May 25th, 2017 -
If you’ll soon be storing your RV for any amount of time, nothing’s worse than coming back and finding that your rig is full of unwanted tenants. From rodents to insects, pests take many forms, but they’re never desirable. Obviously you want to avoid this scenario, so here are some tips you can use if you’re putting your RV in storage to avoid unwanted guests.
Keep Them Out
Physically blocking mice is one of the first steps you can take. Since mice can squeeze themselves through any hole that their head can fit through (about the size of a dime), you’ve got to make sure your RV is sealed nice and tight. Try to keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible and seal them up tight if you’re going to be leaving your RV in storage.
If you have gaps, maybe around your windows or doors, you can try using expanding spray foam. This is a great temporary solution as it’s easy enough to remove once you’re done with it, like when you take your rig out of storage. Make sure to check the underside of your RV thoroughly, as you may have small holes caused by some debris you ran over at some point. If foam isn’t enough, you can add mesh or screens to the mix.
There are also odor deterrents common at most stores, scents that mice and other rodents will want to avoid. You can place these at various points around your RV while it’s in storage.
Remove Incentives
While the incentive for a mouse to invade your RV may simply be for warmth and shelter, there are factors you can control that will make your rig less appealing. Namely, make sure that all food, human and pet, is sealed tightly and that there are no food particles littering your RV. A steady source of food is enough to keep any mice around. Once they settle in, they’ll look to build a nest. Make sure that you have paper and cloth products in a secure location and that you keep an eye on destruction to these items. If they’re missing shreds, it’s likely that a mouse has been pulling it apart. Your best bet, if you’re going to be storing your rig, is to simply remove all food items, even if they’re non-perishable.
Eliminate the Intruders
If all else fails and you’ve got an infestation, you’re going to have to remove them. Traps work best. From the classic snap-trap to glue traps to humane cage traps, the best way to remove a mouse is to trap it. Even if you don’t suspect that there will be a pest problem while you’re storing your RV, it’s still a good idea to set some traps out in your stored rig just in case a rodent comes sniffing around.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Stop by PleasureLand RV Center to tour a new or pre-owned motorhome or travel trailer. If your current RV needs service, contact the service department at PleasureLand RV Center to schedule time with a technician. We can also help you get our RV ready for storage.
March 23rd, 2017 -
You don’t have to dive head first in to the RV lifestyle by purchasing an expensive motorhome or travel trailer. Here at PleasureLand RV Center, we offer a huge selection of rental RVs, so you can try out the RV lifestyle before you buy. And after just one family vacation in a rental RV, you’ll realize exactly what’s so wonderful about life on the road.
It’s Affordable
By renting an RV, you’ve already covered the travel and accommodation expenses for your vacation. Flying your entire family to a destination and renting multiple hotel rooms once you arrive can add up really quickly, but RV travel eliminates the need for plane tickets, and all of our PleasureLand RV rentals have plenty of sleeping space. Our RVs also contain full kitchens and refrigerators, so you’ll save big bucks on enjoying family meals inside your RV rather than out at expensive restaurants.
It’s Comfortable
Just because it’s called “camping” doesn’t mean you’ll be sleeping on the ground or living primitively. Our RV rentals are equipped with full bathrooms (with showers), comfortable bedding, a sink, stove, hot water, and all of the amenities you’d expect in a pricey hotel room (and even more).
It Gives You Freedom
Forget about check-in and check-out times and all of the other scheduling that comes along with flights and hotel stays. The RV lifestyle is entirely flexible, so you can stop and roadside attractions, exciting restaurants or anywhere you please.
More Time Together
One of the best parts of the RV lifestyle is that you end up spending more time together as a family. Whether you’re traveling on the highway or hanging out at the campsite, you’re all together making lasting memories, cooking meals and enjoying the great outdoors.
Rent an RV From PleasureLand
Whether you’re interested in a Class A motorhome or a pop-up camper, we’ve got a great selection of rental RVs right here at PleasureLand RV Center. Stop in to browse our fleet or get started with your RV rental immediately using our online form.
March 9th, 2017 -
Each RV traveler has different wants and needs for his or her RV lifestyle. And the only way to get an RV that’s designed just for you, is to customize it just the way you like it. Whether that involves making interior decor changes, upgrading your RV mattress, swapping out your shower head or installing vent fans, your RV can be exactly what you want it to be with a little creativity and help from the staff here at PleasureLand.
