Tag: El Monte

So you’re thinking about buying a used RV? Chances are you don’t want to spend years scouring the web for the perfect deal, and you definitely don’t want to hastily purchase an RV that isn’t what was advertised. Used RV Dealers can overcharge you if you don’t have a good understanding of the used motorhomes market, and private dealers can leave you with a hunk of metal if you don’t know what to look for in a used RV. Here at El Monte RV, our mission is to connect you with the motorhome of your dreams, using our robust network of sellers to meet your exact RV specifications and pricing [...]

When you are out camping, does the sky somehow seem closer to earth? Do you see more stars and planets? Is the beauty of the night sky outside of the city just more magnificent? If you enjoy star-gazing, or are just aware of the incredible beauty of the sky at night, you might also notice there are meteors to observe. Here is a very brief calendar (courtesy of The Old Farmers’ Almanac) of the larger meteor showers you can view this fall.

Principal Meteor Showers

Assoc. Comet

Northern Taurid

What Can Go Wrong? If you are new to RV ownership, you may not even think of things going wrong with your RV. You may have bought a brand-new RV and it is in perfect shape, at least for now, or you may have bought a second-hand one, and there may be some “issues.” Here we provide you with some tips on how to avoid the most common issues and how to fix things that frequently go wrong with RV’s. Of course, for the more serious problems, electrical or vehicle maintenance issues, you should seek out professional help. 

These days are certainly different from pre-2020 days, but fortunately for RV’ers, this is a great time to travel in your RV and keep your appropriate social distancing, while enjoying your RV trip! We are pleased that so many people have found their RV’s to be a safe haven during these tough times.

The coronavirus pandemic has created plenty of uncertainty, including furloughs, remote work and distance learning. But, fortunately, RV’ers can use their RVs for travel and many can work remotely from them, while also educating their children. That is a lot to handle, but here are some easy tips to help you [...]

As you head out on your next RV trip, what about those handy items that will make your trip so much easier and hassle-free? Have you thought about what you really need to bring and what you don’t need? 

We have some suggestions for some of the top five most needed items that you may not have thought about. And some tips on what to bring and what to leave behind.

You have to ensure that you always have a supply of clean and high-quality water in your RV for drinking [...]

So here you are, a new RV owner and you think you have prepared for all eventualities. But, what do you do when something breaks on your RV? If you are smart, you’ll have studied up on all the You Tube videos you can for fixing minor issues on your RV, and there are many. But, when your generator goes, that can be serious.

Here is the best advice we could find for how you can fix your RV generator.

There are often simple reasons why your RV generator won’t start, and we will address the [...]

What a great time to try your hand at some decadent desserts! You are out on the road in your RV and want to serve up something really special to your family or friends. Well, we have some of the most delicious, decadent desserts to suggest for your sweet tooth.

I know that sounds like an oxymoron, how could baked Alaska be easy? But this one is easy to make with only 5 ingredients and while it looks fancy, it’s actually really simple. 

Ice cream & pound cake are wrapped in meringue and baked in a hot oven until the meringue is [...]

This is a little early in the year to plan for a winter RV trip but you may want to know how to go winter camping in your RV. What do you have to do to make your RV ready for winter? How can you plan it out so you can use your RV all summer long and then get it ready in the fall for a great winter trip?

You may have heard the term winterization – but do you know what this means? And, do you need to worry about it? What if you live in a [...]

When you travel in your own RV one of the best things is you can make your own meals and save as you go. Of course, occasionally eating out in restaurants is certainly fun and tasty, but if you have your own kitchen in your home away from home, why not cook up some amazing dinners to wow your family.

Here are some suggested savory fall dinners for your RV traveling on the road. We looked for gourmet but simple recipes to find some that you may not have tried yet at home. You can make your RV’ing experience also a culinary tasting expedition. [...]

What you may not realize about your RV is that sometimes you will want to store it and when doing so, you should do it carefully so that damage is minimal and you preserve the integrity of the RV’s water and electrical systems, in particular. Here are some tips from the experts about storing your RV, but first why would you store your RV?

