Category: tailgating

  • Team Transport: The Best RVs for Tailgating

    A legendary tailgating session requires a legendary vehicle, even if an actual, literal tailgate is optional these days. In fact, an RV is the perfect gathering point for game-day shenanigans, and we’ve found some of the best models currently suited to this sacred purpose. These rigs have great features inside and out, and can help keep the troops entertained before and after the action. Better still, they make hitting the road for those epic away games so much better. These are our picks for the best RVs for tailgating.

    best RVs for tailgating

    Photo Credit: Thor

    Thor Outlaw Wild West Edition

    This Class A toy hauler checks all the boxes when it comes to being a great tailgating vehicle. Its well-equipped kitchen includes a two-burner induction cooktop and a convection microwave oven that doubles as an air fryer, taking some of the pressure off the brave soul working the grill. A residential-size refrigerator provides ample room for all of your favorite beverages, while Thor’s popular “Dream Dinette” makes a great gathering place for pregame meals. The Outlaw’s gear garage converts nicely to a second living room, and the foldout patio deck is a nice touch when entertaining fellow fans (or heckling the opposition). The motorcoach ships from the factory with two TVs—one in the primary living space and another outside—and is prewired to add two more in the garage and bedroom. About the only thing this model lacks is an outdoor kitchen, but its large awning deploys at the touch of a button, creating a protected space for setting up grills, coolers, chairs and other game-day essentials. MSRP: $254,660

    best RVs for tailgating

    Photo Credit: Winnebago

    Winnebago Adventurer 35F

    With its spacious interior, modern kitchen and outdoor entertainment center with a 32” TV and premium sound system, all versions of the Winnebago Adventurer make excellent tailgating options. But the 35F floor plan is especially enticing, thanks to its massive sectional sofa located opposite one of two interior televisions. A large dinette and a removable pedestal table between the swiveling driver and passenger chairs add extra space for pregame snacking. The residential refrigerator and one-and-a-half baths are the equivalent of champagne in the locker room for this excellent coach. MSRP: $257,575

    best RVs for tailgating

    Photo Credit: Fleetwood

    Fleetwood Fortis 36Y/36T

    An exterior kitchenette and outdoor entertainment center immediately give the Fleetwood Fortis 36Y and 36T floor plans excellent tailgating cred. But there is plenty to love inside this Class A model, too, including plush jackknife sofas, large L-shaped dinettes, and no fewer than three TVs. The 36Y features a dedicated “kid kave” lounge in the back for younger fans, while the 36T model has a media-room complete with 65” TV and Klipsch soundbar, powered theater seating and a fireplace. Residential appliances, generous onboard storage and a 5,500W Onan Quiet generator round out a long list of standard features. MSRP: $231,533

    best RVs for tailgating

    Photo Credit: Entegra Coach

    Entegra Accolade XT 29T

    When it comes to tailgating, the Entegra Accolade XT 29T is proof that Class C can equal MVP. This floor plan includes a huge U-shaped power sofa with room for your squad to huddle up, all conveniently located near the rig’s 50” smart TV. Outside, an 18-foot awning sits atop an exterior entertainment center equipped with another LED HDTV connected to JBL outdoor speakers, ensuring fans catch the all-important pregame show, whether they’re relaxing inside or outside the vehicle. MSRP: $300,300

    best RVs for tailgating

    Photo Credit: Jayco

    Jayco North Point  382FLRB

    Jayco’s North Point 382FLRB floor plan is a  towable that makes a great tailgating RV. This fifth-wheel model includes a massive dedicated living room with three sofas, an entertainment center with a 50” TV, and a fireplace. The island kitchen includes a four-burner stove, microwave, a residential-style refrigerator, a 32” TV and a roll-top dinette. And if that wasn’t enough, the interior also features one-and-a-half baths. Outside, you’ll find two 14-foot awnings, an outdoor kitchen, and the option to add a third TV. With so many features, you might even be tempted to skip the game and watch from the parking lot. MSRP: $127,718

    best RVs for tailgating

    Photo Credit: Leisure Travel Vans

    Leisure Travel Vans Wonder

    If you think a Class B can’t make a great tailgating model, think again. The Leisure Travel Vans Wonder is a sophisticated and luxurious camper van that’s a joy to drive and has some seriously luxurious amenities. The Rear Lounge model is especially well-suited for hosting pregame gatherings, with ample seating space, an onboard TV and a well-equipped galley kitchen with additional seating and a removable table.
    Best of all, parking is a breeze and navigating post-game traffic couldn’t be easier. MSRP: $199,720

    This article originally appeared in Wildsam magazine. For more Wildsam content, sign up for our newsletter.

    The post Team Transport: The Best RVs for Tailgating appeared first on RV.com.

  • Play to Win in the RV Tailgating Game

    Huddle up, RV travelers. You’re in an excellent position to make a tailgating play.

    That’s right — you’ve got your kitchen, your fridge, your grill ready for outside setup, chairs in the storage bays or the car or truck, and the “necessary” right inside your door — no waiting in lines for the porta-potty.

    So, where to go? Most fans of a particular team will, of course, head to their own stadium and join other sports fans. That’s a given.

    Barbecuing sausages and chicken.

    Photo: Andrik Langfield

    But other RVers are just looking for the best party, regardless of location — and their homes-on-wheels allow them to try the best of the best from coast to coast. So pack up the beverages, the burgers, brats, steaks, chicken — whatever your favorites are — and hit the road.

