Welcome to our website

Our goal around here is to uncover some of the negatives of the RVing world and show off some of the positives.

Details you as a viewer will have to look forward to around here, is great ideological exchange of down to the core vital information about everything to do with RVing.

We will provide great new information about different RV parks, places of interest, RV manufactures, RV dealers, RV related businesses and products and so on…

February 7th, 2010

Northern Oregon Coast Camping

For campers nothing can beat the beauty of the Oregon coast. The state government of Oregon has set aside vast stretches of beach for public use and for that reason there are many awesome campgrounds just waiting to be discovered. Once you’ve set up camp there will be so much to do: hiking the scenic coastal trails, playing on the beach, saltwater fishing, photo outings, and just relaxing with the sound of the ocean surf in the background.

Northern Oregon’s coastal campgrounds include an amazing variety of photogenic sites. In fact, the Oregon coast is one of the most photographed places in the world. From the hundred-year-old wreck of the Peter Irdale sea schooner at Ft. Stevens State Park to horseback riders on the beach at Nehalem Bay State Park to the gorgeous overlooks at Cape Lookout State Park, picturesque locations abound.

Whether you’re a luxury RV camper, a tenter, or somewhere in-between, there are many campgrounds to choose from. The following list of campgrounds from north to south is not exhaustive, but highlights some of the best camping spots on the northern Oregon coast.

The northernmost state park on the Oregon coast and not to be missed is Fort Stevens State Park. One of the nation’s largest public campgrounds, Fort Stevens State Park has many recreation opportunities including lake swimming, beach-combing, nine miles of bicycle trails, six miles of hiking trails, and a museum with displays dating back to the Civil War.

If your number one campground criteria is full hookups for your RV, Kampers West RV Park is surrounded by natural wooded habitat and has full RV services. For fishermen there are complete facilities for cleaning and storing your catch, plus a crab cooking and cleaning station. A large clubroom accommodating up to 100 people and a smaller clubroom with capacity of 35 people are also available for your family reunions.

As you make your way south down the coast, Thousand Trails campground in Seaside, Oregon may appeal to you. It is a membership facility that may offer a free night for visiting. With its indoor and outdoor recreation facilities it is a year-round destination. Surrounded by scenic and historic sites in Seaside, you can go whale watching, hiking, biking, salt-water fishing, and swimming in the summer. Or visit the Lewis and Clark historical sites, the air museum, the Seaside Aquarium and the factory outlet stores in the cooler months. A highlight of this campground is an indoor pool and spa.

Continuing south to Cannon Beach is Cannon Beach RV Resort which is also a full-service, full-hookup facility with an indoor pool and spa that can accommodate campers from tent-trailer to RVs. Escape to the coast and stay in your home at the beach!

Although state parks don’t usually have full RV hookups, they offer the advantage of lots of open space and beaches. A serene, long, sandy ocean beach and recreation activities including crabbing, fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding make picturesque Nehalem Bay State Park a great camping destination.

A few miles south of Rockaway Beach on the north shore of Tillamook Bay is Barview Jetty County Park. Here you’ll find a surprisingly large campground with 69 full hookup RV sites and over 200 tent sites. From this campground you’ll have easy access to the beach.

To finish out the survey of the great campgrounds on the north Oregon coast I can’t fail to mention Cape Lookout State Park. Located on a sand spit on the Oregon coast between Netarts Bay and the ocean, Cape Lookout State Park has a popular campground and day-use area with a terrific view of the Pacific Ocean and easy access to the beach. There are two walking trails and beach-combing is also popular there.

These are some of the best Oregon coast campgrounds but there are many others. There is so much beauty in this region I’m sure whichever you choose you’ll relish the memories of your visit to the Oregon coast.

October 12th, 2009

RV Campgrounds and Life-Long Friends

RV Campgrounds are getting more popular since RV camping is how most families choose to camp these days. When you use an RV you have all the comforts of home while enjoying the majestic beauty of many of the world’s most beautiful camping spots. Whether you own or rent, an RV is a wonderful way to camp.

People visiting an RV campground for the first time will often discover a tremendous camaraderie among all the campers. The chances are you can meet people that share your love of the great outdoors. As a matter of fact, many vacationers say that they have made many life-long friends while camping in an RV and now go on trips with their friends year in and year out.

At RV camps you can find many of the most desirable vacation possibilities around, such as breathtaking scenery, challenging hiking trails, and many offer a full selection of water sports. Of course, there are also just the simple joys of camping such as gazing at the sunrise and sunset, watching birds flying in flocks, and just simply smelling the fresh cool night air.

