Category: Guest Posts

It’s bad news for Canadian RVers travelling south of the border. Late last year, Bell ExpressVu changed satellites and the new satellite footprint only covers a small band of the northern US, not at all the area most snowbirds travel to. Rumor has it that part of the reason for this change of satellites was a condition of the contract renewal for Bell to rebroadcast Dish Network’s programming. Evidently the Americans are not impressed when you lobby aggressively to keep them from doing business in your country. Have a look at Bell new footprint at the Telesat dot com website. Since my wife and I do most of our motorhome travel to the US, I’m very disappointed that my Bell receiver is now pretty much a boat anchor.

Since the second receiver charge from Bell is only a few dollars a month, this was the most cost effective way for Canadian RVers to have satellite TV in their rigs. However, these RVers have always been hassled by Bell if there is any kind of a whiff that you’re receiving signals in the US, actually cutting off your service if you called in on a US number, connected the receiver to a US phone line, or even inquired about using your receiver south of the border. Star Choice (now Shaw) has been more reasonable, but their programming and interface left something to be desired when I looked at their offering a few years ago. Which makes Shaw a good option, right? Well, maybe not so much. Shaw’s satellites require a larger elliptical dish to receive the signal, especially farther south in the US. If in-motion viewing is important to motorhomers, you’re out of luck because there are no in-motion domes that will work with Shaw.

This leaves you with a couple of options. You can completely replace an existing in-motion dome with an automatic or manual motorized larger dish. The downside here, aside from the loss of in-motion signal, is that your dish’s mechanical parts will be exposed to the elements. The other alternative is to buy another dish mounted on a tripod that you will need to set up at every stop. Obviously a hassle to do, plus the larger dish will eat up valuable storage space that is always at a premium.

Shaw might be a temporary fix anyway, because they’re planning a satellite change in the next year or two which may involve a Canada-only footprint.

Thankfully, the entrepreneurial Americans are ready to take your money. Check out the traveller’s subscriptions available from Dish Network or DirecTV. You can go month to month and they’re happy to take your Canadian credit card and address. The nice thing about this option is your existing automatic in-motion dish will probably be set up to allow you to easily switch to a US provider. My suggestion is to cancel your Canadian home satellite provider for the months you’re travelling in the US, and use a US carrier. Just remember that you may have to give 30 days’ notice to suspend, so plan early.

But what about the Canadian news? Well, technology now provides you with multiple ways to get that news through other devices such as smartphones or tablets. You can even now get a smart TV that connects to the internet wirelessly, so the largest screen can switch between broadcast signals and internet streaming video without you having to leave the couch. Pass the snacks, dear.

Richard Gastmeier

Hughes RV

www.hughesrv.com

Science fiction films will have us believe that the future holds self-driving cars that can fly through the air while we sleep, text or watch television. However, the reality is much more prosaic than this. The future of motoring is less likely to be about flying cars and much more about automated systems to deal with the boring parts of driving.

We look at the forthcoming developments in car technology and why your next car could be smarter than you.

Advanced driver assistance systems set to take over the boring parts of driving

The recent GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, California highlighted many of the new technologies that you can expect to see in cars in the next few years. One of the most important is ‘advanced driver assistance systems’ (ADAS) which are designed to automate the mundane parts of driving such as driving in traffic or parking.

One such system under investigation is the European Commission’s “Safe Road Trains for the Environment” (SARTRE) project. Here, cars would platoon behind a professional driver piloting an 18-wheeler, for example and their cars would semi-autonomously bunch up behind the truck in a tight convoy. This allows the drivers of the cars to engage in otherwise illegal activities such as testing or talking on their mobile phones.

However, before cars even become partly self-driving, ADAS-enabled vehicles are set to provide you with road and traffic information, help you park, assist in changing lanes, and help you refocus on the road should your attention wander from the task at hand.

“We spend a lot of time thinking about how we can improve safety and how can we avoid accidents in urban areas,” said Mario Tippelhofer of his team at the Volkswagen Group of America Electronics Research Laboratory in Belmont, California.

