Tag: camping tips

Do You Need to Bear Proof Your Camper?

By: RV Wholesale Superstore
Last Updated: March 24, 2023

Unlike Yogi the bear and his sidekick, Boo Boo, who scurry around snatching food and trying to hide from the park ranger, having a bear try to eat out of your picnic basket (or cooler) is no laughing matter. But the fact is, if you are camping in bear country and have food, it’s a recipe for a bear visit.

While it may be an amazing experience to see a bear off in the distance, it’s quite another thing to have a bear rummaging around your camper for a snack. Let’s look at some things you can do to get as close to a bear-proof camper as possible and still enjoy your camping trip.

Do Bears Really Get Into RVs?

This is like asking if kids really eat cookies. Absolutely! Bears may live in the wild, but they are quite intelligent. They are also nosy by nature and when it comes to getting into things like tents, coolers, and even RVs, these animals are extremely capable.

Because of bears’ ability to figure out how to get into trash cans, buildings, and yes, even RVs, there can be a certain struggle with the bear population. (Hint: they can’t read, so “Do Not Enter” signs don’t help.) The driving force is, of course, food. Bears have an incredible sense of smell! They are like giant, curious bloodhounds with claws. If you think the bacon you’re cooking smells good, so do the bears. And if bears think the coast is clear, they might try to get into your RV for a little snack.

A surprising fact to many is that it isn’t just the smell of food that attracts bears. Many non-food items have scents that bears are drawn to investigate. Keep this in mind when packing for your trip. That scented body lotion you love? Probably not a good idea to wear it when you’re camping in bear country! That goes for sunscreen, too.

Even scented candles have the potential to lure curious bears to the source of their olfactory overload. Surprisingly, those citronella candles you might be using to keep the mosquitoes at bay can actually draw bears in! Hmmm, ward off bugs or attract bears? Might just be best to leave the candles home.

How to Bear Proof Campers

The number one thing you can do to reduce the chance of bears trying to get into your RV is to cut down on scents. Remember, any scents inside your RV are scents that bears can smell outside your RV. And, the curious sort they are, they will try to figure out a way to get inside to the source! So, scaling down on scents means less interest from bears. Try sticking to unscented or scentless toiletries for the duration of your trip and forgo any air fresheners or other “smell good” items.

Start by using travel containers to seal your food tightly. These containers can help you with portions and planning to make sure you have enough food for your trip. In addition to lessening the chances for spills, they pack and stack well, making them a great camping hack.

When it comes to your trash, be meticulous about cleaning up. The smallest crumb or wrapper can smell intriguing to a bear. Your trash is their treasure of tempting treats. Leaving anything out that could bring a bear by your campsite is bad news. Use the appropriate dumpsters whenever possible to dispose of your garbage.

Finally, don’t forget to keep your camper locked. Bears are like burglars, searching around looking for easy targets. Bears can be deterred from investigating an appealing scent emanating from your RV if there is no easy access because you’ve got it locked up tight.

Staying Safe at the Campground

When you are camping in parks and forests that frequently have bears, food lockers are often provided. These are generally made of metal and designed to keep bears out. They can hold your cooler and dry goods and are separate from your RV so they not only help keep your food safe from bears, they keep you safe from bears because all the yummy smells are not coming from your camper. It’s a big step toward a bear-proof camper. So, if the park you are visiting has food lockers, use them!

If you are boondocking and no food lockers are nearby, be extra vigilant about storing and disposing of trash. You can also check with the park you are visiting. Many national parks have food storage requirements such as bear canisters or hanging a bear bag. Check with the park where you are planning to stay for their specific rules.

Another way to bear-proof your camper and discourage bears from hunting around your campsite for food is to thoroughly clean up outside and especially after eating at picnic tables or around the campfire. The more trash you throw away and food scents you clean up, the less likely you’ll be to attract hungry, curious, nosy bears. You’ll be much more likely to safely enjoy your vacation in a bear-proof camper and campsite.

