Transitioning from Tent Camping to RV Camping as a Family

Transitioning from Tent Camping to RV Camping as a Family
Insights on making the most of switching to RV life from traditional camping.

By: Dom Carson

If you’ve been a tent camper for years but are considering a shift to RV camping, you’re not alone! Families everywhere are embracing RVs for the extra convenience, comfort, and safety they bring to outdoor adventures. Whether it’s to keep up with work from the road, simplify camping with kids, or extend your season into colder months, RV camping offers a host of benefits. Let’s dive into why this transition might be a good idea for your family and how to make it a smooth one.

And don’t worry, just because you get an RV doesn’t mean you have to give up tent camping! You can still make time for it all if you want to, we definitely do.

Top Reasons Families Choose RV Camping

1. More Comfortable Family Adventures

Tent camping is an amazing way to connect with nature, but it’s not always practical, especially with kids. From setting up camp in the rain to dealing with nighttime bathroom runs, roughing it can lose its charm in those baby and toddler years. With an RV, you bring your home on wheels—complete with beds, a bathroom, and a kitchen.

No more desperately trying to get your baby to sleep inside of a bright, hot tent on those long summer nights. We love that we can set our toddler up in her bunk with a fan and make sure it’s nice and dark so that sleep is a bit easier while camping.

Read this article to learn how Dom makes sure her little one is safe and comfortable in their Winnebago Micro Minnie travel trailer.

2. Convenient for Kids

Camping with kids is a joy but comes with its challenges. Packing and hauling everything from toys to snacks to extra outfits can feel like a monumental task. RVs simplify the process. You have built-in storage for essentials, space to keep things organized, and the ability to bring along comforts like highchairs or strollers without worrying about cramming them into a car trunk.

3. Work from Anywhere

With remote work on the rise, many families are blending work and travel. An RV allows you to set up your mobile office in the heart of nature. Many modern RVs are equipped with outlets, Wi-Fi boosters, and even workspaces, making it easier than ever to log in from a national park while the kids play outside. 

4. Camping in Tough Weather

Winter camping or trips during unpredictable weather become infinitely easier in an RV. With climate control, you can stay warm in the Rockies during snowy evenings or cool during hot summers. Plus, an RV gives you a safe, dry retreat when storms roll in. We also love that we can go outside and play in the elements and then have a warm, dry place to come back into. Plus, the shower in our Winnebago Micro Minnie is the perfect place to hang up all of our wet gear after to dry!

5. Added Safety in Bear Country

The first time I took my daughter solo camping, she was a year and a half old, and we headed out to a remote campsite in the Rockies with our dog and our tent. While it was one of my most memorable camping trips, I was also up most of the night wishing that I had a locked door between me and the outside world. It was that trip and those late-night thoughts that led to us getting our Winnebago Micro Minnie trailer a few months later. 

Having a hard-sided RV means you don’t need to worry about the thin layer of fabric between your family and wildlife (or other people). For parents, that peace of mind is invaluable. It’s one less thing to stress about, letting you fully enjoy your surroundings (and it lets me get a good night sleep while camping!).

Bonus: Tips for Bear Safety in an RV

Camping in the Canadian Rockies means sharing the wilderness with bears. While RVs provide a layer of security, there are still important bear safety measures to follow:

• Store Food Properly: Even in an RV, never leave food out where bears can smell it. Use your fridge or sealed containers and avoid leaving food scraps or wrappers in your campsite.
• Dispose of Trash Correctly: Keep garbage locked inside the RV until you can dispose of it at a designated bear-safe bin.
• Minimize Smells: Avoid cooking overly fragrant meals outdoors. Strong smells can attract bears from miles away.
• Lock Doors and Windows: At night or when you’re away, ensure your RV’s doors and windows are closed and locked to prevent curious wildlife from sneaking inside.
• Stay Aware: Keep bear spray accessible and know how to use it. Always follow local guidelines for bear safety in the area where you’re camping.

How to Adjust to RV Camping as a Previous Tent Camper

Transitioning from tent camping to RV camping involves a bit of a learning curve, but the payoff is well worth it. Here are some tips to ease the shift:

1. Familiarize Yourself with Your RV

Spend time getting to know the systems in your RV before your first trip. Learn how to set up the water, electricity, and propane. Practice driving and parking before your first big trip so you feel comfortable maneuvering in campgrounds. Check out these tips and checklists I made for how to set up and take down your travel trailer. 

2. Plan Your Campsites

RVs need more space than a tent, so plan your stops accordingly. Look for RV-friendly campgrounds with hookups for water, electricity, and sewage if you want high-comfort-level camping. There are also great boondocking campgrounds out there! We love to pick campgrounds near the water so that we can fish or play in the water (and campgrounds with parks are amazing these days!). 

3. Streamline Packing

While RVs offer more storage, don’t overpack. Use organizers to keep everything tidy and make a checklist of essentials so you’re not hauling items you won’t use. Packing checklists are great and make sure that you don’t forget anything. 

4. Customize Your RV

Make your RV feel like home. Add cozy touches like rugs, curtains, or favorite family photos. Small adjustments can make a big difference in comfort and make your family look forward to each trip. Here are some of our favorite kid-friendly mods we’ve made. 

Taking Advantage of RV Camping Perks

Once you’re comfortable with RV camping, you’ll discover all the perks it offers. Here are a few ways to make the most of your new camping setup:

1. Cook with Ease

Having a kitchen in your RV opens up endless meal possibilities. Prep meals in advance and store them in the fridge for quick and easy dinners. I do a lot of our cooking at home so we can just toss some things together and can spend more time enjoying our camp time. Don’t forget to bring along a few campfire recipes for that authentic camping vibe!

2. Extend Your Stay

With an RV, you can stay in one spot longer or explore multiple destinations in a single trip. The ability to carry all your essentials means you’re ready for any adventure without needing to constantly restock.

3. Stay Comfortable Year-Round

From snow-covered campsites to summer road trips, your RV can keep your family comfortable in all conditions. Invest in insulation upgrades if you plan to camp in colder weather, and make sure your HVAC system is in good working order for hot climates. Here are some of my winter dry camping tips! 

4. Use Outdoor Features

Many RVs come equipped with outdoor kitchens, awnings, or entertainment systems. Set up an outdoor living area with chairs, a table, and some string lights to create a cozy space for evenings by the fire. We love to bring our propane fire pit which makes a nice smokeless fire for our toddler and we can easily just turn it off and head inside when we are ready to go to bed. 

Final Thoughts on Transitioning to RV Life from Tent Camping

Making the switch from tent camping to RV camping can transform your family’s outdoor adventures. It offers convenience, comfort, and peace of mind—whether you’re working from the road, tackling challenging weather, or camping in bear country. Embrace the change, take your time learning the ropes, and you’ll soon be experiencing a whole new kind of camping! Happy adventuring!