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Your RV is designed to be a camper and allow you to travel to new destinations and stay for a few days or more, but what if you’re at your house and you have people visiting from out of town? Wouldn’t that be a perfect time to use your RV as a guesthouse? It definitely would.

This often occurs around the holidays. Instead of packing your whole family into your home, think about using your RV as a guesthouse when people come to visit.

There are a lot of differences between a house and an RV. If you’re a seasoned RV owner, you might have forgotten all the little distinctions. If you have a guest coming to visit your home that has never been in a rig before, you definitely need to hold an orientation when they get there.

Here are a few tips for using your RV as a guesthouse at your home.

First Things First, Proper Toilet Operation

I will never forget the first time I had a friend come over to our fifth-wheel. Her daughter went to the bathroom and came out crying. “Mommy, they don’t flush their toilet here!” It was so hard not to laugh.

If you’re hosting guests at your home and using your RV as a guesthouse, make sure to tell them how the toilet flushes. Consider actually taking them to the toilet to show them where everything is, especially if they have young kids.

What seems obvious or easy in conversation may turn out tricky once they’re in the bathroom. Also, actually showing them the bathroom will help you remember anything you might forget if you just mention it off-hand.

Show Them Any Tricky Doors

I’ve also made the mistake of not sharing how to open the front door. I had one friend so frazzled I’m pretty sure she thought she was going to live in the RV forever.

Save your guests the embarrassment. Go through that when they first arrive. RV doors don’t always work like house doors. It seems silly, but it’s worth it to go over door operation so you don’t let your guests struggle with the latch or damage something.

Of course, if your guest is there for an extended stay, you’ll want to share how to open the fridge and in return, how to ensure it’s closed.

My mom stayed in our rig and was the worst about this. She was constantly asking how to open the refrigerator. In hindsight, I think if I would have shown her from the beginning, she would have understood better than having to figure it out on her own.

Not All Electricity is Created Equal

Using your RV as a guesthouse at your own home is great, but you probably don’t have a full 30 or 50 amp hookup for your RV in your driveway.

However, most houses do have a 15 or 20 amp that you can plug your rig into with a converter. Of course, this means the rig isn’t getting full power and won’t be able to power everything. Some things will simply not work. Definitely, share that information with your guests.

I learned this the hard way when we were moochdocking at my father-in-law’s house. It was summer, and I got stuck without air conditioning on a hot day.

As an extra precaution, go through all the RV systems with your guests and instruct them on what appliances can be used at what times.

You’ll also want to point out how to reset the circuit breaker inside the RV. Chances are it may take them a day or two to get used to the limited supply of power.

Invite Your Guests Inside as Much as You Can

While you might love the small space your RV affords you, your guests might take a bit to warm up to it. An RV can be a very small space to someone who hasn’t ever spent much time in one.

Depending on your guests, their family size, and the luggage they’ve brought to the rig, your RV may get cramped quickly.

Don’t forget about those loved ones out there in the driveway. Invite them inside as much as you can for meals and a place to kick back and relax. You can also go to them. Eat your meals outside, play some games in the yard, and have a campfire.

Make Life Easy for Your Guests

Getting used to the rig might be more difficult for some guests. Keep a flashlight by the door just in case they want to leave during the night. While you’re at it, add a spare set of keys to your home. This lets your company know they can come to your house if they need to. You could go the extra mile and light their path to the house for them.

Reflective duct tape is an inexpensive and easy way to do that. If you like DIY projects, you could try making this bucket light (pictured above). It can be a great way to light the way from your RV to the door of your home.

Also, make sure to keep a list of everything you’ve gone over for them on the fridge in the RV. That way if they forget something during their stay, they can look at the list. This would include the aforementioned toilet procedures, electric quirks, and so on.

Make Your Rig Feel like Home

An RV is meant to be a home on wheels. If your rig hasn’t been used in a while, make it feel like home before your guests arrive.

