Explore the United States In an RV

RV camping can be as basic (think a step or two above tent camping) or as luxurious as you want it to be. RV’s and pop-up campers can provide travelers with the comforts of home while still being able to enjoy the outdoors.

Most local and national park campgrounds offer sites that can accomodate tents, trailers, full-on motorhomes or some combination the three options. Read on about the various RV options and then you can get to planning your next adventure!

The Big Guys

When people think of an RV, they tend to think of the big ones – the ones that roll up, fully-equipped, looking like a famous rock band just arrived. These are Class A motorhomes and they sit at the top. Class C (motorhomes that have a truck cab in the front) are their equals in the amenities column. These campers include electricity, air conditioning, full or mostly full kitchens and bathrooms, sleeping space for 2-8+ people, dining/living areas, and some might even have washers and dryers. These vehicles can provide the ultimate level of luxury for camping and are especially good for traveling with families and for longer trips.

A Different Type of Van

Sometimes lumped in with motorhomes, class B camper vans (e.g., Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit) can be fitted to include most of those same amenities but, generally, can’t include all of them. When going camping in one of these, you might have to use more of the campsite-provided items (restrooms, water, electricity, cooking grates/grills) or portable camping items that you might bring when you are tent camping, but they are easier to park and maintain than the large ones.

Luxury Camping, in Tow

Another major player in the RV space is the travel trailer, these campers connect via a hitch to a truck, van or SUV. A well-known, albeit retro, version is the AirStream trailer. These campers can range in size and, in turn, amenities. A larger version can include everything a motorhome can accommodate, whereas smaller ones might just focus on sleeping space, basic kitchen needs, and a toilet. These also are a little bit easier to maintain and, depending on size, store.

Campers on the Move

Finally, for those who might not be looking for a major maintenance and storage commitments, there are pop-up campers and teardrop trailers. The main perks of these campers are that they are compact, easy to store, less expensive, and can be towed by standard cars, with some teardrop trailers small enough for a motorcycle to tow.

Pop-up campers basically fold down into a trailer frame with a hard roof. The bunks and/or dinette spaces pull out and the walls are made of soft, synthetic materials like canvas and vinyl. Teardrop trailers are smaller in size at about a max of 10’ long, 8’ wide and 5’ tall. They both include sleeping space for 2-4 people, kitchenettes (located on the outside for teardrop trailers), storage for clothes and gear, interior lighting and battery power systems. Pop-ups will have a little bit more with a fold-down dining area, a water tank, and in larger ones, some of the amenities that full-size campers provide.