Toy Haulers Are Not Selling!

American adults love motorcycles, ATVs, boats, go-carts, hang gliders and hundreds of other sports related items. Trouble is, we can’t take them all with us when we travel. The RV industry responded with the “Toy Hauler” that combines an RV with a cargo trailer so we can take our stuff with us. As I was talking to a seasoned RV salesman the other day I inquired about the sales volume of these units. He told me they are not selling the way the industry initially thought they would. He said that people love to look them over, but usually purchase a more traditional RV. The good news is that for those of you who really need one of these units, you can probably work out a really good deal on one. They are very functional and provide a great deal of hauling capability and living space all bundled into one unit. Go out to an RV show and see one for yourself. Jim

Do You Have To Live With A Store Bought Toolbox?

Frank Bailey is a serious full time RVer (six and a half years now). He recently purchased a Ranch Hauler by Sportchassis which has the components of a Sterling/Freightliner/Mercedes Benz all in a medium duty truck. He uses this beast for towing his Grand Teton 5th wheel. Frank says his old Ford F-550 had more storage space because of his custom towing body. His new rig has storage but not nearly enough for a full time RVer, so Frank, a former engineer with Case Tractor Company (he worked in their test lab) came up with a nice design for an all aluminum storage cabinet. He didn’t just want a box because as he says, “Everything just falls to the bottom.” So he designed an upright, watertight shelving system in a great looking cabinet. Highway Products made this storage cabinet for Frank and they still have the drawings if you want them to make one just like it for you. You can read more about the company here: Highway Products

Trailer Extensions Allow More Cargo, But Caution Is Advised!

A few years ago in Yellowstone National Park we were camped next to a family who brought all their bicycles on an extended rack on the back of their travel trailer. I thought it was a great idea and thought about doing it to our trailer but never got around to it. This type of trailer extension can carry all kinds of cargo including a light weight motorcycle or ATV, bikes, a small amount of fire wood or whatever else you need to carry provided you can tie it down and it isn’t too heavy. These kinds of homemade extensions are neat but caution is advised for several reasons. First, this will add weight to the axles, leaf-springs and the leaf-spring equalizers and all the attendant hardware. You should seriously consider “beefing up” these components if you do this. Second, you must consider the added length will cause your trailer to “drag” when you traverse a steep curb going into a fueling station or shopping area. So, you may want to consider adding anti-drag wheels to your extension. Third, you need to add signal lights onto the end of this extension as well. And finally, make sure the welding is professional grade and will support the weight of the extension as well as the cargo you plan to put on it. Jim

So, What Is A Blog Anyway?

Several people have asked me this week about RV Now and I told them it was a blog. Then they asked me, “what is a blog?” Well, I must confess, I didn’t know what the word “blog” stood for. So I looked it up and it turns out that it is a portmanteau (a fancy word that means two words are blended together like the words spoon and fork to make the word “spork”). Blog is the blending together of the words “web” and “log” where entries are written in chronological order and displayed for viewing on the world wide web. Now you know the rest of the story! Jim

Pool Noodles Are Fun, But They Can Protect Your Noodle Too!

Pool Noodles are great fun in the pool, but they have also been used to good effect in RV applications. Here a pool noodle has been cut down, sliced down the middle and used as a corner guard on my old 5th wheel bedroom slide-out room. I hit my head on this room several times and finally decided to use my noodle and protect myself.
A 5th wheel king-pin housing is also a danger in a campground. Kids riding bikes or friends walking by can easily notch their noodles on this device. Use a Pool Noodle by cutting one slice in it lengthwise and then wrap it around the king-pin housing and secure it with a bungee chord. The bright color also helps people avoid head trauma. I use them on my awning to prevent the cargo door from getting scratched when I raise it up. Write in the “comments” section below and tell us how you have used pool noodles in your RV adventures. Thanks for your readership! Jim

RVing With Pets Made Easier With Better Information

If you want to know where 13,000 pet friendly hotels, campgrounds and attractions are located around the U.S. and Canada then you may want to purchase the AAA book “Traveling With Your Pet.” This helpful book costs $17.95 plus shipping and is available online here: Traveling With Your Pet This new edition, published in May, features accommodations, policies, pet sizes, whether a deposit (the monetary kind) is required and includes the AAA rating system. You may also want to consider adding another book to your collection as it is specifically targeted to RV parks. Dog Friendly's Campground and RV Park Guide This book sells for $19.95 plus shipping and is available at our bookstore.

