So it’s that time of the season. It’s your friend RVer’s birthday, anniversary, wedding, bachelor party, half-birthday, etc. You’re stumped because you’re not really sure what gift you’re supposed to give to this person. So here are some ideas:

 1. If you’re going to get them something they can use in or for their RV, research. Don’t just buy it blindly because chances are it won’t be fitting. So if you’re going to take this route, it’s going to require some external effort on your part.

 2. Instead of getting them a gift certificate to that one boutique that exists only in one location in that one little town, opt for something more universal. Any RVer will spend his/her time travelling all over the nation, and will likely want something that can be redeemed anywhere at any time.

 3. Any type of travelling demands a tight budget. Get them something that can be redeemed or something off which they can receive a discount. Coupons (good ones, so none of that buy 4 get 1 free stuff) can help them receive meals, clothes, and souvenirs for valuable discounted pricing.

 4. Anything that will keep them occupied. This includes board games, iTunes gift cards, books, Kindles, iPads, etc. RV trips are long and can get boring, so anything that will result in mindless entertainment and fun will be great.

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 If you’re looking for a way to rekindle the ties in your family, or even just a fun bonding experience overall, RV trips can be the best way to go. In a randomly sampled survey conducted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), parents of kids stated that family bonding was the number one benefit out of RV trips. So there. It’s been statistically proven. Many RV owners will gladly admit to the fact that the best RV trips are those with the family. There’s just something different about living on wheels with your family rather than living in a hotel, or even worse – at home. It isn’t even something that can be put easily into words because it simply just is. How can you really explain “bonding”? Other than the fact that it’s an increasing and developing connection between two or more people. It just happens. Normally, everyone’s busy doing their own things, on their own schedules. But all of a sudden on an RV trip, everyone’s schedules become one, and their plans and activities all match up. Nothing’s ever certain about any kind of trip, except for familial relationship. Even though you have a routine and a schedule, there are no chaotic interruptions or discrepancies, because everyone is on the same page and in the same vehicle. So next time you need a nice relaxing break from the turmoil of daily life, pack up the family and the bags into your RV, and head on out.

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 If you’re a frequent traveler, packing is probably secondhand nature for you. You could be given a few hours notice to fly to a country halfway across the globe, and within a couple of minutes, you’ll be packed and ready to go. You may know the ins and outs of packing a suitcase but what about when it comes to packing an RV? Yeah, things get a lot bigger, and a lot more complicated.

So the first thing you want to do is check your tires. Make sure they’re not problematic in any way, and make sure they’re filled with enough air to get you through a storm. Tires seem like to easy of a tip? Then balance. Now since there is no weighing scale for a full-sized RV, it all relies on common sense. Evenly distribute all your heavy items throughout your RV, so that one side isn’t heavier or lighter than the other. Even before all of that, make sure you actually look at the RV size before you buy it. If you know that you’re not going to want to lug around a 60,000 lb. vehicle, don’t buy it. Make sure to thoroughly inspect and assess all aspects of the RV and ask yourself the following questions: How many passengers am I usually going to have? How far am I going to travel with this thing? and of coure, How much do I even want to spend? No matter what the responses are, you will be able to find one that suits you and your needs. Last but not least, just be aware! If you notice something strange while driving, stop and inspect it. Consistently check up on everything to make sure all part are functioning properly. After that, you’re all good to go and don’t need to worry about weighing your RV or your shoulders down.

First seen @your-rv-lifestyle.com

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If you want to learn the important essentials and other ins and outs of RVing, you should attend a local RV rally near you. These rallies can range from smaller gatherings to large-scale events filled with tons of attendees, and often include informative seminars about RV travelling, RV-related exhibits, and prizes and awards. Additionally, they provide a fun opportunity for you to meet and socialize with other drivers with similar interests. Because these rallies are designed to ensure that participants fully enjoy the day’s events, some rallies provide entertainment and music to accompany meals.

Check out the video of an RV rally which took place in Louisiana.

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 1.TKO ASAP: Okay, so what you never ever want to do is bore or fall asleep on the person driving you to wherever you’re going. If all the passengers fall asleep, or are busy texting away, the driver not only gets bored, but he/he increasingly becomes tired, and unaware of the road. Being a passenger is a privilege not a right, so don’t abuse it. Think of it this way: if you were driving four to six other people for hours straight, you wouldn’t want to be sunken into boredom.

 2. Try not to argue. The last thing you want is to be claustrophobically stuck in a little moving box with wheels in the midst of awkward or angry tension between passengers. You have to breathe the same air as them, so keep the air clean and pollution-free.

 3. Calm down on the caffeine. We know, you’re excited. As you should be. But a stop at McDonalds for a McCafe every 30 minutes is a bit much. Plus, that’ll triple up your restroom stops, which will increase your time on the road which will mean more gasoline dollars, which will mean LESS FUN. Don’t do it.

 4. Plan. But actually, plan. Not where you’re going, because you know where you’re going. Plan ahead in terms of traffic and avoid all construction sites as much as possible. If you live in a suburban area, avoiding traffic isn’t too difficult, but if you’re leaving a big city, you definitely want to check your local traffic before leaving.

