Most RV owners can tell you about the freedom and adventure the lifestyle allows but they will also likely follow by telling you just what an investment it’s going to be to maintain that RV.

From plumbing to brake pads, fuses to hydraulic fluid, and anything in-between, owning an RV can be an education in DIY maintenance, resourcefulness, and handiwork. And even then, with the best upkeep and care, there are still inevitable repairs that require professional help.

To plan for and stay ahead of potentially expensive and inconvenient RV issues throughout the years of ownership, we’re looking at a wide-ranging list of major RV repairs to expect and what you can do to prepare.

Plumbing and Water Systems

Let’s start with what many dread: plumbing and water. Not only can plumbing be potentially unpleasant, water systems in general can lead to significant damage to your RV. Knowing common problems and repairs is a good defense. 

Clogged toilets

Clogged toilets are a crass reality of RV ownership, but certainly, one that can be mitigated with proper care and attention.

Pyramid plug of debris

The leading cause of clogs in an RV toilet are plugs that come from compounded debris in your black water holding tank. If not regularly dealt with, waste will accrue over time, eventually reaching the base of the toilet. To prevent blockage over time, it’s vital that you close your black water tank valve. The reason is that your tank is flat, and while acquired waste will build up, it will effortlessly dump out when you open it. But if you leave your valve open while in use, waste will build up from the sewer and create a plug. 

Blockage

Similar to a pyramid plug, blockage occurs with the build-up of toilet paper and waste, forcing a backup of water in the bowl of the toilet. This tends to be more common in rigs where the holding tank is farther away from the toilet, but it’s worth noting the sensitivity of your RVs plumbing and what can and cannot be flushed down.

Leaving your black water drain open

While hooked up to a sewer connection, make a note to avoid leaving the black water drain open; otherwise, you’ll have sludge stuck in your holding tank.

Solutions

If there’s just blockage, then it’s probably an issue you can solve on your own with a plunger or tank cleaner; otherwise, you’ll want to hire a plumber.

Long term issues

Most clogged toilet issues can be resolved on your own. But keep in mind the plumbing and wastewater systems on an RV are built differently than those at home. The materials used are designed for portability and less so for longevity, and you may face more significant issues with gate valves, connections, holding tanks, and more that require professional help beyond your own ability. 

Split water supply lines

Whether it’s your hot water, bathroom, or kitchen sink, your water supply lines are vital to the everyday use of your RV. A split in any of these lines can lead to long-term damage, and damaged pipes need to be identified and replaced immediately to prevent further water from leaking.

Causes

While your plumbing at home typically consists of metal pipes that can be corroded over time by soil and acid or burst from frozen water, RV water lines are typically made of PVC. This material is lightweight and better for portability but is still susceptible to splits formed by frozen water. Splits are generally brought about by drastic changes in temperature — also known as thermal expansion — causing pipes to expand rapidly and contract.

Solutions

If you need to repair a section of the line, you should be able to find the split and cut out the affected area and then simply reattach the ends with a fitting if slack allows. If those can’t reach, you should be able to find replacement PVC at your local hardware store. Measure and cut out a comparable length from the new line, then connect it with the old one with a compression fitting.

It should also be noted that while a plastic line can be cut with a knife, you’ll need a pipe cutter for copper lines found in older RV models. 

Preventative Maintainance

To avoid splits, invest in a pressure regulator, filter, and regularly winterize and sanitize your tanks and lines.

Water Pump

To operate showers, toilets, faucets, and all running water, you need a properly working water pump to push water through. Problems with your water pump can be caused by a variety of issues — some unrelated to the pump itself. Water pumps cost between $50 and $500 to replace, so knowing what might be happening is helpful so you can troubleshoot before replacing.

Causes

Leaks are the most common problem for water pumps — whether the leak is in the system or in the pump. Splits in your pipes and other leaks can cause your water pump to continue running, cycling on and off. If you notice this, you need to begin determining if a leak exists or if the water pump pressure switch is defective. If you can locate a leak in the line, there’s a good chance there’s a leak in the pump. 

Solutions

If the problem is a split, leaky water pipe, follow the instructions above to fix the leak. If the problem is the water pump itself, that could mean a more costly, involved repair — often with the help of a professional. If your pump is defective, it may not be covered under warranty, which means you may have to take the hit on the cost unless you’ve invested in an extended service plan that covers water pumps. 

Water heater

A broken water heater can quickly escalate from a morning shower disruption into a costly, more significant problem. Water heaters can cost as much as $1000 to replace, and it’s a significant repair often requiring the help of professionals. So what happens if the hot water goes out, and it’s not simply because you’ve used your hot water reserve? 

Causes

If your water heater runs on propane, start by checking your tanks as well as making sure your service valve is open. Or if it is electric, check to make sure you haven’t blown a fuse. If that doesn’t fix the problem, you likely have an issue with the water heater itself. It could be a problem with your ignitor or gas valve, thermostat, or heating element. 

Solutions

First and foremost, keep your water heater full. One guaranteed way to fry your water heater is to run it without water. It’s also a good idea to drain out your hot water heater yearly — giving you the opportunity to inspect the electric heating element and anode rod to make sure everything is running smoothly. 

If it’s still not functioning correctly, it’s time to talk to a professional. Water heaters have a long shelf-life — many can easily last 15 years — but it’s often our most reliable systems that we know the least about. If still experiencing problems, contact a professional. 

Winterization

As you prepare for winter, all of the water needs to be flushed out and either replaced with antifreeze or pushed out with an air compressor. 

For the antifreeze method, be sure to remove water from any in-line filters and the galley, pour antifreeze into all drains and the shower, and then flush the taps until you see pink color coming through. If you’re using an air compressor, set your pressure regulator to 40 PSI (without ever surpassing 50 PSI) and remove all of the water. In both cases, you’ll still need to pour antifreeze into the drain traps considering air pressure won’t be able to fully clean out the elbows. 

HVAC

One of the main benefits of traveling in an RV is the ability to regulate the temperature, whether you’re traveling in warmer areas that require AC or colder areas that require heating. If things go wrong, life gets uncomfortable. Let’s look at some common HVAC issues you are likely to face as an RV owner. 

Dirty air filters

In terms of HVAC, a dirty air vent filter is one of the easiest and least expensive problems to fix. If your AC is running without producing cold air, start by checking the filter and replacing it if necessary. Also as a general note, it’s a good idea to change your air filters every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.

Thermostat 

If the filters are clean but the HVAC is not responding to temperature adjustments, there’s a chance you might simply have a broken thermostat, in which case you can replace it with a more intuitive system. However, keep in mind that since there are electrical components, it’s best to trust a professional if you’re unsure in any way.

AC unit

AC units last between three to ten years depending on usage, the AC unit, and luck. Unfortunately, you may need a new air conditioning unit entirely at some point. And the reality is that this is not a DIY project. You will need to bring it into a service center because even with a working knowledge of air conditioning, there are a number of dangerous electrical components you may not be equipped to handle. 

Cost

AC units typically run between $700 to $1,400, depending on the unit and the RV. And the installation will come in around $1,500 making the AC unit one of the most expensive repairs your RV can undergo. That’s why it’s imperative to know how long your AC unit is covered by a warranty. If not, all the more reason to consider coverage from an extended service plan. 

Furnace

The furnace on your RV is a complicated piece of equipment, which is why it’s recommended that you have it inspected once a year by a professional. For a complete breakdown of how your furnace operates, its many components, and best practices, consult our guide here. But know more often than not, a furnace problem will require the need of a service professional. 

Cost

Replacing just the motor on your furnace can cost upwards of $300, but repair costs can vary widely depending on the repair type, damaged components, and replacement costs. But some furnace costs can quickly rise into the $1000+ range. 

Electrical system and battery

RVs rely on the electrical system and batteries to operate many different components. Everything from lighting to amenities to navigation to the refrigerator to the power inverter. Electrical issues are 

Fuses and Breakers

Fuses and breakers serve to protect not just you but also your RV from an electrical line drawing too much current and causing damage.

Ground fault indicators (GFIs) shut off

Should your AC appliances stop working, there’s a chance it’s the ground fault indicator detected an issue and automatically shut off. Try unplugging the appliances and resetting the GFI, and then start plugging appliances in one by one to see if you can narrow down the root issue.

Blown fuse

If you blow a fuse it’s imperative that you replace it with another fuse that matches, as opposed to a higher-rated one as that could surpass the intended operational load of your RV and create serious damage or even an electrical fire.

Cost

The cost for fuses and breakers are fairly negligible, as that’s part of their purpose: to prevent surges that might damage components. Fuses range anywhere from $2 to $8. GFIs get pricier, coming in between $130 to $300. 

12-Volt System

Considering your 12-volt system runs just about everything in your RV (heater, pump, fridge, etc.) you’ll know quickly when it’s not functioning properly. The good news is that most issues are as easily remedied as replacing a fuse or a battery. However, if the problem exceeds swapping out a part, you’ll want to seek out service professionals, considering the issue is electrical in nature.

Cost

Electrical system: $500 to $1,250

Let’s take a look at some of the components that are powered by the 12-volt system and potential repairs to expect with these components. 

Refrigerator

Your fridge should last about 15 years (give or take a few). That being said, there are certainly a few things to consider if you want to get the most life out of your fridge.

