Selling The Sizzle, Forgetting The Steak

Something a little different this time in honor of 2020, the year of the RV. Fuelled by Corona virus concerns and bolstered by aggressive marketing by the RV industry, interest in leisure vehicles has never been higher. As many as forty-six million Americans, a record number,  say they plan to take an RV vacation in the next 12 months, according to findings from the market researcher Ipsos that the RV Industry Association funded. Even President Donald Trump suggested he may ditch Air Force One for an RV trip to New York.

This huge growth in RV interest is hardly surprising given current COVID-19 conditions. With borders closed, travel curtailed, and most vacation options such as cruise ship voyages, overseas flights and destination resorts either unavailable or undesirable, its little wonder why RV's have garnered so much interest. They are after all the perfect pandemic get-away, able to whisk their occupants off to the great outdoors in a self-contained bubble with private toilet, shower, bed and kitchen. In a world where social distancing, self-isolation, sanitizing and staying close to home have become the new normal, trailers, motorhomes and campers have become the new solution.

Much of this increased interest comes from people who are new to RV'ing and know little about the lifestyle. Their visions of camping have been shaped in large part by glossy brochures and slick TV ads showing the perfect camping spot by a picturesque lake with children frolicking through the forest rediscovering their "wildhood" or the happy family making memories around the campfire. Its a great example of the industry selling the sizzle but neglecting to mention how much effort is required to cook the steak. 

By that I mean, the industry ads tend to focus on or promote the positive aspects of RV'ing while minimizing or glossing over the challenges. And, it's these challenges and concerns which potential customers need to know about before signing on the dotted line.

Challenges, Challenges!

What are those challenges, or concerns associated with RV'ing which are seldom mentioned? Let's start with the RV vacation. Unlike other types of holidays such as a cruise on an ocean liner or stay at a destination resort where the most strenuous activity usually involves lifting a glass or choosing at the buffet, RV'ing requires active participation and effort. Whether its preparing for a trip, rolling down the highway or setting up at the campsite, there are skills to be mastered, common sense to be exercised, and effort to be expended to have an enjoyable, fun filled vacation. There are no tour guides, recreation directors, pool boys or bell hops to help with the heavy lifting. It's all up to the participants.

Planning and Preparation

Even before a wheel has turned, a successful trip requires planning and preparation. Gone are the days when the spontaneous adventurer could simply hop in their rig and head out on the highway. Sadly, the number of RV's currently on the road has far outpaced the number of RV parks and campgrounds able to accomodate them and that situation has been made even worse by the influx of new RV'ers. These days, its almost essential to plan a trip and reserve campsites well in advance. Even then, snagging a spot at a bucket-worthy locale such as Banff, Jasper, Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon can be more difficult then scoring tickets to a rock concert.

The increase in RV'ers (and tourists in general) has also lead to huge crowds and congestions at many of the popular vacation spots. Folks who dream of "getting away from it all" by visiting a national park, will likely be  disappointed. Banff for example, seems to rival Los Angeles or Vancouver at times for crowds and congestion, especially in the summer. Yellowstone, Zion, the Grand Canyon and most other major destinations are little better. Some US national parks are so busy, they are considering the implementation of a reservation system. This doesn't refer to campsites but a reserved time when a person or family can enter a park. No reservation - no admittance. 

Packing

After planning comes packing. Because an RV is essentially a mini-house, it needs a lot of stuff like, bedding, plates, utensils, food, etc. All the essentials of a home must also be in the mobile home plus camping gear, sports equipments, tools and a host of other odds and ends. Take too much stuff however and risk being overloaded. Omit or forget something and risk being without an essential item. Its a delicate balancing act.

On The Road

Once on the road, driving a motorhome or pulling a towable (travel trailer or 5th wheel) presents its own set of issues and challenges. Advocates of the RV lifestyle claim that pulling a trailer or driving a motorhome is, "not as difficult as it may look" and with a little practice "You will be a master in no time". These statements however, tend to gloss over the reality of the situation. Given a straight and level stretch of highway with little traffic and good weather, an RV is often no more difficult to handle then a large sedan or SUV. But, a recreational vehicle is essentially a big, awkward, ponderous box with mediocre acceleration, stodgy handling and marginal braking. Given the right (wrong?) conditions such as sharp curves, hills, crosswinds, rain, excessive speed or a combination of conditions and the docile box can quickly become a cantankerous handfull resulting in a white-knuckle, hair-raising driving experience. That's just on the highway. Even more cantankerousness await when entering a gas station, grocery store parking lot or shopping mall. Space that's ample for an ordinary vehicle becomes incredibly problematic for a big, ungainly beast on wheels.