Put some comfortable pillows on the beds and couch, freshen up the linens, do a thorough cleaning, and make sure the trailer or motorhome has everything they need. Make sure to keep the following items in the camper:

• Silverware
• Dishes
• Pots and pans
• Toilet paper
• Laundry basket
• Food in the pantry and fridge
• Running water
• Movies, Games, Toys, etc

If you’re not sure what your guest may need, ask them before they arrive. The extra care may be just what you need to win them over if they aren’t so excited about that limited electricity. If you do things right and make your guests’ stay in your RV a success, they may even decide to get one for themselves.

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Have you ever used your RV as a guest house at your home? If so, how did it go? Leave a comment below. 

 

 

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Sometimes it takes a crisis to help you realize what you want. Sometimes you need a wakeup call—a kickstart for your spirit that puts you on a path to a better life. That’s exactly what happened to Mandy of Mandy Lea Photo.

She lived the typical nine-to-five working at a photography store in Austin, Texas. She was doing more or less fine when she experienced a divorce and a subsequent depression.

Mandy found herself stuck in a cycle that many people are in. One where they know they’re unhappy but don’t really understand why, or how to change their situation.

“I was just going from the grocery store, the gym, and work; the grocery store, the gym, and work, and that was it,” she told me over the phone.

Mandy grew up in Colorado. She’d spent time there camping in RVs and experiencing the outdoors. While she was having a hard time in Texas, she decided to take a vacation to the Grand Tetons to get away.

She camped there and got to see the sunrise one morning and take pictures. That sunrise changed her life.

“I was like, ‘holy crap this has all been out here the whole time, and I totally forgot the rest of the world is out here every day while I’m just home’,” she said. “It shook me out of the little globe I’d been living in.”

She knew something had to change.

Mandy couldn’t get her mind back into work and her routine. She thought about her trip to the Grand Tetons and the times she’d spent camping earlier in life in Colorado. Three days after her trip, she went out and bought a small T@G teardrop camper made by nüCamp.

“I like to say the mountains made me do it,” she told me.

Her Teardrop Camper and the Transition to Full-Time

 

Mandy told me she didn’t know she was going to quit her job and take her teardrop camper on the road full-time at first.

“I started camping every weekend,” she said. “And that made me happy.”

While she’d found temporary happiness, she was still frustrated because Texas is a huge state and the places she wanted to visit were too far away for a weekend trip.

After a year of being an avid weekend warrior and visiting many places close to her home of Austin, she knew full-timing was what she wanted to do.

“I decided that the only time I was happy was when I was camping,” she said. “I thought I can spend my life not happy, or I can do what makes me happy and find a way to make that work.”

Mandy decided that her happiness was her priority. After some preparations, she headed out full-time in her camper.

“It sounds weird, but most people don’t do that [put their happiness first],” she said. “Most of them are so concerned with the people around them, their job, money, and I think a lot of campers get that [there’s more].”

Mandy told me that she’s met a lot of people on the road who applaud her decision to put her happiness first and become a full-timer when she did. She said she meets older people all the time who wish they hadn’t waited so long to hit the road.

She’s learned a lot from the RV community and said there are many people who helped her along the way.

The Evolution of Mandy Lea Photo

 

From the beginning, Mandy wanted to be successful on the road. It wasn’t about neglecting her career or living as long as she could on the road and then coming back to a regular nine-to-five job to save up a bunch more money to go back out.

“I didn’t want to be a starving artist,” she said. “I wanted to make a legitimate living on the road.”

Early on, before full-timing, she got an unexpected boost when her first T@G teardrop camper was stolen. She posted it to Facebook and the story went viral. This gave her online following a serious boost.

Eventually, the camper was found, but in poor condition. Mandy moved into a new T@G camper and continued on her journey. She said that she doesn’t want to be known as the girl who got her camper stolen, but it’s an unavoidable part of her story.

Many of those people who were first exposed to Mandy through the theft still follow her today.

“I think it really speaks to my photography and the content that I put out,” she said.

Mandy was able to make her photography business and her blog work. She said she works more hours now than she did when she was in Texas. However, she loves what she does and gets to work for herself and do what she wants to do.

