You’ve loved sleeping under the stars, staying in a tent and being super close to the great outdoors. Cooking your meals over an open fire or camping stove and completing your daily ablutions in a communal setting just added to the glamor of your great tenting getaways. But things change. Your back can no longer tolerate sleeping on the ground on a super thin mattress and you find yourself longing for some of the creature comforts of home.

Perhaps it’s time to think about retiring your tent for more deluxe accommodations, all while still enjoying the great outdoors. The solution: It just might be time to embrace the RV life and lifestyle. Where to begin?! No worries! Our friends at the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association (PCOA) want all campers to “Discover Your Outdoor Moments” with minimal hassles, maximum enjoyment, and great tips to make your transition to an RV as smooth and seamless as possible.

Classes of RVs: Where to start? Just driving down the highway, it seems there’s a dizzying array of RV options ranging from the super deluxe to a basic camper van and you’re not sure which one would be ideal for you. Rest assured, Jason Vaughan, PCOA’s Executive Director, has a few basic ideas on where to start your research. “When it comes to good intel about classes of RVs and travel trailers, I refer people to an advice blog by Kampgrounds of America (KOA). The blog not only defines each type of RV, but lists their pros and cons, demonstrates how they differentiate between each type, and suggests who tends to own each type and a list of questions to ask yourself.”

Vaughan also recommends visiting your local RV dealers or annual RV shows to browse around models inside and out and ask questions of the sales force. And check out your friends and neighbors’ recreational vehicles; ask them about why they bought a certain type and how and why they like it. As users themselves, they likely have some educational stories about their real-world experiences, both good and bad, that might inform your decision-making. 

couple cheering, RV behind parked

Additional resources and information about recreational vehicles and RVing can be found at Go RVing, including tips and inspirational blogs and research on the various RV types and manufacturers.

Rent Before You Buy? Purchasing an RV or travel trailer is often a big investment of both your money and time so renting could be an excellent way to try out the lifestyle and vehicles from small to large and help you make an informed decision. There are two common methods of renting RVs: Traditional RV rental companies and the fairly new process of peer-to-peer RV rental websites (think Airbnb on wheels), and they function just as their names indicate.

Traditional RV rental companies function similarly to car rental agencies. You go to the brick-and-mortar location to rent and drive off in the RV, while peer-to-peer RV rental websites are similar to short-term house rentals, such as Vrbo and Airbnb. RV owners list their vehicles for rent and you can opt for delivery of the RV or a stationary rental where you go to where the RV is already located and set up and stay there for the duration of your rental, e.g., an RV campground.  

To dive into rental options, including other considerations such as insurance, licensing, etc., Vaughan notes there is a lot of commentary and info out there by companies in the outdoor hospitality industry and social media bloggers. “Many of them point in the same general direction for these service providers, such as Cruise America or RVShare. You’ll likely find plentiful and reliable research out there with a few keyword searches and clicks.”

To help you get started, Vaughan suggests:

On-site Rentals at Campgrounds and RV Parks: Letting go of your tent and transitioning to an RV is a big step and one you may still be pondering. One way to get a taste of what RV life has to offer is to take advantage of the onsite rent options offered by many Pennsylvania campgrounds and RV parks.

Options for on-site rentals include RVs or park models, cabins, cottages, yurts, glamping tents, covered wagons, tepees, and more. You might want to try out some of these other options for staying in the great outdoors as a further assurance you’ve considered all the angles and are confident you want to go the RV route.

American Flag at post infront of RV parked at campsite

You can research on-site rental options with independent campground operators at pacamping.com, and while you won’t experience what it’s like to drive or haul an RV along the highway and backroads, you’ll still leave with a pretty good idea if staying in an RV is how you want to experience the great outdoors. One last note about onsite rentals. While many Pennsylvania campgrounds welcome your furry friend, it’s best to find out ahead of time if pets are welcome at the actual rental property whether a tent site or RV site and any restrictions that may apply.

The last couple of hurdles before taking the grand leap to renting or owning an RV to take on the road is your comfort level and/or experience in driving an RV-type vehicle or towing a travel trailer. If your comfort level is low and your anxiety level is high, no worries. There are actually RV schools that will teach you how to drive safely. Also, when it’s time to park your new rig on a site, Vaughan wants to put your mind at rest noting that Pennsylvania campground operators are quite helpful in getting you perfectly situated on a site. “They definitely want to make sure you don’t back into a pole or scrape another vehicle, so don’t be shy about asking them for help if you think you might need it,” he says. “It will save them – and you – a lot of money and embarrassment.”

Vaughan invites travelers with any questions about the camping lifestyle or campgrounds to check out the “Camping 101” article, which is full of tips and refreshers for those new to camping and RVing or easing back into the scene after a long break. Also, the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association at info@pacamping.com or (610) 767-5026 are a great resource and they’re always happy to answer questions or make referrals.  

The Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association, headquartered in East Stroudsburg, is a non-profit trade association of independently owned campgrounds and RV parks in PA.

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