Category Archives: 5th wheels

Top ten reasons to retire to an RV in Pennsylvania

Posted on by
Keystone RV, Keystone RV Dealer, PA Keystone RV, rv dealers Pennsylvania, Lerch RV, rv dealers, rv dealers York PA, rv dealers Harrisburg PA, rv dealers Lancaster PA, Open Range 5th wheel, Open Range travel trailers, Open Range 5th wheels, Open Range travel trailers, Open Range Roamer 5th wheels, Springdale 5th wheels, , used travel trailers Pennsylvania, used 5th wheels Pennsylvania, rvs Pennsylvania, used rvs Pennsylvania, rv parts Pennsylvania, rv service Pennsylvania

Retire to the RV lifestyle

Retirement is the time for a simpler life and the chance to do things you didn’t have time for when working. Living the RV lifestyle in retirement has several advantages. Here are ten of the most thought of…

Ten reasons to retire to an RV;

  1. Live your retirement dreams. Are there places you’ve wanted to visit but never took the time or perhaps didn’t have the money to do so? Now you can travel at your leisure and visit all those places. Whether it’s visiting national parks, following the Oregon Trail, playing at amusement parks or getting your fill of country western music, it’s all there for you
  2. Take your house with you:Instead of having to pack and unpack and hassle with airports or schlepping luggage in and out of motels, everything is there. Some RVs come with air or pillow-top mattresses, or you can add your own. Instead of sleeping on a lumpy mattress or too hard one night, then too soft the next, enjoy your own. Your bathroom is clean and you can relax at night on your comfortable sofa or La-Z-Boy recliner.
  3. Zero yard work and cleaning house is a breeze: With only a couple of hundred square feet to clean, cleaning house takes just a few minutes. There is no lawn to mow or yard to maintain.
  4. Stay active: Most experts agree that staying active prolongs and improves quality of life. Living in an RV provides many ways to stay active physically and mentally. When traveling, you have to stay engaged with life!
  5. Live less expensively: An RV is much less expensive to maintain than a house. Nightly campground fees are normally less than property tax and maintenance expenses on a stick house. Many expenses in the RV lifestyle can be controlled so you can cut back in a budget category when needed.
  6. Meet new people and make new friends:RVers are very friendly people. Opportunities are constant to meet new people. Get involved with an RV club or at an RV resort and find a whole new community. Working or volunteering as you travel is another way to meet people and make friends.
  7.  One house, many views:When you get tired of one view, move on to the next. RVing is the ideal way to snow bird. Go where it is cool in the summer and where it is warm in the winter. Change your ocean view to a mountain view in a matter of a few hours.
  8. No property taxes: Enjoy home ownership (your RV) without property taxes. Rent an RV space for as long as you want, then move.
  9.  Have many new experiences:You can actively have so many new experiences and be part of them rather than experience them vicariously on the boob tube. Stand where Lewis and Clark stood on their Voyage of Discovery. Crew for a hot air balloon at Albuquerque. Kayak among whales in Glacier Bay. Hike part of the Appalachian Trail. Or visit historical monuments; an auto tour at Gettysburg makes you feel like you are part of the Civil War.
  10. Visit friends and relatives: Visiting friends and relatives in an RV makes visiting so much more fun. Even if you are parked in their driveway, you have your own space. Or,stay at a nearby RV park so you are not instant babysitters!

Do you know of any other reasons to retire to the RVing Lifestyle?  If so please post them.

This is an excerpt from a list compiled by Jaimie Hall Bruzenak. Jamie is an RV Lifestyle Expert. She has been RVing since 1992.

