Living in an RV can free you from the daily grind of paying off a mortgage and maintaining a large home. Before you head off to your local Fort Worth RV dealership to pick out a motor home, consider what you want the most out of an RV. Some features will naturally matter more to you than others. There are four crucial features that an RV should have before you consider using it as your main residence. You can get by without these things, but they make the traveling life much easier.
Fuel Efficiency
Don’t underestimate the cost of fuel when considering your budget for a mobile lifestyle. Even if you only move a few times a year, choosing a gas-guzzle from a North Texas RV dealer will cost you hundreds of extra dollars. Some models offer twice as many miles per gallon as other options. Ask for help from a dealership representative to compare the fuel efficiency of various models. They often have these figures memorized and can help you pick an affordable motor coach that will leave you with a little extra money in your pocket every month.
Expanding Space
You may be tempted to buy the RV with the largest floor plan to ensure you and your family have enough space for comfort. However, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the interior are also very important. Some full-sized coaches featuring sliding panels that add hundreds of extra square feet on either side. Expanding RVs are easier to navigate in tight spaces because much of their width folds up for travel. Awnings and shade structures also expand your living space outside of the interior.
Construction
Homes are usually built to last for at least 50 years without major remodeling or renovations. Some RVs are designed to last nearly this long with regular use, while others will break down quickly if lived in for years at a time. Look for more durable materials and better construction methods if you don’t want to buy a new model from Vogt RV only a few years after your first purchase. Aluminum body panels tend to last longer than fiberglass ones, and durable upholstery materials resist wear for years to come.
Wilderness Support
Many families skip over the RVs equipped with generators and backup power because they plan to stick around campsites with full hookups. However, these support features can be important even if you don’t dream of camping for days in a remote location. Generators can help you stay comfortable and safe if an unexpected storm strikes while you are at a campground. They also help if you somehow become stranded between destinations. You won’t ever go without lights or a flushing toilet if you pick a model with these features.
Vogt RV has been asked before, “What’s it like to be a full time RVer“? If you own a Texas RV, I’m sure escaping to live the RV lifestyle full time on the road may have crossed your mind a time or two. After all, you’d have the freedom to do anything you want, any time you want, any where you want. Of course, it’s not really like you can just pick up and go if you’re not already independently wealthy or have a surplus of cash just laying around. Many RVers still have to rely on an income to help support the lifestyle as it is. So questions like: “How do you limit your monthly budget?”, and “How do you make money on the road?” are very real questions that you should figure to the answer to before committing to commit to a life out on the road.
There are plenty of viable options like work camping, or internet based money making opportunities. The fact of the matter is that you aren’t going to make enough money on the road to retire, but you might just make enough to keep that full time RV lifestyle rolling. The video below is a great testament to the full time RV lifestyle from a couple that is you, has debt and a myriad of other reasons you’d think would keep them from RVing full time, yet they have found a way to do it. Listen carefully, they have and continue to be able to finance their lifestyle choice with a minimum amount of money. See. It can be done.
So you see, all you really need to be a full time RVer is a passion for RVing. It helps to have a good head on your shoulders and also be disciplined with your cash flow. In regards to finding work, plan 6 months ahead of changing locations and try to find work before your decide to pull up stakes and vagabond to your next destination. The only way to be successful as a full time RVer is to be prepared, plan ahead and love RVing.
If you are considering to make the jump to being a Full Timer, you may want to check out some of the great new Fort Worth motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth-wheels at Vogt RV in Fort Worth. If you are going to do it, may as well give yourself a great start with a new RV.
If you’ve been a full time RVer before, or you still are today, leave us a comment and tell how YOU do it? What are your secrets to living a comfortable life on the road?
When you own a Texas RV, it’s important that you actually know where you’re going. You’ve got the family packed up, coolers full of food for a week and the kids are chomping at the bit to get to a cool destination. You don’t want to rely on maps anymore because they’re complicated to use on the go. Plus you don’t want to put too much faith in your overall sense of direction for fear that your Airstream will never actually get to where you want to go.
After shopping RV sales Fort Worth, you may have picked out the best RV that you could find. It’s got all the features you’ve ever wanted – except for a GPS. You can actually save a lot of money if you don’t have a built-in GPS unit. You can pick up a great windshield mount and a state of the art unit for under $500!