“Our approach was to help the driver to be less stressed, more focused, going into those urban areas in a more relaxed manner,” he said. “We’re trying to paint a vision of what urban mobility can look like for our Audi customers in the near future.”

Cars that are personalized to you

Mr Tipperary also believes that ADAS systems should be personalized for each individual driver. “Right now,” he said, “your car is mostly generic, for a generic driver. But if this car would be really tailored to your needs, it would know about your needs, it could assist you in a much better way.”

The Register reports that ‘this personalization includes not only what the driver is doing and focused on in real time, but also what his driving patterns and history are.’

Cars will also be able to use predictive modelling to learn your normal route to a frequent destination, predict traffic congestion on that route at a specific time and without you having to use your navigation system reroute you when the congestion is bad enough that avoiding it would be more efficient than driving through it.

In addition, cars in the future are likely to feature multiple in-car cameras. These will keep an eye on you and make sure that you are focused on the road. They will also direct your attention back to the road when necessary.

“This needs to be done in a positive human-machine interface,” Tippelhofer said, “because we don’t want to distract the driver even more if we detect that he’s not paying attention.”

Packing up for another extended roadtrip in your RV, you can’t wait to drive 20 hours across the country to explore a new part of America!

There’s only one downside

Sitting for hours upon hours.

You know how bad it is for your posture and your back, and you can feel the strain it causes after a long drive cross-country. But up until this point, you’ve just accepted a sore back as a fact of RV living.

Not anymore!

It’s mission-critical to enjoy every moment on the road. You don’t want to be held back by a completely preventable physical condition!

So if getting rid of back pain is important to you, take these 7 steps before, during, and after driving, and your sore back will be a figment of the past!

1. Practice Perfect Posture – Having good posture is one of the best ways to avoid sore backs while on the road. What’s perfect posture look like? Make sure to sit up with your back straight and your shoulders back. Your butt should touch the back of your chair. In order to achieve this position, follow these steps: sit at the end of your chair and slouch; draw yourself up and curve your back as much as possible – hold for ten seconds; slightly release the position. Practice this for a week before your next RV trip to ensure perfect posture next time you’re on the road.

2. Tennis Ball Anyone? – Using tennis balls to help release tension is a common method used by sport trainers and physical therapists. You’ll need two tennis balls in two different socks for this exercise. The intent here is to stretch out the erectors, the long muscles that extend from your lower back up to your neck on both sides of the spine. Place the two tennis balls in socks behind you, and lay down slowly. extending over the two balls. Start in the low to mid back region, and use your legs to slowly roll your back over the tennis balls. Do this up and down your entire back.

3. Breaks Are Good For The Body – If possible, get up and move around every few hours, no matter where you are. If you’re at work, stand up and stretch. If you’re retired and lounging near the RV, take a walk every couple hours. If you’re on the road driving, be sure to pull off every now and then to move around. Sitting down for extended periods of time is harmful for the back. Release some of this stress by moving every few hours.

4. Streeeetch It Out – If you have chronic pain, make sure to correct your posture first. Once you’ve mastered posture, learning how to stretch will do wonders in helping to address back pain. Some common stretches to include in your routine are the back flexion exercise and the knee to chest stretch. For the back flexion exercise, do the following: While lying on your back, pull both knees towards your chest while simultaneously pulling the head forward until a comfortable stretch is felt in a balled-up position. For the knee to chest stretch, lie on your back with knees bent and both heels on the floor. Then place both hands behind one knee and bring it to the chest.

5. Cut a Few Pounds – The spine’s job is to carry the body’s weight around and distribute it evenly. If one part of the body is disporportionaly larger than another, this causes unnecessary stress on the lower back. Drop a few pounds to relieve some of that stress.

If you’re anything like me you dream of the day when you can wave goodbye to the world and spend your days relaxing on the road with your RV. While all of us have different ideas of the type of RV we want to relax in we can all find common ground in that we want the best deal we can get for our RV of choice. One place to look for that great deal is Craigslist. And while Craigslist has developed a shady name over the years you can’t deny that there are plenty of options there. But should you spend time digging through the sludge?

Is Craigslist for You?

