House Batteries-Storage, Maintenance, and New Technology

06 Wednesday Oct 2021

Posted by in Tech Tips

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We have written several articles about deep cycle batteries commonly called house batteries and produced numerous videos over the years so you might be saying, “Ok, we get it already!” However, in the last couple of years, there have been several new battery companies that came into the market, new technology with not only the standard lead-acid and AGM but also Lithium-Ion models as well.

Buying a Good Battery

When I first started in the industry in 1983 at Winnebago we used Goodyear Die Hard batteries and the warranty was through Sears stores across the nation. Back then there were thousands of stores, today I think the last one finally closed somewhere in the Midwest. The battery was good, the issue was for a warranty on the battery you had to take it out of your rig and bring it into a store! A lot has changed since then and there have been dozens of battery manufacturers that have come and gone and the old saying; “You get what you pay for” is still true today.

Batteries simply store energy that is used by the RV and replaced by a refilling or charging system. An acid solution reacts with the lead plates They all have lead plates in cells with acid covering them. The difference comes in the materials used inside the cells. Materials such as thicker positive plates, superior paste, better and fewer welds, and superior plate holders. Less expensive batteries that are offered by discount stores just do not last.

Typically Marine batteries are a hybrid with thinner cells and if they are rated with Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) or Marine Cranking Amps (MCA) they are designed for starting and may not be a true deep cycle design.

Lead Acid Gets A Bad Wrap

Even the good lead acid batteries can go bad prematurely if they are not properly maintained. As the energy is drained and recharged, sulfur coats the plates and needs to be removed during the first stage of recharging. A typical RV converter simply comes on at 13.6 volts until the battery is charged to 12.6 volts and then stays at 13.2 volts at which rate a fully charged battery will not accept a charge. To break up sulphation in a lead-acid battery, the initial charge commonly referred to as “bulk” charge needs to be approximately 14.6 volts. This would require a multi-stage charger such as the Progressive Dynamics “Charge Wizard” technology, a solar panel system with a charge controller, or an aftermarket product such as Battery Minder. Improper charging causes the sulfur level to get thicker and reduces storage capacity. Batteries look like they are fully charged at 12.6 volts but deplete fast due to sulphation.

Another issue with lead-acid is gassing and liquid depletion. As the battery is being recharged it create gassing which is hydrogen and oxygen and the liquid depletes. Therefore it is important to inspect the fluid level periodically and add distilled or deionized water to cover the plates. Low fluid levels expose the plates and cause them to deteriorate prematurely.

Absorbed Glass Mat-AGM

At my seminars, I’ve talked with many RVers that got fed up with their lead-acid batteries and went to AGM batteries because they provide more power and are less maintenance. This is half right, there is less maintenance as they are sealed and do not have gas, and are less prone to sulfation. They do not provide more power initially however, as they are less prone to sulfation, they provide the rated power over the years as the sulfated lead acids will start to underperform as discussed earlier.

Storage

All batteries will lose a charge during long periods of inactivity such as storage. Batteries should be recharged when they show under 70% capacity. And they need to be kept from freezing. If you do not have access to 120-volt power to charge or a solar panel, it is recommended to remove the batteries and maintain them store them properly.

Another option is using a solar panel with charge controller or Battery Minder which not only keeps the battery from freezing and properly maintained. This is good for lead acid, gel, and AGM. Not for use with Lithium Ion. Lithium-Ion batteries should be stored at 50 degree temperature and at 40-50% capacity.

Lithium Ion

In the past, Lithium Ion batteries were very expensive and did not perform well in cold weather. Technology has changed and more companies have developed Lithium Ion batteries that are getting closer to AGM batteries. Granted they are still about twice as much initially, however they can be drained down to almost 0% capacity vs 50% of other batteries so you can get by with fewer overall batteries. Also, they last longer so if you plan to keep your rig for a long time and do a lot of dry camping, the pay for themselves. Plus with proper charging,  they are not affected by cold weather as older versions.

About the author: Dave Solberg: Managing Editor, RV Repair Club

For the last 25 years, Dave has conducted RV maintenance and safety seminars, developed dealer and owner training programs, written RV safety and handyman articles, authored an RV handbook reference guide and logged over 100,000 miles on the road in an RV.

RV Repair Club

RV Repair Club is your go-to online resource for enthusiasts who want quality RV maintenance, repair and upgrade information – a community where passionate RVers can come together to gather knowledge and share their experiences.

Learn more about RV Repair Club.

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Boondocking Power Options

06 Wednesday Oct 2021

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Boondocking is a great way to save money while traveling. It can be fun and make your trip feel more like camping when you stay in a disbursed camping area for several days without the creature comforts of an RV park. Unfortunately, that means doing without a power hookup as well. There are several boondocking power options available to RVers. The trick is choosing the one(s) that fit your power needs and budget.

Gas/Propane Generator

Probably the most widely used power option for RVers is a gas or propane-powered generator. Motorhomes and Class Cs come with them built into the RV, and there are plenty of ways they can be carried with you or mounted on the back of fifth wheels and travel trailers.

Simply put, a fossil-fuel-powered generator, whether the fuel is gasoline, diesel, or propane, works by burning a fuel to spin a magnetic AC generator. This is similar to how the alternator in your car works.

Traditional Generator

A traditional generator sends the AC it generates directly to the outlets. The power may go through a voltage regulator of some kind, but you are generating AC power and using it for the most part. Unfortunately, some generators produce rather dirty power this way. What do I mean by dirty power?

AC power is called alternating current. Instead of flowing in one direction like direct current (DC), it alternates back and forth. Think of it like generating heat by rubbing your hands back and forth. When power comes out of your wall at home, it smoothly flows back and forth at the same rate, or frequency, all of the time. On a graph, this looks like a nice smooth sine wave.

