Chickery's Travels

Chickery's Travels logo. A blue-green Earth globe with continents surrounded by dots with an arrow denoting movement or travel and "Chickery's Travels" as part of the dotted circle. Next to this is a photo of their blue and white Arctic Fox 5th Wheel with the awning out.
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  • Campground Reviews
    • The Best U.S. National Park Campgrounds
    • 28 Must-See State Park Campgrounds You Can’t Miss
    • Alternatives To National Park Campgrounds: Discover Hidden Gems Just Outside the Park Boundaries
    • Best Luxury RV Resorts For All RV Types
    • Best Waterfront Campgrounds For Every Budget
    • Alabama
      • Gunter Hill Campground (Montgomery, Alabama)
    • Arizona
      • Best Campgrounds in Arizona
      • Aspen Campground (Payson, Arizona)
      • LazyDays KOA (Tucson, Arizona)
      • Lost Dutchman State Park (Phoenix, AZ)
    • Arkansas
      • Catherine’s Landing (Hot Springs, Arkansas)
      • Downtown Riverside RV Park (Little Rock, Arkansas)
    • California
      • Best Campgrounds in California
      • Crescent City Redwoods KOA (Crescent City, California)
      • Sea Breeze RV Park (Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station)
    • Delaware
      • Cape Henlopen State Park (Lewes, Delaware)
    • Florida
      • Best Campgrounds in Florida
      • Blue Angel Naval Recreation Area (Pensacola, FL)
      • Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Southeast FL)
      • LazyDays RV Resort (Tampa, FL)
      • MacDill AFB FamCamp (Tampa, FL)
      • Military Camping in Key West
      • Patrick AFB FamCamp (Cocoa Beach, FL)
      • Rainbow Springs State Park & Campground (Ocala, FL)
      • Walt Disney World’s Fort Wilderness (Orlando, FL)
        • Halloween at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
        • Chickery’s Travels Podcast Episode 5: Fort Wilderness Campground Review
    • Maryland
      • Cherry Hill Park (College Park, Maryland)
    • Michigan
      • Port Huron KOA (Kimball, Michigan)
    • Nevada
      • Las Vegas RV Campgrounds: Nellis Air Force Base and Lake Mead RV Village
      • Boondocking Near Las Vegas
    • New Hampshire
      • Lincoln / Woodstock KOA (New Hampshire)
    • New York
      • Round Pond Recreation Area (West Point, NY)
    • North Carolina
      • Outer Banks West / Currituck Sound KOA (Coinjock, North Carolina)
    • Oklahoma
      • Oklahoma City East KOA (Choctaw, Oklahoma)
    • Texas
      • Best Campgrounds in Texas
      • Alsatian RV Resort (Castroville, Texas)
      • Maverick Ranch (Lajitas, Texas)
      • Texas Wine Country Jellystone (Fredericksburg, Texas)
    • Tennessee
      • Camp Margaritaville (Pigeon Forge, TN)
      • Crossville I-40 KOA (Crossville, TN)
      • Midway RV Park (Memphis, TN)
    • Virginia
      • Complete Guide to Camping at Shenandoah National Park
      • Fort Belvoir Travel Camp (Alexandria, VA)
      • Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley KOA (Broadway, Virginia)
      • Shenandoah Views Campground (Luray, Virginia)
      • Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA (Monroe, Virginia)
      • Shenandoah River State Park (Bentonville, Virginia)
    • Washington
      • Crescent Bar RV Resort (Quincy, Washington)
    • West Virginia
      • Harper’s Ferry KOA (Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia)
  • USA
    • Alaska
      • 5 Things You Can’t Miss On Your First Trip To Alaska
    • Arizona
      • Apache Trail: A Crazy, Scary, Beautiful Drive
      • Best of Tucson – 10 Unforgettable Activities
      • Lost Dutchman State Park (Phoenix, Arizona)
      • Phoenix Faves: Best Activities to Enjoy on Your Arizona Vacation
    • District of Columbia
      • Budget Friendly Fun in Washington D.C.
      • Favorite Hikes near Washington DC
      • Indoor Skydiving and TopGolf: Just Another Day of Family Fun!
    • Florida
      • Best Walt Disney World Festivals For Adults
      • Blowing Rocks Preserve – Jupiter Island, Florida
      • Bok Tower Gardens
      • Daytona Beach – The World’s Most Famous Beach
      • Enjoy the Best of Sunny Sarasota
      • Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
      • Gasparilla – Tampa’s Pirate Invasion
      • 3 Days on the Nature Coast 
      • Get Back to Nature in Tampa Bay
      • Florida Freshwater Springs on the Nature Coast
      • Halloween at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
      • Kennedy Space Center – Cape Canaveral
      • Island Hopping at Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Parks
      • Must See Sights in St. Augustine, FL – America’s Oldest City
      • Rainbow Springs State Park & Campground (Dunnellon, Florida)
      • Take Me Out to the Ball Game – Spring Training in Tampa, FL
      • Tarpon Springs – The Gulf Coast Town with Greek Flavor
      • The 5 Best Beaches in the Tampa Bay Area
      • Top 5 Things to Do on Florida’s Space Coast
      • What Not to Do When Kayaking on the Weeki Wachee River
      • Why We Love Tampa
      • Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
    • Georgia
      • Visiting Atlanta? Don’t Miss These Civil Rights Museums
    • Hawaii
      • Everything You Need to Know About Camping in a Jeep Wrangler in Hawaii
    • Illinois
      • One Day In The Windy City – Chicago Itinerary
    • Maine
      • Coastal Maine Road Trip
      • Discover the Beauty of Monhegan Island, Maine
      • Acadia National Park: Highlights You Can’t Miss
    • Nevada
      • Best Campgrounds in Nevada
