Tag Archives: camping with kids

RVing, is it for you? Sure it is….

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Family camping- Go RVing

Camping is a communal activity that brings people together. You never realize how many RVs are on the road until you start to think about buying one, then you notice how popular of an activity it is.  Campgrounds are full now days with families taking time to connect. You may be thinking about getting your first RV, but think that you won’t be able to connect with other RVers on the road and at the camp site. The generally impression that people get when they think about RV owners are older retirees that are spending their golden years on the road. While many RVers, especially full timers, may fall into this category, you may be surprised at who the average RV owner.

A study of RV owners found out that the average age of an owner is 49, married, and makes an average yearly income of sixty-eight thousand dollars. This is far from the retiree who has cashed in their big 401k or pension to buy a large motor-coach.  The average buyer is purchasing a tow behind camper, either a travel trailer or a fifth wheel.  The number of RV owners between the ages of 34 and 49 is growing rapidly every year. While this fact may not seem important to you, RVing is a great way to connect with like-minded people. That is not to say that you shouldn’t make friends with everyone, but it is easier to make new friends who are like yourself.

The age numbers dip further if you take into account all of the people who rent their RV for a trip instead of owning one. While you may expect to go to an RV park or campground not be able to fit in with everyone else, you will find that people of all ages, income levels, and races love the activity. So don’t be afraid to buy an RV because you think that you won’t fit in, it’s for everybody!

So when you are ready to hit the road and see this beautiful country of ours, please contact your Central PA RV Dealership and allow us to help you find the perfect RV.

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Bring more fun along with you.

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Open Range Rolling Thunder Toy Haulers at 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.

Open Range Rolling Thunder H397 RGR Toy Hauler at Lerch RV

As seen on TV: America’s Largest RV Show

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Zoo America located in Hershey PA Floods

As I write this, the ‘sweetest place on earth’ is currently one of the wettest.  With onset of days of rain and  major historical flooding of parts of Hershey, Pennsylvania. One must wonder how the ‘sweetest place’ will rebound.  The world will be able to see for themselves starting September 14 through September 18, when Hershey plays host to the largest RV show in America.  The 43rd Annual PA RV & Camping Show opens to the RVing public at 9am on Wednesday morning.

The 43rd Annual PA RV & Camping Show allows hundreds of exhibitors to showcase the latest and greatest in camping and RVing supplies.  The parking lot of the Giant Center is transformed into one large RV park, with all makes and models of RVs present.  From new high-end luxury motorcoaches to entry-level tent trailers, you will need at least two full days to view everything.  This large show is seen on HGTV and is labeled as ‘not just another RV show’.

As we approach the start of the show, let us all hope that mother nature has indeed thrown everything she could at Hershey.  And once the parking lot of the Giant center dries out and makes that transformation to the largest RV parking lot in the US, bring your family out to enjoy a great day or two.  Adult admission is $9 and children 12/under are free.  There are senior discounts and veterans discounts that are available daily.  Plus a 3-day show pass for $18.

And if you are looking for a brand new 2012 Open Range RV.  Find Pennsylvania’s largest Open Range Dealer, Lerch RV.  The Open Range display is just a hop, skip and jump from tram stop #4.  Look for the original breed of light weight fifth wheels, along with the newest offerings of truly half-ton towable units.  Do not forget that Lerch RV also offers the quality brands of Montana, Sprinter, Outback, Passport, Springdale, Summerland, Sydney by Outback, and Copper Canyon, all manufactured by the Keystone RV company.  If you are in the market for a new RV, come see a Pennsylvania dealer who has been in business for over 34 years.

Safe Travels and Happy RVing…

Find Lerch RV at America's Largest RV Show: 43rd PA RV Show in Hershey PA

A few tips to keep Ants from Invading your RV…

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Ants marching toward Lerch RV, how to keep ants from invading your RV/Camper...

When you are RVing at a campground or boon docking in the wilderness, you are susceptible to all kinds of insects and animals.

Ants are one of the more aggravating creatures to invade a RV, fortunately they are easy to get rid of. RV Travel shares this advice for us.

We woke up in our RV one fine morning with an upset cat. A large, black, moving column of ants, working its way across the RV from a crack near the entry door, across the flooring, up the wall cabinet, and into the kitchen sink. Hundreds of the little buggers, all intent on carrying away whatever it is that struck their fancy.

