Month: June 2022

How to Choose the Best RV Mattress

Posted on June 27, 2022 by - Lifestyle

White pillows on a mattress with white sheets: how to choose the best RV mattress.

Getting good rest while traveling in your RV will help you to make the most out of each trip you take. Unfortunately, some RV mattresses fall short of what most people would call comfortable, and you might struggle to get the kind of sleep you would like as a result. With this post, we’d like to help you find the right RV mattress for your needs, unlocking the type of rest that you have been dreaming of getting while you explore the country.

While buying a new mattress can help you get great rest while using your RV, adding an RV carport to your property can help your rig rest comfortably while at home. A carport will keep your RV out of the elements and protect its condition for years to come. To get started on this project, turn to American Steel Carports, Inc. and experiment with our Build & Price tool. This tool allows you to customize a carport design to fit your needs. If you need direct assistance, get in touch with us right away.

Start Here

The first thing you need to know when shopping for a mattress is that you can’t trust the name of the mattress to match up with what you would find in your house. What does that mean? If your RV says that it comes with a “king” mattress, that does not mean the same thing as a “king” mattress that you might have in your regular bedroom. In other words, RV mattresses use the same name sizing conventions as regular mattresses, but the actual dimensions are different.

So, as a shopper, it’s best to forget about those names and simply shop by measurement. Go into your RV and use a tape measure to determine exactly how much space you have available for a new mattress. Write down these measurements and keep them with you while you shop, whether online or in person. This way, there will be no confusion and you’ll be sure to purchase something that is actually going to fit in your RV.

Invest in Quality

If you are replacing the mattress that came with your RV, you are likely doing so because the original mattress is not living up to your quality expectations. With that in mind, don’t bother replacing the first mattress with a cheap, low-cost model from an unknown brand. Most likely, you’ll find yourself right back in the same situation, struggling to get comfortable at night.

It’s worth spending the money on a better mattress that is truly going to upgrade your sleep. No, you don’t need to buy the most expensive model you can find but purchasing a quality mattress from a respected brand is the best way to get the results you desire.

Consider Access

Even large RVs offer relatively tight spaces inside for moving things around. When shopping for a mattress, think in advance about how you are going to get it into the RV and put it in the proper place. In general terms, you’ll probably find that foam mattresses are more flexible than innerspring mattresses, so you might want to consider foam first if you have any tight corners to navigate on the path to the bed. While it’s certainly possible to move an innerspring mattress into an RV, some models can be stiffer than others, so keep that in mind when shopping.

Find the Right Firmness

On the matter of mattress firmness, the whole story is about personal preference. Some people like a firm mattress, while others like to feel as though they are sinking into a night of sleep. There is no right or wrong here, of course, so you’ll need to think about what is most comfortable for you and your partner before you commit to a purchase.

If you do wind up with a mattress that feels a little firmer than you would like – especially at first before it is broken in – you may be able to use a mattress topper to soften the feel. Toppers slip over your mattress like an additional sheet, but they have padding on top to leave the mattress feeling softer than it would otherwise.

Upgrade Your RV with American Steel

It’s no exaggeration to say that a new RV mattress could change the way you travel. With better sleep available, you’ll look forward to resting up at the end of a long day, so you can jump right back into your adventures when morning arrives.

If you are also ready to upgrade your RV ownership experience with a new carport, explore our free Build & Price tool at American Steel Carports, Inc. today!

How to Wash Your RV

Posted on June 24, 2022 by - Informative

Boy washing RV

As an RV owner, washing your rig might not be your favorite task, but it certainly is an important one to keep up with during the travel season. If you get into the habit of regularly washing your RV after trips, it will always be clean and ready to go the next time you get to head out. Also, keeping it clean helps you get a longer life out of your investment, and that’s something everyone can appreciate. Washing an RV doesn’t need to be complicated, but there are some keys to keep in mind. Read on for some basic tips to help you get great results while saving time for other chores around the house.

And, if you’d like to keep your RV as clean as possible while it is parked on your property, consider adding an RV carport from American Steel Carports, Inc. Explore our free Build & Price tool to create a custom structure that perfectly suits your needs. For help, contact us! Our team is always happy to help.

Set the Stage for Success

A big piece of the puzzle when trying to wash your RV successfully is having everything in place before you get started. If you plan and are organized for this task, you’ll find that it goes much easier from start to finish and you will be left with a better outcome. Some things to consider include the following –

  • Get the right gear. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on cleaning supplies for your RV, but you do need to have a few key items ready to go. For starters, you need a clean bucket for water, soap, a few different brushes, and a ladder. Consider creating an RV washing “kit” that you can store in a specific spot in your garage to always have ready.
  • Find a good spot. It’s important to pick out a good spot on your property to do the washing. If you have an RV carport, you might want to wash your RV right there under the roof of the carport – you’ll get some shade on hot days and the space should be pretty clean. Wherever you decide to do the washing, make sure it is an area that will drain nicely so you won’t wind up standing in a pool of dirty water as the cleaning process moves along.
  • Pick the right day. Pay attention to the weather forecast and look for a day that offers mild temperatures, minimal wind, and no rain. Washing an RV – especially a big one like a motorhome – can take some time, and you don’t want to be battling the conditions along the way.

A Simple Process

If there is one key rule to obey when washing an RV, it is this – start at the top and work your way down. Not only is the top the least-convenient part to wash, so it’s nice to get it out of the way at the start, but the water you use is also going to run down the sides of the rig toward the ground. So, by starting at the top, you’ll be able to work your way down and eliminate any streaks that were created along the way.

