Best DEET-Free Bug Repellent for Outdoor Adventures

Best DEET-Free Bug Repellent for Outdoor Adventures

by | Camping, DIY

Looking for a Bug Repellent that is also DEET-Free? You’ve come to the right place!

Have you ever been so excited to spend a nice day outside with your family or wanted to enjoy sitting by the campfire roasting s’ mores, but ended up getting bit by bugs every second? It’s not fun!

Outdoor adventures should be fun and enjoyable, however, they can be instantly ruined by bugs. It’s only right to want the best bug repellent on the market to protect your family and friends.

Whether those bugs are buzzing mosquitos and flies or the pesky fleas and ticks. These little things are a nuisance to everybody, and some can carry nasty diseases.

So, If you’re going on a great outdoor camping adventure, backpacking, enjoying a backyard party, or going to the ball game, having bug protection is going to help make sure you have a great time.

Over the years, there have been many different studies and products on the market that say they repel bugs. But, are they safe? Are they effective?

First, let’s discuss this main ingredient that has been used to deter bugs for decades called DEET! This chemical is a popular one, however, although it is proven to deter bugs, it also has some health concerns.

DEET is a pesticide that is a member of the toluene chemical family. This solvent can be absorbed into the skin, passed through the bloodstream and organs. Studies by Medical Sciences Bulletin and Duke University have shown that DEET can even have a negative effect on the Central nervous system. They say the best way to use DEET is to spray on your clothes, not your skin.

Now that you have a small overview of DEET and the reason why so many have developed products that are DEET-Free, we’ve put together a list of the top 8 DEET-Free products that deter those pesky bugs. Many of these are natural options utilize ingredients like Lemon oil and Eucalyptus oil. Below you will also find a recipe to make your very own Natural Bug Repellent.

Let’s get started! I placed them In order by ranking according to their star reviews. 

7. Coleman Botanicals Insect Repellent

Naturally based, DEET- Free option that uses plant extracts that deter bugs. Stated to last up to 6 hours with 30% Oil of Lemon and Eucalyptus. This product can be used on your gear of any kind as well as your clothes and skin. It has a refreshing scent of lemon/eucalyptus and is non-greasy. Proven to deter mosquitoes that contain deadly viruses such as Zika and West Nile. The Coleman Botanical Insect Repellent comes in a spray or an aerosol option and is great for the whole family.

Where to buy: Amazon

Review: 4 out of 5 Stars

6. California Baby Bug Repellent Spray

The California Baby spray is the best bug repellant for children. It is a great alternative to the toxicity of DEET. It is formulated with Citronella, lemongrass and Cedar pure essential oils. These oils have been proven to deter mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and other biting flies. Beside deterring those pesky bugs, the ingredients are great for soothing already existing bites. California’s Baby Bug Repellent is allergy tested, gluten-free, soy-free, oat-free, and dairy-free. You can use this product day or night and can be used generously for the scent to repel the bugs.

Where to Buy: Amazon

Reviews: 4.1 out of 5 stars

5. Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent (Deet-Free)

If you can’t tell by the name itself, this repellent uses Lemon Eucalyptus oil as the main ingredient to deter bugs. Repel has formulated this repellent to last up to 6 hours and is safe for the whole family to use. It has a great refreshing scent and is none greasy to sticky.

Where to Buy: Amazon

Reviews: 4.1 out of 5 stars out of 5,183 reviews

4. Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent

Murphy’s Natural Repellent is made with simple ingredients including 30% Lemon Eucalyptus oil and 70% Ethanol and Deionized water. This product is effective for up to 6 hours and smells great which is why it has made our best bug repellent list. It won’t leave any type of oily resident and won’t harm your gear or clothing. A great option for outdoor adventures.

Where to buy: Amazon

Reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars

3. Bug Soother Spray – Natural Mosquito, Gnat, and Insect Deterrent & Repellent with Essential Oils

Bug Soother is a super effective all-natural bug repellent that repels gnats, no-see-ums, sand fleas, black flies and most mosquitos. It is blended with vanilla with fresh citrus scents that the bugs hate. It is non-greasy and leaves no oily residue. This product has also been used on animals to help deter flies and other insects from biting your precious pets. 100% DEET-free and made with skin-loving ingredients including castor oil and vitamin E.

