There’s something magical about celebrating Thanksgiving on wheels – surrounded not by four brick walls, but by towering pines, crisp autumn air, and the quiet hum of a campground waking up to the smell of coffee and campfires. An RV Thanksgiving isn’t your typical holiday feast, but that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.

Instead of rushing through crowded grocery stores or setting up an extra table leaf, Thanksgiving in an RV invites you to slow down. It’s about simplifying – choosing what (and who) really matters. You might be parked by a shimmering lake in Tennessee, tucked into a forest in Oregon, or overlooking the red rocks of Arizona. Wherever you stop, the view becomes your dining room wall.

Many RVers spend the holiday surrounded by other travelers, creating a kind of “nomad family.” It’s not unusual to walk past a row of campers and see people sharing dishes potluck-style – sweet potato casserole from a fifth wheel, smoked turkey from a Class A, pumpkin pie baked in a convection oven in a van. The sense of community is strong, even if everyone’s from somewhere different.

Yes, space is limited – but that’s part of the fun. With a bit of creativity, even a small RV galley can turn out a full Thanksgiving meal. Turkey breasts or Cornish hens fit perfectly in a compact oven or air fryer, and many travelers opt for grilling or smoking outdoors. Instant Pots become heroes for mashed potatoes, green beans, and stuffing.

And somehow, food tastes better when you’ve made it in a space the size of a closet while looking out at a mountain range.

After dinner, instead of collapsing onto a couch in front of a football game, you might step outside to a roaring campfire. Someone breaks out a guitar, kids roast marshmallows, and laughter fills the chilly evening air. Some RV parks even organize group activities – turkey trots, nature hikes, or community dinners under string lights.

You start to realize that Thanksgiving isn’t about where you are or what’s on your plate – it’s about how you feel. Grateful. Grounded. Connected.

Traveling in an RV teaches gratitude every day – for hot showers, open roads, good weather, and kind strangers. But on Thanksgiving, that gratitude deepens. You appreciate the freedom to choose your own view, the simplicity of a life with less clutter, and the ability to make home wherever you park it.

An RV Thanksgiving reminds us that gratitude doesn’t need grandeur – it just needs presence.

So this year, whether you’re miles from home or parked in your own driveway, take a moment to savor the small things: good food, good company, and the incredible adventure of being alive.

Happy Camping, Bob

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t around RVs. From the time I could walk, I spent long summer weekends with my family, enjoying the outdoor lifestyle. I remember the rush of excitement as we pulled into a campground. The smell of pine trees and campfires filling our senses. As soon as our car was unloaded and the rig was leveled, my brothers and I would race each other to the lake. Running the length of the dock, we’d leap at the last second into the perfect cannonball…pure heaven.

But RVs weren’t all recreation for my family. They were our livelihood, too. My grandfather founded our business in 1959. It’s been in the family ever since. I learned the value of a hard day’s work early on. I remember my dad coming home from work, exhausted from the effort but always with a gleam in his eye. More often than not, his white Oxford shirt “earned” a new stain from his constantly inspecting the production line. We never asked about his scraped knuckles. He earned those, too, working on the equipment to ensure that our products were always of the highest quality. Dad was just as committed to our customers, too. He put more miles on the car than he could count, crisscrossing the country to meet with our growing network of dealers. He listened to and learned from every single one of them. In time, our customers become some of our closest friends. It’s still that way today.

I’m proud to still run the business with one of my brothers. I like to think that dad and grandpa look down on us and smile. I can’t thank them (and my grandmothers) enough for leaving us such a legacy. Now if I could only find time for a few more days outdoors this fall…it’s too precious to waste.

Happy Camping,

Bob

Don’t get me wrong, I love summer. The long, action-packed days. The still, starlit skies at night. Great times with great friends and family. What’s not to love? Well, for starters, there’s the sweltering heat that’s become the natural norm these days. Then there’s the thick haze from the wild-roaming, Canadian wildfires. And let’s not forget, the constant and crazy road construction that often delays our outdoor adventures.

 In other words, I’m ready for some colorful, cool-weather camping and that glorious season we call autumn. But where to go? Glad you asked. Here are three of our favorite escapes that should be on every RVer’s to do list.

Au Train Beach Campground, Michigan

Located in Au Train, MI (Upper Peninsula) just a few minutes from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, this campground offers direct access to three miles of stunning Lake Superior beachfront; perfect for swimming, paddling, boating and more. There is also nearby access to miles of hiking and ORV trails, as well as shopping and dining in downtown Munising.

