Thermostat got you feeling a little dim?

We’ve heard it numerous times, “I wish the display on my thermostat was brighter.” Special thanks to Family Motor Coach Association for publishing a short ‘how-to” article on just how to get that thermostat a little brighter so you can read it! This tech and travel tip happens to come from their February 2011 edition:
You can make the display nearly twice as bright by removing the blue filters on the light bulbs. (This applies only to Dometic Duo-Therm Comfort Control Center five-button thermostats #310 9228 0001 — white; and #310 9228 019 — black.) Here’s how:

Un-clip the thermostat from the holder — top or bottom center — and find the two small, black, round bulb holders. Remove the bulb assembly by inserting a small blade screwdriver into the center slot of the assembly and twist 1/8-turn counterclockwise. Lift the bulb assembly out and gently remove the tiny blue filter from the bulb. Reassemble and return the thermostat cover to its holder. The brightness of the display will be sharply improved.

We sure hope that helps, but if you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself or if you have any questions, remember you can always call and make an appointment with our great service department. If you'd like, you can even make an appointment on-line!

Dicor Lap Sealant for the RV Lifestyle

It is suggested that at least once a year you climb up on top of your RV and thoroughly inspect the roof. You'll want to look for dried, cracked, or missing sealant around vents and joints, as well as check for any rips, tears, or other damage. Finally, sweep off any built up dirt and debris.
 
If you are unable to perform this task on your own, aren't sure what to look for, or simply don't have the time, call your Service Writer and make an appointment. We will gladly take care of it for you!

There may come a time during your travels that a tree branch snags your roof or you accidentally hit a low hanging sign. Occasionally it happens, and if does, you'll want to be prepared. You'll need a quick fix until you can get the roof looked at by a professional. Our suggestion? It never hurts to carry Dicor Lap Sealant. Made EPDM compatible for Rubber Roofing System, this HAPS-free lap sealant meets and exceeds the demanding needs of a roofing sealant while providing a cleaner, safer work environment for you. This flexible, waterproof compound is designed for EPDM rubber, TPO, fiberglass, wood, aluminum, steel or masonry, which may be painted over after outer skin has formed. And its available at our parts store! Come in or request on line today!

Happy Rving!

Thomas & Deborah - Home safe zoom zoom!

Monday August 15

Well, our sojourn has come to an end. With driving hard, yet sleeping when needed, we arrived in Fresno late Monday night. It was quick trip home, but nevertheless enjoyable. "Oh look, that's where we ate breakfast 2 1/2 weeks ago!" Zoom. "That's where we changed the trailer tire!" Zoom. "This is where we slept on the way out!" Zoom zoom and before we knew it we were taking the Chestnut exit of Highway 99.

Even though we didn't really settle in, the Holiday Rambler Scepter was a beautiful coach that had a soft quiet ride. The floor plan was different than most, with the fridge right behind the driver and a little hallway along the side of the restroom to get to the rear bedroom. Two full-length windows were there that gave the center of the coach an airy, open feeling. Another option we appreciated was the Aqua Hot. If you're looking into purchasing a new or used motorhome, we'd sure try to get that along with the other amenities we mentioned earlier on the Monaco Executive.

Anyway, aside from having a couple of tires failing on the trailer, the trip was smooth and carefree, all 20 days. (On a side note, Thomas and others have noticed a problem with trailer tires: they age quickly, come apart, or go flat easily. This can be resolved by putting light truck tires on your trailer instead of tires designated "trailer use only". This works for 18-wheelers and it has solved all our tire problems.)

Our dog and cat were sure glad to see us; it's good to be home. It's been a pleasure logging our trip, and we hope you benefited from traveling with us. The folks at Paul Evert's RV are great people; we love working with them. See you out on the road or in the camping spot.

Take care and God bless,

Thomas and Deborah

Adapters for adapting to the RV Lifestyle

For new RVer’s just starting out in the RV lifestyle, one accessory you’ll want to make sure you have on hand is an electrical adapter. Depending on where you camp, you never know what kind of outlet the camp ground will have.

