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.