Author: clickgiant

Essential Tools You Need for Your RV Camper

Posted on July 5, 2022 by - Blog

Tools on a table: essential tools for your RV camper

Traveling in an RV comes along with a lot more responsibility than a simple trip where you stay in a hotel or rental home. RV owners need to be able to deal with a range of issues that might come up along the way, and that’s why we compiled this list of essential tools for your RV camper.

Stocking up with the right tools for your adventures is always a good idea. And if you’re looking to further protect your investment, American Carports, Inc. is here to help. Explore our free Build & Price tool to create a durable, affordable, and customizable RV carport with all the features you need.

A Basic Set of Essential Tools for Your RV Camper

For starters, you should have a standard set of hand tools that you can use for various tasks in and around the RV. You might already own a set of these kinds of tools for your home, so you could choose to take that set with you – or you might decide to buy a small set that will live only in your RV.

There are plenty of pre-made kits available for this purpose, or you could opt to buy individual tools on your own to create a custom set. Either way, make sure your kit hits on all of the basics including:

  • Screwdrivers
  • Some standard wrenches in various sizes
  • A set of socket wrenches
  • A pair of pliers or two.

In addition to these common tools, also add in anything that you know you might need based on the specifics of your RV and what you might need to use along the way.

Work Accessories

In addition to the tools above, it’s a good idea to have accessories that will make work easier and more comfortable. Two great examples of items in this category are:

  • A pair of gloves: With gloves, you can protect your hands from minor cuts and bruises while working, and you’ll avoid getting them too dirty (which can be frustrating when camping if you don’t have access to hot water).
  • A headlamp: By having a headlamp available, you’ll be able to easily light up dark parts of your RV that might be hard to see when performing a fix.

Other Options

The two categories available aren’t negotiable – all RV owners should have a good set of tools and some accessories to make life easier. Additionally, you might want to consider the items listed below as options to take with you on your travels if they relate to the issues you sometimes face.

  • Hitch lock. Plenty of RV owners travel without using a hitch lock, but this accessory is worth considering if you often park your RV in busy places and are away from it for longer periods. Adding a quality hitch lock will make it very difficult for anyone to connect their vehicle to your trailer and drive away.
  • Walkie-talkies. This is one of those affordable upgrades to your RV setup that will start to pay off on your very first trip. If nothing else, you’ll want to use your walkie-talkies when trying to park your RV, as you can have one person doing the driving and another person outside giving directions. Most likely, you’ll find more uses for these than just parking, and you will wind up reaching for them over and over again as you travel.
  • Battery jumping pack. It’s easy to take your RV batteries for granted – until they are dead and can’t get the job done while you are out in a remote area. Investing in a good battery jumper will give you a backup plan in case of a surprise dead battery, and you might also choose to put it in your regular vehicle when not traveling in your RV.

American Carports Has You Covered

You don’t have to travel with a massive tool chest in your vehicle when you go on RV trips, but these essential RV tools are smart to have on hand. By investing a bit of money now to collect the right tools, you can be sure that you are prepared for many different issues that could pop up on your travels.

Of course, if you have been thinking of adding an RV carport to your property as another way to protect your most valuable asset, turn to American Carports, Inc. Explore our free Build & Price tool today to get started!

How to Make Homemade RV Wash Cleaner

Posted on June 27, 2022 by - ACI, Blog

Collection of essential oils: how to make homemade RV wash cleaner

Washing your RV is one of those tasks you probably wish you got around to more frequently. There is a certain pride that comes with driving down the road in a freshly-washed RV, and you’ll also be helping to maintain the condition of your rig for the long run when you keep it clean. To help make it more likely that you’ll keep up with this chore, and to help you get great results, this article is going to provide advice on making your own RV wash cleaner.

Beyond regular washing, another good way to protect your rig’s condition is by parking it under a cover. An RV carport from American Carports, Inc. makes for a great home for your recreational vehicle, and these structures are surprisingly affordable. See what’s possible today by using our free Build & Price tool or by reaching out to us for more information. We are here to serve you!

Different Cleaners for Different Jobs

To get started on this process, it’s important to note that you’ll probably want to make a few different types of cleaners to bring back the shine to your RV. This is necessary for one specific reason – the exterior of your RV features a variety of different materials. It’s hard to get ideal results if you try to use just a single cleaner for the whole RV since you’ll be going over so many different surfaces along the way.

If you decide to mix up some different cleaning solutions, then organization is going to be critical. You won’t want to get these things confused, so it’s important to mark your bottles or containers so you can always reach for the right one for the right job. Even if you are using all of the cleaning solutions on the same day, it’s still worth marking a container for each. Then, you won’t run the risk of getting mixed up, and you can use those same containers over and over for future projects.

General Cleaner

For most of the outside of your RV, and even some of the inside, you can use a general cleaner that will help to remove dirt and debris with ease. While you can experiment with the proportions to get something that works well for you, start by trying a mix of 3 parts water and 1 part white vinegar. This is a good basic mixture, and you can then add a bit of baking soda for added cleaning power and something to bring a nice scent to the party.

