Special to The Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show-August 2023
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world saw a seismic shift in how we perceive work, travel, and the intersection of both. Amidst lockdowns and a great deal of introspection, the allure of the open road became not just a dream but a viable lifestyle option for many. The RV trend was already gaining traction, but post-COVID, it accelerated at an astonishing pace. As highlighted in the 2023 Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show, the number of remote workers embracing the RV life has surged.
Let’s delve into why:
1. The Allure of the Open Road
RVs have long represented the epitome of freedom. They symbolize the romantic ideal of cruising through vast landscapes, visiting picturesque locales, and waking up to new horizons every day. Now, combine this with the ability to maintain a stable income and you have a truly enviable lifestyle.
2.Embracing Remote Work
With the pandemic forcing companies to adapt to remote work, many businesses found that employees could maintain or even increase productivity from home. This shift in paradigm opened the door for many to consider alternative workspaces – like an RV.
3. A Safer Way to Travel
In a world where travel restrictions and safety concerns were paramount, RVs presented a controlled environment for families and individuals. The ability to maintain social distancing norms while exploring new locales made RVing an attractive choice2.
4.Technology: The Enabler
The technological boom of the last decade is the real MVP behind this trend. High-speed mobile internet, cloud computing, collaboration tools, and digital communication platforms have made it possible to work from virtually anywhere. As long as you have a good internet connection, you’re good to go!
5. Mental Health and Wellbeing
The mental toll of prolonged lockdowns was considerable. For many, the RV lifestyle provided an escape, a way to change surroundings while adhering to safety protocols, thus contributing positively to mental well-being.
6. Diverse Community
Head to any RV park, and you’ll find an eclectic mix of remote workers, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and more. This community is supportive, diverse, and offers numerous networking opportunities. After all, your neighbor might just be your next big client or business partner!
7. Redefining Work-Life Balance
The blending of work and leisure, made possible by remote work policies adopted during the pandemic, found its zenith in the RV lifestyle. People could clock out and immediately immerse themselves in nature or a new cityscape.
7. Challenges Amid Opportunities
However, the boom also came with challenges. The sudden influx of RV travelers meant that many popular destinations were crowded, leading to issues related to sustainability and over-tourism. Furthermore, while remote work was widely accepted, not all jobs transitioned smoothly to the RV environment.
Reliable internet connectivity, power sources, and creating a conducive work environment within the limited RV space are some issues remote workers face. However, with the array of products and services showcased at events like the Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show, solutions are more accessible than ever.
In Conclusion:
The post-COVID world brought challenges and paradigm shifts in equal measure. For many, it also brought the freedom to redefine what a work-life could look like. The RV revolution isn’t just a trend—it’s a testament to human adaptability and the ever-evolving definitions of work and leisure.
Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show – February 29th-March 3rd, 2024
As we get close to celebrating “Canada Day” this weekend, we share our thoughts on what we will cherish this Canada Day.
Canada Day is not only a time to reflect on our nation’s history and heritage but also an opportunity to embrace the great outdoors, connect with our community, and embark on unforgettable adventures. As Canadians, we are truly blessed with breathtaking natural landscapes, and we should always cherish the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the beauty that surrounds us, especially here in our Province of Ontario.
From the tranquil lakes to lush forests, Ontario offers the perfect playground for outdoor enthusiasts like us. Whether it’s getting on the road in our RV, out in the wilderness, hiking along scenic trails, or simply unwinding by a campfire under the starlit sky with friends, embrace the serenity of nature on this special day. Whether it’s roasting marshmallows around a crackling campfire, sharing stories, or falling asleep to the sounds of nature, camping allows us to disconnect from the demands of everyday life and reconnect with what and with who that truly matters.
Canada Day should be a time when our communities come together to celebrate and foster a sense of togetherness and a time to reflect on our nation’s heritage and celebrate the values that define us as Canadians. The traditions, history, and cultural richness that have shaped our great nation for many generations should be cherished and passed along to our children.
