RVing does not mean that you have to give up the
perks of modern life. Well at least not all of them. Every year the comforts of
home become easier to accommodate while traveling in an RV as technologies
become smaller, cheaper and with wider array of products available. Here are
some creature comforts to consider incorporating into your RV adventures.
TVs and Speakers
We all love our TVs. The amazing large, flat,
and high definition displays available today bring the theater experience into
each of our homes. Unfortunately, that does not mean that your TV is ready for
an RV trip. Here a few entertainment solutions for your RV:
- TVs
designed for RVs. Most TVs are not designed for
an RV, and may potentially risk failure from the constant shaking or they
are difficult to install using the standard 12V wiring in RVs. Most TVs
designed for RVs leverage 12V power supplies and are 22” or less. Brands
such as Jensen and Supersonic make lines of TVs designed for RV use.
- Tablet
and bluetooth speaker. This combination usually
works well and can be repositioned throughout the RV and is also great for
playing music or audio content. Bluetooth speakers are great for their
portability, good sound quality, and ability to be recharged via USB.
Appliances:
Appliances make everyday tasks quicker and more
efficient. Many, if not most, of your favorite home appliances have a solution
tailored to RVs. Here’s a list of appliances to consider as you determine which
comforts of home to bring to your RV.
- Instant
pot:
This has been one of the top selling items of Amazon’s annual Prime Day
sales for the last two years. Combing pressure and slow-cooker features,
if you can only choose one time-saving kitchen appliance for your RV, pick
this one. Not only does the Instant Pot make cooking fast and convenient,
there is a significant community with recipes and tips to get the most
of your Instant Pot.
- Washer
and dryer:
For those of you that have not tried it, washing clothes by hand is hard
and time consuming. That may be what you’re looking for, but there are
also great washer and dryer options available for RVers.
There are two main categories to
choose from - vented/not vented and stackable/combo. Home washers/dryers
are vented, drawing in air from the outside. Non-vented washers/dryers are
easier to install if you do not already have a vent available. The second
category is whether you have one or two units. Stackable washer and dryers
are shorter and slimmer than home units and are designed to be stacked
inside an RV. The combo option has the washer and dryer
functionality in the same drum. Washer/dryer combos are very efficient
with space, but usually take longer and have smaller capacities.
- Dishwasher:
Clean dishes are a delight. Dirty dishes can be a nightmare. Dishwashers
bring a daily dose of delight that much closer. Depending on your RV and
how much space you have allocated to a dishwasher, there are a couple
types from which to choose. The countertop dishwasher is self-contained
and easy to install. The drawer and slim line types both should be
installed by a plumber and work similarly to your dishwasher at home.
Internet:
Having internet at your fingertips throughout
your RV trip is not as simple and affordable as one may hope. First, determine
if you need internet throughout the day (e.g. remote work) or if you can get by
with internet at times throughout the day.
Occasional
internet options:
- RV
park’s free Wi-Fi or signing up for a cable or DSL connection.
This option is often expensive and the Wi-Fi signal may need a boost in
your RV to receive adequate coverage. If you are relying on your RV park’s
Wi-Fi, ask them about Wi-Fi services and research online reviews to better
understand onsite performance.
- Cell-base
Internet solutions. Most cellular providers have
tiered data plans and pay-as-you go options also exist from providers like
Google’s Project Fi and Karma Wi-Fi Hotspot for around $10 / GB. Verizon
generally has the best coverage, but look at your carrier’s coverage maps
because other carriers may have coverage in the places you want to go.
All
day internet options:
- You
can use your cell phone plan for all-day internet.
Be sure to plan how much data you will need ahead of time to select and
budget for the right plan. Remember that even ‘unlimited data plans’ have
a throttling cut-off point where data transfer will begin to slow.
Additionally if you’re relying on your cell-signal for connectivity
throughout the day, consider purchasing a cell-signal booster or leverage
devices from multiple providers to ensure that you have signal in the
variety of areas you’ll be traveling.
- Satellite
internet. The seemingly ideal solution
is close but not quite there yet. Cost and limited options make satellite
internet less appealing now than it may be in the future. Currently, there
are not many providers working on developing more services, but this
option is likely to grow in the future as satellite costs decrease and
more providers develop.
Your RV is your second home, therefore,
it should look like your home. Take a few minutes to add some creature
comforts before going out on the road. At Nohr's RV, our staff understand the
importance of making sure you find an RV that can be your home away from home.
We work with our customers to understand their needs and find the best
solution for them. Stop by our RV Center today!
