rv under the stars 2

Know Before You Go! | The Ultimate Guide To RV Camping

on . Posted in Blog, camping

11 million people!

That’s how many Americans go RV Camping every year, according to the 2022 KOA North American Camping Report.

mountain range and highway

While the rise in popularity might motivate you to get out there on the road and try RV camping for yourself, there are several critical things to consider before planning your trip.

This guide will help you prepare and enjoy your next RV trip!

First, if you don’t own an RV, you need to decide whether you will rent or buy an RV.

Similarly, you have to determine your trip destination and plan your route for the best experience.

Why?

Because, unlike normal cars, RVs can be huge, so learning how to drive, navigate, and park your RV is extremely important.

What Is an RV?

An RV (recreational vehicle) is a towable or motorized camping trailer used for living while staying or traveling across various locations.

rvs parked in a row at campground

An RV can be a simple van with a bed, a small but functional pop-up trailer, or a double-wide Airstream with the luxurious comforts of a contemporary home.

Regardless of the shape and size, if you can sleep, boil water and cook in the vehicle, it’s an RV.



Choosing Your Destination

rv with grand canyon in background

You can travel almost anywhere with your RV, depending on your objectives for the trip. However, it’s important to have a clear idea of your final destination to plan your route before you hit the road.

The place you choose will depend on a number of factors – how far you want to travel, what types of activities you enjoy, and how long you plan to stay at your destination.


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Enjoy Comfort and Style in an RV Park

Deciding your camping location can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to RV camping. While many destinations claim to have a campground, not every destination is created equal.

For first-time RVers or those looking for a longer stay, full-service parks like Midland East RV Park are packed with amenities and allow you to fully explore an area of your choosing.



Notably, RV resorts are the epitome of luxury in RV camping. That’s because they have lots of extra amenities like cable TV, Wi-Fi, swimming pools, and many other services.

The resort may be gated, which ensures peace of mind that your belongings will be safe while you’re exploring.

Buses to nearby attractions and locations may be provided, so you don’t have to unhitch your RV to tour the local areas.



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Nature and Relaxation in an RV-friendly Campground

Most RV campgrounds are great for outdoor activities. While they may have fewer amenities, the locations are secluded, with peaceful nature surrounding them.

Rvs parked near mountains

One thing to keep in mind is that power hookups, water, and sewer systems may not be guaranteed, and an RV campground itself may be small and unpaved. While this option can be cheaper than an RV park, it may not provide all the luxuries you’re accustomed to during travel.

Experienced campers and those with an adventurous streak might enjoy the national parks system, to fully immerse themselves in nature while enjoying some of the comforts of home.

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Booking Your Site

Many campgrounds have the option to book a space online. So, if you are planning your trip around peak travel seasons, booking in advance may be essential to ensure you have a guaranteed spot once you arrive.

rv with mountain and clouds in background

Before you pack up and hit the road, it’s important to check with the management at your chosen destination to be sure that their lots are large enough to accommodate your RV.

While campgrounds typically reserve spaces for RVs and tent campers, many operate on a “first come, first served” basis. So, if you suspect that your destination might have limited space for RVs, call ahead and reserve your spot if possible.

airstream rv

Size restrictions and a lack of available spaces might cause you to have to change plans halfway through, and it’s better to be prepared before you arrive at your destination. 

If your chosen campground is booked up and you can’t find another space, some large chain stores may let you spend the night in their parking lot with permission from the management.

While a parking lot may not seem like the best place to stay, it gives you a place to rest overnight before looking for a vacant site in the morning.




Preparing for Your RV Camping Trip: What to Bring

RV with umbrella

Whether you are a novice or a seasoned camper, packing for RV camping requires extensive forethought. While your RV might have multiple cabinets and shelves, you won’t have enough space for everything. Some essential RV equipment mentioned below depends on whether you own the RV or are renting one for vacation.

The following items should be in your RV camping packing list:

  • Generator
  • Hitch
  • Leveling blocks
  • Surge protectors
  • Generator and fuel for the generator
  • Electrical adaptors
  • Wheel chocks
  • Weight distribution bar
  • Drinking water and sewer hose
  • Portable toilet and shower
  • Hydraulic jack
  • Tool kit with screwdrivers, wrenches, and hammer

These items, coupled with other camping essentials, can quickly accumulate, making storage quite tricky.

