May 2024 – Banner RV

Camping Mosquito Must Knows.

May 14, 2024November 13, 2024bannerrv

You can always expect a few things in life: once the warm weather arrives, so do the mosquitos.

The last thing you want to deal with while trying to enjoy the great outdoors is being swarmed by little blood suckers or pinchers. When you’re looking for a mosquito repellent for camping, you’ll want to consider how to keep them off of you and out of the RV. Fortunately, there’s a variety of ways to ward them off.

Repellants — One of the most common ways to keep the mosquitos from biting is to use repellent. Usually, in a spray, lotion, or wipe, repellents are effective thanks to DEET, which is the main ingredient. You’ll have to reapply as they wear off, especially if you’re active or swimming, but overall it does assist with keeping the mosquitos the mosquitos will away from you as long as you wear them.

Natural repellants — some folks are not fans of the common mosquito repellents; the DEET can irritate the skin, cause allergies and don’t smell that great. Fortunately for them, essential oils and other natural products provide a repellent. It’s better to spray the oil concoction rather than rub it directly onto your skin, but making your own repellent with thyme, eucalyptus, sage, lemongrass, rosemary, citronella, clove, or mint will keep the mosquitos at bay.

If you can handle the smell of it, you can try putting white vinegar or apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle and spray on your clothes, around the RV door and windows, and around the campsite. The pungent odour will provide a barrier against the mosquitos.

Smoke — Whether it’s the smoke from the campfire or the smoke from candles, you’ll still repel the mosquitos away from you. Outside of fire bans, this option is an easy enough solution to help repel mosquitos in another direction. Lighting citronella candles or some tiki torches; will provide enough smoke to also aid in your comfort of enjoying the outdoors without being pestered.

Clothing — You can buy special clothing with mosquito repellent woven into the fibre. It’s odourless, and the idea is that you won’t even notice it. However, it can become costly, so an alternative to purchasing specific clothing is to ensure you are covered thoroughly. It’s natural to want to wear shorts and sleeveless shirts in the summer, but all that exposed skin is just a buffet to mosquitos. Wearing long sleeves and long pants during peak mosquito season will save your skin.

Bug zappers — This is the less glamorous option, however it works. Bug zappers typically use light to draw insects in, leading them to an untimely demise by a shock of electricity. UV bug traps are growing in popularity and are proving effective with mosquitos. Additionally more recently, Thermcelle Mosquito Repellents have been popular, providing a dome like feature through its technology. While there are mixed reviews on its effectiveness, it may just be worth it for you sanity.

Netting — When you’re ready to sleep but don’t want to have that awful high-pitched buzzing in your ear, hanging mosquito netting around your bed in the RV can provide you with the rest you require. The fine weave is too tiny for mosquitos to get through, so you’ll have a blissfully bug-free sleep.

Campsite — Choosing the right campsite and area is also important when considering mosquito season. Mosquitos congregate (and reproduce) in standing water, including ponds and lakes. You may have to walk a little further to get to the water, but if you choose a site that’s further back from the water’s edge, you’ll have fewer mosquitos bothering you.

No matter what method you choose, Make sure to do some investigating on which product will work best for you. You can also find insect reports for many areas that will tell you if specific insect populations are higher, lower, or at normal levels.

Ultimately, having a bug-free camping experience is likely unrealistic; however, to provide you and your family with an enjoyable time outside without the nuisance of buzzing, it is essential to be prepared. It is nice to be able to jump into your RV knowing you have been proactive about clearing the mosquitos and having a safe place to hide from the pests. There are quite a few options that may suit you.

Are you ready to finally up your camping game and invest in an RV to ensure an enjoyable camping experience away from the mosquitos? We have got you covered. At Vernon Recreational Products, we can get you into the RV that best suits your needs. Call us at 1-833-293-3402 or visit us on-site, and we’ll do everything we can to prepare you for your summer camping adventure! Call today!

Gift Guide for RVers.

May 14, 2024November 13, 2024bannerrv

What sort of gift the RVer in your life might like this holiday season? Look no further; we have compiled a collection of must-have RV gift ideas for your favourite camping enthusiast.

Whether it’s something practical or just something cool that you’re pretty sure they wouldn’t buy for themselves, there’s a slew of RV gifts on the following list!