ANTS ARE CLEVER CREATURES – they send out scouts who scurry about the territory, looking for suitable food and water sources. If one crawls up your RV tire, water hose or power cable and eventually finds something inside your rig, he or she leaves a little smell trail of pheromones. Your proboscis won’t pick up on it, but to the ants, it’s an irresistible essence that must be followed — by hundreds of the scout’s fellows.

For whatever reason, ants won’t cross a line of bleach-containing scouring powder. Maybe it kills the pheromone trail, maybe it burns their little feet, we don’t know.

In any event, get out the Comet and shake a good border around everything of your rig that touches the ground: Tires, landing gear, stabilizers, cords, and hoses. This is better than spraying insecticide on these utilities, because the powdered cleanser will simply shake off, not stick to your hands, nor cause grief for pets and kids.

Of course, if the rains fall you may need to renew your magic circle, but while the powder’s out, the ants are gone.

This is a pretty easy fix. I wish it was this easy to repel other bugs or animals like, say, bears!

No, bears are nothing to laugh at. Now you should be equipped with some ant knowledge and some “bear” knowledge.

What more do you need? A new RV you say? We can equip you with that too!

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More RV and Camping Safety Tips

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You may read about RV and camper safety a lot when you’re surfing the internet or picking up the latest Trailer Life magazine. Personally I think you can never learn too much or think too often when it comes to RV safety. And as with anything else in life, practice what you read and preach.  To many times safety is placed on the back burner of our thought process when it comes to hitching up the wagon and hitting the road.  Many of my previous posts have been about RV and camping safety.  I can not stress how import this subject matter is.  So once again here are some more RV safety tips to think about….

"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"Propane:

Never paint the tank a dark color. It can absorb the sun’s rays and can cause it to overheat and explode.

  • Don’t travel with the stove, oven or heater burners lit.
  • Never refuel while any propane appliance or engine is running.
  • If you have an older propane tank, make sure it has an overfill protection device.
  • Install a propane gas detector.

Create a step-by-step checklist!!

Before you drive:

  • Make sure bay doors are closed and latched.
  • Double-check tow bar and safety cables.
  • Disconnect all power, TV, phone, water and sewer lines.
  • Retract jacks, steps, and awnings.
  • Look under the rig for signs of fluid leaks.
  • Check oil, transmission and coolant levels.
  • Check air brakes, parking brake and tow brakes.
  • Inspect tire inflation pressure and tread wear.
  • Make sure smoke and propane leak detectors are working.

Practice S.A.F.E Cornering:

RVers must compensate for the extra weight, height and length of their vehicles when cornering. Practice S.A.F.E. cornering:

  • Slowly approach the turn. It’s much easier to speed up in the corner than have to brake.
  • Arc the turn, careful to not arc the first swing in the opposite direction, confusing drivers behind as to where you really intend to go.
  • Finish the turn completely. Drivers make a common mistake when they straighten before the back-end of the vehicle has cleared the pivot point.
  • Experience is key. The best way to become a good RV driver is practice, practice, practice.[GMAC Insurance]

There are some good tidbits that I think you can print out and keep in your RV to refer back to every once in a while. That is if you like. I truly hope you have enjoyed some of these safety tips! That way next time you hit the road you will know that you and your family are good to go!

Have a great weekend adventure, run by on your way back so we can hear all about it.  And, if there is anything we can do to help, let us know!!

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

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Traveling with kids an adventure, so be ready for anything…

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This article was forwarded to me by a friend in the RV business. It is by Judy Jackson from the Edmonton Journal is quite informative.  So to all of those who have children and RV, read on…
RVing with kids at Lerch RV

RVing with kids, including full-time RVing, is becoming increasingly popular, and over the last decade the trend in RV production has been toward accommodating the needs of active baby boomer retirees, retirees traveling with kids and families.

Today’s RVs are designed with frugality in mind, built for comfort, accommodating of bicycles and kayaks and sports gear – particularly desirable things when you are traveling with kids.

The physical aspect of the RV for traveling with kids is well taken care of, but what about traveling with the kids themselves?

