RV Rentals – Bankston Motor Homes Blog

RVing in Alabama and Tennessee

May 19, 2023May 19, 2023bankstonmotorhomes

Bankston Motor Homes is a staple in Alabama and Tennessee. This month we want to inform everyone why we love RVing in the South! There are plenty of options for finding a great campground. Whether you want to stay close to the city or further out in nature, there are many choices available. So, whether you’re looking to explore the natural beauty of the South or just want a quiet spot to park your RV, here are some tips on how to kick off your Summer RV trip.

To start, make sure you research your options! Does the RV campground have the necessary amenities that you and your family need? Does it have activities for the kids? Does your RV fit into their designated RV spots? When choosing the right campground, it’s important to consider location, facilities and amenities, rules and regulations. Since, you’re looking for the best summer campsites for RVing in Northern Alabama, consider the following:

Size of the campsite. The size of your campsite is an important factor to consider when choosing a campground. You want to make sure that there is enough space for your RV and other vehicles, as well as any additional tents or equipment you may have brought along with you on this trip.
Location and views. If possible, try to find a location where there are great views of nature around you–this can make camping much more enjoyable! You might also want to look into whether or not there are any nearby attractions that would be fun for everyone in your group (e.g., hiking trails).
Amenities and facilities at each campground location being considered by those searching for places where they can stay overnight while visiting Alabama during this time period; you will want to discover things like whether or not bathrooms and showers are available 24 hours per day and if electric outlets are located in each individual site so you don’t need to bring along a generator. It is important to know if there is a convenience store at each park, too.

The final step is choosing where to stay! Here are a few locations to check out in Alabama and Tennessee.

Wheeler lake in Decatur, Alabama
Great Escapes RV Resort Chesnut Bay in Leesburg, Alabama
Nashville KOA Resort in Nashville, Tennessee
Arrow Creek Campground in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

If you’re looking for something more rural and natural, check out some of the national parks in Northern Alabama such as Oak Mountain State Park or Cheaha State Park. If you’d rather be closer to civilization but still enjoy some outdoor activities like hiking trails and biking paths, try one of the state parks south of Huntsville like Valley Head Lake Recreation Area or Lake Lurleen State Park. Whatever type of camping experience suits your needs best–and whatever type of RVing adventure appeals most–you’ll find it here!

Before you hit the road, here are a few things to remember. The first is making sure your RV is in good working condition. Check all appliances and make sure they work properly, especially if you are planning on staying at an RV park for an extended period of time. Next up: packing essentials! You’ll want to bring enough clothing for both warm days and cool nights–and don’t forget about rain gear if storms are forecasted during your stay. Also, pack extra towels and linens so that everyone has what they need when getting ready for bed each night! Finally, don’t forget some entertainment options like books, cards or board games–you never know how long those evenings will last!

Summer RVing is Coming!

April 17, 2023April 17, 2023bankstonmotorhomes

The Summer months are nearing, so it is time to reserve your RV campground spot! Once you have picked a destination, there are a few things to know about how to find and reserve the perfect RV campground.

Here are some things to research and to keep in mind before booking! First, check for length requirements. Most campgrounds have specific restrictions for how long your spot will be and what maximum length camper will fit. So, make sure to know your length from hitch to bumper. Know your tow vehicle length too! Sometimes that needs to be included. Some sites also restrict the amount of slides an RV can have. Second, know how many AMPs it takes to run your RV. You will want the right hook ups so you can properly power your RV. Third, does the site have water hookups? If not, then make sure to fill your water tanks before you reach the site. Finally, does the RV campsite have sewage or a dump station? Not all campgrounds have sewer hookups at every site. However, almost all will have a dump station. But if you do not want to have to empty your black tank every few days, be sure to find a site with both sewer and water hook-ups!

Once you have a couple RV campgrounds that are suitable for you, now it is time to book! Just remember not every RV park or campground takes a reservation. Some are first come, first serve. While some parks have sites for last minute arrivals, they will charge you a fee. When booking, make sure to book in advance. Private parks generally allow you to book further out. While public parks or national parks have a rolling schedule. That schedule can be anywhere from six to eight months out. If you’re planning on RVing on a popular weekend like Fourth of July, Labor Day, or Memorial Day, be sure to book ahead. Those weekends fill up fast!

If you are dry camping or boondocking, check to make sure you are allowed to park your RV overnight. Some places require a reservation even if there are no amenities being used. Most RV parks or campgrounds that take reservations will let you book online or over the phone. However, they usually will require a deposit.

Now that you have ensured that your basic amenities are taken care of, what extra amenities do the campgrounds offer? Those offerings may range from wi-fi, pool access, a camp store, or even on-site events. Be sure to be on the lookout for those! Now, you know what to be on the lookout for when booking your awesome Summer RV trip! So, get ready to start planning!

Travel in Style: Your Guide to the Best RV Parks in the U.S.

