Try it before you buy it…there is no better way! Have you ever bought something and realized soon after that you wish you would have bought a different model? A different size? A different color? When it’s something small it’s not that big of a deal, but when you’re spending big bucks, it’s a huge deal. Buying an RV or trailer is one of those big things that you absolutely want to try it out before committing to the purchase. Being able to really check it out takes some time, and that’s why we LOVE the idea of renting out RVs and trailers. There are so many choices when it comes to RVs and all the models, amenities and options. Unless you’re an RV guru, it’s literally impossible to make an informed decision. Which RV or trailer to buy requires some serious consumer research.

NADA Guides lists over 2,000 RV manufacturers. Each manufacturer typically makes multiple models and within each model there are multiple sizes, all with varying options and amenities. The decisions and choices are endless. Type A Motorhomes, Sport Utility Trailers, Travel Trailers, Type B Motorhomes, Folding Camper Trailers, Type C Motorhomes and Fifth Wheel Travel Trailers are all sold by recreational vehicle dealers. Prices range from $10,000 to well into the millions, and everything in between. No matter your budget, you can find an RV that fits your wants and needs.

If you’ve decided to try RVing, chances are you’ve seen RV parks where you live, where you’ve traveled, or where you want to travel. If you’ve gotten a little more serious about getting an RV, maybe you’ve stopped by Camping World , RV Station , or one of the hundreds of other crazy-big RV dealerships throughout the US and already started shopping. So many people get to this point and begin to get overwhelmed by all the choices and end up taking a step back. But there is a better way! Login to Easy RV and scroll through the listings near you and rent an RV or trailer first. Try it before you buy it!

One of the many reasons Easy RV was established is to assist consumers in the try it before you buy it strategy. Renting an RV let’s you experience all aspects of the RV over a period of time. Spend the night in the great outdoors with your family. Tow it to the beach and enjoy sitting under the awning. Whip up some lunch while you listen to the waves roll in. Head to the mountains and leave all your worries behind.

Renting gives you time to check out all the gadgets and how everything operates.

Is the space to big? Too small? Can you fit in the bathroom? Is it easy to drive? Is there enough storage space? Can your vehicle tow it safely? Do you want more features and options or do you prefer just the basics? Renting allows you the freedom to try before you buy without diving right into a major, long-term financial commitment.

There are many obvious reasons why renting is a good first step before buying.  Stonebridge RV Park partners with Easy RV allows you to scroll through hundreds of listings & photos, communicate with RV owners, and check out how much money YOU can make on the side by renting your RV once you’ve settled in and made that purchase!

Image by Gorving

 You’ve made the exciting decision to rent an RV, so now what?!! You’re about to join millions of others who are stepping away from the traditional hotel and houses to embark on accommodations that are way more fun and more adventurous. There are many reasons for renting an RV, the most popular…a family vacation. These tips will get you off to a great start for creating memories that will last a lifetime.

1. Have a destination in mind. Explore any restrictions that may be in place. Reserve a rental site with full hook-ups (fresh water, electricity, and sewer). Without hook-ups, you’ll be operating off the grid , and unless you’re an experienced RVer, it’s not advised.
2. Plan your route, including stops for fuel.
3. Book your rental well in advance so you can find the perfect RV that fits your wants and needs.
4. Create a checklist and get answers directly from the owner (What are the cancellation & refund policies when renting? What is required to tow a trailer? Can the awning be used? Can our pet come along? What are the pick-up and return times? Are kitchen items and bedding included? Is there a generator? Is there A/C and/or heating? What happens if something breaks down?)
5. Ensure you, or the owner, has reliable RV rental insurance.
6. Take time with the owner to learn all features, systems and operations of the RV, internal and external.
7. Know all the fees involved (mileage fee, generator fee, dumping fee, cleaning fee, pet fee, etc.) and don’t hesitate to bargain for unlimited mileage or free generator use. Do keep in mind, owners have many expenses to upkeep their RVs.
8. Last, and most important, take your time, vow to laugh, relax, and enjoy your adventure!

