Everything You Need To Know About RV Awnings

Above, the awning in use in Payson, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When one is out dry camping out in the desert or other areas when the temperature is high or just with the sun is very bright, an RV awning really comes in handy, especially when there's no power to run an air conditioner.

Some awnings are made better than others. Some are of acrylic, but most are vinyl. 

I've gotten plenty of use out of my motorhome's awning. One thing though, they are more fragile than they look. I've seen many awnings torn up by heavy winds. I had to replace my awning's fabric as I made a small tear on it from a leaning telephone pole I didn't see while parking. Gradually, over time, that little tear got bigger. So I replaced it.

RV Travel has posted an article on RV awnings (everything you need to know).

They begin it with:

An awning seems so simple, especially on newer RVs where it opens at the touch of a button. There are a few basic tips to keeping your awning in top shape and looking great. 

There are armless awnings, manual awnings, and many other styles, but virtually all the mainstream RVs come with the power awning with the arms on the side of the coach. That’s the one I want to focus on today.

To read more, go here. 

Best RV Places In Arizona

Above, at Payson Campground and RV Resort in Payson, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether one works from home or not, Arizona is an inviting place to travel by RV, especially during winter months.

AZ Big Media posted an article on the best places in Arizona for RVers. 

They begin it with:

Working from home is retaining its popularity even as health concerns recede. Hitting the road in recreational vehicles also surged during the last couple of years, and it continues to trend. Combining these two lifestyles is now more possible than ever, with fast internet connectivity available across the country. Arizona is well equipped to provide for this new generation of digital RV nomads in motorhomes.

Health concerns are minimized on vacations spent only with close friends or family, which triggered a rise in the sales of motorhomes, campers and caravans. And more campgrounds are being built — over 15,000 new RV sites were added this winter nationwide, and existing ones are being expanded. For anyone who earns money working online, they frequently offer WiFi and a range of features to make the lifestyle comfortable.

Arizona’s long-standing reputation as a snowbird destination means it is already well set up for anyone who works online from their RV. They can do this at one of the many campsites that offer WiFi or using mobile hotspots on a cellular network. In addition, there is now satellite internet — for a few hundred dollars spent on hardware and a subscription, this can give you access even in remote Arizonan locations.

To read more, go here. 

RV Awning Protectors

Above, camping with the awning deployed in Payson, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Having an RV awning is great for sitting outside to enjoy the views and getting fresh air.

Keeping the awning protected will help keeping it in good shape for added years of enjoyment.

RV Life has posted an article on awning protectors. I don't have an awn protector per se, although I do keep it protected inside the RV garage that I store my motorhome in.  

They begin their article with:

One of the essential parts of the RV life experience is sitting out under your awning. This pull- or roll-out stretch of fabric extends out from your RV and protects you from the sun and rain. It helps you create an outdoor space where you can relax safe from the elements.

But protecting you from all that sun and rain is hard work for your awning. Unfortunately, even when rolled up, an awning is still exposed to heat, moisture, and UV rays. Furthermore, no amount of cleaning can protect your awning from the elements.

Thankfully, there’s a way to change that. An RV awning protector will keep your awning safe when stored away. So what are these devices, and how do they work?

To read more, go here. 

AOL: The Biggest Problems of Popular RV Brands

Above, my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R at a Payson, Arizona campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Planning on buying an RV?

If so, you may want to read an article by AOL on the biggest problems of all (or most) popular RV brands.

Winnebago, which I am an owner of a 2015 Minnie Winnie Class C, doesn't come unscathed in the article. But I must point out that any defects my RV had were minor and covered under warranty. It has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.

The first problem I had was a roof vent cover that "glued" itself shut. It was taken care of under warranty. The next one was a problem with the dash air conditioner (it's a Ford E350 Chassis). It turned out that rodents chewed some of the air conditioner's lines. Next, was another roof vent cover. It became brittle from age and weathering and broke apart. The last was a small tear in the awning fabric from rubbing against a leaning telephone pole I didn't see that got bigger. And that's it.

AOL begins their article with:

As summer nears, you probably think of campfires, s’mores, and RVing — which lets you camp and enjoy the great outdoors without having to sleep in it. Buying a poor-quality RV brand could quickly turn a trip sour, though, and Marshall Wendler, cofounder of Camp Addict, doesn’t like a beginner’s chances: “I don't have any specific input on the worst RV brand. In fact, they are the majority of RV brands out there,” Wendler says. “Throw a dart at the wall.” With advice from Wendler and other RVers who love to talk rigs, here’s what we’ve learned from the experts about brands that you should probably steer clear of if you're looking to buy or rent an RV.