• Try to keep your fridge as flat as possible by parking on level surfaces more often than not.
• Keep your RV relatively cool by parking in the shade when it’s hot out.
• Pre-chilled items will take less energy away from the fridge since it won’t have to absorb as much heat.
• Clean out the burner unit from time to time, as strong scents can attract spiders and other insects that could potentially build nests.
• Consider adding a small battery powered fan inside of the refrigerator to help circulate air faster (especially during hotter weather).
• Regularly defrost your fridge, as the buildup insulates and prevents it from absorbing the heat of it’s contents. Also, don’t use a hairdryer as the excessive heat can warp the cooling fins.
• Wipe any moisture away from contents added to the fridge, as this will prevent frost buildup and increase its efficiency.
• Leave room in your fridge for better air-flow. 
• Clean out your fridge’s exhaust vent to prevent birds from nesting and reducing efficiency.

When the time comes, to find a replacement, measure out how much space you’ll need, swap out the units, and make sure your new fridge is properly secured for travel.

Cost

$500 to $4,000 for a new refrigerator

Washer and Dryer

In terms of RV washers and dryers, you’ll find there are generally three models: stackable, portable, and combination. The reality is that vented units (stackable and non-vented) tend to function better than non-vented. Generally speaking, your washer and dryer should last a little over 10 years, but if it breaksdown after eight it’s probably worth replacing. Make a note to clean your ducts and hoses  once or twice a year, and replace the hose every four to six years to get the most milage out of your machine.

Cost 

$800 to $2,200 per washer or dryer

Stove

A quality camper stove should last you about 20 years, so if your RV’s stove isn’t working, chances are there’s just a disconnect with the gas. Start by shutting off the oven’s gas, and if the issue persists then it might be that the supply line from the propane tanks is shut off. Any issue beyond that should be brought in for professional inspection.

Cost

$400 to $900

Battery

If unencumbered, RV batteries last about five or six years and can be swapped out similarly to a car. That being said, you need to have a good understanding of how to swap out batteries to avoid any damage to the RV or injury to yourself. 

Winterization

When it comes to batteries, there are three options for winterization. You can disconnect and leave them in place in your RV, you can leave them connected and charged with a reliable AC outlet, or you can remove the batteries altogether.

12-volt accessories

Make sure 12-volt powered components (radio, refrigerator, back lighting, GPS, fuses, etc.) are disabled while in storage, as they will continuously run and drain your battery.

Cost:

About $1,000 per battery

Brakes

Best practices would dictate you check and replace your brakes every year or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first). Failure to replace your brakes in a timely manner is hazardous and certainly more expensive in the long run.

Cost

Complete brake repair (rotors, pads, and calipers): $250 to $800 

Tires

Plan to replace your RV’s tires every three to six years depending on how much you drive. Over time, the tread on your tires wears down. Always keep an eye on the tread (specifically wearing down to a 16th of an inch), and be sure to service your wheel bearings regularly, as they can cause quite a headache on the side of the highway if they fail.

Cost

Around $250 per tire

Winterization

During the winter, place the tires over a sheet of plywood to prevent dirt from leaching onto the chemicals from the tire casings; and be sure to add 10 percent more inflation to the recommended pressure for your RV, as your tires will naturally lose pressure over time. 

Roof Leaks 

The reality is that water damage to your RV can be an incredibly expensive problem to have, and a leaky roof is often the culprit. Make a habit to check your roof every year, and seal up any cracks to prevent leaks from the rain and elements.

Cost

Sealant: $10 to $20

A new roof: Around $10,000

Slide Outs

Like anything else, slide outs can naturally wear down over time. One way to prevent wear and tear is to keep your rollout awnings and seals clean. Before you retract your slide out, remove any clutter or debris that may have accumulated, and use lubricant for the rubber seal throughout the season. In the event that you do run into an issue, it might just be a blown fuse and therefore an easy patch. But if the problem is mechanical or hydraulic, you’ll want to bring it in to be serviced.

Cost

$500 to $2,000

Additional Considerations

Research 

Between YouTube How-To’s and troubleshooting articles, you can overcome a number of pitfalls on your own. That being said, it’s not wise to go beyond the scope of your expertise. Keep a record of what’s still under warranty (and can therefore be handled by the dealership), as well as what isn’t and needs to be brought into a trusted service center.

RV Mechanics 

When it comes to professional RV repairs, it’s almost never going to be a small ticket, but it doesn’t have to be inordinate either. As you search for a quality RV mechanic, find someone reliable, honest, and efficient. Here are a few things to consider.

1. Make sure they are a certified repair shop actually specializes in RVs (and not a general repair facility).
2. Check reviews and see what other customers have to say about their experience.
3. See if they offer warranties to ensure any work done.
4. Get an estimate before any maintenance or repairs are made.
5. Keep records of what work was performed.

Good Sam Extended Service Plan (ESP)

Even if your RV is still under warranty, RV warranties don’t cover every component, and some parts remain under warranty longer than others. For example, chances are a number of your appliances aren’t covered under warranty and could quietly lead to costly repairs. In those moments, an Extended Service Plan like Good Sam’s can bring tremendous peace of mind. 

Good Sam’s ESP is a mechanical breakdown insurance that goes well beyond a manufactuer’s warranty to protect you from exorbitant costs after a mechanical breakdown.

With ESP, you’ll get financial peace of mind as we’ll pay the repair shop directly; and cover any unexpected travel, food and lodging costs for the first five days. Plus you decide your deducabtle, where to repair your vehicle, payment terms and schedule. And if you sell your RV, we’ll transfer the plan onto the new owner at now cost to you – adding value to your sale.

Not to mention that with services like Tire and Wheel and Roadside Assistance, and the trust of over two million members, they are able to keep you going no matter what the road ahead throws your way.

The post The Ultimate List of Major RV Repairs To Expect and How to Prepare appeared first on Good Sam Camping Blog.

You turn the key, and the engine roars to life. That low rumble in the engine compartment is music to your ears and the perfect soundtrack to what’s shaping up to be a perfect trip. You’ve followed all the checklists for a trouble-free journey and you’re confident that the sunny weather will hold up. As you guide your RV out onto the main highway, you ask yourself, what could possibly go wrong?

An hour later, you get your answer. You hear a loud pop, and the vehicle shakes and loses traction as your right-front tire disintegrates into tatters. With white knuckles, you limp to the shoulder as cars whiz past. You evaluate the damage to your vehicle and realize that you’re going to need professional help, stat. Now what? You’re stranded on the side of the road and the dream of a trip to America’s top national parks melts away.

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Breaking the Ice on RV Breakdowns

Let’s face it: We don’t like to think about RV breakdowns. Our beautiful machines were meant for fun and exploration, not for getting stranded on the edge of the highway. But bad things happen, and a decent roadside assistance plan can bring unmatched peace of mind to travelers who want a worry-free vacation. 

That begs the question: How much protection is enough protection? Do we really need more than the emergency road service that we already have for our automobiles? 

Take the following simple steps before signing up for an emergency roadside assistance plan for your RV.

Step 1: Consider What it Might Cost You Without a Roadside Assistance Plan

Perhaps you’ve got insurance, warranties for RV components, and you’re attentive to your vehicle’s maintenance. You’ve also got that auto roadside assistance that you’ve had for years, long before you became an RV camper. Do you really need to overhaul your protection?

Let’s start from scratch and consider the costs of having no protection. Then, think about how to mitigate them with a roadside assistance plan.

Photo: Good Sam

Towing

No owner wants to entertain the thought of our RV hitched to a tow truck. But we have to face the cold reality that this could happen someday.

For starters, getting a tow for a particular car is hard enough — the national average for a regular tow comes in at around $109 per tow. Tack on between $2.50 and $7 per mile, and you’re looking at a hefty bill. 

How about an RV? According to industry statistics, towing a large motorhome can cost up to $150 per hour. Imagine an RV trip deep inside a national park — by the time you get to a shop, you could be looking at half a grand just for hauling. 

What if it’s the travel trailer or fifth-wheel that needs towing? The prices for this are in the same neighborhood, and not every tow provider can handle a big trailer. 

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Tire Replacement

A flat tire might seem like a simple fix, and it’s not hard for a roadside mechanic to change it. But what if you don’t carry a spare (many RVs don’t come with spares)? You’ll need tire delivery. In some cases, your RV might have to be towed to a shop to expedite tire replacement (more towing charges).

Lockouts

We’re all human, and locking yourself out of your vehicle isn’t uncommon. According to industry statistics, auto locksmiths cost between $85 to $175 an hour — and that’s not including the minimum call-out fee, which can hover around $75. You won’t know what’s worse: your embarrassment or the pain in your pocketbook.

Fuel or Emergency Fluid Delivery

Running out of juice is another blunder that occurs even among most experienced drivers. Hey, it happens, but again, this isn’t cheap. Gas delivery can cost between $3 and $9 per gallon in addition to the cost of the gas itself. If you drive a big motorhome, this cost can be pretty high. 

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Trip Interruption Costs

When a severe breakdown occurs, travelers face a slew of expenses to cover food, lodging, and cancellations. Without an RV, you have to hunt for a hotel — and that nightly rate can add up as you wait on the repairs. Then there’s the issue of campground cancellations. If you cancel too late, the RV park that took your reservation may refuse your deposit — and assess a hefty fee. Last but not least, there’s the need for food. Now that you no longer have access to your galley, you and your party will have to make do with eating at restaurants and diners while you await your repair. You may also have to rent a vehicle to get around.

Other Costs

Additional potential pitfalls include mobile mechanical repairs, winching and extraction, and RV technical assistance. Again, none of these are cheap.

Step 2: Determine How much You Can Save With a Roadside Assistance Plan

Here’s the good news: Roadside assistance plans can cover all or some of the above expenses for a monthly payment. If you have a breakdown or collision during your trip, just call the number on your card and help will be dispatched.

Now comes the hard part: shopping for a roadside assistance plan that meets your budget and addresses your emergency concerns. So, where to start your search?

