RV Expert Series- An Ultimate Guide To RVing

The idea of travelling into the vast countryside on an RV is appealing for many reasons. But mostly it comes down to freedom. The freedom to roam anywhere anytime and the freedom to be comfortable beyond the limitations of hotel room. Going on an RV road trip is the perfect way to bring your family closer together.

 It may seem pretty nerve-racking to plan an RV trip for the first time but don’t worry we got your back. In this article I have mentioned few tips and guidelines for planning an epic RV trip, hope you will gain some useful insights out of it.

TIP #1 – Plan Ahead

Not being able to properly plan may lead to to stress and frustration on the journey. Make sure that all the essential gear is packed. Decide on the distance you’re trying to cover and the destinations you want to visit. Make campsite reservations before you leave. Make a test drive to familiarize yourself with large vehicle.

TIP #2 – Prioritize Specific Sights You Want To See

With maps and navigation tools you can have all the information you need on your fingertips. Prioritize which destinations or places you want to visit and which you can ignore. Trying to visit everyplace can make you tired and exhausted.

TIP #3 – Calculate Driving Time Between spots

Driving 8-10 long hours a day to reach destination or driving 3-4 hours a day and enjoying multiple spots, it all comes down to personal preference and driving stamina. During each spot you visit try to recharge yourself and plan for the next destination.

TIP #4- Choose an Anchor Point for Camping

An anchor point is a central location which has the most equal distance from all of the sights. By camping on a central location you can make a home base for multiple nights. On longer, multi-destination trips, camping at an anchor point between must-see attractions is the best strategy.

TIP #5- Research All Camping Options

Most public and commercial lands have rules for parking. You cannot park RV everywhere you want. Public campsites, private campsites, campground memberships and bond-docking all have their advantages and disadvantages. Once explored all camping options make a decision based upon your anchor location.

TIP #6- Put Safety First

While on journey being prepared for medical emergencies is a must. Your RV should always contain medical emergency tool kit. Along with medical tool kit your RV gear should contain things like a flashlight, knife, batteries, rubber gloves, matches, and more. Driving more than 400 miles a day in one run is not recommended. Even if you’re an experienced RV lover don’t overdo.

TIP #7-Expect the Unexpected

.While on journey enjoy the most of it but always plan for the worst. Accidents do occur while on the road and RVs can break down unexpectedly. Before departure contact your insurance provider, see if your current insurance plan provides protection for RV.

TIP #8- Maximize the Fun

The core idea of RV camping is to get together with family members and create cherished memories. Create a memorable travelling experience and make your entire family involved. This is your trip do things you enjoy doing the most. Happy camping!

RV Living – The Must Have Essentials

With limited space and carrying capacity, it can be a challenge to figure out which tools you need in your RV tool kit. There are certain pieces of equipment and tools that every RV traveler should keep in his toolbox to help him deal with basic repairs as well as emergencies. These are meant to keep you safe, save you money and make your travels more comfortable.

So whether you travel full in your RV or on vacation for once in a while these RV gadgets, supplies, and accessories will create a cherished and memorable travelling experience for you. So let’s start sorting them down.

RV Accessories

• Drinking Hose: water is the ultimate necessity so make sure you have a drinking hose connected with your water tank to supply clean water.
• Disposable Gloves: purchase a pair of gloves and use them while checking sewer or other connections or when dumping your tanks.
• Leveling Blocks: you will need leveling blocks when you park in some hilly areas where the surface is uneven or slopped.
• Medical Tool kit: Your RV should always contain medical emergency medical tool kit. It will buy you a precious time before you reach to a hospital to get professional help.
• Kitchen Items: Make your RV feel like home with a set of easily stackable RV cookware and necessary kitchen tools.
• Gas Can: you will need a dependable supply of gas to feed your generator and keep your RV running when it is out of gas particularly in areas where gas pumps are not available.
• Emergency Roof Repairs kit: your RV will spring leaks from time to time which can be annoying but with right tools e.g. RV Roof Magic leaks repairs can be easy.
• Hammock: nothing beats the comfort of lying in hammock having a afternoon nap or reading your favorite book.

