How to Plan Your First RV Vacation?

Are you planning your first-ever RV vacation? You must be feeling the most excited version of yourself. There must be dreams, wishes, and adventures on your mind. While you think of all the good things going to happen during your RV vacation, ensure that you have the below-mentioned four things for a safe trip.

Critical Points of a VR Vacation

Here is to discuss each point of planning your next VR vacation!

1- Toolkit

Several things can go wrong when traveling around your RV kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. You need to be prepared for all kinds of situations. The electrical circuit can break, the side view mirrors can come loose, and some things can break or go out of function.

Thus, you should have your toolkit with you in your RV. This will help you manage all the tiny issues you can fix yourself. However, for the more significant problems, make sure to have contact with a good RV repair company. TNT RV repairs is a mobile company that can provide you with all kinds of RV-relevant services.

2- Cookware

RVs come with a kitchenette and some of the necessary cookware. Most first-time RV travelers make the mistake of not ensuring that the kitchen has all the needed cookware. Make sure that you are not one of them. You need a pan, silverware, glass, mug, pot, cutting board, and a few baskets to keep your snacks and foods. Moreover, you would need knives and many other kinds of kitchen equipment.

This point goes true for those RVs you rent. Even if the owner has promised to put all the necessary cookware, there might be a few things your need missing.

3- A Detailed Plan

This is one of the essential parts of the planning phase of your first RV vacation. Not having a complete plan of where you will spend nights and how to make the most of your days will leave you lost, confused, and even scared while you are on the tip.

Secondly, make it to your parking spot before it gets dark while on the trip. The problem with reaching the campground at night is that you might wake up at a place you do not recognize. Plus, your safety comes before anything. You do not want to spend a night at a place that is not safe in the first place.

4- Leveling Blocks

The thing with RV vacation is that you will be stopping at places that have uneven grounds. Parking your RV unbalanced is something you should not be doing. So, make sure to pack along leveling blocks. They will come to your service when the ground level is not even.

Final Verdict

Going on a trip in an RV for the first time can be exciting, scary, overwhelming, and precious, all at the same time. Know that TNT RV Repair has your back whenever you face a problem. Start your journey confidently because they are mobile and will come to serve you whenever you call them!

RV Hacks to Make You a Happy Camper

Everybody loves the idea of leading a life where your home is mobile, and you can go wherever you want to without leaving your precious living space. But the smell of the washroom and discomfort of the bed and shower tell them otherwise. Do not let these problems stop you from being a happy camper and follow the below-given RV hacks.

Best RV Hacks to Practice

Let’s check the top RV hacks to practice!

1- Install a Clear Elbow in Sewer Hose

The sewer hose of an RV is a disgusting part of the van that deals with toilet dump. It is understandable that you do not want to deal with it or see what is happening inside. But there are a number of problems that can take place in this part, turning it black or brown. Toilet paper can accumulate, or any kind of clog can happen.

Install a clear elbow at its end to avoid all such problems related to the sewer hose. This will help the tank empty fully and get all clean. You can ensure it by checking the water during tank flush. If the water is clear, the tank is clean.

2- Get Rid of the Tank Smell

Your time in RV can become extremely difficult due to the smell of a full black tank. To avoid being troubled on your way to the tank flush, you do not need to invest a lot of bucks on chemical solutions. Yes, you can make a smell solution on your own using a few things. Here is the recipe for a black tank smell-removing solution!

Take 1 cup of dish soap and Calgon water, mix both, and add this solution to the black tank. This will not let the whole van go all stinky. Plus, it will help kill some particles on the walls of the tank.

3- Get a Mattress Topper

The mattress in recreational vans is not always comfy and soft enough. Most people face a hard time falling asleep in an RV. Because their mindset is that this is what they have to sacrifice for an adventurous lifestyle, you can indeed turn an ordinary RV mattress into a soft, comfortable, and relaxing one. Yes!

All you need is a mattress topper. This item comes in variable sizes and is cheaper than mattresses. You can get around 2 – 4 inches of thickness in this mattress. Simply adding this affordable thing to your RV bed will make your life in this van super easy.

