It’s hard to believe that RVs have been around for more than a century. Technically, the first RV dates back to the days of covered wagons. However, most people consider the 1910 Touring Landau as the first RV. But in my opinion, it was seven years later when the first real RV — The Adams Motor Bungalo (see below)— came to be.
Regardless of which came first, modern RVs were born in the 1910′s and 20′s, in an era all about new inventions and mechanisms that made life simpler. Check out this great montage of the early RVs.
Hard to believe we’ve gone from the Adams Motor Bungalo to something as magnificent as the 2012 Itasca Ellipse that includes the following features:
Click the image to view more pictures of the Ellipse.
Exterior Entertainment Center w/TV & DVD
Portable Refrigerator/Freezer
Power Cord Reel
Microwave/Speedcook Oven
Electric Fireplace
Ultraleather Lounge Chair
Infotaiment Center/GPS
Residential Refrigerator Package
Washer & Dryer
Drawer Style Dishwasher
Central Vacuum System
Compartment Tray Slideout
Home Theater System w/Blu-Ray
Ultraleather Rest Easy Sectional
In-Motion Satellite System
Water Supply Hose w/Reel
Satellite Radio
She’s gorgeous, isn’t she? Come check her out in person at the Pleasureland RV Minnesota dealership and get a first hand feel of just how far we’ve come since the 1900s.
Hey Minneapolis RVers, did you know that many automobile and RV manufacturers are starting to use nitrogen in their tires instead of air? Though it may seem relatively new, nitrogen has been being used in airplane tires, giant off-highway tires and racing tires for many years. The question is why?
Oxidation. Air is composed of roughly one-fifth oxygen, and contains moisture which is known to cause oxidation. Oxidation can actually damage your wheels and over time, deteriorate the tires.
Tire Pressure. Even if your tire doesn’t have any punctures, over time you’ll notice it that it will lose some air due to permeation. While tires filled with air can lose up to 2psi a month, nitrogen will “escape” your tires at a much slower rate, and it could be six months before your tires lose 2psi. Nitrogen is also much less reactive than air and doesn’t degrade rubber which means longer tread life.
Fuel Efficiency. Overtime, using nitrogen in your tires can improve vehicle handling and fuel efficiency through better tire pressure retention and cooler running tire temperatures. Because nitrogen-filled tires run cooler, they are said to increase the life of the tires up to 30 percent over air-filled tires.
According to GetNitrogen.org, if 85% of the 220 million vehicles on the road today improved their gas mileage by 3.3%, the U.S. would save almost four trillion gallons of gasoline per year. That statistic alone is enough to make me want to convince everyone I know in Minnesota to switch their RV tires to nitrogen. Here’s a great video on the many benefits of using nitrogen.
Are you interested in making the switch? Stop by our RV Dealership and let us know!
Halloween is almost here, Minnesota RVers! How are you planning on spending the holiday? If you’re on the road during this time, you should check out the local scene of some nearby towns. Small towns tend to go all out for Halloween, and I’m sure you’ll be able to find some great festivities. You can also decorate your RV and give out candy to trick-or-treaters at the RV park. One thing you can do regardless of how you choose to spend Hallow’s eve is prepare some classic Halloween recipes! Here are two of my favorites for this time of year.
Popcorn Balls
Popcorn balls are a great treat for giving away. The are super simple and easy to make! Here’s what you’ll need:
2 quarts popped popcorn
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup dark corn syrup
1/4 cup butter (no substitutes)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
candy thermometer
First place the popcorn in a large bowl and set it aside. In a heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water, corn syrup, butter and salt and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue cooking, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 270 degrees F. Then remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the mixture over the popcorn and stir until it looks evenly coated. Once it’s cooled enough for you to handle, mold the popcorn into your preferred size ball shape and set out on a cooking sheet.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Whether you like them sweet, salty or spicy, roasting pumpkin seeds make a perfect Halloween snack. You can also carve the pumpkin afterward and use it for decoration!
