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The 4 Best Florida State Parks

08 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in National Parks, The Great Outdoors, Travel Destinations, We Love It. We Live It.

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One of my favorite things to do while traveling in my RV is to visit the various state parks across the country. Last winter, we spent several months in Florida, and thanks to an annual state park pass, we spent much of that time exploring the state parks. Guys, these parks are some of the best our family has found! 

Here are our favorites!

Homosassa Spring State Park 

This pretty park is a wonderful place to learn about Florida’s amazing animals. It was once a privately owned zoo-like tourist attraction that changed hands multiple times before becoming a state park in 1989. At that point, the park switched focus, providing habitats for injured and disabled animals native to Florida. The exception? Lu, the beloved hippo, is not a Florida native but still calls the park home.  

I absolutely loved the manatee talk offered at this park and highly recommend arriving in time to hear it. It was the perfect addition to our road schooling day, and our whole family learned some new things about these magnificent creatures.  

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park 

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is another privately owned attraction later bought by the Florida State Park System. This one features super fun mermaid shows performed within the spring itself. An underwater viewing theater allows guests to watch the mermaids as they swim and dance in the spring.  

We visited this park with friends. The kids in our group appreciated the mermaid show, and my youngest loved the mermaid meet-and-greet. As a road school mama, I thought the ranger’s talk about reptiles was an excellent addition, and the whole group had fun on the boat tour. 

Note: This park is also home to a small water park. Unfortunately, this part wasn’t open when we visited, but it looked worth checking out, mainly if you see it in the summer.  

Honeymoon Island State Park 

Unfortunately, much of our winter time on the west coast of Florida was chilly. Nevertheless, we loved visiting Honeymoon Island State Park and even went multiple times to see as much as possible.  

Of course, the beach here is absolutely gorgeous. Our four-year-old loved playing on these huge mounds of sand, and watching the sunset over the water was a treat. In addition to the beach, we enjoyed the playground and the many walking trails in the park. 

Our favorite part? We saw owls high up in the trees! 

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park 

Our final favorite state park is in the Florida Keys (actually, we liked a lot of the state parks in the Keys). Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park was probably our favorite place when we went to Key West. This park is home to an old fort with quite the story behind it. Wandering the fort and reading the signage are great additions to any roadschooling curriculum. 

After we explored the fort, we went to the beach area. This beach is a bit rocky, so I recommend water shoes, but on a calm day, there is decent snorkeling out by the big rocks in the water. Additionally, watching the cruise ships leave the port from the beach is pretty magical. 

Note: Other state parks in the Keys are also well worth visiting. Bahia Honda, Curry Hammock, and John Pennekamp are particularly excellent! 

If you plan on heading to Florida at any point in your RV travels, I 100% recommend visiting these state parks and any others you may come across. If you will be in the state for a while, the annual state park pass is definitely a worthwhile purchase, but even if you pay to visit a few spots individually, these parks offer incredible value.  

Which one will you check out first? 

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the fantastic opportunity to participate 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 world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area to visit the Disney parks. Still, 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.

James O. ~ “All the agents were very friendly and followed up with phone calls to check the service provider’s arrival. This is our third request regarding our coverage, and we have been very pleased with the service!!”

Spring Roof Maintenance And Inspection

10 Wednesday Apr 2024

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Although we have had a pretty mild winter, most of us have winterized our rigs last fall and put them to sleep for several months and now is the time to think about getting them ready for the camping season. One of the most important things I believe an RV owner can do is to clean, condition, and inspect the roof material as well as all the sealants.

Can I Walk On My Roof?

It depends on many factors as all RVs are not created equal and some of the less expensive models have wooden framework that has very little structural integrity. Most of these models will have a sticker on the top that states no weight or a limited weight. If you are not sure what your roof can hold for weight capacity use a scaffold on the side of the rig or “bridge” the weight using a long piece of paneling to distribute the weight across the top. I have an 8’ piece of ½ “ paneling cut to 2” wide that I lay across the roof in case I feel the roof can’t hold my weight.

Another consideration is safety with a slick roof material and the risk of falling. I have found that most of the rubber membranes actually have good footing even when wet while I thought they would be very slippery. It would be wise to have a safety tether which you can get at any home improvement store. And have someone there to assist you as well.

It is a good idea to stay clear of anything that has a cut into the roof and installed such as the air conditioner, roof vents, and skylights. Most of these do not have any framework surrounding the opening so it would be a weak spot.

Proper Cleaning And Roof Materials

There are several different roof materials that have been used over the years starting with aluminum back in the 1980’s, then fiberglass and rubber membranes introduced in the late 1980’s and early 1990s. My “go to” cleaner is Dawn Dish Soap (Blue) which is great for oils, bird droppings, and tree sap and is also environmentally friendly. Remember the ducks in Alaska! Some readers in past articles have commented that it has particles that will scratch the material and sidewall and will also deteriorate the wax on the sidewall however I have used it for over 30 years and I do not believe the small concentration of the product will do any harm to the materials of your rig.

