Tag Archives: Travel Tips

Tips for Finding and Using FREE Campgrounds With Hookups

21 Wednesday Jul 2021

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Last year, during our travels through the middle of the country, we discovered an amazing thing: free campgrounds. And not just your typical dry camping sites in a government owned park, either—I’m talking about campgrounds with water and electric hookups and often even a dump station onsite! This was a game changer.

You see, we’ve done a bit of boondocking here and there, and we have plenty more boondocking stops planned for the next couple of weeks. That said, it isn’t our favorite way of exploring. We normally use Thousand Trails campgrounds to keep costs low, but when we’re not near these campgrounds, we need other options that don’t cost an arm and a leg. These free campgrounds with hookups fill that role perfectly.

In this article we will talk about how to find free (and incredibly low-cost) camping with hookups, and then give you some tips for using these campsites.

What to Expect from Free and Low-Cost Campgrounds with Hookups

Generally, free campgrounds with hookups are located in city parks, but some can be found at casinos, county parks, and other locations. The rules vary from one park to the next, but many ask for a donation in exchange for your stay, and all the places we’ve visited limit your stay to a certain number of days. These seem like reasonable requests, considering the awesome thing that is being offered.

In some cases, we will find city parks or county park campgrounds that aren’t totally free, but are under $15 a night. I still consider this an incredible deal, and we will often use these parks as well. The rules and amenities at these places tend to be very similar to those found at free campgrounds.

Most of these low-cost campgrounds have a donation box available, in which you place your gift or camping fees. However, we have come across some places that require you to check in at the city hall, sheriff’s office, or even a local museum.

We’ve found free and low-cost campgrounds that are electric-only with nothing but a field of grass to park on. We’ve also found parks that offer full hookups (water, sewer, and electric) and concrete pads. Most have electric and water at each site and a dump station somewhere in the park or the town. Many are near the local pool, and the majority have a playground very close by. Once in a while we will come across a free campground with showers for RVers.

Every free or cheap campground we’ve ever found has been located in a small town, if not in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes the town might have something to do, or it might be 30–45 minutes from a big city. Other times, there isn’t much in the way of attractions for miles around.

Where to Find Free and Low-Cost Campgrounds with Hookups

Wondering how one might go about finding a place to stay for free (or almost free)? We usually use the website called FreeCampsites.net. As the name suggests, this site is dedicated to listing free campsites. It also includes low-cost campgrounds.

In order to find the campgrounds with hookups, I will filter my search to find only the campgrounds with the hookups I need. That said, sometimes a particular amenity may not be included in the listing, so if I’m having trouble finding what I need in a particular area, it does sometimes help to read reviews in case the thing I’m looking for isn’t listed properly.

Once I find something that looks like what I need, I don’t stop there. I dive deeper, reading all of the reviews on FreeCampites.net and then seeking out yet more reviews on other sites. I’ll also look for information about a given campground on its city website. This helps to ensure the campground is still in existence and as listed.

Besides FreeCampsites.net, there are other ways to find free and low-cost campgrounds. Some of the options we know if include:

  • Campendium — This works much like FreeCampsites.net and is often where I’ll turn second.
  • RoamFreely — This is an app that also works like FreeCampsites.net. It has some campgrounds listed that aren’t on either of the websites mentioned above, but it’s missing several as well.
  • Keeping your eyes peeled — Another great option is to keep an eye out for campsites that look like they might be a part of a city park or a casino. This works well if you take backroads often or enjoy visiting small towns. If you find some, stop and check. If it is indeed a free of low-cost place to stay, be sure to list it on Campendium and FreeCampsites.net.
  • Asking around — Finally, it never hurts to ask others about campsites they know of. Ask other RVers on Facebook groups and forums, or ask locals if they know of any great and inexpensive places to camp. You might be surprised at the hidden gems you can find.

Tips for Using Low-Cost Campgrounds

At this point, we’ve stayed in our fair share of these free and super cheap campgrounds. Along the way, we’ve learned a thing or two that help make our trips to these places a bit more enjoyable.

