5 RV Accessories Gift Basket Ideas for the Holidays

The pre-holiday season rush is now officially upon us. Before you know it, people will be enjoying everything from Thanksgiving turkey to Christmas presents. Speaking of Christmas presents, have you given any thought as to which ones would be perfect for your fellow camping enthusiasts? If not, you may want to wrap up one of the following RV Accessories:



Fundex Games Gift Basket

For the fun loving folks on your list, why not create a Fundex games gift basket? The company manufactures a variety of games that you could choose from including Professional Double Nine Dominoes and When Pigs Fly. Once you select the games, be sure to add some edible goodies to the gift basket too. That way, your friends will have something to snack on while they play the games.





Picnic & Wine Gift Baskets
If your friends aren't into fun and games, a Picnic Time basket may prove to be more apropos. Picnic Time’s collection of baskets runs the gamut. So you should be able to find one that suits your friends’ style. One that may do the trick is the Highlander Picnic Basket for four. It contains everything needed to enjoy a leisurely repast.







Thrill of the Grill Gift Basket
Do you have die-hard grilling enthusiasts on your list too? Well why not create a thrill of the grill gift basket? Great items to place in the basket are stainless steel BBQ tool sets, BBQ serving platters, bratwurst-hot dog roasters and kebab skewers. You may even want to throw in a bottle of barbecue sauce too.






Dog Gone It
Are some of your friends pet lovers as well? If so, a dog gone it gift basket should make them smile. Fill the basket with items like Valterra Spill Proof Pet Water Dish, Bling Blinkers, Travel Pet Dishes, dog treats and Clean Machine’s Magic Pet Hair Remover. They’ll undoubtedly appreciate them all.





Gift Cards & Certificates
Finally, you could always opt to surprise them with a gift card or gift certificate to our RVupgrades store. If you do decide to purchase the certificates, consider attaching them to a RV die cast collectible. It would make a great impact and give the recipient something to add to their collection.



For a closer look at these RV accessories and other gift ideas, please contact us.

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Best Fall Camping & RV Accessories

RV season is starting to slow down, but that doesn't mean you have to pack everything up quite yet. There are many regions throughout the country that are currently experiencing great whether that's perfect for spending time outdoors including camping, hiking, fishing and hunting. If you're taking your RV out for a trip this autumn, there are a few great accessories that will make your adventure that much more enjoyable.

Deluxe Cooking Grill Kit

With cooler weather, campfires become a necessity. Skip a separate grill and bring a campfire grill. The Deluxe Cooking Grill Kit from Tring is a simple two piece design that allows you to easily utilize the campfire for both cooking and warmth. The 24" plated grill gives you plenty of room for cooking up whatever you're craving!

Dimplex Plug-In Fireplace

So not every night is going to have perfect weather, and starting a campfire might not be an option. Add a cozy element to the interior of your RV with an electric fireplace from Dimplex. This fireplace isn't just for show either—it has a built in heater that will keep your RV warm on col autumn nights.

Bike Travel Cover

If you're the active type you'll want to keep your gear safe from the fall elements. A bike rack cover will ensure your bikes don't experience the adverse effects of cold and wet weather. This cover is great whether your bikes are on the rack or you just need to quickly cover them up before a fall storm.

Kelty Hiking Poles

Exploring the land outside of your campsite is much more enjoyable in the cool autumn climate. Kelty Hiking Poles help improve balance, save your knees, and control your speed as you head out on an adventure. With an adjustable height, they are perfect for any hiker.

RVUpgrades.com supplies RV accessories that make your road and camping trips more enjoyable. Browse our store to see our complete selection or follow us on Facebook for the latest news, promotions, and RV posts.

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Covering Your RV During Winter or Summer Storage

So we are closing in on winter and your wondering if you should purchase an RV cover for your motorhome or trailer.   This is a huge topic on RV forums everywhere right about now and the answers are endless.  But here are a few things to consider as you make that decision.

RV covers are not as easy to install and remove as say a car cover would be.  So if you live in an area where you have the potential to get the RV out many times during the winter months it is something to be aware of.  Also it's a good idea to cover a clean RV and if that wont be possible after use it may not be wise to re-install on a dirty RV.  These covers will move around in the wind and the fabric rubbing on a dirty side wall can cause scratching.