RV Gadgets

• Generator: Generator is the top most RV accessory for boon-docking and dry camping. It supplies you power when campground electrical hook-ups don’t work.

• Air Compressor: if you have budget and available space don’t miss out your own air compressor.

• Walkie Talkies: warlike talkies come in very handy when you drive into mountains or hilly areas where no-cellular service is available.

• GPS: GPS helps you to navigate through unknown areas and suggest you routes based on your input such as length, height and towing.

• RV Mattress: the mattress will provide you comfort when you are tired and want some sleep. If the mattress is hard replace it with a new one.

• Water Filter: if RV has in-built water filter that’s great but if not purchase one because water at campgrounds is not filtered.

• Travel Laundry Bag: A portable laundry bag is a necessity especially if your RV has a washer or even when you want to get rid of your dirty clothes.

• Water Pressure Regulator: it is good to invest in water pressure regulator because water pressure at campgrounds can be very high which can cause undue stress and leaks in your RV system.

RV Supplies

• Propane Fire Pit: Most campgrounds don’t allow wooding burning fires because of safety or city regulations so this is where your own fir pit comes handy.

• Folding Tables and chairs: folding tables serve multipurpose functions. They can be used to eat outside and can also work as your work station. Chairs come handy when you want sit along the fire or at the beach.

• Battery Pack: while camping you need to continuously charge your cell phones and laptops to be in touch with the outside world.

• Hotspot Antenna: A hotspot antenna can increase the range and improve the signals of your mobile internet while driving.

• RV Log Book: Log book is unique in the sense it helps you to document your favorite campgrounds, checklists to make sure you don’t forget anything and to remember good people & places.

• Bike Rack: when you have kids a bike rack is a great thing to have. A bike rack should be durable enough to hold bikes yet good looking enough to catch eyes while hanging on the back of your RV.

RV Roof Coating – How It Works…???

Having an RV is a huge investment. But Rvs are prone to damage if not maintained properly particularly the roof. The roof is the most integral part, yet the most neglected one. The roof is out of sight means out of mind.

Why You Need Roof Coating:

The roof protects the RV from Mother Nature destructive forces but as the time passes the RV roof becomes susceptible to damage and wear & tear. Eventually it will leak or sag or cause other roof problems. This is the time when roof coating plays its part. A multi-purpose roof coating will protect the roof from extreme weather conditions and prevents water leaks and punctures.

What They Do:

Most RVs are made up of rubber roof. The rubber roof doesn’t hold very well in extreme weather conditions and will eventually wear out allowing water to seep in and leak through. RV roof repair coatings like Liquid RV Roof are made up of synthetic rubber not natural rubber. The synthetic rubber last longer than natural rubber and offer more resistance to UV-rays without cracking or drying hence providing roof longevity and durability.

Choosing the Right Coating:

The market is full of products but never compromise on quality and always purchase a product particularly designed for RVs e.g. RV Liquid Roof. RV Liquid Roof is a one coat “DIY” product which provides a seamless membrane and can be easily applied with the help of roller or squeegee. Before repairing the roof find out the extent of damage done to the roof. If the damage is extensive roof will need replacing but if it just needs some repairs or re-coating the RV Liquid Roof is your best solution.

RV Roof Sealant – The Factors To Consider

An ideal roof sealant acts as a panacea for RV roof problems. A multi-purpose roof sealant not only water-proofs the roof, protects it from harsh weather conditions and not affected by water ponding. The markets are full of RV products but make sure you purchase product particularly designed for use in RVs e.g. RV Liquid Roof.

As roof sealant plays an important part in protecting your RV, there are some factors to consider before making a choice regarding selection of an RV roof sealant.

Climate Conditions: when you travel in RV you encounter different temperature and weather variations. If you travel four seasons than you need to consider a roof sealant that works fine  in all seasons rather than that just work in hotter or cooler climates.

