You take a deep breath of fresh air, and your senses are struck by the unmistakable scent of the pines surrounding your RV site. This communion with nature is what RVing is all about. It’s pristine and refreshing. However, hauling a 30-foot travel trailer or rolling to it on a diesel-powered Class C RV can leave a heavy carbon footprint as you get to the natural world you treasure. You can lessen the impact with eco-friendly RVs or with modifications to your older RV.
Setting new standards
RV manufacturers recognize that outdoor enthusiasts care about the environment and the carbon footprint they leave behind as they enjoy the great outdoors. So they’ve begun to produce more RVs that earn the “Green Certified” label by TRA Certification1.
TRA Certification criteria
Resources: Using sustainable and recycled material to reduce environmental impact in RV production and disposal.
Energy Efficiency: Using energy-efficient features such as high-quality RV insulation, LED lighting, and energy-saving appliances.
Water Conservation: Using water conservation practices like low-flow faucets, water-saving toilets, and efficient water management systems to minimize water usage and waste.
Indoor Air Quality: Using low-toxicity materials, proper ventilation, and effective air filtration systems to create an eco-friendly trailer.
Other eco-friendly RV considerations
Manufacturers include solar panels on many models. If solar panels aren’t included, many RVs are pre-wired for the addition of solar panels. In addition, manufacturers are producing aerodynamically designed models that improve fuel-efficiency and reduce drag. In future, you can also expect to see electric RVs and self-propelled travel trailers.
Making your RV more eco-friendly
If buying a new eco-friendly RV isn’t in the cards, you can DIY for greater efficiency and to make an environmentally friendly RV. Install solar panels, battery stack, and inverter, use LED bulbs, insulate with window film insulation, vent coverings, and skirting the bottom of your RV, replace appliances with energy efficient ones, and install low-flow water fixtures.
Enjoy the green life
It’s a beautiful natural world out there, and RV enthusiasts know it better than most. With greater commitment to environmentally friendly RVs and innovations in green technology, we’ll all be able to enjoy our getaways for generations to come.
1Resource Efficiency | TRA Certification, Inc. (certifiedgreenrvs.com)
