5 Tips To Store Your RV For The Off Season

Unless you’re a full-timer, you need to store your RV in the off-season.

The following tips will help you prepare your coach for the months it sits idle, so that it will be in top shape when you are ready to take your next trip.

1. Make sure to hang Clear The Air Odor Eliminator Bags throughout the RV and especially in the refrigerator. The bags work best if there is constant air flow through the RV so if you can, leave the windows at least cracked.
2. Cancel liability, collision, medial and uninsured portions of the RV’s insurance policy if you are storing your RV on private property. Keep comprehensive coverage.
3. Clean your RV battery and terminals with baking soda and water and make sure it is fully charged. A fully battery wont freeze until at about minus 80 degrees F but a discharged battery can freeze at only 30 degrees below. Store your battery in a dry, cool and ventilated area away from children and pets.
4. Check to make sure critters are not building nests in or around your RV and engine. Before you start your RV engine or take your coach out of storage, check for nests and rodent damage to wires.
5. Avoid parking your RV tires on the soil and park on thick plywood covered with plastic. Unprotected tires will deteriorate faster.

Do you have any tips to storing your RV? Please comment on our blog to share with us!

9 RV Safety Tips For Your Family Vacation

Summer is here, the kids are out of school and it is time to get the RV out to set out on your family summer vacation.

Clear The Air would like to share some RV safety tips everyone should know when they set out on their trip this summer.

Remember to always use Clear The Air’s Odor Eliminators in your RV to eliminate any odor you may have. Our product works great with refrigerator odors, pet urine or feces odor and any type of musty mildew odor.

1. Batteries – Summer heat can wreak havoc on your RV system. Having backup batteries is extremely important so you don’t get stranded somewhere.
2. Generator – Use your coach air conditioners when driving rather than your engine (dash) air. Using your coach air conditioner or heat pump will provide good climate control and it will force you to exercise the generator under load.
3. Keep Doors Closed – Cabinet doors can pop open when you are traveling and especially if you cross over bumpy terrain. Make sure your cabinet doors are closed and in the locked position.
4. Trash – Minimize the use of disposables. Mix your own cold drinks from powders, and assign a mug to each family member rather than using paper cups. Discard excess packaging at home.
5. Nature – In hot weather, use natural shade, awnings and canvas covers. In cold weather, park where the RV will be protected from north and west winds.
6. Driving – Allow more time to brake, change lanes, and merge onto a busy highway because big vehicles take more time to accelerate and slow down than small ones.
7. First Aid – Make sure to have a first aid kit packed and easily accessible. It is also a good idea to have extra phone chargers, flash lights, paper and pens, and bug repellant.
8. Campsite – Survey your assigned site. Be sure there are no low-hanging branches or other obstacles that will interfere with the RV. If you have a slideout or awning, be sure there is room on either side for those to fully extend.
9. Hookups – If you are hooked to a sewer connection, you can open the gray water tank valve to allow sink and shower water to drain directly into the sewer. It is the smaller of the two valves. Never leave the black water tank valve open.

Road Trip – Get Rid Of RV Odors!

Summer is here and it is time to get the RV out for your family summer vacation!

Clear the Air would like to share some tips on keeping your RV fresh and clean smelling without introducing toxic chemicals to your surroundings.

Tobacco smoke, kitchen, road kill, skunk, gasoline, smog, “doggie”, urine, mold/mildew, bathroom, and holding tank odors are common odors that stink up our RV‘s. Air fresheners just mask the odors and often smell worst than the offensive odor, RV detailing is expensive, and shampooing often just spreads the smell around.

Clear The Air Odor Remover Bags can simply be hung in your RV and they will completely eliminate all these odors. Clear The Air draws in odors like a powerful magnet. The odors are adsorbed, and neutralized without any fragrances.

Clear The Air is made from an all natural mineral, is non toxic and biodegradable and safe for Planet Earth. It is also safe around children and pets even if eaten. It does not have to come into contact with odor producer to eliminate the odor. Clear The Air does not cover up odors it literally “clears the air” leaving the air fresh and clean.

Directions To Eliminate Odors From Your RV:

• Hang or place one bag in bathroom, and one in kitchen area, each bag covers approximately 100 square feet.
• Leave windows open for air circulation.
• Do not set bag in direct sun.
• If there are strong odors in your RV you may also want to sprinkle Clear The Air Odor Eliminator for Carpets and Furniture on all upholstery and carpet. Leave down overnight and vacuum. All odors will be completely eliminated.
• The bags will continue to eliminate new odors for up to 3 months. Each bag will cover approximately 100 square feet, some air circulation is best.

RV Travel Tips

Summer is the time for family vacations and what better way to spend time together than in your RV.

Sometimes odors can get in the way of enjoying your home on wheels but Clear the Air can fix that for you right away.  Refrigerator go out?  Bathroom smells?  Dog was left in the RV too long and had an accident?  All these odors and more can be eliminated with Clear the Air.

Check out our helpful RV check list and remember to use Clear the Air to eliminate all RV odors.

Before Your Trip – Make sure your RV is well maintained and ready to go when you are. That’s the first step toward having a safe, trouble-free trip.

• Install a deadbolt door lock on your RV
• Inspect all belts and hoses for cracking, especially radiator hoses. Replace as needed.
• Check headlights, tires (air and tread) and turn signals.
• Check any hitch or towing equipment
• Verify your insurance coverage
• Check your fire extinguisher and smoke alarms
• Clean your cooking vent hood to avoid grease fires
• Leave your itinerary with relatives or friends in case of emergency

On the Road – Be sure to observe the common (but too often overlooked) principles of safety. Obey the speed limit, know your rig height before you go, and buckle your seat belt

Tools to Keep Handy –

• Flashlight
• Jumper Cables
• Flat Repair Spray
• Road Flares
• Adjustable Wrench
• Screwdrivers
• Pliers
• Duct Tape (for temporary repairs to ruptured radiator hoses)

Severe Weather Tips – Park in a sheltered area. In stormy weather, avoid trees or power lines that could fall on your vehicle. The safest place during lightning is inside your RV. If you’re in the path of a tornado, you are safest in a tornado shelter. As an alternative, you can park under a bridge overpass or in a ditch. Avoid parking in low areas that are prone to flash flooding.

Carry Your Insurance Information – Make sure to carry all insurance contact information with you, including a toll-free claim service number if available. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical assistance first and then contact your insurance company or have someone else make the call for you.

Is your RV overloaded? – Did you know that driving or towing an overloaded rig is a leading cause of RV accidents? Even a slight overload or unequal weight distribution can seriously restrict braking and steering, dramatically increase fuel consumption, and cause sudden blowouts or breakdowns. An overweight RV also creates the danger of early failure in your rig’s tires, brakes, wheels, drive train and other components. Learn more about proper RV loading.

RV generator safety precautions – Please read your generator Operator’s Manual carefully so you understand all the precautions for safe, efficient operation. Most accidents occur from failing to follow fundamental safety rules.

A safe campground for everyone. – Camping is a fun time for the whole family. It is a time to leave all of your troubles behind and reconnect with family and friends. Campfires, roasting marshmallows and sing-a-longs are the memories you’ll cherish for the rest of your life. That’s why it is essential to make your campsite a safe place for everyone.

RV propane safety – “Better safe than sorry.” There’s no better advice when it comes to propane safety. While the RV industry has done a lot to ensure high standards regarding propane safety, propane can cause disaster if mishandled or used improperly.

Most importantly HAVE FUN!  Happy RV’ing from Clear the Air!