Full-timing used to mean being at the mercy of the town in which you stopped. Good luck finding someone who sells toilet deodorizer in Wyoming, or who understands awning pulls in North Dakota, or who can fix a water tank monitor in Arkansas! But not any more!
Once you’ve been on the road for a while, you begin to figure out where to find the products and services that make mobile life easier (generally via the internet). To help out, I’ve compiled a list of useful tools/services and handy informational websites that I’ve discovered throughout my travels as a full-timer! Let’s start out with camping and RV-specific resources:
Airstream-Specific Resources
- Airforums: A generous and welcoming community of Airstreamers, ready to answer any question
- Airstream Life: A monthly magazine and blog community dedicated to life on the road in an Airstream
- Airstream’s website: Check out new products, find replacements parts, and locate a service center around the world
- Vintage Airstream: If you’re restoring a classic or just trying to maintain the one you’ve got, lots of great info here!
- Tin Can Tourists: If you like to get together with other vintage RV owners and talk about your rig, these folks want to meet you
- Wally Byam Caravan Club International: These folks get together to plan caravans and rallies just for us owners of little rolling tin cans
Boondocking And Dry Camping Tools
- Boondockers Welcome: A network that gives frugal travelers the opportunity to connect with other RVers who can offer a dry camping location for the night
- Boondocking: Offers a database of places (generally out in the boondocks) where you can camp for free
- Bureau Of Land Management: Managed by the Department Of The Interior, you can camp for free on BLM property all over the country
- Harvest Hosts: Free overnight camping at farms and wineries around the country
- Online Parking Rights Manual: Sponsored by Good Sam Club, this listing will tell you the rules about parking on the street in any city
- RV Dumps: A list of dump stations throughout the U.S. (very handy if you’re not staying at a park with hookups)
- S. Forest Service: Find out where you can camp for free (on National Forest Service lands) throughout the country
Locating A Campsite
- Campgrounds: A convenient online search engine for campgrounds throughout North America
- Find A Campground: Powered by About.com, this page offers links to dozens of regional campground directories
- Free Campsites: Lists campgrounds around the U.S. (some with, some without hookups) for $10 or less a night
- Go Camping America: Guide to private and public parks around the U.S., including links to that park’s home website
- I Love Parks: Locate any national or state park (as well as parks in other countries) all from one location
- National Park Service: Check all that your national parks have to offer to RVers, including a place to stay
- RV Park Hunter: If you like to see photos and real reviews of the parks you’re considering, you’ve come to the right place
- RV Park Reviews: The place to read reviews on a park before checking in (reviews are forthright, honest, and uncensored)
- Woodall’s: Extensive directory of public and private campgrounds, along with ratings and amenity information
Camping Discount Clubs
- Escapees: Membership-based camping club that gives you discounts on participating campgrounds and parks
- Good Sam Club: Membership-based RV club with a searchable directory of participating and non-participating parks
- Happy Camper: Membership-based camping club that offers up to 50% off on RV rates (but has many restrictions)
- Passport America: Membership-based club that can save you big bucks, as long as you stick to their rules and limitations
Maintenance And Repair
- Coach-Net: A fantastic roadside assistance service dedicated to RVers and their needs
- Plan RV: Search over 25,000 RV repair shops to find one near you
- Repair Pal: Find independent reviews and estimates for tow vehicle (and other automobile) repair shops from coast to coast
- Sunbrella: Offers care and cleaning tips for your fabric awning
- Vintage Trailer Supply: If you’ve got an oldie-but-a-goodie, get the parts and supplies you need to keep it on the road
- ZipDee Awnings: Everything you need to know to keep your awnings in good working order and looking snazzy for years
Thank you, Ramona, for sharing such valuable resources with us today! Do you have a resource or tip that you’d like to share with the Airstream community? Be sure to let us know on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
