Category: RV Living

The Top 5 Tips For Towing A Car With An RV

In this article we’re going to be talking about towing a car with an RV. And I’ll reveal my top five tips for RV flat towing and dolly towing.

Now if you’re new to RV towing, you may still be going through that whole decision making process about whether you should be flat towing or dolly towing.

And the good news is that I’ve made some videos to help you make a good decision. In fact, there’s a video on each method. Flat towing and dolly towing.

And they both will show you the pros and cons of each method. That way you can decide what works best for you and your situation.

But at this point we’re going to assume that you have already made your decision. And you know which method you’re going to choose to tow a car with an RV.

Watch my video on RV towing tips

Disclosure: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. This means – at no additional cost to you – I earn a commission if you make a purchase using our affiliate links. I only link to products and companies I use and feel comfortable recommending. The income goes toward supporting the free content on this website

Towing A Car With An RV – A Rear Camera

So let’s start with tip number one. And that is to use a rear camera to keep an eye on what’s going on with your towed vehicle.

This is so important. And I had this tip really driven home to me last year going through Fort Worth, Texas. That’s when one of the bars on my tow bar broke while I was on the highway.

And I would have never known it if I didn’t have my rear camera monitor on. As a matter of routine I always check it every few minutes or so while driving.

Well, I looked into it and my vehicle behind the RV was moving around. And I knew that wasn’t right!

So I pulled right over was able to get over in time so that the second bar on the tow bar didn’t break because of all the pressure on it. If that had happened, things would have really been difficult!

So that leads me to remind you to be sure you have a real good working rear camera. And that you check it regularly too.

A Piece Of Advice About RV Rear Cameras

Of course, a lot of folks have a rear camera in their RV. But for whatever reason, it’s often not functioning like it should.

And if that’s the case with you, let me give you a little bit of a suggestion. It’s about another camera system that might work as a replacement for you.

In fact, the one I found is a wireless camera system that even works wirelessly on my 40 foot RV. So most likely it’ll work for you as well.

Click here for the wireless camera system that works well for us

It’s very easy to install. And if you think it’s something that might work for you, be sure to check it out.

Towing A Car With An RV – A TPMS

All right, let’s move on to tip number two. And that is to be sure to use a tire pressure monitoring system for the tire pressures in your towed vehicle.

You know, a lot of people think about having a TPMS on their RV. But honestly, in many ways it’s almost more important to know what’s going on behind you.

Because a tire can blow out on you. Or can gradually go flat on your towed vehicle. And you will most likely never know it when it happens.

In your RV, you could probably feel a flat tire. But not in the towed vehicle. So make sure that you have a good tire pressure monitoring system for that vehicle too.

A lesson Learned On The Road

Now once again I learned this the hard way. As a result of that tow bar breaking, it set off a series of events. And one of them was related to the new tow bar that I bought.

When I got it, I attached it to my towed vehicle and started off down the highway. But that new tow bar was so stiff that it was putting pressure on the front tires of my towed vehicle, my Honda CRV.

In fact, it was so much pressure that heat was building up in the tires. And it was getting to the danger point where they could actually blow out.

But the tire pressure monitoring system saved me. It alerted me to that danger before it got to that critical stage.

Click here for the tire pressure monitoring system we use

Then I was able to pull off and solve the issue before things got really dicey. So be sure to have a tire pressure monitoring system for your towed vehicle too. And check it regularly!

What Is A Safe Towing Distance?

OK, tip number three. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. And what do I mean by safe?

Well, I can’t give you a specific distance. Because a lot depends on the circumstances you’re in. But no doubt, you normally keep distance between you and the vehicle in front of you when you are in a passenger vehicle.

Well, make sure you use a lot more distance in your RV. Because RVs take a long time to slow down. But even more so when you’re towing a car with an RV.

So suppose something goes on in front of you that’s unexpected. Then it can take a really long time to slow down and stop the RV and the towed vehicle too. A lot more than it would in a passenger vehicle.

So I highly recommend to leave plenty of room in front of you and the vehicle in front of you.

