The Best Ways to Keep the Water in Your RV From Freezing

11-20-2015-FreezingWater

Similar to brick-and-mortar homes, winters can take a toll on your RV’s plumbing system. Freezing temperatures mean freezing water hoses and compartments. If your RV isn’t already outfitted with holding tank heating devices and insulated water hoses, these easy and inexpensive methods will help you endure cold spells on the road.

Use a Heating Pad

Heating pads come in handy in more ways than one when living the RV lifestyle. Place a heating pad over your RV water pump to keep it warm. Plug the heating pad into the electric supply at your campsite. If a heating pad or electricity is not available, lay a number of towels on top of the water pump to insulate it from the frigid temperatures.

Cover Your Holding Tanks

Frozen holding tanks means you’re left without water, and that just doesn’t cut it when you’re living life on the road. If your holding tank compartments are not already heated, you’ll want to layer your holding tanks with towels or blankets to insulate them from the cold.

Insulate Your Water Hose

Heat tape is a handy item from the hardware store to keep in your RV whenever you’re expecting cooler temperatures. Heat tape is equipped with a heating element that will warm the hose to keep the water flowing freely. Simply plug the heat tape into a standard outlet to activate the heating element. Heat tape also comes equipped with a thermostat, so you can keep an eye on the temperature and ensure your hoses are always warm.

Bring Your RV to PleasureLand

Applying heat tape to your hoses and finding the proper methods to keep your holding tanks warm can be a difficult task. Here at the PleasureLand RV Centers throughout Minnesota, our certified RV technicians are ready to do all of the work for you. Even better, you can rest assured that the professionals have prepared your vehicle for the frigid temperatures you may encounter this winter.

National Sleep Comfort Month: The Best Mattress for Your RV

11-18-2015-SleepConfortMo

November is National Sleep Comfort Month, and that means more to RV travelers than most. Whether you’re cruising in a truck camper or a Class A motorhome, it’s likely the mattress that came with your RV isn’t perfect for you. But you don’t have to endure long nights with little sleep whenever you travel.

The following mattress options will help you create a sleeping experience in your RV that is as good as what you expect at home.

Use a Memory Foam Topper

Turn a thin, uncomfortable mattress into your own memory foam mattress with a memory foam topper. This inexpensive solution to purchasing a pricey and extremely heavy memory foam mattress can be used in just about every RV, ranging from pop-up campers to motorhomes.

Sleep Number RV Premier by Select Comfort

These days, you don’t even have to settle for a foam topper to make your RV mattress more comfortable. A number of major mattress brands are producing special mattresses strictly for RVs. The Sleep Number bed by Select Comfort has now been created in a special RV size. This means you and your partner can fine tune your sleeping experience at the push of a button. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s an ideal one for travelers living full-time life on the road.

DreamAire RV Bed

The DreamAire RV Bed is a unique and ultra comfortable RV sleeping solution that can be purchased for less than $1,000. The DreamAire features two independent air chambers that offer adjustable comfort for each side of the bed. The wireless remote offers 100 comfort settings, so you never have to sacrifice sleep for travel.

Upgrade Your RV at PleasureLand

The PleasureLand RV Center is the No. 1 place to upgrade your RV. Give us a call or stop in and see us to find out how we can improve your RV sleeping experience before you hit the roads for the snowboard season.

How to Pick the Right Campground for Your RV Needs

10-27-2015-PickingAnRVCampground

Choosing the perfect RV campground isn’t as easy as loading an app and picking the closest campground to your destination. Some campgrounds are geared toward families, some are designed for retirees, some are pet-friendly, and the list of differences can go on and on.

If you’re planning on spending any period of time at a campground, it pays to find one that suits your travel needs. This simple guide will help you locate a campground that you’ll never want to leave.

Research From Home

Don’t wait until you hit the road to start finding the perfect campground. Researching from home, where you have reliable internet access, can be much more efficient and effective. Search for campgrounds and RV parks near your destination and take the time to look at each website thoroughly. Use your list of desired amenities and campground features to select a handful of places that best suit your needs.

