Lynx Living Blog — Florida

The weather is warm, the days are long, and there are so many beautiful places to explore. This only means one thing– that an exciting and relaxing RV summer road trip is in order! Whether you're heading to the beach, exploring national parks, or simply enjoying the open road, a great road trip needs to be well-thought out. This means ensuring that you bring along all the essentials and that you follow road trip best practices. In this blog post, you will find a guide that highlights must-have items to bring along and any valuable tips to help you make the most of your road trip. 

1. Plan Ahead (But leave room for spontaneity) 

A road trip is not the time to improvise, so make sure to take the time before setting off to plan your route. Keep in mind scenertic routes, fun events and hidden gems that can spice up and diversify your trip. With that said, it is also recommended that during the planning process, you leave some room for spontaneity. Throughout your trip, whether it’s from talking to fellow travelers on the road or interacting with locals, you are bound to hear about an event or location that you would like to visit. Having a flexible itinerary allows you to add in last-minute, unplanned stops.

2. Vehicle maintenance 

Before you leave for a road trip, it's crucial to conduct a thorough check of your RV's systems. This entails inspecting the engine, tires, brakes, fluids, and every appliance in the RV. There are some great RV maintenance checklists that can help you through this process, some of which are listed below: 

• The Ultimate RV Maintenance Checklist
• The Ultimate RV Maintenance Checklist for Every Season
• Travel Trailer Maintenance - How To Service Your Camper Trailer

3. Be Proactive 

Being prepared before going on a road trip might spare you not only headaches, but possibly salvage your entire trip. By being proactive, we mean anticipating what could go wrong, and bringing the necessary tools to help you mitigate those issues if they arise. This could include items such as: 

• Physical map or map app 
• First aid kit 
• Levelers 
• Roadside emergency kit 

4. Book in advance 

Like mentioned previously, putting together an itinerary before setting off on the road is a must, and part of that is booking campsites in advance. Summer is the busiest season when it comes to RVing, which is why you shouldn’t take any chances. If you are traveling with kids you should check campsite amenities and if you are bringing along your fur friends, you want to check that the campsite is pet friendly. Listed below are two blogs that provide guidance on traveling with kids and pets: 

• Camping with Kids: Tips for a Fun & Safe Trip
• Tips & Tricks for Bringing Pets Along on Your RVing Adventures

5. Beat The Heat 

The last, but arguably most important tip, is to ensure you are taking the proper measures to keep yourself and your RV cool during the roadtrip. RVs can get quite stuffy and uncomfortable during the summer months, which is why it is crucial for your comfort and safety that you take steps to keep the RV cool. Here you will find our blog that highlights ten tips on surviving the blazing summer heat while RVing. 

Summer is the perfect time to go on a RV road trip, but you must take the proper precautions to ensure that the trip runs smoothly and safely. By following these tips, you can set off on the road with ease of mind!

Hiking is one of the most popular camping activities because it is an amazing way to explore the outdoors, get some exercise, see beautiful scenery and get off the beaten path. However, to ensure that your hike is safe, enjoyable, and stress-free, it's important to bring along the right gear and supplies. In this blog, we compiled a list of essential items that you should always bring along with you on a hike.

Food & Water: 

Just like a car needs fuel to run, so do humans. Water is essential on a hike, so make sure to bring enough to keep you hydrated throughout your trek. As a general rule, bring at least 2 liters of water per person for a full day's hike. Of course, food is also super important, so along with your main meals, bring a few protein bars to keep your energy levels up.

Sun Protection:

Sun protection is crucial on any hike, especially during the summer months. Bring along sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. Remember that even on cloudy days, UV rays can still penetrate through the clouds.

First Aid Kit:

You should never set off on a hike without a first aid kit, especially if it is going to be a long or particularly hard hike. The main things it should include are bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any other prescription medications you may need.

Navigation Tools:

When going on a hike, it’s important to be prepared and bring along a navigation tool. A map and compass are essential for any off-trail hiking, and a GPS device can be helpful in some situations.

