Creating an Office Space in Your Minnesota Motorhome

Whether you are a seasonal Minnesota RV enthusiast , or have taken to the full timing RV lifestyle, you may find yourself having to log in a few work hours here and there during your excursions. Even though you might be able to leave the office behind this summer and take a few days off, you may not be able to completely leave the work load at home. It is important to have a designated space aboard your rig in order to stay organized and successfully complete any work duties. The Fun Times Guide has provided a list of a few things you may need to have a well equipped RV office.

Designated Office Area . You should find an area that you can set up all of the necessary components needed to efficiently get work done. This space should preferably be away from the common areas and places that get a lot of usage from your passengers. If you simply can’t find a place that is out of the way due to limited space, try to close off your RV office with a makeshift divider like a curtain or screen of some sort.

Cell Phone. While most of us already have a cell phone that we plan on taking with us, you may not have the right plan set up for travel. You will want to get with your cell phone provider and find a plan that has unlimited long distance and roaming anywhere in the country. That way you can talk on the phone for however long you like, however far away you may travel, without additional fees.

Laptop Computer. If you should need to access the internet while RVing in a remote area, get an internet air card that can be installed on your laptop. While you can access a WiFi network at most hotels restaurants and sometimes truck stops, you won’t always find one nestled in a secluded area of a campground.

Wireless Printer. If you plan on needing a printer while working from your RV, it is wise to get one that multitasks and allows for printing, scanning and copying. Set it up wirelessly to your laptop and you can print from anywhere in your RV or even outside your RV if in proper range.

Whoever said you can’t have fun and get some work done at the same time while RVing?

[Source: The Fun Times Guide]

Check Out This Minnesota Campsite: Bigfoot Resort

 

If you recently purchased a new travel trailer or motor coach at a RV dealership Minnesota, try planning your inaugural trip to a campsite within the state. Visiting Bigfoot Resort in Alexandria gives you a chance to make the most of a short weekend. There’s no need to drive out of state for a fun beach vacation. This full service RV park and camp ground has sites available just off of the shoreline of picturesque Lake Mary. Over 1000 feet of private shore is available to visitors and residents of this camp ground.

Plenty Of Space For The Largest RVs

While this camp ground has cabins and tent camping sites available, RV owners will want to pull into on of the many sites on the property with full electrical and water hook ups. The RV park section is home to quite a few seasonal residents, but there are dozens of spaces available for guests who can only stay for one or two nights. You and your family will make new friendships that could last for years of summer time visits.

All The Amenities

Bigfoot Resort has many more amenities than other RV-friendly parks in Minnesota. This is largely due to their seasonal visitors. A 24 hour laundry center is within just a short walk from your RV camp site, as well as an attached game room. You can also get some exercise during a game of basketball on the paved court. If you would like to host a family reunion or a gathering of your favorite RV driving friends, the meeting room with a full kitchen is the perfect solution. Two pools and the shore of Lake Mary give you plenty of options for safe swimming.

The park office is also well-equipped to help you make the most of your visit. Guests can pick up fishing licenses, bait and souvenirs. Many guests never leave the park because it is full of fun attractions that are free to use. Take your kids to the 18 hole mini-golf course, turn them loose at the lakeside playground or play your favorite outdoor games. Badminton, tennis and volley ball courses are all available. Paved bike paths are complemented by free bike rentals from the office store. Guests can also rent a full-sized pontoon boat for a small fee, or take out the paddle boats for free.

Fishing Frenzy

One of the biggest reasons visitors flock to Lake Mary throughout the year is fishing. You can catch Sunfish, Walleye, Crappie and Bass from the Bigfoot Resort docks. Visit again in the winter to experienced ice fishing while retreating to the warmth and comfort of your RV each night. Look for a model at the RV dealership Minneapolis that can handle winter temperatures if you plan to make ice fishing an annual habit.

Five Tips For Staying Organized This Summer

If you are looking for things to help organize pre-owned RVs Minneapolis Minnesota has an RV dealership with items to help you with this task, as does an RV dealership Canada. These are just a few tips, but with a little imagination, you can come up with more for your personal situation, especially if you have a smaller RV.

Keeping organized helps keep the RV from getting messy, and keeping a small space neat, especially if you have children, can be a full time job. Turn it into a part time job with these tips on staying organized.

Tip #1: Use a cooler and ice for drinks if you are staying in one place for a few days. This saves room in the refrigerator so you can pack it with enough food so that you won’t have to go to the grocery store every day. Plus, the ice keeps drinks — water, soda, beer — much colder than the refrigerator. This also keeps the kids out of the fridge and conserves energy. This is especially helpful if your refrigerator is running on gas.

RV Dealerships carry all kinds of parts and accessories to help organize your summer trips. Photo Credit: Pleasureland RV
Tip #2: Install under-the-table drawers. You can find these at most RV dealerships in the parts store. They are thin and are great for storing pens, crayons, kitchen gadgets and just about anything else that is small and likely to get lost.

