Author: clickgiant

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!

 

10 Best Camper Vans for Getting Away and Traveling

Posted on May 27, 2022 by - ASI, Blog, RV Carports

A camper van is one of the best ways to get out and see the country. Many people are more comfortable driving a camper van as opposed to a full-size RV, and the van will usually come with a lower price tag, as well. If you are thinking about purchasing a new or used van to kick start some fun adventures with family and friends, we’ll explore some of the best camper vans for 2022.

Best RV and Trailer Accessory Must Haves

Posted on May 16, 2022 by - ASI, Blog, RV Carports

The RVs and trailers on the market today come incredibly well-equipped and ready for adventures. With that said, you’ll likely want to add even more features to your rig. By picking out accessories, you can make the experience even better–and probably save yourself some headaches along the way.

Ultimate Carport Lot Measurement Guide

Posted on May 3, 2022 by - ASI, Blog

If you would like to add a new metal carport to your property, the first step is accurately measuring your space to determine how big your carport can be. It’s important that the carport is large enough to fit your needs, but it’s even more important to make sure if it fits on your property. Here’s a complete guide on lot measurement and potential mistakes you’ll want to avoid along the way.

Find Custom Metal Carports in Texas

Posted on May 2, 2022 by - ASI, Blog

Land is abundant in Texas. As the 2nd largest state in the country, Texas offers seemingly endless acres of space for all kinds of activities, and many residents are lucky enough to own a piece of that terrain for themselves. If you are a Texas property owner and you’d like to improve the way your property functions throughout the year, consider the addition of a custom metal carport.

Benefits of Garage vs Carport

Posted on April 27, 2022 by - ASI, Blog

When you decide that you would like to add a new structure to your property for parking, storage, work space, or some other use, you’ll need to pick between a carport and a garage. Both of these options offer plenty of performance benefits, which is why we are proud to offer both to our customers. In this post, we are going to look carefully at some of the benefits of a carport vs. a garage with the goal of helping you make the right choice for your needs.

Make Outdoor Storage with a Carport

Posted on April 18, 2022 by - ASI, Blog

When you think of storage, you probably first think about a spare bedroom or a room in your basement filled with boxes and spare furniture. Indoor storage is a solution for many types of storage needs, but it’s not the only way to approach this need. If you have some items that you need to store under a roof but don’t require a lock and key or an indoor environment, storing those things under a carport is a viable alternative.