Canada Day also serves as a reminder of the freedoms and democratic values we hold. Cherish this day by reflecting on the privileges we enjoy as Canadians and expressing gratitude for the rights and opportunities afforded to us. It is also a time to remember those who have fought for our freedom and to recommit ourselves to upholding the principles of equality, justice, and inclusivity.
On this Canada Day, we will cherish the gift of nature, the sense of community amongst us, and the spirit of adventure that defines us.
On behalf of the Big RV Show Team, Happy Canada Day to you all, and may this day be a testament to your love for the outdoors, our shared heritage, and the enduring spirit of exploration that makes our community truly exceptional.
Signed,
Shannon & Shane
From our family to yours, we’d like to wish you a happy holiday season!
RVing during the Halloween season is a great way to see fall spread across the US. The leaves changing colors, crisp, cool air, and morning frost add to the autumn ambiance. The natural beauty is wonderful, but it’s nice to add a little “pumpkin spice” to your RV and campsite as well. If you are one of those people that LOVES to decorate, but don’t want to clutter your RV or use too much storage space, here are some fun Halloween décor ideas that are easily packed and don’t take up much room.
Inflatable decorations are great because when blown up, they can be pretty big. When you want to pack up camp and hit the road, however, they deflate, are folded up, and easily stored. You can find inflatable pumpkins, ghosts, black cats, and more! Just make sure you have a reliable source of electricity and you’re ready to go.
A classic, yet simple decorating idea is cobwebs with spiders. Fake cobwebs are super cheap and very easy to pack. Just drape them on and around your RV or on surrounding plants and trees. Throw on a few plastic spiders and you’re all set. Just remember to clean them up when you leave and check your campground’s rules before adding anything to the surrounding plants and be aware of the effect your decorations could have on any local wildlife.
Paper lanterns are a great way to light up your campsite for Halloween. You can use store-bought lanterns or make your own. It can be a fun, family activity cutting out silly faces and shapes out of paper bags and then placing them around the campsite at night. It’s important to remember to use electric candles, not real ones. Once you leave the campsite, you can either fold them up and store them or recycle them.
Crashing Witch
You’ve probably seen the silly witch crashing into a tree decoration in the past. Why not put one on your RV or a nearby tree? The great thing about this funny idea is that the witch is already flat, so you can easily store her during travel!
Outdoor lighting is always needed at campsites, so why not make it spooky? You can find strings of light-up hanging pumpkins, ghosts, fall leaves, you name it! As long as your campsite has electricity, these are a great idea to hang either on the outside of your RV or around the site.
Look out! Crime scene ahead! Oh, wait…it’s just your campsite. Caution tape is a cheap, easy decoration that takes up next to no space. It also adds a slasher film vibe to your spooky campsite. As with the other decorations, just make sure to clean it up and take it down before leaving the campsite.
A fall wreath is a less spooky, but cute, fall decoration for any RV. If you do want to stick with a scarier theme, you can most likely find one with skulls, spiders, and other Halloween spooks at any store that sells home goods or seasonal decorations. This is another fun craft for the kids too if you want to make one yourself.
You can add an eerie glow to your haunted campsite with outdoor colored lighting. Some need to be plugged in to an outlet, however you can find battery operated ones as well. Green, purple, or orange, choose your favorite fall color(s) and light up your RV!
What’s that sticking out of the ground? Oh, that’s just Mr. bones reaching up from his grave. Another easy and very spooky idea for decorating the campsite is to have skeleton parts sticking out of the earth. They are easily stored and all you have to do is stick them in the ground wherever you want. You can even make a bone graveyard in front of your RV! Add some tomb stones to go the extra mile but make sure to check your campground’s rules about leaving items around your campsite.
Ingredients:
12 pound Turkey
Olive Oil
Salt
Black Pepper
Turkey Seasonings (thyme, sage, garlic, onion)
Cheesecloth, Aluminum Foil
Start the campfire with hardwood logs like oak, hickory or hard maple. Let it burn for at least one hour to develop a large supply of glowing coals. Make sure the turkey is completely thawed. Rub oil thoroughly on the exterior and interior of turkey. Sprinkle liberally with salt, pepper and other seasonings.
