Camping Trailer Accessories: Benefits of Having a Cooktop Cover or Stove Topper

A cooktop cover or stove topper upgrade could be one of the easiest camping trailer accessories you can purchase to update your camper.  A cooktop cover can protect your kitchen from splattering grease, and also provide additional counter space whenever burners are not in use. Certain covers

feature sides that provide protection against the wind whenever you are cooking inside a popup camper.  And a wood stove topper is perfect for adding space to cut up items for dinner that evening.

Most cooktop covers are designed for use with two or three-burner cooktops. They are normally made of stainless steel, and are therefore easy to keep clean. The covers install in only a few minutes, and are easy to fold up and down as needed. They are also inexpensive, and will last for years without needing to be replaced.

Some models will fold so as to cover only one side of your cooktop. This means that whenever you are only using one or two burners, you could still have additional counter space on the other side. Many of these models can also be folded up and stored away when not in use as well.

If you’d like something a little more rustic, you could elect for a wood stovetop instead. Wood has the added advantage of being able to stop rattling sounds that might be coming from your stove whenever you are traveling. Wooden stovetops are covered with a non-toxic gloss finish that also provides protection against moisture, and makes them easy to clean.

Cooktop covers and Stove Toppers are available in a variety of finishes to match any RV décor. To see the wide selection we have available, contact us.

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Retrofit your Vintage Trailer or Motorhome with a Seelevel Tank Monitoring System

You love your RV.  You wouldn't trade it for the world.  It's not the newest model - heck, it may even qualify as "vintage!"  And for the most part, you just "know" when it's time to empty the holding tanks or fill the fresh tank....right?  But what if someone unfamiliar with your coach is using it?  How about those times when extra friends climb aboard for an impromptu bash at the beach?  Wouldn't it be nice if you could just glance at a simple monitor to tell for sure what the level is?  Before...well, you know....no one likes a party-pooper....

Or perhaps you're rebuilding a classic Travel Trailer or motorhome...one of the beauties of yesteryear, names like Airstream, Spartan Winnebago or Silver Streak.  Many of the older RV's didn't have holding tanks at all, and it's one of the most common additions during a restoration.  So why not add a tank monitoring system during the tank installation, making the system on your classic coach as convenient as high end RV's rolling off the assembly line?

Fortunately, the Seelevel Tank Monitoring System - the same system being put in today's luxury coaches - is available for retro-fit applications for the do-it-yourselfer.  In many existing units, adequate wiring may already be in place to add the sensors.  In new holding tank system, a simple planned addition to your wiring schematic is all that is needed.  

Multiple systems are available from Seelevel, depending on your tank configuration.  Sensors can be placed on one or multiple tanks with labeled, easy-to-read tank levels on the control panel.  Unlike earlier monitoring systems, external sensors are placed on the tanks, eliminating the earlier internal probe systems, which sometimes had difficulties with fouling and corrosion.

Seelevel systems deliver readings in percent to full or empty eliminating the guessing that goes on with quarter, half and three-quarter tank monitoring systems.  There are even systems available for the low-profile tanks with depths of less than six inches, often preferred by vintage enthusiasts who are trying to preserve the original profile of their camper.

And since holding tank spills can be messy and a ruined vacation, the addition of a tank monitoring system should be considered preventive maintenance.  So, before you decide to trade in, do without, or close up the belly-pan on that project trailer or motorhome, consider a state-of-the-art upgrade and add a tank monitoring system.  

Our customer service staff can give you installation advice and help you choose the correct SeeLevel System for your particular situation.  Be sure to contact us to discuss how adding a Tank Monitoring System to your coach will keep your older or vintage recreational vehicle up-to-date and user-friendly.  

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RV LED Light Bulbs: The Top Reasons to Consider Switching to LED Lights in Your RV

There has been much buzz in the RV community in recent years about switching to RV LED light bulbs for interior lighting, and it is easy to see why. LED light bulbs provide many advantages for RV owners over traditional incandescent lighting. While the list of benefits to switching to LED light bulbs is numerous, here are just a few reasons why you should consider making the switch.

