They found a nice travel trailer that suits their purposes for a year of stationary living. Once they got it setup on their land with temporary power pole, they had to go about getting their RV ready to live in.

So in their honor, here’s my recommendations for must haves for first time RV owners!

General Advice for New RV Owners

There is a lot of advice out there for new RV owners, especially when it comes to gear. But my advice is probably contrary to most… only buy the absolute minimum when you first get your RV.

With next day shipping from Amazon and same day curb-side pickup from Home Depot and Walmart, you can easily get more stuff later on, as you need it. Plus, for many things, you can go shopping in your own home, especially kitchen gear where you may already have duplicates.

On the other hand, storage space is limited in an RV and who wants to store stuff that they will never use?

So let’s take a look at what you need for that first weekend in your RV.

See Also: A Guide to Common RV Abbreviations and Slang

The Absolute Must Have RV Products

Sewer hoses

One of the biggest issues with RVs is the sewer system. And how you get rid of the waste. That’s where sewer hoses come in.

Some RVs may come with sewer hoses. But often these sewer hoses are ridiculously thin or may not even have connectors on the end!

For under $50, you can get a good quality RV sewer hose kit that includes two 10 foot long sewer hoses, connectors to connect the sewer hoses together and to the RV and a clear elbow adapter to connect to the sewer hookup.

Most RVers are going to be fine with just 20 feet of sewer hose. On occasion, you may find that you have a dump station or hookup just a little further away. In that case, you’ll probably want to add a couple more sections of hose. I would stick with the 10 feet long sections since they are easily stored and connected together.

You’ll probably also want somewhere to store the sewer hoses (and fresh hoses, and electrical cords, and all the other stuff). I highly recommend RV hose storage bags. The sewer or black water bags easily hold 4 10 foot sections and a variety of elbow adapters. They are much easier to get into basement storage over the hard-sided plastic container I was using before.

See Also: Do You Leave Black and Gray Tanks Open or Closed?

Fresh water hose

Fill her up! With fresh water.

You’ll want a water hose that is dedicated to only potable water, so you don’t cross-contaminate with waste water. Because eeewww! and potentially dangerous.

To make it easy to keep track of what is what, get a white hose which are typically safe for potable water. And this way, your RV neighbors aren’t silently judging you. 25 feet of hose is normally enough and still easy enough to store. As you RV, you may find you need more, but I recommend connecting multiple fresh water hoses together rather than going with a 50 or 100 foot hose. The longer lengths are just too bulky and hard to handle for the few times you’ll need them.

You can then use a standard garden hose for the black tank rinse, washing the exterior of the RV, or other purposes.

See Also: How to Sanitize the RV Fresh Water System

Electrical Management System (RV Surge Protectors)

One of the big pricey things that I recommend that all RV owners have is a special RV electrical management system. This is like a fancy RV surge protector that does way more than protect against power surges. I mean, it does that too, but more.

Like miswired power pedestals, low and high voltage, and of course surges. Get one that fits your RV power: 50 Amp Total Electrical Protection or 30 Amp Total Electrical Protection.

And while these may seem pricey up-front, they won’t if you ever need them!

First Aid Kit

Safety first! Just like your home and cars need a first aid kit, so does your RV. From bumps and bruises to more serious sprains and deep lacerations, basic first aid is important. Especially when you might be RVing outside of easy access to urgent care. And who wants the deductible for a visit, right?

Read More: Yes, You Need a First Aid Kit in the RV

Emergency Roadside Kit

Again, with the safety. You would have at least a few basics in your car, so why not your RV? This is especially true for motorhomes, when you may not be towing a car. Jumper cables and road reflectors are mandatory.

Being able to change an RV tire? You may just want to call roadside assistance for that one. But those reflectors or flashers can be great to warn off other motorists while you wait.

Basic Living Accessories

For your first night in your RV, you are going to want a few basics – sheets and pillows for the bed, blanket or comforter and probably some towels for your shower. The first couple of nights you’ll probably want to spend eating out, but if you are going to be cooking, you’ll need the basic kitchen setup.

Here, I suggest you go minimal until you know what you want. Or what your RV comes with – hello scratchy comforter provided by Tiffin. But it is also about color schemes and the decorating part – wait until you see what the colors are going to be.

In the meantime, just bring the basics from home.

When you are ready, here are the kitchen accessories that I recommend for your RV kitchen.

Toilet Paper

In the “basic living necessities” you are going to need toilet paper. There is a big debate over RV toilet paper – do yo need it or not?

I’ll start by saying that I have never used RV specific toilet paper in my RV. I am not a fan of 1 ply tissue and it doesn’t even tend to be “ultra soft” no matter what they claim.

I also have found that RV toilet tissue is generally more expensive than regular septic-safe toilet paper. I can buy that at Costco and get enough for the RV and the house at the same time!

Use plenty of water and black tank bombs and you won’t have a problem!

Good RV Insurance

You have just bought a something with a pretty hefty price tag. Now you need to insure it.

This will absolutely be required for any motorhome to be able to legally drive it (state required minimum insurance for any motor vehicles). It will also be required if you take a loan out to purchase your RV.

It is highly adviseable that you buy more than the minimums, to make sure that you are fully insured in case something happens. It’s complicated, so be sure to read about RV Insurance Explained Before You Shop.

The Nice to Haves

As you start RVing more, especially as you travel around, you’ll find that there are some things that are nice to have.

Water filters

When I started RVing, I was doing mostly weekend trips to sporting events where I would be boondocking. I would fill up my freshwater tanks at home where I had a dependable, clean water source without a lot of contaminants – I could drink water out of my home faucet. The water filters weren’t a requirement.

As a I started traveling more and for longer periods, I was getting water from campgrounds that didn’t always have the best water. That meant I needed water filters to help make the water more suitable – for taste and to prevent hard water issues.

Water Pressure Regulator

When I’m at home filling up my tanks, I typically rely on the gravity fill. It’s just easier mostly because it is on the passenger side which is closer to my hose.

But when I’m using the “city water” connections at campgrounds, I want to make sure that the water is coming in at a pressure that won’t damage the pipes or connections. That’s where the RV water pressure regulator is helpful!

These regulators make sure that the water is not coming in at too high a water pressure, which could damage your pipes.

Power Adapters

Sewer Hose Supports

Some RV campgrounds with full hookups require that the sewer hoses be off the ground. Or you may need the help to create a nice slope for gravity to assist with the dumping process. Either way, you’ll probably find that sewer hose supports are good if you stay in a full hookup campground.

I don’t include these on the absolute must haves because not all RVers need them. If you are staying in partial hookups or boondocking, then the supports are likely not necessary. Many campgrounds don’t need or require them. So you can probably wait until later to buy this.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System and Inflators

If you are going to be traveling in your RV and not just staying stationary, then you need to check on your tires before you go.

Many people are comfortable with using a tire pressure gauge before they leave on their trips and then checking at their stops for gas, food, or sleeping. Make sure you get one that reads high enough for the recommended PSI for your tires – big rigs go over 100 psi and many standard car tire gauges don’t go over about 60.

Other people want to know how their tires are doing while they are underway. This is especially important if you are towing (either as your truck is towing a trailer or your motorhome is towing a vehicle), as you may not be able to “feel” what is going on behind you. That’s where a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) comes in. Again, make sure your system is rated for the PSI for your tires (the cheap systems only go to 99 PSI and aren’t suitable for big rigs).

Tire Inflators

Another thing I learned the hard way on my big rig – the gas station air isn’t going to inflate the tires on your big rig. Neither will that Ryobi battery powered inflator (I’ve tried). You’ll need an inflator that is rated for your tires!

I’ve got an old Black & Decker Air Station workhorse straight out of the 90s that I “inherited” from my parents. OK, I borrowed it with no intention of returning it after I found out it works on my RV. I left them with the Ryobi for their cars, so it’s all good.

But if you need to buy something today, the VIAIR inflators are top-notch and I highly recommend!

Outdoor Living Accessories

The best part of RV living is the time we spend outside. So while they are not the absolutely-gotta have to not totally fail at RVing, outdoor living accessories are pretty key to enjoying the RV lifestyle.

At a minimum, you are going to want some camping chairs to sit outside in. Many RV parks have picnic tables and fire rings at your camp site, but not all of them. So you may want to add a portable folding camping table to eat at or serve up food and a propane fire pit for when there are burn bans (often propane fires are still allowed during burn bans).

Once you get past the few basics that you just have to have, you can go pretty crazy. Flags, rugs, tents, you get the idea…

See Also: 10 RV Outdoor Living Accessories for Summer

RV Gear to Wait Until You Just Have to Have It

On many RV gear lists, you’ll find a lot of things for a fully outfitted RV. But many RVers never use these things. So wait until you know that you have to have it.

RV Portable Sewer Tanks

Portable sewer tanks are great when you are staying in one place for a long time and you don’t have a full hookup that includes sewer. But I’m already 7 years into RVing and haven’t needed one yet.

That being said, my aunt and uncle that are doing the stationary RV living on their property needed it from day 1 because while they have convenient water and power, not so much on the sewer dump.

Depending on your setup and needs, a RV macerator pump may also be a good choice instead of the portable tank. You can pump the waste slightly uphill and over a pretty long distance through a standard garden hose to a sewer or septic clean-out. Many people don’t need both the portable tank and the macerator pump, so you can wait to figure it out.

