12 Easy Ways to Save Money at the PA RV Show

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Lerch RV

Ahhh…. The alluring sight of traveling the country with an RV in tow. A picture of a happy family making camping memories for years to come. If this is what you are looking for in life. Join us at America’s largest RV and Camping Show. Beginning September 12 and continuing until September 16, the country’s largest RV and camping show will have everything you can imagine.

My twelve easy ways to save money at America’s largest RV and Camping Show in Hershey, Pennsylvania are effortless enjoy.

1.The Open Range Light LF 297 RLS is light weight, rear living area fifth wheel camper. Weighing in at only 7,465 lbs. and uniquely designed to be towed with a 5.5′ short bed, properly equipped, half-ton truck.
The Open Range Light LF 297 RES
2.The Open Range Light LF 305 BHS is a light weight, rear bunk room fifth wheel camper. Weighing in at only 7,940 lbs. This fifth wheel is designed to be towed with a 5.5′ short bed, properly equipped, half ton truck.
The Open Range Light LF305BHS
3.The Open Range Light LT 274 is a light weight, rear living area travel trailer camper. Weighing in at 6,265 lbs. This travel trailer is a great ‘ma and pa’ type of RV.
The Open Range Light LT 274RLS
4.The Open Range Light LT 305 BHS is an exciting bunk model travel trailer. Weighing in at 6,805 lbs. This travel trailer can sleep up to nine people. Equipped with a full size outdoor camp kitchen.
The Open Range Light LT 305BHS
5.The Open Range Light LT 308 BHS is another marvelous bunk model travel trailer. Capable of sleeping up to ten people. This RV features a full outdoor camp kitchen.
The Open Range Light LT 308BHS
6.The Open Range Journeyer JT340FLR is a four season travel trailer. Loaded with an incredible amount of personal storage and living space. Why not try out a great four season RV?
The Open Range Journeyer JT340 FLR
7.The Open Range Roamer RT 320 RES is a spacious rear entertainment center travel trailer. A open living room and spacious kitchen counter top area make this RV very alluring.
The Open Range Roamer RT 320RES
8.The Open Range Roamer RF 395 BHS bunk house fifth wheel camper. Featuring a large rear bunk room with a half bath. A spacious kitchen counter top, and full outside camp kitchen help make the RF 395 BHS a very popular camper.
The Open Range Roamer RF 395 BHS
9.The Open Range Roamer RF 338 RLS fifth wheel camper. A rear living area with a full residential sized sofa and a full outside camp kitchen, makes this a very exciting camper.
The Open Range Roamer RF 338 RLS
10.The Open Range 386 FLR is the new standard in front living room fifth wheel. The front living room and open kitchen provides you the roominess you want. While the step up rear bedroom provides you with more basement storage. This is a must see four season fifth wheel camper.
The Open Range 386 FLR
11.The Open Range 413 RLL is a bunk house fifth wheel camper. Equipped with two full baths. The large living area provides you with the space that you need on those rainy days. Loaded with storage space too!
The Open Range 413 RLL
12.The Open Range 427 BHS is a bunk house fifth wheel camper. The rear quad bunk room features a half bath. Featuring an eat at kitchen island and a large King bedroom suite.
The Open Range 427 BHS

There you go, my twelve easy, great ways you can save at America’s largest RV show. For more information on any of these great Open Range RVs, contact Pennsylvania’s largest Open Range RV dealership, Lerch RV. We will gladly answer any questions that you have.

Safe travels and Happy RVing!

Largest RV Show in America – Pennsylvania RV Show (rvingiseasyatlerchrv.com)

RV Shoppers check us out. Making RV Buying Easy

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Lerch RV

Before you decide on what may appear to be an impressive deal from an internet dealer in another state, shop Lerch RV first.

We are an exclusive Keystone RV Company dealer carrying all popular brands such as Montana, Mountaineer, Outback, Sydney by Outback, Sprinter, Sprinter Copper Canyon Edition, Passport, Springdale, Summerland, Fuzion, Vantage and more! We are also Pennsylvania’s largest Open Range dealership, with a great selection of Open Range, Light, Roamer, Journeyer travel trailers and fifth wheels.

