What to Do When Your RV Breaks Down

Any time you experience a breakdown on the road it is not a good thing but when it is your RV, it can be an even bigger deal.  One thing an owner can do to try and prevent a roadside breakdown before it occurs is to keep up with routine maintenance and not put off any needed repairs.  Get in the habit of taking the RV to your dealership to have the yearly tune-ups and service done by their experienced, certified RV mechanics.   

Do keep in mind that if you do have a breakdown and call for roadside assistance; be sure to let them know the type of RV you have as it will require special equipment to tow it.  Now the next question is where do you tow it to have the work done?  If you own a Class A motorhome with a diesel engine you can have it brought in to a repair shop that works on trucks.  Basically what you are looking for is the services of a qualified, heavy-duty diesel mechanic. 

For a Class C or gas-fueled Class A motorhome, an auto service center or car dealership should be able to handle the repairs.  If you have a travel trailer that has broken down, it may be something to do with the wheel bearings, axle, or lights.  This type of work can be handled by most any repair shop.   

As a precautionary measure, many RV owners opt to purchase a separate insurance policy to cover towing fees for the RV in the event of a breakdown.  At Pikes Peak Traveland, we offer customers the opportunity to join our new 24/7 Roadside Assistance and Technical Support program known as Roadside/Tech24.  Once you become an RV Club or Roadside/Tech24 member, you will enjoy a 10% discount on every night you camp at a KOA campground, the world's largest network of family-friendly campgrounds.

Source:

http://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/08/rv_roadside_assistance.php

Pikes Peak Traveland has been one of the top Colorado Springs RV dealers since 1982 and a partner in the national Route 66 RV Network. Whether you are in the market for a new or used RV, want to consign one, or need parts or service, we can help.  We only sell the top names in RVs and offer some of the best prices around.  Please come out and take a look at our extensive inventory of quality RVs for sale. 

Tips for Towing a Travel Trailer

Particularly for new RV owners or when using a different tow vehicle, it is a good idea to review tips on how to safely tow a travel trailer as the experience can be like learning to drive all over again.  Experts recommend that you take the time beforehand to practice maneuvering the RV in a parking lot to go over basics such as parking, backing up, and making turns.  One thing to remember is every maneuver you make should be done in a deliberate manner.  Try to eliminate any sudden moves and consciously be aware of the weight you are pulling behind you. 

Check to make sure your tow hitch is rated to handle the weight of your trailer.  If not, be sure to replace it with a higher class hitch.  The California Department of Motor Vehicles has published a helpful pre-trip inspection checklist that drivers should go over before getting on the road and towing a travel trailer.  Their recommendations are to make sure that:

·         The pin securing the ball mount to the receiver is intact.

·         The hitch coupler is secured.

·         Spring bar hinges are tight with the safety clips in place (load equalizer or weight distributing hitches).

·         Safety chains are properly attached.

·         The electrical plug is properly installed.

Another suggestion from experienced RV drivers is to have your brakes inspected by a mechanic a few weeks before your trip as they are an essential part of your safe driving.  Once on the road, be sure to allow plenty of space between you and the vehicle ahead of you to give yourself adequate time to stop.  Additionally if your trip will take you through steeply graded roads, downshift the vehicle while going both up and down hills as well as lower your speed. 

Sources:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/vehicle-towing/trailer/travel-trailer-towing2.htm

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648pt12.htm

Pikes Peak Traveland has been one of the top Colorado Springs RV dealers since 1982 and a partner in the national Route 66 RV Network. Whether you are in the market for a new or used RV, want to consign one, or need parts or service, we can help.  We only sell the top names in RVs and offer some of the best prices around.  Please come out and take a look at our extensive inventory of quality RVs forsale. 

Load Your Travel Trailer Properly

It is important when towing a travel trailer that you load it properly to avoid trailer sway and give yourself more control over the trailer.  By taking the time to evenly distribute the weight when loading the trailer you can help to alleviate any problems.  According to Aol Autos, “If you ever notice the trailer starting to sway or whip, let off the gas and hold the steering wheel straight.  Do not brake, speed up, or try to counter the sway.”

One way to effectively load a travel trailer is to spread the weight from side to side and from front to back based on your trailer’s load specifications.  According to the Your RV Lifestyle website, weight distribution is critical and you should, “know your Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR), obtain measurements of specific wheel position loads and set tire pressure appropriately.”  You are also trying to keep the center of gravity low and have all cargo secured to prevent it from shifting while the trailer is moving.   

