Travel in Style: Your Guide to the Best RV Parks in the U.S.

February 19, 2019bankstonmotorhomes

RV camping doesn’t have to mean “roughing it.” You can travel in style by visiting one (or more!) of the best RV parks in the U.S. Here are a few of our favorites.

Do you cringe when you hear the word camping? You must imagine tents, dirt, and no showers.

While camping is not for everyone, taking an RV out for a spin is hardly “roughing it.” You can have all the comforts of a house while still being open for adventure.

Lots of people have the same idea. In fact, 10 million American households own an RV.

If you’ve ever thought about what it would be like to explore the great outdoors, an RV could be the solution. But where would you take your RV to?

Keep reading this article to learn about the best RV parks in the U.S.

1. Denali National Park and Preserve

If you’re looking for the ultimate RV campground experience, then you need to put Denali National Park on the top of your list. This national park is located in Alaska in the center of nature and spectacular wildlife.

The park has three RV-friendly campgrounds: Riley Creek, Teklanika River, and Savage River.

Keep in mind you have to make a reservation far in advance through a third party–the National Park doesn’t handle the reservations.

2. Yosemite National Park

Without a doubt, if you plan on taking your RV for a spin, you have to visit the legendary Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite National Park has ten RV campsites for you to choose from. Be aware that electrical, sewer and water hookups won’t be available. The only dump station is available at Upper Pines campground, so you should go prepared.

Also, campgrounds at Yosemite book fast, so make sure you book as early as possible.

3. Fernwood Campground and Resort

You’ve probably thought about taking a road trip down the Pacific Highway at some point in your life.

Well if you own an RV, why not make this a reality? Fernwood Campground and Resort is right in the heart of Big Sur, California.

RV campsites have access to water and electricity so you can enjoy nature without giving up some comforts.

4. Crater Lake RV Park

If you’ve always dreamed of exploring the Pacific Northwest, it’s time you take your RV to Crater Lake RV Park.

It’s recommended you plan for at least a week in order to experience everything there is to see.

The campsite has access to 30, 40, and 50 amp hook-ups and access to telephone lines.

Also, they have free wi-fi, so you don’t have to feel disconnected from the outside world. Not to mention you’ll have access to clean bathrooms and showers.

5. LVM Resort

If you think enjoying an RV resort is always about getting in touch with nature, then we should let you know that there are RV resorts that are all about luxury rather than “nature” and “the great outdoors”.

LVM Resort in Las Vegas is an RV luxury resort located only minutes from the strip.

This resort offers all of the amenities of a 5-star hotel but you can sleep in the familiarity of your RV.

LMV has a full-size swimming pool, two whirlpools, and even a tanning pool. Visitors can also enjoy the clubhouse, on-site restaurant, fitness center, and spa.

Check Out the Best RV Parks in the U.S.

Now that you know about some of the best RV parks in the U.S., it’s time to take your RV for a spin.

So where is it going to be, LVM, Denali, or Yosemite? And if there are a few more you think others should know about please share them in the comments! We would love to update this article with more of the Best RV Parks in the U.S. in several months.

If you enjoyed these ideas and would like to learn read more about road trip tips for your RV, check out our blog!

The Beginner’s Guide to RV Travel: 5 Essential Tips You Must Know

September 21, 2018bankstonmotorhomes

The Beginner’s Guide to RV Travel

Do you want to go on the ultimate RV trip this summer but it’s your first time RVing? Take a look at these essential RV travel tips that every first-timer should know.

Have you heard the news? RV’s are back, front and center in the hearts of the American population.

There were 15% more sales of RVs in the last year alone, and with sales steadily rising since the 2009 financial meltdown, the popularity of RVs has never been better.

Whether you’re young or old, traveling in an RV has something to offer, especially if it’s your first RV road trip.

With newcomers to RV travel in mind, here are 5 tips that you shouldn’t set off without knowing.

1. Don’t Overload Your RV

Before you set off on your RV trip, you need to check the maximum weight your vehicle can hold. Overloading your RV is an easy mistake for RV newbies to make, but it can be costly.

Crashing your RV while it’s overloaded will invalidate your insurance, so it could leave you out of pocket. If nothing else, it puts a heavy strain on your RV and could be illegal.

If you run into trouble, don’t worry. Check out the RV servicing solutions we offer for RV owners needing urgent RV repairs.

2. Share the Driving

Next on our list of tips for first-time RVers is designed to help you cope with long journeys. Driving can be exhausting, so if you’re driving with a partner, look to share the driving between you.

Training up a second driver is also a good idea if you find yourself injured and unable to complete your journey for any reason.

If you’ve never driven an RV before, check out these tips on how to handle and drive one.

3. Prepare for Wi-fi Not-Spots

We’re living in a digital world, and if you’re keen to share your holiday snaps with friends and family back home, you’re going to need internet wherever you go.

Lots of RV parks and public areas may come with public wi-fi access, but it isn’t guaranteed. Thankfully, you can prepare for wi-fi ‘not-spots’ pretty easily.

Pick up a mobile Wireless hotspot device that can connect to the internet over a cell phone network. This will give you internet wherever you go, although you’ll still need a good signal from your cell network for this to work. Be sure to check your current mobile device, many of them come with a hotspot option, which means your phone can easily become a wi-fi hotspot as long as your carrier has coverage where you plan to travel.

4. Never Forget Your Essentials

If you’re going RVing, don’t forget the essentials before you set off.

A basic first-aid kit is probably a good idea, packed with bandages and disinfectant at a minimum. We also think you’re going to need some wind-up torches and lamps (you won’t always have electricity to charge batteries).

There’s a whole lot of other essentials you could add to this list, so here’s an RV checklist you can use to be sure you’ve packed everything you need.

