Portable Water Softeners Can Maintain the Quality of Your RV and Belongings

If you're an avid RV'er that travels throughout the United States regularly, then you've probably noticed several campgrounds and RV parks with hard water. Unfortunately, that is a much more common occurrence than people know about and can be especially bad in the Sun Belt States such as Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California and parts of the Midwest. Having a portable water softener can prolong the life and resale value of your RV and increase the quality of your trips. 

1) Prolonged exposure to hard water can damage your sinks, toilets and showers. Heated hard water leaves a scale of calcium and magnesium minerals that can degrade the quality of your pipes prematurely.

2) Washing your clothes in hard water leads to them wearing out sooner than you'd like.  The minerals found in the water damages fibers, causing them to feel dingy and harsh. Sustained exposure will shorten the life of your favorite shirts.

3) Calcium and magnesium break down the effectiveness of soap. In hard water, you'll find that it becomes very difficult to get suds and will often have leftover residue in the form of a sticky scum. Bad for your pipes and showers and especially unpleasant when you need to clean yourself.

4) A 1/4 inch build up of scale in your water heating element will cause you to use 40% more energy to heat up water.

The addition of a water softener to your RV is a great investment to its longevity.  In the long run, the money saved from preventing premature damage to pipes, maintaining lower energy costs and keeping a high resale value in case you decide to part ways with the vehicle, will offset the initial costs.

Questions or thoughts about adding a water softener to your RV?  Contact us!  We'd love to hear from you!

The Benefits of Using RV Vent Covers

RV vents are a great feature that allows you to enjoy better air flow and keeps the moisture level moderated. However, these rooftop vents often have disadvantages because they open the RV to exposure to the outside elements, despite the presence of a screen. Thankfully, RV vent covers can offer great benefits so you can use your vents to their fullest potential. 

Vent Covers Keep Pests Out

Whether you are storing your trailer for the season or just until your next camping trip, rodents and other pests may choose to make your RV their home. One of the areas they like to use for their nests is your vents. When you install covers over your vents, it will keep these pests out so you don't have to evict them before your next camping trip.

All-Weather Use

Because of the construction of the vents, they can't often be used when it is raining. This can cause an issue when it is hot and you want to improve air flow or you are trying to cook or shower without building up humidity inside. With the use of vent covers, you will gain use of your vents, regardless of what the weather is doing outside.

Storage Benefits

In addition to providing benefits when you are using your RV, the use of covers can offer advantages during the storage period. When you store your RV, you often close everything up to keep out the elements and any pests. However, when you have covers over your vents, you can actually crack them open so your RV can air out throughout the storage period, keeping it in better shape once the camping season comes around again.

While many RVs are already equipped with everything individuals need to have a pleasant camping trip, there are many accessories you can add to enhance the experience. RV vent covers are a great addition to all your powered vents, allowing you to keep them free of pests and debris, as well as allowing you to use them in all weather conditions. They are also a great help during the storage season, keeping the air inside your RV from getting stale.

If you are interested in adding vent covers to your RV, contact us, or visit our site at RVUpgrades.com. We carry a wide selection to fit any RV.

Mr Beams outdoor lights add security and safety

Most of you probably have outdoor lighting around your homes, either to accentuate certain features or provide additional security. Many of these same characteristics can be brought to your RV as well. Several types of outdoor lighting from Mr. Beams also give you the benefits of LEDs, including longer lifespans and more efficient energy consumption. These different styles of outdoor lighting fixtures can work together to provide your space with ample illumination.

 

The MB360 is a security spotlight that works on battery power, saving you from having a complicated wiring set-up. This also gives you the ability to mount it nearly anywhere. Working much like the security lighting you would have at home, it uses a motion sensor to detect movement up to 30 feet away. It conserves power by shutting off after 30 seconds and will not activate during the day, thanks to the light sensor. The direction of the beam can be easily adjusted through the use of thumbscrews, allowing you to point the beam where you want it to go. Its durability allows the light to be used in all kinds of weather.

 

On a similar note, the MB371A can be used as a security light as well, but also features remote control operation. This works well, if for a certain reason, you need the light shut off at night. As with the MB360, it also works solely on battery power. Other similar features include motion sensing up to 30 feet and the ability to point the beam in a specific direction, such as towards your RV entrance.

 

The MB542 pathway lights come in a set of 2, so you can easily bring balanced illumination to an entrance or foot path. One unique aspect of these lights is that the light sensor activates them when darkness falls, but will glow brighter when motion is detected. This not only provides general ambient lighting, but also gives additional illumination right when you need it. To make things even easier, it also comes with remote control so you can activate the lights before someone walks by.

 

These examples of outdoor lighting options can be used to brighten pathways, entries or even campsites. There's no need to have you or someone in your group risk stumbling in the dark because the area is not bright enough to see. As with many other things, you can bring the same nighttime atmosphere to your RV or campsite that you would at home. Any of these lights can be used for multiple purposes, allowing you to apply them as you see fit.

