Gifts for RVers

Another aspect to consider when RVing for the holidays is the purchasing of gifts for other RVers. If you are purchasing for a fellow RVer you may already know what types of items might be most useful, which can make great gifts. If you are not an RVer, but are purchasing for an RVer you may want to remember when purchasing a gift that RVs have limited space. Gifts should be small, or have a space saving purpose, or be an type of RV gear. If you want to give a type of RV gear to an experienced RVer you will probably want to be sure that you have the correct type of item. Gift cards are also excellent options to give to RVers since they leave many options open for satisfying all types of needs.

The holidays always present some special challenges, especially for those that spend the holidays in an RV, but the rewards are great and many.  Make the most of your holiday by celebrating with family and friends - new and old.  And always remember how blessed you are to be able to live (even if for just a few weeks) the RV lifestyle.

6 Things to Ask Yourself When Buying an RV

Is the road calling? Are you ready to explore the beauty and wonder of America from the comfort of your very own RV.

While the phrase "recreational vehicle" usually brings the iconic image of a luxurious motorhome to mind, there are actually seven types of RVs to choose from, each suited for different needs or uses.

So, when buying an RV you should ask yourself these six questions in order to choose the right one for you:

What Type of Camping or Travel Will I Do?

For many, a camping adventure can be as brief as a weekend, while others will opt for a few weeks at a time. And for the more enthusiastic (and fortunate) "full-timers," a real road trip is nothing less than several months…or forever!

Other considerations to keep in mind are who will be traveling with you and how many "essentials" you'll be taking.

How to Stabilize Your RV

 

After your RV is leveled, you'll want to stabilize it so it doesn't rock back and forth when you walk around inside. You should use stabilizing jacks to accomplish this.

Note: These should never be used to level a rig, as they weren't designed for that purpose.

Stabilizing jacks come in several configurations. The most common is the scissor jack, which is usually bolted or welded to the trailer's frame at the front and rear.

Pop-up tent trailers are frequently equipped with a drop-down style jack, which, as the name implies, drops down from the frame.

To use the stabilizing jacks after you've leveled the RV:

1. Lower the jacks following the manufacturer's instructions. To save time and give the foot of each jack a larger base, slide a couple of short 2x4- or 2x6-inch boards beneath each foot. This is especially helpful if the ground is loose or sandy.

2. Once the jack foot is in contact with the ground, give the crank a few extra turns to provide the trailer a secure footing. Check the bubble level to make sure your RV remains level. Do this for all four corners.

How to Park an RV

You've finally made it to the campground. But before you can run off to the lake or go for a hike, the first order of the day is to park and level your RV so that your refrigerator will operate properly and you don't find yourself in bed at night with your feet higher than your head.

Never assume your site will be flat or level. That would make parking an RV too easy. Due to the nature of camping, chances are higher that your site will be rutted, gouged and somewhat uneven.

But don't fret. You can still get your RV into your spot, and leveled so it operates properly, with a few easy steps. Here's how:

How to Park an RV

With many campsites designed to accommodate smaller vehicles, easing your 30-foot long fifth-wheeler or even longer motorhome into some spots can be a challenge.

That's why it's important to:

Our Service Department

Bob Ledford's Adventure Motorhomes Service Department | Near Asheville, NC

Bob Ledford's Adventure Motorhomes service department is here to help your RV perform its best, we service all RV makes and models. Our technicians are factory certified and trained master technicians for Coachmen, Entegra, Forest River, Itasca, Pleasure Way, Shasta, Tiffin Motorhomes and Winnebago. From roof and appliances, to slideouts and awnings our technicians will get your RV fixed up and back on the road.

RV Service and Repair | Near Atlanta, GA

Bob Ledford's Adventure Motorhomes in Greer, SC, services all class A motorhomes, class B motorhomes, class C motorhomes, fifth wheels, pop up campers, toy haulersand travel trailers right here at our shop. We honor all warranty work and favor any product updates. We accommodate any type of problem that may arise with your RV in an efficient, precise, and timely manner.

Award Winning Service Department

Bob Ledford's Adventure Motorhomes has been in the RV business for over 40 years. We have owned and managed 3 dealerships and offer decades of service experience. We specialize in all aspects of RV parts, service & repair including towables and motorized. We have experienced RV certified technicians on staff. We offer a full line of parts, accessories, specialty items and we are happy to do special orders upon request.

South Carolina RV Service Experts | Near Athens, GA

Several decades of experience in service repair, combined with the latest computer diagnostic equipment ensure quick and accurate evaluation. We pride ourselves in excellent shop and office organization as well as detailed, itemized estimates and invoices to keep our customers informed of all details and every single step of the repair process. We'll get your RV in top shape so you can get out on the road sooner.

