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Every RVer needs to have a plan in the event of a flat tire or a blowout. Often this means a spare tire that you can put on your RV when it’s needed. But is your RV’s spare ready for action? When was the last time you looked at it? Do you have a spare tire cover for it?

If the answer to these questions is a mystery to you, then you need to take some time to check on your RV’s spare. Make sure it’s in good condition, properly inflated, and covered with a spare tire cover. A cover may seem like a small or unneeded thing, but it’s actually quite important. Here’s why.

Tire Covers Protect from Harmful UV Rays

We all know that the sun’s UV rays can be harmful to our skin, but those same rays can wreak havoc on the condition of your spare tire (or really any of your tires) over long periods of time. Tire compositions can dry out. This happens most often when tires are exposed to prolonged sunlight.

A dried out, cracked, or dry rotted spare tire isn’t going to be very useful. It may get you where you need to go, but it may fail you before you get there. Putting a tire cover on your spare will help ensure it doesn’t get damaged too much by UV rays.

Tire Covers Protect from Road Debris

Even if you’re not worried about UV rays, it’s smart to put a tire cover on your spare. Why? Road debris. When you’re out driving around, there’s a lot of dirt, grime, and other debris flying around.

It’s very unlikely that any of this stuff will do immediate damage to your tire, but prolonged exposure to these conditions can have a negative impact on the condition of your spare. A cover will hide your spare from all this nastiness and give you a clean and ready-to-go tire when you need it most.

Tire Covers Protect from Weather

Tires are pretty resilient, but a lot of inclement weather over time can have a negative impact on the condition of the tire. A spare tire cover will protect your RV’s spare from many of the negative effects of rough weather.

Rain, sleet, snow, hail, debris kicked up by the wind and more can, over time, cause damage. Get a tire cover and you have some protection.

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Looking for the perfect tire cover for your rig? Check out Camping World’s selection.

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Many times camping trips involve exploring new territory and discovering enticing attractions along the way. Passenger tour trains have that magnetic appeal for many RVers, providing a novel way to see hidden countryside not normally viewed from the road. Railroad passengers learn about local history, culture and the many colorful characters from the communities visited. Camping World wants to make sure you don’t miss the departing whistle, so we have created a series entitled RVing the Rails. You will find the most popular excursion trains to ride in each state, complete with any specialty trains they might offer.

Today we will explore the most popular trains in New Hampshire:

Café Lafayette Dinner Train

Get transported back in time when rail travel was celebrated, and elegant meals onboard were commonplace…well, almost! The Café Lafayette Dinner Train leaves a stunningly restored depot in Woodstock to escort passengers through a bit of the White Mountains in the late afternoon.

Along the way, five courses of exquisitely prepared food are served, with ambiance provided by Frank Sinatra drifting through the speakers and luggage racks filled with antique suitcases. It is a perfectly romantic way to spend an evening in New Hampshire!

Railway and Locomotive Types

The railroad runs with a diesel locomotive on standard gauge tracks. The rolling stock consists of a 1952 dome dining car, a 1954 dining car, along with a Pullman and an Army kitchen car.

Seating Options

All seats are assigned for table dining, meaning most are 4 person tables. There is a historian on board to share the history of the area and the railroad, and passengers can tour the other cars and talk with the chef at the end of the trip.

Riding Options

There are two classes of service available, dependent upon railcar choice:

• Main Level Dining – Dinner is served in a passenger dining car.
• Dome Level Dining – Dinner is served in the upper-level dome car.

Both levels offer the same choice of meals and meticulously attentive service.

Specialty Trains

The Café Lafayette is a specialty train on its own. Passengers are treated to a two-hour train ride through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, during which an elegant five-course meal is served. It doesn’t get more “special” than that!

Length of Season

The Café Lafayette Dinner Train runs from mid-May through October, with departures Thursday through Sunday, depending upon the season. Please check the train schedule for specific dates.

Conway Scenic Railroad

With the Portsmouth, Great Falls & Conway Railroad that was built in 1872, a need for a depot arose. Conway was a summer resort, so architects put great effort into designing a showcase, and the Victorian stylings of the new depot were an immediate hit.