Get Everyone Involved

Once you’ve located a number of campgrounds that offer the amenities and location you’re desiring, it’s time to consult all of your fellow campers. Letting everyone play a role in the choosing process ensures that no one is surprised or disappointed upon arrival.

Call Ahead

Not all campground websites present their amenities, rules or location properly. When in doubt about any campground features, call the campground to confirm. This can help you avoid serious problems like arriving at the campground with a pet that’s not allowed or pulling in to find the pool out of service. Calling ahead is another way to avoid surprises and guarantee the campground offers everything you’re seeking. It will also help you understand the campground’s exact location, which can be difficult to determine via online maps or GPS.

Choose the Right RV

Choosing the perfect RV is as difficult as choosing the perfect campground. Fortunately, our qualified RV representatives here at the PleasureLand RV Center can make finding your dream RV easy and stress-free.

How to Keep Your Internet Connected in Your RV

10-22-2015-RVInternet

Traveling in an RV means it’s time to minimize and cut back on some of the luxuries of living in a brick-and-mortar home. However, there are plenty of luxuries you don’t have to give up, such as being able to log online whenever you please.

Many travelers assume they won’t have reliable internet access when they hit the road, but it’s easy to establish a hotspot inside your RV, so you never have to lose touch with work or the ones you love.

What Is a Hotspot?

A hotspot is the only way to stay connected to the internet without relying on an RV park, restaurant or other establishment’s unreliable WiFi access. A hotspot can be created from your cellular phone or a specific hotspot device.

How Do I Get One?

Cellular providers Verizon and ATT offer some of the widest coverage across the United States, which means you can enjoy reliable internet access just about anywhere. Travelers can use the PDA.net application to tether a phone to other devices in the room, like laptops or tablets.

Travelers should invest in a data plan of 20 to 30 gigabytes per month for high-speed WiFi access that doesn’t rack up a hefty phone bill. Discuss your hotspot needs with an ATT or Verizon representative before choosing your data plan.

Using Free Public WiFi

Free public WiFi can be extremely useful, because it doesn’t use your allotted monthly data. However, free public WiFi isn’t always as reliable as you need. Boost free public WiFi from campgrounds, RV parks or businesses with a WiFiRanger booster. This device improves the signal of free WiFi spots, so you can enjoy more reliable internet access without using data.

Start Living Life on the Road

Full-time life on the road is one of the most rewarding ways to travel, and having reliable internet access can help you stay in touch with loved ones and make money on the go. Stop in and see us at the PleasureLand RV Center to find your dream RV today.

The 2016 Keystone Residence

10-15-2015-'16KeystoneResidence

The Keystone Residence is the dream vacation home you’ve always wanted — without the budget-breaking cost. The Residence is designed to be your luxurious home away from home, so you can relax in style wherever you choose. Even better than brick-and-mortar homes, this destination trailer can be moved anywhere you please, so your future doesn’t have to be set in stone.

2016 Residence Floorplans

The 2016 Keystone Residence is designed to feel more like a home than an RV, and all 11 of the floorplans prove it. Travelers can choose from floorplans with front kitchens, rear living areas, kitchen islands, master bedroom suites, two master bedrooms, bunk rooms for kids or even one and a half bathrooms. There’s no doubt you’ll find a 2016 Residence floorplan that suits your specific wants and needs.

High-End Residential Features

The 2016 Keystone Residence is loaded with high-end interior and exterior features that are geared toward making you feel at home. Those who purchase the Residence enjoy an 18-cubic-foot residential refrigerator, a water purifier, a glass shower enclosure, a washer/dryer prep space, a microwave, an extra large pantry, an extra large picture window, residential furniture, a king bed with pillow-top mattress, a wallpaper border and a long list of other touches that turn the Residence into a home instead of a recreational vehicle.

