Table of contents for 004 July/Aug 2022 in RV TODAY

Have a campground you’d like to share? Send an email with subject line “Campground Highlights” to collab@rvtoday.com for more information on how you can share a spot in an upcoming issue. COST $ Up to $30 / night $ $ $31-$60 / night $ $ $ $61+ / night FAST FACTS Full Hookups Big Rig Friendly Playground Dog Park Pool Wi-Fi Pacific Anthony Chabot Campground 9999 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, CA 94546 The campground at Anthony Chabot Regional Park in the East Bay’s Castro Valley outside of Oakland is a true gem. There are 12 full-hookup sites and about 60 non-hookup/tent/group sites. The drive in is curvy, steep, and narrow, and backing into some of the full-hookup sites is challenging, but we were surrounded by green grass, towering eucalyptus trees, and a group…

The Midwest is often overlooked by RVers for one reason or another, and this was definitely true for our family—after more than seven years of RV travel, the region had eluded us. Once we made it there, we were upset we waited so long to experience it! We only had time to visit a few states, and we’re excited to go back. Usually, we select a specific location to visit and explore the fringe area with more adventures, but since we underestimated what our trip would be like, we’ll need to plan for a slower pace next time. After several days of heavy driving, Illinois was our first stop for a much-needed week of rest and work. O’Connell’s Yogi Bear Park in Amboy was our home for the week and…

As an RV veteran of 15 years, I’ve spent a lot of time online mentoring new RVers. I run an RV inspection business and wrote a book called “RVing For Newbies - The Manual.” Preventive maintenance goes a long way when it comes to extending the lifespan of your RV and its components. Here are two steps you can take to make sure your RV is performing efficiently and safely. These both apply to a 120-Volt Alternating Current (AC) System. INSPECT YOUR SHORE CORD Look at the prongs on your shore cord. 30-amp RV cords have three, and 50-amp RV cords have four. Do they appear new and shiny or dull and pitted? There are multiple causes of wear and tear, but the most common is when you plug your shore…

We have visited 43 of the 63 United States national parks, and so far Channel Islands National Park is the most unique experience we’ve had. With a scenic boat ride, coastal views, wildlife, camping, and many opportunities to escape the crowds, Channel Islands offers a remote, untouched, and peaceful national park adventure. We were fortunate to spend three days backpacking on Santa Cruz Island, and we’re so excited to share all we learned about visiting the Channel Islands, including the logistics and how we would recommend spending one to three days there. ABOUT CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK The Channel Islands are eight islands off the coast of Ventura in Southern California, and Channel Islands National Park consists of five of these islands – Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel,…

This travel trailer was made by Piggott Brothers of London around 1922. Though not the first, it was one of the earliest caravans made for towing behind an automobile. Interestingly, Piggott Brothers’ main business was making canvas tents and marquees. Therefore, this trailer’s side walls used canvas from rope stitching around the frame. Piggot Brothers continued making caravans until about 1925, when they returned to their core product. Caravans from this period often used axles from surplus World War One aircrafts—there were many surplus or damaged planes left over after the war, and this was one creative use for them. The axles were not strong enough to withstand the shocks of towing, so purpose-built axles for trailers were developed in the mid-1920s. Recreational Vehicles Andrew Woodmansey, author of “Recreational Vehicles: A…

Whether your life on the open road finds you looking for traditional campsites, dispersed camping options, dump stations and potable water, or cell coverage availability, a handful of essential apps can make the journey easier. Taking a break from modern technology can be a perk of RV life, but that same technology is a huge help when it comes to successfully arriving at your destination. These are the top five apps and sites we’ve found along the way that we can’t live without. HARVEST HOSTS Small businesses across the country welcome all classes of RVs for a unique overnight experience on their properties. With an annual Harvest Hosts membership, you can park at a variety of venues, including vineyards, farms, distilleries, and breweries, and an upgraded membership includes access to golf…