Passenger service along the line was stellar for more than 90 years, with many riding snow trains to the ski mountains in the region. But automobile travel slowed the need for train service, and the railroad abandoned the line in 1972.

Two years later several local businessmen founded the Conway Scenic Railway, introducing excursion train service to the Mount Washington Valley, and the railway’s growth has been steady ever since!

Railway and Locomotive Types

The railroad operates one steam locomotive (the only coal-fired standard gauge engine in New Hampshire) and several diesel engines. Rolling stock consists of several commuter and first-class coaches, a dome car, open cars, and even an 1898 Pullman open-deck observation car.

Seating Options

The Conway Scenic Railroad offers assigned seating on all of its trains. In some instances, dinner can also be included with ticket prices:

• Premium Dome Seating – Enjoy the best view in the house, sitting in the upper level of the dome car.
• Premium Screen Room Seating – Sit in lounge chairs with television screens in the lower level of the dome car.
• First-Class Seating – Take in the scenery from padded, individual seats in an enclosed passenger car.
• Coach Seating – Seats are bench-style in an enclosed passenger coach.

Riding Options

The railroad operates two different round-trip trains from their North Conway Village depot:

• Notch Train – A scenic tour of Crawford Notch, with bluffs, trestles, mountain vistas, and steep ravines constitutes this six-hour ride. All classes of service are available for this excursion.
• Valley Trains – These trains stay in the valley, with views of woodlands and a river crossing. There are two routes available: Conway Excursion is a short one hour ride around the valley. Bartlett Excursion is one hour and 45 minutes long.

Specialty Trains

• Johnny Appleseed Express – Take the Valley Train to a local orchard, where apple picking is an Autumn tradition.
• Murder Mystery Train – Enjoy dinner theater while solving a crime involving an 80s rock band. Become a “groupie” on this three-hour tour!
• Santa’s Holiday Express – Take a ride with Santa and his helpers on this train, where goodies abound and kids can grab Old Saint Nick’s ear to tell him about their Christmas wishes.

Length of Season

Valley trains run from mid-April through December, and Notch trains ride the rails from mid-June through October. Specialty trains have separate dates, so it’s a good idea to check the train schedule for specific times.

Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad

As part of the Boston & Maine Railroad, the tracks for what is today called the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad were laid back in 1849. The lake whose shores it follows was considered remote back then, but with the growth of tourism, the train has found lasting popularity.

The railroad has two lines that it operates in the region: the one around Lake Winnipesaukee, and one that departs from Lincoln, called the Hobo Railroad.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The trains are driven by diesel locomotives on standard gauge lines, with a variety of passenger coaches and dining cars.

Seating Options

Passengers have an option to purchase First Class or Coach seating on the train ride, with assigned seats in each car.

Riding Options

The Hobo Railroad and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad are round-trip excursions. Passengers have the opportunity to purchase snacks and refreshments while on the train.

Specialty Trains

• Santa Express – Sit back and enjoy a one-and-one-half hour holiday train with your complimentary cocoa and cookies. Children can write letters to Santa, who appears to collect them and distribute gifts along the way.
• Rail & Sail – Leaving from the Meredith Station, passengers ride the train to Lake Winnipesaukee for a two-and-one-half hour cruise, before returning to Meredith.

Length of Season

The Hobo Train runs from Memorial Day weekend through December. Please check the train schedule to make your travel plans.

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Join the thousands of RVers that have a love affair with trains and ride the rails on your next camping trip. Check out the other excursion trains available on a state-by-state basis in our series, RVing the Rails.

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One of the questions I often get is, “Why are RV’s so ugly?”

Now, the way that something looks is subjective. For every person who asks me that I get others who are genuinely impressed with the way new RVs look. However, I can say that there are plenty of folks out there who want to renovate or change up the interior of their RV and repainting the inside of your RV is a great way to do that.

Here’s what you need to know if you’ve ever wanted to repaint the interior of your RV. It can be a big job, but it’ll go a long way towards making your home-on-the-road feel like a real home.

Spend Most of Your Time on Prepping Your RV

 

When you think painting, you think about paintbrushes and the actual paint, but the fact of the matter is that you should spend more time prepping your RV than actually painting. Once the RV is prepped and ready to go, the actual painting process goes quickly.