Our Valterra brand adapts a 15A/125V to 30A/125V 15/30 . Commonly called a reverse adapter, this adapter has a female 15amp and male 30amp side. Your owners manual will tell you what kind of amp service you will need. If you have misplaced your manual, you can contact the manufacturer or our Service Department and we’ll be happy to help you.

Please keep in mind that when using this type of electrical hook up you will need to keep usage at a minimum, only using one appliance at a time. Owning an RV or camper for the first time can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Paul Evert’s RV Country is here for you. Feel free to drop by our blog for tips, tricks, travel ideas, and advice, or join us on Facebook and Twitter. Of course we’d love to see you in person at any one of our three convenient locations!

                   Remember, you’re ALWAYS welcome at RV Country!

Camp Finder App for the RV Lifestyle

You asked for it, and you got it! Camp Finder now has an app for all the Android users out there! Following the success of the Camp Finder app for the iPhone, CampingRoadTrip.com was inundated with requests on Facebook, Twitter and email from campers and RVers demanding an app for their Android phones. And now Android users can also “find a place to stay". 

The app received good reviews from users, and the New York Times says its the best of the paid camping apps. Camp Finder gives you a simple way to search for campgrounds and RV parks, and discover the perfect place to stay while on the road. You can search over 10,000 campgrounds and RV parks to find the right one to fit your needs - from opening times, rates, sites, rental units, recreational activities to facilities and services, and much more. This is one app we’re really excited about.

While you’re on your way to those new RV parks you’ve found with Camp Finder, don't forget to stop in and say hello to us here at RV Country!

RV Adventure Preperation

Recently RV Daily Report published an article called "FCCC Offers Summer RV Preparation and Safety Tips.” Service Trainer, Michael Cody gave some great tips, and we thought we’d share the article with our RV Country community! Remember, these tips are not only great for summer, but for any time you're heading out on an RV adventure. So read on RV'ers... and before you take off, take one more minute to check these items:

• Tire care and maintenance are key, so begin by checking the condition of your tires, inspecting each one closely for sidewall cracks on both sides, excessive wear and cuts on the treads and sidewalls. Measure your tread depth and make sure you’re rolling on at least 4/32-inch-deep tread on the front axle tires and 2/32-inch-deep tread on the rear axle tires.
• Check each tire’s pressure and adjust it to the manufacturer’s specified pressure per weight on each corner of the coach. Remember: All RV tire manufacturers recommend four corner weights to account for variations in weight distribution once travelers get their own belongings on board. It’s worth noting that it does not matter whether you use nitrogen or air from a compressor – tire pressure must be adjusted to the coach’s weight before traveling.  Review your chassis’ servicing records to ensure it’s not overdue for any regular maintenance.
• Make sure crucial fluids are at proper levels, including engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, diesel exhaust fluid and windshield washer fluid. For engine coolant, FCCC recommends its Fleet Charge 50/50, pre-charged with SCA. This is an ethylene glycol-based diesel-specific coolant formulated for heavy-duty cooling systems.
• RVs are loaded with lights of varying functions, but all are important to check: high and low beam headlamps, taillights, turn signals, back-up lights, tow power lights and emergency four-way flashers.
• And finally, because not every emergency is road-related, make sure all smoke alarms, LP leak detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries.
• Check fire extinguishers for a full charge and be sure they’re stowed where they can be reached quickly should you need them.

Should you need assistance, we invite you to contact us to schedule a service appointment with your friendly RV Country Service Advisor. We'll be happy to make sure your RV is in tip top shape!

Happy RVing!

Thomas & Deborah - Preparation Day

Tuesday July 26

Well, one more day and we’ll be hitting the road; we’ve been planning for several weeks now, and prep time is almost expired. Road trips typically require pre-planning: thinking through the entire trip and determining what you’ll need. Maintenance? Itinerary? Route? How much does one plan for? Traveling can be uncomfortable and difficult due to lack of pre-planning. A little practice, however, and skillful pre-planning makes road trips less stressful and well worth the time.