At The Campground

Arriving at the campground merely substitues one set of challenges for another. Chief among them is the dreaded "back-in". During a recent RV related live stream event, the host asked chatroom participants to post their number one RV related fear or concern. By far, the largest number of responses were "backing in" to an RV site"

While highway driving can be tough enough, backing into an campsite or RV spot especially when pulling a trailer is the task most drivers, even the seasoned ones tend to dread. Practice and experience helps as does modern technology such as back-up cameras but, best of all is a good spotter.  Despite all these aids, it still tends to be a daunting task. 

Adding to the back-in stress is the knowledge that a lot of folks in surrounding sites are watching. While RV'ers on the whole are helpful and supportive, they will freely admit that one of their favourite past times is watching new arrivals back into their sites. It quickly becomes apparent who's a seasoned veteran and who is new at the job. Veterans tend to function as a well oiled team with each participant having a job or responsibility. Newbies on the other hand are still figuring things out. Often their efforts and actions were more appropriate for a comedy show then a camp ground. A well oiled team they are not.

Hooking Up/Taking Down

Once settled in the campsite, the RV needs to be set up. This is where the newbie discovers that an RV is really a collection of complex systems; sewer, water, A/C, heating, propane, etc., that must be connected, hooked-up, turned on, activated and deployed, correctly. These tasks are usually not strenuous or difficult but do require some time, effort and skill to complete. 

The same is true when leaving. While backing-up is no longer an issue, making sure that everything is disconnected, stowed away or put back in place is now the concern. RV lore is filled with stories about the guy who forgot to unplug his power cord or the gal who negelected to retract the stairs. It's no coincidence that many RV parks have exit signs which read, "Steps Up, Antenna Down, Sewer Cap On, Wife In". Funny as it may sound, it's still a valuable reminder.

Campgrounds & RV Parks

Speaking of camp grounds, there is the illusion that RV'ing is an inexpensive way to holiday and to a
certain extent, that's true - as long as its just accommodation costs that are being compared. Campgrounds as a general rule, are  cheaper then motels, hotels and resorts. For those who want to get away from it all and spend little or no money, boondocking or camping off the grid is an option. That could include setting up in the middle of nowhere or in a Walmart parking lot. It's been my experience that, given a choice most RV'ers prefer the creature comforts of an RV park such as water, sewer, power, a pool, store, playground, dog park and other amenities. If they had wanted to "rough-it" they'd have bought a tent. The down side to this type of camping is expense. RV parks can be expensive. In Canada, $40 to $60 a night is a common range for an average site while resort style destinations can easily ask twice that amount. So, even though these prices may be less then a hotel or resort, they still represent a significant expense.

Cruel Fuel

Camping costs pale however when compared with fuel expenditures. Whether its a motor home or vehicle towing a trailer, they all guzzle fuel at a prodigious rate. That's hardly a surprise given the fact that most RV's are little more than big, flat boxes with the aerodynamic properties of a brick. Smaller camper vans may see milage numbers in the low 20's (MPG) but the average motorhome or tow vehicle is usually down in the low teens. Add in a headwind, some hills and that number can easily drop to single digit. As a real world example, my tow vehicle averaged 25 litres per 100 kilometers or a little over 9 miles per gallon while pulling a trailer from Vancouver to Calgary.

So, if a destination is off the grid and close to home, an RV vacation can definitely be inexpensive otherwise, be sure you have a decent credit limit on your VISA card. You'll need it.

The Right Fit?

Finally there's the overarching question of whether an RV vacation is the right fit. Even though a recreational vehicle may seem huge when towed or driven, its really very small when lived in. There is little room for privacy or personal space. For some couples and families, that's not an issue. Everyone gets along and enjoys the camaraderie. For those who need their privacy, personal space or alone time, this can be a huge issue, transforming even a short trip into an  endless nightmare.

Its also essential that everyone is on the same page when it comes to an RV holiday. If one person is "gung ho" while the others are apathetic or worse, hostile to the idea, the resulting friction can become quite noticeable within the the RV's tiny confines. There's simply no where to go, no where to get away, no where to decompress when tensions build.

These are some of the issues to consider when RV'ing, either in a rented or purchased unit. For those who think they're ready to buy, there are many more aspects to consider, beginning with RV build quality.

