Resources For RVers

My recommended list of links....

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A wealth of resources for RVers is available on the Internet, but who has the time to search through them all? This page provides links to some of the best frugal-rv travel-related websites I've found -- resources for RVers as well as backpackers. These are sites that we refer to ourselves, so I think you'll appreciate them too.

RV Dump Locations - Search by state or province across many countries. These two visitor-generated websites list RV dump stations in several countries. Some are free but, where a fee is charged, it is listed.
Sanidumps.com
RV Dumps.com


More than 5000 independent reviews (by fellow RVers) of vehicle repair facilities across the USA and Canada. Search by state or province, and by either the nearest city or name of the repair facility. The site will only get better as more reviews are added. Consider adding your own repair experiences, both good and bad, as well as recommending an honest mechanic in your home-town.
RV Service Reviews


Based on personal visits, two full time (since 2003) RVers rate the campgrounds they've stayed in - only the info we want.
We Called It Home


Your destination for day trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures.
My Scenic Drives


Free "How To" Videos
Thirty excellent free videos provide tips for buying, driving, insuring, and maintaining your RV plus many other aspects of the RV lifestyle. RV industry expert Mark Polk is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVDs, videos, books, and e-books.



Harvest Hosts
Already a practice in many areas of the world and now it's made it's way to the USA.

Harvest Hosts, operated by Kim and Don Green, an experienced RVing couple, offers an annual membership subscription that allows free dry-camping at wineries and farms scattered across the country. In 2010, their inaugural year, the overnight stops include wineries, farms and orchards in Washington, Oregon, and California. As the year continues, additional overnight stops will be added in all of the lower 48 States. With annual memebership at only $20.00 - it's a great concept so get yourself signed up today!



Possibly the most comprehensive RV related site on the Internet today:
RV Basics.
RV topics, links, news, and editorials. My favorite section is the RV Tip Of The Day.



Free attractions and free things to do in all 50 United States and over 1,500 Cities, are listed in a data base at
Free-Attractions
Listings include free museums, parks, concerts, parades, festivals, and zoos. The website gives a brief synopsis of each free attraction and usually a phone number -- a follow up to the official website for each listing is usually needed to get more specific information.



A data base for Wi-Fi hot spots is an amazing resource for frugal travelers traveling with a laptop. Whenever we're on the Internet, we use these websites to look up and make notes of the available hot spots along the next stage of our planned route.
Wi-Fi-FreeSpot Directory
lets you find free Wi-Fi Internet access by typing in the nearest city or zip code.
JiWire
has a registry of nearly 300,000 free and pay Wi-Fi locations, worldwide, in 139 countries.
Wi-Fi ZONE Finder,
a division of Ji-Wire is an official service of the Wi-Fi Alliance. This directory indexes only hotspot providers (free and pay) that have registered for the ZONE program which usually means the highest quality connections.



National Forest Campgrounds Guide
Forest Camping
A well-organized reference guide, providing data designed to help you select a National Forest campground that meets your requirements. Excellent information, gathered by a couple who personally visited every campground listed on the web site.



Not your stereoptypical RVers,
NuRVers
is a community website for young and active RVers, many of whom work while on the road full time.



Road Trip Journal
an on-line magazine dedicated to discovering small town America. A collection of blogs and journals by various "Road Warriors" and a great place to start planning your next road trip or to contribute your own entries about places you've seen and recommend.



Lite Thots - RV Lifestyle With Class
A unique site, offering a diverse range of topics of benefit to RVers, many of them 'fun' products, not usually associated with RVing.



Canada to US Border Crossing - Official List of Prohibited Items
The official USA Homeland Security web site is the place to check for updated lists of what you are and aren't allowed to carry as you cross the border.



The Thrift Shopper
Find a thrift store no matter where you're traveling. Search for thrift stores in the national thrift store directory, join an online thrifting community, and learn more about thrift shopping!



Geocahing
The ultimate frugal adventure activity that can be enjoyed by people of all age groups. A treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. Chances are there are "treasures" hidden somewhere along almost all the trails you hike. Geocahing is free to join and the best thing ever to entice kids (of all ages) to take up trail-hiking.


The RV Forum
welcomes RV-related questions, opinions, and friendly discussions.


RVing in Mexico?
Why join an expensive caravan to Mexico? Meet up with like-minded RVers and make your own arrangements for group travel.
Mexico RV Forum

Mexico RV Buddies

Mexico Travel Buddy Search

Mexico Road Trips

Mike and Terri Church are THE Mexico RV Travel experts. Purchase their Mexican RV travel guides here:
Mexican RV Travel Guides


Malia's Miles
Info for RVers from a fulltime RVer - I love this website! Malia's first hand, honest, and earnest reports and insights are sure to inspire the prospective RVer, increase confidence in the new RVer, and provide a fresh outlook and renewed excitement to seasoned veterans. Guaranteed to be one you'll bookmark!


RV Vacation Nation
The most competitive online repair part outlet available.


Money-Saving RV Repair
Don't pay someone else; gain the confidence to do the repair yourself. The informed RV owner can save a ton of money on RV repair and maintenance.


Why not let someone else drive the bus for a change? Take a tour, with unbeatable low prices - some are less expensive than fuel in your RV to do the same trip!
Tours4Fun
The most comprehensive, affordable, and desirable tour packages across North America, Europe, and the World.



World Of Waterfalls
A self-proclaimed "waterfalling addict," Johnny guides you to the world's most beautiful waterfalls.



Geeks On Tour
provides computer education for travelers who want to learn to use their computers for managing digital photos, making blogs, using maps and other online resources. The geeks, Jim and Chris Guld, are computer support professionals and on the road full-time in their RV.



Women On The Road
Advice and resources for women who love to travel on their own.