5. Be Spontaneous, but Not Careless

RV life is fun, and most of all, it gives you the chance to be spontaneous. New RVers can find this a tough adjustment, but it’s part of the fun.

If you find yourself at a location you enjoy, stay there a week or two longer. You’re in an RV, so the world is your oyster to explore!

That said, things don’t always go to plan, even when you don’t have a plan. Travel with a budget in mind, keep a full tank of gas, and have plenty of food and water to keep you going.

If you need to find a campsite to stay at, GoCampingAmerica can help you find a park in every state.

Enjoy the Fun and Avoid the Pitfalls of RV Travel

If you’re looking for freedom, RV travel offers that in spades. Your RV is your gateway to a life of fun and exploration on the road, but a little planning will help you avoid some of the more obvious pitfalls.

RV life isn’t for everyone, but if you’re looking for an exciting and low-cost way to travel, investing in an RV could be the best decision you make for your family.

Looking to buy an RV, or just to rent? Either way, why not contact us and discover whether our RV sales or rental options are right for your needs.

Top 3 Reasons Why Renting an RV is a Smart Choice.

April 27, 2018May 25, 2018bankstonmotorhomes

The main reason why renting an RV is a smart choice-

How do you figure out if renting an RV is a smart choice? If you plan to use your RV the typical number of days per year (27) and you purchase your RV on credit, you will pay a premium of $200 more per day for the privilege of ownership versus renting! To make ownership finacially worthwhile you need to use your RV about 40 days per year if you buy the RV outright, or about 50 days per year if you buy the RV on credit. On the other hand, for those who live full-time in their RV, the costs per day can be well under $100. (from “Rent vs. Buy” by Dave Neale.)

More reasons why renting an RV is a smart choice;-

There are other solid reasons to rent an RV before you buy one for yourself of your family: (1) experience the difference in driving different types of motorhomes – handling a small Class C can feel a bit different from driving a longer Class A. Trying each size out for a weekend (or a week) can save you the experience of purchasing new and then up/down sizing. Are you as comfortable parking the Class C as the Class A? And yes, we know there are Class Cs that are of similar length to the Class As…so try ut the different lengths and see what feels comfortable for you and your driving partner. (2) Try out a couple of different floor plans. Why? well the bunk over cab may sound great…but what if your kid doesn’t like sleeping up high? What if navigating to the restroom at night from the bunk was more effort than they thought it would be? Can everyone use the shower with ease? These are experiences only gained by staying in an RV overnight. (3) Do you have a truck or SUV? If so, you may discover after driving a rental motorhome that you would rather park a travel trailer and drive your regular vehicle around to sight see and then return to your sleeping place in the evening. My sister and her husband bought a Class A (used), gutted and refurbished it, and then decided they would rather tow a 5th wheel they could park and drive their truck for sightseeing…

Learn more about renting at BankstonRVrentals.com

-by Tanya H. Miller

Marketing Director

Bankston Motorhomes, Inc.

Thor Chateau 28Z Motorhome Review

February 2, 2018May 10, 2018bankstonmotorhomes

Our family took out the Thor Chateau 28Z recently. This was our first trip in a Chateau, and it was noticeably smaller than the Forest River 3011DS (29ft 11 inches versus 32 ft 3 inches in the 3011DS). However, even with about a yard difference in length, we had ample room for our family of four. The Chateau is designed to sleep 7, but that may depend on the size of your travelers.

Reviewing the sleeping lay out, let’s start with the dinette that converts to a sleeping space. Our 9 yr old son had no problem sleeping in the space, but it might be tight if your kids are a bit older or larger. However, the bunk over cab area is quite spacious and does not disappoint. Plus, the sofa across from the dinette converts to a queen. Therefore, if your family has a few teen-age kids, there is ample room for at least 2 in the bunk over the cab, 2 on the queen sleeper, and one on the dinette (2 if they are small!). Including two more adults sleeping in the bedroom this Class C will easily sleep 7.

A couple of other positives worth noting: there are plenty of seat belts for travelers to choose between when riding in the cabin of the RV. The dinette had two seatbelts and the sofa had three, so passengers have good seating choices when riding along. We also liked that the ladder for the bunk over cab could stay down while my son slept in the dinette area. This made it easy for the bunk sleeper to get down and visit the restroom at night, or get a drink from the kitchen, etc. There were plenty of plugs for our electronics in the Chateau as well.

This was also our first time going to an area that had no campsites available. Due to the lack of camp parking & the influx of travelers, we chose to stay in a Walmart parking lot overnight. The Chateau had plenty of privacy blinds and finding a place to park was not an issue at all. My husband had called ahead to ask (just to be safe!) and the manager on duty suggested that we part around the side, so we did. The only surprise we had was in the morning when I walked out – there was a Class A parked in the next aisle over.

To summarize, we found the Chateau very comfy. The few ‘cons’ that we noticed were the turning radius (my husband commented on this while navigating the 2 lane county roads we took to avoid I-65), the lack of stabilizers to help it rock a bit less while parked, and the smaller restroom (as compared to the Forest River 3011DS with the shower on one side and the lavatory on the other).

The Thor Chateau has a few key ‘pros’ that make it an excellent choice for those that want a Class C under 30 feet long. First, it has a very efficient floor plan that allows for good movement throughout the RV. Second, it sleeps 7 very easily. Third, it has an abundance of windows – so for those that like to see outside from their bed, there are windows by every sleeping area (3 in the bedroom!) that make for excellent views from almost every space.

For a smaller Class C with plenty of sleeping areas, the Thor Chateau is worth checking out.

P.S. This content was originally shared in our “From the Road” newsletter, so if you enjoyed this post- please sign up to get our newsletters in the future!