RV Camping

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that tire pressure monitoring systems save 660 lives, prevent 33,000 injuries, and conserve $511 million in fuel each year. For RVs with multiple axles, TPMS adds continuous monitoring but does not replace pre-trip tire checks.

On California’s Highway 1, the 90-mile Big Sur stretch between San Simeon and Carmel pairs dramatic scenery with demanding driving. Vehicle-size limits vary sharply by campground, with Limekiln State Park capped at 24 feet.

The 2026 Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 29RLP approaches 10,000 pounds and can place about 1,500 pounds of tongue weight on its tow vehicle when loaded. Buyers should compare their truck’s payload rating with the trailer’s real-world weight rather than rely on the “half-ton” badge.

Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road was fully open for the 2026 season, but RV size limits kept larger rigs from traveling between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. The park’s lack of electric hookups and limited large-RV campsites required careful planning.

New York requires trailer brakes above 1,000 pounds, while Texas sets the threshold at 4,500 pounds and Massachusetts at 10,000 pounds. Because requirements can change when you cross a state line, proper brake-controller setup is essential for safe towing.

Newmar’s 2026 Ventana starts at $503,005, while the company’s gas-powered Bay Star begins at $263,900. The difference reflects more than options, extending to the chassis, powertrain, suspension, and intended use.

On Colorado Highway 550 between Ouray and Silverton, road width can shrink from 48 feet to 23 feet within a few curves. The Million Dollar Highway may be scenic, but its steep grades, hairpin turns, and limited shoulders make it a demanding route for larger RVs.

Crater Lake has only two campgrounds, and Lost Creek Campground is strictly for tents. For RV travelers, Mazama Campground is the park’s only overnight option, including its limited electric and full-hookup sites.

If an RV refrigerator will not cool down at a midsummer campground, it may be reaching a physical limit rather than suffering a mechanical failure. Absorption refrigerators rely on a gravity-driven ammonia cooling cycle and can struggle in hot weather for reasons that differ from household refrigerators.