Editor’s Note: The views, recommendations and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Leisure Travel Vans.

The choice can seem daunting when narrowing down your options for a Leisure Travel Van floorplan. Wonder or Unity? Slide or no slide? To Murphy bed or not to Murphy bed? A few factors played a large role in our decision–we both needed a workspace, as much kitchen counter space as feasibly possible, and large enough tank space to boondock regularly.

We decided on the Unity Rear Lounge because it checked off our most important need–separation of space. This layout made the most sense for our lifestyle since we live, work, and travel in our RV most of the year. After over two years of owning and living in our Unity Rear Lounge, below is an overview of our favorite and least favorite things about our LTV and this floorplan.

A Few of Our Favorite Things

Layout

Fundamentally the Rear Lounge layout sealed our decision to purchase an LTV. One of us typically works in the front dining space, while the other works in the rear lounge. We purchased two separate Lagun tables to mount in both areas, so working simultaneously is a breeze.

The door to the shower serves double time as a room divider when we are both on calls. While the door is not noise canceling, it offers a substantial enough buffer to avoid being distracted by a simultaneous meeting or call.

Additionally, if one of us wants to rest while the other is working, we can lay on the couch or pull down the Murphy bed without impacting the other’s workspace. Most importantly, the bedroom, which in our previous RV would go unused most of the day, can be put away so that we can comfortably stay in a compact size while traveling without it feeling any more compact than our 30ft travel trailer.

Rear Lounge office with a view!

Work from bed or take a nap…so many options!

The lounge also acts as a great workout space. I can roll out my yoga mat at an angle and do yoga and body weight exercises using the smart TV. Typically, I use my Peloton app from the TV to follow along with workouts. I am 5’4″, and while my fingers sometimes touch the ceiling, it is enough space to complete 95% of the moves.

Finally, the small attention to detail makes me appreciate this layout. The wine storage in the lounge is great because I never have to find clever spaces to store my wine bottles during transit. The mirror in the bathroom that also doubles as a window shade allows for light and privacy when needed. The pull-out pantry allows me to store many staples without impacting the drawer and cabinet space.

Exterior Fresh Tank Fill

It seems like a funny thing to love about your RV, but we always use the fresh water tank hose from the outside. In our previous rig, we would have to carry heavy jugs and tilt them into our water fill which was quite strenuous. This setup, however, makes filling up your water tank when you don’t have a water spigot around so easy and convenient.

We have several collapsible 5.5-gallon water jugs we will fill up when we go to town. This allows us to stay in our campsite without relocating (we have a vehicle that we tow) when we are remote camping. Additionally, the exterior water fill also makes winterizing your LTV incredibly simple. We just put the hose in the jug of antifreeze and run it through the plumbing—such a small detail, but we love how LTV thought of this.

Extra Counter Space

My biggest concern about transitioning to a smaller RV was the amount of counter space in the kitchen. The kitchen is small, but the counter that drops over the dining seat doubles the counter space available for prepping meals. It can be folded back up when you are not using the kitchen, so it doesn’t impact your ability to dine comfortably. Some of the other LTV models don’t have this much additional counter space, so I appreciate this about the Rear Lounge.

An abundant amount of counter space that flips down from the wall and stows away when not in use.

Abundance of Light

The amount of light that shines through our Rear Lounge is wonderful. The pop-up skylight in the dining area is great for bringing in a substantial amount of light but also allows for additional airflow. But the most fantastic display of natural light comes in from the lounge area.

The large double windows bring all of the outdoor scenery indoors. My only wish is that the double windows would be on the passenger side of the coach. Since RV hookups are on the driver’s side with the double windows, your view is of your utility center if you are in an RV park. Also, when boondocking, we typically face the passenger side towards the best view because we can set up our chairs and awning on that side.

The Wonder Rear Lounge has double windows on the passenger side, making our decision between the Wonder and the Unity more difficult. Finally, a shower with a skylight above makes it feel much larger–when you’re under trees; it makes you feel like you’re in an outdoor shower. It’s a magical way to enjoy a shower despite the petite size.

Skylight and windows galore!

Floor-to-ceiling windows in an RV!

Easy-to-Clean Finishes

As an owner of two dogs with delicate stomachs, it’s comforting to know that no matter the accident, everything can be cleaned without leaving permanent damage. No carpet or fabric will absorb any splatters or spills. The floor is vacuumed and wiped down easily.

The Ultraleather® is also incredibly durable and easy to clean. We opted for the lightest Ultraleather® color, and while it does get dirty easily, it cleans up nicely with a wet microfiber towel. Window screens pop off (don’t need to be unscrewed) to spray down the windows. I find that it is a misconception that you spend less time when you are in your RV cleaning since it is a smaller space. Every space is well trafficked, and thus you are cleaning more often. I’m relieved that while cleaning up often, everything is designed with simple maintenance.

Just to note, this isn’t unique to the Rear Lounge–all of the LTV floorplans use easy-to-clean materials, and it’s a HUGE positive.

The Pain in the Rear…Lounge

While everything is nearly perfect in our Rear Lounge, there are some opportunities that I hope LTV takes into consideration for future models.

Toilet

Probably strange to have this as the first thing you dislike about your RV, but the toilet is the only thing I dislike. The layout requires a macerator toilet since the black tank does not sit directly below. The macerator toilet can use a substantial amount of water to flush, even on the lowest water setting. I find it often requires multiple flushes to get everything down. I also found that I often scrub to keep it clean. Making fixes can be difficult because of the way it’s mounted. There’s only a few inches of clearance to squeeze your hand in if you need to tighten anything.

The High Point Is a Low Point for Us

We do not use a microwave, but the High Point Microwave Convection oven struggles to brown and crisp foods. I wish there were an option for an oven in the LTV or to use the enclosure for the microwave as storage instead. We have taken this into our own hands by removing the unit and using the space as an additional kitchen cabinet.

Our new cabinet in place of the High Pointe Microwave/Convection Oven

Lagun Table Will Droop over Time

We have had to replace the leg bushings on our Lagun table legs a few times because the table top began drooping. We are careful not to put excessive weight on the table, but normal use will cause it to droop within a few months. Replacing the bushing is incredibly difficult; otherwise, we would do it more often since the part is only a few bucks. There is some opportunity for the table to be lighter and the part to be made of metal or stronger material.

Tiny Bladder

The holding tank in the Unity Rear Lounge is only 25 gallons, about half of our previous travel trailer. With normal conservation, we can typically go three days before filling the tank, which isn’t long. Ideally, we would like to get closer to 5-6 days. While this isn’t ideal, the exterior fresh tank fill makes it so easy to refill using our water jugs that it’s not a deal breaker. It just requires additional planning when camping off-grid for extended periods.

Dometic Multi(com)plex

Overall, I like the Dometic Multiplex system. It’s easy to use and nice to have all of the functions of the RV at your fingertips from the panels and app. My primary complaint is that it would be nice to have some light switches quickly accessible, at least in the restroom and the entry. When I’m carrying a load of groceries into the Leisure Travel Van, I’d like to be able to easily press a button instead of navigating to the RV light panel and scrolling through the extensive lighting options to select the one I want.

On another positive note, I like the many panels throughout the motorhome for accessibility purposes. As of the time this post was written, LTV has moved away from this system and has some easier, more accessible light switches.

Ultimately, we’re really happy with the design and build quality of the Leisure Travel Van Rear Lounge. It suits our unique needs, and we’ve managed to boondock for upwards of 10 days in the most beautiful places only accessible with our size RV. On top of that, we were able to comfortably work, sleep, eat, and recreate from those places. We’re incredibly grateful to our LTV for providing us with the well-functioning tools to make this all possible.

Editor’s Note: This post is written by a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

Editor’s Note: This post is written by a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

Ready to hit the road in an RV? This short and hopefully useful beginner’s guide provides essential tips to ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and memorable RVing experience. From choosing the right floorplan to mastering RV maintenance, preparing your packing list, understanding campground etiquette, and prioritizing safety, you’ll soon be confidently navigating your RV adventure.

Choosing the Right RV Floorplan

Your RV is your home on wheels, so choosing the right floorplan is crucial. Leisure Travel Vans come in a wide variety of options, and understanding your needs will help you decide which is best for you. Most LTV floorplans can only accommodate two people due to the number of seatbelts. If you are looking for a family-friendly floorplan with four seatbelts, check out the Unity Rear Lounge or Unity Corner Bed, or if you are leaning towards a Ford chassis, check out the Wonder Rear Twin Bed and Wonder Rear Lounge.

Need a lot of outdoor storage? Then the Rear Lounge floorplan of both the Unity and the Wonder offers good storage space. The Wonder Rear Twin Bed even has a bike garage! But keep in mind this class of RVs offers smaller storage than most, so a trade-off is needed when looking at small Class C (B+) RVs.

There are so many options for floor plans, so do your research to find the right fit for you.

Take your time exploring the different Unity and Wonder floorplans, designs, and features. Try to visit RV shows or dealerships to get a firsthand look and feel of various models.

When Janet and I were first looking at Leisure Travel Vans, we were leaning toward the Rear Twin Bed from watching the videos; however, once we walked in one and then the FX, we were sold on the FX. So seeing some in person is an excellent way to cement your floorplan decision.

Understanding RV Maintenance

An RV is a significant investment, and its longevity and performance largely depend on regular maintenance. Every part of your RV requires care and attention, from mechanical aspects to living areas. Under the hood, routine checks of the engine, tires, and brakes are crucial. Remember to regularly change your oil and other engine fluids according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Keep an eye on tire pressure to ensure safe and efficient driving. Be sure to check out my recent story on tire safety to keep you on the road rather than on the side of it.

Checking your tire’s air pressure and condition before every drive day is a valuable habit for safe travels.

Regarding your RV’s living quarters, ensure you sanitize your fresh tanks, change your in-house water filter and use a black tank additive like Happy Camper to keep your RV’s plumbing system at its finest. Another thing to do is regularly clean your air conditioning filters and look for loose drawer glides or hinges. You have a traveling earthquake, and making sure nothing is going to fall out makes it easier than repairing it.

For those not mechanically inclined, consider enrolling in an RV maintenance course (YouTube is an excellent source for information and for free!) or having your dealer check out your rig at various times. It’s better to prevent problems than to deal with expensive repairs down the line.

