Paragon RV

When looking to set out on your RV road trip, you might find yourself at RV dealers staring down prices that you’d rather not be forced to pay. But, if you want a good deal and a decent RV, a used diesel RV might be the way to go instead.

Used diesel RVs are a great decision for those who want to save a few dollars, but the used RV market can be a bit overwhelming. Like any used vehicle, a used RV needs to be thoroughly checked out before purchasing. Here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind before purchasing any used RV:

Age of the Recreational Vehicle

Any vehicle depreciates immediately upon purchase. There’s a fine line though, as to how long to wait when buying that vehicle used, especially with an RV. For a used diesel RV, you’ll want a vehicle at least a year old, probably two. At that point the price depreciates substantially, but you’re still getting a nearly new RV with all the newest features.

If you wait until the RV has been used for more than four or five years, you face a lot of issues, including high mileage, expired warranties, and necessary repairs.

RV Maintenance

Which brings up the next point. If you’re looking to buy a used diesel RV, you’ll want to make absolutely sure that it’s as cleanly maintained as possible. It’s likely that you might buy from a private seller. If so, make sure to have a certified diesel RV mechanic look at it before you cut that check.

And while it may be cheaper to buy a used RV from a private seller, keep in mind that getting a warranty is impossible unless they still carry one from their original purchase. Dealer’s used diesel RVs might cost a bit more, but they’re often better maintained and carry certain guarantees of quality.

Why Diesel?

A diesel RV is going to be a top of the line RV. Not only are you looking at some of the highest quality, feature packed RVs on the road, but it’s going to save you money on fuel as well, with the higher mileage rate of most diesel engines. A used diesel RV as opposed to a gas RV is generally the best choice.

Regardless of the features or mileage options you’re seeking, a used diesel RV is the best choice for any road warrior looking to set out on a cross country trek. And most important, you save a decent bundle of money by buying one used.

RVs are an American tradition that can become quite pricey if one doesn’t do the right research before making a purchase. Reading as much as you can on the available RVs in your area and establishing just which features you want is a great first step in any major purchase. If you know exactly what you want in a used diesel RV, you won’t spend as much time looking at a vehicle that doesn’t fit your needs.

Family Tips

As the baby boomers retire, the recreational vehicle industry has seen an upsurge in sales. For many people, nothing measures up to the independence and flexibility of enjoying the open road in a recreational vehicle (RV). There is certainly much to be said for taking your hotel with you wherever you go, and the savings on hotel costs can more than pay for the initial cost of an RV.

RV travelers realize the cost savings of this type of travel. There are no hotel rooms to book and dining in your RV can save an enormous amount of money compared to eating in restaurants every day. Owning a fifth wheel or travel trailer, whereas you can unhook your RV from your truck, saves you from having to book a rental car. For those in motor homes, many travelers will tow a vehicle behind them.

When considering the purchase of an recreational vehicle, you will be faced with three choices; a fifth wheel which is pulled by a pick up truck and attaches to a wheel inside the truck box (hence its name fifth wheel), a travel trailer which is usually pulled by a truck with a rear hitch, or a motor home. All three types of RV’s have their pros and cons and each point will need to be considered based upon your needs and your budget. Other consideration for the RV lifestyle is the price of gas. However, it is still more economical than staying in hotels and eating at restaurants every night.

Traveling in a recreational vehicle or motor home is often a good choice for those who want to travel to different locations; however, it may be less suited to those who visit the same location year after year. Travelers who visit the same location every year may find it more economical to buy a vacation home. Buying a vacation home, and renting it out when it is not being used, can be a good way to both save money on lodging and build equity for the future.

Many RV travelers come to love the freedom of the open road and the easy care lifestyle. Traveling cross-country and stopping a various parks along the way is a wonderful adventure. The traveler can choose to stay a day or as long as they want at a particular location.

A well-known fact in the RV community is the free camping at Walmart. In most states, you are allowed to camp in a Walmart’s parking lot for as long as you like. I am sure you have seen recreational vehicles lined up in Walmart’s parking lot at least on one occasion. This is a win-win situation for the traveler and Walmart. The traveler has a well-lit place to camp for the night, at no cost, and Walmart receives income from those RV owners who frequent the store. However, recently there has been an uprising among campground owners against Walmart’s free camping policy. Therefore, it is well advised that you check with the local chamber of commerce before you decide to stay a week at Walmart.

Family Tips

There’s nothing greater than cruising down the road on your own home on wheels. People love RVing because it gives them freedom. A recreational vehicle allows you to travel and live in style.