As every RV'er knows, the traditional incandescent light bulbs that are present in most RV’s can become extremely hot to the touch. It's actually surprising that they are not more of a fire hazard.  But another danger for families who take young children camping, as many RV lights are low enough for children to reach, which could be harmful to them. LED lights on the other hand do not get hot, or even warm, which prevents these accidents from occurring.

The average LED light bulb has a life expectancy of 50,000 hours before needing to be replaced. With the frequency in which most RV'ers go camping, the life of these light bulbs will outlast the RV. This is a fantastic benefit of these lights as you will never have to worry about leaving for a trip and discovering that one or more of your interior lights has gone out, which can be an issue when you are in the middle of some remote location.

Of course, the greatest benefit of having LED lights in your RV is the low impact these lights have on your RV’s batteries. While most campgrounds offer electric hook-ups, there are still some amazing destinations in which you will have to rely solely on your coach’s batteries for electricity. In these instances, having energy efficient lighting will increase the time you remain off the grid.  LED lights utilize such a minimal amount of electricity when compared to traditional incandescent lights that you will not have to worry about your lights being the source that drains your batteries.

Switching to LED light bulbs in your RV will provide you with many benefits including making your RV a safer and more efficient place for you and your family. Contact us to learn more about the many different types of replacement LED light bulbs.

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Is RV Surge Protection Necessary?

We get asked this question all the time. You may have arrived at this question through a camping friends experience with power issues or reading about problems a fellow RV'er had in a forum. And the short answer is yes, rv surge protection is very important and here's why. Surge protectors act like an electrical gatekeeper to your RV. With high end units monitoring every aspect of power and lower end units just keeping out the most destructive. As power requirements increase and campgrounds power infrastructure doesn't, experiencing damage to your electrical and electronic components becomes much more likely. We go in-depth on what a surge protector is and how the different units can protect your RV in our article "RV Surge Protection 101".

The next question becomes "which one do you recommend" and that is not as short an answer.

We sell the top two brands of RV surge protection which are Progressive Industries and Surge Guard and have used both in our own RV's. They both work equally as well with only minor differences between the two brands. We offer a complete side by side comparison guide broken out in 30 or 50 amp and portable vs permanent units to easily see those differences. So for the most part selection between the brands comes down to brand loyalty and if you have none then price or potentially the dimensions of the units maybe determining factors.

The easier part of determining the right surge protector is first matching it up to the power requirements of your RV, either 30 or 50 amps. Having this knowledge we only have to determine which features you and your RV really need. If all your looking for is protection from lightening either by a direct strike or a surge though the power lines, then we recommend the Progressive SSP30 for 30 amp rv's which runs under $100 and SSP50 for 50 amp RV's which is just over $100. These units not only protect from lightening, but will also indicate issues with the campground power before plugging in your RV. They are both portable and very easy to use.

But with today's decked out RV's rolling off the assembly line with inverter/chargers, LED tv's, convection ovens, multiple AC units, home theatre and satellite systems, the smaller units just don't do enough. A bigger issue than lightening to today's electronic RV's is poor campground power. And more times than not it's low fluctuating voltage which can shorter or end the life of the electronics in those rv accessories. In this case we recommend the full featured units that both Surge Guard and Progressive Industries offer. With these units in place the power is cutoff to the RV when power is below 104 volts or above 132 volts and you would be surprised how often this happens if you have not monitored it in the past. These units will also protect from the wrong voltage, mis-wired power pedestals and so much more by not allowing power into the RV. These units also have voltage displays and some even include remote displays to view power issues from inside the RV. These full featured power monitors are the ultimate protection from potential power issues damaging your RV's delicate electronics.

