RVs are popular for a lot of reasons. One is they help bring down the costs of vacations. The second is they pack in a lot of people whether that’s family or friends. They carry your personal belongings without an extra charge. More and more people are turning to RVs as an alternative to regular air and hotel travel.

However, to get the most out of your RV or motor vehicle, you have to be kind to it. By that, I mean, you need to make sure everything is running smoothly before problems happen. This can be done through a routine maintenance stop. If you are RV savvy, you can check most things yourself.

Some people realize after a while they aren’t getting the mpg they used to or were promised. It’s easy to look up what the manufacturer claims. If you aren’t coming close, there may be another problem that needs to be looked at. Driving in the city will reduce your mpg while highway driving will increase it.

The following are intended to be a guide to help improve your fuel efficiency. Take care of your vehicle and it will take care of you:

- check tire pressure

- check the condition of your tires

-Wheel alignment. When you’re driving, loosen your hands around the steering wheel for a second. Do you keep going straight or does your vehicle start to veer? If it veers, it’s time to have the alignment fixed.

- Take a look at the engine. If you don’t know much about vehicles, have a mechanic take a look at it.

-Change your oil regularly. Dirty oil isn’t dangerous but it isn’t good for your car. If you run out of oil, your engine will seize, so be sure to keep levels from running low.

-Tires should be rotated and balanced once a year. This helps keep wear patterns even on your vehicle.

-Take a look at your gas cap. Is the seal broken or cracked? If so, gas may evaporate.

-If your brakes are grinding, that could be a sign of a serious problem. Get brake pads replaced as needed.

-Check your fuel injection system regularly.

Hopefully you’ll see a dramatic difference in your vehicle’s fuel economy after the above list is completed. You might be able to shave a few off your list if you’ve recently purchased a used RV. Just look through the documents you received or that came with the vehicle. You should find a maintenance record. And if you’re lucky…some of these services may have been performed recently. Then you’ve got one less item on your to do list!

Learn more about RVs and motorhomes. Stop by Beaudry RV where you can find out all about new and used RVs and what they can do for you.

For information on Car Shipping visit MetroGistics.

As the snow melts and the weather warms up, people are heading out of town to start playing. Adventures await Class C RV owners. So whether you’re heading out solo, or you have a friend or family with you, below are a few ways to make sure you stay safe on the road.

1. Have a plan. If you’re heading west, estimate how far you will probably travel in your Class C RV and find out what your sleeping options are for the night. There’s nothing worse than pulling into a campground or parking lot and finding it full, forcing you to drive on when you’re tired. It puts you in danger. When you do find a place, take a look around. Trust your instincts if you don’t feel safe. If you don’t feel comfortable, then pack up and move on. Your safety isn’t worth risking.

2. Checking in along the way might make you feel like you’re in high school again, but in reality it can end up saving your life. Once a day is a good time to check in and let someone know where you are and where you’re headed. If plans change, let them know. If something happens to you, your most recent location is going to be the best starting point for finding you.

3. Food is good. We know we need food and water to survive, so fill’er up. Part of adventure is not knowing what’s going to happen. But if what happens is mechanical trouble, you might be stranded for days before help can get to you. Make sure you don’t dehydrate even in cold weather. Have a candle and blankets to keep warm in case a sudden storm hits. Class C RVs are a great temporary shelter if you’re waiting for help.

4. For some, adventure comes from a sense of feeling alone in the world, as if you are the first person to ever explore it. For other’s it’s the people along the way. No matter your personality, there is added safety when other people are around. You become less of a target.

5. Almost everyone owns a cell phone today. When traveling, be sure it’s charged and you have a calling card as back up. You never know when a quick phone call can bring a tow-truck or police car that can help you out of a jam.

There are so many areas of the country to explore and doing it in a Class C RV is a way to do it in style. Enjoy the expanse out before you, the rising and setting sun. But take care of yourself and be prepared as best you can for potential emergencies. Leave jewelry at home if you can and don’t leave expensive items in the front seat or places someone might be tempted to grab them from.

Wherever you go, a paper map is a must. GPS can malfunction, or on a trail, you might lose signal. A map will help you get back to place you can identify. You are your most valuable asset, so be safe when you and your Class C RV hit the road.

Want to save BIG on a GIANT selection of new and used Class C RVs? Beaudry RV has everything YOU need! Check out Beaudry’s HUGE selection of Class C motor homes, trailers, 5th wheels and RVs now!

For information on Car Shipping visit MetroGistics.