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Friday, Apr 26, 2024
As an RV enthusiast, you likely have a lot of favorite tools and resources that you use while out on the road. There are the absolute must-haves, like your GPS system or Google Maps (or, if you’re old-school, the paper option) and, of course, all the gear you need to ensure your RV is safe on the road and then ready to set up camp whenever you get to your destination.
But are you missing out on any resources that could be making your RVing experience easier than ever? Here are a few apps, websites and other handy tool that you need now.
If you’re finding that your average GPS system or favorite routing app just doesn’t cut it when you’re driving your Class A motorhome across the country, then you might want to consider switching to the RV Life app. Created by RVers, for RVers, it’s a revolutionary tool that helps you find a route to your destination that will actually work for your motorhome. That means no more running into low clearances, bridge weight limits, propane-restricted tunnels, steep mountain passes or other obstacles that can make your route either more difficult or just plain unpassable.
If you’re a newer RVer and aren’t sure where exactly to find the right RV service pros to help you when it comes to things like towing, storage and necessary repairs, My RV Resource is your place to find those professionals in your area. Even if you’re not a new RVer and you already have your favorite service providers at home, My RV Resource can help you find service pros wherever you are on the road, so you’re not left googling for help on the side of the road after an untimely breakdown. The site even allows you to request a quote and then leave reviews after the fact.
If you have dreams of planning your best RV road trip yet, but you always struggle a bit to put together the perfect itinerary, RV Trip Wizard can help. The handy tool will help you plan out your route, showing you campgrounds, gas stations, points of interest and other insight. As you pick and choose what you want to do and see, as well as where you want to stay, you can access reviews from other RVers. Input your motorhome’s weight and height to see any potential obstacles on your path. The tool will even help you add up your travel budget, as it calculates costs for things like gas and campground fees.
This particular app is great for anyone taking a road trip, no matter their wheels, but it’s specifically good for RVers who are traveling in a new, unfamiliar area. The app, which is available both on the App Store and on Google Play, will show you what exact amenities are located at highway exits along your route. So, if you’re craving your favorite fast-food breakfast, or you need to give the motorhome a quick wash, you can search the app for the next exit you need to take.
If you’re always up for camping somewhere new, consider downloading the Campendium app from the Apple App Store. The camping tools helps you search through tens of thousands of camping spots, from luxury motorhome resorts to free camping spots. The app gives you extra details, too, that you won’t find elsewhere, such as info on whether or not you can expect cell phone service at a campsite.
For many motorhome owners, the chance to really live the RV lifestyle doesn’t come until they’re a little more advanced in age. It might be just a matter of time, and needing to wait until the kids are out of the house and you’re closer to retirement before you can properly hit the road, or it might even be a matter of money, and you needed to wait until those college funds and weddings were paid for before you really invested in something for yourself. Whatever the case may be, now you’re face to face with the senior discount era of your life and itching to get out in your Class A motorhome.
But is there a certain age that’s just too old for the RV lifestyle?
The short answer is no! We’ve seen RVers well into their 90s hitting the road and loving the RV life. However, traveling in your older age does come with a few new hurdles and considerations. Regardless of how robust your health or how active you like to be, you’ll want to take a few precautions to ensure your RVing experience is as enjoyable as it can be.
So, what can you do to make RVing more comfortable and accessible? Here are a few quick RVing tips for seniors.
- Don’t skimp on the luxury.
Now’s not the time for you to scale back for no reason at all, or just because you want to be frugal. If your budget allows for a little extra luxury, go ahead and take it. You’ll find that if you go with a more comfortable, larger motorhome, you’ll have a more comfortable stay, no matter where you go. And don’t you deserve all that comfort and convenience? No one wants to rough it in their golden years!
- Find your community.
One of the biggest benefits of taking up a popular, social hobby like RVing? It comes with a built-in community of fellow RVers! You can easily find a community of other senior motorhome enthusiasts, either by joining an RVing organization or association, or by simply searching Facebook for RV enthusiast groups near you. Finding your place within these communities can help you better ease into the RV lifestyle, as you swap tips and tricks, and you may even find other seniors that you want to travel with in the near future.