There are over 1,000,000 people each year that spend at least part of their vacation in an RV. They often engage in many outdoor activities as well such as hiking on trails, riding horses, snowboarding and kayaking.

Finding RV campgrounds is very easy online, where there is a lot of information for you. Just enter the keywords into the search box at your favorite search engine: “RV Campgrounds” (without the quotes). Many sites will be listed, and it is suggested you try a few of the sites out. Many sites will have helpful hints for first-time campers, let you find and get detailed information on parks, find rentals, let you find camping events happening in your area and even help you plan your trip.

When finding a campground for your RV, you need to make sure they offer a few facilities to make your experience more convenient. Ask if there is a water spigot in each camping slot for your RV to connect to, or find out if they only offer a water refilling station. Also find out if there is an electrical hookup to connect your RV to in the camping slots so that you do not have to exhaust your RV batteries or electrical generator fuel. Finally, decide if you will also want to take some mopeds or even your car along so that you can travel around at the campground or use it to see the sites instead of your RV to save fuel.

No matter what type of recreational vehicle you use from a folding camping trailer, travel trailer, van conversion, truck camper, mini-motorhome to a full-blown motorhome there are campgrounds that will be happy to help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest. Just make sure you check either online or by phone that the camp will support your specific type of RV first, and you will save yourself a lot of stress and aggravation later.

August 9th, 2009

Early Retirement Planning – Retire to an RV

If you could live on 50% of what you spend now in a house, living on an RV, would you do it?

Retiring to live on an RV is an option that potential retirees should explore. If you have had a smell of the open road and the freedom such a lifestyle affords, consider doing it full time.

Imagine the money you would save if you sold your house and used part of the equity to buy an RV. You do not have to spend all of your equity either. A $30,000 motor home can be next to a million dollar Prevost in the campground. You see the same scenery.

No property taxes; no massive utility bills; no lawn to mow; no snow to shovel; no house to paint; etc. I think you have the picture…life in an RV is a lot less stressful and time consuming than living in a house. In addition, it is cheaper.

If you have not seen all of the beautiful National Parks in America, it would make a noble goal to shoot for when retiring.

Another plus when retiring to life in an RV is the nice people you meet. You will find yourselves toasting each other on your good sense in retiring to this fun, frugal and fulfilling lifestyle.

We lived on our RV for 7 years; our other home was a sailboat in the Caribbean. We spent well less than 50% of what we spent living in a house…you should be able to live on 50% of your house expenses as a goal.

So if your early retirement planning does not include low cost lifestyles like living on an RV, check it out. You may discover you can retire much sooner than you thought. Now that would be a nice surprise. Enjoy.

July 7th, 2009

3 Way Fridge – RV Cooling

Many recreational vehicles contain a 3 way fridge to allow their owners to keep their perishables refrigerated. These 3 way fridges provide one of the luxuries of a stick built home to the RV owner. However, these fridges do not work quite the same as a standard kitchen fridge freezer. I will briefly discuss this below.

A fridge intended for home use usually only operates from one power source, 120v AC – or whatever your local mains voltage is. A 3 way refrigerator intended for RV use – or use as a camping fridge – can operate from any of three different. Not only can they utilize mains power, but they can also run on LPG and 12v DC. This makes them ideal for not only RV use, but also for camping and off-grid living.

For a 3 way fridge running from LPG, the source of heat – a propane, or sometimes butane, burner – is used to power a cyclical chemical reaction. The refrigerant – usually ammonia – goes through a cycle of evaporation and condensation, which cools the appliance.

3 way refrigerators are generally optimized to run very efficiently on LPG, so use very little propane during operation. It is also important that when using a RV refrigerator, that the RV be leveled. Operating one of these units on a significant slope can damage the appliance.

When a three way fridge is plugged into grid power, the user may opt to switch to electric rather than propane power. When running off electricity, the cooling cycle is powered by an electric heating element rather than the gas burner.

One important thing to remember when running off 12v DC is that these units draw considerable amperage. While a 3 way fridge may run off a car battery that does not have the engine running, it will not run long without flattening the battery. 12v DC is chiefly intended as a power alternative for short periods of time, or for when the vehicle engine is running so as to keep the batter charged. Another factor to consider is that if you are going to power your fridge off 12v with the car engine running, be sure that your alternator is powerful enough to both power the refrigerator and keep the automobiles battery charged.

June 18th, 2009

Is Traveling in a Recreational Vehicle (RV) Right For You?