Our beautiful country has so many great places to take your RV. Every little nook and cranny of the country, from all the way up at the tip of Alaska to way down by the heat of Miami, has something to offer the recreational enthusiast. It all depends on how you want to live.

Explore The National Parks

Few countries in the world have a huge national park system like the United States. From the Mojave Desert to Niagara, the Everglades in Florida to the Cascades in Washington.

The national park system has both federal and state parks. Federal parks are usually more convenient and closer to civilization. The only problem is that sometimes they can get crowded. They’re popular spots. You also might find that you don’t have enough space to park a full-sized RV at some federal parks.

State parks are usually more rugged. Often they don’t have the little creature comforts like electrical hook-ups and showers. Depending on the style of your RV, that might be just fine! State parks are often in more remote locations where you can get further away from everything.

All the national parks are beautiful and are well worth the drive.

Hit A Private Campground

Probably the most popular private campground is KOA. These places are not as scenic as the national parks, but they are sometimes located nearby. Private campgrounds are great for convenience. When we’re on the road for several weeks, we often stop off at a KOA or other private campground to do laundry, make phone calls and other things like that.

At a private campground you’ll find lots of conveniences. They’re also good places to stop if you have kids. They often have pools, video game arcades, and other things to keep the kids occupied.

Why Not Stay At A Resort?

Ask a bunch of seasoned RVers, and I promise you that 9 out of 10 will tell you that RV resorts are the places to go. These are special campgrounds set up exclusively for RVs. They require a membership, but with that you can enjoy any one of their many campgrounds across the country.

RV resorts are comfortable and usually quite cheap. You can stay at one for as little as $4 a night. Most have rules about how long you can stay at their parks, because they know that you’d end up moving in permanently if you could!

Probably the most popular RV club out there is Coast To Coast. Their campgrounds are always in pretty locations, and they are run by RVers. Coast To Coast has 150,000 members and around 400 campsites all over North America. One great thing about these resorts is that you have a chance to meet other RV owners and compare notes. They also have RV clubs that sponsor events.

Recently, Coast To Coast created a system where you can reserve your site ahead of time online. They are always improving their services, and they have a reputation for having the friendliest staff around.

Another similar RV club you can check out is Escapee. There are more out there, but Escapee and Coast To Coast are the biggest and best known.

Really Get Away From It All

Ever heard the term “boondocking?” This is what you do if you really want to get away from it all. Boondocking means to just head out into the wilderness, park your RV, and really get away from it all.

Some RV clubs hold boondocking events where a group of RVers all head out to the Arizona Desert or some distant landscape and hang out. Of course, hiking and other outdoor activities in remote locations have their dangers, but it can be a great experience. You’ll see more stars than you ever thought existed!

Buying that RV is just the first step. After that the adventure begins! With a recreational vehicle, you can head out on the highway and really see America.

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You’re rolling down the road, late in the day, in country you’ve never been in before. How do you
go about locating a really sweet, remote, RV Boondocking camp?

It’s darn sure a poor idea to just turn your big Motor Home or Fifth Wheel up some narrow forest road,
hoping to luck into a good RV Boondocking campsite!

Many times, with that method, what you’ll find is a dead end. You’ll be maybe two miles in, at a spot
you have no hope of turning around in! The only place you could turn around was a half mile back, down
that little road. Have you ever backed your rig up for maybe a half mile? It’s really not my idea of a good
time. It gets especially bad when your “significant other” told you when you were turning in that, in their
opinion, it was a bad idea!

And now, to compound things, it’s getting dark in a big hurry!

So, how do you go about finding that perfect, dry camping site as you enter new country? Don’t! That’s right. Don’t!

At least not for the time being. Trying to force that issue, in unfamiliar territory, just piles a lot of stress
on top of unpleasantness, while usually, producing nothing.

Instead, find a comfortable enough U.S. Forest Service campground, or even a low cost private park for
a night or two. That will give you the time you need to go exploring. Going out on daytrips, using your
tow vehicle or your “toad”, will allow you to go up those narrow forest roads searching out the perfect,
long term (10-14 day) RV Boondocking campsite.

The side benefits are that first, you greatly reduce the stress of finding an RV Boondocking campsite,
and secondly, you eliminate the worry of getting your big rig trapped in some remote, backwoods, bottleneck.

Paying for a campsite for a night or two, until you find that perfect spot, will sure beat paying to get towed
out of a trap, or to repair the body damage you did getting yourself out!

