Solar Power Your RV

Do you want to try and get off the grid or at the very least save some money?  Now that solar power is becoming mainstream there are more options than ever available for RVs.  An RV solar system can help to reduce the time that you live off of your generator and is a great solution for people that boondock or just want to go “green”. 

A big advantage to solar-power systems is that they have no moving parts and require very little maintenance.  They are safe and reliable and do not create the noise or smell of a generator.  Furthermore you decide how big of a system you want and how much you want to spend.  Solar can be used to power just a few devices or to completely power the RV. 

So what does a solar-powered system consist of?  RV systems will have one or more solar panels, a charge controller, batteries and the parts required for installation and hookup.  An article from Trailerlife.com explains that solar panels are rated by their watts of output and that the “wattage rating is determined by multiplying the panel’s peak power voltage by its peak power amperage.”

You may wonder how big of a system you need to power your RV.  To find out how much energy you use, one of the leading RV solar providers recommends that you boondock your RV and do not use the AC generator or shorepower.  Now under normal usage see how long it takes to run your batteries down.  The company takes that information and calculates approximately how many amp-hours you consumed on an average day and how many solar panels would be required to provide the same energy.  They estimate that the average RV consumes between 75 and 150 amp-hours of energy a day.

Sources:

trailerlife.com/camper-trailer-news/trailer-gear/rv-solar-power/

amsolar.com/home/amr/page_19

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.  

Can You Afford to Be a Fulltime RVer?

While it is certainly not for everyone, some people dream of the day they can take their RV on the open road and not look back.  Making the move to become a fulltime RVer can be an experience of a lifetime but is something that should be thought out carefully beforehand. 

One of the first things to consider is can you afford it.  Today many people work remotely and have the ability to still make an income while on the road.  If that is your situation, than affordability may not be an issue.  For others, if you are retired or do not plan to work, you need to take into account the money you have coming from pensions, other income, or social security.

Your living expenses should be less than what you paid to live in a traditional home as you will not have property taxes, HOA dues, and utility bills but you do need to figure how much it will cost.  If you still owe money on your RV or vehicle, you need to include that cost into your living expenses.  Also add in insurance, health care, membership fees, cell phones, and other monthly commitments. 

Look over past grocery bills to estimate how much you spend on food.  Include in your budget money for entertainment, clothes, laundry, mail forwarding and miscellaneous expenses.  You will also need to have money earmarked for maintenance on your RV and vehicle and annual registration fees. 

Now add in cost for gas, propane, and camping fees.  Both camping fees and fuel costs will fluctuate with where you stay and the miles you travel.  In addition cost will vary as to the type of lifestyle you live and many of these decisions will be based on your income.

It is helpful to research other people’s experience with RVing fulltime.  You can check out forums, blogs, and chatrooms on the Internet or get books.  One tip an RVer mentioned that may seem obvious but is sometimes forgotten is to remember to take your time.  There is no hurry and staying in a place for a while actually can save you money by reducing gas consumption and other travel expenses. 

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.  

Save Money by Boondocking

For those that are new to the RV lifestyle, the term boondocking may be unfamiliar.  It is sometimes referred to as dry camping, but simply means to park your RV in a location that has few or no amenities.  This can be done as a quick one or two night stop or something that is done in a more deliberate manner over a longer period of time.  The obvious advantage is that it is generally free or costs very little as compared to a full service campground. 

Often quick, overnight parking is something you do when you are on your way to someplace and require a stop in-between your destination.  You can find information on free (or for a small fee) RV parking with few or no amenities on the Internet or in RV magazines.  Examples of this type of accommodations are truck stops, malls, restaurants, casinos, and some rest areas.   Keep in mind that many of these spots are not places to bring out the awning, lawn chairs and other equipment to clutter up the lot. 

The other type of boondocking is when RVers make the decision to deliberately set up camp in an area that does not offer any services.  These are often beautiful, out of the way locations that are not within an organized park or facility.  To find such a location, you can contact a US National Park Service, National Forest Service, or a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office to see if they have suggestions.  Additionally, these agencies publish maps that are on the Internet.

There are also a couple of directory services and guidebooks that specialize in providing good boondocking locations or you can use detailed maps to find places.  It can be a fun alternative to staying in campgrounds but is challenging as you may need to learn how to conserve your water and energy resources. 

Sources:

http://roadslesstraveled.us/boondocking/

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. 

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.