Where to purchase: Amazon

Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars

2. BUGGINS Natural Insect Repellent 0% DEET

This is a great Plant-Based option with active ingredients such as geraniol, peppermint, lemongrass, and clove. It is a great option for anyone wanting to stay natural ingredients and away from all chemical ingredients like DEET. This option lasts for about 2 hours before needing to re-apply. It is the best bug repellent to deter black flies, deer flite, stable flies, biting gnats, and mosquitos.

Where you can purchase: Amazon

Review: 4.5 stars out of 5

1. Mosquito Repellent Bracelets and Stickers

These are one of my favorite options, especially when you have children. This prevents having to coat the little ones with any kind of spray. The bracelets and stickers are the best bug repellent for all ages. Plus, they are colorful and kids love them. You can wear the coiled bracelets that are coated with natural repellent oils such as Citronella and Lemongrass on your ankles and wrists. They each have up to 320 hours of protection and are waterproof.

The Stickers are an extra added bonus to add you’re your shirts, pants, or any gear you want to keep safe from bugs.

Where to buy: Amazon

Reviews: 5 stars

Homemade Essential Oil Bug Repellent

Now that we have discussed 7 of the best bug repellents you can purchase that are DEET-free for the whole family, here is a nice homemade DEET free, all Natural, recipe that you can make at home.

If you have access to the amazing essential oils from great companies like Young Living or Doterra, then making your own bug repellent maybe your greatest option. The best oils that repel bugs naturally are Citronella, Lavender, Geranium, lemon/eucalyptus, and rosemary oil.

By mixing these oils with some white vinegar, witch hazel, and some rubbing alcohol this will create the best homemade natural bug repellent. Here is a simple recipe you can try yourself.

Also, It is best when you mix these ingredients into a glass spray bottle and then use as desired. Glass is better because it prevents the plastic from deteriorating into the oil mixture.

  • 30 drop of Citronella
  • 30 drops of Geranium
  • 20 drops of Lavender
  • 20 drops of Lemon/eucalyptus
  • 10 drops of rosemary
  • 1 TBSP of Rubbing Alcohol
  • 1/2 cup of Witch Hazel
  • 1/2 cup of Vinegar (or water)

Whichever option you choose, any one of these is great!

After all, staying safe and away from chemicals that can potentially harm you and your children is just as important as deterring the bugs that can potentially carry diseases.

Have a friend or family member who spends a lot of time outside or enjoys their outdoor adventures, please share the awesome DEET-free bug repellents with them!

Thanks for stopping by! If you’ve tried any one of these options, I would love to hear your experience! Comment below!


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The Best RV Kitchen Necessities!

The Best RV Kitchen Necessities!

by | Products We Love, RV Tips

As you may know, an RV kitchen is tiny compared to your average house kitchen.

RV Kitchens have less storage space, smaller ovens, smaller fridges, and a pantry that is tiny or somewhat nonexistent.

However, that shouldn’t stop anyone from utilizing your RV’s kitchen just as you do at home kitchen.

We live full-time in our RV, therefore, we cook in our kitchen on a daily basis.

There is nothing we cannot cook or bake, except baking is done on a much smaller scale.

After a full year of living in our RV, there have become essentials that we have used to make our life easier in our small kitchen. 

RV Kitchen must-haves

1. Slow Cooker / Crockpot

Slow cookers have been around forever and I feel like they are still an amazing investment. We absolutely love cooking roast, slow-cooked brisket, soups, and so much more in our slow cooker. 

Plus, the recipes are pretty much endless when it comes to what you could make in a slow cooker. Another thing I love about the slow cooker is it can make meals that last for days and it is an easy cleanup.

2. NuWave 14QT Air Frying Oven

This incredible machine will have you baking, frying, roasting, slow cooking, pressure cooking, and more in your RV.