RV Build Quality

Books have been written and experts have expounded on the topic of RV build quality and ways to determine a vehicle's quality, far better then I could hope so I won't, other then to say, there are vast differences in the quality of construction between brands and manufacturers. Some are well built and will stand the test of time. Others, less so and may not last through the length of the loan period. For some examples of how bad the situation can get, check out the "RV Horror Stories" group on Facebook, The RV Horror Story of the Week found on the RV Travel website or search "RV Horror Stories" on Google. While finding horror stories isn't hard, finding well built brands may take a bit more digging on the Net.

RV Dealers

Hand in hand with RV quality goes RV dealerships. Finding the right RV dealer who will provide honest and fair sales and service plus stand behind and support their products when needed is just as important as picking a quality RV brand. Once again, books have been written on this topic so I won't try to cover it here other then to say, finding the right dealer should be the top priority for any one buying an RV. 

Why is finding a the right RV dealer a priority? Among other reasons,  RV's require a lot of maintenance and service, far more then a car, truck or other type of vehicle. But then, how many vehicles have a fridge, stove, sink, toilet, shower, bed or slide? Recreational vehicles have many complex systems and services which require regular and rigorous checks and maintenance. Omit or neglect these checks and issues can quickly develop that will ruin the RV experience and result in costly repairs.

These are just some of the challenges and issues associated with the RV lifestyle. Many more have been  missed or omitted. 

Final Thoughts

In closing, the purpose of this article is not to scare off or frighten potential RV'ers as much as to provide a reality check. While wheeled camping can be fun, enjoyable and rewarding, its critical not to get swept up in the hype and romance of the lifestyle while ignoring the issues and concerns. That's why I highly recommend renting before taking the purchase plunge for the new and uninitiated. RV'ing is not for everyone and the time to find that out is not after spending tens of thousands of dollars on a new unit because if that happens, there's one finally lesson the new RV'er will learn. Nothing depreciates faster than a recreational vehicle.

Some Of My Favourite RV Resources:

The RV Buyers Handbook (A great resource for Buying an RV) https://www.archwaypublishing.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=794759

RV Travel (An Online Newsletter for full of relevant info for RV'ers)

https://www.rvtravel.com/

The RV Show USA (A podcast/radio show for potential and practicing RV'ers.)

https://thervshowusa.com/ 

The RV Atlas (Great resource for RV'ers with families.)

https://thervatlas.com/

RV Miles (Podcast and website with lots of great info from a full time RV'ing family)

https://rvmiles.com/

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Adventures - Part 3: Flyers

Welcome to the final instalment of a three part series recounting the adventures of my wife, Maureen and I while visiting the Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, the largest event of it’s kind on the planet. The first instalment centered on our experiences as novice spectators at this amazing event while the second instalment focused on our adventures as volunteers with a hot air balloon support team. This final instalment details our odyssey as passengers in a hot air balloon as we soar high above the New Mexican landscape.  If you’re ready to continue this amazing adventure then, sit down, buckle up and read on!

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Adventures - Part 2: Volunteers

Welcome to the second of a three part series recounting the adventures of my wife Maureen and I at the Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, the largest and most well attended event of it’s kind on the planet. In the first instalment, my wife and I traveled to New Mexico’s largest city early in October as novice spectators for this amazing event.  In this second instalment, my wife and I volunteer as members of a hot air balloon support team and learn a lot more about hot air ballooning then we could have imagined.  If you’re ready for another amazing adventure then, sit down, buckle up and read on!

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Adventures - Part 1: Spectators

Welcome to the first of a three part series describing the adventures of my wife Maureen and I as we attend the Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, the largest event of it’s kind on the planet. This first instalment highlights on our experiences and impressions as novice spectators at this amazing event. The second instalment focuses on our involvement as volunteers with a hot air balloon support team while the third recounts our exploits as passengers in a hot air balloon. If you’re ready for the thrill of a lifetime then, sit down, hang tight and read on!

Driving California Highway 1, The Pacific Coast Highway in an RV - Part 2: The North

Welcome to Part 2 of “Driving California Highway 1 in a RV”. This odyssey follows the adventures of my wife Maureen and I as we explored scenic Highway 1 - The Pacific Coast Highway - along the California coast from beginning to end in an RV ( a truck and 25 foot travel trailer). In Part 1, we travelled from south of LA northward through Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach and Morro Bay to a campground south of Big Sur. In this episode, we'll continue north along Highway 1 through Monterey, Carmel and then San Francisco before tackling the less well-known section of Highway 1 from San Francisco to the village of Leggett, over two hundred miles to the north. While the scenery was spectacular and the natural beauty was amazing, the route was not without it challenges. Please continue on with us as we explore the rest of Highway 1

Please click here to read Part 1

Driving California Highway 1 - The Pacific Coast Highway in an RV - Part 1: The South

California Highway 1 - The Pacific Coast Highway - has to be one of the most iconic and well-known roads on the continent. From Los Angeles in the south to the village of Leggett in the north, this two lane ribbon of asphalt twists and turns along the California coast revealing countless vistas of incredible scenic beauty and dramatic ocean views. Little wonder it has been the focus for innumerable adventure bloggers, photographers and travel writers who typically navigate this twisty, two lane route in a sports car, hatchback or other small vehicle. But, what about an RV? How difficult would this route be for a pick-up truck pulling a 25 foot trailer. What difficulties and challenges might there be? That's what my wife Maureen and I intended to find out on this route that was anything but less travelled.

