RV Travel

How to Program Your RV TV

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How to Program Your RV TV
Friday, July 1st, 2016 15:23:13

 

Pete’s RV Vermont Service Writer and Resident RV Expert Randy Murray provides a step-by-step overview on how to program your RV TV.

As Randy explains, as you travel you will begin to pick up different TV stations depending on the region you are in. You will continually need to reprogram your TV as you arrive in a new television marketplace. Randy provides you with a step by step guide on how to set up your TV and boost your reception so you won’t have to miss your favorite shows while on the road!

The steps to programming your TV as you travel explained by Randy include:

  1. If running on open air antenna find your camper’s TV booster and turn on your antennas extra power setting (not necessary to do when utilizing cable)
  2. Open the auto channel search menu on your TV (refer to your owners manual if unsure how to do so)
  3. Select “auto channel memory” on your TV
  4. Start your TV’s automatic search mode and let it run until complete

To learn more from Randy as well as stay up to date on all things Pete’s RV be sure to visit and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Pete’s RV Center is an exceptional dealership group serving the United States and Canada since 1952. With multiple locations, Pete’s RV provides sales, service, parts, accessories, and education to our community of RVers all across North America.

Going Unhooked: Give Dry Camping a Try

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Going Unhooked: Give Dry Camping a Try
Wednesday April, 30th 2014 16:08:03

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For those who have not tried it yet, ever thought about giving dry camping a shot?

It means going to a place where there is no electricity, water or sewer hookups and living exclusively off your RV’s internal utilities.

Preparing for a trip where you’ll be dry camping requires a different approach and set of questions before you heading out. If you are new to RVing and leaning more towards dry camping in more remote locations versus full-service campgrounds, it is important to know how well the RV you are shopping is equipped to accommodate your needs. Along with researching online, talking to an experienced RV sales consultant is highly recommended.

Since you will not have an endless power or water supply, or sewage connection, conservation is the key to dry camping. Things, like turning lights on only when they are needed and not running water wastefully down the drain, are a couple of good dry camping habits. Here’s a few more:

  • Learn how much your RV’s fresh water tank can hold and consider bringing a separate supply of drinking water
  • Be crystal clear on your RV’s waste water (black) tank capacity and educate the family on the importance of taking short showers or excessive toilet flushing. Many folks go by the old rule to leave #1 in the bowl and flush when there is a #2.
  • Understand how many hours you will get from a full battery and what it will or will not power. For example, say goodbye to the luxury of an air conditioner and microwave. Most RVs can only power 12 volt appliances when working solely off a battery.
  • Along with hot water and cook tops or grills, many RVs are equipped with dual-power refrigerators. Therefore, you need to know how long your propane tanks will last.

Solar panel battery chargers are becoming more prevalent in the camping community. They can recharge an RV battery during the day when lights and other electric appliance are not being used. Converters can also be purchased that will allow you to use fans, radios and charge cell phones.

One of the best trains of thought you can have when packing for a dry camping trip is not to bring unnecessary electrical gadgets. Bring board games, flashlights with extra batteries, a camping lantern, and Tiki torches. With limited refrigeration and the convenience of microwave cooking, it’s also good practice to think accordingly when stocking your grocery and food supply.

This hardly dry article on dry camping was provided by Chuck Lunberg. See more of what he and others are liking on the TalkCampingNH.com Facebook page!

How to Use and Maintain a Camper Awning

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How to Use and Maintain a Camper Awning
Thursday, June 7th, 2012 19:15:41

Pete’s RV Lifestyle Consultant Randy Murray gives a 9-minute demonstration on how to open and adjust both a power and manual awning system.

Although power awnings are as easy as the touch of a button to open and close, owners still need to ensure they are extended with enough clearance to avoid door tops and branches, and pitched correctly to minimize wear and tear.† Randy demonstrates this segment with a Keystone Springdale 293RKS travel trailer.

There’s a little more skill involved when opening a manual awning, but Randy provides step by step instruction on everything from releasing the travel locks to adjusting the valances. Randy demonstrates this segment with a Keystone Vantage 32QBS travel trailer.

Pete’s RV Service and Buyer Info Tips on YouTube are highly recommended for all RV owners for proper care of their unit.