For example, you might decide to start with six cups of water and two cups of white vinegar, which would perfectly match our ratio. Then, you could three or four tablespoons of baking soda, and maybe a little bit of citrus or essential oil that has an appealing smell. The inclusion of vinegar in this formula is the key, as it will work effectively to knock out mildew and even mold if it has begun to grow in certain areas. Just wet the RV, wipe it down with this solution, and spray it off again with fresh water.

Specialty Cleaning Solutions

Once you have mixed up your general cleaner, you might also want to get out a couple of other jars to make some solutions that will address other areas of the rig. Here are two ideas that will come in handy for most RV owners –

  • Cleaner for a rubber roof. If your RV has a rubber roof, getting that surface clean is important and will require a good plan. For this cleaning solution, you can keep things simple and mix water and dish soap in a bucket. If you have it available, add a tablespoon or two of mineral spirits to improve your results. Of course, you should always be careful when washing the roof of your RV, so don’t hurry through the process and get help if you feel uncomfortable with any part of the job.
  • Glass cleaner. Not only will getting the glass on your RV clean help it look great out on the road, but it will also improve your experience when looking out from the inside. Again here, we are going to turn to vinegar for its cleaning power, mixing it with warm water, rubbing alcohol, and a bit of cornstarch. For proportions, try 8 parts water to 1 part vinegar and 1 part rubbing alcohol, with just a small scoop of cornstarch added to bring everything together.

Keep Your RV Looking Its Best

Sure, making your own homemade RV wash cleaner won’t do the work of washing the RV for you, but it will help you get excellent results whenever the chance arrives to complete this task. And, by keeping your RV under a carport, you will be able to maintain the results of your wash for longer than if you left it parked out in the elements.

Get started on a carport project today by exploring our free Build & Price tool!

 

How to Remove Mildew from Your RV’s Exterior

Posted on June 24, 2022 by - ACI, Blog

RVs parked outside of a camp: how to remove mildew from RV exterior.

It’s a reality for most RV owners that their rigs will sit idle for long periods during the year. Maybe you’re waiting for better weather before you take a trip, or you simply need some time off from work to explore the world. Whatever the case, it’s common for mildew to accumulate during these idle times, and you need to know how to remove that mildew properly to restore the condition of your RV before heading out on a new trip. Read on for some basic steps on how to easily remove mildew from your RV.

To help keep your RV in good condition between trips, you can also consider parking it under a roof – such as a metal RV carport from American Carports, Inc. Explore our free Build & Price tool to create a custom design for your structure. If you have any questions along the way, contact us. Our team is happy to help!

Why Should You Care?

On some level, mildew on the outside of your RV doesn’t seem like a big deal. Sure, it doesn’t look great, but if you aren’t too concerned about the cosmetics of your rig, you might think you can leave the mildew and go on about making your travel plans. Unfortunately, that plan won’t lead to a good outcome.

For one thing, mildew accumulation on your RV leads to exterior damage. When you do get around to taking it off, or when it comes off on its own, you might find that the paint has been damaged and the exterior shell has been compromised. It’s also possible that the mildew will start to work its way inside.

There is also an unpleasant odor that comes along with mildew. Even if the mildew is only on the outside, you can smell it while you are hanging out under the awning, and you might even smell it inside the RV while relaxing or trying to sleep. Any way you look at it, getting rid of the mildew promptly is your best bet.

Create a Plan

The first step involved in eliminating the mildew on your RV is thoroughly examining the rig to track down all areas of mildew that have developed. Take your time to walk around the RV, and consider using a ladder to get a closer look at the higher areas of the RV. For a large rig, use a notebook to write down where you found mildew so you can come back through and clean them up later.

With the areas of mildew identified, the next step is choosing the correct cleaning products. Here, you have a couple of options – you can purchase a premade product from an RV supply store that is specifically designed for this task. That will work nicely, of course, though it might be a little bit expensive. As an alternative, you can opt for a homemade solution such as spraying plain white vinegar on the affected areas. This is a proven, affordable method that should lead to excellent results. Leave the vinegar to sit on the surface for an hour or two, then scrub it off and rinse the area.

A Few Important Points

Before you dive into this job, remember that safety is always paramount when working on your RV. Be careful if you need to use a ladder, and find the flattest possible area to park the rig while working. Also, pick out a dry day to make sure your cleaning solution isn’t diluted before it can go to work on eliminating the mildew. With good weather on your side and enough time to work safely and patiently, you can check this task off your to-do list in soon enough. Removing the mildew from your RV doesn’t have to be a difficult job, but you do need to have the right tools and a little bit of spare time to do it right.

We hope the tips in this article on removing mildew are helpful. Feel free to reach out today for more information on the quality, affordable RV carports we have available to keep your vehicle looking its best!

