RV Ownership Tips

Adventure, RV, RV Lifestyle & Travel, RV Maintenance & Care, RV Ownership Tips

How to Create More Sleeping Space in an RV

How to Create More Sleeping Space in an RV You did it! You found the perfect way to get away and relax with your family, camping in an RV rental. You found a great RV that has everything you need, except it could use just one more bed to comfortably sleep Grandma or the friend you told your kids they could bring along. Have no fear; there are some easy solutions to create a little more sleeping space in an RV! Cots This of course is the most obvious solution you may have already thought about. A cot can be lightweight, compact, easy to fold and store, and can fit in a tight space. They are a great option for camping trips and can be found at most outdoor stores. Collapsible Bunks A great solution for kids. They take advantage of vertical space in tiny spots. Kids find them fun and exciting, but they are also strong enough to sleep adults. Air Mattresses If your RV has a good amount of extra floor space, say an RV with a pop out side, an air mattress can be a great bedding solution. Air mattresses can be easily blown up with a pump and are lightweight and easy to store during the day. Some of them are actually quite comfy and you may find everyone fighting over who gets to sleep on it. Fold Out Lounge Chairs Some RVs have a corner open with space to fit a chair. In that space you can place a fold-out chair. It is like a sofa sleeper, but in chair form. There is just enough room to sleep one more person. Turn Front Motorhome Seats Into a Bed This is a popular RV hack you may have seen all over Pinterest. If you are renting a motorhome you can use the two captains chairs (the driver seat and passenger seat beside it up in the front by the steering wheel) in the front to make a twin size bed of sorts. Just grab a cot or board and mattress pad to fit across the length of the two seats when they are turned to face each other and lay down a sleeping bag and pillow or bedding. This is a great solution for kids and young and spry adults (those without aches and health concerns) who do not need an extra comfy place to sleep. Truck-Bed Bed If you are pulling a trailer with a pickup truck why not turn the bed of the truck into an actual bed? Place an air mattress, cot, or mattress topper in the back of the truck with some bedding. Of course you will want a truck with a canopy over the bed in areas and weather that are not great for open air camping. This option also gives some extra privacy like having your own bedroom. Make sure to be prepared for cold as there is no heat in the bed of a truck. 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! Image By Flickr:Damien Cooke [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Adventure, RV Lifestyle & Travel, RV Maintenance & Care, RV Ownership Tips

Most common RV accidents

Most common RV accidents Table of Contents RV accidents pose significant risks to travelers, and being aware of the most common scenarios is key to preventing mishaps. From tire blowouts to collisions with low-clearance structures, understanding these potential hazards can help ensure a safe journey for all adventurers. Learn about the top RV accidents and how to avoid them with our expert guide. Stay informed, stay safe, and enjoy worry-free RV adventures! Here are the top most common RV accidents. Tire Blowouts/Overloaded vehicles Tire blowouts are the leading cause of RV accidents, posing significant risks to travelers. These incidents often stem from overloaded RVs, improperly inflated tires, worn tread, and extreme weather conditions, particularly heat. To minimize the likelihood of experiencing a tire blowout and ensuring a safe journey, it’s crucial to take preventive measures: Refrigerator fires and propane leaks Refrigerator fires and propane leaks are pivotal safety issues for RV owners and travelers, contributing to common RV accidents. These occurrences can result in severe outcomes such as property damage, injuries, and even fatalities. Here’s essential information about these potential hazards and strategies for mitigating the risks: Propane is a flammable and hazardous material; always make sure you are safely operating and using your propane and appliances powered by propane. Running into low clearance structures Forgetting the height of an RV is a prevalent oversight among travelers, often resulting in collisions with low-clearance structures such as gas station overhangs and bridges, contributing to common RV accidents. To prevent such mishaps, it’s crucial to maintain awareness of your vehicle’s size and height. Here’s a helpful tip: place a reminder note on your dashboard highlighting the height restriction of your RV, including any additional height from antennas or rooftop attachments. By keeping this reminder visible, you can mitigate the risk of accidents caused by overlooking your RV’s dimensions while driving or towing. Stay vigilant and mindful of clearance heights to ensure a smooth and incident-free journey. Not pulling in steps When concluding an RV vacation, it’s typical to overlook essential tasks in the haste to return home or reach the next destination. Forgetting to retract the stairs or roll up the awnings is an easy mistake, contributing to common RV accidents. With a multitude of items to secure before hitting the road, it’s not uncommon for even more crucial checks to slip through the cracks. Awning Accidents Awning accidents can occur when awnings become loose or damaged during transit, posing hazards to the RV and other vehicles on the road. Improperly secured awnings can flap in the wind, detach from the RV, or cause collisions with overhead obstacles. To prevent awning accidents, RV owners should ensure proper awning installation, use quality awning hardware, and retract awnings during transit or when not in use. Regular inspection and maintenance of awning components can also help identify and address potential issues before they escalate into accidents. Jackknifing Jackknifing occurs when the trailer of a towed RV swings around and forms an acute angle with the towing vehicle, often leading to loss of control. This type of accident can happen during sudden braking, icy road conditions, or when driving too fast for the current circumstances. Proper weight distribution, maintaining a safe following distance, and avoiding sudden maneuvers can help prevent jackknifing incidents on the road. Safety Precautions To prevent accidents, it’s crucial to proactively familiarize yourself with potential scenarios and safety precautions. By staying informed and mindful of necessary precautions, you can avoid accidents and ensure a smooth journey. Creating and diligently following a comprehensive checklist can help minimize the risk of forgetting critical tasks before hitting the gas. 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!