Take your time and enjoy RV Boondocking! It’s one of those things that, the more you do it, the better you’ll get at it!

Everyday Tips for Everyday People

Anybody who likes both camping and biking must have had this problem – how on earth can you take your tent and the hundred and twenty seven odd things you really do need when you want to go camping and biking at the same time? Well, the answer is simple – that is what motorcycle camping trailers are for.

So what exactly are these motorcycle camping trailers? Well, that is simple enough. They are very lightweight trailers, with a pull-out tent, that can be pulled by a motorcycle. They are quite tiny when they are neatly folded up, and are very easy to handle.

Tiny as they are when they are folded up, they give you plenty of room on the inside. You can pack in just about everything you need, and a few things you do not need but you think you might, too, into the bargain.

Also, the tent will be attached to the trailer platform, so it will not actually be resting on the ground, so you will have no trouble even if all of a sudden your favorite camping ground is all muddy and soggy.

You can customize your motorcycle camping trailer. Depending on what kind you decide to buy, you will have a lot of storage space and space for other amenities, like a cooler, a small portable air conditioner, portable television – if you are not a fan of roughing it, with a motorcycle camping trailer, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

You can get modern motorcycle camping trailers in different colors and styles, and most of them can be attached to any model motorcycle. All you need is the right trailer hitch, which can be easily attached.

Of course, there are some considerations that you should take into account before you decide to go ahead and buy a trailer. First, you have to check the weight of the trailer. After all, it should be pulled by your bike – you have to get this one right.

Next, when you take into account the weight of the trailer, do not forget to add the weight of the rider – your bike will have to take that, as well. Always stay well within the recommended safety limit. You can cut down on the cost of the trip with these trailers, because you will not need to stop at hotels or motels, but remember to calculate the extra gas consumption, now that your bike has to pull that much extra weight.

Last, but not least, get a trailer that you really like – you will have to spend quite a bit of time in it and around it, so it is important that, apart from efficiency and practical convenience, you really like the trailer.

Household Tips for Everyday

If you are going camping, you are probably wondering what dehydrated camping food is and whether or not you should bring some with you.

The best camping tip you can get is to bring dehydrated camping food along with you, because it will be so quick and easy to prepare. However, this is certainly not the only food that you can bring when you go camping, and there are lots of other great options as well.

If you need to buy some dehydrated camping food, here are a few of the best companies that you can check out and find what you need.

Cache Lake

This is one of the most popular companies when it comes to something like dehydrated camping food. They want everyone to have the most enjoyable time on their camping trip, and to ensure this, they offer delicious, easy to prepare food that will never go bad, no matter how long the duration of your camping trip.

They offer great meals for the die-hard outdoors enthusiast, who wants to go camping but not have to settle for canned food and nothing but. Their camping food is sure to satisfy your appetite, and simple to prepare. All you do is add water to the mix, and then you stir, soak, or cook it.

Mountain House

Another company you can go through for dehydrated camping food is Mountain House. They have been in the business for years now, and they really understand the needs of campers everywhere. They offer lightweight, compact, great tasting food for campers everywhere. This means that you will never have to stick to a certain diet again, and instead can find almost any food you want, in dehydrated form.

This food is incredibly versatile and simple to make. Even a child could prepare the dehydrated food, and it is perfect for lovers of the outdoors who want to go camping for weeks at a time, away from civilization.

Just make sure that besides the camping food you also bring the necessary equipment. This is important because after all, you can have all the food you want, but without the right equipment, how are you going to cook any of it? You can find camping cooking equipment for very cheap, as long as you shop in the right places. Or perhaps you know someone who enjoys camping as much as you do and who you can borrow equipment from for your next camping trip.

Family Tips

What good is camping anyway? Most people think of camping and they think of sitting in the dirt with insects all around and then sleeping on a hard rock floor. They think of hoving around each other at night in a camp –afraid of what noices they are hearing from the trees or forests. However, if you are one of the people who love to go camping, then you think the opposite of all that. When you love nature and you love camping out, you think of all the wonderful times that you will have even if it rains the entire time.

When you love camping you are thinking that you are the closest to nature than you will ever be; you are closest to pure natural stress relief there is. When you love camping, you look forward to camping season and you are probaby sad to see it end. Most of us think about camping one way or the other. You either love it **** ir or you have no clue what camping is about.