Have you ever traveled in a Recreational Vehicle (RV)? It is a great way to take a family vacation. You get to sleep on your own sheets in your own bed. The bathroom is always cleaned to your own specifications. Your children can eat potato chips on the sofa because it is yours. It’s alright to bring your dog, your cat or your bird. You can take your Direct TV system with you and your Wii.

You and your family can travel all across the U.S. and see the sights. You will have on sight snacks and drinks and when you stop you won’t have to use someone else’s restroom.

Think of all the fun you can have traveling to the National Parks and the monuments as you ride from state to state. Sit down and figure out where you want to go and what you want to see. Then call your local RV dealership and find out about renting an RV that fits your family.

You need to research campgrounds to find the one that your family will enjoy the most. A campground is almost a destination in itself. There are usually playgrounds and pools and game rooms. Some campgrounds have wildlife trails and ponds to fish in. There are campgrounds that have restaurants on site and campgrounds that have bus to local attractions.

Will you be towing a car? If not, how will you get to the attractions that you want to see? If there is a tour bus that solves the problem. Otherwise you may want to rent a car. Speaking of transportation, will you be taking your bikes or kayak?

Assess what you need to pack and get it together. You will need to take the clothes that you need (keep in mind that there will be washers and dryers at the campground if you don’t have one in the RV). You can take your games and toys and books to read. Remember to stock your cabinets with food and snacks and your fridge with drinks. Paper plates and paper towels come in handy and you need to pack plenty of toilet tissue. Take washing powder and fabric softener for the laundry and don’t forget a laundry basket in which to carry it. Pack your pet food. Don’t forget cleaning supplies.

Make sure your cell phone has enough minutes to talk to everyone you need to while you are gone.

When you first start out on your trip make certain that you have allowed yourself sufficient time to get where you need to be. Be flexible and allow yourself a change in plans if you find some place you want to check out. Let yourself stop at roadside attractions even if you haven’t planned to do this. The things you do on the spur of the moment will enhance your adventure.

Take your camera and video camera and take loads and loads of photos of your family and your trip. This will be your first adventure of many. I am willing to bet that RVing will get into your blood and call you back to a new adventure over and over.

When you are ready to buy your first RV consult someone who already has one and find out what brand and size he recommends. You will need to find the one that is what your family needs.

May 17th, 2009

RV Shipping and Camper Delivery

you find a great deal on a camper trailer, fifth wheel or destination trailer but it will be a really long drive to get it, why not consider having it delivered? There are many reliable shipping companies that will pickup and deliver your camper to your destination or meet you en route. Following are a few simple steps to arranging for your RV or camper shipping.First, you will want to get shipping quotes. There a literally hundreds of trucking companies that offer this service but most importantly, you need to start with the reputable carriers. I have seen a few shippers come to pickup campers and wondered how much effort the buyer put into finding a good shipping company! Select a company that is experienced with the delivery of the type of RV, Camper Trailer, fifth wheel or park model trailer that you are buying. Make sure that they are timely, affordable and have a reputation for delivering units damage free. You can find many shippers on the internet and some can even provide online quotes. Compare the rates but remember, sometimes you get what you pay for. Make sure that the RV shipper is reliable.

Once you have decided on your shipper, you will need to book you camper shipment. When you are making the booking, be sure to inquire about their insurance responsibility. Will they accept responsibility for any damage done to your camper while being transported by them? A reputable shipper will be able to provide references from previous customers. This is a great way to get a feel for how much you can trust this company. If the shipper is reluctant to offer references, GO TO ANOTHER COMPANY!

Depending on the size of your camper, you will want to ask if it will be towed or loaded on a flat bed. It may cost a little more to have it loaded on a flat bed but it will save on the wear and tear. If it is being towed, you may want to confirm the type of tow vehicle that they will use and make sure that it is suited for the camper that you are having delivered. Another question to ask is if they supply the license plate? If so, is there an extra charge? If they do not provide plates, see about getting a temporary tag from the dealership you bought it from.

Having your camper prepared for shipping is important. If you have possession of the camper, you can prepare it otherwise, the dealership or individual you purchased it from will have to get it ready. Make sure that all latches on the windows and cabinets are secured. Secure any loose objects or items attached to the wall that may fall. All appliances should be shut off and disconnect the power supplies and gas lines. All cargo doors and pop outs should be secured and locked. If there is an awning, double check that it is secure. Pull all shades down so that nosey people can’t look inside and possible consider stealing things.

