If you own a diesel powered RV, then you are familiar with the sound of an idling engine. Idling is important to warming your engine up and letting it cool down for hard drives that may take place. While idling does have a role in RVing, there is such thing as too much idling. . . . → Read More: Should you let your diesel RV idle?]]>

If you own a diesel powered RV, then you are familiar with the sound of an idling engine. Idling is important to warming your engine up and letting it cool down for hard drives that may take place. While idling does have a role in RVing, there is such thing as too much idling. So when do you know whether or not to keep your engine idling or not? It is all dependent on where you are, what you have just done, and what you plan on doing in the future. It may sound like a lot to consider, but you will find out how easy it is to properly idle your diesel and keep your engine happy.

The first thing you need to understand is that your idling diesel engine can be loud. If you are in a camp site with a lot of neighbors, you may want to lay off of keeping your engine running during quiet hours. No one wants to be kept awake by the sound of your engine in the night. Be considerate to other campers that are around you, and remember that if you don’t need to run your engine, then you shouldn’t. If you do need to keep it running, only do so for the minimal amount of time that you need.

If you are about to leave after a night at camp, then you should let your engine idle for about 15 or 20 seconds to allow the engine to start to heat up and loosen up. It shouldn’t take too long, but you may want to give it an extra minute or two if you are in a place with below freezing temperatures.  If you have arrived at your camp after a long hard drive, especially dealing with hilly terrain, then you should let the engine idle for 10 to 15 minutes to naturally start to cool down. This will allow the oil and coolant in your rig to properly do its job and help extend the life of your RV.

If you are the owner of a fifth-wheel or Class A RV, then you are probably familiar with the slideouts that transform the interior of your rig. Slideouts were created to allow you to safely drive your rig anywhere across the country, but give you the extra living space to feel more at home wherever you . . . → Read More: Troubleshoot Your RV’s Slideout]]>

If you are the owner of a fifth-wheel or Class A RV, then you are probably familiar with the slideouts that transform the interior of your rig. Slideouts were created to allow you to safely drive your rig anywhere across the country, but give you the extra living space to feel more at home wherever you decide to stop. If you are camping with slideouts that don’t want to open, then you are camping with less RV. So how do you find out what is wrong with your slide outs if they refuse to open?

There are a few simple things you can do to check your slideout before you have to bring your RV into the shop for more costly repairs. The first thing you should do is check your rig’s batteries. If you have weak or discharged batteries that run the slideout, then you are not getting any of the power needed to open them. If your battery is okay, then you should check the fuse that is used to open the slideout. You may need to reference your owner’s manual to locate the slideout’s fuse is because it may vary from RV to RV.

If you have an RV that uses a hydraulic system to open the slideout, then you should check the hydraulic fluid lines. If the fluid level is low, or if you have a leak in the lines, then you will not be able to open the slideout all the way. Another problem with a hydraulic system is a failure with the valves that run the fluid. If you don’t feel comfortable checking any of these components, then bring it in to our service department for one of our professionals to look at. This will lessen the chance of doing more harm than good.

After you’ve exhausted all repair avenues, you may  choose to buy a new Class A with a Slideout, we can help with that too!

The Department of the Interior has set up days throughout the year for campers and travelers to get into any of the national parks across the country without paying any entrance fees. These days are especially great for RVers who have been wanting to cross off destinations from their traveling wish list. From coast to coast . . . → Read More: Mark your RV calenders now for 2012 Fee Free Days]]>

The Department of the Interior has set up days throughout the year for campers and travelers to get into any of the national parks across the country without paying any entrance fees. These days are especially great for RVers who have been wanting to cross off destinations from their traveling wish list. From coast to coast and border to border, there are many wonderful places to take the family and enjoy the beautiful scenery. If you are a full-timer, or someone who wants to buy their first RV in Lake City, then you should be sure to mark your calenders now to take advantage of these days.

The great part about the Fee-Free days is that they’re spread out throughout the year to allow for travel during all the signature seasons. The first weekend that is Fee-Free is Martin Luther King Jr. weekend from January 14-16. This is a great way for snowbirds to take a little trip from their winter camp and stretch their legs. The entire week of April 21-29 is a great way to welcome spring by seeing the foliage start to blossom at parks across the country. If you are looking for a quick summer getaway, then June 9 would be a great time to bring in the summer season with national Get Outdoors Day. National Public Lands day is September 29, and you can travel to see the leaves change November 10-12.

There is always something else out there for you to see or experience. Fee-Free days are a great opportunity to go out and see the country and its parks and save a few dollars along the way. Whether you are new to RVing, or an RV pro, you should take advantage in a great new RV on Fee-Free days.

