Springtime RV Start Up
Winter is finally over. Thankfully in many places it was a very mild winter. Those of us where winter often reaches below freezing for days and weeks on end spent time last fall winterizing our RV’s so they would survive the cold.
Now that the weather is beginning to warm up (I didn’t let the hot weather in early March fool me) it’s time to think about getting our RV’s ready for spring and summer camping.
I’ve put together a checklist of items to check to make sure your RV is ready to roll when you are.
- Electrical System
- Charge, and re-install if necessary, the 12V batteries.
- Turn on all lights and replace any burnt out bulbs.
- Check any 12V outlets.
- Plug RV into shore power and check all 110V appliance and outlets.
- Propane System
- Check propane levels and fill tanks if needed.
- Use bubble leak detector to check all connections to tanks.
- Use bubble leak to check connections to stove and water heater to ensure they have not vibrated loose since last springs check.
- Ensure propane detector is turned on and operating. No propane should flow to the appliance if the detector is turned off or detects propane.
- Plumbing System
- Fill fresh water tank 1/4 full, add 1 cup bleach or follow the directions of a good RV fresh water tank sanitizing solution. Finish filling tank to 1/2 full.
- Before turning off the bypass to your water heater run sanitized water solution through fresh water lines opening all faucets.
- Check all visible supply lines and drains for leaks. (Hint if your pump cycles on and off when no water is being used a leak exists somewhere in the supply lines)
- Drain any remaining sanitized solution from the tank using low level drains.
- Refill tank completely with fresh water & run through lines until tank is empty. This may require emptying the grey and black water tanks depending on your system.
- Again drain any remaining water from the tank using low level drains.
- Fill tank, open hot water heater bypass & fill tank, light the water heater pilot if necessary and you’re ready to go.
- Chassis & Wheels
- Check tire pressure and fill as needed. Inspect treads for excessive wear and sidewalls for signs of cracking. If you don’t put many miles on the tires each year it’s a good idea to replace them every 5 to 6 years regardless of how much tread is left as rubber deteriorates with time.
- Inspect brake system. If you’re not sure how ask your local RV dealer how much a brake inspection costs.
- Inspect hitching systems on trailers and fifth wheels, inspect hitches, tow bars, baseplate and safety cables on motorhomes.
- On motorhome the engines are known for running hotter than truck and car engines so it’s a good idea to check all the spark plug wires and hoses to make sure none are split, cracked or broken.
- Also on motorhomes double check the antifreeze and engine oil to make sure none has leaked out since it was placed in storage.
Happy trails and happy camping. See you on the road.
2011 Tulip Festival Holland Michigan
The Tulip Time Festival in Holland, MI (a celebration of Dutch heritage and culture, a multi-generational event that has a little bit of something for everyone) is celebrating their 82nd year from May 7 to May 14, 2011.
This world famous festival is celebrating something extra special this year. Here’s a bit from the History page of their website:
Since 1929, the small city of Holland, Michigan has blossomed with literally hundreds of thousands of tulips — and an equal number of tulip-lovers who attend our annual Tulip Time Festival.
This year is a particularly special celebration as we recognize the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Holland, Michigan: Reverend Albertus C. Van Raalte, who led his congregation of Dutch Calvinists in founding our city in 1847. To commemorate his birth, a Bilateral Conference will take place in Holland, Michigan and the Netherlands in the fall of 2011.
There is something special each day of the festival so to check the schedule or get tickets to the event head on over to http://www.tuliptime.com/
Parking Lot Camping Etiquette
I found an interesting article about campers who stay in Wal Mart parking lots. I’ve used them for rest stops when tired but never thought of staying for days on end.
Here’s an excerpt from the article:
We’ve all seen it. The Wally-Worlds across the country piled up with fifth-wheels and motorhomes. RV’ers looking for a couple of days rest before heading out on their next destination. Camp Walmart provides safety, saves money and frustration, so of course it seems ideal.
It also goes on to list some etiquette for parking lot campers. Check out the complete article here:
New Mexico: The Land Of Enhancement
Although I often am looking to escape the cold weather up north in the winter I’ve usually headed for the southeast since we have family that winters in Florida.
However I’ve often considered checking out the southwest as while I’m more of a forest person the desert offers it’s own unique views. I found a very interesting post about New Mexico written by Rex Vogel over at RV.net’s blog.
Here’s an small excerpt from the article:
“The Land of Enchantment” is scrawled across the New Mexico license plate. To someone who hasn’t visited New Mexico that may just seem like a phrase produced by Madison Avenue or a chamber of commerce.
But a visit to New Mexico will quickly enchant and thoroughly cast a spell over you, and you’ll wonder why it took so long to make that initial visit.”