Take Inventory of Your Current Protection

Take a look at the insurance and memberships you already possess. You may discover that your policy offers additional roadside assistance for a monthly fee. If you’re a Good Sam member, you can add Roadside Assistance, giving you peace of mind in addition to the value already received. 

Photo: Good Sam

Compare Plans

Ok, now that you’ve got a nice selection of plans, it’s time to choose a package that can address all of the potential pitfalls that can occur during a breakdown. Consult each program and make sure it addresses each one of your concerns. In this process, you’ll find that some plans offer varying levels of coverage, depending on price. 

For example, Good Sam Roadside Assistance offers three tiers of coverage. The Standard plan covers towing for cars, truck, SUV, motorcycle, or one travel trailer; the Platinum plan covers all of the above (without motorcycles) in addition to travel trailers, motorized RVs and fifth-wheels; the Platinum Complete plan covers everything in the Platinum plan along with Tire & Wheel Road Hazard coverage and  Emergency Medical Assistance.

Step 3. Ensure Your Plan’s Quality and Reach

Take a close look at the plan that catches your eye. Sure, it all looks good at first glance, but will it deliver the services you need at crunch time? Think about the plan’s availability and range.

In its Standard RV Membership tier, Good Sam Roadside Assistance, for example, offers unlimited-distance towing to the nearest service center in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the U.S. and Virgin Islands (Other plans offer limited range and aren’t widely available outside of the U.S.). Good Sam Roadside Assistance relies on a network of more than 30,000 service shops and towing specialists across North America. 

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Also, consider a plan’s thoroughness. Good Sam’s Roadside Assistance offers flat-tire changes and roadside tire delivery; many other programs only offer flat-tire replacement. What if it’s a repair that requires an RV specialist? Good Sam Roadside Assistance ensures that a certified RV technician is on staff with the provider servicing your RV.

How about the number of people covered? Unlike many other plans, Good Sam protection applies to the member, spouse and dependent children covered for member-owned vehicles. Other plans only cover the member and charge extra for additional drivers.

Step 4. Protect for Your ‘Daily Driver’

While looking at a roadside assistance plan, consider your non-RV vehicles. The Platinum Auto Membership tier of Good Sam Roadside Assistance offers unlimited-distance towing to the nearest service center, coverage of spouse and dependent children for member-owned vehicles; fuel delivery enough to get members to the nearest service station, and a more comprehensive service area.

Step 5. Consider Roadside Assistance Even If Your RV Usage is Limited

Let’s say you only use your RV for the occasional tailgate parties at football games or weekend camping trips outside of town. Do you really need a roadside assistance plan?

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Contemplate this: The costs of one serious breakdown could exceed the plan’s annual cost. Even on short trips, a broken-down RV can be a serious headache that can impact your pocketbook in a big way. Good Sam Roadside Assistance offers peace of mind for any RV journey, long or short.

Hopefully, you’ll never need to make that phone call while you’re stranded on the side of the road. But you want maximum protection for yourself and your loved ones if a breakdown occurs.

Look at the vast array of benefits available through Good Sam Roadside Assistance. From travel interruption reimbursement up to $2,000 to concierge service to help you coordinate lodging and alternative transportation, Good Sam Roadside Assistance might save the day and salvage your RV trip.

Check out the services provided by Good Sam Roadside Assistance. Use these helpful roadside assistance resources to learn more.  

The post Do You Need Roadside Assistance? Get the Answer in Five Steps appeared first on Good Sam Camping Blog.

Welcome to the Good Sam camping news spotlight, where we cover some of the month’s notable trends, events, news stories, and information helpful to campers and RVers. In the first month of 2023, we’re making note of fuel price projections for the year, recent winter camping popularity, RV and outdoor shows in January, camping predictions for 2023, and more. 

Winter Camping

This year saw more RVers and campers enjoying the outdoors this winter. Recent poll numbers indicate winter camping has been more popular in 2022 and 2023 than a year ago. Over 8.2 million households said they planned or plan to camp this winter, and 15.3 million planned to travel in RVs between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. 

Winter camping means a lot of different things depending on which part of the country you go to. While sunbelt states like Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona offer warm temperatures for snowbirds looking to escape the cold, more moderate climates like those in the Pacific Northwest offer more traditional winter weather camping while avoiding many travel hazards caused by snow and extreme temperatures. 

Ultimate RV Show

January kicks off the 2023 Ultimate RV Show with January events in Denver, Syracuse, and Nampa, and a February event in Minneapolis, MN. These events showcase new and used RVs for sale of various types, sizes, and classes, with many shows featuring outdoor vendors displaying countless products and accessories. Unique to these events are the special show pricing on both new and used RVs unavailable anywhere else.

Special VIP appointments are available at each event and include such perks as:

• Complimentary show bag and lanyard
• Good Sam VIP lounge access with refreshments
• Special VIP retail discounts
• Enter to win a New RV

Each show features hundreds of new and used RVs and additional RV-related experiences such as a full on-site retail store, free RV seminars, Nepallo boats, and Happier Camper inventory. All Ultimate RV Shows are brought to you exclusively by Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises. 

Looking Ahead at Camping in 2023

Camping popularity in 2023 is expected to continue to grow, according to recent reports, with 41% of campers hoping to take more trips this year. Following a record-setting 2022 season, campgrounds are expected to face similarly high numbers along with the challenges of consecutively booked campsites and full reservations. 

History has also shown that when economic distress occurs, Americans are more likely to go camping. For example, reservations at campgrounds increased during economically difficult times in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. So if camping numbers trend as they have during pandemic years — buoyed only more by a potential recession — 2023 is set to be another epic year for camping, campgrounds, and RVers. 

Continue to tune in to the Good Sam camping news spotlight to stay current on all RV- and camping-related highlights each month. 

Gas Prices Costs Dropping?

Among some rumblings of economic shifts, there’s potentially good news for campers. Gas prices are projected to continue to improve for consumers into 2023, following some of the highest fuel prices seen in a decade in 2022. 

Estimates for the average price at the pump for a gallon of gas range between $3.20 and $3.49 this year. This is a markedly improved projection than the $5-a-gallon zenith we saw in 2022. 

Lower fuel costs will be especially impactful for RVers and those traveling long distances to their next camping spots this season. Our advice? Keep an eye on how fuel prices affect campground reservations this season. In the past, rising fuel prices have caused many RVers to change their plans, including finding closer locations which sometimes allows for some last-minute openings. 

Stay tuned for more news and updates related to camping, RVing, and the outdoors.

The post Camping News Highlights: January 2023 appeared first on Good Sam Camping Blog.

Urban camping isn’t for everyone, but if your camping adventures take you to Washington D.C., you should take your RV along, as one of the nation’s best campgrounds provides a perfect base camp for exploring the city. Cherry Hill Park, located in College Park, Maryland, offers an outstanding camping experience and easy access to the nation’s capital. 

While my family had a lengthy debate while picking our summer road trip destination, once we selected Washington, D.C., we didn’t have a hard time choosing a place to stay. Cherry Hill Park is a renowned camping destination that visitors brag on far and wide. We were eager to camp at a park we had already heard so much about.

Photo: Kerri Cox

When camping, my family (which includes my husband and two young adult sons) has three main requirements: electricity, cell service and a safe, clean environment. Beyond these, our favorite campgrounds have run the gamut from rustic state parks to over-the-top resorts, as we easily find things to enjoy about each. Our goal is constantly to find ways adjust our expectations for the type of park we are visiting.

After a quick check on the Good Sam website, it was clear that Cherry Hill Park should easily meet our initial requirements — and more with high Good Sam ratings on all aspects. But would it live up to our expectations in person?

Cherry Hill Park Campground Vibe

Upon pulling into Cherry Hill Park, it was clear from the start that this park aims to impress. The check-in process was easy, the campground store was chock full of fun stuff, and everything was bright and clean. If I had to pick one word for my first impression, it would be “tidy.”

Photo: Kerri Cox

Going deeper into the park while heading to our spot, we noticed how big the park is; however, despite its size, the sites are mostly well-spaced. Thanks to a mix of curves in the road, plentiful trees, and colorful landscaping, the sites felt cozy and unique, unlike the cookie-cutter, sterile sites found at some large resorts.

Cherry Hill’s atmosphere reminded me of my childhood, growing up in a 1970s suburban subdivision, where the kids played in each other’s yards until the street lights flickered on at dusk. In the campground, I spotted kids swinging in the playgrounds, dashing through sprinklers at the splash pad, and biking the loops with siblings and buddies, as adults lounged around campfires. 

Even with D.C. a short drive away, it is clear this is a campground where families can spend time together. While the convenient proximity to the city and family-friendly environment are plusses, they can be drawbacks to some travelers. Cherry Hill Park is located just off some major roadways, so you will find some road noise. It is also a busy park, with quite a lot of traffic. 

If you are seeking solitude and silence, this probably isn’t the park for you. However, my family spent time outside, gathered around a campfire with friends we had serendipitously bumped into at the park. We didn’t find the noise or activity bothersome for our tastes. The bustle was just what we were expecting at this family-friendly campground.

Campsites at Cherry Hill Park

Cherry Hill Park offers a mix of RV and tent sites, cabins, and glamping accommodations. RVers will find full hookup sites, including back-in and pull-through options. Premium sites include a charcoal grill, a brick patio, extra table and chairs, and convenient locations in the park. 

Photo: Kerri Cox

If space and privacy are important to you, call ahead to see what sites are recommended, as some are smaller and tighter than others. Some are also located near busy amenities, which can be a plus if you want to walk to them with your kids or a drawback if you prefer less traffic. With so much variety in the campground, it’s best to talk to a park employee to find the right location for you. 

