Our buddy Ted, an RV enthusiast, just bought a used camper with his new wife Cheryll. They’re retired, they both love roadtrips, adventure, and camping, so it was a perfect choice for them. They live in Florida, and not having to deal with drying out a tent is quite a luxury. However, that’s the point where the luxury stops- Ted bought a 16-year old “previously loved” RV with a sunken-in floor. His adventure was just beginning.

After spending more than what he paid for the RV replacing the floor, Ted was still thrilled with his purchase. We paid him a visit shortly after the RV’s (new) Maiden Voyage to see if he had any advice for beginners, and this is what he said:

Go With What You Know

Find an RV that matches the lifestyle you currently have and don’t buy an RV based on a fantasy modeled after some Utopian future you hope to have. Ted and Cheryll planned on using their RV periodically and needed something they could tow behind their modestly-muscled SUV, so a smaller, more utilitarian model was ideal. Lots of people dream about Airstreams the size of blue whales and touring the country for months at a time, but if that’s not a realistic possibility, stick with what fits into your present world and roll with it. Pun intended.

Be Aware of How Much You Can Handle

Ted’s little RV has a freshwater reservoir of about 25 gallons. That’s what the sink, shower and toilet all use. Since the hot water pump can only handle about 8 gallons at a time, both Dad and Cheryl had to get used to the idea of shorter showers. (One trick for making that less painful? Turn the heat on and use the bathroom’s exhaust fan to pump the warm air from the central compartment into the bathroom. Also, you can store your towels near the heating vent for an additional perk).

Many RV enthusiasts take water conservation to the next step: Unless they’re hooked up to City Water at a campsite, they will forsake the privacy and comfort of their own RV toilets and showers and use the campsite’s facilities. Some folks would rather deal with potentially gross conditions, spiders, and bears (oh my) than max out their blackwater and graywater tanks. But here’s the secret:

Campsites have come a long way!

Nowadays, many campsites feature full hookups, but almost all of them have clean, sanitary areas for campers to dump their waste tanks. Get a good pair of rubber gloves, but really, you’ll be fine. The iron gag reflex of our RV Pioneer Forefathers is no longer mandatory as most of these stations have up-to-date, well-maintained waste removal systems, as well as freshwater hoses nearby for cleansing. Ted said he never smelled a thing.

Use Caution When Checking Out Your New (Used) RV

When purchasing a used RV, you may run into a few surprises. For example, when cleaning out the shelves of his self-proclaimed “Port-o-palace,” a two-by-four leapt from some hidden crevice in a top shelf and clocked poor Ted right in the face. He proudly sported a band-aid and a grin as he told us the story. “I have no idea why that would even be up there,” he said, “but then again they let the floor get to be the consistency of a marshmallow, so who knows.” Ted now exercises a little more caution as he continues to explore his new domain.

With realistic expectations, ingenuity, creative use of heating systems, a good pair of rubber gloves and a gentle approach while exploring new surroundings, any RV can be the RV Of Your Dreams. There’s a whole big beautiful world out there, so find a good match for your lifestyle and go explore!

Congratulations on your new bike! You’ve passed your class, purchased your wheels and you’re looking forward to enjoying all the excitement that goes along with your new lifestyle- however, those classes can’t teach you everything you need to know, and there are a lot of issues you’ll be dealing with which may surprise you once you’re without a car. 

Here are a few FAQs which can puzzle a beginner, especially if your motorcycle is now your only means of transportation. Read these easy answers and you’ll be riding in style in no time.

How do you Carry Cargo? 
Simple tasks like grocery shopping can become tricky. After all, you look awesome in your leather motorcycle jacket, but even awesome people buy milk and OJ! So what’s a road warrior to do? Get a hard-shell locking luggage rack. There are plenty of aerodynamic, aesthetically appealing options available to mount on your bike and make the weekly grocery run a non-issue.  What you fear you may be sacrificing in Cool Points won’t even matter- the real riders out there know the deal and respect someone who rides enough to occasionally need to buy milk while they’re out. So go get a locking rack and enjoy those Oreos the way they’re intended.

What kind of Gear should I have?
You may be the best, safest driver out there, but the driver next to you might be a texter, and they might merge right over you as if you were invisible. So be alert, be ready, assume they can’t see you or hear you, and dress protected for a crash anyway. Experienced riders know a wrinkled shirt is a small price to pay for the safety appropriate gear offers. And if you haven’t purchased a locking luggage rack yet, here’s an easy way to stash your gear while you’re off your bike: a long steel cable can be threaded through your helmet, jacket, over-pants and gloves. Just check your pockets first before you walk away. 

