Adventure - NW Adventure Rentals

Tips For Using Your RV Refrigerator

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Tips For Using Your RV Refrigerator Rv refrigerators run much differently than the one inside your home. An Rv fringe does not run off of a compressor or running parts. Instead of applying cold directly to the fridge the heat is drawn out of the compartment and absorbed leaving behind the cold. There are many things you can do to get the most out of your RV refrigerator to keep it running efficiently and doing the job you need it to do. One of the most important things is to keep the RV as level as possible when not in motion. The fridge does not need to be level during travel as the movement will keep the gases and liquids used to cool constantly moving. A stationary fridge will need to keep level to avoid these liquids and gasses from pooling in one side. The initial cooling process can take anywhere from four to six hours so you will want to turn the fridge on at least a day before you leave for your trip, and let it get to temperature before placing food items in it. Place any food you are planning to bring with you and store in the fridge in your home fridge or freezer first. You will want to place food that is already cold or frozen in the fridge to avoid it having to work harder to cool the items inside. Do not overpack or stuff the fridge completely full. A fridge needs to have space between food items to allow air to circulate through the inside. Boost air circulation by purchasing a battery-operated fridge fan and placing it in the front while angling it to blow air upward. The fan can improve circulation and reduce cooling time up to 50%. Outside temperatures will affect the efficiency of the refrigerator if it is cold outside you can turn the setting down. In hotter temperatures you will want to turn it up. If the weather is extremely warm try to park your RV with the refrigerator side in the shade if possible. Just like with a cooler, you will want to limit the amount of time you open the door to the refrigerator to keep the cold air inside the unit. It is also a good idea to keep a thermometer in the fridge to ensure it is running at a temperature of 40 degrees or lower to keep food from spoiling. For more tips on RV camping or information on RV rental please feel free to browse our website or contact us anytime. NW Adventure Rentals has a luxurious fleets of motorhomes and travel trailers, conveniently located in the Pacific Northwest at our Seattle location! Let us help you have a great outdoor vacation!

Adventure, Camping, RV, RV Ownership Tips

Calculating RV Propane Usage – Simple Calculator

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Calculating RV Propane Usage – Simple Calculator When you are boondocking or planning on camping for a long period without using hookups an important thing to know is if you will have enough propane to keep things powered during your trip. Based on what we’ve learned from renting out our Seattle RVs, no one wants to be in the middle of an RV adventure and run out of propane rendering the stove, water heater, etc. useless. Here is how you can manually calculate/estimate how long the propane in your tanks will power the appliances in your RV: First you will need to know how much gas your tank/s can hold when full. RV propane tanks are full at 80% capacity to allow for the liquid gas to expand.When you have a tank filled after it is empty ask the attendant how much it took to fill. If you are renting an RV the RV rental company should be able to provide this information. Now that you know how much gas is in your propane tank you will want to figure out the BTU capacity of the container with a little multiplication using one of the following methods: -There are 91,502 BTUs per gallon of propane -There are 21,548 BTUs per pound When you have determined the total BTUs in your propane tank measured by your preferred unit of gallons or pounds you can now divide the BTU capacity of the propane tank by the BTU usage or demand of a specific gas appliance in the RV. (You can find the BTU demand of a certain appliance on the tag on the appliance itself or in the appliance owner’s manual.)This will give you the rough estimate you are looking for of how long you can power that appliance with the amount of propane in the tank. Here is an example of all the steps in action: If your RV propane tanks holds 14 gallons of propane gas when it’s full, you would multiply 14 X 91,502. The result is 1,281,028. Next you would take this number and divide it by the total BTU demand of any gas appliances you will be using. Keeping with our example, you add up the BTU demand of the stove, water heater, and heater; let’s say the total BTU demand will be 43,800 BTUs. The answer after dividing 1,281,028 by 43,800 is 29. In this case you would have roughly 29 hours of stove, water heater, and heat use before running out of propane. Another thing to remember is that you will need to keep the outside temperature in mind when calculating gas usage. The colder the weather the faster your propane will get used up. When temps are extremely cold below zero degrees the BTU hourly capacity can be reduced by 50% or more. For more tips on RV camping or information on RV rental please feel free to browse our website or contact us anytime. NW Adventure Rentals has a luxurious fleets of motorhomes and travel trailers, conveniently located in the Pacific Northwest at our Seattle location! Let us help you have a great outdoor vacation!