Upgrade Your RV’s Decor
Older RV models often have very outdated decor features or simply a color scheme that’s not as appealing as it used to be. Upgrading your RV’s interior can be made simple by purchasing new bed coverings, rugs, throw pillows, towels and other soft goods. Reupholstering your sofa or dinette and upgrading your laminate countertops to solid surface ones are bigger upgrades that can make a huge difference in the way your RV looks and feels.
Get More Comfortable
Compacting your life inside an RV means you have to sacrifice a few of the luxuries you learned to love in your brick-and-mortar home. But many of those luxuries don’t have to be left behind. Consider swapping your RV’s dull stock shower head for one that can amplify your water pressure and even help you conserve water on the road.
RV mattresses can be less than comfortable as well, but that doesn’t mean you have to go out and spend thousands on a top-end mattress for your life on the road. Consider upgrading your mattress with a simple 2-inch memory foam mattress cover. These are often easy to clean and inexpensive, so you can purchase one for every bed in your motorhome, travel trailer or fifth wheel.
Upgrade Your RV at PleasureLand
For bigger upgrades — like air-conditioning and vent fan installs, battery upgrades, inverters and just about any modification you want to make inside our outside of your RV — PleasureLand RV Center is here to help. Our certified RV service technicians are here to handle all of your install, repair, general maintenance and even body shop needs, so you can enjoy your RV lifestyle to the fullest.
February 22nd, 2017 -
You don’t have to be an RV owner to fall in love with the RV lifestyle. Renting an RV can give you a taste of the RV lifestyle before you decide to buy. It’s also one of the best ways to enjoy a stress-free family vacation without the hassle of hotel reservations, flights and costly restaurant meals. Transitioning from a traditional vacation to an RV vacation may seem odd at first, but you’ll quickly realize why RV travel is always preferred.
It’s More Affordable
Gas prices are plummeting, yet the cost of flights keeps rising. Forget about buying expensive plane tickets for your entire family and opt for an RV vacation instead. In addition to saving on flights, you’ll save even bigger on not having to book hotel rooms and cooking your favorite meals inside your RV.
It’s Less Stressful
Let’s face it — flying is no longer fun. Flights are delayed, security checks are annoying and you never make it to your destination exactly when you planned. When you travel in an RV, you can arrive at your destination whenever you want and see everything along the way. Stop for meals, sightseeing or simply to get out and go for a bike ride.
It’s Comfortable
You always feel right at home when traveling in an RV. Here at the PleasureLand RV Center, we offer a wide array of RV rental options to suit a variety of travelers. This means you can have as much sleeping space, living space and cooking space as you desire. Forget about cramming your whole family into one hotel room to save money, because you can have your own vacation home on wheels instead.
Rent From Us
PleasureLand RV Center offers some of the lowest rental rates on Class A motorhomes, Class C motorhomes, travel trailers, pop-up campers and ice houses in the industry. Give us a call, log online or stop by one of our locations in St. Cloud, Ramsey or Brainerd to find out more.
January 10th, 2017 -
Determining which type of RV will suit your needs best can seem impossible. With so many RVs on the market, ranging from pop-up campers to high-end Class A motorhomes, choosing from such a large number of models can be daunting. These simple tips will help you discover which type of RV is perfect for you, so you can narrow down your options and start living your dream RV lifestyle.
Determine Your RV Use
The first step to choosing an RV is to determine which type of traveling you’d like to do. Are you seeking an RV for weekend family getaways or an RV that will replace your brick-and-mortar home? Do you want to move from one destination to another or stay put for months at a time? Typically, smaller, more budget-friendly RVs can be suitable for recreational weekend campers, while those who want to spend more time on the road should seek RVs with more durability and amenities.
Motorhomes are more ideal for travelers who like to stop in multiple places. Because they don’t take a lot of time to set up and prepare for departure (unlike fifth wheels and travel trailers), it’s easy to hop from one destination to another.
Consider Your Tow Vehicle
Many first-time RV enthusiasts forget that they may need to upgrade their tow vehicle to a more powerful model to tow a large travel trailer or fifth wheel. This can add a considerable amount of cost to upgrading your RV lifestyle and should always be considered. However, these more spacious RVs also offer more amenities, such as full bathrooms, fully-equipped kitchens, more seating space and quality sleeping areas.
Let Us Help
Here at the PleasureLand RV Centers, we’re experts on helping you find an RV that’s ideal for your travel needs. We’ll work within your budget to help you start the RV lifestyle you’ve been dreaming about for years.