Here are a couple other of our fave sites for helpful tips:

https://www.tripsavvy.com/tips-for-first-time-rv-rentals-2912598

http://familyrambling.com/rv-tips-fun-family-vacations/travel/camping-rving/

Do you have an RV rental story to tell? Share it here!

As a parent, one of the funnest things you can do with your kids is to take them on vacations. RV parks, such as Stonebridge RV Park in Sweeny, Texas, offer beautiful scenery and great opportunities for family bonding time.

When you watch this video, you will learn all about the benefits road trip vacations offer to young families. One of the most appealing things about traveling in an recreational vehicle is that you don’t have the added high costs of staying at hotels, and having to eat out for all your meals. You can pack food that you know your kids like and have them help you make some really fun campfire meals.

Most families rent an RV close to where they live. Owners list them on sites like Easy RV, where the payment is handled safely, and all the details is worked out between the owner and renter directly. Once you have an RV or trailer reserved, you’ll plan your trip using tools such as RV Trip Wizard. Planning your trip route, stops and fueling are all important when traveling in an RV.

Be sure to pick stopovers and a final destination that offers things your entire family will enjoy. You’ll want full hook-ups for water, electricity, and sewer. Room to run, play and swim is important for kids. What other activities do you want to enjoy? Hiking? Crafts? Bonfires? If you’re bringing along a pet, you’ll want to be sure you reserve spots at parks that are pet-friendly.

When you hit the road, you will have the opportunity to bond with your kids like never before. So start planning your vacation now!

Whether you’re seeking quality short or long term RV lodging, look no further than Stonebridge RV Park.  As the leading RV park in Sweeny, TX, we offer all of the amenities and services that you need to feel right at home. Some of the amenities we offer are a family-friendly swimming pool, on-site laundromat and stocked fishing ponds. You’ll also find a fire-pit, a community pavilion for BBQing, and and a lodge where you can settle in with a good book.

Many spots are shaded by huge, beautiful Oak trees and others are in the open to allow for night-time stargazing.

All sites are concrete with full hook-ups.

There is plenty of room for two vehicles at each site and there is overflow parking throughout the grounds as well. At Stonebridge, we ensure the comfort and safety of our guests with a series of rules and regulations that are clear and easy to follow.

Free WiFi and cable are offered to every guest. Although many RVers choose to use their own hotspot and satellite TV.

We are pet-friendly! There is a large open area behind one of the ponds where dogs can run around without a leash.  In all other areas of the park, we ask guests to keep their pets leashed.

The laundromat is new and clean. There is a TV and magazines so you can pass the time in comfort. You’ll have lots of fun at our two fishing ponds, which are catch and release, so all ages can participate. There are ducks to feed and all kinds of Texas birds to watch.

Guests will find our staff to be friendly and customer service oriented, which you can tell by all the reviews on Google. Feel free to call ahead to reserve your spot, or email us at info@stonebridgervpark.com.  We hope you’ll be our guest soon!

Have you been looking for the perfect RV Park for an RV park for your next long-term stay? Look no further than Stonebridge RV Park, your extended-stay RV park near Sweeny, Texas. With amazing amenities, beautiful landscapes, and exceptional rates, Stonebridge RV Park has quickly become a “home away from home” for many families and workers employed by area businesses such as Phillips 66, Zachry, S&B, Tenaris and many others.

The RV Park is easily accessible!

Located on TX-35 N between Bay City and West Columbia, you’ll find Stonebridge easy to get in and out of, and no traffic hassles.

So many amenities!

Take a refreshing swim in the pool, decompress in the hot tub, or sit around the fire-pit in the evening while your kids roast marshmallows and make s’mores. There is plenty of room to put up your favorite hammock and to lay back and watch the gorgeous stars at night.