To learn more you can check out the complete article here:
RV Owner’s Beware: Extended Warranty Company Possible Scam
Having purchased a new 2009 Jeep Wrangler in October 2009 I frequently received notices in the mail trying to sell me extended service plans. As I already have a lifetime powertrain warranty and a lifetime service contract on the rest of the electronics I always throw them in the trash.
I’ve learned that I’m probably glad I did. I read a post by Bob Difley over at RV.net’s blog about a similar company targeting RV owners.
It worries me that companies can obtain so much information about a “private” purchase that they can appear to be legit when they in fact operate in a questionable manner.
For more information about this situation check out the article here:
Make Money Renting Your RV
In these tough economic times many people have either had to get rid of their RV or put off buying a new or used RV. While I’m one of the lucky people who already own their RV outright there are many that are trying to figure out how to make their monthly RV payments.
Why not turn that monthly expense into monthly income?
Mark Polk has written an excellent article over at RV.net’s blog about renting out your RV to others. Here’s how he starts the article:
“When I meet a new or potential RVer, one recommendation I make is for them to rent an RV before they purchase one. Renting an RV lets the consumer experience RVing firsthand and can be helpful in determining if RV ownership is right for them.
Something I never really considered though was producing additional income by renting your RV after you buy it. That was until the other day when I was talking to Bert Alanko, President of MBA Insurance. Bert explained that RV rentals by owners are growing in popularity, especially during tough economic times.”
If you’d like to learn how to earn some extra income or offset your monthly payment by renting your RV to others check out the complete article here:
Maintain Your RV Lifestyle While Cutting Costs
With the cost of gas floating around the $3.00 mark the strain fuel costs put on an RVer’s budget is being felt once again.
If you enjoy living a life of freedom on the road or just like frequent weekend trips the cost of fuel is a big factor whether driving a motorhome or towing your home.
Here’s a couple of money saving tips that we’ve previously overlooked from an article by Bob Difley over at RV.net’s blog.
“If traveling and staying only one night in a campground, pay less by choosing a non-hook-up site (sometimes called a tent site) or stay at lower-priced regional or state parks without hook-ups,
Some libraries have used magazine exchanges where you can get current or one month old magazines for free–you might be able to cancel your current magazine subscriptions and save money having them re-shipped to you on the road.”
To check out the complete list of money saving tips check out the article at:
Going Green: First All Electric Motorhome Introduced
The world is moving more and more toward electric vehicles in an attempt to reduce depending on fossil fuels. Recently at the National RV Trade Show in Louisville Kentucky MVP RV of Riverside, California introduced the first all electric motorhome.
I found out about the motorhome in an article written by Bob Diffley over at RV.net’s blog. Here’s how it starts:
“The first all electric motorhome, a creation by MVP RV of Riverside, California, cruised the highways for 180 miles at between 65 and 70 mph, and set the standard for those who follow. That’s a considerable increase in mileage between charges from the first mass market electric cars. Even so, there are at present few charging stations on the nation’s highways which are needed to move electric RVs between campgrounds, so it may be some time before you can walk into a dealer lot and buy an electric motorhome.”
While the technology is not quiet ready for the consumer market I look forward to watching the advances to come in the next few years.
If you’d like to read the complete article check it out here:
Even More Gift Ideas For The RVer
Here’s another list of great gift ideas from someone who loves to RV whether they are full timers or part timers.
This one is by GR8LakesRVer
Here’s the one we found most interesting:
“iWavecube microwave
For those who want a microwave when camping, but not anything larger than necessary, the iWavecube measures just one-cubic-foot — plus it has all the electronic controls and safety features you would expect, and it plugs in anyplace that has a standard outlet. It’s quiet, super-energy-efficient, and measures just 10 inches by 10.5 inches by 12 inches — weighing only 12 lbs. It features a built-in carry handle and view-through door. The product is available in red, black, and silver. Perfect for a dorm room, camping trip or just at the office. For seeing the different ways campers are using their iWavecube check out this link.”
You can check out the complete article here:
Snowbird Destination: Southern California – Finding A Quiet Place
We found another interesting place we’d like to share. Peace and tranquility not far from the hustle and bustle of Southern California’s Orange County.
We learned about O’Neill Regional Park and the Ramakrishna Monastery from a post by The Never Bored RVers over at RV.net’s blog.
Here’s a little of what we read:
“We have landed in O’Neill Regional Park, a serene setting just outside the City of Lake Forest in Southern California. It’s a beautiful county-owned park sheltered by lots of trees and space between campsites, a far cry from city noises but not far from shopping and attractions. More on O’Neill in a few moments …
Within hiking distance or a short drive from the park is an enclave of peace we enjoy. It’s up a narrow, very tight winding road that leads to the Ramakrishna Monastery operated by the Vedanta Society. The monastery sits atop 40 acres of largely undeveloped rolling hills in Trabuco Canyon.
This is absolutely not a place you can reach in a motorhome or pulling a rig, but you can make it in a car.”
For more information check out the complete article: