Tips for Family Camping in a RV/Trailer
In the last several months, finding an escape to the wilderness has been therapeutic to help cope with many uncertainties around us. Nature is the place to re-connect with the beauty of the world, and appreciate the life around us. It almost forces mindfulness, being able to focus on the little perfect creatures around us, which in turn, is a gift of slowing our nervous system and helping us relax.
To our family, we wanted to find a sort of “quarantine on wheels” where we could find a safe way to connect with nature, and honestly not drive ourselves crazy with three young kids. There are so many things to explore in just a short drive, and honestly, we just needed a change of pace!
I will say, for those who have been camping and RV-ing your entire lives, these tips are not for you. You are well versed on the “small nuances” you need to be a successful camper. To those who are like myself, who only camped with extended family, or my husband, Zach who never camped in his life, the “learning curve”, was steep. Each weekend has been quite the adventure and the exact thing we all needed.
For all of you interested in renting/borrowing a camper/trailer/RV, as a novice to another novice, we have some tips to share:
1. Apps can be your best friend.
Our favorite camping reservation apps are Campendium and Recreation.gov. Recreation.gov has resources for many camping/lodging as well as ability to purchase permits and passes to federal recreation facilities. It has many resources that remain closed due to COVID restrictions.
KOA sites or Kampgrounds of America are franchised campgrounds that have family-friendly options. Each location is different, amenities vary, and customer service is great. However, you may not have the “picturesque campsite” you’re looking for.
Consider RV Parks, they are privately owned but can be located in beautiful areas.
For rentals of RVs/Trailers: Outdoorsy and RV Share. *Always consider towing capacity of your vehicle.
When reserving, CALL the campgrounds if possible. Yes, use your phone. They sometimes will have electric sites available that are not found on the apps and are helpful at choosing a site that will work for you. Remember that certain sizes of campers are restricted in certain campgrounds (usually >28 feet) Also, ask about water accessibility and if there are places to dump your waste. This is not always and option. Campendium is a great resource for finding your nearest “dump station”. Yuck, I know, but who wants to travel hundreds of miles carrying waste in the toilet!
Also remember that you will most likely not get great cell or wifi service, but Campendium does list cellphone carriers and amount of service available at that site. I mean the point is to get “off grid”, but still nice to know.
2. How do you pack your RV/Trailer? Packing/unpacking the RV may be the hardest part. I recommend small containers that you can place on the floor/under tables until you arrive and can unpack. Remember that when you’re pulling your trailer, it is equivalent to a magnitude 10 earthquake on the Richter scale. Things are going to move like crazy! Make sure to evaluate the trailer prior to leaving and confirm that latches are closed on freezers/fridges and drawers. Having raw meat fly out of the freezer and simmer on your floor is NOT the way you want to start a vacation.
3. Buy a topographical map! Remember those things we used to check the route/roads before our phones told us every direction? They are helpful, but regularly you’ll lose service and you’ll have to rely on your good ol’ mile marker counting abilities. Plus many of the maps include trails, recreation information, and national park information. They are helpful and worth the small investment. While we are mentioning this, remember to ALWAYS look ahead to see you’re upcoming route on a map. If you see some crazy turns ahead, look into the route further, or maybe choose a different route. You do not want to get stuck carrying a trailer onto some questionable bridge/cliff and do not have the ability to turn around. NOTE: signs will NOT warn you about this. We learned the hard way!
4. Dispersed camping and forest roads-fun but you’re on your own in many ways! Many people prefer to get off the grid and not participate in public campgrounds which is smart during the COVID times. Dispersed camping is when your camp on National Forest lands outside of actual campgrounds. You are on your own and what you bring in, you’ll need to bring out- included your own restroom waste. This type of camping is called “dry camping” or “boondocking”. It’s super fun, you just need to be aware of your water/electricity use and will need to use your generator to do this. *You may need to bring your own gas for the generator.
5. Riding in the RV-do you wear seatbelts? Depends. Each state has different laws for seatbelts when it comes to riding in the RV. Some states require that only the front seat passengers have to wear seat belts, while other states, like Arizona require all passengers to be restrained, especially children ages 5-15, younger children to be restrained in their car seats. Remember to also consider the safety of car seats facing sideways or rear-facing.
6. Consider a Propane Fire pit. If you’re camping in the dry southwest, chances are the area is going to be too dry for building your own fire, or charcoal. What’s camping without the fire? Investing in a propane fire pit is well worth the money, and allows you to have a fire during the ban. The difference is, it is quickly turned off (which is most of the risk for fire), and you will never have that smoky smell on your clothes! Here is the model that we purchased, you can also purchase a converter device to use with a smaller propane unit (1 lb), otherwise it hooks to a larger propane tank.
7. Bring yummy food to cook for meals. Having quality food/coffee while camping is a luxury that elevates the experience completely, whether that is yummy waffles in the morning, or quality meat kabobs for dinner. Making recipes like chili to prepare ahead and have one night you do not feel like cookingis also really helpful. We also love to order meals from Sunfare, a local business that delivers meals to your doorstep- they even come in a cooler bags, ready to go!
8. Plan for quality time with the kids- whether its outdoor crafts, fishing poles, outdoor games. You’ll have time to do things that you normally wouldn’t. I highly recommend kiwico crafts to travel with, they come with every part of the craft in the box and are age appropriate. I also bring metallic pens to decorate rocks. We also love our inflatable kayak that we picked up on Amazon.
9. Bring your dog! Don’t leave your best friend at home if you can manage it- they usually have the most fun! Remember, some National Parks do not allow dogs, so check ahead- you’ll need a sitter for your dog if you go out and explore. Most campsites will allow dogs, as long as they remain on leash at ALL times. You may need an indoor and outdoor leashing option so they do not sneak away while you’re not paying attention.
10. Don’t be afraid to ask for tips/help from your fellow campers. Camping neighbors can be/will be angels sent from Heaven, many of the times. They are usually the nicest people you’ve met in awhile, are helpful, handy, and always eager to share their tips. They can be a highlight of your experience so be friendly and reciprocate the nice gestures.
Overall, camping is a LOT of work, but so worth the effort and the memories. Plus, the mistakes that you make will be part of the experience and adventure! Don’t be afraid of the challenge- Go for it!