We opted for a back-in premium site on the edge of the park, figuring this would be a quieter, semi-private location. We appreciated the coral daylilies blooming along our patio. Behind us, dense trees provided a taste of nature, and we could easily hop on one of the park’s trails. Our campsite was quite charming.

Facilities & Amenities

Cherry Hill Park is chock full of amenities. While many are items that can be found at resort-level campgrounds across the nation, what makes this park especially unique is how it caters to D.C. travelers in multiple ways.

Jefferson Memorial in spring. Photo: Getty Images

Cherry Hill Park aims to make it easy to get the most out of your D.C. visit. The campground offers information sessions that provide tips and tricks for navigating the city and its many attractions. We decided to take the Metro into the city from the nearby College Park station.

Cherry Hill Park also operates its own express bus, which drops riders off near D.C. attractions in the morning and provides return transportation in the evening. Or, you can take one of the campground’s guided excursions, with a variety of sightseeing tours offered seasonally. 

Photo: Kerri Cox

While you might spend a lot of time in D.C. while staying at Cherry Hill Park, it’s advisable to also plan some downtime in the park. Kids will appreciate the various pools, playgrounds, splash pad, game room, tractor rides, and miniature golf course. Teens and adults can enjoy the fitness areas, walking trails, dog runs, golf cart rentals, and onsite cafe (which even offers online ordering and campsite delivery). Seriously, the list goes on and on!

Photo: Kerri Cox

My family was not only impressed with the breadth of the amenities and activities, we were also impressed with the quality. Everything is well-maintained and thoughtfully planned. We also found the customer service to be top-notch. This level of care and consideration is what makes Cherry Hill earn those good reviews that reached our ears long before we began researching our travel plans. 

The Bottom Line

Cherry Hill Park obviously caters to D.C. travelers, but this campground is a destination in its own right, especially for families. This park deserves a visit, whether you are touring the capital city or not.

The post Campground Review: Cherry Hill Park Near Washington, D.C. appeared first on Good Sam Camping Blog.

Travelers everywhere fear the dreaded roadside breakdown. Aside from an injury-causing event, these are worst-case scenarios for your trip. Breakdowns interrupt plans, delay arrivals, cause reservation cancellations, put an unexpected expense into the budget, and, perhaps worst of all, add an element of the unknown to your trip.

Often with a roadside breakdown, we just don’t know just how bad it’s going to get in terms of delay, cost, repair, and hassle. Even a problem as simple as a flat tire could escalate into a bigger, more formidable issue

• If you don’t have a spare
• If the flat damages the wheel or vehicle
• If the service center doesn’t carry your tire size
• If you don’t have cell service 
• If the weather is bad
• If you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere
• If you’re towing a trailer or driving an RV

And that’s just a flat tire. The more serious the reason for the breakdown, the worse the impact. For trucks, semis, and RVers, the problems can escalate when you incorporate larger vehicles and tires, towables and towing setups, additional weight, and more.  

All travelers should have a plan for roadside breakdowns. The better you can prevent, predict, or quickly resolve on-the-road problems, the less danger, stress, delay, and expenses you’ll encounter. 

What happens in a roadside breakdown?

Courtesy of Good Sam

A roadside breakdown includes any incident while traveling that temporarily or permanently interrupts your trip due to a problem with your vehicle that affects its ability to operate. This could be a mechanical problem (such as an engine issue), physical damage (like a flat tire), or operator error, like running out of gas. Other reasons include problems that occur before you even leave the parking lot or house, like a dead battery. 

Not all roadside breakdowns immediately put you on the side of the road or stuck. Problems with your vehicle might be less immediate than a trip-stopping flat tire. Take, for example, an engine prone to overheating. This problem could reoccur and worsen depending on conditions like traffic or hot weather. But once you’ve identified that ongoing issue, you can plan to drive safely to a service shop or a highway exit at the very least rather than end up stranded.

When any of these issues occur, you and your vehicle end up either on the side of the road or, hopefully, at a gas station, service shop, rest area, or highway exit where you have more opportunity to address the issue safely. Ultimately, where you end up will be a deciding factor in how quickly you are able to get back on the road. When on the side of the road and stranded, the process immediately becomes more expensive and more time-consuming.

How you proceed will depend largely on whether or not you are stranded and require a tow or if you are able to fix the problem at your location or safely arrive at a shop or service station. The value in having a roadside assistance plan is that, regardless of the options at hand, you don’t end up with the bill to tow your vehicle or have a mobile mechanic attempt to address the problem where it occurred.

Regardless, the first thing that should happen after a roadside breakdown is to assess the issue. Consider the following questions to take stock of your situation. 

Are you and your vehicle in danger?

Your first priority should always be your immediate safety. Turn your hazard lights on right away. If you catch a flat tire or a mechanical issue occurs along a fast-moving highway without much of a shoulder and heavy traffic, consider relocating the vehicle if possible or, in extreme situations, abandoning the vehicle in lieu of finding a safer location to call for help. 

Does the situation require 911? 

Call 911 if there is any immediate danger to yourself or anyone’s health or safety. Provide them with your location to the best of your ability. Not every roadside issue requires 911. Use your judgment but let safety be the determining factor in deciding whether to call. 

What’s the issue?

Once you are safe, take stock of the situation to determine as best as possible the extent of the problem. If it’s a flat tire, is it a puncture, blow-out, or side-wall puncture? Are there other components damaged? Are there any smells coming from the engine? Any leaking fluid? Does anything appear to be damaged? All of this will be helpful to a mechanic or roadside assistance provider trying to diagnose the problem. 

What’s in your inventory to provide a solution? 

Not everyone carries things like extra fuel, fluids, spare tires, or tools. But now is the time to determine what you do have in storage if you don’t know already. For example, is your spare a proper spare tire or simply a donut-style spare? Take stock of this before trips so you can better prepare and know what you have available.

If you have the knowledge, tools, and equipment to fix the issue yourself, properly ensure you have a clear and safe area to work. Consider packing and using warning triangles for this very reason, so fellow drivers are aware of your location. 

Call your roadside assistance provider, auto shop, or towing company. 

If you have a roadside assistance plan, now is the time to pull out your member card or find the number and figure out what your next steps look like to contact your provider. If you don’t remember signing up for a roadside assistance program, remember that some new car purchases include a roadside assistance plan for the duration of the warranty.

Think the problem may be fixable by a mechanic? Your next step, if you don’t have roadside assistance, would be to contact the closest mechanic and inquire about sending someone. But if you are positive the problem or damage is significant, consider calling a towing company to start the process sooner rather than later. 

How common are roadside breakdowns? 

Courtesy of Good Sam

Consider your last significant road trip — any drive over three hours, say. How many roadside breakdowns do you recall witnessing? A car broke down on the side of the road, someone calling for help or receiving help, or those vehicles abandoned hours or days earlier. Someone at the campsite having trouble with their RV? Or did traffic slow because of an incident? 

Likely you witnessed at least one of these examples.

Breakdowns affect everyone. New cars. Old cars. RVs, trucks, electric vehicles. Careful drivers and reckless drivers — those who adhere to the speed limit and those who don’t. But some factors will increase the likelihood of a roadside breakdown: 

• Infrequent or inconsistent routine maintenance
• Driving a vehicle ten years or older (Twice as likely to have a roadside breakdown and four times as likely to need a tow)
• Balding or low-tread tires
• Extreme weather conditions such as ice, heat, or flooding
• Using an older battery or a battery that needs fluids topped off
• Worn belts
• Driving with a Check Engine light
• Continued driving after your low fuel light comes on 

Keep in mind the additional likelihood that if you experience one roadside breakdown, another might soon follow. For example, if one of your tires goes flat because the tread is worn, you can bet the other three are on their way out.

What are the common causes of roadside breakdowns?

Courtesy of Good Sam

At some point in your tenure as a driver, you’ll likely face a roadside breakdown, even in a new vehicle. We’ve identified some risky behaviors and factors that can lead to a breakdown. Here we take a look at some of the most common reasons drivers end up stuck on the side of the road or at the rest stop. 

Running out of gas 

Running out of fuel is a serious and potentially costly problem that has recently seen an increase in incidents due to more people stretching a gallon of gas, given higher gas prices. The situation is common: you wave off a gas exit because you still have a quarter of a tank left, or you don’t realize you are low on fuel. Once you pass the exit or see your low fuel light, it’s too late. The next gas station is beyond your mileage. 

Solution? Reach out for help and expect to pay the fee if you don’t have a roadside assistance plan. Or go the survivalist route and travel with extra fuel in a jerry can. This reduces your cargo space, but it buys you an out should you run out of gas. 

When towing a trailer or RV, you always have to factor in the extra fuel used to pull additional weight. So when you hit the quarter of a tank line, remember you won’t get as far as you typically would when not towing several thousand pounds behind you. 

Flat tires

Out of 230 million drivers on the road, 220 million flat tires occur each year. So the likelihood is high that you will experience a flat tire at some point in your tenure as a frequent driver. And it’s not all in your control. Road hazards are one of the leading causes of punctures or side-wall damage that cause flats. So even if you take proper care of your tires, you’re still at risk. 

When you get a flat, you have a couple of options. Replace the tire yourself with your temporary tire (a donut), or with a spare if you have one — or call a towing service to bring you to the nearest tire shop to have the tire replaced. The question comes down to a.) whether you have a spare tire and know how to replace it, and b. 

More often, new vehicles are equipped with tire inflation kits rather than spare tires, which can leave drivers in the lurch when the issue is a properly flat tire. If a new purchase doesn’t include a spare tire, consider adding one as an option. 

