Tag: rv living

RV Cooling Tips for the Upcoming Camping Season

By: RV Wholesale Superstore
Last Updated: March 24, 2023

Spring showers lead to flowers; but spring weather also means that summer heat is right around the corner. When you’re spending the warm weather camping in your RV, the only place you want it to be hot is near the campfire. But how do you keep the heat outside your RV and the temps inside comfortable? Read on for some RV cooling tips to keep you comfortable all season long.

Shades – Simple & Effective

If you want to look cool, you’ve got to wear shades; and if you want to keep your RV cool, it needs shades too! When it comes to RV cooling, some of the most basic, common-sense strategies are also the most effective ways to keep your RV cool in the hot summer weather.

The air temperature is the same in the sun or shade; it simply feels hotter in the sun due to the direct solar radiation – an average of 10-15 degrees hotter! That difference is the heat index. Additionally, a car that has been sitting in the sun can quickly become 40 degrees hotter than the outside temperature. This greenhouse effect from all those windows can also occur in your RV. And the more windows you have in your RV that are exposed to the sun, the hotter the interior will become.

When it comes to RV cooling, blocking the sun’s rays can reduce the greenhouse effect. Studies have shown that temperatures inside automobiles utilizing a windshield shade were an average of 15 degrees cooler than those without. So pulling those shades down during the day in your RV, as well as using your awning, can lessen the greenhouse effect and help your RV cooling system lower the air temperature inside your RV.

Positioning Your RV

The direction you park your RV can have a significant impact on keeping it cool. When parking your RV, take note of trees that could provide shade, especially in the hot afternoon sun. If possible, position your RV so that the area with the most windows will be protected by the shade. If there are no trees nearby, the next best thing to do is park so the largest windows in your RV are facing east and only get the early morning sun. The less direct solar radiation beating in your RV windows, the less effort you’ll have to put into RV cooling come afternoon or evening.

Run Separate Fans

Utilizing your RV’s fan can help with overall RV cooling. Those “whole house” fans pull warm air up and out of your RV and keep air circulating throughout. Additional fans that you can plug in, or even small fans that run on battery power can help keep air moving.

Using fans near your windows to pull in cooler air from the outside first thing in the morning, or later in the evening, is an inexpensive way to help regulate temperature without having to turn on the AC. They can also be used to expel warmer air such as when meal prep heats up the kitchen or a back bunk area gets stuffy.

Use Your Outdoor Kitchen

An alternative to becoming drenched in sweat or running multiple fans to combat the heat generated from cooking meals indoors is utilizing your outdoor kitchen; it’s a great RV cooling trick. Using your outdoor kitchen is the perfect way to keep all the heat from meal prep outside your RV! Many RVs have outdoor kitchens that rival the full indoor kitchen. Amenities such as burners or a grill, sink, fridge, electrical outlets, even storage and counter space for food prep can be found in several RV models with outdoor kitchens.

After a long day of hiking, fishing, or even antiquing, your RV can be quite a bit more than toasty inside upon your return. Using your outdoor kitchen gives your RV cooling-down time while you prepare dinner. Then, by the time you retire for the evening, the heat of the day has been removed from your RV and you can enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.

Keep Up with Maintenance

Cleaning the air conditioner filter can make RV cooling easier. When you make cleaning your filter part of your routine cleaning, you’ll always know your air conditioner is running as efficiently as possible.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to clean the filter is to use a vacuum to sweep away the dust. Once you’ve gotten the surface dust removed, you can use soap and water to fully clean them. It’s very important to make sure you let the filter completely dry afterward.

Consider Solar Options for Efficiency

Finally, it’s worth looking into the many solar options that can lessen the cost of running your AC or other cooling devices. Instead of simply trying to fight the sun and its power, why not harness it to help with your RV cooling? Solar panels can completely power your AC or simply keep up the charge for your battery power.

Solar power is becoming more popular and solar hook up even comes standard on many models. It is a wonderful option for RV cooling when you are detached from a power hook up. It’s a great way to stay cool when remote camping or boondocking.

These tips can help you ramp up your RV cooling and beat the heat whether you are taking weekend jaunts or traveling cross country. Don’t forget that to stay cool this summer you and your RV gotta wear shades!

Contact RV Wholesale Superstore 

The professionals at RV Wholesale Superstore are ready to help you find the perfect RV for you and your family. Visit us in-person at 5080 W. Alexis Road, in Sylvania, OH or call us at (419) 786-1126

Connect with us on Social Media! 

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest

RV Wholesale Superstore Busts Common RV Myths

By: RV Wholesale Superstore
Last Updated: March 25, 2023

What is a myth? Merriam-Webster defines a myth as a traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon. Wikipedia says a myth is folklore where the main characters are usually gods, demigods, or supernatural humans. Finally, Dictionary.com defines a myth as any invented story, idea, or concept; an imaginary or fictitious thing or person.

