Sure, there are the obvious differences: air conditioning, bathroom facilities, protection from bad weather. But comparing tent camping vs. RV camping is rarely that simple. There are a lot of differences that you don’t always realize until you’re in the thick of it. And having done both tent camping and RVing ourselves, we’re passing on some of the most important considerations when deciding what’s right for you.
Before we get in to the pros and cons of tent camping vs. RV camping, we need to discuss one of the most hotly debated issues out there:
Is RV camping real camping?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of camping is: the activity of spending a vacation living in a camp, tent, or camper. So yes, RV camping is real camping by technical definition. Though many loyal tent campers argue there is a distinct difference between the two and RVing should be its own category altogether.
And while the label itself makes no difference, there way you perceive camping is what’s important here.
How close to nature do you want to be?
This is one of the biggest factors to help you choose between tent camping and RV camping. You’ll be able to experience nature in both settings, but with tent camping, you’ll be closest to nature.
If you’re looking to unplug and enjoy nature (free from distractions), tent camping will give you that. You can even get tent sites with hookups that will give you some of the basics, like charging your phone, without going overboard with things like TVs and computers.
On the other hand, if you want to experience nature, but you also aren’t ready to part with the comforts of home, RV camping may be more your style. With an RV, you’ll have access to kitchen appliances, a mattress, and often a shower. If you want to create a balance between comfort and nature, RVing is a good option.
How much effort do you want to put into cleaning?
Cleaning when you’re tent camping is work. Not to say it’s easy peasy when you have an RV, but yes, it’s easier. When you’re tent camping, you’ll need a plan for washing dishes. We ended up getting a large bin, (like these bins on Amazon), and doing our dishes in there. It’s manageable, but nowhere near as easy as having your own RV sink.
What kind of investment do you want to make?
This may seem obvious, but consider the time and money you want to put into your camping experience. Many people think about the money aspect, but time is just as important. If camping is something you see yourself doing for a long time, purchasing an RV may be worth the investment.
If you’re new to camping or you aren’t sure how often you’ll be doing it in the future, test the waters. Renting an RV or tent camping will help gauge your interest before investing a lot of money into it. We started with tent camping and later purchased an RV after we saw ourselves doing it long term (and seeing how much the kids loved it).
When it comes to the money investment, determine your budget and then do a lot of research. Just like RVs wildly range in price (from roughly $5,000 – $100,000+), tents also vary drastically.
If you’re new to camping, consider the North Face Wawona 6 tent. It’s a 6 person tent that’s incredibly roomy and high quality. Even if you later decide to upgrade to an RV, you’ll end up using it again.
And for an entry level RV, we recommend the Coleman Lantern LT 17B. This is the camper we have and it’s one of the more affordable RVs on the market.
What will the weather be like?
Speaking from personal experience, weather can make all the difference in a tent camping trip. We camped in Wisconsin in July with 2 kids and a dog, and we had to cut our trip short by a night. The heat was unbearable. It was too risky to keep our 1-year-old in the tent during the day, so we had to turn on the air conditioning in the car and let him nap there. That same trip in the fall would have been much more pleasant.
Moral to the story, think about your timing and the average temperature. If you’ll be dealing with extreme heat or cold, an RV will likely be more comfortable. In those cases, you’ll have access to heat and air conditioning.
Also, factor in seasonality. If rain and storms are common, an RV will provide shelter.
Is having your own bathroom a dealbreaker?
When most people think about tent camping vs. RV camping, they often weigh having a bathroom vs. not having a bathroom. Which, yes, is an important factor. While you can certainly manage without your own bathroom, having one will make your life easier.
If you wake up at 3 AM and need to use a restroom, it’s certainly more enjoyable to walk 5 feet to your RV bathroom than to the campground bathroom. And if you have kids, you know how urgent bathroom requests come about. In that case, RV bathrooms are more than worth the convenience. For tent camping, you can also bring a toddler training potty to support these emergency requests.
When it comes to having a shower, it depends on the type and frequency of camping you anticipate. Seasonal RVers, for example, would consider a shower essential. Whereas, we found campground bathrooms to be adequate when traveling cross country.
I will say, having your own shower will level up your camping experience with kids. When they find themselves covered in dirt every 30 seconds, it’s nice to have a convenient spot to wash off.
Where are you planning on camping?
If you’re planning your dream trip to Yellowstone, you may need an RV. Some (not all) campgrounds will not let you tent camp if potentially dangerous wildlife is common. For instance, campgrounds within the confines of Yellowstone National Park do not allow tents because grizzly bears frequent this area.
And if you want to use a membership like Harvest Hosts (one of our favorite ways to boondock), you’ll need a self-contained RV to stay.
On the other hand, some campgrounds only allow tents. If the campground is hard to reach or not safe for RVs, they will only allow tent campers.
Are you bringing along a pet?
We’ve done tent camping with a dog and RV camping with a dog. As you can probably guess, RV camping is quite a bit easier when traveling with a furry friend. We made the mistake of traveling with our dog during the hot summer months and we had to be careful to give him some AC time in the car. If you’re traveling in the cooler months, you’re probably okay.
Most campground also have a leash policy. If your dog is outside, they’ll need to be on a leash. Having an RV allows them a little more space to move around off leash.
How much work do you want to put into maintenance?
If you want to go camping without all the planning and servicing, you may be happier with tent camping (or RV rentals). Owning your own camper involves a lot of regular maintenance. There’s quite a bit you’ll need to do to get your RV ready for camping and it goes beyond simply packing.
Winterizing/de-winterizing, changing tires, troubleshooting batteries, water leaks, and toilet cleaning are some of the more common RV maintenance duties. And maintaining an RV can also add extra costs. Drivin’ & Vibin’ has this helpful overview for some of the unexpected RV expenses you may encounter. Think about how much work you want to put into your camping trips.
How much stuff do you want to bring?
When you’re tent camping, you load up the car and head out. Because you can bring only what fits in your car, you’re more limited on the amount of things you can pack. That may not be a bad thing if you’re taking short, weekend trips. Longer tent trips will require more strategic planning when it comes to packing.
With an RV, you’re bringing a tiny home on wheels with you. And because you have a car and an RV, you have more space for all your things. We like to bring some bigger items like bikes and pack n plays, so the extra space helps.
Renting an RV vs. Buying an RV
If you land on tent camping, it really comes down to choosing the right tent. But if you decide on RVing, there’s an additional decision: renting vs buying.
And this really comes down to two things:
- What’s your budget
- Is RVing something you’ll stick with
Renting is certainly cheaper. But if you plan to take regular trips, the costs will add up. Owning an RV is an investment and can pay off long term if you plan to stick with the hobby.
On the other hand, if you aren’t sure how much you’ll enjoy RVing, renting can be a good first step. Renting will give you the opportunity to try it out and determine if it’s something you want to further invest in.
Is tent camping better than RVing? Or the other way around?
Many of the benefits of RVing make it the more desirable option. You’ll have conveniences like a toilet, shower, bed, and refrigerator. And at the same time, you’re surrounded by nature. It’s a great option if camping is something you see yourself doing long term.
However, I recommend trying out tent camping if you’re relatively new to camping. Tent camping will allow you to decide how much you enjoy the experience before diving in to a huge investment. Go on a camping trip. Rent an RV. See which you like better.
Unless of course, the above questions settled it once and for all in your mind. Because when you know, you know.
