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)

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)

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)

Are you a happy camper? If not read thes tips…

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Lerch RV

Trashy Campground image

It’s bound to happen if you are an RVer. You will get to your camp site and realize that you have some less than ideal neighbors. It may be little things such as loose trash or too much noise, or even sever such as people who try to get confrontational. The best thing that you can do in these situations is to be the better camper and hope that they will pick up on some of your routines.

Being a great camper means more than having the best equipment, it means allowing everyone around you to have a great time without causing any problems. Here are five tips from your-rv-lifestyle.com on how to become a better camper.

Follow the rules: Individual parks usually hand you a copy of their rules when you register. Adhering to these rules is one of the basics of campground etiquette. It makes things easier for everyone involved – you, your neighbors and the park operators. Typical guidelines include reduced speed limits on campground roads for the safety of all involved. You are typically expected to unhook a dinghy before driving to your site. There are usually defined quiet hours when you should keep the noise down, turn off outdoor lights, generators – basically, the party is over.

Eliminate pet peeves: Literally. Pick up after your pets. Stop excessive or extended barking. Don’t leave a howling dog unattended to bother the neighbors. Use a leash. Even if Spot is friendly, not everyone is an animal lover. Good pet-etiquette on your part helps ensure that the many RVers with pets are welcome at campgrounds.

Parking the rig: Sometimes it is very clear how to orient the rig on a site – you may even have a cement pad. But in many cases, the only guideposts will be the hookup for electric and sewer. General campground etiquette is to stay on your side of that hook-up, and not have awnings or slide-outs encroaching on the site next door. Look at the campground map for a clue about preferred orientation. Or, look around you to see how other rigs are angled, if they are centered on sites or close to the utility hook up. You will get the most out of the space you have (and so will your neighbors) if you are all situated the same way. There are bound to be exceptions – we have been in many campgrounds with no uniformity in the size, shape or orientation of sites. The main objective in these cases is to just “guess the site” and fit the RV into it. But even then, the idea is to park in a way that gets everyone their fair share of privacy and room under their respective awnings. Common sense and campground etiquette go hand in hand.

Late arrivals: If you are arriving at a park after normal quiet hours, attempt some degree of stealth behavior. Not that it is easy to be unobtrusive pulling in an RV. But keep the set-up to the minimum required for the night. Your neighbors will understand that you need to pull in and hook up. They have probably been in the same situation. But they will lose patience if they spend an hour listening to loud conversation, slamming doors and arguments over how to level the rig. Do what is essential and remember that tomorrow is another day. The same sort of courtesy should be used if you are making an early morning departure. Don’t keep the engine idling for an hour before you leave. Tidy up your campsite the night before.

Sewer connections: Do them right. Make them secure. No torn hoses. In most places, your sewer connection faces the side where you neighbor has their “patio” area. Another time where being discreet and careful is part of good campground etiquette.

There are more tips in the article, and I recommend that you give it a good read through. When you become a better camper, you will have a better time on the road. If you are looking for a new RV to become the best camper you can be in, then check out Lerch RV, Pennsylvania‘s largest travel trailer dealer.

Camping Season is here! (rvingiseasyatlerchrv.com)
RVing – A Good Vacation Option For Your Family! (rvingiseasyatlerchrv.com)

Camping Season is here!

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Lerch RV

Open Range Rolling Thunder H 397 RGR at Lerch RV

Camping Season is here.Whether you camp in a tent or a Open Range Rolling Thunder. Maintenance is a must....

Many of us are in full camping mode. With the unofficial start of Summer, Memorial Day, already a past us. Our service department is has been getting some customer calls on a few items. I decided to gather up some of those items and share them with you. The items below are something that all RV owners should keep an eye on. Once again, my belief that a little preventative maintenance goes a very long way.

RV Water heater bypass valves. These must be in the proper position to ensure that water fills the water heater tank. Ensure the tank is filled before turning on the water heater as you could damage the electric heating element or the water tank itself by overheating an empty tank.
Roll up your RV awning in windy conditions or if you are to be away from the campsite. It is an easy thing to do (especially with the newer electric awnings) to ensure that your awning does not get damaged by the wind. Or worse yet flip-up and over your camper damaging the structure.
RV/Marine Battery water levels. With many people leaving their campers plugged in over the summer for extended periods, it is important to maintain your battery’s water levels so they do not boil off. Check them frequently to ensure proper levels and top off with distilled water or recommended fluids.
Sealants. Inspect your seams around windows, doors, vents, and wall corners to ensure that the caulking is not cracked and leaving voids. Keep a tube of RV Caulking handy in your camper to seal any found voids. It takes 15-20 minutes to check over a whole camper, but, will ensure your camper weathers the storm for decades.
RV AC Coils. Get up on your camper roof safely and inspect the AC coils and remove debris. If needed get the coils straightened so that your AC runs more efficiently ensuring you have a cool place to sleep out of the heat. However do keep in mind if the weather decides to creep up to near record high temperatures and high humidity levels, your RV air conditioning unit may work extremely hard trying to keep you cool. After this past Memorial Day, with its record heat index, many RV owners called complaining that their AC units were not functioning properly.

If you are unsure about tackling any of the above RV maintenance issues above by yourself. Please give Lerch RV’s service department a call at 800-722-1236. Our qualified technicians will gladly answer any questions that you might have. And if you decide you do not want to do the work yourself, schedule an appointment when you call.

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

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

Introducing the all new Light by the Open Range RV Company.

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Lerch RV

True 90 Degree Turning with a 5.5′ Truck Bed….