The NuWave oven has made it to our RV Kitchen Must-have list because it is that AMAZING!!


3. French Press Coffee Maker

Making coffee in an RV seems to be a big question on a lot of people’s minds.

The French Press is one of my favorites because you can measure exactly how much coffee you want and make your coffee as strong or weak as you’d like.

Using a French press doesn’t require any electricity which is a huge plus if you’re Dry Camping.

Curious about other ways to make coffee while camping, check out “The Best Ways to Make Coffee While Camping” post!

4. Keurig Single Serve Coffee Maker

If you’re not interested in the French Press way of making your coffee, then maybe a Keurig is what you need.

To save counter space, I recommend the Single-Serve Keurig K-Cup Mini to save space but will give you that delicious cup of joe.


5. Hot Water Kettle

Speaking of Hot Water Kettle, this is my third favorite item we have in the RV kitchen.

I love making coffee and hot tea to wake me up in the morning or calm me down at night. Having the ability to boil hot water in a kettle is super convenient.

6. Cast Iron Skillet or two

Cast Iron skillets are the best! Seriously, the variety of meals you can make in a cast-iron skillet is endless.

You can even make some delicious desserts!

I love having our cast iron skillet because of the versatility it has when cooking.

RV kitchens are tiny, therefore anything that you are able to use in multiple ways is a huge plus.

7. Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Just like the Skillet, having the Cast Iron Dutch oven opens up a variety of dishes you can cook in your RV Kitchen.

The wonderful thing about cast iron products is you can use them over a campfire too and not just on your stove or in your oven.

8. Personal Smoothie Maker

The majority of blenders use too many electrical watts, therefore, the smaller personal blender is perfect for the RV life.

We personally love making protein shakes and fruit smoothies. However, the use of the Personal Smoothie Maker is endless.

If you want to whip up a coffee frappuccino or a delicious margarita, then you definitely need to get one for your RV Kitchen.

9. Mounted Paper Towel holder

Surprisingly this is a common question that many RVer’s have, is “where do you put the paper towels?”

We had the same question and with very little counter space I was determined to find a solution.

Therefore, we purchased a mounted Paper towel holder. This thing saves space and gives us easy access to towels when they are needed to clean up spills or wipe your hands.

10. Dish Drying Rack 

This is a must because the majority of RV’s do not have a dishwasher.

I love the ones that are over the sink because they save so much counter space. Plus, when you’re dish drying rack is in one portion of the sink, this prevents dirty dishes from piling up.

It also forces you to clean the dishes and set them to dry almost immediately. I don’t know what I would do without this in my RV Kitchen. 

11. Ice Making Trays

We live in Texas and the summer heat can be brutal! Having an ice-cold glass of water or tea is highly desired.

Now there are many people who love the portable ice makers, however, when you’re limited on counter-space, going for the old fashioned ice-making trays can be more convenient.

You just have to make sure you re-fill them. 

12. Utensil Holder

Just like counter-space, drawer space is also limited in an RV. We opted to use up a tiny portion of the counter space to hold our larger cooking utensils like the spatula and ladle. I love having them in their designated holder because it has relieved the utensil drawer for other items like forks, can opener, and more. 

13. Magnetic Knife Holder 

This is one of the first things we purchased when we moved into our RV back in April of 2018.

I saw how much space they saved because you were able to utilize the vertical wall space in your kitchen.

Plus, it provided easy access when cooking. I do recommend that if you plan on traveling, that the knives be removed and placed in a drawer before moving. 

14. Pizza Stone for Oven 

If you love to bake, then you definitely want to get a pizza stone to place at the bottom of your little oven.

This helps regulate the heat of the oven so whatever you are baking, bakes evenly.

I have heard many stories of RV ovens burning the sides of dishes and leaving the middle raw.

The pizza stone will help you make those perfectly baked cookies, cakes, pizza, and more! 

Final Thoughts 

These are just the top 14 items that we definitely love using in our RV Kitchen. They have made our journey of living Full-time easier.