“Our kayak!” @journeying_jacksons Waterfront camping provides some of the best opportunities for playing in the water, so taking full advantage is a must! We’ve asked our readers to share their must-have water gear to make for an epic trip. “Fishing poles” @kyledoughty84 “Swimsuit!” @wannaberetirees “Paddleboard, snorkel, and a couple of furry friends!” @happyaperatures “Our inflatable paddleboard" @the_renegade_ramblers “We decided to buy two items that significantly changed our travel experiences, and after three and a half years of full-time travel, I would definitely still buy them again! 1. Wetsuits for our kids 2. Inflatable kayaks We also have friends who have invested in paddleboards, and they love them too.” @hinson.co “We carry our spearfishing gear so we can catch dinner!” @drifter.journey…

It has come to our attention that because we have a YouTube channel and travel, some people think we know everything about RV life and never make mistakes. Let me be the first to tell you that this could not be further from the truth. We are very much ordinary people and we’ve had to learn a lot from the school of hard knocks. We’ve also found that lessons learned the hard way are the ones you remember most. Setting Up After Dark Everyone knows how exciting the first camping trip of the season can be. The RV has been in storage all winter and all you want to do is get it out and go. This is how my husband, Danny, and I felt this past spring. We were…

So you’ve found that perfect waterfront spot that you never want to leave? These products will help you keep the festivities going and having fun in the sun for as long as you’d like. Jackery Explorer Stay powered up, even when you’re lounging lakeside all day. This small power station is lightweight at just over six pounds and is solar compatible. https://amzn.to/3LyqzYq amzn.to/3uOZVDD Waterproof Smartphone Pouch Keep your phone protected, dry, and still usable with this protective case. It floats on water and has a connective strap. It’s also a great way to snap some photos on the water without risking ruining your phone. https://amzn.to/3DuOdC6 Bogg Bag This durable and waterproof bag is perfect for a day at the beach! It doesn’t tip, and the material allows you to easily wash…

I found Flo, a 1978 Millard Pop Top Caravan, on Facebook Marketplace. She looked modern and I thought she would only need a few projects before she was ready to hit the road—but I was so wrong. Once we had her in front of us, my husband and I started to take a closer look and realized that while the structure and condition were great, the work done inside was not. For instance, the underside of the ceiling was rotten, so it was only a matter of time before it would have fallen in. The previous owners had covered this up and said there were no leaks. Ultimately, we decided we would need to do a full renovation inside. For six months we chased a mystery leak that would come,…

There’s nothing quite like a summer road trip to an epic waterfront campsite—waking up to mid-July heat and jumping into a refreshingly cool body of water is something we can all appreciate. That’s not to mention the endless activities that waterfront camping provides, like beach games, swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and more. This summer, we’re sharing all the tips you need to make your summer camping trip one to remember—from amazing waterfront campgrounds to safety precautions to take when you’re camping with your kids by the water, and everything in between. There nothing better than camping near a beautiful body of water, whether it’s a lake, a river, or the ocean. Epic waterfront Campsites Camping on the Gulf in Miramar Beach, Florida– Marty and Jennifer Vickery Smith @dollyrv There…

Upcoming RV Events and Rallies Stay connected with fellow RVers at these 2022-2023 events AUGUST Rock the South August 5–6 Cullman, AL Rootless Living Magazine Digital Nomad Meetup August 5–7 Elkhart, IN Great Rocky Mountain Exploration August 15–September 21 Colorado Springs, CO SEPTEMBER Tin Can Tourists Random Acts of Camping September 22–25 Nappanee, IN RV and Motorcycle Rally September 22–25 Bandera, TX Trailerfest! Saturday Night Trailer Fever 2022 September 22–25 Plymouth, CA OCTOBER RVing Women Solo Travelers Chapter Virtual Campfire Event October 4 Virtual Georgia State Coachmen Rally October 19–23 Americus, GA Go Winter! Expo 2022 October 22–23 Fairbanks, AK NOVEMBER South Carolina Good Sam Fall RV Rally November 3–6 Myrtle Beach, SC Freightliner Chassis Owners Club Fall Rally November 14–18 Sevierville, TN Sand and Water Expo November 18–19 Lake…