Along with providing incredible savings to our customers, Lerch RV offers RV delivery to anywhere in Pennsylvania and surrounding Mid-Atlantic states. Or even as far as Texas and Maine. Our Canadian friends, are welcome to shop with us as well. We will bring your new fifth wheel or travel trailer right to a driveway, campsite, Walmart parking lot, or other convenient location of your choice. Inquire with a Lerch RV Sales Team member about the associated costs of delivery through our preferred RV delivery service. However keep in mind that your new RV is only a small scenic road trip away. Plus you can enjoy one of Central Pennsylvania’s excellent campgrounds, stay at the Award Winning Buttonwood Campground or the Waterside Campground. Both located along the beautiful Juniata River.

Distance to Lerch RV from majors cities in the Mid-Atlantic States

South Burlington, VT 8hrs 41mins – 468 miles
New York, NY 4hrs 22mins – 230 miles
Pittsburgh, PA 3hrs 2mins – 159 miles
Philadelphia, PA 3 hrs 18mins – 171 miles
Trenton, NJ 3 hrs 38mins – 192 miles
Dover, DE 4 hrs – 191 miles
Baltimore, MD 2hrs 44mins – 144 miles
Charleston, WV 6hrs – 345 miles
Richmond, VA 5hrs 15mins – 271 miles

Your new RV will be ready to go camping. Not only do you get full LP bottles, a new deep cycle RV auxiliary battery with heavy-duty storage box, a full customer orientation walk through (up to 2 hours), and a current Pennsylvania state inspection. You also get full dealer prep of your new unit (PDI).

All RV LP systems will be tested and inspected for your safety
All RV safety systems will be tested and inspected
All RV plumbing systems will be tested and inspected
All RV 110V and 12V electrical systems will be tested
Roof and Underbelly will be inspected
Tires and wheel bearings inspected

Any issues that may arise from these tests will be taken care of under the RV manufacturer’s warranty or by the dealer before the unit is delivered to you. Your new fifth wheel or travel trailer will also be cleaned inside and out by our dedicated RV detailing department. Any RV manufacturing dust and debris will be cleaned from the inside of the coach. You will also be provided with a Lerch RV gift card to use in central Pennsylvania’s largest RV parts store. We will also perform any hitch or brake work needed on the same day you pick up. No second trips, you can start to enjoy your new camper and making those great family memories right away.

And on the day you accept delivery of your new RV, you pay no additional or hidden fees.

At an internet dealer such as, Pete’s RV Center. You will be charged up to an additional $199 for just a portion of the above customer treatment.

We’ve been a full-service dealership for more than 35 years and understand that buying a new RV is an important and sometimes confusing decision. Putting customers first, our RV Sales Team is prepared to answer frequently asked RV buyer questions and make the sales process an easy and stress-free experience. Just remember at Lerch RV you shop at your leisure and pace. Not a sales persons. We make every aspect of the RV buying experience EASY…

Safe travels and Happy RVing!

Put out to Pasture; the Rolling Thunder by Open Range RV

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Lerch RV

Open Range RV dicontinues the Rolling Thunder Toy Hauler 5th wheel camper

The Rolling Thunder Toy Hauler by Open Range RV has been put out to pasture.

I would like to inform my readers of the end of a great run. At the time of this blog posting, the Open Range Rolling Thunder Toy Hauler product line is no more. The Rolling Thunder, with its stampeding herd of horses logo, has been put out to pasture by the Shipshewana, Indiana RV manufacturer. The Rolling Thunder has been part of Open Range RV’s stable for about two and a half years. Slow sales and subtle shifts of interest by RV consumers were believed to be several of the determining factors in the discontinuation of the toy hauler product line.

The Rolling Thunder was introduced to the public in 2009 as a toy hauler designed to be more comfy and utilitarian in design than its competition. The Rolling Thunder was the fifth wheel toy hauler that was ‘not on steroids’ as owner Randy Graber noted. The Rolling Thunder product line did not feature over the top interior designs in decor or graphics, but gave the owner of the toy hauler more comforts of home. The four season unit was light weight by industry standards. As of the time of writing this, there has been no news of a replacement toy hauler product from the manufacturer.

