A Tip to Save Your RV from Preventable Damage

This is just a shortie post  to share a video with y'all about RV slide out covers.  Most all RV's have at least one these days and there's no getting around it - they add so much space and give you a feeling of more space as well.  This video was made by Pete's RV and although I've watched a few other related videos, this one not only proves the benefits of having slide toppers but also the resulting damage if they are not installed on your RV.

At our RV park I have come across two scenarios in regard to slide out toppers.

• A guest told me about his winterizing experience.  The RV was parked in his driveway and after a snow, the snow melted in day time and refroze as ice shortly after, stretching the vinyl of the topper.  He solved the problem from reoccurring by closing his slide outs when possible or by putting a large ball between the awning and the slide out roof to keep snow, water or ice from staying on the awning. 
• At our park, there are many squirrels.  We were watching them one day as this proud mother to be squirrel was building her nest between the roof of the slide out and the topper cover.  We observed this several times...even after removing all the twigs, leaves, etc. that she so conscientiously accumulated.  Our solution was to use a leaf blower, you could use a broom, to remove the debris and put a small 4 X 4 on each side opening to block her entrance.  Worked like a champ.

I always saw the covers as only protection from the elements but there's a lot more that slide outs need protection from and resulting damage can be extensive (slide out seal damage, water damage inside, etc.) and is usually not covered by insurance companies.

So, to protect your RV investment, you can get these RV awnings installed aftermarket or even better when you purchase it.

I am in between RV's right now but this video has sold me on getting them installed on my next RV.  If you look at the related videos section on You Tube after you view this video you'll find several videos on easy DIY installation of different brands on toppers.

Enjoy the video and "Happy Trails!
If you have any experiences with Slide Out Topper Covers, please share them in the comments.



           

 

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with us on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

BEAUTIFY YOUR RV and PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT

Seeing many an RV come through our gates at  Hidden Valley RV  I've noticed that some 20 year old RV's look like new and some 5 year old RV's show signs of oxidation, peeling decals, and fading paint.  Asking  the "new look" RV owners, I've found a pattern to reveal their secret.  They all wax their exteriors at least once a year.  Many elect to do the painstaking job themselves, often neglecting the roof, since it's the hardest to do and definitely needs to be done in the shade and preferably on a non-sunny day.  I recently did some research on local businesses to San Antonio that provide this service and the best price and overall deal seems to be at Paradise Car Wash and Detail Center, a very reputable wash/wax/detail service.

While your staying with us we can reserve your service time with them.  They will come to you at your Hidden Valley RV site and wash your rig (roof included) for $5/foot and wash/wax your RV for $9/foot.  If buffing is needed for badly oxidized rigs, the total price is $13/foot.  They supply the water and electricity for the job.  If you can get a second or third RV to agree to a wash/wax, or if you include your car or truck, they'll give you a discounted rate.  We have more info at the office and can take care of making the prepaid appointment for you if you'd like.

New-fangled Teardrop, New Twist on an Old Idea

Buying an RV?  Check out this little travel buddy.   It's called an Alto and it's built by Safari Condo of Quebec, Canada.  These trailers fold down to a teardrop for travel, are easy to tow,and are built unlike most other RV's in North America.  So light weight (these homes on wheels start out at just over 1600 pounds, roughly the weight of a hard top tent trailer.)  that if your vehicle is rated to pull about 2500 pounds you are certainly good to go with this one.  Not to mention that they are adorable.

Quote of the day:  "Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it." --Confucius

Space Heater Safety

Just read a heartbreaking article about several recent RV fires connected to electric space heaters. It's nice to be able to save on propane, especially if the electric is included in your space rent but some safety precautions are in order to prevent loss of life and property and out of concern for others.

