When summer cranks up the heat, your RV adventures don’t have to melt into misery! At East Coast Campers and More, we know that RV life is all about comfort and freedom—so we’re sharing our top tips and tricks to beat the heat and keep your cool no matter how high the temps climb. Let’s chill!

1. Shade Is Your Best Friend

Whether you’re parked at a campground or boondocking off the grid, find a shady spot if you can—or make your own! Roll out that awning, pop up some shade sails, or even park next to trees (bonus: trees help with natural cooling!). A little cover can go a long way in keeping your RV from turning into a rolling oven.

2. Reflect the Rays

Insulated window covers and reflective sunshades (like Reflectix) are a game-changer. They block out that blazing sun and help keep the inside temp down. Add blackout curtains or thermal drapes for extra protection. Trust us—your AC will thank you!

3. Fan-tastic Air Flow

AC is great, but fans are your MVPs. Use a combination of ceiling fans, portable fans, and window fans to circulate air and create cross-breezes. Crack a window on the shady side and open a roof vent for natural ventilation.

4. Cook Smart (and Outside!)

That oven might make great brownies, but it’ll also heat up your entire rig. Stick to no-cook meals, use an Instant Pot or air fryer, or better yet—fire up the grill outside. Picnic tables + burgers = summer magic without the sweat.

5. Switch to LED Lighting

Incandescent bulbs not only drain your power, they give off heat. Swap them out for cool, energy-efficient LEDs and enjoy a brighter (and cooler) RV life.

6. Hydration Nation

Keep a cooler stocked with water, sports drinks, and popsicles. Staying hydrated helps regulate your body temperature, especially if you’re outside soaking up the sun. Bonus: misting fans and cooling towels are great to have on hand.

7. Time Your Activities

Plan your adventures for early mornings or evenings when it’s cooler. Midday is perfect for a nap in the AC or lounging in a hammock under your awning with a cold drink in hand.

8. Upgrade Your AC Game

If your RV AC isn’t cutting it, ask us about upgrades! At East Coast Campers and More, we can help you find a more powerful rooftop unit or a portable AC solution that keeps you comfy even on the hottest days.

Keep Calm and Camp On
A summer heat wave doesn’t have to derail your RV fun. With a little planning (and maybe a few frozen treats), you can enjoy the open road while staying cool and collected.

Need help prepping your RV for summer? Stop by East Coast Campers and More—we’ve got everything you need to chill out this season!

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Exceptional Design and Comfort

The Highland Ridge RV Open Range travel trailers are thoughtfully designed to maximize living space without sacrificing comfort. With a variety of floorplans available, you can choose the layout that best suits your needs, whether it’s a cozy getaway for two or a fun-filled family vacation. Each model features spacious interiors, plush seating, and well-appointed kitchens, providing you with everything you need to feel at home—no matter how far you roam.

Innovative Features

These innovative features set the Highland Ridge Open Range apart from other high-quality travel trailers. Here are just a few standout features:

• Magnum Roof™ System: The innovative PVC roofing membrane design offers a walkable surface and reflects sunlight to keep your trailer cooler during hot summer days. You can enjoy adventures without worrying about the heat!
• Durable Construction: Built with TuffShell™ fiberglass walls reinforced with welded aluminum framing, these travel trailers deliver strength and durability while ensuring a smooth and reliable towing experience.
• Xtend Solar Package: Stay powered on your adventures with the standard Xtend Solar Package. Enjoy the freedom of extended camping without being tied to electrical hookups, keeping your fridge running and lights shining bright.
• Kid and Pet-Friendly: Residential vinyl flooring throughout and on slide-out floors.
• Thermal Seal: Enclosed, insulated, heated underbelly, and fully insulated roof.
•  Kitchen Features: Equipped with a 12V 10cu. Ft. refrigerator and a flush mount range with a glass top, providing more countertop space when the range is not in use. Residential hardwood cabinet doors and drawers with hidden hinges.
• PLUS, there are many other features you will love!

HIGHLAND RIDGE RV
OPEN RANGE LITE

The Highland Ridge RV Open Range Lite travel trailer offers functionality and a welcoming atmosphere for relaxation and fun. With a variety of floorplans, they are a perfect fit for couples or families. They are easy to tow, lightweight, and fully utilize the interior space.

HIGHLAND RIDGE RV
OPEN RANGE LIGHT

Discover the Highland Ridge RV Open Range Light travel trailer, designed for adventurers who long for comfort and all the amenities of a higher-end RV. Your journey is as exciting as the destination.

Join the Open Range Family

Are you ready to embark on your next unforgettable journey? With the Highland Ridge RV Open Range at your side, adventure awaits! Visit our dealership to explore our newest line of travel trailers and discover why it could be the perfect model for your lifestyle. Look at our current inventory and get more information at East Coast Campers and More. We are here to assist you every step of the way.