It’s also smart to read up on RV electricity, so you have some basic knowledge of how your rig operates. Educate yourself on where your fuse boxes are, understand how your RV gets power, and how to troubleshoot if needed.

Packing Essentials for Your RV

Packing for an RV trip requires thoughtful preparation. It’s not just about bringing clothes and food; it’s about ensuring you have the tools and items to make your journey comfortable and trouble-free. As I said earlier, an LTV is a small space with limited storage and weight limits, so bring only what your rig can handle weight-wise.

Consider dividing your packing list into categories like kitchen supplies, personal items, outdoor gear, and RV equipment. For the kitchen, besides food, you’ll need cookware, utensils, and cleaning supplies. Personal items should include clothing suitable for changing weather conditions, sunscreen, and a bag full of quarters for the laundromat.

Storage is at a premium with small Class C RVs, so packing strategically will pay dividends! (Unity Twin Bed pictured)

Depending on your activities, your outdoor gear could consist of camping chairs, a portable grill, hiking equipment, or fishing gear. For RV equipment, don’t forget the necessary tools for small repairs, spare parts like fuses, leveling blocks, and power adapters. Robertson screwdrivers are a must-carry if you own an LTV. LTV is a Canadian company, so you won’t find many Phillips or flathead screws. Check out our must-haves and essentials for a one-stop list of what we carry in our LTV.

To sum up, always remember that it’s easy to get something you may need on the road rather than pack your rig full of stuff you will never use. Remember, weight affects fuel efficiency and safety, so aim to bring only what you need. I suggest going on a trip with the bare minimum and seeing what you will truly use or wish you had.

Campground Etiquette

Campgrounds are shared spaces, and following campground etiquette is key to ensuring a pleasant stay for everyone. Keep noise levels low, especially during quiet hours, typically from 10:00 pm – 8:00 am, respect boundaries and don’t walk through others’ campsites, and always clean up after yourself and your pets if you have them along.

Remember the golden rule of camping: leave no trace. This means leaving your site as pristine as you found it, packing out all trash, and avoiding damage to natural features. It’s considerate to the next campers and helps preserve the environment. Also, if you don’t have to use your generator, don’t. If you are in close proximity to other campers, generator noise is one way to ensure you aren’t making any friends.

There are a lot of great people at campgrounds. You will find most of them love to talk about their rigs!

Safety Tips for a Smooth RVing Experience

Safety should always be a top priority in RV travel. Driving an RV requires constant alertness and making sure you have plenty of time and distance to make any sudden lane changes or exit ramps. If you’re not used to driving large vehicles, take an RV driving course to learn about maneuvering, parking, and dealing with different road conditions. Always be aware of the weather, and be ready to adjust your plans if necessary. Having a weather radio or app can be beneficial. We carry a WX battery-powered radio to be on the safe side.

Your RV should be equipped with a well-stocked first aid kit, and it’s wise to familiarize yourself with basic first aid procedures. Always know the location of the nearest medical facility to your campsite. Wildlife interactions, bike accidents, or even a twisted ankle from a rogue rock on your hiking trail can make a medical visit necessary.

Fire safety is paramount. Ensure your RV has a fire extinguisher and smoke and CO detectors, and check their condition regularly. Never leave cooking unattended, and make sure your campfire is completely out before leaving it or going to bed.

Lastly, when leaving your RV unattended, ensure it’s secure. Lock all doors and windows, keep valuable items out of sight, or take them with you. We opted for the optional safe in our LTV, and we keep some extra cash and essentials in case our rig is ever broken into. Even in nice campgrounds, sticky fingers can find their way to your RV or electric bike.

The optional safe in a Leisure Travel Van is a great way to safely store valuables while on the road.

Understanding OCCC & GVWR

OCCC stands for Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capacity. It is the maximum weight of occupants, cargo, and water that can be safely carried in an RV. The GVWR, or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, is the maximum weight of the RV itself, including all passengers, cargo, and water. GCWR stands for Gross COMBINED Weight Rating, which dictates how much weight you can tow as well as carry. The OCCC is important because it helps ensure an RV is not overloaded. Overloading an RV can cause a number of problems, including:

• Reduced fuel efficiency
• Increased wear and tear on the vehicle
• Increased risk of accidents
• Inability to tow a trailer or tow car

The OCCC is different from the GVWR because it does not include the vehicle’s weight. For example, an RV with a GVWR of 11,030 pounds and an OCCC of 1,500 pounds can safely carry 11,030 pounds. The OCCC is the sum of GVWR minus factory curb weight. You can find this information on the door jamb of your RV. For example, our 2020 Unity FX has a GVWR of 11,030 pounds and an OCCC of 1,502 pounds. This means our LTV, without any cargo or people, weighs 9,528 pounds. It is important to note that the OCCC is only a maximum weight. It is not recommended to load an RV to its maximum capacity. Instead, it is best to leave some margin for error. This will help ensure the RV is safe to drive and operate. Here are some tips for staying within the OCCC:

• Weigh your RV after you’ve loaded it. Many truck stops have easy-to-use CAT scales. If you are over the GVWR, offload some cargo to stay in the safety zone.
• Pack light–only bring the essentials with you.
• Store cargo evenly throughout the RV. This will help to distribute the weight evenly.
• Fill your fresh water tanks only when necessary. (We travel with about 30% full fresh)

At the end of the day, stepping into the world of RVing might seem overwhelming, but with preparation and understanding, it becomes an enriching and liberating adventure. Remember to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Happy RVing!

Editor’s Note: The views, recommendations and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Leisure Travel Vans.

Note: Some links may be from the Pagosa Adventures Amazon Influencer Page

In case you missed the first part of this series, go read Mark’s first story, Wonder-ful Space-Saving Hacks.

Since October 2020, we’ve made three 7-week trips with our two large, furry Great Pyrenee mixes. We’ve totaled 22,000 miles from our home in Tennessee through 18 states—from the shore of Lake Superior in the north to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Rio Grande in Texas to the Rockies in Wyoming; on interstates, state highways, winding hilly two-lanes, dirt, and gravel. We’ve stayed in national parks, state parks, city parks, national forest campgrounds, dispersed camping, recreation areas, Harvest Hosts, parking lots, on the side of the highway, in driveways, streets, and of course; even RV parks. Throughout these travels, we have found products that have helped us travel and camp even better.

Outside

1. We found 18” Nite Ize Gear Ties to be really useful, especially for securing the fresh water hose and 30 amp external power cable. Some people recommend Cable Cuffs. We tried them first, but they were too small for these uses. The Gear Ties’ size, flexibility, and bright color have been an advantage. We now have more for other uses, like long dog leashes and extension cords.
2. Clear2O 2-stage water filter system. It’s not as cheap as the single cartridges, but it does a much better job of cleaning up the water you add to your freshwater tanks, and to me, it eliminated the need for another expensive filtration system. The Clear 20 inline filter works in tandem with a first-stage sediment pre-filter—they simply screw together for normal use, and it is compatible with other brands of inline filters if you needed to substitute. When packing up, to avoid leaking in the storage compartment, I empty excess water from the inside of the pre-filter by unscrewing the lid. I detach and shake the water out of the inline filter, then reattach everything before putting it away with the hose in the rear side compartment. The sediment filter can be used for 6 months if you clean it by backwashing—you’ll be amazed at how brown it starts to turn from the gunk it catches. The inline carbon block filter should be replaced every three months of use.
3. Inline water pressure regulator. Easy-to-use and reasonably priced We have not found that we needed an adjustable regulator with a gauge, but the ease of use makes it a no-brainer regarding water safety. The order of connection for me is: City water outlet > pressure regulator > Clear20 filter > water hose > Wonder.
   
4. Some influencers recommend using a quick-release connector for the freshwater hose input connection. We tried them, but they didn’t work for us because of the angle and the limited space where you connect the hose for city water. Perhaps we didn’t get it angled correctly, but our quick connects are now in use in the backyard at home. I don’t mind screwing on the freshwater hose to the Wonder as I can make sure that the inlet to the Wonder’s freshwater tanks is screwed tightly then as well because I’ve noticed it getting loose from time to time.
5. Lynx leveling blocks for leveling at the campsite. We got a set of 10. It’s rare that we use more than that, but from time to time, we wish we had an additional four blocks so we could build a pyramid. Instead, we sometimes just stack two blocks and drive up the stack. It works. We keep the blocks in the small side compartment behind the coach entry door. I understand the ease factor of an automatic leveling system, but I’m not sure I can justify the cost difference even if it came factory installed.
6. We got a Hughes Power Watchdog 30 external surge protector—the basic model. We know there’s a surge protector built into the Wonder (under the seat behind the driver’s seat), so it’s possible we didn’t need this additional unit. However, you can’t read that one very easily. With the external unit, we can be sure no bad power gets any farther than where this surge protector plugs into the power pedestal, and we can see if there are any issues with the power as soon as we plug the unit in—before we attach our 30-amp cable to the Wonder. There are a couple of great choices on the market, and this one is what we got for the best price at the time; plus, its internal module is replaceable if it triggers. You don’t have to toss the entire unit and start over.
7. Everybody has a patio mat, and we’ve gone through three. We forgot and left the first while hurrying through a dump process because we had a line of RVs behind us. Then we got the only one left at the nearest Wal-Mart, and it turned out to be too big, so we returned it. Patio mat number three is a 6′ × 9′, which is the real tip to pass along. It’s large enough for setting up outside the entrance (as was our 8′ × 12′). But this size fits nicely into the long, upper rear compartment where we keep our hoses and cables. It folds flat enough to put on top of them without much difficulty. All this stuff gets handled in most arrivals and departures. Having it together makes the process smoother.
8. Weber Q1000 portable LP grill. It fits underneath the driver’s side front storage compartment, with the lid removed. I haven’t yet figured out if or how to get the grill to work with the Wonder’s included propane line and connector. Apparently, since the built-in line is regulated and the grill is, they don’t work together too. So we just use the small Coleman-style propane bottles that screw into the grill. They fit easily around the base of the grill in the same compartment.
9. Saving space is always an issue. We had an extra collapsible hose for use at home, and it has worked very well on the Wonder as a hose for our San-t-flush. We store it on top of the macerator hose so we can get to it easily whenever we dump and have time to rinse the black tank. 25′ has usually been enough.
   