      • Las Vegas RV Campgrounds: Nellis Air Force Base and Lake Mead RV Village
    • New Hampshire
      • Experience the Magic of New Hampshire’s White Mountains
    • North Carolina
      • Complete Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
      • Uncover the Coastal Charm of North Carolina’s Outer Banks | A Guide for Visitors
    • Tennessee
      • Complete Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
      • Burgess Falls: 3 For 1 Waterfall Special
      • National Civil Rights Museum – Memphis, TN
      • Window Cliffs, TN – I’m Not Afraid of Heights, But I am Afraid of Falling!
      • WWII History in Tennessee
    • Texas
      • Best Restaurants in Fredericksburg
      • Enjoy a Bird’s Eye View of Texas Hill Country
      • Explore Nature’s Untamed Beauty at Big Bend National Park
    • Utah
      • Discover the Best of Zion National Park
    • Virginia
      • Explore Great Falls Park, Virginia
  • RV Resources
    • 3 Simple Steps to Find the Best RV Campgrounds
    • 5 Years Full-Time RV: Lessons Learned & Biggest Regret
    • Boondocking – What We Learned From Our First Dry Camping Experience
    • Tips for Boondocking Success
    • Essential RV Gear
      • Essential RV Gear Guide
      • DIY RV Power & Solar Upgrade
      • RV Must Have: Tire Pressure Monitoring System
      • RV SnapPads Product Review
      • RVLOCK Keyless Entry Door Handle Installation and Review
      • Shop “RV Local” With TechnoRV
      • Top RV Gadgets & Accessories
      • WeBoost Cellular Booster Review
    • Maintenance
      • DIY RV Power & Solar Upgrade
      • DIY Power Upgrade – “Solar Ready” Arctic Fox Fifth Wheel
      • An Easy Way to Protect Your RV Water Heater
      • Easy DIY Project to Protect Your RV Water System
      • How to Reduce the Likelihood of Tire Blowouts on your RV
      • Odor Free RV Black Tank Tips
      • RV Condensation: What It Is, What It Does, and How To Stop It
      • RV Roofs – What You Need to Know
    • Living in an RV
      • 9 Lessons From 2 1/2 Years on the Road
      • Dealing with my Biggest Full-Time Travel Struggle, Missing Family While Traveling
      • Downsizing: 3 Areas That Make The Biggest Impact
      • Full-Time RV: 2019 Year in Review
      • Full-Time RV: 2018 Year in Review
      • Full-Time RV Travel – 2017 Year In Review
      • How Full-Time RVers Celebrate the Holidays
      • Get Ready for Full-Time RV Travel
      • Internet Solutions for RV Travelers
      • The Ultimate Guide to Embracing the Full-Time RV Lifestyle
      • Living in a Tiny, Traveling Home
      • Making Friends (and reconnecting with old friends) While Traveling Full-Time
      • Pros & Cons of Full-Time RV Travel
      • RV Organization & Storage Ideas
      • Short-Term RV Storage: Leaving The RV Behind
      • Top 3 Lessons Learned & Biggest Regret: 3 Years Full-Time RV Living
      • What We Wish We Knew Before Full-Time RVing – Stories from the Road
      • What You Need To Know Before Selling Everything And Moving To An RV
      • Why We Are Traveling Full-Time In Our RV
    • Must Read Books Before Becoming A Full-time RVer
    • RV Organization & Storage Ideas
    • RV Remodel
      • Planning an RV Remodel
      • RV Kitchen Cooking Videos
      • Painting Your RV Interior
      • Update the RV Kitchen – Backsplashes & More
      • Updating Your RV Window Treatments
      • RV Bedroom Makeover
      • RV Remodel Costs with Before & After Photos
      • Vintage Camper Renovation
    • RV Holiday Tour – Decorating Our Small Space
    • RV Hurricane Evacuation
    • RV Misery Can Be Overcome By The Generosity Of Others
    • How Book Readers Can Space and Weight in the RV
    • Slow Travel
    • Small Kitchen Cooking
      • Eating Healthy on Travel Days
    • Staying Healthy
      • Traveling with Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, and Other Chronic Pain Conditions
    • Trip Planning
    • Traveling with Pets
      • RVing with Your Cat
      • Traveling with Restricted Breed Dogs
    • Why I Prefer RV Travel Over Flying
    • Your Guide To Planning The Best Family Vacation This Summer
  • Travel Finance
    • 5 Tips to Save on RV Travel
    • 5 Ways to Fund Full-Time Travel
    • Creative Ways To Save Money On Your Next Vacation
    • Full-Time RV Expenses
      • Annual Full-Time RV Expenses – The Big Three
    • Five Credit Card Strategies To Improve Travel
    • How Much Do Campgrounds Cost?
    • How Much Does it Cost to RV Full-Time?
    • How to Camp for Free
    • How to Start a Profitable Blog
    • How to Save Money on RV Fuel Costs
    • How to Save on Food While Camping
    • How We Earn A Living While Traveling Full-Time (And How You Can Too)
    • How We Paid $139,000 of Debt in 2 Years While Full-Time RVing
    • Learn How to Finance Your Dreams
    • The Top 7 Ways to Save Money While Traveling Full-Time
    • RV Purchasing
      • RV Purchasing: Understanding RV Types
      • Benefits of Renting an RV: Try Before You Buy
      • Should I Buy A New or Used RV?
      • The Costs of RV Ownership
      • The True Cost of Financing an RV
      • Attend An RV Show – Even If You Already Own An RV | Exciting Reasons Why
    • Save Money Using the Public Library (On More Than Just Books)
  • Military Travel
    • Guide To Using Military Campgrounds
    • Health Care for Retired Military Full-Time RVers
    • Why Military Retirees Should Fly Space-A
  • About Us
    • RV Shows We’re Attending
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10:31 pm by Julie Chickery

