In addition to being perfect for weekend excursions and extended road trips, RVs are also the perfect vehicles for tailgating on gameday. Whether you’re a fan of college or professional football, soccer, racing, or any other sport, you can turn a great experience into an unforgettable one when RV tailgating.
Proper preparation is key to having the best RV tailgating experience possible. From choosing the right gear to selecting the right RV for the job, let’s look at what it takes to prepare for the ultimate RV tailgate party!
Essential Gear Checklist
Tailgating offers the perfect combination of great food, great drinks, and an awesome time with your friends and family. In order for that to happen, you need to have the right gear. Here’s a quick rundown of tailgating essentials to have on hand:
- Coolers to keep your beverages chilled
- Chairs to relax on
- A tailgating grill to cook your food
- A canopy tent to escape from the sun
- Cornhole, Can Jam, and other backyard games for entertainment
- Lifetime tables for food prep
- A source of electricity to power all your electronics
Additionally, unless you plan to watch the game in person after you’ve finished tailgating, you’ll also need a high-quality TV to watch the game outside the stadium. While you could load up the truck bed of your daily driver, there are amenities an everyday vehicle just can’t offer–that an RV can. Access to a bathroom and a full TV setup, complete with a full-sized couch, are just two of the hot commodities you won’t find with non-RV vehicles.
Step #1: Packing Food and Drink Prep Items
I don’t know about you, but the thing I looked forward to the most anytime I went tailgating was the food. Whether you’re grilling up steaks, ribs, burgers, pork chops, chicken kabobs, or anything else, good food is the focal point of any successful tailgating experience.
And let’s not forget about those tasty beverages. From water and Gatorade for staying hydrated to soda for the kids and adult beverages for the grown-ups, drink selection can make or break your tailgating experience.
Step #2: Packing Entertainment Setup
Last, but certainly not least, it’s important to have the right entertainment setup. Tailgating is often a half or all-day experience, which means you must have enough games and other sources of entertainment on hand to avoid boredom.
Classic tailgating games include cornhole, Spikeball, Kan Jam, and similar backyard games. However, if you want to go the more laid-back route, you can also bring board and card games. Most importantly, though, a large, high-quality TV with a good sound system will make or break the event. After all, you don’t want to miss a second of the game–right?
Also, don’t forget to bring your Bluetooth speaker and have a killer playlist of your favorite summer songs ready to go!
Choosing the Right RV for Tailgating
Want to do RV tailgating the right way? Bringing along the right RV is the most important piece of the puzzle.
If you’re still in the thick of the buying process–but have every intention of being an RV owner who regularly tailgates–here are the options to keep in mind.
Option #1: Fifth Wheels or Travel Trailers
In general, you can’t go wrong with either a fifth wheel or a travel trailer as your tailgating RV. Both rigs come with all the amenities you need to have the ultimate tailgating party, including outdoor entertainment centers, outdoor kitchens, and a bathroom.
When it comes to fifth-wheels, travel trailers, and other towable RVs, you have hundreds of different types and sizes to choose from—and choosing the right one is crucial.
Option #2: Class B and C Motorhomes
Another convenient and equipped option is to choose a Class B or C motorhome. While Class B and Class C motorhomes are smaller than luxury Class A coaches, they can comfortably fit in most parking lots (which is a big plus). They also provide access to a kitchen, bathroom, and electricity.
Option #3: Toy Haulers (Most Highly Recommended)
If you want to be like the professional tailgaters of the world, choosing a toy hauler is the way to go. Toy haulers have rear garages and drop-down ramps so that you can bring all the toys and equipment necessary for the ultimate tailgating experience. You can even bring a full-size grill, smoker, or Blackstone and have plenty of room to spare.
Knowing the Parking Lot Rules
When you get caught up in the fun of tailgating, it’s easy to get carried away and forget that there are other tailgaters utilizing the space around you. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to research stadium and parking lot rules related to tailgating before the big day. That way, you can stay on good terms with your neighbors (and the stadium security staff).
Step #1: Check Ahead of Time
The best way to ensure you don’t break any rules is to check them ahead of time. Because tailgating is so popular, most stadiums have specific rules related to it, including noise regulations, how much space you can take up, and more.
Step #2: Review Policies on Quiet Hours and Generator Use
Depending on how early you arrive or how late you stay, there will be quiet hours where you can’t be rowdy or use generators.
Step #3: Confirm Arrival and Departure Times
On that note, there will also be restrictions as to how early you can arrive or how late you can stay in the parking lot. Be sure to check these times so that you don’t arrive early or fail to give yourself enough time to clean up and leave at the end of the day.
Weather Preparedness
Because tailgating can take place any time of year, it’s important to be properly prepared for any potential weather elements you might face. Proper preparation means wearing the right clothing and bringing the right outdoor equipment to be ready for anything.
Step #1: Checking the Forecast
Checking the forecast will give you a good idea of what to expect. While it’s not always perfect, it typically isn’t too far off and provides a good basis to go by.
Step #2: Packing Essentials
If you want to be ready for anything, here’s a list of all the tailgating equipment you may need to protect yourself from the elements.
- Bug spray
- Portable heaters
- Rain gear
- Sunscreen
- Umbrella
- Blankets
- Extra layers of clothing
- Fans
- A working air conditioner inside your RV
Obviously, you won’t need portable heaters and an air conditioner on the same day, so use common sense when deciding what to pack and what to leave behind.
Step #3: Setting Up Shelters
It’s also a good idea to have some popup tents and canopies you can quickly set up in case it starts raining. However, make sure you have something heavy to anchor down the corners, or your shelter will fly away with the first breeze.
Making the Most of Your RV Amenities: Tips & Tricks
RVs make the perfect tailgating vehicle mainly because of all the amenities it offers. From ample space for transporting all your equipment to offering a working bathroom, kitchen, and interior living space, RVs have just what you need.
The RV bathroom and kitchen, however, are the real MVPs on game day. Just remember, though, that you’ll need to dump your black and grey tanks if you use them, so scout out nearby dump stations in advance (or learn how to dump RV waste at home safely and legally).
Trash Management: Tips & Tricks
Finally, it’s important that you be as responsible as possible when you’re finished tailgating. That means cleaning up after yourself and making sure you don’t leave any trash behind. In addition to facing potential fines and penalties for littering, you may also get banned from future tailgating events if you leave too much of a mess when you leave.
In preparation for tailgating, especially during racing and football season, stadiums will have trash cans set up around the parking lot. However, all serious and courteous RV tailgaters should bring their own trash cans, just in case.
Final Thoughts
Once you start using your RV for tailgating, you’ll have a hard time using any other vehicle on gameday. Therefore, it’s important that you keep up with RV maintenance so that it’s ready to go for your next event!
In addition to proper maintenance, it’s also important that you store your RV in a dry, safe, and convenient location so that it’s ready to go at a moment’s notice. Consider using Neighbor, a peer-to-peer storage marketplace, to find safe and affordable RV storage near you. That way, your RV will be protected from mold, mildew, and theft. Plus, you’ll be able to access it whenever game day rolls around next!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the General Parking Lot Rules for RV Tailgating?
Every stadium will have different rules related to tailgating. These rules often include recommended arrival and departure times and quiet hours, as well as rules about alcohol consumption, littering, generator use, and grilling.
How Can I Ensure a Smooth Departure After Tailgating?
The best way to ensure a smooth end to your tailgating experience is to give yourself plenty of time. You don’t want to procrastinate clean-up until a few minutes before the parking lot gates close. So, either clean up as you go, or give yourself plenty of time after your event.
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