Here at Lerch RV, we currently have one Rolling Thunder H345 MPR left in inventory, having sold over twenty-five Rolling Thunders in previous years. Come visit our Milroy, Pennsylvania location and see why we are the largest Open Range dealership in the commonwealth. And maybe you will leave here with a great deal on a great trailer.

Happy Trails Rolling Thunder…

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

Bring more fun along with you.

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Lerch RV

RVing allows you to go out across the country and bring all the comfort and necessities of home with you. While you may have room for a lot of your things in your RV, you probably have more things that you would like to take on the road with you. This is especially true if you own an ATV, golf cart, motorcycle, or any other small vehicle that you want to enjoy at your next camp site. Even if you don’t own one of these things, you may simply want more room for lounging or simply extra storage to give you more living room in your RV. Well, one way to achieve this is to get a toy hauler.

Toy haulers were originally built to help carry motorcycles, ATV’s, and your other “toys.” While you can still get a lot of functionality out of using a toy hauler this way, many new toy haulers are designed to be extra living or dining rooms, as well as holding an extra bed for anyone else you want to bring with you on your RV adventure. Toy haulers are a great way to get more out of your RV without having to upgrade to a whole new rig. A toy hauler can act like adding a new room or wing to your house. Most people like to have a multipurpose room at home. A toy hauler is the answer to this room in the RVing world.

If you are looking to do more on your future camping trips, then a toy hauler is a great way to allow you to bring more things along with you, giving you more possibilities on the road. If you’re a biker who wants to go to Sturgis, but doesn’t want to stay in a crowded motel, simply load in your hog and camp a few miles outside of town and ride your bike to the Buffalo Chip each day. If you are looking for new ATV paths, go out and find them quickly and easily. Toy haulers allow you to bring your favorite hobby, no matter how big or small, on the road with you.If you have questions about toy haulers or are looking for a new RV to tow them with, then be sure to stop by your central PA RV Dealer.

Turn, Turn, Turn. The Open Range Light story.

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Lerch RV

I am still amazed when I recall what I witnessed the day when our first 2012 Open Range Light LF297 was picked up by its new owner. When it was time for the customer to leave we put the truck, which happened to be a Ford F150 Super Crew with a 5.5′ bed, and the trailer through a series of turning radius tests. The distance from the front cap of the fifth wheel and the rear cap of the pick up is substantial enough to allow true 90 degree turning. Take a look at Lerch RV’s YouTube video depicting that radius testing. Keep in mind that the Open Range Light is truly a half ton tow-able fifth wheel. And with the innovative front camp design and hitch pin placement, you can tow this beauty with just a standard fifth wheel hitch installed in your tow vehicle. No need for a sliding fifth wheel hitch (slider) or any other special modifications need to be made.

The Light is another great innovative idea from the Open Range RV company. The Light product line includes the above pictured LF297RLS, LF289RES and the LF305BHS (bunk model with outside kitchen). There is also a travel trailer in the mix as well, the LT252FLR. So if you are driving a half ton tow vehicle and are looking for a truly unique fifth wheel to camp in, look no further than the Open Range Light. And if you happen to have a 5.5′ short bed truck and want a fifth wheel camper, the Light is especially for you! You can have full size fifth wheel fun in a half ton tow-able package, without missing anything. All the features that you require in an exciting package.

The Open Range Light fifth wheel campers and travel trailers are available at Pennsylvania’s largest Open Range RV Dealer, Lerch RV. Located in Milroy, which is one hour west of Harrisburg and thirty minutes southeast of State College, the home of Penn State University. For more information on the Open Range Light, please contact us.

Dog Days of Summer got you down? Let us help…

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Lerch RV

The internet defines the term Dog Days of Summer as this:

“Dog Days” (Latin: diēs caniculārēs) are the hottest, most sultry days of summer. The Dog Days originally were the days when Sirius rose just before or at the same time as sunrise (heliacal rising), which is no longer true, owing to precession of the equinoxes. The Romans sacrificed a brown hop^{[citation needed]} at the beginning of the Dog Days to appease the rage of Sirius, believing that the star was the cause of the hot, sultry weather.

