Tag: travel tips

Christmastime may have been warmer than Thanksgiving this year but there is still a chill in the air. You know that winter weather is inevitable, not to mention how it can drag on well past the date Punxsutawney Phil predicts spring to arrive. So are you ready to escape the onslaught of snow to warmer climates? Here are some great snowbird RV campgrounds, ready to keep you warm until spring weather makes its way back north. Depending on your snowbird lifestyle, you may even want to visit them all!

Emergency preparedness is an essential part of RVing and travel in general. Whether you’re out on the open road, or parked in one spot, being prepared for any kind of emergency is critical. From storms to accidents, knowing what to do ahead of time can make all the difference. That’s why it’s important to take the time to plan for an emergency before you embark on your RVing journey.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the steps you can take to ensure that you’re prepared for anything that might come your way. By being prepared for any kind of emergency, you can rest assured that you’ll be safe and secure during your RVing adventures. So read on to learn more!

1. Have a Plan in Place

The first step to emergency preparedness for RVers is to have a plan in place. Some items are universal – things you can set up once and have ready for every RV adventure again without needing to think about it. These would be things like contact lists for when things get dicey. It’s always good to know you have a number on hand in case you lose access to your own phone, since we nobody remembers important phone numbers these days!

Additionally, create a plan for how to handle various emergency scenarios, such as a medical emergency, a fire, a flood, or a natural disaster. Knowing what to do in each situation can give you peace of mind and better help you prepare for any situation.

Your plan should also include guidance for evacuation. Especially for children in your RV, knowing how to get out of the RV fast when it matters can be important. After all, homes can catch fire in the kitchen and there’s always a possibility of that happening in you RV too.

2. Keep an emergency kit ready

As an RVer, having an emergency kit that is well equipped and ready to go is essential. Your kit should include items such as a flashlight, a set of multi-purpose tools, a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, a battery-operated radio, and a maybe even a whistle. These can all be used in various emergency events to make it easier to find help when it’s needed.

Spare parts for your RV and tow vehicle should be considered part of your emergency kit. It’s always a good idea to pack items such as a spare tire, a full tank of fuel, and extra oil. If a flash flood or other incident happens, you may need to detour far away from the pit stop you were planning to make.

Lastly, a good emergency kit in your RV should include a road hazard kit, a blanket, and food and water.

3. Know Your Route

Knowing your route is an important part of emergency preparedness for RVers. Before you take off on a new journey, it’s wise to research the best route to your destination and plan accordingly. Use online resources to find out about local destinations, alternative campgrounds, and you may even pick up some useful local information from RV forums online. Certain areas can be challenging to maneuver with larger RVs, and you can be sure the locals will tell you!

Be aware of any road closures or detours you may encounter. Additionally, make sure to have a map of the area with you so that you can quickly find an alternate route if needed. This can help you get to your destination quickly and safely.

If you’re using a digital map, like the one on your phone, you can download a version of the map before you leave. That way, even if you don’t have any signal, you can reference the map in the app to plan an alternate route. That said, it’s still a good idea to have a paper map in your RV – there’s plenty of place to store one, and you never know when they might come in handy!

4. Create a system of safety protocols

Knowing and understanding safety protocols is essential for RVers in the event of an emergency. In addition to having a plan in place for evacuation, store a list of contact information for emergency services relevant to your destination. For instance, traveling along the western forests could put you in wildfire territory. You should have an idea of what to do if you encounter a risk common to the area you plan to visit.

Don’t forget to store important documents, like insurance information, in a waterproof container and have them easily accessible. If something were to happen, it can save you a lot of stress to know you have the resources you need to contact ready and available no matter what.

Familiarizing yourself with safety protocols is the key to being prepared and staying safe in the event of an emergency.

5. Know where to turn for assistance

RV emergency preparedness while traveling in an RV starts with knowing who to call! Creating a list of where to turn for assistance on your trip can be a major help if you find yourself in an emergency situation. Find resources for emergency services like police, fire, and medical help in the areas you are visiting.

If your camping trip includes recreation activities that could be unsafe, like rock climbing or other dangerous hobbies, you may want to consider researching places like the nearest hospitals, fire stations, and police departments in the area so you know where to go.

6. Most Importantly – Don’t Stress!

The most important thing to do on any RV trip is to relax and enjoy the trip. While it’s a great idea to be prepared for emergencies, you’re statistically unlikely to encounter them on your trip. Don’t let the idea of preparing for an emergency make you feel like you’re going to experience one. It’s all about being ready for anything!