There are several roof materials such as EPDM, TPO, PVC, and fiberglass so it is important to know what roof material your rig has and what the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) recommends for cleaning and conditioning. EPDM and TPO have a recommended conditioner that can be purchased from Dicor while most PVC membranes such as Alpha Systems recommend cleaning with Murphy’s Oil Soap and no conditioning. Fiberglass materials from Kemlite (Crane Composites) just recommend cleaning although I do use a UV deterrent to keep it from fading.

You can determine if your roof material is EPDM by removing the frame from a roof vent and looking at the excess material. EPDM starts as a black membrane and has the color added to the top. The underside will still be black so if it is EPDM, you will want to clean it at least once a year and then condition it with Dicor EPDM conditioner or 303 Protectant. This will keep it from chalking and deteriorating due to exposure to the sun. Make sure you keep the side of the unit wet when cleaning as the white milky chalk will run down the sides and be very difficult to clean after it dries.

TPO can also be conditioned with 303 Protectant or a rubber roof conditioner that has UV protection. Alpha Systems has a product they call a PVC material and only needs to be cleaned with Murphy Oil Soap occasionally while other companies that make a PVC material claim there is no maintenance. I still think it is a good idea to clean it at least once a year.

Whatever material your roof has, it is necessary to inspect the seams at least twice a year to look for cracks or separation and reduce moisture penetration. Materials will expand and contract with daily temperature changes and sealants will separate or become brittle with exposure to the sun. If the sealant has cracks or pulled away from the seam, moisture can penetrate the area and once you see a water stain inside the rig, it’s too late. Visually inspect all seams around the roof to the front, sidewall, and back cap. Also inspect any openings in the roof such as roof vents, skylights, and plumbing vents. If you see a sealant that looks to have a crack or pulled away, it is time to remove the affected sealant and reseal it with a self-leveling sealant designed for your roof material. Common silicone is not the best application for every type of roof. Make sure you get the best sealant for your application.

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.

Bill W. ~ “VERY happy with the services provided by Coach-Net”

What To Do While You’re In The Florida Keys

06 Wednesday Mar 2024

Posted by in Travel Destinations

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One of the very best places to take an RV during the winter season? Warm and sunny Florida, of course! Of all the destinations in Florida, I have to say that the Florida Keys is one of my absolute favorites. This place offers sunshine and a vacation atmosphere even in the middle of January, making it the ideal winter haven.

On top of the amazing weather, this part of the Sunshine State also offers a whole host of amazing activities and attractions. Wondering what to do in the Florida Keys? I’m going to use this article to tell you some of my very favorite spots on these magical islands.

Bahia Honda State Park

Easily one of the best state parks in Florida (and there are several amazing ones), Bahia Honda State Park is an excellent place for playing in the ocean and checking out Sealife. We loved walking on the old bridge to get a good view of the sunset and listening to people play the conch shells to say goodbye to the day.

Curry Hammock State Park

Another amazing state park, Curry Hammock State Park is the place to go for amazing paddling. We absolutely adored the tunnel paddling trail, which took us through a mangrove tunnel. Of course, watching little critters swim through the crystal clear waters on the beach was also pretty fantastic.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

If you have a snorkel enthusiast in your group, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in the northern part of the Keys is a must-do. There’s a shipwreck right off of the beach that you can easily swim to. The snorkeling around the shipwreck is pretty incredible, and you’ll almost definitely spot several kinds of fish and other creatures.

History of Diving Museum

Speaking of snorkeling, another must-see for the snorkelers and divers out there is the History of Diving Museum. This is a small, niche museum that does an excellent job of explaining the entire history of diving. You’ll see incredible old diving helmets and machines and learn some amazing facts about diving that you are sure to carry with you for years to come.

Little Conch Island

There are several teeny tiny islands just off the coast of the larger islands. During low tide, it’s possible to actually walk to some of these itty bitty islands—no boat necessary. Our favorite is Little Conch Island.

We leave from the beach at Sunshine Key RV Resort (you must be staying in the resort to use this beach) and literally take a stroll to another island. On Little Conch Island you can see large conches and hundreds of tiny crabs, as well as iguanas.

Sunset Grille & Raw Bar

One of our favorite places to eat in the Keys, Sunset Grille & Raw Bar is more than just a typical restaurant and bar. This place has a large heated pool with an awesome view of the ocean. It’s also situated in the ideal spot to watch the sunset over the water. Both the pool and the sunset views are free with your meal, and the happy hour deals that the restaurant offers make it relatively affordable.

Southernmost Point of the US

No visit to the Keys is complete without a visit to Key West, and no visit to Key West is complete without a visit to the Southernmost Point of the US. This really isn’t anything more than a fun photo op, but I do recommend doing it at least once.