A Top-Quality Exterior

The Residence is just as luxurious on the exterior as it is inside. Tinted safety glass windows, a hose carrier bumper, patio awning, rain gutter, detachable hitch, an outdoor activity light and outside speakers turn the exterior of your RV into a comfortable place to hang out at your favorite travel destination.

Start Living the Dream Today

The 2016 Keystone Residence is available right here at the PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota. Log onto our website or stop in and see us to browse our selection of floorplans and purchase your dream vacation home today.

The Tastiest Chili Recipe for National Chili Month

10-13-2015-TastyChilliRecipes

As temperatures start to drop and fall begins to settle in, it’s no wonder that October is National Chili Month. Most seasoned cooks have a go-to chili recipe for this time of year, but sometimes it pays to try something new.

This mouthwatering, award-winning chili recipe is one that takes just a couple of hours to prepare but is guaranteed to wow your friends and family at the campsite.

Award-Winning Classic Chili Recipe

What you’ll need:

  • 1 pound ground venison (or beef/turkey if venison is not available)
  • 1 green pepper (diced)
  • 2 onions (diced)
  • 1 can Rotel or other Mexican-style diced tomatoes
  • 2 cans tomato sauce (8-ounces each)
  • 1 tablespoon jalapeno (finely chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 can kidney beans (14-ounces, drained and rinsed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 can black beans (14-ounces, drained and rinsed)
  • 1 cup water

Toppings:

  • Green onions (chopped)
  • Sour cream
  • Cheddar cheese (shredded)

Cooking instructions:

  1. Cook the ground meat in a dutch oven. Add the onions and peppers before the meat is fully cooked. Saute until the peppers and onions start to soften.
  2. Drain the excess grease from the dutch oven.
  3. Add the tomatoes and seasonings to the dutch oven. Pour in the water and bring the entire mixture to a boil.
  4. Add the kidney beans and black beans to the dutch oven, then cover the entire mixture and let it simmer for 1-2 hours.
  5. Serve the chili while hot with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese and chopped green onions on top.

Start Your Fall Adventures at PleasureLand

Fall is one of the most comfortable times of year to hit the road in your RV. The temperatures are mild, the campgrounds are less crowded and the PleasureLand RV Center is offering unbeatable deals on new and used RVs, parts, accessories and service. Log online or stop in and see us to find out more about our special fall deals.

The Best Minnesota Horseback Riding Trails

10-8-2015-PopularHorsebackTrails

Minnesota is one of the top states in the country for horseback riding. The diverse terrain, massive network of trails and stretches of untouched land make for some of the most scenic trail rides you can find.

The following three riding trails and ranches are some of the best in the Land of 10,000 Lakes for taking in the Minnesota sites on horseback.

Big Valley Ranch — Winona

Big Valley Ranch is a family-friendly place to hop on horseback without owning one. The ranch is nestled into the picturesque Winona bluff country, and offers 165 acres of terrain. Visitors can enjoy everything from riding lessons to long trail rides, day camps and more. The ranch is located on East Burns Valley Road in Winona, so it’s easier for vacationers to find than some other, less-accessible ranches.

Browns Creek State Trail

The 5.9-mile-long Browns Creek State Trail in Washington County opened last October and is the newest addition to Minnesota’s massive trail system. This rail-trail spans from Stillwater to Grant where it meets up with the Gateway State Trail. Riders can access the St. Croix River from an off-road trail or enjoy the smoother paved option. Both lines pass historic sites and breathtaking Minnesota scenery.

River Valley Ranch — Carver

Get on the trails every day you’re in Minnesota at the River Valley Ranch in Carver. The ranch provides stunning 1-hour-long tours of the Minnesota River Valley with group tours available as well. Even better, the ranch is just 25 minutes southwest of the bustling city of Minneapolis. This is the perfect option for novice riders; however, reservations are recommended for all tours, so call the ranch at (952) 361-3361 before your visit.

