There is no doubt that RVers are outdoors type people. We bask in all of the glory that Nature can bestow upon us. In doing so, there are those of us who hike, fish, bird watch, explore and, of course, hunt.
Now this is an odd, but important post for RV Nana and your consignment RV center, PPL Motorhomes. It is certainly a far cry from a RV cooking tips, that’s for sure.
Transporting firearms. One of the things that I have been realized, in idle conversation with my fellow RVers, is that there are quite a few RVers out their who transport firearms in their RV for either either hunting, or personal safety reasons. While this information might not apply to my family as much, it does apply to many, including full time RVers. Transporting a firearm across state lines in the U.S. is normally not a problem as long as you follow the gun transport laws laid out by the Gun Control Act which is enforced by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Federal gun transport laws provide that any individual (except convicted felons, persons under indictment for felonies, mental defectives or incompetents, illegal users of controlled drugs, illegal aliens, veterans dishonorably discharged, those who have renounced their U.S. citizenship, fugitives from justice, persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and persons subject to domestic violence restraining orders) may transport a firearm from one location where the individual is lawfully allowed to posses and carry a firearm to another location the individual is lawfully allowed the firearm, as long as it is unloaded and not in the passenger compartment of your car, which normally means in the trunk.
But, what about in your RV, where you have no trunk? Use a little common sense. Gun transporting in your RV across states lines is basically the same; the gun should be unloaded and stored in the back of the RV in a locked compartment. It should never be in the glove box or console. The rule of thumb for transporting a firearm is that it should never be where you or anyone else can get to it easily and it must be unloaded.
Know the State you are in and their laws.
State and local gun transport laws vary from place to place and it is your responsibility as the gun owner to research the laws of the area you are visiting or passing through. A good case in point is Chicago. The City of Chicago, Illinois requires every firearm possessed in the city to be registered. Chicago does not register handguns that were not previously registered there. There are places that do not allow possession of any handgun. California has strict regulations that may require a California permit and registration for specific semi-automatic rifles, semi-automatic pistols, shotguns and any other firearm that is considered an “assault weapon” before you enter the state.
If you just use a little commonsense, transporting a firearm in your RV shouldn’t be a problem. Cooperate with local authorities, police, DPS Park Rangers (you shouldn’t bringing a firearm to state campgrounds) and Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
I posted a few blogs back about a motorhome I saw that was balanced on its jacks in a very precarious position. That got me thinking about how many times we had to balance our Fifth-Wheel on less-than-level camping locations. The last thing you want is your rig slanting, or on a tilt. As luck would have it, your Houston Consignment RV Center, PPL Motorhomes carries Fifth Wheel Stabilizer Jacks from BAL. These jacks will help you level and stabilize your RV. A tripod stabilizer provides full side to side frame overhang stability and helps maximize front to rear trailer stability.
These units have a simple to operate extendable jack screw for final adjustment. This eliminates trial and error lowering of king pin onto a tripod stabilizing jack to achieve stabilization. The jack screw handles fold down to use and fold up when not in use or for storage.
These fifth wheel stabilizers feature:
Set up in seconds
Simple to operate
Heavy duty construction includes heat treated jack post
Lightweight and easy to store
Chrome jacking handle with rubber grip
Large diameter base pads with heavy duty chain and hooks
Patented design from BAL, a leader in RV Leveling
PPL Motorhomes is an authorized dealer for BAL and can supply most of the products made by BAL. Keep your trailer balanced with PPL and BAL.
I know I just wrote a blog post about observing Memorial Day, but just don’t think I can say enough. For those who know me, I am fiercely patriotic. Ask anyone at your consignment RV store, PPL Motorhomes and they’ll tell you. Just look around our dealership and you’ll notice a sea of red, white and blue. There is no greater nation on Earth and no greater soldiers than those in our Armed Forces.