Taking the time to research and prepare will make sure you can enjoy your RV experience without worrying about the unexpected.

Do You Have RV Questions? Contact RV Wholesale Superstore!

The professionals at RV Wholesale Superstore are ready to help you find your first RV and answer any questions you may have about taking care of one. Visit us in-person at 5080 W. Alexis Road, in Sylvania, OH or call us at 844-601-1171

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There’s a time for recreation and a time for relaxation. Watching TV can be a great way to unwind after a day of adventure or the perfect way to spend a rainy day. What are the options for binging your favorite shows from your RV? Let’s dig into the options for TV service for RVs and what the pros and cons are.

TV Service for RV Options

Streaming Services

TV entertainment has come a long way in a relatively short time. As more and more campground facilities upgrade their WiFi connections, the most common way to enjoy shows on the go has become streaming services.

Pros:

Streaming services provide the widest library of content when it comes to TV service for RVs. There isn’t a huge expense with streaming service and as long as you can get a strong enough signal, it’s easily accessible. Some streaming services offer a “download before you go” option which comes in handy if you’re camping in an area with a weak signal or don’t have a WiFi booster.

Cons:

While each streaming service is relatively inexpensive, it can add up quickly when you want to keep up with all the various services. Spotty mobile data signals are another issue. If you choose to camp in remote locations far away from campgrounds with Wifi, you may not get the best TV service for RVs – not to mention really hogging your internet bandwidth.

Satellite

Satellite TV service for RVs was the leader in RV TV options for years. Many RVs still come pre-wired for satellite but with the many other options that are becoming widely available, it’s difficult to judge how long satellite will be near the top of the list of options of TV service for RVs.

Pros:

One of the finest things about satellite TV is the great selection of channels most services offer. There’s a much better chance of getting a signal in the middle of nowhere with satellite – a great pro for boondockers. There are also some pay-as-you-go options available with satellite which can appeal to weekend RV warriors who don’t want to miss the big game.

Cons:

One of the biggest cons with satellites is the trouble with reception when camping in an area with overhead obstructions. While satellites can be great for remote locations, if you enjoy boondocking deep in the woods surrounded by trees, satellite might not be your best bet. Surprisingly, even bad weather can interrupt the TV service for RVs using satellite. This can be a real inconvenience if you’re watching the weather channel!

Another drawback can be the expense. Satellite requires a physical upgrade to your RV. Even if yours comes pre-wired for satellite, you still have to purchase the actual system. It also becomes another thing to remember and maintain when caring for your RV.

Camp Cable

Planning trips to include campgrounds that have direct cable hookups is one way to ensure TV service for RVs.

Pros:

Cable hookup is generally a reliable TV service for RVs because it’s hardwired to your RV. The selection of channels is usually good but it is dependent on the campground’s service plan, so it can vary.

If you’re a frugal camper, cable is one of the best options because you only have to worry about it when you’re using it and there’s little to maintain.

Cons:

One notable drawback with cable TV service for RVs is that it requires extra hookups for your RV. Also, hooking up to anything at all when you’re camping in remote areas means cable TV is not an option. Not all campgrounds offer cable hookup, so if that is what you’re relying on as TV service for your RV, it’ll require doing some research beforehand. And remember, even if the campground offers cable, you may not always get access to the channels you want.

Over the Air Antennas

Who says there’s no such thing as free entertainment? If you’re big on patience and low on pickiness, you can get plenty of free TV Service for RVs with the old rabbit ears.

Pros:

The best thing about antennas is that there isn’t much of an investment necessary. With this TV option, you can spend as much as your budget allows for an RV upgrade to get the antenna of your choice. Antennas can technically be used anywhere which makes it a good option for boondocking or dispersed camping. Antennas may be old fashioned in the grand scheme of TV service for RVs, but even if the variety is limited, they provide distraction on longer trips and generally access to the major networks for local news and weather.

Cons:

If you are particular about the shows you watch, antennas may not be for you due to the very limited options in terms of channels. Antennas are another upgrade to your RV that you’ll have to maintain. The reception you get on your antenna will vary quite a bit depending on your location.

They are also not the option for anyone with low levels of patience. It can be a tedious task to manually adjust the antenna to get a clear signal – which can be lost the moment someone stands up to get a snack. It’s a phenomenon that could really test your self-control, especially because the signal tends to go out right at the best part of a movie or right before the winning touchdown of the game!

So, whether your motivation is relaxation, distraction, or binging your favorite show, choose the best TV service for RVs that works for you, your budget, and your camping style.

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

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