10. A digital tire pressure gauge has proven to be so much more accurate and easier to use than my old-fashioned stick-type. This model has several extra features that recommend it—lights, seat belt cutter, and glass breaker. But the basic function of an easy-to-read tire pressure gauge is the best reason to have it.
11. After three trips in which I had to look for help with inflating the inside tires on my rear dual wheels, I got the VIAIR Portable Air Compressor. It isn’t small or light, but it has the capacity needed to fill the tires on the Wonder. I think it will be of great use in checking my tire pressure cold before driving and making sure I can top off inflation when necessary. I’ve already used it several times on cars at home and hope it will be a good investment, especially at a sale price from Amazon.

Inside

1. We bought three “Waterhog” floormats from L. L. Bean. Two of them are typical welcome mat-sized, 23″ × 35″. We put one on the floor at the top of the steps, where it catches dirt from entering AND in the kitchen, and another in the rear lounge. The third is a longer, 2’6″ × 6′ runner, which fits extremely well in the hallway connecting the kitchen to the rear lounge. They all have a rubberized backing, so they don’t tend to slip, but we can slide them around for best placement. They can be easily vacuumed (which we do daily), removed and shaken, or hosed for deeper cleaning. They catch dirt, grass, and fur from the dogs, and they often use them for sleeping. Plus, they add a bit of insulation for our feet on chilly nights. They roll them compactly for storage, are very durable, and come in a variety of designs and colors to fit your taste. We got one with mountains, another with two dogs, and a runner with trees.
2. We wanted a different silverware drawer organizer than the one that came with our Wonder. We looked online at the options and chose this one. Obviously, everyone has their own tastes and needs for space in the top drawer. This works well for us and gives us some room on the side and in the back for longer knives, spoons, can openers, corkscrews, and other gear.
   
   
3. Bissell portable, corded vacuum. We really tried to avoid buying stuff in general and particularly items that required more power and storage space. So we first traveled with a broom for sweeping the floors, plus a pet fur brush and shaking for the rugs. After two long trips and part of a third, I was fed up! The nearest Walmart came to the rescue, where we found our vacuum. Once again, there are lots of options on the market, but we wanted one that was corded and not battery powered, relatively compact, and would do well with all the dog fur. We now use it every day and store it in the shower. It is so much easier to clean the floor now! We also carry a small whisk broom for the entry steps and the front area floors.
4. Air Purifier. We bought a small, plug-in ozone air purifier that we leave in the kitchen outlet near the TV. We turn it on for a while after we cook something with a strong smell or when the dogs are damp. It is adjustable, creates a faint smell of ozone, which is claimed to bind with the odor particles (it’s not a fragrance-based air freshener) and makes a slight pleasant hissing noise. The model we have apparently is no longer available, but other small air purifiers like this look similar.
   
   
5. Command hooks that closely match the factory-installed coat hooks just inside the door. We put them up on the panel above the light controls as a good place to hang keys and hats, and we use the other hooks for jackets that hang further down. There are many types available on Amazon for you to choose from.
6. Headlamps have been very useful for nighttime set-ups or trips outside the vehicle with the dogs or to the bathroom. Ours are Black Diamond, five years old from REI on sale, but there are many options. Besides the variety of brightness settings, a nice feature is a red-light option, which doesn’t hamper night vision as much. They fit nicely in the little square space above the door, to the right of the inverter controller.
   
   
7. We got a handheld squeegee from Bed, Bath, & Beyond. We use it to wipe down the walls and floor of the shower when condensation is a concern or for moving excess water into the drain and keeping areas from getting soap scum and water deposit buildup. We also use it at the front of the vehicle to wipe off the condensation that builds up on the inside of the windshield overnight. Otherwise, it takes the defroster a long time to clear the glass enough to drive. We also like to keep an absorbent rag close by in one of the many dash storage areas to wipe the squeegee dry. This isn’t a perfect or streak-free fix, but it gets us going faster.
8. Enzyme-based RV digest-it liquid tank treatment. It’s simple to use—no mixing of powders, and we just pour a measure down the toilet to add it to the black tank after every dump. Everyone agrees that holding tanks work (and smell) best with a treatment to help prevent odors and break down waste. We’ve tried to avoid strong chemicals, and a bottle of RV digest-it liquid usually lasts us a full trip and longer. Others have recommended Happy Campers or Thank Tank. Again, there are numerous brands to try.
9. It’s been very helpful to have Reflectix windshield, and side window fitted covers for the Ford Transit 350 chassis. We got these covers after trying the privacy curtain to offer a little extra insulation and easier installation. More, they give us and our dogs access to a bit more of the front space than the curtain, and they keep the dogs from peeking underneath the curtain and seeing things to bark at in the early morning! These shades roll up for storage and press-fit pretty well into the windows—no snaps or magnets to install. We also bought a 10′ × 2′ roll of Reflectix Foil Insulation and cut pieces to fit the cabin windows and fan openings for offseason storage. Our primary purpose was to reduce sun wear through the windows, and it worked. If we were winter camping, these pieces might be valuable enough to warrant the space they would take for their improved insulation.
   
10. I visited the local auto parts store to pick up an assortment of fuses that might be needed—so far, they haven’t been. Look at the fusebox chart in the owners’ manual to see what you might need to replace, then get some extras.
11. If you are dry camping, chances are you will want some extra water even if you conserve. Instead of buying bottles, we got a set of four 2.5-gallon collapsible water bottles. With these, you aren’t discarding plastic bottles; they are lighter to carry than the larger versions and collapse for storage under the rear bench when you don’t need them. When traveling with them filled, we put them in the shower in case there’s a leak.
12. Finding small cookware with multiple uses is challenging in limited kitchen space. We use a wok a lot, so the Lodge 9″ Cast Iron Wok was a good find. It fits in the bottom drawer quite nicely and is the right size for the cooktop and for two people. It stir-fries greens or full meals and spills less than a frypan.
13. For a lark, I found Silipint 16 oz. tumblers with lids in riotous colors, as well as some more sedate wine tumblers/juice cups. We quickly came to love them for their many advantages. They hold hot or cold liquids, are flexible, don’t break, don’t rattle, are grippy, the lids don’t spill, and you can squeeze them into the dish cupboard in numerous in-between places; plus, the color options are a trip!

The rest of our cookware is mostly old pots, pans, and utensils that have made their way over from our kitchen over the years We use an old, round deep-dish pizza pan as a roasting pan that fits into the convection oven. But we have fun by taking along real silverware and cloth napkins handed down from our grandparents, and we’ve picked up some lovely placemats and candles along the way to dress up the table. The freezer holds a remarkable amount of meals frozen in advance, so we eat pretty well! It’s fun to have lovely, elegant meals in the middle of some wild and abandoned setting. 

Some Other Items That We Love

1. Rechargeable, battery-powered cordless clip-on fans that can be moved from place to place. We use them mostly on the side and front bulkheads for extra air movement when it was hot—for us in the chairs at the front and for the dogs sleeping at night. We can move them to the back at night, but the fantastic fan over the bed has usually sufficed.
2. Battery-powered refrigerator fan for better cold air circulation in the interior. I’m not sure this made a huge difference, but it is clear that there is a temperature difference between the top and bottom shelves of the rig, so in theory, this fan should help even that difference out.
3. Museum Wax to hold our things in place—like the toothbrush holder on one of the little corner shelf spaces in the bathroom. A few small balls of this pliable putty-like wax under the holder have kept it in place solidly. They are removable and leave no permanent residue.
4. Anti-static dryer sheets have been helpful since all the various screens and surfaces attract and hold dust due to static charges. I’ve used them to lightly wipe the plastic front surface of the refrigerator, the dashboard, the navigation screen, and the TVs. Microfiber rags have been good for cleaning those surfaces as well.
   
   

These are my uncompensated and experience-based suggestions. There’s so much to learn about what you really need and what won’t get used much in the limited space you have in your LTV. It’s easy to go overboard with all the gadgets, and there’s so much available now on the internet, some just the result of Amazon searches. Plus, we all have our own unique preferences and needs.

I hope this is a helpful list of suggestions we’ve tried and found useful in our Wonder. I know there are many others, and I look forward to hearing about them. Happy travels!

The Wonder is an amazing vehicle, but as new LTV owners and RV-ers, our Wonder Rear Lounge presented us with a challenging learning curve. Throughout our travels, we have discovered that certain things go well in certain places in our LTV. So, in hopes that this might makes someone else’s start easier, here are some wonder-ful space-saving hacks that we have found to make our Wonder (named “Stevie”) work well for us.

Utilizing Spaces In Your LTV

The Wonder has many ingenious storage spaces and some that are a little unique. Two immediate examples: LTV’s characteristically thoughtful design makes the spaces available under the entry step and under the chair next to the door for spare shoes and gloves or other items you need when going in and out. The massive amount of storage under the rear couch seat is amazing. We use it for items we won’t need every day, and it holds a massive amount including our tools in two shoeboxes, a compressor, extra food, supplies, cleaning materials, hiking boots, extra shoes, trekking poles, golf umbrellas, a fishing rod and reel, and even a ukulele. What a great space!

Bathroom

There is a great little shelf behind the bathroom toilet on the outer wall that is perfect for stacking rolls of toilet paper. It fits an entire 8-roll package, so you can see when you’re running low. I put the bottle of Unique RV Digest-it on the floor, in the little space between the toilet, that shelf, and the sink so it’s convenient to pour it in each time after you’ve dumped your black tank. We also bought a small plastic storage bin that fits into the corner behind the toilet and functions well as a bathroom wastebasket.

We found a triple hook that hangs over the bathroom door to hold pajamas during the day and clothes at night. We leave it facing the hallway at night and turn it into the bathroom during the day to keep the hallway or bathroom less cluttered. Since the door is beautifully curved and the hooks are flat, the fit isn’t perfect, but we added stick-on cork pads to the part that goes over the door to protect the wood and to keep the hook solidly in place.

Since the Wonder only has one towel holder, you can also see that we hung another single plastic over-the-door hook for a second face towel.

The medicine cabinet is pretty straightforward, and there are a couple more spaces for larger items under the sink. We’ve used the little corner shelves to hold a small first aid kit (bottom) and a hair dryer (middle), and on the top shelf, we mounted a toothbrush holder, secured on the bottom with museum wax. Obviously, everyone will find their own ways to use the spaces in this cozy bathroom.