Typically we travel at around 60 – 65 MPH on the highway when towing in our RV. If you do, most vehicles will pass you and move on down the highway ahead of you.

So just following that suggestion alone will often keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.

Towing A Car With An RV – Weight Limits

Now for tip number four. And that is to know your RV and your towed vehicle’s weight limits. And observe them.

Now this is a subject that a lot of RVers just don’t pay a lot of attention to. It seems that they just figure if they can drive the RV down the highway it must be the right RV weight.

But it’s very important for you to make sure that you stay within the weight limits for your RV. And for the towed vehicle as well. By the way, this also includes your hitch’s tow weight too.

Now this is an area that some people forget about a lot of times. But that hitch takes a lot of pressure. So make sure you know what’s going on with it.

Again, I made a video explaining how that you can make sure you’re towing safely. And it explains all the weight classifications you need to know. About both the RV, the towed vehicle and the hitch. So you know you’re doing it right.

Towing a car with an RV - how to manage RV and towed vehicle weight
Watch my video on how to manage RV weight here

The 3-3-3 Rule For Towing

Now for my final tip in this article. And that is to observe the 3-3-3 rule when you’re towing a car with an RV. This rule is designed to help you avoid fatigue from towing on the highway.

And the 3-3-3 rule is (1) never travel more than three days in a row without stopping for at least a couple days to rest up. Then (2) never travel more than 300 miles a day. And (3) try to get wherever you’re going by three o’clock in the afternoon.

Now why is this a good idea? Well, many of the old-time RVers know that it takes a lot out of you to drive an RV. And even more when you’re driving one that’s towing another vehicle.

It takes a lot of concentration and a lot of alertness. And before you know it, it can take a lot out of you, and you can get very tired.

In fact, sometimes you don’t even know how tired you really are. That is, until you get into a difficult situation on the highway.

So you need to avoid fatigue. And to do that, this 3-3-3 rule helps you avoid fatigue and make sure that you stay fresh. And that you’re able to handle situations that come up on the road safely.

Towing a car with an RV - the 3-3-3 rule

Is This A Hard And Fast Rule?

Now everybody’s fatigue level is a little bit different. And if you find that the 3-3-3 rule isn’t enough for you, then by all means move it down to 2-2-2.

There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. It just simply means you need to keep your fatigue level at a manageable level. And if it takes going 2-2-2 instead of 3-3-3, then go ahead and do that.

In fact, the longer I drive RVs, the more I’m kind of a 2-2-2 guy myself. So whatever it takes to stay fresh. Whatever it takes to stay alert on the highway, do that!

Conclusion

Well I hope these tips will help keep you and your loved ones safe and happy while you’re out on the highway enjoying your RV adventures.

Have safe and happy travels my friends, until next time

The Best Super C Motorhomes To Buy Now

In this article we’re going to be talking about the best Super C motorhomes. The ones that I feel that I can recommend as quality RVs.

Super C’s are really growing in popularity these days. And we’re seeing
more and more of them out on the road now. That’s a very good thing.

Why? Because it gives all of us more options to choose from. Especially when it comes to looking for a larger RV that has luxurious features. And plenty of power and towing capability too.

Now I made a video a while back that compares Super C’s with Class A’s. And that is really a very fair comparison.

In that video, it pretty much explains what makes Super C’s unique. So if you’d like to learn more about that, go check out that video below now!

But in this article, I’m not going to be talking about features. Instead, I’m listing the brands and models that I feel are the best place to start, if you’re shopping for a Super C.

And we’re going to cover the RVs that start right around $200,000 dollars. And go up from there.

The reason for this is that’s usually where you’re going to find the most quality built into Super C’s. So let’s go ahead and get started.

Watch my video about the best Super C motorhomes for 2022

Table of Contents

The Best Super C Motorhomes – Newmar

Now let’s go straight to the top of the list. We’re going to start with those that are $400,000 and up. And right at the top is Newmar.

Now I’m a big Newmar fan. And Newmar offers two models for the Super C that you can choose from. The first one is incredible!!!!!