These are our top tips:

  • Arrive early — We are definitely not early risers. However, we have found that when it comes to free and cheap campsites, it pays to arrive as early as possible in order to snag a site.
  • Shower at the pool — As mentioned before, most of these campgrounds do not have showers for RVers. They also don’t tend to have sewer hookups at each site, making it necessary to conserve tank space. We’ve learned that the showers at the city pools are a great way to get clean and tend to be very low-cost.
  • Explore small towns — You might be far away from any true attractions, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth seeing nearby. Go into town and try the local coffee shop and eateries. Some of our favorites have been in tiny towns.
  • Look for historic markers — Even in the middle of nowhere with no true attractions around, you will see historic markers. Make a point of looking for these and stopping to check them out.
  • Be willing to drive to attractions — If you’re looking to visit a particular attraction or city, you might be able to find free camping as long as you’re willing to camp 45 minutes away.
  • Find campgrounds along your route — Even if there isn’t a free campground close to your final destination, there could be some along your route. Since we don’t like to drive more than 3 or 4 hours in a day, these campgrounds can be a great way to break up a long trip.

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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What To Expect During RV Travel This Summer

09 Thursday Jul 2020

Posted by in RV Safety

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What To Expect During RV Travel This Summer

The weather has warmed up and the kids are out of school, which must mean summer is here! And normally that means it’s time to get outside and enjoy Mother Nature by RV camping. But obviously, this year has been very different due to COVID-19. So what does that mean for your camping plans? Well, you can rest assured that it’s still safe to go camping, as the experts have deemed it a low-risk activity this summer. But you can bet there will be some changes to your normal camping routine in order to stay healthy and abide by the new rules in place. So before you pack all your gear and head to the wilderness, here’s what to expect when RV camping this summer.

Stay Aware of the Latest Campground Closures

Many campgrounds have put restrictions in place or even closed altogether to keep campers safe, so you should look up the latest news on your favorite campground before you go. Even if the campground is open, many have closed any shared bathrooms, swimming pools, or other amenities, so be prepared for restrictions.

RV Park Closed

If you plan on RV camping in a campground that requires reservations, you’ll likely be notified of restrictions when you reserve your spot on the website. Be sure to leave current contact information in case the campground has to close at the last minute. If you’re going dispersed camping, look up the website for the state or national forest or park you’re camping in to see any updates. You can also get the latest information on their social media pages, as well as from any camping groups you’re in or RV camping apps you use. It’s a good idea to call the campground or forest ranger for the latest updates the day before you go, as well.

Be Prepared for Crowded Campgrounds

With so many businesses being closed this summer, more families than ever are going tent or RV camping. After all, it’s a great way to get out of the house and social distance! But that’s only if you can avoid camping at the same time and place as everyone else. As you make plans, try not to camp at popular campgrounds, especially during weekends and holidays.

Instead, go during the week if possible so you’re less likely to have close camping neighbors. And use this time to explore campgrounds that aren’t as well-known, as they’ll be less crowded. In fact, this is a great time to try dispersed camping rather than sticking to developed campgrounds, as you’ll have plenty of room to spread out.

Be Prepared if Needing Roadside Assistance

Be Patient When Waiting For Assistance

With more people camping than ever and more people on the road, roadside assistance providers are definitely in high demand. Every year roadside assistance providers always take extra care to prepare for their much anticipated high traffic summers, but with the unprecedented demand for road trips and RVing, this summer is proving to be exceptional.

To help your provider assist you as fast and efficiently as possible and as dispatch centers are experiencing higher call volume, try to have all of your member information and your vehicle information ready. If you are on the side of the road and not in a safe place, immediately notify your roadside assistance provider when they answer your call. Your safety is top priority and your provider will want to do everything they can to ensure you and your family are secured as fast as possible. No matter the reason you call needing help, just remember: we’re all in this together.

Consider Boondocking This Year

In most states, you can drive down a national forest road and camp for free, though you might want to check the forest website for restrictions first. Boondocking is the best way to reduce your odds of camping close to people, which is perfect for social distancing.

Of course, boondocking means you won’t have access to amenities, such as electrical, water, or sewer hookups. So conserve water or bring your own for drinking and washing your hands, and bring a generator if you want electricity. And consider buying a camp toilet—or at least toilet paper and a shovel—to make up for the lack of sewer hookups.

Prepare for Campground Safety Regulations

If your preferred RV camping spot is open, find out if it has any safety requirements due to COVID-19. Many campgrounds require campers to wear face masks when there’s a risk of contact with anyone outside of the household.

