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Going on your first RV trip? No matter what kind of RV you have there are a few main necessities you will need to bring. Don’t worry – we offer these basic essentials at our stores and online! Whether you’re planning on being a weekend warrior or a modern nomad, you need to consider these 7 essentials when traveling.

1. Good Sam Membership

The Good Sam Club offers members benefits while on and off the road. Here are just a few rewards for joining the club:

•  Save 10% at 2,400 Good Sam Parks and Campgrounds across the U.S.
• Save 10% off discount at Camping World and Gander RV & Outdoors Super-centers
• 5¢ off gas & 8¢ off diesel at participating Pilot Flying J locations
• Free RV & boat dump station service at participating Camping World and Gander RV & Outdoor Super-centers
• Access to Good Sam’s RV Trip Planner

Good Sam also offers roadside assistance, extended service plan, insurance, and much more. It’s the best place to find an RV park, plan a route, and set a course for your next outdoor adventure.

 

2. RV Water Filter

When traveling you never know what kind of water you will be using, so to maintain quality water we recommend using a filter. It will get rid of all sediment, odor, and should be replaced every 3 to 6 months. Enjoy fresh drinking water wherever you are!

3. Sewer Hose

Unless you have a compostable toilet, you will need a sewer hose. This hose connects your waste tank to the sewer drain. We recommend getting the longer options offered since you never know how far from the drain you’ll have to park.

4. RV Toilet Paper

We know what you’re thinking, can’t I just buy any toilet paper? No! You will need to use toilet paper made for RVs or that is septic-safe. You don’t want it to clog the sewer or septic, so buying fast-dissolving toilet paper is very important.

5. Freshwater Hose

When enjoying the open road, it’s crucial to have an RV water hose solely for drinking water that you can take everywhere you go. The water hose connects your RV to the city water available at campgrounds and RV parks. This one easily attaches to the faucet, prevents tangles, and protects itself from mildew and mold.

6. Water Pressure Regulator 

To avoid plumbing issues and damage, we recommend getting a water pressure regulator. You will want to put it onto the freshwater hose before connecting your water system to it. Your RV water pressure should be around 50 psi for older RV’s and 60 psi for newer ones.

7. Leveling System 

You never know where you’ll be parking and how level it is. This wireless system makes it so easy to level your RV on the first try every time! It uses Bluetooth which is compatible with Apple and Android smartphones or tablets. Also, it works with travel trailers, 5th wheels, and all drivable RVs. 

Now you’re ready to get out and explore the open road with the comfort of knowing you have everything you need. Happy Travels!

Tell us below what products you own that you consider an RV essential before hitting the road!

 

 

 

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Summer is finally here, and we are ready for new adventures! Warm weather, bonfires, and camping are a few of our favorite things. Whether you’re planning on boondocking or staying at an RV park this summer, consider these products to enhance your experience:

1. Club Chair

Take your outdoor living space to the next level with club chairs. They fold easily and store well in small spaces. These chairs sit like an indoor chair but are made for the outdoors. Much more comfortable than a standard bag chair! Bring along to the next campfire with family and friends.

2. Hanging Lights

Patio lights add a personal touch to your campsite. These in particular allow you to connect two or more strands for extra length – making your RV feel just like home. Now you will want to spend time outdoors even after the sun goes down.

3. RV Patio Mat

While we are still on the topic of patio décor – style yours up with a reversible RV mat. Its breathable material won’t hurt the grass and keeps your area looking new. UV protection resists sun exposure and maintains the mat’s appearance. It’s easy to clean by simply spraying with water or sweeping for a restored appearance. The mat can be folded into a compact size for easy storage as well.

4. Coleman Grill

Don’t like cooking over an open campfire? Then this outdoor grill is a necessity! It’s small and portable – made for camping life. Also, it is foldable and can be stored in tiny spaces when traveling to the next campsite. Get ready to prepare delicious meals for the whole family.

5. Solar RV Awning 

Traveling means you can run into any kind of weather at any time. Instead of planning your trip around the weather, travel worry-free with an awning. It’s a great addition to your RV for shade from the sun and protection from the rain. The Solar RV Awning comes in many different sizes and colors to fit your needs. Enhance your outdoor enjoyment come rain or shine.

