Camping has its perks. It feels great to take a break from the real world and step into the unknown. Trips like these really help you relax so you can get ready for the next day. Along with this, it is a great way to spend some much-needed time with those that you love. Before you actually take the trip, there are a number of things that you need to consider to be able to go and have some fun. The place you sleep in is also one of them.
The true meaning of camping
You often imagine yourself lying down and staring up at the stars when you think of camping. It allows you to get closer to nature and bond with your family. Both of these are crucial for your wellbeing as they allow you to relax after the multiple hurdles that life throws at you, and building a stronger relationship with your loved ones is always a great idea. These aspects are unified to describe what the true meaning of camping really is. Let’s talk about how you can achieve these aspects in a tent or RV.
What it’s like to camp in an RV
An RV or a recreational vehicle is pretty much like a house inside a vehicle. It is designed in a way where you can sleep, cook, and drive in it. So, it is basically a little house on wheels. If you take this camping, the entire family can be together, but you may have some restrictions when it comes to your connection with nature. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of camping in an RV:
Advantages
RVs are a great option when you go camping for a number of reasons. Here are some of the benefits:
- Indoor sleeping:
With an RV, it is much easier to get into camping. Initially, sleeping outdoors may seem like something impossible. With an RV, you have the ability to sleep inside with almost your entire family as long as it isn't too big. Since you get beds, sleeping is also very comfortable so that you won't have any issues there either. Even your kids will find it easier to ease into the idea of camping when you have an RV.
- No weather problems:
Along with this, since you'll have a sturdy place indoors, the weather will never be too much. If it's too hot, you can easily go ahead and crank up the air conditioner. If it ends up raining, you'll have a safe space to run to, no matter how wet or muddy it is. As a result, you'll always have a place to go if the weather turns against you.
- It is multipurpose:
In an RV, you can do absolutely anything you need. You can snugly sleep into a bed with a comfortable pillow and blanket, you can cook a whole meal, and you can drive home whenever you like. Most RVs even have a little dining table where all of you can sit and eat as a family. Some will even have TVs to keep you entertained and charging ports for your phones or other devices. It has everything you will ever need in one place.
- It resembles home the most:
If you feel as if you need some time to adjust to nature and be detached from your home, an RV is a great option. It has almost everything that you would find at your home. This makes the transition to accepting a life closely connected to nature much more manageable.
- No need to spend time building a tent:
Building a tent may be a tiresome process for some people. You have to find a good place to set up a tent, then figure out how to put one together, and so on. To many people, this is too much of a hassle, and it is much easier to crawl into a bed in an RV.
Disadvantages
Although there are multiple advantages, there are disadvantages as well. Some of them are mentioned below:
- The true essence of camping is lost:
Since you're practically living in something similar to your home, you won't connect with nature as much. Your family will probably stay indoors most of the time, which prevents you from really understanding camping. Moreover, when you have access to the internet, television, and home-cooked meals at all times, it really doesn't feel like true camping.
- They are expensive
RVs may be very practical and multifunctional, but they are incredibly expensive. They are far more pricy than your average vehicle, and if you only intend to use them for a monthly or yearly camping trip, it really won't make up for the cost. RVs are more economical for people who are constantly moving from place to place.
- It may not be as easy to use during camping:
When you go camping in an RV, there are a lot of additional steps. You will have to find a place to park that is safe and not too far away from the camping site. Along with this, it isn't possible to take an RV to all camping sites. For example, it is not possible to take an RV to most beaches or parks. RVs are also meant for a relatively small group of people. So, if you plan to take a lot of people camping, you may not be able to fit everyone in, so you might end up bringing extra tents anyway.
- The fun of putting up a tent is lost:
For many people, putting up a tent is actually pretty fun. It is a great bonding activity with your loved ones and can even be turned into a game. When you get an RV, you won't need a tent, so you won't set one up.
Camping in a tent
A tent is the classic method of camping. It’s the first thing that people think of when they picture camping. Just like RVs, there are both benefits and drawbacks of sleeping in one when you go camping.
