Posted by Ashley Gannon on Nov 16, 2011
RVs are made for year-round use. Modern building materials and insulation techniques make RV living and traveling comfortable year-round, even in cold and snowy states and provinces. But work, school and activity schedules limit many RVing families primarily to summer use of their motorhome or travel trailer. If you won’t be using your RV during the cold, winter months, you shouldn’t just park it in the garage or backyard and leave it until spring. Taking time to properly winterize your RV will extend its life and value and ensure that it’s ready to roll next spring.
Checklist for winterizing your RV:
1. Gather the supplies you’ll need: tool kit, interior and exterior cleaning supplies, car wax, 2-3 gallons of non-toxic RV antifreeze (sold at RV dealers and service centers), tank wand, water pump converter kit, water heater by-pass kit.
2. Divide and conquer. Gather up the family, turn on some tunes and get to work. If one crew starts inside; the other, outside; you can finish the job in a couple of hours.
3. Before you winterize the water system, clean the interior. Remove clothing, linens and personal items. Any items you keep in your RV should be cleaned and stored in plastic bags or tubs to protect them from dust, mildew and stray critters and insects. Remove all drugs and toiletries from the bathroom and all food items (even dry goods and canned food) from the kitchen. They can be an insect and mouse magnet.
Continued next time
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Oct 05, 2011
Using the right tools can make fast work of cleaning the exterior of your RV. Including exterior cleaning in your regular RV maintenance schedule will extend the life of your RV and maintain its resale value. To avoid damaging the exterior finish of your RV, remember to only use RV cleaning [http://www.rvt.com/discount-rv-store.php?pos=left_margin] products and tools specifically formulated for cleaning RV exteriors. (See our previous post for more tips and suggesting cleaning schedules.)
> A portable pressure washer can make quick work of exterior cleaning. Start at the roof and work your way down. Adjust the spray nozzle as needed. Use a firm spray to remove tree sap, road tar and squashed bugs and a lighter spray over decals and for a final rinse. Pressure washers can be used without cleaning products for a quick wash after a trip; but you should give your rig a complete cleaning using quality exterior cleaning products at least twice a year.
> Experienced RVers recommend carrying a compact, portable wet/dry vacuum cleaner onboard your rig. Handy for vacuuming window ledges, fan louvers and vent covers when performing exterior maintenance; wet/dry vacs are also great for cleaning up spills, pet hair and tracked in dirt inside your RV.
> Before beginning exterior cleaning, invest in a wash brush with an adjustable, extendable handle that will allow you to easily access hard-to-reach areas such as the roof, undercarriage and awnings.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Oct 03, 2011
Constant travel takes a toll on the exterior of your RV. Sun, dust, bird droppings, insect splatters, tree sap and road grime can damage your RV’s exterior if not periodically removed. To protect your RV investment, exterior cleaning should be part of your regular RV maintenance routine. Ideally, you should clean the exterior of your RV after every major road trip. If you primarily use your RV on weekends, exterior cleaning should be performed at least every fall before covering your rig or putting it in storage and every spring before taking it on the road. If you use your RV year-round, experts recommend exterior cleaning at least every 3 months to extend the life of your rig and protect its resale value.
Cleaning the exterior of your RV may not be your favorite chore, but cleaning products specifically formulated to clean RV exteriors and a few tricks from RV detailing experts can make quick work of this seasonal chore.
> Use only cleaners specifically formulated to clean RV exteriors. (Click here for discounts on RV cleaning supplies.) Never use dish soap or harsh detergents to clean the exterior of your RV as these can damage the finish.
> Use only soft cotton cleaning cloths, wash brushes made to clean RVs or soft chamois to wash the exterior of your RV. Microfiber cloths are popular today and may feel soft but are actually made of tough, plastic-like polyester fibers that can damage exterior finishes and sealants.
More cleaning tips next time
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Aug 01, 2011
Advertised as America’s largest RV show, the Pennsylvania RV and Camping Show in Hershey, PA is one of the biggest and best RV shows in the nation. From Wednesday, September 14 through Sunday, September 18, the RV industry will be on full display in Hershey. With every major RV manufacturer in attendance and 900 RVs on display, the Hershey RV show is the perfect place to scout and compare models if you’re planning to buy an RV online or see what’s new if you’re thinking about upgrading your present RV.