It’s the Supreme Aire and it’s right up there in the $600,000 to $700,000 market. Now it has five plans to choose from. And it’s a bigger RV, as it averages 40 to 45 feet in length.

So clearly what you have with the Supreme Aire is a really nice luxurious Super C. One that’s long in length and has a lot of space in it. So that’s a great one to choose from if you have the money to spend.

Now the next one that Newmar offers is the Superstar. And the Superstar offers four floorplans. It’s runs just a little shorter than the Supreme Aire, coming in around the 37 to 40 foot range.

So what Newmar’s really offering here is a range of between 37 to 45 feet in Super C’s.

Then it just depends on the model and the floor plan that you want. And how much you want to spend. So a very good representation from Newmar.

The Best Super C Motorhomes – Dynamax

Now let’s move on to our next brand, and that’s Dynamax. Now Dynamax has been making Class C’s, great ones, for a long time.

They’re a high quality RV builder. And in the high end area they offer the
DynaQuest XL.

It comes with four floorplans and has a length variation of 37 to 41 feet. And that’s really a nice mid-range length to choose from.

Next on the list is Renegade. And they offer three different models to choose from in the higher end of the market.

The first one is the Classic. And it’s the all-time winner for the number of floor plans for Super C’s. It offers, believe it or not, 16 floor plans to choose from.

So you’re probably going to find something you like in a floor plan with the Classic. It even includes a toy hauler floor plan too!

So if you’re interested in a toy hauler Super C, the Classic is a great place to start.

Now moving on, the next model they have is the XL. It has four floorplans to choose from. It’s a big RV too. It’s going to be somewhere between 43 and 45 feet long.

Now the last offering from Renegade is the Verona LE. And it has four floor plans to choose from. Now it’s smaller than the others and comes in around the 38 to 40 foot category in length.

The Best Mid-Range Super C’s – Entegra

Now let’s move down into the mid-range cost of Super C’s. And that’s in the $200,000 to $400,000 category.

Quite frankly, this is going to be the area where most people are going to be able to afford to buy a Super C.

And we’re going to start first on the list with Entegra. They offer two models.

The first is the Accolade with four floor plans and all are 40 feet long. So there there’s no variation in length in this model.

Then there’s the Accolade XL with three more floor plans. Again all 40 feet in length.

So clearly they’ve chosen that mid-range length area. But they’ve given you plenty of floor plans to choose from in that range.

More Best Super C Motorhomes – Nexus

Next up is Nexus and they are really shooting for the smaller Super C buyer. Those that want all the advantages of the Super C for sure. But they want to also be able to fit into more places with their rig.

So they start with the Wraith. The Wraith offers four floorplans and it starts at 33 feet in length and goes to 36.

Then there’s the Ghost. And I think we’ve all seen plenty of those out there in campgrounds.

They have four floor plans, starting again at 33 feet in length and going to 37 feet. So if you’re a buyer for a smaller more compact Super C, Nexus has got you covered.

The Best Super C Motorhomes – Renegade

Next on our list of mid-range Super C’s is Renegade. So we’re back to that quality brand and manufacturer now.

Remember they made some really good higher end models that we talked about earlier. But now in the mid-range they make two more models to consider.

One is the Valencia. The Valencia offers four floorplans in the 36 to
38 foot range.

Then there’s the Verona. And it offers four floorplans in the 33 to 40 foot range.

So these are shorter, more manageable Super C’s. And they don’t cost quite as much as their higher end brethren as well.

Best Super C Motorhomes – Jayco

Next up on the list is Jayco. And don’t we all see a lot of Jayco Super C’s out on the road?

Probably the number one we see is the Seneca. It has four floorplans and it runs between 36 and 38 feet in length.

But then there’s also the Seneca Prestige. And it has four floor plans between 33 feet all the way up to 40 feet.

So Jayco’s got you covered for that shorter to to mid-range length Super C model.

More Dynamax Super C RVs

Finally we’re going to go back to our good old Dynamax manufacturer as well. Again they are an excellent maker of Class C’s over the years.

And in the mid-range Super C market they make the Europa which only has one floorplan. So if you don’t like that floor plan, there’s nothing else to choose from. And it’s a smaller one, it’s 34 feet in length.

The Force HD is their next model. It has three floorplans that run between 37 and 39 feet in length.

And lastly, is the DX3 in this mid-range category. It has four floorplans and runs between 37 to 41 feet in length.

Conclusion

Well that’s my list. That’s the ones I wanted to recommend to you to consider if you’re thinking about buying a Super C.

Are these all the Super C’s available? Oh no, not even close to it. But it is a list of the brands and the models that I feel are better than average.

Especially when you compare them with their competition. So, they’re an excellent place for you to start when you start looking at the Super C market.

Well that’s it for now. Have safe and happy travels my friends. Until next time….

RV Mistakes – 12 Of The Biggest Ones That RVers Tend To Make

In this article, we’re going to be talking about the most common RV mistakes RVers make.

And yes, we all make mistakes. I certainly have made my fair share. But there are certain RV mistakes that are more common. And they’re also ones that can cost a lot of money. So we’re going to talk about that today.

Let’s start off with three mistakes that people often make when they leave their RV.

Watch my video about the biggest RV mistakes

Table of Contents

RV Mistakes #1 – Your RV Awning

The number one mistake is very common. It is leaving an RV awning out while you are away from your RV.

That’s really not a good idea because we all know that weather can change quickly. And what was once a beautiful day can turn into a very stormy day quickly.

Then when the wind comes up, it catches your awning. The next thing you know, the hardware is being twisted and torn. And maybe the awning is even ripped off altogether.

We have all seen the results of that happening in our travels across the country. So always think about your RV awning in advance of bad weather. And put your awning in when you’re going to be away for any length of time.

Mistake #2 – Your RV Vent Lids

The second mistake people make is very similar to that. It has to do with RV ceiling vent lids. And keeping them open while you’re away.

Once again weather can change and a storm can come up fast. And the wind can easily grab those lids and just tear them off the roof.

But what happens more often is that a heavy rain may set in and pour into the top of that vent. All over your RV’s insides, and just drench your RV.

The problem is that nothing can be done about it until you come back. So here’s a better idea. Before you leave the RV, think about those vent lids. And make sure you close them before you leave.

Unless you have vent covers over your RV ceiling vents. We have those and we love them.

Because they allow us to keep the vents open and the fans going while we’re away. With the vent cover over the lid, then you don’t have to
worry about wind.

And you don’t have to worry about rain either. But if you don’t have vent covers, remember to close your vent lids before you go away.

Mistake #3 – Your RV Water Line

Now here’s the third mistake that’s very commonly made when people go away from their RV. And that is they leave the water on while they’re away. From several hours, to maybe overnight or even longer.

But if you think about it, it’s not a good idea. Because RV plumbing can break. And there can be issues with it at almost any time.

If you’re there, you can turn that water off real quick and easy. But if you’re not there, the pressure in the water hose will just keep forcing water through. Gallons and gallons of it.

And it can just keep flooding all over your RV. Once again, you can’t stop it till you get back.

So can you imagine how much water damage could be done by a broken pipe with you away? Then before you leave, just shut that faucet off!

The next mistake, in fact the next two, we’re going to talk about have to do with buying RVs.

RV Mistakes #4 – Too Much Trust In RV Salespersons

The first one is that people put way too much trust in what an RV salesperson is telling them about an RV. About what it can and cannot do.

Now sales people are there for one purpose in the RV industry. They just want to sell you an RV. That’s how they make their living.

Of course, not all sales people are willing to tell you anything to get a sale. But way too many of them are. They just want to sell an RV.

So maybe you buy the RV and then find out that a lot of the things they told you just weren’t true.

Well, then it’s too late. Because you have already purchased it at that point. But there is a better way to handle the buying process.

And that is, before you go buy an RV, make sure you learn enough about the RVs that you are interested in.