I found a great compilation video of soldiers surprising their loved ones with their return home that I wanted to share. There is a chance that you’ve already seen it, but it’s just as powerful every time I watch it. The saying goes: “it’s hard to be a soldier, but even harder loving one”. You can see the relief on the faces in the video that their soldiers are safe at home with them.
However, let’s not forget the real reason for this weekends celebrations and that’s remembering all of those who didn’t make it back home. The hundreds of thousands of Americans who gave their lives over generations of wars to secure our freedoms and solidify Democracy. This weekend if for them. It is for their family. It is for our country.
All of us at PPL Motorhomes could never express our gratitude with a simple, “Thank You”, but that will have to suffice for now. “Thank you”, the American Soldier, who has put yourself in harm’s way so we didn’t have to. “Thank you”, the American Soldier, who gave his, or her life so we wouldn’t have to. Finally, thank you families of our American Soldiers who have willfully sacrificed their loved ones so we didn’t have to sacrifice ours. Thank all of you.
I know we all wait for those long holiday weekends. There’s no doubt that our crew at PPL Motorhomes does. Nothing beats having that extra day off to lounge around your Houston RV. That extra day off can really recharge you until the next long holiday weekend. However, there is something that you should remember while you are cooking up you hot dogs and burgers, reeling in a lunker or just kicking back in a hammock under a canopy of tree limbs: Not everyone can take this day off. In particular, America’s Military personnel.
Always at constant guard, the Armed Forces of the United States keep vigil over the entirety of our Nation. Either at home, or abroad, the U.S. Military not only doesn’t get to spend this weekend sitting around and relaxing, they actively put themselves in harms way to protect our freedom so we can do just that.
For those that serve, Memorial Day is day to remember their fallen friends and fellow soldiers, take a moment this weekend to reflect back on all that the men and women of our Armed Forces have done to protect your freedoms and rights. All of us at PPL Motorhomes will be doing the same.
PPL Motorhomes and many of our consignment RVs are ready to hit the road and head into the full rush of the RVing season. Of course, that means more opportunities to engage with nature are headed our way. I’ve recently written a post about knowing your venomous snakes, so I figured one about spiders would be just as appropriate. I’ll be honest here, I’m not a big fan of spiders. However, spiders play a major role in our ecosystem and are under appreciated. Either in our homes, or our RVs, most of our widespread fear of spiders is unjustified, as Texas is home to just two that are venomous, the Brown Recluse and the Black Widow.
Of course just hearing their names sends shivers down our spines.
The Brown Recluse Spider:
Bites and Medical Significance
Like other spiders, the brown recluse is not aggressive. It is quite common, in fact, to live in a building that is heavily infested and never be bitten. Most bites occur in response to body pressure, when a spider is inadvertently trapped against bare skin. Some people are bitten when they roll over one in bed. Other bites occur while moving stored items or putting on a piece of clothing that a spider has chosen for its daytime retreat. Brown recluse spiders have remarkably small fangs and cannot bite through clothing.
The initial bite is usually painless. Oftentimes the victim is unaware until 3 to 8 hours later when the bite site may become red, swollen, and tender. The majority of brown recluse spider bites remain localized, healing within 3 weeks without serious complication or medical intervention. In other cases, the victim may develop a necrotic lesion, appearing as a dry, sinking bluish patch with irregular edges, a pale center and peripheral redness. Often there is a central blister. As the venom continues to destroy tissue, the wound may expand up to several inches over a period of days or weeks. The necrotic ulcer can persist for several months, leaving a deep scar. Infrequently, bites in the early stages produce systemic reactions accompanied by fever, chills, dizziness, rash or vomiting. Severe reactions to the venom are more common in children, the elderly, and patients in poor health. Persons bitten by a brown recluse spider should apply ice, elevate the affected area, and seek medical attention immediately.