Many folks simply don’t want to deal with Craigslist sellers. That’s fine, there are plenty of dealers out there that are ready to sell you the RV of your dreams at retail or slightly above retail. For those that are willing to dig through Craigslist listing (and potentially find a great deal) for their RV, it’s very important to be thorough. There are many kind, up-front, ethical people out there that are trying to offload their gently used RV at a reasonable price. But there are also many folks out there that would as soon offload your wallet and sell you a water-damaged disaster at an outrageous price. While there are certainly risks to buying your RV through Craigslist you can educate yourself by digging through those listings and learning how to find a great RV at a great price.

So, before going there ask yourself, can you wait 6 months for the right RV at the right price, or do you want / need your new RV now? If the answer is that you need it now then don’t wait, head over to your local dealer and start haggling. If your aren’t in a hurry then read on!

Tips for Searching for an RV on Craigslist

If the answer is that you are ready to wait then Craigslist might be the place for you. There are so many Craigslist ads for RV’s that it’s almost guaranteed you will find the one you want at the price you want if you are willing to wait. If you want to go that route then it’s time to start digging.

For those unfamiliar with Craigslist, you have the option of searching by city. If you are willing to travel to find that great RV than your options open up drastically. For others, you have to set your city of preference and stick to that.

Then you have to know your price range. Mostly know the most you are willing to spend so that you don’t close yourself off to the right RV at a lower price than you anticipated. So, pick your high price. Craigslist has a few filters built in so that you can really dial in to what you are looking for and not have to deal with a bunch of noise. Use those filters by plugging in your preferred highest price, any brands, makes, or models that you insist on, and also whether or not you insist on a picture in the ads you skim through. I always feel that if someone is really interested in selling their item then they will post at least one picture, so I tend to check off the picture box and ignore the items with no pictures.

The best advice from here is that you take the time to dig through the different listings. Certainly don’t be in a hurry, like we talked about before, if you are in a rush then go to a dealer. If you are looking for a great deal then be prepared to wait. I recommend looking through plenty of Craigslist ads before making a choice, not only in your area but in other areas too. This can help you get used to the different types of sellers and really help you cut through the nonsense and find the right person to buy from.

If you’d like more advice on buying your dream RV check out this blog and tell us what you think!

For all RV enthusiasts, the RV toilet system is a big deal not only for its important function but also because of the trouble it can cause when maintained poorly. Maintenance is the key issue here and getting to understand how the RV toilet system operates lays the foundation for proper maintenance. It is always easier to handle an appliance or gadget when you have background knowledge of how it works. For this particular toilet system, commonly encountered problems include overflowing tanks; clogged sewer valves and sludge build up in the holding tank. Failure to understand the operating mechanism of the RV toilet system may end up in futile troubleshooting.

Sludge buildup in the holding tank is actually a septic tank problem. Firstly, there is need to understand the operating system of a septic tank. The basic function of a septic tank is to collect human waste where the solid waste also known as sludge sinks to the bottom while the liquid waste floats above. As compared the conventional toilet systems, an RV toilet septic tank is intended to hold waste only for short periods of time. Therefore unlike the former which relies on anaerobic bacteria to breakdown the sludge, RV toilet system has a macerator pump. The pump functions to breakdown the waste into tiny bits. Moreover, to aid flow of waste out of the septic tank, lubricants are used. Unpleasant odor from the waste is managed by using chemicals. Consequently, sludge build up in RV toilet systems is a common problem due to the use of lubricants and some chemicals that inhibit bacteria which normally break down the waste particles.

Down to the details, how then are these toilets maintained? First of all, using the right chemicals for the septic tank is fundamental. Certain chemicals have a minimal effect in destroying bacteria and are therefore more suitable. Choose chemicals that are free from formaldehyde and its derivatives. The bacteria help in breakdown thus preventing clogged sewer valves and build up of sludge. Secondly, do a regular checkup of the RV tank sensors to make sure that build up is being eliminated when dumping is done. Sometimes, the sensors give false reading so it helps to check. Thirdly, try pouring hot water into the holding tank as it helps breakdown toilet paper and waste material.

