Technology has permeated our lives for quite some time now, and with the boom of AI, it’s becoming so intertwined that it’s becoming essential. The RV world is also changing with the times. Remember, RVs started out as modified cars with beds attached, but by the mid-1900s, they become larger and more luxurious (plumbing, for instance) with more attention to exterior design and interior layout; the inventory grew as more manufacturers got into the game, and new types of RVs evolved.
Incorporating Tech Into Camping Life
We are still evolving, and it’s difficult to ignore the strides we’re taking with smart technology as well as eco-friendly features and design. So, when it comes to an RV, is technology integration essential for you – or can you do without it.
- Portable Gadgets
The advent of the cell phone altered how we communicated. Texting, internet connectivity, streaming, online bill pay, and chatbots entered the scene as well to change not just how we communicate, but how we connect with others, manage our finances, request help, and monitor our abodes (including the RV). We have the capacity to make portable gadgets that get big jobs done without the assistance of a professional or without having to purchase larger equipment. In addition to cell phones, tablets, and laptops, we can choose to bring along other portable gadgets to enhance our personal devices and those within our RVs, such as power banks, Bluetooth speakers, plug and play backup cameras, wireless outdoor security cameras, smart watches, and portable solar panels.
- Connectivity
What can’t you do through the web? Our smartphones have become imperative to the access and operation of so many things in our personal and professional lives, as well as in the RV. Through the web, we receive weather updates, which help us make traveling plans as well as how to prepare for various activities; we can use maps for on-the-go navigational needs; we can search for, book, and review campsites; we can find apps that suite our interests such as bird identification and stargazing so that we become better educated when we participate in those activities; we can monitor our health; and we can share our lives with others through social media sites. Apps are useful, such as one for hiking trails, but they do not replace common sense and a physical resource, such as a map. Our ability to connect via the web is expanding, but it’s not always reliable – or even accurate. You still need to use your mind and your senses to make the best decisions.
- Smart Home Products
The purpose of smart home products is convenience and efficiency. Using this technology, you can minimize your carbon footprint by using less electricity by controlling the lights or adjusting the thermostat temperature, for example. One smart home product is a smart lock, which can be installed independently by replacing the original lock. Some locks have keypads while others have keys or a fob. Another big smart home advancement that is making its way into our RVs is smart HVAC systems with digital control panels. This way, you have quick, instant control over heat pumps, air conditioners, and fans while also being able to program climate settings based on the different times of the day for even more efficiency. The same goes for tire pressuring monitoring systems. Although it’s handy to have a regular tire pressure gauge on hand, this gadget gives real-time updates through sensors right onto your RV’s dashboard.
Two Sides of the Same Coin
While technology is intended to enhance and streamline our lives – and it certainly does that – our dependence and fascination with it can take away from other aspects of camping and spending time outdoors. This is most true for cell phones and smart watches, which we carry with us everywhere we go. According to the KOA’s North American Camping Report, “four out of 10 campers surveyed say technology detracts from outdoor enjoyment, while three in 10 say it enhances their time outdoors.” Looking at a screen, we are not as present or attuned to our surroundings. We may miss the simple, beautiful things and move along too quickly instead of appreciating them. And a big reason we are camping anyway is to reconnect with the natural world.
However, technology has come such a long way that it’s easier now to work off-site, including on vacation in an RV. People can spend more time camping, even if it means using some of their camping time attached to a device to do work and other tasks. Different generations feel differently about the incorporation of technology during camping expeditions. More and more people of all ages, however, are choosing to detox from technology due to digital fatigue during RV trips. Doing this returns the focus to one of the main benefits of camping: escaping.
What does that mean if you have an RV with smart home technology or there’s a bill to be paid back at home? Keep it minimal and have an alternative method to accomplish the same tasks, if possible. Put the phones away and have dedicated time when they can be used while you’re at the campsite – with everyone playing by the same rules, of course. Otherwise, use the smartphone’s amazing capabilities during your adventures.