RVing Resources
When we began full-timing we signed up for every club, blog, and resource we could find to help us figure out which would be the most useful to us as we started our adventure. After several years on the road we are starting to narrow down which ones work best for us and which we will probably give a pass on when it is time to renew. Most were recommended by other RVers we have met on the road or we have found them through our own internet searches. As we have been traveling we have been able to pay-it-forward by recommending these sites to others we have met along the way and we thought it would be efficient to create a Resource Page listing those we use most often. This is not paid advertising just places we have found most helpful.
Blogs
Technomadia – Chris Dunphy & Chere Ve Ard – We found Chris and Chere early on in our research and we have watched just about every video they have posted. We continue to watch their journey both in their restored bus, van, and now as they do the Great Loop by boat. http://www.technomadia.com/rving/
Mobile Internet Resource Center – Everything you need to know to stay connected while on the road.
https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/
iRV2 Forums – Great place to ask specific questions of other RVers.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/
Roadtreking – Mike and Jennifer – Another great place for videos on celebrating the RV Lifestyle http://roadtreking.com/
Magazines
RV Life Magazine – Online – Lots of great articles sent by email once a week.
http://rvlife.com/
RV Magazine – Was Motorhome Magazine – Online and paper editions – Our first resource and we still love getting it.
http://www.rv.com/
Family RVing (FMCA) Magazine – part of club membership
https://www.fmcmagazine.com/
Escapees Magazine – part of club membership
https://www.escapees.com/knowledge/escapees-magazine
Social Groups
FCOC – The Freightliner Chassis Owners Club (FCOC) was founded in 1994 and has more than 4,000 motorhome-owning members. Sponsored by the Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, the purpose of their club is to provide members with support and technical information on their chassis, to promote community by holding rallies and social gatherings throughout the US, and to educate their members about their chassis. The first time you register your chassis you get a free year’s membership! https://www.fcocrv.org/
FMCA – Love this club – We have attended rallys, stayed at FMCA campgrounds, devour the magazine every month, and really like the benefits like the FMCA Travel Assist & Michelin Tire Programs.
http://www.fmca.com/
Escapees/Xscapers – This is one club we let lapse. They have excellent resources, we just found we were not using them as much as the other clubs. https://www.escapees.com/
For those working on the road. https://www.xscapers.com/
RVillage – This site helps you connect with others on the road. So far we have met two or three other couples and are trying to find ways to make it more useful.
https://www.rvillage.com/home
Trip Planning
RV Trip Wizard – So far the best trip planning program. The trip times are still a bit off (as they are on Google Maps) but we make adjustments and are learning that if we only want to be on the road for 4 hours we look at 3 1/2 or less travel time. https://www.rvtripwizard.com/
Good Sam Trip Planner – Started using this planner first but once Joanna started using RV Trip Wizard she hasn’t looked back.
https://www.goodsam.com/trip-planner/
Campgrounds/Boondocking
RV Trip Wizard – They list so many of the campgrounds you hardly have to look else where except for the state, local or federal parks then you need to look at the sites below. https://www.rvtripwizard.com/
Reserve America – US State and National Campgrounds – Excellent reservation system for state parks.
https://www.reserveamerica.com/welcome.do
Recreation.gov –For Federal Parks: Army Corps of Engineers, Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Archives
https://www.recreation.gov/
AllStays – Here we especially look for the local and county parks
https://www.allstays.com/
KOA – This is our old standby – we can always find one on our route, though as we have stated before, they tend to be a bit pricey.
http://www.koa.com
Good Sam – The Good Sam parks are listed on RV Trip Wizard. We love the GS discount we get!
http://www.goodsamclub.com/
Passport America – This club we are still evaluating. The few parks we have stayed at have been less than desirable. You can only get the discount on certain days and usually not when we are in the area.
http://www.passportamerica.com/
Harvest Host – We have tried several Harvest Host sites. One was awesome and one we should have planned better to not use them on a busy harvest weekend. Great way to get a free (well, almost free since you always leave with something!) place to camp for the night.
https://harvesthosts.com/
Overnight RV Parking – This site we have not used very much but I keep handy in case we need something in a pinch.
https://www.overnightrvparking.com/
Workamping
Workamper News – The WK News is loaded with opportunities all over the country.
https://www.workamper.com/
For volunteer jobs in the National Parks, Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, US Army Corp of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Geological Survey. Volunteers.gov
Campground Reviews
RVPark Reviews – This site is now linked with RV Trip Wizard. The first thing I do once I have found a campground is click on the reviews. You can get a really good picture as to what the campground is like by the comments from previous campers. Be sure to read closely … did they say the train went by every 15 minutes? or that the campground became flooded every spring?
http://www.rvparkreviews.com/
Campendium – This is also a very good review site and I spend a lot of time going between the two checking out the highs and lows of the parks.
https://www.campendium.com/
Services
Good Sam Mail Service – We chose this mail service as it is part of the Good Sam Club. They receive our mail, we check to see what we want sent to us, or scanned, or shredded, and then give them the address of our current or next campground. And we always check with the campground to be sure they will accept delivery or have the package sent to general delivery at the closest post office.
https://www.goodsammailservice.com/
Hidden Gems – Campgrounds we love!
Tom Sawyer Mississippi River RV Park -West Memphis, AK
http://tomsawyerrvpark.com/
Situated right on the Mississippi and just across from Memphis this park is great for watching barges on the river or heading into Memphis for the Civil Rights Museum or getting your blues fix. But watch out, it floods in the Spring!
Elwha Dam RV Park – Port Angeles, WA
http://www.elwhadamrvpark.com/index.html
Tucked away near the Olympic National Park this is the perfect park for exploring the peninsula and hiking in the only rainforest in the US.
Fox Den Acres Campground – New Stanton, PA
http://www.foxdenacres.com
There are not many full hook-up RV parks near Pittsburgh. Fox Den is a large park with nice sized sites and all your camping amenities.
Avalon Landing RV Park – Milton FL
https://avalonlandingrvpark.com/
If you are ever in NW Florida you have to stay at Avalon Landing! This small park located right off I10 and close to the Gulf beaches & Pensacola is beautiful and the management is awesome!
North Beach Camp Resort – St. Augustine, FL
https://northbeachcamp.com/
The campground is right across the street from the Atlantic Ocean with really nice secluded, roomy sites. It is on the pricey side but you really get your money’s worth!
Key Largo Kampground – Key Largo, FL
http://keylargokampground.com/
If you are headed to the Florida Keys your first stop should be at the Key Largo Kampground. Be sure to grab one of the waterfront sites as they have chickee covered docks where you can park your boat. (And you can rent one nearby too.) This campground is centrally located to see most of the Upper and Middle Keys plus John Pennekamp State Park is right next door! Very relaxing Conch Republic vibe!!!