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Now that 2020 has begun, it’s smart for you to take a look back over the past year and think critically about how you can make your RVing life, whether its full-time or part-time, even better this year.

One of the big things you can do is focus on your budget. Adjusting your budget isn’t always fun, but living with a financial plan will reduce stress and make your life easier and more enjoyable. Here are some tips for adjusting your budget in the new year.

Get Ahead of Any Problems

One of the easiest and most impactful steps any RV owner can take is to have a full RV inspection prior to heading out for the season. In doing so, you will learn of things currently needing repair, and ensure there are no unexpected hardware issues.

Having an informed outlook on your RV and its current state can help you avoid costly repairs in the future, and keep you on the road longer. Schedule an inspection today at any Camping World Service Center.

Evaluate Your Power

One way to improve your RV experience, as well as save you some money in the budget, is to evaluate your power sources and usage. Take a good look specifically at where your power goes, and how much you actually use.

Removing unused and unwanted power drains can have a significant impact on your energy needs. Additionally, installing items like solar panels can be a great way to navigate around fuel storage, and can often cut your energy needs considerably.

RV & Outdoor Show Season

If this year’s project is to upgrade or outfit your RV, there will be no better time than RV & Outdoor show season. Not only are you able to see all of the latest gadgets and gear on display, you will also find the best pricing of the year, on almost all items.

During show season, explore with the family at your nearest convention, visit a Camping World RV & Outdoors retail store near you for exclusive pricing, or shop online and save instantly on over 20,000 RV models. And, look out for installation specials, which can save you even more on your upgrade.

Route it Out

The freedom of the road is a strong pull. And, let’s admit, exploring the unknown is the best part of the RV lifestyle. Though true, wandering in your RV can sometimes add unexpected fees and costs to your trip, and may steer you away from your initial path.

Making the effort to outline your route ahead of time can have a huge impact, and ensure you hit all the hotspots. Removing these decisions from the day-to-day of RVing can reduce stress, save you money in the form of fuel and time, and allow you to simply soak in the RV lifestyle during your time on the road. For help starting this process, visit the Online Trip Planning Tool provided by Good Sam.

Group Think

Traveling with a group? Check-in with your chosen destination to see if there are any special rates available. One of the best ways to save in the new year is to look for offers you already qualify for.

When purchasing event tickets, activity passes, or attraction fees, always ask about any available group discounts. You’ll be surprised how often they are offered! Keep in mind: groups don’t have to mean 15 or more people. Often, group rates will start with a total of only five guests.

Join the Good Sam Family

Nothing improves your RV life more than when you subscribe as a Good Sam member. Good Sam Memberships include access to campground discounts, fuel and propane savings, savings at retailers, and more.

When looking at how to improve your RV spending in the next year, there are a few you can take. Your membership helps you save on all areas of the RV lifestyle.

Have any questions or concerns? Leave a comment below!

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Thor Motor Coach makes some of the best motorhomes out there. While many people prefer the company’s Class A motorhomes or the company’s Class B, Super C, or RUVmotorhomes, the standard Class C motorhomes are some of the best models out there for couples and families.

With all this in mind, I wanted to dig into the Class C motorhome offerings from Thor so that you can make a decision about whether or not they’re right for you and your family. Here are the five models on sale and their highlights.

Chateau

First up, we have the Chateau. This Class C motorhome is built on either the Ford E-350 chassis, comparable Chevrolet chassis or the Ford E-450 chassis. This means you get a 6.8-liter Triton V10 engine if you get the Ford chassis or the Vortec 6.0-liter V8 if you get the Chevy chassis. Either one is a fantastic base for the rest of the RV.

There are 12 different floorplans out there for the Chateau. These floorplans range in length from 24 feet long to over 31 feet. There are also many different choices when it comes to the number of slides and the overall layout. If it’s just you and a significant other, then there are plenty of options, but if you need some bunks or additional sleeping space, some of the longer floorplans like the 30D, 31E, offer additional bunks for sleeping larger numbers of people. The most any Chateau can sleep is seven.

