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There are many great snowbird destinations in the U.S. where RVers go to escape the freezing winter temperatures. The beautiful deserts of Arizona, the coast of Texas, or sunny California are all great options. However, the tropical paradise of the Florida Keys is the ultimate destination for snowbird life.

While it’s a bit of a drive to get down to Mile Marker 0, you won’t regret the extra effort. Here’s why.

1. Beachfront RV Spots

What could be better than your own personal beach? There are very few places in the U.S. where you can camp right on the beach, and in the Keys, you’ll have your own slice of paradise just steps from your RV door. Plus, many of the parks and campgrounds have resort style amenities. Here are some of the most popular places to camp in the Florida Keys:

Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda State Park is famous for being one of the best beaches in Southern Florida. It’s a popular spot for nature lovers, and the perfect place to enjoy some of The Keys’ best activities, including snorkeling and kayaking. It’s also a prime location for enjoying spectacular sunsets.

Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina

Located on the 75-acre island of Ohio Key, this is one of the area’s most popular RV resorts because of it’s beautiful property and luxury amenities. The resort has an adjoining marina, making it a great place for fishing and other water activities. Sunshine Key RV Resort is the perfect place to get away and relax.

Boyd’s Key West Campground

Located at Mile Marker 5, Boyd’s Key West Campground is one of the southernmost campgrounds you can stay at in the U.S. You’ll feel right at home there with its laid back atmosphere and daily activities, such as water aerobics, movie nights, yoga, and even line dancing. Plus, you’ll be within close proximity to all the great dining, shopping, and activities that Key West has to offer.

2. Perfect Weather

Being the southernmost region in the U.S., The Keys couldn’t be a more perfect spot to escape the cold winter temperatures. Temperatures from December through March are in the 70s, making it the best time to visit. The average sea temperature during winter months stays in the 70s as well. You won’t have to worry about rain either, as winter is their driest season.

3. Amazing Food

Not only do the Florida Keys have incredible seafood, but the proximity to Cuba also brings many great Cuban restaurants to the area as well. You can’t visit the islands without trying some conch fritters and their world famous key lime pie. You can dine with views of the ocean with sand between your toes or right along the sidewalks of Key West’s popular Duval Street.

4. World Class Activities

The clear, turquoise waters of the Florida Keys offer ideal conditions for experiencing life at and under the sea. If you’re a lover of water activities there are few better places to be.

Great Snorkeling and Diving

Snorkeling and Diving opportunities are plentiful along the entire stretch of islands, but many people choose John Pennenkamp Coral Reef State Park. Located on Key Largo, this state park was the first undersea park in the U.S. Popular activities include sunbathing on the beach, glass-bottom boat tours, and kayaking through the mangrove swamps.

Snorkeling and scuba diving are the best ways to experience the park’s beautiful coral reefs. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Christ of The Abyss as it is one of the most famous scuba diving sites and attracts visitors from all over the world.

Deep Sea Fishing

If the idea of hauling in a really big fish sounds fun to you, then you’ll love deep sea fishing in the Florida Keys. Take to the sea in search of tuna, mahi-mahi, sailfish, bonefish, grouper, and others.

In addition to great fishing, the sheer beauty of the area makes deep sea fishing in the Florida Keys an unforgettable experience. There are fishing charters available all over the keys, try a Google search or use TripAdvisor to find the right one in your area.

Explore History

From shipwrecks and pirates to the home of one of America’s most beloved and honored authors, history buffs can easily find something of interest in the Keys. Even the architecture in Key West exudes rich historical value.

Old Town Key West is spectacular and shouldn’t be missed. The 3,000 wooden structures in the district were constructed between 1886 to 1912. The area makes up the largest historical district on the US Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places.

While downtown, take the short drive to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park and walk the grounds of the 19th-century military fort. The fort played a key role in the American Civil war. Today it houses the largest collection of Civil War cannons, earning a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

National Parks

Visitors to the Florida Keys can easily access three of America’s national parks, which considering there are only fifty-eight in total, is pretty impressive.

Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, and Dry Tortugas National Park are all within a three hours drive from anywhere in the Keys. Keep in mind that Dry Tortugas is only accessible via boat or seaplane and is a full-day commitment. Don’t let stop you. The American National Park system is wonderful and each park is unique, beautiful, and well worth a visit.

If you decide to head to the Florida Keys this winter, you certainly won’t be disappointed. Be sure to explore as many of the islands as you can. Each one of them has something different to offer. Most importantly, immerse yourself in the slow-paced island lifestyle and enjoy some sun and relaxation.