You shouldn’t place these tools close to containers with caustic fluids. To avoid possible spillage, store any vehicle fluids in airtight containers. You should also consider having an exterior storage segment for RV tools and equipment.

Be sure to allocate extra time to drive to the camping ground so you can have enough time to set up your RV.

While most locations have guides that help visitors set up their gear, you still need time to figure out where to find the amenities.


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Final Thoughts On RV Camping

Taking your RV out on a trip doesn’t have to be overwhelming. However, you need to plan your trip to avoid ugly surprises.

Pack enough items for the trip but, not too many, as this could make the process too stressful. After all, you’re going RV camping for relaxation and adventure, right?

rv on desert road

Be sure to keep your RV properly serviced and maintained to avoid breakdowns and other problems on the road.

While you may want to drive to a campground without notice, it’s prudent to book in advance, especially if you plan your RV camping trip during the peak season.

Since navigation can be a hassle in unfamiliar destinations, make sure to carry a GPS, smartphone, and physical map to help you move around.

Regardless of your itinerary, get out there and enjoy yourself!

military tent for camping

The Surprising Benefits Of Military Tents For Camping And Outdoor Adventures

on . Posted in Blog, camping

Whether you’re with family or a group of friends, outdoor adventures bring fun, excitement, and a chance to strengthen bonds.

And, whatever outdoor activity you enjoy, it’s vital to have a good-quality tent to shelter your group from the sun’s heat or when sudden rain or snowfall occurs.

military tent with air unit

Military tents may be overlooked for camping and other outdoor adventures, but as you will see below, they provide many great benefits!

Tents are certainly known to serve these purposes, but have you ever tried using military tents for your adventures?

Let’s cover six benefits to help you decide whether to try military tents at your next outdoor event.

Durability

Whatever outdoor event you have, the durability of your tent must be considered, especially when housing multiple people and additional equipment.

Using a military shelter system as a tent offers durability, unlike standard tents. Most most of these types of tents have polyester fabrics coated in vinyl, with secure insulation that helps retain a cool temperature during hot weather.  

These fabrics are also tear-resistant, waterproof, and flame-retardant. You also won’t worry about ventilation because military-grade tents also have windows allowing for proper air circulation.

Natural light can also flood the tent, saving power during the day. Additionally, insects, mosquitos, and other critters won’t be able to get in because the windows and the entrance have a layer of thin screens.  


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Spaciousness

Camping doesn’t always mean packing multiple tents. Some types of camping even challenge the camper to keep their presence at campsites to a minimum.

But, with a military tent, you can shelter a large group of people, which eliminates the need for multiple tents.

dome military tents

Looking for more space for sheltering a large group on an outdoor adventure? Military tents can house large groups and still have room for other gear and supplies.

If you’re renting tents, you can save money, because you won’t be paying to ensure everyone sleeps with a roof over their heads, for example. When you can sleep together in one tent, it helps increase the likelihood of bonding with your loved ones.

Sleeping separately in the wilderness can be worrying to some people, especially groups with children. But, a spacious military tent gives peace of mind that you can find your team in a single place.



Distributing supplies is also easier, because everyone will get their share immediately, as you don’t have to walk elsewhere.  

Spacious military tents also help avoid becoming cramped. Smaller parties will have more legroom and extra space for camping gear and other items that must stay dry instead of leaving them inside the vehicle. You can also use them to shelter gear or equipment.  


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Military Tents Are Easy To Set Up 

A good tent is easy to set up, even if it is large enough to house many people.

It doesn’t have complicated mechanisms to make it stay upright. It won’t take long to get standing if you’re a small group of two or four. After all, whether you buy or rent a tent, the last thing you want is to spend hours setting it up after arriving from a long journey.

interior of a military tent

The last thing you want is to spend a lot of time setting up a complicated tent after you arrive at your destination. Military tents are easy to setup.

So, ease of use is essential.  

And, that’s another benefit of military tents for camping and other adventures, because they are quick to set up despite their laundry list of features.

