4 Reasons for RV Solar Energy

Solar Energy for Your RV - 4 Reasons Why It Might Be a Good Idea
By Catherine Adams

An RV (recreational vehicle) can be a good way to de-stress and "get away from it all." Here are 4 ways that solar energy can make your RVing experience even more enjoyable.

#1 - Solar energy gives you more parking options.
If you never park anywhere but at an RV park or campground with electrical hookups then you probably don't need to invest in solar. But what if you're taking a long trip and have to spend the night in a parking lot? Or you want to go somewhere more isolated? Parking lots and "the middle of nowhere" don't usually have electrical hookups.

If you have a "house battery" that's fully charged (usually from running the vehicle engine) you may be able to get by with that - if you avoid using too many electrical "gadgets." But it doesn't take much to drain a battery. Solar panels can keep the house battery charged even when you're nowhere near a plug and not running the engine. If you have solar you won't have to worry about running out of electricity - or spend a lot of time at the end of the day when everyone's tired driving around trying to find a place with plugins.

#2 - Solar energy is cleaner than other power sources.
There is of course another way to have electricity when the RV's not plugged in - a generator. But generators have some disadvantages. For one thing, they all use some kind of fossil fuel, which when burned produces fumes that are not only nasty to breathe but also polluting. A solar panel, on the other hand, gets all its "fuel" from the sun. It doesn't make any fumes - which makes it a cleaner choice for RV power than a generator.

#3 - Solar power is quieter than other power sources.
If you've never been near a generator when it's running you probably haven't noticed this, but generators are LOUD (those capitals are deliberate). Yes, some are quieter than others. But none are going to be absolutely silent, because they're engines, and engines have moving parts that make noise. Maybe a generator won't bother you, especially if there's a thick wall between it and your living space in the RV. But if there are other people nearby there's a good chance it will bother them - and that combined with the fumes is why a lot of places don't allow generators. Which means that even if you have one you may not be able to use it.

Solar panels, on the other hand, are not engines - they don't have any moving parts to make noise. Which means they are silent.

#4 - Solar power is cheaper than other power sources.
If you need "portable power" for your RV your two main choices are solar and a generator. Generators come in different sizes and the prices vary by size, but they are probably cheaper to buy than a solar panel setup. However - generators don't have just an upfront cost. In order to keep them running you have to "feed" them with whatever fuel they use - gasoline, diesel, propane, or maybe natural gas. So generators have a regular cost as well - for the fuel. And the more you use them, the more fuel you have to buy and the more it costs to keep them going. And that's not counting the regular maintenance they need to keep everything running smoothly.

Solar panel systems can have a fairly steep upfront cost (depending on their size and complexity). But once they're up and running that cost will go way down. There's no fuel to buy for them and because they have no moving parts they don't need much maintenance. In fact, most of the care of a solar panel consists of keeping the panel surface clean, and possibly - because RVs are mobile - making sure it doesn't come in contact with anything that could damage it. If those two needs are met then a solar setup can last for a very long time - probably a lot longer than a generator, and maybe even longer than the RV! (in which case you move the setup to your new RV)

Solar energy isn't the right choice for everyone. But if you need a way to have power when your RV isn't plugged in and you don't mind spending a little more upfront - and saving a lot later - then solar may be worth a look.

For more information please see http://www.squidoo.com/solar-energy-for-rv

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RV Tire Choice and Maintenance

Some Important RV Tire Choice And Maintenance Tips
By Kevin Wynn

Choosing the right RV tires is very important to as it ensures that you enjoy incident free road trips and vacations, with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are safe. Due to the infrequent use of RVs, the tires that are used on them get exposed to a greater variety of conditions unlike the other automobile tires. This is so because they are not used or driven for extended periods. Again, when they get to be used, they are often subjected to near maximum loads. This is mainly during the hot summer weather. It is therefore, important to know how to take care of these tires for maximum benefits and safety.

To start with, you should learn how to choose the perfect special tires for your RV. This simply means that you should learn to identify the right tires designated for these vehicles. The secret here is to learn how to read tire codes. Tires designated with an ST in front of a series of numbers are designed with RV trailers in mind. They have stiffer sidewalls, are more flexible during backing and when cornering, and are designed for extended, non-stop towing. If you intend to have a greater load carrying capacity, you may opt to have the LT (light truck) designated tires instead.