Many people after a long camping season tend to forget about their camper once it has been winterized and

may not even step foot in it until spring.  An RV cover can be very helpful in keeping snow and ice melt during the winter from finding it's way into gaps or cracks in caulking and seams, then re-freezing eventually causing a leak. This could be a major problem for those RV'ers who do not do spot checks throughout the winter finding they now have some kind of water damage.  Although RV covers are generally not water proof they do have the ability to repel water giving some protection from possible water damage. Even with a cover, winter has a way of damaging an RV that is neglected and it is important to do periodic inspections to make sure your cover has not leaked and that excess snowfall is removed.

On the other end of the spectrum sunlight will deteriorate rubber and plastic parts of a camper. This includes the roof, roof seams, moldings, vents, window seams and tires. This results in more frequent maintenance and can also lead to leaks and an RV cover can definitely protect your motorhome or trailer from this type of damage.

Covers are available for every type of RV and are selected by your camper or motorhomes length and the area you live in.  Adco is a leader in the manufacturer of RV covers and has designed their Tyvek brand of cover for extreme sun and heat or snow and rain.  The Aquashed brand is a lighter weight cover that will resist moisture as well as UV rays.  Recently Camco has introduced their new lineup of RV covers which mimic the Adco brand with the Ultrashield RV cover for extreme locations and lower end Ultraguard RV cover.  All of these covers are available for motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, popup and truck campers.  If you cover the RV it's a good idea to cover the tires which will prevent them from checking and cracking prolonging the life of the tire.

An RV cover can be a great investment in keeping your motorhome or camper looking good and protected during those periods when it will be unused.  RVupgrades carries covers for all makes and models of RV and can assist you with obtaining the correct cover for your RV.

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Tailgating Essentials Checklist

If you're anything like millions of other Americans, there's a good chance you've been spending your Saturdays and Sundays watching football on TV in your living room or a sports bar. As an RV owner, however, you have a rolling tailgating machine that is perfect for going and seeing the action live. In a previous post, we covered the best college football tailgating spots, but once you get to the stadium, you're going to need a few essentials to make the day a great tailgating experience. Check out our list of tailgating essentials so you can have the best party in the lot!

Furniture

Seating is a must for any tailgate. You'll likely be on your feet a lot through the game and it's no secret that stadium seating isn’t the most comfortable. Take a load off feet before the game with outdoor seating. One of our favorites is the Coronado Series Recliner which is the next best thing to a La-Z-Boy. If you're planning on serving food, you'll also need an outdoor table or two to display your spread.

Other items to include: radio or sound system, outdoor TV, sunblock, bugspray, an awning or canopy

Cooking Equipment & Accessories

Speaking of food, what's a tailgate without a grill? Whether it's a simple economy grill or a top-of-the-line Kuuma Stow N Go, every tailgate needs a grill to feed the party. With plenty of portable grill options, there is a grill that will be perfect for your RV and tailgate party.

Other items to remember: fuel for your grill, matches or a lighter, disposable plastic ware, garbage bags, aluminum foil, pot holders

Games

Playing a few tailgating games will help you get in the competitive spirit before the main event. Some of the most popular yard games include horse shoes and cornhole, mostly because they're easily played with beverage in hand. A fun alternative these games is washer toss, which incorporates elements of both games and uses washers in place of horseshoes or bean bags.

Coolers

The weather might be cooling down, but it won't be cold enough to keep your drinks cold for another couple months. Investing in a quality cooler will last you for years, and with collapsible cooler options, they won't even take up a lot of space in your RV. Of course, it's also important to keep certain foods cool throughout the day, so make sure your cooler has enough space for everything!

Other items to remember: ice, bottle opener, koozies (can coolers), beverages

Can you think of anything else that should be included on our tailgate checklist? Let us know in the comments what you can't live without when you're tailgating!

RVUpgrades.com carries a wide range of RV accessories and supplies, including everything you need for tailgating or setting up camp. Visit our store for our complete selection of RV supplies, accessories, and parts.

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The Easy Way To Making Mountain Pies With A Rome Pie Iron

When was the last time you had a great tasting mountain pie (also know as pudgie pies, hobo pies &  pie shams) cooked over the fire? We started making mountain pies early on in our camping careers and in the beginning things did not always turn out so well. Initially, we would just add pie filling to a couple of pieces of white bread and depending on my patients level would burn them or they would be under cooked. Either way the kids where usually disappointed in Dad's abilities as a pie iron chef.
But through the collaboration with friends and years of trial an error we really have perfected the art of making great tasting mountain pies. And not just desert pies, we make sandwiches using jalapeno bagels or pretzel bread, pizza pies and so much more. So for any of you newbies to mountain pie making here are some helpful pointers to making the family or just yourself the perfect mountain pie.