It’s possible to over-plan and under-plan, and every traveler must find a balance. Insufficient planning can be disastrous, like running out of money! Plan too much and the rigidity and over-packing take the fun out of the trip. I take along tools, just in case, but I must settle for a small, portable collection of the absolutely necessary. Conversely, Deborah and I don’t make reservations for the night. We like flexibility. We enjoy the adventure of not knowing. Granted, a few times we’ve had to drive later than we preferred or settle for noisy truck stop parking, but for us the freedom is worth it.

There are strategies that can make planning a trip much easier. A checklist, for example, to avoid leaving something behind. Another helpful strategy is to have a travel bag always packed with necessities; that way one need only remember the one travel bag instead of a dozen items. I have a road bag that I bring on every road trip: flares, jumpers, first aid kit, gloves, multi-tool.

An RV is a like a huge travel bag, for us. We keep our 5th wheel stocked with dishes, cutlery, games, toiletries, etc. We can leave for a three day mini-vacation with little more than locking the house, putting the dog in the truck, and backing up to the trailer. We’re off within an hour, and the RV becomes our home where we know there’s a clean comfy bed wherever we end up parking for the night.

Tomorrow, we haul our carefully thought-out collection of necessities down to Paul Evert’s RV Country, load it all into the Monaco Executive and head out. We’ll let you know where we end up sleeping…

RV Lifestyle: The Dreaded Black Tank

If you’re new to the RV Lifestyle, you may have many questions. Such as, why are there so many tanks and what is each one for? In this post, we’ll talk about the dreaded black tank. The black tank is what holds human waste and toilet paper. It needs special attention so that you can keep the odor under control and avoid getting clogged up.

One quality product that we recommend is "Aqua Kem". This product will help eliminate waste odor, break down solid waste and toilet tissue, and its 100% biodegradable. At RV Country we carry it in various sizes so there is surely one to fit your needs. From the "Dri-kem" singles, to the 64 oz bottle, be sure you have this product on hand!

Stop in and see us or visit our website to request the item you’re looking for.

Smell ya later!  HA HA HA!!

Sewer Hoses for the RV Lifestyle

So, you want to know what the best sewer hose is to buy? One of our favorites and a TOP seller at our parts store is the ‘Dominator’. The Dominator is durable and reliable. Which is exactly what you’ll want in a sewer hose. You don’t want to be one of ‘those’ who are seen wrapping their hose with duct tape to fix a leak. (EWW!) So, durable and reliable are what you’re going to want. We suggest starting with at least a 15 ft hose, but the more you travel and the more experience you get, you’ll know what size works best for you. The 15 feet sewer kit with elbow Superior drainage, holds its shape after installation. Durable, UV stabilized, rugged poly construction. Convenient, fully assembled and ready to use. Patented rotating fittings.

Stop in and see us or visit us on-line. This is one accessory you’ll want to be sure to have before you leave home!

Don't forget the TP!

How many times during your camping trip or RV adventure have you come upon the moment when you realized that you forgot to pack toilet paper?  It's okay, sh.. happens, errr, what we mean to say is, it happens to the best of us.

You're so busy worrying about bug spray, pillows, snacks, movies, pet food, etc., etc., that you end up forgetting one of the most important items you’ll need. That's why we are taking this time to remind you that toilet paper should be first on your list. Well at least in the top five!

Now if you’re new to the RV lifestyle you may be not know this, but in an RV you have to use toilet paper that is going to dissolve quickly and is biodegradable.  You have your choice between 1 ply and 2 ply, but ultimately what you want is paper that will quickly dissolve once it hits the water. The brand is up to you. We’ll recommend a few, but its probably going to take you buying a couple different brands for you to find the one you and your family like best.

The brands we found to be top sellers are Aqua Soft, Valterra, and Camco. You can find these in our parts store, or even visit us on-line to request it.  You’ll still want to be cautious about how much you use in one flushing, because no one likes a backed up hose.

With that being said, don’t forget your toilet paper and happy flushing!

The Importance of a Water Regulator

Before owning an RV you probably never gave much thought to water pressure or the need to regulate it, but the piping in your RV needs to be taken care of just as much as any other part. Too much water pressure can cause the pipes to burst, leaving you to experience an indoor wading pool - or worse - such as only partial use of your shower, toilet, or any other appliance that uses running water to function and sometimes no water at all.  A regulator helps you keep an eye out for potential danger, and will prevent the water pressure in your system from surging to a level high enough to cause damage.