Outlaw Toy Hauler Morphs Into Class A Motorhome

This unit is called the “Outlaw” and it’s a 2007 gas powered class "A" toy hauler/motorhome model 3611 by Damon. What I like about this machine is the level of comfort built into it as well as its inherent versatility. You’ll be able to ride your dirt bike all day and recuperate in the comfort of the spacious RV living quarters at night. There is a nice loft bed over the “garage”. However, you have to climb a set of spiral stairs to get there. Given the compact nature of this rig, it has a good sized shower. The slide-out contains a dinette and an air mattress hide-a-bed. The garage has a high ceiling at one end for tall stuff (also you won’t hit your head when you ramp up your four wheeler). It also has a fantastic vent to expel any unpleasant odors, hmm... is that your's truly in the picture? You can move the TV from inside to outside with a hook-up in one of the cargo bays and it comes equipped with a 5.5 kW Onan generator to power your weekend! So how much weight can you put in the garage? It will safely hold 2,000 lbs with the workhorse chassis. So that means you can throw in a couple of your favorite toys for the weekend and get away from your in-laws in your Outlaw. How much will this cost you?

RVing Alaska Can Become Habit Forming

Jim and Jeannie Byers are taking their 5th wheel to Valdez, Alaska for the fourth time. Jim’s advice for traveling on Alaska roads is to take your time and enjoy the scenery. Jim and Jeannie are from Bear, Deleware and they will be your camp hosts at Eagles Rest RV Park in Valdez. They have a very interesting dog named Sasha. She is an Akbash which is a breed from Turkey and introduced in the US in 1978. They were bred for herding sheep and keeping predators at bay. She has a beautiful all-white coat and even has white eyelashes.
Jim likes to carry his generator and his wash-tub fire ring on the front of his truck.With a receiver hitch installed on the front this platform carrier attaches easily to the truck for added cargo capacity. If you’re in Valdez this year look them up. Jim

Are You High On RVing?

Ever wonder what your RV looks like to an eagle or a hawk soaring overhead? This week I was lifted by a commercial fork-lift some 55 feet in the air by my good friend Bob Smith. We were doing some repair work on the lights at his campground, Archway Campground in New Paris, OH. Here is Bob and his lovely wife Wanda in their very nice campground.
This is what my 40 foot motorhome looks like from about 55 feet. Now you know how your RV looks to these magnificent creatures as they soar overhead.

Keep Creepy Crawlies Out Of Your Exterior Appliance Compartments

Ever open your exterior refrigerator compartment only to be faced with a spider web with a bug collection? How about your water heater compartment? If you want to keep these unwanted pests out, try the moth ice crystals treatment. You can purchase these at most grocery stores or at WalMart. I recommend a small glass container with a metal lid. Drill a few small holes in the top.
Fill the container with the moth ice crystals.
Clean off a spot in the exterior refrigerator compartment and put a ball of museum putty or the like on the bottom of the jar to hold it in place. Firmly affix it inside the compartment and replace the cover. That’s it, now you don’t have to worry about unwanted visitors that can clog up your system. Jim

Learn What A Macerator Can Do For You!

Want to stay on a relatives property in the comfort of your RV but can’t because your holding tanks won’t let you? Want to stay at a pristine campground for more than a few days but can’t because your holding tanks won’t let you? Well, perhaps it’s time you purchased a macerator. A macerator connects to your RV sewer drain. You open the valve and turn on the macerator and it chews up the sewage with blades (kind of like a blender) and then sends the small particles out a garden hose.I’ve used mine as far as 150 feet up a small incline. I use it to empty both the black water and grey water tanks. This allows us to stay at campgrounds that do not have full hook-ups for longer periods of time. It’s not as convenient as full hook-ups, but it much faster and more efficient than using a blue boy. The trick is to park close enough to the dump station to do this. I’ve also run the hose into a bathroom window and down into the toilet – it works great! Here, I’m dumping my grey water into a grey water drain – notice the great water pressure this unit has. This unit operates on 12 volts DC and has a handy plunger style switch. It comes with its own carrying case and is easy to use

Passport America 50% Discount Camping Club Is Worth Having!

