Tag Archives: camping with kids

Get the best camp site with these great camping tips.

Posted on by

Toy Hauler from Open Range purchased from Lerch RV

No matter how nice a camp ground is, it can all be ruined if you are stuck with a bad spot to stay in.  So what is the most ideal spot to park your rig and enjoy the camp ground to its fullest.  There are a lot of factors to take into consideration, and you may not always be able to do all of them, but if you follow some simple guidelines, your camping experience will be a lot less about complaining about your surroundings, and more about having fun.

Here are some tips from RV Basics for what to look for when choosing where to park your RV for camping….

  • If you’ve arrived at an unfamiliar campground ask the campground hosts for a detailed map and have a quick drive or hike around and make a list of some possible campsite locations.
  • Do not take a site that has camping items but no vehicle as it could belong to RV owners who aren’t on site for the day.
  • Always arrive ear;y if possible. You can rest assured the best campsites will be taken if you arrive late in the afternoon.
  • Camp at least 200-300 feet away from water, this keeps you out of traffic zone and bug free.
  • Make sure there are trees to hang your garbage and food up wind outside of camp.
  • Set up camp away from other campers and away from any trails.
  • If you love the idea of waking up in a warm location set up camp under the morning sun. You will also have the advantage of being shielded from hot sun later in the day.
  • Avoid setting up camp in tall grassy locations as they are a wonderland for insects.
  • Never camp at the bottom of cliffs with loose rocks.
  • Become familiar with flora and avoid all areas with poison ivy.
  • Get the best protection from lightning by camping near a dense grouping of trees, all the same height in a low area away from water.
  • Make sure the site is large enough to meet all your needs.
  • Think about what would happen to your site in the event of a storm.
  • Consider the location of bathroom facilities (if applicable).
  • Water is absolutely critical for camping. You will need it for washing, drinking and cooking so ensure that you have a water source nearby to your camp site.
  • If rain is expected locate your campsite in a flood free area.
  • Never modify an area by removing vegetation and rocks to create the perfect campsite. The perfect campsite is never created by man but has already been made by Mother Nature.
  • Find an area free of tree roots and rocks. If you’ve found the perfect location but there’s a problem with small rocks gently rake them away to create a smooth level for sleeping on.
  • Never camp on a ridge. You are too exposed to severe wind and lightning conditions.
  • Avoid sharing a site with campers who are not part of your group. There’s plenty of land to go around and every camper is entitled to some personal space.

There are more great tips in the article, and they will all make your camping trip a lot more enjoyable. If you are looking for a new RV to take camping, then check out our awesome selection at Pennsylvania’s largest Keystone RV and Open Range Dealership, Lerch RV…

Outback RV camper bought at Lerch RV

Advertisement

Protecting your Fur-child from harm while RVing.

Posted on by
Camping is for the dogs at 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:

      1. 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.
      2. 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.
      3. 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!

Civil War 150th Anniversary Photo Contest

Posted on by

Civil War Trust Photo Contest
It has been 150 years since the opening shots of the Civil War sounded, and since then snapshots of the battlefields have transported people into history, inspiring many to visit these sites, to walk on holy ground. The Civil War Trust is looking for today’s best photos of these sites during its 2011 Annual Photography Contest, currently underway through August 21,2011. Winners will be announced in September. Please visit www.civilwar.org/photos for rules and full details about the photo contest.

Many civil war sites offer great RV and camper parking.  Although some battlefields require auto tours, so making those in a motor-home could be cumbersome to say the least. However you travel and enjoy the RVing lifestyle. Please take time to visit these great places that helped to shape our nation.  And while you are there, stop for a moment to think about the thousands of men and women, that gave their lives during these great conflicts. And also for the ones who continue to do so till this day.

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

Fence Row

Let us help you find the cheapest gas in town in one click…

Posted on by

Gas Buddy.com logoWhile gas prices are starting to slip from the nearly $4.00 national average, they are still quite high, and no one knows this more than an RVer.  Whether you are towing your camper or driving your car, when you are filling up at the gas station and those numbers keep on spinning by, you wonder if there was cheaper gas just around the corner.  Well, you can take that guess-work away with the help of a very useful website.

Gasbuddy.com is a great resource for any driver, but it will come especially useful to RVers who are driving through new areas without the knowledge of knowing where the cheapest gas in town usually is.  It works like Google Maps or Mapquest, all you have to do is enter the ZIP code into the box and it will bring up the gas prices in the area. There is an iPhone app also.

The only snag will be that it posts the prices from the last 48 hours, so there may be a small dip or rise in price, but it is great at giving you a general idea of which stations offer the best prices.  Next time you are in a new town while going across the country, this website will become an invaluable tool to help save you a little green during the busy travel season. You can even try using it  in your home town, it is very accurate as well.