4- Get an Oxygenics Shower Head

Another great RV hack you cannot miss while living in an RV is a shower head with high pressure and less water waste. RV shower heads are not bearable, let alone great. They have low pressure and poor spraying capacity. Plus, they waste a lot of water.

For the solution to that problem, you can just get yourself an Oxygenics shower head. It saves water and keeps the pressure good enough.

Conclusion

RV life is difficult only until your black tank is not stinking with your body waste, your bed is comfortable, and you are enjoying your basic hygiene showers every day. Follow the RV hacks given above to make your RV life happier. To get any RV-related help, contact mobile TNT RV Repair Services!

RV Living Costs – Is It Cost Effective?

What are the basic RV living costs? It’s what about every person thinks of before stepping into the lifestyle of an RVer. The truth is that there is no fixed way to answer that. The RV living costs vary from person to person. Let us find out more below!

How much are RV Living Costs?

Calculating your RV living costs might be a little complicated, but planning every need of your life, having a record of your expenses, and having a fixed budget can help.

Moreover, there is no fixed answer to how much everyone living in an RV spends and saves because it all comes down to the personalized lifestyles of people. There have been people who have been able to pay their debts by living in RV. Some people had to compromise on their basic needs while leading an RV life. Thus, it depends on your lifestyle and many other factors.

What is the Average Monthly Cost?

As mentioned above, your expenses can expand or reduce depending on your lifestyle. However, a few things have nothing to do with individual lifestyle preferences. By including only the mandatory expenses in the calculation, the average living cost is around $2,000.

Is It Cost Effective?

Here is the biggest fact about living in an RV. It is that it costs much less to live in an RV as compared to a home or an apartment. You can save a considerable amount of money every month. Firstly, your home is your transportation medium. Secondly, your home demands much fewer maintenance charges than a conventional home. There are no expenses that you would otherwise be spending on your home.

So, if you love the freedom in finances and places and can compromise a little on your living style, you can save a lot of money.

The Basic Expenses You Would be Paying While Living in RV

Here is a list of the things, along with an estimated amount for a monthly basis!

  • Lodging $100
  • Parking Fees / Tolls / Admission Fees $50
  • Propane $40
  • Diesel for the Truck $300
  • Dining Out $50 – 100
  • Entertainment / Hobby $50 – 80
  • Household Items / Groceries $500
  • Gifts $50 as per the monthly circumstance
  • Cell Phones and Internet $70
  • Storage Units $80
  • Financial Advisors $100
  • Insurance Premiums $200

Your expenses can increase during festivals when you need more money to buy gifts for your friends and family.

Final Verdict

As discussed above, living in an RV is much more cost-effective than leading a conventional life. The best thing is that there is no compromise. The items you let go of are being replaced by more amazing things, like the ability to travel anywhere and replace the comfort of your conventional home.

When your RV is having technical or any problems, look no further than TNT Mobile RV Repair Company!

National Parks RVing in USA

Every type of habitat you can imagine may be found in America’s national park system, from the arid Mojave Desert to the lush rainforests of the Pacific Coast. There are also fantastic ways to enjoy them, such as hiking, motorcycling, and simply watching the sunset. Additionally, if you have an RV, you can pull up and set up shop inside the park without having to travel outside, bringing all the conveniences of home with you.

National Park RVing in the USA

Here are some insider suggestions that will make your national park RV journey a smooth ride so you can enjoy your RV camping experience.

1- Select a Park with Accessible, Wide Roads

If you carefully plan your itinerary, getting your RV to your chosen national park destination will not be difficult. Once you get there, the key is to make sure getting about the park is as simple as possible. Having pleasant camping trips isn’t about driving a vehicle through tight turns or over harsh unanticipated terrain.

Planning will prevent you from getting stopped on a challenging route or road, and picking an accessible park will make things easier right away.

2- Plan Ahead and Reserve Your Camping Space

In the national parks of the United States, it can be difficult to find campsites with complete RV hookups, and it can be even more difficult to book them once the season is entirely underway. As soon as you know your travel dates, look for RV campgrounds.