In addition to starting at the top, remember that you want to clean a wet RV rather than a dry one. So, before you reach for your soapy brush to start scrubbing, spray down the whole RV to wet the exterior. This helps you get better results from your scrubbing efforts.

Dealing with Specific Elements

For most of the exterior surface of your RV, all you need is a soapy brush and some water to get the job done. However, there are a few different elements that you may encounter along the way, and those need to be dealt with properly to avoid trouble. Three big ones include:

  • RV roof. Your approach to washing the roof of your RV depends on its composition. If it’s a relatively new RV, the roof is probably fiberglass, in which case it will be simple to clean with the same general techniques you’ve been using around the rest of the rig. However, if you happen to have a rubber roof, seek out a cleaner that has been specifically formulated for that type of surface.
  • Don’t forget about your RV’s awning in the cleaning process. Unroll it to expose the full length of the awning and then spray it down with water. It’s probably not very dirty, so that spray might be all you need. If there are spots that need to be scrubbed, do so gently to avoid stretching out the material.
  • Keeping your window and door seals in good condition is essential to keep water out as you travel. When you are done with the RV washing process, consider spraying the seals with a product that has been designed to keep them supple. This is a quick task that can save you some major headaches down the line.

Not only is an RV carport a great place to store your rig while protecting it from the elements, but it also makes for a nice spot to do your washing. With some shade from the sun, you can take your time and make sure the RV is fully cleaned before calling it a day.

If you’re ready to protect one of your greatest investments, reach out to American Steel Carports, Inc. to create an affordable, durable metal home for your RV. We look forward to serving you!

The Best States for RV Living

Posted on June 15, 2022 by - Lifestyle

Beautiful canyon in Arizona: best states for RV living

Living in an RV has rapidly gained popularity in recent years. Those who go full-time in their RVs have many different reasons for making this switch including saving money, having the freedom to live in many different places, and love for the outdoor lifestyle that it promotes. If you’re dreaming about becoming a full-time RVer, read on to discover the best states for RV living!

And if you need to purchase an RV carport to protect your RV over the long run, remember to turn to American Steel Carports, Inc. With our Build & Price tool, it’s easy to create something ideal for your needs!

Step One

First, you want to strategically determine where you are going to establish a home base. Sure, you can travel around in your RV, but you still want to pick a state that is going to work nicely as the one you call home more often than not.

#1 – California

This is an easy place to start our list. With excellent weather throughout the year and an endless number of beautiful places to visit, California is an RV owner’s dream. You could spend the rest of your life exploring this state and still have plenty left to explore. One of the best things about living in an RV in California is its diversity – there is a desert in the south, high mountain terrain to the north, a stunning coastline, and so much more. If you love nature and love to track it down in your RV, California is the place to be.

#2 – Nevada

The interesting thing about traveling in an RV in Nevada is the dramatic difference between the southern tip of the state and the rest of the area. In the south, you have the bright lights of Las Vegas, one of the most visited cities in the world. Throughout the rest of Nevada, however, you’ll find plenty of open space, natural beauty, and great places to park your RV.

#3 – Washington

Tucked away in the northwest corner of the country, Washington is easily one of the most beautiful states on the map. Multiple national parks beckon to be explored, including the iconic Mount Rainier National Park. There is also the stunning Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and many more sights. If you pick Washington as a home base for the RV lifestyle, it’s practically guaranteed that you’ll never be bored.

#4 – Texas

Getting back to the idea of finding open space, Texas is the second-largest state in the Union, meaning there is plenty of area for an RV owner to explore. You can head to the south if you want to visit the Gulf Coast, you can stay in Hill Country for a while, or you can park near one of the big cities like Dallas or Houston.

#5 – Colorado

If part of what you love about traveling in an RV is experiencing outdoor activities, Colorado is where you want to be. There is so much to do outside in this big state, and most of those activities come along with a great view. Skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and running are only the beginning.

#6 – Oregon

Yet another beautiful West Coast state with tons of outdoor activities to enjoy. In Oregon, RVers can spend weeks or months going up and down the rugged coast, or can head inland to the Cascade Mountains and the popular Central Oregon region. Oregon’s Wine Country is another beautiful place to explore.

#7 – Michigan

While much of the East Coast is too crowded to be considered great for the RV lifestyle, Michigan is an excellent pick for anyone wanting to stay further east while still enjoying the outdoors and open spaces. Specifically, heading into the northern regions of Michigan opens up countless RV camping opportunities near the Great Lakes.

#8 – Arizona

For those who can’t get enough of the hot weather, Arizona is the easy choice. And while there certainly is plenty of flat desert land to be found in Arizona, the northern part of the state offers dramatic scenery and elevation changes, highlighted by the famous Grand Canyon National Park.

#9 – Utah

For some reason, Utah is often overlooked by travelers who are hoping to find scenery and adventure. That’s a shame because this is an incredibly pretty state with national parks to the south and the popular Wasatch Mountains near the population center in Salt Lake City. Utah is a great place to live in an RV and it also gives you easy access to many of the other beautiful states in the western half of the country.

Find Your Homebase with American Steel

We hope this list of the best states for RV living has helped! Once you find your home state, remember to protect your new home with the help of an RV carport. American Steel has you covered! Explore our free Build & Price tool. If you have any questions along the way, our team is always here to help!