KOA Journey campgrounds offer the perfect oasis after a day on the road. Whether it’s along the way or a quick getaway, they’ve got you covered. Located near the highways and byways of North America with long Pull-thru RV Sites, they deliver convenience to the traveling camper. Pull in, ease back and take a load off.
KOA Journey campgrounds offer the perfect oasis after a day on the road. Whether it’s along the way or a quick getaway, they’ve got you covered. Located near the highways and byways of North America with long Pull-thru RV Sites, they deliver convenience to the traveling camper. Pull in, ease back and take a load off.
X marks the spot. Hwy 377 runs SW out of Ft. Worth to Brady and Hwy 6 runs SE from I20 to I35. Where those 2 highways cross just outside of Stephenville is Stephenville / Dublin KOA.
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The most obvious change when moving into an RV, especially if you’re coming from a house, is the downsizing that comes with it. Even if you snag a bus-sized RV, there’s no denying that physical space and constraints will be limiting, with far less storage and fewer amenities than a home, condo, or apartment. The more comfortable you are with a minimalist lifestyle, the easier the transition will be, but it can still be a shock to the system to sell or discard so many personal possessions. Of course, storing items is always an option, but renting a storage unit costs money you may not want to spend. Before making the leap, sift through everything you own — your clothes, your souvenirs, your kitchen gadgets, your entertainment items, etc. — and identify the absolute necessities only. Organize items into categories such as “to keep,” “to sell,” or “to toss,” which will help the transition feel less daunting.
Living on the open road requires a solid grasp of general navigation. After all, there’s no faster way to taint an RV experience than by constantly getting frustratingly lost, especially in remote areas with little to no cell service to help you re-route. That’s why preemptively downloading road trip apps – especially those that help with navigation – comes in handy. Most apps, like Roadtrippers and Gasbuddy, are free and easy to use — the former tells you fuel cost and distance, while the gas app helps you map out area gas stations by price. Google Maps and Waze are convenient navigation apps that’ll literally map out your best route, while Roadside America is more of a fun one that points out kitschy roadside quirks.
While big-city living rarely necessitates having cash, RV life is a different story. The main reasons: toll booths and laundromats. Shifting to RV living means you’ll be visiting laundromats more regularly, most of which still only accept change, so it’s always good to have a stockpile of coins. The same is true for tolls. Unless you’re gonna be in the same state for a long period of time (in which case investing in the state’s designated highway toll pass might be a worthwhile purchase), you’ll want to have more than enough cash in your pocket for those unexpected toll plazas.
For multiple reasons, it’s simply not possible to stay in a luxe RV park or campground every single night of your RV life. Not only would that be expensive, but if you’re journeying around at all, there will inevitably be lots of areas where such abodes don’t exist. That’s where boondocking enters the equation. It’s the term for parking your RV somewhere with no hookups or amenities, like at a gas station, rest stop, or certain Walmart parking lots that allow overnight parking. Sure, it’s not like you’re roughing it in the wilderness, but without connections to water or electricity, it’s a fairly primitive experience by RV standards. Beyond lights turning on, this means you’ll need to have some kind of outlet to plug into the front of the vehicle if you want to use anything else. You also likely won’t be able to use any pull-outs, so make sure that other sleeping areas (like couches) are comfortable and well-stocked with pillows and blankets. Also, regarding where boondocking is or isn’t allowed, it’s always best to ask when in doubt. This is particularly true of store parking lots, such as Walmart’s, as not all allow it.
An essential product for any vehicle, antifreeze is especially crucial for RV life. This is most notable when traveling through cold climates, as RVs are much more vulnerable to cold-weather damage than houses. If the temperature dips below freezing, for instance, this could really mess up the piping for your toilet, shower, and sink. To prevent pipes from freezing and causing a frigid headache, preemptively pour antifreeze down the drains before temperatures drop too low. You’ll thank yourself later.
In other cold-weather advice, a space heater is a great way to keep yourself cozy in those chillier-than-expected environments. Even though most RVs are equipped with heaters, there’s only so much they can do, especially if the forecast feels like a tundra — and especially if you’re boondocking with no hookups, more exposed to the elements. In those cases, it helps to have a backup heat source to help keep your living space warm. Other items to have on hand for potential cold weather include multiple blankets, coats, gloves, thick socks, heated blankets, and warm hats.
Just like adapting to laundromats and minimalism, one major adjustment to get used to is the shower situation. Many RV showers are small and claustrophobic, with water pressure that leaves much to be desired. It’s the kind of lackluster shower situation that’ll lower your standards and provide a newfound appreciation for gas station showers. If you’d rather use your RV shower only as an occasional backup, gas station showers can be a lifesaver with their much larger spaces, consistent water pressure, and amenities. Shower facilities are typically found at larger gas stations and truck stops and are usually clean and well-stocked. They cost a small fee, but it’s worth it for the comforts of a hot shower in a spacious room all to yourself.
Similarly, also consider shower options when booking your campground stays. Some campgrounds will offer no showers, while other options, like KOA campgrounds, will provide comfortable shower facilities.
As ubiquitous as fast-food restaurants and roadside eateries are when living in an RV, it’s probably not a good idea to eat every meal from a chain restaurant or gas station — it’ll add up quick, both in terms of expenses and calories. While a fine treat on occasion, try to stick to the habit of primarily eating healthy, which means stocking your fridge and cupboards with more wholesome snacks and meals that’ll keep you fueled, energized, and feeling good. Hummus, carrots, apples, nuts, cheeses, granola, and whole grains are good ideas, along with non-soda drinks. Especially when you consider how sedentary the RV lifestyle can be on long drives, you’ll want to eat things that won’t make you feel groggy, and provide you enough stamina for long hauls.
The #RVLife community has boomed in popularity in recent years, and it’s become a particular sensation on social media. Nowadays, there are many RVers who share their journeys — the good, the bad, and the ugly — on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok. Not only are these great first-person resources for folks to follow, but social media is a great way to make digital friends and potentially even meet new people in real life.
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