Because a generator must rev up and down to maintain a constant voltage, it may not look as smooth. It might look jittery. This is called harmonic distortion. Traditional generators can have a lot of it. That doesn’t make them bad. Many modern generators have safeties built-in. If you need raw power to fire up your RV air conditioner several hours a day while boondocking, you will need a powerful generator to run it.

Pros

  • Many price points and sizes to choose from
  • Easy to keep running by adding more fuel

Cons

  • Depending on the size, they are quite heavy.
  • Trailer owners may have to get a mount built for it.
  • Cheaper ones tend to produce dirtier power, which isn’t necessarily good for electronics like computers.

Inverter Generator

Inverter generators are quieter than traditional gas-powered generators. They work by adding a few steps to the process of getting power. Power is produced the same way as a traditional generator and then sent through a rectifier to convert the AC power to DC. An onboard computer chip sends the power through an inverter (hence the name) to clean up the power and turn it back into AC.

Pros

  • They are smaller and lighter than most traditional generators.
  • They tend to be quieter.
  • They produce power with less distortion, which is better for electronics.

Cons

  • They are typically more expensive when you compare total power output.
  • They don’t typically produce as much power, so without additions like a SoftStartRV, they may not run a larger air conditioner that well.

Solar Power

Solar power is an excellent addition to any RVer’s boondocking power solution. As you probably already know, solar panels convert sunlight into electricity to charge your RV batteries. But there are a lot of other parts that go into making a solar system work too, and finding the right setup for you and your needs can be confusing and costly.

Fortunately, there are many articles and calculators online that can help you determine what size of solar system you need.

Many who install solar on their rig also opt for lithium batteries because they work very well with solar, require little to no maintenance, and can be placed anywhere because they don’t have to be vented like lead-acid batteries.

Pros

  • Eco-friendly
  • Low Maintenance
  • Free Power
  • Silent
  • Always charging your batteries when the sun is out

Cons

  • They can be costly.
  • Unless you have a very expensive and hefty system, you aren’t going to be running your air conditioner with solar.
  • Many RVers will have to get the system wired up if their rig isn’t prewired (not plug and play).
  • They aren’t very useful when you aren’t using your RV.

Portable Solar Generator System

A portable solar generator system combines a new addition to the power market, portable power stations, and solar panels. Though they haven’t quite gotten there yet, they aim to replace gas-powered generators eventually.

What is a portable power station?

Several companies like Jackery, Goal Zero, Bluetti, and Ecoflow produce portable power stations, and they all come in different sizes. They are all the same type of device, though. A lithium battery pack, an inverter, and a solar charge controller are all wrapped in a portable box with various output plugs. The power station can usually be charged three ways, a wall outlet or gas generator, a carport, and solar panels.

Using solar panels with a portable power station makes it a solar generator, especially if the power station supports pass-through charging (you can use it while it’s charging up). Some larger power stations can run just about everything on an RV, including a 1000W microwave.

Why get a portable solar generator over installing solar on an RV?

Using this type of system for solar power has a few advantages over installing a solar system on your RV. They are typically cheaper when you consider they have every component needed for solar charging, and you don’t have to pay to get them installed on your RV. They are also portable so that you can use them for power around your campsite or in your home as an emergency backup power source.

Pros

  • Eco-friendly
  • Low Maintenance
  • Free Power
  • Almost Silent
  • Portable Power
  • Useful when not RVing
  • May be less expensive than installing a solar system on your RV

Cons

  • Some of the larger units will run an RV air conditioner, but probably not for long periods.
  • Though they are technically a generator, it still takes time to charge them up with the sun.
  • The solar panels made for many of these units are portable and less durable than roof-mounted solar panels.
  • They require a bit more daily setup than a built-in RV solar system (power station and solar panels must be taken outside and set up to charge).

Which Power Option Should I Get?

There is no best option for every RVer out there. I can speak from personal experience and say that my motorhome has a generator built-in, but I also have a Jackery Explorer 1500 Solar Generator setup. When I need to run my air conditioner while boondocking, I use the generator and charge up the Explorer 1500 while it’s running. I charge the Explorer 1500 up with solar and run almost everything else like laptops, a microwave, TV, fan, etc. when I don’t need to run the AC.

If you only boondock a few times a year, you probably only need one power option. In contrast, those who spend much of their RV time without hookups will probably want the benefits of having a gas-powered generator and a solar option to cover all of their needs. It’s always better to have more options than you need in an emergency.

About The Author: Levi Henley

Levi Henley and his wife, Natalie, have been full-time RVers for over 5 years. They have also been Coach-Net customers for the same amount of time.  They travel and workcamp around the U.S. in their 26-foot Itasca Sunstar motorhome with their two cats.  They write for multiple RV-related publications and recently co-wrote “Seasonal Workamping for a Living: How We Did It.” You can follow their adventures on the road at henleyshappytrails.com 

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Fulltime RVer Tips: 3 Great Web Applications For RV Trip Planning

27 Monday Sep 2021

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My wife Natalie and I have been living in our RV full-time for over six years. We have put thousands of miles on our rig and have planned tons of trips in that time. As a result, we get asked about the best RV trip planning app out there. Honestly, we don’t use just one. There are several big contenders, and each of them has its strengths and weaknesses. So below, you will find the top three RV trip planning web apps we use and why.

RV Trip Wizard

RV Life produces RV Trip Wizard, and it is probably our main trip routing app. That is what puts it on top of the list. Many apps help you find RV parks, disbursed camping sites, and Walmarts, but not many of them will route you with RV-friendly directions. That is precisely where RV Trip Wizard shines.

Cost: $19/month or $49/year

Why We Love RV Trip Wizard

  • Safe Routing And Fuel Stops

Their site offers a free 7-day trial, and when you sign up, you are asked to input your RVs type, size, gas mileage, etc. RV Trip Wizard will use this information to choose the safest route for your rig. It will also use the fuel tank size and gas milage to tell you where you will need to fill up.