Source: www.ca.uky.edu/University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
The Black Widow:
Of the spiders capable of inflicting a poisonous bite, black widows are the most notorious. The female is about 1/2-inch long, shiny black and usually has a red hourglass mark on the underside of the abdomen. In some varieties the hourglass mark may be reduced to two separate spots. Spiderlings and male spiders are smaller than the females and have several red dots on the abdomen’s upper side.
Widow spiders belong to the cobweb spider family and spin loosely organized trap webs. The webs are usually found under objects such as rocks and ground trash or under an overhanging embankment. Black widow spiders are not as common in homes as the brown recluse. When found in homes, they are usually under appliances or heavy furniture and not out in the open like other cobweb spiders. Black widow spiders are timid, however, and will only bite in response to being injured. People are usually bitten when they reach under furniture or lift objects under which a spider is hiding.
Black widow venom is a nerve toxin and its effects are rapid. The victim suffers painful rigidity of the abdomen and usually a tightness of the chest. Blood pressure and body temperature may rise, and sweating, localized swelling, and nausea may occur. In about 5% of the bite cases, the victim may go into convulsions in 14 to 32 hours and die if not given medical attention. First aid for black widow spider bites involves cleaning the wound and applying ice packs to slow absorption of venom. Victims should seek medical attention promptly. Most black widow spider envenomizations respond to intravenous administrations of calcium gluconate or calcium salts. An antivenin is also available for severe cases.
Source: www.ca.uky.edu/University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
As you probably already know, we live side by side with these two spiders in our homes as well as in the outdoors. You can just as easily encounter either of these spider species in your closest as you would under a rock, or fallen tree. When out in the wild, or even your own home, remember that we share space with a lot of other living creatures. When left alone, the Brown Recluse and Black Widow pose no threat, but when disturbed, they can be dangerous. Remember, to “look before lift” and “shake it before you put it on”. Follow this link for ways to avoid potential spider bites.
Have and creepy crawly stories of your own? Share them here, or give RV Nana a call at PPL Motorhomes…maybe your story will make my blog!
At PPL Motorhomes, we all love our rivers and lakes. In fact most of us take our Houston RVs far out of the city limits to places where the main attraction is a river or lake. So, there is no doubt that boating and fishing go hand in had with Houston RVing. However, how familiar are you with the invasive species of plants and animals that are destroying those same lakes and rivers?
According to texasinvasives.org: Zebra mussels are having a devastating effect on the state’s natural resources. They negatively impact native fish and mussels and foul beaches with their sharp shells. They wreak havoc for boaters by damaging boat hulls and reducing the performance of boating equipment. Zebra mussels can clog water intakes, costing taxpayers millions of dollars. Zebra mussels have already invaded Lake Texoma, and could take over all freshwater sources in Texas.
Hello invasive species…Goodbye Texas lakes
If you are a boater, or fisherman her are some tips for you: (Source texasinvasives.org)
Stop the Spread
There are many things you can do to help stem the tide of invasive species. One of the most effective ways to manage invasive species is for recreationalists such as boaters, fishermen, pet owners, and gardeners to Take Action. Here are some easy everyday things you can do to meet the Invasive Species Challenge:
Boaters and Anglers
You can “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers” by following these tips for preventing the transportation of aquatic invasive species:
CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY YOUR BOAT, TRAILER AND GEAR EVERY TIME YOU LEAVE A BODY OF WATER!
Inspect your boat, trailer and gear and remove all plants, animals and foreign objects from hulls, propellers, intakes, trailers, and gear before leaving a launch area.
Drain all water from your boat, including the motor, bilge, livewells and bait buckets before leaving a lake.
Wash your boat, trailer and other equipment before traveling to a new waterway.
If you are leaving a water body that is known to have zebra mussels, leave your boat and trailer out of the water for at least a week or wash it at a commercial car wash using high-pressure, hot (140 degrees F) soapy water to kill microscopic zebra mussel larvae that may be hitching a ride.