You can’t always be sure of the water pressure in camp grounds. If there aren’t many campers in the park with you, or at night when not many people are using running water, the pressure can go up at any time. For this reason, a water regulator is something you will want to be sure to add to your RV necessities before heading out on the road.

If you don't already have one, stop in and see us or order one on-line!

Happy RVing!

The Importance of a Fresh Water Hose for the RV Lifestyle

A fresh water hose is an important essential to add to your "must have" accessories. An RV fresh water hose is designed for drinking water, is constructed of FDA approved materials, and usually comes with a white jacketed cover. Sorry folks, your garden hose is not safe to use as a drinking water hose, so be sure to have a couple of these fresh water hoses on hand. If one springs a leak you'll want to have an extra tucked away so that you don't have to scramble looking for a new one when you aren’t near a store. Due to sanitation concerns, you'll never want to use these hoses for anything else. You can keep a regular garden hose to use for washing your RV, or for connecting to a black holding tank flushing attachment. That will keep dangerous bacteria away from your fresh water hose fittings. It's also important to remember that when you store your fresh water hose, keep the ends together to keep them clean. Be sure to flush your fresh water holding tank with bleach every few months to help keep bacteria from forming. A teaspoon of bleach to 20 gallons of water is plenty, and this will also help clean your fresh water hose. After flushing with the bleach solution, flush again with fresh water. If you don't already have one, or need a couple new ones be sure to stop in and see us - or you can even order one on-line.
Happy Rving!

RV Travel Seminars Add Expert Lady RV'er to Lineup

Attention lady RVers! A one-hour seminar by RV lifestyle expert, Cathy Atkins has been added to the lineup for the RVtravel.com seminar series taking place in Edmonds, Washington on April 23rd.

Atkins is an RV enthusiast and is also a member of the Board of Directors of RVing Women, a national organization that provides education and support to single, divorced and widowed lady RVers.  She will be offering a class providing tips and insight for women who travel alone. Also speaking during the seminar series is "RV Doctor" Gary Bunzer, RV performance expert Eric Davis, veteran Alaska RVer Nyla Walsh, RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury, RV Life columnist Dave Helgeson and RV driving instructor Lorrin Walsh. These speakers will cover everything from how to drive an RV, to blogging about your travels for profit, to maximizing your RV's performance, and more.

Seats are still available, but are expected to sell out prior to the event so reserving your seat early is advised. An all day pass to the seminars is only $15 and attendance to the Open House is free.

Doors open at 8:30am, with events running from 9am to 5pm. Click here for more information on how to reserve your seat.

The importance of properly servicing your RV!

This week we're encouraging everyone to perform routine maintenance checks on your recreational vehicle! Time and time again our service department sees vehicles in need of expensive repairs that could have been avoided with a proper check-up.

For example, you may see us advertise a Free 10 Point Inspection occasionally... Use these!!! In case you needed further nudging, not servicing your appliances and engine components (all covered in our inspection) can void the terms of your warranty.

Real Life Example!
We had a customer who did not check his roof and seals for cracks. Due to those unattended cracks, water began to fill up underneath the laminate sidewalls and front cap. When it finally started to noticeably bubble out, IT WAS TOO LATE!

Check your roof & seals for cracks every 6 months as recommending by the manufacturer!

Instead of a couple hundred dollars to reseal the roof, we now have a VERY costly and time consuming job on our hands!

We don't do this to scare you or to try and drum up business for our service department, but because we honestly want to save you from an even greater expense and to keep you out on the road enjoying your RV as intended!

Make sure your summer vacation plans are headache free!

Have your RV checked out today!

