With the soccer playoffs in full swing, a lot of professional and college events are happening. But did you know that there is so much more to the RV motorhome than just the big football games?
As you walk through the parking lot to your favorite events, do you ever wish you could join in the food and fun of a tailgate party? Here are ten things to know about RV tracking, and why it’s about time you earned your own fame as a top-notch parking chef.
10 Reasons RV Tailgating is the Best Kind of Tailgating
Tailgate parties aren’t just for soccer
America’s RV tailgaters bring the party to NASCAR races, soccer and baseball games, and every type of sporting event imaginable. Whether in the stadium, on the race track, or at the ballpark, the bike ride simply makes sporting events more fun.
Tailgate parties are big business
Cheater enthusiasts generate huge income for related industries – they spend up to $ 18 billion on licensed clothing and accessories and a whopping $ 35 billion on food and beverage purchases!
Tailgaters are repeat partiers
For RV enthusiasts, the cola craze means installing the mobile kitchen five or more times per season. Once you’ve been bitten by the tailgating bug, it’s hard to leave the party at home. The ease of RV travel makes it even more tailgate appeal at events away from home.
Tailgaters like to break the grill
By an overwhelming majority (90 percent), candy chefs include some type of grilled specialties on their menus. From seafood to burgers to vegetable kabobs, the grill adds its own special flavor to the parking lot kitchen. Make sure you know the regulations at your destination before you go. Not all stadiums and ballparks allow charcoal fires, so you may need to pack the propane grill.
Tailgating increases team spirit
With a little creativity, custom menus can wave the banner for teams, drivers, and individual players. Create a burger in honor of this year’s MVP or incorporate race team colors into desserts, salads, and appetizers to boost your crowd’s team spirit. Help the crew get ready for the big game with team-themed hoagies, dips and drinks.
RV kitchens make tracking easy
It’s one thing to get the grill out of the minivan and start flipping burgers in the parking lot. It’s a completely different level of tailgating to prepare, cook, and serve in the comfort of an RV kitchen. Today’s RVs are designed for your comfort on the road, and tailgating is no exception. Take advantage of the easy storage, preparation and cleaning that the kitchen offers in your RV.
Three Tips for Following the Queue Keep Food Safety Simple
There are three rules to follow when preparing, cooking, and serving that will keep your specialties safe.
- Keep food at the proper temperature. The “hot cold and cold food” rule is especially important when serving food outdoors. Use insulated plates and hot trays, and place smaller amounts while keeping your backup supply in the refrigerator, RV refrigerator, or on the grill.
- Cleanliness wins, hands down. With your RV’s water tanks full, you’ll have plenty of water to wash before, during, and after food preparation. Take the time to wash cutting boards, bowls, and utensils if you are using them for more than one plate. Make hand washing a “must-do” for your follow-up team.
- Buy the freshest ingredients. Save what you can for an affordable price, but if it’s not up to date, don’t cook it in your back door.
Tailgate menus reflect each chef’s style
RV RV cooks have fun creating menus that reflect their unique styles. Take a look at what’s served in the parking lot at the next ball game and you’ll find fish tacos, hummus wraps, tapas buffets, savory cream cheese, muffulettas, and venison sliders. And we haven’t even mentioned desserts – there are nearly limitless ways to honor the appetites of the team and your favorite fans with treats, mini fruitcakes, cheesecakes, smoothies, and quirky brownie creations.
Keep it easy to serve and easy to eat, and you’ll get a big win with your parking party.
Tailgating is on the rise
NFL games, NASCAR races, and college or high school sporting events are seeing an increase in the number of fans turning up. Some NFL stadiums are legendary for their tailgate parties, with the Bears, Chiefs and Eagles scoring big with their fans. NASCAR tracks are great magnets for tailgaters, too. Fan favorites for the best RV RV setups include the Pocono, Indy, and Talladega, but you’ll find parking parties hosted at almost every NASCAR race. An interesting note: the granddaddy of all football events, the Super Bowl, banned tailgate parties a few years ago.
But the rest of the season sees parking chefs in stadiums across America!
Recreational Vehicle Rentals Make Car Buying Affordable
Don’t you own a motorhome, but love the idea of an RV motorhome? Don’t worry – RV rentals make the ride convenient and affordable. Fully equipped kitchens, sleeping areas, bathrooms, and dining spaces mean that visitors can enjoy self-contained travel, as well as first-class kitchen facilities.
As soccer season wraps up, it’s time to start planning the menus for the upcoming season! Whether the next event you attend is Cactus League spring training or your daughter’s soccer game, participating in RVs can make it more memorable.
For more information on RV tracking, check out El Monte RV’s infographic on everything you need to know about RV RV equipment.
Joe Laing is the Director of Marketing for El Monte RV, a nationwide RV rental company. Joe has been working in the travel industry for over 20 years and loves exploring the great outdoors. He is also active in numerous camping associations, including RVIA’s Go RV’ing committee, as well as travel industry associations.
