Product Comparison: Flow-Pur RV Pro vs. On The Go RV Water Softener

When you're on the road, it's likely you won't always be getting your water from the best of sources. Hard water is common in RV parks and camping sites, and to keep your appliances working correctly and keep water residue off of your sinks, toilet, and shower, you will need a quality water softener.

Two brands stand out when it comes to RV water softeners: Flow-Pur and On The Go. Both of these brands make quality softeners, but they have their differences. Today we'll look at two similar models from each and compare the features.

Flow-Pur RV Pro 10,000

The Flow-Pur RV Pro is rated at 10,000 grains, which means the unit can hold 10,000 mineral grains before you need to regenerate the unit. This is a fairly high capacity for mobile water softeners, so if you are in areas that have particular hard water, or if you are traveling with a family (and therefore using more water), you may want to consider a high grain capacity water softener.

The Flow-Pur 10,000 includes testing strips, hose adapters, and is ready to use straight out of the box. Hoses are not included with the Flow-Pur water softener, but the manufacturer recommends using two 4-foot hoses for the inlet and outlet valves of the system.

On The Go RV Water Softener

The On The Go Standard RV Water Softener is rated at 8,000 grains, giving it slightly less capacity than the Flow-Pur model. This could potentially mean you will have to regenerate more often, but again, that depends on the hardness of your water and how much water you are using. This unit is also slightly smaller than the Flow-Pur model, so if you don't need the extra capacity, and space in your RV is at a premium, this unit is the way to go. Finally, the smaller capacity means the unit takes less time to regenerate.

Included with the On The Go Softener is an extra hose that can be used for the inlet or outlet connection, test strips for testing the hardness of your water, and hose adapters to connect the unit to standard hoses. The unit is also ready to use out of the box; there is no need to add extra resin or salt.

RVUpgradeStore.com is the best place online to buy RV accessories including water softeners and water pumps. Visit their store for the complete selection of RV accessories & supplies.

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Blue Ox Towing System For Towed Vehicles

So you finally took the plunge and purchased that motorhome you have always dreamed about, but what do you do once you get to your destination.  You don't want to have to unhook the motorhome and store everything away to see the area sites in the RV.  So towing a vehicle with your motorhome is the next logical step in RV'ing and having the right setup makes all the difference in how well that experience goes.

There are basically three options to get this done, use a tow dolly, tow the vehicle on a trailer or tow the vehicle 4 wheels down. There are pros and cons to each method and we could spend a lot of time debating this, but for the sake of argument and the length of this article, lets say you have determined 4 wheels down is the right choice for your towing needs.

There are currently three main players in the tow bar & baseplate market those being Demco, Roadmaster and Blue Ox. We have personally towed more miles with the Blue Ox setup and like the ease of use their towing system has although all three have proven to be very reliable.  So where do you start and what is needed?

Towed Vehicle Selection - First you must determine what vehicle you will be towing and whether it can be towed 4 wheels down.  Not every vehicle can be towed this way and it is very important to check with the manufacturer to confirm that it can. As a reference here is the new vehicle 2013 Dinghy Guide to help you get started.  Next you will need to ensure that a baseplate (see below for details on base plates) is available for vehicle.  We have a complete listing of Blue Ox baseplates by make, model & year. It also important to consider the weight of the vehicle and the towing capacity of the RV.  To many times RV'ers think that because the RV is big it should be able to tow any size vehicle.  What's not considered is the hitch rating and as well as the tow rating of the motorhome.  These are all spec's that should be carefully analyzed before even attempting to tow a vehicle.

• If you own a vehicle that you have found cannot be towed 4 wheels down all is not lost, there is still a chance that a transmission lube pump or drive shaft disconnect system can be used to make the dinghy towable.  Check with Remco Towing for their application information.  
• If you do not have a vehicle yet, the most common vehicles that are towed are Jeep, Ford, Saturn and Honda. Check with the 2013 Dinghy Guide to help get you started on your search.

Equipment needed to tow - Now that you have your towed vehicle we can review the products you need to get you towing.

Blue Ox Baseplate With Removable Tabs

• Baseplates - The baseplate (also known as a mounting bracket) is mounted to the frame of your towed vehicle and connects your towed vehicle to a tow bar. Blue Ox baseplates are manufactured to fit a specific vehicle and feature removable tabs which make the base plate almost undetectable. See our complete listing of Blue Ox baseplates.
• Blue Ox baseplates come with all of the hardware required along with step by step installation instructions.  With a standard set of tools this is generally an afternoon DIY project or if needed many auto repair facilities will install a baseplate at the going labor rate.