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Travel Trailer Benefits

There are many advantages to travel trailers. First and fore most they are cost effective with many floorplan options, sizes, weights. Small teardrop trailers can cost as little as $5,000. Pop-up-style campers start at around $10,000 and a classic travel trailer can start at around $20,000. Many offer bunkhouses or bunk beds for the kids!

Travel trailers can range from 10 to 20 feet and some are light weight enough to be towed by a small SUV or truck. This means they are very fuel efficient and easy to tow. It’s important to know the weight limitations of your tow vehicle when shopping for a towable RV.

Many people also enjoy the flexibility of owing a towable travel trailer versus other types of recreational vehicles. Having a towable RV means you can set up camp and go exploring in your tow vehicle. No need to feel tethered to the campsite.

Best Quality Travel Trailers with Bunk Beds

Two of our best-selling travel trailer brands are Crossroads RV Zinger and the Keystone RV Hideout. Both of these were rated by RVing Planet as the top 2 out of 4 best quality travel trailers with bunk beds. These travel trailers are uber-aerodynamic and provide lots of features that make it easier than ever to use. They are easy to tow by small SUV’s or medium size trucks, easy to set up, and affordable!

The Keystone RV Hideout is a towable rv that features many amenities with lots of different floorplans to choose from. The beautiful contemporary interior design will be the first thing to catch your eye…. textured-glass cabinet doors, batten ceiling strips, reclaimed wood-inspired flooring, deep tint windows throughout, and hard-valance window treatments. You will also appreciate the electric stabilizer jacks, SolarFlex solar power, central vacuum system, in-floor heating ducts, and Tru-fit slide construction. Just a few things that will enhance your camping comfort. And, you can find the perfect lite weight single axle model that weighs less than 4,000 lbs. and sleeps 4-6 people for less than $25,000!

The Crossroads RV Zinger Lites also have floorplans that are under 5,000 lbs. with lots of great features. We’re talking power stabilizer jacks and a totally enclosed and heated underbelly with forced heat. Translate that into cozy, and warm when you need it the most on those chilly nights! It comes prepped for WIFI, solar, and a rear backup camera. Zinger Lites feature tinted windows with blinds, AM/FM stereo system with Bluetooth Soundbar, LED lighting and accent lighting, generous storage, an aerodynamic corrugated front cab, and nitrogen-filled radial tires. There are several single axle models that sleep 4-6 people under 4,000 lbs. for less than $23,000!

What About Financing Options?

Financing is based on the price, your down payment, your credit score, and interest rates, your payments could be as little as $200.00 a month. A great value for family vacations when you consider the cost of a hotel room and dining out. Plus, you get to enjoy the security and comforts of sleeping in your own bed, and having your own stuff, just like home, no matter where you go!

Great for Families

Camping with your family is a great way to spend time together. Whether you enjoy rustic adventures, or a more traditional vacation resort style camping experience, it’s all possible. Check out the travel trailers for sale now on our website at www.eastcoastcampers.com.

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Below are our top RV camping hacks to make your next trip easier than ever. For more information on how to optimize your camper, travel trailer, or park model for the variety of adventure you seek, please contact East Coast Campers & More. Visit us online or call our Frankford RV dealership today! 

RV Prep Before You Leave

Prior to hitting the road and embarking on your camping trip, it’s necessary first to have all of your belongings packed and stored properly in your RV. When you try to execute this process without a specific plan in mind, however, you might run out of room before all the luggage, food, and equipment have made their way to the right spots. 

As you begin packing your RV camper for your outdoor excursion, you can save space and maximize your storage in a couple easy ways:

• Install suspension rods in your closets to hold clothes on hangers, or add a piece of wood to create a shelf! (If you run out of space, you can put one in the shower too!)
• Use bungee cords to secure storage bins or large, loose items 
• Store items under the bed, if possible, in a low-rise storage drawer unit
• Pack no more dishware or cooking utensils than you know you will need — a cast iron skillet is a must!
• Prep meals in advance so that you won’t need to wash as many dishes

RV Hacks For The Campsite

Now, here’s where the fun starts! Once you’re on the campsite or at your desired destination, there are a few ways to easily make your RV vacation experience less effortful and more enjoyable. 

Mosquitoes are one of the biggest pests of the outdoors, especially in the summertime, but you can keep them away with bug sprays, as well as citronella candles. If you happen to run out of the latter, you can always make your own with a simple combination of lemon and cloves! 

