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People in all stages of life are jumping into the RV lifestyle. Still, one of the most common times people get into RVing is after retirement.

RVing is the perfect way to see the country, visit family, and relax through your retirement years.

Retirees often choose a Class A motorhome to be their home base on these adventures. Here are a few reasons why.

Class A Motorhomes Offer Spacious Layouts

After decades in a traditional home, it can be difficult to adjust to the size of a smaller travel trailer or Class B motorhome.

Class As are the largest motorhome class, with large living spaces and loads of storage in the “basement” areas.

This also means there’s a lot of room for friends or grandchildren to come along. Even in floor plans that are geared toward couples, there’s plenty of room to find some sleeping space for others.

What grandchild wouldn’t want to sleep on the “magic” bed that drops down over the cab?

It’s Easier to Maneuver a Motorhome Than to Tow

While they may seem intimidating, learning to drive a motorhome, even a Class A, is easier than learning to handle a large travel trailer or fifth wheel.

There’s no dealing with pivot points or turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction that you would expect. Driving a motorhome comes much more naturally than towing.

Even when you’re bringing along a toad, you’re typically only moving forward while the toad is attached. Once you get to your destination and need to finesse the motorhome into your campsite or driveway, you’ll unhitch the toad before backing up.

Large Tanks for More Camping Versatility

Class A motorhomes have the largest tanks of any motorhome. This means you can spend more time away from freshwater or sewer service.

One of the perks of RVing during retirement is the ability to travel slowly. The large tanks will let you take a couple extra days to get to your destination and explore along the way.

It’s also helpful when you’re “mooch docking” in a friend or child’s driveway.

While they can run electrical and maybe a freshwater line out to your motorhome, very few will have a sewer port for you to empty your black and gray water tanks. Spend more time with the grandchildren instead of driving over to a dump station.

Other Benefits of Class A Motorhomes

Panoramic Sightlines

The massive windshield lets you take in everything you want to see while traveling the country. There’s nothing quite like traveling in the front seats of a Class A with an unobstructed view of the landscape around you.

Luxurious Finishes and Tech

Class As are going to have the high-end finishes you’d expect in a motorhome at this price point. You’ll often get residential-grade furniture, plumbing fixtures, and cabinetry.

As far as tech, you’ll often get smartphone control of all your systems, automatic leveling jacks, and other features to make your RV experience as easy and stress-free as possible.

Solid Build Quality

The all-in-one nature of Class A motorhomes results in a solid build quality that you’ll feel as you drive down the road.

You’ll notice a lot less road noise and less chassis shake with a Class A as compared to a Class C, which is built on a van chassis.

Class A motorhomes make a fantastic and popular choice for retired couples looking to hit the road and travel the country.

Ready to start your RV search? Check out our wide selection of Class A motorhomes!

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The holidays are fast approcahing and that means a number of things. Chief among them for many people is that you’ll be doing some gift giving to your friends, family, and significant others. Another important part of this season is football games. And where there is football there are tailgaters.

Chances are, someone in your friend or family group is a tailgater, and why not get that person something that they will truly use? With that in mind, here are some of the best gift options out there for the tailgater in your life.

Weber Q 1200 Portable Gas Grill

Get one of the best names in the grilling industry for your tailgater! this Weber Q 1200 Portable Gas Grill has everything you could need for a fun day spent outdoors with friends and family tailgating it up. The grill features 189-square-inch cast iron grate and it has a built-in thermometer so you can make sure you’re cooking at precisely the right temperature. Making great food at the game has never been easier.

Check it out at Camping World

Coleman RoadTrip Classic Grill

If the Weber grill shown above just isn’t quite what you’re looking for, turn to this Coleman RoadTrip Classic Grill. It’s a camping favorite that also happens to work wonderfully for tailgating. The grill features a large 285-square-inch cooking area and 20,000 BTUs of cooking power. It also comes with a five-year limited warranty.

Check it out at Camping World

Perma Chill 50 Quart Cooler

You have to have a way to store your food and beverages at the game, and the Perma Chill 50 Quart Cooler is the perfect way to do just that. With 12.5 gallons of space, you should have all the room you need and this cooler will keep ice frozen for up to seven days, which is way more than anyone ever will need tailgating.

Check it out at Camping World

Adventurer Director’s Chair

Looking for a good basic chair for tailgating purposes? The Adventurer Director’s Chair is one of the best. It’s built strong and offers a comfortable design. it also has a small side table and cup holder. This makes it perfect for enjoying some hamburgers and a cold beverage while you’re hanging out at the game.

Check it out at Camping World

XL Deluxe Zero Gravity Recliner

Some folks who tailgate like to move around a lot and others like to lounge. Honestly, I fit in the latter category. I’m all for having fun, but I’ll be more comfortable in a recliner than a typical chair. That’s why the XL Deluxe Ze3ro Gravity Recliner would be my go-to pick for tailgating.