Follow Camping Safety Regulations

You should also bring hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and gloves to keep your hands and any surfaces clean during your RV camping trip. Consider sanitizing your RV before the trip, too.

Find Ways to Avoid Contact with Others

Part of safe RV camping during a pandemic is avoiding contact with people outside your family. To do this, drive straight from your home to the campsite. This means you should shop in the grocery stores by your house, getting grocery pickup or delivery if possible. Also, fill up on gas before you leave. If it’s necessary to get gas on the way, be sure to pay at the pump.

You can also look for campgrounds that offer online payment and remote check-in so you don’t have to talk to or exchange money with anyone once you arrive. Of course, since you don’t need reservations or payment for dispersed sites, boondocking helps with this.

Stay Informed on COVID-19 Guidelines

Stay Informed Experts are always learning new details about this virus, so guidelines change frequently. This is why you should stay updated on the newest information while you plan your RV camping trip.

You can start by signing up for emails or following the social media pages of the CDC. You can do the same with the campgrounds and national or state parks you might plan to camp in this summer, as following their social media pages and websites will prevent you from missing any updates that would affect your trip.

Taking these precautions can help you keep your family and community safe while you enjoy the great outdoors this summer. Happy camping!

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Our Las Vegas RVing Adventure

20 Friday Dec 2019

Posted by in RV Information

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Our Las Vegas Adventure

The phrase “Las Vegas camping” seems contradictory, but as RVers we really do get to enjoy the best of both worlds. Nearly every year my husband and I head to Sin City to enjoy it from the comforts of our home on wheels. Here’s why it never ceases to amuse and entertain us.

Las Vegas RVing is Cheap, Easy and Fun

Gambling isn’t our thing, but we love great entertainment, food, drinks and parties. Las Vegas is all of the above and then some. As a bonus, it has great RV parks with easy access to the Strip or Downtown. We’ve visited at least four of them but two stand out among the rest.

When you’re after a glitz and glam Vegas experience from the comfort of your home on wheels, check into the Las Vegas Oasis Resort. We enjoyed our stay at this full-service RV resort that’s just a 10 minute Uber ride from the Strip. Sure, Vegas has plenty of other RV parks, but we haven’t found one that matches the caliber of this resort. The gated park features everything you would expect from a great hotel, like beautiful swimming pools, a modern fitness center, on-site concierge, 18-hole putting green, restaurant and more. When the slots are loose and your wallet’s wide open, this is a first-class getaway for RVers in search of a glamorous getaway.Puppy Dog

We enjoyed being close to the Strip when staying at the luxurious Oasis, but once we discovered a small RV park within walking distance of the quirky, freaky fun on Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas, all bets were off. The revitalized area is slowly shedding its seedy reputation and attracting more adventurous tourists like us in search of the “Old Vegas” experience. From cheap happy hour drinks at local watering holes like the Downtown Cocktail Room,  to free live music in places like the El Cortez Hotel Lounge, Downtown has all of the fun and games of the Strip—with a much nicer price tag.

Freaky Fun on Fremont Street

Downtown Las Vegas only has one RV park, which is operated by Main Street Station Casino. Keep in mind that calling it a “park” is a generous use of the term. The small facility is located under the freeway on the fringes of a rough neighborhood. This Las Vegas RVing experience is nothing more than an asphalt parking lot with hookups and parking spaces so tightly packed that you can touch your neighbor’s slide out if you dare.

Parked In Las Vegas

And although it sounds like a terrible place, we discovered that the benefits outweigh the downsides. For starters, the park is about half the price of other Las Vegas RV parks closer to the Strip. It also has easy freeway access but best of all, Main Street Station RV Park is within easy walking distance to Downtown casinos and the world-famous Fremont Street Experience.

The heart and soul of Downtown Vegas is on Fremont Street. It’s an ongoing pedestrian party scene where Halloween and New Year’s Eve blend into one continuous year-round holiday as an endless parade of weird and wild revelers loudly saunter from casino to bar, bar to casino and back again. Sure, it’s a tourist trap but it’s fun, free and I guarantee you’ve never experienced people-watching like this.

Downtown has other attractions too, like the Mob Museum, which spotlights organized crime’s impact on America, and the Neon Museum, a funky boneyard of well-reserved vintage Vegas neon signs and show-stopping lights.