You should also learn to read your tires for signs of wear and age. For the ordinary vehicles that are driven daily, a normal tire tread life is five to seven years. However, an RV, which sits parked for the most part of the year, may have its treads still looking new five years on. As much as you may not feel the urge to replace them, riding on tires more than five years old greatly increases the chances of tire blowout. The natural aging, as well as the ozone wear, may cause the tire rubber to crack making it more vulnerable to bursting.

Tire pressure and proper tire inflation is an important part of ensuring long tire life. When you have properly inflated tires, you have improved towing performance and peace of mind. Always use the best quality tire pressure gauge that will give you reliable and accurate readings. You should also know the recommended tire pressure for RV trailers. Always check tire pressure before you start to move. This is the best time because the tires have not heated up leading to that temporary increase in pressure.

It is good practice to rotate tires on your RV to ensure even wear. The kind of load you have on your RV also determines the tire pressure you should have for your tires. Make sure to also have a good tire replacement tool kit, some spare tires, and the basic knowledge on how to change a wheel from your RV. When parking your RV, make sure it is as level as possible. This will help avoid tire overload. To top it up, when buying new tires for your RV, make sure to hunt for the best RV tires sale offers online or in your nearest tire shop.

For more information about RV Tires and other parts of the RV, pay a visit to http://www.rvreplacementpartsonline.com.

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RVing for Seniors

Travel RVing for Seniors
By Sandy St Germaine

Call them baby boomers, over 55's, empty nesters or just plain seniors - retired adults are flocking to the RV lifestyle in ever-increasing numbers. There are many advantages to joining campground "clubs". They offer access to amenities not provided to the general public, and they provide both practical and emotional support to their members. Although all RVers have something in common from the gitgo - their enjoyment of RV travel - clubs and organizations have now evolved to form more specific niches.

Some of the sites you might want to explore are: Escapees RV Club, RVers Online, and Fulltime Rving. Another club that centers on the senior RVer is the Baby Boomer RV Club.

Be sure to get yourself a lifetime senior pass from the National Park Service. The senior discount card is only $10 and is good for your lifetime. Besides being honored at all Forest Service and National Park Service sites, the lifetime national parks Senior Pass also gives seniors a 50% discount on federal fees charged for accessibility to things like camping, swimming, boat launching, etc. One catch. You cannot get the pass online or through the mail. You must purchase it in person at a federal site where entrance fees are charged or at federal regional offices.

There are literally hundreds of campgrounds catering to the 55 and older community. Do a quick search on the internet and you will find them in every state, offering discounts and amenities galore for the senior RVer.

Whether you are traveling or have set up camp for a long stay, always check for senior discounts in the area. Many restaurants offer senior discounts, as do grocery stores and some department stores. The discounts are often not advertised, but it never hurts to ask about them. Discounts of 10% or 20% on everyday purchases can add up to a tidy savings over the long haul.

And if you are worried about staying in touch with family and friends, don't! The internet is always available and so are cell phones. Some folks say that gallivanting around the country gives them the freedom to visit their kids and grandkids more often than they did before they undertook the RV lifestyle.

So go ahead. Spend your golden years in total freedom. But you never have to be alone. Senior RVers are very social beings. The seasoned RV travelers are quick to welcome "newbies" and to share a myriad of approaches to living on the road.

Sandy St. Germaine has a website devoted to RV enthusiast. Please visit at http://www.travelrving.com

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RVing with Pets

Travel RVing With Pets
By Sandy St Germaine

If you own pets (or if they own you), taking an extended RV trip without them would be unthinkable. Being able to take our pets along with us was the number 2 reason we opted for getting an RV. (I'm not sure what the number 1 reason was).

Traveling with pets can make your RVing experience very gratifying. But, if you don't plan well for it, it can make you c-r-a-z-y! So don't throw your pets in the RV at the last minute without considering that they are people, too, and deserve special care and attention to their needs.