The Chateau is characterized by upscale interior materials with one of three interior color schemes. There’s Imperial, Ocean Pearl, or Saddleback. The cabinetry comes in either Brazilian Cherry or Malibu Maple. The exterior visual graphics offer five different options, from a standard graphics package to your choice of Brilliant Blue, Tranquil Beige, Bonita Bay, or Daytona Beach. Exterior color options will depend on the floorplan you choose.

Take a Closer Look at Camping World

Four Winds

Next, we have the Four Winds, one of my personal favorites in terms of layouts and offerings. The Four Winds models are built on the Ford E-350 chassis or comparable Chevy chassis or the Ford E-450 chassis. You’ll see the same engines listed. It’s either the 6.8-liter Triton V10 or the Vortec 6.0-liter V8.

Like with the Chateau, there are 12 different Four Winds floorplans. Again, the floorplans range from 24 feet event to a little over 31 feet in length. These floorplan layouts don’t differ much at all from the Chateau, but names are different. Again, longer options will have more sleeping space, and the max sleeping capacity is seven people.

When it comes to color options, the Four Winds has some attractive choices. Inside, you can get the interior in three choices: Gemstone, Nautical Blue, or Summit Grey. The cabinets come in either Brazilian Cherry or Malibu Maple Flat Panel. When it comes to the exterior of the RV, you have the option of one of the following: Standard Graphics, Cosmopolitan, Vanilla Swirl, Castle Rock, or Whistling Straits.

Take a closer look at Camping World

Quantum

The Quantum is the last of the standard Class C options from Thor. Again, the Quantum is built on Ford E-350 or a comparable Chevrolet chassis. The larger floorplans are built on Ford E-450 chassis. This means you get either the 6.8-liter V10 engine or the Vortex 6.0-liter V8.

Floorplan options are a little different for this one. There’s really only eight of them available. Still, there’s plenty of variety to choose from. The floorplans vary in length from 24 feet to over 32 feet. The options you have also offer different sleeping capacities from four to seven people.

The color options for this RV are different, too. The interior can be had in Artic Frost II, Cloud Nine II, or Midtown Taupe II. The cabinets come in Artisan Cherry or Prestige Maple. When you get to the exterior of the RV, you’re looking at six options: Hot Streak, Let It Ride, Double Down Partial, Jokers Wild, Black Onyx, and Topaz blue. Black Onyx is my favorite, and it’s important to note some colors are only available with certain floorplans.

Take a closer look at Camping World

Which Class C motorhome do you think is right for you? Leave a comment below!

Looking for a different Class C motorhome? Check out all of the offerings from Camping World. 

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One of the most important features of your RV is that it has a bed and you can sleep in it. Without this, you might as well drive a car around the U.S. The bed is extremely important, but your comfort in bed is really not about the bed frame or the sheets or covers you sleep with.

The most important thing is the mattress. You might think you know all that you need to know about mattresses. You’ve slept on one your whole life, right? Well, RV mattresses are a little different, and here are some helpful tips that you should know.

Mattress Sizes Are Not Always Standard

Many RV mattresses are different than standard residential sizes. A queen mattress in an RV is not the same as a queen mattress in your house. What this means is that you can’t make any assumptions when you’re shopping for an RV.

Other sizes of mattresses are sometimes the same as their residential counterparts. Twin and full (aka double) beds are often the same in RVs as they are in homes. King-size beds in RVs are usually narrower than residential mattresses.

Lay on the mattress when shopping. Make sure there’s enough space for you to sleep comfortably. If you hear queen and just assume there’s enough space, you might find there isn’t.

The fact that mattress sizes are not standard also makes it more difficult to buy a new mattress for your RV. You can’t just go into any mattress store and buy one. You’ll need to shop for a mattress that is the appropriate size for your RV.

A smart thing to do is to measure the mattress and the bed’s space for the mattress. This will tell you how large your RV’s mattress is, and how large of a mattress you can fit on the bed in your RV.

Think of the Weight of the Mattress

Mattresses can be quite heavy. I’ve moved many mattresses and they all have different weights. Most are fairly lightweight when new.

