First Time Tailgating with Our RV

My husband, Donny, is a massive football fan and for years it has been his dream to get into the action by tailgating at a game. So this fall, we decided to check it off our bucket list, packed up the RV, and headed to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. 

Tailgating is a unique way to bond with friends and family, enjoy some gameday yumminess, and experience the game. But adding an RV into the mix takes your tailgating experience to a whole new level. We are sharing all the tips and lessons we learned while tailgating with our Keystone Cougar fifth wheel so you can have the best gameday experience possible.

Before diving into the tailgating setup, the first thing you need to think about is location. Not all NFL stadiums allow RV tailgating and some are only for smaller model RV’s. All the stadiums we checked into have designated RV parking lots, but these spots sell out fast, so it's important to reserve your spot as soon as possible. We bought our RV lot ticket five months prior to the game. Some key things to consider when choosing a tailgating location include:

• Space size: Make sure the spot you choose accommodates the size of your RV plus any other tailgating equipment you plan to bring. Our space at AT&T Stadium was 20x40 feet.
• Accessibility: Look for a spot that’s easy to get in and out of. We arrived early for check-in to ensure we got a good spot.

• Information is everything: Call the stadium office before purchasing the RV spot to ask questions and have more clarity on how it all works. We stayed at a nearby RV park the night before so we could do a drive-by without the RV. This was helpful in clearing up Donny’s concerns about maneuvering into the lot the next morning.
• Google search: We did a Google search on tailgating at AT&T stadium and found images and videos of what the lot looked like on game day. This eased our concerns and helped us plan.

Tailgating with an RV means you'll likely be parked for a full day (or in our case, a whole weekend) without electric, water, or sewer hookups. You’ll want your RV stocked and ready for fun. Here are some essential RV preparations to keep in mind:

• Check RV systems: Before heading out, make sure everything in your RV is in working order. Fill the fresh water tank, empty the waste tanks, and secure your power source. We chose to purchase a generator so we could use the air conditioner and two TVs for game day.
• Fuel up your RV: Don’t forget to fill up your tank before arriving. Most stadiums are in busy urban areas and running low on fuel while waiting in traffic would not be fun. We also filled a gas can for the generator.
• Pack your gear: Make sure you have all the essential tailgating supplies: folding chairs, tables, coolers, grilling equipment, and any games or entertainment items. Of course, I had to add extra decorative touches like team flags and banners to make the Cougar feel more festive.

When you pull into your spot, setting up your tailgating area efficiently is key. With an RV, you have a bit more space to spread out compared to traditional tailgating, but it’s still important to be organized. Here’s a step-by-step process to get your tailgate set up:

1. Unhitch and level the RV: If you’re towing a trailer, the first thing you'll want to do is unhitch your RV. Our fifth wheel has an auto-level system which makes everything so easy. We were able to park our truck in the same parking lot.
2. Set up your outdoor area: I started with a beautiful outdoor rug, and comfy chairs, and put out the awnings. We used folding tables for food and TVs. Then I just added fun gameday decor while Donny set up his grill.
3. Create a social atmosphere: Since we would be watching the game from the RV we wanted everyone to gather around comfortably, so we positioned seating so that everyone could interact, whether around the grill, socializing, or watching the game.

Food and drinks are arguably the most important aspect of tailgating. When it comes to an RV tailgate, you have a lot more options than the standard cooler and fold-out table. Here are a few menu tips:

• Grilling essentials: We opted for classic brats and hot dogs for our tailgate fare. Because we had our full kitchen in the RV, we also got creative with meatballs in the crockpot and cookies in the oven. Our portable smoker/grill was essential for bringing our A-game.
• Snacks and sides: Popcorn, pretzels, and dips are great to have on hand for snacking.
• Drinks: Don’t forget drinks! Stock up on water, tea, and your favorite football beverages. Make sure to bring ice to keep everything cool. We sat several coolers outside to keep drinks handy.
• Make it easy: Prepare as much as possible ahead of time so you can fully enjoy gameday. I made the dips and brownies the night before the game. Using the crockpot freed up time on game day also.

Tailgating with an RV means you have access to all the comforts of home that make the experience a lot more enjoyable.

• Climate control: The generator allowed us to use the air conditioning to stay comfortable in the Texas heat. We also used a small portable generator to operate the TV outside.
• Entertainment: We brought 2 TVs for outside and our projector to watch all the pregame and game time commentary. We also set up board games inside the RV. But really the best entertainment was visiting with all the other tailgaters.

Once the game is over, don’t forget to pack up and always leave it better than you found it. Be sure to:

• Dispose of waste properly: Empty your RV’s holding tanks before leaving if needed. There was a dump station available in the RV Lot at AT&T Stadium as well as a fresh water fill station. Use trash bags to collect any garbage and dispose of it in the designated areas.

Tailgating with our RV was a fantastic way to enjoy the game day atmosphere in comfort and style. By preparing the RV, choosing the right parking spot, and organizing the tailgate, the experience was stress-free and fun. With a little planning, your first RV tailgate will be a memorable experience that you’ll look forward to repeating again and again!