Keeping Your RV in Shape This Spring

shutterstock_372363094

Your RV is your gateway to adventure, travel, family time, and fun, so taking proper care of your RV will allow you to enjoy the benefits of the RV lifestyle year after year. Fortunately, we make taking care of your RV easy here at PleasureLand RV Center. Bring your RV to our PleasureLand service center, and we’ll ensure your home on wheels is in top shape for the summer camping season.

Our Service Center

PleasureLand RV Center offers one of the most complete RV repair and service facilities in the country. Our expert technicians give you the proper advice to help you handle all of your RV concerns, whether your recreational vehicle is in need of repair, maintenance, warranty work or upgrades. Our service center is equipped with 32 service bays and the most experienced technicians, so you can trust PleasureLand for your RV’s electrical work, appliance servicing, body work, engine maintenance and so much more.

RV Parts and Accessories

PleasureLand RV Center features two Camper’s General Stores; one in the Ramsey location and one in St. Cloud. The stores are the largest RV parts and accessory suppliers in the region, so when your RV calls for a part, you know exactly where to go. And if you’re not in reach of one of our Camper’s General Stores, you can log onto our online parts store and shop 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We’ll ship your new RV parts, accessories or camping supplies to wherever you’re located, so your RV lifestyle can continue without a glitch.

Prepare Your RV Today

Prepare your RV for the spring camping season before it gets started, so you’re ready to hit the roads as soon as the warmer weather rolls around. Our service shop and Camper’s General Stores are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Give us a call at 1-800-862-8603 or send us an email to ask us any questions about your RV or to set up a service appointment today.

Customize Your RV To Fit Your Personality And Comfort Level

Screen Shot 2013-06-03 at 11.26.25 AM An RV is more than just a recreational vehicle to get you to different destinations. It is your car, living space and bedroom combined that you take everywhere you go. Since you sometimes spend a large amount of time inside your RV, you want it to make it into the most comfortable vehicle on the road while showing the world that this RV belongs to you. Here are some ways to personalize your RV.

1) Stellar Paint Job: Break out the airbrush and the stencils as you let your imagination go wild. Personalize your RV with a mural, your company logo or just a unique style by giving it a paint job. You can paint just the back of the RV, the side or the entire vehicle with your creative vision. The great thing about this customization is that if you get bored with the design, just paint over it again.

2) Make Storage Simple: Although RV travel trailers offer all the type of amenities to allow you to cook and sleep in comfort, sometimes storage space can be limited when you are trying to carry all the things to make an RV into a moving home. Simplify your storage problems by utilizing sturdy racks and containers specifically made for an RV. An aluminum laundry rack in the bathroom can can keep towels and other bathroom items secure when driving over bumpy roads. If you have a toy hauler, you can increase storage space by adding sliding rails to the garage ceiling and hanging storage containers.

3) Deck Out Your Space: Personalization should start right inside your RV by making the space into an incredible and gorgeous retreat. Make your RV comfortable by decking out the space with rugs, sofa pillows and chair covers in your favorite color scheme. Add picture frames (use the digital standing frames or hang pictures using those hooks that stick to surfaces versus putting a nail in the wall) and small potted plants around your RV. While lighting from candles can add a nice touch, stick with flameless LED candles that are battery operated to prevent the risk of fire.

Personalizing you RV from the PleasureLand RV Center can be a fun experience for you and the entire family before you go on your road trip. Add just the right touches to show off how much you love your recreational vehicle and how comfortable it is to travel inside as you will want to spend even more hours out on the road. Let your creativity go wild without breaking your budget as your RV will speak about your unique decor style as well as make life easier while traveling in a recreational vehicle.

 

Keep Your RV in Shape This Spring

2-19-2015-InShapeSpring

Your RV is your gateway to adventure, travel, family time and fun, and taking proper care of your RV will allow you to enjoy the benefits of the RV lifestyle year after year. Fortunately, we make taking care of your RV easy here at PleasureLand RV Center. Bring your RV to our PleasureLand service center, and we’ll ensure your home on wheels is in top shape for the summer camping season.

Our Service Center

PleasureLand RV Center offers one of the most complete RV repair and service facilities in the country. Our expert technicians give you the proper advice to help you handle all of your RV concerns, whether your recreational vehicle is in need of repair, maintenance, warranty work or upgrades. Our service center is equipped with 32 service bays and the most experienced technicians, so you can trust PleasureLand for your RV’s electrical work, appliance servicing, body work, engine maintenance and so much more.