Myths, Stereotypes and RV'ing in Quebec

When talking to friends and family about RV’ing across Canada, one question that often comes up is, “What’s it like travelling in Quebec?” Unstated but implied is their real query, “What’s it like to travel in a province where the principal language that people converse in, that road signs are displayed in, that menus, tourist brochures, maps, etc. are printed in, is not English.” This unstated question usually arises from a multitude of myths, misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding Quebec, its residents and their attitude towards English speakers.

What's There To Do In The "Soo"?

The comedian Rodney Dangerfield and the city of Sault Ste Marie share at least one thing in common. Neither one gets much respect. For Canadian travelers in particular, Sault Ste Marie is often seen as little more than a wide spot in the road where they can get some gas, maybe a meal or perhaps a night’s sleep before moving on. The idea of actually spending time in the area is as laughable as one of Mr. Dangerfield’s jokes. Nevertheless, there are an amazing number of things to see and do in the “Soo” (the city’s nick-name) as my wife, Maureen and I discovered during a recent cross-Canada trip.

Wonderful Winnipeg

It’s hard to get excited about visiting a city that’s referred to as, “Winterpeg” by many of its citizens. And, the negative quips don't end there. Other comments include; “Winnipeg has two seasons, 10 months of winter and two months of mosquitoes.” or “’Winnipeg’ is Cree for muddy waters. The Cree don't have a word for horribly depressing city.” or “Winnipeg is the only city where you can switch from ‘heat’ to A/C and back again, all in one day.” or “In Winnipeg, there are 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction.” or “In Winnipeg, your snow blower will have more miles on it than your car.” Such self-deprecating humour may be a therapeutic way to cope with adverse conditions but, does little to encourage tourism, or so my wife Maureen and I thought when planning a recent trip. Had it not been for a good friend and former resident who extolled the virtues of the ‘Peg, we might have bypassed the city entirely. Instead, we decided stop, take a look and explore. In doing so, we discovered that Winnipeg was a wonderful city with much to offer.

Do You Know The Way To Thunder Bay?

“Do You Know The Way To Thunder Bay?” (Apologies to Bert Bacharach and Hal David).

Anyone who has driven across North Western Ontario from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay will appreciate the humour of this question. After all, there is only one main road between the two cities - the TransCanada Highway – and, it’s a drive most motorists would rather forget. From the Ontario border to Lake Superior, this asphalt artery is just two lanes wide yet carries a LOT of traffic, especially during the summer months. Add in scenery that’s not very scenic plus drivers who are usually in a hurry and the result is a “way” that’s less than ideal for Rv’ers. Luckily, there is an alternative route which bypasses much of the TransCanada Highway and its issues. It’s a route that’s much less travelled but much more interesting and much more accomodating for slower moving recreational vehicles as my wife Maureen and I discovered during a recent trip across Canada.

Thunder Bay - A Tourist Gem

Thunder Bay is a unique city. Located within Canada’s most populous province, it’s one of the country’s most isolated cities. An urban oasis amidst a hinterland of rocks, trees and muskeg, Thunder Bay is a long way from anywhere. Winnipeg is a day’s drive to the west while Toronto, Hamilton and Ottawa are even further to the east. Small wonder this community is on no one’s top ten tourist destinations list. Nevertheless, this community offers a surprising number of attractions and activities for those willing to spend a little time and do a little exploring as my wife and I discovered during a recent cross-Canada trip.

Around The Top Of Lake Superior

North America is blessed with many scenic drives. Some, such as the Cabot Trail, Oregon Highway 101 or Pacific Coast Highway, run along the sea coast and are famous for their spectacular scenery and dramatic ocean vistas. Less well known but no less scenic is Ontario Highway 17 (TransCanada Highway)which follows the north shore of Lake Superior from Thunder Bay to Sault St Marie. This route shares many of the scenic attributes of more well known drives such as rugged headlands, rocky shorelines, sandy beaches and shimmering waters. In fact, the landscape along the north shore of Lake Superior is so picturesque and compelling, it has inspired countless generations of artists including members of the famed Group of Seven, as my wife and I discovered during a trip across Canada.