Cheap RV Living
Various accounts from people who have converted a van or built their own camper to live cheaply on the road.



See more of the world without paying to rent an RV. Much like a home exchange, here are two reputable RV exchange programs to connect you with motorhome owners in other countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, The United States and many European countries:
Worldwide Motorhome Holiday Exchange
Registration and participation is free for the first year.
RV Motorhome Exchange
Here you can set up an RV swap or just let your RV pay for itself while you're not using it, by listing it in the "RV For Rent" section. For a limited time you can join for free and, doing so, ensures you'll get 50% off the reasonable $49.90 annual fee forever. So, even if you don't plan to RV on other continents this year, why not list now to see what type of offers you can expect to get?



Couch Surfing
An accmmodation exchange: Join thousands of other travelers around the world. Offer a couch (or bed) in your home and find the same when visiting other countries. Membership is free but verification requires paying a fee (amount varies by country).


Buying something online? Ready to pay and you are asked if you have a promotional code. Now you're frustrated because you realize you could be saving money if you had one. Downloadable codes and coupons are available here: In the USA:
Promotional Codes for USA
Or in Canada:
Promotional Codes for Canada

Find more coupons, freebees, and promotional deals for Canadians at:
Red Flag Deals

Smart Canuks



Camping Road Trip
A web-based mini travel guide that lists campgrounds, attractions, tips, and articles for your roadtrip/camping adventures.


Tips for spending less yet living well - both on the road and in a bricks and mortar location.
Planet Cheapskate
and
Squawkfox
Where frugal living is sexy, delicious, and fun.


Think you can't afford Hawaii? Check the official Hawaii State Park website for information on
$5.00 Campsites In Hawaii State Parks


Why pay for campground directory guides?
Road Camping
is a free comprehensive guide created to help you find campgrounds by highway routes or by town name in all of the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. Along with campground information you'll find google maps and geographic co-ordinates for most campgrounds.



RV Camping And Hiking Go Together.
This RVer describes hikes and campgrounds throughout the southwest from her personal experience.


Find unbiased Reviews of RV Parks.
RV Shark
RV Park Reviews
For RV parks all across the U.S.A. posted by RVers who have stayed in them. You're invited to share your own comments about a positive or negative RV park experience.



Here's a website that will ensure you don't miss a single stop along the scenic route you're driving.
RV Itinerary Guides
The Itineraries list what you'll find, mile by mile, along many popular tourist routes in The USA, Canada, and Mexico.



Modern Hiker
By far, the best source for Southern California hiking information to be found on the net.


RV Camping Lifestyle
Tips, advice and resources for RVers - from a couple who are full-timing, traveling and workamping their way through America.


Nature Dogs
Dog-friendly hiking suggestions (mostly in California)


Finding free natural hot springs is always a highlight of our travels. A $10.00 lifetime membership to
Soakers Bible
will give you access to directions and information for all the developed hot springs in the eleven western states.



While my website concentrates on my niche - RV boondocking and affordable adventures, there's so much more to know about RVing in general. When I'm looking for links to more general information, these websites, written by real people, RVers like us, are among my favorites:
Everything About RVing
and
Love RVing


NADA Guide for RV Pricing
This is the guide used by banks and RV dealers to determine the value of a used RV. Type in the details of the RV you are hoping to buy or sell to determine a fair price.


Fulltime RVing
provides tips, resources, and inspiration for wannabe's and veteran Rvers'. This website is all about sharing experiences and providing information to others about the RV lifestyle.


RV Boondocking - The Goodlife
This website is just plain fun to read, providing sage boondocking advice with a sense of humor. After years on the road, this RVer discusses the benefits of downsizing to a smaller rig.


Travel and Adventures
A unique website - Follow this young man's journey as he seeks out adventures around the world, opportunities to bond with nature, and finds ways to make his dreams a reality.


Good RV Food
Dedicated to the art of preparing easy and delicious meals in the relatively small spaces of an RV with recipes, tips, and even a free cookbook .


Camping Blogger
More than a blog - the site promotes family camping, complete with tips and tutorials.


Affordable Small Camper Vans For Rent
Finally! A rental option for those who don't want or need a big RV. Based in San Francisco, California, you can rent a completely equipped camping van for little more than it would cost to rent a car. Unlike the big RV rental companies, you're allowed to drive a Lost Campers Van on gravel roads to access the free campsites listed in the Frugal Shunpiker's Guides. Highly recommended!



Hiking Lady
has tips and tricks for casual and avid hikers alike, and a comprehensive resource with up to date, fun, and useful information for every level of hiker.



Here's an opportunity to get in on the ground level of a new idea...free membership in an RV Resort Exchange. It won't be free forever.
RV Resort Exchange
A great idea - check it out and be one of the first to join!

And.... For an affordable alternative or just for a change from RVing and camping, have you considered a house swap?
Easy Home Exchange
offers FREE home exchange listing for one year (yes, FREE), unlimited home exchanges, unlimited updates to your listing, upload unlimited photos, you'll will be automatically contacted when someone shows an interest in your listing, free email alerts come to you when a new listing matches places you want to stay.



RVers who are heading to Texas will find
Fun Things To Do In Texas
a good place to start. Frugal travelers who (like us) are always on the lookout for a (free) festival or other affordable entertainment will especially like the Events Calendar and Cheap Tickets pages on this website.



Considering an RV trip to the beaches of North Carolina?
Exploring The Outer Banks
is your guide to help plan a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Learn about favorite attractions and things to do, while camping at one of the National or Private Campgrounds on this string of Barrier Islands along the Atlantic coast.


Find tips and tricks for sprucing up and maintaining the exterior of your new or used RV at
Auto Fetish Detail

More to come...

More links to resources for RVers, particularly those of interest to frugal travelers, will be added as I discover them.




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