RV Parts and Accessories

PleasureLand RV Center features two Camper’s General Stores; one in the Ramsey location and one in St. Cloud. The stores are the largest RV parts and accessory suppliers in the region, so when your RV calls for a part, you know exactly where to go. And if you’re not in reach of one of our Camper’s General Stores, you can log onto our online parts store and shop 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We’ll ship your new RV parts, accessories or camping supplies to wherever you’re located, so your RV lifestyle can continue without a glitch.

Prepare Your RV Today

Prepare your RV for the spring camping season before it gets started, so you’re ready to hit the roads as soon as the warmer weather rolls around. Our service shop and Camper’s General Stores are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Give us a call at 1-800-862-8603 or send us an email to ask us any questions about your RV or to set up a service appointment today.

Service Your RV!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/millenniumluxurycoaches/6803028993/sizes/z/

Millennium Motor Coaches/Flickr Creative Commons

Your RV is your home on wheels, and you probably want it to stay in top condition for as long as possible. Similar to a brick-and-mortar home, your motorhome, travel trailer or fifth wheel requires maintenance to look great and function properly. And no one knows how to properly care for your RV better than the certified RV technicians here at PleasureLand RV Center.

Our Service Center

PleasureLand RV Center — with four convenient locations in St. Cloud, Ramsey, Willmar and Brainerd — offers a full RV service center that’s undeniably the best in the Midwest. With 32 service bays and expert service technicians with countless years in the business, you can always trust that your home away from home is in great hands.

Our certified RV technicians are ready to handle all of your RV needs from simple maintenance and servicing to complete body shop repairs and electrical/appliance servicing.

Service Center Hours

Our service center is open five days a week (Monday through Friday) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., so we can get your RV in and out in a very timely manner. Our goal is to get you back on the road safely, so you can get back to enjoying the RV lifestyle that we all love. If you have any questions about the services we offer or would like to schedule a service appointment give us a call at 1-800-862-8603. We’re also available via email if your questions or needs are not as urgent.

We’ve Got Your Parts and Accessories Too!

You may already use PleasureLand RV Center as your go-to place for purchasing an RV, but you can get all of your other RV accessories and supplies here too. Our Camper’s General Stores in Ramsey and St. Cloud are the biggest RV parts and accessories stores in their areas. When you need an RV part urgently, it’s very likely we’ve got it in stock. And if you can wait a few days for your part to ship, you can shop our online parts and accessories store 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Stop in and see why PleasureLand RV Center is the No. 1 RV center for sales, service, parts and accessories today.

Meet the Parts and Service Department at Pleasureland!

Pleasureland RV Center is more than just your place for buying the highest-quality new and used RVs in the industry. We’re your home for all of your RV parts and service needs too. Whether you’re in need of a few upgrades to your RV, some repairs before your next adventure or just some camping supplies to make your experience on the road more enjoyable, we’re your one-stop RV shop in Minnesota.

Our Online Store

You don’t even have to stop by our PleasureLand RV Center locations to shop our huge selection of parts and supplies. Our easy-to-use online RV parts and accessories store is open 24 hours a day, so you can outfit your RV with exactly what you need. With everything from awnings and outdoor furniture to cleaning supplies, board games, jacks and levers, our online parts store was designed with every type of RV traveler in mind.

The Camper’s General Store

Our St. Cloud and Ramsey locations are each equipped with a Camper’s General Store, featuring the largest selection of RV and camping parts and supplies in the region. When you need your part immediately — without a wait for shipping and handling — we’ve got it on hand at these two Pleasureland RV Center locations.

The Best Service in the Industry

Concerned about the quality of service your RV is getting? Our expert service technicians are here to ensure your RV is in top condition all of the time. With 32 service bays, we’re always ready to handle your minor and major repair needs. And when it comes to electrical, appliance and even body repairs, our certified RV technicians will ensure your RV operates perfectly and looks great inside and out.

Parts and Service Hours

Pleasureland RV Center is here to ensure you enjoy the best RV lifestyle possible. Our service department is open five days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Camper’s General Store is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. And don’t forget that our online parts store is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It’s Officially Spring — Get Your RV Ready to Go!

Photo credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Indian_Head_Canyon_%28Wasco_County,_Oregon_scenic_images%29_%28wascDA0128%29.jpg

The weather is warming up, the days are getting longer and it’s time to fire up your RV for that first trip of the season. Before you start packing your bags and backing out of the driveway, there are a few simple steps you’ll want to take to get your RV ready for the season.