Today I received my new Passport America directory in the mail. My wife and I have been members of Passport America for several years and we can attest to the fact that we save lots of money using this program. They are now in their 16th year of providing this great service and have over 1300 member campgrounds. Did you know that the State of Ohio has partnered with Passport America and provides 50% discounts to PA members at their state parks? It’s true, and here's an example:You can find out more about Passport America by visiting their website here: Passport America

What To Do With The Driver's Area Of Your Motorhome When Parked

The driver's area of a motorhome is kind of neglected when you park for a while. Some folks have purchased steering wheel tables from RV stores made specifically for this purpose. Others have made their own tables from wood circles available at Home Depot. Marjorie Morrison used a VCR tray originally designed to sit on top of a television to hold a VCR and converted it into a plant tray over the driver's console. This is a great area for plants because of all the available light. The steering wheel also doubles as a hat rack. I like to store stuff under the steering wheel, like shoes, the fold-up coffee table and anything I want to temporarily get out of the way. If you have other ideas for this space, please let us know in the comments section below. Jim

Stub Your Toes No More!

RV furniture can be brutal on the tootsies! So here is an idea that recycles a couple of plastic water bottles and saves your toes. Simply drink the water from four water bottles (have some friends help you if available – recommended) then carefully cut the top off the bottles and insert them over the ends of the offending furniture. Now you are hydrated and have toe friendly furniture. This idea was from Evelyn Culver - Thank You Evelyn! Jim

Tired Of Your Bike Falling Over? The Answer Is In Your Golf Bag.

RVers love their bikes, and anything that improves on this old transportation standby is good in my book. Here is a wonderful idea to help keep your bike upright when parked. I have no idea how the owner of this bike did this, but it makes abundant sense! How many times have you leaned your bike onto the kick-stand only to have it fall down? This idea will help prevent this from occurring. I imagine you drill a hole in the golf ball then glue it using JB Weld or something similar. If you know how to do this procedure please tell us in the comments section below. Thanks

Simple Steps To Storm-Proof Your RV

Spring is famous for late afternoon thunderstorms. As an Air Force Navigator, I was instructed to stay at least 30 miles away from thunderstorms because they are capable of tossing large diameter hail as much as 20 miles away from the center of the thunderstorm. So, even if you think the thunderstorm is passing you by and you are enjoying sunshine, you could still get hit with hail if you are within a 20 mile radius of the storm.

Hail comes in all sizes and can puncture holes in your awnings.Don and Jeannine Hiatt, our friends and campground hosts at Archway Campground in New Paris, OH, had to replace their slide-out awning after hail punched holes in it. In order to reduce the amount of damage, it is recommended that you retract your slides with awnings, retract all window awnings and of course your main awning. Because of high winds associated with thunderstorms, it is also highly recommended that you stow all objects that can blow away, like lawn chairs, floor mats, plants and anything else that is light weight or subject to damage. It is also advisable to take down flag-poles as they make wonderful lightning attractors. Don’t wait until the storm is on top of you to go out and put your stuff away – do it ahead of time. If you are driving and happen into a hail storm, pull off and park your rig - under shelter if available. Be aware of the weather, respect it, be prepared and above all, be safe out there! Jim

Don’t Wind Test Your TV Antenna!

How many times have you seen RV’s tooling down the road wind testing their RV antenna? You’re thinking, “Yeah, but that will never happen to me!” If you RV long enough it will happen to you, it’s only a matter of time and one incidence of carelessness and you’ll join the many who have already wind tested their antennas. There is however one simple device that will help prevent you from doing this and it is the “Antenna Saver”. You can buy this device at most RV stores or you can make your own. Either way, it’s a handy way to remind yourself to “crank-er-down” before you drive off into the sunrise. Simply attach the “Antenna Saver” to your TV antenna crank handle when traveling and when you put the antenna up just take the “Antenna Saver” and (for motorhomes) attach it to your steering wheel or sun visor. For travel trailers and 5th wheels, attach it to your King Pin housing or tongue crank or other similar location that will remind you to “crank-er-down” before take-off. If you have other ideas of where to place this handy reminder please tell us in the “comments” section below. Jim

