Notice all that RV traffic heading south along North America’s highways and Interstates? It means that the migration of the RV snowbirds is well underway. Indeed, the population of the southwestern United States swells significantly as snowbirds set up camp in places like Yuma, Palm Springs and Albuquerque. You may find the biggest residency fluctuation
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A little prep goes a long way on your winter stay in the south
Each winter, an estimated one million snowbirds motor south in their RVs to enjoy warm southern temperatures in the Sun Belt. Most rent an RV site, while some purchase a site in their desired destination area. Use these tips for your snowbird trip this winter. It’s not hard to understand why snowbirds make the journey
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When it comes to keeping your food cold, RV travelers have two big choices: RV absorption refrigerators and residential fridges. Let’s consider the pros and cons of each one, and then let’s focus on the challenges involved in replacing your absorption fridge with a residential unit in your RV. Absorption Fridges Operating on propane or
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Take the following winter RV storage steps for safe vehicle hibernation. Fall is well underway, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of your RV camping. The fall colors can be beautiful and often provide some of the best camping memories. With an Indian summer, the camping season can run well into November in
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The migration of the RV snowbirds is well underway. The population of many southern destinations are growing quickly. A great deal of snowbirds that reside in the western states and provinces head to popular Arizona destinations such as Quartzsite, Yuma, Lake Havasu, Phoenix, and other regions that have multiple RV parks and resorts. Quartzsite, a
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Keep your RV fridge cool with these handy tips. Ready for RV travel during the summer? One of the most important appliances during this time of year is your fridge, which keeps food cool for those barbecues at camp and chills beverages for those refreshing drinks on the go. Below you’ll find some handy tips
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Give this workhorse every advantage to function effectively
Beat the heat this summer by boosting your AC cooling power. Traveling in your RV during the summer months can be a delightful experience. The warmer temperatures extend your camping domain, allowing you to spend more time outside on your patio with activities like barbecuing, outdoor sports, entertaining friends or just plain relaxing. However, in
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Irked by small problems that crop up while traveling? We’ve got an RV hack for that. As Memorial Day weekend approaches, RV travelers across North America get ready to start their engines for adventure on the highways. So while you’re preparing everything for your next journey on the open road, consider some RV hacks that
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Get the RV ready for travel this camping season. Follow these key steps to get your vehicle in top shape for adventure. The warmer weather signals that another camping season is just arriving. If you’re not a Snowbird or Sun Belt resident, you’ve probably kept your rig in storage. Well, now it’s time to get
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Xenon headlights — overcoming a glitch to get consistent brightness. Motorhome headlights have come a long way from the days when a switch wired to an incandescent bulb was the accepted configuration. Today, halogen, H.I.D. (High Intensity Discharge) and L.E.D. have replaced those dinosaur bulbs. Many RV manufacturers favor H.I.D. product (Xenon). While these super-bright
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Backup monitor failure blues — get a clear picture. One of the most frustrating RV-related events to experience is an intermittent issue. That is, a fault that comes and goes with no rhyme or reason. It never seems to happen while the vehicle’s in for service, making it impossible for diagnosis or correct. After all,
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Stay the course — remedy intermittent GPS antenna failure. Many vehicle purchasers opt for an in-dash GPS (Global Position System). These marvels are geniuses when it comes to guiding you through unknown territory. Well, at least until you find yourself at a dead end listening to that know-it-all voice repeating, “Make a U-turn if possible.”
