Posted by on Dec 02, 2011
Looking for gift ideas for the RVers on your holiday shopping list? You’ll find lots of great RV gifts at the RVT.com discount store. Continuing our previous post, here are some more great gifts for RV owners:
> If you’re planning to sell your current RV and upgrade to a newer or bigger RV this winter, ask Santa to put a Nikon Coolpix digital camera or Flip UltraHD Video Camera under the tree. Perfect for taking RV photos and filming a video walk-through of your rig when you list your RV for sale on RVT.com; both cameras are compact and lightweight, making them perfect for capturing memories while you’re RVing.
> Quality RV covers protect your RV from damage when you’re not on the road. A “must-have” for every RV owner.
> New Air Portable Ice Maker with soft-touch controls is an attractive, energy-efficient workhorse with no-drip technology that makes up to 35 pounds of ice per day.
> Camco RV Olympian Propane Camp Fire features realistic ”logs” that mimic the natural look and cozy ambience of wood campfires. Safe for use even when ground fire restrictions are in force, it connects to a standard LP gas cylinder.
> Magellan Pro RoadMate GPS Navigator is the perfect “co-pilot” for RV travelers. Designed to meet the needs of RVers, the RoadMate takes your rig’s height, width, length and weight into consideration when mapping routes. It comes pre-loaded with point-of-interest and RV campground info.
Posted by on Nov 30, 2011
From the practical to the sublime and everywhere in between, you’ll find plenty of great gifts on RVT.com for the RV owners on your holiday shopping list. Check out our Discount RV Store for bargains on RV wash and wax supplies, for sale signs and cameras, RV covers and RV accessories. For links to more great RV gifts, click on RV Accessories in the left sidebar on the RVT.com home page.
Here are just a few of the RV holiday gifts you’ll find in RVT.com’s online discount store:
> Camco RV wash brush with adjustable handle makes washing your RV a breeze. Handle extends from 43 to 71 inches, allowing you to reach across the roof of your RV effortlessly or wash the side from top to bottom without a ladder. A built-in on-off switch controls and conserves water use. The 11-inch wide brush head makes short work of RV cleaning.
> B.E.S.T. complete RV cleaning kit contains all the quality B.E.S.T. products you need to detail your RV and keep it looking show room sharp. The kit includes one-step wash and wax; awning, carpet and upholstery cleaner; bug-off bug and grime remover; and black streak remover and degreaser. B.E.S.T. products are eco-friendly and completely biodegradable.
> Camco extra-large, rectangular, 5-gallon wash bucket is 18 inches wide to accommodate even the longest cleaning brush. The bucket is collapsible for easy RV storage and comes with carry handles.
Next time: More RV gift ideas
Posted by Claire on Sep 23, 2011
Today is the first day of fall, a good time to start thinking about how to protect your RV investment over the winter. While your RV sits idle, it can be exposed to damaging UV rays, falling leaves, tree sap, bird droppings, dirt and dust, corrosive pollutants, driving rain, snow and ice that can result in permanent discoloration or damage to your RV. The most cost-effective solution is to purchase an RV cover.
You’ll find links to RV cover suppliers under RV Accessories on RVT.com. Here’s what to look for when selecting an RV cover:
– RV covers are available in standard sizes for each RV type; but if your RV will sit idle for long periods of time, you may want to invest in a custom-fit cover that is shaped to the contours of your specific RV model. Look for a custom cover with Velcro or zip openings that allow easy access to doors and storage compartments while the cover is in place.
– Air vents will reduce moisture accumulation under the cover that can lead to mold growth and reduce wind lofting that can allow the cover to chafe against the vehicle’s exterior, causing friction damage.
– Choose a cover made of high-performance, 100% polypropylene material that is strong, water-repellant and breathable. Triple-layer poly covers provide the best protection. Breathability is important to prevent moisture accumulation that can corrode paint and graphics and encourage the growth of mold and mildew.
Posted by Claire on Aug 08, 2011
Most of the country has been sweltering under August temperatures since June with no let up in the heat predicted any time soon. If your RV doesn’t have an awning, this is the year to install one. RV awnings provide instant shade that can reduce the interior temperature of your motorhome or travel trailer by as much as 10 degrees, cooling your rig and decreasing the load on your air conditioning system. You receive the same benefit by parking your rig in the shade, but shade is at a premium in most RV campgrounds.
Increasing usable camp space is another good reason to install an awning on your RV. With an RV awning, your outdoor living area — as well as tables, chairs, grill, etc. – is protected from rain, wind and falling debris; allowing you to make complete use of outdoor space. You’ll also find that buying or installing an awning on your RV increases its resale value.
Smart RV buyer tip: RVs can be purchased with factory-installed awnings or awnings can be added after market. If adding an after-market awning to your RV, follow installation instructions carefully to insure that the awning is correctly supported or have it installed by an RV service professional. An improperly installed awning can cause permanent damage to your RV. To find new or used RVs that already come equipped with awnings, enter “awnings” under “keywords” in the advanced search feature on RVT.com.
