A GPS for RV Owners

I’m sure you have read many articles about the benefits of using a GPS when traveling in your automobile or RV. Since GPS technology was released by the military, for use non-military use, I have owned two. Both worked okay when traveling by automobile, but when traveling in a 35’ motorhome, towing a dinghy, they can get you in situations you don’t want to be in. Read more  Read More →

Can RVers save our parks and campgrounds?

By Bob Difley While I’m on the subject of senior discounts, camp hosting, and volunteering (last Saturday’s blog, Do seniors deserve public lands campground discounts?), why not re-think the whole idea of volunteering. No matter which side of the political spectrum’s talking heads you may choose to believe, the reality is that the economy and jobs are going to take a while to recover to where we remember. What that means is that much of the work of public agencies that is defined as “non-essential” will not get done because personnel will be too busy working on “essential” work–however that is defined. However, we RVers will quickly notice that this “n0n-essential” stuff includes keeping parks open, maintaining campgrounds, clearing trails, picking up litter, assisting campers, and being available to answer questions.  The forest service, BLM,  fish and wildlife agencies, Corps of Engineers, and our National Parks are all understaffed and could use some help. So here we are, RVers who, like turtles that carry our self-contained homes around with us, can live comfortably just about anywhere, and require little in the way of support services.  We have time on our hands, possess myriad talents and skills from a lifetime of work, have reached a time in our lives where we want to do something meaningful, be useful, give back to the community, try new things–and we can offer this wealth of talents and skills at a cost... Read more

Camping Journal: Lessons Learned

Many years ago, when I served in the Navy, we’d finish up a cruise and put together something called a “lessons learned” log. Mind you, we enlisted types didn’t really read it, we just showed enough interest to avoid any extra duty back in the home port. Oddly, something from that experience clung to the inner linings of my brain. If you look in my camping journal (what…you don’t have one?!?), you’ll see little notes at the end of each entry. I don’t call them “lessons learned.” I’ve called them many things, most of which cannot be repeated here, but they share a common goal: if I write down my mistakes, I won’t repeat them, or so the theory goes. Here are some of the lessons I have learned: Always check to make sure you electric cord and hose will reach the appropriate outlets before unhooking, lowering the stabilizer jacks, setting up the awning, and cracking open your first beverage. The temperature can drop 30 degrees between southern Michigan and northern Michigan during the three hour drive on Labor Day weekend. An unprepared family of four will spend about $113 at Wal-mart for warmer clothes. While a Dodge Durango 4×4 is a great vehicle in the mud, a Dodge Durango 4×4 with a 32′ Coachmen strapped to its bumper is almost useless in the mud. A Hensley Arrow is great for allowing you to tow a 32′ Coachmen with a Dodge Durango, but provides little assistance for getting un-stuck from... Read more

RV Slides, More and Bigger, May Not Be Better

Slides, or pop-outs, are abundant on most of today’s motor coaches and trailers.  Depending on the RV make, model, size and floor plan will normally dictate the number of slides.  There may be one or there may be multi.  There are small slides and there are full wall ones.  Additionally there are varying depths usually from about 12” to 36” or more.   So, how many is enough?  More may not always be better.  While bigger and more may provide additional interior space, it may have trade-offs.  Let’s look at some of the other considerations one should take into account, for each choice.   Multi (3 or 4) deep slides may provide very little livability when faced with overnight stops where slide deployment is not possible.  Access to the bathroom may be awkward for larger people during travel times. The vehicle will be heavier than those with less or no slides.  Generally, for most multi-slide units, slides on one side must be deployed to attain a reasonable comfort level. Single side slides (1 or 2) may he slightly less livable when faced with overnight stops where slide deployment is not possible.  Access to the bathroom may be awkward for larger people during travel times. The vehicle will be heavier than those without slides. Non-Slide units provide the same space in all circumstances.  Generally they can boondock in locations that slide types would not and also have more parking choices when in the same place.  Their weight is generally much lower than a slide... Read more

« Previous Page