Here is what to bring on a road trip that is friendly to social distance, from solar panels and portable grills to night vision cameras for safety.
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When the coronavirus halted international travel, stranded tourists opted to securely travel on public roadways.
As more Americans shifted to remote working last year, among other things, so-called “Covid camping” skyrocketed.
According to the RV Industry Association, wholesale shipments of recreational vehicles increased by about 11% in June 2020 compared to June 2019.
According to retired Michigan resident Terry Bone, who co-owns the vintage camper and trailer club Tin Can Tourists with his wife, Michelle, “originally thought this was going to be a severe downturn in the hobby with initial lockdowns, campground closures, and restrictions,” the increase in trailer travel was unexpected.
“We were all shocked to see the complete opposite,”
However, because to overwhelming demand, the Terra Firma won’t be delivered until 2022.
According to Long, “We’re expecting that the trend will continue in 2021 and beyond.” “RV purchasers are constantly drawn to the Bowlus, and demand for deliveries during the winter months is considerably increased.
Not only that, but our buyers are new to RVing, she adds, including world travelers with a resurgence in interest in land-based domestic travel.
According to co-founder Ryan Edwards, Happier Camper, a manufacturer of lightweight modular travel trailers in Los Angeles, has “saw order rates jump as much as 200 percent during the epidemic.” “People’s routines were really beginning to alter, along with releasing new campers.”
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Co-founder Derek May continues, “We are seeing a significant return to a desire for’slow travel.
People want to travel with purpose as they rediscover their passion of the classic American road trip.
Early in 2020, we saw a significant shift in the speed of everyone’s life.
Prior to 2020, we were really resonating with the younger generation of digital nomads, empty-nesters who were hitting the road once again, and those who were very into small houses and simplicity.
In such sectors, we experienced exponential development, but everything changed last year, including everyone’s objectives.
More women have recently joined the organization, according to Bone (Tin Can Tourists has 2,500 card-carrying members and over 40,000 Facebook group members), and the pandemic’s effect on professional mobility is having an impact on the “digital nomad” trend.
Families camping together and persons camping while working are becoming increasingly prevalent.
Likewise, May of Happier Campier.
“More young families are expressing a desire to instill a love of nature in the next generation.
In addition, women make up the majority of Happier Camper owners—well over 50% of them are female, and many of them are company entrepreneurs.
Many of these women run startups or small businesses in addition to being digital nomads, and they utilize the camper for pop-up meetings with customers or other business-related activities.
According to Long, the Bowlus, which was modeled by aircraft maker Hawley Bowlus’ earlier designs from the 1930s, was a desirable choice because of its lightweight and maneuverable construction.
The average permissible trailer length is 27 feet, therefore staying in an RV park outside of a national park does not need advance planning or payment.
(The trailers owned by the corporation are around 26 feet long.)
“People utilized their trailers to enjoy the outdoors while being able to socially remove themselves and go away,” continues Bone.
“People took advantage of the circumstance to find the time to work on their trailers and discover new trailers to repair.
Recreational activities benefited from the epidemic because they were safe for individuals to engage in and let them temporarily escape any fear they may be feeling.
What Are the Best Add-Ons for Your RV or Camper?
Terry Bone of Tin Can Tourists advises tourists to “take care of the stuff required to keep your trailer safe” if they decide to travel in a vintage RV.
Get the main systems, such as the plumbing and running gear, such as the lights, brakes, tires, axles, and bearings, inspected and fixed.
Make sure the trailer is safe to operate and pull, and that it doesn’t go above the towing capacity of your car.
He adds that the club’s website has a whole section devoted to inspection advice for potential vintage trailer purchasers, and its Facebook page is a terrific resource for newcomers.
“In my opinion, having the confidence to start is the most important quality to possess.
Many individuals write on social media that they will attend an event or go on their first camping trip once their trailer is done, but this is seldom the case.
Because life is short, you shouldn’t pass on the memories and experiences that camping in an old trailer will provide.
According to Derek May of Happier Camper, the Adaptiv modular system “has everything you need, inside or out, such outdoor seats and cooking facilities.” The whole notion is that you don’t need to carry anything extra.
The vacation you are about to take is the nicest one you can have.
You don’t need to have all the newest gadgets to enjoy a camping vacation if you have the necessities.
Simply go outside!
You don’t want to increase your burden at all, whether you’re driving a motorhome, pulling a luxurious glamper, or choosing a fixer-upper teardrop trailer.
Check out our top selections below for some of the greatest RV and camper trailer accessories that you won’t mind packing.
Not having a personal RV? We appreciate Outdoorsy.com because it offers short- and long-term rentals for RVs, campervans, and trailers.
Need something more opulent? Even the RV Mariah Carey used for her recent Christmas holiday is available for rent.
Visit Outdoorsy.com to choose your car and delivery times, and have it there in time for your next fantastic vacation.
