Category: Articles

This is one aspect of camping that generates no end of discussion – mostly how other people are doing it! The purists – backpack tent campers – look at the luxurious motorhomes and fifth-wheel trailers and say, “That is not REAL camping!”

For their part, the owners of the sumptious digs-on-wheels look out at the tiny tents and say, “Poor dears! It’s too bad they can’t afford to REALLY camp!” And so it goes, on and on.

Is there no middle ground? Is there such a thing as REAL camping? I know I will never be able to resolve this issue but, since I own this blog, I’ll throw in my own two cents’ worth.

First, I’ll recount my own camping experience so you’ll know I’m not really taking one side or the other out of ignorance. As you may know, I started camping courtesy of the United States Army. We shared two-man pup tents with air mattresses (on the ground) and individual sleeping bags. The temperature didn’t matter! The Army is a 24/365 operation.

On a personal basis, while still in the Army, I started camping with tents that were a lot nicer than the Army version. Mine actually had floors in them! Woohoo! I thought it was pretty cool when I got a cot on which to lay my sleeping bag – no more sleeping on the hard, rocky ground.

There were no nice amenities like toilets, sinks or showers. I had to rely on the campground restrooms for that. I did have a small stove and a cooler cooled by bags of ice. Man, compared to living out in the field while on maneuvers, this was living!

I even went on a motorcycle tour once with several friends and spent the nights in campgrounds. We carried small tents, sleeping bags and camp stoves. We had a fantastic time.

Next came a pop-up tent camper. A lot of the amenities were the same but it was a lot easier to set up if you pulled in late. I still had to use the public restrooms but this trailer had lights and a table and places to sit. Wow!

My first travel trailer was not “self-contained.” That meant I had to carry the waste water and the bottom half of the PortaPotti up to the restrooms for disposal. But! This one actually had a heater, a built-in stove and a gas/12-volt refrigerator. Boy, oh boy, I was moving up into the Big Time with this one!

Since that time, I and my family have enjoyed traveling and setting up in campgrounds with a variety of trailers, vans and motorhomes. Our current rig is a diesel pickup pulling a 31-foot travel trailer which has a large slide-out and is four-season capable. Of course, it’s fully self-contained.

I have enjoyed every kind of camping I have done over the years (military bivouac excepted!). Of course, tent camping is more suited to warm weather but I have set up in cold or rainy weather, as well. If you’re well prepared, you can make yourself quite comfortable, even with minimal equipment.

I believe “camping” is a much larger concept than tents vs. motorhomes. Once I leave home, I can go, pretty much, wherever I want. There are campgrounds all across the nation – even in places where hotels are scarce. A lot of the parks and other tourist locations have campgrounds nearby.

For one or more nights, I can rent my own, private campsite. Normal campground etiquette is that you don’t make noise that disturbs your fellow campers between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. It’s just normal consideration of others that is expected of everyone.

Most campgrounds are located in areas away from noisy traffic and city pollution. If you’re looking to relax in peaceful surroundings, a lot of campgrounds and very few hotels can meet that expectation.

Of course, one of the grandest things about camping is the camaraderie between campers. You can walk around the campground and people will greet you as you go by. If you see an interesting piece of equipment, you can stop and ask the owner about it. They’ll most likely invite you to sit down and have a cup of coffee. Try that in a hotel! They’ll be calling security on you in a heartbeat.

These things all apply no matter what kind of camping you do, no matter what kind of equipment you’re using. Campers love being around other campers. Believe me, many of the motorhome owners started out in a tent, too!

The bottom line is that it’s all camping. Enjoy whatever equipment you’re using right now and don’t worry about what you think someone else thinks about it. Don’t be afraid to try different types of camping. You just might come to enjoy something you never thought you would.

That, too, is a fun part of camping. Just get out there and enjoy yourself.

Source by Edwin J. Hill

Your motorhome is a huge investment, so you’ll need a specialist insurance policy that will cover all risks, including your windscreen. Depending on the motorhome you own, a replacement windscreen could set you back a hundreds or even thousands of pounds. So, by repairing your windscreen in good time, you save yourself a the hassle and costs involved in getting it replaced.

Being at the front of the motorhome, the windscreen is particularly vulnerable to flying objects picked up by oncoming or overtaking vehicles. Objects such as loose chippings or stones from the road can act as small missiles and cause damage in the form of a chip in the windscreen glass.

