Football season is almost here — and tailgating is a great way to spend the hours leading up to the big game eating, drinking, and hanging out with fellow fans. RV tailgating brings the pregaming festivities to another level. You have a stove, a fridge, and a clean bathroom nearby, making your whole experience much more comfortable, convenient and pleasant!
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best reasons to tailgate in an RV, what to bring along, and tips for improving your experience.
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RV Tailgating: At a Glance
While we’re about to take a deep dive into all the reasons RV tailgating is great, here’s some of the best features of this unique celebration style at a glance.
| Feature | Regular Tailgating | RV Tailgating |
| Food | Limited to what works with a cooler and maybe a portable grill | A full kitchen means you can serve whatever you want — and easily store leftovers, too |
| Electricity access | Unlikely; you’ll probably be limited to battery-powered items | Generator means you can enjoy climate control, TV, and all the comforts of a fully electric home at the stadium |
| Restroom Facilities | Limited to public restrooms available at the stadium; possibly port-a-potties | Fully functional onboard private bathroom |
| Road Trip Accessibility | Possible, but less comfortable | Make game day weekend into a week-long trip or even a longer adventure with every comfort and convenience on board |
The Best Reasons for RV Tailgating
There are so many reasons that the money and time RV tailgating takes are worth it! The feeling of spending time with other football fans on a crisp fall day, getting excited for the upcoming game … well, there’s nothing quite like it. Here are a few of the best reasons to tailgate with an RV on Game Day.
- Football Tailgating Food: Wings, cheesesteaks, nachos, chili… football food is the very best kind of comfort food! Having an RV is the best way to prep food and keep it either warm or cold up until you want to eat it. Whether you set up a grill outside your RV, or go for slow cooker or Instant Pot dishes, your rig’s onboard kitchen makes it all easier. You’ll have a convenient power source for anything that requires electricity. You’ll have a refrigerator to keep veggies, dips, and drinks cold. And, importantly, you’ll have a sink to keep hands and dishes clean.
- Great Game Day Setup: Thanks to your power source, you also have a way to watch the game if you’re not attending. If you are heading into the stadium, you can still keep up on the pregame TV hype, or catch up with the other games you’re missing in the meantime. You’ll want to make sure ahead of time that you have access to the channel broadcasting the games you’re interested in. DISH has an option specifically for RVers, so you may want to look into that possibility. If you do sign up for DISH, use this link for a special offer.
- Convenient Amenities: Anyone who’s had to use the parking lot portable toilets that some stadiums provide will appreciate having their own personal bathroom in an RV! RV tailgating also means you’ll have a place to retreat if the fall weather gets either too cold or too warm. You have room to carry extra tables and chairs in case other fans drop by to chat. Even the onboard bed can be useful if someone wants to take a nap during the game, or if you have small children who need to sleep.
- Exploring: If you’re headed to an out-of-town game and rent an RV to tailgate, you can keep up the adventure after the game is over. Most NFL teams are in big cities with lots to explore. You can also check out state parks, nearby national parks, museums, theme parks, and more. College towns have a lot to offer, too, and are often also surrounded by beautiful nature. You’ll find nearby campgrounds in all states so you can extend your stay and enjoy the sights and your RV!
What to Bring
When you’re making plans to tailgate, you’ll want to make sure you pack everything you need for a great day! Here’s a printable packing list you can use so you don’t forget any of the gear you’ll need.
Cooking
- Grill & fuel
- Grilling tools
- Foil/pans for serving
- Knives & cutting board
- Seasonings, oil
- Cooler & ice
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
Food & Drinks
- Meats & veggies
- Snacks & dips
- Buns & condiments
- Dessert
- Beer/soda/water/cocktails
- Coffee/tea
Serving
- Plates/cups/utensils
- Serving trays
- Opener/koozies
- Table & tablecloth
- Food storage containers for leftovers
Seating & Comfort
- Chairs
- Canopy/awning
- Rug/blankets
- Heater/fan
- Sunscreen/bug spray
Entertainment
- Speaker/music
- Tailgating games like cornhole
- Team flags or gear
- Lights/lanterns
- TV/projector
Clothing
- Jerseys/hats
- Comfortable shoes
- Layers/jackets
- Rain gear
- Sunglasses
- Cold-weather gear
RV Essentials
- Leveling blocks
- Extension cords
- Generator/propane
- Hoses/connectors
- Ladder
Safety/Misc
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Sanitizer/wipes
- Cash and cards
- Clear stadium bag
Tips for Tailgating
As you plan your RV tailgating outing, you’ll want to consider a few things. These tips can help you make sure you’re ready for your big day of football watching (and eating!).