While the campfire is burning to coals, dig a hole six inches larger than the turkey all the way around. Wrap the oiled, seasoned turkey generously with cheesecloth, then with four layers of aluminum foil sealing as tightly as possible.
Rake or shovel two inches of coals into the bottom of the pit. Place the turkey on top of them. Fill the space around the turkey with coals to about two inches above the bird, then top off the pit with earth.
Time three hours then remove the soil and ash on top of the package. Insert the probe of the thermometer through the foil and cheesecloth to check the internal temperature of the breast. Make sure it’s at least 165F, then carefully remove from pit and set aside for 20 minutes.
Open pack and begin carving!
Enjoy!
Whether you’re a newbie to RV living or a seasoned RVer, you’ll want to stay on top of maintenance so you can enjoy your RV investment for many years to come. Exterior maintenance is a great place to start. We’ve got you covered with this handy checklist of maintenance tips to keep your RV exterior in top shape.
1. WASH your RV exterior after each trip
A sponge wash with mild soap and water rinse does the trick. But make sure you wash your RV exterior regularl, ideally, after you return from each trip. Be careful to prevent condensation and avoid spraying water directly into appliance vents.
2. WAX or apply a protectant to your RV exterior
Wax on, wax off ‘ channel your inner Karate Kid and apply a coat of good quality wax or protectant to your RV exterior. This can be a time-consuming task ‘ depending on the size of your RV ‘ but it’s well worth the effort. Make sure the exterior is dry before you start waxing and spot-test on a small area of graphics before widespread application. Check to ensure that the wax is appropriate for use on the type of exterior on your RV.
3. CLEAN your awning and keep it dry for storage
Before you roll up your RV awning for storage, clean it well with mild soap and water, and lubricate moving parts with silicon spray. When you roll it up, ensure that the awning is in the ‘lock’ position.
4. INSPECT any sealed areas thoroughly to prevent water damage
Your RV is out and about in the elements day-after-day on your adventures throughout the seasons. You’ll want to make sure that your RV exterior – including the roof, sides, edges, windows, doors, vents, end caps, moldings, compartments and underside – are sealed off and doing their job to protect the interior from potential water damage, mice or other rodents. Look for any gaps, openings or areas with aged sealant and re-caulk if necessary. Make sure to use the appropriate sealant and when in doubt, ask your RV dealer or manufacturer for advice.
5. LUBRICATE all hinges, locks and moving parts
No one likes a creaky door or window or compartment for that matter. Lubricating hinges and moving parts and all locks with a graphite spray lubricant is an easy maintenance step that takes only a couple of minutes. Lubricate your slide-out rails a couple of time a year to stop rust and corrosion.
6. COVER outside vents to keep the critters (and condensation) away
Keep the insects out and prevent nesting by installing plastic bags or covers on outside vents (furnace, refrigerator, water heater) for long-term storage. Buy a proper A/C cover (versus using a plastic bag) and cover your air conditioning unit to avoid condensation during storage.
7. STORE INDOORS, if possible
In the winter months, you’ll want to periodically check for snow accumulation and remove ice/snow from the RV exterior. Ideally, store your RV indoors when not in use as this will provide some extra protection from the elements.
Always park on solid, dry ground when storing. It’s also a good idea to leave a gap in your tarp. When covering the unit with a plastic tarp make sure to leave an air gap between the roof and tarp for air circulation. Without this, condensation might cause more damage than rain and snow.
8. COVER YOUR ROOF, if possible
RV roofs are especially susceptible to sun and environmental damage. Unfortunately, we often forget about our roofs because we don’t get up there regularly, which can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs. The best thing you can do to prevent this is store your RV under a steel RV carport or traditional RV cover. If you’re a full-timer, you will want to climb up and clean the roof regularly.
