Tent vs RV Camping: Are You Ready To Switch?

Are you trying to decide if this is the year to make the leap from tent camping to an RV? There are some campers who could never imagine giving up the tent camping lifestyle. It’s super portable, there are a lot more places to pitch a tent than park an RV, and it is, arguably, the cheapest vacation around.

However, with the average cost of a hotel room at around $137 per night, anRV or a fifth wheel is a close second when it comes to affordable family vacations.We talk to many people when they are on the brink of jumping to the next level.

Here are a few of the most common reasons families share with us about their decision to finally convert to an RV after years of tent camping.

1. Soggy Stuff Syndrome- Of course, you have a plan for taking shelter in dangerous weather, but what about the unexpected, run-of-the-mill rainstorm? There are few things more annoying and dreary than having your tent – clothes, shoes, sleeping bags, books, and even electronic gadgets – get soaked.And spending a significant portion of your weekend in a laundromat with an industrial size dryer trying todry out your pillows, sleeping bag, etc.does not make for a great time, particularly when there are small children to corral. Even with a top-of-the-line tent, the perfect tarp to line the ground and the highest campsite in the park, Mother Nature can still do a number on you and your possessions when all that stands between you and the elements is a tent.
2. The Creepies and the Crawlies – Many people tent camped for years as a single person but you throw in a significant other and/or a couple of kids and things get more complicated. When one person (or more) in your group is freaked out by the creepy crawlies or has bad reaction to bug bites, the presence of those party crashers can take over the whole trip.Sometimes that whole “getting back to nature” thing can get a little too real – skittering insects andanimals who try to steal your food while you sleep fall into that category for many. Being able to lock up people and things behind the protective walls of an RV can make camping life a lot more fun.
3. The “I Need a Vacation from My Vacation” syndrome – Tent camping takes some logistical effort. Generally, the more people involved, the more effort it takes. The time it takes to plan, pack and unpack from camping can take a real chunk out of your “leisure” time. Don’t forget the trip to the grocery store to stock up on food and drinks. And the ice. For the cooler that you have to put on ice every trip, and likely re-stock halfway through the weekend. Many campers would rather spend their time enjoying their leisure time instead of planning and working for it. A well-stocked camper with all the basics can shave hours off your prep time, reduceforgotten items and save time wasted unpacking the caravan.
4. The “Oh, My Aching Bone” Syndrome – Some of us really like our comfort and the older we get, the more we like it. The bones don’t do so well sleeping on the ground anymore and an air mattress can only do so much. Even if your bones aren’t so old, young parents, notoriously short on sleep, can’t afford to spend a sleepless night in a tent. Sleeping in a camper may not match the comfort of your local Holiday Inn but at least it’s warm, dry, and, BONUS, may even have a bathroom, saving you from those late night treks to the camp bathrooms.
5. Singing the “Bad Company”Blues – In the best-case scenario, tent camping is a peaceful, family event where everyone turns in(or at least turns it down) at a reasonable hour. On the other hand, you could end up smack dab in the middle of the “party” campsite complete with kegs and cops responding to noise complaints. Or worse, pitching your tent next to the bickering couple with unruly children, loud music and a crying baby. While your camper won’t keep out all the noise, it will be a darn site more sound-proof than a tent.

Singing the “Bad Company”Blues – In the best-case scenario, tent camping is a peaceful, family event where everyone turns in(or at least turns it down) at a reasonable hour. On the other hand, you could end up smack dab in the middle of the “party” campsite complete with kegs and cops responding to noise complaints. Or worse, pitching your tent next to the bickering couple with unruly children, loud music and a crying baby. While your camper won’t keep out all the noise, it will be a darn site more sound-proof than a tent.

At Ketelsen RV we’d love to help you get started on a lifetime of camping adventures. If you have any questions, or if you’d like to take an RV for a test drive, call or stop by today and one of our RV experts will be happy to answer all your questions.