The 17 Best Camping Hacks for Summer 2025

By The Drivin’ & Vibin’ Team of RVers

Summer 2025 is calling, and for RV enthusiasts, it’s the season to hit the open road, chase sunsets, and create memories under starry skies. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or a newbie towing your first rig, a great RV trip comes down to smart planning and clever tricks.

To help you make the most of your summer getaway, we’ve rounded up 17 game-changing camping hacks for 2025.

These tips will save you time, money, and stress while boosting comfort and fun. From tech upgrades to old-school know-how, here’s how to elevate your RV experience to the next level.

1. Upgrade Your Cooling with a DIY Vent Fan Booster

RV camping in summer means dealing with heat, and your rig’s built-in vents might not cut it. A simple hack is to create a vent fan booster. Grab a small, battery-powered fan (like a $15 clip-on model from a big-box store) and attach it to your RV’s ceiling vent with Velcro strips. Point it outward to pull hot air out or inward to draw cool air in. This trick can drop your interior temperature by 5–10 degrees, making naps and nighttime sleep way comfier.

For 2025, look for solar-powered fans to save battery life—some models even charge while you drive.

Why it works: RV vents rely on natural airflow, which slows down on still days. Adding a fan forces air to move, mimicking a mini AC system without the power drain. Pro tip: Keep a spare fan in your storage bay for backup.

2. Pack a Collapsible Kitchen Organizer

Space is tight in an RV kitchen, and summer camping means lots of BBQs and outdoor meals. A collapsible kitchen organizer—think a hanging fabric shelf with pockets—keeps utensils, spices, and napkins tidy and off your counter. Hang it on a cabinet door or even outside under your awning. Models like the ones from Amazon fold flat when not in use, saving precious storage space.

Try this: Label each pocket with a marker (e.g., “forks,” “hot sauce”) so everyone in the family can find stuff fast. This hack cuts down on the “where’s the spatula?” chaos during burger flips.

3. Use Glow-in-the-Dark Tape for Nighttime Safety

Campsites can get pitch-black at night, and tripping over leveling blocks or guy lines is no fun. Peel-and-stick glow-in-the-dark tape is a cheap fix. Stick it on your RV steps, awning poles, and bike handles. A $5 roll lasts all season and charges up in sunlight, glowing for hours. In 2025, some brands are rolling out eco-friendly versions made from recycled materials—perfect for green campers.

Bonus: Put a strip on your dog’s collar so you can spot Fido during late-night walks. It’s a small hack with big peace-of-mind payoffs.

4. Freeze Meals Ahead for Easy Dinners

Cooking in a hot RV after a day of hiking or swimming? No thanks. Prep and freeze meals before you leave home. Chili, lasagna, and pulled pork freeze great in zip-top bags—lay them flat to save space in your RV fridge. Thaw them in a cooler during the day, then heat on a camp stove or microwave. This hack saves time and keeps your rig cooler since you’re not firing up the oven.

For 2025, try vacuum-sealing meals to extend freshness. New compact sealers fit easily in RV storage and prevent freezer burn. Plan for one frozen meal per day to balance convenience with fresh-cooked campfire vibes.

5. Create a Solar Shower Station

Hot summer days call for refreshing showers, but campground facilities can be crowded or far away. A solar shower bag (about $20 online) heats water using sunlight, giving you a warm rinse anywhere. Hang it from a tree or your RV’s ladder, and use a pop-up privacy tent for comfort. For a deluxe setup, add a suction-cup showerhead for better flow.

Hack within a hack: Fill the bag with cool water in the morning and let it warm all day. By evening, you’ve got a free, eco-friendly shower.

This is a must for boondocking in 2025, when off-grid camping is trending big.

6. Master the Art of Leveling with a Bubble App

Leveling your RV is a pain, especially on uneven campsites. Ditch the clunky bubble level and download a free leveling app like Bubble Level (available for iOS and Android). Place your phone on the RV floor, and the app shows exactly how to adjust your jacks or blocks. It’s faster and more precise than eyeballing it.

Why it’s great for 2025: Newer apps sync with smart RV systems, letting you monitor leveling from a tablet while you tweak. No more running in and out of the rig—just pure efficiency.

7. Pack Multi-Use Gear to Save Space

RV storage is like a puzzle, and summer camping gear can overflow fast. Choose multi-use items to lighten the load. A spork-knife combo replaces separate utensils. A reversible sleeping bag (cool cotton on one side, cozy fleece on the other) handles warm and chilly nights. Even your cookware can multitask—cast-iron skillets work on stovetops, ovens, and campfires.

Hot pick for 2025: Collapsible silicone bowls that double as lids or cutting boards. They’re lightweight, durable, and perfect for tight RV cabinets.

8. Keep Bugs Away with a Thermacell

Nothing ruins a summer campfire like mosquitoes. A Thermacell bug repellent device is a game-changer. It’s a small, portable gadget that uses a butane cartridge to heat a repellent pad, creating a 15-foot “no-bug zone.” Unlike sprays, it’s odorless and safe around kids and pets. One unit costs about $25 and lasts for weeks with refills.

Pro tip: Turn it on 10 minutes before you sit outside to clear the area. For 2025, Thermacell’s new rechargeable models cut down on waste, aligning with eco-conscious camping trends.

9. Organize Cables with Binder Clips

RV life means juggling power cords, water hoses, and device chargers. Binder clips—yep, the ones from your office—keep them tangle-free. Clip cords together in loops for storage, or attach them to your RV’s side to keep hoses off the ground. A 12-pack costs under $3 and works wonders.

Try this: Color-code clips with nail polish (blue for water, red for power) to grab the right one fast. It’s a tiny hack that saves big headaches when setting up camp.

10. Boost Wi-Fi with a Signal Extender

Summer 2025 will see more RVers working remotely or streaming movies at camp. Campground Wi-Fi is often spotty, but a Wi-Fi signal extender (like a $50 model from TP-Link) can pull in weak signals from farther away. Plug it into your RV’s outlet, sync it to the campground’s network, and enjoy smoother Zoom calls or Netflix nights.

Setup tip: Place the extender near a window for the best range. Some 2025 models even support 5G hotspots, so you’re ready for next-gen camping tech.

11. Make a DIY Awning Shade

Your RV’s awning is great, but it might not block enough sun on scorching days. Create extra shade with a tarp and some bungee cords. Tie the tarp to your awning’s edge and stake it to the ground at an angle. It’s like adding a porch to your rig, keeping your outdoor space cooler and more private.

For 2025, look for lightweight, UV-resistant tarps that pack small. Bonus: A shaded awning area means less heat sneaking into your RV, so your AC works less.

12. Use Pool Noodles for Edge Protection

RV campsites often have sharp edges—think picnic table corners or low-hanging branches. Cut a pool noodle lengthwise and tape it over edges to prevent bumps and bruises. They’re also great for padding your RV’s sewer hose to avoid nicks. A noodle costs about $1 and can be reused all summer.

Kid-friendly hack: Let the kids decorate the noodles with waterproof markers for a fun campsite vibe. It’s practical and adds a pop of color.

13. Plan a Power Budget with a Wattage Chart

Summer camping means running fans, blenders, and maybe an AC unit, but RV power is limited. Make a wattage chart before you go. List your appliances (e.g., microwave = 1,000 watts, fan = 50 watts) and their daily use time. Add it up to stay under your RV’s power limit (usually 30 or 50 amps). Free apps like WattCalc can do the math for you.

Why it matters in 2025: New RV gadgets are power-hungry. A chart helps you avoid tripped breakers, so your smoothie blender doesn’t kill the lights mid-dinner.

14. Store Water Smartly with Collapsible Jugs

Fresh water is gold when camping, especially at dry sites. Collapsible water jugs (5-gallon ones run about $10) save space when empty but hold plenty for cooking, drinking, and washing. Store them under your RV bed or in a cabinet, and fill up at campground spigots.

Hack alert: Freeze one jug before you leave—it doubles as an ice block for your cooler, then thaws into drinking water. New 2025 designs have built-in filters for extra safety.

15. Set Up a Campfire Cooking Station

Campfires are summer’s heart and soul, but cooking over one can get messy. Create a dedicated cooking station with a folding table, a grill grate, and a fireproof mat. Keep tongs, foil, and seasonings in a caddy for easy access. This setup turns hot dogs and s’mores into a breeze.

For 2025, try a portable fire pit with adjustable grates—perfect for RVs since they’re easier to pack than bulky rings. Your campfire meals just got gourmet.

16. Use Command Hooks for Instant Storage

RV walls are prime real estate, but you don’t want to drill holes. Command hooks are your best friend. Stick them inside cabinets for mugs, on walls for hats, or under shelves for keys. They hold strong but peel off clean when you’re done. A pack of 10 costs around $8.

Creative twist: Hang a mesh laundry bag from a hook for dirty clothes—it keeps odors contained and saves floor space. Look for weatherproof hooks in 2025 for outdoor use.

17. Keep a Digital Campsite Journal

Memories fade, but a digital campsite journal keeps them alive. Use your phone’s notes app or a free tool like Evernote to log each stop—site number, nearby hikes, favorite diners, even quirky camp neighbors. Snap photos and add them for a visual scrapbook. It’s also handy for planning future trips.

Why it’s smart for 2025: New apps let you share journals with other RVers, swapping tips on hidden gems. Your summer adventures become a roadmap for others—and a keepsake for you.

Hit the Road with Confidence in 2025

Summer 2025 is your chance to make every RV trip epic, and these 17 hacks are your toolkit. From staying cool with a vent fan to savoring campfire dinners, each tip saves effort and amps up fun. The beauty of RV camping is freedom—freedom to explore, connect, and unwind. With a little prep and these clever tricks, you’ll roll into every campsite ready for anything.

So, pack your rig, double-check your glow tape, and hit the highway. The open road is waiting, and your best summer yet is just over the next hill. Happy camping!