Exploring South West Saskatchewan

The southwestern corner of Saskatchewan is an amazing location that will both confirm and challenge everything you thought you knew about this part of the country.

Yes, there are the expected endless fields of golden grain rippling gently in the breeze but there’s so much more as well - like sand dunes, forests, hills, grasslands, a huge man-made lake and the “piece de resistance”, Saskatchewan’s only winery. All this and more were discovered by my wife, Maureen and I during a recent trip.

Roaming Around The Gaspé Peninsula

When most RV’ers think about heading to Canada's east coast, visions of the Maritimes dance in their head. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I. or even Newfoundland are the typical places that come to mind. Seldom considered is the other East Coast – the Gaspé Peninsula. Although part of Quebec, the Gaspé offers scenery, attractions and ocean vistas rivaling the best of the Maritimes as my wife Maureen and I discovered during a recent trip through eastern Canada.

Manitoulin Magic

Swing Bridge to Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin Island was one of those undiscovered gems my wife Maureen and I happened upon by accident while travelling across the country.  Located along the north shore of Lake Huron about 175 km southwest of Sudbury, it has the distinction of being the largest fresh water island in the world. While big in size, it is small in population with less than 15,000 permanent residents. The result is a peaceful, serene, unhurried way of life that the tourist bureau loved to promote along with the island’s unique geology, beautiful scenery, pastoral countryside, picturesque shoreline, and significant population of artists and craftspeople. In other words, a perfect, “Routes Less Travelled” destination.

Exploring The “Route Des Navigateurs”

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It was the title of the colourful brochure that caught my eye, “Route Des Navigateurs”.  I had been wandering around a visitor information office in downtown Montreal, perusing racks of tourist pamphlets, looking for inspiration. My wife, Maureen and I had just spent several glorious days exploring the wonders and attractions of Quebec’s largest city. Now, it was time to move on. Our next stop was Quebec City, then on to the Gaspe. The quickest and most expedient route was the multi-laned Trans-Canada highway but, that wasn’t our style. This blog is about routes less travelled and that’s what I hoped to find when I picked up the pamphlet.

The title, roughly translated meant, “Route of the Navigators” or “Route of the Explorers”. In my mind’s eye, this evoked images of great French navigators like Samuel de Champlain or Jacque Cartier. I felt an immediate connection. After all, weren’t they and modern day RV’ers kindred spirits, motivated by the same desire to see what lay over the horizon or around the next bend? Naturally, I picked it up.

The Red Coat Trail - Part 2

The Journey Continues
Welcome to the second of a two part series chronicling the adventures of my wife, Maureen and I as we followed the Red Coat Trail across the Prairies. The Red Coat Trail is a series of provincial highways, which more or less followed the route taken by the North West Mounted Police back in 1874 on their march west from Manitoba to Southern Alberta. Maureen and I however, were going the other way. Our starting point was Fort Macleod in Southern Alberta and we were headed east. By the end of part one, we had reached the middle of Saskatchewan. Along the way, we had visited some interesting attractions, driven over some unique roads and experienced some very empty yet beautiful landscapes. In part two, we continued east along the Red Coat Trail to its end, near Winnipeg, Manitoba. Please join us for the rest of our adventure.

The Red Coat Trail - Part 1

Introduction
Welcome to the first of a two part series chronicling the adventures of my wife, Maureen and I as we follow the Red Coat Trail across the Prairies. The Red Coat Trail, in case you’re wondering, is a series of provincial highways, which more or less follows the route taken by the North West Mounted Police back in 1874 on their march west from Manitoba to southern Alberta. The route was marked by distinctive roadside signs to help modern travellers stay on course.

Haida Gwaii Adventures

The Ferry With The Funny Name

It’s funny what random and bizarre thoughts percolate through a person’s mind while waiting for a ferry. In my case, it was the name of the ship that my wife and I plus two friends were about to board. The vessel that would take us from the port of Prince Rupert on the Northwest coast of BC across 100km of open ocean to the storied isles of Haida Gwaii was called the, “Northern Adventure”. That struck me as a rather odd. Don’t get me wrong. I like a good adventure as much as the next person but in a suitable craft such as a canoe, kayak or even a white water raft. On a ferry, I prefer calm, peaceful, unadventurous voyages yet as I waited for the loading process to begin, I couldn’t but help wonder if the name was simply a marketing ploy or an omen of things to come. The answer arrived sooner then expected.