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December 31, 2009
As you look to select the right rv parts for your rig, a generator is one of the most important items to purchase. It can provide reliable energy for your vehicle while you are on the road or at the campsite.
Picking the right generator might just seem like selecting the one that fits your budget, but there are a few things to consider that go beyond price tag.
Like all rv parts, size matters when picking out a generator for your vehicle. Do a careful survey of all the items in your rv that draw power. This includes kitchen appliances, lights, and the big draw of the air conditioner unit.
Next, figure out how much wattage each of these items draws when in operation. You can find the wattage of most of your appliances on the appliance itself. For example, light bulbs list their watts, as well as your microwave and refrigerator.
Be cautious of starting wattage on your rv parts – this is what an appliance needs to get running, and it’s often higher than the running wattage. Keep this in mind when looking at the documents for the big pieces, like the air conditioner. This is the number that needs to be figured into your total equation.
Once you have calculated the total power needed to run your RV, start analyzing what generators work for your needs. This might end up saving you money – you might need a smaller generator than you budgeted for.
Next, start looking at the options. There are two types of generators, a contractor and RV generators. Contractor generators are a noisier option than an rv generator, but cheaper.
Beware – when in a quiet campground and trying to enjoy the sound of nature, a contractor generator might make that impossible. The generators will often list their noise level in decibels, which can help you make a decision.
There are different types of starts for your generator, like a pull start similar to those found on lawn mowers and weed whackers, key starts, or even remote options. The pull starts are generally cheaper than key starts, and remote start can become very costly.
The fuel tank size is another thing to take into consideration. Find out how long your generator will run on a full tank of fuel – nothing will ruin a cold winter’s night like having to go outside and fill up an empty generator.
Doing your research prior to purchasing a generator is necessary and will help you find the right size and fit for your rv needs.
December 30, 2009
Nothing could be worse than being out in the desert in a large metal box with a broken rv air conditioner and three sulky teenagers.
This tragedy hits all the time in the southern states during the summer months as large numbers of rvs full of families travel throughout the hottest parts of the US.
If you are on the open road and your air conditioner peters out or blows out warm air, you might not be able to find a mechanic easily or you might not have enough knowledge to fix the problem. Use these tips to see if you can avoid a day at a mechanic’s shop.
Check the cords– This sounds obvious, but it’s a good first step in troubleshooting a problematic rv air conditioner. Are the cords on the air conditioner secure and undamaged? Is the plug used for the cord still functioning?
Start checking these areas first. Unplug and replug the air conditioner. Test the plug with a functioning appliance to make sure the problem is not with the outlet. Hopefully the plug just came loose!
Check the thermostat – Make sure that the temperature for the rv air conditioner is set and the unit is on. Check and replace the thermostat batteries if they are drained. If the thermostat is powered instead by a hard wire connection, check and make sure that the breaker isn’t tripped or the fuse isn’t blown.
Check the filter – If the problem isn’t with the air working but rather the air blows warm or weak, check out the filter. The filter should be replaced on a consistent basis, and if it’s not, the dirt and grime buildup can block the air or prevent cold air from coming through.
Check the fluids – Does there seem to be a lot of condensation or liquid buildup around the air conditioner? Liquid around the condenser unit is a sign of a leak from Freon or condenser fluid. That leak will cause a low level of fluids, which will in turn prevent the unit from creating cold air. Check the fluid levels, stop the leak if possible, and replace the fluids.
The best way to avoid air conditioner emergencies is to perform regular maintenance, either by you or by a mechanic. At the very least, make sure the fluids and filters are ready to go before you hit the road and you’ll avoid roasting in your rv next summer.
December 29, 2009
Awning: check. Patio mat: check. Throw up some lawn chairs and outdoor rv accessories and you have a typical outdoor area for many rvs.
Sometimes, though, you don’t want to look like every other camper in the campground area. If you’re trying to create a special look for your rv, here are some ideas:
Light it up – Adding unique outdoor lights are some easy rv accessories can add personality to your outdoor space. Lanterns are the old camping standby, but they can be bulky if you’re trying to light up a larger area.
Christmas tree lights, either plain or with playful decorative covers can be a small, packable way to bring some style out of your rv. They can easily hook into most modern rvs through outdoor plugs and add a festive look to your awning.
Throw it down – Large patio rugs are must-have rv accessories. They often come in plain colors – greys and blues and browns. There are some unique options, including prints and patterns that can help distinguish your rv from everyone else at the campground.