Look It Over Inside and Out

If you’re like many other RV travelers, you pull your RV into storage for the winter and don’t check on it until spring. Check all of the doors, windows, vents and seams to ensure you didn’t acquire any cracks or leaks in the off-season.

Check all of your lights, awnings, turn signals and appliances to make sure everything is in proper working order and ready for another adventure. And don’t forget to check all of the compartments and cupboard on the interior and exterior of your RV — these are common spaces for critters to hide in the colder months.

Give It a Good Wash

RVs are much more difficult to wash than our everyday vehicles, so they don’t tend to get cleaned as often. It’s important to buy the proper RV cleaning supplies, like an extendable brush, soft washing mitts and a nice car-cleaning solution to make the job much easier.

After washing the outside, clean up the interior by removing any unnecessary supplies or trash from last year, and don’t forget to replace the batteries in your smoke detector as well as your carbon-monoxide detector.

Spice Up the Interior

Is the interior of your RV starting to feel a little monotonous? Bring some new colors into your RV this year by replacing simple items like throw pillows, blankets, rugs and bedroom sets with new, updated designs. You’ll be amazed at how fresh a few new decorative items can make your RV feel.

Bring It By PleasureLand

Let the certified RV technicians at PleasureLand RV Center ensure your motorhome, fifth wheel or travel trailer is in top condition for the roads this spring. And if you’re in the market for a new or used RV this season, come browse our incredible selection and make us your go-to Minnesota RV dealer.

Photo by Gary Halvorson (Wikimedia Commons)

Get Ready to Tailgate! Prepare Your RV for Football Season

Hosting the Superbowl party this year? Tailgating for your favorite team?

One of the best reasons to come to PleasureLand RV dealership of Minnesota is so that you can have a party-room on wheels whether watching the game at home or supporting the team at the stadium.

You don’t want to be caught unprepared, though, so put these tips to work to prep your RV for football season:

Stock Twice What You Think You Need

If there’s one thing you can be sure of, it’s that bowls of chips can spill on the floor, dogs can knock people’s beers over, and you can never expect “just enough” to be just enough. A couple extra bags of chips or an extra case of beer won’t cost you much more, but it will ensure that you have enough to go around come what may this football season.

Empty Your Blackwater

The last thing you want is to have to wait in line at the stadium bathroom because you forgot to take care of this. Prepare for tailgating or a party just as you would prepare for a camping trip.

Run a Checkup

In particular you want to check your shocks. When you’re hosting a party with ten or eleven people, all jumping up and down to cheer the team, you’re going to be glad you did. Now of course you want to be aware of the maximum capacity of your RV and you generally do not want to go over that, but parties can be unpredictable, so be prepared.

With all of this in mind, all that’s left is the bodypaint and the invitations. With proper RV maintenance and plenty of food to go around, your tailgates and football parties this year should be legendary.

Minnesota RV Safety: Propane

Getting ready for a big roadtrip in your motorhome can be full of excitement and fun. In the midst of the packing frenzy, you must remember more than just the toothpaste and towels. Having propane is essential for your new Minnesota RV on the road. It’s also important to have the propane system checked out at least once a year. So whether you’ve had the RV in storage or you call it home, here are a few tips on being prepared when it comes to propane inside of your vehicle.

Why use propane?

Propane has many benefits. As far as fuels go, it is considered to be clean. It’s liquid petroleum gas and there is a lot of it! Its low price and wide availability make it an easy option for everything from cooking to hot baths. Because it’s so easily transportable, motorhomes can use it for many things. While it’s usually quite safe, there are important factors to consider when using it.

Precaution

The most important item that every RV should have is a propane detector. They can be bought at any home improvement store and can be assembled without expertise. Having difficulty with set up? Don’t be afraid to ask for help! If something were to go wrong it could save lives. Be prepared to immediately vacate the premises should the alarm go off. In an emergency, aside from calling 911, turn off the propane valve if possible.

Testing

There are a few tests that a technician can do for the whole system to ensure proper working order. The first is an operating pressure test, which is used to determine pressure amounts to the regulator during use. Too much on either side of the normal range could create problems. Another good test is the timed drop pressure test. Doing this test will show if there are any leaks which no system should have. Once the leak is pinpointed, you will be good to go! The last is referred to as a lock up test that ensures the regulator is completely shutting. This test avoids pressure contamination which could cause an explosion.