Vintage Camper Renovation

 It never ceases to amaze me how talented people are at renovating their vintage campers. It just goes to show that you simply cannot judge a book (or travel trailer) by its cover. If you’re interested in bringing your vintage camper back to life, check out these stylish and budget-friendly ideas!

Sales banner with RV outdoor mat, RV GPS, and storage bins.

Check out what this RV owner did in just 2 short months with her 20ft 1974 Skyline Nomad.

See the renovation on this 20ft 1974 Skyline Nomad vintage camper.
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/aftonalmighty/

Paint the RV Interior

The first (and fairly easy) step of any successful RV remodel is paint.  A fresh coat of paint makes everything old look new again! In this case, Afton used white paint and shiplap to create a bright, neutral palette for the interior of her camper.

This amazing vintage camper remodel includes paint, shiplap, flooring, countertops, and a beautiful backsplash.
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/aftonalmighty/

Just a few quick notes on painting the RV interior:

  • Preparation is key. Take the time to clean all surfaces well. Use something that will clean off all oils and residue.
  • Always use primer. Primer is critical to creating a base for your paint to adhere itself to. This is especially important if you are drastically changing the wall color or painting over wallpaper. 
  • Give each coat adequate time to dry. Peeling paint is often a sign that you didn’t allow each layer to dry before applying the next one. Also, lesson learned the hard way: peel all your painters tape off before the paint dries. Yes, you will have to use more tape for the next layer, but trust me, it is better than peeling away your hard work later.

Easy RV Mods: Countertop and Backsplash

Did you see that countertop? I love the warmth it adds to the room! Here are a few pointers to make this type of counter last as long as possible:

  • Seal it thoroughly. Wood can gather germs, grow mold, stain, or even warp in shape when exposed to moisture. To counteract these unwanted effects, you’ll need to seal your butcher block countertops immediately following installation and on a monthly basis afterward.
  • Don’t use it as a cutting board. Don’t chop directly on its surface. Knife blades can cause uneven wear on certain regions of your countertop.
  • Watch this tutorial on making a countertop with flooring…genius!