(Reserve Camping Space)

(reserve-camping-space)

Be sure to take into account the various areas’ size restrictions. Remember that depending on the time of day, some locations restrict the use of generators.

3- Keep Up with Road Closures 

Road closures outside and Inside Park limits can derail even the best-laid plans and send you in the wrong direction. Even if even the most convoluted detour can eventually be negotiated, being aware of closures beforehand will lessen navigational difficulties and the stress of operating a massive vehicle on unknown roads.

4- Maintain the Budget

The greatest thing you can do for your trip budget is to stock up on groceries and fuel before you enter the park, as gas and supplies increase in price once you enter the park’s gates.

If you run out of staples like coffee or toothpaste, you can get them at park stores, but do your big grocery run well before arriving at the park.

5- Ready Yourself to Dry Camp

The national park system has few full hookups, but it doesn’t mean you can’t camp and benefit from being close to nature. Take the family on a few practice runs beforehand and prepare to dry camp.

The absence of hookups is intentional because RV campgrounds in national parks are located in some of the most picture-taking areas of the country. We can all agree that having a smaller environmental effect is good.

6- Remain Clean on Your Site and Store Food Accurately

Because bears are very active in national parks, bear lockers or other wildlife-proof storage are frequently provided as a requirement for campers.

The most adventurous bears have been known to break into locked automobiles to get food. Thus, several parks request that food (and, in some cases, any scented items like toothpaste and deodorant) not be placed in vehicles.

Conclusion

In addition to all the above-given tips, always clean up after yourself after outdoor cooking and never leave food outside. Aside from being impolite to other campers, acting differently has significant detrimental effects on wildlife and may occasionally necessitate removal or euthanasia.

Contact TNT RV now to get your RVs and campers ready for trips and get all the maintenance and repair services at your home, storage, parks, stables, or any other place you want.

5 DIY Maintenance Tips for RV Newbies

You should keep up with maintenance, whether new to RVing or a seasoned expert, so that you may enjoy your investment for many years. An excellent place to start is with exterior maintenance. With this helpful maintenance checklist, you can keep the outside of your RV in perfect condition.

Maintenance Tips for RV Newbies

Follow these maintenance tips to keep your RV safe, clean, and maintained.

1- WASH RV exterior after every trip

The solution is a sponge wash followed by a rinse with water and mild soap. A concentrated cleaning can also be used to remove those stubborn stains off your RV. But make sure to frequently wash the outside of your RV, ideally right after each trip. Avoid spraying water directly into appliance vents to prevent condensation.

2- Apply protectant or WAX to RV exterior

The exterior of your RV should be coated with a high-quality wax or protectant. Depending on the size of your RV, this could take some time, but it’s worth the effort. Before you begin waxing, make sure the exterior is completely dry.

Spot-test the wax on a small portion of the graphics before applying it. Make sure the wax is suitable for the style of the exterior of your RV before using it.

3- Apply lubricant on all locks, hinges, and moving parts

Nobody enjoys a squeaky door, window, or storage compartment. An easy maintenance procedure that takes a few minutes involves lubricating all locks with graphite spray lubricant and all hinges and moving parts with WD40.

4- Prevent water damage, carefully inspect any sealed locations

Your RV is constantly exposed to the elements on your journeys throughout the seasons. To prevent the interior of your RV from potential water damage, mice, or other vermin, you need to ensure that the outside, including the roof, sides, edges, windows, doors, vents, end caps, moldings, compartments, and underbelly, is sealed off and doing its function.

Look for any cracks, gaps, or spots with deteriorated sealant; use repair tape to make rapid repairs. When repairing an RV roof, be essential to apply the proper glue, such as Rexoseal RV Roof Sealant, which we highly suggest.

5- Store RV indoors

You should regularly check for snow accumulation and clear ice and snow from the RV’s exterior during the winter. When not in use, it is best to keep your RV indoors, where it will receive some additional weather protection.

Final Verdict

Start planning your upcoming RV vacation now that you have all the advice you need for risk-free and worry-free travel. Get excellent maintenance and repair services for your RV, trailers, campers, or horse trailers from TNT RV.

