Customize Your RV To Fit Your Personality And Comfort Level

Screen Shot 2013-06-03 at 11.26.25 AM An RV is more than just a recreational vehicle to get you to different destinations. It is your car, living space and bedroom combined that you take everywhere you go. Since you sometimes spend a large amount of time inside your RV, you want it to make it into the most comfortable vehicle on the road while showing the world that this RV belongs to you. Here are some ways to personalize your RV.

1) Stellar Paint Job: Break out the airbrush and the stencils as you let your imagination go wild. Personalize your RV with a mural, your company logo or just a unique style by giving it a paint job. You can paint just the back of the RV, the side or the entire vehicle with your creative vision. The great thing about this customization is that if you get bored with the design, just paint over it again.

2) Make Storage Simple: Although RV travel trailers offer all the type of amenities to allow you to cook and sleep in comfort, sometimes storage space can be limited when you are trying to carry all the things to make an RV into a moving home. Simplify your storage problems by utilizing sturdy racks and containers specifically made for an RV. An aluminum laundry rack in the bathroom can can keep towels and other bathroom items secure when driving over bumpy roads. If you have a toy hauler, you can increase storage space by adding sliding rails to the garage ceiling and hanging storage containers.

3) Deck Out Your Space: Personalization should start right inside your RV by making the space into an incredible and gorgeous retreat. Make your RV comfortable by decking out the space with rugs, sofa pillows and chair covers in your favorite color scheme. Add picture frames (use the digital standing frames or hang pictures using those hooks that stick to surfaces versus putting a nail in the wall) and small potted plants around your RV. While lighting from candles can add a nice touch, stick with flameless LED candles that are battery operated to prevent the risk of fire.

Personalizing you RV from the PleasureLand RV Center can be a fun experience for you and the entire family before you go on your road trip. Add just the right touches to show off how much you love your recreational vehicle and how comfortable it is to travel inside as you will want to spend even more hours out on the road. Let your creativity go wild without breaking your budget as your RV will speak about your unique decor style as well as make life easier while traveling in a recreational vehicle.

 

Top RV Destinations in Canada

If you decide to go RVing in Canada this year, be sure to visit at least one of the top camping spots. Before you leave, be sure you have everything you need, including warm and cool weather clothing and your passports.

Stop by PleasureLand RV to pick up any accessories you might need for your trip. You can pick up space-saving accessories, outdoor cooking accessories, chemicals for the black water tank and replacement parts for the RV.

Kluane National Park and Reserve, located in the Yukon Territory, is one of the largest protected areas in the world. The park also features part of Kluane Lake, which is the largest lake in the Territory. Watch the beautiful sunsets on the lake or look west to see the Saint Elias mountain range.

Pacific Rim National Park, located in British Columbia, is another “can’t miss” location. The national park is located on Vancouver Island and features Long Beach and the West Coast Trail. Don’t wait too long, as it is pretty rainy in the Fall, but during the summer, you should be able to get several clear days to go exploring.

Banff National Park, located about an hour and a half from Calgary, is Canada’s oldest national park. It has tons of sights to see, including Lake Louise’s aquamarine water and the Ice Fields Parkway. Because of the mountains and the lake, it is considered one of the best places to take your RV.

Douglas Provincial Park, located in Saskatchewan, features cacti, beaches and tons of fish. This is the perfect place to go for those who want to combine fishing and hiking. Since you can see various landscapes, this is one of the best places to get pictures.

Spruce Woods is a newer park – it was established in 1970. You’ll see sandy dunes and can walk on tons of walking trails. This park also rents yurts if you want to sleep outside of your RV for a change. Additionally, the camping sites are very private.

Before you head out on a long trip, stop by PleasureLand RV to pick up any accessories you need, make sure your RV is in good working order and grab parts, chemicals, RV toilet paper and other items that you may need for this trip.

Image by Carlos Greene via Flickr Creative Commons

Great Books to Read While on the Road

Part of planning for a road trip is making sure your RV is in good working order and packing clothing, groceries and other necessities to take along with you. You should also have a list for non-necessities – things to keep you busy while on the road if you are not driving – and things to do if the weather keeps you stuck inside for a day or two.