Mattress Toppers or New Mattresses

RVs are notorious for bad mattresses. But I recommend that you wait until you have your RV and spend a few nights in it before you go out buying a new mattress.

First, you may buy an RV with a pretty decent mattress in it already. My first one was pretty comfortable because I bought it used and they had replaced the RV mattress with a comfy residential mattress. And it wasn’t even an RV short mattress which meant my sheets from home worked on it! Win-win!

Then, when I upgraded, oh my. The upgraded foam mattress left much to be desired. I didn’t know this until I had slept on it a few nights. But it was fixed with a nice mattress topper from Amazon.

Generator Exhaust System

First, you won’t need this unless you have an onboard generator to power your RV. But if you do, especially if you spend time boondocking or tailgating, you’ll eventually need an RV generator exhaust system.

These can be homemade or you can buy a system pre-made. The important thing is that they are tall enough to take the generator exhaust up and over your RV.

This helps to protect you and your neighbors from the potential deadly effects of carbon monoxide.

Read more: GenTuri RV Generator Exhaust System

Must Have RV Gear for Your First Weekend Trip

You can go crazy buying gear for your RV. But you may regret it later on, when you have all this stuff and nowhere to store it.

That’s why I recommend that you start with the smallest amount of stuff and then only add what you need as you go.

Like these recommendations? Pin for later!

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11 Tips the New RVer Should Know
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RVing in Severe Weather

The post Must Have Gear for Your New RV appeared first on RV Tailgate Life.

But it is annoying to have to get out and put jack pads down under the jacks. Wouldn’t it be better to just press the button and let the jacks go down because you already had permanent RV jack pads installed?

Keep reading to find out about RV SnapPads and how you can get a special discount on your next order!

What RV Jacks Do

RV jacks extend from the body of your RV to touch the ground. These provide another point of contact with the ground other than the wheels.

There are two kinds of RV jacks – and the difference is important to know and understand.

Stabilizing RV Jacks

Stabilizing jacks are important in campers to support and literally stabilize the RV from movement inside the RV.

You know, the sway and annoyance that comes from walking around inside the RV. Or um, the more recreational fun for adults (don’t come a-knocking if the rig is rocking!) If you know, well, you know what I’m talking about.

Stabilizing jacks won’t eliminate all sway and movement, but they aren’t perfect.

Also, while they may help with leveling, stabilizing jacks should not be used to level your camper. You should rely on leveling jacks for that (see the next section) as well as blocks and other leveling methods. They aren’t built for leveling and you could end up with some pretty big disasters if you use them improperly.

Leveling RV Jacks

The other type of RV jacks are leveling jacks. They level your RV from front to back and side to side.

Leveling jacks are specifically designed to take on the heavy duty loads and weight of your RV. (Yet another reason not to overload your RV. It’s not just the tires but also the jacks that can be damaged when you go over the weight limits).

More Variations on RV Jacks

While there are two types of RV jacks, stabilizing and leveling, there are quite a few different common variations of these.

Many leveling jacks come with an automatic leveling option – a powered solution with an internal level to figure out when your camper is balanced. You can then manually adjust, while still using the power, to fine-tune or override the automatic setting.

Many of the stabilizing jacks also come with powered or manual options. For the manual options, I highly recommend a jack drill adapter so that you can use a cordless drill instead of manually cranking and thus wearing you out before the fun of tailgating and camping even begins!

If you are looking for an awesome cordless battery powered drill, I highly recommend the Ryobi Cordless Drill from Home Depot. I use the Ryobi line of tools in both my RV and my sticks and bricks house. Since I have so many of their tools, I have a lot of batteries that I can change out between the tools. And now, I can buy “tool only” instead of the tool + battery for new tools that I decide I just have to have.

Scissor Jacks are a type of stabilizing jacks that are common on trailers and smaller campers. They get the name from the way that they extend, as it looks like they are opening like a scissor.

Tongue Jack is used on trailers to support the front of the trailer, where it would otherwise hook up to your tow vehicle. These can be manual or powered, but powered is easier to setup.

The next kind of stabilizing jack is the Jack Stand that is also used on trailers. These typically have a wider base than other RV jacks which definitely helps with the stability.

There are a variety of jacks, and even manufacturers. Which means what works for some people may not work for you. Keep trying until you find the perfect combination of leveling and stabilizing jacks.

What are RV Jack Pads?

RV Jack Pads are items that you place between the jack and the ground.

Jack pads can be made of a variety of materials – wood and plastic being the most common. But rubber is also an option.

You can make your own RV Jack Pads out of wood. I’ve got wood jack pads as well as wood ramps to place under my wheels. But I have also installed permanent jack pads on my leveling jacks.

Why You Need RV Jack Pads

Since RV jacks are designed and intended to make contact with the ground, there’s a chance of two different mishaps happening. These are both closely related, but still distinct problems that happen when you don’t use jack pads.

Mishap #1: Jacks Sink Into the Ground

The first is that the RV jacks will sink into the ground. This is more common on grass fields after a rain. In other words, when you are putting the jacks down into mud.

You may start on solid ground, but after a good rain, the mud forms and your jacks sink. Oops!

When you go to raise the jacks when it is time to move on, the jacks can be stuck in the mud. A suction type event happens to keep the solid jack surface from being retracted.

When this happens, you may have to get down on the ground so you can help the jacks up. If you are lucky, you’ll have a long piece of wood or metal that you can use to provide an air gap to break the suction and to provide leverage to help those jacks up.

RV jack pads help prevent this kind of mishap with RV jacks by providing a middle layer between your jacks and the muddy ground. The greater surface area also helps to prevent the sinking.

Mishap #2: Jacks Damage the Ground

When jacks are placed on asphalt, or even on grass, they concentrate a lot of weight onto a small surface area.

This can be a problem with jacks sinking into the ground too. But it also causes a similar problem on the other side.

This can be very damaging to the asphalt parking lots that we tailgate in. Even in fields of grass, the jacks can dig in and create holes and divots.

By using RV Jack Pads, you spread out the weight over a greater surface area to help protect the ground surface.

Now, jack pads and even SnapPads are not a guarantee against damage to parking lots. After all, there’s only so much space we can spread out the weight of a Big Rig RV. I’ve seen heavy rigs do some damage to parking lots just by driving on them (especially when the asphalt hasn’t completely cured yet).

But jack pads definitely decrease the likelihood of damage done by the jacks themselves.

What are SnapPads?

One of the problems with most RV jack pads are that they aren’t always on your RV jacks. You have to get out of the RV or your tow vehicle and get down on the ground to place your pads.

This is just so much fun when it’s raining. Or not!

That’s why I really like RV SnapPads, a permanent solution that stays on your RV jacks all the time.

You don’t have to worry about leaving these jack pads behind. You don’t have to get under the RV to place them each time you park. They are there and always ready.

Another side benefit – they are made with recycled tires. Which means they are environmentally friendly, keeping tires out of the landfills.

Special Discount on RV SnapPads

Do you want a special discount on RV SnapPads?

How does 10% off sound?

With the discount code KIMBERLY60334 you can get 10% off your order from RV SnapPads!

Using this link though, it should be automatically applied to your order! Just in case though, make sure to check on the checkout page that the code KIMBERLY60334 has been applied! You won’t see the discount until the checkout page, not the shopping cart page (just an FYI).

Installing RV SnapPads on a Motorhome

I’ve had SnapPads on my motorhome for a few years now and highly recommend them from personal use!

The most difficult thing was to get them installed… and it really wasn’t that difficult. The instructions were pretty clear.

But here are a few tips:

1. You want to have two people for this job. One person that will get under the motorhome and one person to run the jacks from inside. Probably not as big of a deal if you have manual jacks, but definitely want that second person if the automatic jacks control is not mobile/is inside the motorhome like mine is.
2. Get some regular old dishwashing soap. It’s good for lube. Well, lube for SnapPads not for other purposes.
3. Keep your fingers out of the way of your jacks.
4. Start with the bottom of your jacks clean of any dirt or debris. Wipe them off and even hose them down if necessary. Otherwise you’ll be trapping the dirt on the bottom of the jacks in the SnapPad.

Installation Process

OK, now that you are ready to begin, put some dishwashing detergent around the lip of one SnapPad. You are going to install one SnapPad at a time. Don’t try to do all of them at one time.

One person is going to get on the ground to position the SnapPad directly below the jack.

The other person is going to be inside, running the jacks. You’ll want windows open and the radio off. Maybe even some walkie talkies so that you can talk to each other.

Once the ground person gives the OK (and their hands are not under or near the jack), you’ll want to manually lower the appropriate jack. As the jack lowers down, the ground person may tell the other to stop or keep going, depending on how accurately they placed the SnapPad.

The ground person will know when the jack is fully seated in the SnapPad when they hear a distinctive snap. (You didn’t think the creators of SnapPad were being all that creative when they named their product, did you?) Have the inside person raise the jacks to be sure.

Now repeat with all the other jacks on your rig.

Don’t Ditch Your Existing Jack Pads

Even though I have and love my SnapPads, there are times when the DIY wood jack pads still come in very handy.

And that’s when you are parking on unlevel/uneven ground. I use the wood to help extend the reach of my jacks when there’s too much distance to get the motorhome level.

In my new tailgate parking spot at GT, the driver’s side of the RV is much lower than the passenger side. I cannot get the driver’s side high enough without using some additional help from the wood blocks. So I use both the SnapPad and the blocks to get level.