Living or traveling in an RV is a different lifestyle than living in a home, so some things have to be adjusted.

By having kitchen items that are versatile is our top priority. If we cannot use an item in the kitchen multiple ways, then it’s out!

I hope this list helps you decide on what to bring along on your RVing journey. Maybe one day we will invest in the famous Insta-pot that most RVer’s swear by.

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RV Kitchen must-haves

How to Find Free Camping in the USA

How to Find Free Camping in the USA

by | Camping, RV Tips, Travel | 12 comments

Free Camping! Doesn’t that sound amazing?

Well, if you’re here you either love to camp or maybe you actually live full-time in an RV like us. I am sure you have come to notice that camping in many places can either cost you $10 a night for a tent camping site or the upper cost of $110 for a full hook-up RV site.

When you’re on a budget, like we always are, finding anything for ‘free’ is a huge win!

Now, can you imagine being out on the road and spending on average $20 to  $35 for a full hook up for your RV? That’s about $1000 a month and for us, that was a month’s rent on a 1 bedroom apartment. We moved into an RV to eliminate those costs. We were tired of spending over $1000 a month to live in a 700 sqft apartment. It made us feel stuck and we were working to just pay the basic rent and food. I don’t know about you, but for us, that just wasn’t worth it.

Therefore finding camping spots for free was a no brainer for us. But how is that possible? Is it possible?

It totally is possible!!

You just have to research it out. Luckily we have put together our knowledge from our research right here for you! Whether you are looking to boondock in your RV, van, car,  or bus aka dry camp or enjoy the week or weekend tent camping.

You can camp for FREE!

Option 1: National Parks

 As of 2019, America has a total of 61 National Parks. The newest national park added to the list is the Indiana Dunes National Park along Lake Michigan. If you’re objective or goal is to see them all, just know you only have to go to 29 states and two U.S. territories.

Within these National Parks, you will find the beauty of this Great Nation, amazing Wildlife, Mountains, and Beaches. In order to camp for free, be prepared to boondock or dry camp. National parks do not have the same amenities as RV parks such as your full hookups. That means no running water and no power.

Also, if you are in an RV and plan on finding a spot in a national park to stay it is advised that you plan out your route. Many places in the parks can be tight fits, winding and/or narrow roads. Also, keep in mind the size of your RV, this will help determine where you can go in the park with your rig.

Although camping is ‘free’, many National Parks may not allow Dispersed Camping, meaning camping outside of a designated campground area. To determine designated campsites there will be fire pit rings and/or picnic tables. Check the website for the park you are going to be visiting to see what that specific park allows and ensure yourself that you know the rules.

 

What kind of camping is allowed: RV, Tent, Van, Car, or Converted Bus
How long can you camp: The length of dry camping in one site on National Park land is 14 days.
How you can find National Parks and get more details just visit: https://nps.gov

Option 2: Bureau of Land Management or BLM

What is it? BLM or Bureau of Land Management is defined as undeveloped public land. They are great camping spots for your campers who love solitude and enjoys the great outdoors. The majority of camp spots found on BLM is dispersed camping sites.

However, if you’re lucky you could find a spot someone has camped before by simple markers like a fire pit ring. Every free campsite on BLM grounds is first come, first serve. This is your true 100% boondocking on remote sites. This allows you to find some hidden gems and explore areas many people don’t even think about.

If you don’t like the first come, first serve option you can reserve a campsite on the BLM land for a price at recreation.gov.

 

What kind of camping is approved? RV, Tent, Van, Car, or Converted Bus
How long can you stay? The maximum time one can stay on BLM land is 14 days.
How you can find BLM camp areas: BLM areas include National Wild and Scenic Rivers, Historic Trails, Landmarks, Recreation Trails, and National Wilderness Areas. You can find BLM campsites at recreation.gov

Option 3: Parking Lots & Small Town Venues

There are many different options you can stay at if you are in a Car, Van, or an RV. These are free short-term overnight options and we highly suggest always asking management before spending the night. Another great tip to find free overnight rest areas when traveling in an RV, Car, or Van is to stop by the local Sheriff office.