Keeping Bad Gas Out Of Your System

According to an article in Tennessean.com, about 8% of the gas retailers in the state of Tennessee sell tainted gas. “Inspectors uncovered 3.9 million gallons of the inferior fuel between July 2005 and June 2006, the most recent year on record.” If you buy bad gas, your engine will suffer as will your fuel economy. Six of the world's top automakers, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen and Audi have agreed that the EPA standards for fuel are not good enough and have established their own guidelines for gas. This new standard is called “Top Tier.” Gasoline retailers must meet a certain standard in order to be listed as a Top Tier fuel provider. Here are the retailers you can depend on for high quality gasoline that won’t foul your engine:
QuikTrip, Chevron, Conoco, Phillips, 76, Shell, Entec Stations, MFA Oil Company, Kwik Trip/Kwik Star, The Somerset Refinery, Inc., Chevron-Canada, Aloha Petroleum, Tri-Par Oil Company, Shell-Canada, Texaco, Petro-Canada, Sunoco-Canada. You can visit the Top Tier website here: Top Tier

Hat tip to Jim Gregory over on the Country Coach Yahoo Group for the heads-up on this fuel issue.

What Do The Amish And RVers Have In Common?

We are currently in Amish country and have discovered a few interesting things that we RVers and the Amish share in common. While I was at Best Buy RVs one of the RV techs told me that the Amish frequently come into the store to purchase propane equipment. Below is our nephew Joe Manley and his wife Rachel (who just finished her second year of medical school). They are standing outside an Amish grocery store. Notice the propane light fixture behind them.It turns out that they use propane for lanterns, cooking and refrigerators. The Amish are not allowed to use utility companies because they want to be self sufficient and not have to rely on a “worldly” company for their daily energy requirements. They can purchase propane, gasoline and oil but can’t purchase electricity off the grid. They can, however, make their own electricity with wind, water or gas powered generators.
Yesterday we stopped at Fountain Acres Foods which is an Amish run deli, bakery and grocery store. We purchased some scrumptious baked goods including a chocolate shoo-fly pie, chocolate chip cookies and raisin bread.This store uses generators to power the refrigerators, compressed air to run the ceiling fans and propane for the lanterns. Notice the many skylights that flood the store with light during normal shopping hours. RVers, like the Amish, are capable of living completely separate from the power grid. We use the same type of appliances and technology that allow us to do so. The big difference is that we don’t use real horses to pull our rigs. If you want to visit Fountain Acres Foods take highway 27 North off of highway 70 in Indiana and drive about five miles, it will be on your right.

Homemade Blocks Make Leveling Easier

Ron Wieringa, from Cole City, IL built this nifty set of leveling blocks for his Denali 5er. After he cut and secured them with wood screws, he painted them black and attached a handle.

He designed them to be used with a commercial leveling device and attached a "lip" to his wood leveling board to hold the commercial leveling device in place when used together. This allows for greater height in the leveling process.You can buy leveling devices which work well and are light weight or, like Ron, you can build your own.

I asked Ron why he designed these landing gear chocks with a "stop block" in the rear and he told me it was because when he parked where ice formed the landing gear would slip on the blocks when retracting, this "stop block" design prevents them from slipping.

5er Cat Whiskers Make Backing And Turning Safer

A friend of mine tows a 5th wheel while using a wind deflector on his truck. Unfortunately, the mounting bar can collide with the 5th wheel in a tight turn. To prevent this from occurring Chuck mounted these nylon survey markers on the support post on each side of the truck. They act like cat whiskers and inform the driver when the 5er is coming too close to the wind deflector support structure.Chuck says you definitely hear it when the 5er touches these “feelers” like the old curb feelers they used to put on cars. If you can remember those, you’re older than I thought! Jim

Warm Weather Brings Out The Fans

It’s warming up and we’re breaking out the fans and running the air conditioner. So, what do you know about those small fans mounted by the driver and passenger side windshield in most motorhomes? I remember seeing these small fans in my grandfather’s commercial truck cab years ago. I always thought that they were for personal cooling. You see them in most motorhomes, but they really are not for personal cooling. No, they are really supposed to be aimed at the windshield to prevent them from fogging-up. That being said, you’ll find most of them conveniently pointed at the driver and passenger. I like that, because that means they are multi-functional and in the world of RVs that's a good thing. Jim