Where to Go After Your Vegas RV Getaway

Some years we stay longer in Las Vegas than others. But no matter how short the visit, we always benefit from a sensory detox in the surrounding desert scenery of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Every type of camping exists within the 1.5 million acres of public lands located just 20 minutes east of civilization. From free dry camping to full-hookups at two concessionaire-operated campgrounds, we always enjoy and easy and effective retreat from our wild ride in Las Vegas.

Our travels rarely take us into big cities. Most just don’t seem worth the stress and hassle of squeezing our RV into busy city streets. But Las Vegas is different. There’s something otherworldly and weird about hauling our home on wheels into the glitzy chaos of an oasis in the desert. Vegas really is a great place to visit for RVers like us, but we sure wouldn’t want to camp there forever.

About the author: Rene Agredano

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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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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5 Great Ways to Filter Water While Camping

09 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in RV Information, Tips & Tricks

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5 Ways To Filter Water While Camping

It’s no secret that campgrounds very rarely have good water. Sure, most of it is probably safe to drink, but rarely do we come across campground water that tastes great, and sometimes it’s even stinky or discolored. For this reason, most seasoned RVers use some sort of filtration system.

Picking up an RV water filter sounds easy enough, right? Unfortunately, it requires a bit more effort that you’d think. You see, there are a number of options when it comes to filtering the water you use while camping. Therefore, you might want to do a bit of research before picking up a filter in order to ensure you’re getting the best option for you.

Inline Filter

The first and most obvious answer to your water quality problems is an inline filter. These things are super easy to find, simple to install, and do a decent job of filtering out sediment.

That said, they don’t do so great when it comes to filtering out yucky tastes and chemicals such as chlorine. Still, this option is cost effective for those who only need to filter water once in awhile and it works relatively well. Therefore, this is definitely the best option for part-timers, and some full-timers prefer them over other options as well.

Canister System

Many full time RVers use a canister filtration system. This is pretty simple to install, but does require that you have a place to set the filter. The filters in these systems last much longer than inline filters, making them a great option for those who filter water into their RVs on a daily basis.

Canister systems also tend to do a great job at filtering out sediment as well as odd tastes, leaving all campground water clean, clear, and perfectly potable.

Reverse Osmosis

 

Reverse Osmosis Water Filter

Reverse osmosis is by far the most thorough water filtration system. That said, it’s also the most complicated to install, especially in an RV.

Additionally, this type of system cleans water so well that it tends to waste quite a bit of it. This means several gallons of water are flushed down the drain. Not only is this not eco-friendly, it also is not great for boondocking. Still, some people choose reverse osmosis and love the super clean water they get in return.

Berkey

Many RVers invest in Berkey filtering systems in order to provide themselves with super clean drinking water. These countertop water containers are one of the best filtering systems on the market.

That said, we recommend using the Berkey in addition to one of the filtering systems mentioned above. This is because the above filtering systems ensure sediment doesn’t make its way into your RV water lines, while the Berkey filters water after it’s already made its way through your lines.

Filtering Water Bottles

Looking to filter water while out hiking? Water bottle that filter on the go are a wonderful solution. While most bottles aren’t designed to filter anything much dirtier than tap water, there are a few out there that will filter water from a stream or river. These are perfect for those who like to hike long distances and can’t carry enough water to last their entire hike. I particularly like the Lifesaver bottle for this purpose.

While these aren’t the only options out there, they are the most popular and probably the best for most people. I encourage you to weigh the pros and cons of each and pick a system that will give you the clean water you need in a way that is convenient for you.

You may also want to keep in mind that you can combine some of these options, so if you want extra pure water, go ahead and do some doubling up!

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 home schools 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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“Stop Grilling Me!”  Choosing the Best RV Grill – Part 2

24 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by in RV Information, Tailgating, Tips & Tricks

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Stop Grilling Me

It’s tailgating season and the roaming chefs are hitting the parking lots of football stadiums all over the country.  Just as there are hundreds of RV makes and models, there is quite a diverse selection of methods to cook, steam, BBQ, and smoke food as well. In part 1, we discussed Lump vs. Briquettes.  In this blog we will discuss the various grills available and the features and benefits as they pertain to RVing  and cooking preference. Granted, everyone would love to have a Big Green Egg, smoker, wood fired pizza oven, and a dozen other cooking options sitting around the campsite, but the reality is there is only so much space available in our storage bins and we have to choose the best option to cover the majority of cooking needs.