So, here are some ideas, suggestions and comments, along with some great product descriptions:

Camping will and does lower blood pressure because having less stress has been known to lower blood pressure also and camping relieves stress. Camping provides that no stress atmosphere –if you camp with a tent. You never have to worry about doing the dishes or about entertaining people. You can have your first experience building your own home; now how is that for being different. And yes, putting a tent together is building a home. Yes it is a temporary home, but still it will be your home for at least a day or perhaps a week, depending on how long you intend to camp out. Camping is one of the best ways to teach children about nature. After all mostly all around most campsites you will find nature and natural settings.
Here are some things to bring with you when you go camping with your tent or tents:

Money. Yes, bring money. It pays to be prepared, even if you are only camping out for a few days. Dried foods (Some dried foods are raisens, oatmeal cookies, dry cereal, nuts, rice cakes, and if need be, pototo chips or cheese doodles. Wild camping? You will need a water supply and you might need iodine tablets to purify your water. Bring a small filter so you can filter stream water. Grippers or Gophers are all important. These metal/plastic extensions are great for reaching inside the tent, for catching spiders and for letting them go out in nature. Identification. Always bring identification with you when camping out in any state park or private campsites or forests. You will need this in an emergency. Haha, a luxury tip for tenters: If you bring a small George Forman grill, you can cook burgers and veggies on there and leave all the charcoal, grills and bbq things at home. Buckets and containers: These are necessary. These items keep the tent clean and dry and keep your things organized. Bring the bucket with you when you go to the shower. You can put your watch and wallet and other things inside a child’s small beach bucket, and now everything stays dry while you shower. Lots of string or cord for the tent stakes, and tents, tarps and other related items. Music and electronics and coloring books and games for those stormy times when you need to be outside your tent (perhaps in the gamerooms or somewhere else). Friends and family for some camping trips and be sure to do some solo trips also. A good mix is the health idea.
Some other good snacks are Craisins, yogurt candies, watermelon, crackers, pretzels, and more. Bring something with wheels on it if you have to walk far from the car, you can tote your items on wheels or let everyone carry their own share. Other camping hints:

Attach the fly of the tent ONLY after you have completely tied the tent down to the ground with a sufficient number of stakes. One year I did not tie the tent down and let go of it for a split second. One six foot high tent went flying up in a gust of wind. I have to chase this tent for half the size of a football field before I caught up with it. So, moral of this story is always stake this tent down before attaching the fly. For non-campers, the fly is that extra piece of tent/material that goes on top of the tent. It attaches to the tent with string. As you can see, a nice wind picks the tent up and if the fly is not attached it will not fly too far away from you.

Here is a link for one of the best tents you can purchase. I purchased this tent for about $70 dollars AFTER the camping season was over. And it is the best tent that I have ever put together. One person can assemble this –even on a windy day. My version actually had two plastic windows in the fly that covered the screen windows on rainy camping days. I recomment Tetragon and especially Tetragon 9 or Tetragon 7.

Stay tuned in for other helpful hints in other articles.

Article created June 19, 2008

Everyday Tips for Everyday People

If your family owns a really nice Recreational vehicle and you love to travel, it is really no wonder when you can take everything you need with you. Traveling in the recreational vehicles that are available today is just like having a mobile hotel. You can enjoy all the advantages of a home, only it is on wheels.

With extendable walls, fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms, what is not to love? Well, in the past there was just one thing that recreational vehicle owners might not have loved and that was the fact that the only television entertainment they could get had to come from a VCR or DVD player, but today even that problem has been solved.

Satellite equipment for recreational vehicles is the best addition to the traveling life that has came along in a long time. Today recreational vehicle owners can purchase everything they need to have mobilized satellite connections. They just attach the satellite dish to their vehicle and it goes everywhere they go.

There are different kinds of satellites and receivers that recreational vehicle owners can choose from. Some satellites can continue to pick up signals even when you are driving down the road, while other satellites are for use only when the vehicle is stationary.

Either way you can view all your favorite television programs through the satellite service you choose. There are different packaging options available just like you can purchase for use at home.

How much your satellite, receiver and any other accessories that will be needed will depend on what kind of system and satellite you choose. Many of these satellites will be able to allow you to have at least two different televisions and watch different programming at the same time. Again, just like at home.

You only need to visit your favorite camping or recreational vehicle stores to find all the necessities for your satellite system. They will provide you with any information and instructions on how to use the satellite system. Some places will do the installation for you or if you are technologically gifted, maybe you can do the installation yourself.

The next time that you and your family decide that it is time to hit the road, it is a sure bet that everyone will be a lot more eager to get going when they know that all those long hours of travel will be spent pleasantly watching anything that they would at home. A satellite system for your recreational vehicle will provide a more enjoyable traveling experience for the whole family.

