Buying Guide

Whether you're an experienced road warrior or a rookie planning your first trip across the country, you can have an incredible RV adventure when everyone is prepared. There's no better feeling than heading out on a road trip in a vehicle that can take many of the comforts of home along for the ride. With nothing but the open road ahead and many places to discover, you’re in for the trip of a lifetime.

This guide will share the basic steps you need to take to plan an RV trip, what apps and tools to use, and other practical preparation you need to make. Among the hot items to bring are pop-up canopies, portable furniture, and outdoor living accessories that create a "home away from home."

The ABCs of RV Road Trip Planning

If you want to plan an RV road trip, ask yourself these basic questions. Many considerations go into a road trip with a home on wheels, but you can set off on your adventure in no time with some preparation.

• Do you plan to rent or own an RV? Owning vs. renting an RV have their pros and cons. Both methods require RV insurance, regular vehicle refuels, and upkeep. Do your research before committing to either method of vehicle acquisition.
• Do you want extra travel safety nets? Travel insurance and roadside assistance are added expenses but give you more security while on the road.
• What size RV is best for you? A 40-foot RV is luxurious and has the most amenities, but it can be more intimidating to drive and needs to be parked in approved spaces. Overall, they

The change in seasons brings a new season of activities with it. Some of these include attending sporting events as sports like football begin to reach a fever pitch. Fall is a great time to host football parties outside. One of the primary challenges is the weather. If you are excited for the next season of tailgating to happen but don't want it to rain on your parade, we have got some great setup options for you, from portable canopy tents to sturdy backyard gazebos.

What Is a Tailgate (or Football-Themed) Party?

First, before you learn all about the awesome things you can do to have a stellar tailgating party, you need to understand exactly what it is! Some of you seasoned football fans will be able to skip right past this section since you are more than familiar with the concept.

For those who aren't yet familiar with the fun of tailgating—A tailgating party is one of the most common ways to host a football-themed party outside. It is a social event that you hold on or near the open tailgate of a vehicle. A tailgate party can be in your backyard, but it is often held outside the football stadium before and during the game.

You can also host other kinds of football-themed parties if you don't have a vehicle that lends itself well to tailgating. Of course, some people would argue that such vehicles don't exist, but those would be the hardcore tailgating fans.

Event tents are an excellent shelter for turning an otherwise good party into a great one. Whether it’s for a corporate event, tailgate party, or an epic backyard barbecue, party tents are always a hit with guests and help create a memorable day that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. But should you rent or buy event tents?

Well, there are pros and cons to both renting and buying your party tent, and so in this article, we will look at everything you need to know about event tents so that you can decide if you want to rent your tent for a legendary one-time party or buy your tent so that you can have awesome parties for years to come.

What is an Event Tent?

Before we go over the pros and cons of buying a party tent vs. renting one, we should first explain that the terms event tent and party tent are used interchangeably. You probably already guessed it, but a party tent is a large outdoor tent or shelter that you put up for your guests to party in.

Why are Party Tents Necessary for Outdoor Events?

There are several excellent reasons to use an outdoor

Whether you’re planning a big event like a wedding or a more casual gathering, buying or renting a party tent is a great idea. This structure will protect your guests from the sun and the rain and give the space an extra touch of class.

When looking for a party tent, it’s important to understand your options. Frame tents and pole tents differ in price and structure, and the right one for you will depend on various factors. The following guide will explain the difference between the two and explore the pros and cons of using a frame tent vs. a pole tent. By the time you’re done, you’ll be able to make an educated decision about the best choice for your needs.

What is a Pole Tent?

Pole tents are held up with center poles and side poles. They’re covered with a top that is held in place with ratchet straps on the outside of the tent. These straps are attached to long stakes that are driven into the ground.

The outward pressure is what pulls the poles into place, so the tent remains strong. The center poles raise the middle of the tent canopy, keeping it taught.

Benefits of a Pole Tent?

Pole tents are the most traditional type of party tent and are an economical option. They’re easy to set up and typically only require two or three people to complete the job. However, you will have to take care to be sure your tent is anchored correctly.

Potential Drawbacks

Since pole tents are held in place with large stakes, they typically must be set up on grass. If you need a tent that you can put up on asphalt or concrete, this won’t be the right option for you.

Space can also be an issue. The center poles can cut back on the room

With summer winding down and temperatures dropping, it’s every football fan’s favorite part of the year. Now is the time to plan the perfect tailgate party complete with tasty food, fun drinks, and games for the whole family. But one thing every great tailgate party has in common is comfort and relaxation. Here are the must-have football party accessories no matter where you plan to celebrate the big game.

Accessories for the Best Stadium Tailgate Party

Planning ahead is essential to throwing a football party outside the big game. Whether watching kickoff from inside the stadium, or on a television by your camper in the parking lot, make sure to bring along these accessories to elevate the fun and comfort on game day.

