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I don’t like to rely on repellents. I’d use traps to catch any mice that have found their way into your camper and then focus on mouse-proofing your camper so that more don’t get in. Repellents won’t stop a determined mouse from entering. You need to seal off ALL entry points in your RV, or they will keep coming back. Once that’s done, you won’t have to worry about repellents and whether they are safe for your pets or not.
Here are some tips to mouseproof your camper: https://camperfaqs.com/how-to-keep-mice-out-of-camper-best-methods
Hey, I’ve reached out to Cabela’s headquarters and they say overnighting is on a store-by-store basis, meaning it may be allowed at some and not others.
They recommend that you call ahead of time to inquire about overnighting. If they allow it, the store manager will give you instructions for where to park, etc, at their store. And that includes Bass Pro Shops, as well.
I participate in a few large RV communities and groups online, and one of the top 3 issues that come up are slide issues (not a very scientific conclusion, but what I’ve noticed). But that doesn’t mean they don’t serve a purpose and like Bill said, they may be worth it to you.
You’ll be able to find one that fits. Just look at your current faucet fittings and plumbing (or take the RV faucet with you to the store) and make sure your replacement will fit.
Marcell seems to be pretty popular for those who don’t/can’t rely on WIFI: https://www.meetmarcell.com/
If you have a solid WIF connection, then they make Blink cameras that display the temp.
Careful planning is one of the best ways to save money on your trip.
- Research your route, taking into account any tolls, distance, fuel prices, etc. RV route planning apps can help find the most cost-effective route that is RV friendly.
- Scheduling your RV trip during off-peak travel times can lead to substantial savings.
- Research affordable campgrounds. Invest in campground memberships or discount programs, such as Good Sam’s Club or Passport America, if they make sense (only you can decide that).
- Create a budget. Estimate fuel, campground fees, food, etc, and try to stick to that budget. We have tools on this website to help estimate these expenses.
- Alternate between free boondocking nights and paid campground stays. Use the paid campground stays to empty tanks, fill up with water, etc.
- Food is another huge expense. Plan and make your own meals instead of eating out.
Glad to help! There are a few other membership clubs you might want to compare before pulling the trigger on the KOA Rewards membership. For example, Good Sam’s and Passport America are roughly the same yearly price and offer campground discounts (10% off for Good Sam’s and 50% off for Passport America). Not saying either one is better for you, only you can decide that, but I thought I’d throw that out there. Here’s a breakdown of those and a few other RV membership clubs: https://camperfaqs.com/rv-memberships
The KOA Rewards program is $36 per year at the time of posting this. Whether that is worth it just depends on how often you plan on using it.
A few of the perks include:
- A 10% discount on daily rates at their campgrounds.
- A free night during the KOA Rewards Weekend
- Special discounts on Goodyear tires, mattresses, etc.
- $10 off FMCA membership
- Earn reward points that you can redeem for discounted stays
And so on. You can read about all the perks of membership here.
If you stay at KOAs often, you could earn back the membership many times over. But I’ve noticed that you can typically find campgrounds for cheaper, even after the 10% discount, especially if you don’t want/need all of the amenities that a KOA typically offers. I usually don’t.
It’s tough to come up with meal ideas, whether camping or at home! Especially when you have four kids. 🙂 I do have a post with meal ideas for 3 days’ worth of camping with a grocery list: https://camperfaqs.com/camping-food-list-for-3-days. Everybody has different tastes, though.
Here are some tips I’ve found that really help out:
- Plan ahead: Before you leave, plan out your meals for each day of your trip. Consider the number of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, & snacks you’ll need.
- Consider your appliances: RVs often come equipped with a stove, oven, & microwave. Plan meals that can be easily cooked with what you have. Some RVers also bring along a portable grill, air fryer, etc, which can add variety to your cooking options.
- Meal prep: Prepare some meals at home before your trip. You can chop vegetables, marinate meats, or fully prepare dishes that can be frozen and then defrosted when you’re ready to eat them.
- Meals with overlapping ingredients: To minimize waste and maximize space, plan meals that share ingredients. For example, if you’re making tacos one night, you could use the leftover tortillas for breakfast burritos the next morning.
- Don’t forget about leftovers: Leftovers can be a lifesaver when you’re on an RV trip. If you prepare a bit more for dinner, you could have lunch ready for the next day. It’s a good idea to bring along some reusable containers for storing leftovers in the refrigerator.
- Use a reusable shopping list and menu: Create a standard grocery list and meal plan that you can reuse for each trip. This can be a lifesaver in terms of time and energy. Once you have this list, you can just tweak it based on the specific trip.
Hope this helps!
You’ll hear varying opinions on this. What is more important than the type of TP you use is the amount of water.
- After dumping your black tank, fill it about 10% full with water
- After using the toilet, hold the flush pedal down for a few seconds to add an adequate amount of water to the black tank
- Empty your tanks when they are almost full
- Do not use flushable wipes or flush feminine products
Just following those rules will usually be enough to allow you to use any type of TP you want.
That said, some RVs have curved pipes, sensors, etc. that toilet paper can get stuck too. And there may be a certain brand of TP out there that just doesn’t dissolve properly. If you follow the rules above and still have issues, you can always try RV toilet paper like Scott’s to see if it helps.
+1 for Starlink. Starlink Roam currently costs about $150/month, but it’s worth it if you need a good connection.
You really can’t go wrong with a Garmin. The 795 is a good model, but really any of their RV GPS models are good. I don’t think any GPS is perfect as far as routing, but the RV specific features make them invaluable. Downside, they aren’t cheap. The 795 currently runs around $400. Here’s the model I have on Amazon.
I’d also recommend carrying a Rand McNally Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas since it’ll never lose signal.
Sounds like Milo is a good girl! A few things I’d recommend:
- Before traveling, make sure her dog tags and/or microchip information are up to date with your current contact information. Plus, any vaccinations are up to date.
- If this is her first road trip, let her spend time in the RV beforehand to help her get accustomed to the space and feel more comfortable. If possible, take her for short trips in it.
- Try to maintain a regular feeding and walking routine. Dogs are creatures of habit, and a consistent routine can help reduce their anxiety.
- Make sure the campground is pet-friendly before showing up with your dog (many aren’t or have strict rules on breed, size, etc.). Follow the campground’s pet policies, keep your dog on a leash when outside, and be considerate of your neighbors.
- Have a plan for those times you might be away from the RV for a while and can’t bring her with? The good thing is she doesn’t bark a lot and seems fine when left for long periods. But you still might want to consider turning on a radio for her or the TV if it helps keep her calm.
That’s just a few ideas. I’ll let others with more experience chime in.
I’d first check for any build-up or gunk in the shower head. Pull it and see how the water flows without it. Could also be a flow restrictor. Pry it out if possible. And I second the vote for an Oxygenics shower head. They work wonders. I use them at home, too.
Is it just the shower that has low-pressure issues? Are you using city water or your onboard water supply? Is it both hot and cold water?
A little more info will help us pinpoint the issue.