Our expert team provides outstanding services at your doorstep; contact us now to get all preventative and protective maintenance and repair services.

Five US Landmarks with Amazing RV Camping

Are you prepared to load up and travel by RV? There are many RV-friendly locations in the United States with lots of outdoor amenities and entertaining activities, whether you’re planning a single camping trip, a retirement road trip, a family vacation, or are deciding to live in an RV full-time.

Amazing RV Camping Landmarks in the US

The top 5 American landmarks for RV travel are listed below.

1- Moab, UT

Moab is one of the excellent (and most beautiful) places to park in an RV in the country, with its red rock structures and pure desert skies overhead. With a variety of hiking routes, as well as archaeological and natural wonders.

 

Arches National Park is a fantastic spot for a road trip as well as a terrific place for overnight RV parking (like Delicate Arch). To visit famous sites like Island in the Sky, breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding park, and the historic petroglyphs on Newspaper Rock, take a drive out to Canyonlands National Park.

2- Denver, CO

Denver is a hip yet outdoorsy city with many hidden gems for RV travelers to explore. Inspiration Point Park, a 25-acre natural oasis with picnic spaces, a floral meadow, and panoramic vistas of Clear Creek Valley, is one such location. 

Both parks and a large portion of the city are dog-friendly. So feel free to bring your pets along if you’re RVing in Denver, one of the best American cities for dogs. At Keystone Resort, skiers and snowboarders of all ages are welcome. If you’re up for a challenge, try taking a snowshoe trip through Butler Gulch.

3- Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas is famous for its nightlife but is also an RV-friendly city. In Vegas, you may find some of the top RV parks and “casino camping” areas, including the RV Park at Circus, designed for tourists looking for the best of both worlds. 

Visit the Lake Mead National Recreation Area—first America’s and largest national recreation area and a terrific spot for boating, hiking, and sightseeing—whether you’re RVing with kids or taking a romantic road trip.

4- Asheville, NC

Asheville, North Carolina, is the best place to have an RV vacation in the nation, thanks to its warm summers, picturesque surroundings, and various incredible campsites. The city is highly RV-friendly, offering a virtually unlimited variety of outdoor activities.

Take your RV, for instance, for a day trip to Pisgah National Forest, where you can walk up some of the tallest and oldest peaks in the Eastern United States and take in beautiful mountain views. Take a short drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of America’s most picturesque routes, while you’re there and take in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

5- Key West, FL

Key West, a part of the Florida Keys archipelago, is a favorite retirement road trip destination for seniors and a terrific spot for RVing with kids. Even the Overseas Highway, which connects to the city, offers a singular experience due to the ocean’s proximity to the road. 

Due to its proximity to the water, Key West offers a wide variety of unusual coastal activities, such as relaxing on the beach in Fort Zachary Taylor Park, going on private dolphin tours, and swimming near the only live coral reef in North America.

Conclusion

While visiting these fantastic landmarks, don’t forget to clean the place you stay with your RV before leaving. Leave the place clean and safe for others too. Don’t forget to check on your RV before leaving for the trip. If you find any issue with your RV, get in touch with TNT RV for excellent maintenance and repair services for campers, RVs, traitors, and many more.

Quick RV Lunch Ideas

When you first get an RV the last thing on your mind is food, but once you start your first trip, you will quickly realize how important having a plan around your food is. Since lunch is in the middle of your day and you are either moving from one destination to the next or if you are stopped you are out and about exploring the area, you want to keep your lunches on the road pretty simple. One thought is using your leftovers from dinner for lunch, but if that isn’t an option, we are going to go over some fun lunch ideas below. Just remember with all of the current technology you can cook just about anything on the road that you can cook at home if you are prepared.

Hot Meals

To start, you have to have the right tools in order to cook. RVs are large and don’t fit through drive-throughs, also a lot of times there are limited food options on the road, and eating out all of the time will get expensive. Two cooking tools we highly recommend for anyone with an RV are a griddle and a microwave. The griddle will allow you to make hot sandwiches with ease and very little supplies and the microwave allows you to heat everything up quickly. One of our favorite griddle meals is grilled cheese sandwiches. They go great with microwaved soup and make an easy lunch everyone will love.