Updated RV Flooring

Speaking of flooring… Did you know that replacing old flooring is one of the easiest ways of sprucing up the interior of your RV? If you want something that looks like wood, but without the weight, plank-style flooring can be a great option. Mountain Modern Life has a fabulous tutorial on how to do everything from prep through completion.

RV Furniture to Fit

Another thing I really love about this camper remodel is the furniture that fits (and doesn’t overwhelm) the space! And you don’t need to buy furniture made specifically for RVs or campers. You can shop at Ikea or even flea markets to find something unique that works for you.

New furniture is the best way to personalize a camper. You don't need specific furniture made for campers. Just find something that you love that also fits the space, and be mindful of weight.

Custom Artwork

If you are in love with this camper remodel as much as I am, check out some of Afton’s reclaimed wood artwork in her Etsy shop, Vivid Woodworks and follow her adventures in this Skyline Nomad travel trailer on Instagram.

Sharing is Caring

Feel free to save this image on your Pinterest for future reference.

Check out this amazing vintage camper renovation that includes paint, flooring, countertops, and a new backsplash. Learn how to transform the small space in your RV.

Filed Under: RV Remodel

8:00 am by Julie Chickery

RV Bedroom Makeover

We finished the living room/kitchen remodel of our RV two months ago, so it’s time for me to work on the next step: the RV bedroom makeover. I’m sure it is no surprise that our bedroom is brown, on brown, on brown. Actually, there is even a little black and tan mixed in too.

We're planning an RV bedroom makeover to banish the brown and add some color to the dark room. Look at the ideas we found of fabulous RV renovations and remodels including bright paint and colorful bedding.

I definitely plan to add a little more color with paint, curtains, and new bedding. In search of inspiration, I turned to Instagram and hit the jackpot! Here are some of my favorite ideas.

Paint

Painting over my tan wallpaper will be the first step I take. Just look at what a huge difference it made for Mandy Wilson’s RV makeover!

Look at the before and after photos of this stunning RV bedroom makeover. Painting the oak cabinets brown really lightened up the entire space.

She also added a sliding barn door painted a deep blue to add a nice pop of color. Follow her on Instagram to see more photos as they’re posted!

Curtains

We have two little windows on each side of our bed with drab tan shades and blac faux leather valances. They have got to go! I adore these striped navy curtains Thuy Ellison used in her RV renovation. I love how lightweight they are to allow the light to come in when the shades are up.

An easy way to make a big change to your RV bedroom is with custom curtains. These are so simple and inexpensive to make yourself. Better yet I have a no sew tutorial to make it even simpler.

She used the same material over the dresser and large window as well. Head over to her Instagram to see the rest of her amazing RV interior remodel!

Click here for a tutorial on how to make no sew curtains. 

Headboard  & Window Boxes

I’m in awe of the work Mandy and Thuy have done to transform their RVs. I don’t think I’m brave enough to have quite that much white in my space. I’m going to use this idea from Stacy.

Check out her video tutorial below — the bedroom view is at the 5:20 mark. Better yet, click on the video and subscribe to her channel. She has some AMAZING ideas for decorating and organizing the RV.

Sharing is caring. Feel free to share the image below on Pinterest. 

Look at these stunning RV bedroom makeover ideas. From paint to curtains and headboards, there are ideas and tips for everyone to transform their drab RV bedroom into a personal space that will make you a happy camper! These tips can be used to remodel any RV, Fifth Wheel, Travel Trailer or camper.

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Filed Under: RV Remodel

11:53 am by Julie Chickery

RV Remodel Costs with Before & After Photos

If you’re thinking of remodeling your RV or even just sprucing it up a bit, you know it can be costly. We tried to stick to a budget during the process. In this article I’ll share our itemized costs, as well as a few tips for saving money.

Before & After Video

Want to skip the article and cut to the chase? Watch this short 3 minute video where we briefly discuss the costs and share before & after views of the RV.

RV Remodel Costs

Below I’ll explain what we accomplished during our mini RV renovation and makeover with the cost by category.

Learn how to pay off debt, earn an income, and save money all while traveling full-time.

Paint

The first step to brightening up our RV was to paint over the beige and brown wallpaper. I used two coats of Glidden Gripper Primer and two coats of Glidden paint in eggshell finish. I also painted the wood trim on our valances with Glidden paint in satin finish. The total cost for the primer, paint, and paint supplies (brushes, pans, tape, drop cloth): $106.

Click here to see my article on Painting Over RV Wallpaper.