  • Time Estimates And Avoiding Tolls, Highways, Etc

Do you want to avoid highways or hate tunnels even when your RV will fit? RV Trip Wizard has many options to avoid different scenarios on your route. You can also allow Trip Wizard to estimate your travel time based on speed limit or choose an average speed that you typically travel.

  • Driving Radius Based On Mileage Or Time

The driving radius is a neat feature. You select a minimum, ideal, and maximum distance based on miles or driving time each day, and RV Trip Wizard will put that radius around your selected stopping location. This makes it easier to decide where your next stop will be. We used to have to measure each driving day manually on Google Maps before discovering this feature.

  • Trip Cost Estimate

You can input the average price of gas, campground stay, and daily food cost, and RV Trip Wizard will estimate the cost of your trip. Alternately, you can input the cost information for each stop to get an accurate estimate of how much your trip will cost.

  • Tons of Filters

Filter RV parks and campgrounds by type, amenities, price, rating, and more. There are tones of filters to narrow down the perfect RV park. It integrates with Campground Reviews, so you get real customer input without leaving the trip planning tool.

  • Points of Interest

RV Trip Wizard allows you to find and filter for different points of interest along your route from gas stations, dump stations, and Walmarts to area attractions.

  • Elevation

RV Trip Wizard shows you the elevation and estimated grades of your entire trip.

  • RV GPS

You can pull up your trips on the RV Life app to use it as an RV-safe GPS unit.

Here is a video of exactly how we use RV Trip Wizard to plan an RV Trip:

Allstays Pro

Allstays is a popular RV trip planning tool for RVers that doesn’t do routing. However, It provides many of the same filters as RV Trip Wizard for finding campsites, gas stops, and services.

Cost: About $35 a year

What It’s Good At

  • Walmart, Truck Stop, and Rest Stop Info

Allstays is good at listing a ton of information about truck stops and rest stops. It will tell you how many parking spaces and amenities are offered such as propane fills or an RV dump station. The same goes for rest areas. Do you need a rest area with an RV dump, WiFi, or any other services? Allstays will tell you.

In addition, when it comes to Walmarts, Cracker Barrels, and other such locations, Allstays will tell you how many RV parking spaces Cracker Barrels have. The description will list other RVers’ experiences at Walmarts with the date for reference.

Allstays is good at giving info on places like Walmarts, truck stops, and rest areas that other services don’t give.

  • Free Camping

Allstays isn’t our preferred boondocking spot finder, but it does have a rather large database of free or almost free campgrounds. Using Allstays, we have been able to find locations that provide full hookups that allow free camping. You can find some of these locations with RV Trip Wizard, but Allstays seems to have more.

What It’s Not Good At

There is only one issue that prevents Allstays from being used exclusively, and that is its lack of routing. You can find just about everything you need to plan an RV trip. However, you must use other map software like Google Maps to plan the route.

The following video shows how we have used a combination of Allstays and Google Maps to plan and route an RV trip.

Campendium

Campendium, like the other services mentioned in the article, will allow you to find RV parks, dump stations, etc. This is our go-to for boondocking, overnight parking spots, and dump station finds.

Cost: Free (ad-supported), or you can get extra perks and additional functionality by becoming a supporter for $20 a year.

What It’s Good At

  • Boondocking

As stated above, if you are looking for boondocking locations, overnight parking spots, and dump stations, Campendium is where to go.

Campendium is our favorite app for finding boondocking spots and overnight parking.

What It’s Not Good At

It doesn’t do routing, list gas stations, or Walmarts.

How We Use All Three

Putting these three services together, we can plan our route any way we like. We do routing and RV park searching in RV Trip Wizard. If we plan a gas stop at a travel center or are interested in more info about a rest area or Walmart, we head over to Allstays to find the info we need. Finally, if we are looking for a boondocking or free spot, we search the area on Campendium. RV Trip Wizard allows you to enter a stop via GPS location which both Allstays and Campendium give for their locations.

When it comes time to hit the road, RV Trip Wizard allows us to open our RV Life app on our phone, pull up the preplanned trip, and tap navigate. The app gives turn by turn RV safe directions and even shows little icons indicating stores and gas stations along the route.

About The Author: Levi Henley

Levi Henley and his wife, Natalie, have been full-time RVers for over 5 years. They have also been Coach-Net customers for the same amount of time.  They travel and workcamp around the U.S. in their 26-foot Itasca Sunstar motorhome with their two cats.  They write for multiple RV-related publications and recently co-wrote “Seasonal Workamping for a Living: How We Did It.” You can follow their adventures on the road at henleyshappytrails.com 

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Bobby H. ~ “We experienced a tire blow out on our 40ft fifth wheel. The agent that helped us was very calming and helpful. The service was prompt and exactly as described. The service provider was very professional, prompt and helpful. We are very pleased with your service. This was the first time we have had a need in over two years. Now we are even more at ease while we travel knowing Coach-Net has our back.”

Ensuring Kids Have Plenty of Fun in Your RV

22 Wednesday Sep 2021

Posted by in Kids and Camping

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Millennials are spearheading the RV boom in a big way, reports the RV Industry Association, with the Class B camper van holding particular sway among this adventurous crowd. Apart from the freedom and independence of RVs, their ability to house families with kids is also of interest, which makes sense considering the fact that millennials are growing up (they are aged 25-40) and kids love nothing more than outdoor adventures. Children certainly enjoy being in RVs, but when families are undertaking long road trips, they need to ensure be entertained. Otherwise, they may start asking that question (“Are we there yet?”) hundreds of times. Below you will find a host of fun, screen-free ideas that parents, grandparents, and friends can enjoy alongside younger members of the family.