Truman Waterfront Park

This one might seem silly, but our kids absolutely love the Truman Waterfront Park. This park is home to an awesome playground that really is pretty unique. It also has a lovely splash pad that is perfect on a hot day. The park is totally free, as is the nearby Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. Doing both makes for an excellent budget-friendly day.

Mallory Square

Admittedly, we’ve never actually made it to Mallory Square as a family. That said, my son visited there with my mom, and both parties agreed it was fantastic. At sunset, the square is alive with all kinds of performers, and the sunset from the dock is fantastic. This place is also within walking distance of Truman Waterfront Park, so one could easily add it to their budget-friendly Key West day.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Also in Key West, We loved Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and found it was an excellent addition to our roadschooling adventures. We learned all about the history of the fort and explored the ruins. We also spotted several large iguanas and had a wonderful time playing at the beach and watching the cruise ships leave at the end of the day.

Yes, the Keys are a long way south, but these islands are 100% worth the drive. We have a blast every single time we make our way down there and we know you will too!

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.

Mike S. ~ “I am very pleased I chose Coach-Net! When I needed you, you were there for me!”

Avoid These Common RV Winterization Mistakes

07 Wednesday Feb 2024

Posted by in Tech Tips, Tips & Tricks

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Hopefully, by now, you’ve winterized your RV for the season. But did you do it correctly? The answer to this question is a very important one because there are a number of very common RV winterization mistakes that could cause pretty costly damage to your rig. Obviously, you will want to avoid these, and that’s why we’re here today.

In this article we will discuss the most common RV winterization mistakes that you can make, and why you definitely don’t want to make them.

Mistake 1: Putting Antifreeze Where It Doesn’t Belong

This one won’t actually cause any damage to your RV over the winter. That said, putting RV antifreeze in the wrong places still isn’t something you want to do. The two places this stuff shouldn’t go when winterizing your RV water system? The freshwater tank and the water heater.

You see, if you happen to fill these two tanks with antifreeze, you will have a hard time getting it all out at the end of the winter. On top of that, you’ll be left with water that tastes of antifreeze for a long time after the stuff has been emptied out of your system. Lastly, filling these tanks would take gallons and gallons of antifreeze, making your RV winterization process a costly one.

Mistake 2: Not Running the Outdoor Shower

You don’t want RV antifreeze in your water heater tank or your freshwater tank, but you absolutely do want it to run through all of your water lines. The way to do this is to open each tap (and the toilet) until the water that runs out is pink.

Unfortunately, many people forget to head outside and run antifreeze through the outdoor shower as well. This means that the water lines to the outdoor shower—as well as the shower head and faucet itself—are left to freeze during the winter, and you could be left with leaks, plumbing repairs, and possibly even costly water damage to your RV as a result.

Mistake 3: Forgetting the Wastewater Tanks

Another place some people forget to put RV antifreeze when going through the RV winterization process? The waste water tanks. While you certainly don’t have to fill the entire waste tanks with antifreeze, it is still a good idea to dump a few cups of the stuff down the tanks to keep any water that might remain there from freezing.

If you are using the tanks throughout the winter, be sure to add more antifreeze each time you dump. It’s also a good idea to up the amount of antifreeze you use based on how much water is in the tanks.

Mistake 4: Leaving the Batteries in Place

RV batteries will drain over time. In some cases, parasitic draws that are found in many RVs will cause this to happen fairly quickly. That said, even if you unhook the batteries entirely, they will eventually be drained. This is a problem because while charged batteries won’t freeze, dead batteries will. Besides, it’s bad for batteries to be drained completely.

To avoid dead (and potentially frozen) batteries, simply remove them from the RV and store somewhere above freezing. Put them on a trickle charger to keep them charged up and ready to go, and your batteries should be in good shape for next camping season.

Mistake 5: Inviting Pests to Your RV

Okay, so you probably aren’t going to invite mice and other critters to make themselves at home in your RV on purpose. That said, forgetting to plug up small holes where the animals can enter is pretty much as good as inviting them in. Add in any food that you forgot to grab out of the pantry, and you’re almost certainly going to return to an infestation.

To be safe, make sure to remove all food from the RV (keep in mind, canned goods can actually freeze and burst, so those need to go in as well). Plug up all possible entry points with steel wool (mice can fit in holes the size of a dime) and consider using a mouse deterrent to keep the critters at bay.

Mistake 6: Skipping the Seals

One thing you absolutely do not want to return to when the weather warms up? Leaks and water damage. For this reason, it is incredibly important that you go over all of the seals on your RV before putting it in storage. Reseal anything that looks cracked or worn, and make sure your slide seals are in good shape. You might also consider storing the rig under cover for extra measure.

Did you make any of these RV winterization mistakes? If so, be sure to head out to your trailer or motorhome as soon as possible in order to fix the problem so you can rest easy knowing your RV will be in good shape when the spring rolls around.

May contain affiliate links.

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.