Also, keep in mind these are free one night stays, so don’t set up camp, and leave your slides in (if possible). If you have a fifth wheel, bumper pull, or towing anything keep everything hooked up. Also, always park in the far back away from general parking or traffic.

Here is a list of potential parking lots you could stay overnight at:

  • Truck Stops
  • Casinos
  • Walmart
  • Nightclubs
  • Cemetery
  • Fairgrounds
  • Parks
  • Churches
  • Hotel Parking Lots
  • RV Dealerships
  • Cracker Barrel
  • Movie Theaters
  • Highway Rest Stops
  • Big Box Retailers: Sams Club, Costco, ect.
  • Roadside Parks and Picnic Areas


What kind of camping is approved?: RV, Car, Van,  or Converted Bus …. Sorry no tent pitching
How long can you stay?: 1 night (Depending on Management)
How can you find these spots?: Google Maps or stop by the local Sheriffs office.

Option 4: Google “Free Camp Spots Near Me”

I know it may seem obvious but I’m serious, sometimes just googling something can bring up places that you never even thought of. For example, I just googled “Free Campsites in Texas” because that is where we live and actually found a free RV site with hookups. Those are completely unheard of, but it has great reviews and can exist anywhere.


Here are some Online Resources to find great camping spots for free:

There you have it! If you enjoy camping, are on a strict budget, and don’t mind “roughing” it, then Boondocking aka dry camping is right up your ally. If you have an RV, investing in solar panels is a great idea if you still want electricity and don’t want to burn up a loud generator and gas.

To sum this all up, if you don’t want to spend over $1000 a month just to stay at the campsite every night, you don’t’ have too. You can travel the nation and visit all the amazing scenery and not pay a single dime on a site. It does take some planning and adjusting to the Boondocking lifestyle, but the amount of money you will save is amazing.


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7 Ideas To Create Extra Wall Storage In Your RV

7 Ideas To Create Extra Wall Storage In Your RV

by | Minimalism, Organization, RV Tips, Storage | 45 comments

Wall Storage Ideas | Living and traveling in an RV can be chaotic at times.

Stuff can accumulate and with the little storage space available it can become cluttered quickly.

The small space almost always requires better organization.

Living full-time in our Travel Trailer, we have re-organized our space so many times.

Now, that we are expecting our first child, I really want to find some creative ways to use our vertical wall space for extra storage.

We all have bags, keys, hats, and other items that could potentially be hung and stored in a creative way right on the wall.

Therefore, I’ve put together a list of great items that would work amazing for extra storage right on your walls.

1. Floating Shelves

I love the look and functionality of floating shelves. They work great in the bathroom or bedroom to add some extra shelf storage for miscellaneous items.

For RV’s I do recommend getting shelves that have a barrier to hold things in place when traveling.

2. Wired Baskets

Wired Baskets are fantastic because it allows a more secure fit for extra items.

You can put books, mail, fruit, veggies, and much more in the wire baskets.

These baskets are the best for fruits and veggies because it allows space for the fruit and veggies to breath and prevents them from rotting too soon.


3. Over the Door Organizers

Over the door, organizers are fantastic to add more storage in your pantry, bathroom or closets.

Since we are expecting a new baby, they are even great to store all the baby items like diapers, clothes, and much more.

The potential for the over the door organizers is limitless.

You can use them for extra shoe storage, hat storage, coats, bath products, and so much more. They are definitely worth every penny!

Over the Door OrganizerOver the Door Basket OrganizerShoe Organizer over the door

4. Hanging Woven Baskets

I love the look of the hanging woven baskets. They add great style while also creating functionality.

When living or traveling in a small space, functionality is key to successful trips.

The hanging woven baskets can be used to store a multitude of items including the ones that are less pleasant to look at.

We all have a miscellaneous drawer that has everything from birthday candles to pens to tape. The hanging woven baskets are great to items like those.

Hanging Woven Baskets for Extra Storage


5. Hanging Spice Racks

These are phenomenal to add in the kitchen, pantry, or bathroom area.