Insect Repellant:

If you're going on a hike, especially if it’s during the summer, you should always pack some insect repellant spray in your bag. This will help keep all those little buggers away so that you can fully enjoy your time on the hike.

By packing these essential items for your hike, you'll be well-prepared for whatever adventure awaits you. Remember to always be safe, and have fun exploring the great outdoors!

When reminiscing about summer, many RVers think of long days spent exploring new places, camping at bucket list destinations, and warm nights spent sitting around the campfire. However, it’s hard to look forward to the good times without also dreading how stuffy and uncomfortable RV trips can be in the summer months. 

In this blog, we’ll go over some of the most effective ways to not only survive, but thrive, as an RVer during the summer. 

1. Bring Refreshing Food

The infamous saying “You are what you eat” applies even more so in the summer. Stay away from heavy and greasy foods and instead, bring refreshing and light dishes that will help you combat the heat. Large portions of heavy meals will be harder for your body to digest, putting your body under more work than it needs. Some ideas of light dishes you can bring along are:

• Pasta Salad
• Sushi 
• Fresh veggies and fruit
• Sandwiches/Wraps
• Greek Salad

2. Keep Windows Closed 

Keeping windows closed when it’s hot may seem counterintuitive, but it actually helps keep the heat out of your RV. If you want to take it a step further, also close the curtains or blinds. It is especially important that you remember to do this when you are away from your RV during the day, so that when you’re back, you’re not coming home to a sauna. 

3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate! 

This may sound like a given, but keeping hydrated is a key component to surviving the heat. If you have a hard time drinking enough water, try adding in some flavor drops! 

TIP: Purchase an insulated water bottle to bring along on your trip that will keep your liquids cold. This water bottle keeps cold for up to 48 hrs!

4. Reflective Insulation 

Another recommendation we have is to bring a roll of reflective insulation to put on your windshield while you’re away from your RV. If your windows don’t have blinds or curtains, this is a great alternative to use to block the heat.

5. Go Where the Shade Is 

Perhaps the most effective way to combat the heat is to simply seek out shade as much as you can. When choosing a parking spot, try to pick out shaded spot. If you find a good shaded spot but it is on unlevel ground, do not fret! Lynx Levelers to the rescue! 

6. Snap Shades

We’ve given a few suggestions already on how to prevent heat from coming into your RV that involve keeping windows covered. These are only viable solutions when you are away from your RV since the view would be blocked. 

If you are looking for something to block the heat while you are in your RV, we suggest purchasing some EZ RV Snap Shades. These shades are described as “thermo-weave™ mesh [that] block up to 90% of the sun’s heat & damaging UV rays, without blocking your view”. Although the EZ Snap Shades have a hefty price tag, they are a good investment for those who travel in their RV often during the summer. 

7. Cooling Towels

Cooling towels are very handy to keep around during the hot summer days. They are extremely effective at keeping you cool while being light-weight and easy to use.

8. Awning

If your RV already comes with an awning, make sure to make good use of it during the summer. If your RV does not have an awning, it might be a good idea to invest in one. Awnings are not only a good way to create shade, but it’s also useful if you want to sit outside when it’s raining.

9. Cooling Car Seat

Everyone is familiar with heating car seats, but have you ever heard of cooling car seats? This cooling cushion is convenient and easy to set up, making it the perfect way to combat the heat this summer!

10. Pet Cooling Mat

We couldn't make this blog without mentioning our beloved pets because, as much as we suffer in the heat, our fur friends tend to suffer even more. If you are traveling with your pets this summer, consider purchasing a pet cooling mat that you can put inside your RV. This should alleviate some of your pet’s discomfort. 

We hope that these tips will help you combat the heat this summer so that you can enjoy your RV trip even more. If you have any more tips, tricks, or advice, please share it in the comments!

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Pack your bags and get ready to set off on your next RV adventure! This time we’re showing you the must-see stops throughout the Florida Keys. The beautiful, 120-mile-long Florida Keys island chain is linked to mainland Florida by US 1 – an overseas highway that’s a spectacular sight in and of itself. Say goodbye … Continue reading Your guide to RVing through the Florida Keys →

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