The California Department of Motor Vehicles says that hitch weights for travel trailers should be on average at least 10% of the trailer’s gross weight to ensure smooth handling and can go 15% or higher in some cases.  If you tow a large travel trailer, your hitch weight is determined by capacity of the tow vehicles and the hitch.  Heavy trailers should be towed by a pickup truck or heavy-duty van.  Always keep in mind that if you do not follow your specific recommendations, you may find yourself in the unpleasant and potentially dangerous position of a trailer fishtailing across lanes. 

 

You can research on the Internet or check the yellow pages to find a public scale where you can bring your trailer in to have it weighed.  Furthermore remember that the suggested speed for safe towing is no higher than 55 MPH and it is the law in many states.  Be sure to take your time and enjoy the trip along the way to help guarantee a safe arrival. 

Sources:

http://autos.aol.com/gallery/towing-tips/#!slide=51302

http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/towing-tips.html

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648pt12.htm

Pikes Peak Traveland has been one of the top Colorado Springs RV dealers since 1982 and a partner in the national Route 66 RV Network. Whether you are in the market for a new or used RV, want to consign one, or need parts or service, we can help.  We only sell the top names in RVs and offer some of the best prices around.  Please come out and take a look at our extensive inventory of quality RVs for sale. 

Join a RV Chat Room or Forum

While your RV dealership provides excellent services to care for your RV, chat rooms and forums offer the opportunity to join a community of fellow RVers and get an inside perspective on the lifestyle.  The scope of information you can discover on forums extends from candid reviews on campgrounds to discussions regarding troubleshooting problems that involve your model of RV. 

In order to post comments on most of the forums or chat rooms, you must register and create a user name.  The ones we found were free and open to the public, and the best ones have rules that monitor the conduct of its members and reserve the right to remove any inappropriate posts.  As a general rule, the sites cannot be used as a method for selling items and are not open to commercial businesses. 

 

You can join a forum that is dedicated to your particular type of RV such as sites set-up for owners of fifth wheels, Class A or Class C motorhomes, travel trailers, folding trailers, or toy haulers.  The topics covered are extensive and only limited by the questions that members bring to the forum.  Examples of topics on one site for Class A motorhomes included breakdown information, helpful tips for new owners, and a discussion on towing a vehicle behind a motorhome. 

There are also forums that primarily deal with repairs for RVs and provide helpful tips for DIY projects.  Several sites allow you to send in pictures along with a detailed description of an issue to get help with diagnosing and repairing the problem.   

Chat rooms can be live and permit you to converse with someone in real time.  The whole point of both forums and chat rooms is to discover new information, leverage the experience of seasoned RVers, and share tips and ideas to enhance the RV lifestyle.   

Pikes Peak Traveland has been one of the top Colorado Springs RV dealers since 1982 and a partner in the national Route 66 RV Network. Whether you are in the market for a new or used RV, want to consign one, or need parts or service, we can help.  We only sell the top names in RVs and offer some of the best prices around.  Please come out and take a look at our extensive inventory of quality RVs for sale. 

First RV Trip? Start a Checklist

One of the things that seasoned RVers recommend to beginners is that they take the time to plan ahead before setting out on the open road.  This doesn’t mean you have to lose all of the spontaneity of your trip, but it does help to ensure you are prepared for whatever you face along the way.  The best way to start is by making a checklist of everything you want to bring along with you as well as keeping a detailed account of the routes you will be taking and the campgrounds where you plan to stay.  Check out the online reviews to see what kind of reputation the campgrounds have.  Will you get good service? Is it a good value?

Take the time to browse through RV and travel guides and search the Internet to discover useful information about the areas you will be visiting.  Plan to bring along the most up-to-date maps and a GPS if at all possible.  Additionally research various campground locations to get an idea of the amenities they offer and the costs.  Whenever you are given the opportunity, make reservations beforehand.   

If you will be traveling through an area and just require overnight parking, check online for websites that list locations to free or minimal cost parking availability.  Many Walmart stores and other large retailers (no hookups) allow you to park overnight in their parking lots as do many casinos, and some rest areas. 

A good rule for RVers is to be prepared for the unexpected.  As part of the standard supplies in your RV, you should include:

·         Flashlights, batteries, candles, and matches. 