First, get the double cast iron pie iron from Rome Industries if you don't already have one. You can certainly use any of the different types of pie irons, but this Rome pie iron is big enough to do bagels and larger breads or 2 sandwiches at a time. And the cast iron metal holds in the heat and distributes it more evenly than the aluminum pie irons do. Remember new pie irons need to be seasoned which is a process of removing the wax coating used to keep the iron from rusting before initial use. And also gets it ready for years of cooking over the fire without rusting. Here is a great video on the process of seasoning your pie iron.

We have found buttering the outside of each piece of bread or bagel will help crisp the bread much better than just using a non stick spray or oil. Be sure to pre-heat the iron, I actually like to get the iron pretty hot so that the pie will start cooking even with the iron off the fire. I do not bury it in hot coals but prefer to keep it above the the heat flipping and checking the pie often. Since the pie iron was hot to start with, all I am really doing is keeping it hot. The pie will burn fast if it gets to hot so better to take a bit more time cooking it then blasting it with high heat. Taking this time will also cook the inside of what ever your making, do it to fast and it will still be cold in the middle. I will also pull the iron from the fire a little before it is completely done, again allowing the heat to get to the center of the pie before the outside gets burnt.

When your done be sure to spray the iron with some non stick spray or use a little vegetable oil which will help it from rusting in humid moist climates or if it will not be used for long periods of time. I am sure there are as many different techniques to making a great mountain pie as there are types of pies you can make. But this simple procedure has worked very well for us over the past 10 years and produced some great tasting mountain pies.  

RVUpgrades.com is your first stop for Pie Irons as well as hot dog forks for great tasting cooked over an open fire food.  Visit us today for everyday low prices on these and all of your RV Accessory needs!

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Eternabond Tape Review

As fall and winter approach, patching up your RV's leaky roof is more important than ever. If you live in dryer parts of the country, summer might not be a huge concern for keeping your RV's interior free of water, but once the rain and snow start rolling in, you'll wish you had addressed it in time. Whether you professionally repair roofs or you are a do-it-yourself handyman, Eternabond sealant tape makes patching up a leaky roof a job that won't break the bank.

You might be concerned that using tape to patch up your roof won't be effective in the long term. In fact, Eternabond was developed as a permanent solution to roof repair. The company backs its RoofSeal, WebSeal, AlumiBond, and DoubleStick products with a 15 year warranty, making them some of the most reliable products available both in quality and company guarantees.

RoofSeal: RoofSeal is Eternabond's basic roof repair product, but its tough construction makes it perfect for all sorts of RV roof repairs including reseaming and making water tight seals. Whether you need to make repairs before the fall or need to keep a roll for emergencies on the road, RoofSeal is a quick, perfect solution for repairs.

WebSeal: Designed as a waterproof roof coating solution, WebSeal's MicroSealant technology is great for using as a sealant in places that need a bit of flexibility. Roofs, ductwork, awnings, and gutters will expand, contract, and contort based on the weather they are facing, and this tape is flexible enough to stay adhered and keep water out.

AlumiBond: AlumiBond is used for heavy duty applications, such as repairing damaged or cut trailers and resealing seams and rivets. The 4mm thick aluminum backing is thicker than the typical 2mm, making AlumiBond a great option when you need to protect against abrasion or corrosion. This tape is also used for roofing, repairing storage tanks, in ductwork, on boats, and a number of other applications.

DoubleStick: Eternabond's version of double sided tape is the perfect solution for binding overlapping materials on your RV such as skylight and window flanges. With the same long-term guarantee as the rest of Eternabond's products, DoubleStick is great for making these types of repairs permanently.

Get your RV's leaks patched and ready for the upcoming seasons. Visit our Eternabond page at RVUpgrades.com and receive a 10% quantity discount when you order three or more Eternabond products.