Tip #3: Get wall bins to hold magazines, television clickers and other items that you may want to use every day, but don’t want laying around the RV. They can also hold mail, important documents and small items to keep the RV organized.

Tip #4: If you run out of space to store clothing and don’t want to keep pulling out suitcases, use hanging hammock nets under the overhead cabinets to store clothing, extra pillows and blankets.

Tip #5: To save space in the bathroom, use a tall, covered toilet paper roll holder to hold extra toilet paper. This will save space in the bathroom cabinets for other stuff that should not be left out.

iExit App Takes the Guessing Out of Pit Stops for Minnesota RVers

Hey Minnesota RVers , I have the latest must-have iPhone and iPad app. It’s called iExit and to put it plainly, it takes all of the guessing out of those pit stops we take while on the road.

The iExit app tells you what’s coming up at each exit in real time. Are you craving a certain fast food or chain restaurant for dinner? iExit will let you know which exits will have it and even give you the option to call ahead and make reservations. Select the Deals tab and you can see which upcoming exits have chains currently running promotions. I wasn’t kidding when I said this was a must-have, was I?

Not quite ready to make a stop? No problem. You can search up to 100 exits ahead of your current destination and even in different states. Not looking for a meal? No problem. iExit is unique because it tells you everything from gas stations to shopping opportunities exit by exit. Here’s the full list of searchable categories:

Searchable Categories

  • Unleaded Gas
  • Diesel Gas
  • Biofuel
  • Fast Food
  • Sit Down Food
  • Coffee
  • Ice Cream
  • Chain Hotels
  • Independent Hotels
  • Auto Services
  • Trucker Services
  • Campgrounds
  • Shopping

Unlike other road trip apps, this one is especially tailored the RV community, in my opinion. Why? Because campgrounds, diesel or alternative fuel stations, weigh scales, and rest areas are all included in your search results. For $.99, what more could you ask for? I’d even be willing to pay five dollars for this handy little app. Give her a try and let us know what you think!

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]

The Ten Essentials for the Minnesota RV Hiker

There isn’t much about hiking that has changed in the last few decades (besides new technology like portal GPS systems) which is why I still refer to a list created in the 1930s by a hiking, climbing, and conservation organization called the Mountaineers. This Seattle-based group came up with a list of the top 10 essentials that every hiker should carry.

Some of you may think that this list may be a little excessive, but you honestly never know what will happen when you venture out away from parked RV. And isn’t it better to be over prepared than under? Yes, I thought you agree. So here it is, Minnesota . The top ten things you’ll should take on all hiking excursions.

Map. A map not only tells you where you are and how far you have to go, it can help you find campsites, water, and an emergency exit route in case of an accident.

Compass. A compass can help you find your way through unfamiliar terrain—especially in bad weather where you can’t see the landmarks.

Available online and in-stores from Pleasureland RV

First aid kit. Prepackaged first aid kits for hikers are available at outfitters. Double your effectiveness with knowledge: Take a basic first aid class with the American Red Cross or a Wilderness First Aid class, offered by many hiking organizations. Pleasureland RV has the perfect, functional assortment of 40 first aid items packed in a water-tight, reusable container that you can purchase online for less than $20.

Water and a way to purify it. Without enough water, your body’s muscles and organs simply can’t perform as well: You’ll be susceptible to hypothermia and altitude sickness. not to mention the abject misery of raging thirst.

Extra Food. Any number of things could keep you out longer than expected: a lengthy detour, getting lost, an injury, difficult terrain. A few ounces of extra food will help keep up energy and morale.

Rain Gear and extra clothing. Because the weatherman is not always right. Especially above treeline, bring along extra layers. Two rules: Avoid cotton (it keeps moisture close to your skin), and always carry a hat.

Available at the Pleasureland Online RV Parts Store!

 

Firestarter and matches. The warmth of a fire and a hot drink can help prevent an encounter with hypothermia. And fires are a great way to signal for help if you get lost.

Army knife or multi-purpose tool. These enable you to cut strips of cloth into bandages, remove splinters, fix broken eyeglasses, and perform a whole host of repairs on malfunctioning gear—not to mention cut cheese and open cans.

Flashlight and extra bulbs. For finding your way in the dark and signaling for help.

Sun screen and sun glasses. Especially above treeline when there is a skin-scorching combination of sun and snow, you’ll need sunglasses to prevent snowblindness, and sunscreen to prevent sunburn

If you’re ready to start working on your 10 essentials pack, head to one of Pleausureland RV’s four locations or visit our online store to get everything you need. Happy hiking, Minnesota RVers!

[Source: GORP]

Know How to Properly Cross Rivers and Streams

Are you planning to do any hiking during this RV season? If so, there are several things you need to be aware of including the dangers of crossing rivers or lakes. Even though water may look still, it could have strong currents. You also never know when shallow waters could drop off.