Should I sell my Car and just Ride my Bike?
There’s no way you’ll make it back from IKEA with that $15 coffee table on your bike. Unless you live in a city with awesome mass transit, resist the temptation to sell your car and buy a bike. Even if you do end up with just your bike, then spring for lunch or drinks for your friends with bigger vehicles- you’ll still end up spending less than owning a gas-guzzling SUV or truck. Your friends will thank you too. 

How do I Look Cool when I’m not Biking?
There are certain inevitable situations riders must cope with. Helmet hair, accommodating passengers, riding in the rain, etc. As far as hair goes, you can always buzz it or carry a hat if you are still concerned. Just make sure you wear that helmet! If a date is concerned about his or her clothing or hair, or seems concerned about wearing protective gear, offer them the option of meeting you out. 

What do I do if it Rains?
It takes some getting used to at first, but you will get wet. Just enjoy the break from the heat. There is a common bond you’ll begin to share with all the other riders out there in the rain.  Plan ahead, use your smart phone or check the news to determine if it might be a better day to take the car. Also, getting to know your surroundings and having a few favorite shelters to pull over to is a smart idea just in case the weather gets too nasty. Many a biker has come to enjoy a warm cup of coffee and a conversation while waiting out a harsh storm. It’s part of your new culture, and it’ll keep you safe and dry until you can get out there and enjoy your motorcycle again.

Do I need Motorcycle Insurance?
Long story short, yes, you need motorcycle insurance! Many states, including the state of Florida, have ruled that motorcycle insurance is optional for people who are over the age of 21, but for your safety and the safety of your passengers, we strongly recommend getting yourself covered. This article discusses why you should seek out motorcycle insurance. If you’re ready to protect yourself now, you are invited to get a free motorcycle insurance quote.

Bed bugs can show up anywhere, even in the most pristine and hygienic of environments, which is why we’ve developed these travel tips for dealing with hotel bed bugs. While bed bugs aren’t as common in developed countries, thanks to the advent of the powerful pesticide DDT, with a recent increase in International travel, Americans are bringing home accidental souvenirs and re-introducing these parasites to domestic turf. Which means that you could find bed bugs just about anywhere in America now.

We at Gilbert want you to get a good night’s rest so you can get out there and enjoy your travels, so here’s what you need to know to keep yourself, your loved ones, and your pets safe.

Facts about Bed Bugs

Bed bugs grow to be about the size of an apple seed, and because they’re fairly flat, they can hide under mattresses, in furniture upholstery, behind peeling wallpaper, in the crevices of headboards- pretty much anywhere.

Detecting Bed Bugs

If you’re worried about finding bed bugs in your hotel room, a good method for detection is to kneel down beside the bed and carefully lift up the mattress. Hold your breath, to prevent any air motion. Next, scans for signs of movement. Since bed bugs are small and the eggs are clear, two additional things to look for are: blood spots from pre-squished bed bugs, and tiny dark speckles in crevices from insect excrement. Check for bed bugs each time you stay in a new spot, whether it’s a hostel or a Hilton.

What Happens if you get Bitten by a Bed Bug

A bite from these creatures anesthetizes the skin so most people sleep through the initial encounter. Bed bugs also inject some anticoagulants to keep their host’s blood flowing. This is triply insidious: after an attack, people wake up way too late covered in itchy, searing hot bite trenches, with the remaining blood in their bodies full of toxins. This can lead to lightheadedness and an inability to think clearly.

What should you do if you find Bed Bugs in your Hotel?

If you visit a hotel and you think there’s bed bugs, we recommend telling the front desk immediately and potentially seeking out another solution for the night. It’s better to be safe than sorry in these kinds of situations.

What to do if your Luggage is Infected

If you’re worried that your luggage got infected, one solution is to remove all potentially infested gear and clothing and use a bug bomb in a small, enclosed environment. Another solution is to wash everything in super hot water or even just use a commercial dryer. Bed bugs hate extreme temperatures, so if you’re traveling in a colder climate, leaving infested bedding outside will also kill the insects, provided it’s below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Simply relocating yourself isn’t always the best method of avoiding these parasites. They move about the same speed as a ladybug, and will often crawl great distances to find a meal.

Bed Bug Bite Treatment

If you have an encounter with bed bugs, your best options to treat the burning welts on your skin will be a cortisone cream or an oral antihistamine. Bedbug bites are not fatal, but they are uncomfortable and extremely inconvenient- and if you bring some unexpected guests home with you in your luggage, you’ll have to pay a professional exterminator to get your house uninfested. So be careful out there, travelers- goodnight, sleep tight… ah, you know the rest.