Dalton R. ~ “No improvements needed! I’ve called several times and found the help I need every time! Extremely satisfied with the service. I’m a technician so being able to get ideas and where everything is I can usually get it fixed up. Overall VERY pleased with this service!”

10 Pro Tips For Planning Your Trip In 2024

07 Wednesday Feb 2024

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A new year is here, and that means a whole new year of fun RV adventures awaits! Many people use these colder months to start their RV trip planning for the spring and summer. Why not join them in getting excited for warmer weather, outdoor adventures, and time spent around the campfire?

Not sure how to begin your RV trip planning? No worries, we’re here to help. Below, we will give you our top tips for planning amazing RV travels for the upcoming camping season.

Choosing Where to Go

First things first, you have to decide where you want to go. If you aren’t the type to stick around your home and stay in the campground for the entire trip, this can be a bit overwhelming. There is so much out there to explore, and picking just a few options can feel nearly impossible. Here are some ways to narrow down your options.

Plan Around Your Bucket List

Do you have an ongoing list of things you’d like to do and places you’d like to see? Use this list to guide your travels. Pick the options that matter most to you and do your best to work toward those trips. If your top picks simply aren’t feasible right now, you can also choose a few that are within the realm of possibility and start planning those trips.

Stick to Your Budget

Obviously, you will want to keep your travel budget in mind. If you need to keep things inexpensive, staying relatively close to home might be your best bet. You can also consider trying boondocking to save on camping fees or pick destinations with lots of free things to do and see. If you have a senior national parks pass, national parks can be an incredibly affordable camping destination.

Follow Friends

Have friends who enjoy RVing as well? If you really can’t decide what to do, you might ask them what their plans are. Camping is always more fun with friends, and planning a few trips with your RV friends will remove the need to choose a destination, and it helps ensure you have an amazing time no matter where you end up going.

Mind the Weather

Weather is an important factor when planning an RV trip. Staying in an RV when it is extremely hot or cold outside simply isn’t comfortable, and not being able to get outside because of constant rain can leave you feeling cooped up. We recommend looking for destinations that, if possible, will offer sunny weather with very little rain and no extreme temperatures.

Picking a Route

How you get where you’re going is important when you’re traveling by RV. You’ll need to consider which route is the safest for your big rig and which roads will be downright impossible for your larger vehicle to navigate. You’ll also want to look at what there is to do and see along whatever route you end up choosing.

Put Tools to Use

Luckily, there are tools that can help you choose an RV-friendly route. RV Trip Wizard is one such tool, and it does an excellent job of showing safe routes using the info you give on the size of your RV. It can also show you places to camp, get gas, and stop for sightseeing along the way.

We do recommend cross-checking any route RV Trip Wizard gives against a Trucker’s Atlas to ensure it truly is a good route for big rigs. While RV Trip Wizard is pretty fantastic at choosing good routes, it is not without faults, so double-checking is always a good idea.

Add Destinations

If you’re driving a long way to reach your destination, it just makes sense to add in some stops to see and do things along the way. RV Trip Wizard can help you find fun stops, as can Roadtrippers.

Google Maps can also be helpful if you have an idea of what sort of attraction you’re looking for. Just type it in and see what pops up along your route on the map.

Getting Trip Ready

Once you know where you’re going and the route you want to take, you’ll need to ensure you’re 100% ready to hit the road. Here’s what you need to do to get ready now so you can hit the road as soon as the warm weather rolls in.

Make Key Purchases

You might need to make some purchases before you hit the road. If you plan to do more boondocking than usual, a solar setup or generator might be needed. Certain outdoor adventures will require gear like kayaks, hiking boots, and so on. It’s also a good idea to check and make sure your RV roadside assistance is up to date and that you’re still comfortable with your insurance plan.

Get the RV Ready

Additionally, you’ll want to make sure all of your RV maintenance is done so your rig is in tip-top shape and ready to hit the road. Reseal the roof and side seams, check the slide seals, take a look at the tires replace any that need it, and make sure all of your appliances are in good working order. This will help ensure your first trip out goes off without a hitch and you can fully enjoy your entire camping season.

There you go! Everything you need to know to start your RV trip planning for 2024. Now start planning and getting excited so you can jump into the camping season feet-first when the warmer weather rolls in!

May contain affiliate links.

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.

Douglas M. ~ “The concern displayed by the call agent was awesome. The response was fast by the service provider and was terrific. Thanks so very much for this fantastic coverage!” 

Quick Tips For Storing Your Clothes In Your RV

10 Wednesday Jan 2024

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As a full-time RVer with kids, clothes sometimes seem like the bane of my existence. They’re everywhere and I can never quite keep up with the constant laundry and putting things away. Of course, a lack of RV clothes storage doesn’t help much, something that led me to look for better RV clothes storage options.

The good news? There are options! Below are some of the best solutions I’ve found to keep the clothing clutter at bay, even while living full-time in a teeny tiny RV.