Innovative Trailers Expand The RV Fun Factor

This RVer takes his toys seriously and he also takes them with him wherever he goes. Toy haulers, utility trailers and multipurpose trailers have expanded the fun factor for RVers these days. It is not unusual to see motorhomes pulling large utility trailers that usually have a car, motorcycle, inflatable boat, air tools, power tools, complete wood shops, you name it and it’s out there on wheels. Whoever said, “You can’t take it with you” obviously didn’t see this. Have fun out there! Jim

Finding Cleaning Tips At The RV Detail Shop

I asked Joe MacIntosh at the RV detail shop if they had any secret weapons in detailing RVs and he demonstrated a product called “Power House.” Zep Power House heavy duty cleaner and wax stripper removes the grime off of vinyl surfaces like a charm. Just spray it on and let it set for about a minute.This product is non-abrasive and can be used on a variety of surfaces. After a minute you just wipe it off.It works great on most RV exterior surfaces, however it is not recommended for full-body paint, and you should test it on painted surfaces before using it. Power House comes in 24 oz. aerosol cans. Some RV parts stores carry it. Power House

Buying A New RV Is Both Rewarding & Tiring

Yesterday Marilyn and I spent the day moving our stuff from our 5th wheel to our new motorhome. We are still camping out at the dealership. Many (but not all) dealerships will allow you to park your coaches next to each other while you make the transfer of your stuff. Marilyn said that we've accumulated so much stuff that we need to have a yard sale! At the end of the day we were both exhausted but the effort was worth it. Before we began moving into our coach it had to be detailed. The detail shop does both the inside and outside of the coach. Joe MacIntosh detailed the exterior of the coach. The inside was very clean to begin with, but the detail ladies Billie Marcum on the left and Emma Highlander on the right did an outstanding job cleaning and polishing everything on the inside. We are waiting for a replacement part to arrive before the coach is ready to hit the road. One of the springs was broken in the awning and it is on order. There are so many RV parts manufactures that it is quite a job tracking the right part down. It is very frustrating when you order a part, wait a few days then it turns out to be the wrong one. Therefore, it's very important for your local RV parts persons to be knowledgeable and diligent about ordering the correct parts for your RV.

Here, Matt Sullivan researches his computer database searching for the right RV parts.Dennis McMiller tracks down his parts inventory as the RV Techs rely on him to furnish them with the more commonly used RV parts.Best Buy RV parts and service department is among the best. I’ve observed the employees and they are happy, competent, hard working, kind and courteous to customers. These are the kind of folks you want working on your RV. Click Here For Best Buy RV’s

The Pre-Delivery Inspection Is Critical When You Purchase An RV

When we purchased our new 5th wheel the dealer said they did a pre-delivery inspection (PDI), however, it was done poorly because several major problems that should have been discovered on a PDI went unnoticed. Like a crack in the fresh water tank that only allowed you to fill the tank half way before it started leaking.

A thorough PDI by you and your dealer should be accomplished prior to you taking delivery. When we pulled in to Best Buy RV’s in Richmond, Indiana, they parked our 5th wheel next to our new coach so we could examine it. That afternoon and evening, I ran my own personal PDI checklist on this coach, hoping not to repeat the misery of my last experience purchasing an RV. I found a few minor problems and turned in the list to the service manager Ray Jefferis who is a hard working, get it done, kind of guy! And that's Gina Hole in the background. She is the cheerleader for parts and repairs and can make the grumpiest customer smile! This dealership really does have great people on staff!Ray and I looked over my list and then he assigned it to Ben Lukacek a Master Certified RV Technician with 9 years experience. Dr. Ben was about to give our new coach a complete physical exam!He got right to work running the dealership PDI checklist. Here he is performing a propane gas drop test, checking to ensure the system has the proper pressure and also checking for possible leaks. He tested the grey and fresh water tank sensors by filling the fresh water tank, emptying the grey tank and then running water into the drains using the shower, bath and kitchen faucets. It took a while but as I watched, the fresh water sensors showed the tanks emptying and the grey water filling. A simple test that checks many things at once. First it checks to ensure that your water pump is functioning properly, your drains work and there are no leaks in your holding tanks. Second, it checks the accuracy of the tank sensors. Third, it checks that the correct sensors are wired properly. My 5th wheel had the sensors wired so the fresh water was showing the black tank and black tank was showing the grey tank level and so on. Again, had the RV technician done this simple test he would have discovered this problem and corrected it prior to delivery to the customer. Here Ben is checking that all the DC fuses are good.Ben is thorough and did a meticulous PDI. He also discovered things that I did not discover after running my checklist. For instance, he found a pin-hole leak in a radiator hose and replaced that. He found a broken spring in the awning. He found and corrected an electrical problem that was preventing the kitchen from receiving power (a connector accessible from one of the storage bays had come apart). I watched him check all kinds of stuff to make sure it worked and that when the dealership delivered it to me it would be 100% operational and ready to hit the road. He even fixed a window screen that was sagging.After my first experience I am clearly appreciative of a dealership that goes to this extent to check out their products before they turn them over to their customers. If you purchase an RV from Best Buy RV’s you can rest assured that it has been gone through with a fine tooth comb before you get it. Click Here For Best Buy RV’s Web Page
When your purchase an RV from any dealer, whether it is new or used, I highly recommend that you “shadow” the RV Technician as he does the PDI. You will learn a lot about your specific RV when you do this and you will know the exact condition of all your systems when you drive off the lot. If your dealership doesn’t allow this, find another dealer – fast!

