100+ RV Tips and Tricks From Experienced Campers

Contributor

Brad Cowan

Favorite Trip

Emerald Isle

Home Base

Greenville, NC

Favorite RV

Airstream Caravel

About Contributor

Brad Cowan is a Lifestyle Content Writer. When he’s not behind the screen, he’s chasing pavement to the nearest coast with his wife, two kids, and golden retriever in tow.

Whether you’re new to the RV lifestyle or you’ve been RV camping for years, it never hurts to hear some advice from time to time. After all, aren’t we all striving to make our next adventure our best adventure? We asked RVers for some of their best RV tips and tricks, and they had a lot to say. But first, let’s meet these road travelers.

Here are more than 100 RV tips and tricks from experienced campers. Share your own advice from the road in the comments below.

RV Tips and Tricks for Beginners

“Visit a large or regional RV show. Have a list of what RVs you are most interested in and go through each one, and stretch out on the beds while you’re at it. See how the kitchen flows. Stand in the shower. Side-by-side comparisons help you quickly know what works and what doesn’t. And be prepared to buy. You get the best deals at the show!”

-Mike (RV Lifestyle)

“Start by renting! These days there are more RV rental options than ever, including peer-to-peer sites. Renting an RV for your first trip will give you a great sense of what’s important to you in an RV so that your first RV purchase can be more on-target.”

-Stef (The Fit RV)

“The biggest advice we have is to maybe rent one or even just go camping in a cabin or tent and see how you feel about the outdoors.”

-Gaby (Adventures with Gaby Gaby)

Leave your apprehensions at the RV door. Millions of people RV! They do it because it’s fun. Get excited and focus on the kind of fun you want to have.

-Rachael (2 Traveling Dogs)

“Make a list of must-haves. How many do you need to accommodate for sleeping? Do I go for a towable or a motorhome? Do I need a kitchen and bathroom inside the RV or am I comfortable with using the campground bathrooms? Once you consider your budget and your needs, go for it!”

-Tara (Tara’s Tiny Trailer)

“Just do it! Do your homework, find the RV that best suits your needs, check out blogs, watch videos, and jump right in. Embrace and enjoy the learning curve and make memories along the way.”

-Keith (Soulful RV Family)

“First, go into your local RV dealership and walk around. Don’t look at the price tags and don’t have any expectations, sit on the couches, pretend you’re cooking to assess the space and stand in the shower. What do you wish the RV had? Once you lock down which RV you like and why then go out and rent one that’s as close to it as possible. Take a trip, and enjoy yourself! By the end of the trip, you will have an idea if this is the right RV for you.”

-Kirsten (Fifth Wheel Living)

Start small! Bigger isn’t always better. Sometimes a more convenient, easier-to-pull RV is the best option. You’d be surprised how much time you spend outdoors vs inside your RV. Also, look at your vehicle’s tongue weight and hitch capacity if you go with a travel trailer.

-Jenny (Girl of 10,000 Lakes)

“Do it! The normal office, 9-5, and the sticks and bricks option will always be there. The best advice we ever received was “always take the adventurous route”. We have lived that phrase for years.”

-Dan & Sam (We are Dan and Sam)

“RVing is a continuous learning process. It can test you but when you are open to the experience, so much joy can be found!”

-Abby (Abby’s Rollercoaster Life)

“Go somewhere close to home to take a “practice run”. You’ll gain confidence in towing and operating the RV and work out any of your newbie nerves. It’s normal to make mistakes and for things to go wrong on your first trip so being close to home will take some pressure off.”

-Lindsay (Follow Your Detour)

Advice for Finding RV Campgrounds You Love

Big family cooking at campground
Image: Camping World

“Read reviews. Google search for photos. Use RV groups and forums to ask others about them.”

-Mike (RV Lifestyle)

“The Good Sam Campground directory has been a go-to resource for years. It’s available electronically, and in a print version for when you’re out of coverage. Lots of options to search, sort, and filter campgrounds are available.”

-Stef (The Fit RV)

“I love going to Instagram and using hashtags for whatever city I’m going to.”

-Gaby (Adventures with Gaby Gaby)

“We use resources like Good Sam’s Campground Finder to get an idea of what options are in an area. Then we choose based on the things that the campground offers that are the most important for us to have a great stay. For us, it’s always nature. We check out what pictures people have posted to make sure it’s the type of campground we’re looking for.”