December 8th, 2016 -
There’s no better place to learn about RV living than from travelers who have lived life on the road. And these must-have tips have been compiled by some of the most experienced RV travelers in the country — members of the Escapees RV Club. So next time you hit the road, keep these helpful tips on hand to help your RV travels roll along more smoothly.
RV Living Tips From the Experts
- Always keep wheel locks on hand.
- Become a member of the Escapees RV Club and embark on some RV rallies.
- Invest in a high quality sewer hose or two and have the correct connectors on hand.
- Check the condition of your tires and the tire pressure before each journey.
- Create a checklist for all of your departures.
- Know how to maintain your chassis and house batteries and check them often.
- Keep more than one fire extinguisher in your RV.
- Don’t travel with any items that have less than two uses.
- Throw your toilet paper in the trash instead of the toilet to save room in your black water tank.
- Scott’s single-ply toilet paper is less expensive and more comfortable than special RV toilet papers.
- Buy small surge protectors for every appliance in your RV.
- Turn your water heater on roughly 30 minutes before you plan to use hot water.
- Let your black water tank fill at least halfway before you empty it.
- Always keep bottled water or a water filter in your vehicle in case the campground’s water is not drinkable.
- Take your time and see the sights. There’s no need to race to the next destination.
- Volunteer at your destinations to meet new people and get involved in new communities.
- Keep a magnetic key somewhere on your rig, so you never have to worry about being locked out.
- Travel to a number of RV campgrounds before you choose to join an RV campground organization.
Find All of Your RV Needs at PleasureLand
We’ve got everything you need to enjoy the best RV lifestyle possible right here at PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota. Stop in one of our massive Camper’s General Stores in Ramsey or St. Cloud or shop our online parts store 24 hours a day.
November 17th, 2016 -
It’s a dreaded event that no RVer ever wants to encounter, but if you travel enough it’s bound to happen eventually. When it does, it pays to know what to do and how to do it correctly.
Changing an RV tire is similar to a vehicle tire, except that you want to use a ramp rather than a jack.
What you’ll need.
- A spare tire in good condition
- A lug wrench that fits the lug nuts on your RV’s wheel
- A Tire pressure gauge
- A Portable air compressor
- Chocks
- A Ramp
- A Standard wrench
- A lubricant (such as WD-40)
How to change the flat tire.
- Make sure you’re not in a dangerous area; pull as far away from traffic as you possibly can while remaining on a stable driving surface.
- Break loose the lug nuts on the flat tire with your lug wrench.
- Drive your good tire on the same side as the flat tire onto the ramp in order to get the flat tire up off the ground. If the flat tire can’t spin freely, get higher up on the ramp, add blocks under the ramp, or even dig under the flat tire to gain enough space.
- Chock the tires on the opposite side and set the parking brake to make sure that your RV or trailer remains in place while you work.
- Use the lug wrench again to fully remove the lug nuts on your flat.
- Remove the flat from the hub and then install the spare onto the hub.
- Lubricate the studs before replacing the lug nuts and then tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
- Stow the flat, disengage the brake, remove the chocks, and drive off the ramp.
- Finish tightening the lug nuts.
- Check the tire pressure in all tires, including the spare. Equalize and top off as needed with your air compressor.
Subscribe to roadside service.
If you prefer to avoid a situation where you have to change your own tire, look into roadside service for your RV. Just remember that roadside service, while reliable in most cases, may not come through if you’re unable to call due to poor reception or are on a road that they don’t respond to.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
If you need any RV service that’s beyond your capabilities, don’t hesitate to stop by PleasureLand RV Center to schedule an appointment with our service department. Looking for a new RV? Shop our inventory of new and pre-owned motorhomes and travel trailers.
September 15th, 2016 -
Picking out an RV can potentially be a daunting task, whether you’ve done it before or it’s your first time. RVs vary a lot more than cars do. They come in wildly differing dimensions, possess various amenities, and can cost anywhere from a used car to a small home.
Just remember: if you keep your head on straight and know what your family needs, your budget, and what your travel goals are, you ought to be able to pick out the perfect RV.
What You and Your Family Needs
This consideration boils down to this: how many people are coming along? What does this mean in terms of sleeping arrangements, bathroom usage, cooking, entertainment, and general elbow room? If it’s just you and your partner, you can get away with a truck camper or compact travel trailer. If you’re trying to take along your family of six, you might want to spring for that Class A for the extra space and comfort it will afford to everyone. If you like to bring along a lot of ATVs, kayaks, or mountain bikes, maybe a toy hauler is right for your family.