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

Advertisement

A Few Good Tips for the Pennsylvania RV Newbie

Posted on by

Keystone RV, Keystone RV Dealer, PA Keystone RV, rv dealers Pennsylvania, Lerch RV, rv dealers, rv dealers York PA, rv dealers Harrisburg PA, rv dealers Lancaster PA, Open Range 5th wheel, Open Range travel trailers, Open Range 5th wheels, Open Range travel trailers, Open Range Roamer 5th wheels, Springdale 5th wheels, , used travel trailers Pennsylvania, used 5th wheels Pennsylvania, rvs Pennsylvania, used rvs Pennsylvania, rv parts Pennsylvania, rv service Pennsylvania

New to RVing? We can help. Everybody has to learn the ins and outs of RVing at some time. Hopefully, your mistakes and accidents will be minimal in the beginning.

I thought I would put together some things to think about as you prepare your new RV and yourself, to experience the RVing lifestyle like a pro!

  1. Take care of your black water tank. This is one of the most important things to learn about. If your RV doesn’t have a black water tank sprayer, dump plenty of water down the toilet to clean it out. Add recommended chemicals regularly to ensure that tank material biodegrades properly. Packets are the fastest and easiest to use and require the least storage space; just toss one down the toilet with a gallon of water. Use RV toilet paper; it biodegrades faster.
  2. Make a maintenance checklist. Make a checklist of things to do before and after each RV trip to ensure that you don’t forget any maintenance procedures while you’re learning. Make notes of anything that you need to keep an eye on so that you can check it consistently. You don’t want any surprises while you’re on the road.
  3. Keep fridge and pantry stocked. Keep non-perishable staples on-board all season so you’re ready for spur-of-the-moment getaways.  Make sure they are foods that will work together to make a meal.  Remember to use food before their expiration date.
  4. Keep clothing, gear on board. Keep a set of toiletries, toothbrushes, clothing, games, leisure gear, pet supplies, etc. on board so that you have minimal packing to do at vacation time.

This is just a very small list to get you started in your quest to become an experienced camper.  Did I miss anything you experienced RVers? Please share more tips in the comments below….

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

What Every New Pennsylvania RVer Eventually Discovers

Posted on by

Keystone RV, Keystone RV Dealer, PA Keystone RV, rv dealers Pennsylvania, Lerch RV, rv dealers, rv dealers York PA, rv dealers Harrisburg PA, rv dealers Lancaster PA, Open Range 5th wheel, Open Range travel trailers, Open Range 5th wheels, Open Range travel trailers, Open Range Roamer 5th wheels, Springdale 5th wheels, , used travel trailers Pennsylvania, used 5th wheels Pennsylvania, rvs Pennsylvania, used rvs Pennsylvania, rv parts Pennsylvania, rv service Pennsylvania Preview

New RV owners usually have a lot of information to digest. There is so much to learn about owning, operating and maintaining a RV. Unless they know someone who can teach them all there is to know, these new RV owners are on their own to figure it all out.

Consider your first RV your training RV. This is where you will learn the ins and outs of how to operate propane, holding tanks, plumbing, electrical and backing up.

It helps you discover whether you prefer the convenience of full-service RV parks or dry-camping in primitive campgrounds, more commonly known as boon-docking.

Your ‘training camper’ teaches you how to equip, furnish and pack an RV. You learn just how much interior storage space (closets, cabinets, drawers) you really need (is there ever enough?). It reveals how critical the size and accessibility of the outside storage bays can be and the importance of cargo-carrying capacity and towing capabilities. Not to mention sleeping capacity as well. Did you really need the bunk beds?

It helps you determine what floor-plan, features and accessories would best suit your RVing lifestyle and needs. And if you really enjoy all that you learn about the world of RVing, there will be another new RV!