Location Usage: if your RV is parked indoors mostly in storage than that’s a great thing to have but if it is parked outside in the blazing sun or thundering winter than consider a roof sealant which provides protection against extreme weather conditions like UV-rays, snow & winds.

Aesthetics: A ideal roof sealant will also add up to the aesthetic value and look of your RV. Colors like white, grey and beige are more eye-catchy and natural. Before you choose roof sealant make sure the look is something that you will enjoy down the road.

Durability: RV is a huge investment so everyone wants to keep it in a tip-top condition. If properly cared and maintained a resilient roof sealant should enhance the longevity and durability of the roof by 18 to 20 years.

Price: Price is an important factor but don’t let price alone make your decision. A roof sealant slightly expensive can provide long-term savings in-terms of durability and longevity. “Do it yourself” products like RV Liquid Roof require one coat application which saves both product and labor costs.

How To Fix Camper Roof The Right Way….???

A camper is your mobile home. Like traditional brick & motor home campers also need timely repairs and maintenance work in-order to remain in a tip-top shape. Preventive maintenance of the camper roof should be done on regular basis because small issues will evolve into bigger and more expensive problems later on. In addition to periodic inspections also inspect the roof when it is exposed to extreme weather conditions like hail, snow or windstorm.  It’s easier to stop something happening in the first place than to repair it after the damage has been done.

If you’re comfortable with heights than climb up the ladder on to your camper roof and inspect and assess the roof surface yourself and if not than hire professional services. Roof contractors also offer inspection services but make sure the inspection is a legitimate service and not a ploy to sell roof replacement.

With some useful Tips camper roof repairs can become easy:

• Prepare the Roof surface

The first step is to prepare the roof surface. Remove dirt, debris and any loose material from the surface. You may also need to remove any chalking along with oil, grease, gravel and any other elements piling up on the roof.

• Water wash the Roof

When you are done with cleaning of the residue material, water-wash the entire roof surface. Make use of light detergents and bristle brush. Don’t use harsh chemicals or petroleum products as they can cause harm to the roof surface.

• Rips & Tears

For cracks or tears, a sealing tape designed for campers can do an excellent job. Make sure the roof is structurally sound and cracks or tears are not that big. Don’t ever patch over a previous patch.

• Apply Roof Sealant

Campers are made up of different roof materials like metal, rubber or fiberglass. Make sure the roof sealant you use is compatible with your camper roof. A ideal multi-purpose roof sealant will waterproof your camper roof, block UV-rays and is not affected by water ponding.

How EPDM Roofing Have Made Repairs Easy….???

EPDM or Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer is a specific type of synthetic rubber, invented in 1970s. Its main ingredients are derived from oil and natural gas. Due to its extreme weather resistance capability, it has become the ultimate choice for roof contractors and architects all around the globe. EPDM roofing is an ideal choice especially for low slope buildings or flat roofs.

Repairing an EPDM Roof:

1. .           First of all clean and thoroughly wash the roof surface from any dirt, debris, loose material or    any residue that might have built-up on it.
2.      Make necessary repairs. As EPDM roofing is applied in sheets so pull out old sheets and    replace them with new ones. This phase requires some level of professional expertise but overall it’s not that difficult task to handle.
3.     After all the repair work is done apply a protective rubber roof coating e.g. Liquid EPDM Rubber to give your rubber roof additional protection.

With EPDM roofing kits available means you don’t have to worry about the amount of materials you need or waste that may pile-up as it normally happens with traditional roofing materials. Apart from low wastage, EPDM roofing kits are very easy to use and are available in different sizes as per needs. All you need to do is to talk to your kit supplier and discuss your roofing needs with them.

As EPDM roofing comes in sheets, it is easy to install and easy to repair without even disrupting the major business operations. It comes in two colors black and white both of them are highly resistant to the harmful effects of UV-rays which further help in regulating the building temperature. EPDM roofing is not a choice it’s a complete roofing solution.

