The summer of 2013 is behind us and along with it, the warm temperatures. While there are many who bemoan the passing of summer, there are some really great reasons to enjoy RVing in the fall.
At Pleasureland RV, your Minnesota RV dealership, we thought it would be timely to remind you of 10 great reasons to love the autumn in your RV.
The amazing fall colors. Probably at the top of everyone’s list, the changing trees and brilliant colors are truly a wonder to behold. Living where we do, it is easy to forget that some people from the south make trips up north each autumn just to bask in the colors. RV’ing gives us a front row seat.
Campgrounds are less crowded. For those that enjoy a bit of solitude when RV’ing the fall is an amazing time. The whole feel of the season is more laid back, quieter, and at a slower pace. Fall gives us a great time to sit back and relax.
Cooler temperatures. This time of year it is possible to sleep with the windows open and turn off the A/C. The air somehow seems cleaner and fresher.
There is less traffic. The fall means fewer cars on the roadways and less traffic jams. This makes travel more enjoyable and less stressful.
Lower gas prices. Generally the end of summer leads to lower fuel costs. This can help the travel budget and may even lead to longer excursions.
Less chance of thunderstorms. Once the heat of summer dissipates, the chances for severe thunderstorms seem to dissipate as well. This can make for quieter, and safer RV trips.
New RV models are out. Fall is a great time for RV’ers because the new models are out, and even in you are not in the market for a new RV, it is fun to take a walk-through of the new models.
New fall recipes. A change of seasons brings about a change in the foods we eat. Seasonal foods like pumpkin, squash and apples play a bigger part in our diets and we seem to move from barbecues to casseroles.
Football. For those who like college and pro football, “tailgating” in our RV’s while watching the games is hard to beat.
A sense of gratitude. In the hustle and bustle of the summer, we can sometimes forget to be grateful. In the fall, we sense our days in the out of doors are limited for the year and we seem to be thankful.
Enjoy your RV this fall. PleasureLand RV Center invites you to visit us to see the 2014 models and to get your RV ready for the winter.
We all love vacationing. Some of us have dreamed about a different sort of vacation where you wouldn’t have to worry about flights to catch or lost baggage. How about a trip where you can cut your expenses nearly in half after adding up flight, hotel, rental car and the cost of eating out? Sounds too good to be true doesn’t it? If this sounds like a great idea to you, check out renting an RV from us at PleasureLand RV Center.
Renting an RV might sound like a huge, expensive and daunting undertaking. It’s actually quite affordable and if you get an RV rental through us, you will only receive the current model year RVs and mileage is included to most of the popular destinations. There are never any hidden fees! You always know what you’re paying for.
RV rentals near Minneapolis, Minnesota are available for pickup or delivery in a number of cities including Brainerd, Willmar and St. Cloud. Recreational vehicles are the perfect way to experience family trips, reunions, national parks, NASCAR races and lots, lots more! The reasons to rent an RV are endless and are the same reasons you would take any other trip! Rest and relax on your own time with no schedules or rules. You can explore places you’ve always wanted to visit while being with the people you care about.
Now to the good stuff. What kinds of RVs can you rent through us? The answer is simple. What do you need? We have an RV for any type of vacation. We have Class A and C motorhomes for rent. But if you need something you can hitch up and go, we have several travel trailer and fold down options as well as fish houses.
Class A motorhomes start at $2,250 a week and sleep 4. Our Class C motorhomes sleep 6 and start around $1,595 for the week. Our smallest travel trailers which sleep 3 people have a weekly rental of $549 whereas our largest travel trailer sleeps 10 and has a weekly rental of $1,250. Whatever floorplan or arrangement you need, you are sure to find it at PleasureLand RV Center.
In case you need more than just the RV, we also have other convenience packages available. Never get lost again with our GPS Navigation system. At only $9.50 a day, feel confident in your RV driving or find directions to nearby lodging or attractions. We have a huge range of other options you can enjoy on your trip as well including bike racks, outdoor carpets, portable generators, a kitchen kit and even a delivery bundle where we will do all the work for you. For more information, visit #Rentals.aspx. Remember to visit us at PleasureLand RV Center for all of your RV rentals.
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.
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.