I have found that the SnapPad helps keep those wood blocks in good shape longer though. Before I installed the SnapPad, I’d go through them in about a year’s worth of tailgating because of the concentrated pressure from the metal jacks. Now, I have only gone through one set, although they are still getting near the end of their lifespan.

Add RV SnapPads to your Jacks

Don’t forget to use the discount code KIMBERLY60334 to get 10% off your RV SnapPads.

I’ve had them on my motorhome jacks for years now and really enjoy having them permanently attached. It makes for quicker setup on level(ish) parking spots.

Like RV SnapPads? Or buying later? Pin to remember to get your discount code!

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The post Adding Permanent Jack Pads with RV SnapPads appeared first on RV Tailgate Life.

So here are my top 5 favorite RV things right now. Maybe you’ll have some ideas for your own RV. Just in time for holiday shopping!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for various products below. You get the same low prices and we earn a small commission.

The post My Favorite RV Things For Right Now appeared first on RV Tailgate Life.

That’s where an RV Security System comes into play. We are used to our home security systems, but most RVs aren’t setup with security systems. So we have to adapt!

Find out why I recommend the Ring Alarm Pro as an RV Security System.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for various products below. You get the same low prices and we earn a small commission.

Ring Alarm Pro

The Ring Alarm Pro system is a cell-based, subscription service that bridges all your Alexa-enabled devices, including cameras, motion detectors, glass break sensors, door and window and sensors, and other typical home alarm system features.

Pros:

• Easy setup with a smartphone
• Cell-based so you don’t have to worry about a WiFi connection
• Can add routines with Alexa-enabled devices when certain conditions met

Cons:

• Subscription required for camera history.
• Limited bandwidth before cameras and many functions are disabled.
• Few RV-specific Alexa-enabled devices so far.

Ideal For: all RVers that desire an RV security system. Part-timers, full-timers, stationary, etc.

Highly recommend the Ring Alarm Pro system for remote monitoring, including cameras, and basic automation of the RV. The system itself does require subscription for most remote monitoring capabilities, but include its own cell-based connection.

Buy Now: Ring Alarm Pro

Why Now? Why I Need a Security System in the RV

Since I got my first RV years and years ago, I have always been able to park my RV in my driveway between trips.

Unfortunately, this summer, I had a city inspector show up at my house and tell me that I couldn’t keep my RV in my driveway. It’s not the HOA – it is the actual city that is telling me this. And sure, I could probably try to fight them on various legal grounds, but I don’t have the time to do that.

Which means that I needed to find an RV storage location for my RV.

And I did, I found one about 45 minutes away. See, I live in Atlanta, a suburb that is pretty close into the city. And there are not RV or boat storage places nearby (great business opportunities, BTW). So I have to drive 45 minutes or so to actually get to my RV.

See Also: Tips for RV Driving in Atlanta

I don’t like it, but it is what it is.

When the RV was at home, I could keep an eye on it pretty well. My home security system did a good job. But obviously, that wouldn’t work now.

That’s where an RV security system comes into play. What could I do to make sure that my RV was secure? And to remotely keep an eye on it.

Why the Ring Alarm System as an RV Security System

I chose the Ring Alarm Pro as my RV security system.

What I wanted out of an RV security system:

• Remote monitoring capability on my smartphone (Android based)
• Expandable system with multiple options
• Reasonably priced
• Cell based connections (can’t rely on WiFi)
• Easy to install and use

All told, the Ring Alarm Pro provided the best combination of all these factors.

SimpliSafe vs Ring

After doing my initial homework on the various alarm systems that I could possibly adapt to use as a RV security system, I narrowed down the systems to two – the SimpliSafe security system and the Ring Pro system.

Both systems integrate easily with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Which is great for remote monitoring and disarming/arming the system. They both have a variety of cameras, keypads, base stations, and other accessories.

However, SimpliSafe needs a separate WiFi system. The Ring Pro system comes with that built-in. If you already have a permanent RV WiFi system, then SimpliSafe may be an option for you. I didn’t, so that was a deal breaker for me.

Specifically, SimpliSafe requires a WiFi connection to use the cameras, control the system from anywhere, and download firmware updates.

Since I specifically wanted the cameras to work on the cell network, I had to go with Ring Alarm Pro.

Ring Pro as a WiFi System

The Ring Pro base station works as a WiFi network for all your Ring devices. But you can also add non-Ring devices into the system.

When my iPad randomly decided that it didn’t want to use the eSIM or physical SIM while I was on vacation, I was able to connect the iPad WiFi to the Ring Pro system to download books, music, etc. That meant that my iPad was not a brick.

You can also add devices like temperature and humidity monitors. So those WiFi based RV Pet Temperature Monitors can be used with the Ring Pro system.

I wouldn’t plan on it being a “work from the road” WiFi system. After all, it is still cell based and you will find better hotspot plans from your major carriers. But it is a nice backup for emergencies.

My Ring Alarm Pro Setup

Without giving away too many details (because you know, security and everything), I have been very happy with my Ring Alarm Pro setup.

First, I have two cameras – one for internal use and another that points outside. The internal camera uses very little data, since things don’t move around when it is in storage. But if someone should ever break in, hello, video evidence! This one is just the basic stick-up cam. At first, I was worried about the battery life. But with no activity on the inside, and my relatively frequent use of the RV when I can re-charge it, I have not had an issue with the battery life.

The outside camera sits inside, but looks out the front window. With the pan-tilt adapter, I can also monitor the area near the RV door! This one is a plug-in, which is really needed with the pan-tilt adapter plus the extra activity that it records.

I also have a variety of window and door sensors to alert the system each time one is opened. When the system is disarmed, they also provide a chime when the door is opened. Which is pretty convenient if I’m in the back bedroom. There is also a motion detector for the inside area that came with the basic system. If these go off while the system is armed, the cameras automatically start recording even if they don’t see motion (yet).

I also have added a Smart Air Quality Monitor that monitors temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide, and VOCs to let you know the air conditions inside your RV. The carbon monoxide numbers are really important for when you are staying in the RV while the temperature and humidity are probably more important for when you aren’t in the RV and are monitoring remotely.

I have the full subscription, but since I am on the move a lot, I do not have the professional monitoring enabled.

See Also: GenTuri RV Generator Exhaust System

Potential Add-ons for the Ring Alarm Pro Setup

Ring Video Doorbell 4 with a Solar Charger: Add a camera at the door, but don’t worry about wiring it in with this solar charger.

Makes it a lot eaier for DIY RVers that don’t want to add more electrical wires near an area that may have limited access.

Flood and Freeze Sensor: Monitor what is going on in your wet bay to see if there is a water leak or freezing temperatures.

Also, great for around the bathrooms and kitchen plumbing.

Glass Break Sensors: One of the many concerns for RV owners is someone breaking large windows where people can climb in and then steal stuff. These glass break sensors are great for quick alerts that someone is trying to break in.

First Alert Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Alarm: First Alert is one of the best names in fire detectors. Add this battery powered fire and carbon monoxide detector to your Ring Alarm Pro system.

RV Security Systems are Essential

The Ring Alarm Pro has been an excellent addition to the RV now that I have to keep my RV in off-site storage between trips. I love being able to keep an eye on the RV, even without it being parked in my driveway any more.

It’s been so great, I’ve added a system to my home base too. That way I can keep an eye on the house while I am away in the RV. The Ring Alarm systems and apps work really well for multiple systems, which is great for having them armed/disarmed at different times.

Like this RV security system recommendation? Pin for later!

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The post RV Security System by Ring Alarm Pro appeared first on RV Tailgate Life.

Along the way, you’ll find out that you are the envy of all the other campers – you’ll be looking stylish and enjoying your RV outdoors, while they are miserable or stuck inside in the air conditioning!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for various products below. You get the same low prices and we earn a small commission.

The Best RV Outdoor Living Accessories for Summer Camping

Do you have suggestions for other RVers on the best RV outdoor living accessories to make summer camping more enjoyable or stylish? Leave your suggestions in the comment section below!

Like these RV Accessories? Pin for later!

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The post 10 RV Outdoor Living Accessories for Summer appeared first on RV Tailgate Life.

Then you know that RV tires can get quite expensive! Especially if you are looking for tires for a larger Class A or Class C motorhomes. Many of the larger motorhomes have 6 or even 8 tires, making it downright mind boggling! (Perhaps I’m in the wrong industry and need to start making tires, geez!)

So we need to do what we can to protect our RV tires, so we don’t have to buy them before their useful lifespan is up. Find out why one of the best investments for your RV is a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and other tips for caring for your RV tires.

What Happens When RV Tires Go Bad

When your RV tires go bad, they are likely to lead to what is called a blowout. A tire blow-out is a sudden catastrophic failure of your tires.

For many RVers, experiencing a tire blowout is not simply a flat tire. More often than not, parts of the tire will separate and cause damage at or behind the damaged tire. This could cause issues to the body of the RV, any of the undercarriage pipes, drive shaft, water tanks, or other vital RV systems.

You may lose control of your RV, which can cause you to flip over or run into oncoming traffic or other obstacles. In the most extreme cases, a blowout could lead to death for you, others in your RV or others on the road.

Now, not all blowouts can be prevented, but many can. And those preventable RV tire blowouts are the ones we are going to focus on today, to make you and the road a little safer, save you money, and get you to your destination.

Read on to find out why I think TST Tire Pressure Monitoring System is my recommended TPMS for motorhomes!