Whether or not you’re a seasoned camper or just starting out, these campsite tips for RV beginners will help you get off on the right foot with your campsite neighbors and mother nature.

Be Aware of your Volume

It’s a good idea to make sure your TV, radio, and pets can’t be heard beyond the confines of your campsite. Other campers are there to enjoy nature too and you want to make sure you’re not contributing to noise pollution. Enjoy that ball game, let the kids run around wild- just be mindful of how close your fellow campers are camping and estimate how much of their noises you’d like to hear if the situations were reversed.

Pick up after your Pet

Did you bring Fido along? Great! Family pets can make wonderful traveling companions, but it’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of setting up and maintaining camp, and letting them roam to do their own business. However, if you think your pet might have actually done some “business” in the surrounding communal areas, do your neighbors a favor and go pick it up. They’ll appreciate the courtesy. This is especially important at night, when others might be foraging in the darkness for a restroom.

Lights and Decor

Decorating your campsite can be really fun- lights and other personal touches can make the Great Outdoors even greater- just remember to be considerate of those around you. You never know who came to party and who simply came to stargaze, so at the end of the day, when the sun is going down, unplug and let the natural beauty of the night sky be the focus.

Say Hello to the RV Community

Most folks within the RV community are just like you- they love getting outdoors, communing with nature, and having fun with their friends. They’re often friendly and approachable- there’s no Elitist Classism here- if you show up in an RV, you’re already part of the family. You’ve bought your ticket into a wonderful world of camaraderie and solidarity. So don’t worry about going over and introducing yourself to any neighbors you may have- odds are they’ll be glad you came by, and if you’re lucky, there’ll be an extra s’more waiting for you. For your end of the deal, consider packing a few extra goodies for your new friends. Sharing a meal or some badminton racquets can earn you major brownie points in your new “neighborhood.”

Common Sense

Basically, it’s easy to make connections out there with all the fun people who camp in RV’s, but if you really want to be a good neighbor, it’s as easy as that! Just be a good neighbor in a more condensed version of how you already are when you’re at home. Common sense and The Golden Rule go a long way out there on the open road. And having extra s’mores never hurts, either.

Most folks spend winter holidays curled up at home, warm and surrounded by family and friends. The truth is that with an RV at your beck and call, you can have the same feelings of comfort and enjoy the company of loved ones while gaining the perks of traveling during the holidays!

The fact is, Santa could load his sleigh with all the benefits of spending winter’s holidays on the road, so load up your RV and enjoy the season in these new ways!

Stunning winter landscapes

Not all of us have the good fortune of a breathtaking snow-capped view of the world from their brick-and-mortar residence. By spending your winter vacation away from home, you can see amazing landscapes that act as the backdrop for your holiday adventures!

Avoid the holiday shopping hullabaloo

While some may thrive in the throngs of half-crazed bargain hunters, others get their shopping done early or find less commercial ways to delight our friends and family – like a holiday trip to escape the shopping madness! Use your time instead to focus on what matters: life, love, and liberty.

Steer clear of the holiday exodus

If escaping the nutty shoppers is good, escaping the traffic is great. By taking your RV on the road for the holidays, you can leave a few days early to be free and clear of the congested holiday travel and camp right on through until the holiday return rush is over.

Give yourself the gift of novelty

If you’ve never spent the holidays on the road, you need no better reason to give it a shot. Most traditions are entirely portable and easily maintained when RV camping. From a shared meal with close family to gift exchanges, from building a roaring fire (in approved camp fire pits, please!) to baking cookies with the kids, all the best traditions can be packed up and enjoyed in a new and exciting environment.

Surround yourself in trees

Last but not least, Christmas tree lovers can get a special treat by parking your RV someplace surrounded by winter greens – and still set up one of your own in the warmth of your RV to pack presents under. If you choose to go this route this year, be sure to bring some extra tinsel and lights to make your camp spot festive by decorating the living trees, too!

Having a happy holiday on the road is entirely achievable from behind the wheel of your RV. The beloved holiday traditions we cherish can come with you as well as the people whose company it wouldn’t be a holiday without.

We encourage everyone to give it a try – whether you’re interested in shaking things up, preserving your favorite festivities while in a new location, or simply making your escape from the stress that clings to major holidays. This year, enjoy all the benefits of holiday travel!

For more RV travel guides and trip ideas, please visit our blog. If you want to be sure that your home away from home is safe and secure for a holiday adventure, be sure to take some time to see our RV insurance products or get a quote online today!