One of the best aspects to driving your travel trailer Texas around with a GPS is that you can always keep it updated. If you decide to take it south of the border, you can make it to Mexico City or even Guadalajara without worrying if you are making the wrong turn somewhere. The friendly voice on the GPS will tell you where you are going and if you need to hang a U-turn.
Driving a motorhome with a GPS unit will be a less stressful event for everyone. When the kids shout out “Are we there yet?” you can take one look at the GPS unit mounted to the windshield of your Jayco and given them a definitive answer of exactly when you will be arriving to your destination. You can even make it a game and have the kids track where you are by checking the map on your GPS unit. When you know when you will get to wherever it is that you’re going, it will make it a lot easier to plan on meals, bathroom breaks and much more, too. Buying a GPS with all the bells and whistles can make traveling in your RV much more pleasurable!
A simple GPS will make your travels much more exciting and a lot less stressful! Let us know if you have unit recommendations!
Every once in a while I am camping in another terrific place and I see some type of accessory that I think I cannot live without.
These types of items pop up from time to time. Some are more impressive than others. Really, some people can spend their money on the silliest accessories that they only use once.
I thought these were items that can enhance the RV lifestyle. They are easy to use and take up very little storage space in your Tiffin motorhome or travel trailer.
2-Port USB Car Charger $9.99
Charge two USB devices at the same time when you’re on the go: cell phone, tablet, MP3 player, iPhone, iPod, iPad, PDA, GPS, and more.
Just plug the 2-port USB car charger into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket and connect up to two USB devices at once.
Double Nest Hammock $71.00
The DoubleNest hammock allows room for one, two, or three people–however you want to distribute 400 pounds onto the hammock’s 6-foot-8-inch-wide surface.
The DoubleNest packs down to the size of a grapefruit, yet lets you stretch out in luxurious comfort when you reach your campsite. After just a few short minutes of setup, the hammock puts you back to basics, with a design that dangles gracefully in some of nature’s most beautiful settings.
Pro Slap Strap Set $24.90
The tree-friendly slap strap Pro Hammock suspension system weighs only 8-Ounce and is made from .75-Inch tubular webbing. Designed and built for all of our western territory users,where length matters. When both straps are used properly, they can hold up to 400-Pounds. It is the ultimate hammock accessory.
These are three of the most popular selling RV accessories out on the market right now. Who knows what will be popular next week or even next year?
One thing I know for sure, as the RV nation continues to grow and more people invest in fifth wheels and motorhomes, there will be a growing market for interesting and sensible RV accessories too.
We will continue to showcase the best ones right here, just for you!
The hot weather is here and so is the threat of getting food poisoning. There is a higher incidence of these outbreaks during the summer months because of warmer temperatures, our love of picnicking and popular picnic foods that are prone to having these bacteria.
Actually, it isn’t just incorrectly prepared foods that can make you sick. Food poisoning occurs when you swallow food or water that has been contaminated with certain types of bacteria, parasites, viruses, or toxins. Here are the most common reasons for food poisoning:
Any food prepared by someone who did not wash their hands properly
Any food prepared using unclean cooking utensils, cutting boards, or other tools
Dairy products or food containing mayonnaise (such as coleslaw or potato salad) that have been out of the refrigerator too long
Frozen or refrigerated foods that are not stored at the proper temperature or are not reheated properly
Raw fish or oysters
Raw fruits or vegetables that have not been washed well
Some of the most common symptoms of food poisoning are vomiting and nausea, headaches, fever, diarrhea and even overall weakness.
Most people recover from the common types of food poisoning in a couple of days. As you experience some of these symptoms, try to keep yourself from getting dehydrated by drinking fluids often. According to the National Institute of Health, please contact your doctor if the symptoms do not subside after 48 hours.
You may want to print this out and post in on your cabinet door in your motorhome or Jayco trailer! I honestly have a checklist like this one hanging on mine!
We all love a good picnic, I know that I do! Just remember safe food handling practices can keep you, your family and friends, healthy all summer long.
I enjoy reading all the different blogs out there that are written by RVers on the go. They have great stories about the places they’ve been and the people they meet. Whether they have a motorhome or a travel trailer, they travel all over the world. It’s fun to read about their adventures because I can easily relate to it all.
These two women spent part of February and March traveling the southwest in a vintage motorhome, in search of special objects for their antique business in Cashmere, Washington.