Your Budget
Obviously you can’t extend your reach beyond what’s affordable. Once you determine your family’s needs, you can only go so far as your budget will allow. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get that Class A you need — you may just have to get it pre-owned instead of new. Whatever the case, you ought to be able to find something in your price range as long as you take the time to shop and explore all the options available to you.
Your Travel Goals
This is the final consideration. Once you know what your family needs and what your price range is, it’s time to consider what kind of destinations you’ll be aiming yourself toward. If you plan on hitting up major cities and National Parks, larger RVs are good choices since you’ll almost always be guaranteed good RV hookups. If you’re going to try to get off the beaten path and visit smaller towns and more obscure natural settings, you might want to go smaller. Smaller RVs can go where larger ones can’t because they’re less likely to encounter obstacles they can’t clear (such as low-hanging branches and bridges or narrow roads).
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
To learn more about any particular RV type or model, visit PleasureLand RV Center. Not only can you get RV sales, parts, accessories and service at PleasureLand RV Center, but you can also ask our knowledgeable and helpful staff any questions you may have concerning RVs. We’ll help you pick out the RV that’s best for you, your family, and your travel goals.
August 24th, 2016 -
If your plans are starting to gear up for an over the road adventure, before heading out, stop in at PleasureLand RV Center for last minute accessories. From awnings and recliners to games and kitchen supplies, you’ll leave with everything you need for a complete trip whether you’re traveling with a travel trailer or a class C motorhome.
Something else to consider are the RV parks you’ll be staying at along the way. Use these tidbits from seasoned RV travelers to help select the best park environment.
- First impressions upon arrival are critical. When signing in, a welcoming atmosphere is what you want versus being just another number.
- It’s preferable that an on-site manager be available in case of emergencies.
- Size of the site matters. Do your research and keep in mind public parks run by the county or state may have more room to negotiate and can offer larger sites, whereas private RV parks may be restricted in the amount of space available. This means, you may not have a lot of privacy and end up being sandwiched between motor homes.
- The site should be visually appealing whether it’s with a nearby tree or two, some shrubbery or a grassy area. Ensure the area has adequate gravel, blacktop or raised concrete areas that are in good repair. A picnic area with table, grill and fire ring are also pluses you want at your disposal.
- It’s important to have full hook -up utilities of water, power and sewer. It ‘s also important the amp’s available are adequate for your particular motor home.
- Clean restrooms are an added bonus. Add to that private shower and dressing room areas and you have an alternative to using your RV shower which is especially useful when multiple people are traveling in the RV.
- Consider RV parks with a pool, hot tub, tennis courts, club house, WiFi, shuffleboard, family activities, laundry facilities and a store for buying food, drinks, snacks and necessities.
- Choose RV locations near enough to area attractions, shopping, hiking, biking, canoeing and dining but far enough away where you won’t be interrupted by heavy traffic and noise.
After you return home, bring your RV in for an “after vacation” tune up at PleasureLand RV Center so you’ll be ready to hit the road at a moment’s notice the next time you’re ready for an over the road adventure.
August 17th, 2016 -
Traveling isn’t only fun; it’s also educational! If you currently homeschool your children or are considering homeschooling in the future, don’t forget that your home away from home can also provide an ideal learning atmosphere. Once you get your new RV from PleasureLand RV Center, you can put it to good use during the summer as well as the upcoming school year. Here are some tips for homeschooling efficiently in your new RV.
1. Clear a Space
Make sure that you have a distraction-free zone in your RV where you can conduct classes during the day. If you’re on the road, try working with one of your children at a time in the “classroom” to minimize distractions. If you’ve stopped at your destination, make sure that your RV is reserved for study for a certain portion of the day to make sure the children finish their work.
2. Take Field Trips
One of the advantages of learning on the road is that there are lots of field trip opportunities. If possible, try to line up your syllabus with your travel plans. For example, if you’re driving through the wetlands of Florida, you could focus on wetland ecology and species. That hands on experience is sure to remain with your children and reinforce what they are learning.
3. Set a Schedule
Just like at home, make sure that you stay disciplined while studying on the road. Set aside a certain time period each day for your children to have lessons and work on homework. And of course, don’t forget to allow time for play as well. If you plan to travel for the long-term, your children may not be able to be on sports teams and other hobbies that require you to be in one place. Try to think of other hobbies to keep them busy and engaged while you’re on the road.
Homeschooling in your new RV from PleasureLand RV Center is sure to be an adventure. With a little bit of planning and discipline, you can provide a well-rounded, structured, and hands on education for your children.
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About Me
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.
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