Prep ahead of time and everything will go smoother. You should do things like remove cabinet doors (if you’re painting the cabinets), cover everything you don’t want paint on (floors, furniture, etc.), and clean the area you want to paint extensively.

When cleaning, use TSP or a TSP substitute, mineral spirits, or some other pre-painting cleaner that is residue-free. You need to have the surfaces you want to paint as clean as possible so the primer and paint can spread evenly and adhere well.

Prime First, Paint Second

The actual painting process can be done with either a paint sprayer or brushes and rollers. Personally, I like paintbrushes and rollers. The reason is that there’s a fair amount of overspray with a paint sprayer and that can be disastrous if you have things you don’t want to get paint on.

Once you decide what method to use, the first step is priming every single surface that you want to paint. Make sure to fully cover the area with primer and get a low-VOC primer that’s designed to go over wallpaper and laminate walls. Sometimes it will take a little more primer than you expect, so don’t be scared to do multiple coats.

With the interior of your RV primed, you can then begin painting the color of your choice. I would like to advise you to choose high-quality paint. If you cheap out on the paint, it won’t last as long and that could mean you’ll be doing touchups often and maybe the whole entire job again only a short time down the road. High-quality paint will last the longest and look the best.

Take Your Time

Throughout the whole process, it’s important to note that you need to take things slowly when repainting the inside of your RV. The moment you rush is the moment something will go wrong.

Make sure you have plenty of time to get the job done and ask someone for help if you need to. This will help ensure you don’t get too overwhelmed by the project. Repainting can be a tough project to finish, but you’ll be extremely happy once it’s done. Your RV will feel more like home than ever before.

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What colors would you like to repaint your RV’s interior? Leave a comment below.

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One of the benefits to owning a motorhome is that it can tow heavy loads behind it. This adds to the list of things you can do with your rig. While some folks will actually tow a trailer behind their motorhome, more often than not, they’ll actually be towing a car, or a toad as it’s commonly called. 

If you’re looking to upgrade your motorhome experience, adding a toad to your setup might do the trick.

This can help you in many ways:

• Avoiding the hassle of packing up your campsite if you need to run into town for supplies
• Driving your toad to any nearby attractions or parks—no need to find parking for a motorhome
• Saving gas on local trips
• Embracing the “spoke and wheel” setup—use your motorhome and campground as a homebase and take your toad to explore all the area has to offer

If you’re ready to try a toad with your motorhome, here are the questions you need to ask yourself.

What is Your Class C’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GWVR)?

Your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the total weight your motorhome can hold.

This, along with other towing and rating specs, can usually be found on a sticker on the inside of one of your door casings.

When looking at GVWR, you’ll need to include your vehicle weight, the weight of everything in your motorhome (don’t forget water weight, occupants, and everything you’re bringing for your trip), and the hitch weight of your tow vehicle.

Even if your Class C is rated to tow more than your toad (more on this shortly) you can’t exceed your GVWR with everything listed above.

What Is Your Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)?

Another number on the same sticker, the Gross Combined Weight Rating is the maximum total weight of everything in your setup.

This doesn’t just take the road’s hitch weight, like the GVWR. It includes the full weight of both vehicles, everything being carried in both vehicles, and even the hitch connecting both vehicles.

In other words, everything traveling down the road with you. This total needs to stay below your GCWR to make sure your motorhome’s chassis can handle all the weight.

What is Your Class C’s Tow Rating?

This rating is pretty straightforward. How much weight can your motorhome pull?

This is a good time to acknowledge that toads aren’t the only thing commonly towed by RVers. We’ve seen motorhomes tow boats, ATVs, canoes, kayaks, cargo trailers, and even small travel trailers!

The important point here is that all the ratings we’re covering need to be considered. If you’re under your Tow Rating, but over your GVWR, you’re still unsafe.

What is the Weight Rating of Everything in Your Hitch System?

Every component of your hitch system should have a rating, and you just need to make sure you’re in compliance in every link of the chain.

This can include things like the hitch itself, tow bars, and even the pins that hold everything together.

Can Your Toad be… Towed Wheels Down?

Finally, a question that doesn’t involve math!

Some cars can’t be towed with all four wheels rolling. This can damage the transmission and other components.