The Inexpensive “DIY” Ways To Seal Your RV Roof

The easiest way to lose your hard-earned investment on RV is to assume that the roof on RV will last forever without maintenance and repairs. The reality is water is the major culprit in damages done to all types of RVs. If there a way water will find it seeps through it. Water from rain showers or melted snow seeping through a seam will result in ruining insulation, wall panels and even root the framework of the roof. When it comes to RV roof leaks, prevention is better than cure.

The essence of prevention RV roof leaks lies in two things:

•          Inspect your RV regularly for leaks and damage
•          Timely repair the leaks with appropriate sealant

When choosing a roof sealant make sure it is specifically designed for use in RVs. A sealant designed for residential or commercial buildings will not work on RVs. Another thing to consider is to make sure the sealant material is compatible with your RV roof surface.

Most RVs have EPDM rubber or TPO roofs which means they require different ways to manage them.

EPDM Rubber Roofs

EPDM roofs don’t require maintenance for initially ten years after installation. Even after that a mild wash once in a while and easy re-coating is good enough. Don’t use harsh chemical or petroleum products on rubber roofs as they will cause non-repairable damage. Over the period of time when your rubber roof shows some sign of wear and tear than its time to repair the roof with a multi-purpose sealant. RV Roof Magic makes some highly durable products for RV.

TPO Rubber Roofs

TPO roofs are different from rubber roofs as they are more shiny, rigid and plastic-y. Unlike EPDM rubber roofs, TPO roofs won’t oxidize and get a chalk like outer surface. An occasional washing with some mild soap and a mop is all that you’ll need to do to care for a TPO roof.

RV roof maintenance is an integral part of maintaining the motor-home. The life of an RV can be enhanced by keeping the roof clean, debris free and applying a multi-purpose roof sealant. To get the best return on your investment be sure to do regular maintenance. Cleaning the roof bi-annually will also help to maintain its durability and longevity.

EPDM Roofing - The Ultimate Commercial Roofing Solution

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is a type of synthetic rubber which   provides superior benefits at a fraction of cost compared with other roofing materials making it an ultimate roofing choice of architects, consultants and roofing contractors. Not only affordable, durable and easy to install, EPDM rubber is an ideal choice for both commercial and residential roofing purposes. It’s no surprise to know that EPDM rubber roofing plays an important role in protecting commercial properties ranging from factories, company’s headquarters, to shopping centers and hospitals.

Selecting EPDM rubber as roofing material can be very beneficial on a variety of different levels.

Great for any climate: The greatest concern for business owners is to control energy bills and remain business efficient. For bigger commercial enterprises the cost of energy bills can be very high, but EPDM roofs help in regulating internal building temperatures. EPDM membrane is available both in white and black colors. A white EPDM membrane is light colored suitable for warmer climates as it reflects UV-rays while black EPDM membrane is suitable for colder climates as it absorbs heat.

Long Lasting Roofing: The roof takes a lot of abuse as it protects the building from mother nature’s destructive forces. EPDM roofs stand the test of time and can last around 30 years if maintenance and repairs are done on timely basis. All you need to do is have your roof professionally assessed and renew the roofing material with a liquid rubber coating.

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Thermal shock durability:

EPDM rubber roof is impermeable to thermal shock and hail damage. EPDM rubber is weather resilient product which means it can stand harsh weather conditions and extreme temperature changes. It contracts and expands with outside temperatures variations which mean it will not crack or tear up easily.

Maintenance-The Key to durable RV Roof Coating

RV roof provides protection against environmental factors and nature destructive forces. But it happens only when the roof is itself protected with a roof coating or sealant. The roof coating is the best maintenance partner to keep the roof functional and damage free. One of the most preferable coating choices is a liquid roof coating. The two most common types of liquid roof coatings are EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) and TPO (Thermal Polyolefin). Both are synthetic rubber compounds having unique chemical combinations and maintenance requirements.