- Consider your health.
While, for many seniors, health won’t be an impediment when it comes to RVing, it’s still important to consider your health-related routines as you think about your next RV trip. For example, are you going to need extra medication in advance, because you won’t be in town to fill your prescription when you run out next? Do you have upcoming routine doctor check-ups that you can’t miss?
Talk to your physician ahead of time about your travel plans — especially if you plan on being gone for a long period of time, such as if you’re snow-birding and going to be out of town for an entire season — and see if they can offer virtual check-ins and maybe help you take care of any needed medications or forward your prescription to a pharmacy in your destination.
- Take it slow and enjoy the ride.
Lastly, wherever you plan on going, take it slow and enjoy the ride. Don’t feel like you need to rush from destination to destination. Take things easy, allow for a lot of flexibility in your itinerary and relax. You’ve earned it!
Fall is an excellent time to hit the road in your motorhome! The weather’s cooled off a bit. The bugs aren’t as vicious. And there are tons of fall festivals that you can attend around the country. Here are some of our favorites.
In Adams County, Pennsylvania — also home to Gettysburg — you’ll find the National Apple Harvest Festival taking place over two weekends in October, Oct. 1–2 and Oct. 8–9. And what’s more fun than apple picking in the fall? This festival brings together all things apples with food, crafts, family-friendly activities, entertainment and more. While you’re in the area, see all the historic sites Gettysburg has to offer. You can set up camp at the Gettysburg Campground.
Over Nov. 3–5, you can harvest a southern staple, pecans, at the North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival. Check out the pecan parade, car show and lots of craft and food vendors at this event that’s been a favorite for more than two decades. Nearby camping options include the campground at Lake Waccamaw State Park.
In late September, Sept. 23–25, the town of Warrens, Wisconsin, celebrates its 49th iteration of the Warrens Cranberry Festival. The free and highly ranked fest attracts thousands of people and you won’t be alone at the nearby campgrounds if you decide to stay at one during your visit. The campgrounds are packed with festivalgoers, all looking forward to the parade, cranberry marsh tours, festival food and more.
Just in time for Halloween, the New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival in Laconia, New Hampshire, takes place Oct. 29. Thousands upon thousands of carved pumpkins are on display, for a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that’s sure to put you in the spooky spirit. You’ll find several RV parks in the area to host you during your visit.
Buy your tickets now for the Leavenworth Oktoberfest. You’ll feel as if you were in Bavaria when you attend this traditional celebration that takes place over multiple weekends in late September and early to mid-October, Sept. 30–Oct. 1, Oct. 7–8 and Oct. 14–15. Beer, polka, German eats — what more could you need?
If, once the weather turns cooler, you’re headed to the Southwest, make sure you plan a stop at this can’t-miss festival as you’re building your itinerary. Gorgeous, colorful hot air balloons take to the skies in the dozens, delighting festivalgoers lucky enough to glimpse the display.
If you don’t intend on being on that side of the country and, instead, will be sticking to the East Coast this fall, you might consider traveling to the Adirondacks for the Adirondack Balloon Festival, Sept. 22–25. Snag your spot at one of the nearby state or private campgrounds (though you can also park your RV at the fest) and check out all the hot air balloons, including some that’ll give you a ride.
Around the same dates, Sept. 21–25, the Acadia Night Sky Festival celebrates all things astronomical in Maine. Enjoy camping at this national park as you take in some of the best nighttime star viewing in the entire country.
And, lastly, if your idea of a fun festival includes more livestock than harvests or hot air balloons, make tracks for the Trailing of the Sheep festival in Idaho, which kicks off Oct. 5. Celebrating the tradition of sheepherding in the West, the festival features, yes, a sheep parade, but also workshops on all things sheep, from cheese to wool, sheepdog trials, cultural demonstrations, live music and more.