Before towing with any wheels down, you should consult your car’s manual.

If you can’t tow with wheels down, using a platform trailer is definitely an option—you’ll just need to add that weight to all your calculations.

If you’re looking for a resource for flat-towing, our friends at Motorhome Magazine put out a Dinghy Towing Guide each year.

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Safety is the most important thing when it comes to towing any vehicle. Make sure you’re within the ratings of all your vehicles, and you’ll be good to go!

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Winter is here and so are the holidays. Keep your loved ones safe from the elements and cozy this season with Camping World’s huge selection of the finest winter jackets. From rain to snow to errand-running, we’ve got you covered.

Chamonix Dallet Hooded Women’s Parka

This jacket is everything you’re looking for in winter apparel. The Chamonix Dallet Hooded Women’s Parka provides the ultimate warmth with 400g of eco-friendly, quick-drying, and durable Dupont™ Sorona insulation. With its Shieldtex waterproof protection, along with a DWR finish, wind and rain will be a worry of the past.

This coat has trendy, wide diagonal baffles and metal snaps for a casual look, perfect for winter excursions to town or strolls in the city park. It also features an interior media pocket with audio port and fleece-lined hand warmer pockets. Its front zipper with storm flap and snap closures further ensure your comfort from blustery weather. Comes in two color choices of dark grey and light grey.

Check it out at Camping World

Carhartt Men’s Shoreline Jacket

Even the toughest weather won’t have you worried in this jacket. Its seam-taped design is waterproof, breathable, and super sturdy. The 7.3-oz 100% nylon shell

is fortified with a Storm Defender membrane that stops water from getting in while allowing sweat to escape. The body is lined with polyester mesh for breathable comfort, and the sleeves and hood are taffeta-lined for easy on and off. Triple-needle stitching at the main seams ensures Carhartt-strong durability. Two lower-front zip pockets with storm flaps and two inner pockets with hook-and-loop closures provide ample storage for all your essential gear. It comes in black, navy, olive green, and orange.

Check it out at Camping World

Carhartt Men’s Rockford Windbreaker Jacket

If you’re looking for the perfect every-day and on-the-job jacket, this is the one for you. Its lightweight, breathable nylon shell is topped with a Rain Defender finish to repel moisture, keeping you comfortably dry and cool.

It’s rugged enough to use on the job, with triple-needle stitching on all major seams, two open hand pockets, two snap-closed chest pockets (one with a media port), and an interior pocket for essentials. It comes in black, green, and military olive.

Check it out at Camping World

Striker ICE Men’s Climate Jacket

This jacket continues to be the flagship float jacket for ice anglers. Its ergonomic storage pockets were designed by anglers for anglers, meaning you’ll never waste time fishing around for your fishing tools when you need them most.

The Striker ICE Climate Jacket features an awesome 3-in-1 design, where you can wear the softshell liner on its own, or top it with the waterproof nylon shell or the floater jacket. This floater jacket offers 150-gram flotation assistance technology, handwarmer pockets, and reflective elements for added safety, amongst many others. It comes in black/grey or black/red.

Check it out at Camping World

Ultimate Terrain Women’s Harriet Insulated Parka

One hundred percent waterproof, breathable, fashionable protection from the elements: what more could you want? The elongated body and high neck of this jacket offer the perfect amount of protection from gusty, misty days and snowstorms. Zippered pockets provide secure storage for essentials.

Check it out at Camping World

LST Eqwader 3-in-1 Plus 2 Men’s Wader Coat 2.0

Arguably the most effective and versatile hunting jacket available, the LST Eqwader is sure to please any outdoorsmen, not just waterfowl hunters. Its 3-in-1 design allows for the user to be comfortable in a variety of weather by shedding or adding the liner, sleeves, or shell.

When worn together, the jacket is 100% waterproof and wind proof, making the LST Eqwader a great mid-to-late season jacket.

Check it out at Camping World

Frogg Toggs Women’s All Sport Rain Suit

This versatile rain suit is great for tailgating, games, runs, and so much more. Its lightweight, durable polypropylene construction offers comfortable protection from rain and wind on hot and cold days. Its drawcord hood and elastic cuffs keep rain from creeping in. Packs compactly for easy transport.