Finally, preventing holding tank sludge build-up is a matter of following a number of simple handy tips. One of the ways for proper sludge disposal is employing the services of a ‘pump-out’ company which is able to professionally remove sludge from your holding tank. You can also try dumping holding tanks when they are almost full. This way, water will swirl within the tanks thus getting rid of deposits that could be stuck on the sides of the holding tank. The velocity during evacuation is much greater with a fuller tank. This helps to thoroughly flush out all contents. Lastly, you can prevent sludge build-up using something known as the Geo Method. It is basically a tank cleaning process that is easy and affordable. A solution is made using two cups of water softener and a cup of laundry detergent in powder form, dissolved in boiling water. When poured into the holding tank of your RV toilet, all solid waste particles will be washed off. This includes even those stuck on the walls.

Read more about RV holding tanks here.

This article has been written by Chris Troutner who is a greatly experienced freelancer. Some of his content includes amazing writing on simplicity, happiness and DIY living in the San Juan Islands. He writes of his experience with his sail boat, the Rock n Row. Read more material on marine toilet systems from his site.

People often travel long distances in their RVs, treating them as second homes. As a form of transportation, state minimum insurance coverage is necessary for RVs- however, there are some special insurance needs and options when it comes to covering all bases in insuring an RV.

• What is the most basic RV insurance? How does it differ from car insurance?

The most basic insurance coverage available for RVs is comprehensive and collision coverage, which can be provided by many auto insurance companies. The difference between insuring an RV and insuring a regular motor vehicle is that the living quarters of the RV contain personal effects that require additional insurance in order to assure adequate coverage. Liability and loss of personal belongings are not covered by policies offered by most auto insurers.

• What other types of insurance may be appropriate for an RV?

The amount of use the RV gets and the personal effects it generally contains are relevant to the types of insurance coverage that would be appropriate. Two of the most commonly used specialty insurances for RVs are liability insurance and personal property insurance. Liability insurance ensures that any damage caused by the RV to the property of someone else for which the owner of the RV would normally be liable is covered. Personal property insurance covers damage or loss to personal belongings. For people who use their RV as a full time home, full-timers insurance is available. This covers personal belongings, comprehensive personal liability and some living expenses.

• What companies offer RV insurance?

Specialized RV insurance is available through a variety of sources with coverage and cost depending on a variety of factors including the type and model of the RV, the insurance laws in the state of policy issuance, other vehicles on the plan, driving history and level of coverage. Some of the most highly recommended companies for RV insurance include:

• Good Sam VIP Insurance
• Explorer RV
• Foremost
• Progressive
• RV America
• Twin Peaks Insurance

• What other considerations should be taken by owners of RVs?

Some primary considerations that should be taken include maintaining the safety of the vehicle, its occupants and other people on the road by driving safely and using carbon monoxide, smoke and gas detectors with regular battery changes. Propane systems should also be maintained to prevent incident. When traveling internationally, RV owners should be aware of the efficacy of their insurance in the country in which they are traveling. For individuals who are renting an RV, consideration should be given to the insurance policy chosen for the rental duration, as options beyond those offered by the renter are available.

As with all automotive insurances, it’s important to take the time to compare rates and insurance coverage with different providers in your area. Depending on your prior driving history, age and state, you will find a wide range in pricing and policy premiums.

Thanks to the internet, we can rely on insurance coverage comparison sites to discover the many different policies that are out there and can compare quotes with a lot more ease. Make sure you don’t take the first policy that looks good to you, as many companies will lower their rates if you contact them directly with competitor rates.

This article was written by Paula, who writes about auto insurance coverage. You can view some of her publications by clicking here.

Buying a vehicle of any sort is a nerve-wracking experience. When it is an RV that will become your living quarters, you really need to do your homework. Unless you’re sitting on a pile of money, payments will comprise a large chunk of your monthly budget for years after you actually select your ride. Consequently, the process of negotiating over the price can mean the difference of hundreds to thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. No wonder the buying process causes so much stress.