Never transport water, animals, or plants from one waterbody to another — either intentionally or accidentally! Do not release live fish, including bait, into a new body of water.
Anglers should be sure to remove material from and wash all fishing tackle, downriggers and lines to prevent spreading small, larval forms of aquatic invaders.
Before leaving any body of water, examine all your equipment, boats, trailers, clothing, boots, buckets etc and remove any visible plants, fish or animals. Remove mud and dirt and even the smallest plant fragments.
Whether you have obtained bait at a store or from another body of water, do not release unused bait into the waters you are fishing. If you do not plan to use the bait in the future, dump the bait in a trashcan or on the land, far enough away from the water that it cannot impact this resource. Also, be aware of any bait regulations, because in some waters, it is illegal to use live bait
What if we aren’t boaters or anglers? Do we have to worry about the spreading invasive species? Absolutely! Here are some things you can do to be a good steward of the land and protect our foliage and natural habitats. (Source texasinvasives.org)
Travelers, Hikers, Bikers, Birders, and Campers
If you engage in terrestrial recreational activities like camping, hiking, biking or birding, take care not to be an unwitting vehicle of dispersion.
Don’t transport items such as fire wood, hay, soil, or sod from one area to another. They may contain seeds, diseases, insects, or other potentially invasive organisms that are not yet found in Texas.
Prevent carrying invasive species on your cars, bicycles and motorcycles. Check vehicles for seeds and pieces of plants.
Wash your boots and socks before you hike in a new area. Invasive weed seeds are common hitchhikers.
Abide by local laws to prevent the spread of serious insect pests (like the Emerald Ash Borer), weeds (like Cogongrass), and diseases (like Oak Wilt).
PPL Motorhomes wants to remind you that as new, used or consignment RV owners and campers to protect our natural habitat to the best of our ability. We all need to be hyper aware of the damages we can cause to our surroundings, even if we can’t see that damage. have a conversation with the Park Ranger the net time you enjoy one of our State Parks, Lakes or Rivers and educate yourself on how you and your RV can make less of a footprint.
As many of us here at PPL Motorhomes can attest to, having allergies and loving the outdoors is a real bummer. Since we are handle a lot of consignment RVs in Houston, we’ve heard countless stories and complaints about loving the outdoors, but being highly allergic to the flora and fauna that cover our great State. The fact is that there are a lot of outdoors type people who suffer through allergy season so they can go camping, or RVing during the milder months…you might even be one of them. This seems unfair, but what can you do? Well, I did a little looking around and found this nice little checklist to help curb allergy attacks while camping.
Air out your equipment before you leave, look for mold in tents and tarps and wash off any you see with a hot water and bleach solution.
Bring along your allergy and/or asthma medication, so you are prepared for any trigger that may cross your path.
Remember to pack food that is friendly to people with food allergies, check with your group to see what people are allergic to and do not bring that item.
Check out your camp site for ragweed, poison oak or poison ivy and other plants that may cause allergic reactions. Bring ointments and medications just in case.
When building a fire, make sure that people who have asthma sit farther away and out of the wind so the smoke does not irritate their lungs.
There are ways to conquer your allergies so you can enjoy your RV and camping outings more. The video above offered some good tips that can be used while out on the road and while there are no real “cures” for allergies, you can curb some of the symptoms. If you know of any home remedies we can all use, share them with us. All of us at PPL Motorhomes and even those who consign their RVs with us could really benefit from your knowledge.
OK, it’s time for RV Nana, to be just that. Recently we were on a trip on the San Marcos river. As I was walking around some of the camping areas I, noticed a Class A motorhome that looked a little peculiar. I really wasn’t sure why at first. Then I noticed that, in what I can only assume was an attempt to level out the motorhome, the jacks had the front tires off of the ground at least 5 inches. This is a “No-No”! Leveling jacks are not meant to function in such an extreme manor.