Next to making your purchase decision, the PDI is probably the most important part of buying an RV. Take it seriously and don’t rush it you’ll be glad you did. Tomorrow I'll talk about the parts department and the detail shop. Jim

How We Went About Buying A Quality Pre-Owned Motorhome

Marilyn and I decided we wanted a motorhome but were not sure which one to buy. She does not like shopping for cars or RV’s on the lot because she does not like “pushy” sales persons. She does, however enjoy surfing the net and you can obtain quite a bit of information by shopping online. You can get a good idea of what’s out there and begin to narrow down your choices before you even step on a dealer’s lot.

I visited dealer lots, RV shows and the FMCA convention in Perry Georgia looking, evaluating and asking a lot of questions about various brands and models of motorhomes.

Since we are full time RVers we decided that we wanted a 40 foot diesel pusher with a slide or two. We also decided to purchase a quality used motorhome to avoid the instant depreciation once you drive it off the lot and to avoid having to take it in multiple times for warranty work. We purchased our 5th wheel new and spent more time in the repair shop than we did camping the first six months we owned it. A quality used RV will already have the majority of the “bugs” worked out which means you spend more time camping in the great outdoors instead of sitting in the waiting room of the RV service department. A high quality, thorough Pre-Delivery Inspection by a Master Certified RV Technician will resolve many of these problems. Unfortunately many dealerships fail to do this.

While at the FMCA convention in Georgia I met Dudley Hamm who is a salesman at Best Buy RV’s in Richmond, Indiana. Click Here For Best Buy RV’s Dudley and I hit it off because he actually listened to what I wanted and began actively looking for it. I don’t appreciate salesmen who don’t know how to listen to their customers. Before I met Dudley I dealt with many salesmen from well known dealerships who wanted to show me RV’s I didn’t want. They just wanted to sell me a product that brought them the biggest commission. They were thinking more about themselves and that fat juicy commission than they were about me.

Dudley, on the other hand, listened to me and started looking for what I wanted. Once he found a coach he thought would fit my needs he called me immediately to tell me about it. He sent me email photos and a detailed "build sheet" showing all the options installed in this coach.This coach was coming in on a trade and he knew it would go fast so he called me to give me the “first shot” at buying this nice coach. I put $500 dollars deposit using my MasterCard to hold it. I had the right of refusal and they would return my deposit if I changed my mind. A dealership needs to know you are serious, hence the request for a deposit to hold the unit in inventory. I later found out that they had several other prospective buyers lined up looking for a quality used coach like this one. I discovered that these high end coaches don’t last long, so if you find one you like put a deposit on it to hold it. We also negotiated the price at that time. Best Buy RV’s motto is “We’re making customers for life!” and they mean it. They have the best prices you’ll find anywhere and the sales staff is not “pushy” but competent and attentive to what you want in your next RV. Can you tell I like this dealership?

It took us a couple of days to travel from Georgia to Indiana and Dudley met us at the dealership where we camped out until our coach was ready for delivery. They will also “comp” you into a local RV resort while you acclimate to your new RV. I wrote a huge check, which Jenny Gram (the Business Manager) was more than happy to take and we processed the paperwork to complete the purchase. We traded our 5th wheel and paid cash for the remainder. If you don’t have cash, you can finance the RV and Jenny will be happy to assist you in finding the right financing package that fits your budget.