There are varying models that don’t require poles, which is also why these tents have aerated openings at the foundation. They also make cozy shelters during harsh weather, which leads us to our next benefit…




Specially Designed For Harsh Climates

Military tents are designed for soldiers in far-flung regions of differing climates. Designers create these tents with the soldiers’ safety in mind. That’s also why these tents are perfect for camping outdoors.

The environment you’re likely to find yourself in might not be too different to where soldiers are more likely to spend their days.  

enerlayer military tent insulation

Military tents are designed for harsh conditions, which can be very advantageous in hot or cold climates.

A military tent is weather resistant and can withstand the harshest conditions. You are more likely to have memorable camping experiences knowing you’re safe and warm in the wilderness inside a military tent.

And, thanks to their heavy-duty fabric, you’re warm on cold nights and cool on hot days.

Some tents also have specialized floors that can bear extreme exposure to rugged terrain. There are insulation boards manufactured with flame-retardants ABS sheeting, which are also shock resistant. These materials can withstand hot and cold temperatures, dust, humidity, and more.  



UV Ray Protection 

The wilderness could mean any environment you can imagine, including the desert.

An avid camper with vast camping experience will appreciate a high-quality tent that will protect them from harsh ultraviolet rays.

A military tent can protect occupants from sunburn and heat in extreme environments like deserts, where seasoned campers often test their mettle.

At the same time, gear or equipment that is susceptible to damage by the heat of the sun can be kept in the tent.  


inside of a military tent

Extreme heat and the sun’s UV rays are always a concern. Military tents are designed to shelter occupants from both.



Some military surplus tents can provide you with the versatility you need.

Some can bear strong gusts of wind up to 65 mph and temperatures up to 160 °F. A-frame and squad-type tents can also serve as a multipurpose camping tents and are easy to set up. But, the downside to these is that they don’t have any flooring. That means you’ll need to use camping mats or other sleep gear.  



Military Tents Are Rentable

Try camping with a military tent by renting one first, so you can be sure it will work for you. Renting one can also be helpful for those considering buying one for their next outdoor adventure.

Of course, If buying one is out of your budget, renting is also very practical.

Renting a tent also saves you storage space. After your adventure, you can pack it and return it to the company. You won’t have to worry about making room in a crowded garage or room in your house.

Some rental rental companies can even deliver the tent to the campground and assist you in setting it up.





Final Thoughts On Military Tents For Camping And Outdoors Adventures 

A military tent can be a valuable addition to your outdoor adventure because of its make and quality.

These tents can endure harsh environments and various kinds of terrain. Most importantly, they’re weather resistant, temperature regulating, and protect you from the elements.

Military tents are spacious, which allows a group to stay together under one roof for safety. And, despite their seemingly complicated design, the tents are easy to set up and won’t take you hours to get the shelter you need.

All in all, these military tents make the ideal outdoor shelters.

Enjoy camping and adventuring with family and friends in God’s great outdoors!

best stoves for backpacking header image

Hot And Light! | The Best Stoves for Backpacking

Backpacking is one of the most unique ways to experience the outdoors. By accessing some of the world’s remote areas, you can certainly experience unforgettable moments outdoors.

However, backpacking is tough and requires a fair bit of knowledge and gear.

man backpacking in the wilderness

There are many camping stoves for backpacking on the market, and you need one that is reliable and of high quality. After all, these directly affect whether you can eat hot food on the trail or not.

One of those important pieces of gear is… a stove.

So, let’s take a look at best camp stoves for backpacking!

MSR PocketRocket

MSR pocketrocket backpacking stove

The PocketRocket stove from MSR is compact, structurally sound and efficient.

We will kick off the list with one of the most common backpacking stoves on the market… the MSR PocketRocket.

If you walk up to any campsite on the trail, there is a good chance they are cooking with the PocketRocket or a similar MSR model.

This is because the PocketRocket is efficient, versatile and easy to use.

As compared to other backpacking stoves of this size, this one comes in near the top. The PocketRocket is pretty compact, and has decent structure to keep the pot stable.


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It’s an overall steady camping stove and has good marks on about every subset you can apply to it.

However, one of the faults of the PocketRocket is the ignitor.

There are many reviews that say that the built-in ignitor is not reliable and does not work after a certain amount of time. So, always have a backup plan with matches or a lighter.