RV tire problems

When towing or driving an RV, tire problems are exacerbated due to their size, weight, and the possibility of disrupting the suspension of your RV. If you replace a flat tire on your RV on your own on the side of the road, pay close attention to the responsiveness after driving, as unaligned tires could further damage other tires. 

Overheating

Your cooling system is designed to pull heat away from the engine — an imperative function for your engine to operate safely and properly. If anything goes wrong with the cooling system, you need to stop driving immediately. The reasons for overheating are various: leaks, low coolant, blocked hoses, a broken water pump, radiator problems, low oil, worn belts and hoses, or thermostat failure. 

These problems are only exasperated by hot temperatures and frequent air conditioning usage. And diagnosing the problem on the side of the road is not ideal. Left unaddressed, overheating could cause permanent damage to your vehicle. At the first sign of a problem, pull over and plan to call for assistance.

Engine problems

This category includes a variety of problems caused by something as simple as low oil to more serious issues like blown gaskets or worse. Engine problems are seldom solvable on the side of the road and are even less likely to be addressed properly without expert knowledge, tools, and equipment. This is especially true with motorhomes, semis, and diesel engines. 

Brake problems

Have you ever reached an intersection with the window down only to detect a faint or considerable smell of burnt rubber? If so, your car or a car nearby may be suffering from a brake problem, either from excessive braking or a problem with your brake pads and rotor. Below are some of the other common brake-related problems that could cause a breakdown:

• A vibration in the steering wheel when braking
• A lurching to one side of the vehicle when braking 
• Squealing or squeaking noises when braking at intersections
• Fluid leaking
• Unresponsive or “soft” brakes.

These symptoms are indicative of bigger problems, and it’s important you address these immediately to avoid further damage. That might mean pulling over where you are or finding a very nearby service center. 

Transmission

The job of the transmission is to control the power directed toward your wheels to drive at a certain speed. Like engine problems, transmission problems will likely land you in a service shop, but some tell-tale warning signs include:

• Grinding or shaking 
• Slipping of gears or trouble changing gears
• Strange noises, even when in park
• Leaking fluid beneath the vehicle that is red or dark red in color
• A burning smell

If your vehicle demonstrates any of these symptoms, your next course of action should be to get to a safe stopping place as soon as possible. Driving on a bad transmission can lead to shaking, which, at high speeds like those reached on a highway, could lead to an accident. 

Low or dead battery

Battery-related trouble is common, and of all the popular DIY fixes that many drivers know, jumping another car’s battery is high on the list. Battery issues can be caused by a host of factors, but some of the leading contenders include cold or hot weather, lights left on, old batteries, and loose or corroded connections.

And battery issues are unique because, more often than not, the problem occurs prior to a drive when the engine won’t start. But when stopped at a hotel or at a rest stop, this can have the same effect as a roadside breakdown: you are stuck in a strange place without help. For battery issues that only require a jump, the best thing you can do is carry jumper cables and reach out to a friendly passerby. 

Can I prevent roadside breakdowns?

Courtesy of Good Sam

A roadside breakdown may be all but inevitable over the decades, but reducing the likelihood and severity of breakdowns is within your control. And that pertains to those who drive older vehicles as well. Like your own health, the better you care for your vehicle, the less often you have problems, and you care for your vehicle with maintenance, awareness, and by having safety nets. 

Preventative maintenance

Preventative maintenance includes the steps you take to catch a problem before it actualizes. The diligence of inspecting your vehicle and RV for issues, checking fluid levels, inspecting for wear and tear, and actively listening, feeling, and smelling for any changes when operating the car, truck, or RV will have a considerably positive effect in preventing roadside breakdown.

Scheduled maintenance

Oil changes, fluid replacement, tire rotation, tire changes, scheduled brake-pad replacements, filter changes, towing setup inspection — scheduled maintenance are the recommended, critical tasks that ensure our vehicles operate at their best. The problems occur when you don’t complete all preventative maintenance before an issue arises or don’t complete every recommended step. Scheduled maintenance should prevent most of your chances of experiencing a roadside breakdown. 

For example, most people stay updated with oil changes but might not adhere to tire maintenance recommendations like tire rotations or balancing as often as manufacturers and dealers recommend. Staying up on scheduled maintenance improves the longevity of your vehicle.

Early detection 

Similar to preventative maintenance, early detection requires that, while driving or co-piloting your vehicle, you keep a proverbial ear to the ground: observe how the road, weather, or duration of the trip might affect your vehicle. Inspect during your trip to see if any problems are occurring as a result of ongoing variables. 

Roadside assistance 

One of the most responsible actions you can take is to have a solution ready when a problem occurs. For travelers, that solution is roadside assistance.

Problems can occur regardless of preventative maintenance or scheduled maintenance. Having a phone number you can call that connects you with the closest, most appropriate help can mean a huge difference in the time and expense it takes to get you back on the road. 

When traveling in an RV or with a travel trailer or fifth wheel, having the right roadside assistance is even more important. For towing purposes alone, the service provider that helps you during a roadside breakdown needs to understand the unique requirements of a motorhome and trailer and the tools and equipment needed. Not all towing companies, for example, own the type of tow truck that can service motorhomes.   

How expensive are breakdowns? 

Let’s get down to brass tacks. What kind of costs are associated with a side-of-the-road breakdown? Much of the repair costs are contingent on the severity of the problem, which is no different than what you would expect when taking your vehicle in for a routine check and discovering an issue. Some repairs are far more expensive than others. 

But when it comes to roadside breakdowns, the expense comes down to things like towing, having roadside assistance or not, and whether the repair is completed on the side of the road or not. For example, it costs roughly four times as much to repair something on the side of the road than it does at a shop.

Let’s explore some of these costs. 

Towing

First and foremost, the cost of towing is the most variable factor in the overall expense to resolve a breakdown. Without a roadside assistance plan, the cost of towing can be substantial. 

For towing, the costs will vary depending on the situation. Factors such as the ease of towing, the size and type of the vehicle, and the distance you’ll need to be driven greatly affect the price. For example, a stuck vehicle that requires the use of a winch will cost more. The national average for a regular tow comes in around $109.00 per tow. But that’s if all goes as planned: the vehicle is a standard car, the hook-up is easy, and the towing distance isn’t far. In fact, the distance you are towed is the largest factor in determining the overall cost. 

Consider you will pay somewhere between $2.50 and $7.00 per mile. Those costs add up, especially if you are driving cross-country and wind up stuck in a location fifty miles or more away from the nearest tow provider. Keep in mind this is just the towing cost alone, before any work is completed to fix the actual problem. 

Minor Fixes

Roadside issues don’t always require a tow or major repair, but these minor fixes can still be inconvenient, time-consuming, and expensive. How much? 

Locksmith

A common service included with roadside assistance plans is emergency keyless entry if you happen to lock your keys in your vehicle. Like a breakdown, this is a headache that can easily delay your travel and add an expense. You should expect to pay between $50 and $150 to have a locksmith arrive at your location to unlock your vehicle and regain your keys. 

Emergency fuel

When you run out of gas, it’s not a major request from a service op to provide a small amount of fuel to get you to the next gas station, but it’s still a cumbersome, time-consuming request, especially if you are located further from the shop. 

Jump-start battery

Battery issues are common reasons for breakdowns, especially before leaving your location. A common jump-start is a fairly simple service that doesn’t require much equipment, knowledge, or time, but where you get a jump could affect the price. 

For these minor fixes, you will largely be charged a flat fee or a per-mile charge. For example, a mechanic might charge $50-$100 for jump-starting a dead battery, about the same for emergency fuel, or $75-$125 for changing a flat tire, depending on how far you are from the shop.   

Drivers should consider the risk, cost, and hassle of facing multiple roadside events over the years. The costs add up from just one roadside breakdown. But drivers don’t have to suffer that anxiety when such services exist as roadside assistance, designed to take away the burden and stress of potential roadside breakdowns. 

What is roadside assistance?

Courtesy of Good Sam

A common theme throughout any discussion on roadside breakdowns is roadside assistance. When it comes to a problem as significant, prevalent, and inevitable as roadside breakdowns, roadside assistance is the sibling solution. 

Roadside assistance is an option offered to drivers that covers such emergency scenarios as discussed here. Drivers typically pay an annual fee to receive a roadside assistance plan that covers the cost and logistics of a roadside event that would otherwise leave you stranded, such issues as a flat tire, dead battery, lost or locked key, running out of fuel, or needing a tow to a service shop. 

The purpose of roadside assistance is to provide you with a reliable service wherever you travel that reduces the hassle, cost, and reliability issues that are all too common when trying to find help when stranded on the side of the road. Consider, at a glance, the immediate conveniences:

• Instead of falling to the task of locating a service provider, you call a national hotline. 
• Instead of haggling for a reasonable price for a specific incident, you pay an annual fee. 
• Instead of wondering how much a tow will cost, you know what your plan provides. 
• Instead of vetting a mechanic or towing company, your RA provider has already vetted them. 

Roadside assistance plans are sometimes available through your insurance when buying a new car. Otherwise, national providers. 

What does it cover?

Roadside assistance plans vary in cost, network, coverage, and type. When investigating which roadside assistance plan is best for you, consider the two main priorities: what roadside events does it cover, and what types of vehicles does it cover? 

But take your inquiry a step further: How equipped is a roadside assistance provider to ensure you have help regardless of where you travel? Consider the extent of their network when choosing a roadside assistance provider. 

