Topics Covered
RV Dictionary and Terminology
RV Social and Support Clubs
RV Online Tutorials and Classes
Discount Camping Clubs
Internet & WiFi for RVers
RV Learning Blogs
Route Planners & GPS Apps
Buying an RV (Tips & Websites)
RV Maintenance & Repair Services
RV Solar
RV Dealerships
Used RV Sales (Private Sales)
RV Roadside Assistance Services
Working on the Road (Remote Jobs)
Campground Locators & Reviews
Boondocking – Tips and Where to Go
Sanitation (Dump) Station Locators
Gas & Diesel Locators and Discount Programs
Traveling with Pets
RV Dictionary and Terminology
The Ultimate Dictionary and Glossary of RV Slang – Find out the official names and terms RVers use, as well as most of the slang things RVers say.
RV Social and Support Clubs & Organizations
Escapees – A total support network for RVers, with everything from social events, publications, mail service, park discounts, RV advocacy and more.
Xscapers – A part of Escapees that specializes in the needs of working-age RVers, including support services and events of a more act I’ve nature that work around working schedules, as well as all the benefits Escapees itself offers. To become an Xscaper, you simply need to indicate your interest when you sign up for an Escapees membership.
FMCA – Originally the group was only for motor coach owners (the MC in the name) but for the last could of years they have opened to all RVers. They have lots of rallies and lots of members-only RV discounts.
Good Sam – Membership saves members up to 10% at a variety of campgrounds, as well as discounts on other RV products and resources
RV Online Tutorials and Classes
RV Online University – The most complete and thorough online RV program available.
The RV Foundations course will walk you through the operation, safety, and maintenance of your RV taking the mystery out of the various systems of your RV.
The Roadmap to Full-Time RVing course will guide you along the path towards your new full-time RV life. This comprehensive course will help get you on the road quickly and smoothly.
Discount Camping Clubs
Passport America – Membership provides access to 50% discounts and hundreds of RV parks and campgrounds across America. There are numerous restrictions and rules to receive the discount, but they are clearly laid out on a convenient website. At a very affordable price, a single stay or two can justify the membership and so is a no-brainer value.
Escapees – A total support network for RVers, with everything from social events, publications, mail service, park discounts, RV advocacy and more.
Good Sam – Membership saves members up to 10% at a variety of campgrounds, as well as discounts on other RV products and resources
Thousand Trails – More a membership resort network than a discount network, but at the extremely affordable per-night rates for frequent users, this qualifies for this category. For example, if you camp a lot and the parks are in your area, per-night costs can be below $10 for full hookups. Resorts are nation-wide, although not in the Mid-West. A regional pass is a great way to test out the program and see if it’s for you without any long-term commitment.
Happy Camper Club – A discount club with discounts up to 50% off at select RV parks and campgrounds.
Internet & WiFi for RVers
Quick and Painless Internet Guide for RVers – Here’s a good article to get you started down the road of reliable internet while on the road.
RV Mobile Internet Resource Center – A website that provides the most complete view or mobile internet plans and equipment as their full-time mission. There are pay tiers with more details information, but the free areas are significant and extremely helpful as well.
Open Signal – A website and app that uses user-aggregated maps of different areas to give real-time cellular signal information about specific locations. It’s great for determining cellular data coverage before you head to an area.
Campendium – While primarily a lookup website and app for RV parks, campgrounds and dump stations, the real-world reviews by other RVers include very useful feedback about what to expect for various cellular data in each location.
RV Learning Blogs
CoolRVers.com – A compendium of useful topics based on the most frequent questions asked in Facebook’s largest RV group.
RVToolbox.com – Guides, articles and reviews covering the basics and more advances RV topics.
Route Planners & GPS Apps
RV Trip Wizard – An app that is part of the RV Life package that provides GPS and trip planning based on the RV size you enter.
AllStays App – An app that has a comprehensive list of places to stay, and services along your route.
Buying an RV (Tips and Websites)
RV Inspector Locator – Find a nearby RV inspector from the list of certified inspectors by the National RV Inspectors Association. Avoid missing obvious problems by hiring a professional to check out a rig you are considering.
Buying Guide (from coolrvers) – Skip all the mistakes other RVers regret by following this guide to buying the right RV.
Simple Guide to Camper Names and RV Types – Learn the different types of RV available and what they are called.