Shape Sorters and Puzzles

Having to solve a problem can keep curious kids occupied for many minutes straight. For younger tots, shape sorters, building blocks, and puzzles will do the trick. This type of toy has actually picked up in popularity, with many parents opting for gender-neutral games and toys that can be reused by various kids in the home. Board games involving question-and-answer-type activities are ideal for older kids. Moreover, having the opportunity to play with all toys can teach kids that there are no limits when it comes to pursuing interests or trying new activities and subjects out. You can either bring a Trivial Pursuit-type game along or simply print out a few trivial questions kids can compete to solve.

Paper Dolls

This activity is fun and time-consuming, making it a good way to make the minutes go by quicker. Make sure to bring child-safe scissors onboard. These have rounded edges but are still able to cut perfect edges on paper and other materials. Bring a few coloring and glitter ink pens as well, so that kids can embellish paper clothing to their chosen style.

NERF Guns

If you are on a road trip, then without a doubt you will be making various stops and indeed, you may decide to camp in a green, lakeside, or seaside area — all of which make an ideal setting for NERF gun wars. If you will be camping by the water, of course, make sure you have water pistols as well. This type of toy is ideal for getting kids to run, jump, and hone their stealth tactics.

Card Games

From UNO to Poker, there are so many card games that families can enjoy together. Cards are light, weightless, and easy to pack and they make for an ideal mid-morning or lazy afternoon activity. Popular games include Disney’s Eye Found It packs, Five Crowns, and Set. Older kids, meanwhile, will love learning more mature games that require skill, memory, and strategy. Even a simple deck of cards will do for games like Old Maid, Slap Jack, Memory, and President.

Kids love RV trips owing to the sense of adventure they bring. To make road trips seem shorter, make sure to bring various games and toys, since kids can get tired of playing the same type of game over and over. Top choices include shape sorters, puzzles, NERF and water guns, and good old card games which passengers of all ages will undoubtedly enjoy playing.

Author: Alicia Rennoll

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The Face Behind Your Spartan ERS: Gwen Vanover

09 Thursday Sep 2021

Posted by in Roadside Assistance

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“We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

– Will Durant

Striving for excellence is ingrained in Gwen Vanover’s DNA.  Her profound sense of pride in what she does, coupled with her deep and true concern for RVers and her intense desire to be an amazing example of a strong work ethic for her daughters is what drives Gwen to excel every day.

Gwen has been an invaluable member of the Coach-Net family for 3 ½ years as an RV roadside assistance dispatch agent, working specifically with Spartan RV Chassis, handling their warranty mobile service.  She sets up services RVers need and is the seamless liaison between the service providers, Spartan and Coach-Net’s mutual customers and the Spartan customer service team.  With Coach-Net’s mission of “Creating a carefree RV experience so everyone can focus on making memories with their friends and families”, always top of mind, Gwen continues to exceed expectations from all who have the pleasure of speaking with her.

“I have RV owners who depend on me to get them back on the road every single day,” says Gwen. “They deserve nothing less than my very best.”

When people buy RVs, they are seeking relaxation, fun, adventure, connecting with nature and making memories that will last a lifetime.  But, unfortunately, the unexpected and not-so-fun stuff does happen. Imagine cruising along the open road, quietly anticipating stepping out of your RV door, on a cool, crisp morning, to sip on a hot cup of coffee while enjoying the golden rays of sunlight peeking over the mountaintops. Your tranquil daydream is suddenly interrupted by the dreaded DEF fault codes followed by the stop engine light and alarm. You are now broken down on the side of the road and that pretty picture you were just painting is starting to fade.  It’s time to go into problem-solving mode. Instead of panicking, you breathe a sigh of relief when you realize you get to talk to Gwen and Gwen will fix everything.  

This is the type of situation Gwen deals with every single day.  Someone is on the side of the road, scared, stressed and frustrated.  She helps with the small questions that might just help make someone’s day better all the way through to true life or death emergencies, sometimes helping people on their worst day.  Gwen takes this role very seriously and is always striving to do her best for the sake of others.

“It’s really hard to count the number of times Gwen has gone above and beyond because she provides the same level of excellent service each time we ask her for support,” says Scott Wixson, Spartan Customer Service Manager. “Her taking the initiative to communicate with customers directly, constantly closing with loop with our mutual customers really stands out. This often results in phone calls from customers directly to her cell phone at all hours of the night.  As much as we ask her to direct these calls to Spartan, she only wants to help resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

Gwen’s constant communication with the customer along with her empathy, sense of urgency and ability to put herself in the shoes of the customer is what defines excellent customer service.  Gwen mentioned, “The most important thing is keeping the customer in the loop.  I like to keep the owners updated on everything, remembering that most of the time they are stranded.  Keeping them updated helps ease some of the pressure and frustration, even if it is bad news.”

RV owners truly appreciate this level of service.  When customer service is this exceptional, word travels fast in the RV community and Gwen’s name in known throughout the Spartan and Entegra family of owners.  From RV forums to multiple RV owner facebook groups, Gwen and her commitment to excellence is mentioned on several occasions by Spartan and Coach-Net customers. Some of the kind words we have received about Gwen directly from customers include the comments:

“She treated us like a VIPs”

“Gwen made me a believer in Coach-Net”

“She was verrrrrrrrrry nice and at least twice as helpful as she was nice”

“She was with me every step of the way. I was not alone.”

“Gwen was “on it”, tracking the part and communicating with me the whole time.”

“I truly know when organizations have folks on their team that “get it” in providing quality, professional customer service and Gwen “gets it”!” 

Gwen even keeps in touch with customers after their service event and, often times, they will send her pictures of their adventures.