Posted by Claire on Jun 20, 2011
Touring Alaska by RV is on the bucket list of most RV travelers. Considered the ultimate RV vacation destination, Alaska is huge — more than twice the size of Texas — and remote. If Alaska’s population density (number of people per square mile) were applied to Manhattan, the population of the country’s most populous city would plummet from nearly 2 million to just 14 individuals!
A thin population spread over such a vast land area means few towns and even fewer services. Travelers frequently encounter long stretches of highway completely devoid of services. The next gas station can be more than 100 miles down the road and a grocery even farther. Savvy RV travelers know to pick up The Milepost before heading north. The legendary Alaska travel guide and trip planner provides an invaluable mile-by-mile chronicle of sights, attractions, services and interesting information along each of Alaska’s major travel routes.
The Milepost’s only drawback is that it’s big and bulky. A new iPhone app puts the same information (and more) on your portable, light-weight smartphones. With Alaska App, RV travelers can quickly locate service stations, get directions to spectacular views, listen to a historical narrative while watching a video air tour of the glacier they are looking at, find the best local fishing spot or the best place to view eagles, and much more. If you’re planning an RV trip to Alaska this summer, you’ll want to download the free AlaskaApp onto your iPhone before you leave.
Posted by Claire on Jun 15, 2011
When you’re an RVing family, coming up with a great Father’s Day gift is easy. Just pack up your travel trailer or motorhome and head for dad’s favorite campground for a relaxing weekend. Bring along the bikes or boat, stock the fridge with steak and beer, and don’t forget dad’s favorite lawn chair so he can nap in the shade while you take the kids off to splash in the pool. (Even dads need a few quiet moments to themselves!) But if dad’s a gadget man (and what dad isn’t), you might want to also surprise him with a new toy that will make RV traveling even more enjoyable.
1. Dad will never have to ask for directions again if you give him the Garmin Nuvi 1390T portable GPS navigator. Dad will love the thin, sleek design and 4.3-inch color widescreen display. Bluetooth supported, the Garmin features a NAVTEQ Traffic Receiver for handy updates on traffic and road conditions.
2. Indulge dad’s secret desire to be a TV weatherman by giving him the compact and attractive Oregon Scientific Blue Line Metal Weather Station. Digital displays show temperature, humidity and barometric pressure.
3. With the Flip MinoHD camera dad will be able to capture every golden moment of the family’s RV adventures. Powerful, easy to use and light-weight, the camera is small enough to fit in dad’s shirt pocket.
Posted by Nancy on Feb 02, 2011
Using an RV for vacations and holiday travel certainly has a number of benefits over other forms of travel, but you can’t blindly dive into a long trip without some preparation. Your RV may have everything you need for cooking, entertainment and shelter, but in the event of an accident or emergency you need to be prepared with a first aid/safety kit designed for RV travel.
An RV first aid kit should have all of the necessities that you would find in a first aid kit for your home. Be sure to have a variety of sterile bandages, tape, scissors, disinfectant, pain killers and other necessary medications for specific members of the family and a properly functioning flashlight. This will likely be enough if the destination of your RV trip is a friends or family members home, but if you are going on and extended camping trip you might want to include a wider variety of personal safety items that could be of benefit in the great outdoors.
If you’re completely uncomfortable with the prospect of assembling your own first aid kit, there are a number of companies that offer already assembled kits that can adequately do the job. A fully functional RV first aid kit is pretty simple to put together though, and if you are doing it on your own you can include items specific to your family needs that might not be found in already assembled kits. Remember that an emergency can occur at any time, even while you are cruising down the road in your dream vehicle, so it’s important to make every effort to be prepared.
Posted by Nancy on Jan 24, 2011
Taking the time to carefully winterize your RV will make things go more smoothly in the spring and extend the life of your vehicle. Even though winter is nearly over your RV can still benefit from these tips if you forgot earlier.
Tires
If your RV is parked on an unpaved surface, you can put flat concrete blocks under the tires. This will prevent the tires from sinking into the ground when the soil gets soft
after things warm up as spring approaches.
Moisture
Some owners like to cover an RV in a tarp with the idea that this will keep snow and water out. This does not prevent water from getting in underneath the tarp. If you must cover your unit, choose a material that “breathes.” Otherwise the moisture that gets in can cause mold and/or mildew.
You can purchase a product that is designed to control moisture and leave it inside your RV during the winter months. They usually come inside containers that are designed to take in moisture from the air, while at the same time not letting that water drain or cause stains.
Propane
Those of you who remove propane tanks will want to be sure to close the outside line. You can also wrap the burners on the stove in plastic, using tape or something else to close them around the line. The chemical in propane that allows us to smell it is enticing to spiders and you do not want to find that they are nesting areas that are sources of propane when you open up your RV in the springtime.
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