Author: Janice

RV DIY: Installing an Inverter, Batteries, and Solar Panel System

.Reading time 2 minutes.

We prefer tranquil, remote RV camping destinations, which means we do a lot of boondocking. So no water, no paved roads, and no electricity. We have a generator that runs great, but we don’t want to run it constantly when we’re trying to enjoy our peaceful locations. Since our batteries need to be replaced now, we are going all in with an inverter and a solar panel system. That way we can install the best batteries for the new system and take on the massive wiring project all at once. And when we’re camping out in the middle of nowhere desert, our solar panels can quietly soak up the sun and charge the RV batteries all day without having to run the noisy generator. Plus, with the inverter we will be able to watch TV and use the microwave without having to turn on the generator, which will come in handy while driving. Read More

Our First Boondocking Trip in the Tiffin Allegro

.Reading time 3 minutes.

This was it—the real shakedown trip for our 2008 Tiffin Allegro Open Road. We embarked on a three-night camping trip to Glamis for New Year’s, which meant dry camping or “boondocking.” No water, no electricity, and no paved roads whatsoever. Off we went with both kids, wondering if everything was going to work properly in the RV or if we would discover something new to fix. Read More

Why We Put an Eames Lounge Chair Replica in Our RV

.Reading time 1 minute.

When we bought our 2008 Tiffin Allegro Open Road, it was missing the barrel chair located behind the passenger front seat. We knew we wanted a comfy, recliner-style chair in that spot, but we couldn’t find anything that we liked and that would fit. RV-specific furniture isn’t really our style, and we wanted something laid-back with the ability to kick our feet up. Read More

Freshen Up Your RV Kitchen with a Peel and Stick Backsplash

.Reading time 3 minutes.

RV interiors are notorious for being covered in wallpaper, whether it’s a neutral color palette of beiges and browns, or something retro and colorful. Either way, you may be wishing that there was something you could do to modernize and brighten up the look of your RV kitchen. (And there is, keep reading!) Read More

Our New RV! 2008 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 35QBA

.Reading time 1 minute.

After almost a year of searching, we finally found our new RV! Our big “must haves” were that we wanted a more spacious RV, exterior full body paint, a bunkhouse for the kids, and all the conveniences of a modern RV (self-leveling jacks, ducted air conditioner, slides, back-up camera, 50 amp service.) The 2008 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 35QBA is the model we held out for, and when we finally found one in our area, we brought it straight home! Read More

Farewell, Winnebago

.Reading time 1 minute.

She was our first RV, a 1989 Winnebago Superchief. We bought her back in 2014 so that we could transition from tent camping to RV camping, knowing that we were ready to expand our family and welcome two new little people into our lives. This Winnebago was everything we needed in a RV for these four short years, and we made so many happy camping memories thanks to her. She was big enough for our weekend camping trips with friends, our five-day boondocking trips to Glamis, and she was even comfortable when we started setting up the pack and play crib, portable high chair, and all the other baby gear we lugged along on our adventures. Now, with a three-year-old AND a one-year-old, we’re making the move to a newer RV with slides and a bunkhouse. So with mixed emotions, here’s one last look at our 1989 Winnebago Superchief, along with a few details in case anyone out there is interested in making new memories with her. She has been well cared for, has received regular maintenance, and everything works. Read More

5 Steps to an Organized RV 

.Reading time 5 minutes.

Up until this year, I never really thought much about organizing everything in our RV. When packing for a camping trip, I’d just carry out all our food and clothes and start cramming it into all the cabinets. Two kids and a ton of baby gear later, the cabinets and closets in our RV are stuffed and I can never seem to find anything without rifling through every nook and cranny. So after our last crowded camping trip, I pledged to completely organize everything inside our RV and make the little space we have more efficient, streamline packing, and avoid future clutter. Read More

SOLD: Our Incredible Jeep!

.Reading time less than 1 minute.

We bought our 1997 Jeep TJ back in 2009 completely bone stock. Since then, we’ve transformed it into an off-roading beast that can tackle any trail. We’ve trekked it across deserts, traversed sand dunes, and explored rocky mountain trails. But now with two small children that won’t be ready for Jeep adventures for a few more years, it’s time for us to bid farewell to our trusty Jeep. Read More

How to Make an Old RV Shine

.Reading time 3 minutes.

We have an old 1989 Winnebago Superchief that runs great, but the exterior looked dull and tired. After researching paint jobs and vinyl wraps that were out of our price range, my husband found a DIY polishing solution that, with a ton of elbow grease, shines up old RVs and helps repel dirt. This project took us two solid days to complete and about $100 worth of supplies. It’s best to wash/prep your RV on day one and apply at least one coat of polish, then come back on day two to finish applying 3-4 more coats of polish. The more polish you apply, the shinier and deeper the finish. Read More

Aerial Views of Tectonic Gorge Trail, Ocotillo Wells

.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I decided to test my DJI Phantom quadcopter on our recent camping trip out in Ocotillo Wells to see what kind of aerial footage I could capture. Here’s a short video of my footage, along with a few aerial photos. Read More