Check it out at Camping World

Browning Men’s Hell’s Canyon CFS-WD Rain Suit

This lightweight waterproof/wind proof rain suit is designed to keep you in the field when rainy weather strikes. Its drawcord hood and waist will keep you dry and focused while the handwarmer pockets keep your fingers nimble and ready for action. The jacket and pants pack compactly into their own pocket for easy transport.

Check it out at Camping World

Striker Ice Women’s Lodge Fleece Jacket

Looking for an ultra-soft casual layering jacket? The Striker Ice Women’s Lodge Fleece Jacket works great in cooler weather on its own, or under another weatherproof coat. Its adjustable waist and side pocket are the perfect compliments for casual wear. This jacket is versatile enough to wear to yoga, running errands, or raking leaves on cool days.

Check it out at Camping World

Chamonix La Baleine Stretch Women’s Snowboard Jacket

The lightweight warmth and breathability of this jacket works in all seasons, making the Chamonix La Baleine an excellent investment. Its waterproof, wind proof construction is durable, cozy, and cool.

The La Baleine features 80g of insulation, interior media pocket with audio port, underarm vents, wrist gaiters for snow, and a removable skirt for cooler weather. When you need to transition quickly from mountain laps to resort shopping, stay warm with the simple style of the La Baleine.

Check it out at Camping World

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Camping World has far more jackets than are shown here. Check out all of the great jackets at the website. 

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Buying a used RV can be one of the smartest moves. You’ll get the RV you want at a fraction of the price that it costs to get that model new. That’s why used RVs are so appealing to a wide variety of customers.

However, that doesn’t mean you should go out and buy a 1980s Class A and drive off into the sunset. There are a wide variety of factors to consider when shopping for a used RV. It’s a process that’s littered with pitfalls, and that can mean you’ll end up with a headache instead of a vehicle for your adventures.

One area of used RV shopping you need to think about is the age of the RV. How long has it been since the RV was manufactured? This is something you’ll need to think about. While you don’t have to get a one or two-year-old RV, you probably don’t want to get a several decades-old RV either. Let’s take a closer look at how old is too old.

It’s More About How Well It was Maintained

They say age is just a number. That’s true in many cases, but it is doubly important when it comes to RVs. Honestly, though, this applies to newer RVs than it does to really old ones. You can find a couple-year-old RV that has few miles on it and what appears to be little use and find out it has all kinds of issues.

Generally speaking, it’s not the age of the rig that matters but how it has been maintained and treated by the previous owner. Some of this you’ll be able to see yourself through a simple walkaround or walkthrough. If you see damage or issues, always assume it’s worse than it looks because it probably is.

Remember, once you buy a used RV, especially if you buy from a private seller, you’re going to be fully responsible if something breaks. It doesn’t matter if it is a two-year-old model or a fifty-year-old model.

One thing you can do is have the RV inspected. Take it to an RV service center to have a person you choose look over it. They’re not interested in selling the RV, so they should look at the rig objectively. Another thing you can do is look for RVs that have been inspected by the dealer and given a stamp of approval.

While the dealer does want to sell the product, their inspection should count for something. Ask them about the inspection process and ask them about the particular RV you’re interested in. They should know it intimately if it has been inspected properly.

Stay Away From “Vintage” Campers Unless You’re Handy

I usually tell people to stay away from vintage campers. The reason is that they’re simply too old. There are exceptions, though. If you’re the kind of DIY person who loves to get dirty and do renovations, then a vintage camper can be an awesome choice.

Another time a vintage camper can be a good idea is if you have found one that was recently renovated. If that’s the case, talk to the owner about everything that was done and at what point in the camper’s history it was completed. Ask for records, receipts, and any other paperwork. If the seller knows what they’re doing, they’ll have at least some documentation to back up their claims about their unit. Even then, it’s still smart to have an inspection performed.

So, there you have it. It’s less about age and more about the condition. Remember, you should never judge a book by its cover and the same goes for a used RV. A unit that looks fine might be a basket case, so do your due diligence before buying. If you do, you should be fine and enjoy many years of happy camping.

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Looking for a good used RV? Check out Camping World’s wide selection. 

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