Our RV actually has a built-in spice rack, however, it doesn’t fit all the spices we enjoy using to cook and bake.

The hanging wooden spice racks are great by saving space in your pantry for other food items.

Spice Racks can also be used for Bathroom items to add extra storage and organization for all the face and makeup products.

6. Expandable Peg Rack for Coats/Hats

These always remind me of the ’30s and ’40’s era when men wore fedora hats every day.

They are making a comeback and a lightweight option to hang hats and coats on the wall.

If you and your significant other enjoy wearing hats and struggles to find a storage option, this is a great idea.

Wooden Peg Hat Rack

7. Command Strip hooks

When living in an RV, hanging anything on the walls can be a challenge.

One of the best items are the command hooks. They are great for hanging hats, coats, keys, and even pictures.

Command Hooks


Final Thoughts

I hope you now feel inspired to add some extra storage space in your RV or tiny home by utilizing your walls. They have helped us in so many ways and I know that once we are ready to have our new baby in October, we will utilize more wall storage space for the baby.

If you would like to know where to purchase these items, all images are clickable and directed to Amazon.

If this helped you in any way, please share on Pinterest and other Social Media platforms so others can feel inspired as well! Thanks for stopping by!


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Travel Trailers Overview: A Guide for Beginners

Travel Trailers Overview: A Guide for Beginners

by | RV Tips, RV Types | 31 comments

Out of the many types of RVs including Pop Up Campers, Fifth Wheels, and Motorhomes, Travel Trailers take the lead as the most commonly purchased style of RV. They are also the cheapest way to get into RVing. So, if you are on the market then this Travel Trailer Overview will help you get started in your RVing Journey! 

First, what exactly is a travel trailer? A travel trailer, also known as a camper trailer, has the same amenities as a brick and mortar home, just on a smaller scale. They have sinks, bathrooms, beds, dining, and of course kitchens. Travel Trailers provide a much more comfortable and secure sleeping arrangement, compared to a tent.

All travel trailers both large and small require a tow vehicle that is adequate in size and always hooks to the bumper or tow hitch. This is what they call a “bumper pull”. Due to the fact that they require an SUV or Pick up truck to tow, this allows you to continue to use your vehicle while the Trailer sits during off-seasons or at the campground. If you are in a great area and need to run to the store or want to explore, you don’t have to completely unhook everything from the trailer just to pick up some milk or go hiking. Whereas in a motorhome (unless you tow a lightweight vehicle with your motorhome) you will have to unhook the entire motorhome to go anywhere.

Another great advantage of the tow vehicle is the safety features including crash protection, blind spot detection, and more. Tow vehicles also allow you to safely travel with children and their car seats, which is not usually available with motorhomes.

When did the Travel trailer first make an appearance?

Travel trailer first appeared in the 1920s. Those who enjoyed them were often called “tin-can tourists”. Throughout the decades, travel trailers became a livable option for many people, and this sparked the nickname “house trailers” by the 30s and 40s.

However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the demand for a full hard-shell travel trailer rose to new heights. This was when the modern-day fiberglass body made its first appearance. The travel trailer industry boomed, as more North American and Canadian families enjoyed taking road trips for their vacations.

How has travel trailers changed over the years?

The Travel Trailer industry has continued to grow. Manufacturers began to build a smaller class, called Light Weight travel trailers, that are under 3,000 lbs. and average 11 to 18 feet in length. There are also mid-size trailers usually about 18 to 25 feet in length that weigh around 5,000 lbs or more. The mid-size and lightweight trailers are easily towed with a 1/2 ton pick up truck or SUV. Both trailers have many of the same amenities as the larger trailers but tend to sleep fewer people.

Larger travel trailers generally ranging from 25-40 feet are designed for seasonal and even full-time users in mind. The weight of the larger travel trailers can range from 9,000 lbs. to 12,000 lbs. These trailers usually need a heavier tow vehicle that is built to pull the required amount of weight such as the 3/4 ton or even a 1-ton pickup truck.

