What's in your glove box? Tips for RV camping and travel when technology fails.

People often say "There's an app for that", when asked about what kind of travel literature they keep in their camping unit. From maps to campground guides, the world has gone digital. Below you will find a few tips for how to proceed in the event your traveling technology fails.

Maps: 

Once the dashboard GPS is "re-calculating" and Google navigation on your phone has "lost satellites", start big and get smaller. Keep an atlas that covers the entire United States, these are great for following along the major highways as you cross through multiple states. Next, a map for the individual states being traveled through helps break down the major cities. You will also find it has even the smallest of towns on them, where you likely will find your campground for the night. Finally, a county road map can also come in handy. Especially for people who love their toy hauler, and the toys inside. On the county maps you can track down the smallest of roads, even the ones where the grass runs between your tires.

Campground Guides:

Though most people set out with a destination in mind, it is always a good idea to keep things such as a KOA Kampground guide, and the Woodalls magazine. These guides offer breakdowns of places to stay by city and state, including amenities, and turn by turn instructions for finding the campground once you've exited the highway. For State and National Park enthusiasts, both offer guides for camping as well. 

User Guides and Owners Manuals:

While standing on the shoulder of a highway on ramp with a blown out dually tire is not the time to realize you don't know how to change it. However, if you do find yourself in this, or a whole litany of other disasters, it is best to have your owner's manual, roadside assistance number, or the 1-800 number of your units manufacturer. 

Whether you are on the road with a small pop-up, trailer, or class C or A RV we hope you travel safely and prepare for when technology fails.

Happy Trails

Tips for Keeping Bears Away When Camping in an RV

When camping in an RV, a big concern that many people have involves protecting themselves from bears. Fortunately, there are a number of preventative measures that will ensure you only view these magnificent creatures from afar.

Food Storage

Don’t assume you are safe just because you are staying in an RV. Instead, take measures to prevent bears from being attracted to your campsite in the first place by:

• Immediately discarding trash into the appropriate containers and as far away from your campsite as possible
• Storing food in tightly-sealed plastic containers
• Bringing all food storage containers, coolers, etc. inside your vehicle unless you are grilling. By storing items inside your vehicle, you are providing yourself with a layer of protection in the event a bear does attempt a break-in.
• Keeping your campsite clean at all times. Wash dishes immediately after eating, and wipe down tables and chairs to ensure there are no crumbs that would attract bears or other wildlife.

You may also want to consider a bear-proof food storage unit. Made from solid steel, one of these food storage containers will contain odors that might otherwise attract bears, while also being extremely difficult to break open. Trash containers made from solid steel are also recommended if you plan to park your RV on a particular for an extended period.

Avoid Other Attractants

Food isn’t the only thing that attracts bears. Anything with a strong scent such as deodorant, toothpaste, or even citronella candles will also draw these creatures in. As such, you should purchase unscented toiletries whenever possible, and avoid the use of scented cleaning supplies or soaps inside your RV. Citronella candles and tiki torches should also be placed securely inside your RV’s storage unit when not in use, as leaving them out overnight could encourage a bear to wander upon your campsite.

In addition to following these tips, you should also avoid leaving your RV unlocked or windows open while you are away. Doing so increases the odds that you will arrive home to find your recreational vehicle has been overtaken by bears or other wildlife. Should you encounter a bear despite taking these precautions, do not approach the animal, but instead create as much noise as possible in order to startle the creature and encourage him to flee.

Three RV Maintenance Tips to Keep it Running Safe and Smooth

Chances are that your RV is more than just a vehicle — It's likely a home, an office, kitchen, bath, and even a way of life. That makes it most likely your single most important material possession. Therefore, you should understand that routine RV Maintenance is crucial to keeping it running safe and smooth. The following is a list of three tips to keep it in optimal condition for an enjoyably long life.

1. Generator Maintenance – Generators need to run at about 50% power for two hours per month to remain in optimal condition. After all, it's an engine like any other, which means if it's not run at regular intervals, internal components will begin to rust and eventually render it inoperable. Generator maintenance is one of the most important things you can do for your RV because the cost of repair is obviously quite high. Keep your generator running regularly with routine oil changes and tune ups for maximum effectiveness.
2. Open It Up – If subjected to overly hot temperatures, interior parts of your RV such as seals, seams, flooring, coverings, and more can become extensively damaged. By opening up the inside vents, you will stimulate valuable air flow that will allow these parts to stay just cool enough in extreme temperatures to avoid serious damage. Be careful, however, to keep the outside vents closed to ensure destructive and costly moisture doesn't find its way inside your vehicle.
3. Cover Me – By covering your RV with a stand alone garage of some kind, you will greatly reduce costly repair problems to your RV. The roof of your RV can become significantly damaged from environmental effects like sun, snow, rain, and even wind. Find a place to store your RV under a strong roof when it's not in operation to eliminate this costly possibility from happening.