These are great ways to protect your family and your Pleasureland RV . Taking these extra steps will remove any unknowns from the safety of your trip. You will rest easier knowing your propane system is good to go.

Have you had your system tested this year? Feel free to share your propane tips with us in the comments below!

 

Thanks to Gary Motley for contributing

Is It Time to Replace the Mattress in Your Minnesota RV?

If you are spending a lot of time on the road in your motor home , travel trailer or fifth wheel , then you already know how important your level of comfort is when it comes to the bedroom. Whether it’s time to replace your old mattress (rule of thumb is about every eight years for household mattresses) or you simply want to upgrade to higher quality mattress, you’ll need to know a few things first.

To start, let’s figure out exactly what size area we are working with. RV mattresses are typically shorter than your average household mattress for obviously reasons. So you won’t be able to just go out and buy any old queen or king mattress. Grab a measuring tape and record the following measurements:

  1. Width – measure from the inside of one side of the mattress to the inside of the other side where the mattress will rest.
  2. Length – measure from top to bottom where the mattress will rest.
  3. Height – measure from the resting area of the mattress to the highest point vertically you want the mattress to reach.

The most common RV mattress sizes are listed below. Use your length and width measurements you just took to determine the best fit.

  • Queen Short: 60″x75″
  • Three Quarter Size (also known as an antique size): 48″x75″
  • Twin Size: 38″x75″
  • RV King: 72″x80″
  • Regular Queen: 60×80
  • Full Size: 53″x75″
  • Regular King: 76″x80″

If you are looking to replace a mattress in the bunk in your RV, then you’ll need a different type of mattress – a truck mattress. Here are the most common sizes for truck mattresses.

  • 42″x80″
  • 38″x80″
  • 32″x79″
  • 36″x76″
  • 35″x79″

Don’t forget to write the size you decide on down somewhere. You’ll also need it to buy that super soft new set of sheets you’ve got your eye on.

Now that we’ve determined what size mattress you’ll need, let’s talk about options. Did you know that Select Comfort makes the sleep number mattress for RVs? Or maybe you’re looking for a tempur-pedic mattress. They come in RV sizes, as well. Happy hunting, Minnesota RVers! You’ve got a little shopping to do!

If you need any help at all determining the size of the area, give Pleasureland RV a call or swing by one of our four Minnesota RV dealerships.

[Source: TheFunTimesGuide.com]

Be Sure to Routinely Inspect the Brakes on Your RV

Photo courtesy of FullTime-RVing.com

As I’m sure you already know, with owning an RV comes routine maintenance. Some of these maintenance tasks are meant to extend the life of your motorhomes, while others are required to ensure your safety while traveling through Minnesota in your new or used RV , such as checking your brakes.

It’s a no-brainer why this is an important part of RV maintenance seeing how your brakes are what stops your vehicle from moving. It’s recommended by most that you check your brakes at least once a year, but depending on your driving habits, you may want to check them more often. A full-timer, for example, may need to check their brakes four or five times a year especially if they are constantly on the road.

Checking your brakes can be a pretty simple process, but it will take a little bit of time and possibly another soul for good measure. To get started, park your RV on a flat surface and block the front and backs of your tires to keep the RV in place. You can use 2x4s or cinder blocks to do this. Next you’ll need to remove the hub cabs (if applicable) and then remove the tire to get to the brakes. Once you’ve located the brakes, inspect the following:

Rotors. Your rotors should appear scratch- and warp-free. Run your hands along the flat part of the rotor. It should be smooth.

Brake Pads. These are what press against your rotors and cause the RV to slow. Inspect the pads for wearing and tearing. You should have at least a quarter of an inch of brake pad. If they are too thin, you’ll risk damaging the rotors. Trust me, replacing brake pads is a lot cheaper than replacing rotors.

Electric Brake Systems: Inspect the connections for corrosion. If you can, enlist someone to press the brakes while you watch the rotors to make sure that the brakes are being evenly applied.

Surge Braking Systems: With these type of brakes, you’ll want to make sure that the sensor is still properly detecting speed change. Also inspect the sensor for rust and corrosion. It’s also a good idea to have someone press the brakes with you watching for pressure to be evenly applied.

If you find anything out of place or off beat while inspecting your brakes, give Pleasureland RV a call or swing by one of our four Minnesota RV dealership locations. We’re more than happy to give you a hand. After all, nothing is more important than your safety while cruising around Minnesota in your new or used RV.