How to Clean Aluminum RV Siding

Posted on June 15, 2022 by - Informative

Exterior of an RV: how to clean aluminum siding

There are few things on the road that look better than a clean, beautiful aluminum RV. And if you happen to be the proud owner of an RV with aluminum siding, you need a game plan to keep it clean and flawless. Read on for some basic tips on keeping your RV looking its best before your next outing.

Protect It from the Elements

In addition to cleaning properly cleaning an RV, one of the best ways to care for it is parking under an RV carport. To add a durable carport to your property, turn to American Carports, Inc. and our Build & Price tool. With this tool, you can create a custom structure that will fit your RV and anything else you would like to store under its roof.

Shop Carefully

Before you pull your RV into the driveway to start cleaning, you need to shop intelligently for the right products to use on the sides of the rig. While you should be able to use most general RV wash products, remember to read the label to confirm that the product is meant for use on aluminum. Also, avoid using an acid wash product to clean the sides of your RV. Although you may get pretty good results with that approach, you would also be eroding some of the aluminum, leading to eventual damage over time.

In addition to a cleaning agent, you also want to have a scrubber that isn’t going to damage the aluminum siding. Something soft without much of an abrasive surface is your best choice. When in doubt, test your scrubber on a small, out-of-sight piece of aluminum siding to see how it works before proceeding with the rest of the job.

Preparing for Great Results

The first step in the cleaning process is to perform a general wash to remove any build-up or debris present on the RV. After returning from a trip where you explored trails that were beyond the end of the paved roads, your rig could be quite dirty. Doing a pre-wash with your hose and sprayer means you won’t have to work as hard once you start applying soap and scrubbing.

If you are the type of RV owner who likes to add stickers to your trailer, you may want to remove them as part of the cleaning process to start fresh with a clean look. Consider using an adhesive cleaning product that helps remove the stickiness with minimal effort. Once the stickers are off, proceed with the actual cleaning of the RV.

Work from the Top Down

This is the same approach that you take when washing a car, but it’s a little harder to do when washing an RV. You might need a ladder to get the water and soap up to the top of the rig at the start of the washing process, working your way down as you go. If you get this backward, you’ll end up with streaks of dirt and grime that drip down onto the lower parts of the RV that you already cleaned. Get the top sections out of the way first and work your way down until you reach the level of the tires where you finish the job.

Don’t Forget to Dry

Drying off the RV after you clean it is an important step that helps you come away with excellent results. If you fail to dry the RV, you can expect streaks all around the body of the trailer and not the clean and shiny appearance that you imagined. A couple of clean, soft towels and a few minutes of work will leave you with a beautiful, dry RV.

Keep Your RV Looking Its Best

The task of cleaning your RV’s aluminum siding doesn’t have to be a long, laborious process. Using the tips above as a starting point, you can create a system that leaves your RV looking great without spending too much of your time. Of course, be sure to consider the possibility of parking your RV under a carport that is supplied to you by American Carports, Inc. Don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance. We look forward to serving you!

 

What is RV Detailing?

Posted on May 28, 2022 by - ACI, Blog, RV Carports

If you want your RV to take good care of you while on the road, you need to take good care of it in between trips. That means keeping the RV clean, making sure all of the equipment is in proper working order, and more. The concept of RV detailing is basically the same as detailing any other type of vehicle–it’s a careful, thorough cleaning that leaves the RV looking nearly as good as the day it left the factory.

Top 5 Ideas for Sprinter Van Conversions

Posted on May 24, 2022 by - ACI, Blog, RV Carports

Sprinter vans are incredibly popular, versatile vehicles capable of exploring endlessly fascinating places. If you buy a Sprinter van, it will likely be ready for your adventures right off the lot, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take it a step further. You can customize your Sprinter van to suit your needs and tastes even better. We’ll touch on five different ideas for ways you can convert your Sprinter van into something custom that you will love to travel in for years to come.

How to Maintain Your RV Tires While in Storage

Posted on May 16, 2022 by - ACI, Blog, RV Carports

If you are like most RV owners, you have a busy schedule that doesn’t allow you to travel in your RV quite as often as you would like. Such is life in the real world, and unfortunately, that means your RV is going to spend some long stretches in storage between outings. To make sure it’s ready to go when your next trip does roll around, you’ll want to pay attention to some basic maintenance points that make storage more successful.

Five Tips for New RV Owners

Posted on May 3, 2022 by - ACI, Blog, RV Carports

Buying your first RV is an exciting time. Once you have the RV in your possession and ready to go, you’ll suddenly realize just how many possibilities lie in front of you. There are so many beautiful destinations waiting to be explored in this country, and an RV is the best way to reach many of them. Whether you are getting ready to make an RV purchase or you’ve already closed the deal, this article will offer five tips to help you get the most out of the experience.

Create a Fully Enclosed Metal Carport

Posted on May 2, 2022 by - ACI, Blog

Carports with open sides are excellent for many purposes, but they are not right for every situation. In some cases, an enclosed building is what you need–but that doesn’t mean you should cross a carport off your list. When working with American Carports, Inc., you can easily customize your carport order to create a fully enclosed metal structure that offers protection from the elements and many other benefits.