LP Options

Let’s start with the LP options available as there are several models that can be stored flat and are very convenient for grilling.  When I was young we would rent a camper 3-4 times a year and go on a couple of short weekend trips to a lake.  “THE” big vacation was a 2-week adventure to a major destination like Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain National Park, and even Washington DC and New York City.  On those trips we took the classic Coleman camper stove that you poured “white gas” into the storage vessel and pumped it up to get a flame.

Today, there are several models that can be easily packed flat in a storage compartment or smaller version of large residential models that will fit in some of the large storage compartments available with today’s RV.

LP grills that can run off a 20lb DOT cylinder or small screw on bottle are very popular.  A wide variety of tabletop units are available, however for a larger cooking surface and convenient fold down storage, the Coleman “RoadTrip” is a great choice.  And yes, they still make the old style pump up pressure models we camped with in the ‘60’s called the Coleman Powerhouse!

Charcoal/Lump Style

Weber and Char-Broil have been the age old favorite of residential charcoal enthusiast for years, however the traditional kettle style or large four legged box style is great for the patio at home, but not easy to haul around when RVing.  Unless you have an open truck bed or get creative with a bumper mount, you will need to compromise the size.

Coal Grill

There are several down sized models and even tabletop version such as the Weber 121020 go anywhere or “Smokey Joe”, the Char-Broil portable kettle, Cuisinart 14” portable, Hibachi tabletop, or various others.  The advantage is a smaller size for storing the grill in a compartment without taking the unit apart.  The disadvantage is the size of the grill and amount of briquettes that can be used which can also limit the cooking time and heat generated.  Also, the height of these means they need to be placed on a table or on the ground and bend down to cook. You won’t be able to stand behind the grill with your best grilling apron, favorite beverage, and spatula making the traditional griller’s pose!  Maybe not a big thing?

Ceramic Grills

TheEggGrill

A big trend these days is the ceramic kettle such as the Big Green Egg, Komando, Vision Grills, or Char Griller.  Originally these came out in the residential version that was to large to take on an RV trip, but are now offering a few portable sizes.  The advantage is the technology of creating a better heat source with even temperatures, versatile cooking, and a cooler outside shell.  There are not many disadvantages other than a higher cost.  Our local grill distributor is an avid RVer and sells a variety of brands and they take the Big Green Egg mini-max on every camping trip.

Wood Pellets

Wood Pellets

Due to tree killing insects and disease, most campgrounds will not let you bring your own firewood for recreational use or cooking.  Wood pellet stoves have become popular as they are convenient to use, self feeding, and can maintain a desired temperature within +/- 20 degrees.  The most popular models are the Traeger Tailgaiter or Green Mountain Grills which also has a WiFi controller!

Pizza Oven

Yes, there are actually portable pizza ovens that are great for RVing such as the Cuisinart “Alfrescamore”, the wood pellet Uuni, Pizzeria Pronto, or Green Mountain Grill insert!

No matter what type of cooking you choose, there is a grill that will fit your needs and your storage space!  And as you walk around the campgrounds of America, you will find dozens more styles in just about every category.  That’s one of the fun parts of camping, seeing how and what everyone is cooking.

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 ClubRV 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.

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4 Tips For Your Last Trip

10 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by in RV Information, Tips & Tricks

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4 Tips For Your Last Trip

Camping season is almost over, and most RVers are doing what they can to squeeze out another trip or two before packing their rigs away for winter. If you’re one of the many campers doing this, you may be looking for ideas to make your last trip of the year extra special. One of the best ways to go about this is by doing something new and interesting to give your weekend away a bit of extra pizzazz.

That said, traditional camping activities are fun too. Since you won’t be able to do those “normal” camping things for quite some time after this last weekend out, skipping them may not be an option.

How do you squeeze in both the old and the new? You combine them, of course!

Putting new twists on the same camping activities you’ve been doing all summer will make them special enough to stand out from the rest while remaining “traditional” enough to suit the people who prefer to keep it simple.

Wondering how to go about this? Try these four fun twists on for size.

 

#1: Colorful Campfires

No camping trip is complete without a fire, but there are definitely ways to make a traditional campfire more exciting. One of our favorite ways of going about that is by making the fire colorful. This can be done with the use of these packets.

Other options are to use coffee creamer to make the fire sparkle, or borax to make the flames green.

