FMCA is now Family RV Association —
same great RV community, bold new direction! |
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When November rolls in, the rhythm of life shifts. People gather with family and friends, near and far, to share meals and memories. Depending on one’s camping preference, it’s also a great time to enjoy shoulder season in cool climates or escape to warmer destinations.
As Thanksgiving nears, it seems fitting to reflect on what enriches our lives. RVers, naturally, can count some extra blessings: exploring new places, trying new experiences, and forming new friendships.
Throughout the month, we hope your days are filled with wonder and gratitude. We’re thankful to be part of your journey!
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Planning a late-season camping trip |
Just because the temperatures drop doesn’t mean your RV adventures have to. In fact, cooler weather can make for some of the most memorable trips of the year. In many places, late-season camping weather stretches well into November (and beyond). Here are a few tips to help make RV camping in cooler temps your new favorite tradition.
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Cooler weather means something different everywhere. In November, the deserts in Arizona may have low temperatures that don’t dip below 55 degrees, while in other places, overnight temperatures can hover or even drop below freezing. Before heading to the campground, check local forecasts, note your campground’s elevation, and pack what you’ll need to stay comfortable inside and outside the RV.
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| Stay flexible with destinations
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Some of the best memories come from last-minute or spontaneous trips. If the weather isn’t cooperating with your camping plans, shift gears and go somewhere different. Head toward a lower elevation or snag a spot in a campground where it’s hard to get reservations during peak camping season. Fewer crowds, quiet trails, and your choice of campsites can make the experience worth repeating!
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| Be ready for shorter days
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Daylight fades fast during the shoulder season, especially after the time change. So, adjust your travel plans to arrive at your destination in the afternoon when the sun’s still shining. It’s easier to level, connect, and set up your campsite while you can still see. Bonus? Late-season camping makes for some of the best golden-hour sunsets, and watching them from your campsite is much better than rolling into a campground in the dark.
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| Watch the temps if you’re connecting to water
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Some campgrounds shut off or winterize their water systems once temperatures drop near freezing. Others leave it up to campers to monitor the weather and prep accordingly. If the forecast calls for a freeze, fill your onboard tank during the day and disconnect your hose at night. Using a heated hose? Make sure it’s connected to the 20-amp service, because that’s what powers the heat.
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| Protect your water systems
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If temperatures are expected to drop below freezing for a bit, a few precautions can help protect your water systems. Add a little RV-safe antifreeze to drain traps, and open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air can circulate. A small electric space heater or lamp in the water bay can also help prevent freezing during short cold snaps.
Pro tip: Keep your sewer hose disconnected until you’re ready to dump. Leaving valves open can let liquids freeze in the hose or fittings.
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| Check propane levels and safety detectors
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Fill your propane tank before the trip, and test your carbon monoxide, propane, and smoke detectors to ensure they are functioning correctly and have fresh batteries. The use of your furnace in cold weather burns more fuel than you’d expect, so a small electric space heater can help stretch your supply.
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| Keep an eye on tire pressure
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Cold weather lowers tire pressure and affects handling. Check your RV and towing/towed vehicle’s tires before each trip and use a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to monitor them on the road.
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Thankful for the roads less crowded
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Our friends Patrice and Kevin McCabe, hosts of the Discovery Channel show RV There Yet?, know that the best adventures often happen on the roads less crowded. From the waterfalls of Rock Island State Park in Tennessee to the trails of Prince William County, Virginia, their fall travels remind us that sometimes the best trips happen after the crowds have gone home.
We’re thankful for Patrice and Kevin, their crew, and the partners who help them share the RV lifestyle with the world. The McCabes recently joined Family RV Association members at the Eastern Area Rally at Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, a spot they love so much that they featured it in their Season 4 episode, Exploring Hidden Gems of South Carolina.
Missed them at GEAR? You can still follow along as they film Season 5 of RV There Yet? TV and gear up to join us for Changes in Latitudes — RV Beach Party, our 2026 international rally in Perry, Georgia, March 18–21, 2026.
See where our friendship and partnership with the McCabes began. Watch the Perry 2025 episode on YouTube, then follow their latest adventures at RVThereYetTV.com or on Facebook at @RVThereYetTV.
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RV-related recall information
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Visit FamilyRVingmag.com for a list of the most recent recalls issued by RV and component manufacturers. To search for recalls, investigations, and complaints by vehicle year, make, model, and VIN, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline is (888) 327-4236.
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Over the river and through the woods
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RVers planning a road trip later this month might want to check out the Thanksgiving 2025 Travel Weather Map from The Old Farmer’s Almanac, which provides long-range forecasts by region for the week of November 23-29. Will you encounter rain, snow, or sunshine?
And if you’re planning a road trip to a cold climate soon, pick up some winter RVing tips from Family RVing magazine.
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The name may have changed, but Family RV Association remains an RVer’s best friend. From valuable benefits such as Medical & Travel Assist, our worldwide medical evacuation program included with every family membership, to a variety of RV-related discounts and services, FRVA helps you to enjoy your journeys more. Plus, stay connected with fellow RVers: Join a chapter, attend a rally, visit our online community. Check frva.com regularly to see what’s new.
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Open year-round, this KOA campground makes a good option to take in south-central Georgia’s mild winters. Many of its full-hookup 50-amp sites are big-rig friendly. Guests can golf for free on the property’s 18-hole regulation course or try a complimentary round of foot golf or disc golf. Anglers try their hand at catch-and-release fishing at its several ponds. Campers socialize at the community fire pit and attend happy hours at the Man Cave. For those interested in exploring nearby attractions, options include Andersonville National Historic Site and the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. An hour away in Lumpkin, Providence Canyon State Park features Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon. Another nearby city is Perry, the site of Family RV Association’s Changes in Latitudes — RV Beach Party convention next March.
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Here’s a simple way to enjoy a cocktail without carrying a ton of ingredients in your RV. Noble Mick’s single-serve craft cocktail packets contain the flavorings needed to make margaritas, old-fashioneds, cosmopolitans, pina coladas, or other drinks. Just add the suggested amount of spirits and water. To make a mocktail, omit the alcohol. Find Noble Mick’s online and in specialty markets.
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Family RV Association Area Rally Schedule |
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JANUARY 2026
Western
January 7-11
Indio, CA
FEBRUARY 2026
Southeast
February 4-7
Lakeland, FL
MAY 2026
INTO (International)
May 13-17
Sevierville, TN
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| JUNE 2026
Great Lakes
June 10-13
Allegan, MI
JUNE 2026
Northwest
June 17-20
North Bend, OR
JULY 2026
Midwest
July 5-6
Sedalia, MO
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SEPTEMBER 2026
South Central
September 14-17
Crystal Beach, TX
SEPTEMBER 2026
Northeast
September 30-October 3
Essex Junction, VT
OCTOBER 2026
Rocky Mountain
October 7-11
Farmington, NM
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