I learned this process the hard way. Although I’m satisfied with the last vehicle I bought, I realized later how much the dealer got the better end of the bargain due to my lack of planning. There are things you can do to overcome nerves and be prepared for anything at the negotiation table.

Strangely enough, learning to negotiate well on a big purchase will help you in all aspects of your life. You can turn conversations to your advantage by educating yourself about the options and utilizing a calm demeanor in your bargaining. What follows are some tips to help you get the deal you want.

Go Online

Rather than have a face-to-face encounter at the onset, where you are likely to be charmed into paying more, it is better to spend some time comparing costs before stepping foot on a dealership lot. Start by listing reliable dealers near your area. From here, you can gather contact details and send out quotation requests to begin comparing prices.

Prep Up

The biggest advantage you can have over these crafty dealers is your knowledge. The more you know, the less likely you will fall for their sugar-coated words and high pressure tactics. As you negotiate for a better deal, make sure to feel and, more importantly, look calm and collected. Never divulge to the dealer just how much you are willing to spend and let the salesman know that you are in control and not the other way around.

Price, Not Payments

Don’t get suckered into talking payments before settling on a final price of the vehicle. This was my downfall when I purchased my first car. Payments hide all manner of sins and extra fees. Agree on the sales price first. Then, you can start to discuss payment terms and loan periods.

Financing

It really does not matter whether you pay in cold hard cash or through financing. When choosing the latter, however, it is better to get a preapproval from an accredited bank or lending institution rather than go through the dealers themselves. Dealerships are likely to put in an extra markup to earn a bonus for themselves. Use an automobile calculator to set your maximum purchase price and plan for the monthly cost of your new RV.

Ask for Rebates and Freebies

Never hesitate to find additional ways to save. Rebates, for instance, are typically offered by dealers and manufacturers. Apart from the standard discounts, some providers also offer special deals for military, college students, and handicapped individuals.

If they won’t give you a discount, then ask for free upgrades. Adding a nicer stereo, TV system, or interior upgrades cost the dealer very little. It can be a better deal for them to offer $1000 in free upgrades versus lowering the price by the same amount.

Timing is Key

A great trick when purchasing your RV is to buy at the end of the month. It is likely that you will get additional incentives from your purchase because dealers are given monthly incentives and bonuses from their sales at this time. With the right timing, you can end up with the dream mobile living space of your choice for hundreds less.

Play Hard to Get

If the dealers are playing it tough, play tougher. If you don’t get what you want, simply walk away and leave them to pursue you instead. Keep in mind that the last thing any dealer wants is to see a prospective customer walk away.

Even though negotiation is what car sales people do, they often will not expect someone to be well-informed come in from a position of strength. They are just as desperate to make a sale as they believe you are to own a vehicle. The most important thing is to remain calm and collected. Making yourself hard to read in a bargaining situation will give you the upper hand in the negotiations, and ensure you get the best price on your new vehicle.

Tim is a writer for OnlineLoanCalculator.org, and routinely helps car, truck, and RV buyers get the best deal on their next purchase.

You are a travel guru. You’ve visited every National Park and Museum you could find and have spent a good portion of your life on the road. You have spent time planning vacations that last the entire summer and are getting ready for retirement so you can move to the road for good. You’re looking into Recreational Vehicles (RVs) that can serve as your home for at least a few years so you can make the road your permanent home.

Sophistication at its Finest

Unfortunately, in your search for the perfect RV home you’ve noticed that the prices aren’t what they used to be, primarily because of the added benefits of owning your own home on the road.   The RV living industry has become bigger in recent years and so the perks have also become more inviting and exciting.

You’ll be excited to hear about all that you can get with your new RV for luxurious on the road living. We’ll give you a little rundown about upgrades that have been made that make your transition from stationary to on-the-road living easier and more manageable.

First of all you should know that most companies will do specific modifications if you are willing to pay the price.  You can plan it from the bottom up to your exact specifications from the detail on the cabinets and tiles to the color of the front door.