 

#2: Mixed-Up S’mores

Of course, your campfire will also need to include s’mores. However, there’s no reason you have to keep your camping treats 100%traditional. Instead, mix it up with a variety of ingredient options.

Some people like using cookies in place of graham crackers; others think using a peanut butter cup instead of a regular chocolate bar makes all the difference. Another option is to seek out some flavored marshmallows such as these colorful puffs of goodness.

Smores

 

#3: Campfire Band

What does your family usually do while sitting around the campfire? Many families and groups of friends choose to pass the time singing songs, but that doesn’t sound nearly exciting enough for a final farewell to camping for the year. Therefore, a campfire band is definitely in order.

Gather some pots and pans, order a kazoo or two, toss in a tambourine or triangle, and have a blast playing and singing campfire songs around the fire. Just be sure to end your musical fun fairly early, as it might disturb the neighbors.

Campfire Band

 

#4: Hiking Games

During the day, hiking is a must-do activity. However, many people visit the same campgrounds multiple times a year, and this can lead to boredom with the same old trails. If this is a problem for your family, you might want to try some hiking games.

There are several hiking game ideas out there, but some of our favorites include “hiking hide-and-seek” and “spot it”.

To play hide-and-seek, send one hiker ahead on the trail to hide no more than 15 feet off the path. When the other hikers catch up, they must try to find the hider. Whoever finds them becomes “it” and the game starts again.

“Spot it” is played using a digital camera or phone with a camera. One player goes ahead on the trail and snaps a super-close-up of one object. The photo should be so close up that only texture and color are shown, making it difficult to tell what the object is. All other players then observe the photo closely. When the spot of the pictured object is reached, the photo taker stops the group, gives them a 10’x10’ area to search, and everyone looks for the pictured item until it is found.

Of course, these are just a few of the many amazing ways you can make your last camping trip of 2018 stand out from the rest. Do you have an awesome idea for how to put a twist on a traditional camping activity? We’d love to hear it!

Hiking

 

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John and Pierin B. ~ “Coach Net provides me with the confidence I need to travel anywhere in the country in my motorhome with peace of mind. I have always had great service and better results with Coach Net. Its unusual to find a company where we can place our total trust, security and safety. Thank you for your service.” 

Traveling With Man’s Best Friend

10 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by in RV Safety, Traveling with your Pet

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Traveling with mans best friend

Safety is key when you’re on the road, especially when it comes to our pets. This month I experienced a real-life example of why it’s so important to carefully mind your pets while traveling. The same can be said for any scenario involving pets, not just RV traveling.

We were heading home from a trip in the Canadian prairies and stopped overnight at an RV park in the Rocky Mountains. We had stayed at this park on the way east and were looking forward to relaxing a little and walking among the trees, Stellar Jays, and Salmon Berries after an eight-hour drive over the mountains heading back west.

Dog

Pandora

After setting up, we decided to stretch our legs and take our eighteen-month old dog (Pandora) for a walk. As we were walking along one of the gravel lanes, we noticed a Boxer with a pink collar bounce up behind us. Her leash was trailing behind her and a young boy was running behind her calling her name. As the dogs began nicely saying hi and sniffing each other, nothing prepared me, my wife, or our dog for the sudden ferocious behavior the Boxer displayed towards Pandora.

She suddenly attacked Pandora, going directly for her throat. Pandora pushed back against me, seeking protection. Being an extremely passive dog, Pandora had no desire to engage the other dog, and she was certainly fearing for her life at this point. My wife stepped forward to grab the Boxer’s pink collar but was impeded when her ankle was scraped by the dog’s claws.

We then noticed the boy’s mother had appeared and managed to grab hold of her dog and pull it off Pandora. The campers at the site where the incident occurred voiced their amazement and shock to have witnessed this attack. The mother dragged her dog away and asked if we were okay. We, including Pandora, were still in shock but my wife did a preliminary inspection of Pandora for wounds and broken bones. However, our gentle dog was not able to communicate any injuries, as her anxiety level was through the roof at that point. My wife had not yet noticed the scratches on her ankle, as she was focused on Pandora. We told the woman we thought everyone was fine.

We were fortunate that Pandora was not hurt, but this was a stark reminder to keep  dogs under strict control while outside your RV. If you have a strong, large, and/or aggressive dog, remember to think carefully about who should be holding the leash. We should always try our best to take all precautions possible. While there may be a stigma attached to these added precautions, it keeps other dogs safe while your dog enjoys some freedom.