As a child, you were probably warned by your parents to put on sunblock before you went outdoors. If you were like me, you usually didn’t listen and would end up with a painful, red burn. The sun can do a lot of damage, not only to your skin, but to other materials if they are . . . → Read More: Protect your RV’s skin]]>

As a child, you were probably warned by your parents to put on sunblock before you went outdoors. If you were like me, you usually didn’t listen and would end up with a painful, red burn. The sun can do a lot of damage, not only to your skin, but to other materials if they are not protected. This extends to your RV, and it’s exterior. If you do not apply a protective coat to your RV’s exterior, then you may be dealing with costly repairs and damage to your rigs paint and body.

There are many different kinds of protective products that will keep your rig safe from harmful UV rays and other outdoor elements. Choosing the right one may take a little bit of trial and error. One product that I like to use is Pro Polish. I like it because it doesn’t contain any fillers or talc which can leave a residue on the exterior. Not only does it not leave a residue, but it is also easier to buff out. Now that it is fall and the weather is easier to work in, it would be a great time to get your RV protected. Not only from the sunlight, but from dirt and road grime.

If you are a Snowbird, then you will probably be going to areas with a lot of dust and dirt, like the Southwest or a coastal area. While these areas are great to get away from the cold, the elements can really start to take a toll on your exterior. be sure to take special care with your roof, since that is the area that takes on the most direct sunlight for the longest amount of time.

If you are looking for a new RV for the fall and winter season, then be sure to come into Travel Country RV, and we’ll be sure to get you in the right RV for you.

One of the most used components of RVs today is the television. While you may be out living the camping lifestyle, you are sure to use your TV at night and during periods of bad weather. You may be watching your television set one night and think that it is time to get a new one. . . . → Read More: What kind of TV should you get for your rig?]]>

One of the most used components of RVs today is the television. While you may be out living the camping lifestyle, you are sure to use your TV at night and during periods of bad weather. You may be watching your television set one night and think that it is time to get a new one. Whether it is because you want a bigger screen, or you want to finally upgrade to a flat screen, there are things that you need to take into consideration. The two main types of TV on the market are plasma screens and LCD.

Plasma screen TVs work by having small pockets of gas that are electrically charged to create a picture. Plasma screens are known for a better resolution and faster frame rate, they also have their down sides. One thing you need to consider is that it is affected by altitude. Whenever you go above 6,000 feet above sea level, the gasses in the set begin to contract, causing your TV to work harder to produce a picture. This can shorten the life of your TV and cause a buzzing sound while it is playing. Also, if you fall asleep with a DVD on, or have children whol leave video games paused for long periods of time, you may develop burn in.

The other kind of TV is LCD. These are generally better for RVing because they are less fragile than a plasma. You may lose a little bit of resolution, but you won’t notice too much of a difference if unless you are looking at a set that is larger than fifty inches. With both television sets you can look for a long life, it is generally up to what you want to spend and where you expect to travel and stay. If you are looking for a new RV with flat screen TVs already installed, then be sure to come into Travel Country RV.

Whether you are a fan of college or pro football, there’s one thing that all fans have in common: Fans love to tailgate! And everyone knows the tailgater with the best RV wins. Owning an RV means that you can become the top dog of the parking lot. The great part about having an RV is . . . → Read More: Get Your Rig Tailgate-Ready]]>

Whether you are a fan of college or pro football, there’s one thing that all fans have in common: Fans love to tailgate! And everyone knows the tailgater with the best RV wins. Owning an RV means that you can become the top dog of the parking lot. The great part about having an RV is that once you have enough outside, you can enjoy a bit of peace a quiet during the game inside. While many tailgaters will bring their pick up trucks and portable grills, you already have a leg up in the tailgate scene.

Tailgating in your RV is  a great way to get ready for the next big game, and have a party at the stadium, even if you don’t have tickets. But before you head to the game, turn on your refrigerator a few hours before hand  and put pre-cooled food and drinks inside. This will help your fridge work less hard and have everything ready by the time you get to the stadium. When you show up, be sure you know the limits of your generator. It is easy to add more and more to your tailgate like microwaves, televisions, stereos, and other electronics, but you don’t want to blow your generator and be stuck. Check the oil level and run it for an hour or two a few days before hand to make sure everything is working properly.

If you have not used your rig for a few weeks before hand, make sure that everything runs smoothly and all your fluid levels are correct. Turn on your rig and let the batteries charge and run for an hour or two in the days before hand. Also, be prepared to be the closest bathroom in the lot. If you let people use your facilities, be sure to dump and clean your tanks before hand and let everyone who will use it know proper RV bathroom etiquette.

If you are looking to be the head tailgater at the next game, be sure to come into Travel Country RV before hand.

While your RV’s engine may be able to power your rig from destination to destination, it doesn’t power all of your appliances and accessories inside. Without a working generator in your RV, you are not getting the full RV experience. Similarly to your body, your generator should follow a good work out regimen in order to work . . . → Read More: Give your RV’s Generator a Workout]]>

While your RV’s engine may be able to power your rig from destination to destination, it doesn’t power all of your appliances and accessories inside. Without a working generator in your RV, you are not getting the full RV experience. Similarly to your body, your generator should follow a good work out regimen in order to work properly and remain in good condition over a long period of time. Don’t worry – stretches are optional (haha!).