So do not worry about not always getting the best fuel price,   just remember to keep making those family memories by enjoying the RVing lifestyle. Keep camping and do not let the summer pass you by.  And while you are out and about, feel free to stop by Pennsylvania’s largest tow-able travel trailer dealership, Lerch RV.

gas buddy.com screen shot

Sprinter travel trailers by Keystone RV

Posted on by

Sprinter by Keystone RV

Now shipping in your 2012 Sprinters

  • New 32-inch LCD TV
    We make it easy to watch your favorite movies and sporting events on a larger scale!
  • New Skylight in Shower/Tub
    Enjoy more natural light with the increased headroom…7-feet to be exact.
  • New Bedroom Roof Vent
    Maximize air flow and enjoy the night breeze while you rest.
  • New Full Neo-Angle Glass Shower Enclosure
    Feel right at home with this full enclosure glass shower.
  • ‘Dream Collection’ Mattress
    Finally! A mattress that is not only light weight, water resistant and anti-microbial, but most of all comfortable.
    Sweet Dreams!
  • New Residential Front Bedroom
    Just like home…two full length shirt closets, increased overhead storage, his and hers personal drawers, and his and hers cubbies all in one beautiful design!
  • Quilted Bunk Mattresses
    Performance core construction and more complete and fitted look.
  • Easy-View Rotating Entertainment Center
    We have made a few changes creating more space between the bed and the entertainment center. We also added to bi-fold doors which allow you to keep the doors open when watching TV in the bedroom.

Come see why your Central PA RV Dealership is now Pennsylvania’s largest travel trailer dealer. Step inside a Sprinter travel trailer and see how they continue to make camping easy!
Give us a call at 800-722-1236. Or visit us on Facebook…

Lerch RV Summer Sale Weekends

Posted on by

It is time once again for our Annual Summer Sale Weekends.
Come visit PA’s largest travel trailer dealer during
the weekends of July 7-9 & 14-16.
For great food, give-aways and as always, GREAT SALE PRICES!

Lerch RV Summer Sale Weekends July 7-9 & 14-16, 2011

Join us for two huge weekends of low SALE PRICES!

Plan a weekend get-away to the Big Valley Area of Central PA during one of our Summer Sale Weekends. Come see what this beautiful area has to offer besides the lowest travel trailer and fifth wheel prices around. Our area is rich in history both state and national (did you know the Soldiers and Sailors Monument located in downtown Lewistown has the only stone ever removed from Lincoln’s tomb? The stone is the corner-stone of the monument) And we can not forget about the rich Amish culture of the Big Valley Area.

Plan a trip to come visit our area, and while you are here, see why we have become PA’s largest travel trailer dealer, with travel trailer prices starting at $9,995. As well as the state’s largest Keystone RV and Open Range RV Dealership. And if you are looking for a family friendly campground nearby, check out Buttonwood Campground. We are looking forward to seeing you!

Remember we make buying EASY…

P.S
Do not forget to stop by for your free Lerch RV hat! (and free summer food)

Leaky RV Window? Here is the fix…

Posted on by

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.

Trailer Tire Safety: Check your Tires Before Hitting the Road

Posted on by

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Only use soap and water to clean your tires. Using protective chemicals that have petroleum distillates will weaken your tires strength.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

Tire identification diagram

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

You can enjoy the RVing Lifestyle even if you are on a motorcycle.

Posted on by
Motorcycle camping with light weight camper

It may be small but it packs a lot.

If you are buying a camping trailer, then that usually means that you will be towing it behind a truck or SUV.  That doesn’t mean that there aren’t camper trailers that are designed for the motorcycle enthusiast.  If you own a motorcycle and often travel to bike shows and events, such as Sturgis or Daytona Bike Week,  then you may think that you are at the mercy of  hotel reservations, absorbent fees and check in times.

motorcycle camper
Well, I stumbled upon a great article from rvtravel.com that shows how one lucky biker is able to travel wherever he wants in the country, and always have a way to camp out.  This micro-camper may not have all the amenities of a full size luxury fifth-wheel, but that doesn’t mean that this rider is camping uncomfortably.

They don’t cook in their living quarters (they don’t come with stoves), so they eat out when on the road. This is their 2005 bunk house by B&F Specialties of Elk Grove, Illinois. This cool little RV has a screened in porch for bug-free outdoor living. Let me take you inside for a look at the sleeping quarters. This unit comes with a king sized bed with blow-up mattresses.

This little RV is roomy enough for tall folks to be comfortable. It weighs 350 lbs. empty and sports an electric refrigerator on the front.

Steve says it takes about five to ten minutes to set up and, “If it’s raining you can do it real fast.”

So if you want to travel around the country on your hog, but don’t want to deal with high hotel costs, then you should consider looking at a micro-camper. It goes to show, that RVs come in all shapes and sizes to make life on the road easier. If you are looking for a new full size travel trailer and fifth wheel, be sure to check us out at Lerch RV. Stop by and see why we are Pennsylvania‘s largest travel trailer dealer. Give us a call at 800-722-1236.

PS. Unfortunately we do not carry motorcycle campers…

motorcycle camper setup

Camping Season is here!

Posted on by
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!

Related articles