Rear Lounge

We’ve used the small angled rear shelves above the TV as our “desks,” where we keep our own pens, various cords, chargers, adaptors, glasses cases, and other miscellaneous personal items.

We also like to carry a lot of reading options, so we’ve turned the bottom clothes drawer into our “library.” There we put books, Kindles, notebooks, file folders, cellophane tape, checkbooks, stamps, envelopes for receipts, and quarters for the laundry. We use another shoebox to keep smaller items organized.

Each of us has one remaining drawer for clothes and we divide the four large overhead cabinets. Don’t overlook the corner space in the cabinets, it’s great for a backpack, belts, and gloves. We share the hanging closet and our laundry detergent fits in the back. When we packed for our first trip, we had lots of room left over and added more clothes. There is plenty of space!

The cupboard at the lower back corner has been a good place for us to put an extra bag of dog food, along with a tote bag holding treats and toys. The storage opening above it is perfect for bed pillows, a heating pad, and extra comforters while we travel. It holds comforters and throw pillows from the couch at night.

Shower

Our really helpful salesman, Joe Parisi at Van City RV, was great in getting us to “think RV” when it comes to storage. Best example: the shower has amazing storage space! Who knew? So it holds numerous things we get out of the RV first when we reach camp. Camp chairs and the broom and other large items like rolled Reflectix window covers for night, vacuum, and a yoga mat. It can also be the place where you hang a laundry bag.

Kitchen

The kitchen cupboards, drawers, and pantry also hold more than we imagined. Everyone will come up with their own arrangement I’m sure. But just know, you can fit a lot in those three drawers—we got a toaster and a small crockpot in the second drawer, with pots plus the wok in the bottom drawer. Placemats and potholders fit between things to keep them from rattling while driving. The pantry also holds more than you expect as well The upper cupboard over the stove is great for dishes and glassware, just make sure it’s not tippy! We experimented with an inner shelf rack once. When I opened the cupboard door, 4 bowls came tumbling out and shattered on the floor. Do not recommend it.

The upper corner storage shelves are great for dry goods that take more height—cracker or cereal boxes, snack bags, pasta. Our teapot and measuring cups go on the other side. The angled sides and roof make for some interesting challenges as we try to wedge things tight so they won’t tip out while driving. But you can certainly squeeze in a lot.

We even use the microwave/convection oven for storage when it’s not cooking, which is most of the time. It’s been ideal for bread and bagels when they are fresh and before they need to be refrigerated.

Likewise, the sink offers great storage while traveling. It holds our fruit bowl and fruit, with the sink cover on the top to keep things in place.

Front Cockpit Storage

The Transit has so many storage spaces behind and above the seats as well as in the dash that we can’t fill up completely, but some have been particularly handy.

A large spiral-bound road atlas goes on top of the dash. Door compartments hold more detailed paper maps (from AAA) and a variety of travel guides. In the canopy, we keep our road and camping journal along with any materials we gather such as national park brochures. Masks and sunglasses cases also fit above within easy reach and we can plug in our phones in several places to use Apple CarPlay and to re-charge while we drive.

Our laptops go in the seatback pouches, along with the book we’re reading at the moment.

Outside Passenger Side Compartments

The passenger side has a couple of smaller, but deep spaces. We put the dog items in one (towels, leashes, and water bowl). They are quickly available as soon as we stop and want to let the dogs out and the last things stored before we leave.

The space behind the door is good for our stack of leveling blocks again, this is handy as we arrive at a site for the night and want to get level right away. There is more than enough room here for blocks—so you can store other things in front of the blocks as well.

Outside Drivers Side

The largest compartment is below the water heater. You’ll want to think carefully and use it well. For us, this is the place for a large plastic-covered bin of dog food and the Weber grill with lots of room left between and around the edges for beer or other goodies we picked up during our travels.

The longer, short compartment above the service center is well-placed. We have a plastic box that contains outdoor-related miscellany—collapsible lantern, picnic tablecloth, etc.—at one end. Since it’s close to the water hookup and power connection, we store the fresh water hose (hooked together so it won’t leak), water filters (drained), the power cable, and the surge protector. On top of those, we squeeze in the patio rug—most of these things we get out as soon as we arrive, so everything fits and it’s conveniently located.

The Wonder is loaded with adaptable places and spaces—I know ours is but one of many working arrangements. In this respect, especially, I look forward to hearing how other Wonder owners have found ways to make the space work for them!

Editor’s Note: Brandon and Janet Hensley are members of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

LTV Traveler Clubs

Janet and I recently attended our first Leisure Travel Vans Travelers Club Rally, and I’m convinced every LTV owner should join their local club and attend a Rally at least once in their RV lives.

First off, let me explain what the LTV Travelers Clubs are. While not operated or sponsored directly by LTV, these are LTV-supported groups of people that create clubs according to their geographic location.

There is an LTV Travelers Club near you!

Each Travelers Club has a club leader that coordinates the events, rallies, and activities for their particular group. These are planned and coordinated very well and from our experience, these activities were so helpful as we had technical information to learn, food and fellowship to enjoy, and got to see all kinds of other LTVs.

The US has 12 regional clubs and Canada has four as well as an FMCA club, so plenty of LTV owners in your area to join!

Join & Attend a Rally for your Area

We live in Dallas and have property in Colorado, so we belong to the Travelers Clubs in those regions (Texoma and Rocky Mountain). We plan to attend one of our home area rallies soon but have already had the privilege of joining The Flamingles, Florida’s Travelers Club Spring Rally.

Let me tell you, it was a blast! From our time with these wonderful people, I’m convinced you are doing yourself, and your RV experience, a disservice if you don’t join a group and attend a rally.

Five Benefits of Joining a Club

Here are five takeaways we got from joining our fellow Leisure Travel Van enthusiasts for a weekend of fellowship and fun.

1. The Community

From the moment we arrived at Grand Oaks Resort in Weirsdale, FL, we were greeted by several friendly and welcoming Flamingles. The resort that hosted the event, Grand Oaks, is an amazing RV resort within a working horse farm and the perfect venue for a gathering.

Horses were abundant on this working horse farm

The first night was dinner and cocktails with the group where we met and mingled with the 80 or so attendees. Having enthusiasm and passion for the same thing amongst a group of people makes it so easy to strike up a conversation.

Fellowship with other Leisure Travel Van owners is priceless

From doctors and retired airline pilots to nuclear engineers, there are so many amazing people in the LTV community and it’s so enthralling to hear about their life journey and what led them to the Leisure Travel Van life.

2. The Education
The event planners arranged for several educational talks, including a panel about lithium batteries and the freedom they give you which I also had the privilege to speak on.

The first talk was interviewing a Leisure Travel Van dealer representative and Flamingle member who talked about how to fix various issues as well as taking questions from the group about issues they were experiencing.

I even got an answer for the small leak I had behind my city water inlet that I was able to fix myself. Before this talk, I would have hired a mobile tech or taken the LTV to my dealer for the fix. It was so simple, and I’m glad I could do this easy repair myself.

One of the education events held at the Flamingles Rally in central Florida

There was also a lesson on how to install a “smart shunt” in your battery setup and how to get all the pertinent information about your battery state of charge.

Flamingle member Gary Oster also weighed in on the benefits of education. He added that the time spent in these education discussions is extremely helpful because not only can you learn about the errors other owners have made while making repairs on the road but also about providers and products that don’t measure up to standards LTV owners require.

Getting all the info you can about how your LTV works and empowering you to do more DIY fixes is absolutely priceless.

3. The Inspiration
With just about every floor plan, year, and color combination of Leisure Travel Vans in one place, you get to see all of the upgrades, renovations, and modifications people have made to their LTVs.

With the coach tours, you get to walk in and tour all the other floorplans and see what people have added (or taken away) in their rigs.

Interested in changing floorplans in the future? Well, this gives you the opportunity to see just about every floorplan and see what floats your boat!

Just about every model and floorplan is represented at an LTV Club Rally.

Also, a bonus to Rallies is seeing the camp chairs, roll-up camp tables, and grills in action. It’s much better to see these things to avoid the trial and error of ordering and just hoping for the best.

4. Going Places You’ve Never Been
Our travels in the Leisure Travel Van always seem to take us West but, by joining the Flamingles in Florida we had the opportunity to go the opposite direction, which I doubt we would have ever done on our own time.

Janet and I never would have experienced this amazing RV park on a working horse ranch in Central Florida if not for the LTV Rally. (Photo courtesy of Brian Duffy)

We took our time and stayed in Louisiana and Alabama on our way East. Again, we would have never headed in this direction without joining a Travelers Club.

Be sure to give yourself time to get off the interstate and explore the small towns (or cities) along the way. We passed through some of the most charming little towns in Alabama that were teeming with Azaleas.

The Azaleas were blooming in Alabama!

The more the merrier seems to be the thought process with the Travelers Clubs, so join more than one and go somewhere outside your normal travel routine.

5. Forming New Friendships
Within the first 24 hours, we formed some incredible friendships. We met people with amazing backgrounds and awesome stories. Our new friends Gary and Melissa even invited us to mooch dock anytime at their Florida home which is just steps from a white sand beach!

Meeting people with the same interests isn’t always an easy thing to do, but by attending a rally you are guaranteed to meet Leisure Travel Van owners that share the same like-mindedness and passions that you have.

Meeting people from all walks of life who share your travel passions is amazing.

I think mingling with folks from different parts of the country, with different backgrounds and occupations, is probably one of the most enriching things that an LTV Rally brings you.

I can’t express enough how this is a fantastic way to enjoy your LTV in a whole new way.

Be sure to check out the travel club in your area.

US Travelers Clubs

•  The Evergreen Club serves WA, OR, ID, and Western MT
• The Southwest LTV Roadrunners serving AZ, CA, NV
• Rocky Mountain LTVers serving CO, NM, UT, WY
• Midwest LTVers serving KS, MN, MT, NE, ND, SD
• Texoma Travelers serving AR, LA, OK, TX
• Heartland LTV’ers serving IL, IA, MO, WI
• Leisurely Great Lakers serving IN, KY, MI, OH, TN, WV
• Southern Leisure Travelers serving AL, GA, MS, TN
• Flamingles serving FL
• Carolina LTV’ers serving NC, SC
• Blue Ridge Leisures serving DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA
• Great North East Travelers serving CT, ME, MA, NH, NY, RI, VT
• FMCA International Travel Club serves FMCA members in US & Canada

Canadian Travelers Clubs

• The Western Sunsetters serving AB, BC, MB, SK
• Ontario Sun Risers serving ON
• LTV Québec serving QC
• The Maritime Leisures serving NB, NS, PE

Editor’s Note: Robin North is a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

This post is for the clotheshorse. The fashionable, active, and indecisive wardrobe wanderers. I love clothes too and when I traveled for work I always packed a slightly downsized version of my closet. Standing at the luggage carousel in the airport required a porter to help me with my bags (a few in Atlanta, knew me by name!)