Perhaps your neighborhood has some restrictions about parking RV’s there or you want it to be off your property and in a proper RV storage facility. [...]

So many choices and so much scenery awaits you in these unbelievable California RV parks. You can plan you dream RV holiday and cover as many or as few miles as you like. If you want to stay in one place for your dream RV holiday, you can pick your favorite park from these, or if you want to adventure and travel around to several, you will not be disappointed at these gorgeous locations for RV camping in California. We’ll divide the state into 3 geographic areas for simplicity and you can see which parks you would like in one or more location.

Taking off to drive the California coastline or even up to the mountains or across the desert is such a romantic notion that everyone probably would love to do it. Fortunately, you have an RV to take advantage of lots of places to see magnificent scenery. Taking summer drives in California is a unique opportunity to see such varied geographic features that you could see mountains, coastline and even volcanoes or offshore islands in one trip.

Here are just three suggestions for beautiful summer drive itineraries in California:

Start: San Diego

End: Joshua Tree National Park

Distance: [...]

When you are getting ready to hit the road again this spring, and your RV has been off the road for a while, you should be sure to do all the maintenance it needs before you head out.

RVs are great for traveling, but you do need to pay attention to their maintenance. In order to keep your RV in good condition you have to do regular maintenance. You can’t just start it up again after many months of no usage and expect everything to work perfectly!

El Monte RV Sales has all the tools that you’ll need to keep your RV in perfect shape before hitting [...]

RVing is a great way to explore the country and enjoy nature. But it can also be an expensive hobby if you not conserving water while traveling.

Here are some tips for conserving water when RVing, so you don’t have to worry about running out of clean drinking water or having to pay too much to refill your water tanks. Remember that fresh water is a precious resource and you want to conserve it as much as possible.

Follow these simple steps to save water on your next trip!  

* Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth or washing dishes 

* Use a bucket [...]

When traveling by RV, your food is definitely something to look forward to and to plan in advance. There are so many easy and delicious recipes on the road dinners you can prepare in your RV or outside on the grill that you may have a hard time choosing which are your favorites. Try some of these recipes and see which will delight your family and friends. 

For an original take on taco night, try this delicious combination of grilled white fish, and add a whole or half avocado per serving, Pico de Gallo, and grilled scallions. Only 3 easy steps [...]

Are you about to take your first RV trip? Or is it the first in a long time, and maybe you’ve forgotten your old list of what to pack?

To make sure you have the best time possible, we put together a list of must-haves for your RV trip. Check out our ideas below and get ready for some fun in the sun!

The only thing better than an RV is a fully stocked one. Make sure you pack these items before hitting the road so you can enjoy all of your adventures without worrying about what’s next on the checklist. It will be like having everything [...]

When you take off to travel this spring or summer with your kids, what rv road games will you take along with you? Are you prepared for the kids to be zapped into their phones or other electronic devices all the time? While many kids might enjoy that activity, it certainly doesn’t go along very well with the idea of getting outdoors and seeing our great country, which is one of the prime reasons for going RV’ing in the first place.

So, when you hit the open road this spring or summer, how about taking along some fun games that the kids and you can enjoy on the road? We’ll give you some [...]

You have decided now to own your own RV! Great! So how do you know what you can afford? Is it better to buy new or used? How used? How much can you save with an RV Warrantee? Do you want to buy a Class A Motorhome? A Class C? Gas or Diesel for fuel?

There are many issues and questions that are important to answer so you understand what the real costs of owning an RV are.

We’ve done our best to outline below some of the true costs of RV ownership. Note, we won’t include the costs of campgrounds and gas as [...]

Winter camping can be challenging, especially if you live in the northern half of the US. But, how about driving south to sunny Florida, or southern California, or even Arizona, New Mexico or Texas? There are many warm and very desirable locations where you can go to escape the cold of winter. We’ll give you several suggestions.