Related: Best RV Organization Accessories of 2024
#1. Helinox Chair Zero Ultralight Compact Camping Chair
Helinox makes a lightweight camping chair that can hold up to 265 pounds and collapses into a carry bag that is 13.5 inches by 4 inches.
Due to its robust aluminum alloy frame and weather-resistant ripstop fabric seat, it only weighs little more than one pound.
We like how simple it is to put together and how little the seat can be folded down to—20 inches wide by 19 inches deep and 25 inches tall.
Amazon
#2. Lastbus Wireless Waterproof 1080p Backup Camera with Night Vision
For safety and peace of mind, it’s worthwhile to get this wireless rear camera if your trailer doesn’t already have one.
This system has two weatherproof 1080p cameras with a 170-degree broad field of view on each, and it transmits crystal-clear footage to a 7-inch HD LCD display.
The monitor comes with a cigarette lighter adapter for electricity, and the wireless cameras have a 330-foot range and are simple to connect to your tail lights.
Amazon
#3. Trailblazer 2-in-1 Portable Fire Pit and Grill
This two-in-one portable fire pit and grill is a simple and practical method to carry one with you everywhere you go if a campfire is a crucial part of your trips.
You may use it for outdoor cooking since it just takes a few of minutes to set up and can burn both wood and charcoal.
Gander Outside
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#4. Outland Firebowl 870 Premium Outdoor Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit
Outland’s Firebowl portable fire pit is a terrific mess-free option if you don’t have access to firewood or just don’t like the smell of smoke.
It only takes a few minutes to put up.
It connects to your propane pipe and is 19 inches broad by 11 inches long.
Amazon
#5. Eagles Nest Outfitters DoubleNest Hammock
Try this two-person hammock for those moments when you want to relax outside.
It has triple-stitched seams, is composed of 70D ripstop nylon, and can hold 400 pounds.
It is simple to compress to the size of a softball thanks to the built-in stuff bag.
available in a variety of colors.
Backcountry
#6. Caravan Sports Infinity Zero Gravity Chair
The Caravan Sports Infinity Zero Gravity Chair allows you to sit upright or recline in a variety of settings, making it ideal for campers looking for comfort.
It holds up to 300 pounds and includes an adjustable headrest that doubles as lumbar support.
It folds down to a small dimension of 38.8 inches long by 24.4 inches wide by 6.3 inches high, measuring 25.5 inches long by 45 inches wide by 65.5 inches high when open.
available in a variety of colors.
Amazon
#7. GigaTent Pop-Up Pod
This pop-up pod from GigaTent is a nice addition to have on hand in trailers that don’t have built-in facilities when nature calls (or you just need some solitude).
It has adequate space for a portable toilet or a shower bag at 36 inches wide by 69 inches tall.
Amazon
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#8. Zamp Solar 170-Watt Roof Mount Kit
When traveling or camping, you probably aren’t looking forward to the normal amenities.
Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to have an off-the-grid electrical backup source, and the Zamps 170-watt solar panel kit is a decent choice for most RV models with basic equipment.
It connects to your roof and has the ability to charge either single or twin 12-volt battery packs, making it simple to access the most sunshine while you’re driving on a sunny day.
Keep in mind that, depending on your arrangement, you may also want an inverter to convert the DC electricity from the solar panels to AC power for your RV’s domestic appliances.
Outdoor World
#9. Sawyer Tap Water Filtration System
Suppose you run out of backup water and aren’t confident in the quality of the tap water you’re using.
Sawyer’s tap filter is a useful RV item to have on hand in case of crises when you may not have access to potable water, since it can filter 99.99 percent of bacteria and protozoa as well as 100 percent of microplastics.
These bacteria include E. Coli, cholera, and salmonella.
This portable filtration device works with certain faucet aerators and ordinary garden hose spigots, and it can filter up to 500 gallons of water every day.
Amazon
#10. Glamplife Recycled Reversible RV Rug
There are many design-conscious alternatives if the appearance of your RV accessories (like your welcome mat) is important to you.
This waterproof, reversible 9 by 12 foot rug is constructed of recycled plastic and has a UV coating, making it simple to clean and able to resist extended sun exposure.
It includes stake loops in the corners and binding on the edges to prevent fraying.
It also comes with a convenient storage bag.
available in a variety of styles.
Amazon
#11. Umbra Enfold Over the Door Organizer
In camper trailers and RVs, storage might be limited.
Umbra’s over-the-door organizer helps you make the most of your available space.
You may use it as a trash can or a hamper for dirty clothes since it includes four gusseted compartments and handles.
Store containers
#12. Coghlan’s Pop-Up Trash Can
This pop-up container is a useful RV item, regardless of whether you like to “leave no trace” or you just need extra place to store things.
This tough 600D polyester can flattens out for simple storage, and grommets at the bottom let you anchor it to the ground with stakes.
The carrying handles make it simple to transfer the trash can when it is full, and you can zip the top shut to keep rubbish out of sight (or away from vermin).
Various sizes are offered.
Amazon