Downsize, Downsize, Downsize

First of all, I highly recommend downsizing your RV wardrobe as much as you possibly can. Creating a capsule wardrobe for when you’re on the road can help a lot, as it cuts back on the number of clothes you have but still leaves you with plenty of versatility.

You want to make sure you hold on to what you really need, of course, but what you actually need might be a lot less than you assume, so be sure to take this step very seriously and cut back on your clothing collection ruthlessly.

Try Rolling Your Clothes Together

We’ve found that rolling our clothes rather than folding them actually saves space. I guess this is because we are able to roll them up tightly, getting rid of any air and making it possible to really pack things into a drawer or box.

Personally, I like to roll up entire outfits together instead of just rolling individual items. This makes it a lot easier to find items that match without digging everything out and making a mess I have to clean up.

Vacuum Up Out-of-Season Items

If you RV full-time, you have to be prepared for all kinds of weather. Unfortunately, this is really space-consuming. For this reason, we highly recommend putting any out-of-season clothes into vacuum storage bags, vacuuming the air out of them, and putting them away in a storage bay.

Vacuum bags remove the air from the clothes—making them more compact—and putting them in a storage bay gives you your drawers and closet back.

Use Tools to Put Vertical Space to Use

A large number of rigs (especially trailers) have tall, skinny bedside cabinets instead of an actual closet. You can hang things in these cabinets, sure, but I’ve found this is not a good use of space.

Instead, I recommend finding plastic storage tubs that fit the space just right and using these for clothes storage. You can organize the boxes however you see fit and then label them so you know exactly which one to pull out when you’re looking for something to wear.

If boxes aren’t your thing, you might be able to find a set of plastic drawers that serve the same purpose. Unfortunately, because these cabinets tend to be so narrow and because the bottoms of the cabinets are often deeper than the tops, drawers may not take full advantage of the space.

Think Outside the Box

If your RV just doesn’t give you enough clothes storage options, you can always think outside the box to add some of your own.

We’ve seen people turn the under-the-bed storage area into clothes storage by adding drawers or cabinet doors. We’ve also seen people build hollow steps that allow them to get up onto the tall bed easily while also offering some clothes storage space. Storage ottomans in the living area are also a good bet.

These are just a few of our favorite RV clothes storage solutions we’ve discovered in our time living in an RV. Have you found different solutions? We’d love to hear about them!

May contain affiliate links.

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.

Susan M. ~ “What a great service! I truly don’t know what I’d do without it!”

Letting Your Kids Plan Your RV Travels!

10 Wednesday Jan 2024

Posted by in Kids and Camping

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One of the best things about traveling with kids? The opportunity to teach them new things while you explore the world around you. This can be done by visiting museums, historic sites, and national parks, but you can also start learning before you ever leave home by giving your kids a chance to plan your RV travels.

That’s right, we are suggesting you allow your little ones to decide where you’re going to take your RV and what you’re going to do when you get there!

That said, we aren’t suggesting you let them loose with no direction whatsoever. Instead, you can give them some limits and instructions and then give them the freedom to make responsible decisions. This is an excellent way to work on budgeting, planning, problem-solving, geography, and more.

Set a Budget

First and foremost, you will want to decide on a budget. How much can this RV trip cost in total? Once you know that, sit down with your kids and discuss average campground fees and attraction fees to decide how to allocate those funds. Write down each line item you need to account for and how much you have set aside for each, and make sure those numbers are visible for the kids to see.

If you have very young children, it might help to provide a physical representation of the funds. LEGO bricks work well for this. Decide how much each block represents, create a stack for each budget line item, and remove the blocks as they have been “spent” throughout the planning process.

Pick a Place

Once your kids know what kind of budget they’re working with and what they need to plan to pay for, help them decide where to go.

Very young kids may need you to provide a list of options, along with a sneak peek of what is available to see and do in each place. Older kids can do the math to figure out how many miles they can drive on the gas budget they have (remind them to account for the return trip!), after which they can circle the radius they’re working with on a map and consider the towns within that circle to decide on a destination.

If your big kids aren’t sure what to expect of the towns in the radius they’re given, encourage them to do a bit of research to discover what kinds of attractions each one has to offer before they make a decision. Let them know that bigger towns and cities are generally printed bigger on the map and tend to have more options in terms of attractions. You might also remind them to keep an eye out for national parks, which can be in the middle of nowhere but tend to be amazing RV destinations.

Offer Tools

With a destination picked out, the next steps involve choosing a campsite as well as deciding which things to see and do. Your little travel planners will need some tools for this step, but unless your kids are pretty old and responsible, we highly recommend supervising them as they read reviews and gather information online.

Campendium is a good tool for finding campsites. Have your child type in the place they plan to visit and they will get a whole collection of camping options presented to them. From there, they can narrow their options based on a budget and then choose based on reviews and amenities offered. Of course, little ones who cannot read will need you to help with this by typing and reading for them, but you can still present them with options.