Roadside events

Consider what all your roadside assistance plan covers and if there are any additional costs for issues that go beyond the run-of-the-mill problems. Most roadside assistance plans cover  standard issues: 

• Flat tire
• A lost or locked key
• Emergency fuel
• Battery jump

As discussed, these are common problems that aren’t terribly difficult to solve, but they can be a major disruption to your trip (and wallet) if you don’t have a roadside assistance plan. But when it comes to towing a vehicle, for example, roadside assistance plans change what they offer. 

Find out from any roadside assistance provider what their towing policy is. Many will only cover a certain distance before charging you additionally per mile. Good Sam Roadside Assistance, for example, provides unlimited towing. And what, exactly, do you want to be able to tow in the event of a roadside breakdown? Some roadside assistance plans only cover towing for cars, SUVs, and trucks and wouldn’t cover a towable or motorhome. 

Types of vehicles, types of coverage

Roadside assistance plans vary in the types of vehicles they cover. And it goes beyond cars, trucks, or RVs. What about motorcycles, trailers, sports trailers, fifth wheels, or travel trailers? Does the plan cover just your vehicle or the vehicles of your dependents and spouse? 

Network

Roadside assistance providers work with towing companies, service shops, and mobile mechanics to create their service network, often nationally. And the extent of the network varies among roadside assistance providers. When choosing, identify two important features regarding their network: 

• The roadside assistance provider works with reputable towing and mechanic companies
• Their network of coverage extends to the regions of the country where you plan to travel

A roadside assistance plan won’t do you much good if they can’t offer service where you travel. Take it a step further and compare the sheer number of towing companies and mechanics they include in their network. Because while a provider might offer coverage in a place like Utah, they may only have a few select companies in that area, which could lead to extreme delays when waiting for service.  

Roadside assistance and accidents

If you experience an accident, your first course of action should be to ensure your immediate safety and the immediate safety of others and then call 911. Roadside assistance should never be confused with emergency response.

But what if your car is undrivable after an incident? In some cases — like when you have liability-only car insurance — you are responsible for the towing costs if your car has to be towed after an accident. But some roadside assistance programs will provide towing coverage depending on the extent of the damage and other notable concerns. Be sure to inquire with your roadside assistance provider to fully understand their coverage inclusions.  

How much does roadside assistance typically cost?

For obvious reasons, plans for roadside assistance vary widely depending on the type and coverage, and you gain the ability to judge a good price once you know the main differences to look for, plan to plan. In general, plans can range anywhere from $50 a year to $200, but keep in mind the price difference often comes down to what’s provided. 

For example, a $50 annual plan might only cover a certain amount of events. Or the towing distance will be limited. 

A $50 plan might cover a car but won’t cover a towable, or even an SUV or truck, for example. 

A $150 might sound expensive at the onset but not so much if it covers the vehicles of your spouse and dependents. 

It all comes down to finding a provider that can offer a plan that meets your needs — especially if you own multiple cars or if you own an RV. Roadside assistance plans for RVs don’t have to break the bank, and they can relieve a lot of the stress that comes to first-time RV owners who aren’t as familiar with RVs as they are with their own personal vehicles. 

Who offers roadside assistance, and how do I choose?

Courtesy of Good Sam

Many national roadside assistance providers offer a similar service (and price) for basic roadside assistance services. National providers are helpful because they’ve expanded their network and connections so that, with the right coverage, you can get quality, trusted help even when traveling to more remote locations. Should you experience a roadside breakdown, they will still have a reputable way to get you help. 

Providers

You can find roadside assistance coverage from a host of different providers, and the main sources include:

• National providers
• Car insurance companies
• Auto clubs
• Credit card companies
• Car manufacturers

Roadside assistance is a useful product to bundle with other services, but the risk is that you aren’t getting full coverage from a company that hasn’t established a proper network. 

Note that the specific services included in a roadside assistance plan can change depending on the provider you choose. Some plans include standard services like battery jumps, changing a flat tire, emergency fuel, and towing your vehicle to a service shop, while other plans may include additional services like trip interruption coverage, trip routing and planning assistance, and discounts on rental cars and other travel-related services.

When choosing a roadside assistance provider, consider the type of coverage you need and the ability of the service provider. 

Coverage

When investigating which type of roadside assistance plan is best for you, identify your needs. Some big considerations might include:

• Multiple vehicles
• Trailers and towables (fifth wheels, travel trailers)
• RV or boat
• Family coverage
• Network (remote)
• Towing distance

For example, if you frequently tow a travel trailer to remote locations, make sure the provider you work with has ample ability to provide roadside assistance should you experience an issue far from a local mechanic or service shop. Inquire into such details as their ability to tow RVs, which require a different type of tow truck that some service shops do not own in their fleet.

Specialty providers

Certain roadside assistance providers are better equipped to offer help to travelers with unique needs. RV owners, for example, require a different level of attention when they experience a roadside breakdown — and even that is an overgeneralization. Motorhomes require altogether separate mechanical knowledge and equipment than travel trailers, for example. 

When searching for a roadside assistance provider, make sure you find adequate coverage for your unique situation. Specialty providers understand the needs RV owners have above and beyond typical car owners, for example. If you are only concerned with your personal vehicle, shop for a provider who can offer the most extensive network, so you are fully protected wherever you go as opposed to a provider who covers multiple vehicles, specialty vehicle types, and towables. 

Good Sam Roadside Assistance 

Courtesy of Good Sam

Good Sam Roadside Assistance provides multiple types of roadside assistance to help drivers only pay for what they need. Providing both auto and RV roadside assistance, they have built a nationwide network of over 30,000 service shops and towing specialists to extend help to their customers wherever they travel. Further, they offer unlimited towing distance to the nearest service shop, regardless of which plan you choose. 

Learn more about Good Sam Roadside Assistance plans.

Good Sam has been helping travelers and RVers across the country since 1966, and many plans in their roadside assistance coverage offerings are designed to ensure RVers receive the important, unique coverage they need wherever they travel, especially when experiencing a roadside breakdown. Plans cover such items as trailers, camper vans, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, motorhomes, and more. 

To learn more about Good Sam Roadside Assistance and the services they provide, check out these helpful roadside assistance resources that further explore their offerings and other relevant topics relating to staying safe on the road. 

The post Everything You Need To Know About a Roadside Breakdown appeared first on Good Sam Camping Blog.

This Good Sam RV Rentals series highlights locations across the US we think are well worth the trip. Check out this guide for everything the RV renter needs to know about Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is regularly called a “hiker’s paradise,” and for good reason. More than that, it’s also a perfect place to visit on an RV road trip. Texas is known for being a huge state, so taking the state in by road means you get to see a lot. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is no different.

The Guadalupe Mountain range runs for 40 miles. It also contains the tallest peak in Texas (no small feat there) and is also home to El Capitan, one of the world’s most famous climbing rocks. Its close proximity to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico also makes it an obvious place to stop for a while and enjoy the many acres of hiking and other recreational opportunities.

Why Visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Your Rented RV?

Image from Getty

No matter what level you find yourself at, the hiking opportunities in Guadalupe Mountains National Park are a perfect reason for visiting the area. It’s very much in “the middle of nowhere” and a good distance away from other locations, but that means you can get away from things and really enjoy the beauty of nature from the comfort of your RV.

Hiking

People come from all over the country to hike in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The New York Times has even said “there are no real roads” in the area—it’s all for hiking. It’s very much a wilderness park, and the trails you’ll discover will reflect that.

There are more than 80 miles of hiking trails in the park (and even more if you want to go backcountry). Some of these trails are more accessible and easier for less-experienced hikers but most come with several warnings. Midday heat can take a toll, there are high winds that far up in the air, and sometimes the trail just disappears. Keeping printed versions of the trails with you are immensely helpful, but don’t let the rocky conditions deter you. The sights are worth it.

Some of the more well-known trails include:

• Guadalupe Peak Trail
• Devil’s Hall Trail
• The Bowl
• El Capitan/Salt Basin Overlook Trails
• McKittrick Canyon Trail
• Permian Reef Trail
• The Pinery Trail
• Lost Peak

Wildlife Viewing

Because the park is so sparsely visited, much of the wildlife remains at home in their habitat. This makes for great wildlife viewing opportunities. As you’re hiking on any number of the trails, keep an eye out for some of the park’s inhabitants.

Granted, because the park is arid and hot, many of the animals who live there are nocturnal—they come out and roam at night because of the cooler air. During the day, you can keep an eye out for animal tracks and other signs they’ve been around. If you really want to see animals, check some of the permanent water sources. Remember: never approach a wild animal.

You might see:

• Mule deer
• Elk
• Black bears
• Cottontails
• Jackrabbits
• Grey fox
• Javelinas

Historic Ranches

As homesteaders and pioneers roamed across the great expanse of Texas, the beauty of the Guadalupe Mountains called to them. Some set up their posts here and stayed, learning how to grow crops and raise animals in an otherwise arid landscape.

Two ranches, Frijole Ranch and Williams Ranch, are testaments to their existence. Both historical locations show just how important (and scarce) both shade and water are in the area. Williams Ranch in particular requires a 4×4 vehicle with high clearance to get there (so if you’re in a drivable RV, this area unfortunately won’t be for you).

Horseback Riding

Texas and horseback riding seem to go hand in hand. It’s no different at the park. About 60 percent of the park is open to horses—the rest are too rocky and difficult to maintain for your equine friends. Given the large number of trails, horseback riding allows you to see much more of the park than you’d be able to on foot.

Unfortunately, there are no stables or horse rental areas in or anywhere near the park, so this will be for people who keep their own horses. For those that do, there are stock corrals available at different campgrounds that allow you to keep your horses and stay near them while you camp.