Adventure, Camping, RV Lifestyle & Travel, RV Ownership Tips

Keeping Your RV and Belongings Secure

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Keeping Your RV and Belongings Secure When you plan to go RVing you want to let loose and have some fun. With a little bit of prep you can have a great trip. One thing some campers forget to prepare for is keeping their RV secure so they don’t end up on a gloomy trip because belongings were ransacked and taken. Take these basic precautionary steps to safeguard your belongings when on an RV trip. Many times RVs and vehicles are broken into because the prowler/burglar/thief saw something through the window of value or that they wanted. Whenever you and all members or your traveling party are getting ready to leave the RV alone, make sure to do a quick check of any items that are out in plain sight. Anything could be enticing to someone that is looking about to steal something, even a box of food on the counter. Make sure everything is out of sight. Place items in bags, cabinets, drawers, or even under a blanket. If you are traveling with expensive luggage stow it in the closets lock it up tight underneath the RV. Items of high worth are magnets to people looking to resale and make a buck. This may seem redundant because of course you will be researching your destination and where you will be staying while planning your trip. Take a second to research just a step further; check the crime rate. No matter where you are staying you want to look into how safe it is and any possibilities that may make it easy for someone to get into your things. This is also a good rule of thumb for any road trip pit stops you make along the way. It is surprising how many people simply forget or don’t think it is necessary to lock the RV. You may be out in the wilderness far away from the hectic places crime usually takes place, but this is where some prowlers like to hang out. There are less eyes to catch them in the act and less suspicion of crime happening. Lock up every point of access including under RV storage and windows. This might not be what you first think about when you think security while on vacation. RV fires do happen and they can ruin a trip quickly if you do not have the proper safety precautions in place. Make sure you are equipped with plenty of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. There is vacation insurance. It can help protect you if you do become victim of theft on a vacation. If you own your RV it is a smart idea to make sure it is properly insured and covered by things like theft, fire, and inclement weather. Make sure your valuables are backed up with insurance to help you get them back or replaced. For more tips on RV camping or information on RV rental please feel free to browse our website or contact us anytime. NW Adventure Rentals has a luxurious fleets of motorhomes and travel trailers, conveniently located in the Pacific Northwest at our Seattle location! Let us help you have a great outdoor vacation!

Adventure, Camping, RV

What Do People Do With Motorhomes Anyway?

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What Do People Do With Motorhomes Anyway? Sightseeing and camping are great reasons to rent an RV and getaway, but beyond that what do people in RVs do to pass the time? What do you do on long stretches of road when you are stuck inside the four walls of the motor home and they seem to be closing in on you? It may be time to find an RV hobby. Something to keep you entertained whilst vacationing in your RV. Finding a fun RV hobby can give you: RV-ing provides travelers with time to do exactly the things they have always wanted to do. Here are some fun RV hobbies you might want to consider taking on: Some Tips to Take Your New RV Hobby to the Next Level What do people do with RVs? They make the world their oyster. They grab life by the horns and they live it. So rent an RV today and get out their and adventure! For more tips on RV camping or information on RV rental please feel free to browse our website or contact us anytime. NW Adventure Rentals has a luxurious fleets of motorhomes and travel trailers, conveniently located in the Pacific Northwest at our Seattle location! Let us help you have a great outdoor vacation!

Adventure, Camping, RV Lifestyle & Travel, RV Ownership Tips

Is it Safe to Fill the RV Fresh Water Tank with Any Water?

