February 20th, 2018 -
When you’re traveling in your RV on the open road, you’re subject to plenty of freedom and independence. That independence means that you need to be able to handle problems yourself, if they arise. It’s part of the territory. To that end, there are certain tools that are pretty much required for RV travel. You may never need them, but you could be really sorry one day if you don’t have them aboard.
Tire Gauge
This one’s going to get used frequently. A tire gauge allows you to monitor the air pressure of your tires and to keep them at optimal levels as you travel. Properly inflated tires are more resilient, last longer, and will provide you with better fuel economy, which an RVer can appreciate.
Axe
A quality axe provides a multitude of useful functions around any RV site or campground. From cutting up wood for a fire to clearing debris, an axe is never dead weight. Consider packing it or a hatchet when you go out hiking. If you get lost somehow, it’s among the most useful items you can have.
Multi-bit Screwdriver
Instead of owning a dozen screwdrivers, invest instead in a multi-bit version. The various heads all magnetically snap into the handle and give you all the utility of a drawer full of lesser screwdrivers. No matter what kind of screw you encounter, a multi-bit has got you covered.
Channel Lock Pliers
Channel lock pliers will serve as your go-to tool for all things plumbing-related. From tightening a water hose to turning on a spigot that’s missing a handle, they’ll serve you well any time you need to really tighten something or need a makeshift handle.
Needle Nose Pliers
The pliers to use when something requires a bit more finesse. Needle nose pliers can fit into tight spaces and give you fine control over something too small for your hands to properly manipulate.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
If you’re interested in starting the RV lifestyle, come see us at PleasureLand RV Center. Our wide inventory of RVs and motorhomes is sure to have just the right model for your needs. If you have any questions on driving an RV, we’d be glad to help!
July 17th, 2013 -
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!
July 3rd, 2013 -
Summer heat is upon us and what better way to cool off than by visiting PleasureLand and taking a look at the new and used inventory. With an RV, travel trailer or pop up camper, traveling to one of Minnesota’s outstanding areas like Itasca State Park is a breeze. With your recreational vehicle packed, enjoy nature, over 100 lakes and all the park’s amenities in complete comfort.
Itasca State Park
Itasca has the distinction of being the oldest state park in Minnesota. The 32,000 acre park was created in 1891 and continues to be a popular location for camping, hiking, fishing and interesting historical areas. Visit the Mississippi Headwaters Center, Itasca Indian Cemetery and Wegmann’s Cabin or explore the Wilderness Sanctuary, a designated National Natural Landmark.
Events
The park has scheduled events throughout the summer including fishing, hiking, wildlife education and boat building for kids, the Animal Sounds Evening Stroll, Old Timers Cabin Tour, Music Under the Pines and the 7th Annual North Country Hiking Fest, just to name a few. There’s something of interest for everyone of all ages at Itasca State Park.
Hiking
If hiking is your favorite past time, Itasca will keep your feet busy. With 49 miles of hiking trails through beautiful flora and fauna, your eyes will have a continual feast of nature at its best whether you walk or bring a bike in your toy hauler to explore the 6 miles of off-road paved trail. For a leisurely stroll, the self-guided 3.25 miles of trail include the Landmark, Blowdown and Forestry Demonstration Trail along with the Doctor Roberts and Headwaters Trails ending at the Old Timer’s Cabin. The park also has a scenic wheelchair accessible boardwalk with stunning views of delicate orchids during the spring and summer months.
If you’re already planning ahead for a winter romp in the snow, pack up your RV for snowshoe excursions on several designated trails and roads, snowmobiling along 31 miles of trails circling the park or tackling 28 miles of easy to difficult trails for classic, skate or cross country skiing.
Camping
Itasca has two campgrounds; one with 223 drive-in sites, the other with 160 electric sites. RV sites allow 60-feet from the front of the RV to the rear of any towed vehicle. While camping, picnicking by the lake or a picnic shelter, swimming, volleyball and a children’s playground are easily accessible.
Don’t wait another minute to get your RV vacation plans fine-tuned, just like your RV. If you’re looking to purchase your first RV or travel trailer or need your current recreational vehicle serviced for your next adventure, PleasureLand can handle all of your needs from start to finish.
July 1st, 2013 -
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.
June 28th, 2013 -
There’s no better time to plan a mini getaway vacation than during a holiday event when excitement is high and party-style events are usually scheduled throughout the U.S.A.. With the Fourth of July just a couple of weeks away, this is the perfect time to pack up your RV and plan a visit to a local state park or a RV campground overflowing with amenities and holiday festivities.
To help get you on your way, PleasureLand RV has just what you need from new and used recreational vehicles and pop-up campers to RV travel trailers and toy haulers to bring all of your fun items. You name it, they have it in stock. With a large selection of inventory to choose from, you’ll have plenty of options to suit what works for you, your family, your itinerary and your budget.
Planning Your Getaway
With your RV fueled up, the toy hauler packed and ready to go, celebrating the Fourth of July with your mobile room with a view just got easier and a lot more fun. With an RV, it’s easy to plan an extended vacation over the holiday, a weekend getaway or an overnight trip and celebrate the country’s birthday with your own red, white and blue birthday bash.