Contact RV Wholesale Superstore 

The professionals at RV Wholesale Superstore are ready to help you find the perfect RV for you and your family. Visit us in-person at 5080 W. Alexis Road, in Sylvania, OH or call us at (419) 786-1126

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How to Make the Best RV Meal Plan for Your Next Trip

By: RV Wholesale Superstore
Last Updated: March 24, 2023

One of the best things about camping is the food! There’s nothing like a golden brown marshmallow that’s been roasted over the campfire for s’mores. The best thing about creating your RV meal plan is tailoring it to your own preferences! Love to cook but always short on time at home? Camping may be your excuse to plan special meals since you’re away from the 9-5 world and you’ll have more down time to cook. Maybe your camping vacation is packed with adventure so cooking needs to be as simplistic as possible. Or you could be somewhere in between. Whatever your cooking style, RV meal planning starts with the menu.

Start Simple

Not all RV kitchens are alike. Some RV kitchens are tiny, others much larger, and some even have an island providing a great deal of counter space. But even with a larger RV kitchen, you still don’t want to go overboard on the food.

You may have all the space and tools you need to prepare extravagant meals, but it’s possible you’d rather spend your day relaxing or exploring rather than cooking. Your RV meal plan can reflect your activity level and food-prep time available. You can plan simple meals that are filling and let everyone get back to having fun!

Use Ingredients for Multiple Meals

No matter the type or size of your RV’s kitchen, one thing is certain: storage space is always at a premium! One way to maximize storage in the kitchen is to use ingredients across several meals. This can be anything from a base food like a meat or vegetable to your favorite spices.

A loaf of bread can be used for toast in the morning, sandwiches for lunch, and garlic toast for a spaghetti supper. Ground beef or ground turkey can be a versatile base food. Use some in the spaghetti sauce to go with that garlic toast and the rest for burgers the next night. There are plenty of websites that are great resources for camping recipes. Or, you can do a search for simple meal plans and find some ideas that fit your cooking style and your taste buds.

The Right Tools for the Right RV Meal Plan

When you’re building a birdhouse, it’s easier if you have a hammer and some nails. Likewise, when you have the right cooking equipment, it’s easier to build your RV meal plan. Two of the most popular must-haves for any RV kitchen are cast iron pans and a slow cooker. These two staple items can give you the convenience and flexibility to cook almost anything when you’re on the road – or even when you’re way, way off the road camping remotely.

Another favorite and extremely versatile kitchen cooking tool is the Dutch oven. Everything from soups and stews to popcorn and desserts can be prepared in this gem. If you want to cook something fun with the kids (or simply feel like a kid again) try cooking with pie irons. From sandwiches to pizza to fruit pies, this campfire kitchen tool takes the fun of roasting hot dogs or marshmallows and combines it with the versatility of a Dutch oven.

Convenient Food vs Feeling at Home

Your RV meal plan works best when you create it with your activity level and overall expectations of your time on the road. If you are the type who wants their RV to feel just like an extension of home, planning large, sit-down meals that everyone can enjoy together will be at the top of your list.

Others may be on the opposite end of the spectrum and plan simple meals and some grab-and-go foods for busy days full of activities. Whether you’re the type who’s on the go looking for the next adventure or the type who’s relaxing with your feet up reading the latest novel, you can make your RV meal plan work for you. You can even mix it up and plan one or two big meals with easy, quick meals sprinkled in for “flavor” and variety.

Don’t Forget Snacks

Exploring, hiking, fishing or even just getting some time to relax makes snacks a must-have. Fruit is a great fast-food snack, but don’t forget to add plenty of non-perishable foods when working up your RV meal plan. Things like protein bars store easily and travel well; they may even serve as a meal-replacement if you’re on a long hike or away from your RV for an extended period. No matter what your plans are, it’s always a good idea to have a healthy supply of snacks on hand.

Restocking on the Road

Sometimes you may be just a weekend camper. Other times you may take longer trips. It’s fairly easy to figure out your RV meal plan for just a weekend, but there’s no need to feel overwhelmed when you do take extended trips. Planning your meals in advance is still a good idea, but unless you’ll be far away from conveniences, you don’t need to pack it all at once.

It is very common to take a mid-week shopping trip when you’re vacationing for a week or longer. When you plan a shopping trip right into your week, you’ll have less to pack initially. This will save you refrigerator and cupboard space as well as avoiding the frustration of food spoiling before you have a chance to prepare it.

Contact RV Wholesale Superstore 

The professionals at RV Wholesale Superstore are ready to help you find the perfect RV for you and your family. Visit us in-person at 5080 W. Alexis Road, in Sylvania, OH or call us at (419) 786-1126

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RV Cooling Tips for the Upcoming Camping Season

By: RV Wholesale Superstore
Last Updated: March 24, 2023

Spring showers lead to flowers; but spring weather also means that summer heat is right around the corner. When you’re spending the warm weather camping in your RV, the only place you want it to be hot is near the campfire. But how do you keep the heat outside your RV and the temps inside comfortable? Read on for some RV cooling tips to keep you comfortable all season long.

