Posted by Ashley Gannon on Jan 27, 2012
There’s a new breed of folding camping trailers popping up at RV shows that is nothing like the pop-up trailers you camped in when you were a kid. Sleek and stylish, these new versions of the old ”pop-up” RV are ultra-light, ultra-comfortable and packed with lots of luxury amenities that lift folding trailers to new heights in the RV hierarchy. Providing a convenient and affordable way to camp in high style, the new folding trailers are particularly popular with 20 and 30-somethings that enjoy participating in active outdoor sports. One model can even be towed by a motorcycle.
When you’re shopping online on RVT.com, look for the following cutting-edge folding camping trailers. (Search tip: Using advanced search, input folding trailers under RV type, enter the model name and make sure you click on new & used to include RV dealer listings.)
If your recreational interests require hauling a lot of gear, Brevard’s Sylvan Sport Go camping trailer is definitely the way to go. Made in North Carolina, this light-weight version of the Sylvan Sport offers maximum hauling versatility and can be pulled by small cars. An all-aluminum frame supports a comfortable tent system that features self-inflating custom air mattresses. Weighing in at a mere 840 pounds, the Go can carry up to a dozen bikes, kayaks, even an ATV. The model retails for around $8,000.
More folding trailer RVs next time
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Dec 16, 2011
If you are an RV owner and are looking for a very special gift to give your grandchildren for Christmas, take them on an RV camping trip during their Christmas vacation. Leave their parents at home (that’s your Christmas gift to your own children!) and take your grandkids on an RV trip — just you and them. You don’t have to trek to Disney World or plan anything elaborate. Just take a weekend jaunt to a nice state park where you can spend some time enjoying the outdoors and snuggling up in the evening with a stack of story books and steaming cups of cocoa (heavy on the marshmallows).
These days, many children don’t get the opportunity to bond with their grandparents. You may be separated by distance or school and activity schedules may monopolize your grandchild’s time. But grandparents have much to offer children. Grandparents don’t carry the weighty responsibilities a parent must shoulder to raise a child in today’s complex society. Grandparents can fudge a little on bedtimes. They can overrule the 2-cookie limit. They can stop for ice cream even if it’s close to dinnertime.
Taking an RV trip with your grandchildren removes all the distractions of normal family life and lets you focus your complete and undivided attention on your grandchild. For children, that is the greatest gift of all.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Nov 09, 2011
Gather the family and head your RV for the nearest U.S. national park this weekend. Veteran’s Day weekend, November 11-13, is the final fee-free day of the year at America’s 396 national parks. Every year the National Park System sponsors five fee-free days to encourage Americans to get outdoors and enjoy America’s scenic beauty while exploring our many national parks.
While many national parks do not charge an entrance fee, more than 100 of our most popular parks do collect a daily entrance fee to help defray the costs of maintaining park lands. This weekend, however, RV travelers can visit national parks, monuments, battlefields, seashores, historic sites, recreation areas and memorials from California to Maine fee-free. (Click here for a list of participating parks.)
RV campers should note that the national park fee waiver applies only to entrance fees. Reservation, camping, tour and concession fees that are collected by third parties are not included; although many are offering special discounts and fee reductions this weekend.
The park system’s fee-free days are an excellent opportunity to slip away in your RV for a long-weekend getaway. RV campsites at most national parks tend to fill quickly, but RV campers will find plenty of excellent RV campgrounds near every popular national park site. Use RVT.com’s handy RV campground locator to find a campground near your destination.
RVT.com salutes America’s veterans and our active servicemen and women. We thank you and your families for your service to our country.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Sep 28, 2011
If you and your family are geocaching fans, head your RV to Hayes State Park in southeast Michigan’s scenic Irish Hills for the annual cache and camp weekend Friday through Sunday, September 30 to October 2, 2011. Hayes State Park is located at 1220 Wamplers Lake Road in Onsted in Lenawee County, Michigan, just 30 minutes southeast of Jackson, MI and an hour southwest of Ann Arbor.
An annual feature of Lazy Hayes Days, the cache and camp weekend draws RV campers and geocaching enthusiasts from across the state and beyond. Sponsored by the Michigan Geocaching Organization, this year Rockin Roddy Holbrook and the Cachestalkers will be on hand to make sure everyone has a good time.