Key Largo Kampground & Marina, Florida

A hidden jewel in the legendary Florida Keys, the campground offers an authentic “Key” experience, including diving, snorkeling, fishing and boating the warm Gulf Stream waters. Be sure to take in the breathtaking Christ of the Abyss and save room for a slice of their legendary Key Lime Pie.

Harris Beach State Park, Oregon

Located on Oregon’s rugged south coast, Harris Beach offers a spectacular seascape for sightseers and miles of sandy beaches and rocky outcroppings to explore. Check out Bird Island; a National Wildlife Sanctuary and breeding site for rare birds, like the tufted puffin. 

Happy Camping,

Bob

I was seven years old. My brothers and I were out of school for the summer. We had too much time on our hands but just enough, apparently, to get on my mother’s last nerve. After arguing over the TV for the 37^th time, we were briskly shooed outside. “Be home for dinner,” was my mother’s only instruction.

Getting sent outside as a punishment…ironic, isn’t it?

Truth be told, the outdoors were always an escape for me and my family. When we weren’t camping at some local park, we were planning an extended adventure some place noteworthy. It never took much to convince my parents to take to the road for an exciting excursion.

I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to work in the RV Industry. I’ve spent my career welcoming new generations into this wonderfully rewarding outdoor lifestyle. It’s a rare thing to be able to work at something you truly love. I’ve done it my whole life.

I share all this because, now more than ever, so many of us are looking for an escape. A respite from the constant media monster. A retreat where we can turn down the volume on life and tune in to something deeper and more meaningful. To me, the answer has always been right outside my front door…often with my mom shooing me in that direction.

August is here. Summer is slipping away. Call that park and make those rezzies while you can. Get outside and play. I promise, you won’t regret it.

Happy Camping,

Bob

There’s an old saying here in the north…we only have two seasons. Winter and construction. This point was literally driven home to me as my rig ever-so-slowly followed one of several detours along I-75. It was a late Friday afternoon. The line of cars stretched for miles, inching along past a parade of orange barrels, with no end in sight. What happened next was inevitable…a Ford F-150 pick up, which had been peeking in and out of traffic, finally decided enough was enough. It quickly darted out of line and sped along the shoulder, roaring its engine as it went. To add insult to injury, the driver “saluted” other commuters outside the driver’s side window.

I shook my head. I wish I could say this was an isolated case of misdirected road rage, but it wasn’t. According to AAA, almost 80% of drivers nationally experience significant anger or aggression behind the wheel at least once a year. I’m sure the added construction that’s happening around the country doesn’t help this statistic. In fact, in Michigan alone, our governor reports that during the 2025 summer—okay, construction season—24,500 lane miles of roads and 1,900 bridges will be repaired or replaced. That’s a lot of orange cones.

So whatever happened to the adventure of the open road? Whatever happened to the joy of watching the world and its many wonders whisk by our windshield? I know it’s still out there. It just requires a slight attitude adjustment. A “detour to decency”, if you will. If you find yourself getting frustrated, take a break. Pull over at the next rest area. Take a short walk. If you have to keep driving, play some music. Put in a podcast. Take your mind off the traffic. After all, getting to your destination should be half the fun.

Happy Camping (And traveling!)

Bob

I’ve always had huge respect for my dad. He always saw the bigger picture of our business. He knew that we weren’t just building and selling products. We were helping families and friends create lasting memories in the great outdoors.

This was driven home to me recently when I shared a photo with a friend of mine, who owns a local butcher shop. The photo showed the most amazing kebobs—which my friend supplied—cooking over a roaring fire on our Stake N’ Grill. The photo was the perfect memento of an evening filled with great food and generous laughter among friends.

This isn’t an isolated incident. Over the years, I’ve heard and received more stories that I can count from people who have happily used our products. Often in the simplest ways, our products have solved a problem—stabilized a trailer,  dried swimming clothes more quickly, or made it easier to raise/lower a trailer—making the outdoor experience easier and more readily enjoyable.

Dad had it right. Products should solve problems, so our customers can focus on what really matters…enjoying the great outdoors and each other’s company.

Happy Camping,

Bob

I have a secret I’ve never shared…until now. I love early spring camping. It’s a magical time in early to mid-April that lasts about two weeks, at the most. We typically head south…just far enough to see the budding trees getting ready to “leaf out”. The snow has mostly melted (“mostly” being subjective). The bugs are almost non-existent. And we have the park entirely to ourselves…again “almost”. The nights are chilly—as you’d expect—perfect for a roaring bonfire and a thick blanket or two. The dark skies are awash with stars. And sleep comes easy.