Shades – Simple & Effective

If you want to look cool, you’ve got to wear shades; and if you want to keep your RV cool, it needs shades too! When it comes to RV cooling, some of the most basic, common-sense strategies are also the most effective ways to keep your RV cool in the hot summer weather.

The air temperature is the same in the sun or shade; it simply feels hotter in the sun due to the direct solar radiation – an average of 10-15 degrees hotter! That difference is the heat index. Additionally, a car that has been sitting in the sun can quickly become 40 degrees hotter than the outside temperature. This greenhouse effect from all those windows can also occur in your RV. And the more windows you have in your RV that are exposed to the sun, the hotter the interior will become.

When it comes to RV cooling, blocking the sun’s rays can reduce the greenhouse effect. Studies have shown that temperatures inside automobiles utilizing a windshield shade were an average of 15 degrees cooler than those without. So pulling those shades down during the day in your RV, as well as using your awning, can lessen the greenhouse effect and help your RV cooling system lower the air temperature inside your RV.

Positioning Your RV

The direction you park your RV can have a significant impact on keeping it cool. When parking your RV, take note of trees that could provide shade, especially in the hot afternoon sun. If possible, position your RV so that the area with the most windows will be protected by the shade. If there are no trees nearby, the next best thing to do is park so the largest windows in your RV are facing east and only get the early morning sun. The less direct solar radiation beating in your RV windows, the less effort you’ll have to put into RV cooling come afternoon or evening.

Run Separate Fans

Utilizing your RV’s fan can help with overall RV cooling. Those “whole house” fans pull warm air up and out of your RV and keep air circulating throughout. Additional fans that you can plug in, or even small fans that run on battery power can help keep air moving.

Using fans near your windows to pull in cooler air from the outside first thing in the morning, or later in the evening, is an inexpensive way to help regulate temperature without having to turn on the AC. They can also be used to expel warmer air such as when meal prep heats up the kitchen or a back bunk area gets stuffy.

Use Your Outdoor Kitchen

An alternative to becoming drenched in sweat or running multiple fans to combat the heat generated from cooking meals indoors is utilizing your outdoor kitchen; it’s a great RV cooling trick. Using your outdoor kitchen is the perfect way to keep all the heat from meal prep outside your RV! Many RVs have outdoor kitchens that rival the full indoor kitchen. Amenities such as burners or a grill, sink, fridge, electrical outlets, even storage and counter space for food prep can be found in several RV models with outdoor kitchens.

After a long day of hiking, fishing, or even antiquing, your RV can be quite a bit more than toasty inside upon your return. Using your outdoor kitchen gives your RV cooling-down time while you prepare dinner. Then, by the time you retire for the evening, the heat of the day has been removed from your RV and you can enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.

Keep Up with Maintenance

Cleaning the air conditioner filter can make RV cooling easier. When you make cleaning your filter part of your routine cleaning, you’ll always know your air conditioner is running as efficiently as possible.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to clean the filter is to use a vacuum to sweep away the dust. Once you’ve gotten the surface dust removed, you can use soap and water to fully clean them. It’s very important to make sure you let the filter completely dry afterward.

Consider Solar Options for Efficiency

Finally, it’s worth looking into the many solar options that can lessen the cost of running your AC or other cooling devices. Instead of simply trying to fight the sun and its power, why not harness it to help with your RV cooling? Solar panels can completely power your AC or simply keep up the charge for your battery power.

Solar power is becoming more popular and solar hook up even comes standard on many models. It is a wonderful option for RV cooling when you are detached from a power hook up. It’s a great way to stay cool when remote camping or boondocking.

These tips can help you ramp up your RV cooling and beat the heat whether you are taking weekend jaunts or traveling cross country. Don’t forget that to stay cool this summer you and your RV gotta wear shades!

Contact RV Wholesale Superstore 

The professionals at RV Wholesale Superstore are ready to help you find the perfect RV for you and your family. Visit us in-person at 5080 W. Alexis Road, in Sylvania, OH or call us at (419) 786-1126

Connect with us on Social Media! 

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest