Readers Corner – any tips for this reader about RV financing?

This month Ron B. would like some advice about an upcoming RV purchase.

 

I’m considering purchasing my first RV and need some advice on financing.  Do you have any tips for me about what to expect when financing this purchase, i.e. who has the best deals out there etc.

RV Fire Safety

RV fire safety is something most RVers don’t think about or discuss very often, but it’s a topic that deserves serious attention. Do you know that there are about 20,000 reported RV fires each year? Do you know what to do in the event of a fire in or around your RV? If you said no, don’t feel bad; a lot of other people don’t know either.

A large percentage of RV fires are transmission-related on motorhomes. Leaking automatic transmission fluid can ignite and quickly spread if it contacts any portion of the exhaust system. Before traveling in your RV or tow vehicle inspect the underside for any signs of fluid leaking. Have any potential leaks checked and repaired immediately.

More than one-quarter of RV fires are caused by shorts in the 12-volt electrical system.

Not only do you need a fire extinguisher, but you need to inspect it before each trip to make sure it’s charged. Look to see if the arrow is pointing in the green area in the sight gauge. If it reads empty or needs charging replace it or have it recharged immediately. If it’s a dry powder type fire extinguisher, the arrow pointing in the green doesn’t always guarantee that it will work.

Every month you should turn dry powder extinguishers upside down, tap on the bottom of the extinguisher and shake it so the powder that settled on the bottom is released.

There are four different types, or classes of fire extinguishers, A, B, C, and D, and each type is for a specific type of fire.

Class A extinguishers are used for fires caused by ordinary combustibles like paper and wood.

Class B extinguishers are used for fires caused by flammable liquids like grease, gasoline and oil.

Class C extinguishers are used for fires caused by electrical equipment.

Class D extinguishers are used for fires on flammable metals and often they are specific for the type of metal it is.

Some fire extinguishers have multi class ratings like, AB, BC or ABC which means one fire extinguisher can be used to put out different types of fires. The National Fire Protection Agency rules that RVs must have a “BC” rated fire extinguisher near the exit. “BC” rated fire extinguishers are used for flammable liquids and gasses like grease, gasoline and oil, and for electrical fires. Many RV fires that happen inside an RV are type A fires caused by common combustibles like paper, and they require a type A fire extinguisher to put them out. This is why you should have more than one fire extinguisher for your RV.

(This article was written by Mark Polk owner of rveducation101.com)

How to find a good RV Repair Shop

A little preparation can go a long way when you find yourself on the road with mechanical problems.  Keep a written list of the good shops you hear about as you travel. Likewise, keep a list of the not-so-good shops you hear about too! Talk with other RVers wherever you travel. And keep in mind even mediocre facilities perform good service some of the time.

While on the road, a call to the local Better Business Bureau is always recommended. The local yellow pages are a good place to start your search. Seek information from local RV clubs in your area. The Good Sam Club is another vital source. Additionally your motorhome manufacturer or local campgrounds may have some recommended shops on their list, but this isn’t always a sure bet. Better are recommendations from fellow RVers.

Shops that narrow their scope to LP appliance repair or generator service, for instance, are usually pretty adept at what they do or they wouldn’t last. Another recommendation is to locate shops that employ “RVIA/RVDA Certified” service technicians. Facilities that spend money on technician education and hire certified techs tend to be better shops.

Though the above suggestions cannot always guarantee a pleasant repair experience, your chances of running into poor service may be minimized by at least considering them.

Boondocking

The term itself derives from the word boondocks, which means a remote, rural area.  But to an RVer, the word boondocking means to stay overnight without hookups. You might be taking an extended stay at a National Park, stopping at a designated campground overnight, or just trying to catch some shut eye in a Wal-Mart parking lot.  Either way, when it comes to boondocking, there are several important things to remember:  spot; safety & security; and etiquette.  Oh yeah, and lets not forget about dump stations!

 

Spot: Many resources are available online to help you find just the right spot to dry camp.  Click here for a publicly available database of GPS coordinates for boondocking.  If you’re boondocking in a city or town, remember people don’t want RVs camping where they live, so it’s important to find a safe spot away from residential areas.  Look for an industrial part of town, or park your rig in the outlying parking lot of a Wal-Mart.  It really doesn’t matter what it looks like outside during the night does it?  If staying in a parking lot, it’s always a good idea to ask permission of the store manager.  You’ll find that some store managers will even alert their security staff about your presence.

 

For those who like boondocking in the wilderness, National Forests with “Dispersed Camping” (outside a designated camp spot) are some of the best spots.  Click here for the federal government’s National Forest web site, find for the forest you’d like to stay in, then search on that page for “dispersed camping”. Some National Forests have tons of Dispersed Camping areas and others have none. When a National Forest provides Dispersed Camping, access roads are also provided. Logging roads are everywhere. Often they are gated but sometimes they’re open!  Logging roads sometimes lead to fantastic camp sites.

 

Safety & Security: These terms mean different things depending if you’re in the city or the wilderness.  In the wilderness, get in the habit of cleaning up immediately after a meal.  Clean and put away all cooking utensils and place all trash in a critter proof trash can.  It’s great fun to see wild animals in their natural habitat but if you need to get closer, use binoculars!  And another thing, don’t leave your dog tied up outside.  This puts your pet at a distinct disadvantage if a wild animal approaches.

 

In the city, safety & security means something altogether different.  If a place doesn’t “feel” right, it’s probably not.  Trust your instincts.  In parking lots, rest areas or truck stops don’t look for the most out of the way dark corner.  Instead, park in the light, and pull those blackout curtains while you’re sleeping. 

 

RVers are friendly people and it’s nice to strike up conversation with others but exercise caution and trust your instincts.  It is never a good idea to invite strangers into your RV.

 

Etiquette: One of the biggest complaints we hear about camping is the lack of etiquette on the part of other campers.  If you’re camping in a public place such as a parking lot, it’s best not to do anything to draw attention to yourself.  This means, no lawn chairs, awnings or BBQ grills! 

 

At populated camp sites, it’s not a good idea to run your generator past 10:00pm or before 7:00am.  The constant sound of a generator running ruins the great outdoor experience for many.

 

And remember, no matter how or where you camp, please don’t litter. 

Destination Spotlight: Tucson, Arizona

Tucson, located in the southwest region of the United States, blends the cultures of the United States and Mexico, and has a long history of settlement by ancient Native American peoples, Spanish explorers and Anglo frontiersmen.  Because the weather is mild nearly all year, but especially in the winter, Tucson is a destination for many snowbirds.  Click here for a listing of area camp sites and here for a low cost attractions passport.

 

During your stay, stop by the Arizona Historical Society for a history of the area from Spanish Colonial times to the 20^th century. There’s also The Presidio Trail, a historical walking tour of downtown.  If you’re interested in learning more about the native wildlife, The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one of the most notable wildlife parks in the world. Just south of Tucson is the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, a pristine wildlife sanctuary. The Tucson Botanical Gardens, located in midtown, is a haven for native plants and birds. There’s also Saguaro National Park, a place to hike among what symbolizes the Great West. 

Readers Corner – Do you have a favorite Winter camping spot?

We’d like to hear your comments as to some of the best places to travel to in winter.  Got any favorite spots?  If so, let us know.