She does have more of a schedule now than when she started due to business obligations—photography workshops, speaking opportunities, RV shows—but she still has freedom with her business and the life that she wanted when she first set off.

Continued Travels

 

Mandy met her boyfriend, Kendrick—who was also living tiny in his Toyota Tacoma—during her travels and they both live together in a teardrop camper. It’s a T@B camper that’s a little bigger than the one she was in before. When they first started living together they were in Mandy’s T@G, but after a short time, they upgraded.

From there, the adventures continued, and she said they spend most of their time boondocking.

“We hardly ever stay in campgrounds. We almost always stay on BLM land,” she said.

She told me they spent a lot of time out in the wild—camping, hiking, backpacking, etc.

Lately, with more jobs and commitments, they’ve been spending more time camping in people’s driveways, hitting up a Walmart parking lot, or other less-wild boondocking spots.

Mandy said she still loves the freedom that comes with the lifestyle. She loves being her own boss and being able to live where and how she wants.

She also loves the smallness of the teardrop camper and the fact that because it’s so small you have to go out into the world.

“We don’t spend a lot of time in the camper,” she said.

The couple spends a lot of time outside in nature, experiencing what the world has to offer. She said it’s a good reminder that we’re here on Earth, and we need to take care of it.

“When you live in a city you kind of just forget it’s out there because it’s not in your face,” she said. “When you’re in a camper it’s in your face.”

She said she likes the fact that their footprint is really small, and they don’t have more stuff or use more resources than they really need.

“When you only have ten things, you choose those things very carefully,” she said. “So, you think about what things are most important to you in life, and you prioritize.”

As our conversation wound down, it was clear that Mandy’s journey is about the pursuit of pure happiness—something most people deprive themselves of. She had the courage and conviction to try something drastically different, and her life is better because of it.

Mandy’s story is about the power of small things—like her camper, big things—like the Grand Tetons, and everything in-between. It’s a story that shows us all why it’s important to take a good, hard look at our lives and ask if we’re really where we want to be.

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If you’re going to be spending the winter holidays in your RV, then you need to spend at least a little time preparing for the special day. Whether it’s just you and your significant other; you and your immediate family; or you, your family, and friends, it’s smart to take some time to get ready for your guests.

Here are some tips that should help make the holidays spent in your RV a major success.

Decorate Your RV

If you were in a house for the holidays, you’d probably spend some time decorating. You should do the same for your RV. Decorations can do wonders to get you in the holiday spirit. No matter what you celebrate each year, make sure to outfit your RV accordingly.

While you can’t do things like a huge Christmas tree, you can still decorate with lights, window decals, some holiday snacks—like candy canes—and more. Don’t forget to do something on the outside, too. You can add a wreath to your door or put up some strings of lights outside and around where you’re parked.

Less is more when it comes to decorating your RV for the holidays. You just need a few simple touches to transform your rig.

Assess Your RV’s Space and Seating

Before you have company over to your RV, make sure to think about the space you have available and how best to utilize it. Where will people’s coats go? Where will everyone sit? Where will the food be served? How will people move around the RV as the evening progresses? Try to come up with answers to those questions.

If you’re in an area of the country that’s not too cold, consider having some accommodations outside. Deploy your awning, if you have it, and put out some comfortable camp chairs for people to sit on. Have a roaring campfire that will make sitting outside enjoyable even if it is a little chilly.

Prepare Your RV for Guests

Once you’ve assessed your space and have an idea for how everything will work, it’s time to prepare for your guests. Get plenty of household supplies like toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, and disposable cups. Make a list of all the food and serving plates and utensils you’ll need. Clean the inside of your RV well and get rid of unneeded clutter as much as possible.

If your RV has a generous pass-through storage or basement, use those spaces to their max while you’re hosting visitors. If there’s something you usually keep inside your RV that you don’t really need while people are over, store it in the pass-through storage or basement area of your RV for a little while. You can always bring those items back to your RV once the holiday gatherings are over.

Ask People to Contribute

Cooking a holiday meal for guests in a small RV kitchen can feel daunting. One of the best ways to reduce stress and ensure that everyone has a good time is to ask your guests to contribute. Even if you just ask them to bring dessert or appetizers it can really help.