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What do you think about visiting the Florida Keys? Is it on your list of places to visit? Leave a comment!

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Having started her first business at 15, Kathryn Cockrell has always been up for anything.

After meeting a traveling couple at her local coffee shop, she decided to buy and renovate an Airstream Trailer, lived out of a van for several months, and currently lives on a 1985 yacht, becoming part of a small but awesome group of individuals who ditched the 9-5 grind to start their own business adventures.

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

Some things we covered:

• 3:24 – Going nomad
• 7:32 – The adventure begins
• 11:30 – Becoming a boondocker
• 16:00 – Death Valley
• 18:27 – Ending the RV trip
• 25:00 – Getting through adversity
• 30:55 – Safety on the road

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For a comfy and enjoyable home-away-from-home, your RV needs every ounce of your creativity to keep things organized. This is especially true if you’re traveling with kids and pets.

Experienced RVers have figured out many small and imaginative ways of keeping everything in order, even inside the smallest of RV models. Here are some of the best hacks we’ve come across. 

Toiletry Storage

Everyone has their own set of toiletries they on a daily basis and considered quite personal. You need to try to keep these organized so your bathroom isn’t a mess. A simple and effective solution to staying tidy and clean is to have a labeled plastic zippered bag for every family member’s personal toiletries.

Ziplock bags work well because they’ll fit easily under the sink or in a small bathroom storage area. You can do small rectangular totes, too, but you may find they’re tougher to fit into storage areas in your RV. Toiletries also fit well in caddies that can hang over the door to the bathroom or even over the top of your shower curtain. Assess your storage needs and then look for a storage option that works well for your particular RV. 

Adhesive Hooks and Hangers

Little adhesive hooks and hangers are the perfect solution to many RV storage problems. The beauty of adhesive hooks and hangers is that you can easily attach them anywhere without drilling holes, and they can be removed and replaced anytime, without leaving damage or marks.

People have use command hooks on the wall to hold iPads and Kindles, clothes, cables, privacy curtains, and so much more. Look around your RV for some open wall space and then see what you can hang up and out of the way. 

Cabinetry Organizing Trays and Racks

Most RVs have usable kitchen cabinetry storage for everything from pots and pans to food and snacks. While those big open storage spaces can be great, they’re even better when divided up and organized with a rack or tray. 

Drawers can use a divider tray to separate items and keep them orderly and easy to access. You’ll make the most of large cabinet spaces with shelves and racks that not only properly divide up items, but help you use all of the vertical and horizontal space so none of it’s wasted.

Refrigerator Bars

Keeping everything safely stored in the refrigerator is a challenge. During a trip, these items can often be tossed around, broken, or waiting to tumble out when you open the door. A refrigerator bar will help keep items in place inside the fridge while you’re traveling. That way there are no accidents. 

Refrigerator bars are easily installed. They exert pressure at either end, like a self-supporting curtain rod, and stop items from falling from their shelves. It’s little more than a specialized tension rod, and they’re well worth the modest price. Once you arrive at your destination, you can remove them.

Expand Your Counter Space

The stove top is one area that very few people make changes to. However, when not being used for cooking, this is wasted space. Many RVs have a glass top that you can fold down over the burners so you have more prep space, but not all.

Instead, you can get a separate stovetop cover that matches the size of your stove. The solid cover can be removed at any time without anyone ever noticing. Just be sure the burners aren’t hot when you first set the cover down.

Velcro Is Your Best Friend

A million little things seem to get in the way or get lost when you’re RVing. Velcro is a very cheap investment but one of the smartest, simplest ways to keep track of all of your items. From remotes to iPads, Velcro is easy to put on and holds like a champ.

With a few simple velcro strips, you can pick up those items that seem to always be floating around your RV and put them in their place.

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Do you have an RV organization hack that isn’t listed? Leave a comment below.

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There is a lot of jargon in the RV world. We have an article on that to get you acquainted if you’re not initiated. One term that you’ve likely come across but might not have totally understood what it means is “fifth-wheel” of “5th-wheel.” This is a type of towable RV that requires a large pickup truck to tow because of the type of hitch it uses.

The Fifth-Wheel Hitch

The fifth-wheel hitch also called a gooseneck hitch, is a U shaped hitch coupling that fits in the back of the tow vehicle—usually, a pickup truck—and connects with the trailer. The spot where the trailer connects to the tow vehicle, in essence, acts as another point for the trailer to connect and rest its weight.