-Rachael (2 Traveling Dogs)

I absolutely love the state campground websites! Many are easy to use and book, are updated often, and show off some amazing gems your state has to offer. Tip: if you have a campground you are trying to get into and it always seems to be booked, set your search parameters on the site, come back throughout the week, and hit refresh on the search. I always find great campsites due to last-minute cancellations!

-Tara (Tara’s Tiny Trailer)

“Google! Just type in the city and state and add ‘campground’ after it. Check out the reviews, prices, and photos to see if it’s the right fit for you.”

-Kirsten (Fifth Wheel Living)

“Look for campgrounds based on the activities you love to do. We love water activities like boating, fishing, and swimming so we always try to find campgrounds that are near the lake or river.”

-Jenny (Girl of 10,000 Lakes)

Look for which one has the amenities you desire! A play area for the kids, a dog park, or anything adventurous.

-Dan & Sam (We are Dan and Sam)

“Think about your RV first. Do you have the means to camp off-grid? Or will you need electricity for your fridge and pets?”

-Abby (Abby’s Rollercoaster Life)

“Ask other seasoned RVers. They often have hidden gems to share!”

-Lindsay (Follow Your Detour)

RV Tips and Tricks Camping with Your Family

Girl and Dog at RV Campground
Image: Camping World

“Build in space to be apart and to have alone time as well as face time with different folks and group time. Take hikes. Sit quietly in nature. Then hang out together by the fire.”

-Mike (RV Lifestyle)

“We RV with our cat, Mel. For traveling with a cat, the most important thing is finding a place for the litter box that’s convenient for them and out of the way for you. Once that’s covered, it’s all about slowly acclimating your cat to its rolling home — start without rolling first so that it becomes a safe space for your pet and build from there!”

-Stef (The Fit RV)

“Make a checklist and take things you think you won’t need — like rain boots and coats even when it’s summer.”

-Gaby (Adventures with Gaby Gaby)

“Have patience! You may think you know your dog. But travel has a way of opening your eyes to your dog’s true personality. Watch your dog thrive as she tries new activities. Don’t forget the treats.”

-Rachael (2 Traveling Dogs)

“Buy a first aid kit. Especially with kids! Get all the things you use at home for cuts, burns, bug bites, etc. I also add children’s medicine. Other items to add are extra pairs of contacts, small travel scissors, a thermometer, cough drops, flossers, eye drops, and anything else in your medicine cabinet at home. This will save a ton of stress and long late-night drives to find a town with a store that’s open when you need it!”

-Tara (Tara’s Tiny Trailer)

RVing is a great way to reconnect with your spouse or kids. In that small space, you cannot escape, and it forces the needs and desires of the family to come before any one individual.

– Keith (Soulful RV Family)

“We have an outdoor fence for our pets, and I wish I got it sooner. It was so easy to put together and my dogs love it! They can run outside without being on a leash, and I don’t have to worry about them getting tangled or lost! It’s true peace of mind.”

-Kirsten (Fifth Wheel Living)

“Set reasonable expectations if you’re camping with young kids. There are so many moving parts when trying to camp with kids, especially young kids. Try to pick campsites closer to home when RVing the first few times. It’s nice to have the option to pack it up and call it early if you need to.”

-Jenny (Girl of 10,000 Lakes)

“We love remote places and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city. But keep in mind what works for you and for your kids. Make sure everyone is accommodated so everyone has a good time.”

-Dan & Sam (We are Dan and Sam)

“You don’t need it all, I promise! I have a tendency to overpack and bring all the things, but I’ve found that we really don’t need that much and have decreased what we bring. So, pack then go back and look at what you’re taking and edit your selections down.”

-Abby (Abby’s Rollercoaster Life)

“Make sure everyone has their own space that is comfortable for them. Families often forget this, especially when it comes to pets. Our dogs love laying under the dinette and it’s their safe place.”

-Lindsay (Follow Your Detour)

RV Tips and Tricks for Packing and Organization

Storing the Lightweight Gazelle Gazebo
Image: Chase and Lindsay

“You need less than you think. You don’t need a new outfit for every occasion. Generally, you should be fine with clothes for three or four days (you can do laundry on the road), food, a basic tool kit, and meds. Think minimal.”

-Mike (RV Lifestyle)

“New RV starter kits — available from most Camping World stores — will get you the necessary basics. From there, it’s a matter of what’s most important to you. We recommend taking the time to think through some packing lists based on your RV and what you like to do. For example, we never RV without our bikes, so they are high on our list.”

