From the Archives: My New Years Camping Resolutions

First:Lose some weight!

It's really incredible how you can pack on the pounds in a year or two. I came to this revelation when I was packing our Airstream for an extended outing this past fall. As I carried load after load of what we must have deemed essentials, I was mentally keeping track of what a giant bin of clothes weighs. How about a big box of canned goods. And of course, I need three guitars and a ukulele. On this trip Tina also required a sewing machine and the associated accessories. As I creatively filled every nook and cranny in the rig I was painfully aware that we routinely carry TOO MUCH STUFF! It's high time that I take everything out of nearly every cupboard and storage locker and edit what we need down to actual essentials that get used all the time. It's nice to have a couple slow cookers, a rice streamer and a fondue but heck, we hardly even use them at home so I bet we can get by without them when we are out "roughing it" at Algonquin. The last time I did this edit was a couple of years ago and there are still boxes in the garage full of the stuff I pulled out of these same, now stuffed again, cupboards. I guess we didn't miss that other stuff too much. But seriously folks, we don't need the extra weight going down the road. It's harder on the trailer, it's harder on the contents and it's harder on my gas mileage. So resolution #1 is the" The Off Season Purge."

Resolution #2: Get your pressure under control. No not your blood pressure, (but that's important too), your tire pressures. Most of us are rolling down the road on 6 or 8 or even 10 tires and they all need to be dialled in correctly. Check your vehicle and trailer manuals and perhaps a set of tire pressure monitors for the trailer would be money well spent. I know I had my tires set a bit too hard and it was really bouncing stuff around in the trailer.  Consider getting a Tire Pressure monitoring system.  There are lots of choices out there from $100 and up.  Check with the folks in our parts department to see what they would recommend for your particular applications.  Parts Department, CLICK HERE

Resolution #3: Making a list and checking it twice! A couple years ago I wrote a blog for Can-Am RV about the importance of having a good check list to help get you organized when you leave home, and when you are leaving a campsite. I am guilty of using a horribly outdated list that we made up for a camper we had years ago. That list has requirements for long gone pets, technology we no longer use and neglects aspects of our current trailer. So...I'm a gonna write a new one for 2026 that works with our new Serenity, all up to date and ready for blast off in the spring. If you would like to read the article from 2019, here it is....https://www.canamrv.ca/blog/post/the-most-important-rv-tool-you-should-havethe-checklist/

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Resolution #4: New Destinations and New Routes. This last one is a lifestyle adjustment, not an equipment or maintenance issue. I want to remind myself that there are so many places that we have yet to see that we really should plan our 2025 adventures to places we have not been to before. Going to locations that are already familiar does give one a sense of security, but I don't want to get lazy either. I think as I get older I might need a bit of a push to remind myself that the excitement of discovery is a big part of why we are RVers. Also, this year I want to take the slow roads and the county roads to get to our destinations. On the big highways and interstates we are constantly cruising by so many interesting attractions in an effort to just arrive at a destination. I know it sounds like bumper sticker wisdom, but let's enjoy the ride, and getting there is half the fun.

From all of us at Can Am RV Centre have a safe and happy 2026, and we look forward to helping you make your travel dreams come true!


This article was reprinted from the Can Am RV Centre Newletter.  To subscribe click HERE