Four Reasons to Love a Toy Hauler RV

RVs allow you to travel and camp with all the comforts of home. Toy haulers take that a step further, giving you comforts of home and garage. These particular RVs can amplify your travel experience in several ways and here are a few reasons you’ll love them.

Motorcycling

If you love to travel, camp, and ride, a toy hauler is just the type of RV for you. Perhaps you’d like to visit another state. You’ve already got the comfort of your own home in your RV, but how might you get around a city, or ride through scenic mountain roads? With a toy hauler, you can have the best of both worlds. You’ll have a home you love as well as transportation.

Off-Roading

If you crave exciting trails and dirty off-roading, a toy hauler is a must. This nation is vast. It has countless off-road opportunities. Spend the day playing hard on a dirt bike or exploring terrain on a four-wheeler. Then come home to a meal made in your kitchen, a shower to wash off the dust, and a warm bed to ease your bones.

No Trailer

Sure, you can strap your toys to a trailer and tow it behind your RV. However, if you’re looking for a bit more convenience, why not consider a toy hauler. There’s no need to mess with hooking up a trailer in addition to strapping down your goods, not to mention meeting length regulations. Instead, pack your four-wheelers, dirt bikes, motorcycles, or scooters inside your RV and ditch the trailer.

Safe Keeping

Just like when living in a traditional home, you want to make sure your belongings are stored safely. After a day on the trails, in the mountains, on a scenic ride, or exploring towns and countrysides, you can feel at ease that your toys are all safe and sound. Tucked conveniently inside your RV’s in-house garage, your vehicles will be safe from the elements along with any other threats.

If you want the ultimate travel experience, if you like to get out of the campsite and play around, a toy hauler may be your best bet. Convenient for carrying and storing your motorcycles and four-wheelers, toy haulers also bring peace of mind with access to transportation as well as protection.

Making Room in your RV Bathroom

For obvious reasons, most RVs have tiny bathrooms. The way campers are designed is actually quite impressive considering the fact that every key feature of a house is fit into such a small space, and the restrooms in these units are no exception. With smaller toilets and miniaturized bathtubs, RV manufacturers manage to squeeze all the bathroom essentials into an itty bitty space. 

The small size of an RV or trailer is great when you want to get up and go. After all, in general, the smaller the unit the easier it is to pack up and move. Smaller rigs also tend to require less in the way of gas, a huge bonus when you are traveling long distances. 

The downfall of these tiny homes on wheels shows up when you are trying to fit everything into such a small space. The bathroom can be especially difficult to make functional, as it is the size of a closet and needs to hold all of your family's toiletries and towels in addition to a sink, shower, and toilet. 

Try some of these tips for making your RV bathroom more functional and less cumbersome.

Over-the-Toilet Shelving

Many restrooms waste the space between the toilet and the ceiling. If this is the case in your bathroom, be sure to take advantage of the wasted space by adding an over-the-toilet shelf. These are easy to find, fairly inexpensive, and simple to install. The shelf makes a great storage spot for towels or extra toilet paper.

Cereal Container Trash Can

In most rigs, the space between the toilet and wall is too small to fit a regular sized trash can. For this reason, it is necessary to find a substitute. The plastic cereal containers found in many box stores are a good fit for this job and even come with a lid for keeping pets and babies out of the trash.

Wall-Mounted Soap Dispensers

Storing shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in wall-mounted dispensers is a great way to keep the shower area free of clutter. They will also keep your soaps firmly in place while you travel, resulting in less potential for mess. 

Over-the-Door Towel Hooks

Putting up a set of hooks on the back of your bathroom door will provide you a place to hang wet towels out of the way. Make sure there is a hook for each member of the family so you don't have any loose towels lying around.

Over-the-Door Shoe Pockets

Use an over-the-door shoe organizer on the opposite side of the bathroom door for holding sunscreen, makeup, face wash, toothpaste, and all the other odds and ends found in a bathroom. This keeps them easily-accessible, organized, and out of the way.

These are just some of the ways you can put the limited space in your RV to good use. Get creative and you are sure to come up with several more ways that work well for you.

When Your Home is Where You Park It: RV Insurance for the Full-Timer

A rose by any other name may still be a rose, but RVs are no longer "recreational" vehicles when you make one your home.  That means a full-time RV'er needs a different kind of insurance from the regular RV coverage.  These are some of the things to consider when buying a full-timer policy:

• A full-time insurance package should offer personal liability similar to a homeowners policy. This liability covers you for anyone injured in your RV, whether parked or in travel status.
• You probably already have collision on your RV, but as a full-timer you may also want to add comprehensive with total loss replacement coverage.  When the RV is your home and sustains significant damage, you will need to cover the cost of a different place to live. 
• If you have the total of all your belongings in the RV, you'll want to have good coverage on personal effects.  It's a good idea to photograph those possessions and catalog them, too, especially if you have any valuable items such as good jewelry.
• Check to see if the package includes roadside assistance coverage.  If it doesn't, add it!