Inappropriately used space heaters can be linked to tragedy after tragedy. To avoid problems, here are some recognized safety tips:

• Buy a space heater that has been certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• Keep all furniture and combustible items at least three feet away from any heating device.
• Never use space heaters to dry clothing, towels or other combustibles.
• Never refill a fuel-burning space heater while it’s on or inside your house.
• Space heaters should not be left on while you are asleep or leave the room.
• When not in use, space heaters should be unplugged.
• Do not connect a space heater to an outlet with an extension cord, and never overload the circuit.
• Never use a space heater with a damaged or frayed cord, and never cover the cord with carpeting or furniture.
• Be sure your space heater is in good working condition and that the heating element is protected by a metal guard.
• Keep young children away from space heaters.
• Avoid using electric space heaters in a bathroom, and never touch an electric heater when you are wet.
• Make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working before using a space heater.
• Check the cord on an electric space heater to determine if it is very warm or hot. If so, unplug it immediately and try another outlet. If it continues to be hot, contact an electrician.

Space heaters generally provide heat in one of two ways. Radiant heaters actually heat the objects at which they're aimed. They do not heat up the air in the room. The other type, convection heaters, warm the air around them. Not heating the air is an advantage for radiant heaters. There's no drafts from moving air. And radiant heat is great for heating just portions of a room. You're only heating the areas where you want heat. Just point the radiant heater at the chair that you're sitting in!

If you're considering a purchase a little research will help you to pick the best heater for your needs. If in a frigid climate you may want to heat your RV with the propane heater long enough to take off the chill and then use the electric heater, if necessary, to keep the heat. Here are some space heater guidelines and comparisons to aid you in your choice.

Radiant heaters use a variety of heating elements. Many use quartz tubes. Quartz heaters generally cost less than $70 and are rated between 750 and 1500 watts.

Parabolic heaters use a ceramic core. They cost a little more than quartz and put out about the same amount of heat per watt used. Ceramic element heaters are safer than heaters with coils. They use a larger heating area so it doesn't need to be as hot.

Halogen or reflective heaters use an energy saving halogen bulb to produce heat which is reflected on nearby objects. The feeling is much like having the sun shine on you.

Convection heaters can heat a whole room more quickly than a radiant heater. That works well if there are a number of people in the room or they're moving about within the room. Some convection heaters also have fans to circulate the air in the room. Convection heaters are inexpensive. You'll get one rated up to 5,000 Btu's for less than $50.

Like radiant heaters, convection heaters use a variety of heating elements. Ceramic disc heaters cost up to $150 and produce up to 5,000 Btu's per hour.
Oil and water filled units are the most efficient convection heaters. They utilize a heating element in a bath of oil or water. Like a water heater, the element cycles on and off. The water or oil stays warm in it's container and heats the surrounding air.

New Camping Product

Check this out! Can't wait to see one up close and personal. Coming soon to a campground near you may be the newest twist on camping: the Wacky Shack Bungalow.
This weekend, at Bass Pro Shop’s Fall Hunter’s Classic, Fast Master Products Inc. of Katy, Texas, will introduce Wacky Shack Bungalows, according to a news release. The six-person sleeping unit, made of heavy duty 14-oz. waterproof canvas, featuring a heater port, Flood Guard flooring, Rain Shield 99 Technology, and a heavy duty steel support and frame system, is mounted on the no fishtail, no jackknife swivel wheel transporter unit.
Included with all units, is a 14′ x 8′ “Patio cover” which can be easily converted to sleep six more adults comfortably, with the optional party room attachment. The entire unit collapses into a 5′ x 6′ x 8″ portable package, with a dirt-, dust- and rain-proof, soft PVC cover.

It can be pulled by most rear-wheel drive cars, crossovers, SUVs, small trucks or full-size trucks, with a class III or higher receiver package. It will not jackknife or fishtail, eliminating the need to know how to back a trailer, because it simply tracks with the towing vehicle.
For 2010, look for Hidden Valley RV Park to add a rest area with shower and a new laundry facility. These bungalows would be welcome once the addition is finished. Call in advance for reservations and info.