How Long Do RV Tires Last?

In passenger cars, you’ll generally check the tread to figure out when you need new tires. The tires basically wear down to the point you don’t have good traction and control. But that is rarely the case with RV tires.

Most people do not drive their RVs enough for wear to be the cause of death for RV tires. Instead, it is age. With age, your tires become weaker and more likely to cause blowout.

Most RV tires last between three and six years. That means if you can extend the life of your tires to the upper age limit, you can effectively save 50% off the cost of new tires.

How do we increase the lifespan of RV tires? Well, I’m glad you asked. Read on for some tips on extending the life of your tires.

Maintain Your Tires

Tires are made of rubber compounds as well as other materials. In passenger and light truck tires, about 19% of the tire is natural rubber and 24% is synthetic rubber. In larger truck and RV tires, it can be as much as 34% natural rubber and 11% synthetic.

This rubber is also the most likely part of the tire to fail, cause a blowout, or cause an early end to the lifespan of a tire.

Fortunately, there are some tricks to maintaining your RV tires to help protect the rubber and extend the lifespan.

RV Tire Dry Rot

Have you ever heard of tire dry rot? Or maybe you heard it called sidewall cracking.

In either case, it is most often recognized by small cracks in the tire rubber, either on the tread or the sidewall. You may also notice brittleness to your tires or faded color.

Dry rot allows air to escape from the tires through those small cracks. This is going to lead to under-inflation, one of the primary causes of tire blowouts in all vehicles, but especially RVs.

Dry rot may also cause the rubber to expand and then break apart the tire, with the tread separating from the rest of the tire.

You should inspect your tires at the beginning of camping season, end of the camping season and before trips for signs of dry rot. If you have only small signs of dry rot, you may be able to rehab the tires before they are considered irreparable.

Invest in Good Tires

RV tires are expensive. I get it.

But they are also one of those things that you get what you pay for.

Consider your RV tires an investment and buy quality, name brand tires. Don’t skimp out and buy used, repaired tires or what many refer to as “China Bombs” – tires made outside the United States in a very cheap manner and imported in.

High quality tires are less likely to develop premature dry rot and will last you much longer. Plus, if something does happen because of a manufacturing defect, you are much more likely to be able to get a US or name brand tire manufacturer to make it right. That won’t happen with those shady tire dealers from who knows where.

Limit the Water

Did you know that water actually has a drying effect on rubber?

Tire rubber contains certain oils that keep the tires in proper shape and prevent dry rot.

So you’ll want to limit washing your tires. And when you do, don’t use any harsh chemicals like bleach, chlorine, etc. Use specially formulated RV cleaners for the body of the RV (because drips) and then finish the wash with specially formulated tire cleaners.

This will keep the rubber in your RV tires soft and pliable. Which is a good thing. Because dry and brittle lead to dry rot which leads to blowouts which leads to all sorts of nasty things.

Tire Protectant and Sealer

The next way to keep those oils in the rubber is by actually adding them back, for what is lost through time, weather, your past mistakes.

My favorite and recommended tire protectant is the 303 Tire Coating & Protectant.

This spray on protectant will foam up, getting into all those microscopic cracks and sealing them up. It will prevent damage from UV rays and prevent fading. It also gives you that glossy satin finish for your tires. Because why would you want the rest of the RV to look great but the shoes to be ugly?

Sun UV Covers

The next way to protect from the damaging UV rays of the sun and other general weather conditions is by covering your RV tires when you are parked. Now, most people aren’t going to do this for a quick RV overnight stop.

But you should strongly consider adding RV tire covers to your setup anytime you are parked outside, whether in offseason storage, between trips, or during long-term stays at RV campgrounds.

There are generally two types of tire covers that most people use:

On-tire Covers – make sure that you get the covers that fit the size of your tires.

Snap-on Tire Covers – several accessory manufacturers, like Magnashade, use UV material that snaps onto the RV.

Drive Your RV to Maintain the Tires

Finally, one of the best tips is to drive your RV around. Don’t let it sit in the driveway or in storage! Or even in an RV campground.

As part of your monthly maintenance, while you check the water in the RV batteries and run the generator, you should also take your RV out for a spin.

This will help not only keep the tires properly distribute oils, it’ll help oil and lubricate much of the motorhome engine.

Proper Inflation

When you are taking your RV out for a spin, whether around the neighborhood on a maintenance run or around the country in an epic road trip, you’ll want to make sure that your tires are properly inflated.

With proper inflation, you are going to have a much smoother ride that you will if the tires are over or under-inflated. You are also much less likely to have a blowout, at least one of those preventable blowouts.

Without proper inflation, on the other hand, the tire will collapse in on itself. The inner parts of the tire will bend, causing the tire to not perform correctly and then eventually just fail.

How to Determine the Proper Tire Pressure

What’s the proper tire inflation? That depends.

First, you’ll want to check your RV tires. In the fine print on the sidewall, you can find the maximum psi for that tire. You don’t ever want to exceed this number when you are starting cold. This is your maximum upper bound, but if you run at this, you’ll probably have a pretty hard ride.

Second, you can check your RV manufacturer’s recommendations. This is likely on a chassis plate, either near the driver’s cab or on the inside of the door to your RV. The RV manufacturers set this based on the weight that your RV is and what it can carry. They set these numbers based on the maximum weight carrying capacity.

Third and the most accurate is to get your RV weighed. Get your RV weighed as you would normally drive with it – how many people and pets, how much water and fuel, and how much other “stuff” you carry.

Then take it to a weigh station. Most truck stops have CAT Scales that you can use for a small fee. Preferably, the scale would weigh each wheel separately, but many are only by axle. So we make a little bit of a leap and assume that the weight is evenly distributed from one side to the other (passenger to driver side). To the extent possible, you’ll want to do this anyways, for a smoother and easier ride.

Finally, check with your tire manufacturer. Look up your particular brand and model tire and see what the tire manufacturer says for your weight. Remember, if you measured by axle, you’ll need to divide by two. Remember to read the proper row for single or dual wheels to get the proper tire pressure.

Often, you’ll get slightly different numbers for the front vs the back axles. Set the tire pressure accordingly and air up the tires.

You are likely to not have the precise optimum pressure, because your weight loads will change. If you are going to err on one side or the other, err on the higher pressure. Being slightly over-inflated is much better for your tires than being under-inflated.

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems – TPMS for RVs

The best way to continuously monitor tire pressure and even temperature while you are driving is by using a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, or TPMS.

TPMS have been standard in passenger cars, trucks and SUVs since 2007, but they are not standard in RVs. Many higher end diesel motorhomes come with a built-in TPMS, but most of the low to mid-tier diesel and almost all gas models do not have an integrated TPMS. Trailers and fifth wheels also do not have TPMS.

That likely means you will need an after-market TPMS system for your RV. The good news is that the systems are typically easy to install and manage. The bad news is that you are now going to have another gadget sitting on your RV dashboard.

Most quality RV TPMS systems will monitor each individual tire’s pressure and temperature. You can then set low and high alerts for pressure and high alerts for temperatures, so you’ll be warned as you get to the limits of your tires.

These alerts are great for telling you when the tire is heating up – hot pavement or other issues and you need to stop and chill for awhile. Or when you are losing air and risk a blowout due to under-inflation.

TPMS for Trailers and Smaller Motorhomes

For many RVs, including smaller Class As and Class Cs, the Tymate TPMS is the way to go. This is the system I personally used on Starter RV, a 1990 Winnebago Chieftan which was my first RV.

The Tymate TPMS has low and high pressure alerts and high temperature alerts, as well as high alerts for temperature. It also has alerts for low sensor battery and a rapid air leakage (sudden blowout). The rapid leakage alarm is important because in a sudden blowout, every second is going to matter as you struggle to regain control of your RV.

I also love that it has solar lithium battery panels to run the system. This means during your daylight driving hours, you don’t need to use up a lighter charging station. But, if you need it because you are driving during the night or during cloudy conditions, you can supplement with the USB charger.

The major limitation on the Tymate system is that it only goes up to 87 psi. So if your max pressure for your RV tires is above this, check out the recommendation below for larger motorhomes, where the TST TPMS is a better option.

Another limitation is the number of sensors – either 4 or 6. That’s not going to work with the larger motorhomes, especially if you also have a toad or trailer that you are pulling behind you.

TPMS for Large Motorhomes

The bad news about the Tymate system is that they are only designed for psi up to 87. They typically limit out on their display at 99 psi.

But larger motorhomes have a much higher psi, even sitting cold. Definitely by the time you get up to speed and temperature, but before you hit your max.

So if you use a Tymate system on a large motorhome, you are going to miss out on the high limit alerts. Which are definitely a must-have if you are traveling in the hot summer months.

My recommendation for larger Class A and Class C motorhomes is the TST TPMS with flow-thru sensors. This is the TPMS that I use on my Class A Tiffin 34PA.

All told, the TST TPMS can monitor up to 115 wheels! That means you can add sensors to your RV, your toad, the extra trailer, etc etc etc and still have some left over! But that means the system is very flexible, no matter what your setup is!

The system has two types of sensors – a flow thru sensor (my preference) and a cap sensor. The cool thing about the flow-thru sensor is that you do not have to remove the sensor when adding air to the tire. Unfortunately, the flow-thru sensors only work with metal stems or metal valves. So if you have rubber valves, get the cap sensors.