These are just some of the tips telling you what not to do, because chances are you, you already know what to do.

For the full list of road trip tips check out the rest @11points.com

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To travel with people you actually like? Once you’ve figured out everything about your next and upcoming RV trip, including food, expenses, activities, what comes next? People. The last thing you want to do is go on a really awesome trip with a dullard. You don’t want to have people around you that will drag you or your plans down in anyway. Of course you want some diversity and creativity floating around but you don’t want someone whose ideas harshly clash with yours. Almost everyone has travelled with that one person who always wants to do something “else” or has the weird diet criteria that prevents everyone from enjoying the delicious meals that every trip should have. We have all travelled with the guy who wants to do EVERYTHING. That’s cool, we get that. You’re in a new place and you want to take advantage of everything you can, but you don’t want to constantly be hanging with the guy who can’t just chill and enjoy one thing at a time. It may seem like an obnoxious or pretentious task to choose the people you want to accompany you on your escapades, but it’s really not. It’s totally reasonable. And the people who have travelled with one the aforementioned stereotypes will agree. You don’t want to settle for anything less than what you deserve when it comes to travelling. No matter what.

First seen @aswetravel.com

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Since our presidents preside over the establishment for a good 4-8 years of our lives, it is no surprise that we are all a little curious to get to know a little bit more about the Chief. This begins with the Chief’s hometown or where he spent the majority of his life before his presidency. Former president Bill Clinton’s hometown lies in Little Rock, Arkansas, not too far away from the beautiful Hot Springs. If you decide to trek down here and visit his home, it’s worth it to check out the surrounding areas, and get a feel for what it might have been like to be old Bill. Hot Springs attracts all kinds of visitors to its famous Bathhouse Row, which is a beautifully designed set of bathhouses where tourists can go to relax and walk around. There are a number of hikes to take during which you can view some of the most spectacular sights off the mountain. The majority of visitors visit the Bill Clinton Library and Museum during their trips, learning about his childhood experiences and family life. You can wander off into one of many art galleries or peruse an endless catalog of amazing dining options. Whether you loved or hated Clinton, it is most definitely worth the trip to visit and experience a sensational little town which can be enjoyed by the entire family.

First seen  @your-rv-lifestyle.com

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If you looked at the photograph above and are reading this, chances are you like chocolate. If you’re a human being, period, chances are you like chocolate. Now if you’re a chocolate connoisseur (dark, milk, white, anything), you’ve probably made it one of your life goals to visit Hershey Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Instead of taking a boring and long flight there, pack your RV with family and food, and make it a road trip! Once you park your car at the local RV park near Hershey Park, the amusement park and the areas around it are like a world within itself. You can choose to visit the Hershey Museum, which holds exhibits which illustrate the history of chocolate, and more specifically, the Hershey Company and its founder Milton S. Hershey. Within the chocolate-themed amusement park, you can enjoy sixty rides and attractions and experience a chocolate-filled world which extends beyond just the Hershey Company. At Chocolate World (below), you can learn about the actual process of creating and packaging the chocolate. Visitors can also buy a duel pass to both the Hershey Park and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, and can visit both parks during the same day.

Any RV specialist or owner knows that the laborious process of planning and organizing an RV trip can get pretty boring. It can be complicated and confusing, especially if you’re an RV virgin. Hence, the birth of an all-encompassing helpful tool: the RV Trip Wizard phone application. The term “application” is a bit of an understatement since this planner has just about everything you can, need, and want to know about everything from the exact location of nearby RV parks, to trip cost estimates. It can be used on almost any internet/data access phone or computer, and has a reasonable subscription of $37/year. It’s like having a set of helping hands while making all trip decisions. Instead of spending precious time perusing through webpages and tabs of inaccurate information, this application will allow you to not only examine and control every aspect of your trip but will enhance your RV lifestyle and knowledge overall.

 First seen @rvnewsdaily.com

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Traveling, any kind and anywhere, begins to get expensive the second that the thought to travel enters your mind. The moment you decide where you want to go and the cost of transportation, you begin to do the sloppy-but-accurate-as-possible math in your head. Then you decide the people you want to travel with, whether it’s your family or friends – that’s when the second grade addition starts to come into play. After, you start thinking about what you’re actually going to do once you get there. That’s the activities you’re going to participate in, the places you’ll visit, the food you will eat, etc. That’s when the hardcore multiplication kicks in, and before you know it, you’re talking yourself out of even stepping foot outside your home. However, costs can be minimized. Here are some tips to help you reduce expenses as much as possible.

1. BUDGET. The obvious one. Seems easy to create, but is a little harder to follow. By setting a strict budget for yourself, your subconscious will kick you everytime you step outside the numbers and dollar signs.

2. Look for coupons and discounts. Not like the crazy extreme couponing tv show, but a healthy amount. Many of the places you plan to visit are most likely hot spots for tourists, and therefore, they probably publish plenty of coupons and visitor discounts. Check the booklets in your hotel or online.

3. You don’t have to do everything. Especially if it’s shrinking your wallet. That three hundred dollar authentic Native American stone statue might look gorgeous, but do you really need it? Probably not. Going on a vacation presents tons of opportunities to indulge and spend so choose your activities and expenditures carefully and wisely.