Some folks will tell you that a foam mattress is lighter weight, but I’ve noticed that some innerspring mattresses actually weigh less than a comparable foam mattress. It really depends on the cushioning and how the mattress is constructed. When looking at mattresses, keep that in mind.

Also, it’s important to note that mattresses will gain weight over time. It’s kind of gross to think about, but all of the dead skin cells, sweat, and other things that come off your body will make the mattress increase in weight over time. Keep this in mind if you have an older mattress.

You’ll Have to Replace It Like Any Other Mattress

As you probably guessed from the section above, you will need to replace your mattress from time to time. This is especially true if you live in your RV. While a weekend warrior might get more years out of their mattress, a full-timer should replace their mattress at least as often as people replace regular residential mattresses.

The rule of thumb here is every eight years or so. However, many RV mattresses aren’t designed for every day or every night use. So you may want to think about replacing your RV mattress something like every five years.

If you don’t want to keep track of the years, just think about how comfortable your mattress is and how heavy it is. If your mattress is comfortable and not too heavy, then it’s likely perfectly fine to keep sleeping on it. If you’ve noticed a change in your sleeping patterns and your mattress is quite old, it might be time to start thinking about a new one.

Get a Replacement That Flexes So You Can Get it in the RV

When buying a new RV mattress, remember you’ll have to get it in your RV. This means it will have to come in the door and go into the bedroom. Depending on the layout of your RV this can be easier said than done.

A lot of RVs have at least one tight turn before you get to the bedroom. That means you need a mattress that can swing that. Foam mattresses can be bent or stuffed basically anywhere. While I don’t particularly love foam mattresses, if you need to make it into a tight space, that might be your best option.

Don’t count innerspring mattresses out, though. Many of them can hang a tight corner pretty easily. Get a friend to help and you should be able to maneuver the mattress into the right place in your RV. Just don’t go too stiff. The last thing you want is to buy a mattress you can’t get in your RV.

A Mattress Topper Can Really Help With Comfort

If your mattress is still pretty new but you want to make it a little more comfortable, the smart move is to get yourself a mattress topper. A topper can go a long way towards transforming the way a mattress feels. Personally, I to make an otherwise super firm mattress feel more comfortable with a soft topper.

If you’re struggling to find your RV’s mattress comfortable but don’t like the idea of buying a whole new mattress think about just getting a topper. It could change the way you feel about your RV’s bed.

Looking for a new mattress or mattress topper? Check out the options available at Camping World.

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What Makes RV Toilet Paper Special?

RV-friendly toilet paper is supposed to disintegrate quickly to avoid clogging up your sewage system or tank. The paper has been specially formulated for RV use and will always be safe to use.

Some times of household toilet paper will disintegrate at similar rates to RV toilet paper, and many people have used non-RV toilet paper in their RVs. However, there is a risk.

RV enthusiasts Russ and Tina DeMaris say they’ve found that most conventional toilet paper is perfectly fine for RV use. They’ve even developed an at-home test for it: fill a jar with water and put a couple of sheets of your favorite brand of toilet paper inside, then put the lid on and shake it. If the TP starts to dissolve after a few seconds of vigorous shaking, it should be fine for RV use. If not, don’t use it!

If all you have is regular household toilet paper and you’ve deemed it safe for RV use, try your best to not use much of it each time you go to the restroom. The more toilet paper you put down the toilet, the more likely you are to experience a problem.

RV Toilet Paper Options

 

There are plenty of brands out there that sell RV toilet paper. You can buy this type of toilet paper at most camping supplies stores and should be able to get it at any RV dealership or RV store. Camping World sells RV toilet paper in stores. You can visit any of our retail locations.

Another option is to buy RV toilet paper online. This will allow you to have the product shipped to you. Camping World carries the following RV toilet paper brands:

• Thetford
• Dometic
• Camper’s Choice

There are a number of wet wipe products out there that are popular right now. Camping World does sell some of these wipes, but in general, it’s not smart to flush them. They do not disintegrate like RV toilet paper.