February 19, 2019bankstonmotorhomes

RV camping doesn’t have to mean “roughing it.” You can travel in style by visiting one (or more!) of the best RV parks in the U.S. Here are a few of our favorites.

Do you cringe when you hear the word camping? You must imagine tents, dirt, and no showers.

While camping is not for everyone, taking an RV out for a spin is hardly “roughing it.” You can have all the comforts of a house while still being open for adventure.

Lots of people have the same idea. In fact, 10 million American households own an RV.

If you’ve ever thought about what it would be like to explore the great outdoors, an RV could be the solution. But where would you take your RV to?

Keep reading this article to learn about the best RV parks in the U.S.

1. Denali National Park and Preserve

If you’re looking for the ultimate RV campground experience, then you need to put Denali National Park on the top of your list. This national park is located in Alaska in the center of nature and spectacular wildlife.

The park has three RV-friendly campgrounds: Riley Creek, Teklanika River, and Savage River.

Keep in mind you have to make a reservation far in advance through a third party–the National Park doesn’t handle the reservations.

2. Yosemite National Park

Without a doubt, if you plan on taking your RV for a spin, you have to visit the legendary Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite National Park has ten RV campsites for you to choose from. Be aware that electrical, sewer and water hookups won’t be available. The only dump station is available at Upper Pines campground, so you should go prepared.

Also, campgrounds at Yosemite book fast, so make sure you book as early as possible.

3. Fernwood Campground and Resort

You’ve probably thought about taking a road trip down the Pacific Highway at some point in your life.

Well if you own an RV, why not make this a reality? Fernwood Campground and Resort is right in the heart of Big Sur, California.

RV campsites have access to water and electricity so you can enjoy nature without giving up some comforts.

4. Crater Lake RV Park

If you’ve always dreamed of exploring the Pacific Northwest, it’s time you take your RV to Crater Lake RV Park.

It’s recommended you plan for at least a week in order to experience everything there is to see.

The campsite has access to 30, 40, and 50 amp hook-ups and access to telephone lines.

Also, they have free wi-fi, so you don’t have to feel disconnected from the outside world. Not to mention you’ll have access to clean bathrooms and showers.

5. LVM Resort

If you think enjoying an RV resort is always about getting in touch with nature, then we should let you know that there are RV resorts that are all about luxury rather than “nature” and “the great outdoors”.

LVM Resort in Las Vegas is an RV luxury resort located only minutes from the strip.

This resort offers all of the amenities of a 5-star hotel but you can sleep in the familiarity of your RV.

LMV has a full-size swimming pool, two whirlpools, and even a tanning pool. Visitors can also enjoy the clubhouse, on-site restaurant, fitness center, and spa.

Check Out the Best RV Parks in the U.S.

Now that you know about some of the best RV parks in the U.S., it’s time to take your RV for a spin.

So where is it going to be, LVM, Denali, or Yosemite? And if there are a few more you think others should know about please share them in the comments! We would love to update this article with more of the Best RV Parks in the U.S. in several months.

If you enjoyed these ideas and would like to learn read more about road trip tips for your RV, check out our blog!

Top 3 Reasons Why Renting an RV is a Smart Choice.

April 27, 2018May 25, 2018bankstonmotorhomes

The main reason why renting an RV is a smart choice-

How do you figure out if renting an RV is a smart choice? If you plan to use your RV the typical number of days per year (27) and you purchase your RV on credit, you will pay a premium of $200 more per day for the privilege of ownership versus renting! To make ownership finacially worthwhile you need to use your RV about 40 days per year if you buy the RV outright, or about 50 days per year if you buy the RV on credit. On the other hand, for those who live full-time in their RV, the costs per day can be well under $100. (from “Rent vs. Buy” by Dave Neale.)

More reasons why renting an RV is a smart choice;-

There are other solid reasons to rent an RV before you buy one for yourself of your family: (1) experience the difference in driving different types of motorhomes – handling a small Class C can feel a bit different from driving a longer Class A. Trying each size out for a weekend (or a week) can save you the experience of purchasing new and then up/down sizing. Are you as comfortable parking the Class C as the Class A? And yes, we know there are Class Cs that are of similar length to the Class As…so try ut the different lengths and see what feels comfortable for you and your driving partner. (2) Try out a couple of different floor plans. Why? well the bunk over cab may sound great…but what if your kid doesn’t like sleeping up high? What if navigating to the restroom at night from the bunk was more effort than they thought it would be? Can everyone use the shower with ease? These are experiences only gained by staying in an RV overnight. (3) Do you have a truck or SUV? If so, you may discover after driving a rental motorhome that you would rather park a travel trailer and drive your regular vehicle around to sight see and then return to your sleeping place in the evening. My sister and her husband bought a Class A (used), gutted and refurbished it, and then decided they would rather tow a 5th wheel they could park and drive their truck for sightseeing…

Learn more about renting at BankstonRVrentals.com

-by Tanya H. Miller

Marketing Director

Bankston Motorhomes, Inc.