When we bought our Unity MB, I just assumed it was a very comfortable “travel trunk” and I could bring along most anything I wanted as far as clothes are concerned. While it has very good storage space for a small RV, it holds a lot less than my closet at home. Now don’t get me wrong, I love our Unity – it’s easy to drive, maneuverable, efficient, and fits in almost anywhere. Its size is one of the things that makes it so appealing. But, when it comes time to pack up for a trip its small size can be a challenge for a fashionista.

On our first long trip, I stuffed the closet and drawers full as well as one of the outside compartments with clothing, my husband Jim was relegated to one shelf, a few hangars, and a drawer. You see, I like to be prepared, so I took clothing to fit almost any occasion and of course, shoes to match. I had a couple of nice dresses to go out to dinner, a suit (in case I needed to do something for business), casual clothes for shopping, beachwear, as well as hiking and kayaking outfits, for all those things I thought I might do on the trip.

Luggage waiting to be loaded… where?

Now, fast forward five years and 30,000 miles of RV trips later, packing a travel wardrobe is now a different story. I actually share the closet and drawers with Jim’s clothes! So, what happened you ask? I had an epiphany while unpacking from one of those early trips. There were zipped bags of clothes that had never been opened items that I forgot I had packed, and shoes that remained in their protective sleeves. As I hauled that unused clothing from the RV back to the house, I muttered – “I can’t believe I didn’t use any of this”.

That winter while we were planning the next big trip I discovered a Pinterest post about capsule wardrobes. I read the blog and then bought the book and was horrified! The author suggested I pare down my wardrobe to 30 pieces -WHAT?! She proceeded to explain how every item mixes and matches with every other item allowing you to build multiple outfits. Okay, so I understand coordinates – I have bought wardrobes-worth of clothing like that, but this concept was a bit over the top.

As for a travel wardrobe, she suggested that if you are going on a 4-day trip, pack for 2, launder the items and wear outfits twice. This made me feel faint. Obviously, she didn’t understand that small RVs don’t have laundry equipment and as for wearing the same outfit twice, well, that’s just crazy talk. However, I was not at all into this “30-item” strategy, but I did begin to see that I could be a bit more discerning with my packing list.

Being the methodical person I am, I measured the RV wardrobe closet and drawers. And then figured out how many pieces of clothing I could hang or fold. Looking at the number of items, I knew that I couldn’t fit everything I wanted to take along, so I went back to my packing list. I decided I could probably “do” with fewer hanging items – I rarely wore a dress or suit while camping. Thankfully Jim, in his infinite patience, built an insert for the wardrobe that reduced the hanging space and added two shelves on the condition that he still maintains his hangar allotment and gains at least one of the two new shelves. Done deal.

Shelf and rod insert Jim built to accommodate more clothing.

It was back to the packing list. I went through the itinerary for our upcoming trip to see what activities we planned. A hike or two and maybe some kayaking along with the regular activities of sightseeing, shopping, and museum visits. In terms of shoes, I would need hiking and water shoes. Other than that, the outdoor clothing would just be jeans and tee shirts with a hoodie. As for sightseeing, shopping, and museum visits, I added just a few coordinates and (I confess) extra shirts, scarves, and jewelry to at least give me a few more options. Reviewing the downsized packing list I was skeptical, so I added another shirt for my peace of mind.

When it was time for our trip, I dutifully packed through the pared-down clothing list and then stuffed in a few more shirts – just in case. Still, I stuck to my “assigned” spaces (things were pretty snug) and Jim packed with his usual ease. I planned a stop every two weeks for laundry and brought along detergent, a few plastic hangars, and clothespins to do “sink laundry” if necessary. I was sure I would run out of clean clothes.

The trip was great, I actually wore most of the clothing and the two-week laundry stops worked fine. I never had to do “sink laundry” which was good since we were on the move every day. Some items that I had packed, I just didn’t need and realized I would have liked other items in their place or just a little more space in the closet to prevent wrinkling (and yes, I always take along an iron).

That is how each trip has gone ever since. I plan out a wardrobe with a number of pieces that will easily fit into the wardrobe and drawers, then adjust the items according to what we plan to do on the trip. You might wonder about heavy clothing for cold weather. We typically camp in moderate weather but for winter trips, we use space-saving, vacuum-sealed bags. They will still take up a good amount of room, so we put them in an outside compartment.

I think in terms of projects and processes, my RV travel wardrobe has been a very successful and enlightening project. I’ve learned to live with less and it is rather liberating! Maybe you’ll enjoy it too. Here’s my Small RV Capsule Wardrobe decision process:

First, think about the types of activities you’ll be doing on THIS trip. Write these down and list the types of clothing you need for each of those activities. Outdoor activities like biking, swimming, or kayaking may require special clothing (hiking boots, water shoes, swimsuit, flip flops, etc.) Regular travel activities like sightseeing, restaurant outings, and tours all probably use similar types of clothing so it is a matter of how few outfits you can live with.

Next, make a storage space inventory of your RV. How much and what type of storage do you have? This includes hanging space, drawer space, cupboard space, outdoor compartments, or under-bed storage. Consider using space-saving bags to reduce bulk, use hooks on the back of a door for belts or scarves, and identify a spot for shoes. Activity clothing might go in an exterior cabinet (in a space bag of course).

Oh, so handy ‘Space Bags’ zip-up and compress the air from bulky clothing.

Once you identify what space you have for clothing storage, then you can begin the process of building a small-RV travel wardrobe. The number of pieces is directly related to the amount of space you have. The choice of pieces is influenced by the activities you plan for your trip.

Time To Build The Packing List

1. Put all the clothing you think you’ll need on the bed – only items that fit, look good on you, and are in good repair.
2. Create three stacks of clothing: special activity clothing, regular outfits, and staples like PJs, underwear, and socks.
3. Since it’s usually the “regular clothing” that seems to grow beyond space limitations, you’ll probably spend most of your downsizing in this stack. Look at the “regular clothing” stack and consider how the pieces coordinate with each other. Try to coordinate 1-2 weeks’ worth of outfits with the smallest number of pieces possible. This is easier if you choose neutrals for your main pieces (like pants, shorts, sweaters, and jackets) and make your “color pops” with shirts or scarves.
4. Now, determine if the downsized stacks of clothing will fit in the storage space of your RV.
5. If you still have too many items, go back to your “regular clothing” stack and try to reduce the number of items. This is when you consider wearing outfits twice and doing laundry more frequently (sorry, this is real life).

You can get creative with scarves, jewelry, or hats to make your outfits more unique. A simple pair of jeans can change just by the item you add. Try a tee, hoodie, cap, and sneakers for casual outdoor fun, a tailored shirt and flats, or a tank top, scarf belt, and sandals. Shoes are always an issue, but for RV travel you have to reign in your collection to just a few pairs: maybe sneakers, sandals or boots, and flats.

Scarves and jewelry can create unique looks from basic clothing coordinates.

It’s not rocket science and it’s probably not something you gave much thought to when you purchased your RV however, clothing storage and wardrobe habits need to adapt to smaller spaces. Each LTV unit has its own storage configuration and LTV has conveniently put those measurements on the website giving you the ability to do a bit of research before you start packing.

Take it from this “reformed” fashionista, the real key is not the amount of storage space that matters, it’s our idea of how much we really need to be comfortable on the road. If travel is a way of freeing our minds of clutter and freeing our spirits of worldly demands, it makes sense that it can also free up our need to take along everything we own when we travel!

Editor’s Note: Robin North is a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

Congratulations, you finally did it! You ordered your new RV and now you’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of this addition to your family. The anticipation can have you in a tizzy, but what can you do? Actually, just like anticipating a new baby, there are quite a few things to do for your new arrival, and the time between now and its delivery date is the perfect opportunity to do them.

We had to wait 11 months for our LTV Unity Murphy Bed, and we had fun spending that time getting ready for our new lifestyle to begin. From learning about the RV’s specifications to trip planning, we spent many happy weekends sifting through websites for products, reading blogs about RV travel, and dreaming of long trips.

Even if you’ve owned an RV before, this one will be new to you. Different chassis, different options, different floor plans, and different storage. All those differences offer you the chance to learn – and to do a little daydreaming!

So here are our top tips for what to do while you’re waiting for your new RV to arrive.

1. Get comfortable with RV maintenance

Just like your family car, every RV needs regular maintenance. So, set up a maintenance notebook to make sure your new RV gets the best care. Include sections for the chassis, the engine, the appliances, and any part of the coach that moves (think, slide rooms, retracting steps, and awning).

When your RV arrives, LTV provides a wonderful binder filled with all the appliance owner’s manuals as well as a chassis owner’s manual. These will be where you find service interval recommendations as well as the manufacturer’s information. For now, since you don’t yet have your manuals, you can set up your notebooks with maintenance items most vehicles need and fill in the dates for service once you read through your manuals. You can check your models’ specification section on the LTV website to consider what might need regular maintenance.

2. Research RV Products

When Jim and I were waiting for our RV to be delivered we read lots of websites and blogs about RV life. Almost every one of them recommended a long list of products we “had to buy” for our new RV. And, since we didn’t know any better, we started shopping for a lot of those items, only to find that we didn’t need them after all or they didn’t fit our space!

When it came to the inside of the RV, I assumed we would need some household items made with camping in mind. Collapsible bowls, plastic ‘glassware’, unbreakable dishes, and linens designed for RV beds. Over the course of that “waiting period”, there’s no telling how much we spent! Which brings me to the question of, how much do you need to buy for your new RV? Probably not as much as you might think.

The RV itself is pretty self-contained, but there are attachments and products you’ll need in order to use all of the self-contained systems. For instance, to dump the holding tanks you’ll need a dump hose unless you ordered a macerator dump system. Most manufacturers include a dump hose with the unit, but that item shows up on a lot of those blog lists. You’ll also need a freshwater hose (that too is included by the manufacturer or the dealer as well as the power cord).