 

To make a Service Appointment Click Here or call (559) 486-1000

RV Lifestyle Tips: RV Driver's License Requirements and RV Driving Schools

If you are new to the RV lifestyle, or maybe you're just considering becoming an RV enthusiast, you may be wondering if you are going to need a special driver's license to operate an RV. In most cases, the answer is no. However, there are some exceptions to that rule. The vast majority of RV's can be driven with a regular driver's license, but some states do require a special license for large RV's. In rare cases a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required. If you are told that you need a CDL, be sure to do a bit more research, because in actuality, very few non-commercial RV's fall into this category. If your RV meets one of the following criteria, check with your state for special driver's license requirements:

• Single vehicle or towable combination having a weight rating of 26,001 lbs. or more
• Towing a trailer with a weight rating of 10,001 lbs. or more
• Is longer than 40 feet
• Towing two units (for example, towing a boat behind a trailer)

 Click here for a summary of RV driver's license requirements in all 50 states.

Even if your state has no special license requirements, a good RV driving training course is always an excellent idea. After all, you are on a mission for enjoyment and adventure, and you will want to know how to best keep yourself and your family safe.  There are training courses available in many states, with more being added across the country, so no matter where you are, you should be able to find one that is convenient for you!

Getting Connected: Becoming a Part of The Online RV Community

You did it! After copious amounts of time spent researching and laying all the groundwork to find the perfect RV for you and your family, you have found it.

Now... What to do? How do you know the best, most affordable places to go? How do you find the tips and tricks to make the most of your RV experience? Where do you meet other people who share your interest in the RV Lifestyle? The answer of course, is online!

Social networking is the latest and greatest way to meet other people, share stories, tips, tricks, and get helpful advice and find answers to all your burning questions. There are any number of ways to get connected. You may find a group of RV owners in your area, or maybe you will chose to get connected on Facebook or Twitter. You can start by clicking here, and exploring all the ways in which you can find the information that will help you get off to a roaring start in exploring the open road!

Norcold Recalls Refrigerators

The Norcold, Inc. refrigerators listed below have been recalled.

It is important to implement this safety enhancement to prevent an unsafe elevation in the temperature of the cooling unit, should the unit fail in operation. This enhancement seeks to minimize the risk of injury or death due to fire.

Norcold Inc. has decided to recall certain 1200, 1201, 1210 and 1211 model gas/electric refrigerators with serial numbers from 315525 to 13088811, non consecutively. The refrigerator's model and serial number are located inside the fresh food compartment. These refrigerators may have cooling units with a cooling unit serial number between 700000 to 13085759. This is a new recall campaign to include all 1200, 1201, 1210 and 1211 models. If you are unsure of the model you have, or to make a service appointment, please call 1-800-959-6485.

**Even if your refrigerator was repaired as part of a previous recall, it is necessary to have it repaired again to minimize the risk of injury or death due to fire.

    If you have one of these refrigerator models, please use the following procedure:

1. Identify and write down the refrigerator model. If it is a Norcold 1200, 1201, 1210 or 1211 model, go to step 2.

2. Identify and write down the refrigerator serial number. If the serial number falls in the range of 315525 and 13088811, go to step 3.

3. Identify and write down the cooling unit serial number. If the serial number falls in the range of 700000 and 13085759, go to step 4.

4. Call your dealer immediately.

The installation of the High Temperature Sensor will be at no cost to you.

Owners of recalled refrigerators should NOT operate their refrigerator until it can be professionally repaired by your dealer or a Norcold authorized service center.

If you have one of the recalled refrigerators and you:

Currently reside in the RV, you should immediately:

1. Set the refrigerator controls to "OFF".
2. Unplug the refrigerator through the service vent on the outside of the vehicle.
3. Contact your dealer, a Norcold authorized service center or Norcold's Recall Center at 1-800-767-9101 as soon as possible to get assistance.

Do not currently reside in the RV, you should immediately:

1.      Set the refrigerator controls to "OFF"

2.      Unplug the refrigerator through the service vent on the outside of the vehicle.

3.      Disconnect from shore power.

4.      Contact your dealer, a Norcold authorized service center or Norcold's Recall Center at 

         1-800-767-9101 as soon as possible to get assistance.

Owners who have had the heater element replaced in one of these cooling units should call to get their refrigerator upgraded to current product configuration.

To make a service appointment, please call 1-800-959-6485.

What's in the Water?

Does your water have a noticeable haze or murkiness? It may be time for a water filtration system or a new filter. In addition to the noticeable effect on water clarity, sediment can also create problems by plugging up other filters you may be using, causing them to fail prematurely. And let’s not forget about the biological agents which include protozoa, bacteria, viruses, and cysts and spores that can be unhealthy for humans and animals. Having clean fresh water is important and Paul Evert’s RV Country has all your fresh water needs, stop by and visit our parts department today!

Here are some common questions RVers have about using/changing their filters:

1. Why does my water looks gray after I change my filter?
     This is a common occurrence after changing a carbon filter, and is caused by fine carbon dust being flushed out of the cartridge. It will be gone after you run a few gallons of water through the unit.
 

2. How do I know when I should change my filter?
     There are two primary indicators that will alert you to replace a filter cartridge. The first indicator is a reduction in flow rate, which is caused by a filter getting plugged with sediment. The second indicator is a little less obvious and involves your taste-and-odor filter. If you notice that the taste and/or odor of your water is not as clean as it used to be, it is very likely that your carbon filter is losing its effectiveness and needs to be replaced. This, of course, assumes that you have a carbon filter.
 

3. Why does my filter never seems to need replacing?
     Well, either you are receiving extremely clean water, or your filtration system is not working properly. Make sure that you have a cartridge or cartridges in your filter canisters and that your water is flowing through them. If everything checks out, you must be getting very clean water.
 

4. Why should I filter all the water going into my RV, including the water for the toilet?
     Many plumbing fixtures, both in homes and RVs, have small orifices and moving parts that come in contact with the water. Sediment and sand can wreak havoc in these fixtures, and removing the sediment is often much cheaper than repairing a plugged or damaged fixture. RV parks can have a real load of sand and sediment in the water.

For more information or to have our service department install, check, or replace any filters for you, please visit our website to make a service appointment.

The Importance of Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Recently we heard about a gentleman that was a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning while in his RV. Our thoughts are with his family.
This should remind all of us living the RV lifestyle to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of our loved ones.  Below are some precautions you should always take while RVing.  Be safe and have fun!

• Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer because it is odorless and colorless.
• When using your stove be sure to open a window or crack open a rooftop vent. (When opening a window though, do not open one on the exhaust side of the coach!)
• Have your fuel burning appliances checked at the beginning of each camping year to be sure they are properly vented and working well and don’t sleep with the generator running.  A basic LP leak test at our service department is quick, easy and only costs $62.50.

Did you know that in RV's carbon monoxide gas usually results from: Exhaust leaks from either a vehicle engine or a generator, improper use of portable gas powered heaters, or even someone else's vehicle or generator when camping in close quarters? It's often recommended to have a carbon monoxide detector in the front of your trailer/motorhome and one in the rear bedroom area (And an additional one in the garage if you have a toy hauler!).

Hank Dudley, our Service Manager, explains that when replacing your carbon monoxide alarm, it's best to choose one that has been tested by Underwriter Laboratories (noted by a UL on the label) and that is designed specifically for RVs. RV carbon monoxide alarms need to be more rugged than alarms for home use. Generally, it is easiest to replace your existing alarm with one of the same model.  For hardwired alarms, you must follow the manufacturer's instructions precisely when connecting your replacement alarm to the vehicle's 12V system.

At Paul Evert’s RV Country we have carbon monoxide detectors always in stock and can even help you get them installed.

Click here contact our parts department.
Click here to schedule a service appointment.

Western Area Rally

We’re here at the Western Area Rally in Indio, California where we return to the Old west! There are plenty of activities, seminars, crafts and lots of entertainment for all to enjoy! For a schedule, click here.

Drop by and say howdy to me…Steve Nelson, I have a special offer for you! For each person that comes over and says ‘I read your blog!’ I’ll sign you up to receive a FREE 1 year membership to our "Country Club" which entitles you to 10% off purchases in our Parts & Accessories store!

By the way, did you know that Paul Evert’s RV is on Facebook and Twitter? You can now ‘Like’ us and Follow us! We've got lots of tips and fun stuff going on, be sure to check it out. Well, its about time for me to get back to showing RV's. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you real soon!