 

1. RV Size: There are many options for your fulltime RV lifestyle.  Size classes range from A to C. They can be a pull behind or a complete all in one vehicle. It is up to you. Decisions are usually made based on mobility desires and affordability.
2. Heating and A/C Units: Many units, as you’ve probably seen, have not just fans, but a pretty sophisticated air conditioning and heating system to keep you cold in the summer and warm in the winters.   However, the unit you are looking at may not come with the top of the line installed or may need upgrades, adjustments or repairs.  Harris Air Serve heating repair can help get your heating and air conditioning system up and running and ready for the road.
3. Green Living: Many full time RVs are going green. There are various options for plumbing as well as solar panels available for the roof.  This will help with your costs and usage when stopped.
4. Advanced Storage: If you are planning on living in your RV only, you will need additional storage. Some models have added metal storage boxes to the rear bumpers to provide you with extra space.
5. Plumbing: You can find RVs now with intricate plumbing systems that can include smart charging and draining systems for the toilet, shower or sink.  This is great to have if you are on the road 24/7. You may also consider looking into the washer/dryer combination machine so that you won’t have to spend additional money on laundry.
6. RV Living Clubs: There are various RV living clubs that you may be interested in joining. Being a participant in any of these clubs can help you better adjust to your life on the road.
7. Sell or Store: You will also need to decide if you want to sell your possessions and home or if you’d simply like to store them.   This is a decision that requires a lot of time and consideration. If you plan to spend the rest of your life on the road, it may be wise to sell your home. Another time when selling is a good idea is if you plan to downsize when you return from your travels.
8. Mail: You will have to choose an address to have all your mail sent to. Some people choose a state that is not their original home address, simply because of the lack of tax or other benefits that may come from being a resident of that state.  Some places are also willing to forward mail to you, no matter your current address.

There are of course many more custom installations and things you should know about fulltime RV living before you decide to go for it. However, if you take the time to study up on the perks and downsides to RV living, we are sure you’ll be able to make the right decision for you!

 

 

Travel trailers or caravans are trailers towed behind a road vehicle to provide a place to sleep that is more comfortable, sheltered and protected compared to a tent (although there are fold-down tent trailers). They provide the means for people to have their own home on a journey or a vacation (holiday), without relying on a hotel, and let them to stay in places where none is available.

Travel trailers and caravans vary from small basic models that may be little more than a tent on wheels to those containing several rooms with all the furniture and furnishings and equipment of a home. They are used chiefly in North America and Europe and are rare elsewhere, thus this article deals mainly with those continents.

Please take note that for safety reasons in North America and Europe it is generally unlawful for people to ride in a travel trailer or caravan while it is being towed on a public road.

In the United States and Canada, caravans are called “travel trailers”. Their history can be traced back to the early 1920s, when those who enjoyed their use were sometimes referred to as Tin Can Tourists. As time progressed, trailers became more livable and earned a new name in the 1930s and 1940s which was the House Trailer. Today travel trailers are classified as a type of RV along with motorhomes, fifth wheel trailers, pop-up trailers, and truck campers.

Smaller travel trailers and pop-ups are still made with touring in mind. These normally are less than 18 ft (5.5 m) long and contain simple amenities. By design, they are lightweight and quick to set up or prepare for travel.

Mid-range travel trailers are 18 – 25 ft (5.5 – 7.6 m) long can weigh 5,000 lb (2,250 kg) or more, and are generally towed with compact V-8 powered pickup trucks and SUVs. They have most of the amenities of the larger travel trailers, but sleep fewer people.

Larger travel trailers are made with the seasonal or full-time user in mind. These in general range from 25 – 40 ft (7.5 m – 12 m) long and contain all the comforts of a luxury condominium. Because they need a purpose built tow vehicle, highway tractor or large truck or SUV, these amenity-laden homes can reach 12,000 lb (5,500 kg) or more.

A latest innovation in the Travel Trailer typology is the “toy box” or “toy hauler.” Half living area and half garage, these trailers allow ‘toys’ to be brought to the countryside.

Bio – Ruth Rogers enjoys traveling around the country in her own travel trailer.  Seeing the world from the road is one of her biggest pleasures and recommends anyone that is in the position to do so, get on the road and enjoy the scenery.