I was reading responses to another post and one person stated that, "We RV we don't camp?" I didn't want to take the post off topic, so I did a quick search, but did not find it. What is the difference between RVing and Camping. I am not posting this to get an argument going. We have always camped but maybe we are RVing and don't even know it. Before you respond that it does not matter, I know that, but am just really curious.

That could have been me. :) I'm quick to assert that we RV, we don't camp. And it's simply the way I feel about it, many other people feel that anytime you're sleeping in your trailer, 5th wheel, or any RV you're camping. In my mind camping is tent, sleeping bag, etc. I may park my toyhauler at a campground, but I'm RV'ing in my mind. I have a bed, a shower, oven, stove, furniture, refrigerator, TV, and, to me, that is not camping that's RV'ing. We use our toyhauler to bring our motorcycles along so we can ride the roads in the area, so where we stay is pretty immaterial. We don't do campfires either. :)Just different strokes for different folks. :)

We used to camp years and years ago. Tents, back of a station wagon, a small camp trailer, back of a boat, home made campers from step vans and finally a small MH. Campfires, motorcycles, dune buggys etc. circle the campers around the campfire, looking forward to long weekends to camp. For the last 8 years we RV. We live in the camper (MH) but we don't do weekends, boats, motorcycles, etc. And we absolutely don't do campfires...campfire smoke just stinks and we have to live with that stink for a much longer time than campers do. As an RVer, we like full hookups but we don't mind boondocking now and then because the MH has made that very easy to do.

"Campers" go to enjoy the experience of staying in a campsite, with its attendant amenities, such as sitting around a campfire telling tall tales to each other, perhaps burning a few marshmallows for s'mores, maybe drowning some worms in a nearby stream, with the RV itself serving as little more than a fancy tent. "RV'ers" on the other hand, use their RV as either their full time home or home away from home, with the current campground or RV park serving simply as a convenient place to park the rig while exploring the sights in the area or resting up from previous touring. Of course, as in many things in life, there are an infinite number of gray areas where the two concepts overlap. The reality is that "camping" or "RV'ing" are simply labels that we can apply pretty much any way we see fit for our own situations. Is "camping" the goal for you? Or is it "RV'ing" you enjoy the most...

I camp with my tent and RV (mostly traveling, but also setting up a house at the lake) using my motorhome. Sometimes I camp without my tent, spend the night on the ground in the open.If all you do is RV and you think it is primitive living, then you might call it camping, but if you also camp, you might understand the difference.Similar issues with people looking for a "campground" and when you get into their requirements they are really looking for a RV resort and might be bothered to actually have campers around them. But we also have people who take their RVs to campgrounds and come home complaining about being surrounded by people living in tents.

"RVing" is confined to pavement."Camping" is on dirt.

Difference between RVing and Camping??? | Good Sam Community

mark5w
Explorer
Dec 03, 2013
I went tent camping and dressed up for restaurants, weddings, and concerts.
Jean_S
Explorer
Dec 03, 2013
When you have a nice dress and shoes with for a dinner out, you are RVing. When all you intend to wear are t-shirts and jeans, you are camping. When you can bake an apple pie from scratch if you feel like it, you are RVing. When you'd have to get it deep fried in a box on a run to MacDonalds, you are camping. Camping activities including biking, hiking, fishing, birdwatching,campfires. RVing activities including all that, plus evenings at a dress-up restaurant and the theater and all the other things one does in normal life.
GottaGoCamping
Explorer
Dec 02, 2013
Our definition is fairly simple no matter how you got there: If you spend more of your waking hours outside than inside then you are camping.
sowego
Explorer
Dec 01, 2013
I think the definition is just a matter of opinion.

Back when we camped, took the Chevy Blazer off-road into the forest, set up a tent, built a fire pit, dug a hole for the potty, heated water to wash dishes with and take baths and slept on an air mattress on the ground...that was camping.

I don't even consider staying at commercial or national or state campground camping...it's RVing in my book.

I think full timers are both or maybe just travelers.

When we or anyone pulls into an RV park/campground, hit the button to set the jacks, turn on the TV and flop on the couch while supper is cooking in the microwave as the AC is running to keep us cool...can that be called "camping"?!

But it really doesn't matter what any of us call it. Most of us that did it the old fashioned way would not care to sleep on the ground again, haul in firewood so we could cook, and use a hole for a toilet anymore. Some people never did it the other way and wouldn't even consider it.

But, it's all good...whatever we call it, however we do it, whenever or whereever...just enjoy and don't worry about it!
rascorp
Explorer
Nov 29, 2013
I'm new to this site today, so though I would chime in on our experience. For years we traveled in a 5th wheel. Last year we sold 5th wheel and purchased a Winnebago ERA Van... Because we decided we were travelers not Campers... To a Tent or on the ground camper we are still RV'ers.. So now I do try to remember we are NOT campers, but Travelers!
Veebyes
Explorer II
Nov 28, 2013
We travel pulling a vehicle that has a 4 door fridge, 2 TVs, surround sound, almost fully carpeted, 100gal of water, a king bed, 3 heaters, air conditioned etc. etc. etc. It would be a long stretch to call living in that thing camping whether we have hookups or not. It is a little condo on wheels.

The only camping we do is virtually every evening using the grill & having a fire whenever possible. We don't even use the CG bathrooms & rarely a hiking trail. The CG is a place to park the travel machine.
Cloud_Dancer
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2013
I'm NOT gambling! I camp there because Diamond Jack's in Bossier has full hookups for $30, and Bossier is where my BIL and SIL live. Also, there's bass fishing in the river.
We go in the casino to see the people and drink the free margaritas. Naturally, I kinda feel like dropping a few dollars in their slot machines,.....as payment for the hospitality.
Camping is what it's all about, right?
crosscheck
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2013
crosscheck wrote:
Cloud Dancer wrote:
My wife and I love to go camping next door to the casinos. It's the most convenient way to go camping and casino-ing on the same trip,....comfortable too:

Now I understand. If it is a temporary thing, it's a camp. Seems pretty simple. You can only gamble so long before you run out of gas money. http://www.rv.net/SharedContent/cfb/images/smile.gif

Dave

I forgot to say, we gambled all of our diesel money away and have to walk home.

Dave
crosscheck
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2013
Cloud Dancer wrote:
My wife and I love to go camping next door to the casinos. It's the most convenient way to go camping and casino-ing on the same trip,....comfortable too:

Now I understand. If it is a temporary thing, it's a camp. Seems pretty simple. You can only gamble so long before you run out of gas money. http://www.rv.net/SharedContent/cfb/images/smile.gif

Dave
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2013
I never understood gambling in casinos. There you are in a multi million dollar building with hundreds of fairly well-paid employees and owners driving new Mercedes and you think you are going to make money? I'd rather spend it on the stock market.