Once again the innovation is just over flowing at the Open Range RV Company in Shipshewana, Indiana.

The newest offering from Open Range is the triple slide-out, 31′, half ton towable – LIGHT. The all new LIGHT 5th wheel can be towed by a 1/2 ton, 5 1/2′ short bed pick up truck without needing any special slider hitch. The special pin box can be adapted from a king pin to a gooseneck in a matter of minutes.

Click here to see this great interior.

The introductory floor plan is equipped with triple slides, weighing in at a meager 7,260 lbs. This trailer is 31′ in length and only has a tongue weight of 1,260 lbs. Equipped with a true 42″ main slide-out and is 100″ in total width. Do not let the light weight fool you, this is a fully equipped trailer. With exciting features such as a full side aisle bath with corner wall shower and large rear living area, this product will not have you second guessing yourself. After the introductory LIGHT LF 297 RLS other floor plans are scheduled to follow.

The exterior has a high-gloss metallic automotive finish. Inside you will find a clean, rich look that feels elegant. From the large 86″ sleeper sofa to the portable island that converts to a large dinette table. The LIGHT is an exciting new option in light weight 5th wheels. Oh, before I forget, this fifth wheel RV also comes washer/dryer prepped and has a bedroom wardrobe slide.

This all new offering by Open Range will be available at Pennsylvania’s largest Open Range RV dealership, mid-June. For more information on this exciting new RV, please contact us at 800-722-1236. Or visit Lerch RV on Facebook.

Open Range LIGHT, light weight 5th wheel at Lerch RV

The all new LIGHT

Hitch up your 5th wheel and let’s roll. (rvingiseasyatlerchrv.com)

Tips for Replacing Your RVs Ventilation (Roof) Vents.

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Lerch RV

Typical RV Roof Vent

RV vents may not be at the top of your priority list if it needs some fixing or replacing, but it should be. Good ventilation is very important to a healthy RV lifestyle.

Here’s a video I found while reading other RV related blogs. This video is very helpful in providing information of the importance of proper ventilation and how to replace the ventilation system is necessary. It shows installing the new vent from the outside in, including drilling new holes and hooking up the electrical, which is something some people dread doing. However with a few simple steps, you can save yourself money and have the pride of tackling the job yourself.

As you can see from the video, it’s very important to work with a clean surface when you place in the new vent so that the caulking sticks. And even more importantly is the safety of correctly matching up the electrical wires. When in doubt, you should check to make sure the polarity is correct with a volt meter. You don’t want to shock yourself now do you?

You should check all of the ventilation vents on your RV at least twice a year to make sure that they are in proper working condition and most definitely fix those that are not.

Should you have any questions, would like some advice or need a professional to help install the vents for you, look no further than your Central PA RV Dealer, Lerch RV. Our fully staffed RV service department would be glad to help you out!

May, 2011 is RV and Camping month in Pennsylvania. (rvingiseasyatlerchrv.com)
RVing – A Good Vacation Option For Your Family! (rvingiseasyatlerchrv.com)

Camping APPs for IPhone and Android are abound….

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Lerch RV

Camping is supposed to be fun and relaxing. A time to get away from the pressures and stress of home. However for those of us who can not totally disconnect from home or the outside world, there are many ‘camping’ related apps abound. So why not ‘have a reason’ for carrying your smart phone around while camping. A small list of available apps for the iPhone and Android operating systems is below. If you personally use a camping related app, please share it with us. Iphone image.

Campfire Games for the Android OS. A free list of games that are fun to play while sitting around a campfire. This link takes you to the ‘pro’ version, however a free version is available. Game objectives and rules are laid out so there is no last second cheating. Follow the Leader, 20 Questions and Movie Connection are some examples.

Creepy Tales for the Android. Is there anything better than sitting around a campfire at night sharing scary stories. This is one of the more popular aspects of RVing. Now, you can add 100 more creepy stories, legends and myths to your list. The ‘tales’ run from kid level to adult, so you can adjust your story to your audience type.

The RV Checklist APP for the iPhone is for RVers by RVers. This app includes RV centric check lists on what to do when arriving at and departing from your campsite/campground. Short and long lists are available. Be sure to check this out.

101 Camping Recipes for the iPhone, the name says it all. This app is only .99 cents and features an array of tried and true recipes specifically for campfire cooking. This app is also available for the Android operating system.

All Trails Hiking app is available for the iPhone. This app is free, and allows users to browse more than 40,000 trail guides detailing activities like hiking, biking, and even popular fishing spots.

Dish Network Satellite Finder APP Dish for my RV Satellite Finder is a pay for app available for the iPhone. For a small $2.99 fee, you have a great tool to help you set up your Dish Network Satellite feed. Simply point your iPhone skyward and view the screen as it locates Dish Networks satellites, which appear as red dots, making it easy to get the best positioning for optimal reception. This app requires no internet connectivity to work.

Fish Navigator for the Android. Now here is an app for all you fishermen/women out there. Now you will always know where the fishing hot spots are with this free app. This is a must have for those serious anglers. Does it work? I’ll let you decide.

I do not own and have not personally tried any of the above apps. There are many, many more RVing related apps out there, both free and pay for apps. Do they are work as advertised, who knows, however they are fun and those apps give you a reason to carry around your phone while out camping. If you currently use an app while camping/RVing, please share it with your fellow readers. And if you happen to try any of the above apps, share your thoughts with us as well.

RVing is Easy at Lerch RV

Making memories, one campsite at a time.

Category Archives: Open Range Journeyer

12 Easy Ways to Save Money at the PA RV Show

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