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Hey there, neighbour! Are you thinking about taking the fam on an RV adventure? Pull up a chair and grab some coffee—I’ve got all the tips you need after six years of RV trips with my crew. And trust me, I’ve made ALL the mistakes, so you don’t have to!
Why Your Family Will Love RV Camping
Hotels are fine, but there’s something magical about waking up with nature outside your door—while still having your bathroom. Win-win!
Real Talk from Fellow Parents
Sarah from Minnesota: “Our kids were always glued to screens at home. Two days into our RV trip to Yellowstone, they were collecting rocks and playing card games without us even asking. I almost cried watching them actually talk to each other again!”
Marcus from Oregon: “My teenager thought RV camping would be ‘lame’ (his words). By day three, he was teaching younger kids how to fish and hasn’t stopped asking when we’re going back. RV camping saved our relationship.”
Jen and Pete: “Our daughter has sensory issues, and hotels are overwhelming. Having our own familiar space that moves with us? Game changer. She called our RV her ‘adventure turtle shell’ and slept better than at home!”
Show Me The Money: RV vs Hotels
Let’s break it down for a family of four on a 7-day trip:
Expense Type Hotel Vacation RV Camping
Lodging $1,400 ($200/night) $490 ($70/night avg)
Food $1,050 (all restaurants) $350 (mostly cooking)
Entertainment $600 (attractions) $220 (park fees/activities)
Transportation $450 (flights/car rental) $300 (fuel for RV)
TOTAL $3,500 $1,360
That’s like $2,140 you could spend on wine instead. Just saying.
Packing Like a Pro (Without Going Crazy)
Wait…what? Weren’t you planning to bring your entire kitchen and garage? Smart move! You don’t need half the stuff you think you do.
The “Why Didn’t I Pack That?!” Top 5 List
☑️ Extra fuses – Because they WILL blow at the most inconvenient time possible (like when you’re in the middle of making margaritas)
☑️ Leveling blocks – Nothing worse than feeling like you’re sleeping on a hillside after three beers
☑️ Extension cord & power strip – RV outlets are never where you need them
☑️ Basic toolset – Something WILL come loose. It’s like a law of physics
☑️Marshmallow stash – Because the camp store will be closed when the s’mores craving hits at 10 pm
Space-Saving Hacks from Seasoned RVers
- Use shoe organizers on the back of doors for small stuff (sunscreen, bug spray, flashlights)
- Magnetic spice tins on the fridge save precious counter space
- Nesting cookware is your friend—one-pot meals for the win!
- Collapsible EVERYTHING (bowls, colanders, laundry baskets)
- Command hooks everywhere—and I mean EVERYWHERE
Remember: Pack clothes for 5 days max. A laundromat’s always nearby; nobody cares if you wear the same shirt twice. You’re camping!
Apps That Local RVers Use
- Campendium – Real reviews from real people who will tell you if the site is level
- iOverlander – For finding those secret-free camping spots (boondocking, baby!)
- AllStays – Shows you height restrictions so you don’t decapitate your AC unit under a low bridge
- Harvest Hosts – Camp at wineries and farms for free (buy some of their stuff—which you would anyway)
Secret Free Camping Zones (Shhh…)
Did you know you can camp for FREE on most Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest land? It’s called dispersed camping, the best-kept secret in RVing. There are no hookups and neighbours playing Kenny Chesney at 2 am!
Remember the golden rule of boondocking: “Pack it in, pack it out” — which is a fancy way of saying, “Don’t leave your trash, ya filthy animal.”
Oops-Proof Setup Checklist
My hand-drawn guide to not flooding your RV or electrocuting yourself
The “Don’t Make These Mistakes” Warning System
💦🚫Water Connection – Pressure regulator first, water filter, hose to RV (get this wrong and enjoy your new indoor pool!)
⚡⚠️ Electric Hookup – Turn OFF the pedestal breaker before connecting unless you enjoy surprise light shows
📏❗ Leveling – Level side-to-side FIRST, then front-to-back (ignore this and your fridge might quit working)
🚽💩Black Tank Valve – Keep it CLOSED until dumping time (trust me on this one)
Quick Fix Tricks for Common Disasters
We flooded the bathroom that time because we left the water pump on, and a connection came loose. Now, we ALWAYS turn the pump off when leaving the RV. And keep extra towels handy!
At that time, we couldn’t figure out why the AC wouldn’t run, so we discovered we were trying to power it with a 15-amp connection: Get a voltage meter and check the pedestal power BEFORE hookup. It saved us countless times since!
Making Memories That Stick
Let’s be real—the whole point of this adventure is family time, right?
Kid-Approved Games That Don’t Require Charging
- Glow stick capture the flag (best camp game EVER)
- Rock painting competition with voting from neighbouring campers
- Flashlight tag (warn the neighbours so they don’t think you’re creepers)
- Scavenger hunt with camp-themed items
- “Best campfire story” contest with marshmallows as prizes
Photo-Worthy Setup Ideas
Create an outdoor living room with the following:
- String lights (solar-powered ones are clutch)
- Outdoor rug that pulls the space together
- Flameless candles for ambience
- Portable projector for movie night under the stars
2025 RV Park Price Chart
Park Type Amenities Price Range (2025)
Basic County/State Parks Water & electric only $30-45/night
Full-Service RV Parks Full hookups, WiFi, pool $55-85/night
Luxury RV Resorts Full hookups, activities, spa $95-150/night
Membership Campgrounds Varies by network $40-60/night
Boondocking (dispersed) Zero amenities, zero people FREE!
Traveling with Fur Babies
- Always have current pet records handy—some campgrounds check!
- Cooling mat for hot days (dogs in metal boxes get HOT)
- Portable pet fence to create a safe space
- Stake with tie-out cable for supervised outdoor time
- Paw wipes (because dirty paws + small space = disaster)
Did you know? KOA campgrounds often have dog parks, and some even offer pet-sitting services!
FAQ Section
Q: “Can I poop in my RV toilet?”
A: Yes, but… (trust me, read this). Use plenty of water, add tank treatment regularly, and use RV-specific toilet paper for the love of all things holy. Regular TP is the villain in most black tank horror stories. And remember: if it didn’t come from your body or the special paper, it doesn’t go in there!
Q: “Will my SUV handle an RV?”
A: Depends! Here’s the math… Take your vehicle’s tow rating (in the manual) and subtract about 1,000 pounds for safety margin. That’s your max trailer weight FULLY LOADED. Remember, the number on the RV brochure is empty weight. Add water, food, clothes, and those “few camping supplies” your spouse bought, and you’re easily adding 1,500+ pounds!
Q: “How much practice do I need before a real trip?”
A: At a minimum, practice parking in an oversized empty lot, learn how to dump tanks somewhere private (YouTube is your friend) and do one overnight in your driveway or nearby campground. My first backing attempt took 30 minutes and ended with my neighbour asking if I wanted him to “just do it for me.” Pride is overrated—accept help!
Final Thoughts
Remember, the best RV trips aren’t about the perfect Instagram moments—they’re about the disasters you’ll laugh about later. The time our awning became a sail during a surprise storm? Hilarious… eventually.
As my dad always said, “It’s not camping if something doesn’t go wrong!” But that’s where the best stories come from.
So what are you waiting for? Those s’mores aren’t going to roast themselves!
Happy camping, neighbour!