The Dog Days of Summer are also defined as a period of stagnation. Your Central PA RV Dealer has been anything but stagnant this Summer. Our travel trailer and 5th wheel inventory is ever-changing. Do not miss out on your new RV. Why waste time and money heading to large high pressure RV Show, when you can come browse our lot at your leisure with no pressure. I can guarantee you will not have a sales person breathing down your neck or stalking you on our lot. Our entire inventory is open and available to you. Just another way we continue to make buying easy for our customers.

Officially Summer is drawing to a close, even though the heat and humidity will continue to vex the Northeast for some time to come. To help our customers beat the heat, Lerch RV continues to offer low cool Summer prices!

If you are looking for a new travel trailer or fifth wheel, please visit Pennsylvania’s largest travel trailer. And if you are looking for a pre-owned camper, Lerch RV has those a great selection of those too. Come visit our central PA dealership location and beat the heat. Our prices are so low, they will make you shiver.

Enjoy the rest of the Summer…Safe travels and Happy RVing!

Protecting your Fur-child from harm while RVing. (rvingiseasyatlerchrv.com)

Protecting your Fur-child from harm while RVing.

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Lerch RV

Camping is for the dogs...

RVing/camping is a family experience, and that includes our furry friends or better known to some as our ‘fur-children’. If you RV with a pet, then you know how much they add to the camping experience. Whether it is added security, or just a reliable companion, your pets need to be protected as much as possible. While there are many things to take into consideration when caring for your pets on the road while traveling, there are three main concerns that you must keep in mind at all times.

Here’s the big three pet dangers from RV Basics:

Disease
Perhaps the top danger of the road is disease. Regardless of what type of pet a person brings with them, that pet comes in contact with a wide variety of germs, most of which the pet’s immune system has no resistance against. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to completely circumvent this danger, especially with animals like dogs, which tend to have a very curious nature. The best a watchful owner can do is make certain that the drinking water and food being supplied is fortified with vitamins and minerals. Many brands of pet food offer ‘Immunity’ lines, which offer food especially designed to enhance the pet’s immune system. This does not mean that it is permissible for a pet owner to neglect their pet’s health; animals should still be kept under a watchful eye, especially when in outdoor areas, and animal feces should be cleaned quickly from the RV, or other areas where the pet might stay. It is also important that owners know where the nearest vet is in the event of a pet emergency.
Aggressive Behavior
A close second in way of dangers is other animals. While any animal can be targeted by aggression from strays, predators, or prey, dogs and cats that have not been neutered are most susceptible to the dangers of other animals of the same species, as they tend to attract members of the opposite gender. This can lead to complications such as pregnancy in female animals, or fights for dominance in the case of male animals. In order to circumvent this, it is highly advisable that road-ready pet owners make a point of spaying or neutering their pets. If this is not a viable action, use excessive restraint and caution when in areas that other animals frequent. With all pets, neutered or natural, it is advisable to keep them on leashes, and keep a close eye on all suspicious activities within the surrounding area. An alert owner is often the best preventative measure against harm to their pet.
Dehydration
Finally, the third most prevalent danger on the road is dehydration. While the air conditioning may make an RV comfortable while people are in it, many turn off the engine to save gas and battery life while inside stores, or stopped for the night. At times, this can create an extremely hot and dry atmosphere, causing havoc on a pet’s body. Any time a pet must be left alone in an RV, it is important to make sure that they have plenty of water available. To this end, non-spill designed bottles are often recommended.

The above list is not necessarily in numerical order. There are many more things to be concerned with, I just thought to point out what I believe to be the top three while camping. Please keep your furry family member safe at all times. So be sure to keep your pets healthy and happy, and it is sure to make your life on the road a lot better as well. If you are looking for a new travel trailer or fifth wheel dealer that is pet friendly, be sure to check out Pennsylvania’s largest travel trailer dealer, Lerch RV.