The day warms slowly; into the 60s, if we’re lucky. This is definitely sweatshirt weather. I wear my Spartan Green proudly as we take to the trails. After a few miles—nothing too ambitious—we’re ready for some “retail reconnaissance”. We head into town and hit the shops. Walking the lightly trafficked streets, we take the day at a relaxed pace. Soon enough, we’re back at the park. A couple of filets over the fire—prepared to perfection on our Stake & Grill—are amazing. Tomorrow, we’ll be back on the road and home in a few hours. Refreshed and refueled.

Sometimes life gives us small windows of time to enjoy the better things. I hope you can take advantage of one of these sometime soon.

Happy Camping,

Bob

If you’re a road warrior like me, you love March. You’ve been to the camper/RV shows. You’ve seen all the shiny, new toys. You may have even bought that sleek, new 35’ rig with the palatial floor plan. Now you’re ready to make the most of the summer camping season.

Or are you?

Before you pack that RV for parts unknown, you might want to consider a few new accessories that add convenience, safety and enjoyment to your camping experience. For instance….

1. Lend-A-Hand Assist Rail – Getting in and out of your rig can be a tricky business. Our sturdy assist rails make climbing up and down safe and easy.
2. Electric Tongue Jack – Raise and lower your rig with a click of a button. No more hand cranking or bending over. Our reliable electric tongue jacks are available in several weight capacities for rigs of all sizes
3. Extend-A-Shower – Every camper loves a hot shower. Now you can take one right in your rig. Our Extend-A-Shower is like a slide out room for your shower. More space. More comfort. Yes, indeed.
4. Hose Caddy – Tired of tripping over or trying to put away your hoses? Hose Caddy to the rescue! It securely holds up to 75 ft of freshwater hose…no kinks, no kidding.
5. Stake & Grill – Elevate your BBQ with the grill that adjusts to your tastes. Easily raises and lowers for protein perfection…every time!

I hope you’re excited for a great summer season. I know I am!

Happy Camping,

Bob

Water is running like a faucet off my roof. After being pummeled by weeks of daily snow, nature has decided to cut us some slack with a mid-winter thaw. For the first time in three years, it feels like a “normal” Northern Michigan winter. Last year at this time, we were basking in 70-degree weather. It was a pleasant surprise, for sure. But to be honest, it threw my “reality” out of whack for several weeks. “Normal” just wasn’t normal anymore, climatically speaking.

I think we can all relate to that these days. And it can be downright unsettling. In recent weeks and months, I’ve sometimes found it hard to find that sense of balance. That reassuring feeling that comes from familiar routines and activities.

That’s when I head outside. I take a walk. I let the cool (or cold) air clear my head. I let the quiet surround me. Calm me. It might take a few miles, but I eventually arrive at a more relaxed pace and place. The great outdoors never fail to provide some peace when I need it most.

As I look outside, the water stilling rolling off the roof, I take some comfort in knowing our northern winter has returned to normal, at least for now. I take it as a good sign. It also reminds me that I better check the basement for flooding. I sure don’t need that…

Happy Camping,

Bob.

According to the calendar, Christmas comes in December. I beg to differ. As much as I love the magic and marvel of the whole December Christmas season, for me you can’t beat the sheer joy and anticipation of the new year and all the promise and potential it brings.

What gets me so excited for our first month of the year? Two words: trade shows! January and February are a time of year for us in the RV trade to really strut our stuff. We get to unveil all our shiny, new toys to an eager audience of retailers.

This year is no different. We have a couple of new and exciting items that should attract a lot of attention at an RV dealer near you.

• Lend-A-Hand Banister Rail – A great, new addition to our popular and oh-so-functional line of rails and handles, this one-piece rail pulls right out from the unit for greater convenience and ease of use. It’s offered in two lengths: 42” for triple steps and 50” for quad steps. So if you’re looking for a rail that delivers steady, smooth support, step right up!

• Dolly Chock – If you own a single-axle trailer that has wheels on its tongue jack, you’re going to love this. Our new Dolly Chock keeps your dolly firmly in place, greatly reducing the risk of rolling away. It fits 6” an 8” single wheels; 6” tandem wheels, and 5.5” and 6” round jack feet. What’s more, it’s constructed of molded EPDM rubber, instead of crumb rubber, so it won’t split, shred, crack or break.

These are just a couple of the innovative items we’re excited to share. Look for us at your favorite RV dealer. Or more likely, on the road and on our way to that next adventure.

Happy Camping,

Bob.