Family Tips

Whether you are looking to sell your motor home, travel trailer or 5th wheel it is important that you have a full understanding of what your recreational vehicle or RV is worth. The market changes on a regular basis. Therefore, it is important that you know about rv pricing and used rv prices, so you know how much you can actually sell your RV for.

One of the first conditions that will affect the selling price of your RV is the time of year you are selling it. If you try to sell your RV in the off season, you are less likely to get your desired asking price. Generally, buyers add in the fact they will have to store it for the winter when purchasing an RV. Therefore, they will generally offer you a much lower price. The off season is a bad time to sell your RV because many buyers are not in the market for an RV. In the spring time, buyers are geared up for the upcoming camping season and therefore more likely to pay closer to your RV’s worth.

The condition of your RV will also dictate its worth. If you are trying to sell a newer RV in mint condition, you are more likely to get a fair price for it. However, if you are trying to sell an RV that is older or one that needs some type of repair, chances are you will not get your full asking price. Therefore, when putting your RV up for sale, make sure you fix any chips in the paint or appliances that are not working.

You will want to make sure that your RV is as clean as possible. Remove any clutter from the RV to make sure that it looks as spacious as possible. Do a thorough cleaning of the unit to make it truly shine.

Mileage is another determining factor for your asking price if you are looking to sell a unit that contains a motor. If the mileage is high, your RV will be worth less than if you were to sell one with low mileage.

Another determining factor to consider is what accessories you have in your RV. Accessories such as satellite dishes, A/C units, solar panels and awnings will add extra value to your RV.

If you place an ad to sell your RV, be sure to word it properly. You will want to list all of the wonderful features the unit has. Have a friend read over your advertisement before placing it. They can give you a legitimate idea whether you need to add additional information or remove something that might be distracting to potential buyers.

When pricing your RV do not compare it to other units that dealers are selling. Whenever a dealer is selling a used unit, they must jack the price up in order to make a profit. Therefore, check out a company that specializes in the pricing of RV’s by the general public, such as Kelly Blue Book.

Before listing your RV for sale, be sure you have a full understanding of what your unit is worth. The more reasonably priced your unit is, the more likely it is to sell.

Everyday Tips for Everyday People

As a general rule, complicated, busy patterns and bold colors make a space look cluttered or imposing. That’s why there area few design rules to help make your small living space-be it an RV or mobile home-look bigger.

When you have a choice regarding upholstery, choose minimal or no patterns. Consider the mood you want to achieve: Darker colors will make your space cozy, but if you prefer to go for a light and airy look, light, cool colors such as soft blues or greens will make your home appear more open. A monochromatic color scheme is calming to the eye. This means that all the ap holstered items are either the same color, or in the same color family, such as slightly lighter and darker versions of the feature color. If the furniture is a similar color to the wall, it will blend into the room, opening up the visual space.

Assure that your furniture isn’t blocking the view out of windows, or even obstructing the view from one room to another. Visual distance will help calm your eye in a small living space. Also, walking circles around furniture to get from one room to another will only make you agitated, so clear pathways help you feel comfortable in many ways. Let the light in. Consider lace window coverings rather than heavy blinds wherever it’s appropriate. Make sure you have plenty of light fixtures and windows to assure there are no dark corners in your small living space.

Finally, it’s all about storage. Think up, not out. Stackable storage totes will utilize your limited closet space far more efficiently than trying to cram everything into the same floor-space. There are also lots of close-to-ceiling storage options, such as hanging nets or high shelves. Living in a small home or RV can be a great! By following these helpful tips, you can be assured maximum comfort.

Everyday Tips for Everyday People

We had sold our motor coach some time ago and thought we would just sit things out for a while. RVing, however, is very addictive. We missed being able to just go where and when we wished to (weather permitting) and all the friends we had accumulated during all our previous years of RVing.

Should we get slide-outs
We had decided on a fifth wheel trailer having tried out several loaned by our dealer (he even loaned us the pickup to pull them) and were truly converted to this new (to us) type of RV. The one big decision remaining was the matter of slide-outs, — those box like structures which were made to extend from the RV (when parked) and provided much appreciated additional space inside the vehicle. Our salesman had explained to us how they worked but would not give us any recommendations. He did, however, give us a list of folks who had bought fifth wheel trailers with slide-outs.

What we found on the Internet
First, we thought, we would just see what we could find on the Internet. It was overwhelming! Mostly, we found complaints — the same complaints over and over again. How could anything be this bad and still be so popular?