To read more, go here.

RV Coronavirus Anxiety

Above, The Beast at a Payson, Arizona campground while en route to Quartzsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This is something new to me.

RV Travel has posted an article on dealing with the fear of hitting the road in one's RV. They're calling it Coronavirus Anxiety.

According to the article, which starts with:

OK, you’ve gotten your shots. The campgrounds are open. You can’t wait to get the RV out and hit the road, right? That’s the way you think you should feel, anyway. But what if you don’t?

The COVID-19 pandemic and the long series of start-and-stop lockdowns have given birth to a new disorder. It lies somewhere between a slight hesitancy to leave the house, and a full-blown case of agoraphobia.

The new malady, already recognized by many healthcare professionals, is called Coronavirus Anxiety. Doctors and psychologists first started talking about the condition last summer. But more people – especially those over 55 who are more likely to have spent a lot of time at home – are starting to show symptoms of Coronavirus Anxiety as more cities and states begin relaxing pandemic guidelines.

Obviously, I don't have it as I've been out in my motorhome twice this year. The first time was an overnighter in Albuquerque before flying to Dallas/Fort Worth and the second was a couple of weeks ago when I attended the spring clampout of the Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus in Quartzsite, Arizona. In both instances, a fun time was had.

To read more, go here.

Payson Campground & RV Resort

Above, The Beast at the Payson Campground & RV Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While things were fresh in mind, I submitted my review of the Payson (Arizona) Campground & RV Resort at Campground Reviews.

The review hasn't been posted at this writing but the gist of it is:

I stayed one night as I was en route to Quartzsite, Arizona. The campground looks like it was a KOA Kampground at one time. I booked a site online with no difficulty, except that getting the Good Sam discount "wouldn't take" on the website, so I arranged for it when I checked in. They were a little busy at the time of my check-in and I waited close to ten minutes for the escort that never showed up. I called the office and left a message that I was heading in. My site wasn't far from the office. I found it to be nice and level and shaded. It was a little tight but there was foliage between the sites. I liked the campground and would stay there again. We camped at Payson Campground & RV Resort in a Motorhome.

To see all reviews of the campground, go here. 

JOHN WAYNE KENTUCKY BOURBON WHISKEY DECANTER

Above, the John Wayne Kentucky Bourbon decanter. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On Wednesday, after setting up camp at the Payson Campground and RV Resort in Payson, Arizona, I took a walk to a nearby antique shop. It was the Explore the Attic antique store.

While exploring the shop, came upon a John Wayne whiskey decanter. It was produced roughly around 1980, according to different websites. The prices I've seen are over $40. The antique shop's price was $29.

Above, the John Wayne decanter found its home. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After checking prices online while at the store, I bought it.

It now proudly sits atop my cigar humidor.  

Back From the Clampout

 

Above, from left, Glenn Thornhill, yours truly and Gary Julian at the clampout.

After a 400+ drive today, I made it home to New Mexico from the Lost Dutchman Chapter's Spring Clampout at Quartzsite, Arizona.

The clampout ended yesterday, but I spent the night at Mitch and Holly Geriminsky's in Lake Havasu. While there, I had the first In-N-Out cheeseburger in three years. Delicious!

The drive to the clampout was a less direct route with stops in Heber and Payson, with the Payson stop being an overnighter. I was able to fill The Beast's freshwater tank while staying at the Payson Campground and RV Resort (will post a review on it at a later date). It looked like it was once a KOA Kampground.

I got to the clampsite around 10:00 Thursday morning. There were about 50 early-arrival Clampers there. We eventually grew to over 300 Clampers during the weekend.

Since California has restrictions on group gatherings, we had a lot of Californians present, with the majority from the Billy Holcomb Chapter of San Bernardino County.

It was nice to have 80° temperatures to enjoy. Things got a bit gusty Saturday afternoon, causing several canopies and tents to be blown down.

A few photos:

Above, our campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, our campsite, different view. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, The Beast at the Payson Campground and RV Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Three Bears Beary Best Cafe in Heber, Arizona was a great breakfast stop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a saguaro cactus along the way from Payson. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the sunrise revealed hills covered with saguaro cacti. Photo by Armand Vaquer.