” Thanksgiving in order to have an enjoyable holiday? You can take in the sights right from your RV and enjoy some great food with loved ones.