As far as attractions go, you can use Google or Trip Advisor to search for options in the area and read reviews. When your kids find something they want to do, have them write it down along with notes on why they want to visit and then find the admission cost for the entire family. Once they have a good list put together, allow each child to pick a certain number of attractions, reminding them to stay within budget.

It might help to split the attraction budget evenly between your kids, so each child has the same amount to spend on attractions.

Introduce Money Saving Ideas

Remind your kids that while they are welcome to spend every dollar in the budget, they can also save in one budget category in order to move money over to another category, or even save that money for a future trip. If they seem into this, offer some money-saving suggestions.

If you have any reciprocal memberships (ASTC, AZA, etc) let them know that, and give them a list of attractions included with the membership. Let them know that some towns offer free attractions such as small museums, parks, and even zoos. Have them look for national historic sites, which are sometimes free, and find the library calendar for the area to find free events.

You can also show them how to find free camping options on Campendium by filtering their search by cost. Just make sure they are aware that choosing a boondocking site will mean making some sacrifices.

Ask Questions and Create an Itinerary

Once your kids have a campground chosen and a list of attractions picked out, have them present it to you. Ask them questions about why they chose what they did, what they plan to do when you get there, etc. If you foresee problems with their selections, let them know that and see if they can come up with a solution.

Once you’ve gone over the plan together and it seems solid, have the kids sit down and write out an itinerary. Remind them that you will need some downtime each day and that driving from one attraction to the next does take time. Generally, it’s best to only visit one attraction each day, but we know this isn’t always possible.

This is also the point where you will need to book the campsite they’ve selected. If it’s an online booking process, you can walk your kids through it, allowing them to make all of the selections along the way.

Pack Everything Up

Finally, your kids will need to pack everything up. We recommend handing them a printed RV packing list and then allowing them to start gathering things, crossing them off as they go.

If you want to take it a step further, you might also let your kids create a simple meal plan and grocery list. Have them choose foods they can help make so they can take full ownership of this aspect of trip planning as well.

May contain affiliate links.

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.

Sarah M. ~ “Coach-Net is, to this day, the best service available”

Stay Warm This Winter With This Easy Furnace Maintenance

10 Wednesday Jan 2024

Posted by in RV Information, RV Safety, Tech Tips

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Winter is upon us and even if you are one of the lucky RVers that goes South for the winter, temperatures can get below freezing and you want the RV furnace to be in tip-top shape. That means doing a little preventative maintenance.

Most RVers take the furnace for granted as there are typically no filters or lengthy ductwork like the residential models. We just turn the thermostat to the desired temperature and wait for the heat to kick on.

Forced air furnaces such as the Suburban and Dometic brands have either ducted vents going through the rig, or direct airflow coming from the unit. They all operate fairly similarly and should have some basic maintenance performed occasionally.

How The Furnace Works

When the temperature drops to the set point on the thermostat, 12-volt power is sent to the module board on the furnace which starts the fan or blower. It is important to have fully charged house batteries or plugged into shoreline power as the blower motor will start but the gas valve will not open unless there is sufficient power to provide airflow, more on that later.

The fan draws outside air in through the vent purging the burner chamber and exhausting it outside so no outside air enters the rig. The fan also draws interior air through the cold air return and routes it over the burner assembly, past the sail switch, and out to the vents. This air-lifts the sail switch until it gets to the “closed” point, which sends 12-volt power to the module board letting it know there is sufficient airflow and to open the gas valve. Low batteries or insufficient airflow will not lift the switch to the closed position and therefore the furnace will not light. However, it will continue to blow cold air until the battery goes completely dead.

Once there is sufficient airflow and the sail switch gets to the closed position, the gas valve opens and the spark ignitor lights the furnace.

It is important to inspect and clean the exterior intake and exhaust vents so there is no obstruction. Mud daubers and spiders like the smell of propane and can clog up the vent and restrict airflow. There are even aftermarket screens available that will help keep them out without restricting airflow.

Make sure all vents and ductwork are clear and there is good airflow. Do not cover or close vents inside the rig as this will reduce airflow and keep the sail switch from rising or even increase the temperature at the furnace which would create the limit switch to shut off the furnace. Make sure any ductwork weaving through cabinetry or under the sofa is not kinked or obstructed.

If you see excessive black soot on the outside exhaust vent, it could be a sign of improper combustion due to low LP pressure, improper air-to-LP mixture, a dirty burner chamber, or other issues. It is a good idea to have the furnace cleaned and inspected periodically by a certified RV Service Center.

Supplemental Heat

Keep in mind that your RV furnace can only provide a limited amount of heat and trying to heat the entire rig as well as the lower compartments in basement models may not be possible. Using a supplemental heating system helps customize the heat zones and extends the LP life as well. Catalytic heaters such as the Camco Olympian or Mr. Heater allow you to drop the overall temperature down to 60 degrees or lower and just heat the portion of the RV you are using such as the living room during the day or bedroom at night. No need to keep the entire rig at 70 degrees.