While we are answer questions another one that comes up is "can I plug my 30 amp surge protector into a 50 amp power pedestal?" and the answer is yes. You will need a 30 amp female to 50 amp male adapter to do so. And conversely "can I plug my 50 amp surge protector into a 30 amp power pedestal?" and again the answer is yes. The unit will still offer the same protection but with only 30 amps of power. You will need a 50 amp female to 30 amp male adapter to make that connection.

For a wide selection and best advice on choosing the right rv surge protector for you, contact us today.

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Camping Accessories can be a good Gift Idea for Anniversary and Bridal Couples

If your workplace is anything like ours, I am sure you are probably hearing about a few marriage proposals that occurred on Christmas Eve.  So it probably wont be to long before you are invited to a wedding in the not to distant future.  And with more and more people looking for that slice of solitude on their days off, it's likely they enjoy camping as their getaway choice.  Or maybe you will been invited to a camp themed wedding or anniversary party? The wedding theme has been around for a while but recently picked up momentum when celebrities started adopting it for their own. Heck, you can read a snippet about Rider Strong and Alexandro Barreto’s camping themed wedding in the October 2013 issue of People.

Should you receive an invite to such a wedding or anniversary, we know of various camping accessories that would make superb gifts. Take the Wedding Heart Picnic Basket by Picnic Time. Constructed out of white wicker, it’s a 9.25 pound, 17.5 x 15 x 10 inch heart. The inside of the heart is completely lined with white, soft, quilted cotton and filled with all sorts of goodies. One of the inserts is a beautiful, white cotton tablecloth adorned with eyelet edging.

When it comes to extra special events, like 50th or 75th wedding anniversaries, consider pairing the basket with additional camping accessories. For example, you could add a Canyon Table by Travel Chair, a Dimplex Plug-in Electric Fireplace, White Globe Patio Lights and a pair of Camo Open Air Zero Gravity Recliners. That way, the anniversary couple could sit inside or outside of their motorhome or camper and enjoy mood lighting with their romantic meal.

If you want to add additional items to the heart basket for newlyweds, you could consider tossing in camping themed wine charms, a bottle of Happy Camper Wines and a book of romantic poetry. They may also appreciate a Flagpole-to-Go FP-HM Hitch Mount or a Camco RV Flag Holder and a homemade “Just Married” flag that they can display at their honeymoon campsite.

For a peek at these and other camping accessories that would be perfect for married couples, check out our website or please contact us at (866) 332-7881.

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RV Accessory Review: Fastway Flip Tongue Jack

Overview: The Fastway Flip automatic jack foot is one of those RV accessories that really makes

towing your travel trailer a little easier.  This tongue jack accessory gets rid of the hassle of placing blocks under your jack to level your trailer. This flip down foot bolts quickly and easily to you’re existing jack, giving you an automatic 4" or 6" extension that locks into place when extended, and folds up out of the way when retracted! There are a models to fits 2" or 2-1/4" jacks with round or square tubes, manual or electric operation and a maximum of 1,400 lb. tongue weight.

Review: I just finished my second trip using the Flip Jack on my 30 ft travel trailer and wanted to give my report. The Flip Jack was something I have been wondering about getting for a while just for the height and stability which I thought it would give me. Well, here is my review from ordering one to final report. I ordered the Flip Jack from rvupgrades.com The first thing they wanted to know was the size of my jack post it was going to be mounted to. Great communication on their part ! I measured it to make sure and the order was placed. Two days later it arrived just as communicated. The installation was a breeze, it took about 20 minutes from getting a few tools until I was using the jack. The instructions are very easy to follow and the safety was stressed throughout. Hole location could not get much simpler. Listen to me very carefully, look me in the eyes GUYS, (FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS). I have to say that I now love this thing!!!! It adds great stability and ease to setting up my tt. I was using several blocks before and now jut have to use a couple under the foot. If you are contemplating getting one I highly suggest it, Thanks to rvupgrades.com for their great service. I will shop there again soon.
By Scott S.

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

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