Blue Ox Motorhome Mounted Tow Bar

• Towbars - The tow bar connects the motorhome to the towed vehicle.  Blue Ox manufacturers three different types of tow bars; 
• Receiver mounted self aligning tow bar (also known as motorhome mounted tow bar) - installs into the receiver of the the motorhome and when not in use can be folded and remains with the motorhome.  The arms on all of these tow bars are adjustable so hooking up is made easy for a single person to attach the tow bar to the baseplate on uneven terrain.  Current Blue Ox models include the Aventa LX (10,000 lb rated), Aladdin (7500 lb rated) & Alpha (6,000 lb rated).
• Hitch mounted self aligning tow bar (also known as towed vehicle mounted tow bar) - connects to a ball mounted or pintle hitch and folds on the tow vehicle when not in use.  The arms on these tow bar are adjustable for hooking up although this tow bar is a little more difficult to setup with one person than the receiver mounted tow bar.  Current Blue Ox models include Acclaim (6500 lb rated), Allure (10,000 lb rated), Torrent (40,000 lb rated), Triton (80,000 lb rated) & Triumph (120,000 lb rated)
• Hitch mounted rigid A-frame tow bar is perfect for the budget minded RV'er or someone who will only be towing a few times a year.  These towbars are much harder to connect and may require the baseplate to have a specific tab distance since they are rigid.  Current Blue Ox models include the Adventurer (5,000 lb rated) and Ambassador (5,000 lb rated, tab with must be 24")

Blue Ox Patriot Braking System

• Braking Systems - This is a device that applies the brakes in the towed vehicle when you are applying the brakes in the motorhome.  Most people when they start out towing don't believe they need a braking system.  The motorhome is big it can easily stop itself and a car behind it.  And generally this is true, but how much time and distance this can happen is the real factor.  With enough notice most motorhomes can stop most towed vehicles, but it is the emergency stops that causes the problem. Your motorhome cannot stop in the same distance with that additional weight back there and in many cases that stopping distance is increased considerably. And then we have the legal aspect, all states have a towing law with most requiring a supplemental braking system when towing over 2500 lbs. And an even scarier situation would be a brake away, where the towed vehicle became detached from the motorhome.  With a braking system the included brake away safety device would apply the brakes on the car immediately.  Blue Ox offers a few different types of braking systems:
• Portable Braking System - This is easily installed and removed from the vehicle when ever needed and utilizes a decelerometer to actuate the brakes proportionally with the stopping of the motorhome.  An air or electric cylinder is attached to the brake pedal and depresses the pedal as braking is needed.  This is a good choice when you maybe using multiple tow vehicles or change vehicles frequently.  The downside is that it take a little more setup time than a permanently installed system and it has to be stored when not in use.  The Blue Ox Patriot Braking System is the only model they have in this category of braking systems.
• Momentum Braking Receivers - These are the simplest of all braking systems and  use the forward momentum of your towed vehicle to pull a cable that is attached to the towed vehicles brake pedal. Blue Ox currently offers the Universal AutoStop & AutoStop for Aladdin/Alpha towbars
• To see some of the other option in braking systems that Blue Ox doesn't cover click here.

Blue Ox Towing Accessories

• Towing Accessories - As with anything as involved as towing a vehicle behind your motorhome, there are many add on items that maybe needed to complete the job or just make it a whole lot easier.
• Taillight Wiring Kits & Cables - Your towed vehicles taillights must be working to be towed so there are a number of solutions from adding additional bulbs to the taillights or tapping into the vehicle wiring and adding blocking diodes.  Since your Blue Ox Baseplate comes with a mount for a taillight receptacle, it can be utilized with a coiled cable that attaches to the motorhome 7 way trailer connection.  This allows for quick and easy connection to the towed vehicles lighting.  
• Towed Vehicle Protectors - Use these shields to protect your towed vehicle from flying rocks, debris, oil, mud, tar, dirt and other items kicked up by your Motor Home.  These devices deflect road debris away preventing chips and dings to your towed vehicle.
• Tow Bar Accessories - Items such as safety cables, tow bar locks, tow bar covers, adapters and repair parts.

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Eternabond Microsealant Tape for RV Roof Repair

RV'ers understand the frustration that can accompany leak repair. Regardless of the type of roof your RV EternaBond leak repair tape is a revolutionary product that is designed for immediate and permanent RV roof leak repair. Easy to use, a single application of the product is enough to create an instant waterproof repair regardless of the material in which the RV roof is constructed, including the traditionally difficult-to-repair roofs like EPDM, TPO, Hypalon, Fiberglass and Aluminum.

RV Roof damage due to inferior leak repair products

has, over time the effects of exposure to the environment, expansion and contraction, acid rain and snow cause a number of problems that could lead to leaks and costly repairs.