These heaters are safe and produce very little moisture or carbon monoxide. They can be portable using the small LP cylinder or hard plumbed to an existing LP system.

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.

Alfred S. ~ “I’ve Been A Member Since 2001 and I’ve NEVER Had Any Problems!”

What You Need To Know About Towing Capacity

06 Wednesday Dec 2023

Posted by in RV Information, RV Safety, Tech Tips, Tips & Tricks

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One of the most popular questions I get is “What can my truck actually tow?” It ranks just below my refrigerator isn’t cooling, my batteries are dead, my roof air conditioner isn’t running efficiently, and my slide room doesn’t work. OK, so it’s in my top five but I do get it asked quite often!

In the past, we could just look up towing capacity in the Trailer Life towing guide or the truck manufacturer towing guide. As long as we knew the cab configuration, bed length, and engine size, we could get the towing capacity at the tip of our fingers.

Then The Math Changed!

Somewhere around 2010, Toyota came out with the first half-ton truck that had a towing capacity of 10,000 lbs while all the others were at 5-7,000 lbs. My 2002 Silverado had a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs which meant I did not have a very large selection of trailers that I could tow. Truck manufacturers scrambled to reclassify towing capacity using the new math Toyota had developed. My 2002 had a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 7,000 lbs and the towing capacity was 5,000 lbs which meant I had a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 12,000 lbs. The new math is taking GCWR and subtracting the Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) which is an empty truck and adding a 150 lb driver to determine towing capacity. This shifts payload weight from the tow vehicle to the trailer towing weight. Here is an example; my 2016 has a GVWR of 11,500 lbs and has a dry weight of 5,730 lbs. This means I could theoretically put 5,770 lbs of cargo into this truck which would include any passengers and cargo which is a lot of “stuff” I can bring. So with the new math, we take the 5,730 lbs of dry weight, add a 150 lb driver and it comes to 5,880 lbs, subtract it from the 11,300 lb GVWR and we have 5,620 lbs of extra weight that can be added or shifted to the trailer towing capacity. In the past, you could load your tow truck up to GVWR and then tow the published towing capacity.

What Is The Truth?

It’s hard to wade through all the postings, forums, and blogs when it comes to actual towing capacity, especially with AI and the fact that anyone can write or post anything on the internet without verification or authenticity. What I do know is that I have been working with the RV Safety and Education Foundation (RVSEF) for the past 25 years and trust them to be the authority when it comes to weights and towing. They have been weighing rigs for over 3 decades and working with tire manufacturers, RV manufacturers, and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) to develop weight information and even convinced the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) to require weight stickers on all units.

There still are towing guides published by Woodall’s, Good Sam, and the truck manufacturers however, they are estimates at best and do not take into account payload, cargo, and passengers. In fact, the towing capacity listed is for a standard truck with a driver of 150 lbs! According to RVSEF you need to know the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of your truck as well as the tongue weight that is on the back axle. Other factors include the GVWR of the truck as well as the GAWR of the rear wheels.

This all means taking the truck and trailer to a CAT Scale and getting it weighed which is not an easy thing to do especially if you are still in the shopping stage. To start with, I went to the RVSEF site that has several towing guides here.

The challenge I had was finding the correct specifications for my truck to look up the information in the various guides. I found the GVWR and GAWR ratings on the data label located on the driver door pillar.

I found the engine size on the label in the engine compartment that stated it was the 5.3L and it is a double door standard bed model. However what I could not find was the axle ratio and the GCWR. I went online and a Chevy source indicated the eight digit of the VIN indicated axle ratio and stated it was the 3.08 axle ratio and had a much lower trailer towing capacity as well as GCWR! To verify, I asked the Executive Director at RVSEF and he stated that most online sources do not take into account all the options and model variations. He stated the true information is found on the options label inside the glove compartment.

Going through all these three digit codes and matching the one to the RVSEF guide I found mine had the 3.42 and according to the owner’s manual, had a trailer towing capacity of 9,200 lbs and a GCWR of 15,000 lbs which I found on line and confirmed in my owner’s manual. Next I needed to weigh both the truck and trailer to make sure I wasn’t overloaded in any of the weight ratings.

Here Are The Numbers That Are Important

GCWR – Gross Combined Weight Rating

The weight of the truck with everyone and everything that will be travel plug the weight of the trailer with all cargo must not exceed the GCWR.

GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

The weight of the truck with all passengers and cargo can not exceed the GVWR. Also, the total weight of the trailer loaded with all cargo and water must not exceed the trailer GVWR.

GAWR – Gross Axle Weight Rating

Both axles have a GAWR and must not exceed the poste GAWR for front and rear with all passengers, cargo, and the trailer connected to determine how much weight the tongue of the trailer is applying.