If the chip occurs in front of the driver, and hinders the view or is seen as causing a distraction to the driver, it can be deemed dangerous and the vehicle may fail the UK Ministry of Transport (MOT) test.

If the chip appears over the passenger side or out of the main line of sight for the driver, it may be tempting to ignore the chip. However, if the chip is left, it can easily spread. Changes in temperature and moisture on the windscreen can cause the glass to expand and contract, increasing the likelihood of the chip turning into a crack – in the same way that pipes can burst if they’re allowed to freeze and defrost over winter.

Another risk is if you’re travelling down a bumpy road or over speed bumps, the jolting effect on the motorhome can cause the chip or crack to spread.

To prevent any further damage to your windscreen, it’s important to get the chip repaired as soon as you notice it. An approved repairer will be able to seal the chip before it turns into a crack. This repair could strengthen the windscreen and allow you to continue with your holiday without the worry of the damage becoming irreversible.

Most insurance companies will cover the cost of repairing the windscreen, provided the work is carried out by an approved windscreen repair company, and they won’t class this as a claim being made on the policy. Therefore, you won’t need to part with any money and your no claims bonus will be safe, leaving you with no surprises when your motorhome insurance is due for renewal.

If your windscreen becomes cracked and you need a replacement, you could have a windscreen excess to pay and the motorhome insurance company may place limits on the amount of windscreen cover that’s available on the policy. Usually, replacing a windscreen won’t affect your no claims bonus, however, if you own a large motorhome such as an A-class or American RV, it may be that due to the cost of replacing the windscreen being upwards of £1,000, the motorhome insurance company will count it as a claim affecting your no claims bonus. So always check your insurance documents or give them a call if you’re in any doubt.

Source by H Robinson

If you are looking to rent an RV for any reason, there are usually many things that you have to do in order to find the best. Most people think that getting a motorhome is just a matter of going to the nearest rental store and finding one. However, you always need to consider so many different things. The procedure of renting an RV or a motorhome has to take into account everything that you are going to need during the trip to ensure that you end up having a good time. Thankfully, the process is often very easy to go through just as long as you are straightforward about your approach.

The first thing you would need to do is decide on what you want out of the motorhome. For instance, if you are looking to rent one for use by your whole family, you may need to get one which is sizeable enough for this. Each person has to have more than enough room to sleep and relax in. considering that most of the time motorhomes are rented for purposes of relaxation, this is something that one should not really take for granted.

In addition to that, you may also need to figure out what kind of equipment you need on the RV. For instance, if you are the kind of person who loves cooking, you may need to rent one which has a gas cooker. This also means that you would need to think of how to get food for the RV. Getting one which also has a refrigerator and maybe a dishwasher may be in your best interests if you are looking to find an RV you can easily cook in.

Once you have all your requirements listed down, you can then go ahead to try to find a dealer who can rent the RV that you need. Since everyone has different needs as far as these vehicles are concerned, the best way to get the one that suits you most is by making sure that you consult a dealer who has a large variety of them. This way, you can easily just go through the inventory of the company in question, and then choose the one that suits you most. It is very easy to get the ideal RV rental in this manner since you may not need to spend too much time on the process.

Once you have found the RV that you think is good enough for you, you should then proceed to examine it. In most cases, these RVs are found online, which means that one may not get the opportunity to examine them in such a setting. Once you have found the one you are looking for, it is a good idea to visit the dealer and find out more about the RV in question. This includes finding out whether it is of the right specifications. After you are sure that everything checks out, you can then pay for the rental and go ahead with your trip.

Source by Kyle Orton

Have you recently made the decision to purchase a mobile home? These are a great way to add another layer of mobility to your life. But, before you visit the RV Dealers, you should know more about the types of mobile homes available today. The most popular options are the Recreational Vehicle, the pop-up, the trailer, and the truck camper. All of these options have their strengths. Find out which one is best for you.

The Recreational Vehicle

Recreational vehicles, also known as motor homes, are usually the largest of the options available from RV dealers, and they come with the most amenities. Depending on what brand and model you choose, recreational vehicles can be as short as a truck or as long as 45 feet. This means that they are also challenging to drive; some states require special licensing in order to operate motor homes. Unlike the other options on this list, they are completely self-powered.