When your camper is ready to ship, make sure that your camper is ready for a timely pickup. Be sure that you have provided enough space for the pickup vehicle to be able to load or hook up. The delivery driver should do a thorough check of the camper trailer and note any problems both inside and out. If possible, it is nice if you can provide the driver with directions to the delivery point.

When you take delivery, it is important you have allowed enough space for the driver to drop off the camper. If your destination is too small for their large vehicle, you may consider meeting them in a large grocery or mall parking lot. This is help to the drivers and is greatly appreciated. When you are taking delivery of your camper or fifth wheel, you will want to inspect it right away. Make sure that you or a representative for you is able to take delivery of your camper. Look for any damage which may have occurred during shipping. Report any damage to the shipping company immediately. If an insurance claim is needed, the shipper should supply you with the appropriate papers to complete. Shippers generally will reimburse you for damages that occurred under their time. This is the reason it is important to make sure that you and the shipper have the right insurance when the camper is picked up. Most shippers deliver the units with no incident but it is important that you do a post delivery inspection because it may be difficult to try to make a claim if not noted immediately at delivery.

When booking your shipper, it is important that both you and the shipper are able to communicate at any given time. Make sure to exchange both day and night telephone numbers. This will be especially important if there is a change in schedule or a delay in delivery.

If you follow these few tips, you are likely to have a very good camper delivery experience. You can feel confident and secure that your camper will have a safe trip and an easy delivery.

April 15th, 2009

RV Roller Shades

Nothing brings holidays to mind like a RV. Now some lucky couples retired and drive their RVs all over the country, but for many, an RV is only for the holidays. Ideally you can just rent your RV, but for longer term investments, it is important to treat your RV as your home. You want it to be in perfect condition. In many national parks, it is your only refuge from the wild elements. Even a second hand mobile home can be furnished for pure comfort.

RVs give you the freedom of being where you want when you want, whether that be with your family or not. Personalizing your caravan is a great investment because it makes it feel like home. Some investments, like RV roller blinds, are not only unique, they also help you sleep and control your limited generator use. Blinds protect you from glare when driving, and sunlight during an afternoon siesta. A little personalized window treatment goes a long way to establishing a theme to your vehicle, with the practical benefit of temperature and light control.

Especially in the desert, simply blocking out the sun can turn a harsh day into a pleasant one. Energy use is always a little more guarded in a caravan, because without a plug-in the self contained generator is all that is left. Saving energy by not using the heater or air conditioner can save enough fuel to last several more days in the outback location of your choice.

Despite what you may think, there are actually many options available for RV roller blinds. Budget is a key factor to consider along with the blind’s primary purpose. Fabric cassette blinds roll up easily an can be washed like any fabric material.They can get dirty if not properly taken care of. The cassette blinds are probably the most common, but they are not necessarily the best choice, especially from an aesthetic standpoint.

Rigid roller blinds are easier to take care of. Some come with metal flaps which allow the blind to be raised or lowered to any location. Roller blinds are very durable and do an excellent job of blocking out sunlight when lowered. The lacquered backing makes the blinds very resistant to sunlight and water. The operation of caravan blinds may be slightly different because of the reduced space. However roller shades are very easy as they are spring loaded to roll up instead of scrunch up like other types.

March 29th, 2009

RV Auction Tips

RV Trailer Auction Tips
By Spencer Arnold

Whether buying a fifth wheel, motorhome, travel trailer or other RV at auction, there are some more things you can take into consideration.

1)          What do the value guides say this RV is worth under normal circumstances? NADA and Kelly blue book) This will be the upper limit of what you could be expected to pay for the RV at auction.
2)          Does the RV come with any kind of manufacture’s warranty? If you find a newer model at auction, chances are that it does. As RV companies become more competitive, they offer their RVs with better and longer warranties.
3)          Avoid off brands as they may be harder to service and repair. An RV that has a national network of authorized dealers may be easier to service or repair. Also avoid ‘orphaned’, where the parent company is no longer in business.
4)          Make sure you buy an RV at Auction that has an acceptable floor plan. You may thing that that your can save a bundle by buying an unusual or outdated floor plan, but the truth is that you will have a harder time selling in later when you are ready to upgrade to a larger model. The most common mistake people make when buying an RV is to buy one that is to small. Within 2-3 years they are selling their RV in order to buy a bigger one.
5)          Are their any repairs that I will have to make to the motor home, fifth wheel, or travel trailer after I buy it? Always thoroughly inspect the motorhome or have it inspect by and RV professional. Deduct the cost of repairs plus a 10 to 15% contingency from the maximum price you would otherwise by willing to pay for the trailer or RV at auction.
6)          Don’t overbid. Know the most you can bid before the auction starts. Be prepared to walk away from the RV is the bid price exceeds the value you think it is worth. Don’t become emotionally attached.