Safe travels and Happy RVing!

Leaky RV Window? Here is the fix…

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Lerch RV

Much like the window and door frames on your house, the window frames of an RV are sealed with caulk. Over time, caulk eventually decays, causing a leak. With their thinner walls, these leaks are much more apparent on an RV. They can also be much more destructive to the plywood construction used in many RV models. You should act to replace the caulking on the window as soon as you become aware that the window is leaking.

Step 1

Inspect the caulking around the perimeter of the RV window frame. Wherever the caulk is cracked, crumbling or a gap has opened between the bead of caulk and the window frame is a potential leak.

Step 2

Remove the damaged caulk from the RV window frame. Cut and pry up the bead of caulk with a disposable razor blade or a putty knife, and pull as much of the bead out by hand as possible. Remove the remaining caulk by scraping it out with a razor.

Step 3

Clean the RV window frame seams. If there are any major bits of old, damaged caulk still in the seam, break it down and remove it with an acetone-based solvent. Then wash out the seam with car wash detergent, water and an old rag. Allow the clean-up to dry before proceeding.

Step 4

Caulk the RV window frame with RV sealant. Apply steady pressure to the caulking gun’s trigger as you slowly draw a constant bead of caulk around the window frame, filling up the seam. Gently remove any excess caulk with the razor blade.

Things You’ll Need:

Disposable razor blades
Putty knife
Acetone-based solvent (if possible)
Car wash detergent
Old rags
Caulking gun
RV sealant

If your know your leak is a bigger headache then a simple drop or two of water, do not hesitate to contact your Central PA RV Dealership for service. Our fully staffed RV service department has well over 100 years of combined RV Service experience. Give us a call at 800-722-1236 for all your travel trailer and fifth wheel needs.

RV Propane Tank Safety..LPG in PA

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Lerch RV

Dual 30 lb LP Bottle Sketch

One of the main systems that helps your RV function on all levels is your propane system. Without your propane, you lose most of the accessories that make your RV comfortable to use. But did you know that you have to keep your propane cylinders certified? If you are the owner of an older RV, then this is something that you need to check out to make sure that your propane system meets safety standards.

When you buy a new RV, you can go twelve years before having your cylinders certified. After the first twelve-year check, you need to have it certified every five years after that. Here’s some more information about propane certification from rvbasics.com:

If you have an older RV you should know that according to Federal law, DoT cylinders may only be used for 12 years after their manufacture date. After that, the cylinders must be “re-certified” which provides another five years of use. The cylinders can be re-certified every five years thereafter.Propane dispensers are legally required to look at the date stamped on the cylinder before filling it. Some dealers actually do look. We’ve been reminded a few times that our cylinders were about to expire. Check the date stamped on your cylinders… don’t rely on your rig’s model year even if the cylinders are original. It’s quite possible they are a year or older than your rig. Ours were.

Re-certification is usually done by the large bulk propane suppliers but we found one of our local RV repair shops was certified to do the job and they do it for free! Call around to see who may do it in your area.

Some other simple tips to follow as well:

Inspect your Propane Appliances

You should also have the tech check your fridge and any other propane appliances inside your RV.

Install Properly and Identify

You should have a way to identify the presence of a propane tank if your tank is hidden. ASME-identified tanks should be installed horizontally, and DOT-identified cylinders are installed vertically.

Replace Damaged Tanks

If you have a damaged tank, including dents and rust, or damage to a hose, you should replace your tank.

Don’t Overfill

Since the late 1980s, tanks with capacities of 40 lbs. and less have a overfilling protection device, or OPD. If you have an older tank, have a OPD installed. Don’t fill your tank with the RV running, or with anyone in it, if you are filling the tank while still attached to the RV.

Detecting a Leak

If you think you have a leak or smell gas, everyone needs to get out of the RV quickly. Leave the door open to your RV and shut off the supply valve.

If you have any questions regarding your propane bottles/cylinders, please give your Central PA RV Dealer a call. You can reach the Lerch RV Service Department at 800-722-1236.

And if you are looking for that new travel trailer or fifth wheel, do not forget to give our Sales Team a call as well.