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

Pennsylvania RVers Boost Phone and Internet Range with an Antenna

Posted on by

I came across this great post about external antennas for your RV or trailer. I would guess that 99% of all RVers travel with a cell phone to keep in touch, plus they have a laptop computer to get travel info and email. That’s all great and good as long as you stay in the city where the reception is good. But RVers usually don’t spend their vacations in cities, they like to explore the great outdoors in their RVs and trailers. Unfortunately, there may be times when you have to sacrifice the modern-day amenities of mobile phones and internet connections. However, if you get a long-range antenna, that possibility can be reduced.
Keystone RV, Keystone RV Dealer, PA Keystone RV, rv dealers Pennsylvania, Lerch RV, rv dealers, rv dealers York PA, rv dealers Harrisburg PA, rv dealers Lancaster PA, Open Range 5th wheel, Open Range travel trailers, Open Range 5th wheels, Open Range travel trailers, Open Range Roamer 5th wheels, Springdale 5th wheels, , used travel trailers Pennsylvania, used 5th wheels Pennsylvania, rv's Pennsylvania, used rv's Pennsylvania, rv parts Pennsylvania, rv service Pennsylvania

This omnidirectional antenna is a good antenna for maximizing your reach when you’re in the middle of nowhere!
Here’s one RVer’s method: This gentleman mounted a roof-mount style satellite dish base on the top of his motor-home, using the appropriate sealant to prevent water leakage. But instead of topping the mount with a satellite dish, he used U-bolts to mount a omnidirectional/tri-band cellular antenna. This one covers frequency ranges for both his cell phone and his wireless broadband/internet card.

He routed the connection cable from the antenna, down through the rig’s gray water holding tank vent line. Inside the rig he bored a hole into the vent line (where it was accessible from in the living area), routed the cable out of the vent line, and then used a sealant to both “keep the stink out,” and to act as a protective grommet to prevent friction between the vent pipe and the antenna coax. The whole shooting match plugs into either the cell phone, or into a jack in his broadband card. If your card doesn’t have a jack for an antenna, there are inductive couplers that attach to broadband cards, allowing you to rig them to an external antenna.

Once on location, it’s a simple job to climb up the RV’s roof access ladder, lift the satellite dish mount into its “working” position, then turn the antenna around to point to the nearest cellular site. With a 24dB gain, this setup will bring signal roaring in that might otherwise be lost in space.[RV Tech Tips]

Take the time this winter to add some accessories like this to your RV. Then in the spring you’ll have some new RV toys to play with!

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

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

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

Posted on by
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…

Open Range RV's Rolling Thunder toy hauler out to pasture

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

The perfect gifts for the RVer/Camper in your family.

Posted on by
RV Christmas Tree Lot @ Lerch RV, Keystone RV, Open Range RV

Tis' the Season...

Christmas seems to come faster every year. If you are like me, then you probably wait until the last minute to find gifts for your friends and loved ones. It can be hard trying to pick out that special present for those who mean so much to you. If you are looking for the perfect gift for the RV enthusiast that you know, you may not know what to get. There are many great gift ideas to make RVing easier and more fun for RV owners and passengers alike.

One of the things that you have to take into consideration when buying gifts for an RVer is space. RVs may have more room than other vehicles, but in terms of living space, being economical is key. One great gift for the avid reader would be an e-book such as a Kindle, Nook or maybe a new Kindle Fire. These devices will free up a lot of storage space currently being used up by books, many of which are read once and then never touched again. Less flashy things, like portable meal trays, are a great way to open up more room for someone who is living in an RV. One of the best gifts that you could give an RVer is the gift of more living space, so you may want to look for items that will take up little space or allow more space to be used.

Another great part of RVing is being outdoors. Making life better while at a campsite is a great way to make an RVer happy on Christmas morning. Outdoor furniture such as chairs, tables, and even outdoor recliners will make living outdoors a lot easier. Outdoor carpets/area rugs for under the awning are always a hot seller too.  If you are looking to get a gift for the chef in the family, kitchen utensils and appliances are always a hit. Just look for items that will take up minimal space and open up possibilities in the kitchen.

There are many great products and possibilities out there for RV owners, so be sure to start your shopping now, because Christmas is just around the corner. Be sure to visit your Pennsylvania RV dealer for all your RV Christmas needs.

