RV vacations can be a lot of fun and finding new places to camp is often a fresh and interesting experience. There are plenty things to consider before you head off on your vacation, but we’ve narrowed it down to the top 8 just for our Jurnii readers!

1. Get to RV Site Early

There is nothing worse than rocking up to an RV Park or campground and there being no sites left. To avoid this, rock up early, or better yet, call in advance to book your spot.

2. Do you really need a powered site?

Powered sites with hook-ups generally cost more, so if you don’t need to recharge your vehicle’s batteries, stick with a non-powered site.

3. How far away is the bathroom?

When choosing a site to park your RV for the night, think about its proximity to the facilities. If your RV is not equipped with a shower and toilet, it may be handy to be near the bathroom facilities of the RV Park to avoid long, walks in the dark in the middle of the night.

4. When to leave?

Have some courtesy for fellow RV travelers and try to keep leaving (and arrival) times to a reasonable hour. If you are like me, packing up your RV can be quite a noisy process (especially if you are doing it with someone else), and sites are generally close together, meaning your neighbors will hear everything.

5. Leave enough room for others

Since RVing is so popular now, you should expect RV Parks to generally be filled to capacity. So if you rock up to your site early and there aren’t many RVs nearby, keep in mind that there will be later, so stay within the bounds of your site.

6. Know your sizes

RV sites (and RVs in general) vary in size so it’s a good idea to know the dimensions of your vehicle before organizing your site. After all, you don’t want to end up with a site that’s too small, or pay for one that is just too big.

7. Boondocking? Power up first!

Boondocking is one of the most popular ways to travel in an RV and involves camping with no hook-ups (or many facilities for that matter). If you are planning on doing some of this on your trip, you will need to power up every few days, so make sure to book some powered sites along the way.

8. Stock up on Supplies at Supermarkets

Got the munchies and after some snack food? Save some money and stock up at the supermarket instead of buying snacks individually at gas stations.

- Chrissy

Got any other top tips? Let us know about them in the comments below.

helpful hints, rv camping, rv parks, rv rentals

1. Why fly, when you can drive?

While many US travelers choose to fly to destinations across the country, an RV will give you the option to explore everything that can be found along the way. Rather than viewing it all from the air, why not get up close to actually experience it? Besides time, what have you got to lose?

2.  Be a clever cat and cut costs!

Rather than spending your hard earned cash on different hotels every night, where you still have to put up with nosy neighbors and small enclosed spaces, why not get an RV that you can camp in wherever your heart desires. The cost in comparison to hotels and motels will almost definitely work out cheaper.

3. Gain Control

Forget about organized tours where you have to do what you are told, when you are told to do it! An RV will give you the freedom to plan your own trip and visit the places you wish to go, at your own leisure.

4. Ensure you always have a place to stay

Booking your RV vacation early will ensure you have a comfortable bed for every night of your travels. Forget about the hassle of booking hotel rooms for the night; with an RV you are always guaranteed of a soft pillow and warm duvet.

5. Cook to your heart’s desire

Forget dodgy fast-food joints and high-priced restaurants. RVs come equipped with kitchens, meaning you can cook all your own meals and enjoy them at any time of the day.

6. Explore the country right through your window

Enjoy the views as you drive along, right through your window. There will never be a dull moment when you have the open road right in front of you.

7. Choose the length of your stays

If you happen to come across a destination and absolutely fall in love with it, an RV will give you the freedom to stay just that little bit longer.  There is no need to worry about getting out of your room on time; with an RV you are free to stay as long as you wish…or at least the duration of your rental.

-Chrissy

Got any more great reasons for taking an RV vacation? Tell us about them in the comments below.

rv camping, rv holiday, rv rentals, rv vacation

For many, lighting a fire is only half the battle. The proper preparation and arrangement of the wood is essential to the success of any campfire. Making the perfect campfire will have a dramatic effect on how long the fire will last and how much heat it will emit.

So, stress no more because we have made it easy for you to once again enjoy a cold winter night in warmth and comfort.

Step 1: Prepare

Before you even consider thinking about having a fire, you should make sure you have something to light it with.
Lighters and matches are a popular choice, but if you are seeking a bit of a challenge, you can attempt more traditional methods like using a magnifying glass or sticks and stones.

Remember, be smart and keep a bucket of water on hand at all times.

Step 2: Gather Your Materials

Now it’s time to embark on a search for ingredients!

An important first ingredient is of course the tinder, which is usually what will first go up in flames. Search for things like lint, bark, wood shavings and paper, and you should face no trouble in getting your fire started.

Kindling is another necessary ingredient to the mix and comes in the form of twigs, wood pieces and cardboard.

However, most importantly, ensure you have enough dry wood to keep the fire burning for hours on end. Ensure the wood is dry though, because when it is wet it has a hard time catching fire.

Step 3: Prepare the Area

Once you have completed your search for materials, it is time to prepare the area in which the fire will be lit.

Clear a circular area and either build a ring of rocks or dig a pit (depending on how energetic you are feeling and on the tools available to you).

The ring of stones will insulate the fire will the pit will keep the fire contained.

Step 4: Build and Start your Fire

Once your area is complete, begin building the fire, by loosely placing the tinder in a pile of kindling, allowing for sufficient air to circulate.

Light this (using your chosen method) and gradually add more kindling, making sure not to smother the fire too rapidly.

Once you have established a decent flame, begin to place the firewood on top. This is when your creative side can take hold, allowing you to experiment with designs like the Tepee, the Log Cabin, the Pyramid and a Star (all pretty self-explanatory).

Don’t go overboard in the amount of wood you pile on and voila! You now have a successful (and warm) campfire.

-Chrissy

If you have any more tips on building a successful campfire, tell us in the comments below!

camping, Fun