How to Maintain EPDM Roofing: when installed properly, EPDM roofing does not require maintenance particularly in early years. Over the period of time EPDM may require some additional sealing of seams and edges but this very common phenomenon when it comes to RV roofing. EPDM roofing is low maintenance product but it doesn’t respond well to oil and solvents. So when cleaning the EPDM roof or applying a coating makes sure no harsh chemicals or oil based products are used.

How to Maintain TPO Roofing: TPO is a newer product than EPDM. TPO roofing requires more maintenance than EPDM roofing because the TPO seams need more treatment along with adhesive to ensure proper sealing. This continuous repair work on the seams causes wear & tear, which results in untimely deterioration. But currently many products are designed day by day which are TPO friendly and helping to combat its weakness.

Liquid Roofing: Liquid RV roofing is gaining popularity because it’s versatile, durable, and budget friendly.Unlike rubber sheeting, liquid roof can go where the sheet version could never effectively coat. As in liquid form it’s just a fine combination to fill up the seams and attachments on RV’s flat roof surface. Liquid roofing requires fewer tools and less maintenance as compared to TPO and EPDM sheet roofing.

Tips: Regardless of the fact which roofing material is used, proper cleaning and maintenance is the first line of defense against roof damage. Regular roof inspections should be done at-least twice a year. Keep the RV roof surface clean from dirt, debris and any loose material. Wash the entire roof surface using brush and mild detergents. Avoid using harsh chemical and petroleum products which can cause damage to the roof surface.

How To De-winterize Your RV…???

When winter is over, it’s time for the RVers to get out and hit the campground. But first it’s time to get your RV ready for spring season. Before you pack up with your family and head to campground, spend a day checking out your vehicle and preparing it for a season ahead. There are many issues which require attention and if not attended can cause issues. Spending time on de-winterizing RV will surely ensure a safe and hassle free RV season.

Every RV varies in its de-winterizing needs; however there are some basic steps which apply to all RVs.

1.       Charge the battery

  RV batteries may have been cold and unused all winter now its time to recharge them by removing exterior covers. Battery charging might take few hours to days depending upon their size. If you have more than four batteries than its good to charge them overnight to be on the safer side.

2.       Tires

While in storage the tires lost some 2 to 3 pounds per square inch pressure on average. Check each tire including the spare ones and inflate them to proper pressure according to their weight.

3.       Exterior

Inspect the RV exterior especially for leaks. Give your RV a thorough wash using mild detergents. Inspect the roof; look for any loose caulk or cracks. Recoat the roof if needed. Also check the motor home for exterior damage, check lights and signals as well.

4.       Interior

Also give interior of the RV a proper cleaning. While cleaning you probably find spider webs, dirt, debris and other loose material. Clean out every corner including the kitchen, restrooms and other compartments.

5.       Propane on board

If your RV is on propane than its time to remove them from storage put them back on their mount. Connect your propane hose to your rig and check for pressure, refill the tanks if necessary.

6.       Check the pipes

Check for cracks in drain pipe. Turn water on and let it run. If there are leaks than you need to repair them before they get worse. Use flash lights to find leaks on the edge of toilet. Water leaks can cause serious problems in the long run so it is necessary to get rid of them before they can cause serious damage.

7.       Appliances

Test all appliances in electric mode to make sure they are running. Check the outside covers for heater and refrigerator and make sure they are clean and trash free.

8.       Sanitize your water system

RV water system can be a possible source for mould and bacteria, so it is necessary to sanitize the RV water system before use. Use household bleach and mix it with water into one-gallon container and put it into fresh water holding tank.

9.       Check Engine, Fuel & Brakes

Start the engine; make sure it starts without any hiccups. Also check the brakes. While parked press the brakes make sure you feel the right amount of pressure and the paddle does not descend to the floor.

10.   RV Safety Items

Make an operational test of LP gas leak detector and smoke alarm. Also inspect fire extinguishers, make sure they are fully charged. Recharge or replace them as necessary. Your RV should always contain medical emergency tool kit. Along with medical tool kit your RV gear should contain things like a flashlight, knife, batteries, rubber gloves, matches, and more.