The six major complaints
The more important complaints included:

* leaking of water and dust around the gaskets that are supposed to seal the slide-out when extended or retracted.

* accumulation of debris on the top of the slide-outs when parked under trees (which is where the shade is!) being pulled into the RV when the slide-outs are retracted

* malfunction of the mechanisms responsible for extending and retracting the slide-out (a real problem if they’re extended and can’t be retracted)

* additional maintenance cost (especially as the RV ages)

* compromised structural integrity of the body of the RV

* reduction of carrying capacity of RV due to extra weight of the slide-outs (500 to as much as 1000 pounds per slide-out).

After reading all this stuff on the Internet we were ready to say ‘no’ to slide-outs. We didn’t have slide-outs on the MCI or Flxible; can they really be that great?

The salesman’s answers
We went back to the salesman and he again pointed out that nearly all of their Fifth Wheels now come with slide-outs. Depreciation is much greater for units without slide-outs. He did have some rebuttals concerning the complaints we had gathered.

Water leakage
The cited water leakage problem is almost always due to lack of proper maintenance. There are lubricants which, when properly applied to the rubber-like gaskets, prolong the useful lives of the gaskets. And, like your automobile (or pickup truck) the RV should be checked out at the beginning of the season to reduce the probability of mechanical mishaps while traveling. If it appears there may be a problem with a slide-out staying properly retracted while the vehicle is traveling, mechanical locks can be fitted to ensure complete retraction is maintained.

Intrusion of debris
The problem of pulling debris inside the RV when retracting the slide-out is not a problem with the fifth wheels we had been considering because they all are fitted with special awnings which extend and retract with the slide-outs.

Maintenance of actuating mechanism
Proper maintenance by the dealer helps to assure the electrical motors and associated gears work properly when they are expected to but, if something were to happen there is a mechanical override to allow the slide-out to be retracted manually. He also said that most problems of this nature occur because the trailer wasn’t leveled before the slide-outs were extended.

Additional maintenance costs
The expected additional maintenance cost only occurs in his dealership if something has to be repaired. The inspections, lubrication of seals, gears, etc., is done by his mechanics when the RV is brought in for its annual checkup.

Structural integrity
The structural integrity is more a function of the size of the slide-out. The fifth wheel trailers we were considering were not compromised by the inclusion of the slide-outs.

Reduction of carrying capacity
The matter of reduction of carrying capacity brought a smile to his face: “It’s a matter of numbers. You can carry so much and that is the limit. So you have to decide what is important and stay within the limit. The slide-outs in the units you have looked at are on the light side (about 600 pounds each) because they are small and not moving appliances.”

Again he encouraged us to check with other customers who had fifth wheel trailers with slide-outs. We hadn’t wanted to bother his customers but decided that, as people complain more readily than they praise — especially on the Internet, we should take his advice.

What other owners had to say
We did check with all the people on his list. Without exception, all were very happy — not only with the slide-outs but with the trailers and the service they had received. We were convinced so we bought the 31 foot Cardinal with the living area plus front bedroom (and queen-sized bed) slide-outs. We’ve had our Cardinal over 2 years, so far, and expect to have it a few more.

Our decision
Slide-outs, good or bad? They’re great! Ours change living in a hallway into enjoying our living room and being able to get into our queen bed from both sides.

So what if diesel is $5 a gallon… RVing is that addictive!

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If you want to go camping and you are not necessarily the best of cooks, do not worry; you will be able to spoil your family with good and easy camping recipes. Even if you are a very good experienced cook adored by your family, but you are afraid of the lack of possibilities that a camping trip will offer you, do not worry; those camping recipes available will help you deal with cooking and feeding your family on the trip. People who have made it a habit going camping, have learnt to manage the cooking problem on a camp fire or cooking gas lamp.

They have come up with wonderfully camping recipes that they are always eager to share with other people. Therefore, if you search the net you will find lots of websites providing you with countless camping recipes to make your camping cooking experience simple, enjoyable and effective. Why are they called easy camping recipes? Well, they are supposed to be as simple to prepare as possible, since you do not have all the utensils and the comfort of your kitchen at home; yet you have to feed your family.

What makes these camping recipes easy? Generally it is the fact that the preparation focuses on combining different ingredients, fruits and vegetables together to obtain some very good meals, snacks and desserts, fast and with not much difficulty. If you get equipped with some easy camping recipes and the necessary ingredients, you will not need to overburden your luggage or car with too many pots and pans, forks and spoons and the rest of the stuff.

Resorting to easy camping recipes will enable you to make all cooking and eating phenomenon during the camping holiday quite easy as you will be able to make use of plastic or paper dishes, cups and cutlery. Besides the fact that these are disposable, they are also easy to carry as they are small, compact and light. With the camping recipes and disposable dishes there comes another benefit; you get rid of doing the washing up.

The easy camping recipes you can find on the countless websites dealing with camping, are usually provided in an organized manner. You will find the camping recipes by name, by main ingredient, by the type of meal it pertains to, etc. So finding the right camping recipes should not be a problem for you. Anyway, carrying a camping stove with you on the trip will only add to the possibilities that easy camping recipes offer you and you will end up being even more appreciated by your family.

Everyday Tips for Everyday People

…. By NOT trading your RV! Don’t trade, do an RV Makeover!

For many of the people retiring to the RVing and RV Boondocking road, the need to efficiently manage the money spent on their rig is a top priority. Trading your RV every few years is really not the way to be efficient! Unless your bank account is a lot deeper than mine, you could bankrupt that puppy in short order with too many, “too soon” trades.

“But” you say, “the rig is ‘worn’, and we really need some changes to it, to make it fit how we live now. Is there really an alternative to trading your RV?”

You bet! Stretch your RVing dollar with good RV maintenance and then think refurbish and upgrade, instead of trade. You already have a solid structure in your existing rig. Simply maintain and improve it to meet your changing needs.

First, simply take good care of the RV you have. Do the scheduled, routine RV maintenance religiously. Thatin itself is going to save gobs of cash in reduced repairs and extended lifespan. Second, you need to resist the temptation pounded into your brain by the endless droning of the marketing wizards. Every time you turn on the TV, or pick up a magazine, you’re bludgeoned with the message to buy, buy, buy. “Hurry in now before the sale is over, or you’ll lose out on the savings on a ‘better’ RV!”

Don’t hurry in, and save even more! Think about it. If you drove that brand new RV off the Dealers lot, did a U turn in the road and pulled right back in and traded it back, you just lost a minimum of 25% of the purchase price, and sometimes nearer 50%! 25% of a new RV is one sizable chunk of a persons savings.

Also, simpy being newer, is not necessarily better. Just newer. Is it really better if it costs you thirty or forty thousand dollars, for a ‘cheapie’ trailer? Over a hundred thousand, as you start into the higher grade outfits and into the Motorhomes. You’ll also have to work the ‘kinks’ out of a new rig. It’s a fairly common and arguable belief that the workmanship of many RV manufacturers leaves something to be desired.

Think what it would do for your budget, if instead, you spent only 10 or 15% of the cost of a new rig, (often less!) reworking your “Old Reliable” RV. Well thought out, and properly executed, you can actually ‘recreate’ an RV of better quality and function, than that new rig, for a fraction of the money.

Would you rather depreciate maybe six or seven thousand dollars, for a thorough refurbishing, or many thousands more? (15% OF A $50,000 Trailer = $7,500)

Replace the worn upholstery. Update the window treatments. Swap the hide-a-bed couch for a pair of chairs. Recarpet or change to ‘hard’ flooring. Install a larger water tank. Rework some of the cabinets for greater efficiency. Replace the axles with some of the better torsion axles, even including disc brakes.

Install solar power. Put on a leveling system. Pull out that bunk bed in the back where your, now grown up, kids used to sleep, and install a desk! …. or maybe your fly tying bench! …. or her sewing machine!

There are a huge number of upgrades, RV add-ons and accessories available to improve your RV for maximum service while squeezing the most from every dollar.

Upgrading a good RV is, almost always, the most inexpensive way to get a better rig. It is almost always, in my opinion, the way to get the RV that suits you the best. You can add the RV equipment you want, piece by piece, far cheaper than the price you’ll have to pay for a new rig.

How many Diesel Motorhomes have you seen with 450,000 miles on them? That’s the point, with a properly maintained and operated rig, that you may expect to have to do some significant engine repairs, like doing a “top end” overhaul. With gas rigs that number is much lower, but still up in the 150,000 mile range. The point is, these rigs will go a lot farther than most of us run them. So why take the financial hit, when they have so much life left?

Trailers and Fifth Wheels, with proper handling and care, will endure almost indefinitely. Occasional appliance replacement, a roof every 10 years or so, some tires, wheel bearings and brakes every once in a long while are what you’ll spend. One heck of a lot less than the many thousand dollar hit you take every time you push pull or tow a new RV off the dealers lot!

