Automotive Blog

As an RV owner you’ve always enjoyed the lifestyle and freedom your rig has given you, but having enough electricity when you’re not near a hookup does present a challenge.

Up until recently, RV owners had two choices to prevent draining their batteries when using their on-board electrical appliances:

1. Run the RV engine to recharge the batteries

2. Run a generator

In today’s “Green” world, neither of those two options are really appealing – especially when you consider the noise and/or environmental pollution. But smart RV owners have found an answer: installing solar panels on to their RV.

Continue reading ‘How To Choose A Solar Panel For Your RV’ »

We all like a good bargain when we can find one. I’ve yet to meet an RVer who doesn’t, even if they’re driving a top-of-the-line and beautiful Class A motorhome.

Here’s an example, based on an offer I recently received. First, it appears to be a great bargain: a free lunch or dinner, an MP3 player, and a 90-minute “conference” on “Internet Marketing Strategies” for only an investment of my time. The official tickets we received, one for me and one for a guest, were impressive; they even had the reservation ID printed on them.

Because I sell an RV accessory on the internet, I’m interested in internet marketing. I thought, “Hey, I can always learn something useful! And my wife has been interested in an MP3 player, so let’s go!” I called the specified 800 number and made a reservation for the lunch-time conference.

Continue reading ‘An Easy Way to Prevent Being Scammed’ »

The best advice I can give to someone who wants to do full-time RVing is to attend a large RV show. These are usually held in the winter season in many cities. Rosemont, Illinois and Tampa, Florida are just two that come to mind. Get a RV magazine, like “Camping Life” or “Trailer Life” and find one close to your home. You will also see advertisements about close out sales at different dealerships in your area. Remember that there are hundreds of different types of RVs out there. A dealership can have only so many. That is why a show is so good. There are many different dealerships and manufacturers. When we bought our 2002 Avion Platinum 33′ fifth wheel we had gone to the show in Rosemont, Illinois (near O’Hare Field). We knew what we wanted in a RV: two recliners and a bedroom, which was higher than 6’2″, because that is my height. Those were our demands. We also wanted large storage space, because both of us are pack rats. One of the first RVs we walked into was this Avion by Fleetwood. I never heard of it, but knew of Fleetwood’s reputation for trailer construction. I had been in the trucking business for twenty years and Fleetwood made our fleet. Since then we have gone through a learning curve. We are still in love with the Avion. Others hate them, because of the many problems they have occurred with them.

Continue reading ‘Choosing Your RV’ »

I was recently asked this question: I am replacing the old standard TV in my RV. Is it best to go with a Plasma or LCD TV? I remember reading somewhere that altitude changes and temperature swings were not good for plasma TVs. Is it okay to use either a plasma or LCD TV while the RV is being driven?

My answer was as follows: I would suggest very strongly that you go with an LCD TV over a Plasma TV. Here is why:

What you have heard about Plasma TVs being affected by altitude is correct. A plasma TV screen is comprised of tiny little chambers containing compressed gasses such as Argon, Neon and Xenon. When you turn on your TV these gasses create the colors that you see on the TV screen. When you are above the 6000 foot level; the pressure changes in these chambers cause the Plasma TV to work harder to excite (activate) these gasses to create a picture. In fact, you can actually hear a buzzing sound from the screen, just like the buzzing you can hear when you stand close to a large neon sign.

Continue reading ‘Should I Put a Plasma Or LCD TV in My RV?’ »