Longtime friends Peggy Littlefieldand Harley Bratrude aren’t exactly Thelma and Louise, however they were armed (with an antique six-shooter) when we crossed trails in west Texas, just south of Pecos.
They met through a book club and soon discovered mutual interests in cooking, good martinis, scrabble and antiques.
They travel in a 1983 33-foot Vogue II gasoline motor coach.
Owned by the Littlefields, Peggy found it on Craig’s List and convinced her husband, Brad, to go look at it. They “own the very first Airstream motor home built,” however, it is a 23-foot unit and they needed something larger to travel in.
They came extremely well equipped with standard dual air conditioning, and a 50 amp power system with matching 6.2 generator set, according to Brad. “It was equipped with hydraulic leveling system, large tanks for waste and fresh water, and two 4D batteries for the house and one for the chassis.”
It had also been equipped with a GV overdrive, Mark VI 454 and a solar system to keep the four golf cart batteries up on their charge, said Brad. “All the systems work very well, and the coach runs like a Swiss watch.” What do these ladies set out to achieve? They seek out great regional food and western relics as they move across the Lone Star State–from Houston and Galveston to San Antonio and Austin … then through the Hill Country and west Texas. Meander a while in New Mexico and Arizona before taking separate trails in Tucson. Peggy to be joined by her husband for their slow return trip home to Wenatchee, Wash., and Harley to visit friends in southeast Arizona before heading north. [Women RVers]
I know several ladies who would be completely happy on a mission like this. Antiques seem to be a popular hobby for many people, and throw in the RV lifestyle and it ‘s a great fit. I know I myself am very interested in this.
What are your favorite hobbies while you are out on the road? We hear all kinds at Vogt RV. We would like to hear from you!
The busiest travel season of the year is right around the corner. People all across the country are packing up their motorhomes and travel trailers as they prepare to take their families on vacations that will forever be part of their family memories.
As you decide what to take, remember that you can’t hike, fish and prepare meals all day long. Be ready for a little down time, when the family can just relax around the campsite.
Pack some games that are fit to play outdoors, plus some games for those rainy days too. These games are small and take up little room.
Bulls Eye Outdoor Game
Players ages eight and over toss washers at the bulls eye target. Each player scores points for getting the washers in the box. The first player or team to get to 21 wins the game. This is another game for fun at the campsite, especially if your camp and neighbor campers are barbecuing together — you can play the game while the food is cooking.
The Bulls Eye Outdoor Game as a game of skill that could be used to pass the time.
Bagball Lawn Game
The Bagball Lawn Game is two games in one. One side has the classic bean bag toss and the other has the Big League Bagball game, which is just like baseball. The game includes the target board, bean bags and scoring clips. Both games are fun for the whole family and neighbor campers.
The Bagball Game can be fun for a family or as a conversation starter with neighboring campers.
Indoor Games
Choose from many indoor card games and board games to pass the time if the weather is too bad to play outside. Games like Uno and other card games played with a regular deck of cards can make the time pass quickly, especially if you get together with neighbor campers.
Ball Games
Bring a football with you to toss around. It doesn’t take much space in the RV and can be a conversation starter with shy neighboring campers. Often campgrounds have open fields. A volleyball and net do not take much space. A soccer ball is also a good option for fun games if the campground you visit has an open field. [Texas RV Traveler]
Believe me, if you bring along some games to surprise the kids with, they will never be bored, right?! So find these games and more at your local toy store and tell them that Vogt RV sent you!
The RV nation is a diverse group who have their own answers to every RV problem.
For example, look at the process of settling in at a campsite. Everyone has their own routine that works the best. It usually takes several trips before you are able to do everything right the first time.
Here are some good tips for making sure you get your travel trailer or motorhome hooked up correctly.
Before going through the trouble of backing into a campsite check the site’s electric, water and sewer connections. Check the electric outlet’s polarity and voltage, the water’s clarity and aroma, and the sewer inlet’s opening to be sure it is clear of rocks, cans or debris.
While you are there, rinse off the campground’s water hydrant and spray it with a household disinfectant.
Once your rig is in position and leveled, you can go through your hookup routine. First, plug in the electric cord while your hands and the ground are dry.
Next, attach a water-pressure regulator to the campground hydrant so it can protect both the drinking-water hose and the RV’s plumbing from sudden surges in campground water pressure.