When the time comes to get dinner ready, consider the following camping hacks for cooking:

• Fill an empty egg carton with a dozen pieces of coal, and use as a “starter log” for your fire
• Prevent food from sticking: simply rub one half of a sliced onion on the grill!
• Keep a belt and metal hooks in your RV; find a tree on the campsite, and use these tools to make a holder for pots and pans
• Saran wrap and aluminum foil are your new best friends! Ditto for your trusty cast iron skillet
• Save water and wash fewer dishes at your campfire barbeque by putting condiments and toppings in a muffin tin

RV Hacks On The Way Home

When you’ve finished up with your RV camping trip and are heading home, there’s not much left to do besides unpacking. However, there’s always the off chance that something could go wrong with your RV, whether it’s a faulty part or an unexpected flat tire. 

When you need assistance with your rig, be sure to call a team of trusted mechanics like ours at East Coast Campers & More. Our parts and service department is located in Frankford but also serves a 50-mile radius in the greater Delaware area. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get your RV in tip-top shape for many trips to come!

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Why Camp With An RV?

Camping is fun pretty much any way you do it, but it’s a whole lot more comfortable when you do it with a recreational vehicle. Thanks to the spacious quarters afforded by campers and their counterparts, you’ll have plenty of room for you and your family to spread out during the drive to the campsite, partaking in whatever activities or pastimes your hearts desire. When arriving at a campsite, people tend to react in one of two ways: they’re either eager to get the tents and supplies set up, or they’re ready for a nap and a cold beverage. Fortunately, an RV allows a family to indulge both of these preferences! Whether you prefer to sleep underneath the stars in a canvas tent or you long for the comfort of a queen-sized bed, you’ll have the option of both when you go camping with an uber-accommodating recreational vehicle. 

Is Camping Safe?

Some parents might be hesitant to see how their family, especially if they have younger children, responds to the environment of the great outdoors in its natural state. But camping is meant to be a vacation! It doesn’t necessarily require any advanced training or knowledge in order to be enjoyable or fun. However, it’s not a good idea to go camping with an entire team without someone doing at least a bit of research. Figure out where you want to set up camp, what activities you’ll participate in to enjoy the beauty of nature, and what supplies, clothing, and food you’ll need to stay satisfied and energized. 

What If COVID-19 Is Still A Problem?

Thanks to the open environment in which camping takes place, it is easy to distance yourself from other campers and nature-watchers. If, come summer, you or your family are still concerned about the COVID-19 outbreak and the possibility of contraction, it’s plenty easy to find a remote spot where you won’t need to interact with anyone except your loved ones. Plus, fresh air never did the immune system any harm! Summer is just around the corner, so if you don’t already have an RV at the ready, it’s high time to pick one out. East Coast Campers has a fantastic selection of destination trailers, park models, travel trailers, and more. And if you’re wondering — yes, we are open right now! Contact us today or explore our inventory online to find the perfect RV for your family’s upcoming summer camping trip.

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Winter RV camping can be so much fun if you’re willing to put in a bit of extra effort to make your rig warm and cozy.

If you love skiing and snow, winter RV camping can be a blast, but you’ll want to take extra care to keep parts of your RV from freezing.

As a family-run business, we know the importance of creating those incredible memories with the kids.  Winter camping provides an opportunity to create lots of fun stories they will tell for years and years, and traditions the kids will want to pass on to their own children.

Here are some tips on how to make winter RV camping more comfortable, less stressful, and allow you to focus on fun with the family.

Pay Special Attention to Insulation and Moisture

When the temperatures fall below freezing, you will be glad you put the time into insulating your RV.

Here are a few areas that will require special attention.

Windows and doors.

Some RVers like these folks like to put shrink wrap over their screen doors and windows.  This provides an extra barrier between you and the cold.

Slides

Cold weather RV camping presents a bigger moisture problem than camping during warmer weather.  As it freezes, moisture can travel upwards and expand, so it’s recommended to protect from moisture from the beginning.

These campers recommend using a slide cover to prevent snow from sitting on top of your slides.

You’ll want to be sure to add extra insulation to your slides as well.  Using foam insulation cutouts and foil insulation can significantly reduce heat from escaping.

See this video for more tips on insulating your slides.

Floors

Your floors can be a shock of cold to your warm feet in the morning.

Take the extra step of placing foam pads in high traffic areas to protect your feet from the cold.

Use a snap-on RV skirt to protect the underbelly of your rig from blowing snow and moisture while winter RV camping.

This will help with keeping the elements under your RV from being damaged and freezing in the cold, and will also help with the temperature of your floors.

Water Hose

You can buy a heated water hose if you like, but you can also accomplish the same thing by using heat tape and foam insulation.

You may want to wrap the spigot and the entrance to the RV to keep water from freezing where the hose connects.

Use a 40 watt bulb mounted inside the compartment where the host connects to the RV to provide an extra heat source.

