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

97 Replies

pnichols
Explorer II
Nov 25, 2013
Now .... the problem becomes how to get that big fancy bed back into spots like where this rig is going - that WOULD REALLY be camping:

P.S. I can't get my smaller less fancy bed back into where that TC is going, either .... but wish I could.
Cloud_Dancer
Explorer II
Nov 25, 2013
OK I concede. It's acceptable to call it camping regardless of how you do it.
But, I gotta tell you (because I did it), graduating from sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag,....all the way to sleeping in king-size bed(inside the comfort of your camper) makes you realize the broad spectrum of the subject definition:
Us_out_West
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
We always refer to our rig as our 'camper'.
pitch
Explorer II
Nov 25, 2013
Never in my life have I uttered the phrase; "I'm going RVing"
I look at a map.
I decide wear I want to go, it may be a general region,it may be an historical attraction, it may be a natural attraction.
Day one I may take a hike, swim, fish, sit around a camp fire. Day two I go into town, maybe a museum or a festival.
I guess I am just a multi-tasking fool.
RVUSA
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
Camping to me means I am likely to get into my sleeping bag and find dirt in it. Rv'ing means sweet cold air and a dirt free bed.
Reader1
Explorer
Nov 24, 2013
Francesca Knowles wrote:
When push comes to shove, the simplest explanation is this:

"Camping" is by definition temporarily stopping/staying in some place other than one's home base- doesn't really matter what kind of shelter is involved. From tent to Prevost: if it's a temporary thing it's a camp.

Perfect!!! I was the OP and after reading some of these, I thought camping was our weekend trips, and RVing is our "traveling" trips. But I have once again changed my mind. I agree with this, we just camp!
abc40kids
Explorer
Nov 23, 2013
All I know is when I call some friends to see if they want to go camping next weekend they full understand what I'm talking about. Can't say I've ever said, hey you want to go RV'ing next weekend. I pull a camper ( fifth wheel ) RV= recreational vehicle, camping is what I do with my RV. Hey as long as were all getting out they and enjoying our whatever we want to call it or what we are doing..... That's all that matters!!
pnichols
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2013
... and this is probably real camping, too (only requiring eight wheels not counting the spares):
Cloud_Dancer
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2013
pnichols wrote:
Francesca Knowles wrote:
When push comes to shove, the simplest explanation is this:

"Camping" is by definition temporarily stopping/staying in some place other than one's home base- doesn't really matter what kind of shelter is involved. From tent to Prevost: if it's a temporary thing it's a camp.

Francesca - in one concise all-inclusive single sentence I think you nicely nailed it. Well stated!!

... It covers what the early pioneers were doing in their wagon trains, it covers mountaineering base camps, it covers backpacking camps, it covers canoeing camps, it covers hunting camps, it covers oil and gas field worker camps, and it covers wherever any kind of RV is parked other than storage.

(Ooooops ... what do call what a boater is doing whenever they're living on their boat, temporarily here and there, while still keeping a land home?)

OK, call it whatever you want. Ssoooo, THIS is my fish camp (on wheels). About 10 years ago I wrote a check for $170,000 in order to pay for it. According to your opinion, this is my way of going camping.
Personally, I prefer to use a different description.
mark5w
Explorer
Nov 23, 2013
(Ooooops ... what do call what a boater is doing whenever they're living on their boat, temporarily here and there, while still keeping a land home?)

Boat camping.

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Difference between RVing and Camping???

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