Stay Up To Date On The Latest RV Accessories In The News

The RV Accessory world is expanding at an ever increasing rate and staying on top of what is new and exciting is not always an easy task. There are a couple of resources out there dedicated to RV news and the products used in motorhomes, campers and at the campground.

RV News is chock-full of new product news. Just scroll down their new RV product page to see any of the following RV Accessories.

Don’t want to miss your favorite football game this season? RV News is currently showcasing the new Winegard Pathway X2 portable satellite high definition TV antenna. The new antenna is being offered in partnership with DISH and delivers a true HDTV viewing experience for mobile or outdoor activities such as RVing, tailgating and camping.  The new antenna is powered by a DISH receiver, which is sold separately.


Ultra-Fab Products continues it's trend of developing industry-leading electric tongue jacks with the introduction of Zerk technology that dramatically increases the life of the jack over competitive products. Travel trailers are becoming larger and heavier, RVers need a reliable, long-lasting tongue jack that will withstand the rigors of the camping lifestyle. With the Ultra Fab Ultra 3502 Electric Tongue Jack consumers can buy a jack that can last the life of the camper they install it on.

More good news for RV travelers who want to ensure their comfort in warmer climates. RV Daily reports that popular Xantrex is now offering a 24-volt Freedom SW series inverter/charger for your RV. “The new Freedom SW 24V is ideal for powering a demanding mix of AC loads and charging large 24-volt battery banks,” according to John McMillan, director of sales for the Xantrex brand at Schneider Electric. A video of the new product’s features is available.

We here at RVupgrades.com also try to keep you up to date on the latest product news with our own site located at RVAccessoryNews.com  We feature rv accessories that have had a positive impact on the lifestyle based on customer feedback we have received through reviews they have left on our website.

And as always check back here often for articles that we put together on products we have tested and used in our own RV'ing experiences.

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RVupgrades.com Loves RV Accessory Product Reviews

Just a few short months ago we joined an amazing product reviews service called Yotpo. Yotpo has since helped us gather over 2,500 reviews from our customers on RV products they have purchased through our store. These reviews are super important to us because our customer’s feedback helps us improve the products we inventory and sell online.  Below are a few examples of the amazing feedback we have received from our customers since joining Yotpo.

Another cool thing about Yotpo is that we can easily share our favorite reviews on our Facebook and Twitter pages so that our fans get to read about RV accessories that truly make a difference in the RV'ing lifestyle.

Special thanks to everyone that has written a review for us and we hope to share many more in the future.

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Winterizing Your RV

With winter about to hit, many of you will be storing your RV for the season. Whether you're planning on storing your RV in a garage or outside, there are a few steps you should take to winterize your RV before you leave it to sit for an extended period of time. Follow these steps and your RV will be ready for your first road trip of spring!

Drain Your Water Tanks

Winterizing an RV primarily involves making sure the water and drainage lines are prepared for cold weather so they don't get damaged. Start by draining the fresh water tank as well as the gray and black holding tanks. This should be done at a sanitary dump station so waste gets disposed of properly. You will also want to clean out the black tank.

Drain the Water Heater

It's important to make sure the water heater is not hooked up or hot when you are draining the water heater. Once the heater is cool, bypass the water heater and remove the cap and drain the heater.

Open All Faucets & Valves

Open all hot and cold faucets in your RV to drain any remaining water in your system. Don’t forget the toilet, shower, and any other water system you have that has a valve.

Blow Out Excess Water

Use a blow-out plug attachment with an air pump or compressor to completely clear out your lines of water. Once all water has been blown out of the lines, replace the caps on your drains and close any faucets and valves.

Add antifreeze to the water system

Depending on where you live, putting anti-freeze in your water lines may not be necessary. If your RV will regularly be exposed to below freezing temperatures, however, you will want to add anti-freeze to the lines so they are protected.

To pump anti-freeze into your lines, install a bypass valve, such as the Camco Pump Converter on your water pump and pump anti-freeze directly from the bottle through your water system.

Turn on Your Valves and Faucets

Turn on the cold water of your valves and faucets and wait until anti-freeze begins to come out. Repeat this for the hot water as well. Make sure you flush the toilet as well and leave a bit of anti-freeze in the bowl. Also pour a bit of anti-freeze into your drains.

And that's it! Your water system will now be protected against freezing temperatures throughout the winter and you won't have any unpleasant surprises when you prepare your water system for the spring. Visit our winterizing page for our entire selection of RV winterizing products and please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via email, Facebook or a leave a comment if you have any questions!

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Top 5 RV Interior Lights for Quiet Time Readers

Are you one of those campers that likes to hunker down inside of the RV with a good book once the campground’s nightly quiet time begins? If so, you may be interested to know that our task lighting needs change as we age. In our early years, a flashlight or small lantern may prove to be the perfect reading light. However, once we reach our senior years, its best to swap out that flashlight or lantern with great RV interior lights. With that in mind, here are five that would be ideal for a late night read:

#1: Gustafson Satin Nickel Reading Light

First on our list is Gustafson’s Satin Nickel Reading Light. Its sleek design and adjustability are just two of the features that make it ideal for finishing one’s favorite page-turner. The 6-1/8” long and 3-1/4” wide light operates on 12 volts and requires a single 1383 bulb. You can also purchase the light with a satin nickel finish. For the best results, consider mounting the RV interior light on the side of your bed below eye level or above the headboard. Then simply adjust the light’s extension as needed.