The larger style travel trailers also boast more variety of options, including multiple slide outs to open the space up. They fit more people for sleeping by including pull out couches and bunkhouses.

Who are the top manufacturers?

There are many manufacturers today that specialize in travel trailers, one of the most popular is the Airstream.

Other manufacturers include;

  • Coachman
  • Forest River Inc.
  • Palomino RV
  • Dutchman
  • Heartland
  • Jayco
  • Winnebago Industries
  • Keystone
  • Grand Design
  • And more…

Each Manufacturer has its own styles, amenities to choose from, quality of products, and much more. For us, the floorplan was the most important, then we began our search for Manufacturers that had the plan or similar plans and compared the quality.

What are the different styles and amenities to choose from?

Here are just a few of the options for style and amenities you can choose from.

  • 1 to 3 Slides to open the spaces.
  • Outdoor Kitchen and Entertainment Areas
  • Bunkhouse for extra sleeping space for families
  • Stainless Steel Appliances
  • Solar Ready Equipment
  • Electric Fireplace
  • Kitchen Island
  • Washer & Dryer Prep
  • Dining booths or Table with Chairs
  • Theater Seating
  • Variety of Colors and Styles/Floorplans to Choose

As you can see there are many choices to make when choosing the right Travel Trailer. When we decided on what amenities we wanted, we tried to make sure it was amenities that would make us happy and enjoy the full-time RV lifestyle.

For you, the amenities can vary depending on what you are planning to use your Travel Trailer for. If it’s just weekend camping trips, the smaller lightweight trailers are a great option! However, if you’re seasonal, or full time like us, there are larger options that work great for singles, couples, or families!

What are the Pros and cons of a Travel Trailer?

Pros

    • Lightweight options
    • A large variety of styles, manufacturers, price, and sizes
    • Lower price compared to fifth wheels and motorhomes
    • Better Insulation than a popup camper or tent
    • Easy setups

Cons

    • Needs a tow vehicle adequate to the size of the trailer.
    • Difficult to park and back up. Takes practice.
    • Some large trailers can be too big for campgrounds
    • Depreciate in value

Quick Travel Trailers Overview

  • Travel trailers range from 8 ft to 40 ft.
  • Weight averages from less than 3,000lbs up to 10,000lbs.
  • They have the ability to sleep either 2 to 10 people.
  • Average price starting under $10K for your small lightweights and can skyrocket to $200K
  • Great to take camping and will keep you more secure than a tent.
  • Larger Travel Trailers can even be used for seasonal or full-time living.

What We Chose

Our journey to finding our Travel Trailer took almost a year of research and planning. We shopped and compared an endless amount of floorplans and amenities before we made our final decision. We also had to make sure that our Tow Vehicle was the adequate size to pull whichever trailer we chose.

After all the research we decided on the Palomino Puma 31 RLQS. Our travel trailer is about 9,000 lbs, 32ft long, and we chose the 3/4 ton Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel with a Max tow of 10,750 lbs.

For us, the floor plan was the most important. We wanted the couches/living area to be a true living space with the T.V. in front of the couches. We also loved how the three slides opened up the area for a more comfortable living.

The final and most important feature we needed was a washer and dryer prep. Surprisingly, there are not many options for Washer and Dryer preps in Travel Trailers, so with that being a number one must have, it cut our options quickly to the Palomino or Jayco. We chose Palomino, which is owned by Forest River Inc., but handle their own manufacturing and have a great price point.

Travel trailers are great options for anyone looking to live a life of adventure while also maintaining the comforts of modern technology. As technology increases so does the RV industry.

We chose to purchase a travel trailer due to floor plan and price. They are usually cheaper than fifth wheels and many have the same amenities.

I hope this travel trailers overview helped you on your journey of searching for the perfect RV.

Whatever you fancy, there is bound to be a travel trailer out there that has it all for you.

Do you have a Travel Trailer? If so what is something you enjoy about it? Comment below! Also, don’t forget to share so others can learn more about Travel Trailers!

 

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