6 Reasons To Camp In State Parks This Summer

21 Tuesday May 2019

Posted by Coach-Net in National Parks, The Great Outdoors

Tags

Coach-Net, Go See State Parks, National Park, RV, RV Camping, RVing, State Parks Near Me

It’s that time of year. People are pulling their RVs out of storage, cleaning them up, and getting ready to head out on their summer camping adventures. As an RVer, you are very likely among these excited folks, and you may be wondering what this year’s adventures will hold for you.

Our recommendation? Check out some state parks!

All too often, state parks are overlooked. Many people simply assume that private RV parks are the best/only option, while others skip over the state parks in search of the grandeur offered by national parks. This is unfortunate because it means some wonderful gems are being passed over.

Why not change up your plans this year and hit up some state parks during your travels? You never know what amazing new discoveries you may come across. If that isn’t enough to convince you, you may also want to consider the six points below.

#1: Low Rates

Camping might be one of the cheapest ways to travel and see the world, but that doesn’t mean camping fees don’t start to add up. State park camping fees tend to be much lower than the fees at private parks or even those at national parks. Obviously, this is a major bonus if you camp often.

#2: Surprising Amenities

You may not expect it, but many state parks actually have some pretty awesome amenities. A huge number of them have electric and/or water hookups, and many even have sewer hookups. Those that don’t have sewer at each site tend to at least have a dump station, and almost every state park with a campground has bathhouses for campers.

Besides those basic things, you’ll also find things like playgrounds, grills, fire pits, and more. We’ve even found laundry rooms at some, and at one particular location—in New Orleans—the laundry machines were free!

#3: Escape into Nature

Generally speaking, private RV parks don’t offer much in the way of an escape into nature. National parks do, but they have their own set of issues such as lack of hookups and tiny sites. State parks offer the best of both worlds, giving campers a chance to escape into a natural environment without giving up certain comforts.

#4: Big Rigs Usually Welcome

As mentioned above, most national parks don’t have room for larger RVs. State parks will almost always welcome larger rigs into their campgrounds, meaning you can have low rates and a beautiful natural environment without downsizing your RV.

#5: Recreation Opportunities Onsite

In addition to the surprising amenities offered by so many state parks, each park also offers a variety of recreation opportunities, making these parks true attractions in and of themselves. Whether you prefer kayaking, hiking, or fishing, you’re sure to find a number of state parks that offer opportunities for your favorite outdoor activities.

On top of that, many state parks also offer ranger-led activities and even Junior Ranger programs for visiting children.

#6: Countless Choices

One of the greatest things about making state parks your camping location of choice is the fact that, depending on how far you’re willing to travel, you could easily camp every single weekend of the year and never visit the same park twice. There are so many state parks in this amazing country of ours, and each one is so unique that even just exploring the parks alone would keep you happily busy for quite some time.

Ready to start your state park adventures? Find out about the state parks in your area and get going right away!

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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RV Washers And Dryers

08 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by Coach-Net in Kids and Camping, Tips & Tricks

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

camping with kids, Kids Camping, RV, RV and Kids, RV cleaning tips, RV wash tips, RVing

Unless you are lucky enough to custom order your new RV from the factory, chances are it has some amenities you don’t need. When we purchased our first diesel pusher, it included the last thing we would ever want in a motorhome… or so we thought.

Enter the RV washer/dryer; it sat in one of the RV closets taking up valuable space that could otherwise be used to store clothes, linens, tools, or what-have-you, and we were not impressed.

Here we are, several years later, and we are true converts. While it is true that the unit is large, heavy, and takes up significant space, this is a small price to pay for the convenience a washer/dryer offers. It has really become a “must-have” go-to appliance in the years since.

We travel with two teenagers and two pets, and my eldest daughter has a two-year-old, and he is sure to be traveling with us soon as well, so the washer/dryer has become a lifesaver. We now take the appliance for granted, and certainly noticed its absence when we had one RV that did not have one. Our current RV has this essential appliance and it is unlikely we would be without one if and when we purchase a new RV in the future. If you’ve never considered a washer/dryer to be a factor in your RV purchasing decision, here are some thoughts that may affect your decision:

You don’t have to turn around after leaving an RV park because you left a load of laundry in the dryer (yes this has happened).
You won’t have to scrounge for change in order to wash your clothes
You won’t have to purchase single-use wash detergent every time you need to do a load of laundry.
It’s very easy to do laundry after kids and pets get things dirty.
The space taken up by the washer/dryer may be compensated for by the fact you can pack fewer clothes and linens due to the convenience of onboard laundry.
Individuals who may have soap sensitivities don’t have to worry about residual detergent in the commercial public machines.
You don’t have to worry about changing your loads of laundry over between the public washers and dryers or leaving them in the machines while you are out, especially if the laundry facilities are busy and/or they close at night. This is especially relevant if you are out sightseeing and won’t be back to the park to switch your laundry.
The sheer convenience of being able to do laundry where and when you want