Most pet rules are simple but please do take them seriously, whether traveling or at home.  You can also check out these additional tips for traveling with your furry friend!

About the Author: 

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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Five Things You Need to Know Before RVing to Alaska

19 Wednesday Sep 2018

Posted by in RV Information, Tips & Tricks

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5 tips for RVing in AlaskaGoing RVing to Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime journey thousands of RVers tackle each summer. My husband and I followed in their tracks this year, and like many people, we endured a few challenges unique to the North Country. Once we were back on familiar territory in the lower 48, we realized that if we had known these five things about RVing to Alaska, our trip would have gone much smoother.

Stock up on your favorite products before heading north

The vast, unpopulated North Country presented a grocery shopping challenge in small and large stores alike. Certain household products that exist everywhere in the States just don’t make it across the border. Items that make our own RV life easier, such as basic paper plates, single-ply septic-safe toilet paper and smaller sizes of dish washing soap, were nowhere to be found.Rving in Alaska

Convert cash before crossing the border

We thought we were being financially savvy by waiting until we crossed the border to convert a large chunk of our US dollars into Canadian. With just $200 Canadian dollars in our wallets, we walked into a British Columbia bank hoping for a favorable exchange rate, only to learn that the country’s banking system requires individuals to have an active account at the institution where they want to do the converting. The rest of us must convert cash at a “payday lender” with less than ideal exchange rates. Next time we’ll change our money out before heading over.Alaska RV adventure

Be even more bear aware

More grizzly and black bears exist in British Columbia than anywhere else in North America. That fact slipped my mind when I left a small bag of garbage in the back of our pickup truck. Just a few scraps of double-bagged leafy greens and some fruit peels was aromatic enough to ring the dinner bell for a young black bear who climbed into the back in search of his prize. We scared him off but unfortunately he returned the next day, causing us to flee the area. The deep claw scratches on the side of our truck now serve as a permanent reminder to stay bear aware. bear aware Alaska

Get a good international cellular broadband plan

While still in the States, we called our cellular phone company to inquire about usage rates in Canada. “Oh you get voice, text and data at no extra charge” they told us. Unfortunately the representative failed to disclose that “free” international usage restricted us to 500 GB per day of data for each of our phones. In today’s world, 500 GB goes quick and each time we wanted more, we had to pay $5 for every extra 500 GB within a 24-hour period.

Pack two (new) spare tires

Many unpaved sections of the Alaska Highway are coated with razor-sharp rock aggregate that can slice open even the best 10-ply tires. Four flat tires into our journey we learned why North Country locals warn travelers to carry at least two spare tires: if you get a flat while traveling one of these stretches, then get another a few miles later (which is common), you’re out of luck. Two spares also makes sense because Alaska Highway tire shops carry a limited selection of brands and sizes. If they don’t have yours, you might be camped out a while. Alaska rock in tire

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best

The Alaska Highway is mostly paved, but long stretches of gravel roads still exist. Nearly every RVer who has made the trip has suffered from a cracked windshield, broken towing equipment or worse. Even a well-prepared RVer is at risk of some kind of damage.

Despite all of these challenges, we will make this trip again some day. Because as a wise traveler once said, the real adventure is found in the journey, not the actual destination. Like everyone else whose done it, if you go to Alaska you may have your share of (mis)adventures, but you shouldn’t let that stop you from going. Just drive your rig north with caution and carry a Coach-Net roadside assistance and Hazard Protect plan that will be there for you wherever you roam.

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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Glenn P. ~ “We have had Coach-Net since 2011 and have used the service for tire , door, lock problems as well 2 tows of our 42 foot coach. Last night was our 2nd tow, our service provider was Cody with Allan Robinson Towing in Raleigh, NC. Our call to Coach-Net was handled professionally and well starting with making sure we were in a safe place, getting our information and arranging for a tech to call me back. This was done with follow up in a very short period of time. My tow provider called and gave me a 30 minute window for arrival and arrived with with four minutes to spare. Cody was professional and reassuring and assured me I could leave and he would call and let me know when he delivered the coach. He did as promised and told me that the coach arrived safely. We have had excellent and caring responses every time we call Coach-Net and have repeatedly recommended them and will continue to do so.”