#2: Gustafson Directional Reading Light

The second RV interior light to make our list is also manufactured by Gustafson Lighting. However, this one is a low-profile, directional reading light that requires an 1139 bulb. Thus, it is best used with an overhead mount. We should also mention that it comes with a choice of two finishes, black and satin nickel.

#3: Gustafson Ceiling Light

Keeping with the Gustafson Lighting brand, the third product on our list is a brass halogen ceiling light. Although it is designed to be installed as either a flush or recessed mount, we’d suggest opting to go with the recessed option. That way, you won’t have to worry about head space issues in compact sleeping quarters. Each light fixture comes with a 10-watt halogen bulb.

#4: Ming’s Mark LED Tube Light

The fourth RV interior light that would be suitable for a late night read is manufactured by Ming’s Mark. It is a LED tube light that is 6” wide, 19.7” long and a modest 1.42” high. The light is capable of generating 3x200 lumens and requires 8 to 30v DC.

#5: Progressive Dynamics Dome Light

The fifth and final RV interior light that you may want to consider purchasing is created by Progressive Dynamics. It is a low-profile, high-intensity, double incandescent light outfitted with a convenient slide switch. Because it is so bright, you may want to consider mounting it in a single bunk or another area that is less likely to disturb others.

For more information about these RV interior lights and others, please contact us at (866) 332-7881.

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On The Fence About Getting RV Surge Protection?

As an RV'er you spend a lot of time deciding what goes into your motorhome or camper.  You choose whether the 32" or 27" flat screen gets to travel along and if the microwave or toaster oven makes more sense for the trip.  You even decide if your husband or wife can come along :-)

So why allow someone else to have control over the electricity entering your RV?  
One of the risks of any campground is the quality of electricity provided.  There are many different factors that can influence the power flow including how many other RVs are plugged in, weather conditions, old wiring and more.  With surge protection, you have the ability to control the quality of electricity coming into your RV.

So What Exactly Does A Surge Protector Do?
Surge protectors will offer different features depending on what you are looking for but at the very basic level, they prevent voltage spikes from damaging your equipment.  A voltage spike is a very fast, short duration of electrical current or voltage to the electrical system.  Poorly maintained campground power outlets, lightning strikes or a mis-wired power pedestals can all cause uneven power flow to your RV.
Many upgraded surge protectors will also offer over/under voltage protection which is important in saving your equipment.  For example, on a hot day when everybody has their air conditioning on, the voltage can drop dangerously low and result in a brown out.  Anything above or below the UL standard of 102 to 132 volts is potentially harmful.  

What Should I Look For When Buying A Surge Protector?
The choice of features and different protection options will depend on what makes sense for your RV, the campgrounds you go to and your own personal taste.  Here are a few of the many features offered:

• Portable or Hardwire:  Would you rather have your surge protector built into your RV or would you rather plug it in every time?
• Protection Rating:  This will be measured in Joules, which is a unit for energy.  The higher the number, the bigger the spike it can safely handle.
• Unit Size:  Here you are looking at Amp rating which corresponds to the type of power when plugging in your RV.

Hereis a list of the RV surge protectors that we offer.  We hope you liked our guide!  If you have further questions, comments or need help making a purchase, please let us know!

At RVupgrades.com, we know RV Surge Protection, and can help you choose exactly the right one for your RV.  Feel free to contact us any time for more information.

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Reasons to Consider a Portable Water Softener for your RV

You may have considered the benefits of a water softener for your home, but have you thought about how a portable water softener in your RV could be beneficial? Having soft water in your motor home is just as important as it is at your primary residence, and here a few reasons to consider purchasing one.

When you're traveling in your RV, you can never be certain where your water supply is coming from.

According to a study by the Virginia Cooperative Extension, approximately 85% of the country suffers from hard water problems. The hardest water is found in parts of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas and southern California. If you happen to be visiting one of the many locations with hard water, you will have to deal with this fact when washing dishes, bathing or doing laundry. As a result, you could notice that your clothes are dingy or dishes have spots on them.

Hard water may also not be as pleasant to drink. When traveling during the summer months, it's especially important to stay well hydrated; however, having water that doesn't taste good makes this task unpleasant. An alternative could be to purchase bottled water, but you can't really be sure where it originated from either. In the long run, having a portable RV water softener can ensure you won't have to worry about being able to stay hydrated when temperatures escalate.

The plumbing inside your RV needs to be in tip-top shape in order for you to enjoy traveling. Just as mineral deposits can get into your pipes at home, they can also wreak havoc on the ones in your RV. They could also clog your dishwasher, water heater and shower-head as well. Replacing these items can sometimes be expensive, but repairs can often be avoided by adding a water softener ahead of time.

Here at RVupgrades.com, we are familiar with the different types of RV water softeners available, and can help you choose exactly the right one for your vehicle. Feel free to contact us any time for more information.

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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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