How Does A Chainsaw Help an RVer on the Road? - 7 Things

When you travel or live full-time in an RV, space is at a premium. This generally means people skip the heavy equipment and tools unless it is essential. For example, solar panels and generators are often brought along because we value power more than the weight and space they take up. Yet there are other tools you should take along, too, such as the chainsaw. But how does a chainsaw help campers on the Road? Lets go...

Here are 7 Things for A chainsaw on the Road

Reason 1: You never lack firewood.

RVers are often drawn to the vehicle because it makes camping so much easier. This is why they regularly camp near fire pits and barbecues. If you have a chainsaw, you’ll never lack for firewood.

You shouldn’t be cutting down healthy trees to burn in a bonfire, but you can cut up those large pieces of wood on the ground and use them for your fire pit. You could also cut up scrap wood, as long as you’re careful not to let the chainsaw touch nails or other pieces of metal.

If you are cooking over a fire nearly every night, you want a small electric chainsaw or other cutting tool.

Reason 2: It may let you continue on your journey.

A chainsaw may allow you to continue along a planned route instead of having to turn around. For example, a fallen tree can be cut and moved with relatively little effort.

Then you don’t have to spend two hours hacking at it with an axe and risk getting injured in the process.

Reason 3: You have more freedom regarding where you park.

A chainsaw lets you cut tree branches and foliage back from a parking spot or the edge of a parking lot. Now you can park where you’d like, assuming the rules allow it. If a tree branch does hit the top of the camper and damage it, you can cut the branch free and throw it down instead of risking further damage to the vehicle.

Consider getting an electric chainsaw instead of a gas-powered one. It is less likely to kick back, injuring you or damaging your RV in the process.

A side benefit of electric chainsaws is that they are easier to store; you don’t have to drain the gas from them before putting them away for the season.

Reason 4: You can clear campsites yourself.

Know that a small chainsaw can be used to clear brush as well as tree branches. This makes it much easier to clear a campsite for brush camping with a tent.

Just be aware of the rules before you cut down small trees. You might be allowed to fell trees on private property with the owner’s permission, but that’s not allowed on public land in most cases.

And you can use the chainsaw to cut away ivy or kudzu climbing up around structures, whether it makes it hard to climb a ladder or simply gives ants an easy route into your cabin.

Reason 5: Hiking is easier, too.

A small chainsaw could be used to clear tree branches and brush from trails. There may be rules limiting your ability to clear pathways on public land.

However, you could use a small chainsaw to clean up trails on private land. Remove the overgrown bushes and new tree branches instead of pushing them out of your way.

Now it is that much easier to hike to the latrine, your fire pit or hunting blinds.

Reason 6: It works faster than a saw.

Whether you buy an electric hacksaw or electric chainsaw, it will work faster than a manual saw. In the case of an electric hacksaw, you can cut small pieces of wood as well as pieces of plastic and metal bolts.

Note that you need the same eye protection and protective gloves with a hacksaw as a chainsaw, and a chainsaw may or may not be safe to use on twisted metal you’d like to cut away.

Reason 7: It can be used by a single person.

You may hear an RVer talk about packing a folded up tree saw for those occasions when a fallen tree blocks the road.

The downside of these is how many models can only be used by two people, unless you want to spend all day cutting through the tree. That’s one reason why so many RV owners end up waiting for a park ranger to clear the tree trucks in the road or just turn around.

An electric saw lets you cut through things by yourself. Better yet, it doesn’t require the same strength and endurance as a manual saw. You don’t have to rest or take turns with someone else to cut through the obstacles in your path.

Know that you’ll need to recharge electric chainsaws and hacksaws, whereas gas powered models need to be refueled.

Plan on using your own equipment until you have to literally recharge. If it takes longer than this, you probably should wait for the pros to get the work done.

Summary

Chainsaws are rarely required by RV owners. However, they are invaluable time and labor savers when they are needed. And you know when you’re one of the RV campers who have greater need of them than average.