Practical Presents

Bungee Cords: Always a necessity when you’re essentially driving a house on wheels! Your RVer will appreciate your adding to their stash, especially if some of their cords are starting to look a little worse for wear.

Sturdy Step Ladder: You only realize how much you need a step ladder once you find yourself without one. A great solid step ladder that can hold an adult without creaking will help your RVer out in more ways than one.

Portable power station: Because your RVer might need to do just a bit of work while on the road, having a sturdy power station will allow them to fire off a few emails without drawing on the RV battery.

Collapsible kitchen supplies: With very little room and few cupboards, there is no better way to save space than utilizing collapsible items. Collapsible measuring cups, bowls, and dish tubs will stay tucked away until your RVer needs them.

Fancy Favourites

French press and coffee grinder: If your RVer is more of a drip or instant coffee person, now is a great time to introduce them to the joys of freshly ground and pressed coffee.

Instant Pot: When space is at a premium, having an all-in-one cooker will save your RVer’s counters for more important things. They’ll be able to make soup,

E-reader: if your RVer is the type that wants to spend the day by the lake and get lost in a good book instead of the forest, an e-reader is a great choice. They can hold hundreds of digital books and take up far less space than a whole bin of books—less weight for the rig to carry too.

Wine Tumblers: If your RVer is a bit of a ‘spilly talker’ when having a beverage, these are ideal! Stainless steel makes them easy to clean and they come with lids so there’s no worry about spilling anything anywhere.

Fun for Everyone

Camping Games: If they don’t already have yard games, a set of any one of these games would make for a fun evening with friends. Whether it’s Washers, Ladder Ball, Bocce, or Yardzee, any game where families can team up and have a friendly competition makes for a great time.

Indoor S’more Maker: Of course, your RVer and their family would prefer to make sweet treats on the campfire outside, but if they find themselves stuck in the RV thanks to rain, wind, or snow, they can still enjoy the chocolate marshmallow goodness of s’mores.

Hammock: Who doesn’t love laying in a hammock and letting it sway you into relaxation? You may want to get more than one in case the kids start to hog it.

Bluetooth Speaker: Have your own dance party in the great outdoors with your favorite playlists, or just set the mood with some chill vibes. Either way, music is great for background noise if you find the woods to be just a little too quiet.

Still Looking for the Right Gift?

We can help you find the perfect present! Reach out to us at 1-833-293-3402 or visit us in person. We’ll help you make this a fantastic holiday season for your favourite RVer, call us today!

RV vs Trailer: Which Unit is Right for Me?.

May 14, 2024November 13, 2024bannerrv

If you’ve been dreaming of hitting the road this summer for quality camping, you’ve probably considered getting an RV. Or a trailer? What’s the difference between the two anyway? When it comes to living in a trailer versus living in an RV, you have different needs and wants to take into consideration. If you’ve asked yourself that, we’ve broken down the differences between camping units so you can make an informed decision.

Travel: Driving either unit has challenges, particularly if you’ve never driven a vehicle as large as an RV or towed anything like a trailer. Smaller RVs, like class B or C, can feel like driving an SUV or a large truck. A class A motorhome is more akin to driving a semi, so it will take some practice to get used to handling it. Towing anything behind a truck also has its challenges; high winds can feel like pulling the trailer off course, which can cause you to overcorrect if you’re not used to it. You’ll want to practice driving around town and on the highway.

Set-up: In an RV, you must level the vehicle, hook up the water, sewer, and electric, and open the slides. If you have a trailer, you must unhitch it and park it elsewhere. When towing a trailer, you must park the trailer first (which is arguably more difficult than parking a motorhome) and then unhitch the tow bar and safety chains before leveling, hooking up utilities, and opening any slides.

Mobility: When you get to the campground and set yourself up, which unit you have will determine your ability to check out the local area. Since an RV is your vehicle, you’ll be confined to the campground (unless you tow your car behind it), which is okay, depending on the amenities. With a trailer, you have to unhook it from the truck, and you’re free to venture out.

Space: Fifth-wheel trailers often have more space than motorhomes, as they need the driving area to take up any room. There are, however, very large RVs and small trailers. To maximize your living space, a fifth wheel is likely your best bet. A trailer doesn’t have the driving area taking up space, so all your space is living space.