Need a summer vacation idea? Try camping in your RV! Camping is great way to see the country, gain experience andexercise. There are dozens of campgrounds throughout Minnesota. However, only few have been ranked the top spots according to tripleblaze.com. Here are the top five based on average rating and number of reviews.
The first on their list is Flour Lake Campground. It is nestled on the quiet shore of 352 acres on the lake of the same name. The area is home to a variety of wildlife including moose, beavers, ducks, bald eagles and bears. There are sites for tent only camping as well as a place to park your RV. The RV campsites range in size from 30 feet to 73 feet for extra space. All are back-in only. This campground is pet friendly and is great for fishing and hiking alike.
The second on their list is Stony Point. This breathtaking campground is settled on the banks of Leech Lake in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest. Leech Lake is the third largest lake in the state of Minnesota and home of trophy-sized perch, bass and northern pike. It is also a great area for canoeing or boating.
Fall Lake makes number three for them. This campground is located within the Superior National Forest close to the United States and Canada border. The forest spans 150 miles and is comprised of 3 million acres. With hiking, swimming and fishing, there is much to do at this family-friendly campsite. There are several local events happening nearby including City of Ely’s July 4th fireworks, the Blueberry Festival which happens the last weekend in July, and the Harvest Moon festival.
Leech Lake Rec area made it to the number four spot. This area encompasses 14 natural lakes with over 300 miles of shoreline. They have numerous scenic hiking trails as well as boating and canoeing amenities. Dozens of wooded campsites are yours to choose from here at this spectacular site.
Finally, the Itasca State Park finishes the list of top five. This is the oldest State Park in Minnesota. It is over 32,000 acres and holds more than 100 lakes. There are over 200 drive-in sites for your RV in two separate campgrounds. The park has nearly 50 miles of hiking trails and 16 miles of paved bike trails. They also offer rentals for all of your sport needs.
So pack up your campers and head out for a fun-filled summer vacation. If you have time, visit two or three! There are many beautifully kept campgrounds near the northeast border of the state. And remember to come by Pleasureland RV for all your recreational vehicle needs.
At Pleasureland RV, we want to make sure you know about all the best places to visit on your travels. That’s why we’re bringing you this information about Wildwood Beach Resort in Hackensack, Minnesota. This charming resort is just the place to take your new RV and relax.
Established in the 1930s, this resort has stood the test of time. There was plenty of space available by this beautiful lake and wooden region, making it the ideal sport for camping and relaxing. Located on Man Lake, the resort is surrounded by nature, and it is the perfect place for families.
Man Lake has deep, spring-fed water. It borders the Chippewa National Forest, and it provides fishing boat access to the McKeown Lake and Baby Lake. Man Lake has no public access, and it isn’t heavily populated. That means you can enjoy the peace and serenity that exists in this elegant and exquisite location.
The Wildwood Beach Resort has been under new ownership since 1991, and it is an affordable location that many vacationers enjoy visiting. There are seven available lakeside cabins, and RVers can enjoy one of 14 seasonal RV sites that are placed in the woods. This allows you to come and go as you please, unlike the cabins.
This charming location provides access to boats, motors, pontoons, canoes, kayaks, horseshoes, a swim raft, a large playground for the kids, basketball courts, and individual campground fire pits, so you can have a real cookout dinner whenever you please.
This campground is peaceful, and no excessive alcohol use or parties are allowed. This maintains the calm atmosphere for all the guests. The kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats are free to use, and there is even high spped internet available in teh lodge. Better yet, you can even bring your furry friend for a little extra deposit, which makes sure your entire family can enjoy the stay in nature.
So, if you’re looking for a peaceful place to call your own for a few days or a few weeks, check out Wildwood Beach Resort for a break from the usual.
At Pleasureland RV we want to make sure you can make the most out of your Minnesota RV experiences. Today, we want to supply you with a quick RV recipe that will make your mouth water while you’re on the road.
When you travel in a RV, you have the opportunity to try new foods, local cuisine, and to stop at markets. Because of this, you’ll be able to have plenty of fresh, interesting flavors to try.
Breakfast burritos are one of our favorites. All you need is the range top in your RV to make this delicious meal.
First, you’re going to need these ingredients:
ground meat or sausage
1 dozen eggs
1 12-ounce jar of salsa
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup bell pepper (green)
1/4 cup red or yellow peppers
2 dozen flour tortillas, and 10 inch are the best
1 16-ounce bag of shredded cheese. We suggest colby, but cheddar or swiss also works.