Know the Rules
Many tailgating sections at parking lots sell special tickets for those lots — and you may need an additional, specific permit to park an RV. Make sure you’ve purchased the right ticket, and make sure you’ve done so as soon as possible! Some of these sections begin selling spots months in advance, so you’ll want to start planning well ahead of time.
You may also need to know your RV’s size to be sure it fits in the appropriate parking spot. Check to see if there are hookups available, or if you’ll need to run on your own power (i.e., use your generator — though in this case, you’ll also want to be aware of any quiet hours or other noise or emissions restrictions).
Finally, read the rest of the parking and tailgating rules. These are usually on a section of the website for the team you’re going to see. Make sure you know how much of the space around your RV you’re allowed to occupy. Also, check what time you’re allowed to arrive and set up, and when you need to be packed up to leave.
Oh, one last thing: If you’re planning to attend the game, make sure you have purchased those tickets as well! With so much to plan, it can be easy to overlook the obvious.
Plan the Menu
Plan your menu in advance. If you’re trying any new dishes, do a practice run at home to make sure it turns out the way you expect. Also, save some effort on Game Day by prepping food ahead of time. Chop any vegetables, marinate your meat, and do as much at home as you can before you arrive. Pack things together, and separate by category. Have one large bin for decor, one for kitchen items, one for games, etc.
Arrive Early
Find out when the stadium will allow you to arrive that morning, and plan on getting there early. This allows you time to set everything up, get cooking, and generally have enough time to enjoy tailgating time before the game begins. It also means you won’t be maneuvering your rig through crowds of people trying to get into the stadium. If you don’t live nearby, consider finding a nearby campground where you can camp the night before. That will make your drive much easier in the morning!
Mark Your Spot
Roll out a rug or set up chairs to define your tailgating space. Items like team flags or banners are fun and festive decor, and they also make it easier for anyone meeting you there to find you. Set up your games and any other areas as well.
Set Up Your Food Flow
A buffet-style table is usually easiest for getting people through a food line. Have drinks on one end and food on the other to keep things moving, or to allow people to grab what they need. You may also want some smaller tables with other snacks, to keep everyone from hovering around the same table.
If you have a large group, you can make a batch of cocktails or mocktails to serve out of a dispenser instead of having to mix drinks individually. (Double-check any alcohol restrictions imparted by the stadium before you serve!)
Plan Your Cleanup
If you’re headed into the stadium for the game, find out how much you need to clean up first. Some stadiums, especially at smaller universities, may let you leave chairs, games, and other items out to return to after the game is over. Clean up your food so you don’t attract bugs and other pests. Store items that need to be refrigerated, and bag any trash.
When you’re tearing down your camp for good, assign people different jobs. Have one person collect trash, one store food and drinks, and one pack up any decor and games. Packing up goes much quicker with a team!
Pro Tip: Along with using a large trash bag to collect trash, bring along a collapsible laundry basket. You can toss tablecloths, dishcloths, and any other linens in there to wash later.
FAQs for RV Tailgating
Even with the best planning, you may have some questions about RV tailgating. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
As with many RV activities, the best size RV for tailgating will depend on the type of tailgating you want to do. If you want to throw a big party with all the amenities, a Class A motorcoach or fifth wheel travel trailer might be your favorite option. Just be sure that your RV will fit in the assigned spot. On the other hand, if you want to travel light and easy, plan on spending most of your time outdoors and are willing to “rough it” on the bathroom front, a Class B campervan or pop-up camper may suffice.
It depends. While some stadiums disallow RVs entirely, many NFL and college football stadiums do allow motorhomes and travel trailers — but they often have to be in designated lots and you’ll likely need to purchase a pass ($100 to $200 per game). Always double-check the requirements at the specific stadium you have in mind, and keep an eye on length restrictions: your available space may cap out at 40 feet, or you may be required to buy two spaces if your RV is longer than that.
You’ll want to make sure you consider a few different categories when you pack for RV tailgating. You’ll want to pack food and utensils, games and decor, and RV essentials to make sure the day runs smoothly. This printable packing list can help you make sure you don’t miss anything.
Yes, usually, you need a ticket to tailgate at stadium lots. Most NFL stadiums require you to have both a ticket to the game and a parking pass for the tailgating lot. College stadiums are sometimes more relaxed, but you may still need an RV specific pass. You’ll want to read the specific rules for each stadium and abide by those.
Whether you’re headed to a local college game or a big out-of-town NFL game, RV tailgating can be a wonderful way to get hyped for the game. If you don’t have an RV of your own, RVshare has plenty of amazing rental rigs, including many of the best RVs for tailgating. Start your search for the perfect RV and get one booked today!