-Stef (The Fit RV)

“Check out Camping World’s RV reviews and look for a basic checklist of must-haves that RV groups share on social media.”

-Gaby (Adventures with Gaby Gaby)

“Everyone prefers different gear based on how they RV. The campground is the best showroom for gear. You get to see new things people are using and talk to them about their usefulness.”

-Rachael (2 Traveling Dogs)

It’s worth investing in chairs that help you relax and fit your body well! Outdoor rugs help create a clean space for your things and a place for everyone to remove shoes and dirty clothes before jumping in the RV.

-Tara (Tara’s Tiny Trailer)

“A generator. You never know what can happen at your campground site or with the weather.”

-Kirsten (Fifth Wheel Living)

“A comfortable chair to sit around the campfire is essential. We love being active during the day, but by nighttime, we are ready to kick back and relax and a comfy, reliable chair is a great place to do that.”

-Jenny (Girl of 10,000 Lakes)

“Comfy chairs for sitting around the fire are a must! Don’t pack more than you need. You’ll regret having too much stuff.”

-Dan & Sam (We are Dan and Sam)

“Depends on where you’re going but a good outdoor mat and chairs are a good start. Flashlights at night also help, and an outdoor cooking source.”

-Abby (Abby’s Rollercoaster Life)

“Focus on what is necessary to operate your RV and then the items that will make your camping trips most enjoyable, such as adventure gear. Worry less about the in-between — you don’t need as much as you think you do!”

-Lindsay (Follow Your Detour)

RV Tips and Tricks for Planning Your First Trip

South Dakota Route Planning
Phil Calvert spreads out in his travel trailer as he plans his route.

“Go somewhere close to home for a short two- or three-day getaway. Try the RV lifestyle gradually. Figure out what works and what doesn’t. Put your dealer on speed dial for questions.”

-Mike (RV Lifestyle)

“Plan something close to home and something that will let you exercise all the capabilities of your new RV. It’s likely you’ll forget something on your maiden voyage, so keeping it close to home minimizes the potential for any inconveniences. And planning a trip where you can use all the features of your RV — plumbing, generator, slides, exterior kitchen, etc. — is a great way to get yourself familiar with how they operate so you know what to expect for future journeys.”

-Stef (The Fit RV)

Always check your routes there. Keep an eye open for bridges and height clearances. Check out gas stops along the way and know that things occasionally go wrong — do not stress!

-Gaby (Adventures with Gaby Gaby)

“Choose a campground close by to spend your first few nights. Don’t worry about having much of an itinerary. Your first trip is about learning what makes you the happiest when RVing.”

-Rachael (2 Traveling Dogs)

“Have a solid understanding that you will forget things, and realize you have things you don’t need or like! Go into the first trip knowing it will be an exploratory mission to figure out what RVing looks like for you and your family. Then get ready to make lists!”

-Tara (Tara’s Tiny Trailer)

Research your destination. Pick a destination within a few hours of home just in case something goes wrong (don’t sweat it if it does). Don’t overplan; leave time to venture off your path and discover something new.”

-Keith (Soulful RV Family)

“Bring whatever you want and need because home is where you park it! As long as everything fits comfortably inside, though. Don’t clutter up your RV, because then it’ll feel stressful.”

-Kirsten (Fifth Wheel Living)

Try a shorter trip the first time you camp in your RV. That way, you can work out the kinks and other to-do list items you discover while camping. You’d be surprised how many things you wish you would’ve brought or what sort of updates to your RV might seem helpful in the future.

-Jenny (Girl of 10,000 Lakes)

“Leave time for sightseeing.”

-Dan & Sam (We are Dan and Sam)

“Every camping season, we start off with a site close to home. That would be my advice if you’ve never done this before — picking a site close to home. On our first trip, we forgot to fill up our water tank! Thank goodness it was only a one-night stay, and we were 30 minutes away from our house.”

-Abby (Abby’s Rollercoaster Life)

“Schedule in some flexibility to allow time for fun detours to enjoy unexpected stops at roadside attractions and scenic overlooks along the way.”

-Lindsay (Follow Your Detour)

RV Tips and Tricks for Embracing the RV Lifestyle

Full-Time or Part-Time RV Life Sightseeing
Image: Lanes Less Traveled

“Have goals. Do Route 66. Follow Lewis and Clark. Visit all the state parks in your state. Look for opportunities to have getaway adventures. Hike. Take lots of photos. Invite friends and relatives along with you.”