Plan your trip by making a checklist of things to do in preparation of leaving and check each one off as it’s completed. Include packing your RV’s refrigerator with plenty of traditional goodies like hotdogs and hamburgers, barbeque and chips. Don’t forget the marshmallows for toasting or making s’mores. Be sure to bring a grill and charcoal, assorted condiments and a traditional apple pie for the July 4th celebration.
Choose a park where fireworks displays will be going on along with festive events scheduled for those staying at the park. Find a camping location in the area where you’ll be able to see fireworks from the comfort of your RV across a lake or river. Create your own birthday bash for America by bringing along your own fireworks and sparklers to set off at your camp site. Be sure these items are allowed before setting them off at you’re camping destination. Use caution when setting off any type of fireworks and keep children and pets a safe distance away when lighting.
However you choose to celebrate, before hitting the highways and byways, visit PleasureLand for an upgrade to your current ride or to add to your personal RV inventory. If you aren’t in need of a new or used recreational vehicle but need your current RV serviced, make an appointment with the professional technicians at PleasureLand for a complete check-up and travel with peace of mind.
June 19th, 2013 -
The summer heat is already bearing down upon the entire state of Minnesota. People are trying to find ways to avoid the oppressive humidity that comes with the rising temperatures, as you can head down to your PleasureLand RV Center and purchase the perfect RV so you can take a road trip to a cooler destination. Here are some ideas for you to keep cool in Minnesota.
Go Shopping: The one thing you’ll find in Minnesota that you won’t find anywhere else in the entire country is the The Mall of America, the largest shopping mall in the United States. It has indoor roller coasters, restaurants and stores to keep you cool and busy.
Find Cool, Fun And Educational Activities:With more than 600 museums found in the entire state of Minnesota, you can keep cool while teaching the kids new things. Stop by the Minnesota Children’s Museum or The Walker as you can see great artwork and exhibits.
Get Wet: There are a ton of places to have watery fun here in Minnesota. Go to one of the numerous beaches with your recreational vehicle Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can also head to indoor water parks such as the Depot Water Park in Minneapolis and the Water Park of America in Bloomington, or head to an outdoor one such as Soak City located at Valleyfair.
Take In A Movie: While watching movies in your RV is great when you are traveling to a certain destination, sometimes you want to just get out and see the latest flick in a nice cool movie theater. With all the great movies that are coming out this summer, you are sure to find one playing at a movie theater here in Minnesota. If you want to combine movies and activities into one, catch a flick on the IMAX screen at the Minnesota Zoo and then enjoy the air-conditioned areas as you watch penguins playing or see the fun sights at Discovery Bay.
Camping Awaits: The one thing all RV travelers can agree on: it is much cooler at the forests and lakes than it is in the city. So pack those bags, rev up the RV, and head out to your favorite RV resort or campground. There are dozens to choose from such as Kiesler’s Campground and RV Resort or the Grand Marais Recreation Area. Choose your campground based on the type of camping and amenities you prefer.
As the heat beams down from the summer sky, the temperatures and humidity can make the outdoors feel uncomfortably hot. You could take your RV rentals Minneapolis Minnesota out on the open road to find a cooler destination in a different state. Or you could check out all the cool places that Minnesota has to offer. Don’t forget to stop for a delicious ice cream cone or a cocktail while on your trip to give a toast to the wonderful summer sights and activities you enjoyed while on your trip.
June 12th, 2013 -
Summer is here. With the kids out of school and some bright sunny days ahead, its a great time to go on a great American family summer road trip in your RV. The good news is that you don’t have to go far with all the great summer events and festivals in Minnesota. Here are some of the most exciting events this summer.
Minnesota Irish Music Weekend
This is the 6th year for this annual event which celebrates all things Irish. This annual festival, which is held the weekend of June 13-16th in St. Paul at the Center for Irish Music, features world renowned Irish music. Music lovers of all ages can enjoy a pubic concert as well as workshops in traditional Irish music and dance. There will also be lectures on Irish Music History.
02 Runners Grandma’s Marathon and Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon
This exciting race is a benefit to help cure lung cancer. The race is held in Duluth MN, and begins at 6:45 am on June 22nd. Join the race to help find a cure, or come be a spectator and cheer on the racers.
Twin Cities Jazz Festival
If you love Jazz, you will love this festival being held in St. Paul. This is the 15th year for this exciting annual event, and you definitely don’t want to miss this. The three day festival, which features prominent jazz artists from all over, is being held from June 27th through June 29th and is free due to the support of generous sponsors.
34th Annual Riverboat Days Festival
This is another festival you and your family won’t want to miss. The two day festival, which begins Friday July 26th begins with a karaoke contest. Saturday is filled with events that the whole family will love, including a parade, the Lost Highway, and an all day Arts Crafts Fair.