You’ll need to use the oven on a medium- to medium-high temperature, so make sure any children are away from the hot surface. Now, you will want to cook the sausage first until it is half cooked. At that point, add the onion and peppers and continue to fry them all together. After that, whip the eggs, and once your onions look clear, stir in the eggs and make sure to mix everything together frequently.
When the mix starts to look stiff, add your salsa and cheese. Now, you can cook the tortillas in the microwave. Follow the directions on the pack or cook them for approximately one to three minutes.
Now, you’re finished! When everything is cooked, just add your filler to the tortilla and enjoy your breakfast.
If you need to do any substitutes, it’s simple. You don’t have to add salt or pepper, since this is only for flavoring, so if you like something a little more mild, try mixing just green peppers or adding tomato instead. This quick tip can save some people quite a bit of indigestion!
Chances are, any time you’re on the road with your new or used Minnesota RV, there’s a flea market nearby. What’s your favorite treasure? From collectible Scooby-Doo lunch buckets to velvet Elvis paintings, America’s flea markets have it all.
Kathy Johnson, who owns Pieces of the Past in Johnson City, Texas, is a flea market pro. She travels to flea markets all across the south in search of the perfect architectural antiques for her clients. “I tell people that the best way to plan your flea market road trip is to get that RV up and running,” says Kathy. “It’ll give you more room to carry your treasures! It’ll also give you a place to go when you’re tired, confused, hungry, or annoyed at the “sold” sign on that special something you wanted.”
Where will you begin your flea market adventure? The Travel Channel put together a list of what it considers the world’s best. The most intriguing one for those of us traveling in our Minnesota motorhomes is likely the 127 Corridor, which runs from Gadsden, Alabama all the way to Jamestown, Tennessee. For three weeks every August, more than 2,000 vendors line the road and welcome the adventurous shoppers.
The Hamel Lions Flea Market, here in Minnesota, is just west of Minneapolis and tops the CBS list of best flea markets. Check out the other listings for even more flea markets here in Minnesota, or visit American Fleas to start planning your ultimate flea market road trip. While almost any flea market can help you add to your favorite collections, some also offer some great foods and local music while you shop. Let us know if you find a good one!
What’s your favorite flea market? What your best flea market find?
Driving in inclement weather is bad enough in an average passenger vehicle, but doing it in an RV? Awful. Especially if you don’t know what you are doing. The most common weather you’ll probably drive through in your RV is rain, and there’s nothing worse than flipping on your windshield wipers and realizing it’s only making it worse. If you’ve been on the road for awhile and haven’t been able to clean the bugs off your windshield, you can bet your visibility will decrease even more.
Many things contribute to the deterioration of your RV‘s wiper blades including the sun, oil from other vehicles and the random dirt and other debris carried by the wind. When blades start to deteriorate, they may start to streak, skip or split.
Skipping: This is caused by a curvature due to lack of use. If your RV has been parked for a long period of time, your wipers may have molded to the curvature of your RV’s windshield. This curvature will mess up the contact the wipers have with the rest of the windshield’s surface as it moves causing the blades to skip.
Streaking: When your wiper blades harden and crack, the result is streaking. Usually this is due to dry rubber, but tree sap, bugs and grime from the road also contribute to this issue.
Splitting: Over time, your blades will naturally wear down and split. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays will also contribute to split rubber.
Seeing how our RVs spend a lot of time on the road, their wiper blades are prone to wearing out quicker than those on our cars. There are few simple things you can do to help prevent this, though. First and foremost, you should add checking your blades to your regular maintenance list. Look for broken frames, tears and missing pieces and curvature. It’s also good idea to clean your windshield often and wipe the rubber part of the blades with a damp paper towel. During the winter months, pull the blades away from the windshield and never use them to try to get ice off of your windshield.
As a general rule of thumb, wiper blades should be replaced once a year. This can very a little bit depending on the amount of usage, and as I mentioned earlier, RV wiper blades will probably wear out quicker. So be sure to always inspect your blades before heading out. If you need any help inspecting your blades or installing new ones, you can always give Pleasureland RV a call or swing by one of our locations in Minnesota.