First you’ll need to buy a pumpkin(s) and cut a hole in the top around the trunk and dig out the inside of the pumpkin. Next, rinse the pumpkin seeds under cold water and pick out the pulp and strings. This step is easiest to do right after you’ve gutted the pumpkin so the pulp doesn’t dry.
Next, oil up a baking sheet (you can also use non-stick cooking spray) and spread the pumpkin seeds in a single layer on the sheet. Sprinkle with your desired spices and bake at 325 degrees F for 25 minutes or until the seeds toasted. Be sure to check on your seeds about 10 minutes in and stir them around on the baking sheet.
When they’ve finished baking, let them cool and store them in an air-tight container to enjoy for later! Here’s a great video on how to do this for you visual learners out there!
This has been a hard summer on the states with record-breaking temperatures and fire outbreaks. Thousands of acres and hundreds of homes have been lost in the lower states due to these fires, so I thought it’d be fitting to talk about the importance of fire safety in our RVs.
Photo courtesy BransonMo.gov
Did you know that fires are one of top contributing factors to RV loss in the US? RVFireExtinguisher.com said that more 20,000 RV fires are reported every year in the U.S., and about 80 percent of them were in gas-powered motorhomes. So what is the best way to prevent a fire in your RV Minnesota? RVFireExtinguisher.com suggests the following:
To prevent, identify and put out fires there are several things you should have in place. As well as having a working fire alarm and carbon monoxide and LPG gas detectors you should also have working fire extinguishers. In fact, it is against the law in the USA not to have a fire extinguisher in your RV. The National Fire Protection Agency makes it compulsory to have a 5 pound BC fire extinguisher near every exit of the RV. Most fires in RV’s are type A fires meaning that they start from common combustibles such as paper and wood, so it is recommended that you keep a type A fire extinguisher in your RV as well as the BC which is for electrical and gas fires. It is also best to have five fire extinguishers in your RV – one in the driver’s cab, one in the kitchen, one in the bedroom, one in your towed vehicle and also one in storage as a backup.
Having a fire extinguisher(s) in your RV won’t help anything, though, unless everyone on board knows how to use one. If you can only remember one thing when it comes to using an extinguisher, remember to P.A.S.S. Pull, Aim, Squeeze and sweep! Here’s a helpful video that will show you exactly how to do this. If you need any help making your RV fire-safe, or just need a new RV, you can always give us a call or drop in.
Have you ever been sitting in your new or used RV and found yourself thinking about how your amazing house on wheels was made? If you think about it, it would seem like there is so much involved in the process –the electronics, the plumbing/water systems and the whole structure itself. Well, you no longer have to wonder thanks to the Discovery Channel’s show called How It’s Made. They did an awesome five-minute feature that takes you from the steel cutting to the finishing touches and everything in between including electrical, plumbing and furnishings. You’ll also see how they seal off the RV to prevent water leakage and construct the exterior. Enjoy!
So Minnesota RV owners, what’d you think? Did you learn something new? I know I did. If you’re itching for more, here’s another mini-sode of how pop-up trailers are made.
As the years have passed, it has become overwhelming apparent that technology is going to make its way into our life. We have social networks, seach engines, You-Tube, and informational blogs like this one! And while all these different mediums have helped RV users out in some way, some of the newer technology has been lacking when it comes to getting quick information on your phone.
In comes a new iPhone application called Camping Finder made by CampingRoadTrip.com. This handy app allows for a bunch of features to help an RVer or camper plan and execute a great trip.
“Camp Finder puts 14,000 U.S. campgrounds and RV parks in your pocket,” says Julian Fenn founder of CampingRoadTrip.com. “We want to help people have a great time in the outdoors and also save a few trees by getting rid of the big paper based camping directories. Camp Finder app is all about giving campers and RVers the freedom and spontaneity to have a great time on the road.”
The reality of being on the road means that plans do change. RVers and campers can now use the Camp Finder iPhone app to access the most up to date information and search for campgrounds and RV parks by name, city and state or current location. With just one touch campers and RVers can check out rates, amenities, camping discounts, contact details and even photos and reviews posted by others. “Camp Finder is even smart enough to give you directions to your destination. The only thing it won’t do is drive your RV or car there!”