Curtains

The next step was to make no sew curtains. I purchased fabric shower curtains and used heat bond tape to shorten the hem. I also used fabric shower curtains to cover the sliding glass door over the deck in our toy hauler and the loft space. I needed 5 fabric shower curtains for the project. The total cost for the curtains, tension rods, and rings: $150.

Click here to read my post on options for Updating RV Window Treatments. It includes a tutorial on making no sew curtains and other inexpensive options.

Backsplash

Check out these ideas for a simple RV kitchen remodel or makeover. Simple things like paint and a new backsplash can truly transform your small space!

The backsplash that came with our RV was metallic brown and was falling down. Since the RV kitchen is really in the main living area, I decided I wanted to create a focal point with my new backsplash. I painted the panel pieces I purchased a bright teal that was also in my new curtains. Cost of new backsplash tiles (I already had the paint and supplies): $80.

Click here to see pictures of my changes, as well as other options to renovate your RV kitchen.

Décor

After painting and adding curtains, I purchased some decorative items to provide some pops of color. This included a new cutting board, wall art, rope trim, and more. I could have saved here, by making some simple DIY items, but I got a little carried away shopping. Total cost of new décor: $251.

Furniture

Changing out your RV furniture is easier than you think! It's a great way to makeover your small space and make it work for you!

The most expensive part of our overall RV remodel was the furniture. We originally had a long brown 5-cushion sofa. I didn’t like it because half of it was directly across from the kitchen area. I decided to replace with recliners and a drop leaf dining table with chairs. After extensive shopping for recliners, we decided to purchase theater seating from Camping World for $1,755. It includes two electric recliners (with heat and massage) separated by a center console.  I purchased the perfect sized drop leaf table from Ikea for only $140. Finally, a friend of mine was selling two chairs she was replacing for only $60. Total cost of new furniture: $1,955.

Total Cost of Living Room/Kitchen Area Remodel: $2,542

While this may seem like a lot of money for such a small area, it really made it more functional for us. There are several ways to save money and achieve a very similar remodel. I’ve listed them below.

Ways to Save on an RV Remodel

Coupons & Sales

One tip that my friend and design consultant, Lisa Brown of Always on Liberty shared with me was to use coupons. You can find these the traditional way by getting a local Sunday paper and going through the sales flyers, but an easier way is to download the stores’ apps. Every store we shopped at had an app that provided coupons and notified you of sales. Most of them provided a special one-time coupon for downloading the app as well regular weekly coupons.

In addition to coupons, most stores have a bargain bin or special sales rack for things they no longer stock. When I went shopping with Lisa this is the first place she looked for items. Keep a list of things you’re looking for with measurements so you can be ready to jump on those good deals! My main problem here was being impatient. I wanted everything right away. Lisa was much smarter about her RV makeover and waited until an item was on sale to purchase it.

DIY

Another way to save money on an RV makeover is by making your own décor. There are so many fabulous tutorials on Pinterest if you are looking for ideas. For example, I could have saved more money by purchasing fabric using coupons and making my own curtains, but I fell in love with the fabric shower curtains that I ultimately used.

Furniture

As I mentioned above, our biggest ticket item was the tricked-out theater seats that Sean picked. Originally I had selected a similar option for only $599 (a savings of $956), but they were manual. Seeing how Sean is still working while we are traveling full-time (click here to read about how we earn an income on the road), we decided we could afford to splurge on this big ticket item.

Design Help

One of my favorite websites is RV Inspiration. It is filled with tons of ideas to help make your RV feel more like home. I was totally inspired by her article, Beach Themed RV Makeovers. She also has a fabulous book on RV organization and storage called Create Space From Thin Air: Ideas For Adding Storage To Your RV. This full-color, 36-page e-book will help you discover new potential storage space in your RV or tiny home! With over 75 color photos and 60+ ideas for storing and organizing, you cannot go wrong here.

Create Space From Thin Air: Tips and Tricks for Organizing Your Camper, RV, or Trailer. Filled with color photographs of numerous RV organization ideas.The book includes:

  • Ideas for adapting solutions to fit your needs
  • Ways to make use of vertical space for storage
  • Tips for finding and utilizing empty space
  • Ideas for modifying furniture and built-in spaces to add extra storage
  • Step-by-step action plan to help you discover the best storage solutions for your space

Sharing is caring! Feel free to share the image below on Pinterest. 

See the before and after of our RV remodel on a budget! Includes a full listing of costs for this minor RV renovation and interior makeover. Get ideas for your DIY RV makeover for the living room and kitchen to include new furniture, paint, curtains, backsplash, and more! I also provide tips and tricks for updating your RV interior. #RVremodel #RVmakeover #BudgetMakeover

Filed Under: RV Remodel

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