When it comes to add ons, recreational vehicles have the most versatility. Most motor homes come with a bed, a bathroom, a cooking area, and a small living area. Larger upgraded models can also come with extra beds or bedrooms, full kitchen, living space with sofa and armchairs, and bathrooms with bathtubs and showers. Features like extended cabinets, flatscreen TVs, kitchen islands, and hot tubs can also be added.

If you’re looking for all of the creature comforts of home while on the road, the recreational motorhome might be the best choice for you.

The Pop-up Camper

A pop-up is a specialized mobile home that can be folded into a small space and unfolded when parked as part of the pop-up’s set up. It is much smaller and more maneuverable than a motorhome without sacrificing much on space or amenities. Modern pop-ups consist of a frame, a box, a hard roof, pull out bunk beds, and soft walls, which are made of vinyl or canvas.

Even though unfolded pop-ups share size with motorhomes, they don’t have some of the same amenities. New, high-wall models come with space for cabinets and beds, but there are very few models that come with showers. Special attachments can be purchased to give provide bathrooms. What it lacks in amenities, though, it makes up for in maneuverability and price. Pop-ups are much less expensive than their larger counterparts and can be towed behind a truck or SUV.

The Travel Trailer

A travel trailer, also called a caravan or a teardrop, is a small, hard-bodied living space that can be attached to a vehicle. Like campers and recreational vehicles, travel trailers can have many of the comforts of home – a bed, a kitchen, a living space, and a bathroom. Travel trailers tend to be smaller, much smaller than motorhomes. They are generally less than 18 feet long, and they can weigh less than 700 pounds. The smallest teardrop or ultralight models can even be pulled behind cars or motorcycles.

The Truck Camper

The truck camper is the smallest mobile home that you’ll find on the RV dealers’ lot. These are made to fit in the bed of a truck. Ultra-small and ultra-light, they are manufactured to provide the necessities – sleeping space, stove or hotplate, sink, and, sometimes, a bathroom, are stacked on top of each other, in order to fit the most in the space. Truck campers allow their inhabitants to go anywhere that a normal automobile would be able to go. They’re popular with individuals on long-term job sites.

When you visit RV Dealers, your sales associate can help you navigate which of these mobile homes best fits your needs, style, and budget.

Source by Anders Abadie

Planning for an accident in your motorhome, is not something any of us wants to do, but it is essential that you are adequately prepared for this worst-case-scenario so, if it does happen, you can keep calm and ensure the situation is dealt with efficiently and effectively for all parties involved.

Safety should always be a priority when you and your family are involved in a road traffic accident, and the same applies if you are travelling in a motorhome. Our top tips below will guide you through the best practices should the worst happen to you and your vehicle.

1. Move away from the motorhome

Find a safe place away from the scene of the accident. If travelling on the motorway, move onto the grass verge at the other side of the barrier to keep a safe distance from the high speed traffic.

2. Take down the details of the vehicles involved

Information such as registration numbers, driver details and third party insurance companies. Also note down the damage to the vehicles and any injuries received by the drivers or passengers of all vehicles involved.

3. Take photos

If it is safe to do so, and you have your camera to hand, take plenty on photos of your vehicle and any other vehicle involved in the accident. Pay particular attention to points of impact and any tyre marks on the road.

4. Call your motorhome insurance company as soon as possible

Inform them of the date and time of the accident, details of the driver (name, address, telephone number) and the circumstances of the accident (when, where and how it happened). They will probably need your policy number and details of the damage caused to the motorhome.

5. Never admit liability

Liability is something that the insurance companies will decide and you should not admit to be at fault, or expect another driver to admit liability for the accident.

Depending on the circumstances of your accident and the level of damage to your motorhome, you may need to call your breakdown service to recover your motorhome from the side of the road. For this reason, you should remember to carry details of your breakdown and recovery service with you in your motorhome at all times, along with the details of your insurance company.

If you are travelling abroad when an accident happens, it’s still vital that you collect as much information as possible from all parties involved. For further advice on what to do in the event of an accident involving you and your motorhome, whether at home or abroad, contact your insurance provider, who will be able to guide you through the procedure for reporting an accident and making a claim.

Source by H Robinson