Copyright Janet Groene 2026.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THIS WEEK'S JUST-IN NEWS OF NEW, FUTURE AND CLOSING RV PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS
TLC for RV Appliances
We love our countertop appliances. In fact, we take our toasters and food processors for granted. But when they hit the highway in an your RV, they need special attention. There are two major differences now.
1. The RV Moves. Now household appliances are subjected to motion, vibration, chafe and G forces. Vital parts could jiggle loose. Electric cords could fray and short out. Damage could be caused to the appliance from inside the TV underway, such as pots careening around inside a cabinet or from something being thrown against the appliance in a hard stop.
Any RV appliance should, of course, be well secured so it can’t come loose and bash you in the back of the head in a panic stop. They are portable, so we take them outdoors, yet they are made for indoor use. When we leave a coffemaker or hot plate outdoors, protect it from to wetness or knock-around use.
2. Campground electric hook-ups aren't all the same. Electrical appliances can be damaged by the wrong electrical power. Some of our camping appliances work on 12 volts and some on household power (110 volts) or dual 12-110 volt power. They rely on the RV’s electrical system to deliver the right juice. That means keeping batteries charged and assuring that you don’t overload the “shore” power system provided by the campground hookup.
When campground power is on the skimpy side, as it might be in older or more remote campsites, you’ll see lights dim and hear the compressor labor when a high-voltage appliance, such as an air conditioner, starts up. It could be that your extension cord is too short or too thin for the service, or perhaps there just aren’t enough amps at the campsite. Over-stressing a starting motor can damage it.
Appliance Repairs
Fortunately the Internet is a goldmine of videos and expert advice, some free or some for a fee. With luck you’ll find an online expert in the type, brand, model and year of any appliance made for household use.
Before reaching out for help, go through troubleshooting steps listed in the owner’s manual. Pay special attention to whether electricity is getting to the appliance. The problem could be in your own switches or wiring, the campsite hookup, or in your inverter.
I have a friend who is in the clock repair business. She charges a minimum price for her time, so customers are shocked and embarrassed when she simply takes out the batteries and puts them back in the right way. She generously charges only a token fee in such cases and everyone has a good laugh. Start by ruling out the obvious. Make sure the appliance is plugged in, the RV is plugged in, any batteries are in right, your “house” batteries are putting out and a circuit breaker has not been tripped.
Before going to a repair shop, note any cross-branding information found in the manual or on the appliance itself. It’s possible that your RV Pal Rechargeable Vacuum Cleaner was actually made by a big, international company under a different name just for the RV market. Your RV Pal vacuum may be exactly the same as the Homeowner Pal model. The same operation instructions, spare parts and accessories will fit. Know who made the appliance, and when it was made.
If you no longer have the owner’s manual try an Internet search. There may be a manual for sale on eBay, a You Tube how-to or a website or chat room of owners of that brand or that appliance. Before removing the appliance from the RV, try to trace the trouble to its source. It may not be in the appliance but in the RV’s plumbing or wiring.
Lastly, don’t throw away any appliance before finding out first if it’s still under guarantee. If you don’t know for sure, find the serial number and any other numbers you can find. Then contact the company’s customer service department. They may be able to tell you what warranties are still in place.
BE PREPARED
Stuff happens when you're away from home too. Be prepared for delays, breakdown, sudden evacuation, can't find ice, fire ban, supply chain interruptions, civil disturbances. How much food do you need to get you through a few days? See Survival Food Handbook for tips on buying, stowing, and making meals from ordinary supermarket supplies that need no fresh ingredients.
This book was written for campers, RV travelers and boaters who have limited storage space. It's not about having a year's supply of dried food in your basement.
CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS
GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
We get current news reports from our local sources, news that will affect RV travelers but may not yet be complete enough for travel planning. It's up to you to snare these headlines and follow up as the story develops.
NEW AND FUTURE RV PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS
It’s approved, so wait for more news as a mixed use development goes up in Edinburg, Pennsylvania. To be named The Trillium Tiny Home & RV Community, the former mobile home park will have some lots for manufactured homes and some for short-term RV stays. The year-round facility will also have a community garden space,
Desert Bloom Campground is new near Kanab, Utah. The pet-friend campground has full hookups and a bathhouse with hot showers. RV sites have full hookups. Call (614) 530-9345 or go to camp.desertbloom@gmail.com; DesertBloomCampground.com/
CHANGES, REBUILDS, NEW OWNERS
It’s late in the season now for a beach vacation, but here’s a heads-up to grab reservations for swimming and sunning on the beach next season at Dillon State Park, Nashport, Ohio. Just opened at the beach area are new facilities, handicap features and upgrades throughout. The park has RV camping with full hookups as well as cabins, primitive camping and equestrian camping. Reservations (866) 644-6727.
Two years after a devastating hit from Hurricane Helene, a $3.1 million budget will rebuild Glen Lyn Park on the New River in Giles County, Virginia. For now the park is open for day visitors. Full-service camping should be available by 2028. At this time admission is free. (540) 726-7075
In Colfas, Idaho, a new concessionaire is in charge at the Snake River KOA and the marina at Boyer Park. Except for improvements no changes have been announced at this time. A favorite destination on the Snake River since the 1970's, the park offers tent and RV camping, cabins, boating and fishing.
Now reopened after a major makeover, Union Grove Campground on Stillhouse Hollow Lake in Salado, Texas how has a dozen campsites open and more to come. The U.S. Corps of Engineers facility has tent and RV campsites with water and electric hookups. For information and reservations go to recreation.gov/
CLOSURES
The campground at Willow Creek State Recreation Area near Pierce, Nebraska will close October 5 through January 1. The good news is that all 64 of the 30-amp campsites are being converted to 50-amp power. The Area offers picnicking, boating, an eight-mile limestone hiking-biking trail and a 700-acre lake with five handicap fishing piers. Phone: (402) 329-4053
EVENTS
It’s been 10 years of good times at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Now it’s time for an anniversary party. Reserve a campsite now for the May 20-23, 2027 Tennessee Motorcycles & Music Revival. Details, schedules and a list of music headliners will come soon. Get reservations early at info@motorcyclesandmusic.com/
We tell the whole story, from making the hard decision to sell everything and go on the road, to a happy ending when we became part-timers again.
We traveled full-time for 10 great years.
Do you dream of living and traveling in a complete home on wheels? Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene & Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels. Should you sell the house or rent it out? Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? See our chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling and also an exit strategy if and when it's time to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you. https://amzn.to/29XFEkq