6. Portable Fire Pit

Stay warm and comfortable during those summer evenings with a portable fire pit. It adds ambiance to your outdoor living space, too. Lighting the fire is as easy as turning a knob. Who’s ready for s’mores? 

Now you’re ready to set off on a new adventure. Tell us below where you are planning on roaming this summer. Happy travels!

 

 

 

 

 

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Well, it’s wonderful how companies like Yelp and Google with their Maps feature help all us smart phone users find what we are looking for and that they use crowdsourcing to help us make safer decisions. But what happens when these tools lead us astray, or when they just don’t give us the information we need. It seems to happen to me all the time.

No I am not angry, because I remember when I bought my first GPS unit for my motorhome. Most of the streets were not listed, only the main highways and main roads, the data vendors were not working together cohesively, even if the platforms like ERSI had a great system. A few years later and the dot-com bubble burst and it didn’t get any better for a long while. Today, Google Maps is pretty good, but I’ve had trouble with bike paths, hiking trails, and such. Soon we are told interiors of government buildings will all be mapped out too, we may never be lost again – a promising future yes, but that future isn’t quite here yet.

There was an interesting piece in the Albuquerque First Business Journal on October 23, 2013 titled; “Rocks, rivers, trails get Yelp treatment from local startup,” by Dan Mayfield which noted; “Fans of the outdoors can now start checking out hiking trails and kayak streams just like foodies check out restaurants on Yelp. PlanitMapper’s site is live with listings for the state’s cycling, hiking, snow sports, kayaking and climbing trails.”

This is really good because not long ago, I was biking up in the mountains in CA and a couple of college gals stopped me on the road to ask if I knew where the “trail head” was for a certain popular local trail. Well, I was on a 65-mile bike ride and I had little idea where it was. They said Yelp gave them the wrong directions, and I told them I hadn’t passed it so it must be the other way. They didn’t turn back so I guess they gave up.

I told them; “Yah, Yelp sucks,” and they said “no kidding” and then I told them; “who invented this road anyway,” pointing back to the winding road behind me and all the switch backs going up some 1,400 feet in elevations, and they said “Yeah, right?!?” Anyway it turns out Yelp was no Help! So, it’s good they are fixing this problem with all the hiking trails, great a start-up idea, I hope they will make this happen. There is still work to do. Please consider all this and think on it.

Source by Lance Winslow

In retirement I’ve traveled to every single city in the United States with over a 10,000 population. Now, don’t get me wrong I did not avoid the little cities, I went to so many I can’t even count them, although I didn’t get to all of them, it took me seven years traveling by motorhome just to ensure that I got to every town of over 10,000 or more people. Two areas I really enjoyed were West Texas and South Texas. The people are very nice there, and cowboy-ism is alive and well. Perhaps the most fun place to visit is a Texas two-step bar and grill establishment, and there are quite a few.

That’s where all the fun and action is, and as long as you are not trying to pretend to be something you aren’t, or shooting your mouth off, you can have a lot of fun even as an outsider. One of the coolest things are the mechanical bull rides, and you might think they are safer than a regular bull, and maybe they are, but they aren’t as safe, at least not all of them as you think they might be. Most of them have automatic shutoffs once the rider is dejected. But in some of the older bars, they have the older style mechanical bull rodeo style set up without the automatic shut off.

If you get thrown off of one of these you hope you get thrown off a decent distance because if you try to stand back up the thing is liable to come back and kick you in the butt, and knock you on your rear end. Not only is it embarrassing, but let me tell you; it hurts. Just because some of the locals can ride the mechanical bull on the higher setting, doesn’t mean you’ll be able too, and it might be fun for a few seconds, but often it ends with a hard landing even on the mats, and you had better get out of the way quick.

It seems that those with the automatic shut off are based on weight, and when there is no more weight on the mechanical bull the spring pops up and shuts it off. Still, on some it takes a little while for it to wind down and therefore perhaps these systems need a seat sensor shut off using a fiber-optic wire under the saddle. Immediately shutting off the power and completely stopping the system. This might add cost to the mechanical bull, but it might also help the bar and grill with their insurance policy, even though every rider signs a waiver to ride the bull at their own risk. Please consider all this and think on it.

Source by Lance Winslow