Top 50 (non-business) RV Lifestyle Blogs
Thanks to RV Daily Report for bringing this list to my attention: Florida Outdoors RV decided to put together a list of some of the best RV blogs on the World Wide Web. There are 1000s of dedicated RVers and 100s of those blog on a regular basis. ... We based our decision on a couple of factors. Blogs didn’t have to meet all of them, but did need to meet at least one. We tried to stay away from RV industry (business) blogs as well. Top 50 RV Lifestyle Blogs
Traveling via B&B/hotel vs RV
First a bit of context. We have owned nearly all types of RV’s and have RV’ed for well over 20 years. Last year we sold our class A MH and have not bought another RV. We just returned from a 9000 mile road trip with our car traveling thru the Midwest and Rockies staying in B&B’s and hotels. B&B’s suit our style much better than hotels. However, for quick one night stands, hotels are usually cheaper and are generally a better option for just a place to sleep. B&B’s usually have a cleaning fee added and sometimes a “service fee”, which hotels do not so staying in a B&B for only one night is more expensive, but if the added fees are spread over several days the benefits of the B&B such as being able to prepare your own meals, often having separate TV’s showers, etc, tend to even the costs out Both options especially multi day stays in B&B’s require reservations usually well in advance, thus locking you into a hard schedule, whereas hotels are often more flexible and have more liberal cancellation policies. Contacting the owner/managers of B&B’s is not always as easy as a hotel for maintenance issues. We found some truly excellent, some never responded. Since B&B’s are individually owned usually, the quality of furnishing and utensils is a **** shoot, some just like or even better than home, some pretty run down. With chain hotels at least the quality is usually more consistent with a particular chain anyway. We did buy a picnic sized portable refrigerator that we put in the back seat of the car and plugged into 12V. That really made a difference in having the basics available to prepare basic meals. Bottom line: for one night stands, hotel are usually the best option, like them or not. For multiple night stays in one place, we much prefer the B&B style. Cost wise, hotels may be cheaper, but when you factor in meal preparation in a B&B, over several days the costs even out, although some hotels offer some options there as well especially breakfast. We did note that since Covid came along, the hotels with breakfast are fewer and breakfast is often much simpler and less than it used to be, so beware. One thing we really missed about the RV style of travel was the option of boondocking and the ability to change our plans on short notice. Another was the interaction you can have with fellow RV’ers at a campground. Staying in a B&B or hotel you don’t talk to other people much. We are also looking into staying at campgrounds that have cabins for rent but have not really found a site that has a good listing of such. So is another RV in our future? Maybe a small travel trailer we could pull behind our SUV. TBD.
Campground = low income housing???
I wasn't sure where to post this question so I figured I would try here. It's as much of a rant as it is a question, but it is a legitimate question. I've been tent camping my whole life but am new to RV camping and was completely unaware of all the campgrounds that allowed year round/long term camping. I've even noticed that some State Parks which have rules against this allow guests to use loopholes to stay year round. I've already been to 3 campgrounds (one state owned, one KOA, and one private) which were not much more than a trailer park. Sure the brochures look wonderful, with pictures that accentuate the positive but leave out the rows of dingy, tarped RVs with permanent decking built around them. Not to mention the fact that the "campers" there are now locals with local friends coming and going and cars parked wherever they can wedge them in. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against trailer parks or those that live in em, but a campground isn't built for coming and going and cars parked everywhere or with enough room in the "yard" to spread out all your "stuff." I know there are snow birds that stay places for extended times and I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about the folks that use a campground as their low income housing project. Does anyone know of a way to verify how many "permanent" campers are at a given campground or if there are any chains of campgrounds that strictly don't allow this? I though I could count on KOA and state Parks for this, but have been sorely disapointed. I wanna take my wife and kids out camping...not trailer parking.
What is up with "Park Model" homes?
My wife and I continue to camp at the same CG over and over and had considered getting a seasonal site there to save the hassle of dragging the camper 3 hrs each way on weekends. The owner of the CG is a dealer for a manufacturer of Park Homes that are constructed of logs and look very much like a small cabin. Not only can we not find anyone that wants to finance the purchase (USAA recinded my pre-approval after finding out it as a park model), no one wants to insure these things. Is there some negative bias in the industry about Park models? Thanks! JackConcern about RVing with Our Dogs
My husband and I want to purchase a travel trailer and camp with our dogs. Our dogs have a pack mentality and bark at other dogs and other animals scurrying at night. We thought about renting an RV to test the waters but dog friendly RV rentals are practically unheard of in our area, both at campgrounds and from individuals. RV rental places that are pet friendly are booked! I’d hate to spend all that money only to find out our dogs will be a nuisance to others. Does anyone have experience with their own dogs that may have been similar? Any advice, recommendations or suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
Learned an expensive lesson today
We have been fulltime rving since Feb. 2019. Didn't realize that unless you have and live at an actual address you can't get a bank loan. Crazy!! We have had a few other problems also with not having an actual residence. We had to buy a new truck and take it all from our savings. We had no choice. So those of you wanting to do this Lifestyle keep a piece of property it will make this lifestyle easier. Taraebike for a heavy rider?
I'm 285 and want an ebike to cruise the campgrounds, trails and maybe a nearby town. Anybody out there think what they have can help me out or maybe know of a fellow camper has what may work for me. I've seen PLENTY advertised and reviewed, but I'm looking for real world suggestions. Some of the things I've seen that appear to work well are mid-drive units that take advantage of the derailleur, fat tires seem nice, step through, 48v, NOT a built in or special designed battery that will not be in production in a few years... What else should I be looking for and some suggestions please. Thanks, Phil.