If you’re up for a little competition, break out the fishing poles and try your luck catching one of the monster bass in one of the two catch and release ponds. OR maybe a game of corn toss will liven everyone up.

After all this activity you’re bound to be hungry. You’ll find BBQ grills under the big pavilion that are available for all guests. The pavilion is a great place to make new friends and to visit with the other families staying at the RV park.

It’s important to stay connected while you’re on the road. You’ll be happy to know there is free WiFi and cable offered. And when you absolutely have to nothing else to wear, no worries, there is an on-site laundromat that is open 24/7.

Keep in mind that Stonebridge is only 45 minutes from the world-renown Houston medical center and many, wonderful gulf-coast beaches.

Pets are welcome!

Your pets will find room to roam at Stonebridge. There is a big field out beyond the big pond where dogs can play and run themselves tired. There are also plenty of shady spots so they’ll be comfortable hanging  with the family outside.

Great rates!

If you’re staying a few nights or a week, the electricity is always included. If you’re staying on a monthly basis your electricity will be an additional, low cost per KW. Any way you look at it, you’ll find low nightly, weekly, and monthly rates that can accommodate almost any budget.

Friendly customer service!

The staff at Stonebridge is available to help make your stay as enjoyable as possible. They pride themselves on being responsive and friendly. Don’t hesitate to give us a shout by calling 979-245-1200 or via email at info@stonebridgervpark.com.

Whether you are new to the world of RV camping, or you are a long-time expert, learning some new tips & tricks can always come in handy. Watch this helpful video by RV Geeks for great reminders when traveling on the road or stopping at an RV resort.

Let’s recap some additional tips a little later in this article that will be helpful as well.

Inside the RV:

• Stack your dishes with cloth napkins in between. This will keep them from rattling or breaking. You can wash the napkins after using them at an RV laundromat, like the one at Stonebridge RV Park in Sweeny, Texas.
• Keep baking soda handy. The open box can sit in your refrigerator, removing bad food odors, and you can use it as a non-toxic cleaner.
• A cooler dedicated to holding lots of ice.
• Hand sanitizer, wipes and lots of towels.
• Make all areas and items into storage space (sitting areas should open for storage inside; hang things on the backs & insides of doors & cabinets).
• Bunge cords help keep cabinets from opening while enroute.
• Shelf liners keep things from sliding around.
• A can opener, a wine opener, coffee pot, coffee cups & filters, a sharp knife, a cutting board, aluminum foil, baggies, and heavy duty trash bags.
• Bins and drawers for inside cabinets creates many more compartments for storing different items.
• A good mattress pad will make every night and day better.
• Keep tanks smelling fresh right from the start by cleaning often and dumping regularly. The fresh water tank can be sanitized regularly with a mixture of bleach and water. Find the best black water tank cleaner on the market, and use it as often as recommended.
• Put screens over all drains to prevent food and other debris from going down the drains.
• A fire extinguisher.

Outside the RV:

• To keep your BBQ grill clean, put tinfoil pan underneath. This will keep grease and food from building up. Rubbing a lemon half over the grill surface will keeping food from sticking.
• An outdoor rug or mat will create an outdoor living space for entertaining and relaxing.
• Bring some good chairs and a folding table.
• Store a few wood blocks that be can used to help with leveling.
• Keep your fresh water hose and sewer hose in separate, marked bins.
• Always keep the black water valve closed.
• Must have tools in your kit should include a cordless drill, a cordless screwdriver, extra charged battery packs, a socket set, tape, bungee cords, string, rope, a lighter, latex gloves, a water pressure regulator, an electric plug adapter and a surge protector.
• Keep a high-powered flashlight handy.
• Two-way radios or walkie-talkies will come in handy for numerous undertakings.