On the list of things to do before you leave, include a visit to Pleasure Land RV to have your RV serviced if you haven’t done it yet. On the list of non-necessities, you should have a couple of good books to bring with you while you are on the road. You can either buy a paper version of the books, or if they are available in digital format, download them to your Kindle or Nook. Consider all types of books from romance to historical accounts to travel books.

Kilingiri, by Janna Gray, combines mystery, drama and romance into one novel. It also touches on religion and redemption, loss and gain, and exotic locations.

Sleeping People Lie, by Jae De Wylde is about a young woman from Stamford, England who meets a writer from Boston, Massachusetts and their fixation with each other. But fate deals some nasty blows sometimes – and they face disaster.

Riptide, by Amber Lea Easton, is about an anchorwoman that becomes a lead story – instead of reporting the lead story. The anchorwoman tries to evade the spotlight by staying at her brother’s house in the Cayman Islands.

The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown, is a good read if you haven’t already read this mystery. Paris, the Louvre, murder and a trail of clues left in Da Vinci’s works will keep you spellbound as the miles tick away – as long as you are not the one driving!

Of course, these are just a few suggestions. Don’t forget to grab some reading material before you hit the road!

Making lists so you won’t forget what you need and want on your trip makes getting ready – especially if you are taking a long road trip – less stressful and allows you to enjoy the trip more since you won’t have to worry about learning about something you forgot right when you need it. Stop by Pleasure Land RV to pick up any accessories or to have your RV serviced if needed.

Image by Ben Babcock via Flickr Creative Commons

2014 Winnebago Ultralite 31BHDS Review

At PleasureLand RV, we know how important a quality RV is to your needs.

Today, we’d like to bring you information about the Winnebego Ultralite 31BHDS.

This travel trailer simply connects to your truck to provide you with a home that you can take with you wherever you go. It can hold up to 56 gallons of fresh water and has popout awnings that add area to your home.

This trailer is 35 feet long and features two slides that open up to allow for more space inside. The windows are tinted and frameless to help keep out the bright sunlight, and your 12-volt power awning can be extended and lit with the attached LED lights, so you can have cookouts at night without needing to have additional light sources.

Inside, a seating area is separated from a fitted kitchen that offers an oven, stove top, and counter space for you to work on. The flatscreen TV adds a little class to your living room space, and you can easily watch TV from the sofa or dinner table if you’d prefer. The appliances come in black, and the dark wooden features blend well with light, airy furniture and an open walkway.

If you’re looking for a trailer that works for multiple people, this is the right choice. It has a bunk over a sleeper sofa, two additional bunks, a sleeper sofa in the living room area, and a queen-sized bed behind the entertainment system. For storage, you can access a closet near the back bunks or use the pantry or closet space near the queen-sized bed.

The bathroom offers a toilet, shower, and sink, and you also have a second sink in the kitchen with two basins for rinsing and washing.

Remember to stop by PleasureLandRV, your local RV dealership in Minnesota, if you’d like to check out this unit. We would be happy to discuss the layout and pricing when you call or stop by.

2014 Winnebago Vista

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It’s time to upgrade that old motorhome for something a little more stylish, modern and comfortable. The PleasureLand RV Center has hundreds to choose from both new and used. Today, however, we will enlighten you with one of our newest models; the 2014 Winnebago Vista.

This is more than just a motorhome. This recreational vehicle is top of the line and state-of-the-art in every way and continues to gain popularity being a full-featured Class A coach. There are 6 floor plans to choose from which range in options from U-shaped dinettes, walk-around queen beds and TVs in the middle of the coach. They all offer quality standard features such as roller shades, rearview monitors and electric patio awnings. Most models even include the StudioLoft drop-down bed.

One of the models we have on site at our location in Ramsey, MN, the 35B, features an upgraded interior package which boasts beautiful light wood cabinetry, tons of extra cabinets for storage and spacious counter space. It also includes an exterior entertainment center with TV and DVD player for parties around the campfire or while cooking. There are also several areas you can mount extra TVs inside the motorhome.

If that’s not enough reason to check out this new Winnebago from your RV dealership Minnesota, then here are a few more additions to the list. The bunk beds have their own DVD players with LCD monitors. The windows are double paned, the sleeper sofa is ultraleather and there is an in-dash work station. The dinette table area features their exclusive BenchMark series. Benchmark features an innerspring construction that is found in fine furniture instead of a foam slab. The seats even lift up for easy storage access as opposed to having storage doors or drawers underneath the seats.