Best Buy RV's treat their customers right all the time. I watched the owner Dennis Runzer dealing with customers when he didn't know I was spying - he went out of his way to help them. He really does care about customer satisfaction and you need to know that. I've been around many RV dealerships, and I can say without a doubt that Best Buy RV's is a leader in the industry when it comes to customer satisfaction. This mural is on the entrance to the service bays.I asked most of the RV technicians how they liked working for this company and they all basically said the same thing. This is what Delbert Marcum (a 15 year RV tech that's been with this company 5 years) said, "This is the best place I've ever worked. I've worked for other RV dealerships and they treat you like dirt. This is the best working environment because they really do treat you right."

In my experience, no matter what type of company you're dealing with, if the employees are happy chances are greatly improved that the customers will be happy as well. This is that kind of company! Hospitality is a core value here at Best Buy RV's - something that's getting harder to find nowadays. If you are interested in finding the right coach for you, call Dudley or any of the Best Buy RV sales representatives toll free at (866) 786-0064. They will pick you up at the airport, help you with transportation when you get here or host you if you bring your current RV. Tomorrow I’ll talk about the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) which is one of the most important aspects of purchasing an RV new or used. Jim

What Is That White Plastic Strip On The Metal Fins Inside My Refrigerator?

I never thought much about that little strip of plastic on the metal fins inside my refrigerator except when I tried to clean around it. It slides up and down on the fin and has a wire attached to it. Turns out this little guy is a temperature sensor. It tells your refrigerator to keep working or to relax for a while. Ben Lukacek is a Master Certified RV Technician at Best Buy RV’s and is doing the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) on our coach. He explained to me that if I want the refrigerator compartment to be cooler I can adjust the temperature by moving this plastic strip up on the metal fin. This way you are able to keep the temperature in your freezer constant while raising or lowering the temperature in your refrigerator compartment separately. Cool! Jim

Why We Moved From A 5th Wheel To A Motorhome

My wife and I have been shopping for a motorhome for a while and today we took the plunge and purchased a very nice pre-owned Country Coach. We are now in a 40 foot 2000 Allure with one slide. Why the switch? I’m glad you asked. We made the change from a 5th Wheel to a motorcoach primarily due to mobility issues. Our knees don’t appreciate going up and down the steps of our 5th wheel anymore.

We also wanted the comfort of driving on those nice cushy air bags and the ease of leveling and set-up. We also wanted a smaller more economical car (towed by the motorhome) with which to explore the side roads. The difference in fuel mileage between the motorhome and my 7.3 liter F-250 pulling our 5er is about the same. We enjoyed the 5th wheel, but since we are now traveling more often it makes sense to go with a motorhome. Here I am on the test drive.This week and next I will be chronicling my experience throughout the process of purchasing our motorhome from Best Buy RV’s in Richmond, Indiana Click Here For Best Buy RV’s. This is a series of stories you don’t want to miss. As always I’ll bring you interesting tidbits about the RV lifestyle along the way. Jim

Am I There Yet?

After full timing for 6 ½ years Frank Bailey has figured out how to efficiently line up his 5th wheel when hitching up.

First he painted about a 3 inch stripe on the top of his king pin arm. Then he painted a matching stripe on his 5th wheel hitch. He uses his back up camera to line up the two stripes and he is right on target every time. Here is the king pin view angle. Frank especially needs this because he can’t just look over his shoulder to see the location of his king pin. You can also do this if you are using a pick-up truck. Another trick some 5th wheel owners use is to paint the jaws of the 5th wheel hitch white so when they do a visual inspection they can clearly see that the hitch is engaged and locked properly around the king pin.

Off The Floor And On The Wall

Many toy haulers do not have rails or cargo fastening devices installed because everyone wants these devices in different places depending on what kind of cargo they are hauling. Bob Kendall wanted a place to strap stuff to the wall in his toy hauler, so he built and installed these “moving van” type cargo rails on the walls. He also wanted to protect the finish on the walls and these rails are just the ticket.These are easy to make, and I recommend using hardwood because softer wood will not support a load as well as hard woods.