Check it out at Camping World

Black Sierra Doublewide Padded Sofa

A doublewide sofa is perfect for tailgating. Few tailgate alone and that means you either have to buy a couple of chairs or you should get one of these sofas. It will comfortably seat two people and on either side is a cup holder. It also folds up and can be put away easily when the day is done.

Check it out at Camping World

Football Bean Bag Toss Set

No day spent tailgating would be complete without a bean bag toss set or a cornhole set, as I like to call it. This football Bean Bag Toss Set in particular is perfect for tailgating because of its design that looks like a football field. The bean bags, too, keep with the football theme, looking like actual footballs.

Check it out at Camping World

American Football Field Outdoor Mat

While stepping out of your RV or vehicle onto the grass is fine most of the time, having a mat or rug outside can help keep you from getting your RV or vehicle dirty. That’s where an outdoor mat like this American Football Field one will come in handy. The design is simple and it’ll get the job done.

Check it out at Camping World

Portable Picnic Table with Benches

You need to have at least one table while tailgating. This Portable Picnic Table with Benches is a super smart choice. It gives you seating and a table to work with. The benches fold up and under the table when not in use so everything is extremely compact.

Check it out at Camping World

Original Quik-Fold Table

Is the picnic table shown above a little too big for you? If so, the Original Quick-Fold Table is a good alternative. It can be used as an end table, a table for eating at, or a good little table next to the grill. It’s the table’s versatility that makes it so special and worthy of the tailgater in your life.

Check it out at Camping World

What do you want to get the tailgater in your life? Leave a comment below!

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In this episode, Sam interviews Kory and Denise from the Youtube Channel Does Size Matter. Korey and Denise are RV Sometimers traveling all over North America, finding adventures and beautiful views. Along the way, they share with others how the RV Sometimer Lifestyle works for them and might for you. As well, they also share all of their research and reviews on the many different RV choices out there to help you make up your own RV Sometimer Lifestyle Recipe.

In this interview, Korey and Denise share what it means to be an RV Sometimer and how to get started!

Be sure to check out Korey and Denise in the upcoming Fulltime Freedom Week event!

What we cover in this episode

• 2:00 – Being RV Sometimers
• 10:00 – Switching from a travel trailer to a motorhome
• 18:00 – Starting a YouTube channel
• 21:00 – Working with Boondocker’s Welcome (As hosts and guests!)
• 26:00 – Tips for Sometiming

Kory and Denise’s tips for RVing and becoming an RV Sometimer

• You don’t have to always drive the RV back to your home base. You can store it somewhere and fly back and forth. Whatever works for you!
• Being an RV Sometimer can keep things interesting. You don’t always do the same thing. You can go out on the road when you want to and then come home when you want to settle down in your local community.
• Find a way to make your income source flexible, so you can pick whatever kind of schedule that you want.
• You don’t have to have a tight schedule and rush back and forth between home and travel. Find the balance that works for you.
• Keep these questions in mind:
  • How long do you want to be gone?
  • What’s your budget?
  • What’s your travel style? (This might change over time!)
• Join Boondocker’s Welcome to save money on camping and meet new people! Korey and Denise use it as guests and also as hosts when they are at home.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Does Size Matter YouTube Channel
• Does Size Matter Blog
• Fulltime Freedom Week
• Boondocker’s Welcome

** Subscribe to Stories from the Road on iTunes, Spotify, or Google Play **

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It can be a bit intimidating to make friends at a campground when you don’t know anyone, but there are some things in life that are often more fun with other people, camping included. You already have things in common—an interest in RVing and travel, for instance.

Where else can you discuss the best way to cook over the fire and commiserate about black tank woes in the same conversation?

Campers are a pretty friendly group of people to begin with, and it’s usually worth the effort to make friends with the other people around you. Here are a few of our tips for making friends at the campground.

Be Outside

It may seem obvious, but you won’t make any friends sitting inside your RV! If you want to meet new people, you have to put yourself where they are—usually enjoying the outdoors.

So open those chairs by the campfire, grab a beverage of your choice, smile as people walk by, and invite them to join you for a cup of coffee around the fire in the morning or for a beer for happy hour in the evening. Having some extra s’more ingredients never hurts to attract people either.

If the campground has a pool or activities center, head over there to meet up with others. Hosted activities are a great way to make friends, and people tend to be more willing to chat when everyone is congregated around a pool or hot tub. It’s a great place for hearing or telling those crazy camping stories!

Ask Your Neighbors About Their Rigs, Tools, or Gear

RVers love talking about their rigs! We’ve had some great conversations with people about their RVs, and several have turned into long term friendships.

Do you have the same make or model as the person parked next to you? Talk about what you love about it or the little things that drive you crazy.

If you see someone who has the type of rig you want or have been thinking about, ask them how they like it. Do they have any favorite aspects about it? Would they recommend it?