Another smart idea is to ask people to bring their own beverages and coolers if they need it. This will save tons of space in your fridge, allowing you to best utilize what space you do have. Most people won’t bat an eye at bringing something, and many will be happy to contribute.

When it comes to the main course, consider doing something smaller than a huge turkey. Consider doing a small ham or a chicken. Most side dishes can be prepared a day in advance and heated up the day of your holiday gathering. If you focus on dividing up the big meal into smaller, manageable tasks and ask for help when you need it, everyone should have a wonderful time.

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Have you hosted the holidays in your RV? How did it go? Leave a comment below!

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Many RVers dream of traveling to Alaska, considering it the ultimate destination on their bucket lists. So we’ve created a series of articles to help you navigate the Last Frontier in a motorhome or travel trailer, in hopes that you can enjoy exploring the 49^th state, as well!

Talkeetna

If you have a visit to Denali National Park on your itinerary, do yourself a favor and add Talkeetna, Alaska to the list. It’s on the way to the park, and it will certainly add a little whimsy to your trip!

Take the Parks Highway (Alaska 3) north out of Wasilla for approximately 2 hours and a half hours, then right onto the Talkeetna Spur Road. You’ll have a beautiful drive from there of 14 miles where the road dead-ends within the city limits.

Founded in 1916, this little village has always been considered the jumping off point for flightseeing in and around Denali. Along the drive from the highway, you will come across several small commercial flight operations—most of them quite scenic, as they sit on various lakes (otherwise known as ‘airports’ in the Last Frontier). Keep them in mind, because flying is by far the best way to experience the wilderness, the undisturbed wildlife, and the grandeur of Denali National Park.

Birch Buckets

As you continue north toward town you may think you’ve accidentally landed in Vermont when spying white buckets attached to trees along the road, but those don’t look anything like maple trees! Nope, you’ve just discovered Kahiltna Birchworks, where birch trees are tapped for their syrup. Take 30 minutes to tour the facility and taste test their product. You’ll discover that birch syrup is only produced in three areas in the world, and it takes 100 to 150 liters of sap to produce just one liter of syrup. That might explain why it is a bit more expensive than your run-of-the-mill maple syrup.

Then wander a couple of miles on down the road to The Flying Squirrel Bakery for more samples of “sweets” made with the mineral flavored birch syrup (and several other tasty treats). Set in the forest, the restaurant offers a selection of breakfast goodies and lunch soups, salads and paninis, as well.

Trains, Planes, and Donkeys

You are getting close to town when a train from the Alaska Railroad relinquishes its passengers at the town depot. Talkeetna actually began when the area was selected as the district office for the railroad in 1916. In that same year, the fledgling town had a post office and trading post, and a cigar shop and a donkey store were added to the business rosters. Today the railroad has dome viewing cars and fine dining aboard (but no donkeys), while offering passage to Denali, Fairbanks, Anchorage, Whittier, and Seward.

Across the street from the depot, visitors are enticed to go dog sledding (Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore!). You can also drive a little closer to town and park your car or RV, as Talkeetna is a town that’s best discovered on foot. There are only a few streets, but each is packed with shops, stores, and restaurants, so explore to your heart’s content.

If hunger pangs are lurking, I’d suggest a stop at Mountain High Pizza Pies, with dining available indoors or out in their imaginative garden. You won’t find a more eclectic and varied menu of pizzas, along with pasta dishes and sub sandwiches. I can vouch for the “Main Street Gossip,” a spinach, garlic, bacon and chicken pie with ranch dressing. It was an inspired mixture of tantalizing tastes all wrapped up on a wonderful crust.

After a robust lunch, be sure to visit the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum in the little red schoolhouse downtown. You’ll discover the colorful background of this laid-back village. Learn about the native peoples, trappers, aviators, and miners who first settled the area, creating a foundation for outdoor discovery that you see on Main Street today. From flightseeing tours to zip-line adventures, mountain bike rentals to fishing excursions, today’s businesses have benefitted greatly from those who originally opened up Alaska’s wilderness.