Are you looking to escape the cold and have some fun in the sun? Try these amazing spots for an RV Winter vacation. Here are some of the top RV destinations for escaping the cold of winter.

Nestled on the Gulf of Mexico’s coast, you can find lots and lots to do [...]

Now that you own your RV, you are ready to get out on the open road and have that idyllic vacation you’ve always dreamed of. Or are you? Have you had a driver’s safety course that includes the safe handling of your RV? Have you had enough experience driving the size RV you have to feel confident and comfortable in the driver’s seat?

We suggest that you take a defensive driving approach to driving your RV. Yes, you will be bigger than many vehicles on the road, but you also have other hazards in addition to size issues to consider which you didn’t have in your sedan, station wagon or SUV.

First [...]

Congratulations! You now own your own RV! Now how do you keep your RV clean? We have asked many RV owners and have compiled some of the best cleaning hacks for you to keep your RV clean.

Keeping the interior of your RV clean doesn’t have to be complicated, time-consuming, or involve harsh chemicals. With a few simple products, you can clean floors, surfaces, and even those dirty areas like the kitchen and bathroom and with a minimal amount of effort. The key things are simple and common sense. Make sure you have a good broom and a floor mat at the door to [...]

How are you going to make your RV ready for winter? And do you need to? Yes, you do need to and we give you the reasons why and some pretty easy-to-follow steps to do so.

You may have heard the term winterization – but do you know what this means? And, do you need to worry about it? What if you live in a climate that is warm all year-round? Do you still need to get your RV ready for winter?

When RV owners hear the word “winterize,” it brings up thoughts of protecting the RV plumbing system from freezing temperatures. The definition for “winterize” is to [...]

There are so many places to see in the Bay area and Northern California that it may be difficult to choose where you would like to go. Here, we will make a few suggestions and highlight some of the private RV camping spots that other RV owners have scored as the best.

The Western US is known for its beautiful array of sights, and California is most certainly one of the most popular RV trip destinations. Sitting right on the coast, California has it all – from beaches and [...]

Your first motorhome is a big decision and a large purchase, possibly the largest after your own home. It should be something you take plenty of time to choose and research carefully before you buy.

1. Look around at other motorhomes you like and ask owners what they like or dislike about these homes on wheels.
2. Try renting at least one or two or more motorhomes and see what you are comfortable with in terms of size, style and drivability.
3. Talk to other RV’ers and [...]

We hope you are starting to enjoy your holidays this year and you can be out on the road in your RV taking the time to be with family, even while social distancing appropriately.

In this blog, we thought we’d feature five of our favorite recipes you can easily whip up in your RV’s kitchen. Isn’t it time for some good old Mac N Cheese? Hot Dogs with sauerkraut and beans? We’ll feature just a few of our delicious comfort food favorites here. Feel free to click on the links to the noted websites which offer more specific recipes and great tips for RV [...]

Storing your RV for the winter, when you know you won’t be using it very much is not that difficult. However, it takes proper planning and a bit of common sense to store your RV properly and not come back to it in the spring needing costly repairs. 

Some carefully thought out steps now will save you loads of headaches and dollars later. So, take the time to prepare your RV for storage and make sure you follow some of these well-learned tips from fellow RV’ers.

Winterizing is actually much more than putting anti-freeze in your RV’s water system. Batteries, ventilation, bugs, sealant, fuel [...]

There are a variety of RV clubs & memberships to choose from. You can join nearly all of them for a fairly reasonable annual fee. But these clubs are not all created equal. 

Meeting like-minded people and discovering new destinations is just the tip of the iceberg of joining an RV Club. So, which memberships go beyond and provide the most tangible benefits? What kind of discounts do they offer? How many eligible campgrounds and RV parks participate with each of these clubs?

Most people know that camping in an RV means finding new friends, new experiences, and great adventures where you look for them. What some people don’t realize [...]