By the way, all of the water-hose connections can be made quick and easy with the use of “quick-connect” fittings on both ends of the water-pressure regulator, water filter and water hose. These handy fittings can be found at RV accessory stores and in hardware stores where water hoses are displayed.
The sewer hookup is last. Once the hose is connected, double check to be sure the sewer hose is properly secured to both the RV and the sewer inlet. Think seriously about wearing disposable polyethylene gloves when handling the sewer hose. They come in boxes of 100, are inexpensive and can be thrown away after use.
The gray water valve may be opened after the sewer hose is connected. The black water valve, however, should remain closed until you are ready to dump. This assures a buildup of liquid in the black water tank. The more liquid in the tank the better the flushing action will be when the valve is opened.
Dumping the holding tanks is pretty straight forward. Black water is dumped first, the valve closed and then the gray water is dumped. [RV Knowhow]
This is a basic checklist so you can add your own notes to it as needed. I like having a checklist so I don’t miss a step and it never hurts to compare this list to your existing lists. You don’t want to miss anything!
We hope to provide more informational posts like this in the future so our new fifth wheel owners will be as knowledgeable as our seasoned RV travelers!
The warm weather is here and so is camping and fun family vacations.
Since so many families own a motorhome or travel trailer these days, these days we see more and more campers enjoying the RV lifestyle. Unfortunately, many of us will see a wildfire this summer. I thought we should take a look at the remarkable people who devote their lives to fighting these types of fires.
America’s wildland firefighters have earned a reputation for being among the best in the world. These dedicated men and women endure exhausting work, harsh living conditions, and long separations from friends and family to protect our nation’s natural resources from the ravages of unwanted wildfire. Let’s take a look at the different positions each firefighter holds in the fighting of a wildfire.
When a wildfire starts, fire managers analyze the situation quickly but carefully to determine the best course of action. Hand crews, usually consisting of 20 men and women, serve as the infantry of wildland fire forces. Their main responsibility is to construct a “fireline”. Hotshot Crews are highly skilled firefighters specially trained in suppression tactics, are usually used to attack wildfires when they first start.
“Helitack” crews are specially trained in the use of helicopters during fire suppression. Engine crews, which range in size from 3 to 10 firefighters, use 250 to 750 gallons of water and several hundred feet of hose to directly attack wildfires.
Finally, the incident management teams consist of fire experts whose primary responsibility is to develop and implement strategies to suppress wildfires. Members of the team are in charge of providing the food, equipment, transportation, and other goods and services that wildland firefighters need. [Smokey Bear]
I think we can all agree, these are special people that sacrifice a lot to keep us safe as we enjoy our camping vacations. Whether you camp in a tent or Jayco trailer, do your part to minimize the chances of a wild fire and report any dangers that you see.
Many RVers take their pets on the road with them. The cost of boarding a pet while the owners are away can be expensive. Also, many pet owners are too attached to their pets to leave them behind for any length of time.
Unfortunately, many pets are not comfortable traveling in a motorhome or travel trailer for an extended length of time. Most animals do eventually get used to their surroundings, but some pets will continue to have anxiety over it.
I found these tips for traveling with pets. Hopefully they will be helpful for you.
Crate expectations: Whether traveling by air or car, a familiar crate will relax your dog. Never put a leash in the crate, as your pet could get tangled in it.
Hello gorgeous: Brushing your dog and clipping its nails before you leave will make traveling more comfortable.
Make a list: Bring water, your dog’s favorite food, bedding, toy and dishes, pet first-aid kit and old sheets to cover car seats and furniture.
Check it twice: Identify your dog with a current tag or microchip. Carry current health and rabies certificates and a recent photo.
Stair hazard: Did you know that a dog’s claws and fur can get caught in escalators? Pick up or crate your dog, or take the elevator.
Chow time: Traveling by car? Feed a light meal three or four hours before you leave. Never feed a dog in a moving car. Dogs should fly on an empty stomach. [4 Ever Pets]
Pets can make life on the road a more enjoyable experience for the whole family. These tips should make things easier for you, your family and your pets while out on the RV road.
Mike and Mindy love traveling and seeing new places in their RV. They love to share their stories with you, along with any tips and tricks they pick up along the way. Follow them and their adventures across the country.
Mike and Mindy love traveling and seeing new places in their RV. They love to share their stories with you, along with any tips and tricks they pick up along the way. Follow them and their adventures across the country.