Financing an RV – This links to Jeff McLeod of Newcoast Financial Services who specializes in RV loans and the refinancing of existing loans. He’ll offer up free quotes that let you find the best places to finance that purchase.
RV Trader – While many listing are private sales, dealerships will list their RV on RV Trader, allowing you to see multiple rigs from the US and Canada all in one place.
RV Maintenance and Repair Services
RV Maintenance Tips – (Cool RVers) A list and tips on maintenance you should be doing to make your RV last and to be safe.
Latest RV Recalls – A list of announced RV recalls and some more details. Also remember to check your RV manufacturer’s page.
RV Service Reviews – Definitely not the pretty website, but you are there for the information, and it has a lot of reviews for RV repair and service companies in the US and Canada.
RV Dealerships
EcoFlow Power Kits and Power Stations – Manufacturers of Plug and Play solar power kits (battery-hub-solar panels) and portable lithium power stations, with the fastest charging times in the industry.
RV Dealerships
General RV – One of the largest national RV dealerships.
Gander RV – Another very large dealerships with lots of locations in the US.
RV Trader – While many listing are private sales, dealerships will list their RV on RV Trader, allowing you to see multiple rigs from the US and Canada all in one place.
Private RV Sales
RV Trader – A good resources for finding RVs for sale by private parties in the US and Canada.
RV Roadside Assistance Services
Escapees Roadside Assistance – A roadside assistance service through the Escapees RV club (which offers a number of other discounts and services). A well-priced service.
Good Sam Roadside Assistance – A roadside service through the Good Sam club.
AAA – Plus RV Endorsement – Most people are already familiar with AAA for cars, but they do have a program for RVers if you get the RV endorsement for your membership.
Coach-net Roadside Assistance – Known for using companies particularly suited for very large rigs, Coach-net consistently has favorable reviews.
Working on the Road (Remote Jobs)
CoolRVers Remote Jobs – An article of jobs that work well as remote work as well as resources to find jobs that accept mobile workers.
Campground Locators and Reviews
Campendium.com – Pretty much the ultimate crowd source data on all camping sites including places to boondock. Includes many photos, personal advice, reviews and even other camper’s experiences with the spot’s cell service.
Allstays – A website and a phone app, Allstays is probably the most complete paid resources for RVers, for camp spots and most other needs. Because it is a paid product (although cheap), it adds a lot more services and layers that the others don’t.
RV Parky – A website and phone app that is an extensive resource for finding campsites and reviews.
Boondocking (Tips & Where to Go)
Boondocking 101 – Learn how to dry camp for free at some of the best locations.
Boondocks Welcome – A membership program that helps you find places where regular people are happy to host you (dry camping) on their own property for free (after membership).
Harvest Hosts – Membership program that lets you boondock (usually for one night, but sometimes more) at various businesses like wineries, breweries, farms, golf courses, etc. A good deal, although there is an implicit expectation of making a small purchase when possible to support the places allowing you to stay. But there are some very nice locations.
Campendium – Pretty much the ultimate crowd source data on all camping sites including places to boondock. Includes many photos, personal advice, reviews and even other camper’s experiences with the spot’s cell service. Just set the price to “free” and it will list all the boondocking spots.
Freecampsites.net – Sort of self explanatory and the interface is pretty clunky, but it is a pretty extensive resource and sometimes has free spots to camp that somehow aren’t in any of the other resources.
Sanitation (Dump) Station Locators
Sanidumps – While not the pretty interface, this is one of the most complete lists of RV dump locations on the internet.
Campendium – While primarily a directory of places to stay, Campendium also lists RV dump locations. Simply use the filter for RV dumps on the search results.
Fuel Locators and Discount Programs
Top Fuel Discount Programs – Get significant savings (up to 50 cents or more per gallon) through membership fuel programs. This article (“6 Outstanding Fuel Programs for RVers”) lists the top fuel discount programs, explains how they work, and where to sign up for them.
GasBuddy -An app and website that lists the price of fuel in your location or an entered destination based on user-reported data.
Find Fuel Stops – Find truck stops along a specific route.
Traveling With Pets
Tires and Tails – A blog which includes lots of helpful information about traveling with dogs and cats and how to deal with those challenges.
Bring Fido – Find out what locations are pet-friendly – Campgrounds, restaurants, hotels, dog parks, etc.
Rover – Find pet sitting, dog walkers and pet daycares in whatever area you travel to.