RV Air Conditioning Tips

19 Wednesday Sep 2018

Posted by in Tech Tips

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RV Air ConditioningThere are some tips and tricks to making your roof AC run more efficiently and provide a cooler interior climate.

Become Familiar With Your Roof AC

The first thing to do is become familiar with how the roof AC operates and what you can expect.  Most RVers think the roof AC uses a coolant such as Freon to “dump” cold air into the rig but this is not the case.  The roof AC operates very similar to your absorption refrigerator and actually draws heat from interior air through the evaporator at the front of the unit.  Warm and humid interior air is drawn up to the roof AC through the return air vent, passes over the evaporator coil and heat and moisture is extracted from it.

If you were to take the cover off the roof AC unit and the evaporator shield you would see the evaporator fins getting very wet immediately and the moisture forming at the bottom on the drip pan.  The compressor does just that – compresses the coolant and pushes or pulls it through tubes known as the low side and high side which changes it from a liquid to a vapor.  This in turn draws moisture and heat in the evaporator and the air is then circulated back into the rig just behind the evaporator coil by the blower fan.

Evaporator

Evaporator

Blower Fan

Blower Fan

Compressor or Pump

Compressor or Pump

The coolant passes through the back condenser fins where the blower motor draws exterior air in and over the coils with the Freon.

Condenser

Condenser

With an understanding of how the system works, it’s important for owners to do a little bit of maintenance so there is proper air flow, sufficient amperage, and no air leaks in the system.

Proper Air Flow

The return air coming from the inside to the evaporator will have a filter. Roof-mounted units with the conditioned air coming directly out of the bottom will have the filter designed into the ceiling shroud.

AC Filter (non ducted)

AC Filter (non ducted)

Units with ducted air vents in the ceiling will have a grill on the ceiling.

AC Filter (ducted)

AC Filter (ducted)

These filters should be cleaned at least once a year and typically more depending on usage and how much dust might be in the air.  Most dealers indicate a dirty filter is over 50% of the issues with a roof AC cooling inefficiency!

Next, make sure the vents are open and operating properly on a ducted roof AC system.  Closed vents will restrict air flow, causing high amp draw and condensation.

  • Check and clean the condensor and evaporator coil every year.
  • Dust, pet hair, and even body powders can get pulled into the return air and clog the coils.
  • There are specific cleaners for the evaporator and condensor coils that should be used each year.
  • Since the evaporator coil is in the front and goes directly to the opening for cool air to the rig, you will need to do a low pressure clean and have a plastic sheet over the blower fan return to keep moisture from entering the rig.
  • Do not use high pressure water as it will not only make a mess, but will damage the coils.
  • Once the coils are clean, make sure they are straight and will allow good air flow.  There are even brushes or combs available to help straighten the fins on the coils.
  • Typically the evaporator coils do not get damaged, rather clogged, however the condenser coils are exposed to the outside and can get hail damage or even tree branches.

Proper Amperage

The roof AC and several other appliances run on 120-volt power which is supplied from the shoreline connection or a generator to the distribution center.  Most RV owners take it for granted that the campground connection is a 30 amp 120-volt power system and they will have no problems just like they did at home.  Unfortunately, the campground source is not as reliable as a residential system and can have severe power loss situations.  If the power drops below 110-volts, the roof AC unit will not be able to function at 100% capacity and even though you hear the fans running and other components, it will not be able to draw the heat out and efficiently cool the unit.   This is why a Surge Guard protection unit is a good idea as it will monitor the incoming voltage.

Air Leaks

Your roof AC unit is mounted with a gasket between the unit an the roof typically with 4 spring loaded fasteners that should be checked for specific torque or tightness every year.  You should be able to find the torque specs in the roof AC owner’s manual however a good hand tightening should be good.  If the gasket is not tight, you will get hot moist outside air coming into the unit and rig which will make it difficult to condidtion the exiting air.  Also, check to make sure you are not getting hot and moist outside air from vents, windows, and event roof ducting.  Seal all the leaks during hot and humid conditions and your roof AC will work more efficiently.

The roof AC can only cool the return air from the inside down about 20 degrees, so if the inside of your rig is 100 degrees, you will only get 80 degrees air back inside!  So the key is to try and keep the inside air temperature as low as possible so the roof AC can run more efficiently.

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 ClubRV 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.

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