Jetboil Flash

jetboil flash stove for backpacking

The Jetboil stove is engineered to boil water and other liquids quickly, giving you a fast hot drink or additive to dehydrated food.

One of the newest types of backpacking stoves is the Jetboil.

Jetboil is a brand of compact and efficient camp stoves that are perfect for those who want to save space and quickly heat up food.

The Flash model specifically is one of the best, but there are other models to fit various budgets.

What makes the jetboil different is the amount you can cook and how fast it happens.

The Jetboil pot is specifically made for boiling water quickly. Then, you can apply this water to dehydrated food or whatever else you need cooked.



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Traditional camp stoves allow an open pot to sit on top to cook the food, but the entire Jetboil design is to specifically boil liquids very quickly, which is different.

The biggest drawback to the Jetboil is the amount of liquid that can be heated up at once. It is a small pot and really only serves one purpose.

So, if you want something that will make coffee or just enough water to add to a bag of dehydrated food, Jetboil is the stove for you.



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MSR WhisperLite Universal

whisper lite stove for backpacking

The WhisperLite Universal camp stove is a pricier option, but is known for quality and reliability.

MSR is making another appearance on our list with the WhisperLite Universal camp stove.

This is a pretty high-end backpacking stove, as it carries a heftier price tag than many other stove options out there.

However, MSR carries a reputation and product quality control system that guarantees a good experience for a majority of users.



The WhisperLite uses a hosed approach that puts the burner and stand right on the group and not on top of a fuel can. This adds stability and improves performance.

Going with an MSR stove with MSR fuel optimizes performance on the trail. This is important, as on longer treks it is crucial to have something reliable and steady.


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Soto WindMaster

soto windmaster camping stove

For the price-conscience backpacker, the Soto WindMaster is not only affordable but super light, weighing in at only three ounces.

Our pick for the most efficient backpacking stove for the price is the Soto Windmaster.

For what you get, the Windmaster is a very affordable backpacking stove.

When a normal backpacking stove is faced with strong wind, the light will either go out, or the flame is so altered that cooking is slowed dramatically. But, as the name implies, the Windmaster is made to work well during high winds.

The stove itself is just three ounces, which is super light. The only other weight would be the isobutane or propane bottle that screws into the bottom of the bracket.


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The brackets on the burner are not the best, but you are reducing weight, which is a plus for backpacking.

If you are trying to save a lot of weight and may be hiking in windy areas, the Soto WindMaster is for you.



BRS Ultralight Camping Burner

BRS ultralight camping stove

The BRS Ultralight Burner is certainly super light, but is often outperformed by other backpacking stoves on the market.

One of the more unique offerings is the BRS Ultralight Camping Burner.

This “stove” is not the whole setup, but rather an attachment that goes on top of a propane bottle.

This helps you save money and overall weight. However, while you might be saving money, you may also be sacrificing better performance that can be found in other backpacking stoves.

The Ultralight requires a source of fuel. This burner screws right to the top of a fuel bottle, and you can then add your pot or anything else being cooked. The attachment is not super strong, but it is just about as light as it gets.


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Solo Stove Lite

solo stove lite camping stove

The Solo Stove Lite is truly a light option because it doesn’t have a fuel source, but instead is wood burning.

Another one of the more unique stoves on the market is the Solo Stove Lite.

This is the only srove featured that is wood-fired and does not use a different source of fuel like propane.

So, if you are more of a traditionalist and want to connect with nature in a unique way, the Solo Stove Lite is a good camp stove option.



The Solo Stove is a steel cylinder that holds small pieces of wood and has air intake holes on the bottom to help you regulate temperature and steady burning.

This is a very light option, coming in at just nine ounces. Although you will save weight in your pack by not using fuel, you will need to either pack in wood or camp in areas with reliable wood sources.


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Be careful how this is used, as many places will not allow campfires because of droughts and wildfire hazards. This probably does not classify as a “campfire,” but whenever using a live flame, it is best to check with someone and make sure it is okay to do so.



Final Thoughts On Best Stoves For Backpacking

Hopefully this list has helped you make an informed decision on which stove you should make it into your backpack on your next adventure.

So, whether you are backpacking hunting or just out adventuring and enjoying God’s creation, be sure to soak up the memories and stay warm!