There are some other things to think about when considering an RV washer/dryer:

While combo units such as ours are the most convenient, the wash load capacity is generally larger than the drying capacity. The easiest workaround for this is simply to wash smaller loads
You can opt for a separate washer and dryer units, but they take up more space and you will have to change your laundry over manually. This is not a major inconvenience for most people.
You can also opt for vented or ventless dryers. The latter is used in RVs that can’t easily support a vent installed on the outside of the coach. Ventless dryers take longer to dry the laundry and consume more water.
There are other options for washing clothes in an RV as well, such as washers that utilize the RV shower, as well as manually hand-cranked units. These are handy for the budget-conscious RV owner.

In summary, we have found that our washer/dryer has become an essential appliance in our motorhome, and the extra space it takes up is a small price to pay for the convenience it provides on the road. If you haven’t considered this appliance, or if you have previously dismissed it as an option, I highly recommend giving it another look.

About the author: Steve Froese

Steve Froese, an avid RV owner, traveler, and Coach-Net member since 2013, is the principal of “A Word to the Wise Technical Communications”, a published RV author, certified RV technician, and licensed Professional Engineer. He frequently collaborates with the “RV Doctor”, Gary Bunzer, and has worked with the RVIA/RVDA as a technical and training writer and consultant. Professionally, he works as a quality engineer and musician. Watch for more of Steve’s work in upcoming Coach-Net publications.

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Installing a Maxx Air Vent Cover

12 Tuesday Mar 2019

Posted by Coach-Net in RV Information

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Tags

Air Vent, Maxx, RV, RV AC, RV air conditioner, RVing

While many RVs these days come equipped from the factory, or the previous owner, with Maxx Air vent covers installed, it is not always the case. Vent covers are handy to have, as they allow you to have your vents open while travelling or when it’s raining. This allows you to have fresh air circulating through your rig without necessarily having your windows open or air conditioner running.

Vent covers are very simple to install and make for a great beginner DIY project. In this article I will walk through the installation of the Maxx Air vent cover, including a slight departure from the installation instructions that make it even easier!

Note that roof vents that incorporate large exhaust fans, such as Fantastic Fans® require different models of vent cover that allow higher air flow. Be sure to consult your RV parts dealer or the Maxx Air (or equivalent) website for specific application information. However, the installation process will be similar to that shown here.

Once you have your Maxx Air cover (or any other brand), unpack the contents of the packaging and separate the hardware from the cover. You should have a set of angle brackets, carriage bolts, washers, nuts, and some machine screws. If you want to make the job slightly easier, acquire four #8 x 5/8 (or similar length) self-tapping screws, which don’t come with the kit. These will replace the machine screws and nuts.

Any 14” roof vent can be covered by a vent cover. The following steps will illustrate how the installation is performed:

The first step is to place the cover over the vent for proper positioning. Ensure the open, vented side of the cover is facing the rear of the coach. Center the cover side-to-side but leave more clearance at the back of the cover to allow the non-hinged edge of the vent to swing open and closed without binding.
Once you have the cover positioned, go inside the RV and wind the vent up and down to make sure it has clearance across the full range of motion.
When you have verified proper positioning and clearances, make a mark on the RV roof at each of the four corners where the bolt holes appear on the cover. Use either the inside or outside holes, but not both.
Remove the vent cover and place a bracket at each marked location as shown. Be sure to insert the carriage bolt through the bracket before placing the bracket against the vent frame. Make sure the slot for the carriage bolt is located inline with the mark made in the previous step.
Here, the manufacturer instructions may call for drilling a hole through the vent frame to install the machine screws. A much easier option is to simply screw a self-tapping sheet metal screw through the frame as shown here. As indicated above, a #8 screw approximately 5/8” in length will suffice. A battery powered screwdriver or drill is required here, but make sure you don’t over-torque the screws. Repeat this process for all four brackets.
Once all four brackets have been secured to the vent frame, place the cover over the vent, making sure all four carriage bolts go through the cover slots. Slide the bolts in the bracket to achieve proper alignment. Go inside the RV and check for clearances again, as the vent cover can still be shifted in the slots.
Once final clearance has been confirmed, place the star washers, flat washers, lock washers, and nuts on the carriage bolts and tighten the nuts using a socket or wrench.
Since no holes were drilled in the RV roof, no sealant is required.

With this do-it-yourself task accomplished, you can feel satisfied that you have saved money, and it may give you the confidence to attempt other basic, or even more advanced projects.

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Tag Archives: RVing