If you find yourself needing or wanting to cross a stream or river, be sure to remember the following:

  • If you can avoid river wading and especially swimming then do so! If there is a bridge one mile along the river then detour and take the bridge. Safety always comes first!
  • In general, you should try to remain calm when anything happens to you and you end up in the water. Frantic swimming will get you tired quickly. Try to remain calm and float as you assess your situation and try to come up with a solution.
  • Should you be swept away when crossing a river and the river is filled with obstacles like rocks and logs, the safest position is to float on your back with your legs in front of you to absorb any bumps while using your arms to push away obstacles and steer.
  • Should a teammate fall into the water, try using rope or sticks and make an effort to get him/her back to shore. Keep the rope flexible and do not tie it to a tree or other obstacle. A strong current might drag the victim under with no slack to submerge again.

Hiking is a wonderful part of the RV lifestyle, but it an easily go wrong. This is why it’s important to know your surroundings and how to handle potential dangerous situations. Stick around for the top 10 things you need to carry on all of your hiking trips! Happy camping, Minnesota RVers!

[Source: The ABCs of Hiking]

Deciding Between a Diesel or Gasoline Motorhome Engine Part II

One of the great things about RVs is the fact that we have choices. A lot of them. If you’ve already decided on a Class A Motorhome , you’ll now have to decide on the type of engine. Should you go with diesel or gasoline? There really isn’t a right or wrong choice. It all depends on your needs.

Recently, we talked about the advantages and disadvantages of buying a gasoline-powered RV engine. Now let’s look at the PROs and CONs of a diesel-powered RV engine.

PROs:

Fuel Efficiency. This is the biggest selling factor for most people. Diesel engines provide about 15% more mileage per gallon, about 15% more.

Torque Power. If you’re planning on toting a toad or dinghy around on your RV trips, then a diesel may be the right choice for you. These engines pack a lot in the torque department.

Maintenance. A diesel engine is more cost efficient in terms of maintenance and repair.

CONs

Horsepower. Though you’ll have more torque with a diesel engine, you’ll be lacking in the horsepower department.
Cold Weather Conditions. If you’re planning to do a lot of winter travel in Minnesota, you may have to invest in a block heater or buy one with that option. Diesel engines can be tough to start in temperatures below 40 degrees.
Fuel Prices. You may find yourself spending more at the pump to fill up a diesel engine, but overtime you’ll save more. It just may take awhile to see the savings.

Now that we’ve examined both options, hopefully we’ve made your decision easier. If you’re still unsure, you can always swing by one of Pleasureland RV’s four Minnesota RV dealerships or give us a call.

[Source: TruckTrend.com]

Deciding Between a Diesel or Gasoline Motorhome Engine Part I

Now that you’ve already decided on a Class A Motorhome , you’ll need to decide on what type of engine you’d like to have – diesel or gasoline? As with all things, there are pros and cons to both. But that’s why Pleasureland RV is here! Let’s start by looking at the more familiar first – the gasoline motorhome engine.

PROs:

Upfront Cost. The gasoline engine is cheaper to purchase upfront and upgrading is cheaper as well.

Engine Noise. The gasoline engine is quieter than its diesel counterpart has less vibration.

Cold Weather Camping. If you camp often in the winter months, a gasoline engine gives a small advantage. The diesel engine struggles to start in extremely cold weather; however, your gas engine will start easier in these conditions. You can probably go without a block heater unless you are camping in North Dakota in February.

CONs:

Long-term Cost. However, the cost of maintenance for the life of the gas engine is a actually a slight disadvantage in comparison the diesel engine.

Fuel Economy. You’re looking at less MPG with a gasoline engine since a gas engine burns fuel faster.

Long Term Maintenance. The gasoline engine has been known to have a shorter life than the diesel engine and replacing parts like the head gasket and cylinder work on gasoline engines happen more often.

Towing Weight. The gasoline engine does not have as much torque so the GW on towing will be lower in gasoline engines.

So what do you think, Minnesota? You may want to stick around and hear about the PROs and CONs of diesel engines next. As always, you can swing by one of Pleasureland RV’s four Minnesota RV dealerships or give us a call.

[Source: TruckTrend.com]

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Tote Your Outdoor Toys Around in a New Toy Hauler

Do you love outdoor toys like ATVs? Then you should really consider upgrading to a toy hauler RV! ATVs are a great addition to any camping trip, but they can be a bit of pain to tow behind your vehicle or current RV. A toy hauler, on the other hand, gives you everything you could possibly want in an RV along with a place to store your ATVs.

Pleasureland RV offers two types of toy haulers: a fifth wheel toy hauler and a travel trailer toy hauler . My personal favorite right now is the 2013 Dutchmen Voltage ! This beauty has it all – the full luxuries of a travel trailer with ample garage space to store your outdoor toys.

Click on the image for more information.

The 2013 Dutchmen Voltage is 42 feet long and comes with three slides. Voltage toy haulers offer a flexibility simply not available on any other recreational vehicle. Living areas are laid out for maximum comfort and enjoyment. Kitchens are a pleasure to prepare meals in. Bedrooms offer incredible relaxation and serenity. Click on the images above for more info or swing by one of Pleasureland RV’s four locations to check one out for yourself!

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