A Checklist Before Hitting the Road (with your RV) (rvingiseasyatlerchrv.com)

Trailer Tire Safety: Check your Tires Before Hitting the Road

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Lerch RV

The wheels on your RV go round and round, round and round…until…boom!

Ask yourself these questions:

When was the last time I checked the air pressure?

How old are your tires on your trailer?

When was the last time they were replaced?

RV Tires

You can’t judge your tires by how they look. Kicking them is not going to tell you anything either. Trailer tires are only meant to last three to six years on average. Just because they look good and the tread looks brand new does not mean that the tires are not rotting away on the inside.

Tires deteriorate over time whether you drive on them daily or just once a year.

Tire deterioration can happen from the UV rays from the sun, going over the allotted speed the tires can handle, going over the weight amount allotted for the trailer capacity and its tires, exceeding the maximum or falling under the minimum tire pressure of the tires, and finally, using products with petroleum distillates on your tires. All of these actions can cause your tires to deteriorate at a faster rate. Proper use and care of your tires will allow you to get the longest, safest use out of them.

Here are some tips to keeping your RV’s tires in good shape:

Use covers to protect your tires from the sun. The UV rays from the sun can crack and damage your tires. If your trailer is parked longer than a weekend, make sure to cover your tires with tire covers.
Make sure you know the MPH your tires are designed for. Trailers come with special trailer tires and the majority have a maximum speed rating of 65 MPH. By accelerating past that speed could cause serious damage to your tires, especially if your trailer is loaded down with weight.
Make sure not to overload your trailer to over its capacity because your tires are affected too. The more pressure on your tires, the more stress you put on your tires. Especially if you are going over the maximum speed the tires can handle.
Keeping your tires at the correct tire pressure is essential to not only the health of your tires but to your load weight and speed. Improper tire inflation is the number one factor in tire failure. Most RV and camper service personnel recommend to inflate your tires to the maximum PSI stamped on the sidewall of the tire. Be aware of how the weather elements affect tire pressure. Higher elevations increase tire pressure as does warmer temperatures. Make sure to check your tires before hitting the road every time! Do a visual inspection for tire inflation, wear, bulging, cracking and anything that looks unusual.
Only use soap and water to clean your tires. Using protective chemicals that have petroleum distillates will weaken your tires strength.
Think about using Nitrogen to inflate your tires instead of compressed air. Nitrogen has been found to pro-long the life of the tire. Nitrogen allows the tire to run cooler while in use.
Replace your tires every three to six years, regardless of the miles you’ve put on them or the tread depth. When we’re talking three to six years, we mean from the time when the tire was manufactured. Each tire has a date stamped on the sidewall stating the manufactured date. There is how to read one.

The date code looks something like this: DOT PDHH MLOR 3403.

The date code always starts with a DOT and ends with a 3 or 4 digit number. Those last numbers are the date code. The first two numbers indicate the week (out of 52) and the last one or two digits indicate the year it was manufactured in. So, from the date code above, 3403 means the 34th week of 2003, or the fourth week of August 2003. So, from that date, your tires would need to be replaced between August 2006 and August of 2009.

Another thought to keep in mind, blow outs and flat tires happen. So always carry a spare tire, jack and the proper tools to fix your flat tire while you are traveling.

**The information from this post was taken from RV Chat With Ron Fleming “How Old Are the Tires on Your RV?”

For more information, please consult your tire’s manufacturer or the RV’s manufacturer.

Image via Wikipedia

Advice for Your Travel Trailer Tires (rvandcampingblog.wordpress.com)

RVing is Easy at Lerch RV

Experience the RV Lifestyle with us!

Category Archives: Open Range

12 Easy Ways to Save Money at the PA RV Show

RV Shoppers check us out. Making RV Buying Easy

Put out to Pasture; the Rolling Thunder by Open Range RV

Bring more fun along with you.

Turn, Turn, Turn. The Open Range Light story.

Dog Days of Summer got you down? Let us help…

Protecting your Fur-child from harm while RVing.

Here’s the big three pet dangers from RV Basics: