Justin Caldwell, Author at RV Pioneers

What is Boondocking: All Your Questions Answered!

Post author:Justin Caldwell
Post published:October 25, 2020
Post category:RV Model Guides

My wife and I get this question a lot. To be fair, we asked it a lot in the beginning, too. We had absolutely no clue what boondocking was, and people outside of the RV community don’t either. Some call it dry camping, but essentially, boondocking is camping without the hookups. You can stay in your RV or camper, but you won’t have water, electricity, or sewer. It’s a chance to get off the grid and be in the quiet. You’ll find plenty of beautiful destinations with epic scenery, outside of the confines and rules of a traditional campground. Not to mention, without having to pay for hookups, you’re living dirt cheap for days, weeks, or months at a time. It might sound like you’re getting closer to nature, but there are a lot of implications here that you might not think about.

Behind the

Top Tax Deductions for RV Owners You Need To Know Of

Post author:Justin Caldwell
Post published:October 11, 2020
Post category:RV Financing

While talking about RVing may be one of your favorite things to do, talking about taxes probably isn’t. However, it’s a necessary evil, and the two overlap, believe it or not, so you’ll want to read on to find out how you can maximize your deductions at tax time. If you have an RV that you use for traveling, you may not already know that you can take some deductions on it. Whether you live in a house and you only use your RV part-time or you live in our RV full-time like a regular nomad, you can take advantage of some of these deductions to get the most out of your RV lifestyle. For RV owners who full-time, our tax deductions are limited when it comes to the traditional brick-and-mortar homeowner. However, there’s an overlap you’ll want to know about because you can still take some of these deductions and you may not even know it.

1. Deduct the interest on your RV loan

Farmers RV Insurance Review: All You Need To Know

Post author:Justin Caldwell
Post published:September 28, 2020
Post category:RV Insurance

An RV is a big purchase, and much like your home or your car, you’re going to want to insure it. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of options out there. However, just because your RV might seem like a home on wheels, an insurance policy for homes won’t do the trick, and neither will one intended for a motor vehicle. You need the best of both worlds to get the job done. It’s a unique offering that not everyone provides. You can opt for your current homeowners or auto insurance provider if you want some multiple policy discounts, or you can choose a company that specializes in RV insurance to get some additional benefits you won’t find anywhere else. Since my family lives in our RV full-time, I’ve done a lot of research into these options and for us, it made the most sense to stick with our current provider, Farmers. While it may not be the best option for you, I’ve never had anything but good luck with my Farmers agent, for several reasons, so I thought this

Airstream vs Winnebago Compared: The Ultimate Battle

Post author:Justin Caldwell
Post published:September 5, 2020
Post category:RV Model Guides

When it comes to RVs, Airstream and Winnebago are probably the two most popular names. They immediately come to your mind when you think about RVs and they offer some of the most iconic designs in RV history. They each have their own advantages, and despite being very popular, are very different. We’re going to review each in detail and then leave it up to you to decide which better suits your needs.

The Main Differences Between Airstream and Winnebago

The main differences between Airstream and Winnebago are:

Airstream features an iconic design, whereas Winnebago styles their RVs more traditionally.
Airstream is very expensive, whereas Winnebago RVs are more reasonably priced.
Continue Reading Airstream vs Winnebago Compared: The Ultimate Battle

Best RV Leveling Blocks For Your RV Needs

Post author:Justin Caldwell
Post published:August 21, 2020
Post category:RV Maintenance

RV leveling blocks are something that every RVer needs. Even if you have an auto-leveling rig, leveling blocks can serve many useful purposes at a campsite. For one thing, if your RV has an absorption refrigerator (and most RVs do), it has to be completely level. Many smaller RVs and travel trailers don’t have auto leveling jacks, so it’s up to you to do it yourself. But even if you do have auto leveling jacks, you can benefit from some leveling blocks in certain cases. Let’s learn a little bit more about what leveling blocks do, the different types there are, and why they’re useful to you.

Why You Need to Be Level

via GIPHY For obvious reasons, it’s not very comfortable to live, e

Progressive RV Insurance Review: Pros and Cons

Post author:Justin Caldwell
Post published:August 17, 2020
Post category:RV Insurance

RV insurance is a critical component of RV ownership, whether you travel frequently or only a few times every year. All insurance companies offer different coverage options, and some even go through third parties to provide everything you need because they can’t underwrite the policies in-house. Progressive offers RV insurance policies at a reasonable price, but you may find some of the other aspects of their service a bit lacking. If you already have Progressive auto insurance, it may be worth it for the multiple vehicle discounts. Otherwise, think hard about whether you want these insurance policies for your RV.

Coverage and Benefits

Progressive offers a couple of different insurance plans, but because they tailor their plans for auto coverage, you’ll find more of w

Zero Breeze Review: Is it Worth it?

Post author:Justin Caldwell
Post published:July 21, 2020
Post category:RV Maintenance

The hot summer months can be unbearable unless of course you’re splashing in the pool or relaxing in the air conditioning. For those of us who like to go camping,…

The Best 30 Amp RV Plugs Out There!

Post author:Justin Caldwell
Post published:July 19, 2020
Post category:RV Maintenance

If you own an RV for travel, it’s likely you need a power cord. You could boondock and use your generator or solar panels for the week, but it’s much more convenient to have full hookups. However, one of the most important things you can do before you hook up is to figure out the type of power cord you need. It can prevent fire or damage to your RV. If you need a 30-amp RV plug for your rig, here are some of the best you can buy.

Choosing a 30 Amp Plug

There are 30-amp plugs and 50-amp plugs. Generally, larger RVs have 50 amp plugs because they have more things they need to power. They may have multiple air conditioners, residential refrigerators, and larger appliances. If you’re looking for a 30-amp plug, it’s likely you’ll have an easier time finding what you need at an affordable price. They’re

Best RV Jackknife Sofa Options To Consider in 2021

Post author:Justin Caldwell
Post published:June 16, 2020
Post category:RV Living

So you just bought your first RV, but it needs a few upgrades since you didn’t want to spring for a brand new one. One good place to start making improvements to your home on wheels is by purchasing a new sofa for the living area. If you’re in the market for a new RV sofa, you might consider a jackknife sofa. These are quickly becoming more popular among RVers, as it offers an easy way for travelers to quickly pull out a bed without a lot of effort.

What is a JackKnife Sofa?

Of course, that begs the question, what is a jackknife sofa? A jackknife sofa in an RV is a couch that can be pulled out to make a bed. The only thing you have to do is pull down on the seat, then lay it flat. The benefit here is an excellent alternative to a typical pull-out sofa. It’s lighter and easier to move, plus you don’t have to deal with a mattress. Jackknife sofas are also popular because they are much more affordable than their hide-a-bed counterparts. This is just a general d

Best Airstream Alternatives To Consider [2021]

Post author:Justin Caldwell
Post published:February 21, 2020
Post category:RV Model Guides

Airstream trailers are instantly recognizable as an icon of American camping. Sleek, stylish, and durable, these trailers upgrade your tent to a full-fledged house on wheels. They’re pricey, but they hold their value really well, and they’re everywhere because people love them.

However, if you’re having a hard time justifying the cost, but you really want something similar, you’re in luck. There are plenty of Airstream alternatives out there from lookalikes to the modern retro interior, you’ll find the perfect knock-off that’s right for you.

And for the record, these knock-offs are just as good, so calling them knock-offs is doing them a great disservice. Check them out for yourself.

Living Vehicle Trailers

These lookalikes are pretty pricey, too. You’re not escaping the price tag of an Airstream, but you may enjoy the modern architectural touches of the interior more. It’s a luxury upgrade from the Airstream, featuring an interior that