Gwen’s unparalleled ability to build relationships does not stop with Spartan and our mutual customers, it extends to the independent service providers as well.  “Another thing that stands out about Gwen is her network and the amount of relationships she has built with service providers across the county,” says Wixson. “No matter where our customers are located when in need of assistance, she has a rolodex of contacts memorized and knows exactly who to call for the quickest possible service to take care of the customer.”  Gwen is definitely well known and respected by our service providers to such an extent that a customer who was having an issue with their coach stopped at a local bar in the town where he was staying at the time. He struck up a conversation with a gentleman at the bar who happened to be one of our service providers. Upon him finding out that the customer had a Spartan coach, he told him that he absolutely had to get in touch with Gwen and gave the customer her cell phone number. The customer did in fact reach out to Gwen, and she did in fact help get his coach taken care of.

Further emphasizing Gwen’s incomparable customer service skills, Lacey Pintado, Coach-Net’s RV Technical Service Director, expressed, “Employees like Gwen don’t come across very often. Her commitment to excellence and attention to details are second to none. She has a deep understanding of the technical operation of these giant coaches, but what is even more special is her ability to build relationships with customers, clients, and service providers. Even when delivering bad news to customers, she is able to put them at ease when she assures them she will be in contact with them until the service is complete (and she is!).”

As a part of Coach-Net’s Culture, employees are held accountable to uphold our 7 core values of honesty, humility, integrity, family, excellence, courage and servant’s heart.  Coach-Net even holds monthly RV (Our Values) Awards where coworkers can nominate each other for exemplifying these core values.  Gwen embodies these values every day and it does not go unnoticed.  To date, she has received 13 RV Awards and sets an amazing example to her team and every employee at Coach-Net.

Thank you, Gwen, for your unwavering dedication to excellence and your servant’s heart for our customers and partners.  Thank you for being our customers’ connection to carefree RVing.  You are truly one of a kind.

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Richard M. ~ “Even though we were in an area of very few providers, Coach-Net kept us informed on what was happening and when to expect help. As we have in the past, we will continue to sing your praises anytime we have the opportunity online or around the campfire.”

4 Rockin’ Places to Go RVing in Nebraska

09 Thursday Sep 2021

Posted by in The Great Outdoors

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“We get it. Some people will write Nebraska off and never give it another thought. Or another chance. But we also know that there are enlightened truth-seekers out there willing to take the time to find out what makes our beautiful state so appealing, charming, and disarming. Welcome enlightened truth-seekers!” – https://visitnebraska.com/

While often overlooked as a travel destination, Nebraska is a Midwestern hidden gem. It offers majestic landscapes, rich history of trailblazers, and dramatic natural wonders surrounding vibrant cities and culture. So the next time you cross through Nebraska on your RV journey, consider stopping a few days at some of these stunning and noteworthy natural and historical landmarks featuring unique rock formations.

Chimney Rock National Historic Site

Chimney Rock (Photo by Levi Henley)

The Chimney, Smokestack, Teepee, Wigwam…Chimney Rock National Historic Site, just outside the tiny town of Bayard, has been called many things throughout the centuries. The iconic rock formation that rises close to 480 feet above the North Platte River served as a landlocked beacon along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails during the 1800s. 

Accounts of Chimney Rock were recorded in the diaries and journals of early emigrants. They mentioned that the sight of the landmark made them “glad to see that they are going the right direction, and it spired to the heavens.”

While the spire is about 30 feet shorter than it was over 150 years ago, the landscape looks much the same way as it did during the western migration. Today, visitors can learn all about the area at the national historic site’s museum and even walk around a cemetery with graves dating back to the 19th century.

Folks wanting to make an overnight camping trip to this captivating site can stay just down the road at Chimney Rock Pioneer Crossing Campground. The park has the best panoramic views of Chimney Rock, surrounding rock formations, wildlife, and a big open sky.

Scotts Bluff National Monument

Scotts Bluff National Monument (Photo by National Park Service)

Continue your journey down the Oregon Trail at the next stop. About a 30-minute drive northwest of Chimney Rock National Historic Site via NE-92 W sits another significant portion of the California, Oregon, and Mormon Trails.  Towering 800 feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has served as a landmark for both Native Americans and westward-bound emigrants.

Visitors to this 3,000-acre national monument rich in geological, paleontological, and human history, can explore the visitor’s center and peruse its exhibits, go on a hike, drive the 1.6-mile Summit Road to catch a view from the top of Scotts Bluff or attend a ranger program.  All of this is available for free.  Plus, for your convenience, the local communities of Scottsbluff and Gering offer family-friendly campgrounds.

Indian Cave State Park

Indian Cave State Park (Photo by Nebraska Game and Parks)

On the opposite corner of Nebraska, to the southeast region, is the picturesque Indian Cave State Park. This over 3,000-acre camping, hiking, and boating paradise borders the mighty Missouri River and is nestled amongst a variety of hardwood trees, shrubs, and other flora.

The main geological feature of the state park is the Indian Cave. It features prehistoric Native American petroglyphs that can be viewed from a wooden boardwalk extending the length of the cave wall. 

Visitors can also enjoy an array of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, boating, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, archery, wildlife viewing, picnicking, and camping. The state park hosts guided tours and special events for day-use visitors and campers throughout the year as well. 

For more information on this intriguing RV camping spot, check out outdoornebraska.gov.

Toadstool Geological Park and Campground

Toadstool Geographic Park (Photo by Visit Nebraska)

If you’re willing to travel off the beaten path down washboard roads and away from cell service, then this next adventure to the far northwest corner of Nebraska may be your next detour. The unique rock formations resembling mushrooms of Toadstool Geological Park are a part of what is referred to as the Nebraska Badlands.

Toadstool Geological Park is located in the Oglala National Grassland and includes a campground for those wanting to explore and hike the trails several days in a row. Day visitors and overnight campers can utilize a self–guided trail brochure to learn about the grasslands, geological formations, and fossil deposits.