EternaBond is made up of a technologically advanced family of sealants called MicroSealant. All EternaBond tapes are made using advanced MicroSealant Technology which is a unique combination of resins and rubbers, infused with a built in primer.  EternaBond features one of the most aggressive adhesives currently available, yet EternaBond is environmentally friendly. It is literally used the same way a roll of tape would be. There are a number of variations of the product depending on the desired color or type of leak repair that is being done. Nevertheless, the process is the same: cut off what is needed, remove the release liner and apply directly to the area where the leak is believed to be located.   EternaBond tape is pressure activated so it must be rubbed or roll aggressively.

Because Eternabond has an integrated primer, the surface area simply needs to be as clean and as dry as Eternabond AlumiBond and Eternabond RoofSeal both have specially designed UV protecting backing material so there is no need for additional treatment products. More over, these tapes have an elongation capacity of 500 to 800 percent, so they will expand and contract with the roof and are almost impossible to thermally shock. EternaBond roof repair tapes can be installed in temperature ranges from -20°F up to well over 150°F. They also have a life expectancy of 18 to 35 years, and a shelf life of at least 5 years.

Eternabond RoofSeal

possible for optimum leak repair results.

Why deal with the hassle caused by using less permanent repair solutions such as lapp sealants when you can use the simple and efficient Eternabond products? Not only is it easy to use, but when you take into account its impressive durability, it is a much cheaper option in the long run. You have made a hefty investment in your RV and relying on inferior products is not a good option. Let Eternabond ensure you stay leak free.

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Product Review: Cobb Grill & Grill Accessories

Summer is finally here which means BBQ’s and boat rides. One of the biggest obstacles is having a grill with you wherever you go. That’s no longer a problem! RV Upgrades has one of the best portable grills on the market. With its patented design the Cobb is great for cooking whatever you please. Also great to have is a set of Picnic Time 18 Piece BBQ Set! Have everything you need for your outdoor grilling adventures.

Cobb Grill:

The Cobb is perfect for anyone who loves to grill BBQ and the outdoors. With this miniature kitchen you can cook anything you like. The charcoal chamber is separated by a plate of metal. There are small holes underneath the charcoal base, so as the heat escapes it flows evenly across the grilling top. This provides consistent heating on the food and allows you to cook a greater variety of food.

This grill isn’t limited to just cooking great BBQ. You can steam vegetables, bake breads, cook pizzas and much more. With patented design the Cobb Grill is able to reach a toasty 450 degrees while being cool to the touch on the base. If you’re looking for a grill that can go anywhere and do anything, the Cobb is the grill for you.

Grill Accessories:

The Picnic Time 18 Piece BBQ Set is great for all of those grilling aficionados. This 18 piece set comes with everything you need. The set includes: spatula, knives, forks, skewers, tong, grill scraper, and much more! Whether you’re grilling or cleaning you have all the tools you need to have a great day of grilling. The set also comes with a durable carrying case so it goes great with the portability of the Cobb Grill!

Grilling just got a lot better with the Cobb Grill. This portable grill will not only allow you to have delicious food, but it allows you to have great food everywhere you go. This great grill is matched perfectly with the Picnic Time 18 Piece BBQ Set. Have the perfect grilling experience with these excellent products from RV Upgrades.

RV Upgrades is one of the leading suppliers of online outdoor supplies. We only stock our shelves with the highest quality outdoor product, so you know that you’re getting great products at a price you can afford. If you have any questions, please contact us and we’ll get back to you right away!

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RV Surge Protection 101

If you have been RV'ing for any length of time you know that campground power is an ever increasing issue.    So what is a surge protector and why do you need one you might ask.  An RV Surge Protector is a device that goes between the campground power post and your RV.  It can be as simple as just protecting you from power spikes, to as sophisticated as managing the power that comes into your RV, blocking anything that not normal. Many times you will not even know there is a power issue and possible damage occurring to your RV's electronics and electrical system unless you have a monitor or RV surge protector in place.  Still confused?   Let's look at the problems first and then how you can protective yourself and your RV.

Power spikes -  Many people would think that lightening was the main cause of power spikes, but it actually is the least common.   Unless you where very close to the strike, many of the components used by the utility companies will bleed off most of this energy through grounding systems or component failure.  But if you happen to be close enough to the strike the energy produced would create an extremely large power surge which can even overpower a rv surge protector.  If you have advance notice, the best tip is to unplug your RV's power cord from the campground power post which will offer total protection from a lightning strike.

The more common cause of a power surge comes from the operation of RV air conditioners as well as the operation of high-power electrical devices (For example a manufacturing plant that has many motor driven machines), close to the campground.   These high power consuming pieces of

Portable Surge Protectors

equipment require a lot of energy to switch on and off components such as compressors and motors. This switching creates a sudden disruption in the flow of electricity, creating a surge that is nowhere near the intensity of a lightning strike, but severe enough to damage electronic and electrical components, immediately or gradually depending on the severity.