The PowerLine energy management system is great for trips where you have too many things going at once. Now, everyone can use what they need without worry of overloading the system. You can run your microwave, air conditioner and more at the same time. PowerLine shuts off any “postponable” appliance and restarts them automatically when the power load is normal.

One of the most interesting features you can have added into your new Class A RV is the StudioLoft. This extra bed space is designed to turn the cab of your coach into a second bedroom. It has a large bed and a curtain that wraps around for privacy. With this addition, you can sleep up to 8 people in this amazing motorhome. The outside of the motorhome is also covered with Valspar Resistovar Conversion Varnish which is formulated to enhance UV protection and has superior scratch, chemical and moisture resistance.

If you’re ready for a change, you won’t find a better place to buy this exceptional Winnebago. Visit us at PleasureLand RV!

Stay Green While In Your RV

Screen Shot 2013-07-01 at 10.47.20 AM One of the greatest experiences when going on an RV trip is to enjoy the majestic scenery and natural wonders of nature across the country. To keep the environment looking so great, RVers know how important it is to go green. From the moment you purchase your RV from your PleasureLand RV Center, you can take the steps to make every RV adventure environmentally-friendly by adopting a green lifestyle.

Switch to LED lights. If you still use incandescent lighting in your RV, it is time to switch over to LED lighting. LED lights use up less electricity as you will drain your battery and generator less.

Install solar panels. Solar energy can allow you to cut back using your generator. If you have the extra money, invest it in solar panels as you’ll have enough energy to operate all of your electronics.

Eat on reusable dinnerware: Cut back on the amount of plastic plates, cups and utensils go into landfills by switching over to reusable dinnerware. China and glass dinnerware can be packed safely in the RV by placing small dishtowels between each item when stacking them together. If you must go with disposable dinnerware, choose paper items over plastic.

Dispose of trash responsibly. Perhaps the easiest way for a camper to adopt green habits is to keep the environment clean. Pick up after yourself and dispose of trash in the proper receptacles at the RV resort. If you are on a primitive camping trip, take the trash with you until you find the best place to dispose of it properly. And remember to recycle your paper, plastic, metal and glass items!

Shop at local produce stands and farmer’s markets. Nothing beats the taste of biting into a fresh piece of fruit or vegetable at a roadside produce stand. This is definitely the green way to go as you can eat healthy, support local farmers, and cut back on buying pre-packaged food that requires you to throw away packaging. You’ll have numerous opportunities to shop at these stands as you’ll also see savings in your wallet at the cheap prices.

Travel with only what you need. It is true that you should pack all the essentials so you are prepared for anything. Yet also keep in mind that the more you pack, the heavier your RV will be as you will burn up more fuel getting to your destination. Travel as light as possible without forgetting the important items. Just remember that not everything is important.

Go green when you are traveling in your RV by adopting environmentally-friendly habits. By taking this advice, you’ll be able to enjoy nature more.

First Aid Kit Checklist

Screen Shot 2013-05-13 at 9.59.58 AM When it comes to safe RV excursions, whether locally or for extended trips, PleasureLand’s inventory of well maintained recreational vehicles along with a selection of quality new vehicles make PleasureLand RV Center the “go-to” place for safety and comfort. While it’s important your transportation is serviced and capable of making a trip, it’s equally important to protect your family with their own first aid checklist.

Kit Preparation

You know the needs of your family, so start with vital items for those with mild allergies to insect stings or for those who have issues with pollen from flowering plants, trees and flowers. For anyone who has extreme allergic reactions to stings from bees, wasps or any other biting insect, check with your doctor before leaving so you’ll have enough medicine and needles for the duration of your vacation in case of an emergency. It’s also a good idea to have a new prescription to take along in case you need to refit the kit.

Basic Items

Band-aids are at the top of the list for blisters on heels and toes after a day of hiking or when someone cuts a finger or gets a splinter that needs removing. Bring along an assortment of band-aids in different sizes to fit most any minor situation. Waterproof band-aids are also a good idea for travelers planning water activities.