RV fans will find something for everyone at the Pennsylvania RV and Camping Show from trim, lightweight folding trailers (pop-up campers) to large Class A motorhomes with so many upscale amenities they’re like rolling luxury mansions. In addition to new RV trends, RV owners will be able to check out all the latest “toys” at more than 100 booths showcasing the newest RV accessories.
If you go to the Hershey RV show, make sure you take advantage of the hourly seminars (free with admission) that will be offered. Some of the RV industry’s top experts will be on hand to share tips on exterior care, buying an RV, becoming a full-time RVer, workamping and more.
If you see an RV you like at the show, compare prices on RVT.com before you buy. You could save a bundle by buying your RV online, leaving you cash to pick up a few of the nifty new gadgets you see at the show.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Jun 24, 2011
Pet owners who like to travel frequently buy RVs so they can bring Fluffy and Fido along for the ride. Buying an RV online allows the whole family to travel together. No more hunting around for hotels that allow pets. No more shelling out for expense kennels. And, for your pets, no more anxious, unhappy days away from the family. Everybody’s happy!
Including your pets in your RV travels is fun but does entail a few extra responsibilities to keep them happy and safe. Follow these tips from experienced RV owners (see our previous post for more tips for traveling with pets):
1. Keep plenty of water, food and treats easily accessible in case you run into traffic jams, long lines at park entrances or slow-moving border crossings.
2. Teach your pet to stay close to your campsite. At every stop, watch your pet as he explores your campsite. The minute he starts to wander off, herd him back. He’ll soon learn the boundaries and training will go faster at each stop. If your pet continues to wander, invest in corkscrew stake that won’t pull loose and a long lead on a swivel hook. Your pet will be able to move around freely without running off.
3. Stick to your pet’s regular home schedule for feeding and walking while traveling, especially when crossing time zones.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Jun 22, 2011
One of the pleasures of RV travel is taking your pets on the road with you. Weekend trips and summer vacations can be tough on pets — and expensive for owners — if Fido and Fluffy have to be kenneled. RVing allows pet owners to keep the family together and bring their pets with them. RVing with pets is a pleasure but does require that pet owners do some advance planning and prepare their pets to be good RVers. If you plan to RV with your pet this summer, follow these tips from experienced RV owners:
1. Keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date and carry a copy of all vet records with you. This is critically important if your travels will take you across country borders. You may have trouble getting your pet back into the U.S. if you can’t provide appropriate documentation. Check the U.S. Customs website and customs departments of countries you’ll be traveling to.
2. For your peace of mind and your pet’s safety, have your pets microchipped before you leave home.
3. Before you start traveling, you and your pet should brush up on obedience training. A well-mannered pet will be welcome at sometimes crowded campsites and on walking paths frequented by other tourists.
4. When outside your RV, your pet will need to be leashed for his safety and the safety of others. Invest in a good leash that allows you to quickly and easily control your pet, and always carry a spare leash.
To be continued
Posted by Ashley Gannon 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 nancy@mccordweb.com on May 30, 2011
Now that you have brought home your new “RV Baby” and are ready to show it off to your friends and family, don’t get off on the wrong foot with your neighbors. If you live in a neighborhood that has covenants and restrictions make sure before your close your RV deal to check what your homeowners association says about RV storage on your property.
If you park your RV in front of your home, or in your driveway, you may have neighbors who previously were quick to chat and wave hiding from you. These previously friendly neighbors may have already complained to the homeowner’s association about your new purchase and where you have chosen to park it. But, take heart, all is not lost, if you can’t park your new “RV Baby” in your driveway, there are many monthly rental lots or storage facilities that will allow you to park your RV there between trips.
If you do live in a covenant restricted community that prevents long term parking of your RV on your property, there may still be a clause in the restrictions that allow short term parking such as overnight or pack and unpack time. Some documents may even state that you can have your RV in your driveway or in front of your house for so many days a year with only a specific number being consecutive. Just ask your homeowners association to clarify what restrictions you may have in regards to parking your new RV home to keep the peace with your neighbors and community.
« More Posts (Older)