While shopping for full-timer's insurance, consider these additions to your policy:

• Medical payments to cover injuries make an inexpensive supplement to health insurance. 
• Add something to cover emergency expenses, also.  If you must surrender the RV for several days for repair work, you will need hotel and meal expenses. 
• If your pet(s) live and travel in the RV, you will want to coverage for any veterinarian expenses if injured in an accident.  
• If you have health problems which could become serious at any time, check out medical evacuation coverage.

How much coverage you choose to put on your RV is, of course, up to you.  It's true that insurance coverage for full-time use of an RV will probably result in higher premiums, especially with some of the added options.  Remind yourself, however, that you won't have house insurance to pay, so that's a trade-off!

A Look at the Top RV Camping Spots Near Branson, MO

You don’t have to travel far to enjoy outstanding RV camping. Branson, MO is less than two hours away from our dealership, and is full of fun attractions and entertainment that are fit for the entire family. If you’re planning a visit to Branson, here are a few campgrounds you may want to consider.

Cooper Creek Campground and Resort

This campground is an angler’s paradise, as it is known as one of the premier trout fishing spots in the area. Located along the shores of Lake Taneycomo, this 14-acre campground contains 75 full hook-up sites, along with two swimming pools, boat rentals, and sparkling clean restrooms. As one of the quieter campgrounds, Cooper Creek is nonetheless just five minutes away from most Branson attractions, including a local golf course.

Willow Tree RV Park

The fact that Willow Tree RV Park is located adjacent to the Willow Tree Inn means you can enjoy many of the same amenities such as a free continental breakfast, wireless Internet service, conference room, and outdoor swimming pool. This 31-site campground has back-up sites that can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet long, or pull-through spots capable of holding vehicles up to 32 feet long. Discounts are available for those who stay three days or more.

Musicland Campground

All types of campers are permitted at this 10-acre campground, including pop-ups and camper vans. In all, there are more than 104 spaces available, many of which can accommodate vehicles up to 60 feet long. What is perhaps most attractive about Musicland is the fact that it is within walking distance of a number of entertainment venues, and discount tickets are also available in the campground office. Their sparkling swimming pool is open seasonally, and clean restrooms and laundry facilities are available anytime.

Any of these campgrounds will provide you with peaceful surroundings, while also keeping you close to Branson’s main attractions such as Silver Dollar City. Plan to visit one of these parks today in order to truly enjoy the best of what Branson has to offer.

Say Goodbye to Leaks with RV Maintenance

The first day you pulled your shiny new RV off the lot, you probably never dreamed of the upkeep, little repairs and tender loving care you would be giving your RV through the years. Of course, all the little accessories, upgrades and minor repairs are worth it because of the enjoyment and memories you make living life out on the open road.

One of the most common small repairs that an RV will need is leak repair. Just like any other home you own, roof maintenance is part of the standard upkeep of an RV. Your home away from home undergoes almost perpetual vibration while you drive, which means that a few small leaks are inevitable with time. However, leaks don't have to be a huge hassle, with simple to use, efficient Eternabond products that make RV Maintenance easy to handle on your own.

If you've struggled with caulking or rubber repair kits in the past, you will be happy to know thatRoofSeal by Eternabond is much simpler to use. You just make sure the roof of the RV is clean and dry, then you roll the RoofSeal onto the roof like duct tape, peeling the protective backing off as you go, so there is no chance of it sticking to itself. You can purchase RoofSeal in gray or white so it blends into the color of your RV's roof.

Our customer's love Eternabond and the way it extends the life of their RV because of their easy-to-use solutions to minor leaks.

Storing Things in RV's

Let's face it, RVs don't have a lot of storage space. Cramming things in cabinets is fine until you have to find something. Finding ways to store things effectively is key to enjoying your RV. Here are a few ideas.

• Wall Mounted Spice Rack - Get a small, wall mounted spice rack to hold spices and get them out of your cabinets.

• Command Hooks - Use Scotch brand Command Hooks on the wall by the door to hold coats and jackets and get them off the couch and floor.

• Half Gallon Jugs - Half-gallon jugs fit in RV refrigerator doors. Gallon jugs do not. However, a gallon of milk costs less than two half-gallons. Buy a couple of reusable half-gallon jugs to pour your gallon of milk into so you can store it in the door of the refrigerator.