While RV myths have nothing to do with demigods (it’s not likely Thor will show up at your campsite); here are five of the most common myths about RVs and the truths that bust those RV myths.

Pickup Trucks Can Tow Any RV

All pickup trucks are not alike, nor do they all have the same towing capacity. If you were building a house, you wouldn’t use a sledgehammer to pound the nails, nor would you try breaking up old concrete with a claw hammer. In the same manner, never assume you can tow any RV with any pickup truck. It’s not an RV myth that there are smaller RVs and even lightweight RVs that can be towed with an SUV or minivan. However, the more length and amenities you add, the heavier the RV gets. Larger travel trailers, those with multiple slide outs, and bunkhouse trailers certainly need a truck for towing. There are some lightweight fifth wheels, but many fifth wheels can weigh up to 20,000 pounds and some luxury RVs that can be downright massive. Bigger RVs need bigger trucks and not just any pickup truck will do! So you can see why it’s important to know the weight of your RV and also know the towing capacity of your tow vehicle. When you’re looking for an RV, to get the right fit for your pickup truck, it’s important to check the ratings of both your tow vehicle and the RV you’re considering. You can work with a dealer if you have questions. Ultimately it’s best if you know your vehicle and its capabilities well before you purchase your RV. The last place you want to be when this RV myth is busted is trying to drive your new RV off the lot with a pickup truck that can’t tow it!

RVs Are Expensive

While there are some luxury or destination RVs that can range in price to nearly that of a small house, saying that all RVs are expensive is simply an RV myth. It is impossible to judge the cost of RVs in such a sweeping generalization. The price range is immense. In fact, some RVs are just a few thousand dollars, especially used.

RV myths aside, the fact is you can always find something to fit your budget. What determines the price is what you want out of an RV. Doing your homework is a key ingredient to the perfect RV purchase. Keeping in mind that an RV purchase isn’t as permanent as you may think, what fits your needs today may not be the best RV in as little as 3-5 years as your family dynamics change.

RVs Aren’t Good for City Travel

Another RV myth is that RVs are only good for the open roads or remote campgrounds. City limits are not off limits to RVs! Most cities in the United States are favorable to RV travel. However, the larger the RV, the less recommended it is to drive it all around town for sightseeing – this is where a toad comes in handy! Still, RVs can still maneuver most city streets, especially with a little practice. The key is to know where you are going and plan your route in advance to cut down on the chances of getting stuck in a tight spot and becoming less than popular with the local traffic! How to avoid too-narrow streets and low-clearance bridges? As the saying goes, there’s an app for that! In addition to all the RV-friendly apps, there are free resources like Google maps that can alert you to construction or road hazards. Plus, if you camp 20-30 minutes outside a big city, you can generally take public transportation into the heart of the city for some great sightseeing.

If you prefer being in the heart of it all, there are some large cities that boast RV parks within minutes of popular attractions or downtown areas, you’ll just need to do your homework and plan ahead. Keep in mind that there are some places even allow free overnight parking, big potential savings for trips. These free overnight adventures range from parking lots to private property, but always call ahead to confirm that they allow boondocking. Remember to plan ahead (there are no RV hookups) and be sure to leave your boondocking space as clean – or cleaner – when you depart than it was when you arrived. Practicing good camping etiquette ensures that the joy of free overnight parking doesn’t end up becoming an RV myth!

RVs Are for “Off the Grid”

Types It’s true that RVs let you go off the grid if that is the type of camping you enjoy. However, more often than not, the amenities offered at RV parks such as Wi-Fi, electrical hookups, water and sewer hookups, and even data plans, allow you to use modern gadgets and stay connected anywhere.

RV camping in groups can provide as much of a social experience as you want. Many RV resorts even offer on-site attractions such as water parks and zip-lining. There are also luxury RV parks that boast amenities like tennis and basketball courts, heated swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, fitness centers, putting greens, pet parks, and more! Some of these places are off the chart, not off the grid. So there goes that RV myth!

RVs Take the Fun Out of Camping

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to camp and each has its own benefit. Just like the price range varies from a few thousand dollars up to that of a small home, the range of fun you can have camping with an RV is only limited by your taste, imagination, and sense of adventure.

There is absolutely nothing about owning an RV that stops you from setting up a tent and sleeping in the great outdoors! In fact, RVs expand your options, extend your camping season, and can provide a retreat when you need it from extreme weather. If you travel extensively, an RV can provide a mobile “base of operations” from which you can take short excursions.

The definition of roughing it differs from camper to camper, as does the definition of camping fun. The idea that RV takes the fun out of camping is simply an RV myth. An RV only adds more options to your camping experience!

