Tips and tricks to make tailgating a breeze all season long.
Whether you’re hitting the open road to see your favorite musical concert or cheering on your No. 1 sports team, tailgating is the perfect way to get the festivities started early! Here’s a few stellar tips and tricks to make your next RV tailgate party a blast.
1. Stay Stocked
Make sure to keep all the essential supplies you’ll need for your tailgate party stocked (or you may already have them on hand!). If you have the storage capacity, we suggest keeping around:
- Folding table and chairs
- Camping chairs
- Solo cups (and ping pong balls if that’s your thing!)
- Paper plates
- A bluetooth speaker for tunes
- Cooler for chilled beverages
- Bottle opener
- Propane fire pit
- Bug spray and sunscreen
- Pop-up trash can and trash bags
- Fans
- Portable phone charger
- Tool box
PRO TIP: Check the venue’s rules and regulations on the type of fuel allowed on site. Some facilities might not allow open-flame grills, meaning no charcoal or wood pellets.
2. Prep ahead
Stay one step ahead by preparing appetizers in advance and popping them in the freezer in a foil pan. Once your guests arrive, simply heat them up in your camper’s oven or a crockpot and voila! We suggest trying buffalo chicken dip, spinach artichoke dip or frosting dip for those with a sweet tooth.
PRO TIP: You don’t want all your guests bringing the same thing! List suggested food on a signup sheet and have each guest choose an item to bring if they’d like to contribute.
3. Other food tips
- Chill out: Use frozen water bottles instead of ice to keep chilled foods cold and have crisp, icy drinks.
- Heat it up: If food needs to be kept warm, turn a cooler into a hotbox. Warm a brick in the oven, wrap it in foil and place in a cooler lined with wet towels. This will keep your food warm for two to three hours.
- Keep it saucy: Fill a six-pack holder with your favorite hot sauces and other condiments like mustard, ketchup or barbecue sauce.
- Pack an empty plastic bin for dirty dishes to bring home and wash later.
- Stay fresh: Don’t let food sit out for more than two hours if possible. If it’s really hot outside, (over 90 degrees) don’t let it sit out for more than an hour.
PRO TIP: Cooking inside your RV is super convenient, especially during inclement weather. But on a warm summer day, it’s nice to cook outside! Consider buying or renting a portable propane camp stove so you can set up a “kitchen” on any picnic table.
4. Packing up
- Once you’re all ready to head out, be sure to double check all heat sources are off or extinguished. Use water to douse any hot coals and dispose.
- Plan to pack up all your stuff, including the trash. Leave your space looking better than when you arrived!
PRO TIP: Clean as you go. Counter space is usually limited, so don’t let dirty dishes and unwashed cookware pile up. Not only will this help keep your tiny kitchen space from getting cluttered, but it will also save you from having to put in a huge effort at the end of the night.
Most importantly: Be kind and introduce yourself to your neighbors! Tailgates are all about having fun and camaraderie, so be open to making a few new pals along the way.