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Is it Safe to Fill the RV Fresh Water Tank with Any Water? The fresh water tank in your RV supplies the water that comes through your faucets and through your fridge in-door water and ice maker (if you have a fridge with that option). Some tanks are larger than others. Depending on the length of your trip, tank size, and location you may find yourself needing more water in your fresh water tank. For example: boondocking (camping without any hookups, usually in a remote location) for a long period of time will mean you need to conserve water or re-fill the fresh water tank. So what do you do when the fresh water tank in your RV is empty? Do you just fill it from anywhere? Can you pull up to a fresh water stream and fill up with that water? What about water that has not been deemed potable at a campsite? Can you filter the water and make it safe enough to use? The Answer: In the not so distant past many outdoor adventurers would go for a day hike and refresh themselves with a hand dipped into the cold, crisp, fresh, running waters of the babbling brook and brought up to the mouth for a drink. They didn’t get sick and the water tasted amazing. Today, however, using water from a stream or other non-potable source is much more different. The waterways all over are much more polluted now than they used to be and we are also much more knowledgeable of micro organisms and pathogens: where they reside and how they effect human health. Animals also make their home in streams, lakes, etc. so these bodies of water have animal feces and other harmful substances. For this reason it is not safe to use just any water source for drinking/cooking/produce washing/teeth brushing/etc. Water must be treated first. A regular water filter will not be enough to filter out our kill every harmful thing that is living in the water source. If you find yourself in an emergency situation you can treat water by boiling it at a high rolling boil for at least one minute. If you are camping at a high altitude of say a mile above sea level you will want to boil at a high rolling boil for a full three minutes or more. In order to have enough water to use for regular camping this would take a very long time. Instead of trying to treat water on your own in the instance of running out or in an emergency it is best to have large jugs or collapsible containers of fresh potable water in reserve. For more tips on RV camping or information on RV rental please feel free to browse our website or contact us anytime. NW Adventure Rentals has a luxurious fleets of motorhomes and travel trailers, conveniently located in the Pacific Northwest at our Seattle location! Let us help you have a great outdoor vacation!

Adventure, Camping, RV Lifestyle & Travel

Decoding Campground Symbols – What Does That Symbol Mean?

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Decoding Campground Symbols – What Does That Symbol Mean? If you are planning a camping adventure you have probably started with doing homework online about your destination. Once you have decided on where to go you then turn your sights on finding the best campground with an available spot. As you search campgrounds and resorts you might notice some symbols or icons that can have you wondering what they mean. Here is a list of the meanings of common campground symbols to help you out. An Electric Plug- this means that there is a power hookup for motorhomes and trailers enabling RV users to plug in without using a generator. Square with a Triangle- tent only camping or a tent only space if found on a map Dot with Two Rainbow Shaped Lines- this one is pretty universal as it is a symbol used in many places not just the camping world. It indicates that there is wifi available. Lightening Bolt- usually this will be found under the amenities category on a list. This means that there is an electrical hookup available. Sometimes this symbol can be accompanied by a number indicating how many amps are available. Dog- this means that pets are welcome. Make sure you do bring a leash along though as many places may have off leash spaces they prefer that pets are on a leash when walking them through camp. Handicap Symbol- this is also a symbol used everywhere. It indicates that the camp has sites to accommodate guests with special needs like a little more room to maneuver. Water Faucet- there is a water hookup and/or piped in water is available. Make sure to check if piped in water is drinkable. Motorhome with Electric Plug- electric hook up is available Square with the word Full- this means full RV hookups are available: water, sewer, and electric. Common Campground Terms- some campgrounds may use terms that sound a bit cryptic instead of symbols. Here are some terms you may come across in your search: Site Type- this may be followed with a word like primitive, premium, or standard. This refers to the description of the spot you will set up your personal camp. Primitive usually indicates no creature comforts. Standard mostly qualifies as a flat graded space for an RV sometimes paved, a fire pit and picnic table. Premium can include a paved space, fire pit, table, hookups, and more. Equipment Length/ Driveway- this will tell you how large of an RV will fit in the space. Dump Station- there is a place on site to get rid of RV waste water. Group- there are large camping areas available to accommodate groups camping together. Group Horse- camping available with a large group area and individual sites that accommodate a horse Pull Through- the camping spaces are easy to pull right into with an RV, no backing in required. Vault or Pit Toilets- non-flushing toilets, these are usually outhouse or port-a-potty style. For more tips on RV camping or information on RV rental please feel free to browse our website or contact us anytime. NW Adventure Rentals has a luxurious fleets of motorhomes and travel trailers, conveniently located in the Pacific Northwest at our Seattle location! Let us help you have a great outdoor vacation!