The TST TPMS systems are easy to program. When you first get the system, you’ll need to program the sensors to correspond to where you will place each one (front drivers, back driver outside, back driver inside and same for the passenger side). Programming the sensors is not a difficult process – you scroll through the menus and select the position on the picture where you want it, hold the sensor close and press program. Hold a few seconds until it beeps and then move to the next one. Repeat until you complete all of them.

For installation, it is real easy as well. You unscrew the cap on the tire valve, place the correct sensor for what you have just programmed in the right place and move to the next one. You can also use an anti-theft washer to prevent removal of the sensors without a proper tool.

For longer setups, with trailers or toads, there is a signal repeater that you can install near the back of the RV to allow for the signal to make it all the way to the front wear you’ll keep the monitor.

Once you have the initial setup done, it is mostly a set it and forget it system. Until you have alerts! Then you know whether you need to stop and chill or add more air.

TPMS Systems Save RV Tires

Do you have a TPMS on your RV yet? If not, you’ll want to get one ASAP!

Because a TPMS is an important part of protecting your RV and keeping everyone safe.

Like these RV tire tips? Pin for later!

See Also:
Must Have RV Safety Gear
8 Annoying Things That Are Actually RV Safety Features
Tips to Prepare Your RV For Tailgate Season

The post TPMS: Protect RV Tires with Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems appeared first on RV Tailgate Life.

Once you have these kitchen tools, you will be ready to cook up a meal for your family and friends in no time. And never have to go ask your RV neighbors to borrow something. At least not a can opener.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for various products below. You get the same low prices and we earn a small commission.

Essential RV Kitchen Tools

When you are stocking your RV kitchen, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind: function, space, and weight.

First, everything you put into your RV kitchen should be functional for how you use it. Bonus points if the item has multiple functions built-in. Don’t drink coffee? Then don’t bring a coffee machine along. Master baker? Then you might want to bring along your Kitchen-Aid Mixer when others might do with a handheld mixer.

So make sure you adapt the essential gear to how you cook! Don’t be afraid to start with the basics and add to the essentials as you figure out what you need.

Second, space. We are looking to stock a tiny kitchen with tiny cabinets. That means that everything should be picked with size as a major consideration.

Third, we consider weight. Every pound we put into the motorhome increases the overall weight and decreases our fuel economy. Over-load the trailer too much and you’ll risk major catastrophe like tire blowouts. Sure, the kitchen gear is small in the big scheme of things but every pound counts. Plus, it gets you into the habit of always considering how much things weigh.

Flexible Wand Fire Lighter

How many times do you have to start a fire when you are RV camping? Let’s see – the RV stove and oven, the gas grill, the fire pit.

Sure, some of those have automatic spark lighters attached but they don’t always work. And when they don’t, you have to crawl around, finding the exact spot to put the flame to get the pilot light lit (looking at you RV ovens).

It is so much easier when you have these mutli-purpose lighters. No worrying about tons of matches that might get wet. And the flexible wand means you can put the flame exactly where you need it, right next to the kindling without disturbing the entire camp fire setup.

Basic Pots and Pans

Every RV needs some basic pots and pans so that you can cook whatever you want.

The basic list includes:

• Stock Pot
• Sauce Pan
• Frying Skillet
• Baking Pan

I also found that I love having a larger wok/skillet. You can cook a lot in it and it is a very versatile pan. Because it is not as deep as a stock pan, it is easier to store in your tiny kitchen cabinets. I have the Calphalon all purpose pan in my RV and it fits nicely in the drawer below the stove.

A lot of the sets that you’ll find on Amazon and other places are often overkill for an RV kitchen. After all, those extra pots and especially lids take up a lot of valuable storage space. Calphalon has a space saving series that stacks for storage but it is a bit on the pricey side.

Cast Iron Skillet

Cast iron skillets are awesome tools for RV cooking. You can use them in the oven, on the stove, on the grill, and even over the campfire. You can make cake or cornbread in the oven, cook a steak, stir fry chicken and vegetables, and whole slew of other recipes.

And when you go to clean them, you don’t use soap. Hot water is usually sufficient to get them clean. Maybe a little salt.

The versatility is one of the best aspects of a cast iron skillet for RV camping. Plus it makes you feel like a real Southern cook if you use one on the regular!

I keep a smaller cast iron skillet in the RV but also have a larger one that I can bring from my home kitchen if the planned recipes call for it. You can get a two cast iron skillet bundle from Amazon.

See Also: How to Restore a Rusty Cast Iron Skillet

Casserole Dish with Lid

Every RV needs a glass casserole dish, and one that has a lid. These are great for making casseroles (duh!), cakes, dips, pot roasts, and so much more.

Get one with a lid so that you can make things ahead of time before the big tailgate or to store leftovers. The lids mean you can stack stuff on top of them for extra storage in the fridge or the pantry.

The OXO Good Grips 3-quart baking dish with lid is safe to take from the freezer to the oven.

Don’t forget to grab an Insulated Casserole Carrier (available in a variety of colors to match your favorite sports teams). Even with the RV, you’ll be surprised at how useful having the insulated carrier bag will be – especially when you need to keep your dishes warm or cold when they are out on the serving table.

Blender for Frozen Drinks and Smoothies

It gets hot here in the South. And what better way to cool down than with a frozen adult beverage?

A frozen margarita or a frozen fruit slush hits the spot every time.

You can also use a blender for making smoothies. And for some cooking applications, like making sauces, dips, etc.

The Ninja Countertop Blender is an excellent high-end blender for your RV.

If cost is more of a concern, then check out the Hamilton Beach blenders which consistently provide a quality product.

Countertop Ice Maker

I love having a countertop ice maker even though I have a residential fridge with an ice maker.

But the countertop ice maker is so efficient at making ice. I’m always on the move and the countertop ice maker will have ice ready by the time I finish setting up the tailgate. Just in time for my first adult beverage. My residential fridge’s ice maker doesn’t work that fast.

It makes ice quickly so I don’t have to worry about buying 10 pound bags of ice that then take up all that space in the freezer. Because I’d rather have ice cream, moonshine, and other fun stuff in the freezer – not ice.

Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil is a great multi-purpose tool for your RV kitchen. You can wrap up leftovers for easy storage in your fridge without taking up extra space.

Use it to cook on the grill to help keep meats moist and small items from falling through the grill.

You can even ball it up and use aluminum foil to clean the grill when you forgot the grill brush.

Aluminum foil is also great to wrap up things that you want to cook over the campfire.

PS Go with the heavy duty aluminum foil because the last thing you want is for the foil to tear on the grill.

Foil Cooking Pans

At the beginning of every tailgate season, I get a large bag of aluminum foil pans. These things are great.

You can throw them right on the grill or smoker and cook at high temperatures. You can use the pans during prep or as serving dishes.

And then when you are done, just throw them away. I know, not the most environmentally friendly practice but some times it is the best solution.

For most uses, the 9×13 inch pans are good, solid pans. The 8 inch square pans are also quite convenient, especially for cookie bars and other desserts.

Crock-Pot

I love Crock-Pots for the RV. They are great to setup and cook a meal while you are gone to the football game or out on your daily adventure.

You can even use them on travel days – cook while you drive down the road. Just don’t be surprised when you have to stop because it smells so good inside and you get hungry early!

Wal-mart has NFL 6-Quart Crock-Pots as well as quite a few college teams.

Another good option is the Crock-Pot 6 Qt. Programmable Cook & Carry Slow Cooker with Digital Timer. Make sure that your Crock-Pot has the locking lid to make it RV travel-day friendly!

Stacking Non-Slip Mixing Bowls with Lids

Mixing bowls serve a variety of uses in the RV kitchen. And that’s always a good criteria for any essential RV item.

First, the obvious – mixing stuff up. Making a cake? Gotta mix stuff up, even if you are making it from a box.

Second, you can use the mixing bowls as a serving dish.

And since these have lids, they are great for storing leftovers in the fridge. Because they have the non-slip bottoms, they are way more likely to stay in place in the fridge while you are traveling.

I recommend these PriorityChef Mixing Bowls set which comes with five bowls and five lids and each have the non-slip bottoms. I have gotten so much use out of these and they store nicely in one of my upper kitchen cabinets.

Can Opener

Do you know how many times I had to go around asking other RVers to borrow a can opener until I finally remembered to stock my RV kitchen with my own?

I thought I was only getting cans that had the pop-tops, but inevitably, a can without the pop top would sneak in. And I wouldn’t be able to get it open.

My advice, get one of the cheap manual ones. They take up less space and you never have to worry about having an outlet, batteries, or power source. Plus, they often double as bottle openers for your beer bottles. Win-win!

Corkscrew Bottle Opener

If you are a wine drinker, then you will definitely need a corkscrew.

I highly recommend that you get a manual one – again you’ll never have to worry about power sources and they take up a lot less room. Also look for one that has a bottle opener on it – two tools for the price and space of one!

The traditional waiters corkscrew is a good option because it takes up so little space in the RV utensil drawer.

Good Knives

If you are going to cook, you need yourself a good set of knives.

When I was first stocking my first RV, I found these Cuisinart Knives with Covers on an Amazon Prime Day deal. I liked them so much, I got a second set for my house and now my parents even have them in their house too.

The covers are really nice because it means you don’t have to worry about getting cut when you stick your hand in a drawer to find them. It also helps to keep the knives in better shape and all the other stuff in your drawer or basket from getting knicked up.