Birding

The birds throughout the park are prolific, and with such glorious views, there are also ample opportunities to see a wide variety of birds. Keep an eye on the nearby trees and you’ll no doubt see a ton of birds—maybe even some you haven’t seen in other places.

Some of the birds you’re likely to see are:

• Great Horned Owl
• Barn Owl
• Chickadee
• Sparrow
• Woodpecker
• Turkey Vulture
• Roadrunner
• Peregrine Falcon
• Grosbeak

Campgrounds and RV Parks for Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Image from Getty

Camping around the Guadalupe Mountains National Park is sparse, to put it kindly. You won’t find many (or any) RV resort type places without a solid drive. But there’s something to be said for dry camping in the area. That means you’ll rely on a generator for power and the water in your tanks. With all that beauty around you, why not rough it for a few days?

Pine Springs Campground

Inside the park there are two primary campgrounds that fit RVs. Pine Springs Campground is one of them. It’s primitive, but you’ll find potable water, a utility sink, and flush toilets. There is a total of 19 sites for RVs, and they’re first-come, first-serve. This is simple, desert camping at its finest.

Carlsbad RV Park and Campground

A little farther away from the park (nearer to Carlsbad), you’ll find at least a few more modern campsites. Carlsbad RV Park and Campground offers you a lot of the amenities you won’t find in some other places in the Texas desert. It’s close to several attractions in Carlsbad like the caverns and the zoo, and also offers an indoor pool. Every RV spot also has full utility hookups. And don’t forget about the private, enclosed pool either.

Dog Canyon Campground

Back in the park, the second campground is called Dog Canyon Campground. It sits at a higher elevation and is more forested and secluded than Pine Springs. There is a total of four RV sites here (maximum 23’ length). There’s potable water and flush toilets. This is the perfect spot to really get engaged with the natural beauty the park has to offer.

White’s City RV Campground

White’s City is also near Carlsbad, and that puts White’s City RV Campground near it as well. This park offers full utility hookups plus free Wi-Fi. Other amenities include fire rings, laundry facilities, barbecue grills, and remodeled shower facilities. Enjoy some desert camping from the comfort of your RV.

Chosa Campground

Chosa Campground sits between the park and Carlsbad, just off the road. It’s not a traditional campsite. Rather, it’s an area controlled by the Bureau of Land Management. That means it’s free for you to camp there. Mind you, you won’t find any utility hookups. It’s dry camping exclusively, but it’s hard to beat at that price.

Places to Eat Near Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

Image from Getty

The Guadalupe Mountains are a decent distance away from most towns and cities. The two nearest towns are El Paso, Texas and Carlsbad, New Mexico (one hour and 45 minutes away and 45 minutes away, respectively). There are other small towns nearby, but those two will be your best bet for a good bite to eat. Otherwise, you won’t find much in terms of restaurants inside Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Dining at Guadalupe Mountains National Park

There aren’t any proper restaurants inside the park, but that’s fine because you’re driving an RV with its own kitchen. When you’re camping here, plan on filling your refrigerator ahead of time and plan some meals to cook while you’re here. And note: if you plan to cook outside, you’ve got to do it on a contained propane stove—there aren’t any fires (wood, charcoal, or otherwise) allowed inside the park.

Dining outside of Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Carlsbad, New Mexico sits about 45 minutes away, and El Paso, Texas is about an hour and 45 minutes. That’s a hefty haul one-way for a meal, but if it’s part of a road trip, why not? And being so near the United States-Mexico border, you better believe that anything you find here will have some serious Mexican and Tex-Mex influences. As two very busy towns, there will also be your standard burgers and family-friendly pizza joints. Otherwise, you know it’s the right place to load up on tacos.

Both El Paso and Carlsbad will have a good dining scene, and despite the drive, may well be worth popping into for a while. On the way to Carlsbad, you can stop over at the Carlsbad Caverns as well, work up a good hunger while walking through the caves, then have fresh tortillas and any other great Mexican food that you’re looking for in town.

The post An RV Renter’s Guide to Guadalupe Mountains National Park appeared first on Good Sam Camping Blog.

Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground off the coast of Massachusetts offers everyone a unique family camping experience. It began as a vacant wooded lot in 1968 when the land was purchased by Charles and Jeanne Feeney. Charles’ dream was to have a place for the family to camp and call their own. The family fell in love with the island and discovered all that the island has to offer: beautiful beaches, fabulous fishing, quaint villages and unforgettable sunsets. They found it irresistible. From the rolling hills of Aquinnah to the dunes of Katama, there is no place on earth like it.

The campground was officially opened in the spring of 1972 and has been a family-run operation ever since. Today the campground is managed by a third generation of The Feeney Family. The goal has always been to provide a quality camping experience for families who visit this wonderful island.

A ship ferries passengers and vessels from the mainland to Martha’s Vineyard. Photo Courtesy of Martha’s Vineyard Campground

Getting to the island starts the adventure. The Steamship Authority leaves from Woods Hole and travels to Oak Bluffs Terminal, approximately 5 miles from the campground or Vineyard Haven, which is 2 miles away.

For those adventurers who like to explore using public transport, we have a bus stop right at the campground. For more information, visit the VTA website at www.vineyardtransit.com.

Be sure to check out their suggestions on how to see the island in one day at www.vineyardtransit.com/Pages/VTA_Schedule/one_day.

Which beaches do our campers frequent the most?

Edgartown Lighthouse. Photo courtesy of Martha’s Vineyard Campground

Joseph Sylvia State Beach (commonly known as State Beach) in Oak Bluffs/Edgartown is approximately 7 miles from Martha’s Vineyard Campground, a long stretch of public beach with parking. South Beach by Edgartown aboutely 9 miles, away with a beach area and free parking. Long Point Beach and Wildlife Refuge in West Tilbury is approx 6 miles away, has a long beach with open ocean, and is accessible via bike path or by using free parking nearby. Eastville beach is approximately 2 miles away; kayak and paddleboard rentals are available along with the closest swimming with incredible sunsets and mild waters.

Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground

For those who want to have the campground experience but do not have an RV, Martha’s Vineyard has several cabin rental options available. Their rates are very reasonable and the family can enjoy visiting the island with the complete camping experience.

Martha’s Vineyard Island has so much to offer, from great restaurants to small quaint towns, sandy beaches, lots of shopping and the most beautiful sunsets that you will never forget. Book now at campmv.com and enjoy the island experience.

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Thirsty for a relaxing vacation? Lavaland RV Park in Grants, New Mexico, serves up a refreshing getaway just 78 miles west of Albuquerque. With only 39 roomy spaces and plenty of shade trees, the uncrowded park offers ample amenities on a sprawling property close to some of the Land of Enchantment’s most stunning attractions. Wet your whistle at the brewery next door to complete the vacation menu. 

As the name implies, Lavaland RV Park is surrounded by rugged, rocky landscapes formed eons ago by hot volcanic activity. Nowadays, guests can cool down under the shade trees, including soaring pines, that block the sun from the roomy sites, which include 10 pull-throughs and have a maximum length of 75 feet. Powered by 30- and 50-amp electricity, each site has a table, and there’s plenty of room for slideouts. 

Lavaland RV Park

Guests can access a slew of entertainment options. The park’s free Wi-Fi supports streaming, and cable TV is also available. A rec hall, horseshoes, and pavilion keep travelers busy, and restrooms and showers, laundry facilities and RV supplies provide onsite convenience. Get the blood pumping on one of the nearby nature trails. Dog owners turn their pets loose at the enclosed dog run.

Elkins Brewing Company

Beer on Tap

Next to the park office, Elkins Brewing Company pours some of the most satisfying beers in the Southwest. The small company brews lager, rye beer, American light and stouts among a host of items on its eclectic menu. Purchase a flight of four beers for $7 and sample a variety of suds. Growlers also are available for $20. Belly up to the bar and experience beer nirvana — just steps from your campsite.

Elking Brewing Company

Loving the Lava

Just 11 miles south of Lavaland, El Malpais National Monument preserves dramatic caves and rock formations formed by several volcanos. Hikers can explore lava flows, cinder cones, pressure ridges and lava tubes. Take a walk under La Ventana Arch, a sandstone marvel that defies gravity. 

Within the El Malpais National Monument, the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano opens a door to a subterranean phenomenon. The Ice Cave lava tube preserves ice that glistens in the sunlight. Located on the Continental Divide, the privately owned site tells the story of violent geological upheaval. Nearby, the Bandera Volcano, which erupted 10,000 years ago, has left an 800-foot-deep crater; hike to the rim via a short trail.

El Morro National Monument

Wild Watering Holes

Equally compelling is El Morro National Monument, less than an hour west of Lavaland. For centuries, the site attracted Puebloans, Spanish and American travelers to the watering hole hidden at the base of a towering sandstone bluff. Today, tourists come to see the remarkable rock formations, accessible by trails that snake through the unforgettable terrain. Follow the Inscription Loop Trail, which leads hikers to a natural pool with more than 200,000 gallons of snow and rain runoff. Also on the trail are hundreds of Spanish and American inscriptions carved into the stone. Ancestral Puebloans also left their mark with prehistoric petroglyphs. 

Twenty-five miles west of Grants, Bluewater Lake State Park is a 3,000-acre haven for water recreation. Anglers can drop a line for tiger muskies and boaters can hit the throttle for water skiing. Slow things down with a kayaking or paddleboarding trip. Hike trails around the lake and keep on the lookout for the colorful birds that fly overhead, including the great horned owl, blue grosbeak and prairie falcon. Follow trails that snake through the pinion juniper landscape.