There are three hiking trails to choose from with varying degrees of difficulty and range from 1 to 5 miles. The campground consists of six sites (long enough for rigs up to 30 feet, according to Always on Liberty’s review) with picnic tables and fire rings, and there are two vault toilets. Unfortunately, there is no water or hookups, so come prepared. The campground is open year-round with limited services from mid-November to early May. For more information on this geological anomaly or to learn more about RV camping there, visit the USDA Forest Service site.

(As with any camping venture, be leary of weather conditions, Traveling and camping at Toadstool Geographic Park and Campground during a storm or downpour is not advised, especially considering the entrance is a dirt road over 10 miles long.)

Wherever You Roam Coach-Net Can Help Your Traveling Home

Whether traveling through the Midwest or the Northeast, RV carefree using Coach-Net’s 24/7 RV Technical & Roadside Assistance. When you purchase a Coach-Net membership, help from a trusted RV expert is always just a phone call away. But that’s not the only benefit members can receive. Coach-Net offers many additional services, including Tire & Wheel Protection, Extended Service Agreement, RV Paint & Fabric Protection, Guaranteed Asset Protection, and more. For more information on how Coach-Net can provide peace of mind one RV adventure at a time, contact us today!

“As an RV owner, you owe it to yourself to have the protection you need when you need it most. You can rest easy knowing that Coach-Net has you covered.”

-Coach-Net

About The Author: Natalie Henley

Levi Henley and his wife, Natalie, have been full-time RVers for over 5 years. They have also been Coach-Net customers for the same amount of time.  They travel and workcamp around the U.S. in their 26-foot Itasca Sunstar motorhome with their two cats.  They write for multiple RV-related publications and recently co-wrote “Seasonal Workamping for a Living: How We Did It.” You can follow their adventures on the road at henleyshappytrails.com 

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Mike S. ~ “I am very pleased I chose Coach-Net! When I needed you, you were there for me!”

Coach-Net Camping: The Gregory’s Head To Disney

09 Thursday Sep 2021

Posted by in We Love It. We Live It.

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Where’s the best place to celebrate the 4th of July? According to our Vice President of Sales, Kim Gregory, it’s in your RV camping at The Most Magical Place on Earth. This summer Kim and her husband Jake loaded up their 5 kids, along with the family dog Willie, and hit the road for a 9 day road trip from Dallas to Orlando.

The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort was home for Kim’s family for 5 incredible nights and they loved every second of it. The triplets especially enjoyed riding around in the golf-cart catching a cool breeze as they toured around the resort. Kim and her family spent their first day setting up their temporary home, enjoying the amazing amenities at Fort Wilderness Resort, playing corn-hole, and of course grilling some amazing food. The next day they began their assault on the parks beginning with Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Everyone had a great time seeing all the wild animals on Disney’s Kilimanjaro Safaris. I think the only thing the kids enjoyed more that day were the snacks. But who can blame them? Snacks are life.

The second day The Gregory Crew traveled the world at Epcot followed by a wild and wet third day at Blizzard Beach. Disney World is a truly magical place, but Florida was scorching hot so they were all relieved to spend an entire day cooling down at the water park. The triplets gave it 5 stars. They loved the cool water slides, the wave pool, and the yummy ice cream. Kim and her family saved the best for last by spending their final day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. And they made sure to not miss a thing. Everyone loved the rush of Big Thunder Mountain, they were dizzy with joy spinning around in giant teacups at the Mad Tea Party, and they all squealed with delight as they plummeted down Splash Mountain.

Every day after spending all morning at the parks Kim and her family were able to spend their afternoons relaxing at the pet-friendly campsite and cooling off in the resort pool. It was the perfect way to recover from the crowds and spend quality time together. They played games, cooked dinner together, and of course chowed down on warm, gooey smores.

All 7 (plus Willie) lived in the Entegra for 9 days. They traveled through 5 states – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. They spent 4 and ½ days driving for a total of 35 hours and over 2,500 miles. All to spend 5 nights camping at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and 4 days at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Blizzard Beach. And that all added up to countless memories that their family will cherish for years. Disney World is known as The Most Magical Place On Earth, but being able to camp in their RV definitely made it even more magical for The Gregorys.

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Joshua M. ~ “Tori helped me out every step of the way. I couldn’t be more pleased. My experience was extremely professional and safe. I would highly recommend using Coach-Net!”

Waste Water Tanks-Proper Maintenance And Storage

09 Thursday Sep 2021

Posted by in Tips & Tricks

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Most RVers take their waste water tanks for granted, dump some chemical down the black water tanks and dump them when they get full.  Although there isn’t a lot of maintenance required, there are things you need to know to keep the sensors reading correctly and some tips to reduce the awful smell that can sometimes be associated with them.

First a little bit about them. Most of the black and gray water tanks are made of rotocast plastic to produce a stronger seamless design.  The black water tank is intended for mainly toilet water and the gray water tank for shower water.  When it comes to waste water from the sinks in the kitchen and bathrooms, it all depends on the layout of the sinks and which tank is closer to drain to.  This sometimes causes a problem when a kitchen sink is dumped into a small black water tank as it fills up faster and needs to be dumped more often.

Since the black water tank holds sewage, it needs a treatment or chemical to start the breakdown process and reduce smells.

It is important to use a treatment that has enzymes and utilizes an aerobic digestion process.  Chemicals like bleach, pine scented cleaners and other household products do not start the digestion process and create anaerobic digestion and gassing which could contain methane and other harmful gasses.  Also make sure the treatment product you use is formaldehyde and bonopol free.  There are several brands on the market such as the Thetford line that comes in either liquid or dissolving pouch. 

Another important product is to use an RV recommended toilet paper that will dissolve fast in liquid otherwise the paper will cling to the side of the tank and could cause false readings of the level sensors.  Check out the RV Repair Club Members video we did here: Selecting The Best Toilet Paper For Your RVs Waste System

By using the correct treatment and paper, the digestion and decomposition starts and will not only make for an easier to clean tank, but is also environmentally friendly and recommended by sanitary sewer treatment plants.