Kitchen Scissors

You’ll want to get a pair of really good kitchen scissors. You will be surprised how much you use these, both in the kitchen and outside the kitchen (looking at you, billions of zip ties everywhere and the child-proof packaging on everything).

And in the spirit of everything needs to have multiple purposes, find a pair of kitchen scissors that also have a bottle opener and even help with small jars.

Yes, seriously every kitchen tool needs a bottle opener. Trust me on this. You’ll need it for the tailgates!

Cooking and Serving Utensils

You’ll want a collection of spoons, ladles, whisks, spatulas, and what not in your RV kitchen.

I prefer the silicone utensils so that they don’t scratch up pots or pans and they are heat resistant at very high temperatures. They also make less noise when they rattle around while you are driving.

• Solid spoon
• Slotted spoon
• Deep ladle
• Pasta claw spoon
• Spatula
• Tongs
• Whisk

You can buy a silicone cooking utensil set and then ditch the container if you don’t want to use it in your RV kitchen. This will get you started on a great utensil set for your RV kitchen.

I use a good set of serving spoons in the RV kitchen. But I also get a package or two of the cheap ones from Dollar Tree to keep on hand as disposable serving utensils at the tailgate potlucks. You don’t want to put your good ones out there because you might not get them back. But you also don’t want to put out thin plastic stuff that is going to break as soon as you try to serve up a nice portion of the smoked mac and cheese.

That’s where the Dollar Tree Betty Crocker utensils come in. I’ve found that they are good solid utensils that if they go missing, it’s not the end of the world. But you can also wash them and keep using them over and over if they don’t go missing. One package of these usually lasts me several seasons.

Cutting Boards

Just about every tailgate or camping trip, I have to use a cutting board for something. I actually keep a variety of cutting boards around.

My favorites are these thin, flexible cutting boards that come in a variety of colors. The colors are great to keep different food types separate for food safety purposes – meat can stay on one, fruits and veggies on another. Because they are so thin and flexible, they are really easy to store in this awkward cabinet I have next to my kitchen.

If you are going to be working with large hunks of meat for the smoker or grill or racks of ribs, then you’ll want a stronger and larger cutting board like this 18×30 plastic cutting board.

If you like your cutting boards to double as serving dishes, then try a large wooden cutting board that will look beautiful serving up a nice charcuterie platter.

Dish Towels

Yes, you can use them to dry stuff off. But that’s not the only reason you need dish towels in your RV.

They are also useful mats to put wet dishes before you get a chance to dry them off. They are great pot holders to protect your hands or even the table or counter top when you put hot dishes down. Dish towels are also great to wrap up food to keep warm (really love to use dish towels to wrap up warm biscuits during a morning tailgate or a casserole dish at any time).

They are also a cheap way to put some color or decorative touches in the RV. And you can switch them out by season or holiday easily.

A Trash Can

Yes, every kitchen needs a trash can. But since RV kitchens are so small, you may not want a free standing trash can or even have room for one of the under-cabinet pull-out trash cans like you use at home.

That’s why I use an over-the-door trash bag holder. These are big enough to hold the typical grocery store plastic bag but small enough to be out of the way.

The baskets are also great places to put fruit or vegetables during transport.

Dawn Powerwash Dish Detergent

I’ve been a fan of the Original Dawn Dish Detergent for a long time. There’s nothing better at getting stuff clean and then it helps keep your black and gray tanks in top shape.

But now I’ve found something even better – Dawn Powerwash. It takes a lot less water to get things clean and it smells good as well.

You wipe all the excess food off and throw it in the trash (not down into the gray tank, thank you!) and then wet the dishes. Spray the Dawn Powerwash on it and let it soak for a bit (longer the greasier, dirtier your dishes are). Then rinse. If they are real dirty, take a dish sponge or paper towel to the dishes to help get the stuff off.

Seriously, you’ll save an entire sink full of water using Dawn Powerwash.

See Also: Ultimate List of Useful Tips to Save Water While RVing

Disinfecting Counter Sprays

If one thing 2020 has shown us, it is the important of disinfecting things (hand sanitizer, hand soap, towels, etc).

And in the kitchen, it has always been the case that you need a good disinfecting spray to clean up. What with the juices from raw meat and spills and splashes that attract ants, you should always clean the counters with a good cleaner at the beginning and end of your cooking sessions. And any time you make a big spill.

Fire Safety

There are two things that go under fire safety: a food fire extinguisher and a fire blanket.

Remember, you shouldn’t use water on a kitchen or grease fire. That means if you have a flare up, you’ll need to be ready with a handy fire extinguisher (I have a small one right there below my kitchen sink). Make sure that your fire extinguisher is rated for kitchen fires.

A fire blanket is also very handy to quickly smother a fire without the same mess of a fire extinguisher.

Stock Your RV Kitchen For You

Don’t forget that you need to make your RV kitchen function for how you cook. Don’t expect that you are going to suddenly be a master baker if you’ve never done it before.

Because cooking in an RV kitchen takes some practice and you will probably have only a portion of the tools that you have at home. Not to say it can’t be done, but it is more difficult.

But if you have all these essential RV kitchen tools, you’ll be well on your way to producing quality meals for your family and friends!

You may also like:
– How To Keep Your RV Kitchen Organized
– Solo Cups Holder for the RV Kitchen
– How to Eliminate Funky RV Fridge Odors

Like these RV kitchen recommendations? Pin for later!

The post 21 Essential RV Kitchen Tools appeared first on RV Tailgate Life.

That’s where the RV travel maps come in. You can add a picture, a sticker, or scratch off when you’ve been to each state during your travels.

But what are the rules for when you mark a state off? Let’s discuss.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for various products below. You get the same low prices and we earn a small commission.

Tell The Story of Your RV Travels

RVers love to tell stories. And what better way to tell stories than with maps and pictures?

That’s one reason that RV travel maps are so popular among RVers.

At a quick glance, you can tell how far and wide an RVer travels. It’s a great way to get people talking – why did you go to that state? What happened there? What did you love or hate about it and would you go back?

Hey, at least it isn’t another poop story! (or maybe it is)

But one of the big discussions in the RV world is… when do you count a state?

Make Your Own Rules for your RV Travel Map!

There are no hard and fast rules. Just like with so much of the RV life, you can make it up as you go.

Each person or family can have their own rules and they don’t have to match mine.

Some common rules that you see people use are:

• The state was a destination. You set off to go to that state and spend some time there. You stayed at an RV campground, boondocked, or moochdocked for a weekend or longer. You eat at restaurants, get gas, see some local sites.
• You spend time there. Even if the state wasn’t your destination, maybe you spent some time there. Made some memories. Have an interesting story to tell.
• You pass through. Some people count a state if their RV rolls even one tire in the state. After all, it is documenting where the RV has been.

Others may even document where they got out of the RV or stepped foot on the ground coming out of the RV door. Or maybe where you got gas or used the bathroom (Hey, I could count Mississippi if that’s included!)

Some people only count a state if they had a beer in or near the RV.

Or maybe it’s one of those “I know it counts when it counts.”

Do You Count Overnight Stops?

On a long trip, you may have to pass through several states. If you aren’t stopping, a lot of people won’t count the state.

But long trips may also need to be broken down into several days. That means you might need to stay somewhere overnight.

Do you count sleeping in a campground or even a Walmart parking lot as being in the state?

Personally, I don’t count those.

What If I Go Without My RV?

Some people use the travel maps as a history of their own travels, not just the RV’s travels.

If you count travel without your RV, you may be able to add Hawaii to the list! Because it is unlikely that most people get to add Hawaii to where their RV has gone.

Does the Map Go With the RV or the Owner?

Here is another question that you might want to answer: does the map belong to the RV or the owner?

I think the question is what are you documenting? Where you have been or where the RV has been? Kind of like the question above about what if you go somewhere with your RV, this question has some nuance.

Many of us will get an RV and then get a new one later. Are you going to transfer the map or start over?

If you’ve been at this awhile, it may be nice to start over and see how fast or slow you cover the United States. Once you’ve filled up one map, do you want to just leave it or do you want to start a new map?

That’s why when I moved from my Starter RV (1990 Winnebago Chieftan) to my current RV (2017 Tiffin 34PA), I started a brand new RV travel map.

Some people will leave the map on the RV when they sell it. But don’t be surprised, or even offended, when the new owners remove that map.

Because many (I would even venture to guess most) want to document where they went in the RV, not where the RV has been in its life.

The RV Tailgate Life Rules For Counting A State

Since I’m all about the experiences, I only count a state if it was my destination or something really memorable happened during a stop. Obviously, anywhere that I go for a football game in the RV is going to count on my map.

So are camping trips and several moochodocking trips.

But here’s a common scenario: I typically will set off late in the week for a football game. Usually Thursday or Friday, depending on how far away it is. Let’s say that I am heading to Penn State up there in Pennsylvania for one of their White Out games.

From Atlanta, I have to go through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland to end up in Pennsylvania.

Now, I’ve already marked off Georgia (duh!), South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. But I haven’t been to West Virginia, Maryland or Pennsylvania just yet.

Once I arrived at Penn State and setup the tailgate, that’s the destination and I would mark it off on the map.

But what about West Virginia and Maryland?

I don’t count just driving through as enough to mark off the state on my list.

I might have to make a stop during that trip for gas, food, or to sleep. Still, it is likely that I don’t go far beyond the interstate – I’ll find a Walmart spot to stay at. That I still don’t count. Because that’s not experiencing what the area has to offer.