-Mike (RV Lifestyle)

“There’s no right or wrong amount of time to be on the road. We like to plan more frequent, smaller trips, but we’ll also throw in some longer trips as they fit with our schedules. Being flexible with trip planning helps. Another tip is to keep the essential supplies in your RV so it’s ready to go at a moment’s notice!”

-Stef (The Fit RV)

“I love scheduling our travels and usually have them planned six months to a year in advance. I look at our kids’ schedules and work around them when they’re in school; three-day weekends can be a fun time to get away.”

-Gaby (Adventures with Gaby Gaby)

Get an RV that is practical for you, one that you are excited to take a trip in. Then look for opportunities to use it. Good Sam Rentals are also excellent to find out what type of RV you’re going to enjoy time after time.

-Rachael (2 Traveling Dogs)

“Keep your RV ready to roll! If it’s stocked and ready for the next trip, it’s more likely to be a positive experience getting out to the campsite plus it will encourage you to get back out sooner.”

-Tara (Tara’s Tiny Trailer)

“I wasted so many years not taking a vacation. I don’t do that anymore; I now randomly put in vacation days and go with it. It’s more fun and exciting that way! Either way, make it a goal to take 1-2 vacations a year.”

-Kirsten (Fifth Wheel Living)

“If you want RVing to be a regular part of your life, take advantage of any free time you get! We are homebodies on the weekdays but as soon as our time frees up on the weekends, we are on the go and make RVing a priority for our family.”

-Jenny (Girl of 10,000 Lakes)

Make it happen by planning ahead, even if it’s just a weekend trip!

-Dan & Sam (We are Dan and Sam)

“I always plan my trips at the beginning of the year. That way it’s done, and I don’t forget I’ve got this RV in my driveway waiting to be used! It also forces me to plan life around camping and not the other way around.”

-Abby (Abby’s Rollercoaster Life)

“At the beginning of the year, plan out your trips and get them on the calendar. This helps secure reservations at popular destinations but also gets you locked in to take the trips and make them happen!”

-Lindsay (Follow Your Detour)

RV Tips and Tricks for Customizing Your RV

Camping World Design Center Design Specialist
Camping World’s Design Center – Design Specialist

“Wait until you are familiar with it. Ask yourself what would make it better. Start slow. Gain confidence. Don’t be afraid to hire a pro.”

-Mike (RV Lifestyle)

The biggest obstacle for most people is getting over the fear of drilling, screwing, or cutting into their perfectly good RV. But don’t worry!  It’s not likely you’ll damage your rig beyond repair. And, by making your rig better for your needs, you’re only going to enjoy the RV experience that much more. Go for it!

-Stef (The Fit RV)

“Invest in a new mattress and couch! Do what works for you, not what you see trending online.”

-Gaby (Adventures with Gaby Gaby)

“Start small. Customize something you can change back rather easily if you grow tired of it. Customize something in a way that makes you smile every time you look at it.”

-Rachael (2 Traveling Dogs)

“Paint goes a long way; it’s also budget-friendly. Stencil with paint or add an accent wall! Old or new, don’t be afraid to make your RV feel like it’s your home! Take down your valances. Not only does it make the RV windows look bigger, but it makes your RV feel more like a home.”

-Kirsten (Fifth Wheel Living)

“Don’t be afraid to go the DIY route but also don’t be afraid to throw in the towel and use Camping World’s Design Center. Most of us aren’t RV experts and there are some time-consuming projects that I’d much rather have the real experts take on.”

-Jenny (Girl of 10,000 Lakes)

Peel and stick wallpaper, rugs, and throw pillows.”

-Dan & Sam (We are Dan and Sam)

We read a quote that your RV should be an extension of your home, and that’s what we’ve done. We have changed so much with ours and it helps us want to be in it more.

-Abby (Abby’s Rollercoaster Life)

“Make it feel like your home and add cozy touches.”

-Lindsay (Follow Your Detour)

RV Tips and Tricks for When Things Don’t Go According to Plan

RV Large family Class C
Image: Camping World

“One day at a time. Everything is a learning opportunity. Tomorrow will be better.”

-Mike (RV Lifestyle)

“Plan for your plans to change. A flexible mindset is required when RVing because so many things are out of your control. Over time, you’ll learn and be prepared for the eventualities. In the meantime, meditation helps!”