Most dogs take readily to RV travel and enjoy the trip as much as other family members. As long as you stop every couple of hours and take them out for some exercise and to take care of their personal business, they are good to go. But there are exceptions--some have problems adjusting to all the new surroundings and get stressed out. Typically quiet dogs might become incessant barkers and exhibit behavior you have never seen before. If you don't know how your dog reacts to travel, you should consider taking him on some short trips before embarking on a journey. Another consideration is keeping your best friends clean. No matter how hard you try, you cannot keep a wet dog from smelling like a wet dog. Put that wet dog into a confined place, like a motorhome or camping trailer--and you are going to have some unhappy campers. Keep lots of old towels available for rainy days and swim meets. Dry them off before you let them inside.

Cats can make terrific traveling companions, but are definitely different from dogs. Most of them won't take to a leash, so letting them outdoors can muster up a whole different set of problems.

Dogs and cats are by far the most common RV compatible animal companions, but certainly not the only ones. I have seen pot-bellied pigs (which are truly wonderful pets), miniature donkeys, birds of every feather (well, nearly every feather), lizards, geckos, goats, chickens, bunnies--and snakes. All seem to do well as RV travelers. An animal lover myself, I think they are all terrific--except for snakes. Snakes scare the bejeepers out of me. To each his own...

Planning and consideration are the most valuable tools to make sure you have an enjoyable trip with your best friend on your next RV excursion.

Sandy St. Germaine has a website devoted to the RV lifestyle with a special emphasis on our beloved pets. Please visit us at http://www.travelrving.com

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RVing for Singles

Travel RVing for Singles
By Sandy St Germaine

Travel RVing as a single person can sometimes be challenging. No doubt about that. However, just because you are single does not necessarily mean you are alone. There are thousands of fun, friendly, like-minded single RVers out there just waiting for you to join them as they explore the country while living their daily lives. Whether you are widowed, divorced, or single by choice, RV travel is a unique and exciting way for you to open yourself up to new opportunities. Talk with new people, listen to them, share with them, and learn from them. If you are single and thinking about setting out alone in an RV, have no fear. Just do it. There is a world of support out there waiting for you. The RV lifestyle of the single man or woman has a spirit all its own and beckons to you with promises of fulfillment and adventure.

There are several RV clubs and organizations that cater to the single RV enthusiast. Though their styles of membership may differ, they have the same goals in mind: to provide practical and emotional support to the single RVer. Loners on Wheels is one of the better known RV clubs for singles. They have been around for a long time, have about 2000 members, hold rallies all over the country, and provide companionship and support to it members. You can visit them online at Lonersonwheels.com. Another good organization is the Loners of America. This club is for single RVers who travel as singles. They emphasize support and companionship while maintaining individual privacy. They can be found atlonersofamerica.net. of Neither of the aforementioned clubs is a matchmaking or dating service and do not wish to be viewed as such.

There is also a group called the RV Singles Travel Group. They are a very active group who hold "meets" where single RVers get together to meet "someone special" while sharing the whole RV experience.

For younger, active RV owners who travel alone (for whatever reason) there is the Wandering Individuals Network (WIN). Most, but not all members are single. WIN provides gatherings where members can meet and share their knowledge and experiences. The Wandering Individuals Network can be reached at rv singles.com.

And there is, of course, RVing Women. This is a diverse group of women across the United States and Canada who love to travel. RVing Women has been around since 1991 and provides support for thousands of women who RV Travel without male companions. They offer classes on RV maintenance, driving, and a myriad of RV related subjects.

Sandy St. Germaine owns a website devoted to the RV lifestyle. Please visit us at http://www.travelrving.com

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RV Tailgating Sports Events

Travel RVing - Tailgating Your Favorite Sports Event
By Sandy St Germaine

Travel RVing to your favorite sporting event has become an American tradition. Most people think of football when they think of tailgating, but there are tailgating parties at every plausible sporting event. Although football season is a great time to fire up the RV and head for the game-- it is certainly not your only option.

NASCAR races, baseball games, concerts, rodeo competitions--just to name a few-- are perfect opportunities for putting your RV on the road and setting it up for some tailgating fun.