That way you know which one is going to fit your needs the best. And you already know what that RV can and can’t do. That way you won’t be misled by an over eager salesperson.

RV Mistakes #5 – No RV Inspection

The second mistake is that a lot of people buy an RV without getting it inspected. I firmly believe that RVs really should be inspected.

This is especially true if they are used. I would never buy a used RV without having it inspected.

Now I know you’re saying, “Well Duane, of course that’s what you think. But you’re a little biased on this because you’re an RV inspector”.

And yes, I agree that I am biased. But let me share something with you. Even before I became an RV inspector, I greatly believed in the idea of
inspecting used RVs.

In fact, I paid for an inspection on the coach that I bought before becoming an RV inspector. So I am a believer in RV inspections.

I’ve seen way too many cases where people have really benefited from having an RV inspection done. The inspection helped them be prepared by knowing exactly what they were buying. So it can be extremely beneficial.

Now lets move on to a few other mistakes that are often made when traveling in a RV.

Mistake #6 – Going Too Far, Too Fast

The first one is that many people try to go too far, too fast. You know when I’m driving down the road in our coach, I often see RVs going by me at 75 to 85 miles an hour or more.

Sometimes they pass us like we’re standing still. Now we usually travel between 60 and 65 miles an hour.

That’s the speed that I feel most comfortable with. It’s the speed where I feel that I can adjust to most things that could happen on the road.

So what happens if you’re going fast and something unexpectedly comes up on the road? A situation where you’ve got to make some quick maneuvers?

Well, when you have something that big, going that fast, it’s very hard to stop it quickly. So please be careful and don’t go too fast while traveling in your RV on the road.

The other part of that mistake is that some people try to go too far each day. And they are driving an RV rig while fatigued.

Now when we start out driving an RV each day, then we’re fresh. And our reaction times are pretty good. We have a lot of focus and a lot of mental
sharpness.

But when you do it hour after hour, that focus begins to wane a little bit. You may not think so, but it does.

And if you do a lot of traveling without stopping to refresh yourself, you could be putting yourself in trouble. So don’t travel too far too fast.

RV Mistakes #7 – Not Using RV Friendly Directions

Another mistake we’re going to talk about is not using RV friendly directions while we’re traveling on the road. A lot of RVers do this.

You know, we all like Google maps when we’re in our car and we kind of rely on it. But please understand that Google maps is not designed for RVs or for large vehicles.

So if you follow its directions, you may wind up on a road somewhere that you shouldn’t be on. Because of your RV size. Or it can also lead you into a hazard.

For instance, in the Northeast there’s a lot of railroad bridges that are too short for larger rigs. And Google Maps might lead you right down that road.

But if you have RV friendly directions, it’ll make sure that you avoid those hazards. So don’t make the mistake of not using RV friendly directions.

Instead, use an RV GPS unit or an app like RV Life that’s tied to RV Trip Wizard. Either one of those will work very well, and help keep you safe.

RV Mistakes #8 – Campsite Hazards

Now for the next mistake that I see people making when they travel. And that is that they pull up to the campsite and without even getting out of their vehicle, they generally look at it and start backing in.

This is not a good idea! There’s all kinds of things in campsites that could be a hazard. And I have had close calls on this myself.

I recall one occasion when I was in a hurry and decided I was just going to back right in. Well, as I was backing in, Cheri stopped me.

And thank goodness she did. Because I was about to back right into a serious hazard that would have harmed my RV.

But as a result of that, it kind of drove the point home to me that I need to look before I back into a campsite.

Now EVERYTIME when I approach a campsite, I practice G O A L! That means… “Get Out And Look”… and that’s exactly what I do.

And I constantly find things that I would never have seen if I had just stayed in the driver’s seat. So don’t make that mistake. Practice GOAL.

Now the next four mistakes we’re going to talk about are about RV maintenance.

Mistake #9 – RV Safety Devices

The first one is that so many people fail to check their safety devices regularly.

We’re talking about fire extinguishers and making sure they’re up to date. Also we are talking about smoke detectors, CO detectors, LP detectors etc.