-Stef (The Fit RV)

“Breathe and laugh. This life is a crazy adventure, and no need to cry over a popped tire! Besides, they make great stories later.”

-Gaby (Adventures with Gaby Gaby)

“Camping trips are stories of your life. The mishaps are what make your story different from everyone else’s. It’s also the part we will enjoy telling the most.”

-Rachael (2 Traveling Dogs)

The old adage that ‘it’s about the journey and not the destination’ really comes into play when a problem comes up!  At times when a campground is full — or you get stuck in traffic for several hours — you may divert and find a great restaurant to enjoy for a break from the road.

-Tara (Tara’s Tiny Trailer)

“Take issues that come up in stride. It may seem like the end of the world (or your family vacation) but embrace it. It could be the start of a tremendously thrilling adventure! Some of our best memories came from impromptu side trips.”

-Keith (Soulful RV Family)

“Find something else to do. Instead of taking up your time being upset, look at it as an opportunity to do something fun!”

-Kirsten (Fifth Wheel Living)

“Not every RV trip is perfect. There will inevitably be bumps along the way. Like anything in life, make the most of your situation. If you have a flat tire, get it fixed and then use the rest of the day to do something fun. If you run into engine issues, take it to the Service Center and use that opportunity to explore a new city, discover a new hiking trail, or spend the day by the beach rather than in the RV.”

-Jenny (Girl of 10,000 Lakes)

It’s not ‘if’ things will go wrong but ‘when.’ Know that it will happen, but when it does it won’t seem too bad because you will be enjoying nature.

-Dan & Sam (We are Dan and Sam)

“This is just a part of life. Things happen. We take it as a lesson learned and try to move through the problem. Having people to lean on helps.”

-Abby (Abby’s Rollercoaster Life)

“Find the good or the ‘silver linings’ (they are always there) and use them as learning experiences.”

-Lindsay (Follow Your Detour)

RV Tips and Tricks for Traveling on a Budget

RV budgeting as a family
Set a budget as a family, and account for everyone’s needs. Image: Karen Akpan.

“Cook your own meals. Boondock. Stay in one place longer to save on fuel.”

-Mike (RV Lifestyle)

“Food! Start by packing the things that are already in your kitchen so that you’re not re-buying groceries on the road. And gas! Try planning trips closer to home. It’s amazing what you can find nearby.”

-Stef (The Fit RV)

Sign up for campground deals. Don’t travel on holidays and visit state parks. Off-season camping is usually the best!”

-Gaby (Adventures with Gaby Gaby)

“Consider sites without hookups. This will always be cheaper, usually more private, and in more natural settings. Boondocking or dispersed camping can even be free. Some of our best experiences have been boondocking. Farms, wineries, and breweries sometimes also offer sites that only require you to support the business by making a purchase. You needed wine anyway, right?”

-Rachael (2 Traveling Dogs)

Find fun places close to home. Somewhere within a few hours Just because it’s an RV doesn’t mean you have to spend loads of money on gas and different campgrounds across the country. Sometimes, the best getaways are just an hour away!

-Kirsten (Fifth Wheel Living)

“The beauty of RVing is that it’s possible to do it on a low budget. No need to pay for expensive cabins or fancy hotels. Find the most scenic campground or one with all of the amenities you like, and you’ll realize pretty quickly that the price range will generally be around $30-$60 per night.”

-Jenny (Girl of 10,000 Lakes)

“Boondock and staying at locations for long periods of time instead of moving around a lot and spending more on gas and site fees.”

-Dan & Sam (We are Dan and Sam)

“Modifications are nice but try to break up those expensive items. You don’t need them all at once. Build RVing into your budget plan throughout the entire year.”

-Abby (Abby’s Rollercoaster Life)

“Find free places to park on BLM land and travel closer to home to save on gas.”

-Lindsay (Follow Your Detour)

Advice for Meeting Other RVers While Traveling

Family With Friends Camp By Lake On Hiking Adventure In Forest
Image: monkeybusinessimages / Getty

“Be proactive. Introduce yourself. Offer a helping hand where you can. Have great campfires.”

-Mike (RV Lifestyle)

“RV Rallies are a great way to meet people with similar interests. RVers easily bond over their shared love of the lifestyle. Plan a trip that includes a rally, and you’ll make fast friends for life.”

-Stef (The Fit RV)

“Join a Facebook group!”

-Gaby (Adventures with Gaby Gaby)

Some campgrounds have social events like morning coffee or group campfires. Demonstrations and classes at public parks have also become popular. These give you an excellent opportunity to meet people. Of course, people hanging outside in their campsite are usually up for conversation as well.

-Rachael (2 Traveling Dogs)

“I absolutely love campground culture! People are always roaming around checking out other camper’s gear and set-ups. Grab a chair with a cup of coffee in the morning and get ready to meet others walking the dog! In the evening, do a lap around the campground and compliment an RV, or cool chair, or how they set up lights around their campsite and you’re sure to make a new friend!”

-Tara (Tara’s Tiny Trailer)

“The RV community is so friendly. It’s easy to meet people at campgrounds — sit outside, walk the dog, and wave to people. It doesn’t take much effort to meet people at the campground.”

-Keith (Soulful RV Family)

“Social media — that’s how I met all my RV friends and I’m so thankful for it! It’s a great way to find cool places too, by checking out other RV friends and their must-visit places.”

-Kirsten (Fifth Wheel Living)

Be nice to your neighbors at your campground! A friendly hello as people walk by, ask if you can pet their dog, invite them over for a cozy drink around the campfire, and you’ll find that people may be looking to make friends too!

-Jenny (Girl of 10,000 Lakes)

“Use social media to connect with like-minded people! Some of our closest friendships started online.”

-Dan & Sam (We are Dan and Sam)

“Most people are friendly. Taking a walk around your site can open you up to new friendships.”

-Abby (Abby’s Rollercoaster Life)

“Strike up a conversation with other RVers at your campground or RV park by inviting neighbors over to your campfire.”

-Lindsay (Follow Your Detour)

Unconventional RV Camping Advice

Retro-Style Travel Trailer
Image: Jenny Anderson

“Don’t forget to stop and do nothing. Relax. It’s so easy to overextend yourself and your time when in a new place. Schedule downtime. Get up early! Mornings are always the best.”

-Mike (RV Lifestyle)

“Many people don’t, but you can drink the water from your RV’s onboard tanks. You don’t have to bring bulky, heavy bottled water. With a little preparation, the right equipment, and the right habits, your onboard water can be clean, tasty, and safe.”

-Stef (The Fit RV)

“It’s not cheap, so budget with extra expenses in mind.”

-Gaby (Adventures with Gaby Gaby)

“If you can’t get a reservation at your preferred campground, consider moving sites within the campground. We often move sites within the campground to extend our stay. If you love the campground, it’s worth it.”

-Rachael (2 Traveling Dogs)

Having an RV opens your life! You shift your focus to being together with family and friends and connecting with the outdoors. You take time with family to disconnect from the busy day-to-day and dig a little deeper into those relationships around the fire! It’s fantastic.

-Tara (Tara’s Tiny Trailer)

“Slow down! When we started, we would race to our destination. We missed everything in between. This country has so many great cities, towns, and sites to see so take your time, and if you feel like stopping to check out something new, do it. There could be new memories at the next exit.”

-Keith (Soulful RV Family)

“Not all campgrounds have fire pits or even allow you to bring your own because of the embers. So, if you like bonfires, get a travel-friendly propane firepit. They’re easier to use, less hassle, and safer.”

-Kirsten (Fifth Wheel Living)

“Wear gloves when taking off the sewage hose. Better safe than sorry!”

-Jenny (Girl of 10,000 Lakes)

Make a checklist for setting up and tearing down your campsite. It will make things go a lot smoother.

-Dan & Sam (We are Dan and Sam)

Prepping in the winter makes for a smoother summer!”

-Abby (Abby’s Rollercoaster Life)

“If possible, take your kids when they are babies and build that love for adventure right away!”

-Lindsay (Follow Your Detour)

Advice for RV Campers

One last RV tip for anyone considering hitting the road in an RV — Go For It! Whether you take one amazing trip full of lifelong memories or adopt the lifestyle full-time, it’s worth every mile under your tires.

Meet Our Experienced RV Campers

Retired Couple with Fifth Wheel RV
Image: Mike Wendland

Mike Wendland – The RV Lifestyle

Mike started his website, RV Lifestyle, with his wife in 2012 after deciding to spend their retirement traveling throughout the country. He also runs The RV Podcast.

Follow Mike on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Stef — The Fit RV

Stef is a health and fitness professional who promotes healthy RVing on The Fit RV. She, along with her husband, James, offers RV-related tips centered around fitness and tech.