Add these items to your “must have” list:

  • Gauze pads and bandages
  • Gauze rolls
  • Adhesive tape
  • Elastic bandages for sprains
  • Clips to hold elastic bandages
  • Alcohol prep pads to clean the area
  • Cotton balls
  • Bottle of alcohol
  • Thermometer
  • Gloves and hand sanitizer
  • Tweezers to remove tiny splinters
  • Scissors
  • Splints

Along with band-aids and basic items, you’ll also need several useful medications along with a guide on how to administer first aid especially if you haven’t taken a first aid course.

  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Hydrocortisone cream
  • Cold and hot packs
  • Eye wash
  • Calamine lotion
  • Poison oak and poison ivy cream
  • Iodine
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Anti diarrheal medication

Pets

Don’t forget to bring an ample supply of your pet’s prescribed medications along with the veterinarian’s name and contact information.

FYI

Keep your personal prescribed medications in a separate, water-proof bag along with over-the-counter medications so everything is in one convenient location. Also, put your doctor’s name, address and emergency contact information in this bag for each person on the trip. Make sure you refill your meds before leaving so you have more than enough in case you encounter any travel bumps along the way.

Make PleasureLand your first stop after putting together your first aid kit and schedule a tune up or service check then ride the highways knowing your family and your RV are a-okay for whatever adventures lie ahead.

Summer Travel in the BC Coast, Jasper and Banff

You’ve taken your rig to Pleasureland RV, and you know it’s ready for the open road. But are you really ready? Do you have your reservations and campgrounds picked? If your summer travel plans include the Jasper/Banff and BC coast areas, you’ll want to plan strategically, because summer is peak season for these areas.

 

Get Reservations Early

When it comes to summer RV travel Canada is difficult to beat. This means that stunning views and relaxing atmospheres await you, but it also means there are numerous other RV enthusiasts joining you on the road. Because of this, particular in popular areas along the BC coast and the Banff/Jasper region, you will want to get reservations early. As soon as you know your dates for travel, start calling campgrounds to find a spot.

 

Traveling Without Reservations

If you have waited too long and will be traveling without reservations, you will want to look for parks that don’t take reservations. Chances are the parks that do will be full. Some campgrounds in Banff and Jasper don’t take reservations, so this might be an option. Be sure to arrive early to find a spot.

For private campgrounds, summer is peak season, so you won’t likely find a spot without a reservation. If you must travel without reservations, try to travel towards the beginning or end of summer, and during the week. Weekends will be the most challenging time to find a spot.

As you pick up your RV from Pleasureland and head out on the road this summer, make sure you have planned well this is a popular area to tour this time of year, so get your reservations in early, and you will have a great time.

Foil Packs: A Simple and Healthy Recipe for Minnesota RVers on the Road

There’s nothing I love more than preparing simple and healthy meals while on the road, besides sharing these great recipes with my fellow Minnesota RV travelers ! What a lot of new RVers and campers don’t realize is how easy what may seem to be a complex meal can be to prepare without using any cookware. I’ve already told you how to use a Ziploc bag to make delicious omelets , and now I’ll share one of my favorite dinner recipes prepared in foil!

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast meat – cubed
  • 2 onions, diced
  • 1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
  • 4 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 4 small potatoes, cubed
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 lemon, juiced

One of the many things I love about this recipe is that you can do most of the preparation at home or beforehand. You can also substitute any one of the ingredients to create your own version of the foil pack.

Once you have all of your supplies, let’s get to easy cooking!

Directions (Recipe Makes 4 Foil Pack)

  1. In a large bowl, or in a large zip-top bag if you are preparing this at home, combine your chicken cubes, onions, mushrooms, yellow and red bell peppers, garlic if you prefer, and cubed potatoes.
  2. Next, pour the olive oil and lemon juice over your meat and veggies, and mix well.
  3. Evenly divide the mixture between 4 large square sheets of aluminum foil. Cover each with an additional sheet of aluminum foil, and roll up all four edges tightly. For safety’s sake, wrap each packet again securely in another sheet of foil to help keep the juices and flavors in as well as to avoid losing any of your ingredients in the cooking process.
  4. Cook the foil packs on the hot coals of your campfire until the chicken is fully cooked through and the potatoes are tender. The entire cook time should take around 40 minutes, give or take the amount and size of your ingredients.

There you go, Minnesotan RVers! A hearty yet healthy, delicious and simple meal prepared on the go. Share your variations and creations with Pleasureland RV! We always love trying to new things!

Should You Switch to Nitrogen in Your Minnesota RV?

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!