Maintenance and Service Specialists | Near Rock Hill, SC

Whether you bought your class A motorhome, class B motorhome, class C motorhome, fifth wheel, pop up camper, toy hauler and travel trailer with us here at Bob Ledford's Adventure Motorhomes or you're looking to have service work done, you can count on high quality personal service. If you've had the privilege of purchasing from us or are contemplating a purchase, you can count on us for your service needs.

Service Recommendations and Delivery

Please call our Service Department at 864.848.0098 to get estimates, schedule a drop off, or contact our experienced service technicians for any questions you may have. Or use the link below to have our service writers contact you.

Need Help?

Call our Service Department at 864.848.0098. Or Click Here for a service appointment.

Adhesives Help Keep Things Together

While glues can't mend a broken heart, they'll fix just about anything else and can save a situation that's going from bad to worse.

Adhesives are available for many specialized purposes. Here's what you'll want to add to your collection of RV tools:

• "Super" glue for high strength repairs.
• Vinyl adhesive for fixing tears in same-named fabrics.
• Threadlocker glue to prevent screws and bolts from vibrating loose.
• Multi-purpose adhesive for re-affixing door seals, loose trim and molding, and re-sticking peeling decals.
• Silicon sealant to keep the rain from creeping in.
• Seam sealer (for tents), for keeping the dew on the outside.

Another "sticky" item that can spare you from disaster is a small set of adhesive-backed hook-and-loop tabs. And don't forget that universal fix-it that's good for practically any repair: Duct Tape!

Tools for Your RV Toolbox

No matter how well constructed your rig might be, eventually something will have to be tightened, loosened, pounded flat, pried or cut. Here are some basics that can help you deal with everyday problems and annoyances:

• Socket wrench set (standard and metric) for tightening and loosening bolts and machine nuts.
• Phillips head and flat bladed screwdrivers (large, medium, small) for tightening and loosening screws; also for prying items apart.
• Standard pliers for holding machine nuts while installing or removing, or squeezing items together.
• Channel-lock pliers (medium and large) for dealing with oversized machine nuts or turning pipes 10-inch Crescent wrench-for when sockets won't fit properly.
• Small drill bit set with sizes ranging from 1/16- to 1/4-inch. Get the type that works with both metal and wood.
• Cordless drill with spare battery for turning the drill bits that make the holes. Also good for lowering and raising trailer stabilizing jacks.
• Sturdy claw hammer enables you to straighten what got bent, bend what got straightened, drive nails and stakes, and pull 'em out again, and provide "persuasion" where needed.
• Pocket knife for cutting rope and twine, stripping wire insulation, or just whittling if you're so inclined.
• Hobby knife with blade protector and extra blades, extremely sharp, for making very precise cuts in canvas, vinyl, tape, paper, wood and some plastics.
• Wire cutters for cutting electrical wire, or turning metal coat hangers into marshmallow skewers.
• Small tape measure to determine how much electrical wire you're going to need, or how much ground clearance you'll have while trying to get over that boulder embedded in the road.
• Mini hacksaw with extra blades good for cutting away twisted bolts, damaged metal work, thicker plastics...anything where a knife won't work.
• Small two-way bubble level to make sure your rig is properly leveled so you're not sleeping with your feet higher than your head.
• Folding tree saw for cutting trees that have fallen across the only road out and you can't back up.Emergency use only; rangers and camp hosts frown when you start your own tree service on government and private land.

Towing your RV

Here are some things to keep in mind before towing your RV:

• Most full and mid-size family cars can pull a trailer; so can today’s popular vans, SUVs, and light-duty trucks.
• Use the right trailer hitch for the job, and make sure it is hitched correctly.
• Make sure that the trailer?s brakes, turn signals, and taillights are synchronized with the towing vehicle.
• Back up with care and ask someone to stand outside the vehicle to make sure you avoid any obstacles not seen in the mirrors.
• If another person is not available, step out and inspect the area behind the vehicle to prevent surprises and accidents.

Steps to Take Before Locking Up the RV for the Winter

While it is certainly possible to enjoy RV travel during the winter months, there is a large percentage of RV owners who are summer-only travelers. If that title describes you perfectly, you will want to take a look at the following three tips. Consider following these three pieces of advice before you park the RV to ride out the long winter ahead.

Clear Everything Out

Unless it is actually part of the RV itself, take everything out of the rig and bring it into your garage or inside the house. By cleaning the RV out completely, you can make sure nothing gets left behind that you don’t want sitting around in the cold for the next few months. Once you have everything out of the RV, go through each item one-by-one and decide what can go back in for storage. Certain items won’t be affected by the cold temperatures, so you may as well store them in the RV for the winter to save space inside the house. However, other items are going to need to have protection from the cold, so you will need to find somewhere to store those pieces. Obviously, all food should be taken from the RV during this process as well.