Now, if I have a Harvest Host to sleep in overnight, that will usually involve a cool brewery or winery, including some adult beverages. Those stops will generally get added to my list.

Also, as a blogger with Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, if I end up with new blog posts or at least social media posts, that’s a good indication that I can add the state to the list.

Finally, I only add states that the RV has gone. So if I travel somewhere without the RV, it doesn’t count and I don’t mark off the state.

My Favorite RV Travel Maps

This Watercolor Scratch-Off Map is the RV travel map that I picked for my RV. I liked the watercolor part that makes it look more like art than a map. That’s a personal preference though.

Buy Now on Amazon: Watercolor Scratch-Off Map

I added a simple black frame to hang it up in the RV so that it looks nice. I did take the glass out so that I can easily get to the map to scratch off new states without taking it down. It also saves a little on weight, which is good for the Command Strips that I used to hang it without adding holes to the wall.

If you are a National Park adventurer, then this Scratch Off Map may appeal more to you. It includes national parks and other landmarks that you can mark off when you visit.

Buy Now on Amazon: Scratch Off Map

If you want to show off pictures of your travels in a small space, then this U.S. Photo Map may be the one for you. It has easy to use templates to make cutting out the pictures so easy.

Buy Now on Amazon: U.S. Photo Map

Don’t forget to get a frame to make your map look nice!

State Maps for Outside the RV

If you are going to add one to the outside of your RV, including a slide out, then you’ll want a high quality vinyl decal. I like the RV State Sticker Travel Map mostly because of the simplicity of the solid colors.

Buy Now on Amazon: RV State Sticker Travel Map

The red, white, and blue motif from this RV State Stickers also looks awesome on the side of the RV.

Buy Now on Amazon: RV State Stickers

The Most Interesting Map

The most interesting RV travel map is yours!

Each map is unique and tells a story. What does your map say?

Like these recommendations? Pin for later!

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The post Make Your Own Rules for RV Travel Map appeared first on RV Tailgate Life.

From music to streaming games to making sure your food is safe and you’ve got the money to do it all, these smartphone apps will keep your tailgate running.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for various products below. You get the same low prices and we earn a small commission.

Smartphone Apps for Tailgating

These days, pretty much everyone has a smartphone.

Even my dad, who finally upgraded from the old flip phone. (Seriously, he has one… just waiting on delivery of a new smartphone to arrive later this week)

And as college football fans (and NFL and NASCAR fans too), smartphone apps can provide a lot of useful information and entertainment options while you are out there tailgating.

Here are the top 8 smartphone apps to make your college football tailgate experience awesome.

How I Picked These Apps

First, these are apps that I use for my own tailgate.

Second, they are available on both Apple and Android phone platforms. This means that they are great for groups, especially the ones that are intended for collaboration (like planning the potluck tailgate menu).

These apps are specifically for the tailgating portion of the RV Tailgate. Not the RV portion. I’ll cover those separately soon.

Google Play / Apple Pay

The smartphone wallets are becoming a bigger deal each year.

Ever since the pandemic, stadiums and teams are trying to find more ways to go contactless and cashless in their stadiums. So they are turning to digital wallets to store credit card information for use in stadium.

And also to even get into the stadium. Many big time teams have now moved to mobile only ticketing. Which means you need these digital wallets installed and setup before you get to the stadium. Some, like Georgia Tech, even use it for on-campus parking.

Often bowl games and other neutral site games will have their own apps or ticketing platforms that you’ll need to download. Ain’t technology grand?

Weather Channel App

Every RV tailgate and even the games themselves are subject to the Weather Gods.

How cold or hot will it be? Will the dogs be OK in the RV during the game?

Will it be raining or windy? Do I need to bring the awning in?

That’s where The Weather Channel app comes in. Get weather forecasts, down to the hour, and radar, to watch that storm coming in. Get severe weather alerts too!

A weather app is essential for any tailgate. But I’m going to give the nod to my home town weather guys at The Weather Channel.

DoPotluck – Organize Your Tailgate Meals

A large tailgate meal can be complicated to organize!

It’s difficult to manage the large potlucks that feed 100 or more people. I’ve done it for several years now.

Make it easier with the DoPotluck app, where your friends can signup to bring their favorite dishes.

No more ending up with 10 desserts and no veggies. Or even worse, five cole slaws.

Winegard TV Signal Finder

Trying to setup your RV satellite or over-the-air antenna to watch all the other football games?

Then you’ll need this Winegard TV Signal Finder app that will help you point your satellite, based on your provider, to the proper place in the sky or configure your OTA antenna.

The Winegard app works with DISH, DIRECTV, BellTV, and Shaw Direct as well as auto-point and manual point antennas and satellites.

iHeartRadio

Bring your hometown radio stations with you on the road.

And some times even your home team announcers with the iHeart Radio app.

There are also lots of playlists that are perfect for tailgating. And podcasts to listen to the talking heads.

“Insert Your Team Here” App

OK, that’s not really the name of the app.

But pretty much all the teams now have apps specially designed for their fans. You can get schedules and team rosters and bios on pretty much all of them.

Some schools have super sized their apps, with things like radio play-by-play streams, feature stories on star players, in-stadium seat upgrades and even in-seat food and drink delivery. Many will also have stadium maps and information to help you through the game day experience.

So do a search for your favorite team to get all the details for your team.

ESPN

Want to stream ESPN+ content? Then get the ESPN app.

It’s also great to keep up-to-date on other scores and stories around college football.

Perfect for staying up-to-date with the latest news for smack talking.

Need to subscribe to ESPN+? You can easily subscribe for just $4.99 per month!

Or add hulu and Disney+ to the package for just $12.99 for all three streams!

Click Here to Find out more about streaming live sports in your RV at the tailgate!

Venmo

Got a group buying tickets together or someone buying your extras? Is someone wanting to contribute to the tailgate fund instead of bringing food or drinks?

Did someone forget their wallet going to dinner for the night before tailgate meal? Or maybe someone needs to pay up on a bet over who will win the game.

There are a million and one reasons why cash will need to change hands but you don’t have cash.

That’s where Venmo comes in. It’s the widely used and my favorite app for easily transferring money person-to-person at a tailgate.

Weber iGrill

Looking for an app to manage everything on your grill? Then look no further than the Weber iGrill app.

iGrill works best with various Weber products like the iGrill 2 Thermometer or the iGrill 3 Thermometer to monitor temperatures.

But you also have lots of preset temperature guides for various cuts of meat and fish to cook your food to perfect temperature to prevent disease spreading! You can set multiple timers too, so you know exactly when to flip or pull the food off the grill.

Don’t Forget to Charge the Phone

Without all this app awesomeness, you will eat up the battery pretty quick.

That’s why I keep lots of extra charging cords in my RV. Seriously, you can probably find one for five different generations of Apple and Android products both.

One thing that I really like are the longer 10 foot charging cables like this one for the Apple lightning plugs or this bundle for USB-C type connections common on newer Android phones. The 10 foot and longer cords are great for tailgating.

Another great option is this 4 foot cable that has 4 different charger connections.

Whatever you do, you will want to keep plenty of charging cords for your favorite smartphones on hand.

And you might even want to take along a portable power bank.

What are Your Favorite Smartphone Apps for Tailgating?

Have you found an app that makes tailgating awesome?

Comment below so I can check them out. You might find that I include them next time!

Like these tailgating recommendations? Pin for later!

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The post 9 Smartphone Apps for College Football Tailgating appeared first on RV Tailgate Life.

There are now ways that you can save money, cut cable, and still watch all the college football, NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA games. And boxing and MMA too!

Legally! Yes, that means that there are solutions where you aren’t relying on illegal streams to watch your favorite games.

Let’s find out how you too can stream live sporting events in the RV (or home) cost effectively.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links for various products below. You get the same low prices and we earn a small commission.

Cutting Cable and Satellite Service

Are you tired of paying ridiculous high monthly bills for satellite or cable television?

When you probably only watch about 10 channels in the lineup, right?

The first step in saving money is getting rid of your existing service.

Now, you might be under contract and there could be early termination fees. That might make you want to stick around longer but do the math – you might come out better by paying those fees and cutting the cord.

Also, don’t forget to return any equipment that they gave you – or more likely rented or leased to you.

And keep the receipt that you get for the equipment! I know several people where the cable or satellite companies have come back months later with fees of $200 or more because they said that the equipment was never returned. That receipt saved their butts.

Finally, make sure that you scan the receipt. Many receipts will fade, sometimes in just a few months. Especially if you are keeping it in the RV or other place where you might get a lot of heat. And with it scanned, it’ll be readily available if you need to search for it.

Over-The-Air Channels

Once you get rid of the old service, it’s time to start adding back the channels you need.

The first way to get your favorite sporting events is through over-the-air (OTA) channels.

You can use a high-definition antenna to get television signals for the major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC.

This means that for football, both professional and college, you can get whatever the major football games they are showing in the local market. The OTA channels will also have some limited golf, NASCAR, MLB and other sporting events. And in 2020, we also have the Olympics on NBC.

You’ll likely need an HD antenna to get these stations. If you live in a downtown area, your TV may have enough built-in for a handful of channels, but you are likely to need an external (to the TV) antenna to get the best picture, sound, and quantity of OTA TV stations.

High Definition Antennas For Your Home

For your sticks and bricks house, try one of the attic mount long-range antennas that gets reception for 70 miles.