I ran into a friend of mine who purchased his first RV, a 2002 Forest River Georgetown, at the beginning of the summer. I hadn’t seen him since he made the purchase, and I was dying to know how his first few RV trips had gone. Come to find out… he hadn’t taken his new RV out once! I couldn’t believe it! When I asked him why, he was a little bit reluctant to tell me, but I finally got it out of him. He didn’t know how to back-up and park the RV. At first, I was shocked that this had kept him from using his beautiful, new home-away-from-home. But the more I thought about it, I realized that he was probably not alone with this fear.
If you’re a first-time RV owner, getting out on the road can seem a little scary. After all, RVs drive a lot differently than your average four-door sedan. Whether it’s a motorhome, fifth wheel or travel trailer, there are several things you should know about backing up and parking. I found seven excellent and helpful tips from the Fun Times Guide that I shared with him and would now like to share with you.
7 Tips For Parking & Backing Up RVs
#1 Stop right where you are, when you reach the point where you no longer have clear vision of where you want to go. Never attempt to move into tight quarters, if you can’t see all possible hazards. That is, unless you have someone positioned where they can see the obstructions and they can warn you. Your assistant must be positioned so they can see both you and the possible dangerous situation
#2 Avoid places that are impossible to get into, or nearly so. Don’t blindly pull into an unfamiliar driveway, dead end street, or parking lot that doesn’t have a second exit.
When you pull into shopping areas, stay out near the perimeter and chose your parking spot so that you can simply pull ahead to leave. Don’t go down the aisles of parked cars — because you’re likely to be making a sharp corner in a confined spot, when you get to the end of the aisle.
#3 Learn to rely on your mirrors. An RV isn’t like the family sedan. Looking over your right shoulder and down through the center of your motorhome or tow vehicle to back up won’t work. You have to rely on the image in your side mirrors.
Straight vehicles, without trailers, are pretty easy to back up — because a properly adjusted mirror should give you a view of the side all the way back to the rear bumper. As long as you can see daylight between your RV and the obstruction, you’re good.
#4 Set up temporary parking & driving patterns, using safety cones or milk jugs. Head out to a closed supermarket parking lot and set up your cones like a driveway or camping spot. Practice backing into those spots until you can do it without hitting any cones.
#5 Practice blind side parking. If your luck is like mine, more often than not you’ll end up backing into a campsite from the blind side with your trailer.
The blind side is the right (passenger) side of your vehicle. It’s known as the blind side because at some point, as you’re turning, your tow vehicle will no longer be in a straight line with your trailer. You will no longer be able to see what’s happening on at least one side of your RV. This is where an outside helper is essential to keep you posted on your progress.
A trick I’ve used to increase my range of vision when backing around corners is to readjust my side mirrors at a different angle as I start making my turn. Most motorhomes, and many trucks, have electrically adjustable mirrors that you can control with a switch from the driver’s seat. Adjusting the mirrors, as you proceed through the corner, will give you a clear view most of the way.
#6 Never rely on rear vision cameras, because they’re pointed down toward the ground behind you and don’t give you a broad enough picture. There are overhead obstacles to be concerned about too. Low-hanging branches, building overhangs, even sagging power lines can hook your RV. By far the best way to back into a tight spot is to have a person (or even 2) outside watching all the angles. Maneuver with your windows down, and instruct your helper to talk loud enough so you can clearly hear them. A set of inexpensive walkie talkies can be very handy for just this purpose.
#7 Use extreme caution when backing a motorhome with a tow vehicle attached. In fact, backing up with a toad (car) on a tow bar more than a foot or so is impossible. Since the steering axle of the car being towed is free to track wherever it wants, as soon as you start backwards it will immediately turn the wheels, causing extreme pressure to be applied to the front end components of your vehicle in tow.
Damage can occur, because you will be skidding the car sideways, with the front wheels turned all the way to the stops. If you need to back up when towing a car, just unhook the car first. After you’re situated where you can go forward again, re-hook the tow bar. It’s the only safe way to do it.
Something else that can seem tricky at first is backing into a camping spot (especially if the two spots next to you are both occupied). There is a little trick, though, that some of us RV vets use called The Scoop. Once you nail this technique down, you’ll be pulling into camp spots like a pro. Check out this little illustration video showing exactly how it’s done. If you need any help at all with anything RV-related, don’t hesitate to give us a call or swing by.
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.