January 9th, 2009

Does Your RV Need a Digital TV Converter Box?

Does Your RV Need a Digital TV Converter Box?
By Alan Wiener

With the changeover to Digital TV coming up in February, people are confused on whether it will affect them or not, even some RVers are not sure if they need a Digital TV Converter Box to receive TV using their RV’s antenna. Here is the question I recently received and the answer I gave. Hopefully this information will clear up the most common questions people have about Digital TV.

I’m still confused about the digital TV thing. Our 2006 RV is cable and internet ready, but if we are not at a campground do we need a converter to pick up TV signals after Feb?

ANSWER

Thanks for your question. There is a lot of confusion about the change to Digital broadcast TV scheduled to take place on February 17, 2009.

If you do not have a TV with a digital tuner, you will not be able to receive any stations when using an antenna, all you will get is snow.

If you are at a campground with cable TV, you will be able to receive TV, whether your TV has a digital tuner or an analog tuner.

Since your RV is a 2006 model, there is a pretty good chance that you will need a converter box for each TV in your RV to watch TV using an antenna.

The government required that all TVs sold after March 1, 2007, had to have digital tuners. The TVs in your RV were manufactured before that.

You say that your RV is “cable and internet ready”. Unfortunately that does not mean that it is Digital TV ready. It simply means that the cable and wiring to hook up your TV and computer were pre-wired in when they constructed the unit.

The first thing I would do is find the owner’s manual for your TV/TVs. The manual will tell you specifically if it has a digital tuner. If you do not see anything in the manual about a digital tuner, then you will need a converter box.

If you are still not sure, try to find the model number of your TV (this is sometimes hard in an RV because the TVs are usually built into a cabinet). Once you find the model number, go to the TV Manufacturers website and look up the specifications for your TV. If the Specs do not mention “digital tuner” then, you will need a converter box.

Digital Converter boxes can cost as little as $40.00 to well over $100.00 (depending on the extra bells and whistles the box comes with).

The boxes are available at electronic stores, WalMarts, K-Marts etc.

Now, here is the GOOD NEWS. There is a government funded program to help offset the cost of purchasing a converter box for TVs without digital tuners.

This program is called the “TV Converter Box Coupon Program”. When you go to their website you fill out a simple form and you can receive up to two coupons valued at $40.00 each towards the purchase of a converter box.

These coupons look like credit cards and are accepted at places such as Best Buy, etc. Here is the catch; these coupons are only good for 90 days after the date they were mailed to you. There is a limit of 2 coupons per household.

The last I heard, the demand for these coupons was so great, that there was a chance that they would run out of them by the middle of January, unless they received more funding from the government.

The government website to get the coupons is www.dtv2009.gov. Hopefully we have cleared up any confusion you might have.

January 4th, 2009

The Top Three RV Travel Tips of All Time

People have been living, working and travelling in RVs for decades now and so a body of useful information with regards to travelling in RVs has been accumulated over this time. The usefulness of RV travel tips obviously depends on your RV travel experience – or lack thereof, but for what they are worth, here are my all time top three RV travel tips.

1) Buy that RV and get on the road. Yes I know the economy is in tatters and times are tough but there are several great reasons why now is the best time to buy an RV. For one, prices are rock bottom and you can pick up a real bargain priced RV. Secondly, you wont find a much cheaper holiday than packing the family into the RV and heading for the hills. Thirdly, its about time that families relearned the art of working together for the common good and that family fun doesn’t have to involve shopping malls, electronic gadgets or copious amounts of money.

2) Keep a notebook on your travels in your RV – you never know when you’ll come across a really useful tidbit of information that you may want to remember for future reference.

3) Don’t reinvent the wheel – or in our case, RV travel tips. Hundreds of thousands of people have been there and done it before you and there is lots of information already documented and available for your convenience. From packing lists to RV cookbooks and deep cycle battery care, from LP gas systems to towing a vehicle behind your RV, fellow RVers have taken the time and trouble to put useful information together that will allow you to learn from their experiences and mistakes.

There is a vast chunk of the country out there waiting to be explored and appreciated. Make the most of it and use the wealth of knowledge acquired by other RV owners to make your travels an enjoyable and hassle free experience.

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »
RSS FeedSubscribe to Our RSS feed!
buy viagra