Cold Meals

On days we are out exploring, cold lunches are a better option. All you need is a portable and easy-to-carry cooler to keep everything at a safe temperature and you are free to go about your day and eat when you’re ready. Some of our favorite cold meals are meat and cheese lettuce wraps, pasta salad and boiled eggs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and cold spaghetti. These meals aren’t as fancy, but they will suffice as you are out and about enjoying your day.

Large Meals

For those that want a bigger lunch without taking up a lot of time, the Instant Pot is the way to go. The Instant Pot electric pressure cooker is a wildly popular kitchen tool with full-time RVers. It’s no wonder! It doesn’t take up that much space, it’s easy to operate, and it does the job of several other kitchen gadgets. There are so many recipes out there, the meal ideas are truly endless. Some recipe ideas for your Instant pot are soups and stews, pot roasts, beef tips and rice, baked potatoes, roasted vegetables, and just about any meat dish you can think of. I like to set up the Instant Pot outside on our outdoor table. This prevents food smells and moisture from the steam from getting into our RV.

If you are in or traveling through the Las Vegas area, make sure to give TNT RV Repair a call. We are an experienced RV Company who will make sure your RV is in tip-top condition before you take it on the road, or will fix your RV if you have something that is giving you an issue. Contact us here to obtain a free quote.

4 RV Camping Tips for Beginners

As you get ready to go on your first RV trip it is exciting to think about this new adventure. However, like anything, there is a learning curve and a few things you need to be aware of. Below we have compiled four tips to keep in mind as you get started on your first road trip!

Tip #1: Finding Parking For Your RV is Tricky

Parking is the trickiest part of RV life and what stresses people the most when they are on a trip. When stopping by large outlets like malls or grocery stores there is always plenty of spacious parking, but quick restaurant stops and drive-thrus are not always so accomodating.

Tip #2: Choose The Right RV Campsite For Your Needs

When it comes to where you are going to camp overnight, the key is to plan ahead. When people run into trouble is when they decide to book a campsite last minute. You should plan on booking your campsite two weeks out in a normal season, and up to two months out in a busy season. On top of booking early, you also need to consider:

          •        Are there hookups available? (electric, water, septic)

          •        Is there a dumping station or are hookups at specific sites?

          •        Is there a shower if needed?

          •        Does the campsite offer cable and WiFi?

Tip #3: Set Up Your RV Campsite Efficiently

Setting up an RV campsite may seem like it’d be quick and easy, but

RV campsite set up tips include:

-Allow at least 2 hours of daylight to set up and break down your site

-Disconnect any towed vehicles

-Check for trees, rocks, etc that could obstruct you when backing in

-Park so that you have enough space for an outdoor seating area

-Be sure to have blocks to level your RV if needed

-Set up an awning, outdoor rug, and seating area/table outside your RV 

-Do not leave awnings out while away for long periods of time or during windy days

Tip #4: Learn How To RV Safely

While RV camping can offer luxury and comfort at your campsite, those same luxuries have to be securely stored anytime your vehicle is in motion. Frequently, new RVer’s have plates, wine bottles, eggs, and other fragile items fly across the RV and shatter when they are on the road because they weren’t properly secured.

Here Are Some Additional Tips To Take With You On Your RV Camping Trip:

-Frequently check your RV health, tires, and fuel gauge.

-When driving, do not leave anything loose (all items should be stored away, locked, or secured against the wall or floor).

-If you have a tall RV, always know bridge clearance heights and weight restrictions

-Because of the size of your vehicle, you should drive slower and add time to your projected ETA.

-Always secure your RV wheels (level, chocks, parking brake) when parked.

Now You’re Ready For RV Camping!

I hope you found these RV camping tips for beginners useful. If you ever are in the Las Vegas area and need your RV inspected or repaired please give TNT RV Repair a call. One of our representatives will be more than happy to assist you!