Pop Up Canopy for Cool Coverage

Although the fall weather tends to usher in cooler temperatures, it doesn’t mean you will be fully protected from the sun during a tailgate football party. Damaging UV rays can cause a sun burn in as little as 15 minutes and even lead to more serious issues like skin cancer. Add a pop-up canopy to any football party for superior comfort and safety while enjoying time with family and friends. Durable pop-up canopy options from ShelterLogic and QuikShade provide:

• Long lasting shade and protection: These reliable shade

As temperatures rise, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of sunshine and family time by heading outdoors for a picnic. Whether you’re planning for a quiet lunch for two, or an entire family reunion, picnic table shade should be a top priority to keep both your guests and food safe from the blazing heat.

There are a number of reliable shade solutions to choose from including covered chairs and pop-up canopies to stay cool even during the heat of the day. You can choose from multiple sizes and colors of shade chairs or pop-up canopies that are both affordable and strong. Investing in a picnic table canopy and other reliable shade options will elevate your comfort and add a layer of safety no matter where you set up your outdoor lunch.

While comfort is one huge reason to invest in picnic table canopy options, the most important reason is your health. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and

Do you love the outdoors, but aren't a fan of traveling to do things outdoor with the family? There are plenty of things you and your family can do right in your own backyard!

Now is the perfect time to look at your backyard in a whole new way. Whether you choose to redesign your garden with a whole new plan or embark on new backyard adventures with your family: now’s the perfect time to rediscover your backyard space.

Check out these backyard activities you can do while you’re stuck at home, by yourself, or for family fun:

Have a Backyard Campout

There’s no need to go deep into the woods or to a campground to have an outdoor sleepover with your family. A backyard campout gives you the best of both worlds. You get to sleep in the fresh air, under the stars, with indoor plumbing just steps away!

If you want to sleep outdoors, the choice is yours. If you do, you will need a tent, of course, and a comfy sleeping bag. If you don’t want to feel like you slept on a rock, the you’ll want to get a camping cot.

You can add some modern conveniences to your backyard campout. For example, you can run an extension cord from the house to stream movies or shows from your laptop. Instead of building a campfire, you can use your grill to make smores.

You’ll also want to get some durable camping chairs, as well as some camping tables, so you can kick back and relax. Also, a sturdy canopy tent will keep you protected from the elements as you spend your day camping in your backyard.

Heading to the beach this summer? We know you won’t forget the obvious beach essentials: sunscreen, towels, the drink cooler... But what about a quality shade solution?

Why You Need Shade at the Beach

The summer sun can be quite dangerous. As mentioned in our Skin Cancer Prevention blog, UVA and UVB rays pose a threat to our skin even on the cloudiest of days. Overexposure to sunlight often causes permanent skin damage and greatly increases the risk of skin cancer.

Particularly when you’re on the beach, the stakes for skin cancer prevention are much higher. You’re bound to intensify harmful exposure when spending the day on a bright beach wearing just swimwear between the hottest hours of the day. In fact, even dry beach sand reflects up to 15% of UV rays, exposing your skin from all angles. (Source: World Health Organization)

While sunscreen certainly can help minimize sun exposure and damage, it can’t always provide the most effective protection at the beach. Cooling off in the water or even breaking a sweat on the shore makes sunscreen half as effective unless you remember to constantly reapply.

In order to effectively prevent sun damage and overexposure, you need a reliable high-quality shade solution. Here are 5 beach essentials for effective summer shade.

Whether you’re planning an outdoor family, business, community event, unpredictable weather can make planning tricky. A portable canopy can provide quick shade or instant protection from the rain. A portable canopy is a portable shelter that collapses for easy storage and transportation.

Generally, a portable canopy comes in two pieces: a sturdy powder-coated steel canopy frame and a durable fabric canopy top. Portable canopies are often called pop-up canopies because the canopy part of the frame pops-up when it is opened. The legs of a portable canopy are height-adjustable to provide quick shade and weather protection and variable headroom.

Pop-up canopies generally come with a convenient carry case, which makes them easy to store on a shelf, in a closet, or in a garage or shed. Since they are portable, pop-up canopies are also convenient to keep in the back of your car, truck, or SUV. Like having an umbrella handy on a rainy day, you never know when a portable canopy will come in handy! There are many ways you can use a portable canopy for work and play.

Let’s look at a variety of cool and creative home, community, and business pop-up canopy uses:

Uses for a Portable Canopy at Home

• Patio or Deck Cover: Sometimes, in the summer, you need a quick shade solution for your patio or deck. A pop-up canopy can help you beat the heat so you can enjoy your investment. Use one when you’re having your morning coffee, or when you’re having guests over for dinner.
• Pool Cabana: The swimming pool can be fun, but sooner or later you’ll need to take a break. Place a portable canopy over your