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

Stay warm on those cold RV nights

Posted on by

With the weather starting to get colder, and the days shorter, you are probably experiencing a bit of a chill at night now. This is also the time of year where you are still RVing in cooler climates before either heading south for the winter or storing your RV until next season. Staying warm and comfortable in your RV is a key to have a great trip this time of year. No one likes sleepless nights shivering the whole time, so how should you stay warm? The easy answer is your RV furnace, but you may be out at a camp site when that breaks down, so what are you back up options?
"Keystone RV" "Lerch RV" RV "PA RV Dealer" camper camping campers "tag along" "tow behind" "bunk model" "bunk house camper" "RV lifestyle" glamping caravan "Go RVing" RVing "new camper sale" "camper dealer" "new camper" "RV dealer" "PA RV Dealership" towing "used campers" "weekend fun" "family fun" "recreational vehicle" recreation "summer fun" "keystone rv company" "glamping" "fith wheel" "5th wheel camper" "travel trailer" "Open Range RV"

The two most popular choices are heating strips and portable heaters. Like all things, there are pros and cons that go with both, and it is more of a preferential choice. Let’s look at portable heaters first. The great thing about these are that they do a good job heating a small space. At night, shut the door to your room and turn one of these on and you will stay warm through out the night. They are also quiet, which is key to falling asleep. The problem with them is that they tend to break down easily over time. If you buy one you can expect to buy another after a few years. Also, there is always to risk of fire with these heaters, due to the exposed heating coils. If you use one, be sure to put it in a safe place out of contact with combustibles.

Another option is a heating strip. A heating strip is installed in the air conditioner and it is a 1500 watt heater. This option is good because it is generally more reliable than the portable heater, and it doesn’t take up any extra space in the RV. The not so great part about them is that you have to run your A/C fan through the night, and it doesn’t heat your rig nearly as well as the portable heater. You won’t freeze to death with one, but you won’t be toasty.

If all else fails, keep extra quilts and blankets in your RV and bundle up for warmth. If you are looking for a new RV ta stay warm in, be sure to come into Lerch RV.

Pennsylvania, Lerch RV has you covered this winter…

Posted on by

Lots of RVers like to head south for the winter, but that isn’t an option for some of us. While there are still a few good weekends left for camping this year, if you are one of those late season campers. However most of our customers probably already have winterized their campers by now.  If you are able to store your RV in a covered garage or storage center, then there is not a lot that you have to do to protect your RV from the elements.  Those of us who use an RV cover to keep our RV safe while not in use know there is more that goes into getting your cover on properly than simply throwing it over your rig.

"Keystone RV" "Lerch RV" RV "PA RV Dealer" camper camping campers "tag along" "tow behind" "bunk model" "bunk house camper" "RV lifestyle" glamping caravan "Go RVing" RVing "new camper sale" "camper dealer" "new camper" "RV dealer" "PA RV Dealership" towing "used campers" "weekend fun" "family fun" "recreational vehicle" recreation "summer fun" "keystone rv company" "glamping" "fith wheel" "5th wheel camper" "travel trailer" "Open Range RV"

A good cover can make a difference.

The first thing that you should do before putting your cover on is wash your RV. Dirt, grease, and any bugs left on your RV’s exterior can set in and ruin your rig’s paint and body. Give it a good wash and dry it completely before you put your cover on. If you have anything with sharp corners on your roof, such as antennas or solar panels, remove them. If not, cover them with towels or blankets so the sharp edges won’t rip your cover.

The biggest challenge of getting your RV covered is getting over the top. Instead of using a ladder and your hands, tie a rope to one side of your cover and pull it over on the other side. If you do choose to use a ladder, be very careful. Falls and accidents are quite common. And if you get onto the roof to center everything, watch your step. You may not be able to see air vents or other oft spots on the roof.

Letting your RV hibernate for the winter may be a necessity, but be sure to use a quality cover to make sure that it is safe when not in use. If you are looking for a good quality cover, just ask us for help in finding the right one. If you are looking for a new RV in Pennsylvania, then just stop by Lerch RV!