Stef and James of The Fit RV
Stef and James of The Fit RV

Follow Stef on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Gaby — Adventures with Gaby Gaby

Gaby enjoys family travels, glamping, and campfires. She’s a veteran, a wife, and a mother who loves to find laughter in every adventure.

Follow Gaby on Facebook and Instagram.

Rachael — 2 Traveling Dogs

Rachael and her husband, Nate, founded 2 Traveling Dogs in 2011. They write about their RV adventures with their rescue dogs while highlighting the importance of animal rescue.

2 Traveling Dogs
Rachel & James’ fur family of 2 Traveling Dogs

Follow Rachael on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Tara — Tara’s Tiny Trailer

Tara hits the road for adventures in her tiny Happier Camper trailer while sharing her adventures online.

Follow Tara on Instagram.

Keith — Soulful RV Family

Keith, along with his wife and three sons, spends over 100 days/nights each year touring the country in their RV. Based out of Atlanta, Keith was part of the NFL for 11 years before venturing into the RV lifestyle and sharing his adventures at the Soulful RV Family blog.

keith sims soulful rv family
Keith Sims and family of Soulful RV Family

Follow Keith on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Kirsten — Fifth Wheel Living

Kirsten and her husband, Devin, have been living in their fifth wheel for five years. With her in the medical field and him a traveling musician, they spend their spare time having movie nights in their RV or outside with a fire going.

Follow Kirsten on Instagram.

Jenny — Girl of 10,000 Lakes

Camping in Wisconsin
Image By: Jenny Anderson

Jenny, the Girl of 10,000 Lakes, is a former news anchor and reporter who now uses her passion for storytelling to inspire families to get outdoors. She shares her love for nature, fishing, and outdoor life with her husband, two kids, and their Yorkie.

Follow Jenny on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Dan & Sam — We are Dan and Sam

Dan and Sam travel full-time in their RV while sharing their family and life adventures on their blog, We are Dan and Sam.

Follow Dan and Sam on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Abby — Abby’s Rollercoaster Life

Abby lives every day to the fullest through her outdoor adventures with her partner and two children.

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Lindsay — Follow Your Detour

McKenzie Family RV Shopping at Camping World
Image: Lindsay McKenzie

Lindsay travels full-time in her Winnebago Navion with her husband, child, and two dogs. She shares her traveling adventures on the Follow Your Detour blog where she’s often pursuing her dreams and encouraging other RVers to do the same.


What RV tips and tricks would you share with fellow campers? Let them know in the comments below!

  • Comment (6)
  • Jim Grissom says:

    Take some time to get familiar with your RV. Start slow and close to home. Learn something from every trip you take that will come in handy for your next trip. For example, we recently made a trip to NW Arkansas for a 3 night stay in a State Park when the weather turned bitterly cold. The park had shut the water off due to freezing temperatures and we hadn’t filled our water tank. Then, for good measure, our furnace malfunctioned, so no heat either. My wife wasted no time in getting us a hotel for the weekend. Lesson learned, be prepared for the unexpected and don’t sweat what you can’t do anything about. Oh, by the way, we had a pleasurable weekend, in spite of the problems.

  • Doug says:

    Really there’s no reason to be a germaphobe while handling a sewer hose. I’m reminded of Michael Keaton in the movie Mr. Mom. While changing the baby’s diaper he’s wearing goggles, rubber gloves and handles the diaper with tongs. There’s water readily available to wash your hands and for myself I keep hand sanitizer near the dump valves. Buy a good quality hose and make sure the fittings are secure to prevent accidents.

  • William Macdonald says:

    My advise for any RVer is to know how to winterize your rig. That way you’ll learn how easy it is, for most rigs, and will be able to take it out of hibernation in the winter and enjoy a weekend or so. Then put it back in to hibernation for the next unknown adventure.

  • Great advice William!

    For anyone that needs it, here’s our overview of how to winterize your RV: https://blogcw.local/rv-basics/how-to-winterize-your-rv/

  • Hi Doug! We like to keep things as sanitary as possible, but when you empty your holding tanks correctly, you really shouldn’t get any waste on your hands. So, I personally agree with your advice. Thanks for sharing!

  • Love this particular bit of advice Jim! “..be prepared for the unexpected and don’t sweat what you can’t do anything about.”

    Thanks for sharing!

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