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Daytime running lights: an illuminating look at the facts. Across the globe, daytime running lights (DRL) are a lot more common than you may think. They have been a mandatory feature on all vehicles imported into Canada since 1989. Finland led the world in the mandatory adaption requirement of these in 1972. So why has
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RV auxiliary braking helps with smooth slowing of your recreational vehicle. Auxiliary braking is a term often associated with diesel-powered recreational vehicles and RV tow units. It basically refers to a braking system that uses engine and transmission drag to slow, or check, the speed of the vehicle. There are three main principle types as
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RV maintenance warnings — get a handle on looming problems. Regular maintenance of a recreational vehicle is ongoing. The frequency of required maintenance usually is 12 months, or the engine OEM-specified mileage, whichever comes first. However, there are warning signs of trouble that may crop up from time to time. So how do you know
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Bring these 10 must-have items on your RV journeys. One of the luxuries of traveling by RV is all the stuff you can bring with you. No worries about what size suitcase or what clothes and shoes you want to take. Take them all! However, while the cargo you choose to take for personal comfort
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Use these RV detailing tips to bring the gleam back to your RVing machine. Regular washing and the occasional waxing of your RV can keep your rig looking new for years. But if you really want that showroom look, additional detailing should be done from time to time. While there are many items involved in
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Snowbird life hacks — tips and considerations for a hassle-free snowbird lifestyle. There are many retired people who own an RV that is winterized and stored through the cold winter season. Some of these folks have thought of becoming a Snowbird and fleeing south when the cold weather blankets their northern abode. There appears to
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Backing up your RV — a hassle-free guide. So you survived the 380-mile drive to your favorite RV park on the lake. You battled the traffic jam 50 miles back where the detour took you through a narrow, bumpy bypass. Now, you’re given your assigned site and begin the last leg of your trip. There
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Today’s automobiles are available with a tremendous selection of innovative features and options. However, the need and actual applications of some of these “High Tech” offerings may be more bling than real value. For example, what exactly are drivers going to do with paddle shifters on their family SUVs? Likewise, who really needs a 550-horsepower
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Anti-freeze is used in most every automobile and truck-replicating engine throughout the world. Even in hot climates, quality glycol keeps the engine cooler as it transfers heat more efficiently than just water. Additionally, additives to prevent corrosion are present to some degree in all. But when it comes to diesel or gas engines, glycol is
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Finding and buying a used motorhome can be a daunting task. Not only do buyers have to locate a rig that best meets their needs, but must also assess the vehicle’s condition and title. The condition relates to the general shape of the RV while the title deals with verifying clear title and free of
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With the popularity of full-body painted RV’s today, the topic of waxing these surfaces is being revisited. Many of the cleaning products that worked well years ago on unpainted gelcoat may not be the right treatment for the full painted skin. Power wheel compound applications buff out oxidization on gelcoat. However, clear coat finishes on
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Cold weather RV travel — driving safety for traveling in snowy conditions. As the winter season approaches, many snowbirds hit the gas heading south. This migration starts as early as October and runs to as late as January. Some spend the Christmas season with their northern dweller family members. For many of these travelers, an
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The Digital age brought change to the auto industry and is continuing to evolve in more advance levels. Gone are the days of the “Backyard Mechanic” tuning a four-barrel carburetor. Today’s mechanics have been replaced by technicians. This newer breed of repair people spends more time on the computer keys than turning a wrench. This
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Addressing issues surrounding motorhome night driving. Night driving is a topic that is often raised around the campfire by fellow RVers. Much of the discussion often revolves around the efficiency of some headlight designs used in class A coaches. Perhaps some of the thoughts are driven by the radical front end-designs of these vehicles. But,
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RV basement cooler-freezer option — a cool surprise. One of the options offered on many new motorhomes is a basement Dometic cooler/freezer. This is mounted on a slide-out mechanism that allows it to be pulled out, making it accessible by opening the top. It can be configured as a cooler or as a freezer at
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RV fuel savings — seeking relief on the road. The temperatures soared through most of the country as June slipped into July. So did fuel prices, and the rising costs can make a big dent in your RVing budget. Fortunately, there are things we can do to ease this pain. We’re all pretty familiar with the
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RVing Okanagan Valley — a fresh British Columbia trip. Okanagan Valley offers visitors some of the finest scenic drives in the country, along with an abundance of activities and attractions along the way. Located in the southern central region of the province, the rugged valley — which is highlighted by Okanagan Lake in the middle
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RV engine heat — combat the high-temperature summer blues. When temperatures surpass 90 degrees and beyond, automobile engines can become stressed to maintain sufficient cooling. For RVs, this can be far greater an issue, given the overall weight being moved. In addition, many RV travelers traverse scenic highways that often involve hilly or mountainous terrain.