Our advice is to check with the manufacturer for what is included at delivery, then have a chat with your dealer to see what else they provide that is included in the price of the RV. In other words, wait until you take delivery of your RV before you begin buying products. Since you don’t have dimensions for storage cabinets, you don’t know how wide dishes can be, or how tall the glasses can be, the right size for that new BBQ grill and so on. However, you can do your research!

Note: LTV has created their own helpful Tips & Tools section on their blog here, and all new and potential owners can access a detailed  breakdown of interior storage dimensions here.

There are so many products available for the RV, and many bloggers outline the benefits of using one brand or another. If an item seems like a good fit for the way you want to travel, do your research on the products available and read the reviews. Basics like surge protectors, water pressure regulators, and leveling blocks or jack pads all seem reasonable to purchase. Yet, there are so many different brands to choose from, and most items have different options. It is time well spent reading reviews, asking friends who have RVs, and engaging on LTV owners group forums to find out why one model or brand is better than another.

Be honest with yourself about which items are ‘must have’ and just ‘nice to have’. Think about how you want to travel and camp. Which items will be used all the time? Those are your essentials. The other category has all those creature comforts and upgrades that make RV travel just a little more enjoyable. A small RV has some storage area but it is limited. When it comes time to pack up for a trip, make sure you pack the essentials first!

Here are a few examples from our own experience (your choices will probably vary):

• Must-haves for setting up camp: a couple of camp chairs, a small folding end table, and a doormat; Nice extras are a campsite carpet, and maybe a screen room if you are camping in “buggy” zones.
• Must-haves for the RV bedroom: sheets, blankets, and pillows. A nice extra is the fitted RV sheet/comforter combinations.
• Must-haves for the RV kitchen: pots and pans, flatware, dishes, drinkware, and some basic cooking utensils. Nice extras might be a cooler to help with cold drinks, a coffee maker, slow cooker, or other kitchen appliances.
• Must-haves for the RV bathroom: towels, toiletries, dissolving toilet paper. A nice extra could be a small bath rug outside the shower and an over-the-door organizer.
• Must-haves equipment for dumping the tanks: dump hose, latex gloves, hand sanitizer, and paper towels. Almost a ‘must-have’ are holding tank deodorizing tablets.
• Must-haves equipment for water hook-up: a freshwater supply hose and water pressure regulator (yes, you really need this). A nice extra is an in-line water filter.
• Must-have equipment for electrical hook-up: RV electrical cord. Nice extras to have are an outlet adapter to allow you to convert 30-amp or 50-amp service and an external surge protector.
• Must-have equipment for Manual Leveling: leveling bricks and a carpenter’s level. A nice extra is a phone app for leveling RVs.
• Must-have equipment for Automatic Leveling: Jack pads to prevent the leveling legs from sinking into soft ground. A nice extra might be an extension pole with a hook to retrieve jack pads from under the RV.

3. Get familiar with online planning tools

Getting on the road is really what RVing is all about, so spend this “waiting time” planning your first trips. Online trip planners like RV Trip Wizard, Good Sam, AAA Trip Tix are all good tools to help you plan a trip. They can help you evaluate and choose routes for your trips. I have used all three different apps and each has its strengths and weaknesses.

If you are hesitant about planning online, consider how much you can do on your computer! Some online tools offer more than route planning. They can also show you potential fuel stops, restaurants, attractions, and campgrounds along a route. They can even “build-in” rest stops and overnight stops to your route. Some online tools give you multiple options for a trip route. This is helpful when you start planning things to do along the way or to find an alternate route in case of traffic jams.

Note: LTV has curated lists of Top Campgrounds, Scenic Drives and many others helpful for trip-planning in the Leisure List section on their blog here.

With all that electronic fire-power at your disposal, paper maps might seem to be obsolete. But, when a cell signal is weak (or non-existent) it’s nice to have an analog backup. So I keep a road atlas in the RV and often print out the trip route in case I lose my mobile signal. Google Maps will allow you to download a route just for this purpose.

4. Make a list of destinations

Oh, the places you’ll go! But where do you start? I have a go-to list of websites that help me find interesting destinations and special attractions along a route.

• • State Departments of Tourism – Every state and Canadian Province has a department of tourism, and they all have really helpful websites. You can expect to find general information on the area as well as self-guided itineraries on food, wine, museums, outdoor activities, and all manner of attractions.
  • City CVBs and Chambers of Commerce – Tourism is the biggest income generator for so many communities. You can count on the local Chambers of Commerce to have some information for visitors. If the city also has a CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) you have a true visitor-friendly community. Inside the CVB you can expect to find brochures, maps, information specialists to help plan a trip, and suggested tours and attractions. Some even offer discount attraction tickets or restaurant coupons and hotel discounts. Just search for the city or town and add “visitor information”, “Chamber of Commerce”, or “CVB”.
  • Trip Advisor – If you want to know what other travelers really think about a destination, Trip Advisor is a good place to start. Along with Google Maps and their very active “local guides”, Trip Advisor solicits reviews from visitors to attractions, restaurants, hotels, and destinations.
  • Books and magazines – I am a beach-lover, so Coastal Living is always on my coffee table. Inside most lifestyle magazines you’ll find a travel section to help add destinations to your list. Travel guides and travel blogs can also give you an inside track on what to do in any destination.
  • Create a travel notebook – I call this my “dream book”! This is where I jot down notes about particular destinations on museums, festivals, seasonal attractions, and foodie spots.
  • Adapt your notebook – Once you start traveling with your RV, your notebook might also include information about the trips you have taken, gas mileage, any issues that came up, receipts for service or purchases, and your packing list for that trip.

5. Join an LTV owners club in your area

Let me start this with a clarification: Jim and I are not “joiners”. We bought an RV to escape from work and enjoy a bit of solitude on the weekends. If we traveled with anyone, we figured it would be family or close friends. So, when we bought an RV the farthest thing from my mind was joining an RV club.

Yet, being new RV owners, we had a lot of questions. Searching the internet for answers is okay, but we agreed it would be nice to talk with others who had the same type of unit. Then I remembered the welcome email from LTV. They mentioned their RV owners clubs and, after browsing their website owners section, it didn’t take long to find a few in our area. Since there weren’t any in our home state of Georgia, I sent inquiries to a couple of groups in nearby states. The Carolina LTVers were most welcoming and we signed up for their first rally to be hosted in Ashville, North Carolina.

We had a great time meeting others with the same brand RV. We traded travel stories, shared troubleshooting tips, learned about clever modifications, and even toured the different models. I think one of the best benefits of the club is meeting people who share a love for RV travel. Even though I had a long career in tourism, there weren’t many colleagues who were RVers! We attended a second rally the following fall and it simply confirmed that our decision to join an RV owners club was a good one! We always return home full of great ideas, good information, and, since the group continues to grow, we also come home with a handful of new friends.

Waiting for your new RV delivery may seem like a drag, but there is so much to do to get ready to enjoy your RV that the time goes by pretty quickly. The time you spend now planning will make your RV journey that much more enjoyable!

Editor’s Note: Bill and Denise Semion are members of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

New Want To Haves, Need To Haves, For LTVers

Throughout the year, I’ve stowed away info on products that look good, are good, and could be good on your next trip. With the holidays coming, t’s time to release them on you readers to see if you agree. Some may be cool, some not, but all may deserve your once-over.

Here goes the fall 2021 edition.

Socks It To Ya

Photo Source

I’ve found compression socks to be invaluable on my legs when driving for several hours on those long “gotta get there” hours in the saddle legs in our 2015.5 Unity Murphy Bed, Lucky Us. Support socks have become much more comfortable and now come in various strengths of “tightness” to help rid or control those swollen ankles you may have after a day behind the wheel.

Lately, I’ve been trying out different sets of cotton-poly blend calf-length socks made by Dr. Motion and have found them to be more comfortable than the ones that I’ve had to struggle to get on, because they’re so tight. Admittedly, that’s the point. But there’s a point at which compromise is better than fighting and these seem to be a good match. These also come in calf sleeves only, in men’s and women’s styles, and even for ankle support only. Dr. Motion also sells nearly knee-high compression socks.

Where to buy: Kohl’s and drmotionsocks.com.

It’s A Cooler. It’s A Warmer.

Photo Source. It’s both a cooler and warmer, without refrigerant or coils. Cool!

‘How cool is this’ as LTV’s Dean likes to say. This is one of the coolest and warmest little thingamajigs I’ve tried. It’s the Uber (no, not connected with the rideshare) mini-fridge and food warmer. The best thing is that it works without refrigerant. The paperwork shows that this is thanks to “advanced semiconductors.”

It runs on both a 12v outlet and 120v and is perfect for keeping up to six cans (bottles won’t fit) of water cool. Within easy reach, or lunch items comfortably warm in warming mode while you go down the road. I’ve tried it on both cool and warm modes and it works remarkably well and quickly. Their website offers 10 percent off the first order. This will be standard issue in our Unity MB this spring.

Where to buy: uberappliance.com and on Amazon.

Coloring Up Your E-Bike

Photo Source. Aventon’s new cycling tracker.

If you’re one of the many who own Aventon models, there’s a new app that connects your smartphone to your bike’s data screen. Or, upgrade to its new color model. It’s all connected to its new Adventure series of fat tire bikes you may want to try out if you’re shopping. They feature an approximate 45-mile range. Fat tire bikes do weigh more, so keep that in mind. That data screen keeps track of your battery’s percentage of charge, speed, and more with that usual 28mph top end.  The Adventure series bike checks in at around $2,000 prior to options.

To the manufacturers: why do so many of you focus on fat tire bikes only? They’re heavy for traditional bike racks. They’re bulky. I’ve ridden pedal versions in snow and they’re stable, but I really don’t think I need one for summertime paved trail rides.

Where to buy: aventon.com.

See The Light

Photo Source. Bug-strike uses light to keep biting insects away.

Those who’ve read this column before know I like the innovative, smart products from Brite-Strike, which offers everything from rechargeable lighted dog collars and lights for your kayak and paddleboard, to UV virus-destroying air purifiers.

Photo Source. A 200-lumens (that’s bright) penlight from Brite-Strike.