If you are planning to shut down your rig for the winter, then be sure to work your generator once a month. Turn it on and let it run  for about 2 straight hours once a month. That’ll extend its life. Running your generator for stretches of time, even if you are not using your RV for a season, ensures the oil and gas won’t add contaminants to the motor itself. Also, if you are not running your generator regularly, there is a chance the excess carbon monoxide could leak into your RV’s cabin.

Not only should you run your generator for a couple of hours per month, you should also regularly change the oil whether it is in storage or not. It is recommended that you change the oil every 100 hours for a gas generator and 300 hours for a diesel generator. You should also check the oil levels every 10 hours of operation to make sure that you are not running low which may cause the engine to break down. For more information about caring for your RV’s generator, or  for any other RV accessory needs, just give me, my service adviser call or my parts manager a call.

If you have ever tried to search through your closet or drawers when it is dark outside, you know that it can be a more difficult task that it needs to be. While the light fixtures in your RV are great for big, open areas, there are those dark nooks and corners that always seem to . . . → Read More: Let there be light in your RV’s dark corners]]>

If you have ever tried to search through your closet or drawers when it is dark outside, you know that it can be a more difficult task that it needs to be. While the light fixtures in your RV are great for big, open areas, there are those dark nooks and corners that always seem to be hard to find things in. There are a few options that you may have but the easiest way to get light into those dark spots may be small LED lights. So put down the flashlight and watch the video below to see how easy it can be to install small, portable lights throughout your rig.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-9aC4SSNBY

These lights can be found at a variety of home improvement and RV and camping stores, and they are low cost and easy to use. So don’t fumble around your RV and instead shed some light on the situation. If you are looking for a new RV to light up, then be sure to come into Travel Country RV.

It’s that time of year when all of our inner ghouls and goblins come out for some Halloween fun. Halloween means more than decorating your RV and telling ghost stories around the fire, it is the time for fun fall activities. If you have children that love to go out and have a blast during the . . . → Read More: Have a spooktacular time this Halloween]]>

It’s that time of year when all of our inner ghouls and goblins come out for some Halloween fun. Halloween means more than decorating your RV and telling ghost stories around the fire, it is the time for fun fall activities. If you have children that love to go out and have a blast during the spooky season, then you may want to load up the RV this weekend and have a great time camping and taking advantage of many Halloween activities that are offered at RV parks and camp grounds across the country.

Many parks and large camp site companies turn there areas into Halloween hubs throughout the month of October to offer faun, family activities during the slower part of the camping year. Jellystone Parks and KOA camp sites often have plenty of Halloween fun that they offer to camping guests. From hay rides and pumpkin patches to haunted houses, there are sure to be plenty of things for every member of your family to have a great time. It is also a great way to meet other RVers and make some new friends along the way.

A lot of camp sites also offer contests for pumpkin carving, RV decorating, and costume contests which allow you to bring out your inner artists in fun and creepy ways. Halloween time is a great time to spend time with your little ones and get one last chance to have great camp time activities before winter fully sets in. If you are planning on being on the road, or if you are looking for fun Halloween activities to do, then be sure to check out your favorite camp sites because they may be able to give you all of the Halloween that you can handle.

If you are looking for a new RV to spend the fall in, then be sure to come by Travel Country RV.

The life blood for any engine is the motor oil. While gasoline may help you drive from place to place, your engine will not work without fresh oil. Like your car, your oil must be changed every 3,00o miles, the only difference is that you will probably hit that marker far before you would in your . . . → Read More: Is synthetic oil okay for your motor home?]]>

The life blood for any engine is the motor oil. While gasoline may help you drive from place to place, your engine will not work without fresh oil. Like your car, your oil must be changed every 3,00o miles, the only difference is that you will probably hit that marker far before you would in your car. It is always a good idea to carry extra oil with you while driving across the country or during long trips. A question that is asked a lot is whether or not synthetic oils are okay for your motor home.

There are a lot of misconceptions about synthetic oil out there. Some people think that synthetic oil can only be sued in newer RVs and that you can’t use it if you are replacing conventional oil. Other people will claim that synthetic oil does damage to seals. The fact is that these things have never been proven and that they are turning into an urban legend. Synthetic oil can do a lot of good for your rig. It can handle extreme temperatures better than conventional oil, reduce oil consumption under high speeds, and it can off increased stability against deposits that may start to form in critical engine parts.

Whether you choose to use synthetic or conventional oil, the important thing is that you regularly check and change it. Before you go on a long trip, and when you are stopping to fuel up, be sure to check your oil. Make sure that you have the correct levels, color, and consistency in the oil, and if you notice anything wrong, be sure to get your oil changed immediately. It is easier to check and maintain your oil levels rather than be stuck in the middle of nowhere due to engine failure.

If you are looking for a new RV, then be sure to come into Travel Country RV.