You need to make sure they have batteries that work. And that they are actually detecting what they are supposed to detect.

Very often people just sort of put those items out of their mind. But those are safety items that could save your life. So don’t do that. Don’t make that mistake of ignoring them. Make sure you check them regularly.

RV Mistakes #10 – RV Maintenance

That now brings us to our second mistake. And that is that a lot of people don’t maintain the appliances or components in their RV like they should.

They just keep using them without maintaining them. But there are a lot of things that need some attention as you use them.

For instance, if you have lead acid batteries, they have water in them. So then, most likely you’ve got to water them regularly to keep them working right.

The RV water heater often needs an annual maintenance where you kind of clean it all out. You get the crud off the bottom.

And if it has an anode rod, there’s a good chance that you’re going to need to replace it after a year or so.

At any rate, you need to keep these items working right. And there’s several other RV components that are like that too.

So don’t make the mistake of ignoring regular maintenance on RV items and components. It’s going to cost you a lot more money if you do.

RV Mistakes #11 – RV Exterior Care

The third mistake a lot of people make is on the outside of the RV. And that is that they don’t take care of the RV’s exterior.

Boy, I see this a lot. And I do understand the thinking behind it. After all, RVs are huge. So you may think “Wow, this is going to be a big job to wash and wax this whole RV”.

You intend to do it. But you just keep putting it off. And before you know it a lot of time has gone by and you haven’t done it.

Well my friends, the exterior is taking the brunt of everything out there. The UV rays from the sun and all kinds of weather are beating on it constantly. So it needs to be washed and waxed regularly.

Now I’ve made some videos on this subject. And the videos explain a system of caring for your RV that almost anybody can do.

Video #1 – How I wash and wax my motorhome in an hour

Video #2 – Wash and wax your RV the rinseless way

It’s quick, it’s simple, it’s easy, and it won’t cost you much. In fact, I can do my entire 40-foot diesel pusher in about an hour.

And I do that about once every two months. As a result, my coach is constantly protected. It looks great, and the exterior is always in good shape. So don’t make the mistake of ignoring the exterior of your RV.

Now for the last point we’re going to make about mistakes that a lot of RVers make. And this is a big one!

Mistake #12 – RV Roof Inspections

That is that they don’t get on the RV roof and check it regularly. But my friends, the roof is one of the most important parts of the RV.

You’ve got to make sure you keep an eye on it. If your RV has a ladder to let you get up on the roof, then you need to be using it. Get up there regularly and check that roof out.

Check out all the components on the roof. And make sure that everything is sealed correctly. And that all the roof components are in good shape.

But most importantly, check the seals on the roof joints. That way you can make sure the roof sealant itself is in good working order.

You want to make sure that nothing, like tree limbs, has scraped it off or created a hole somehow. And you also want to check to see if it’s aged and begun to crack.

When sealant begins to crack, that’s a perfect opportunity for water to get in. And the next thing you know, your roof is leaking. And a leaking RV roof is your worst RVing nightmare.

It will cause more trouble than you can possibly imagine. So get up there and check that roof.

Or if you can’t personally conduct a roof inspection, get someone to do it for you. Just don’t ignore the condition of your RV roof!

RV Mistakes – My Conclusion

All right, well those are the RV mistakes I wanted to talk about in this article. Did I cover all of them???? Oh no, there’s plenty more!

And I’ll probably make more articles about RV mistakes too. But what we talked about in this article is sufficient for now. Because we all know we don’t do things perfectly. None of us do.

And all of us need to improve on something. So what I’ve shared with you here are some things that can jog your thinking. And maybe you’ll say, “Oh yeah, you know what, I need to do better about that”.

That way hopefully you’ll avoid making those mistakes again in the future.

The more that you avoid RV mistakes, the more you’re going to help your RV last longer. And not have nearly as many problems that need repair. It’s just going to serve you well as you go forward.

Also, the more that you take care of your RV, the more you will avoid all the anxiety and the stress that comes from mistakes that could have really been avoided.

Well, that’s it for now. Have safe and happy travels my friends. Until next time…