Here are two more. Bug-Strike is said to use a combination of infrared, UV and blue light to fend off mosquitoes and even black flies when clipped to your hat. Makers say it keeps bugs about a foot away. I’ve yet to try. I need this product when fishing on a river but I don’t know how the blinking combo would affect the fish. It’s supposed to last up to 200 hours, and unfortunately is not rechargeable.

Brite-Strike also makes a 200 lumens penlight that operates on three AAA batteries and has three modes.

Where to buy: brite-strike.com Penlight is about $60. Bug-Strike is $30.

Reminder: Retract Awning

While we make it a point to do an exterior “walk around” and a “pre-flight check” each time we move our LTV, we’ve heard stories of some who haven’t, with disastrous results. RVminder bands help you remember. They fit on the steering wheel and that will definitely remind that you’re not ready even if you think you are.

Where to buy: Amazon for $17.

Toes-y Cozy

Photo Source. The Pedi-Blanket

Here’s something that even our cat, Sadie, has adopted and likes to curl up in its soft, warmness. And it’s something that will make anyone curl up their toes on a cool evening around the fire, or in your LTV. Because it’s got a built-in pocket for’em.The Pedi-Blanket is at nearly six-feet (three sizes, 21 colors available) it’s long enough to cover you in high-pile microfleece.

Where to buy: pedipocketblanket.com and stores nationwide for about $60.

Another blanket that looks interesting and re-uses about 54 plastic bottles each is made by Nakie. They’re expensive, at $159 a pop, but each time one is purchased, the company promises to plant four trees.

Photo Source. Nakie “puffy” blanket.

The bottles make the down-like filling. Don’t know if they’re still doing this, but the offer was to buy a Nakie Puffy Blanket and Nakie will donate a Puffy Blanket to someone struggling with homelessness.

Where to buy: nakie.us.

Whoo’s That? A Doodle, That’s Whooo

Camping with the kid or grandkids? Here’s a great goodnight book to assuage nerves about those campground things that go bump or screech in the night. “Who’s That I Hear” by DJ Hill and illustrated by Julie Adriansen helps calm those night fears. It’s been grandpa-grandma tested and granddaughter approved.

Where to buy: Booksellers like Barnes and Noble, and also on Amazon for around $16.

Crafts to keep the grandkids occupied.

More stuff to soothe campground “there’s nothing to do—itis” come from Doodle Hog, offering fun artsy projects for everyone from age three to teen. One item is a chalk stencil kit with six different colors and three big stencils. Just check with the park you’re in to see if they appreciate the kid-provided art on their roads before applying.

Were to buy: Find other, less intrusive, crafts, including a tie-dye party kit, paint kits and coloring books at doodlehog.com. More kid fun variety is available from random line.

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For my money, the best natural mosquito/no-see-um—yup, that’s a thing—repellent is the roll-on or spray Para’kito, made from five floral oils. While you’re around the campfire or campsite with them, you may also want to try another natural way to keep the mosquitoes off the kids and yourself. Murphy’s naturals incense sticks also are made with five oils, rosemary, peppermint, lemongrass, cedarwood and the old standby, citronella. One stick lasts around two hours, and of course wind may affect its effectiveness.

Where to buy: us.parakito.com, and murphysnaturals.com.

Also tested on northern Michigan biters and found effective is the Ranger Ready brand. Its pump sprays gets its protection from picaridin, a synthetic developed in the 1980s as a DEET alternative and chemically resembles a from plants used to produce black pepper. It can be used on both skin and clothing, comes in three scents, and is safe for kids aged one and older. It promises protection up to eight hours from fleas, gnats and eight hours against mosquitoes and ticks. RR also sells a permethrin-based repellent for use only on clothing.

Where to buy: rangerready.com.

Go Lightly

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I like Mpowerd’s solar-powered Luci lights products from the first time I saw one on a fellow camper’s backpack in Canada. Our blow-up light is still going strong after about six years, but recently we added to it with the Luci Core, a diffused task light with a flexible “arm” wrap that curls around anything. Like the Luci, it has three settings. It’s now wrapped around a hook right next to our door, and like the original, it too is solar-powered.

Another offering similar to the original Luci is made by Solight. It’s self-inflating, works even when punctured and lasts up to 12 hours before recharging. Solight’s models offer diffused softer lighting

Where to buy: solight-design.com, starting at about $20. Find the Core and other Luci products here.

Sun-Safe With Rubber Ducky

Rubber Ducky sunscreen is an SPF 50, reef-safe (oxybenzone-free) sunscreen shown to provide protection up to eight hours in the water, that’s also safe for kids, and also won’t make that stinging sweat in your eyes that other products give you as an extra unwanted attraction.

Where to buy: Amazon and sunblocks.com.

E-kits

Yup, stuff does happen. Including on the road, when you’re in unfamiliar areas and potentially in the boonies. You’ve got to be prepared. Any first-aid kit is better than none, and one solution to be fully ready is the kit from mymedic.com. There are several sizes available including one you can attach to a bike.

Where to buy: find it at mymedic.com and Amazon starting at $50.

Going right along with the above, and the last item until next time, you may want to pack that first-aid kit with a couple of these from DrySee. These waterproof bandages allow for safe shower use if any wound must be kept dry. The bandage’s perimeter will change color when it becomes wet, and the wound pad also changes color when it is time to replace it.

Where to buy: drysee.com.

I’ll be back with more must-haves, maybe-haves and the like in another installment soon.

Please note: The recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Leisure Travel Vans.

Editor’s Note: Robin North is a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

One of the things we like about our RV is having a refrigerator. For so long, ice chests and coolers were just part of our camping experience. We would carefully plan meals and often used multiple coolers to keep food and beverages cold. Buying ice to restock the coolers was a daily event: drain the excess water, refill with ice, and reposition the contents – a lot of juggling with ice and food!

Enter the RV refrigerator. With an implied promise of cool drinks and fresh food, RV fridges made camping so much more convenient. But what’s the real scoop on this “must-have” appliance, and how is it different from the fridge in your kitchen at home?

Understanding Your RV Refrigerator

Our Unity MB has a Dometic absorption refrigerator, so this article will cover the operation of that type of fridge. There are several important differences between your home fridge and an absorption RV fridge. The first is how they cool.

The main component of a residential refrigerator that needs power is the compressor. It is essentially a pump that is driven by a motor. The hum you hear when the fridge is on is the compressor working. The thermostat controls the temperature of the fridge by switching the compressor on and off.

The compressor in your home fridge “compresses” the refrigerant vapor, raising its pressure. That pushes the vapor into the coils on the outside of the refrigerator. When that hot vapor in the coils meets the cooler air temperature in your kitchen, the vapor becomes a liquid.

The refrigerant, now in liquid form at high pressure, cools down as it flows into the coils inside the freezer and fridge and absorbs the heat inside the fridge. That cools down the air in the fridge. Finally, the refrigerant evaporates to vapor again and flows back to the compressor where the cycle starts all over again. ¹

Our RV fridge does not have a compressor. Instead, it uses a process called absorption. It operates by heat and chemical reactions using a combination of water, ammonia, and hydrogen gas. The liquid water and ammonia are heated together; they react and move into a separator that divides the water and ammonia.

The water and ammonia then travel through separate tubes. The water moves to the absorber, while the ammonia moves to the condenser. The ammonia cools down and turns back into a liquid. Then the ammonia moves to the evaporator and combines with hydrogen gas, causing it to evaporate in cold vapor form.

The cold vapor moves to the interior cooling coils, which cool the entire interior of the refrigerator, starting in the freezer, and moving down into the refrigerator. The vapor now continues its journey back into the absorber, mixes with water, and the process starts all over again. ² 

If you’ve ever wondered if a residential fridge could be used in an RV, it’s best to keep in mind that an RV is a “rolling earthquake”! All that shaking and jostling on the road is not the best environment for something designed for your home kitchen. RV fridges use fewer moving parts, and are typically built of steel and durable enough to withstand the motion and vibrations of RV travel.

Powering Up Your Fridge

There is also a difference in the way your home fridge and an RV fridge use power. Your fridge at home operates on electricity, whereas some RV fridges, like the one in my RV, can be powered by electricity – either from shore power hook-up or produced by a generator –  propane, or the coach battery (DC power).

Many of the newer 3-way RV refrigerators have a feature that uses propane as a backup fuel source if electricity becomes unavailable. And some, referred to as 3-way fridges, are able to switch between all three different power sources above. The more sophisticated units have an automatic switching system that chooses the best power supply available. When your RV is hooked up to shore power at camp, the fridge uses the shore power. When you are driving, the fridge uses the coach battery. And when you boondock without electrical hookups, the fridge runs on propane.

Other types of RV fridges have to be manually switched between propane and electricity (either the coach batteries, shore power, or generator). When you arrive at your campsite, you’ll need to switch the fridge to shore power unless you are boondocking. When boondocking, you will need to switch it to propane. Although you can run an RV fridge on the coach battery, you need to consider that it will drain your coach battery over time. As for using a generator, most campgrounds don’t allow extended use of a generator – and you don’t really want to listen to generator noise while you are camping, do you?

Keep It Level

One key to successful cooling with an absorption fridge is to have the RV parked as level as possible. Gravity is critical to the RV refrigeration process. Without it, the ammonia liquid will not properly flow to the evaporator coils to cool the refrigerator. Having your RV off-level not only disrupts the proper flow of the ammonia, but it can allow ammonia crystals to form inside the refrigerator’s tubing. Over time, these crystals accumulate until the flow is restricted or blocked. Some suggest that an absorption RV refrigerator should not be more than 3 degrees off-level left to right, or 6 degrees off-level front to back. ³ 

Cooling Your Expectations

“Why isn’t the food cold?” We hear this question a lot when we talk to other RVers. Although an absorption RV fridge is a great upgrade from a cooler, there are a few things to understand about its capacity to cool. These RV refrigerators can maintain a temperature of about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (F) below the ambient room temperature. So, if your RV temperature is 75 degrees F, then the fridge can probably maintain an internal temperature of 35+/- degrees F. If the temperature in your RV begins to climb, the RV fridge has to work a lot harder to maintain its temperature. And in extreme heat, they do not always succeed.