College football tailgating has to be one of the most beloved experiences in America. Nowhere else will you find so many electrified fans sporting their school's colors flocking around a stadium for hours--even days-- before a game. Many RVing tailgaters don't even attend the game itself. The game is the motive for getting together for some serious tailgating outside the stadium.

Travel RVing to a professional football game is another thing altogether. Veteran tailgaters know that the professional game is distinctly different from the college variety. No reason to think that one is better than the other, but college tailgating exhibits a more lively, celebratory theme for tailgaters. Still, the professional football game is the most popular in America. There is some serious tailgating going on before a pro game.

And then came NASCAR. Second in popularity only to pro football (and gaining fast), the NASCAR spectacle is tough to beat. Travel RVing to a NASCAR event is beyond the realm of exciting. It takes you into a whole different dimension. Whether it's the thunderous roar of the engines as they enter into the first lap, or the banging and clanging of metal on metal impact as they fight to move up a position at nearly 200 mph-- something about it captivates you. For those who have never been to a NASCAR race, watching fast cars go round and round in circles might seem a little monotonous. But once you have been to a live racing event, chances are you are hooked for life. For RVers, the attraction to a NASCAR event is greater than the race itself. NASCAR fans and NASCAR stars RV the race circuit.

Most arrive mid-week or even earlier before a race week-end. And the party begins. Barbeque, burgers and beer. All night poker games. Tall tales told around the campfire that would put a fisherman to shame. There's all kinds of music and dancing. I mean, these folks know how to have fun. And why not? They don't have to go to a motel or out to get something to eat. Everything they need is right there-- a place to eat and sleep and shower and start over again.

Just as Travel RVing has exploded as a favorite vacationing option for Americans, tailgating at their favorite events has become an intricate part of their RVing lifestyle. So, load 'em up, move 'em out. Have fun and be safe.

Sandy St. Germaine has a website devoted to the RV lifestyle. Please contact me at Travel RVing

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RVing with Kids

Travel RVing With the Kids
By Sandy St Germaine

The very thought of traveling long distances with little ones in tow strikes terror in the hearts of some RV enthusiasts. Once upon a time, I was one of those people. When we were younger, like so many families, we never had time for RVing or long camping trips. But as grandparents and RV owners, we now know what we missed. RV traveling with kids is wonderful. Seeing the world through young eyes is, well, eye-opening. It just takes a little planning. Trust me, you will survive, and even delight in it.

If the kids are old enough, discuss the trip with them well in advance. Let them be a part of the planning. Ask them about where they would like to go and what they would like to see. Get out the Atlas and maps. Plan not only for the final destination, but for things to see and do along the way. Theme parks for the youngsters are plentiful all across the country - but not as plentiful as Mother Nature's bounty. Traveling via RV you can easily have both.

Children are remarkably adaptable and will adjust quickly to their own sleeping quarters and their little piece of the RV that you assign them. Give each one a specific place for their treasures and explain to them that since there is not a lot of space, it is their job to keep their area neat and orderly.

If you don't want to hear "Are we there yet?" a thousand times, be sure to keep them entertained during the trip. Most RVs, today, are equipped with DVD players and headphones for the musically inclined. If not, portable ones are a must. Young children love to color and play table games. This is the only time I suggest that you over pack. Pack small, quiet toys and games that will keep 'em happy for long periods.

Explain to them that they must be stationary and can't play hide and seek or run up and down the aisles of the RV. Strap 'em in.

Although you don't have to worry about stopping for a bathroom break while Travel RVing, frequent stops to let the kids get out and run around for a few minutes is imperative. That few minutes also doubles as an anti-depressant for you. Kids and grandkids are wonderful little hunks of humanity - but they are kids.

There are tons of campgrounds available, and many of them cater to children. Most kids love the campground environment since they can get out and run around, make noise and new friends. Check out kid-friendly campgrounds on the internet. You'll be surprised at all the activities that are available at some of them.

So, go ahead. Take a deep breath. Enjoy to the fullest Travel RVing with your young'uns. You will be much richer for the experience.

Sandy St. Germaine has a website devoted to the RV lifestyle. Please contact me at Travel RVing

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