Most kids absolutely love the idea of traveling and adventuring in an RV. For some however, the mobile RV lifestyle is not a good fit at all – they just don’t handle the changes, uncertainty and leaving the security of what’s familiar, including friends and family.

Whether they’re excited or reluctant, with these few tips you can just about guarantee a pleasant time RVing with kids.

Enjoy the adventure

Yes, there will be problems, challenges, and unexpected things. Instead of getting upset, angry or dismayed, learn to change your perspective and enjoy the adventure of it all.

Have fun

What are you there for? Fun. If you aren’t having fun you may as well go home. Look for the fun. Do the out of the ordinary. Don’t be afraid to have fun, get dirty, tired, hot, scared.

See things through your kids’ eyes

Kids look at things very differently from adults. Put yourself in their place. Talk to them. Ask them. Listen to them.

Let them make decisions

Let them choose activities, routines, travel routes, what’s for supper, or even what not to do. Involve them.

Use teamwork

Let you kids be part of making and breaking camp. Teach them how to direct the driver in parking the RV. Have them help with dumping and other maintenance procedures. Show them how to plot a course and navigate. Work together on tasks and problem-solving.

Get rid of things that need upkeep

Pack and prepare things ahead of time so that things will run smoothly.

And remember, the adjustment period never ends. There are always new things, changes, kids grow, new interests and circumstances to accommodate.

It’s an adventure, so enjoy. For more on RVing with kids, check out Full-time Families . Or if you need help in finding that family friendly camper, please contact your central PA RV dealer, Lerch RV.

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RV life and us, and the people along the way, Thank You

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I recently came across this post on a blog called “Why RV?”  I found the article to be interesting and wanted to share it with my readers. I think it really describes the join and kindness that goes hand in hand with the RVing lifestyle.  Where else can you throw a huge group of people from all walks of life into boxes and put them side by side, and everyone still has a great weekend.  If you have any experiences to share please comment below.  And as usual Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

Although we are only 6 years into our camping life,  we have met some wonderful people and had some great times.  And also have spent lots of money we didn’t have,  too.   We are on our 3rd RV already,  and looking for our 4th. We see older ones that are being used that shows the love people have for their Rv’s.  Some of these RV’s look better than brand new high-end diesel pushers.   There are a lot  of people out there that are perfectly fine with what they have. There are those that live full-time in their RV’s.
Those that have seasonal sites.
Those that just use theirs on weekends.
Those that use it weekends and a family vacation here and there.  (This is the group we fall into.)
I respect all and every RVer,  or do we call them/us campers.  Is there a difference?  Some people will say the only camping is tent camping.  Well, my back can’t take tent camping anymore.  So,  I prefer to do my “camping”in an RV.

The people Along The Way

RVers,  or campers,  are just about the friendliest group of people you will meet.  If there is a newbie in the campground,  rest assured,  help is only a fire ring away.
Even if your dog lifts his leg on a fellow camper,  there’s a good chance even the victim will get a good laugh over it.  Yes,  Our Bull Mastiff did this to our neighbor 1 weekend..
But I think the most interesting,  and friendliest couple we ever met while camping,  was a couple we met during our first year of camping.  the husband was retired,  and his wife was a school teacher who was retiring either that year or the next.    That would make it 05 or 06.  I think they were from St Louis. Missouri.
It went down something like this.  We pulled in to Sun Valley campground near Morgantown, Pa on Friday.  There was a Bounder Motor home already next to us.  Later I noticed a small grill on the picnic table.  The grill was smoking for hours.   I told Kim that maybe they went away and forgot about it.   No worries,  if they weren’t planning on eating,  then I would have handled that.  Boy did that smell great.  Found out later it was 2 HUGE steaks,  he was cooking slow.
Anyway,  eventually,  a tall thin man with dirty gray hair and beard emerged.  Grabbed his food,  said hello, and went back in to enjoy their meal.
Later,  him and his wife,  a shorter woman,  with long dark hair,  came out and introduced themselves.   Now,  here’s a coupe in their mid 60’s,  and we are in our mid 30’s at the time.   We talked for hours.  They told us about their travels,  about Silver Dollar City,  about their kids,  and that they were on their way to their daughter’s house in Philly.
The man,  I’m terrible with names,  sorry,  And I talked for hours while Kim and his wife also conversed.
This couple touched our lives,  and  they have no clue.   They made us realize just what RVing is all about.  Here’s a retired couple,  from halfway across the country,  and for a weekend,  they are our neighbors.  Our closest friends.  Then,  all of a sudden,  that is the last you ever know of them.  The memory remains.  And what is RVing and camping all about.  Making memories.