Tongue Weight

Drive off the scale, disconnect the trailer, and weigh the truck or tow vehicle with all passengers and cargo. Subtract this from the original GAWR of the rear axle and this will tell you how much weight is on the hitch which should be somewhere between 10-15% on trailers.

Here were the ratings I found for my truck with a 1996 Salem trailer connected.

Hitched To Trailer

AxleGAWRActual AWR
Front5,000 lbs.3,300 lbs.
Rear7,050 lbs.3,240 lbs.

Trailer weight – 4,340 lbs.
Combined weight, truck and trailer – 10,880 lbs.

Unhitched truck

Front – 3,400 lbs.

Rear – 2,580 lbs.

Hitch weight or payload from trailer – 660 lbs.

The scale has three platforms which allows you to put the front axle on the first pad, the drive or rear axle on the second pad, and the trailer on the third which provides individual weights. This confirms that you are not over any of the weight ratings and can safely tow.

I also took the comprehensive RVSEF Matching Truck To Trailer Training Course here.

I would recommend anyone towing a trailer take the course and they are offering a discount for RV Lifestyle and Repair and Coach-Net members by using this code: RVLRTOW24

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.

Ray M. ~ “We’ve had a service plan with Coach-Net with 2 different RVs and we’re so glad we do.  Twice in less than a month, we’ve called with tire issues.  Both times your representative helped us to get back on the road in a short amount of time.  Thank you from two happy campers.”

The Best RV Clubs for Making Friends on the Road

29 Wednesday Nov 2023

Posted by in Getting To Know You, Kids and Camping, RV Newbie, Tips & Tricks

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Craving connections as you travel in your RV? Whether you’re traveling full-time or just occasionally, having friends to meet up with and share good times with can make the whole experience a whole lot better. And the best way to find RVing friends? RV clubs!

There are an enormous number of RV clubs out there. Some are niche clubs for a specific group of people or those with a specific interest. Others are more general clubs that welcome everyone, and most of these bigger clubs even include sub-groups that help RVers find their specific tribe.

In this article, we are going to discuss some of the best RV clubs. By joining one or two of these clubs, we are confident you will find connection with fellow RVers so you never have to feel lonely on the road again.

Family Campers and RVers

The Family Campers and RVers Club has been around since 1957. This all-encompassing group is geared toward RVers of all ages and walks of life. Here you’ll find youths, adults, and retirees. Some are full-time RVers, but most are part-timers who enjoy the occasional RV trip.

Programs are offered for kids, teens, and adults, and there is never a dull moment at one of the club’s events. The club places a lot of focus on wildlife and conservation programs, something that is fitting for a camping club. There are chapters across the country and a huge number of events happen each year, making attending a meetup a cinch!

iRV2 Forums

We love the iRV2 Forums because they offer excellent opportunities to gather information and make connections with other RVers online. There is no cost to join this enormous community of fellow travelers, and you’re sure to gain lots of great knowledge as well as some really cool friendships.

If you want to get to know your online friends in person, you can plan to meet up at campgrounds or destinations as you travel, or you can even attend an iRV2 rally!

Nomad Near Me

Another RV club that doesn’t cost anything but still offers lots of opportunities for connection is Nomad Near Me. This is a social media platform specifically for nomads. It resembles other social media platforms and is totally easy to use.

All you have to do is make a profile and update your location each time you move. The app will help you connect with other RVers in your area based on interests and other factors. It’ll also alert you if friends are in your area, meaning you’ll never miss opportunities to connect again.

Fulltime Families

Families who are on the road full-time should turn to Fulltime Families. As the name suggests, this organization exists to assist families on their full-time RVing journeys.

Members of the club are given access to members-only Facebook and Discord groups, including many sub-groups that connect people based on location and interests. Fulltime Families hosts many rallies, hangouts, and field trips throughout the year, providing excellent opportunities for connection.

Other benefits include discounts on a variety of RV-related products and services.

Republic of Nomads

The Republic of Nomads is also geared toward families. The goal of this organization is to be welcoming to all, and the diversity found among the participants makes the inclusivity of this club apparent. The organization also aims to help families stay on the road long-term, helping them find the support they need to do so.

Currently, the Republic of Nomads does not have any sort of paid membership option. Everyone is welcome at all events, and these range from laid-back “town hall” events (that are totally free to attend) to the paid Expedition Events, Alliance Events, and Assembly Events, all with a slightly different structure, but all with the same goal of providing opportunities for families to connect, learn, and grow together.

These are our top 5 picks when it comes to RV clubs that provide the best socialization opportunities. That said, these are far from the only options, and depending on your interests and travel style, you might find that another RV club suits you better, so be sure to do your research and try some different options to find the best one for you.

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.

James L. ~ “Outstanding. Agents make or break the company. They definitely made it with me!!! OUTSTANDING service. Precise answers. Coach-Net turned a stressful situation into a non-stressful learning experience.”