Entertainment is a huge part of the RV experience. In the world of constantly changing technology, it stands to reason that you will at some point have to switch to a flat screen in your RV at some point. While basic tube TVs took up a lot of room, the newer thinner ones most likely are in a different shape than your previous one. In an RV, this could be a bit trickier than switching out your TV at home. Even though this change might seem like a big task, once completed it will only increase the enjoyment that you get out of your RV. Check out the video below for some helpful hints on upgrading you entertainment system from a standard tube TV to a newer, flatter one.
On first observation of a new or used RV before we buy, we tend to focus our attention to such things as floor plan, room size, closet and space for storing, number of slides, appliances, entertainment and communications equipment, function of plumbing and electrical systems, heating and cooling capacity, etc. Trust me, all of these things are very important when taking the steps to buy an RV. But while these things are important, you need to make sure you focus on other aspects of the vehicle as well. So when you’re shopping for an RV, don’t forget to check out these small but critical features:
Lie on the beds to see if they’re comfortable and long enough. RV manufacturers are forced sometimes to shorten the length of normal measurements in order to satisfy the amount of space they are dealing with. Take the case of the queen size RV bed. While a normal queen is 80 inches long, in an RV, that same bed might be only 74-75 inches. While you might not think thats a huge deal, if you happen to be over 6 feet tall, it certainly could cause problems.
Along with the bed size, make sure you are comfortable with the size of the couch. Couches may also be undersized to fit the compact space of an RV. If you enjoy stretching out on the couch to watch TV or perhaps a movie, this could be a problem.
It may also be wise to check out the dimensions of the shower inside the RV. If your elbows constantly bump the walls or you need to crouch down to get your head under the shower head, you’ll wish you’d chosen an RV with a larger shower. Same goes for the toilet. It is important to test these areas out so you don’t run into problems after you have purchased your RV.
It doesn’t need to be overstated that comfort in these areas are really important. What were the other things you looked for when you bought or were searching for an RV? Leave a comment below and let us know!
I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to start my day without a nice hot shower followed by a nice breakfast. Many modes of transportation and trip taking make these things difficult if not impossible without the security of a hotel room. But that is why you have an RV, so you don’t have to worry about these things. Along with this luxury comes great responsibility. Maintenance of your RVs water heating system, while tedious at times, is imperative for its functionality and preservation. In Mark Polk’s first edition of Mark’s RV Garage, he discusses this topic in depth. When the water system is not in use, it is necessary to drain the stagnant water in order to keep bacteria and other minerals from corroding your system. In the episode, he uses a product called the Tank Saver in order to clean out the sediment from the system. I stumbled across this video and wanted to share the tips he gives on maintenance of the system and how to avoid such problems.
Do you do your own regular maintenance or do you have a professional look at it? Make sure to leave a comment below!
Storage space can be difficult to maneuver whether you are a weekend RVer or a full-timer. With everything we bring along with us to knickknacks we pick up along the way, there always seems to be a little less room than we need. While we do our best to keep things tidy and in order, it can become very difficult to achieve this goal. So when we find us in this situation, it becomes important to come up with some efficient ways to make the best of your space. I compiled a couple tips to help you out with the clutter in your RV.
1. Think vertical. Find ways to use space vertically in your RV. Try reorganizing your cabinets and closets that utilize the space vertically.
2. Removable adhesive hooks might be our most favorite invention in the last couple of years. They do wonders organizing utensils, hanging small boxes to organize papers and the best part, they don’t do any damage when you’re done with them.
3. Multi-use containers – try to find items that can be used for more than just one thing.
4. Collapsible Storage Containers – these are great to use when you’re doing laundry, but when you’re done they collapse and don’t take up much room.
5. One In, One Out Rule – this is a pretty good rule that has helped keep our RV with minimal clutter. When you bring something new into the RV, something must go!
6. Use non-slip liners to keep your stuff in place and from sliding all over the place and getting messy.
7. Clean out the RV four times a year if you’re a full time RVer. I know this sounds like a lot, but with your best efforts, stuff will still add up.
8. Get some Space Bags to store items that are seasonal – these are the giant bags that you vacuum air out of and will save tons of closet space.
9. If you haven’t used an item in a year, toss it. Or rather, donate it. Chances are if you haven’t used something in a year you won’t be missing it.
10. Put all of your cleaning supplies in a basket. This will keep them secure as well as travel very handy when you need to clean different parts of the RV.
As useful as these tips are, you will need to keep an eye on the weight of your RV. It is important that you do not exceed the maximum weight guidelines for the safety of you and others on the road. Do you have any other organizing tips for the rest of the readers? Leave a comment below and let us know!
In the United States, motor homes are well-liked leisure automobiles, evidenced by the fact many travelers partake in them across our great nation. Many motor home owners use their RVs to go camping and others use them to travel and discover the country. With the increase in popularity recently, chances are you’ll be questioning whether or not you can purchase a motor home sometime in the near future. If that is something you are considering, please read on.
If you enjoy traveling, especially touring the countryside, you may want to look into RVing. Each year, a lot of individuals, namely retirees, choose to journey the country. However, since it may be expensive to rent a house or stay in hotels all the time, many vacationers make the choice to purchase or rent their very own RVs to defray costs. Motor homes are perfect for cross nation trips, as you not only have a mode of transportation with a RV but accommodations as well.
Another sign that you may want to think about shopping for a motor home is that you enjoy camping, however prefer to be sheltered from the elements at times. Tenting is a pleasant leisure activity, however sleeping in tents isn’t for everyone. Maybe you have a medical situation, or if you just don’t want to sleep on the ground while you go camping, you may want to consider shopping for a motor home. Additionally, if you will be camping with a bunch of individuals, like your family, you may discover that a motor home is a nice, simple, convenient, and fun solution to go camping if traditional methods aren’t “your bag”.
When searching for either a new or used motor home, there are a couple different ways you can go about it. You will want to check the automotive section of your local newspapers, as many motor home house owners choose to advertise in their motor properties close to home. You may additionally be able to discover a wealth of information on motor homes online. But your best bet is to go in person and check them out to see how you would fit in the particular RV. Analyzing motor homes to check if they’ve had any part recalls or to see if the motor home selling value is a good value will help to make sure that your money is spent wisely. Be thorough in your search as this is a big purchase and has many different aspects to each RV. With the wealth of information out there, any novice can become well educated through these different channels.
With the costs of travel rising on a daily basis, it might be a good idea to look into it to see how it fit your lifestyle. Have you shopped for or bought an RV recently? Leave a comment below and tell us about your RV shopping experience!
Hi, my name is Dan Pearson and I am the Owner of PleasureLand RV Centers based out of St. Cloud, MN. We have three other Minnesota locations to serve all of you RV needs. I look forward to providing you with all your RV information from buying an RV to tips and maintenance. If you would like to contact me, be sure to leave a comment.