Or make it completely yours – take a plain large mat and use paints, stencils and large stamps to create a mat that stands out. Talk to a crafts store to find the right paints that will stay, rain or shine.
Lay out – Lawn chairs are the standard for outdoor patios. They now come in a variety of looks and can be more comfortable than a typical drugstore variety. Fold-up recliners are even more common today. Another great option for comfort and style is a portable hammock stand.
These can be folded up and broken down for easy transportation. Once out, you can relax the day away in your own swinging hammock. Hammock chairs are also out there. Built for one, they even have swinging ottomans, so you can kick back and enjoy the great outdoors.
Set it down – Tables are a must, especially if you plan on dining in the great outdoors. Folding tables are easy to come by, but there are other ways to eat outside. Tables that are mounted and attach to the side of the rv allow you to set up a buffet, and smaller side tables gives everyone a place to set their dishes down. Or sets with seats attached to the table and a place for an umbrella is a convenient way to have a family meal outside.
December 28, 2009
As TVs get larger and flatter and start giving high-quality HD, many rv accessories are starting to cater to these new products. Upgrading an RV can seem a little overwhelming, in that everything is built in and settled, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.
It’s possible when you bought your rv that the only option out there – or affordable – was for CRT TVs. The rv accessories were built around this bulky mass, and now with everything built in, it might not seem worth it to change. With the new LED and plasma televisions on the market, you can get a high quality picture in your rv, and the cost doesn’t have to bleed you dry.
RV accessories and parts for these new flat panel TVs are everywhere, and even allow you to put that beautiful TV in your outdoor patio space for TV viewing in the great outdoors.
If you are worried about bright sunshine glaring off your TV and making it impossible to watch, there are rvs with mounts located higher than the normal basement level mounts which allows your TV to be mounted closer to the awning to protect from the sun.
Inside the rv, not only will your load get lighter, but also you might be able to ditch some equipment. Flat panel TVs are much lighter than the traditional CRT units, meaning you’ll be saving a bit of gas and also possibly losing the soundtrack created by heavy units squeaking over rough roads. The new flat-panel TVs require no separate converter box as well, which gives you even more room and a bit less weight.
Some cabinet work will probably have to be completed. If you are handy, you could complete this small cabinetry project in a short period of time. Otherwise, find the right person or company to get your new TV into a new home.
Because you are losing out on the old, bulky TV casing, a flat panel TV set will most likely let you increase your TV size. Find a place in your RV and measure the maximum width you can go without running into cabinets or other appliances.
This will be the approximate size of your new TV because the diagonal size of the screen is the same as the width of the flat panel including the casing.
A new flat panel will also add a high-tech look to your old RV. This updated entertainment will not only add to your experience on the open road, but will help increase the sale value when you decide to give up your old rig.
December 27, 2009
As the weather continues to get colder, the Snowbirds are already nesting in the Sunbelt, away from the harsh winter weather. Not everyone is so lucky. The right rv parts can keep your vehicle safe through rough and cold winters as the weather dips down below freezing.
Freezing weather is an obvious danger to your rv. Parts of your vehicle are more vulnerable than others. Pipes, for sure, should be winterized. Make sure all of the tanks, including the fresh water tank and the water heater are drained.
Look at the user’s manuals for other appliances that use water, like dishwashers, to see what is required by the manufacturer to keep the appliance safe from freezing.
Using antifreeze is a good way to make sure the pipes are protected. Be sure to buy antifreeze for rv parts, as it is a specific product designed for your vehicle and necessary to keep it protected properly.
Come spring, a thorough washing will help remove any taste from the pipes. Do take precautions and double check that the antifreeze you use is nontoxic and safe for water systems.
If you don’t like the idea of using antifreeze in your pipes, there are tools and gadgets that help you use an air compressor to clear out the pipes. This plug is often known as a blowout plug, and it hooks up to your city water inlet.
This allows you to hook up an air compressor to your pipes in order to blow out all of the water that remains after draining. There is a downside – if not cautious, a little extra water could cause great damage.
It’s extremely hard to get every last drop of water out – every dip in the pipes will continue to hold water, and therefore will have to be drained manually.
The obvious plus side is that in the spring you don’t have to worry about flushing the system to remove the antifreeze taste, and the blowout method is cheaper in terms of money – but will probably cost you more time.
