RV Camping Magazine by BMK Publishing

NUTS, BOLTS, & HIGH TECH

UGRADE YOUR WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM

THE RV TABLE RECIPES

RECIPES FROM MELISA KENNEDY'S THE RV TABLE COOKBOOK

RV CAMPING MAGAZINE SHIFT, CONTROL & ESCAPE TO RVING

let's go rving

CLEAREST LAKES MUST VISITS IN AMERICA & CANADA

Get to know our new magazine with RV Blogger, Mike and Susan Scarpignato

THE PREMIERE ISSUE | NO. 01

FULL TIME RVING TIP #1

"One suggestion is to take a few minutes and think about why you are considering full time RV life." Read more about full time RVing on our website: www.RVblogger.com

R V

C A M P I N G

M A G A Z I N E

RVBLOGGER.COM / ISSUE 01

F E A T U R E S 0 5

1 1

2 4

Meet RV Blogger Owners, Mike and Susan Scarpignato Get to know the owners and their motivation behind it all. 7 Best Travel Trailers With Awesome Outdoor Kitchens From fifth wheels to motorhomes, these kitchens are worthy of attention. 15 Clearest Lakes You Must Visit in America and Canada Take a look at these lake destinations.

D E P A R T M E N T S

02 09 10 14 20

Nuts, Bolts, & High Tech Tips & Reviews RV Kitchen Easy, Delicious Recipes Are We There Yet? Interesting Locations Noteworthy News Events and Trends

CLEAR LAKES Many of North America has clear lakes to visit that preserves their natural beauty. Page 30

April 2021 l RV CAMPING 3

RV CAMPING MAGAZINE SHIFT, CONTROL & ESCAPE TO RVING

Publisher Melisa Kennedy Editor Susan McDonald Managing Editor Mike Scarpignato Contributors Brian Newman, Melisa Kennedy, Alex O’Reilly Advertising Sales Mike Scarpignato 443-699-6556, mike@rvblogger.com Editorial info@RVCampingMag.com

For a faster way to clean your RV, you need our great cleaning products designed for our world.

Acme RV Cleaning Co. 1234 Orlando Way Toll Free (800)

We Have You Covered

Privacy Promise RV Camping Magazine will never intentionally share subscribers’ names, addresses or other personal information with other companies when requested not to do so. If you do want to opt out from receiving marketing offers from other reputable companies, or you opt out and subsequently desire to opt back in, contact Trailer Life by email at: info@RVCampingMag.com

We specialize in unique camping products designed for the full time RVer so you are safe and sound while traveling. For more information, please visit our website.

RV Gear 4 You (123) 456-7890

4 RV CAMPING l April 2021

RV BLOGGER

meet the team

Why We Started RV Blogger We started RV Blogger as a way But we also think that RV Life is to share all of the information much more than just how to live we learned over the years with in an RV. It’s also about the other folks who are interested in freedom to live the life you want RVing too. We really enjoy trying to live. We also knew that we out new gear, learning how wanted to help people to live life things work, and researching on their own terms, hence the products, information and ideas tag line shift ctrl & esc under our to make the best decisions. logo. April 2021 l RV CAMPING 5

RV BLOGGER A friend of my daughter’s came up with the idea of “shift control” while working on a logo which combined RVing and Blogging. (It’s not easy to combine RVing and Blogging into a picture by the way) Eventually, we came up with three computer keys that say it all: shift, control, &, escape. And all of a sudden we had the perfect message.

shift ctrl & esc So, in addition to sharing all of the things we learned to make RVing easy, fun, exciting, convenient, affordable and organized, we also want to share how we are shifting control in our lives so we can escape the world of conformity to live the life we choose to live. Our hope is that you can learn and benefit from our experiences too!

6 RV CAMPING l April 2021

Mike and Susan in Santa Barbara, California

We bought the domain name RVBlogger in 2018 and the website took off very quickly! Our website went live on December 1st, 2018 and in our first 12 months, we have achieved over 1 Million page views! In 2020 we had over 2.7 million page views! Who knows what 2021 holds but we are hoping for the best! In September of 2019, we launched our YouTube Channel. We were very fortunate to have the YouTube Channel take

RV BLOGGER off very quickly, as well. We had over 307,000 views and gained over 5,200 subscribers in our first 90 days! As we begin 2021 we enter the year with over 3.5 million views! We take great pride in demonstrating to our audience what we do when we RV. And we share this info with our audience through well-researched blog posts and through our YouTube videos where we try to combine information and entertainment. We also provide honest reviews of products and services that we actually use. We will only recommend a product or service

if we use it ourselves. We are asked to endorse products all the time and we turn down most offers. If we don’t use it, and like the product, we just can’t recommend it. In mid-2019 we completed a major redesign of the RVBlogger website. Our goal was to create the fastest most user-friendly website possible. While we did improve the website mobility we still felt that the site should be faster and after several attempts at increasing the site speed, we decided to change the website theme and improve site speed for desktop and especially mobile.