·         A fully stocked first aid kit and insect repellant (bring along an emergency backup supply of all medications).

·         Small tool box equipped with the sort of tools that will help to maintain the safety and wellbeing of your RV and do not forget a tire pressure gauge.

·         Entertainment such as playing cards, games, CDs, books, toys, and DVDs.

·         Cell phone and charger.

·         Emergency contact numbers for family members, doctors, and insurance company. 

 

Pikes Peak Traveland has been one of the top Colorado Springs RV dealers since 1982 and a partner in the national Route 66 RV Network. Whether you are in the market for a new or used RV, want to consign one, or need parts or service, we can help.  We only sell the top names in RVs and offer some of the best prices around.  Please come out and take a look at our extensive inventory of quality RVs for sale. 

Planning a RV Friendly Route

 

Technology has made it easier than ever to conveniently plan a fun-filled, trouble-free RV trip and can help you to avoid any unexpected pitfalls along the way.  These advanced RV route planners can be accessed through the Internet or used on a smartphone or tablet and give you the ability to create a fully customized trip.  The best ones use the most current data available and many offer satellite views of parks and campgrounds.  Rand McNally offers a popular one through the iTunes store.

A RV route planner is a handy tool for both beginner and seasoned RVers and provides an abundant amount of information about the route you wish to travel.  Most allow you to choose options that include taking the scenic route, adding in points of interest along the way, and letting you factor in the amount of miles you want to travel each day.  You can use filters to adjust your route to avoid toll roads, steeply graded mountainous roads, or roads that have narrow bridges, tunnels, or low clearance that may give you trouble. 

Route planners will calculate the distance between your chosen campground sites as well as the distance between gas stations, rest areas, and restaurants along the route.  Generally you have the option of printing out a copy of your route or having it emailed to you.  Some route planners even let you download the pre-planned trip into your GPS. 

Additionally most provide detailed information about campgrounds and the amenities they offer.  Other tools may include calculating mileage and fuel costs along with travel times.  Some RV route planners let you convert an address to or from GPS coordinates to figure out your exact destination.  For the most part, these sophisticated planners can be a big help and provide an opportunity for fully customizing your trip while taking into account a whole host of factors. 

Pikes Peak Traveland has been one of the top Colorado Springs RV dealers since 1982 and a partner in the national Route 66 RV Network. Whether you are in the market for a new or used RV, want to consign one, or need parts or service, we can help.  We only sell the top names in RVs and offer some of the best prices around.  Please come out and take a look at our extensive inventory of quality RVs for sale. 

RV Camping in our National Parks

We are all more than eager to start planning vacation time now that the good weather is finally here.  A popular destination for enjoying our highly diverse, beautiful country is to travel to one of the National Parks, but before you go, be sure to research what each park offers in terms of RV friendly sites.  This is where the Internet can be a great help in providing all kinds of information and tips.  You can even download a free copy of the National Park Service's complete guide to every park, national landmark, and historic site in their system. 

You want to keep in mind that most of the National Parks offer a variety of different camping options.  Some campgrounds accept reservations in advance while others operate on a first-come, first-serve basis (or a combination of the two).  Furthermore some National Park campgrounds do not provide electric, sewer or water hook-ups.  These offer a wonderful rustic camping experience for the whole family, but you will want to be aware of that beforehand so you know what you are getting into and are prepared.

One the easiest way to make your plans is to use one of the online reservation sites for the National Parks.  Reservation.gov handles advance reservations for camping and lodging as well as activities for the National Parks or the U.S. Forest Service that includes 2,500 federal areas and over 60,000 facilities.   The handy search parameters allow you to put in a state or a particular park you wish to visit, the length of your RV, and the dates of your stay.  It brings up a description of each campground in your criteria and tells you whether it has hook-ups, RV sites, available openings, and much more. 

Once you narrow down your selection of a campground, you can read all about the park and the natural features and activities in the area.  There is a map that shows the layout of campground and lets you take a look at a short description of the different campsites.  

Pikes Peak Traveland has been one of the top Colorado Springs RV dealers since 1982 and a partner in the national Route 66 RV Network. Whether you are in the market for a new or used RV, want to consign one, or need parts or service, we can help.  We only sell the top names in RVs and offer some of the best prices around.  Please come out and take a look at our extensive inventory of quality RVs for sale.