It’s a similar design to the type of hitch that a semi-truck uses. This means it’s a very safe and sturdy hitch. It is one that can be used for large and heavy loads. The trailer has a “king pin,” which locks into the U-shaped hitch allowing you to safely pull the trailer.

Why Is a Fifth-Wheel a Good Idea?

The fifth-wheel design comes with quite a few upsides. A trailer with a fifth-wheel hitch design will tow easier and smoother than one without. It will likely not experience as much trailer sway if any at all. This is due to its lower center of gravity and stronger connection than with a typical ball hitch.

This stronger connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer allows the trailer to weigh more. That means most fifth-wheel trailers can be built with strong, sturdy, heavier, and often more luxurious materials and features.

If you want a towable RV and you want a true luxury model, you want to buy a fifth-wheel. Many fifth-wheel models come with solid wood cabinetry, king-size beds, and full-size appliances. These amenities are not included in travel trailers often partly because of weight.

What are the Downsides?

The first stems from the sheer size of most fifth-wheel trailers. Fifth-wheels are large and heavy, and someone who’s not used to towing could feel overwhelmed. That said, because fifth-wheels are designed for stability and maneuverability, they’re still usually easier to handle on the road than a trailer of the same size with a typical ball hitch.

The other big downside is that you need a full-size or heavy-duty pickup truck to tow the fifth-wheel trailer. Because fifth-wheels RVs are often larger and heavier than a typical travel trailer, they require a more powerful truck. This also translates to a higher-priced truck, which can put fifth-wheel trailers out of reach for many RVers.

It’s important to match the trailer to the truck you own. If you’re shopping for both an RV and a tow vehicle, check out our article on the subject for more information.

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What are your thoughts on fifth-wheels? Would you want one? Leave a comment below. 

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If there’s one thing you can’t go without doing its taxes, even though they’re probably the least enjoyable thing to do. With that being said, RV owners can enjoy a few tax benefits that people who don’t own RVs can’t. While doing your taxes certainly isn’t fun, it’s nice to know that your getaway vehicle can help you save a little money.

Here’s a look at some ways your RV could help you come tax season.

You May be Able to Count Your RV as Your Second Home

Depending on the size and features of your RV you may be able to count it as a second home and write the interest off on your taxes. This deduction can be a major boon for part-time RVers come tax season.

According to Turbo Tax, the IRS publication 936 states, “A home includes a house, condominium, cooperative,  mobile  home,  house trailer, boat, or similar property that has sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities.” That means your RV would likely qualify as a second home and you could claim the interest on the loan for your RV.

If Full-Timing, Your RV Can be Your First Home

If you’re a full-timer, don’t despair. You can also take advantage of a home loan interest deduction without it being your second home. Because you’re living in your RV, it qualifies as long as it fits the criteria listed in IRS publication 936.

Basically, if you’re living in your RV and it has a sleeping area, cooking area, and toilet facilities, then you should be able to write off the interest on your taxes. There may be some exceptions for unique or homebuilt RVs, so you should consult with your tax professional before making any assumptions that your RV fits the criteria. A qualified tax professional will be able to tell you if your RV fits in with the requirements.

RVs Used for Business Also Get Tax Deductions

Do you use your RV solely for business purposes? If so, you can write off a lot of the expenses associated with it on your taxes. In fact, the whole RV may qualify as a business deduction.

The trick here is to never use your RV for personal use. Even using it a few times a year for personal trips can disqualify it from being a full business deduction.

If you live in your RV full-time and work inside it, too, then you may be able to deduct certain business-related expenses, depending on what they are and if they are used solely for business purposes. Talk with your tax professional to find out what qualifies.

Note: Never make assumptions when dealing with taxes. When preparing your taxes, we highly suggest working with a certified public accountant or tax professional to ensure that you understand the laws both federally and locally. Recent changes to tax laws may impact whether or not you qualify for certain deductions, which is why it’s smart to work with a professional that knows and understands tax law.

 

 

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Follow Crazy Family Adventure in the family’s final episode of Life on the Road as they explore Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. They visit Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, among other areas and hiking trails in the area. Although Crazy Family Adventure’s Life on the Road video series has come to an end, you can still keep up to date with the family through their blog.

Also, you can watch previous episodes of Crazy Family Adventure’s Life on the Road series by clicking here.

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