Back in Town

Campers who prefer to stay local will discover that the town of Grants, population 10,000, punches well above its weight when it comes to food and fun. Situated on Historic Route 66 (also Interstate 40), the town boasts museums that celebrate the highway’s colorful history as well as works by local artists. Stroll through the New Mexico Mining Museum and discover why the region was once known as the “Uranium Capital of the United States.” 

Zuni Mountain Stupa

Foodies will find lots of farm-to-table treats at the Farmer’s Market every Saturday from August through October. Obtain spiritual nourishment at the Zuni Mountain Stupa, a Tibetan Buddhist temple in the Zuni Mountains southwest of town. With sweeping views, the temple hosts spiritual retreats.

Navajo textile design, Getty Images

Navajo Culture

Visitors can bring home a piece of authentic Navajo culture by attending the Crownpoint Rug Auction held monthly north of Grants. Conducted for more than 50 years, the Navajo-operated event showcases contemporary, handmade, all-wood Navajo rugs. Meet the artisans who crafted the traditional, vibrant designs.

Lavaland RV Park is open year-round, 505-287-8665.

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Those familiar with Good Sam’s comprehensive campground and coupon guide know the value and information contained within this single publication. Now the latest edition, its 88th, is available to campers and RVers everywhere with new and improved design and content. 

With information for over 12,000 private RV parks, public campgrounds, and services, including 2,000 Good Sam Parks — and over $1500 in coupons — there’s enough to keep any RVer’s itinerary full and affordable for far longer than a single season. 

So what should campers and RVers expect to find in this latest release? The Good Sam North American Campground Guide features over 300,000 campgrounds, ratings, and map updates, plus savings and discounts, and more — with this issue including new special features that can improve and enliven campers’ North American travels.

With the use of this guide as a hands-on resource, campers can plan trips, save on costs, and gain access to endless locations and itineraries all across North America. Let’s check it out. 

What’s New

Wildsam

Perhaps the most notable update to the new campground guide is the inclusion of Wildsam, the newest addition to Good Sam’s team of travel and camping experts. The field guides from Wildsam bring an expert approach to new places, and at the beginning of each section of the campground guide, they offer a more in-depth analysis of each location, including a recommended event, restaurant, outfitter, drink, institution (museum), and scenic route for each state. 

Wildsam is known for its American Travel Guides — charting regions, cities, landscapes, national parks, and more — and for having a keen eye for the offbeat details of a place that make it special. Their expertise is a welcomed addition to this publication and provides travelers an even closer look at each state consistently across the Good Sam Campground Guide. 

New Look

If you are familiar with the previous versions of the Good Sam Campground Guide, you’ll notice a distinct change in aesthetic with this new edition. A clean, modernized cover has replaced previous designs, and the new look favors full images on the front and back covers. Inside: a prevalence of full-page featured images at the start of each new state section. 

The new edition also includes full pages featuring such locations as Joshua Tree National Park, Glacier National Park, and Little River Canyon, with a brief written chronicle for each.

What’s Improved

Improved Discounts

In this new edition, Good Sam has upped the ante when it comes to the savings offerings at Camping World and RVs.com retail and dealership locations. All coupons considered, the total value adds up to $1500 in potential retail savings. Find coupons for such items as new and used RV purchases, camping equipment, mattresses, subscriptions, Good Sam products, and more. 

$75 Towards Free Camping

The purpose of the Good Sam Campground Guide is to make camping easier, more affordable, and more meaningful for RVers and campers. So what better way to promote the camping lifestyle than to include three coupons for a free night of camping ($25) for a total value of $75, more than offsetting the price of the guide? 

What’s Inside

Those who have previously used the Good Sam Campground Guide will be pleased to find the same well-organized, easy-to-navigate content that makes finding and evaluating campgrounds across North America simple and easy. 

Listings

The guide functions as a campground directory organized by state and lists the campgrounds alphabetically. The listings for each campground include such information as the nearest town name, map coordinates, county name, facility name, ratings, the type of facility and management, and directions. Below these identifiers, you will also find special information about the campground, including interior roads, a description of the site, previous rates, RV restrictions, and more. Lastly, the listing includes the contact information for the campground.

Have more questions about navigating the directory? Refer to pages 4-5 in the guide and find a complete explanation of how the listings work, including tools like an abbreviation key, an anatomy of a listing, and information for advertisers.

State Guides

The beginning of each state section includes several helpful regional guides that provide helpful information that can add value to your trip.  Find an overview with notable state history, attractions, and features, a suggested road trip with estimated drive times and distances, and state spotlights that showcase the best each state has to offer travelers, including activities, where to visit, and other notable highlights. 

This section also lists all the Good Sam Campgrounds within that state so members know where to apply their 10% campground discount around the state map. 

Ratings

Part of the publication’s value comes from the convenient, brief, and annually-updated ratings given for each Good Sam campground in the directory. With the Good Sam Triple Rating System, you can easily deem a campground’s visitability based on a thorough review conducted by a Good Sam representative. 

Curious how Good Sam campground ratings work? Lucky for us, the guide features an in-depth explanation with a full-spread infographic titled Good Sam Ratings 101, located on pages 6 and 7 of the campground guide. It provides information on rating categories like facilities, restrooms and showers, and environmental/visual appearance, all helpful to understand why a campground was given its rating. 

See these 197 RV parks that have scored a perfect rating in the last year. 

Maps

Readers will find a map at the start of each state’s section that includes notable points of interest such as campgrounds and other services, RV service centers, and Good Sam discount locations like campgrounds or Camping World and RVs.com locations. You’ll notice a grid system on the edges of the map, and this will be referenced in the campground listings for that state to indicate a campground’s location. 

Additional Features

The guide provides several handy additional features worth travelers’ reference. Check out pages 10-11 for Good Sam’s Rules of the Road segment, which is an at-a-glance reference for state-to-state laws pertaining to RVs and automobiles. 

And for those looking to attend a Camping World- and Good Sam-sponsored NHRA event this summer, find where your travels match up with the complete NHRA 2023 schedule, located on page 12. 

Lastly, with over 1,000 pages of information and savings, it helps to have an easy way to find the content you want. That’s where the Find-it-Fast Index comes in, offering 47 pages of indexed keywords to find what you need quickly, anywhere in the book. 

Savings & Coupons

All about Good Sam Membership

While the Good Sam North American Campground Guide is still an excellent resource for Good Sam non-members, the real value of the campground and coupon guide is in tandem with a Good Sam membership, the annual cost of which is easily offset by only a few of the savings within the guide. The coupons in the guide help members get the best deals at any of the retail or dealerships they visit, not to mention all Good Sam members earn 10% off on all Good Sam Campgrounds. 

Consider that the cost of the Good Sam Campground Guide itself is marked at 65% off for Good Sam members as if there weren’t enough encouragement already. Non-members pay $39.95 for the guide. Members pay $13.95. 

$1500 in Savings

So what are some of the coupons and savings you can expect that add up to over $1500? Let’s take a look. These are a few of the most notable discounts you’ll see, but know this isn’t the comprehensive list of discounts and savings. 

• $30 off a retail purchase of $200 or more 
• Extra 10% off clearance coupon 
• $500 RV trade-in bonus
• 20% off bikes
• 10% off appliances
• Save 50% on Good Sam TravelAssist and Roadside Assistance
• 15% off heaters & firepits and Camping World and RVs.com
• $1,000 off a new motorhome purchase

Get Your Copy at CampingWorld.com

With this much value-added content in the latest issue, the Good Sam North American Campground Guide is a useful and helpful hands-on tool any camper or RVer will benefit from. And for Good Sam members, the savings easily negate the affordable price tag.

Order your copy from campingworld.com and peruse well-over 1,000 pages of premium campground information, travel tips, location-specific content, coupons and discounts, and more. Well worth it for the conscientious traveler looking for the smartest way to travel well.

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If you’re looking for the perfect camping experience, then we’ve got the places for you. For 2023, a total of 156 Good Sam Campgrounds scored flawless 10/10★/10 Good Sam ratings based on our trusted and time-honored evaluation system.

Our rep teams travel across North America and check parks for the cleanliness of restrooms and showers; environment and visual appearance. Each category is rated on a scale of one to 10, and a star is added for exceptionally clean restrooms. You’ll also find these campgrounds listed by state and province in our Find a Campground page and in the latest edition of the North American Good Sam Campground Guide.

Sugar Sands RV Resort

Alabama 10/10★/10 Campground

Superstition Sunrise RV Resort

Arizona 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Arkansas 10/10★/10 Campground

The Springs at Borrego RV Resort

California 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Canyon View RV Resort

Colorado 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Belle Parc RV Resort

Florida 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Mountains outside of River Vista RV Resort

Georgia 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Illinois 10/10★/10 Campground

Louisiana 10/10★/10 Campground

Maine 10/10★/10 Campground

Old Orchard Beach Campground, Marksville

Pine Acres Family Camping Resort

Massachusetts 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Michigan 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Stony Point Resort RV Park & Campground

Minnesota 10/10★/10 Campground

Osage Beach RV Park

Missouri 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Nevada 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Stagecoach Stop RV Park

New Mexico 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

New York 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground

North Carolina 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Ohio 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Oklahoma 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Seven Feathers RV Resort

Oregon 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Pennsylvania 10/10★/10 Campground

Hilton Head National RV Resort

South Carolina 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

South Dakota 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Tennessee 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

The Retreat at Shady Creek

Texas 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Utah 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground

Vermont 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Virginia 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Northern Quest RV Resort

Washington 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Wisconsin 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

CANADA

Ocean Surf RV Park

New Brunswick 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Nova Scotia 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Quinte’s Isle Campark

Ontario 10/10★/10 Campgrounds

Quebec 10/10★/10 Campground

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