    Currently, it’s baseball season, and America’s favorite pastime has its own tailgating scene. Some Major League clubs roll out the red carpet for fans seeking pre-game party fun. The Atlanta Braves are among the organizations that have established designated tailgating areas for fans to join like-minded revelers for food and fun before the first pitch.

    But football is where the real tailgating action unfolds, and it’s never too early to reserve a spot at a campground near your favorite team’s home turf (the first National Football League preseason game kicks off in July). Check out the following all-stars in the tailgating field:

    Mile High Fun

    We’ve tailgated in Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High — Go Broncos! And we have to say these orange-clad fans do tailgate parties proud. We formerly lived up in Breckenridge, Colorado, and just had to drive down the “hill” to join friends at their motorhome in a long-held spot in a parking lot set up for RV tailgating. They’ve even won some tailgating awards for their set-up, complete with turkey fryers, smokers, and multiple grills.

    Stadium tailgate party.

    Pikes Peak Pats Fan Club tailgate party in Broncos territory before Denver plays New England. Photo: Greg & Sheryl

    The folks at Tailgater Magazine — yes, it exists — agree with us, ranking Mile High as Number 4 on their list of top tailgating spots. The magazine mentions that parties there start as early as 8 a.m. on game day.

    Bills, Browns, and Saints Host Topflight Tailgating

    Tailgater Magazine rated Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, NY, as the best tailgating experience in the NFL. Tailgater points out that fans of the NFL’s Bills really know how to throw a fiesta — they party harder and huddle closer to keep warm— what with the area’s infamous icy weather. Fortunately, you’ll find relief in the Buffalo wings, which get top billing here — no big surprise.

    Fans in orange jerseys.

    Cleveland Browns fans during a tailgating celebration. Photo: Erik Drost

    Huntington Bank Field (formerly First Energy Stadium) in Cleveland comes in at second place. Beer can chicken is a fan favorite. Watch a rousing game of Thunderstruck, which evidently involves downing some of the suds that weren’t used in steaming the chicken.

    The party outside the Caesars Superdome (formerly Mercedes Benz Superdome) in New Orleans is the magazine’s third-highest-ranked pre-game tailgate party. Because up to 80,000 fans can fit into the Dome, there are a lot of people to party in the vast plaza outdoors. You may not have to cook your own food, as the plaza is home to clubs, restaurants, bars, and entertainment.

    Two women decked out in Saints regalia.

    Saints fans celebrate victory. Photo: USMC

    Pittsburgh Pride and Packer Parties

    We’ve already shouted out Mile High as Number Four, and coming in at Number Five was Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field) in Pittsburgh. Steelers fans are high on energy (and maybe beverages?), and Tailgater says it can seem as though the entire city has turned out to support the team. Cookouts start early and end late. Be sure to bring your yellow towel and wave it proudly.

    Man dressed in Steelers regalia.

    A Steelers fan. Photo: Davey Nin

    There’s speculation the word tailgating may even have started at the Number Six placeholder, Green Bay’s Lambeau Field, the legendary home of the Packers. Everyone is welcome to join a tailgate at Lambeau — and you don’t even need to wear a spongy cheese wedge on your head. At the Tundra Tailgate Zone, Green Bay can rival Buffalo for cold weather — fans can even watch the game on huge screens while munching hearty Midwestern food, sipping beer, and listening to music. Brats are high on the menu.

    While visiting mythical Packerland, stay at Thousand Trails Tranquil Timbers on Sturgeon Bay, northeast of Green Bay.

    Bears and Pats Fans Serve Signature Dishes

    Soldier Field in Chicago took the seventh spot in the rankings — the Tailgater Magazine folks are not deterred by cold weather, and neither, it seems, are the fans in these northern cities. The Bears’ home turf is touted as a good option for those looking for a more family-friendly option for tailgating parties.

    Chicago-style hot dog.

    Photo: Kelsey Todd

    Soldier Field is called out as a must if you’re looking for iconic food — including those famous Chicago-style Hot Dogs!

    Number Eight is another chilly one, but at Gillette Stadium in Boston the party goes on even during blizzards. The good news is there are always steaming bowls of Clam Chowder available along with other seafood and warming beverages.

    BBQ in Houston, Cuban Cuisine in Miami

    Number Nine enjoys much warmer weather — especially since Houston’s NRG Stadium has a retractable roof. In Texas, it’s all about the barbecue, and the tailgate party in Houston is no exception. The aromas alone will make you hungry as smokers start blazing early and remain burning even after the final whistle. Tailgater magazine says this is the place to be if you’re a party animal and/or a lover of barbecue.

    Grilled chicken on a barbecue.

    Photo: Denis Agati

    The food is also a star at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium — which rounds out the Top Ten Tailgate spots. And, as in Houston, it’s the food that stands out in the parking lot. But in Miami, it’s Cuban food that shines — Cuban sliders, Grilled chicken with rice and beans, smoked pork loin, plantains, and empanadas are sure to get your mouth watering. Tailgater says the Miami fans are among the friendliest, most welcoming in the NFL — and that tailgating in Miami is less crowded and more relaxed.  It’s also warmer.

    So, pick your vibe, pick your city or stadium, pack up the RV, and head to a Tailgate party — or two or three or the entire Top Ten! It’s a long season, after all.  Let us know your personal favorites!

    The post Play to Win in the RV Tailgating Game appeared first on RV.com.