Other sources of power surges include faulty wiring, problems with the utility company's equipment, and downed power lines. While we where camping in the central portion of Ohio, we experienced a pretty intense thunderstorm, and towards the end of it our power went out.  We had been using a RV surge protector and I noticed the RV next to us still seemed to have power.  When I checked our connection, we still had power at the campground post, but our surge protector and shut it off to the RV.  The display on the surge protector was showing 135 volts (the unit shuts the power off to the RV at 132 volts) which most likely was due to power being knocked out near our location and the campground getting that extra power.  Voltage that high is will wreak havoc on sensitiveness electronics such as LED TV's.

Low Power - This may have happened to you, your setup enjoying a nice weekend away with your RV's AC keeping things cool. The next thing you know the sky is getting dark and the power starts to flicker.  It's not a storm it's the 45' RV that just pulled in next to you and they just cranked up their 3 air conditioners now causing power issues.  If you where monitoring the power as those AC units kicked on your voltage could drop below a 100 volts or lower.  This is when things like microwaves, dvd players, AC units and TV's are harmed the most.   If you have not monitored this in the past you would be suprised how often this actually happens.  Many times it's in a campground loop when everyone is running their RV Air Conditioners. This sag in power could continue for a long period of time and is a major cause of RV electronic and electrical component failure.  So you may not see an immediate effect, but many times this is the cause of an AC unit failing sooner than it should.

Some of the other hazards just waiting to attack your RV's electrical & electronic systems are mis-wired campground pedestals, reverse polarity, missing grounds, dangerous current and open neutrals to name a few.

RV Surge Protection Guide

RV Surge Protectors  -  So how do you protect your RV from this electrical craziness.  Well, we have a RV Surge Protection Guide that can make choosing a surge protector a little easier. There are currently two manufacturers of RV surge protectors; Surge Guard and Progressive Industries.  We have used and tested both companies products and they both work equally as well.  There are small feature differences between the two manufacturers and the comparison guide will help in differentiating these differences.  You as an RV owner will need to determine how much protection you want your RV to have.

What you will find in the world of RV surge protection is that there are 30 & 50 amp portable and hardwired units to choose from.  If you really hate dealing with electricity then a portable unit is designed just for you.  Plug the unit into the campground power post, plug your RV's power plug into the unit and your up and running.  Looking for a more custom installation?  The Surge Guard and Progressive hardwired surge protection units are designed for you.  Generally mounted  in an electrical bay some of the units even have additional monitors to read what the electrical power is doing from inside as well as outside your RV.

Surge Guard Hardwired Installation

Progressive Industries Hardwired Installation

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Top Four 4th of July Road Trip Destinations

The 4th of July is one of the best times of the year to get together with family and friends and celebrate the USA's independence. Throw some great food on the grill, toss a football, and end the night with fireworks (and maybe crack a few beers in the process) and you're guaranteed a great day.

If you're on the road this 4th of July, there are plenty of places to camp and enjoy the outdoors and a fireworks display. We rounded up a list of the top 4 places that should be on your road trip bucket list of Independence Day.

4. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

If you're on the east coast, you're into the beach and you like fireworks, South Carolina is the perfect spot. Myrtle Beach is an inexpensive 4th of July getaway with beautiful beaches, a large campground at the Myrtle Beach State Park, and great fireworks displays. As one of the only east coast states that legally sells fireworks, you can also get in on the action yourself. Just be sure to follow campground rules and be careful!

3. Lake George

Lake George is no stranger to fireworks—every Thursday during the summer there is a weekly fireworks display and there are several other fireworks displays throughout the summer including, of course, 4th of July. With great camping and water activities, as well as a shopping and bar scene, there's a little something for everyone.

2. Yellowstone National Park (West Yellowstone Celebration)

As the USA's arguably most famous national park, Yellowstone is ideal for the outdoors enthusiast's 4th of July. The town of West Yellowstone is at the entrance to the park and puts on 4th of July events throughout the day ending with a parade, live music show and fireworks display. With camping in West Yellowstone, as well as plenty of camping in the park itself, you can’t go wrong with 4th of July in Yellowstone.

1. Mount Rushmore

It doesn't get much more patriotic than a fireworks display over Mount Rushmore. With two full days of activities and events including a Declaration of Independence reading, Military honors, and US Air Force flyover, Mount Rushmore's 4th of July celebration is the event that all the rest are compared to.

Where have you celebrated 4th of July? Let us know the best spots to celebrate America's Birthday in our comments section!

RVUpgradeStore.com carries RV accessories, supplies & parts so you can outfit your camper with everything you need to have an enjoyable road trip. Check out our Outdoor Living page for all your 4th of July party needs including grills, flags, cooking accessories, furniture & much more!

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