Some other small steps to make sure your rv is winterized include removing any products with any liquid contents at all. This includes food, cleaning products, bottles of water or juice, and even canned food.
Anything with liquid has the chance to freeze in cold weather, expanding in its container and possibly bursting. Don’t take any chances with any liquids and you’ll be rewarded with a clean and easy spring inside your rv.
December 26, 2009
A great piece of equipment to help you create an outdoor living space beyond the rv walls are the RV awnings. They help protect from the sun and keep your family cool naturally during the hot summer months.
However, they aren’t designed to last forever, and soon you might find yourself dealing with a fussy or broken awning. Take these steps to see if you can protect or salvage your awning before you spring for a new shade.
-Use the awning for what it was designed for. One minute, you’re sitting outside, enjoying the shade from your rv awnings while you relax outside, the next minute you’re scrambling for cover from a summer storm.
While a light rain won’t break your awning, a strong storm with wind or hail could damage or break your awning. Awnings are meant to block the sun, not the storms or rain.
If the weather starts looking inclement, try to put away the awning along with the chairs and patio rug. The awning is just as susceptible to damage as your lawn chairs or patio umbrellas. Take care of them and they will last for years.
-Care for the awning. Cleaning your rv awnings before putting your rv away for long periods will help you avoid problems with grime and mildew. Make sure they are thoroughly dry before putting them away. Keep the awning arms in good shape by making sure they are well lubricated.
-Use awning tape for a temporary fix. A small rip or tear can be fixed with a bit of tape for several months. Make sure you clean the awning before putting down the tape, and make sure the tape is smooth on the surface so air bubbles don’t emerge.
-Find a longer-term fix for small tears. After several months, if you don’t think you need to replace the awning quite yet, find a similar awning fabric to create a seamless patch.
Cut a suitable piece of matching fabric, use an appropriate glue to attach the patch, and let it dry thoroughly. Repeat this on the opposite side of the awning to create a strong, resilient patch.
-Check the arms. If the awning arms seem to be acting up, take your rv to a professional for a checkup. Replacement arms can be bought easily if the problem is beyond repair.
By taking care of your awning, you can enjoy a long life of service from it.
December 25, 2009
When you travel as much as we do it is much more convenient to have a camper. We travel all over the country to different trade shows and it is wonderful to have our camper with us.
The various camper parts that we have picked up over the years have made our journeys much easier. “Camper parts” is vague terminology, but I am talking about the little luxuries and necessities that we have afforded ourselves over the years.
We travel for business and out of necessity. We simply cannot afford to travel by plane everywhere we need to go. Since we are on the road so often it also was not in our best interest to purchase a home.
However, purchasing a camper was ideal for us. It became our home since we were always in it. The luxury and convenience we found in our camper was much better than anything we could have asked for given our budget.
One of the biggest decisions we had to make was whether to purchase an RV or a camper. The benefit of an RV would be that everything would be in one unit. We would have everything we needed right next to us. However, we would have to take everything with us all the time.
We knew we could just hitch a car or truck to the end of the RV, but then driving it would be a hassle. Not to mention the number of distractions being in an RV would create.
The temptation was just too much to be able to move around while driving. While it would be great for the passenger, it would be arduous and distracting for the driver.
Our next option was purchasing a camper. We could leave a camper at camp grounds while we drove to our various trade shows and meetings.
We were not restricted by where we could park and therefore were able to travel much more easily to our various destinations within whichever city we were in at the time.
Camper parts also made it easier to enjoy the various benefits of camper life. We could purchase accessories to make our camper more of a home.
To date we have installed many luxuries that have made all of our journeys easier. They have also made it easier for us to enjoy life when we are not running around from one destination to another.
December 24, 2009
There are two main kinds of fabric that are used for rv awnings. Finding the right awning for your needs can be a matter of getting the right fabric. There are two main choices out there for the fabric that makes up your awning, and there are positives and negatives for each of these fabrics. You should carefully consider these points before making a purchase or replacing an old awning. By thinking through what kind of fabric you need or what you are looking for, you can find a great awning for all of your outdoor needs.
There are two main fabrics that make up the majority of commercially available rv awnings. One fabric used for rv awnings is acrylic. This is a woven fabric, which allows for air to circulate and move through the fabric. This allows the fabric to dry quickly if it gets wet. The one main drawback of acrylic is that it is water repellant, but it is not waterproof. This means that if the awning is kept up during a storm, it will not work perfectly to deflect the rain. If you plan on traveling often during rainy times, then keep this in mind when choosing your awning.