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To E-Bike Or Not To E-Bike That Is Question

I still remember the day my Dad taught me how to ride a bicycle. He pretty much gave me a push, made me

Huffy Blue Beard 3 Speed

think he was holding on and after only one crash in to the bushes I was off riding on my own. My second bike was a Huffy Blue Beard 3 Speed. I was in heaven when I got that thing and ever kid in the neighborhood wanted to ride it to. It had big white lettering on the sides of the tires, big handle bars, hand brakes, a 3 speed sifter on the top tube and a slick rear tire. It didn't take very long for me and the rest of the neighborhood to destroy it (maybe a year or so, which is a lifetime for a young kid) and I remember my father telling me I better find a way to fix it because he wasn't buying me another. It made it a few more years until I outgrew it and the rest of the kids where now riding 10 speeds. So one day my Dad surprised me and my brother with Honda 10 speed bikes. Who even knew Honda made a bike. These things where tanks, super heavy and not fun to ride.  I remember when they broke we could not get any parts, so I am not sure if these where a short lived experiment by Honda or what.  I remember letting a friend ride it (you would have thought i learned from the last bike) who had never road anything with hand brakes and he proceeded to crash it needed stitches for a major cut on his leg. I tried to ride the bike home after the ambulance took him away and while looking down at a wobbly wheel I crashed it into a parked car smashing the front forks in. Now not only having a bent wheel the front wheel could no longer turn because it was hitting the down tube portion of the frame. My father was not impressed and I remember not having a bike for a very long time after that.

Single Track Fun

So what does all this have to with an E-Bike and what is an E-Bike anyway? Well, I love to bike and always have. My heart is in the dirt on a mountain bike winding my way through narrow single track. Unfortunately, that type of riding is not always available so I find myself riding streets, side walks and rails to trails quite often.   I also take my bike with me when ever we are camping which is a great way to tour the area.  But not knowing an area and the terrain, how do you know how far to ride before you should head back.  And to be honest road riding is just not that fun for me, especially after getting a taste of the the dirt.  So recently I did a little internet searching for maybe some kind of electric motor to help speed the ride up or if nothing else help get me back on a long exploratory ride of an unknown area.  To my surprise they have really made some huge advancement in electric bike technology or E-Bikes.

So the question becomes do you allow motors to enter into this human powered mode of transportation and a lot of purists are having a fit saying "No!".  I'm not a purist, I ride to have fun and it didn't take long for me to say "heck yeah, I want one!"  With RVupgrades.com located up by Lake Erie outside of Cleveland, I ride pretty much everyday during lunch and around these parts you ride into the wind on three quarters of the round trip.  That is no fun, but if I had an electric motor to help push me along while I pedal, now your talking.  So after a whole 3 days of deliberations and research I bought one and felt like I did way back when my dad got me my first bike, I couldn't wait!

Prodeco Phantom X2

There are ton's of different types of E-bikes, motor sizes and battery capacities which I won't go into here, but I will tell you how I landed on the bike I did.  I have been riding mountain bikes for the past 20 years, so that was an easy choice.  Since we do a lot or RV'ing and I ride at work and home a folding version would be a huge bonus.  And since I wanted this to basically assist me while pedaling I wasn't that concerned about motor power or battery capacity.  This lead me to the Prodeco brand and specifically the Phantom X2.  Prodeco is a Florida based company which I liked and the Phantom X2 had all the features I felt I needed in an E-bike.  Now this bike was not exactly cheap retailing at $1400, but I ride everyday even into the winter so I knew I would get my moneys worth if it held up.  Which was a concern of mine and I was happy to see Prodeco had a 3 year warranty on their bikes.  I wont go into the spec's of the bike you can find those here [Prodeco Phantom X2]

You have to love the internet, within two days after purchasing the bike it arrived and I quickly got to work getting it ready for it's maiden voyage.  Really all I had to do was put the battery on the charger which I found was already fully charged, (Nice!) bolt on the handle bars, adjust the seat and I was ready to go.  I

Luensman Overview Park

jumped on started pedaling and gave a twist of the throttle and Wow! was I impression with the power this thing has.  It's not going to tote my 200 lb frame up a mountain without help, but with assistance you are humming along at 15+ mph in no time.  I had so much fun on that first ride, the wind was blowing a good 10 or 15 mph and I was just tooling along no matter what direction I headed.  Fast forward 6 weeks later and I am still loving this bike.  I get more of a workout with this thing since I ride farther and tend to pedal much faster than before.  This past weekend I took it with us on our RV trip to Lake Erie State Park in New York.  I rode into Dunkirk as well as Brocton and to Luensman Overview Park which has a wicked steep hill on the way up.  All places I probably would not have gone on my standard mountain bike, but glad I did and this bike made it a lot of fun getting there and back.

Where I see E-bikes being a huge benefit is for people who need short distance (under 20 miles) transportation, older riders that still want to stay active, medical patients recovering from knee, hip or back surgery.  I've had 2 back surgeries myself and riding has kept me out of the operating room for over 10 years now.   People who want to get back into shape and need some help getting there.  And riders just looking to put the fun back into riding a bicycle.

~ Bill

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