Outdoor Fun

I recently got a good deal on an RV — and I couldn’t wait to hit the dusty trail and unplug for a few days! As a first-time RVer, there are a few things that I had overlooked. Take it from me, here are 8 must-have RV supplies you’ll want to take on your first RV trip… things I wish I had remembered to pack!

RV resale value is a tricky thing. Because RV dealers are looking for trade-ins that still look like they just drove off the lot last week. And personal RV buyers may not have the same appreciation for what you think looks good inside an RV, or for the add-on features that you believe enhance RV life on the road. That said, there are a few things you can do to get more money for it when it comes time to sell your RV! Here are 5 ways to get a higher trade-in value from an RV dealer + 5 ways to get a higher RV resale value when selling your RV privately.

See how much your RV is worth (RV values explained), plus the top 10 things that decrease the value of your RV. The biggest takeaways here are: 1) Seriously consider every single change you want to make to your camper BEFORE you make it, and 2) Evaluate the degree to which that change could be detrimental to your RV’s resale value (because not everyone will appreciate what you happen to like). So… pick the best RV for your needs from the get-go. Then, get out there and use it (rather than keep it parked). Take care of your camper… and use it!

A derecho storm is similar to a tornado in that it can be just as damaging, powerful, and deadly. See how a derecho wind storm is different from a tornado — plus photos from derecho storms.

How do you feel about gambling on the weather? If you’re afraid that your event or travel plans might get canceled due to the weather, you can buy weather insurance to protect you. Travel weather insurance protects both your event and your travel from delays and cancellations due to bad weather! (Includes rain insurance, snow insurance, temperature insurance, wind insurance, severe adverse weather and event cancellation insurance, as well as travel insurance and trip insurance.

Too much humidity and too little humidity are both bad for your camper and your camping gear. See the #1 thing you need to do as soon as you get home, if it has rained on your camping trip! Plus, 5 steps to REDUCE RV humidity in damp, wet conditions and 4 steps to INCREASE RV humidity on dry, arid days. Everything you need to know about RV moisture levels, the perfect humidity level to maintain inside an RV, and how to solve RV window condensation problems.

Every RVer will eventually make the mistake of turning down a road or path that won’t support their rig. The desire to explore remote camping locations makes the chance of getting stuck a real danger. It happened to me! Since then, I carry some specific RV gear and equipment with me at all times. See my list of RV self-rescue gear you need. Plus tips that I’ve learned firsthand to help you get out of a bad situation when you’re stuck in your RV.

Is your RV slide-out stuck? As much as slide-outs improve livability in an RV, the mechanical issues can be a huge negative. And a stuck RV slide-out tends to happen fairly often. Here are some ways to manually adjust a slide-out that won’t budge.

Here’s a list of the most common things that go wrong with RV slide-outs. See how to prevent those things from happening in the first place. Plus, how to fix them after they’ve happened. RV motorhome and trailer slide-out maintenance tips you need to know!

How to prevent RV battery theft. A full time RVer’s thoughts on RV battery lock boxes & how to lock RV batteries affordably. All about RV battery theft protection!

Lots of fun winter activities that you can enjoy with kids out in the snow. Everything from creating snow art, making snow sculptures, and making snow paintings to making your own backyard skating rink, snow bowling alley, and other fun activities games you can enjoy with kids.

I’m almost 70 years old. As a senior who is enjoying full-time RV living to the fullest right now, I recently experienced something that has me coming up with new plans for my future as a full-time RVer. Have you given any thought as to how prepared YOU are for accidents and emergencies that might arise in the future? Here’s my RV exit plan — what’s yours?

Just like the items inside your house, RV components have a certain life expectancy. Following is a list of all the items in and on your RV — and their expected lifespan. Items are listed in the order they are most likely to wear out, with time ranges showing the approximate number of years each item typically lasts. The list includes all major RV components — from the drivetrain and electronics to slideouts, roof vents, toilets, refrigerators, and more! A checklist of RV repair issues that you should be prepared for + DIY tips to make things last longer.

What’s the meaning of a Jeep check engine light flashing? Jeep warning lights & trouble codes explained. Onboard Diagnositics (OBD 1 & OBD 2) and DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) for all cars.

Have you considered living off the grid in your RV? I’ve been full-time RVing for the past 7 years. I split my time between long term stays in RV parks and living off the grid in my RV as a nomad wandering with the weather. If you’ll be staying in one place for at least 6 months at a time, then living off the grid (boondocking) is an option that you might want to consider. I’ve put together this helpful guide to give you an idea of what to expect in the way of living expenses and overall comfort when living off the grid in an RV, compared to on-grid RV living. See the costs and comforts associated with both on- and off-grid RV camping.

How do you dewinterize an RV and get ready for summer RV camping? Our Spring RV Maintenance Checklist includes 8 tasks that will quickly verify that no damage was done by winter’s wrath while your RV was in storage and ensure that your RV is safe to drive for the spring and summer RV camping season.

See a list of fall/winter RV maintenance tasks that are most important. These are the things you should do every year during the fall before winter hits. One of the MOST important is RV roof maintenance… see why!

Driving an RV is very different than driving a car! Most of us learned how to drive an RV the hard way — through trial and error (and a lot of mistakes). But sitting behind the wheel of a large RV on your first road trip is not the best time to figure out all the challenges and nuances that come with driving RVs. Here are 12 important first-time RV driving tips for newbies to learn before renting an RV… or buying one.

Did you know it can snow when it’s above freezing outside? See why this happens, the highest temperature for snow, and the temperature at which snow melts. Lots of cool winter weather science here!

Wondering which electric bike for RV owners is best? I live full-time in an RV travel trailer and I just bought my first e-Bike. My choice for an RV electric bike is one that folds in half, making storage simple! Mine is the Lectric XP ebike. I’ll share with you some tips to make sure you get the right e-bike setup for your needs while RVing and camping.

I have an electric bike and I love it! But you need to do some careful research to make sure the one you choose will fit your needs properly. I did about 6 months of research before I bought mine. It’s a small, foldable, fat tire electric bike — the Lectric XP E-Bike. I compared it to the Rad Power E-Bike and I’m very happy with my choice. I’ve got some tips to help you choose your first electric bike. Here’s what you need to know about e-Bike tires, fat tire ebikes, electric assist, pedal assist, electric bike range, maximum speeds, eBike classes & laws regarding where you can ride an electric bike.

Whether you’re buying Jeep stuff for yourself or someone else for Christmas, a Birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or any day in between… you’re sure to find some unique and fun gifts for Jeep owners here. We actually own most of these Jeep gifts ourselves. A list of our favorite Jeep lover gift ideas!

For me, the 3 most important items inside an RV are: a decent bed, a decent shower, and a decent kitchen. You’ll notice that an RV dinette is not on that list! Since a dinette is not an item that I use, I decided to remove it myself. Here’s how I tackled the RV dinette replacement myself… and put a comfy recliner in its place!

Wondering how to make it snow? While none of these 7 tricks to make it snow are necessarily scientific, they’re certainly fun ways to spend time with your kids and share in the excitement of waking up to a snow day. Don’t miss our list of 8 fun things to do with your kids in the snow… at the very end.

An RV refrigerator has some unique quirks about it. Common questions include: How level does an RV refrigerator need to be to work properly? Can you drive an RV with the refrigerator running on propane? Here is the best and fastest way to cool items in your RV refrigerator. Helpful tips for new RV owners and RV renters!

Should you take your RV to a professional to have it winterized? Or is this something you can do yourself? The professionals are only concerned with what damage ice in the water system will do to your RV. Here’s how to do ALL of the RV winterizing yourself… according to someone who’s been winterizing RVs for over 50 years!

Wondering how to cook a turkey in an RV? I’ve cooked plenty of large turkey feasts for family gatherings and special occasions in my RV — and I have some quick & easy RV cooking tips for you! You can prepare this RV Thanksgiving dinner in just 10 minutes, and it will be finished cooking in under 2 hours.

Wondering what other RVers do for Halloween on the road? Here’s what you can expect to see at the RV parks and RV campgrounds – a fun Halloween guide for RVers. Plus tips for making your own RV Halloween decorations!

How RV nomads plan their seasonal RV travel routes. These are the best RV apps to use when following 70-degree temps is your main goal. Find places to stay!

How do you get Keto on the go? Here’s how I do it! My favorite RV Keto recipes + How I do Keto on the road as a fulltime RVer. (I lost 50 lbs in 6 mos). Keto camping food isn’t much different from Keto homecooked food.

Have you noticed how different the 4 weather seasons are across the United States? The seasons are definitely NOT the same everywhere! It depends on where you live. See when spring starts, when summer starts, when fall starts, when winter starts this year.

The majority of online articles about unclogging an RV toilet were clearly written by someone who has never owned an RV — much less used an RV toilet! Here’s what you should NOT do if your RV toilet keeps clogging, what you SHOULD do to fix a clogged RV toilet, and how to prevent RV toilet clogs. Whether you have a regular RV toilet or an RV macerator toilet with a built-in grinder, I’m going to show you how to fix a clogged RV toilet once and for all!

Making healthy, home-cooked meals doesn’t need to stop when you go RVing. RV cooking is easy as long as you have the right camping cooking equipment! See a list of camp cooking gear and appliances that I regularly use in my RV as a full-timer who cooks 95% of his own meals.

Trying to decide between National Forest camping vs. National Park camping? Having done both, I can attest to the fact that there are pros and cons to each. Here’s what you need to know about RV camping in or near National Parks. If backcountry camping in an RV is your goal the next time you visit a National Park, start here!

For the first time ever, I decided to stay in a hurricane shelter. Here’s why I did and what I’ve learned about staying at an emergency shelter during a storm. Plus expert tips to help you decide whether you should stay put at home or evacuate in a hurricane.

Hurricanes are major storms with sustained winds of at least 74 mph and form over oceans. Hurricane Categories are used to estimate potential property damage — on a scale from 1 to 5. See what each of the 5 categories means — in terms of maximum wind speeds and the specific types of damage you can expect to see.

Have you heard about a major storm being declared the next Category 6 hurricane? That’s fake news! There are only 5 official hurricane categories. See why Category 6 hurricanes don’t exist.

Adding a sun shade tarp to make your own RV awning room will greatly improve the livability of your outdoor space AND reinforce the awning should modest wind or rain suddenly appear. If you want more RV awning shade, here’s how to do it… on a budget.

I’m going to show you the easiest and most affordable way to empty your RV holding tanks (both the gray water tank and the black water tank) without tearing down camp just to empty your tanks. It involves an RV macerator pump and an RV portable waste tank — but NOT the Blue Boy RV waste container! Plus, I’ll show you the best way to find RV dump stations.

Here’s how to enjoy a stress-free day on the beach in your Jeep – what to do before driving on the beach… AND what not to do! Plus, sand driving tips, tire pressure advice, and a list of beaches you can drive on.

When boondocking or RVing full time and living off the grid, you will have to tailor your Solar Power System to meet your specific needs. Here are some clever ways to set up your RV Solar Power System. Plus, everything you need to know about solar arrays, your solar system’s batteries, and solar power wiring tips. See the differences between parallel vs serial wiring connections, and why I chose a series-parallel configuration for my RV solar installation.

When it comes to seriously looking at solar power as a dedicated source of electricity when boondocking, a great place to start is a 200-watt Solar Kit. Is 200 watts enough? Yes, it’s enough to power a refrigerator… and watch TV. Here’s what to look for when you’re buying an RV solar system. And remember… you can always add more solar power over time.

Looking for a Jeep Wrangler car rental? We’ve compiled the ultimate list of Jeep rental companies where you can rent a Jeep for a day (or a week) — and take it offroad if you want. This list of Jeep Wrangler rental agencies is organized by state… and country.

RV Shipping 101 – How much does it cost to ship an RV? See how freight carriers ship RVs, how to prepare your RV for shipping, and how to find RV movers.

A Weehoo bike trailer gives your child an open-air experience while cycling. Here’s my review of the Weehoo Turbo bike trailer, the features we like best, how to install it on your bike, and how to find the best deal on a used Weehoo trailer.