Mr Beams MB360 Outdoor Wireless Led Security Spotlight
Mr Beams MB542 Led Remote Control Path Lights, 2 Pack
Mr Beams MB371A Led Wireless Remote Control Outdoor Spotlight 

The Winegard Trav'ler brings you HD Satellite TV Content

If you are on the road and don't want to miss the big game, or if you don't want to wait till you get home to see your favorite shows, having a portable satellite antenna just may be the answer. When you spend a lot of time on the road in your RV, you can still stay up to date on current shows even while you are away from home. It can also prove useful in cold or inclement weather when you find yourself kept inside your RV more often. You also don't have to sacrifice quality or features just because you are away from your home entertainment system.

The Winegard Trav'ler Slimline is one example of bringing satellite HD content straight to your motorhome's TV. Its versatility allows the Trav'ler to pick up signals from multiple satellites. Programs can be watched or even recorded from different TVs in your motorhome. This certainly reduces the chance of arguments between family members on what to watch! It works with any DIRECTV receivers and can pick up both standard and high definition channels. For added convenience, this roof mounted satellite features easy to use operation and does not need any additional equipment for viewing HD channels. When powered on, it starts rotating to find the best signal. Once it is powered off, the Trav'ler can fold down for travel or when it is not needed.

For the best results, the RV should be parked in an area that presents a clear view for the antenna with as few obstructions as possible. Please note that the Winegard Trav'ler is only meant to be used while the RV is parked, and is not intended for home use. This Winegard Slimline antenna can provide you with plenty of indoor entertainment for you and your family.

 

Stay warm in cooler weather with the Dimplex Electric Fireplace

Even with winter fast approaching, that doesn't mean your RV-ing season has to end yet! As the weather starts to get cooler, however, staying warm in your RV becomes a priority, especially during the evening. There are of course several ways to keep the inside temperature at a comfortable level, such as using extra blankets or employing space heaters. Using an electric fireplace such as the plug-in model from Dimplex combines the look and feel of a home fireplace with the convenience of a heater.

The Dimplex Electric Fireplace provides you with a safe way to heat living spaces in your RV. It is easy to use, having a simple plug-and-play operation without needing a lot of maintenance. The fireplace gives off 5200 BTU of heat, and while using LEDs to give the appearance of glowing fireplace logs. The unit can be used with the heat and visual flames, or with just the flames if you want the look of a fireplace without implementing the heating element. Installation is more convenient, as this model does not need any clearance space around it for ventilation. The remote control operation adds to its ease of use. The black finish gives off the aesthetic quality of a modern appearance.

If you have an electric fireplace at home, you are already aware of the benefits of using one. Having an electric fireplace in your RV not only comes in handy for practical purposes, it can provide atmosphere to your living space. Take the comforts of home with you when traveling in the cooler months.

 

EternaBond RVEMT Emergency Tape is perfect for quick fixes

Leaks can occur in many sizes and degrees of severity. EternaBond tape is an ideal way to repair many different types of leaks, especially for RV roofs. When the job is only a small one, a large roll of tape may not be necessary. For small repair jobs, EternaBond Emergency Micro-Sealant tape is a great solution. You can take care of small leaks without creating extra work for yourself. It also allows you to save the larger rolls of tape for bigger problems, so you aren't left with less than you need. Sometimes repairs even on smaller leaks can become costly, however using RVEMT can friendly on your wallet as well as on your time

The mini-roll of RV EMT tape is 4 feet in length and only 2 inches wide, making it perfect to bring with you nearly anywhere, as it doesn't take up much space. This tape is extra thick, at around 65 mils, so you can be sure you are getting enough protection. The high flexibility allows it to wrap around objects or obstructions on the surface. It works under a wide range of temperatures and features a backing that is UV stable, so heat or cold does not have to be a major concern. Like other EternaBond tape, it uses MicroSealant technology to create and maintain a firm hold on many types of surface material. It also features the same ease of use, the only requirement beyond application being the possible cleaning or treatment of the surface. This tape can be used in a number of other areas besides rooftops, such as boat covers, shower stalls or holding tanks on vacuums. This tape is made to last, coming with a 25 year limited warranty.

 

Reduce the amount of unwanted noise with FatMat RattleTrap Sound Deadeners

Sometimes the outside noise can be an irritating distraction while driving. Other times you may just want to maintain some peace and quiet without loud noises becoming disruptive. Using sound deadeners in your vehicle may be the solution to keeping out unwanted sounds. Characteristics such as the thickness, strength and materials used can all contribute to how well these products perform. FatMat RattleTrap Sound Deadeners can reduce or eliminate most types of unwanted rattles and vibrations. It uses a viscoelastic damping compound with aluminum shielding to create a damping effect.  

FatMat RattleTrap mats feature an adhesive that will stick to almost any surface. Their adaptability and flexibility allows the sound deadeners to be applied anywhere you need it, including floors, roofs, side panels, even under the hood! It can also be painted to match the surrounding area. Overall thickness for these mats is 80 mil, or about 2 mm. These liners are available in rolls of 8, 25, 50 or 100 square feet, so you can get as much as you need to suit your purposes.

Installation is not complicated, partly due to the fact that it can be applied under extreme weather conditions, no matter if it's particularly hot or cold. Just make sure the surface is thoroughly cleaned before application, as the RattleTrap will not stick properly otherwise. To make things even easier, it comes with the basic supplies needed for application. A cutting knife is included, along with a roller, so you can make sure the lining fits in or around any curves and shapes. To give you additional peace of mind, they come with a lifetime warranty and satisfaction is guaranteed.