The gray water tank does not need a chemical or treatment every time since it’s mostly cleaner shower and sink water with maybe some soap or cooking grease.  However it can also get stale and create a smell that should be treated or cleaned periodically.  You can use normal household bleach with a 1 cup bleach to 20 gallon water solution and let it slosh around some or one of the products designed by OEM suppliers.  The Chlorine in bleach can cause damage to rubber seals if left in the tank and dump valves for extended periods of time so it’s best to rinse them out immediately if you use bleach.

Proper Dumping

This may seem trivial, however it is important to let the black and gray water tank get over ½ full before dumping and you should never leave the valves open when at a campground that has  a dump station at your site.  Leaving the valve closed not only keeps the smells from the underground sewage system out of your rig, but it also allows the tank to accumulate liquid that helps dissolve solids and allows the treatment to work.  If the valve is left open for the black water tank we get a situation called “Pyramiding” that eventually turns hard and that’s a far as I need to go with that!  In the gray water tank, we need the soaps and grease to continue to dissolve with the liquid and leave when dumped otherwise it can coat the side of the tank and cause improper monitor panel readings from the probes.

 When it’s time to dump, dump the black water tank first and let it drain until there is no sound of effluent running.  It’s a good idea to get a dump hose that has either a clear or translucent elbow to see if there is flow.

Once the tank seems drained, fill the black water tank at least 2/3 full with clean water.  The best way to do this is by hooking up a hose to a black water flush valve that will spray pressurized water around the tank and clean off the sides as well as the probes.  If you do not have a black water flush valve, you can hook a hose up to a flush wand and stick it down the toilet.  Make sure the hose is only used for this procedure.  Flush the black water tank several times until the liquid coming through the clear valve is clean.  You will be surprised how many times this takes!  After that, dump the gray water tank.

Maintenance

As stated earlier, there isn’t much maintenance required if you use the right chemicals and dump properly.  However since the dump valves are a push and pull type with rubber seals, it’s a good idea to dump some valve seal conditioner down the tanks to keep them lubricated and protect against chemicals that can deteriorate the seal. 

Valterra is the main supplier of dump valves and they recommend using a silicone lubricant spray on the posts of the handles but not WD40 as it will disperse the lubricant in the valve.  If you have a cable valve, the handle is on one side of the vehicle and the valve on the other.  Check to make sure the cable is tight and operating freely. 

The biggest issue with waste water tanks is typically inaccurate monitor panel level readings. Most manufacturers use probes that go through the tank with an energized probe at the lower level on one side and three probes up the side across from it.  As the liquid rises, it arcs across to create a closed circuit which allows the current to pass through and goes to the monitor panel.

Effluent, toilet paper, and even hard water deposits such as calcium and lime can coat the side of the tank and make the same closed circuit which means an inaccurate level reading.  As described above, using the correct toilet paper and pretreatment can help.  However if you are experiencing an inaccurate reading it would be a good idea to super clean the tank with Thetford’s Tank Blaster product which has been quite a success.

About the author: Dave Solberg: Managing Editor, RV Repair Club

For the last 25 years, Dave has conducted RV maintenance and safety seminars, developed dealer and owner training programs, written RV safety and handyman articles, authored an RV handbook reference guide and logged over 100,000 miles on the road in an RV.

RV Repair Club

RV Repair Club is your go-to online resource for enthusiasts who want quality RV maintenance, repair and upgrade information – a community where passionate RVers can come together to gather knowledge and share their experiences.

Learn more about RV Repair Club.

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Janel G. ~ “Very professional, caring and knowledgeable. Refreshing to have wonderful customer service. As a company, thank you for taking care of us when we were in need of assistance. This could have potentially been a very stressful situation. Thanks to Coach-Net and your team, we felt safe and at ease.” 

Red White & Bethune: The “American Dream”

09 Thursday Sep 2021

Posted by in The Great Outdoors

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Meet the Bethunes, a true “American dream” family who had it all, or so they thought. They sold everything, bought a bus, and are now living their true dream life all across the country! Check them out!

When we were growing up, we were sold the same “American Dream” as you probably were. You know the one? Where you work all the time to try to afford the big house, newest car, white picket fence, and a Golden Retriever. All the while you are working very hard every day at a job you hate so that you can pay for your “dream”.

Two years ago, that was us. We had a successful Pet Styling Spaw, our kids were getting a private school education, and we had our “dream home” on two acres of land in the Tampa Bay Area. From the outside, it looked like we had the PERFECT life, but in all reality, we were just burning the candle at both ends to trying to do it ALL.

Every summer, we would take a month-long trip in our RV to a different destination. This summer was no different, we had an AMAZING time with our 3 kids, laughing and making irreplaceable memories all summer. When we pulled into our driveway with our Monaco Windsor Class A, we were already dreading going back to “reality”.

 As I was loading my arms up with a basket of dirty laundry, my husband Kyle turned to me and uttered a question that would change the trajectory of our lives, forever. “Babe”, he whispered, “What if we sold everything, the house, the salon, all of our crap, and we bought a bus, remodeled it, and traveled the country?”

 A look of terror instantly came over my face as his question ended. My brain was frantically buzzing and about to short circuit. What in the world was he thinking!? We couldn’t possibly do that. You aren’t allowed to do that until your kids are grown and you retire. It’s totally out of the question. No. No way can we do this. 

I looked down at my expectant husband and I calmly answered “Babe, you know we can’t do that, it’s just not possible.” I kissed him on the forehead and sullenly went back to loading all our massive amount of laundry back into our “dream home”.