Be extra cautious with this and make sure you mount it properly.  This can be a safety hazard if done incorrectly.

Sewer Hose

In really cold temperatures, you will only want to drain your sewer hose when you need to, rather than leaving it connected. If you leave it connected you will end up with matter freezing inside the pipes and creating a huge mess.

Staying Warm Can Be a Challenge

Space heaters are a lifesaver when camping in the winter.

The best space heater for winter camping is one with an oscillation feature, as this will circulate the air better than a stationary heater and helps reduce condensation.

Be sure to place the space heater so that it does not disrupt the thermostat readings.  You want your space heaters to be a supplement, not a replacement for your RV heater.

CAUTION: Make sure you do not leave space heaters on while you sleep and follow proper safety as recommended on the packaging.  It is recommended that you have a carbon monoxide detector if you use a space heater to keep you and your family safe.

Use a heated blanket to stay warm while you sleep.  You can get dual control blankets when you and your spouse prefer different temperatures.

Many of these tips were found in this video, so give it a watch for more in-depth tips.

Stay Safe and Warm

Winter RV Camping can be a lot of fun but comes with its own challenges.

Stop by East Coast Campers and More, a family-owned and operated Delaware RV Dealer, to consult with our maintenance team and let our family help your family stay safe, dry, and warm during the winter months.

Author: Kristi Durham

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Here are a few ideas that can help you and your kids enjoy your camping experience, connect with each other, and connect with nature:

Involve the kids in the process

Get the kids excited about your camping trip in advance! Share photos of the campground you’re planning to visit and discuss all the fun things you will do. Involve them in every aspect of planning.

Do research together on places to go and things to do. Have them help organize things to bring, pack their clothes, books, and games. Have them select fun and healthy snacks, make trail mix, or plan a meal. Give them responsibilities for taking care of the campsite during your stay. Involving kids in the process fosters independent thinking, and teaches them the value of teamwork.

Take a break from technology

Although we love our technology, a common complaint is that we spend too much time on our smartphones. Camping trips are a good time to break that habit. It’s important for all of us to get out there and experience the real world, socialize, and interact with people in person instead of on social media. It’s even more important for your family because taking a break from technology will improve your relationship with your kids.

Connect with nature

The benefits of getting outside and exploring nature are many. Unstructured play time out in nature enhances confidence and promotes creativity and imagination. Being out in nature gets kids moving and makes them think, and connecting with nature reduces stress and anxiety.

Many campgrounds have lots of ways you can spend quality time outdoors with your kids discovering the natural world. Here are some great ideas from The Child Mind Institute that can help you get your kids more involved in nature.

• Set up treasure hunts. Make a short, simple list of things for your kids to look for outside—such as “a shiny object,” or “something you can hold liquid in.” The satisfaction of finding the objects turns it into a reinforcing activity, and it will keep them outside in search of the next list item.
• Identify things. Get a book—with pictures—about birds, bugs, leaves, trees, or flowers in your local area, and go outside looking for specific creatures in the book to identify. Matching leaves to pictures and names has a reinforcing treasure hunt kind of appeal. The same goes for bird calls.
• Start a collection. You can find small parts of nature like rocks or shells almost everywhere, and starting a collection adds appeal, giving a kid motivation to search and therefore spend time outdoors. Just make sure you’re not in a state park—most have rules that don’t let you bring anything home.
• Use the technology to your advantage. If your kid is hooked on any and all electronic devices, have him bring along a camera or phone and create video or photo journals of various nature trips. He’ll still be near a piece of technology, but he’ll be using it to focus on the world around him.
• Go fruit or vegetable picking. Coming home with a basket of food that they’ve gathered on their own is both rewarding and might make them appreciate their food, and where it comes from, more.
• Take a hike. Walking on a trail to a waterfall or breathtaking view also gives kids a sense of accomplishment, rewarding them for their physical efforts during the hike. This goes for bike rides, too. If there’s a swimming hole at the end, they’ll even be able to cool off. Just don’t forget to bring snacks and take short breaks to keep their energy up!
• Make art projects. For the kids who would rather sit inside with some arts and crafts, get them to use objects from nature for their art. Picking flowers to press onto paper, using berry juice as paint, or collecting pinecones and rocks to decorate are ways to infuse nature into activities they already enjoy.

Conclusion

Camping with kids provides lots of opportunities to get everyone moving and engaged. Spending quality time as a family doing fun things together helps families develop stronger bonds and better communication. Meeting new people, making friends, and socializing are also important aspects that can help your children develop valuable social skills. Studies have shown that promoting these types of activities can provide lifelong health and happiness for you and your kids.

So, are we there yet? Have you got some tips you would like share for families RV camping with kids?

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