How familiar are you with your RV Water Heater PA?

Posted on by

For those of you RV owners who have a shower on board, you know that there’s nothing worse than hopping in the shower and then realizing that there’s something wrong with your water heater. The most common problem, and in my opinion the worst, with water heaters in RVs is that foul, rotten egg smell. Though this isn’t harmful to you, it’s definitely not ideal. This happens when there are high levels of sulphur in the water and you can try to eliminate by flushing the water heater.

RV Dealership Pennsylvania,"Keystone RV" "Lerch RV" RV "PA RV Dealer" camper camping campers "tag along" "tow behind" "bunk model" "bunk house camper" "RV lifestyle" glamping caravan "Go RVing" RVing "new camper sale" "camper dealer" "new camper" "RV dealer" "PA RV Dealership" towing "used campers" "weekend fun" "family fun" "recreational vehicle" recreation "summer fun" "keystone rv company" "glamping" "fith wheel" "5th wheel camper" "travel trailer" "Open Range RV"Another common problem is  a dripping pressure relief valve. When the air pocket at the top of your water heaters gets absorbed by the water, there is no where for the heated water to expand to and pressure is released through the pressure relief valve. If this occurs, RV-Basics suggests the following:

Turn off the water heater and let the water cool. Then shut off the water supply to the water heater, open a faucet inside your camper to let off the pressure, open the pressure valve on the water heater and let the water flow until it stops on its own, then snap shut the valve, close the faucet, and turn the water supply back on.

If you have any problems with the water heater staying lit, this could be an issue with the gas valve or circuit. You should definitely come by and get it checked out.

There are three tips to help keep your water heater trouble-free. First, make sure your water heater is full before lighting. To check this, open a hot water faucet and wait until you see a steady flow. Second, regularly check the exterior vent and burner for anything obstructing the air flow. Lastly, drain and flush the heater at least twice a year.

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

Related articles

Satellite TV on the Road

Posted on by

Dish Network on the go...Recent surveys have shown that lots of RVers love their TVs.  Just because we are on the road a lot, doesn’t mean that we want to give up our favorite television shows.   After all, there is something comforting about having had a day full of fun and adventures to be able to return to your rig and tune in to your favorite evening programs.     I recently became aware of an option for satellite tv while on the road.  If you’re like most RVers I know, you travel only a few months a year and don’t want a year-long commitment on satellite TV for your rig.

With Dish Network, RVers can sign up for a no-contract plan in which you only pay a monthly bill for the months that you travel. This presents huge savings for RVers since you don’t have to pay a monthly bill all year-long.  You can start and stop monthly service as many times as you want at no charge.  Here are the rest of the details:

Pay-as-you-go TV

Watch all of your favorite programs and movies in the great outdoors. When you take a break from your adventures, your bill does too. Only DISH Network gives you the flexibility to start and stop monthly service as often as you wish – at no charge.

  • No contract required*
  • Pay only for the months that you travel – no charge to start and stop your monthly service
  • No additional monthly service fees
  • View off-air channels through your HD receiver wherever you camp**
  • Same programming you can watch at home

Only DISH Offers HD on the Road

Only DISH offers HD on ALL automatic mobile satellite antennas used with RVs. Domes and Portables do not support HD viewing with DIRECTV***

What You Need to Get Started

You’ll need a DISH mobile HD receiver and a mobile satellite antenna. DISH is compatible with ALL mobile satellite antennas.

DISH’s mobile HD receiver features:

  • Supports both SD and HD viewing
  • Designed for mobile use – compact, lightweight, emits little to no heat
  • Weather on Demand and Scoreboard Apps
  • Want a DVR? Connect an external hard drive***dishnetwork.com

As much as I hate to admit it, I love having my satellite TV available to me no matter where we are traveling.   There is just something really comforting about being able to relax in front of the tube, even while on the road!  Rver’s it’s time to sign up, tune in, and enjoy!

Related articles