Off-road: if you’re looking to go off the beaten path, you’ll have an easier time pulling a trailer on uneven roads. It will make moving the trailer around dips and ridges much more accessible than with an RV. However, make sure the road you’re looking to travel is safe for your vehicle, whatever you’re driving.

Family: If you plan to camp with small children, you might feel more at ease with a trailer. You’ll be riding in the vehicle doing the towing, where everyone will have a seatbelt or a car seat if the kids are young enough. An RV usually has seats and seatbelts for the driver and passenger, so that won’t be enough for anyone with children.

Cost: The upfront cost for RVs versus trailers is different. Trailers and fifth wheels are much cheaper than motorhomes. However, you may be looking at a hefty price tag if you need to buy a diesel truck and a trailer. A trailer is a much cheaper option if you already have a truck. However, the two options may be comparable in price if you need to purchase both a truck and a trailer.

Need more help in making your decision? Here at Vernon Recreation Products, we have a variety of RVs and trailers that you can look at, walk around, and inspect to see which one will best fit your needs.

BC Camping: Best Places to Book in 2024.

May 14, 2024November 13, 2024bannerrv

It may only be a few weeks into 2024, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about where you will set up camp this summer. BC Parks has released its reservations for the upcoming summer, and if you wait until then to pick a place to go, you’ll be out of luck.

Lucky for you, we’ve picked out a few great spots throughout the province for you to try out!

Lower Mainland

Among the top camping areas in the most populated area of the province is near the Squamish mountain range.

Alice Lake Provincial Park is an hour north of Vancouver and very popular come summer. With four freshwater lakes surrounded by mountains, forests and grassy areas, you can enjoy all the nature just steps from your campsite. Amenities include drinking water, a playground, flush toilets, showers, and electrical hookups for a cost.

Sasquatch Provincial Park has three vehicle-accessible campgrounds for you to choose from, surrounded by pocket lakes, scenic mountain ranges and a unique second-growth forest. Among the usual activities, like water skiing, hiking, and swimming, there’s a learn to fish program for youth.

Vancouver Island

Who doesn’t want sand and surf while they’re camping? The Island is a camper’s paradise once you get your rig off the ferry.

Goldstream Provincial Park is only 16 kilometres from downtown Victoria and feels like a completely different world. It has waterfalls, a river that leads into the sea, and plenty of flora and fauna to investigate. There are campsites for your RV and group sites with picnic shelters, wood stoves, electricity, and water.

Strathcona Provincial Park is one of the oldest in BC. There’s plenty of rugged wilderness to take in, whether you’re staying at one of the campgrounds or want to hike into the backcountry for a few days.

Kootenays

This region is an absolute jewel, and those who camp here know it. You won’t be disappointed if it’s the East Kootenays or the West Kootenays.

Kootenay Lake Provincial Park is ideal for fishing or taking out your canoe or kayak. Two campgrounds and a group campsite give you a choice for your RV. Amenities include drinking water, fire pits, picnic areas, and pit toilets.

Kokanee Creek Provincial Park has a kilometre of sandy beach and four campgrounds. They’ve got all the amenities you’ll want and plenty of places to explore, like Nelson, Kaslo, and Ainsworth Hot Springs communities.

Okanagan

One of (if not the best, vacation locations in BC) is anywhere within the Okanagan. Beaches, lakes, forests, mountains, and plenty of sunshine make Okanagan campsites a hot commodity.

Bromley Rock Provincial Park is tiny but mighty in a unique landscape. Located along the Similkameen River, the rock formations in the area are to be noticed. The surrounding hiking trails offer a great view of the Similkameen Valley.

Fintry Provincial Park has over two kilometres of waterfront, which means plenty of swimming, boating, kayaking, and fishing. It’s also a park with a rich history, which you can learn about by taking a tour of the Manor House and other buildings on the site.

All that said, plenty of BC Parks campgrounds are just waiting for you this summer. Be sure to visit the BC Parks website to reserve your campsites now before they’re gone! If you need a new RV to roll into your chosen campsite, come out and pay us a visit. We will help you find the right camper, trailer, or motorhome for your camping adventure. Stop by today!