FIND US ONLINE

For more info on us, visit our website today: rvblogger.com

Mike and Susan are always having fun!

Today, RVBlogger continues to focus on creating relevant helpful content for our blog readers and our YouTube audience.

Here you will find: Articles Videos Guide DIY Pro Tips & More

WATCH OUR VIDEO:

April 2021 l RV CAMPING 7

NUTS, BOLTS & HIGH TECH DO TRAVEL TRAILER TIRES NEED TO BE BALANCED?

When you first purchase your RV you will have several questions on your mind like "Do travel trailer tires and wheels need to be balanced?" The answer is no, you don’t need to have your travel trailer tires or wheels balanced but your trailer will ride more smoothly if the tires are balanced. But, like many complex questions, the answer is not as straightforward as you might expect.

This is because the primary purpose of travel trailer tires is to support the vertical load. Conversely, regular car tires are meant to grip the road on turns. For many trailers, it is more important to ensure the safety of the cargo in the trailer rather than ensure a high ride quality for the passengers. Below we will answer the question of whether travel trailer tires should be balanced. Then we will do the same for travel trailer wheels. If you were wondering if you can use truck tires on your trailer, we will cover that in the next section. We will then look at how long travel trailer tires are expected to last. Additionally, sometimes travel trailer tires will blow out, so we will explain why that sometimes happens.

8 RV CAMPING l April 2021

NUTS, BOLTS & HIGH TECH There are two major types of wheels found in trailers. A hub centric wheel is the first option available to you. These wheels are centered by the center bore of the wheel and hub flange. However, most trailers have lug centric wheels. These wheels are centered by the torque of the lug bolts, rather than the center bore of the wheel and hub flange.

Can I Use Truck Tires on My Trailer? If you are looking to replace the tires on your trailer you will have a few options available to you. You might even think to use truck tires instead of travel trailer tires, but is this a good idea? Light truck tires are sometimes used in RVs but generally not on utility trailers. Light truck

tires are a type of passenger vehicle tire, and as a result, they are not built with a thick sidewall like regular trailer tires. The thicker sidewall helps significantly with the vertical load. So, with that in mind, it is recommended that you use travel trailer tires in most situations. Tire pressure is very important! Check out our tire pressure system recommendation below:

WHAT WE LIKE Thicker tires build up heat when they are not properly inflated. As a result, you need to constantly make sure your tires are inflated correctly. This is why so many RVers use Tymate Tire Pressure Monitoring System like we use on our RV. April 2021 l RV CAMPING 9

THE NEWEST RV TECH & GEAR OF 2021 FOR YOUR NEXT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

For the RV Bathroom

Glove Up

In the RV community, having a good pair a gloves is a MUST!

We are asked by new RVers if they have to use special RV toilet paper in their RV. We always tell people they should use RV/Marine toilet paper to avoid clogs or false readings on the tank sensors. But it really depends how often you use your RV.

Camp Chair

If you are looking for a comfortable, oversized camping chair, this product from the Guide Gear Store might just be the best option available. 10 RV CAMPING l April 2021

We have done all the OUR RV GEAR BUYING GUIDE homework for you >>>

RV KITCHEN

strawberry sweet tea Hi, I'm Melisa Kennedy, author of The RV Table cookbook and food/gardening/home blogger. With strawberries popping up nearly every day now in my garden, I'm having to find lots of creative ways to use these sweet babies so I do not waste a single berry! Whether you serve this sweet and delicious tea hot or cold is up to you. And to be honest, it's amazing either way but I typically serve it up as sweet strawberry iced tea. Please enjoy my recipe on the next page! And I'd love to connect with you on my website and social media! April 2021 l RV CAMPING 11

"MY FRESH STRAWBERRIES AND SOUTHERN SWEET TEA RECIPE COMES TOGETHER TO MAKE ONE REFRESHING AND DELICIOUS STRAWBERRY SWEET ICED TEA. NO SUGAR NEEDED!"

INGREDIENTS: 4-5 organic tea bags 6 cups filtered water 4 - 6 ripe strawberries DIRECTIONS: 1. In a small pot, bring two cups of water to a boil. (could also heat in your RV microwave). Remove from heat and add tea bags. 2. Let tea bags steep for 10 minutes before discarding the tea bags. 3. Dice up strawberries. Place in a food processor or blender and puree. Strain pureed strawberries through a mesh strainer, reserving the juice and discarding the pulp. 4. In a large pitcher add tea and strawberry puree and serve. Enjoy!

Find more from Melisa Kennedy online: melisakennedy.com

@melisakennedyofficial

7 Best Travel Trailers With Outdoor Kitchens Before outdoor kitchens, cooking outside meant firing up the portable stove or barbecue. If you didn’t burn yourself or the food, you could have a pretty good meal. Anything more complex required a balancing act that required cooking inside and getting it to the picnic table outside without tripping.

April 2021 | RV CAMPING 13

FEATURE

In the RV world, storage space is valuable. This is why you’ll see nonregular measurements of mattresses, appliances, and furniture. Storage in motorhomes is especially priceless since it must also compete with the automotive equipment.

Opus Camper OP4 - The Opus OP4 not only fully expands in 90 seconds with the push of a button, but is an RV camper with an outdoor kitchen that’s better than a lot of current pop-up kitchens in today’s market. Coleman Lantern 244BH - The 244BH is the smallest of the

Here's a list of our Top 7 Travel Trailer Outdoor Kitchens:

nuCamp T@B CS-S Camper - The nuCamp T@B series are the leaders in the teardrop class for their quality construction and high-level features. 14 RV CAMPING | April 2021

Lantern line but gives families all the features they could want in an entry-level travel trailer with an outdoor kitchen.

Keystone Outback 291UBH - This ultra-lite travel trailer with an outdoor kitchen is one of the few bunkhouse models at this length and weight. Grand Design Reflection 28BH - When you open the exterior bay, you’ll see the 1.6 cubic inch refrigerator, counter space, and electric outlets to plug in cooking devices. The drawer underneath has a two-burner stove.

Coachmen Mirada 32SS - The Mirada 32SS is a rare specimen in the drivable

Jayco Redhawk 25R - Jayco travel trailers

RV world since it has an outdoor

with an outdoor kitchen exist throughout

kitchen bay. It has cabinetry storage,

every line of their towable series.

a refrigerator, and a sink.

STAY WITH US! Book your campsite today at this RV Resort. This is a paradise for campers and we welcome all sizes and styles of rigs -- motorhomes, travel trailers, and vintage! Call us today to reserve your campsite. (123) 456-7890. www.website.com

FEATURE

15 CLEAREST LAKES YOU MUST VISIT IN AMERICA AND CANADA We have assembled our list of the 15 Clearest Lakes in the US and Canada to show off these amazing vacation destinations for you and your family to enjoy.

The USA lakes are as follows: 1. Torch Lake, MI 2. Crater Lake, OR 3. Newfound Lake, NH 4. Lake Chelan, WA 5. Hanging Lake, CO 6. Lake George, NY 7. Deer Lake, MN 8. Lake Tahoe, NV 9. Flathead Lake, MT 10. Lake Coeur D’Alene, ID

The Canada lakes are as follows: 1. Moraine Lake, Alberta 2. Lake Louise, Alberta 3. Emerald Lake, British Columbia 4. Garibaldi Lake, British Columbia 5. Abraham Lake, Alberta

RVing will let you and your family see some of the most beautiful places in the United States and Canada. Both countries are filled with amazing hiking trails, beautiful national parks, and great views. However, what really stands out in this great continent are the lakes.

North America has been graced with some of the most beautiful lakes in the world. However, many of the best ones to visit are some of the lesser known ones. Most of the best lakes to visit in the United States and Canada are the clear ones.

Clear lakes make the area more beautiful than ever, and it can really improve your trip as a whole. So, the next time you are planning a trip, look for one of the best and clearest lakes in the United States and Canada.

April 2021 | RV CAMPING 18

Why Are Some Lakes So Clear? Anyone that has been to multiple lakes in their life will know that each one looks a little different. It is not just the shape and size of the lake that is different. The water also varies in color. However, it might not have ever occurred to you why some lakes appear clearer than others. Anyone that has been to multiple lakes in their life will know that each one looks a little different.

It is not just the shape and size of the lake that is different. The water also varies in color. However, it might not have ever occurred to you why some lakes appear clearer than others.

As a result, it can support a higher population of aquatic creatures. So, in most cases, when you see a clear lake, it does not have a lot of algae, and it does not have a large fish population.

"North America has been graced with some of the most beautiful lakes in the world."

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EMERALD LAKE, CANADA

TORCH LAKE, MICHIGAN

1. Torch Lake, Michigan If you are looking for one of the best clear lakes in the country,

connecting rivers in Michigan. Visits come from all around the

you should head over to

world to see the lake and the

Michigan and check out Torch

surrounding area. If you travel

Lake. Torch Lake has

between the lakes in the area you

unparalleled beauty that is often

will be able to enjoy 100 miles of

attributed to its unique turquoise

boating adventures. Torch Lake is

color. It was originally called the

also a great lake for swimming,

Lake of the Torches by the

kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing.

Ojibwa Tribe, after the torches they lit to attract fish at night. Additionally, Torch Lake is part of what is known as the Chain of Lakes, a series of 14 lakes and

21 RV CAMPING | April 2021

CRATER LAKE, OREGON

2. Crater Lake, Oregon emptying of a magma chamber in a When you take your RV out on the road and head over to Oregon, you will want to check out Crater Lake. If you can, you should try to find a campground as close to it as possible because it is one of the most beautiful lakes in the country. It is the deepest lake in the United States, and it was formed over 7000 years ago when

volcanic eruption. Crater Lake has been noted by the National Park Service as one of the clearest lakes in the world. It has no incoming streams to bring sediment or minerals into the lake. It is purely water fed by rain, snow, and glacial springs. As a result, the water is so clear that it has an estimated visible depth of over 130 feet.

an eruption caused a volcano to collapse in on itself. This created a caldera or a large cauldron-like hollow that forms shortly after the

April 2021 | RV CAMPING 22

NEWFOUND LAKE

3. Newfound Lake, New Hampshire for the lake, it remains one of the New Hampshire is a great state to visit, even though it gets overlooked by the masses. It has plenty of natural beauty, including Newfound Lake, one of the best clear lakes in the country. It can be found in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire. Newfound Lake is home to the purest fresh water in the state, and it is refreshed twice a year by eight underground springs.

Since the

springs are the main water source

23 RV CAMPING | April 2021

clearest lakes in the country. The lake reaches depths of 183 feet, and it is 2.5 miles wide and 6 miles long. This should provide guests ample space to explore and experience the lake alone or with other people. The best place to take a dip in the water is on the west shore at Wellington State Park. Here you will get to enjoy the largest freshwater swimming beach in the state.

4. Lake Chelan, Washington to check out the beautiful Located in Washington, Lake Chelan is one of the best clear lakes to visit in the United States.

vineyards, mountains, and small towns in the area surrounding the lake.

The lake covers 50.5 miles of stunning natural beauty, and it is a gateway to the North Cascades National Park. Additionally, it is the third deepest lake in the

The YouTube video below is a great aerial view of Lake Chelan.

Just

imagine camping here for a weekend or a whole week!

United States. It reaches depths of 1486 feet in the deepest section of the lake. While you are in the area, you will also be able

VIDEO WITH AERIAL VIEWS OF LAKE CHELAN, WA

April 2021 | RV CAMPING 24

HANGING LAKE, CO

5. Hanging Lake, Colorado Hanging Lake is a rare example of a Hanging Lake, Colorado is a great place to visit if you want to see one of the best clear lakes in the United States. It is an iconic lake because it is suspended on the edge of Glenwood Canyon’s cliffs. It is known for its awe-inspiring beauty and clear turquoise water. Additionally, it was officially named a National Natural Landmark in 2011.

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lake that is formed and secured by limestone deposits. You will only be able to get to the lake by walking along the Hanging Lake Trail. This is one of the most popular hikes in Colorado, despite the fact that it can be a grueling two or three-hour trip. The beauty is worth the effort.

6. Lake George, New York While you are staying at Lake Lake George is one of the clearest lakes in the United States and is located in the great state of New York. Additionally, Lake George is known as the Queen of American Lakes and is 32 miles long. It is located in the southeastern section of the Adirondack State Park, and it gathers more than 50,000 visitors every summer.

George, you will be able to enjoy several water based activities. These activities range from water skiing and jet skiing to rafting and kayaking. Fortunately, Lake George RV Park is only a few minutes away from the lake. So, you will be able to spend the entire day at the lake without needing to do much traveling.

LAKE GEORGE, NY

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