There are a few strategies to help your absorption fridge perform at its best cooling capacity:

• The refrigerator takes about 24 hours to get cold. In hot weather, it takes even longer to get cold. It’s a good idea to start cooling down the fridge the night before a trip. Even if your fridge has to use propane for that 24-hour period, the absorption cooling process is pretty efficient and uses minimal amounts of propane.
• This fridge is better at keeping items cool than cooling down room temperature or warm food. So, give your RV fridge a boost by making sure the food you put into the fridge is already cold.
• An RV refrigerator is typically pretty small, so it makes sense to think carefully about the size of items you’ll use for food storage and the size of food items that need cooling. To save space, use smaller containers, chop/cut food up so it cools more quickly, and consider using food storage bags rather than plastic containers. Smaller size condiments are a good idea, too.
• The fridge will cool better if you leave lots of space for the air to circulate. We use wire baskets to contain items in the fridge instead of plastic containers. The wire itself gets cold, and the baskets allow air to flow around the food items.
• Shop more frequently for smaller amounts of fresh foods. Farmers markets are a common sight in most towns and cities. Having only the fresh foods you will eat today or tomorrow on-hand keeps your fridge less crowded.

• Keep the fridge door closed, and don’t open it any more than absolutely necessary, especially in hot weather. Consider taking along a small cooler for snacks and beverages to keep from opening the fridge for frequently accessed items.
• Try using an RV refrigerator fan. This helps to cool things down faster, and the circulating cool air keeps temperatures more stable. A fan is pretty inexpensive and runs on batteries.
• An inexpensive thermometer can help you keep track of internal fridge temperatures. The ideal temperature for the refrigerator should remain between 34 to 39 degrees F; while the freezer should remain at between 0 to 10 degrees F. These recommended temperatures prevent food from spoiling.
• Check for frost build-up in the freezer. Defrost the freezer as necessary to keep it working efficiently and maximize space. To prevent damage, never use a pick or sharp knife, or heat sources like a hairdryer, to defrost the freezer.
• Keep the refrigerator level to prevent damage and maintain operating efficiency. Check all around the refrigerator area to make sure it is free and clear from obstructions, dust, and dirt, especially near the vents.
• If you aren’t using your RV for a while, run the refrigerator periodically to check for potential noises or clogs and to make sure it’s working properly.
• Check seals around the doors to keep cold air inside. Seals can dry out and crack, making your fridge less efficient.

The Freezer

We have found that the freezer compartment in our RV fridge seems to perform better than the refrigerator compartment. Even when temperatures climb, the freezer seems to stay frozen. Since an absorption process begins cooling the freezer first and then the refrigerator compartment second, this makes sense. So,  we make sure that any food going into the freezer is already frozen. That way the RV freezer doesn’t have to work to freeze warm food.

A trick we use to make the most of our RV freezer is to create frozen food “tiles”. We pre-freeze spaghetti sauce, cooked and shredded chicken, soups, and green beans in freezer bags, making sure they lay flat while freezing.  Once frozen, they stack up in the RV freezer like icy tiles, making the most of that small space while helping to keep the freezer colder.

An RV fridge is a wonderful convenience while camping, and with a little planning and preparation, it can work quite well to keep your food fresh. Plan on shopping for fresh foods more frequently while traveling. Not only will this help keep your fridge from being overcrowded, but will allow you to “taste” your destination!

Please note: The recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Leisure Travel Vans.

¹ Nicole Storza, ‘How Does A Refrigerator Work’, RealSimple.com, realsimple.com/food-recipes/tools-products/appliances/how-does-refrigerator-work, (accessed 3 July 2021)
² J.D. Power Nada Guides, ‘How Does An RV Refrigerator Work and Differ From A Conventional One?’ nadaguides.com, J.D. Power Nada Guides, nadaguides.com/RVs/shopping-guides/how-does-an-rv-refrigerator-work, (accessed 3 July 2021)
³ Truck Camper Adventure, ‘RV Refrigerators: How Level Should They Be?’, truckcampereadventure.com, Truck Camper Adventure, truckcamperadventure.com/rv-refrigerators-how-level-should-they/?sfw=pass1626188331, (accessed 3 July 2021)

Editor’s Note: Brandon & Janet Hensley are members of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

Driving any RV, whether motorcoach or towable is a completely different experience than driving a car or SUV. And with the high demand for LTVs combined with the COVID RV Boom and shortage of parts for manufacturing, it’s almost impossible to find a unit to test drive.

When I purchased my 2020 Unity FX, I was fortunate to get the new updated Sprinter chassis that has many upgrades from the previous model, such as adaptive cruise, electronic steering, LED headlights, and a brand new interior that resembles Mercedes’ luxury cars.

The Driving Experience is Part of the RV Experience

Let’s talk about the drivability of a Leisure Travel Van, as the driving experience is an important aspect of the RV experience. Many seasoned RV owners will tell you that driving an RV can be a stressful, tiring situation. Whereas I’d say, with the Leisure Travel Van on the well thought-out Sprinter chassis, it’s the complete opposite.

In fact, Janet and I just returned from an impromptu, four-day, 1,600-mile round trip to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, from Dallas, Texas. Even though we had limited time, we wanted to get the LTV out on the road and spend a few nights in the cool Colorado mountain air.

So this meant making a beeline to Colorado with as few stops as possible. I drove for 8 hours on the first day, and I can tell you I enjoyed every moment of it. With the electronic steering, adaptive cruise control, and comfortable Ultra Leather seats, I could have kept going even longer. It’s not always a good idea to drive that distance at one time, but totally doable in the LTV. (Fellow Leisure Explorers Mike and Jennifer Wendland have a fantastic suggestion of the “330 Rule” – stop after 330 miles or at 3:30pm, which ever comes first.)

Janet setting up camp in Pagosa Springs.

Deep Dive: What It’s Really Like to Drive a Leisure Travel Van

Power and Miles Per Gallon

The LTV Unity comes with the Mercedes-Benz 188-horse power 3.0 liter turbo-diesel V6 engine with direct injection, and a turbocharger intercooler that produces 325 pounds of torque. This may seem relatively small for a Class C (B+) motorhome, but it’s more than adequate power to confidently merge onto a highway and move the 11,000 pound motorhome with ease.

I’ve never felt it was underpowered, and with the unheard of motorhome highway miles per gallon (mpg) of 17 that I average, it’s not an enemy of your wallet. My only complaint is that I wish it had a bit larger of a fuel tank, as the 24.5 gallon tank gives you about 370 miles of real range when you factor in combined mpg.

For ultimate efficiency and safety, we travel at a max of 65 miles per hour (mph), that gives us that 17 mpg (sometimes up to 19 mpg on flat highways). Jumping up to 70 mph drops the milage to 15 – 16 mpg in my experience, as well as making the coach a bit more susceptible to feeling cross winds and such. We try to never be in a hurry and I definitely recommend the sweet spot of 65 mph for a comfortable drive.

Drivability

So what’s it like to drive an 11,000 pound, 10-foot-tall house? Actually, very unintimidating. While much larger than an SUV, such as a Suburban or Escalade, the electronic steering makes turning and highway control very much an SUV experience. Once you master not having a rear view mirror and really have an awareness of your blind spots and turning radius, it’s a breeze to drive, even in urban settings.

Adaptive Cruise: A Game Changer for RVs

You may have adaptive cruise in your vehicle, as the technology is being put into more automobiles, but having it in an RV makes driving virtually stress free.

My daily driver is a Tesla Model S, and I have become so spoiled with the autopilot feature that it was absolute serendipitous when I took my first trip in the LTV and turned on the adaptive cruise. It takes the white knuckle effect of driving in heavy traffic away, knowing the RV is actually helping you maintain a safe following distance. And driving on open highways is like a walk in the park, knowing the coach will self adjust the speed for the slower vehicle you are approaching ahead.

You should still always be completely aware and prepared to take over just in case, but the peace of mind it gives you is priceless. I will never own another vehicle without this amazing feature.

Visibility

The driving experience is part of the RV experience.

One of my favorite features of my LTV is the giant panoramic front windshield. Driving through the mountains or desert is like watching a movie screen with the landscape unfolding before you. It’s hard to explain, but the large windshield makes the viewing experience so different from a regular automobile.

Like I said earlier, it takes some getting used to not having the rear visibility you have in an automobile. The large side mirrors with the lower concave mirrors will be your best friend once you get familiar with what you are looking at and where cars are in your blindspots.

The Sprinter chassis does have a backup camera, but unfortunately it is not available for driving. There are several after-market solutions you can purchase, and I opted for a wireless camera that requires no difficult installation or running of wires.

Navigation and Entertainment

The team at Leisure Travel Vans doesn’t scrimp when it comes to ordering their chassis, giving you just about every feature Mercedes offers. The beautiful 10-inch screen with navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, and “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant is spectacular.

There is no shortage of audio options as Sirius XM satellite radio gives you virtually every music, talk, and sports programming imaginable to keep you entertained as you enjoy your road trip (this is invaluable when you are in remote areas with no radio signal).

“Hey Mercedes” is a voice assistant much like “Alexa”, in that it can control your audio and navigation as well as answer questions such as time, date, temperature, etc.

We use our LTV to escape the Texas heat into the crisp Colorado mountain air.

Climate and Comfort

The downside to the big, picturesque window is how much heat it enhances during sunny days. The Sprinter AC is more than up to the task of keeping you cool, and you will most certainly want it doing its job during the summer. When in really hot conditions, we will run our diesel generator to power the coach rooftop air to keep the entire coach cool while driving, to help the dash AC.

The heated seats are a luxury my wife, Janet, refuses to live without. She will even turn it on in the summer! While I can’t fathom doing that, I also can’t imagine life without them in the winter. While the Ultra Leather does stay relatively ambient in the winter, the heated seats are a welcome feature.

Stability and Sway

I’ve read many posts on forums of the pre-2019 chassis having the absolute need to add a beefed-up sway bar and something like Sumo Springs to control the rocking and sway of the motor-coach.

In the 2019 upgrade, Mercedes includes a beefed-up sway bar from the factory, and I’ve found it to be adequate. With that being said, I do think Sumo Springs would help when turning out of steep driveways or turning into parking lots that have un-level pavement.

But I’ve found that normal driving conditions are fine with what the coach comes from the factory with.

A West Texas sunset is the perfect end to a long drive.

At the end of the day, I absolutely love driving my Leisure Travel Van. In fact, I look forward to travel days sitting behind the wheel of my Unity FX as much as I enjoy camping in the luxury of the LTV.