Check out a video demonstration below:
httpv://www.youtube.com/campingroadtrip
So if you do have an iPhone, make sure you spend the $1.99 to purchase this very helpful and informative application. And when you do download the app, make sure you put in Pleasureland RV first!!
If you are driving your RV with too heavy of a load, under inflated tires, or old and damaged tires, then you are putting yourself at risk for a massive tire failure while driving down the road. If this has never happened to you, then you should consider yourself lucky. For those of us who have gone through this, then you know that it can be a bit frightening as well as confusing. What should you do if this happens? Well I found an excellent video produced by Michelin Tires about handling your RV in case a blow out occurs.
While the video is a little long, coming in at around 10 minutes, I do highly recommend watching the whole thing if you are not sure what you should do while experiencing a blow out.
We hope you found this information useful during such a stressful situation. If you need for information, leave a comment or visit us at Pleasureland RV!
With everyone heading back out on the road in your RV this season, it’s time to think about the little things when on the road. One of these things is your pets safety on the road. We love to bring all of our loved ones on our trips with us, and pets are no exception. There are a bunch of tips and hints to help you in the event you do have a pet with you. Recently GoRving.com and went on Fox News with Fox’s pet safety expert Lady Christina Selter to give their audience a few helpful hints.
“We’re here with GoRVing.com to give pet safety tips,” said Selter as she took viewers on an on-camera tour of pet-friendly features of the RV such as a pet-level window and built-in food and water dispenser, in addition to human comforts and conveniences.
Click on the video link below to see what these experts had to say:
According to the RVIA’s latest Campfire Canvass study of seasonal travel plans, 57% of RV owners will bring a pet along on RV trips this summer, to make the trip more enjoyable, provide companionship and save money on boarding.
We hope that this information is helpful for your trip if you decide to bring your furry friends along with you. If you have any suggestions or questions, please leave a comment or come by and check us out at Pleasureland RV.
It’s time to get back on the road again! And while people who drive RVs tend to concentrate more on what’s going on under the hood, making sure that you propane system is working properly is very important. Because of the volatile nature of the propane system, it is necessary for you to be thorough so you can be sure that you and your family are safe! Check out these tips I found that should be helpful.
Checking For Leaks
This should be done periodically, between annual inspections. There are portable leak detectors than you can buy for this very purpose. Or you can simply spray the connections with soapy water. If you see bubbles, you’ve got a leak. Immediately turn off the main supply valve until the leak has been repaired by a professional.
Know Thy Cylinder
If you’re using DoT cylinders, make sure to always transport them in an upright position, secured to something in the vehicle. While there are plastic rings designed specifically for this purpose (see video below), you can just as easily use a milk crate or a cardboard box to keep it from rolling around.
Also keep in mind that DoT tanks are good for 12 years after their manufacture date, and must be re-certified for use every five years after that. Don’t rely on the propane seller to check the date, even though they are supposed to.
Before You Go
Here’s a quick list of things to check out before you get on the road:
–Check that exterior vents are clear of sticks and debris
–Inspect propane system for rust, corrosion, or wear and tear
–Make sure you have properly installed carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers!
In the Rare Event of a Leak
Ok, it could happen. And if it does, here’s what you do:
1. If you smell gas, leave immediately, only stopping to put out any pilot lights or smoking materials.
2. Leave the door of your RV open to air out.
3. Turn off the supply valve on the propane tank.
4. Call 911 or the local fire department.
5. Do not turn the system back on until it has been repaired and inspected by a trained professional.
I hope that these tips will assist you before the next time you head out on your next RV adventure. Have you ever had a leak or problems in your RV? Let us know by sharing a comment or stopping by Pleasureland RV.
When we think of a fifth wheel trailer being pulled by an automobile, we usually think of a truck or SUV. However, that is not always the case, as seen in this video where a VW Bug pulling a smaller trailer. If this was the only aspect to the video, it would be interesting. But with the added value of getting 20 miles to the gallon and being able to turn on a 360 degree radius makes this car concoction nothing short of amazing!!
Check out the video and let us know what you think!!
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.