Vintage Band Festival
At the end of the summer, as things are beginning to wind down and the kids are about to go back to school comes the Vintange Band Festival. This four day celebration, from August 1st through the 4th, features a variety of bands from the U.S. and abroad. Don’t miss out on what is sure to be the event of the summer.
April 9th, 2012 -
During the spring months, I love driving down the open road in my
Minnesota RV
and listening to good music. Music can really make your long drives much easier, but sometimes it can be hard to find a good radio station. Even if you do find a station you like, you’ll only be able to listen to it for so long until you’re out of its frequency. Once that happens, you may turn to your CDs or a playlist on your iPod. But even that can get old after awhile. Especially if you haven’t had anytime to add new music lately. Luckily in this day and age of technology, we have quite a few alternative options.
Satellite Radio. You can’t go wrong with Sirius XM in my opinion. With more than 140 commercial-free music, news, sports, traffic and weather, talk radio and entertainment, and comedy channels, you’re bound to find something you like. Another plus is that Satellite radio will work even when you’re out in the middle of nowhere in your RV. The only downside (and a small one in my opinion) is that it costs between $12-20 per month.
Photo Courtesy of Pocketnow.com
Pandora Internet Radio. If you have a smartphone capable of downloading apps, then Pandora is a must-have. This free app allows you to create your own radio stations from a song, genre or artist. The more you use it, the more it will conform to the exact type of you music you like. The only downside is that you’ll occasionally hear a commercial or two.
I Heart Radio. This is another smartphone app that you can use to listen to your favorite radio station from back home. The downside? You’re favorite radio station may not be an “I Heart Radio” station.
So
Minnesota RVers
, don’t settle for continuously scanning the radio for a station you like or listening to the same music over and over again. Make your RV road trip more enjoyable with one of the options above!
February 6th, 2012 -
As members of the RV community, we know that with owning an RV, travel trailer or fifth wheel comes the responsibility of routine maintenance. It’s been my experience that one of the things
new Minnesota RV
owners forget about is cleaning the RV awning. Whether you’re putting your RV away for the season or you’ve been traveling through some less than ideal weather, you should add cleaning the awning to your checklist because rain, snow, wind, dust and air pollution are all things that can cause permanent damage and/or stains to the awning.
I’m pretty sure it’s been proven that the life span of an RV awning improves with routine cleaning. If you have a fabric awning, it should be deep cleaned two or three times a year. This can vary depending on your RV travel habits. If you have a vinyl RV awning, then you’ll need to give it a good cleaning three or four times a year. Again, this can vary depending on your RV travels.
When the time comes, you’ll need to select an awning cleaning product. There is a wide array of products especially made for this task. Some products are specially formulated to deal with mildew or mold and others are more generic and can be used on both vinyl and fabric awnings. If you need help finding one or deciding which will work best for you, swing by
Pleasureland RV
or give us a call. If you can, try to get a cleaner that contains UV inhibitors and blockers.
Now that you’ve selected a product, let’s put this project in motion. You’ll need a ladder for this one. Once you’ve secured yourself (we don’t want any injuries) on the ladder, go ahead and pull out about three feet of your awning. It’s strongly recommend to clean the awning in sections. This way you’ll be sure to get it all and it’ll it make the process much simpler. Once you’ve cleaned the last section, leave the awning out to dry. If you’re really interested in extending the life of your awning, try applying a light coat of repellent to help prevent stains and repel water. The best kinds will contain a UV blocker to help maintain the fabric’s appearance. Again, if you need help finding RV awning cleaning products, swing by one of
Pleasureland RV’s four locations
, or give us a call. Like I mentioned above, cleaning your awning is something that should become part of your routine RV maintenance. After all, you’ve already invested a lot of time and money in this rolling home on wheels, so why not do everything you can to get the most out of it?
December 22nd, 2011 -
Hey
Minnesota RVers
, we’re only days away from Christmas Eve, and I’m sure some of you out there have not finished all of your Christmas shopping. Or maybe you’re just stuck on gift ideas for your spouse or friend. Well, I have a great idea for you at a great price: The gift of navigation! I know that navigation systems can be a little pricey, but the good news is you can now buy extremely capable navigation apps for smart phones! Here’s some even better news… Garmin has slashed prices for its apps and traffic services for the year-end holidays!
Last week, Consumer Reports said that Garmin announced price cuts of up to 40 percent for its Navigon navigation software for both iPhones and Google Android-powered smartphones. The holiday promotion will last through January 5 and allows users to download and navigate U.S. maps for $30 instead of $40 (Android) or $50 (iPhone). For both U.S. and Canadian maps, Garmin will charge about $40 for its app on either iOS or Android platforms.
Garmin’s live traffic update service will also be discounted from $20 to $15. This app is great for when Minnesota RVers venture out and have to bravely navigate through large cities. The StreetPilot app for iPhones also dropped $10 to $50 for U.S. and Canadian maps ($40 for U.S. only) during this promotion. So Minnesota RV owners, if you’re in need of a last minute gift, go check out these different GPS apps. Any owner of a
motorhome
,
travel trailer
or
fifth wheel will be more than happy to have this service with them while on their RV adventures!
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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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