Now some tips on the more personal side:

• LED candles help create an awesome ambiance without having to worry about a fire hazard.
• Find basic toiletries that everyone can share (body wash, shampoo, conditioner, lotion); less is more.
• A varietal play-list and a blue-tooth speaker.
• Must have items include hat(s), a backpack, sunscreen, water bottles, rain ponchos or umbrellas, rain boots, swim-suits, flip-flops for community showers and a first aid kit.
• Cards, games, fishing poles and a miscellaneous craft box (if you have kids).
• Toilet paper! (bio-degradable)

Whether you’re just beginning or your very experienced, RVing is a lifestyle that can be enjoyed by anyone!

Whether you’re retired, about to become retired, or embracing the location-independent working lifestyle afforded by the Internet, taking the leap from living in a home or apartment and moving into an RV full time might be just what the doctor ordered—so to speak. Living in an RV affords many benefits to those brave enough, adventurous enough, and even smart enough to embrace this radically different lifestyle. Talk to any “full-timer” at any long-term RV campground and you’ll hear mention of the same benefits over and over again, including:

More Time Outdoors

Do you wish you could spend more time in the great outdoors? When you live in an RV, you can. It’s true that you’ll want to spend more time outside because of the relatively small interior space, but for the most part the RV campgrounds you’ll stay at will afford you the opportunity to go for a hike, soak in the views, or enjoy nature however you see fit.

No Yard Work

Ever wish you could spend your time doing anything else but mowing, weeding, and raking? Fortunately, you never need to worry about yard work when you move to an RV full time. RV parks take care of all grounds maintenance, and if you camp in national parks the overgrowth is a part of the natural beauty. In any case, when you say hello to the full-time RV lifestyle you can say goodbye to yard work.

Great Weather Year Round

Another awesome benefit of living in an RV is the ability to go where you want, when you want, to take advantage of great weather all year long. Spend your winters out west, spend your summers up north, or pack up and leave whenever you find a specific place too hot, cold, humid, rainy, or dry. It’s that easy when you live in an RV full time.

The Critical Cactus sums up the benefits of RV life in this frank, easy-to-read blog.

If you’re the owner of an RV, you will want to pay attention to this advice regarding important preventative maintenance routines to keep it running smoothly.

As the spring approaches in Texas, you might be thinking about hitting the road in your RV with your family. One great place to make a reservation for a stopover is Stonebridge RV Park in Sweeny, Texas. Stonebridge is within an hour of beautiful gulf-coast beaches and the Houston world-renown medical center.

But don’t make the mistake the taking off on your road-trip without ensuring you’ve done all the preventative maintenance on your RV to ensure you’re travels are as hassle free as possible.

It’s not that unexpected things won’t happen, but by routinely caring for your vehicle, you’ll find trips to be more about having fun instead of having to deal with problems. Depending on where you’re traveling, parts and services are not all easily accessible.

Once you make sure that your RV is running perfectly, you and your family can depart on a short or extended road-trip and take advantage of all the world has to offer. Watch this video for some tips on keeping your RV running smoothly. Following this advice, you’ll be ready for your next long-term RV camping trip.

Let’s take another look at the advice and main highlights you want to be sure to include in your checklist:

• Check all the fluids regularly (oil, wiper, brake, power-steering, transmission and windshield washer);
• Tires should be checked before every trip (look for cracks, cuts, bulges);
• Check air filters routinely;
• Wipers should be changed every six months if you are on the road routinely and every year otherwise (wipers become brittle and won’t do the job);
• Many RVs have dual-batteries. Extend the life of your batteries by properly recharging. Check your batteries before each trip for leakage or crystallization, which may mean there is an issue.
• Radiator coolant should be checked before every trip. Antifreeze helps your RV in cold and hot temperatures.
• All hoses and clamps should be checked for cracks, breaks and leaks on a regular basis.

Another good resource for a PM checklist for your RV was put together by the creator of RV University. You’ll find lots of tips on his website.

No matter your source for implementing a consistent and thorough preventative maintenance routine, just be sure you keep it up on a regular basis.