For the next two weeks, as I was shaving dog’s backsides, I kept dreaming each day of that beautiful life where we are at the Grand Canyon watching our kids laugh, play, and be free. I saw all our oversized smiles as we lived in the outdoors, experiencing new places, journeying wherever we wanted. THAT was a dream life, I thought.

On that 14th day of daydreaming, after work, tired and covered in dog hair, I walked up to my husband, and I gushed “Let’s do it.” He had an extremely puzzled look on his face as he questioned, “Uh, do what?”. In that moment a massive grin spread across my lips and up into my eyes as I stated, “Buy a bus, remodel it, sell our house, get rid of all the crap, and live a life of our dreams, traveling across the country.”

And the rest, my friends, is history. 

We bought a bus, spent 4 months remodeling the ENTIRE thing, front to back. We sold our house, getting rid of all the excess material possessions we truly didn’t need. Then, we moved into our TRUE dream home, a 1983 Silver Eagle Bus. 

We have been in that bus for nearly a year and a half now and I have to say, this was the single most important decision of our entire lives. Fulltime with our 3 kids and 4 dogs has truly SAVED our family.  Our marriage has never been stronger, the relationship with our kids has never been this connected, and we can finally say that we are totally happy, 100% to our core.

When we look back, we wonder what took us so long to take this leap. I suspect it was that society told us what was expected of us, we were supposed to live a certain way. We were told that you grow up, get married, buy a house you can’t afford, make sure you have new cars, don’t forget the white picket fence, have kids, send them to school, get the Golden Retriever, and never have family dinners around the table because you’re working too hard to pay for all the things that are supposed to make you happy….

We are incredibly thankful that we created this new dream life of ours. To us, THIS is what life is all about. Now, we disconnect from technology to truly connect with each other. Our kids are experiencing places that some adults will never get the opportunity to see. We get to meet new people, from all walks of life, right here in the USA. Our kids can BE KIDS and live outside. They get as dirty as possible, go fishing, hiking, and learn about this beautiful country we live in. More importantly, we are raising kind humans that have love for everyone and nature. 

As you can imagine, after we have curated this beautiful dream life of ours, we want to make sure that we protect it. The only one we trust with our little family is Coach-Net. No matter what this new life brings us, we have the peace of mind knowing that they are by our side. Whether that be from roadside assistance, having a RV problem and being able to speak with their RV Specialists, or having the most important tire and wheel protection. We feel safe and secure, Coach-Net will be there for us, no matter what we come across in our travels. 

Coach-Net isn’t just for Full Time RVers, it is for weekenders too! Being a weekend camper, you may not be as hands on with your rigs as the full time RVers are. This means that unexpected things are bound to come up when you take your RV out to go camping. Make sure that you have that protection behind you, so you can sit back and relax once you get to your camping spot. Coach-Net even has protection for towables in addition to your daily driver.

Want to know our only regret though? That we didn’t start this amazing life sooner. Don’t have any regrets of your own, live a life you WANT to wake up to and make sure to bring Coach-Net with you along the way!

About The Author: The Bethune’s

We are a Tampa-based family of 2 adults, 3 kids, and 4 dogs living in our remodeled 1983 Silver Eagle Bus! We are a Full-Time Family who is always up for an adventure.

Tag along as we show you America, through our lens!

Tune in and get to know us—we’re just an average American family!

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Willie D. ~ “We LOVE Coach-Net!”

Fine-Tuning Your RV’s Climate

25 Wednesday Aug 2021

Posted by in RV Information

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Comfort is derived from a range of factors, but temperature is one of the most important. According to Thought Co, the ideal temperature for both comfort and productivity is around 71.5 fahrenheit – what’s interesting, however, is that this can change based on a range of factors including gender, weight and age. Furthermore, humidity plays an important role, and is once again a relative factor – everyone is different. In the RV environment, comfort is everything – there’s nothing worse than not being able to enjoy your space while out on the road. Creating the perfect climate starts with a thermostat fit for purpose.

Thermostat essentials

A smart thermostat is an efficient and economical way to monitor your RVs thermal environment. Smart thermostats use less energy and are capable of finely tuning the temperature they control, using machine learning to learn where your comfort zone is and then keeping things appropriate to that. As humidity and outside temperature rise and fall, they can adjust to make things a little more comfortable. What’s more, as an RV is often off-grid, you can have a greater control over how your smart thermostat works.

Fine-tuning humidity

Humidity is the other half of the climate question. Extremely arid or wet environments can enhance and magnify the heat conditions of the environment. The gold standard in managing this is through a dehumidifier. Road insurance company Progressive provides guidance in their LifeLanes magazine; a 30-pint dehumidifier is ideal for a mid-sized RV, and will help you to manage the humidity levels within the RV with relative ease. Again, humidity is relative – your comfort level will be specific to you. For the most part, humans enjoy a 40-60 percent humidity level before it starts to become uncomfortable.

Changing needs

The temperature of your RV should be cooler at night and warmer in the day, if required – this is basic guidance for effective and restful sleeping. Similarly, humidity might change as you need it; a skin condition will often benefit from higher humidity levels, but someone diagnosed with asthma may prefer more dry air. As always, you should make adjustments as they come. A good quality thermostat can underpin all of this by providing minute changes at the flick of a wrist, and by having presets for different times of the year or where you’re traveling too. Moving into a higher humidity area, like Florida, from somewhere more arid? You can program that into the thermostat and dehumidifier to react to your geographical changes and keep your environment running smoothly.

With that environment and climate in place, you can enjoy full comfort in your RV. You want it to be your oasis, a place of calm and peaceful collection after a day on the road. Climate is a huge part of that, and will always make you pleased to return to your mobile home.

Author: Alicia Rennoll

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Dennis F. ~ “Jan went above and beyond my expectations! She checked on us hourly with such care until we had our coach towed to the shop. She deserves a medal for resolving our situation!”