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Flat towing versus tow dolly — what’s the right choice for your dinghy vehicle? So you’ve decided to tow a car (dinghy) behind your motorhome. Now comes the big question: do you flat-tow your vehicle or use a tow dolly? Much of this decision is based on the RVer’s intended dinghy type and make. Let’s look
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RV awnings versus the elements — protect your shade-maker with some common sense. Patio awnings are popular accessories on most RVs. Just about every rig has at least one awning, which come in a variety of colors, makes and structural configurations. There are manually operated models as well as remote-powered types. RV parks are awash
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Today’s RV shopper is confronted with a dizzying variety of RV floorplan choices. Picking the right one for your lifestyle is not always easy, and some designs or features may come with trade-offs. Let’s look at some of today’s floorplan features more closely. The Bath-and-a-Half A popular choice in the large Class A category, a
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Using RV rope lighting to “bling up” a recreational vehicle can be a fun and rewarding project. Fitting it inside the window valences to illuminate the perimeter of the glass rivals the look of those million-dollar custom-built coaches. This particular window treatment is best done with flanged-edge rope lighting. The 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch flange strip
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RV generator care tips to keep the power flowing. Most motorhomes are equipped with an AC generator to provide home-like power when off the grid. There are various makes, including Onan, Cat and Generac. There are gasoline, propane and diesel-powered generator sets to best suit specific applications. Some are AC-producing units and others are DC-inverter
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RV waste tank level sensors — a key to accurate monitoring. A common issue for many RV owners revolves around their waste tank level monitors. It seems that sooner or later, the level indicators become inaccurate. Some will read half full, when in fact they were just emptied, and others empty when partially full. Why
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Diesel pusher brakes — stop and consider the differences. Disc brakes have pretty well replaced all the traditional hydraulic drum type that most of us grew up with. They were first offered as an option on the frontend in the early ’60s. They soon became standard. Now they are standard on all four wheels of
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RV floor coverings offered little variety in the early days. Back then, linoleum or carpet lined the floors of trailers and motorhomes, with minimal choice in color or patterns. Today, a wide variety of materials and designs are available, including porcelain tiles, rich hardwoods and even inlaid deep pile carpet. With so many options, RV
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Diesel pusher motorhomes are hardy vehicles, but they’re not indestructible. Here’s a list of seven potentially damaging diesel pusher mistakes that owners should avoid. 1) Fueling from both sides at the same time. Most diesel pushers (DPs) have fuel ports on both sides. Truck fuel stations generally have a master pump on one side with
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Related Posts: Hidden Factors Wheel Factors Environmental Factors Onboard Fuel Eaters How habits affect mileage. Part V. In the past weeks, we’ve looked at many factors that affect the fuel mileage of RVs, and, in particular, Class A diesel pushers. Some of these factors had the ability to be manipulated by the driver and some
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Related Posts: Hidden Factors Wheel Factors Environmental Factors The Human Factor RV Fuel Gremins — Onboard RV fuel wasters. Part IV in a Series. Your motorhome’s engine-fuel consumption is primarily determined by how much horse power and torque you need. The more you use, the more fuel you will burn. But the power your
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Related Posts: Hidden Factors Environmental Factors Onboard Fuel Eaters The Human Factor RV MPG gremlins — where the rubber meets the road. Part II in a series. One of the prime factors that affect a vehicle’s RV mileage is the rolling-wheel resistance. This is a force or drag that acts against the travel direction. The resistance measure
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Awhile ago, we looked at RV sewage systems and primarily focused on user tips for the most common system, the 3” gravity hose type (Stinky slinky). Today we will discuss the operation and user tips of the 12 volt powered SaniCon System. There are two models currently being used, the 1” output unit and the
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Related Posts: Hidden Factors Wheel Factors Onboard Fuel Eaters The Human Factor RV Fuel gremlins — How RV environment impacts mpg. Part III in a series. Environmental factors play a major role in altering our fuel consumption numbers. The biggest of these factors is wind. This can drop your expected fuel mileage substantially, or it
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Related Posts: Wheel Factors Environmental Factors Onboard Fuel Eaters The Human Factor RV fuel gremlins — finding the hidden factors that affect mpg. Part I of a series. RV owners seek to reduce fuel consumption — it’s one of the things we all have in common. The financial savings, reduction of carbon footprint and
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RV water park excursions — slip and slide during your spring RV trips. Spring break is not far off, and that means traveling with extended family. During this season, our grandchildren regularly show us that there is little question that most kids love RV camping. So what do kids really like when it comes to these
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My first camping trip taught me the importance of a little planning — and the having the right gear. For many RVers, first camping experiences usually involve tenting in the great outdoors. For most, it’s an exhilarating adventure that soon becomes a regular summer activity. However, such was not the case for my first camping
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RV Dishwashers — coming clean on available options. Dishwashers have been popular options offered in Class A motorhomes and large trailers for years. But are these “must-haves” worth the space that they occupy? Generally, RV manufacturers install drawer-type washers or conventional door models. Both work well in the RV application. One drawback to the drawer-type
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Diesel pusher RVs cost significantly more than their gas-powered counterparts. Here’s a breakdown of the differences. Over the years, many motorhome enthusiasts and prospective buyers have asked, “Why do diesel-powered coaches cost so much more than gas-powered motorhomes?” This is often heard at RV shows, in dealer showrooms and over the campfire. Well, perhaps one
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RV full-body paint — the full spectrum of appearance and protection. Not many years ago, RV’s were mostly white in color, with the exception of colorful decal flairs on some models. However, the fiberglass composition and gelcoat surfaces tended to oxidize over time. After several years, dependent on the environment, this dulling oxidization required a
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