Trading your RV, when simply upgrading your existing rig would actually provide the better RV, only costs you precious savings while giving you less for your money.

My last thought on the subject is one of emotion. Do you really want to sell off the rig that has taken you to so may wonderful memories? I would feel like I was trading a friend. If you really do want that new rig, by all means go for it! Just make sure you really want it, and are not just surrendering to the marketing blitz!

Save that “New RV” money and you can buy more fuel, that will take you to more places, where you can photograph more sights, with that fancy new digital camera, you can now afford…. While loading more memories into your good Ol’ RV!

Family Tips

Instead of just taking a typical camping trip the next time you feel the need to commune with nature, you may want to consider renting an RV to travel the country. This is a wonderful means of enjoying quality time with family and friends without needing to pitch a tent to do so. In an RV, you have most of the comforts of home while being able to travel exactly where and when you want. It’s a great alternative to other types of more common vacations.

For many, buying an RV just simply isn’t an option – they aren’t cheap! This is especially true of the families who only want to use one for a couple of weekends a year. Such a scenario makes renting an RV a more attractive choice. The cost is considerably less than buying plane tickets and renting hotels, and it is more enjoyable to be able to drive to most any destination, even on a whim. You can rent an RV for a weekend, a week, or an entire month if you prefer. Although the rental price increases the longer the RV is in your possession, renting is still relatively inexpensive compared with buying.

In selecting an RV to rent, you need to consider the number of people who will be traveling with you and how much room you expect to require. RV’s range in size from fairly small to very large RV’s, some which can accommodate up to 8 people quite comfortably. You should also take into account the RV’s storage space to ensure you can bring all necessary luggage and personal belongings for everyone traveling with you.

The best way to find an RV for rent is to check through a local RV showroom. Alternatively, you can search online to find the location nearest you. RV web sites normally show all their models with relevant details concerning the number of people they can accommodate. Additionally, you should also see a list of standard features such as kitchen size, appliances, and the sleeping areas. If you know someone with an RV, ask for their recommendations from their own experience on renting options.

When renting any RV, read the rental agreement carefully so you know exactly how many miles you can travel without being assessed a penalty along with any other charges for which you are held responsible. If all looks good, you can simply sign, pay, and ride off in your home away from home, at least for a weekend. Many people who rent RV’s find even from their initial experience that they really are a wonderful way to take a relaxing family vacation.

Family Tips

Ten Good Reasons to Remodel Your RV:

1.Remodeling is the most economical way to get a true upgrade. As opposed to trading in your RV, remodeling enables you to add the features you need and the look you’ve always wanted at a mere fraction of the cost of a new RV.

2.Remodeling is the process of customizing and decorating an RV to suit your specific lifestyle as well as your personal tastes. There’s no other way to accomplish this task.

3.Tasteful and competent remodeling adds value to an RV. This added value ultimately results in a higher selling price. Remodeled RVs also tend to sell faster because interested buyers don’t want to miss out on an irreplaceable item.

4.Remodeled RVs tend to be of a higher quality than those that that haven’t. Remodeling, when done properly, is a successful collusion of creativity, quality materials, and workmanship. While some companies claim to accomplish this feat at the factory, it’s hard to compete with a proud owner that has all the time in the world.

5.The primary difference between a $175,000 RV and a $375,000 RV is the interior. Shrewd owners use skillful interior remodeling and selective upgrades to create a luxury RV at a fraction of the cost of a new high-end model.

6.Remodeling is extremely enjoyable as well as rewarding. Whether you’re changing the style, or adding new features, remodeling projects are often filled with excitement and anticipation of a new living space.

7.Even though high-end RVs cost considerably more than a typical home, many lack even the most basic amenities including dishwashers, garbage disposals, book shelves, desks, and Internet access.

8.Remodeled RVs have significantly more storage space than new models. RV manufacturers don’t have the time to install closet organizers, drawer dividers, rotating shelves, and pull-out cabinet inserts.

9.Even though there are more than two million full-time RVers, there’s no such thing as a special model for full-timers. The qualities that make a good full-timing RV have to be implemented by its owners.

10.A huge number of people routinely remodel their RVs. The five most commonly performed remodeling projects are:

a. Replacing or upgrading the flooring

b. Reupholstering the furniture

c. Upgrading the window treatments

d. Painting or wallpapering the walls

e. Replacing the dinette with a table and set of chairs

Household Tips for Everyday