Geocaching is like a high-tech treasure hunt that adds a little excitement to RV trips. Participants use Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers to hide and find containers, the geocache equivalent of ”treasure.” But the fun of geocaching is in the hunt. Special caches have been hidden for this weekend’s cache and camp event, including a night hike and kayak cache. A Friday night fire pit hot dog social kicks off activities. If you’re new to the sport, you’ll want to attend Saturday’s Geocaching 101 program. For more info contact the park office at 517-467-4701.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Aug 08, 2011
Most of the country has been sweltering under August temperatures since June with no let up in the heat predicted any time soon. If your RV doesn’t have an awning, this is the year to install one. RV awnings provide instant shade that can reduce the interior temperature of your motorhome or travel trailer by as much as 10 degrees, cooling your rig and decreasing the load on your air conditioning system. You receive the same benefit by parking your rig in the shade, but shade is at a premium in most RV campgrounds.
Increasing usable camp space is another good reason to install an awning on your RV. With an RV awning, your outdoor living area — as well as tables, chairs, grill, etc. – is protected from rain, wind and falling debris; allowing you to make complete use of outdoor space. You’ll also find that buying or installing an awning on your RV increases its resale value.
Smart RV buyer tip: RVs can be purchased with factory-installed awnings or awnings can be added after market. If adding an after-market awning to your RV, follow installation instructions carefully to insure that the awning is correctly supported or have it installed by an RV service professional. An improperly installed awning can cause permanent damage to your RV. To find new or used RVs that already come equipped with awnings, enter “awnings” under “keywords” in the advanced search feature on RVT.com.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Jul 29, 2011
Luxury RV resorts have polished the final rough edges off the wild and wooly image anyone may have had about RV camping. Today’s upscale RV campgrounds and posh RV resorts offer all the exciting activities and luxury amenities as their hotel counterparts. The only difference is that you bring your room with you when stay at an RV resort!
Some RV resorts now offer all the trappings of a mini theme park or a luxury spa — and often both! No longer merely a place to park your RV at night, luxury RV resorts have become vacation destinations in their own right. At posh RV resorts, you’re apt to find:
~ water parks with tubes, slides and lazy rivers;
~ well-kept tennis courts and sports facilities. Some resorts offer lessons with a pro or sports camps for kids.
~ bike, boat or horse rentals;
~ putting greens with access to nearby championship golf courses;
~ luxurious spa treatments;
~ planned social activities and kids’ camps; and
~ onsite gourmet restaurants.
While there are still plenty of RV campgrounds that offer a place to park your RV in the midst of the wilderness, even the iconic KOA chain now offers amenities that can include free Wi-Fi, swimming pools with slides, ice cream socials, bike rentals, mini golf, movies under the stars, supervised activities for children, and themed parties for adults. This is not your dad’s idea of camping! And aren’t you glad?!
Posted by Ashley Gannon on May 27, 2011
If you recently purchased an RV online, you’re probably packing up and getting ready to hit the highway for your inaugural family RV trip. RVers across the country will be on the road today, excited to get a head start on the 3-day Memorial Day weekend. The slight drop in gas prices makes it even more affordable to take the family on a weekend jaunt in your new RV.
With a summer of RV adventures in front of you, it’s time to start building some memories. Creating special family traditions will make your RV trips more memorable. Some traditions, like creating scrapbooks of your trips, can be planned in advance; but be on the lookout for odd, silly things that will make your family travels unique.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
> Choose something everyone in your family enjoys and incorporate it into every RV trip. It can be something as small as stopping for ice cream on the road or ending each trip with stories and s’mores around a campfire. Choose an activity that can be done rain or shine (RVs let you “campfire” indoors during stormy weather).
> Create a Summer Memories scrapbook. Purchase a 3-ring binder and stock up on plain and colored paper, pocketed photo pages, markers and glue. Let the kids create their own memory pages and add photos and brochures from your travels to create a unique family memory of your RV summer.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on May 25, 2011
Many RV families will be making their first trip of the summer season this weekend. The start of the summer RV season, Memorial Day weekend packs RV campgrounds and state parks with camping families and plenty of energetic children. Before pulling your RV out of the driveway, it’s a good idea to review safety rules with your family.
> Make sure your first aid kit is well-stocked and onboard and that family members know where it is stowed.
> Post a list of emergency contacts and critical medical and prescription drug information where it can be easily accessed. Always pack a few extra days of prescription medications when you travel.
> When you arrive at your RV campsite, check the area for safety hazards such as broken glass, holes, protruding tree roots, poison ivy, drop offs, ravines, overhanging dead tree limbs, etc. Remove as many safety hazards as possible and report others to the campground manager. Make sure everyone in the family is aware of any safety hazards.
> Remind your children to stay within your site, ask for permission before they leave the campsite, and use the buddy system when they go anywhere.
> Carry sunscreen, bug repellent and plenty of water with you when you head for the beach or go on a hike.
> Only build campfires in designated fire pits and keep a bucket of water and a shovel handy. Campfires should be constantly supervised by an adult and put out using both water and soil.
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