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If you own an RV, you will find portable solar panels very useful for long family trips. RVs are great for trips across the country. But most people also want to bring their electrical equipment such as the television, radio, iPod, laptop, Playstation etc with them. When you are on a road, locating an electrical power outlet can be a challenge.

Not all electric equipment is capable of using from solar cells. One of the reasons is the inconsistency power level from movable solar panel.

The power generated from the PV cells will depend on the sun. Some equipment has a power source tolerance level while others don’t. Continue reading ‘Portable Solar Panels – Convenient Power Source For RVs’ »

Preventive Maintenance is maintenance the owner can perform on your RV before a problem exists. These checks are designed to prevent or identify potential problems that could lead to mechanical breakdown, malfunction or failure of a component or system on your RV. Preventive Maintenance consists of cleaning, inspecting, lubricating, adjusting and servicing your RV.

Whether it’s a portable generator you use at home or the generator in your RV here are some simple PM checks you can perform to keep it in top operating condition. In addition to these checks you should always follow the maintenance schedule and guidelines that came with your specific generator set. Continue reading ‘Preventive Maintenance Keeps Your Generator Going & Going & Going’ »

Great American humorist, Kin Hubbard once said, “The safest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it in your pocket.” But when RV living is your way of life, saving every penny may not be as easy as you might expect. Continue reading ‘10 RV Tips – Save Money While Enjoying RV Living’ »

For nature lovers, it doesn’t get much better than taking off in an RV and exploring the countryside. Unfortunately, these large, bulky vehicles require a great deal of energy, even when off the road. We’ve yet to see a practical solar-powered engine on the market, and the few hybrid RVs that have been developed are still in the concept stage. There are, however, a number of solar power kits that can be applied to recreational vehicles, decreasing or eliminating the need for pricey electrical hook-ups at camping sites. There are a number of things to consider when planning to install such a system.

The first thing to do when deciding on the right solar kit is to gather some information. The amount of roof space available on which to mount a solar array. Next, it should be approximated how much direct sunlight will be available on average, both during driving and while parked in the Sun. Lastly, it should be determined how much electricity is being used in camp, and how many appliances are desirable to power at any one time. Continue reading ‘Things to Know About RV Solar Power’ »

Porch awning can be used in more ways than just sitting on your porch. Another great application of porch awnings is to use them on your RV or camper. An Caravan awning is normally made from polyester or acrylic for the awning cloth and from aluminum or steel for the frame. They are obtainable in many dissimilar colors, sizes, and shapes, and if you are cautious, you can be housed within any particular budget. The unlucky side of the awnings is their weight. The size of several awnings makes them extremely hard to carry and very annoying to set them up, regardless of how much the technology advances.

However, the modern designs or the modern technology, have developed an Caravan awning that is preferably suited to the people that take pleasure in the weekend road trips all over the year. An Caravan porch awning has smaller dimensions than the large complement but it is also lighter and definitely easier to rise when you begin the trip and to disable at the end. The porch awnings are not only smaller, easy to rise and lighter, but they are cheaper than the complete awnings. Continue reading ‘Porch Awnings For Your Caravan’ »

At the very edge of northern California lies a collection of America’s volcanic history. Just 20 or 30 miles south of the Oregon border, the Lava Beds National Monument is an amazing destination that provides some of the most beautiful natural features tucked away in a remote environment. Many people head up each and every year to experience a wilderness adventure in a hiker’s paradise.

Lodging in the area is rather limited. Within the park, there are approximately 40 first come first serve campsites. Although some RVs can be accommodated, larger vehicles may experience problems navigating some of the narrow roads within the camping areas. No hookups, showers, or laundry are available on site. There is a restroom and water on site. If you’re looking for more amenities, the EaglesNest RV Park is just 25 miles away from the park’s south entrance. The park features pull-through sites, electricity, utility hookups, and Wi-Fi access. Once you decide where to stay, you must decide what you want to do. There are two main attractions at the Lava Beds National Monument. Continue reading ‘Lava Beds Provide Geological Adventure For Brave RV Travelers’ »

If you’re in the market to purchase a new RV, now is an excellent time. There are many special offers and incentives aimed at getting you into an RV. Maybe you’re a seasoned veteran, an occasional renter, or a first timer just diving right in head first. No matter what your experience, there are a number of things you should keep in mind before heading out to the dealership.