The same goes for camping and RV gear. Maybe the family next to you has an interesting grill set up, or the guy across the way has camp chairs that look next level comfortable. Ask them about it! We’ve gotten some great recommendations on gear by asking people at campgrounds, and it usually ends up in a fun conversation with nice people.

Ask Where People Have Been

Aside from some great ideas for places to go, you may pick up some good tips on must-hit towns or activities, and any roads to avoid with your RV.

You’ll very likely hear some fun stories as well. Again, we RVers love to tell people where we’ve been, so if you find someone who’s been to a place you’re planning on visiting, pick their brains and listen to any tales they have.

They may save you from driving down that road with the low overpass, and you might make a new friend in the process.

Children and Pets are Great Ways to Meet People

Kids have a fantastic ability to talk to pretty much anyone, be it other kids or adults.

If you have children and they’ve found some friends their age at the campground, it’s a perfect opportunity to meet their parents and bond over the good time your kids are all having.

Any organized kids activities at the campground are another great place to meet other parents.

If your kids are more of the four-legged, furry kind as opposed to human, it’s very easy to strike up a conversation with other pet parents. If the campground has a dog park or run, ask another camper if they want to join you in taking your dogs to stretch their legs.

Even just walking your pet around the campground for exercise or a potty break is a great way to meet fellow campers and pet lovers.

5. Use social media to find other campers and RVers

This happens before you even get to the campground, but many times online friendships can lead to real life meetups. Join groups like Escapees, RVillage, or Facebook groups for RVers.

Follow other RVers on Instagram. Go to meetups. Join RV social memberships sites and you’ll know if other people will be in the area you’re planning on visiting. Then by the time you get there you’ll have a built-in community.

Overall, just be friendly! Campers are fun people, and you already have a few similar interests. Be open, friendly, and interested in other people, and you’ll be making friends at the campground wherever you are.

Do you have any tips you think would work well for campers? Leave a comment below.

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Taking care of your motorhome starts with the chassis and engine. Without the proper maintenance of the basics of the rig, you aren’t going anywhere even if the rest of the RV is in immaculate condition.

Your motorhome’s fuel filter might seem like a small part of the overall unit, but the fuel filter plays a very important role in keeping your RV on the road and running well. Let’s take a look at the fuel filter and some things you should know about it.

What Purpose Does the Fuel Filter Serve?

On the most basic level, the fuel filter keeps the dirt or debris that can make its way into the fuel system from damaging the engine. The filter is designed to catch this debris and dirt.

Your engine’s injectors are built to very tiny tolerances. This means even the littlest bit of dirt or grime can plug those up. The fuel filter keeps those injectors clean, allowing them to do their job and keep your engine running strong.

As you can imagine, fuel filters don’t last forever. A plugged up fuel filter isn’t going to work as well as a new one. That’s why it’s important to change your fuel filter from time to time.

How Often Should You Change the Fuel Filter?

The simple answer here is that you should change it as your owner’s manual says you should. You can change it more often if you want, but don’t change it less often. If you do, you’re asking for an issue with your motorhome’s engine.

Every RV is going to be a little different, and every manufacturer will have slightly different advice on changing your fuel filter. However, somewhere between 20,000 and 40,000 miles is probably smart.

It’s also important to note that if your RV sits a lot, you might want to change the fuel filter, too. The fuel filter is full of fuel most of the time. If the vehicle sits for a long time, the fuel in that filter can age poorly and cause issues. If your motorhome sits for many months or even a year, then you should probably think about changing the fuel filter.

If you don’t use your motorhome too much so you hardly ever come close to the mileage noted above but it doesn’t sit for months on end, then consider changing the fuel filter at least every two years. Doing it biannually even if you don’t use the RV much will help keep the engine running as smoothly as possible.

Fuel Additives Can Help

I’ve heard some people scoff at fuel additives, and I will say that they’re not all treated equally. However, putting in a fuel stabilizer in your fuel is important.

If your RV sits at all for more than two weeks at a time, you need to add some kind of fuel stabilizer to your RV. Make sure it’s a fuel stabilizer that’s designed to work with your engine. Most fuel stabilizers, like this one from STA-BIL, are designed to work well in just about any engine, but you still need to do your due diligence to make sure you’re putting the right kind of fuel additive in your tank.

Fuel additives are designed to keep gas fresh and can help to keep the inside of your engine clean. Most will protect for up to 24 months, so as long as your RV doesn’t sit longer than that, you should be good.

Don’t Forget Your Motorhome’s Generator

Don’t forget, there’s a fuel filter on almost all types of engines. Some are more robust than others. Your RV’s generator, or a portable generator you use while camping in your RV, probably has one on it. When you go to change the fuel filter on your motorhome, think about changing the one on your generator, too.

The same goes for fuel additives and stabilizers. Your generator will benefit from having a stabilizer added to it any time it goes more than two weeks without being used.

Have a question about your fuel filter? Need help with RV maintenance? Give the Camping World Service Department a call today!

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