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Looking for some RV toilet paper for your rig? Check out the options for sale at Camping World. 

Note: This article was updated from its original format to stay up to date.

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One of the most important features of your RV is that it has a bed and you can sleep in it. Without this, you might as well drive a car around the U.S. The bed is extremely important, but your comfort in bed is really not about the bed frame or the sheets or covers you sleep with.

The most important thing is the mattress. You might think you know all that you need to know about mattresses. You’ve slept on one your whole life, right? Well, RV mattresses are a little different, and here are some helpful tips that you should know.

Mattress Sizes Are Not Always Standard

Many RV mattresses are different than standard residential sizes. A queen mattress in an RV is not the same as a queen mattress in your house. What this means is that you can’t make any assumptions when you’re shopping for an RV.

Other sizes of mattresses are sometimes the same as their residential counterparts. Twin and full (aka double) beds are often the same in RVs as they are in homes. King-size beds in RVs are usually narrower than residential mattresses.

Lay on the mattress when shopping. Make sure there’s enough space for you to sleep comfortably. If you hear queen and just assume there’s enough space, you might find there isn’t.

The fact that mattress sizes are not standard also makes it more difficult to buy a new mattress for your RV. You can’t just go into any mattress store and buy one. You’ll need to shop for a mattress that is the appropriate size for your RV.

A smart thing to do is to measure the mattress and the bed’s space for the mattress. This will tell you how large your RV’s mattress is, and how large of a mattress you can fit on the bed in your RV.

Think of the Weight of the Mattress

Mattresses can be quite heavy. I’ve moved many mattresses and they all have different weights. Most are fairly lightweight when new.

Some folks will tell you that a foam mattress is lighter weight, but I’ve noticed that some innerspring mattresses actually weigh less than a comparable foam mattress. It really depends on the cushioning and how the mattress is constructed. When looking at mattresses, keep that in mind.

Also, it’s important to note that mattresses will gain weight over time. It’s kind of gross to think about, but all of the dead skin cells, sweat, and other things that come off your body will make the mattress increase in weight over time. Keep this in mind if you have an older mattress.

You’ll Have to Replace It Like Any Other Mattress

As you probably guessed from the section above, you will need to replace your mattress from time to time. This is especially true if you live in your RV. While a weekend warrior might get more years out of their mattress, a full-timer should replace their mattress at least as often as people replace regular residential mattresses.

The rule of thumb here is every eight years or so. However, many RV mattresses aren’t designed for every day or every night use. So you may want to think about replacing your RV mattress something like every five years.

If you don’t want to keep track of the years, just think about how comfortable your mattress is and how heavy it is. If your mattress is comfortable and not too heavy, then it’s likely perfectly fine to keep sleeping on it. If you’ve noticed a change in your sleeping patterns and your mattress is quite old, it might be time to start thinking about a new one.

Get a Replacement That Flexes So You Can Get it in the RV

When buying a new RV mattress, remember you’ll have to get it in your RV. This means it will have to come in the door and go into the bedroom. Depending on the layout of your RV this can be easier said than done.

A lot of RVs have at least one tight turn before you get to the bedroom. That means you need a mattress that can swing that. Foam mattresses can be bent or stuffed basically anywhere. While I don’t particularly love foam mattresses, if you need to make it into a tight space, that might be your best option.

Don’t count innerspring mattresses out, though. Many of them can hang a tight corner pretty easily. Get a friend to help and you should be able to maneuver the mattress into the right place in your RV. Just don’t go too stiff. The last thing you want is to buy a mattress you can’t get in your RV.

A Mattress Topper Can Really Help With Comfort

If your mattress is still pretty new but you want to make it a little more comfortable, the smart move is to get yourself a mattress topper. A topper can go a long way towards transforming the way a mattress feels. Personally, I to make an otherwise super firm mattress feel more comfortable with a soft topper.

If you’re struggling to find your RV’s mattress comfortable but don’t like the idea of buying a whole new mattress think about just getting a topper. It could change the way you feel about your RV’s bed.

Looking for a new mattress or mattress topper? Check out the options available at Camping World.

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