You should always determine the needs of you and your family first. Purchasing a vehicle that just isn’t big enough for your expanding family is the biggest mistake RV buyers typically fall victim to. Keep in mind that you’re going to be spending a majority of your time in the RV while driving and camping. Just because there are enough beds in to accommodate every member of your family doesn’t mean that there’s enough space to be able to live comfortably. It is very beneficial to tour the interior of the RV and examine it thoroughly. If there are any retractable portions, make sure they are fully popped out so you get a real feel of the space. Imagine cooking and eating a meal with your family on board and see if it feels comfortable and natural. If you are feeling a little crammed, chances are your family will as well. Lack of space causes a lot of unnecessary tension that can make an RV vacation take a turn for the worst. Continue reading ‘Tips For Buying a New RV’ »

Cheap Retirement Living in an RV means you can have it all…the freedom of an RV without breaking the bank.

It is 2009 and most (certainly the writer) have been rocked by the stock market plunge of last year. Once the future was assured, now we are scrambling to see if we can retire at all. Here is the lemonade you get from last year’s lemons. Continue reading ‘Cheap Retirement Living in an RV – A Great Way to Enjoy Frugal Retirement’ »

Whether you are going camping, touring, or even vagabonding, a camp trailer will provide a traveller with all the amenities found in the comfort of today’s modern homes. There are various types of homes on wheels, or mobile homes, such as motor homes, truck campers, fifth wheel trailers, and travel trailers. The type of recreational vehicle (RV) you are going to buy for your family or for yourself, depends on a few factors. These factors are primarily, the cost, your current vehicles towing capacity, and the amount of living and sleeping area you are going to need. The fact is an RV bought new from a dealership will generally depreciate faster in the first few years from its purchase date, after a few years the RV’s value can hold its own if it is well maintained. For this reason, the smart modern vagabonds will commonly buy their mobile homes used. If you can learn to recognize what to look for when you are shopping for a used camper trailer, then you just might be able to find yourself a great deal and save a few dollars.

While you are shopping for your used camp trailer, the different types of RVs you will encounter are, the class A motor homes, the class B motor homes, the class C motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, folding camp trailers, sport utility recreational vehicles, and the good old truck camper. The type you are going to focus on will depend on your budget, the vehicle you are currently driving, and the space required. Unless you are looking at the class A, B, and C motor homes you will need a towing vehicle. The class A motor home is the most expensive and the biggest recreational vehicle, such as a bus converted into a living quarters, the class B motor home is smaller and is built on a van chassis, and the class C motor home is a van with a cut away chassis as the camper. If you own a car, then you can shop around for the travel trailers and folding camp trailers. These types are generally smaller and lighter and enable the use of a car for towing. For the pickup truck owners and depending on the truck’s load and tow capacity, you can then start looking at the larger camp trailers. With a pickup truck, you can still buy the lighter, smaller trailers if you wish, that depends on your comfort level, this way you will have more room in your truck box to carry supplies around. The truck camper is unique in its own way since it fits inside a pickup truck’s box. Continue reading ‘Tips on Shopping For a Used RV’ »

One of the best decisions I ever made was purchasing a recreational vehicle. This decision led my family and I to experience some of the most enjoyable times together that we ever thought were possible. Traveling down the road in the RV allowed us to come together for large amounts of time, but also have enough space to not feel overcrowded and infringed upon. The day I bought our family RV was the day I got my family back.

When I first got the idea of purchasing an RV, I really didn’t know what I was looking for. I wished I had some help, someone knowledgeable to help lead me through the process. This isn’t as simple as finding an available RV and plunking down the cash, there is a lot more that goes into it than that. I first had to find the right RV to match my family’s needs, both the amount of people in it and what our intended purpose was. I then had to find the RV that matched my family’s budget. Continue reading ‘My Best Decision – Buying a Used RV!’ »