If you aren’t interested in mounting something, you can go with an indoor antenna. These are great if you live in a metropolitan area where you are close to the broadcast signal, as they reach only about 55 miles.

High Definition Antennas For Your RV

The indoor antenna may work inside your RV as well.

I have an indoor antenna that I bought years and years ago that worked well in Starter RV.

And see, you can watch the Olympics in your RV with just an HD antenna and a HD TV. That picture is from when I upgraded Starter RV’s TV to a digital flat screen during the last summer Olympics in 2016. Pictures may be bad by today’s blogging standards but you get the idea nonetheless.

Remember, that RV was to see if I could “do this” and I wasn’t really interested in making major upgrades to it. See, Starter RV was only $4,000 to buy and mostly, but not always, reliable. I wasn’t going to put a lot into it, so borrowing equipment from the house made since.

It also helps that I RV tailgate at college campuses in mostly cities. This means, it is typically pretty easy to pick up the OTA broadcast channels.

RV Roof Mountable HD Antennas

There are also antenna options that you mount on the roof of the RV.

The most popular is the Winegard Sensar IV (available at Amazon, Camping World) The Winegard Sensar IV has a built-in amplifier and a low profile when retracted during travel. The range on the Sensar IV is about 55 miles from the broadcast signal. Just don’t forget to retract it before you leave the tailgate or you’ll be buying another one soon!

The advantage of the retractable antennas like the Winegard Sensar is that you get the antenna up and over many of the obstacles on the roof of your RV, like say your air conditioner. You also get the antenna further from these high power devices which can provide their own interference and reduce the picture and audio quality of your sporting event.

Another popular RV OTA antenna is the ANTOP UFO 720 degree Omni-directional HD antenna (available on Amazon, Camping World) The Antop UFO has a range of 55-65 miles from the broadcast origin and can receive 1080 and 4K ULTRA HD signals. The cool thing about the Antop UFO is that you don’t have to worry about forgetting to retract the antenna before you leave your tailgate! The Antop UFO also has a built-in 4G LTE filter to blog 3G and 4G signal that will interfere with your TV reception.

If you aren’t up to mounting an antenna on the top of your RV (or you’ve just run out of room up there), try the KING OmniGo Portable Antenna (available on Amazon, Camping World). With the tripod, it looks like the UFO landed at your campsite instead of hovering over the top of the RV!

The OmniGo portable antenna is easy to setup with a collapsible tripod and magnetic mount. It weighs only 6 pounds in the carry bag, making it easy to move the antenna from your RV to your car or truck for tailgating without the RV (hey, it happens on occasion!) You can also use 110 AC or 12V DC power, making it ideal for a lot of different and varied uses (home, RV, or truck tailgating).

DVR For Over-The-Air TV

One feature that a lot of people like about cable and satellite television is the DVR capability. But that’s no reason to stick with cable or satellite!

You can now get DVR for OTA channels with Amazon’s Fire TV Recast.

There are two versions of the Fire TV Recast – 2 tuners, 500 GB and 75 hours storage. And another one that is 4 tuners, 1 TB and 150 hours storage.

Either way, you can record and then later watch over-the-air TV without monthly fees. But you’ll need a Fire TV or Fire TV stick. And you can only have 1 Recast per Amazon account (so you can’t have one at home and one in the RV).

Meanwhile, the original DVR company TiVo has an OTA DVR option called the TiVo Bolt. The downside of the TiVo Bolt, however, is that you have a monthly subscription cost. And the whole idea is to minimize subscription costs, so that’s why I don’t recommend the TiVo (there are plenty of monthly subscription costs available later, no reason to add to them here). There is also a more expensive TiVo option called the TiVo Roamio that does not have subscription fees, but the payback period is pretty long on that (for the added cost of the DVR).

Adding the Sports Cable Stations

OK, so over-the-air TV is great for live TV and you can even add DVR to get a cable-like experience.

But that still leaves out the major cable sports station – ESPN.

That’s where ESPN+ comes in.

You can get thousands of live events, plus a whole lot of ESPN originals for just $4.99 month or $49.99 a year (that’s less than $4.17 a month).

UFC Fight Nights or pay-per-view events will cost extra.

ESPN+ is also subject to various blackouts, in particular to conform with the various league agreements that ESPN has negotiated or for local games. ESPN+ will determine your geographic location to comply with these rules, so your location tracking must be on for ESPN+ to work.

Beyond ESPN+

If you are like me, then the OTA channels and adding on ESPN+ will be more than sufficient for your television viewing needs.

But I recognize that some people like to watch TV way more than I do (I really only watch live sports on TV). There’s a few options for you:

Hulu

Hulu is another option for streaming live sports. You’ll need to get the Hulu + Live package to get your sports stations like ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network, SEC Network, etc.

The problem is that Hulu + Live will start at $54.99 for 2020, actually as of December 18, 2019. That makes it slighly more expensive than SlingTV.

Oh, and you don’t get the MLB Network, NFL Network, NBA TV, or NHL Network.

It’s also quite difficult to stream from your RV. You can watch Hulu away from home on a mobile device. That means to watch the football game live on your RV TV, you’ll need to screen cast your phone or tablet to the screen. And that eats up device battery pretty quick and typically provides a less than ideal picture quality as well as serious lag time.

Get ready for crowds! Once night falls, project the game onto a large screen so that everyone can enjoy the game together. Also great for movie nights.

YouTube TV

We can’t forget our friends over at YouTube who have launched YouTube TV. The cost for YouTube TV is $49.99 so equivalently the same as SlingTV. The big draw here is unlimited DVR!

Unfortunately, YouTube TV does not carry the NFL Network, NHL Network, or Pac12 Network. It does have the MLB Network and NBA TV.

In order to stream YouTube TV as an RVer, you’ll need to sign-in at home at least once every three months, unless you want to watch MLB content where you need to signin at least once a month. Not difficult for most part-time RVers. But a little more difficult for full-time RVers.

But the six user accounts for each membership help. Just make sure that one is with someone back home has one of the accounts and signs in (they are going to use GPS, IP detection and other methods to figure out where you are).

For full-time RVers, you may need someone else to pick up the tab and then add you – they use the billing zip code to determine where home is. And this can affect your channel selection.

For example, I live in Atlanta and want to follow the Atlanta Braves so I need channels like Fox SportSouth. If I register as a full-timer out of South Dakota and that’s my billing zip code for my credit cards, I won’t be able to get FSS.

FuboTV

FuboTV is another popular service for sports fans cutting the cord with the cable and satellite companies.

Unfortunately, it is more expensive than the others at $59.99, but it doesn’t have MLB Network, NHL Network, ACC Network or the SEC Network.

Boo!

Don’t Forget Amazon Prime Benefits

If you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can also stream several channels or events through your existing subscription.

For example, the NFL Network Thursday Night game is available as part of your Prime subscription.

If you are a basketball fan, you can add-on the NBA League Pass. Same with MLB.TV for baseball fans. If you aren’t getting these channels through a service such as SlingTV.

How Do You Stream Games in Your RV?

Unlike regular TV shows, you probably want to watch your sporting events live.

That means that you don’t record the show or download it to watch later when you don’t have your internet connection (something that we often do for regular TV shows or movies).

You want your football (or baseball or hockey or basketball or NASCAR or Olympics… well, you get the idea) and you want it now!

And unfortunately, we can’t rely on campground WiFi. Even on a campus like Georgia Tech, the WiFi available to us as visitors is going to be limited out in the parking lot (it’s great in the buildings, but not where you are likely to be out tailgating).

You are going to want a really good data plan.

My current favorite way to watch the streaming games is to pair my cell phone or iPad to my TVs. I have unlimited data on my Verizon plans. As long as I am using the data on-device and not as a hotspot, then the data is unlimited.

I can use the built-in casting software on both my phone and TV. Or attach a simple adapter to go from USB C to HDMI cord already running to my TVs. This has not used up my hotspot data.

Just make sure you are not connected to the WiFi on your Ring Alarm Pro RV Security System.

Will My TV Be Able to Stream the Game?

The final question you’ll need to answer is whether your existing TVs can stream the game.

Most smart TVs will have everything you need to connect your phone or tablet and use ESPN+ (or one of the other streaming services).

If you have an older “dumb” TV that doesn’t have the streaming and WiFi capabilities built-in, then you’ll need to get an add-on device like a Roku Streaming Stick.

Cutting the Cord, Streaming Live Sporting Events in the RV

Like many aspects of RV life, streaming live sports can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be.

There are definitely ways to go cheaper (watching OTA games only) or more expensive (streaming all the games over an unlimited cell data network).

You’ll need:

1. HD Antenna for Over-The-Air Channels such as ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, currently between $30-350 (one time expense).
2. ESPN+ to stream ESPN channels, currently $4.99 per month;
3. Smart TV or
4. Roku Streaming Stick, currently around $40

Your up-front one-time expenses will be for the two antennas (the HD and the WiFi/cell data) at about $400 if you don’t have this equipment already. And possibly about $40 for a Roku Streaming Stick.

The ongoing expenses will vary depending on the service from $34.99 to $80 per month.

Cutting the cord and still being able to stream live sporting events in the RV is going to be a little pricey for the first year. But after that, you can see some real savings.

Like this Guide to Streaming Live Sports in the RV? Pin for later!

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The post How To Stream Live Sporting Events in the RV appeared first on RV Tailgate Life.