So,  if anyone runs into an African-American couple,  now around 70,   from Missouri,  he was tall with greyish hair and beard,  she was short,  with long dark hair,  and a retired school teacher,  driving a 1996 Bounder in great shape.  PLEASE tell them,  their weekend friends from Sun Valley Campground in PA in 2005 said hello!

Thank You.

Happy Camping Everyone
Check out Camping Pa and follow me and other members on the forums.

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Woodall’s comes out of the book and into your Iphone

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Woodalls Logo

If you are familiar with Woodall’s RV directories then you know how handy they can be.  But the main problem that comes with having a printed directory is the trouble of getting the information you need in an instant.  That’s where their new iPhone app can come in handy.  Woodall’s has created a new app for all of you iPhone owners out there that gives the great information that you trust, all in the convenience of an easy to use phone application.  If you are looking for the most up to date information on camp grounds, routes, and other necessary information, then this is a must have app for you.

Woodalls Campground Application Screen ShotWoodalls Campground Directory App screen shot

Here is more information right from Woodalls website about this exciting new helpful application for the RVer:

Woodall’s, a Camping World company and the leading brand in campground directories, today announced the launch of RV & Camping Copilot, the most comprehensive campground mobile application available for iPhone and iPad. The free app provides RVers and outdoor enthusiasts instant and convenient access to more than 12,000 private and public campgrounds and RV parks in the United States and Canada, plus Mexico.

Woodall’s RV & Camping Copilot can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and provides complete campground information, including amenities, services, types of campsites, on-site recreation and identifies many camping discounts offered at parks. Private campgrounds also include Woodall’s 5W/5W Rating System, which is the most trusted consumer campground rating.

“Woodall’s RV & Camping Copilot is a groundbreaking mobile application that provides RVers and family campers access to campground information from the comfort of home or their home on the road,” said Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World. “This mobile app is the first of its kind, and we are pleased to lead the industry into the mobile space. But more importantly, we are thrilled to offer this app to camping enthusiasts for free.”

The Woodall’s mobile application interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. It will offer the ability to search campgrounds by city, state/province, nearest location or by campground name in an easy one-click search format. Users will also have the ability to view photos, take virtual tours and indicate their favorite campgrounds as well as share them on Facebook, Twitter or email to a friend. More than 1,000 popular attractions, in addition to Camping World retail locations, are accessible on the application. The Woodall’s RV & Camping Copilot App supports the iPhone, iPod Touch and the iPad and requires the IOS 3.0 system or higher.

If you need to find a campground while you are on the road, this App is for you.  Just another way to stay connected and informed while on the road via your smart phone. However if you wish to still have the campground directory in the original version, you can pick up the Woodall’s Campground Directory Book at your Central PA RV Dealership, Lerch RV. We also carry a selection of Regional Woodall’s Directories as well.

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

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A blast from the past in the RVing lifestyle.

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It’s easy to expect a lot from today’s RVs.

Internet connections, flat screen televisions, pillow top mattresses, and porcelain toilets may seem like a must to you now.  That’s what makes it so much fun to see where RVing came from.  I am still amazed every year when the latest and greatest designs come out from the leading RV manufactures.  It is easy to forget that there was a time when having a trailer with electricity was a big deal and some thought border-line insane.  Well, allow us take a look way back to the year 1937.  The country was in the middle of the Great Depression, and that meant that more and more people were taking to a life on the road to find the American Dream.

The YouTube clip below is a great way at appreciating all the hard work and ingenuity that has gone into designing and making everything that goes into RVs today.

So next time you are out driving and you get mad that you have no cell phone signal, just be thankful that you have a cell phone in the first place.  If you want to see what new technology is packed into the RVs of today or see what is going to be the RV of the future, then be sure to come to Lerch RV.  We have been selling the latest and greatest campers for over 34 years.

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

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

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Lerch RV Dog Days of Summer, Great RV prices!

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!

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