The other main fabric used for commercially available rv awnings is vinyl. Vinyl is yet another fabric that is water repellant but not waterproof. Something to keep in mind is that touching a wet piece of vinyl or acrylic on its underside will let the water seep through in that area. This is something you should keep in mind when handling an awning in a downpour. Much like a tent, the fabric will start seeping moisture through and will get you – and your protected possessions – all wet. This shouldn’t be a problem, as long as you keep your hand off of the fabric when the rain starts coming down.
The other problem with vinyl and acrylic is that the fabrics are mildew resistant, but are not necessarily mildew proof. If you pack up an awning before it is fully dry, there is a good chance you will end up with some mildew. This is smelly and can discolor the awning fabric, so it should be avoided. You can clean off mildew using a soft cloth and gentle cleanser, but be careful not to scrub the fabric or to use oil cleaner and you should solve any mildew problems.
December 23, 2009
Your RV is your home, so you have to be comfortable in it. RV awnings are convenient, and sometimes essential.
Since your RV is your home, having RV awnings makes it easier to enjoy being outside, regardless of the weather and time of day.
When you take an RV on a vacation, you essentially plan to spend a large amount of time in the RV. The RV becomes your home on the road. You eat, sleep, and relax in the RV, so comfort should be a priority.
RVs are not always on the road. Even the most focused and determined travelers must relax and sleep at some point, so they will stop at a park or some other type of rest area.
Depending on where you are travelling to, it may be difficult to find another place to sit back and relax, so at these times the RV is your only escape. Having an awning already installed will make it much easier and convenient to stop.
With an awning on your RV you can stop anywhere at any time of day and pull out the awning to block the sun. It can also be used as a privacy method; having an awning reduces visibility into the RV as well as from the area covered.
Another benefit of having an RV is extended space. You can easily increase square footage by incorporating an awning into your RV. The space covered by the awning is essentially your space.
You can use it as an outdoor dining area, a barbeque area, and a preparation area. This extended space can also be used as extra sleeping space depending on the area where you are staying.
The more relaxed and easy-going vacationers may make frequent stops, ideally for each meal and just to rest and socialize as the opportunity arrives. Using your RV as an outdoor space with an awning makes socializing much easier.
You can be in your own space yet still visible to anyone else who is in the area. You can flag down other people in a similar situation as yourself and become friends.
You could also have a small get together under your awning where a large group of people can come together and socialize.
No matter how you choose to use your RV awnings, they are definitely an essential addition to your RV. They will increase square footage, create easy entertaining options, and make life in general more convenient for you.
December 22, 2009
Don’t we all wish we could invest in things that lasted forever? There are few things we can buy once in our lifetimes and never take care of. Possessions need TLC, care and maintenance in order to keep running. Out of all of your rv accessories, your rooftop rv air conditioner is one of the most important pieces to have work. During the summer months, not having an AC unit can be miserable. If you have kids in tow, you will hear about it every second during the whole ride to the closest rv repair shop.
But when you have an rv air conditioner on your roof, it’s hard to get up there to see what’s going on. Too often, people just haul their rv in without even taking a look at what’s going on. The roof-mounted AC unit is extremely popular, and is featured on most of the current rvs on the road.
One common complaint with the roof mounted rv air conditioner is what is called the freeze up condition. This is when the air conditioner unit drips water inside the rv, and the air blowing into the rv is not cold. The fan still works, but it does not deliver cold air. This is an extremely common problem, and there are a few things you can do to make sure this doesn’t happen.
You should take the time to clean the filter on the rooftop unit often. You can use pressurized water and/or compressed air to push impurities out of your filter. This will make sure that the filter does not become clogged and start affecting the performance of your AC unit.
You should also check the condenser a few times a year to make sure it is working properly. Look at the condenser for blocks like debris or leaves. Also be sure that the condenser is straight. You can use a radiator comb to straighten any crushed fins within the condenser, which will give you a better performance. Be careful when you do this, as the fins are thin and can be easily torn.
If you still experience problems with your AC unit, take it into a professional. There are many other problems that can go wrong with your AC, and it should be checked out on a regular basis. A mechanic’s eye on a yearly basis can make sure that any small problem can be fixed before it becomes a serious issue.
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