Adventure, Camping, RV Lifestyle & Travel, RV Ownership Tips

Gas Up the RV and Leash Up: Let’s Go Camping

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Gas Up the RV and Leash Up: Let’s Go Camping RV camping combines the perks of camping with the comforts of home – minus the biting mosquitoes and scary bathroom trips in the pitch-black darkness. If you’re a dog owner, your pooch likely runs the home, or at least he thinks he does, so why not let him accompany you on you next RV camping trip? While an RV is like home, your dog will still be exposed to potential dangers, and there might not be a store close by if you forget the dog food. Use this infographic to learn helpful safety tips, as well as score a packing checklist for Fido. Additional Resources: Health: How do I keep my dog safe while camping? What if my dog sustains an injury on our trip? How do I check for ticks on my pet? Heatstroke and my pup: what do I need to know? Preparation: How do I locate dog-friendly campsites? What are the potential camping-related dangers for my dog? Gear: What packing checklist should I follow? What should I put in my dog’s first aid kit? Is a collar or harness best for my dog during our camping trip? Now that you know what to expect and what to pack, it’s time to gas up the RV and hit the road for a camping trip with your dog. For more tips on RV camping or information on RV rental please feel free to browse our website or contact us anytime. NW Adventure Rentals has a luxurious fleets of motorhomes and travel trailers, conveniently located in the Pacific Northwest at our Seattle location! Let us help you have a great outdoor vacation!

Adventure, Destinations & Itineraries

RV Rental Destinations for Spring Blooms

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RV Rental Destinations for Spring Blooms Spring is finally upon us, albeit with a slow start marked by chilly weather and abundant rainfall. However, amidst this delay, the eagerly awaited blossoms are beginning to emerge, painting the landscape with vibrant hues. Across the nation, expansive fields burst into a kaleidoscope of colors, showcasing nature’s exquisite beauty. For those unfamiliar with the enchantment of spring blooms, it’s an experience not to be missed. Even if flowers aren’t your usual fascination, witnessing acres of blossoms in full bloom is truly mesmerizing and well worth the journey. Consider embarking on an unforgettable RV trip to immerse yourself in the splendor of spring’s floral extravaganza. Head to these destinations for the best springtime RV rental holiday Great Smoky Mountains National Park Also referred to as “Wildflower National Park,” the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is famous for its wildflower bloom. There are over 1500 types of blooming flowers and there is even a festival- the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. To go to the festival you will want to register in advance on the park website. Also check out the park’s suggested wildflower walks. Shenandoah National Park Just 75 miles out of Washington D.C., this park features over 850 types of flowers. The best time to see the flowers is before the leaves in the trees fully fill in, because the shade from the trees begin to steal sunlight away and the flowers become more sparse. Check out the park’s Wildflower Weekend May 5-6. North Cascades National Park Just a few hours out of Seattle in Chelan. Wildflowers can be seen as early as February at lower elevations and all the way through to August in the alpine zone. Check out the Cascade Pass Trail or the Hidden Lake Trail for stunning landscapes full of wild blooms. For a seamless adventure, consider renting an RV to immerse yourself fully in this breathtaking experience. Tulip Festival Mt. Vernon, WA If you live in Washington State you have more than likely heard of the famous tulip festival. People come from all around to see miles and miles or should we say acres and acres of tulips blooming in the flower fields. The colors are deep, vivid, and amazing to see over the large expansive fields. It is something you have to put on your bucket list if you live in Washington and have not gone yet. Stay at a local RV park such as Mt. Vernon RV Campground and enjoy all the tulip festivities. Even better, you can rent an RV and experience the magic unfolding first hand. Southwest Spring Bloom Destination When you think southwest you think desert and you probably are not thinking flowers, but there are some stunning spring destinations to be enjoyed in the southwest deserts of America. This year’s bloom is expected to be light, but some popular places to enjoy desert flowers in the southwest include: Antelope Valley, CA, Joshua Tree, Saguaro National Park,AZ , Catalina State Park, AZ, and Picacho Peak State Park in AZ. Need to rent an RV near Seattle for your spring RV getaway? Check out the fleet at Northwest Adventure Rentals. For more tips on RV camping or information on RV rental please feel free to browse our website or contact us anytime. NW Adventure Rentals has a luxurious fleets of motorhomes and travel trailers, conveniently located in the Pacific Northwest at our Seattle location! Let us help you have a great outdoor vacation!