• DVD Storage - Get rid of DVD cases and store all discs in a book-style case.

• Hanging Fruit Basket - Hang a fruit basket in an unused corner. Use it to get fruit off the table or counter. A second basket in the bedroom could be used to hold a child's stuffed animals.

• Shoe Organizer - Put a shoe organizer on your bathroom door to hold toiletries. They will be easy to find and won't fall all over the place while driving.

• Toilet Shelf - Get a shelf to go over the toilet. Use the shelf to hold toilet paper or towels.

• Matching Boxes - Purchase matching containers to hold all your food. Switch your food over to the containers making sure to keep expiration dates and important instructions from the original packaging. This will make stacking the food into the pantry much easier and will help keep pests out.

If you are in the market for an RV please contact us at Quality RV so we can help you find the best RV for your needs.

Camping in Your New RV

Once you’ve found that perfect place from which to buy your new RV, preferably an establishment you implicitly trust because it has earned the respect of area locals yet also enjoys a broader, more widespread state, and even national, reputation for excellence, you probably won’t mind travelling to get there. Indeed, travel is of course the very reason you’re buying your new RV—so why not take advantage of the buying excursion and turn the trip itself into a camping adventure!

When you choose Quality RV as your source, located in the picturesque town of Linn Creek, Missouri—mid-way between St. Louis and Kansas City on the shores of the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks—you’ll already be surrounded by some of the country’s most enviable RV destinations, so that even as you purchase your new RV you’ll be fully prepared to camp!

And the tiny town of Linn Creek itself is a great place to begin—with a population of fewer than three-hundred residents, it has a surprisingly rich history and some lovely camping along its lake. Be sure to ask the locals about the town’s fascinating beginning—how the original town, known as Old Linn Creek, was purposefully engulfed by the lake’s engineers in the early 1930’s, leaving its reincarnation, so to speak, in modern-day Linn Creek to carry on! But the resilient Linden Tree, after which the town is named, is an apt symbol of the town’s strength and perseverance, and this little city’s unusual story only serves to make it so much more interesting than most small towns its size!

And one could certainly continue on from there, exploring the Lake of the Ozarks with its more than one-thousand miles of shoreline—as well as the many beautiful towns and campgrounds that grace it. There’s also the Osage River and its tributaries—the Niangua River, Grandglaize Creek, and Gravois Creek to keep you occupied! Actually, the list of camping possibilities in and around the town of Linn Creek is a bit intimidating—but then again, owning an RV is all about adventure!

In case all this isn't enough, just an hour’s drive away from Linn Creek is the Mark Twain National Forest, located near the town of Rolla, Missouri. An endlessly fascinating natural treasure, this forest is a not-to-be-missed experience—especially for someone with a brand-new RV!

For more information on these and other RV destinations, as well as the very best in service when buying or maintaining your RV, please don't hesitate to contact us at your convenience! We at Quality RV look forward to assisting you!

4 RV Maintenance Tips

A RV is so much more than just a vehicle, it is a home away from home, a vacation cottage, and a way to satisfy your wanderlust while bringing all the comforts of home with you. Recreational vehicles require more care than a standard vehicle, but regular, preventative maintenance can forestall many a costly repair.

Here are 4 simple RV Maintenance tips:

Cover Your Roof

RV roofs are susceptible to sun and wind damage, but don't get much attention as they are not easy to see. Ignoring proper maintenance of your roof can result in repairs costing thousands. The best way to prevent damage is to have your RV under a steel carport or RV cover. Carports and covers can be custom-built to your RV's specific needs and installed with a concrete pad. A regular cleaning schedule is important to keep the roof in good shape as well.

Run Your Generator

If you don't use your RV regularly or you are in your "off-season" you will need to run your generator for at least two hours every month. After 30 days gasoline will usually start to break down and it can cause damage to the internal components of the generator. Running the generator once a month keeps it primed and ready.

Check Weather Stripping and Seals

If you aren't actively living in your RV, you may not notice if a seal pops or weather stripping degrades until significant interior damage has already occurred. Check all weather stripping and seals around windows and doors every three months for deterioration and to ensure it is still secure. Check roof seals every six months for cracks, loose pieces, and water stains. The tiniest cracks can let moisture in. If you find damage, have the area resealed as soon as possible.

Open Your Vents

In the summer time interior temperatures can exceed 130 in a car or RV. This is sufficient heat to break down and weaken dozens of materials including flooring, seals, seams, plastic components, and upholstery glue. To prevent your RV's interior falling apart all you need to do is open the vents to allow the hot air to escape. As long as exterior vents are covered to prevent rain from entering, you can leave vents open all summer for optimal airflow.

 Simple prevention and common sense will keep your RV running and enjoyable for many years to come.