Here are a few key takeaways from Randy’s demonstration:

    • Generation 2 Electric Awnings are a great system
    • Open awnings so they are parallel to the ground and then adjust valances
    • Fully extending a power awning and backing off some takes stress off the cam
    • Make sure fabric is taunt on manual awning before adjusting valences
    • Adjust awning pitch so water runs off to an area you do not mind getting wet
    • Do not rely on auto-dump on a power awning, pitch it for constant run-off
    • Before storing, let awning fabric dry completely to prevent mildew growth
    • Using an awning cleaner with a UV-blocker will prevent fabric from fading and cracking

Awning cleaners and repair items mentioned by Randy in this video are available at the Pete’s RV Parts and Accessories Store:

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Awning Latch Kit Awning Cleaner Awning Gutter

Feel free to Contact Pete’s RV with further questions regarding care, parts and accessories.

Pete’s RV Center is an exceptional dealership group serving the United States and Canada since 1952. With multiple locations, Pete’s RV provides sales, service, parts, accessories, and education to our community of RVers all across North America.

Walmart App Guides RVers to Overnight Parking

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Walmart App Guides RVers to Overnight Parking
Wed, 27 Jul 2011 21:13:25

iexitwlogo120x114For the most part, RVers new and old are aware that a number of Walmart’s thousands of locations in the United States and Canada offer a complimentary night’s stay for their weary bones. The challenge is determining which ones allow, or do not allow overnight parking. AllStays.com removes such guesswork with their Walmart Overnight Parking app for iPhone and Android smartphones.

Well worth the $1.99 (we’ve been using it as a logistics tool for our North American Delivery Program), the Walmart Overnight Parking app is searchable by location and provides remarks from those who actually stayed there. In reviewing this app over the past couple of weeks, we were pleased to see that there are continuous updates on the addition or withdrawal of participating Walmart stores. You can imagine how frustrating it would be to pull into a lot after a long, tiring day only to be turned away. Another nice feature is the ability to toggle an advanced search for Walmart locations with pharmacies, groceries, diesel refueling, or open 24 hours.

If you do not have a smartphone, the AllStays.com website does provide basic information and updates on overnight parking at Walmarts in the United States and Canada.

If internet access is a no go, Walmart Atlas, Second Edition (Roundabout Publications) is available in paperback for under twenty bucks.

Give the Walmart Overnight Parking app a spin!

Pete’s RV Center is an exceptional dealership group serving the United States and Canada since 1952. With multiple locations, Pete’s RV provides sales, service, parts, accessories, and education to our community of RVers all across North America.

Pete’s RV Enjoys Visit to RV Hall of Fame

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Pete’s RV Enjoys Visit to RV Hall of Fame
Thursday, October 7th, Oct 2010 19:40:37

By Phil LeClair

HallFame_photoWhen visiting any hall of fame, there’s always the expectation of being up and close to history. Be it Babe Ruth’s baseball bat, a football helmet worn by Jim Brown, or John Lennon’s guitar, if you can’t touch it, you at least need to be close enough to absorb the aura of the historical artifact. Sure the plaques, pictures, and statues are impressive, but let’s be honest, we go to a hall of fame to see the memorabilia!

It was no different on my trip to the RV/MH (Recreation Vehicle/Modular Home) Hall of Fame in Elkhart, IN with Pete’s RV Sales Manager Todd McGinnis. While some time was spent paying tribute to Hall’s 300-plus industry inductees, and viewing the pictorial exhibits, we couldn’t wait to see the RV collection. We weren’t disappointed!

Representing 100 years of U.S. RVing, RV Founders Hall houses an impressive collection of early tent trailers, campers, and motorcoaches. The self-guided tour starts with a 1913 Earl Trailer and Model T Ford and winds you through the decades until you reach a 1967 Winnebago Motorhome. Along with the latter, here’re a few of my favorites:

  • 1958 Airstream Travel Trailer
  • 1954 Shasta Travel Trailer
  • 1957 Serro Scotty Trailer
  • 1974 GMC Motorhome

1211rv-02+rv-mh-hall-of-fame+rv-mh-hall-of-fame-road-walkwayBeing able to step into many of the museum pieces is a treat. It really puts you back in the moment when the camper was being used and enjoyed by a family (the sound of chirping crickets coming from the museum speakers further enhances the mood!).

If you are passing through Indiana, I highly recommend visiting the RV/MH Hall of Fame, It is located in the heart of U.S. RV manufacturing, right off Interstate 80 in Elkhart. The RV/MH Hall of Fame is a fun and interesting experience for the whole family.

You’ll notice the first part of the video below was taken in low light. As I explain in the clip, the museum closed while I was still poking around in there. Initially, I thought I was locked in, but that wasn’t the case. Thanks to the museum staff for letting me lag behind and get a few extra minutes to complete my tour!