Adventure, Camping, Destinations & Itineraries, RV Lifestyle & Travel

Northwest Family RV Spring Break Destinations

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Check out these great northwest RV locations for your spring break family RV adventure. Olympic Peninsula Oregon Coast Enjoy Some Last Snow Runs in Boise Just 40 miles outside of Boise is Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area. Just a half hour from the action is the Boise Riverside RV Park not only close to the mountain; it is also just minutes from all the amenities in Boise. After your snow adventure relax those muscles in the hot tub or take a swim at Roystone Hot Springs, just 40 minutes north of the city and fed by natural mountain springs. There are beautiful and unique locations all around us here in the northwest and spring break is a wonderful time to discover new northwest gems. Don’t have an RV? Rent an RV near Seattle at Northwest Adventure Rentals. For more tips on RV camping or information on RV rental please feel free to browse our website or contact us anytime. NW Adventure Rentals has a luxurious fleets of motorhomes and travel trailers, conveniently located in the Pacific Northwest at our Seattle location! Let us help you have a great outdoor vacation!

Adventure, Camping, Destinations & Itineraries, RV Lifestyle & Travel

Bake Up Some Christmas Cookies in Your RV

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Bake Up Some Christmas Cookies in Your RV There is never not a good time to try out a motor home rental in Seattle. In the northwest we like to enjoy the outdoors all year round, a little bit of rough weather isn’t going to keep us from enjoying the beauty that we are surrounded in. Winter is a slower time for RV adventures but it is still a great time to get out in the wilderness and enjoy an RV vacation. We love a good Christmas RV vacation. There are many ways to have fun in an RV over the holidays: from exploring new places, to making cute crafts, to playing games, to baking. Yes, that’s right, baking! Using an RV oven is a bit different than the one in your kitchen at home, but you can make some pretty great Christmas treats in your RV kitchen. Follow these RV oven baking tips, grab your favorite Christmas cookie recipe, and soon your RV will be filled with great smells, holiday cheer, and yummy treats that may bring back your favorite Christmas memories. Be Prepared and Knowledgable of the Oven Before You Leave. When planning to do a little holiday baking in your rental it is a good idea to know as much as you can about the oven operation and how the operation of other features in the RV work as well. The more you know about the RV you are renting and how to operate it before you take off on your trip the smoother and more enjoyable your trip is going to be. Before leaving the rental lot make sure to ask every question that pops into your head, your rental agent should be more than happy to thoroughly explain how to operate your RV and ensure your comfort in operating it before you take off. The Oven is Smaller Requiring Some Adjustments to Your Baking Plan As stated above, RV ovens are different from ovens placed into home kitchens. To have success in your Christmas cookie making it is best to know these differences and be prepared before you get out the ingredients and whip up the dough. The biggest difference between an RV oven and a traditional home oven is the size. The RV oven, of course, is considerably smaller than a standard home oven. Smaller bakeware will need to be used and it will take a bit longer to finish baking all the dough because you will be baking smaller batches at a time. If you do not have extra time for the baking process you may want to consider reducing the amount of dough in the recipe. Another difference is cooking with propane. While some homeowners do have ovens powered by propane in their home, a large percentage of homes have ovens powered with electricity or natural gas. A propane oven, especially a smaller one like in an RV, is typically a bit hotter than other ovens. A great way to help regulate the hotter oven is by using stone bakeware. Another method is to place a baking stone on the lowest wire rack just over the propane flames and then place the tray of cookies on the highest possible position. Purchase/Bring a Thermometer to be Extra Sure of Baking Success An additional thermometer will help you to be sure that the oven temperature is accurate to the dial setting for the oven. Simply pre-heat the oven and double check the temperature before placing the unbaked cookies inside. Now that you know a little about RV ovens you are ready to get baking! May we suggest a few of our favorite recipes to enjoy? Happy Baking! Looking for an RV rental near Seattle? Let the team at NW Adventure Rentals take care of you. We have a fleet of great RVs ready to take you on an adventure. For more information browse our website or contact us anytime. For more tips on RV camping or information on RV rental please feel free to browse our website or contact us anytime. NW Adventure Rentals has a luxurious fleets of motorhomes and travel trailers, conveniently located in the Pacific Northwest at our Seattle location! Let us help you have a great outdoor vacation!