NFL Tailgating In An RV: The Expert’s Guide

ByRVnGO

Football fans rejoice!

The NFL season is well underway, which means it’s time to dust off the grills and all your fan gear and get ready to pregame in the lot!

This year, up your tailgating game by tailgating in an RV. In the article below, RVnGO will help you plan out your entire itinerary from which RV to use, to what items you should bring. Plus, we’ll lay out some information on which NFL stadiums all RV tailgating, and why you should choose an RV for this year’s NFL and college football season.

Let’s begin!

Why Tailgating In An RV Is The Best Way To Do Ittailgate party

 

Tailgating is a blast no matter what. Even if you’re not able to rent/own an RV for the big day, it’s a great experience that brings fans together from all walks of life. 

That being said, tailgating in an RV brings that experience to a much higher level that’s downright luxurious. The main perks for RV tailgating are its ability to create an entertainment hub, its bathroom access, and its fully equipped kitchen for a true home cooked meal.

Entertainment Zone

While you wait for the game, you can catch the other games that are on from the seat of your portable living room! In fact, many people will eschew the stadium seats in favor of watching the game from their RV’s living space. 

Seeing as the television setup in some RVs can accommodate 50 inch flatscreens, it’s not hard to see why watching the game from the couch is such a viable option.

Plus, fans of Madden NFL can pregame for the big event too. Regardless of how you choose to use your RV’s TV, having one at all turns your tailgating setup into a full-on entertainment zone.

Bathroom Access

Some might say that having a private bathroom is the best reason to tailgate in an RV. We’re hard-pressed to disagree— the convenience of having a private bathroom nearby is a luxury that can’t be overstated. Even the most pristine of porta potties still come with lines or walks for them.

(Among other things.)  

Kitchen Service

You won’t have to compromise on storage or cooking space when you’re tailgating with an RV. Even if the idea of cooking indoors while you’re tailgating is blasphemous to you, you still have the added perk of being able to store food in the RV’s fridge and make use of its cupboards. 

Additionally, you can also look for RVs that come with outdoor kitchen setups. In this case, you’ll have the best of both worlds with a stove top and cooking space that slide out from the side of the RV. 

Weather-Proof Space

Last but not least, RV’s allow peace of mind for your tailgating plans when it comes to possible weather interruptions. If you live in the Northeast, you know that during the winter months, terrible weather stops for no pre-game festivities. If you’re truly unable to rough it through things like snow or harsh rain, your RV will become your saving grace.

As a culmination of all the previous reasons, you’ll still be able to experience tailgating culture on-site while also: keeping warm, having a private bathroom, and a full kitchen setup in case you can’t cook outside.

Which Stadiums Allow Tailgating In An RV?

While you’ll have to do your research into the specific restrictions/requirements for the following stadiums, they all at least allow RV tailgating.

With that in mind, here they are.

NFL Stadiums That Allow RV Tailgating With No Restrictions

  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Baltimore Ravens
  • Carolina Panthers
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • Denver Broncos
  • Houston Texans
  • Miami Dolphins
  • New England Patriots
  • New York Giants
  • New York Jets
  • Philadelphia Eagles

NFL Stadiums That Allow RV Tailgating With Restrictions

  • Buffalo Bills
  • Chicago Bears
  • Cleveland Browns
  • Detroit Lions
  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Green Bay Packers
  • Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • Minnesota Vikings
  • Oakland Raiders
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • Seattle Seahawks
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Washington Redskins

Which Type Of RV Is Best For Tailgating?

There’s no right or wrong answer to this one, and it will completely depend on what your needs and budget are.

Each class of RV, from oversize travel trailers to small campervans, will come with a kitchen of varying size and capability. Class B RVs and small travel trailers are the tiniest RVs and typically won’t be able to provide you with a bathroom setup. If that isn’t important to you, then you’ll still be able to have a great experience in them!

If you’re looking for a larger size RV for more space to spread out in, then travel trailers, fifth-wheels, or Class A RVs will get you there. Should you want something in the middle, that has a kitchen, bathroom, and modest living space, Class C RVs will work in a pinch.

For more information on the different types of RV, explore the RV rental options near you here.

NFL Tailgating In An RV 101: Best Practices

Plan Ahead and Arrive Early

It may sound like a no-brainer, but you’re still likely to see people overlook this step.

Not all stadiums at the NFL or college level allow tailgating with an RV. And among those that do, some require certain passes beforehand to do so. Before you rent an RV, be sure to check the restrictions at your local stadium. Get your passes secured ahead of time if you need them, and make sure your RV fits the requirements as well.

Once you’ve got your itinerary planned out, the next step is to plan for an early arrival. Not only does this allow you to set up earlier, but it’ll be easier to maneuver around in the parking lot without the crowds. This goes for all drivers, though particularly if you haven’t driven an RV before. We’ve all seen the flustered drivers working around tight spaces, having to make 50-point turns under pressure because they arrived late. Don’t be that guy.

Plan For The Elements

Although you’ll have an RV in case of truly unpleasant weather, the whole point of tailgating is to be outside amongst your fellow fans. And that means dealing with whatever weather is on tap for that day.

For a truly great setup, investing in a canopy tent is the best way to enjoy being outdoors without the full force of the sun nonstop. Although the Northern states will experience cold weather throughout the NFL season, the Southern states will still get plenty of warm weather during football Sundays. And enough direct sunlight, even in the fall and winter, can still put a damper on an otherwise relaxing tailgating afternoon. 

Plus, with a canopy you won’t have to worry about rain either. And speaking of rain, you can’t go wrong with keeping a rain poncho in your RV as well. 

If you’re braving the elements without a canopy, at the very least we strongly encourage you to wear sunscreen. Trust us.

Pack Like You’re Camping

Okay, maybe without the tent, compass, or hiking boots. But the basic idea is still the same. 

When it comes to camping, the golden rule is that you’d rather have something and not need it, than need it and not have it. The same applies to tailgating, to an extent. Whether it’s games like cornhole for when you’re bored or extra water to make sure you stay hydrated, you’ll want to bring with you everything you’d bring on a camping trip. Because essentially, tailgating is like having an urban campsite for the day.

We strongly recommend keeping an extensive first aid kit in your RV, just in case. Being in a public place surrounded by things like moving vehicles, hot grills, and crowds of people that may or may not be totally sober, it’s extremely important to be prepared for anything just like you would if you were camping. 

To sum up the last two sections, here are some of the things encourage you to bring while you’re tailgating in an RV:

  • First aid kit
  • Camping chairs
  • Extra water
  • Sunscreen
  • Canopy tent
  • Outdoor games (cornhole, football, frisbee)
  • Trash bags

With all of these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to have an amazing NFL season from the comfort of your RV!

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