Advantages
There are many reasons as to why people prefer camping in a tent. Some of them are listed below.
- The authentic method of camping:
Camping was originally done in tents. This is because you can lay back and actually enjoy connecting with nature. This is a feeling that you can only obtain by camping in a tent. In an RV, you may feel as if you're on a road trip, but it is unlikely to feel like you're actually camping. If you're looking for a good quality tent, try this one that even the kids will adore.
- Setting it up is fun:
No matter what anyone says, kids love learning new things, and setting up a tent is one of them. Even for adults, the feelings of satisfaction and achievement that you get when you look at the finished result are unmatchable. This experience is part of camping, and setting up a tent will always be fun if you like camping. It may seem not easy at first, but with time you'll learn to love it. If the tents you buy are of good quality like the ones from Kidz Adventure, it will actually be pretty easy to set them up too.
- You can take anywhere:
All tents can be neatly folded and placed into a bag that you can store in your car. They are extremely compact so that they will fit anywhere pretty easily, and you won't have any complaints. Moreover, there are no restrictions on where you can bring them. Unlike an RV, you could bring a tent to the top of a mountain, the middle of a beach, and practically anywhere you like. It's not even that heavy.
- It is more affordable:
For the price of one RV, you could buy multiple tents. This means that you could even bring your extended family along on the camping trip. Tents are so much more affordable than RVs, which is why the majority prefer them for their regular camping trips. It's even great for when your child feels like sleeping in your backyard because it feels like he's actually camping.
- You get a new experience:
In an RV, you have pretty much everything you can find at home. This means your camping experience is very restricted. You won't discover a lot of new things, and you will probably stick to the same routine you had back home due to the resemblance. With a tent, you have a brand-new experience that is completely different from what you see back home. Who doesn't love exploring and experiencing new things? Doing the same things can get boring, even on a holiday.
Disadvantages
Although tents seem fantastic, they're not perfect. Here are some of the disadvantages of camping in a tent:
- The weather may pose as a problem:
If it’s too hot or begins to rain, your tent may not hold up perfectly. Your tent needs to be waterproof and UV resistant like this one for you to be able to escape from harsh weather conditions. It is best to check the forecast before picking a date.
- Not everyone knows how to set up a tent:
Setting up a tent may sound fun but not for people who are clueless. If you don’t know how to set up a tent, you’re pretty much at a loss. It is best to watch a couple of videos and attempt to set it up in your backyard or ask a friend for help before you go camping.
- You can’t cook a whole meal:
Since you don't have access to a kitchen, you won't be able to cook complete meals as you do at home. At most, you could heat up something over a fire that you brought with you, but you won't get fresh home-cooked meals.
- Sleeping on the ground may be uncomfortable:
In most tents, you only have a sheet that's distancing you from the ground. This could be uncomfortable for many people, even if you brought an extra sheet. To make things more comfortable, you may have to invest in a sleeping bag like this one so that you can sleep comfortably throughout the night. Luckily, they aren’t that expensive, but you will still need one for every person. An alternative is using thicker sheets.
- Your tent may not be of good quality:
Not everyone understands tents, so you may not know which one is the right one to get. This means there is a greater risk of ending up with something that is not of good quality. Poor quality tents are difficult to set up, they may not hold up well, and they might not be UV or water-resistant. Some might not be able to withstand strong wind either. If you want to stay safe, get a tent from Kidz Adventure because they never disappoint.
What works better for you?
So, what should you pick for camping? A tent or an RV? In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. You should choose something that you love regardless of what sounds better. Take a look at the pros and cons of both and pick out whatever is more feasible. It's about what works for you and what will provide a more comfortable and pleasurable experience for the family. Talk to everyone going, and you are sure to pick something that would suit everyone. If you can't pick what you prefer because of the price, you can always learn to live with the alternative. Just be sure to never compromise on quality, and you're good to go. Happy camping!