Deep Cleaning

While it isn’t technically necessary to clean your RV before the winter, it sure will make it easier to use the RV when spring rolls around again. If you close up your RV while it is still dirty, it will be just as dirty (and dustier) when you are ready to use it again. Set aside a couple hours one day to sweep, vacuum, dust, etc. so that the RV is in great condition on the inside before you lock up the door for the winter. It probably won’t be a whole lot of fun to go through this task, but you will thank yourself a few months from now.

Care for the Engine

If your RV has an engine, make sure it gets the care it needs before winter arrives. Depending on the type of engine in your rig (gas or diesel), you may want to provide it with various types of ‘winterizing’ care. If you aren’t sure what kind of care would be appropriate for your rig, ask at your local dealership or even contact the manufacturer directly. Sitting out in the cold for months at a time without running the engine could potentially be damaging to the RV, and you don’t want to start off next vacation season by having to take the rig into the mechanic for service. Learn how to prepare your RV engine for the cold weather and you can save yourself a big headache (and a big expense) down the line.

You certainly would rather be traveling in your RV than preparing it for winter, but these chores can go a long way toward helping you get the best from your rig.

RV Tip

RVers should put stainless steel (rustless) strainers in their kitchen sinks. Even as careful as one can be washing dishes, it can be surprising at how much gunk is collected in that strainer. The ones with the wide band at the top seem to work best.

RV Maintenance

Replacing the air, fuel, coolant and hydraulic filters in your RV should be done regularly. Damage costing upwards of $2,500 could result from increased fuel usage or overheating issues with the cooling system and oxidization in the hydraulic system.

RV Essentials

 Keep your RV stocked with basic supplies, nonperishable foods, linens and clothes, and you’ll be ready to go anytime, anywhere. RVs give you the freedom to be spontaneous.

Everyone has favorites and must-haves they can't survive without, but here's a list of some stock items to keep on board at all times
on board at all times:

• Adapters for 30 amp and 50 amp outlets
• Batteries
• Binoculars
• Bottle/can opener
• Camera and memory cards
• Dishes/cooking utensils
• Firewood
• First-aid supplies
• Flashlights, lanterns
• Folding chairs
• Games
• Grill and fuel
• Heavy-duty extension cords
• Insect repellent
• Jacket/raincoat
• Maps and GPS
• RV toilet paper
• Matches/lighter
• Nature field guides
• Pillows, blankets, sheets
• Picnic basket
• Plastic bags (large and small)
• Pots and pans
• Road flares
• Rope and bungee cords
• Shovel (small folding type)
• Soap and toiletries
• Sports equipment
• Sunscreen
• Tool kit
• Towels
• Trash bags
• Umbrellas
• Water hose (white potable water type)

RV Campgrounds: Amenities and Activities

Many of today’s campgrounds are destinations in and of themselves, offering a wide range of getaway activities that go beyond the standard swimming pools and camp stores. Campgrounds located near popular tourist destinations frequently offer shuttle transportation to and from town. Here is a sampling of amenities that RV campgrounds offer, all designed to keep families entertained without needing to leave the campground property.

For kids:

Organized games and activities with park activity directors on staff
Arts and craft classes
Game rooms

For the whole family:

Miniature golf
Splash yards for the youngest members of the family to full-scale water parks complete with lazy rivers
Outdoor movie theaters
Live weekend entertainment

For the outdoor lovers:

Nature hikes
Lakes with canoes and kayaks
Fishing ponds
Bike paths

Maintain Your RV’s Chassis to Save Money and Hassle

Here are some maintenance steps that every RV owner should practice to help provide better care for their chassis:

    Change air filters about every two years.
    Take extra fuel filters and belts with you.
    If you have a diesel motor home, a jug of DEF fluid will be handy.
    Use an antifungal in the diesel tank if the RV is sitting without running over a year.
    Check the air pressure in your tires every time before you drive. It is best to weigh the RV first and then put in the recommended air pressure according to the owner’s manual.
    Both gas and diesel chassis need oil change and lubrication on both front and rear fittings.
    After getting work done on your RV, look it over, if possible, to ensure repairs and maintenance were done properly.

Choose the perfect rv park for your rv style

Nothing can make of break your RV trip like choosing a park not suited to your needs. Love kids and looking for a family park or retired and looking to make new friends. These things matter when selecting an RV park to visit. Check out tips and research ideas that will help you choose the RV park that’s perfect for you.

RV Travel Tip

Prior to each trip, try to get in the habit of walking around the outside of your RV to see if anything is out of place. How do your tires look? Are they low on air? Have all slide-out rooms been retracted? Are all of your items and accessories properly secured? Other areas to check or adjust include: engine oil and fluids, trailer attachment to hitch, awnings, signal and brake lights, side mirrors and seatbelts.