Stop and See Us at PleasureLand

Don’t forget to stop and see us at the PleasureLand RV Centers when you’re traveling throughout Minnesota. There’s no better place to find the perfect RV or simply some accessories and camping supplies for your fall adventures.

Do-It-Yourself Halloween Decorations for Your RV

10-6-2015-DIYHalloweenDecor

Traveling in an RV doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favorite holiday traditions. In fact, many RV parks and campgrounds have trick-or-treaters and planned festivities for Halloween. Get your RV Halloween-ready with these creative do-it-yourself decoration ideas.

Scary Glowing Eyes

All you need are a few cardboard toilet paper rolls, glow sticks and a pair of scissors to create these cute but spooky glowing eyes. Simply cut different eye shapes into one side of the toilet paper roll, insert a glow stick into each roll and hide them in the bushes or trees outside of your RV.

Halloween Silhouette Lamp Shades

Turn the lamps inside your RV into spooky decorations with a few pieces of construction paper, tape and a pair of scissors. Cut spooky shapes, like ghosts and bats, out of the construction paper and tape them to the inside of your lampshades. Turn all of the other lights off at night, and you’ll enjoy your cost-effective and easy-to-make decorations. If you don’t want to tape anything to your current lampshades, purchase a set of lampshades and glue the decorations to the inside instead.

Ghost Lights for Inside or Out

Forget about buying costly strings of Halloween lights that you’ll only use a few months out of the year. This spooky ghost light garland is easy to make and can be hung inside or out (just bring it inside if it rains).

Purchase a strand or two of white lantern lights and cover them with a light white fabric. Use a rubber band to tighten the fabric around the light, so the bottom of the fabric hangs down. Draw dots for the eyes and mouth on each piece of fabric, and you’ll be amazed at how cute your spooky ghost lights turn out.

Upgrade Your RV at PleasureLand

There’s no better time to find an incredible deal on a new or used RV than right now at the PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota. Stop and see us at one of our many locations before you hit the road this fall.

The Benefits of Renting an RV

9-24-2015-PerksRenting

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 restaurants 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.

The 2016 CrossRoads RV Hampton

9-17-2015-'16CrossroadsHampton

If you think you’ll never be able to afford your dream vacation home, you’ve never looked at the 2016 CrossRoads Hampton. This luxurious destination trailer is ready to be your portable dream home, so you can enjoy a lifestyle you probably thought you couldn’t afford. It’s available in five residential floorplan options, so you can find the one that’s perfect for you and your family’s needs.

The Floorplans

Each Hampton floorplan is designed to be your dream home away from home. Whether you’re interested in a destination trailer with a front bedroom, a rear bedroom, two bathrooms, a rear living area, bunks for kids or guests, two private bedrooms or a front kitchen with bar, there’s a 2016 CrossRoads Hampton to suit your specific travel needs.

Each 2016 Hampton is equipped with a residential kitchen, comfortable living area, entertainment center, private bedroom, spacious bathroom and everything you need to enjoy every moment inside your new RV.

High-End Standard Features

Each CrossRoads Hampton destination trailer is outfitted with the highest end standard features, so you always feel comfortably at home. Hampton owners enjoy stainless steel appliances, an 8-foot floor-to-ceiling height, an HD LED TV, decorative accent lighting, two toned wood fascia, a fireplace, a power ventilation fan, hardwood raised panel cabinet doors, an armoire, a faucet with pull-out sprayer, decorative window treatments and countless other touches that make this travel trailer feel more like a high-end home than an RV.

The exterior of the Hampton is just as luxurious as the interior with tinted glass windows, a patio awning, an outdoor shower, exterior speakers, a detachable hitch, one-piece radius rubber roof, rain gutters, electric slides and a long list of other features that make this one of the most comfortable and reliable travel trailers in the industry.

Start Your New Travel Lifestyle Today

The 2016 CrossRoads Hampton proves that your dream vacation home is not out of your budget. Tow this unbeatable destination trailer away from our PleasureLand RV Center lot for an unbelievably low price today.