The idea that you will have absolutely everything along that you will need on your RV may be a bit optimistic. If you plan well, however, you should own some or most of these essentials and be prepared with some luxury items as well to make your RV’ing experience comfier and cozier. There are essentials that everyone would agree you should have along with you and then there are the “Niceties” or luxury items, that would be nice to have. We’ll try to outline both categories for you, the RV owner. 

Here are some essentials to have for your RV: 

• Surge protector 
• Electrical adapters 
• Toilet chemicals 
• Read More ...

  El Monte, RV, RV Lifestyle, RV Tips

You have had the joy of owning your own RV for some years now, and while it is just perfect for your needs, some things are starting to show signs of wear and tear. It may be time to polish up some brass or chrome or get new mattresses for the inside or even redo some of your appliances. These decisions can be costly, however, so we are suggesting some ways renovating your RV can be done on a budget. 

Remodeling or renovating your RV can be a daunting project, but it can also be a whole lot of fun. After all, depending on how far you take it and how much work you’re willing to put in, you can [...]

You may have heard the term winterization – but do you really know what this means? And, do you need to worry about it? What if you live in a climate that is warm-ish all year round? Do you still need to winterize your RV? 

Here are some of the reasons you’ll need to winterize your RV and we provide you with some tips on how to do it. 

When RV owners hear the word “winterize,” it brings up thoughts of protecting the RV plumbing system from freezing temperatures. The definition for “winterize” is to prepare something, such as a house or automobile, to withstand cold winter conditions. This means that even if you live in a [...]

When you have purchased your RV, you think you are ready to hit the road and start living your RV’ing lifestyle. Whether it is a permanent lifestyle for you or just a weekend getaway, it is always good to go prepared. We have listened to many RV owners and found out some of the best RV Camping accessories they would recommend when starting out on an RV Camping trip.  

It can be stressful if you have never done the RV camping thing in your own camper before – and this is supposed to be a fun adventure, not stress-engendering. To help reduce your stress, we’ve put together a checklist of camping necessities, including RV accessories and more that you should bring on every trip. 

Can you make this a lifestyle change? A lot of people have found that they can and travel almost full–time and live and work from their own RV’s. Whether that means a Camper Van (Class B motorhome), or a larger Class A or Class C RV, the itinerant lifestyle has caught on. It is no longer necessary to be based in one location in order to work and be productive. As these last few months have taught us, it is likely that at least 50% of our work force could be just as productive working from home, and many of those could also make that home a mobile one. 

For many, becoming a full-time RV’er is [...]

What do you really know about RV ownership? And, what do you need to know? If you have owned one before, you are way ahead of the game. But, if you have never owned one before, you may need some guidance.  

We offer some important things to know before you buy an RV. 

1. Take your time. Smart buyers take a year or more doing their homework and do thorough research before buying. It is a good idea to research the smaller details and not depend only on appearance. A study done in 2018 noted that inexperienced buyers purchased an RV based on appearance and floor plan alone, without taking time to notice cheap components like an off-brand water pump, substandard plumbing or [...]

Have you ever thought there is something a little different about RV Owners? Or that there may be something you don’t know about owning an RV that you should know before you jump into RV ownership? Well, you were right on both counts. RV owners are an unusual breed (not just because of RV toilet paper)! And they often know quite a lot about owning an RV. Better yet, they are almost always eager and willing to share their knowledge to help other RV’ers and newbies to learn the ropes. Here are eight things you may not have known about owning an RV, culled from the knowledge of experienced RV’ers.

1. RV Toilet Paper – Yes that is a thing: Regular toilet [...]

Whether you’re new to RV camping or a veteran road tripper, chances are good you’ll need an RV trip list. From the basics to things you may not think of – let’s get ready for your next adventure!

Choosing an RV
The first step in any RV vacation is to get an RV. If you have decided to buy your own RV, El Monte RV Sales offers a wide variety of sizes and types to consider. Are you familiar with these RVs? If not, take a few minutes to look at the RVs for Sale section of our website and see what RVs are available at various El Monte RV Sales locations.

But first, here are [...]