Take in the room-sized model of Denali and its surrounding mountains in one of the outbuildings of the museum. Many experienced climbers use the model to plan their ascents of the peak, and weekly lectures on the history of mountaineering are offered here, as well.

Mayor with Nine Lives

Before you head off to explore the surrounding area, be sure to stop in at Nagley’s Store to pay homage to the departed Mayor of Talkeetna, Stubbs the Cat. Serving for 20 years before his death last year, Stubbs was loved by his constituents. As one told me, “He never raised our taxes, and his salary was paid in catnip.” The city leader passed away last year, and his heir apparent is his furry brother, Denali.

Moose Drooping

As you have probably surmised by now, Talkeetnans have a quirky sense of humor. For 37 years the town held a fundraiser for the Historical Society called the Moose Dropping Festival. During a summer weekend, moose droppings that have been dried, varnished, and numbered are dropped from a chopper onto a target, with raffle tickets being sold for the event. By 2009, the crowds had become unwieldy and PETA activists had protested the event, assuming that live moose were being dropped from the sky. So this most unique fundraiser was discontinued.

But you can still catch the Wilderness Woman contest during “Bachelor Weekend” in the winter if you’re looking for some fun. The softer side of Talkeetna competes against one another, testing their “survival” skills in rural Alaska. They cut firewood, snowshoe, haul water, and make sandwiches for Alaskan men, all while showing grace and fortitude.

Is This Cicely?

Having been introduced to its many charms, is it any wonder that Talkeetna became the model for the fictional town of Cicely, Alaska in television’s “Northern Exposure?” I have no problem envisioning disc jockey Chris Stevens, bush pilot Maggie O’Connell and Dr. Joel Fleischman wandering these same streets. Now that I think about it, I am almost sure I saw a moose wandering through town as I drove away!

RVers Welcome

You’ll find the area around Talkeetna is perfect for RVers. There are several formal campgrounds within 28 miles of the town, and dispersed camping is available throughout the national forest. You will want to park your motorhome or travel trailer as you get close to town, however, because parking spots on the street are very limited.

So Much More to See

I’m sure in your exploration of Talkeetna you’ve discovered why this little tourist hamlet is a favorite of many Alaska travelers.  However, you shouldn’t call it quits here, because there are many other adventures awaiting you in the Land of the Midnight Sun. We’ll be sharing some more legendary destinations for your itinerary soon!

Author’s Note:  If you will be driving through Alaska and/or Canada please consider purchasing a current copy of “The Milepost.” It is a travel guide that will list necessities (like gas stations) and amenities (like lodging) throughout Alaska and the western Canadian provinces by milepost marker. This is a prerequisite for traveling in the area, as distances between service stations and grocery stores can be hundreds of miles in many cases. Another piece of knowledge gleaned from “The Milepost” are the hours (and seasons) of operation of businesses along the route, as many close down during fall and winter.

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What are your thoughts of Talkeetna? Leave a comment below!

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In this episode of Life on the Road, Crazy Family Adventure visits McArthur-Burney Falls, which is arguably the most beautiful waterfall in the whole state of California. From there, the family travels to Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lava Beds National Monument to see some volcanoes and explore caves. Then it’s back to the campsite for a relaxing evening.

You can watch the rest of Crazy Family Adventure’s Life on the Road series by clicking here.

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In a change of pace, today we’re talking to Camping World’s product specialist, Ian Baker.

In this podcast, we talk about the future of RVs, Ian’s life-long love of camping, and answer some common questions from his series of RV Reviews on YouTube.

We’ll also learn his personal must-have RV features after doing in-depth reviews of thousands of RVs over the years.

Be sure to catch all of his RV Reviews on the Camping World YouTube Channel!

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

Some topics we cover:

• 1:30 – 2019 RV Trends
• 6:45 – Ian answers the webs most popular questions
• 10:05 – Growing up RVing
• 15:00 – Family camping traditions
• 17:45 – Stories from the Road
• 26:50 – Ians go to RVs
• 32:00 – Vintage RVs

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