Contact RV Wholesale Superstore

The professionals at RV Wholesale Superstore are ready to help you find the perfect RV for you and your family. Visit us in-person at 5080 W. Alexis Road, in Sylvania, OH or call us at (419) 786-1126

Connect with us on Social Media!

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest

5 RV Park Amenities to Look for On Your Next Vacation

By: RV Wholesale Superstore
Last Updated: March 25, 2023

With cold weather ahead, you may be looking for your last vacation of the year. Or maybe you’re fine with camping in the cold and have a lot of weekends planned ahead! Either way, finding a campsite with the right RV park amenities for you and your family is important to enjoying your trip to the fullest.

Read on to learn about some of the most popular RV park amenities to keep an eye out for during your trip planning process!

Full Hookup Stations

One of the best parts of camping at an RV park versus boondocking is enjoying the benefit of a hookup station. Reliable electricity and water can simplify your camping trip quite a lot! While these partial hookup stations are easy enough to find, a real luxury is staying at an RV park with a full hookup station.

What’s the difference? Full hookup stations include sewer hookups too! That means you can check “finding a dump station” off your RV departure checklist. Even if you’re used to using dump stations to clear your black water tanks after a great trip, it’s a treat not to have to worry about it.

This type of RV park amenity is all about making your RV really feel like a home on wheels. Removing some of those basic chores from your trip can go the extra mile to letting you focus on enjoying the vacation, the park and your surroundings!

Free Wi-Fi

Access to the internet is something we all take for granted. With 4G or 5G connections that rival home internet speeds, you always expect to be able to check the news, your emails or social media whenever you want! But when you’re out in the wilderness, it’s not always a guarantee. The more remote your campsite is, the more likely you are to find out you can’t get a signal (unless you packed a strong signal booster!)

Wi-Fi service as an RV park amenity guarantees that steady level of connection that we’re always used to at home.  In most cases, this Wi-Fi access gives you flexibility when it’s time to rest in your RV after a day of fun in the sun. You may still not be able to do some things, like streaming HD video, but you’ll have guaranteed access to catching up on the latest news and information.

Some RV parks take it a step further and provide strong Wi-Fi access around the park grounds. So even if you’re not in the RV, you can still hop on your preferred social media platform to check in or even share photos of your trip!

Onsite Laundry Facilities

Camping can be an experience full of dirt, mud and grass stains. The more time you enjoy outdoors, the more likely your clothes are to show the evidence! If your RV has a washer and dryer, it’s not a big deal to you. But if you don’t have these essentials in your RV, you’ll need to come up with another solution.

Many RV campers choose between packing enough clothes that you don’t need to worry about laundry or cleaning their clothes the old-fashioned way at the campsite. Depending on your family, the length of your trip, and your willingness to put in the elbow grease, these may not be ideal solutions for your relaxing vacation.

If your choice of RV park includes an on-site laundry facility, you can think about extending your trip from a few days to a week or more! These types of RV park amenities make it a lot easier to enjoy extended trips without the logistical headaches that often go with it. If you’re a full-time RVer, it’s also convenient to stay somewhere and get your laundry done instead of driving off to the nearest town laundromat before you hit the road to your next destination.

Easy Parking

While it may not be classified as a typical “amenity,” the idea of easy RV parking is something that beginner and veteran RV owners alike will enjoy. No matter how experienced you are maneuvering an RV, they’re still massive units that take a bit of work to get where you want to go. This is especially true when you’re trying to squeeze through tightly packed campsites with plenty of other RVs and people moving around.

An RV designed for easy parking tends to mean pull-through parking. It’s exactly what it sounds like – pull up to your spot and park. No backing in between anxiety-inducing campsite poles that seem impossibly close.

And when you’re ready to pack up and leave, you just keep pulling straight through and head on your way out! Whether you have a compact RV or a luxury destination trailer, you’ll appreciate the convenience and ease of any park that offers simple campsite parking.

Pet Friendliness

Lastly, one RV park amenity that campers are bound to love are those campsites designed to make it a vacation for you and your furry friends. The freedom of RVing means avoiding strict hotel rules, including the ubiquitous “no pets” part that can mean a vacation for you but doggy daycare for your pets. RVing with pets is convenient, but the best parks will make it a much better experience for them (and you!)

Of course, any park is going to be heaven for your pets, but a truly pet-friendly park will have everything from dog parks to dog-friendly hiking trails and more. When you do your research for your next destination, you can look at their websites or call ahead to find out their policies on pets and what amenities they may have to pamper your pup.

Contact RV Wholesale Superstore 

The professionals at RV Wholesale Superstore are ready to help you find the perfect RV for you and your family. Visit us in-person at 5080 W. Alexis Road, in Sylvania, OH or call us at (419) 786-1126

Connect with us on Social Media! 

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest