We’ve all seen RVs that are between 5 and 10 years in age.  The paint color or graphics have faded or become cracked.  The fiberglass exterior has a chalky milky look to it that makes it appear old and unappealing. 

Upon closer inspection, the tires are all cracked; even the cords are visible.  This can’t be safe.

Those sun-baked tires will fail in no time once you get up to highway speeds.  Obviously, that's a very dangerous situation.  The worst part is you may not see any damage on the tire when you start out.  You see, continuous sunny days will let ultraviolet rays do the damage, taking the flexibility out of the rubber compounds.

If your RV spends its life in the southwest, the sun there is even more severe and damaging.  Window shades and interior fabrics will fade rapidly, then become brittle, and finally they will literally fall apart.  Sitting on a sun-damaged sofa may even split the material wide open.

There are a number of products on the market to help you protect your valuable RV from sun-related damage.  Some are better than others.

Of course the best idea would be to store your RV in a garage, completely protected from the elements.  But for many, this isn’t an option.  The next best solution is an RV cover.

Dead along the highway... there is no worse predicament to be in.  In some cases, it could even be life-threatening. 

I’ve put in plenty of hours driving across endless desert regions in the southwest with temperatures well over 100 degrees.  Shade is a pretty scarce commodity out there, so making sure you're prepared for problems can mean the difference between inconvenience and disaster.

Of course, proper maintenance and servicing is the best way to avoid breakdowns in the first place.  Taking shortcuts and letting things go will greatly increase the possibility of something quitting on you at the most inopportune time. 

Having appliances like the refrigerator or plumbing give you problems can be annoying, but when the motor sputters to a halt and all you get is a Click, Click when you attempt to restart...  things can get serious real quick.

Your options for seeking roadside assistance vary greatly, depending on what type of RV you have.

Every fall, the annual battle starts.  Army vs. Navy,  Vikings vs. Packers, even Duluth Central High School vs. Duluth Denfeld High School. 

Whatever your favorite team, now is the time to fire up the RV and head to the stadium parking lot. 

RVs and motorhomes are great for tailgating. You can load up a crowd and have your own small party before a concert, sporting event, parade, or most any other outdoor event you can think of!

What could be easier?... Back up until you hear the handle snap back, and you're good to go! 

Boy, if that’s how you hook up your fifth wheel trailer, you're going to have some problems (...sooner rather than later).

First, Why 5th Wheel Trailers Are Great

Fifth wheel RVs are the best handling, most secure recreational trailers on the road.  They handle so much better than a standard travel trailer, there just is no comparison.  With a properly set up fifth wheel, you can pull a 15,000-pound trailer all day long in comfort.  You’ll rapidly get to the point where you will almost forget that your monster 3-axle, multi-slideout  luxury condo is riding along behind you.

This easy towing might give one the opportunity for complacency in getting ready to hit the road. 

But the last thing you want to see is your $75,000 trailer skittering down the highway on its own after the hitch popped open, turning it loose from your truck.  Don’t laugh, it does happen, and if it happens to you, it will be expensive!

Here are some things you need to know about mounting and hooking up a fifth wheel hitch...

Okay, you've filled up the RV water tank and hit the switch to pump the last of the antifreeze out of the plumbing lines. 

The only problem is... the RV water pump just keeps running and won’t shut off.  The water flow is only a matter of a few drips at best. 

Now what?