Take a look at this. You can really see how high the tires are off of the ground in this picture. I’m sure these good folks didn’t have an issue this day, but there really is no telling when something will happen that can cause a catastrophic disaster to your rig and possibly injure family or friends. Use your heads folks. If you think it is even remotely unstable, it probably is.
This is the perfect time to use Lynx Levelers. Lynx Levelers are interlocking blocks you can arrange in a variety of configurations to meet any need. Stack into a pyramid shape, place in front of the tires that need to be lifted and drive on. If not level the first time, add or subtract height as needed and drive on again.
If you have any questions on how you can keep your Houston RV level without jeopardizing the stability of your rig, Just give PPL Motohomes a call and we can give you some tips and hints on ways to make your RVing adventures both fun and safe.
Buying a consignment RV is a lot like buying a car; there are some features and options that you’re going to want, and there will be some others that you don’t have a need for. But, buying an RV on consignment gives you a whole new list of options to choose from, and if this is your first recreational vehicle, take a look at the list I put together below before you start shopping. I think it will put you on the right track when it comes time to pick your first RV.
How many people will I likely be traveling with?
RVs come in all different shapes and sizes, so you want to be sure that you have adequate space and seating room for everyone who will be traveling with you. Plus, if you don’t take in account for sleeping room, you might end up sleeping outside!
How much stuff am I planning on traveling with?
This question goes hand-in-hand with the one above. The more people who travel with you, the more stuff that is coming along for the ride. But, with all of the extra people and belongings, you’re adding more weight to the RV, and that could be a problem. You don’t want to overload your new RV with too much weight bearing down on the chassis and wheels.
What climate will I be using the RV in?
Most modern RVs are well equipped with insulation, but if you’re planning on vacationing to colder climates, you want to know that you’re getting enough insulation to keep you warm when the temperatures drop at night. Also, make sure that the heater and air conditioner are equipped to cover the entire inside of the RV. When it comes to vent placement, notice where they are located throughout the RV’s floor plan — especially in the bathroom when it comes to a heater vent!
How many items will I need to plug into an outlet?
Different RVs have different numbers of outlets depending on the floor plan, and the locations of the outlets can vary, too. If you plan on bringing a lot of electronics along with you, remember that when you’re shopping and take note of the quantity and locations of the outlets. Also remember, you only have 30or 50 AMP service and you cannot plug in and turn on everything you have at your home. Forget using the toaster, electric skillet, hair dryer, both AC units and outside lights all at the same time. It just won’t work!
The bottom line is that if you are looking to join the RV lifestyle, you’ve already made a step in the right direction. The world is a pretty big place and the best and most affordable way to see it is in an RV! Come and check out all of the great consignment RVs we have here at PPL Motorhomes, I know we’ll have one perfect for you and your family.
It’s that time of year again. The time every kid can’t wait for…the end of school. But, that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t keep learning, nor should it mean that “couch potato syndrome” should set in. Those of us here at PPL Motorhomes who have children, or grandchildren will be taking them on road trips almost immediately after school ends. Of course, they’ll get ample time at home to play and decompress from the school year, but we won’t be letting them turn into a couch potato this summer either. That’s why RVing is so great! It’s more affordable than your think, just take a look at all of the consignment RVs we have to offer. Plus, owning an RV is not just a home away from home for our kids and grand-kids is also a great teaching tool. It gets them outdoors so they can take a discovery hike, paddle a canoe, swim in a lake or go to the beach. In fact, owing an RV, in my opinion, is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family. The ability to make memories with family and grow in the RV lifestyle is, in my experience, invaluable.
Now while the family in video below doesn’t have an RV, it certainly shows how much fun kids can have in the great outdoors.
The earlier kids start appreciating the outdoors, the better stewards of our State Parks they will grow to be. A child that grows up outside, rather than in front of a TV, or a gaming console is going to be more well rounded in their appreciation of the things that are around them. Science, Math, History and Poetry can be found right outside the city limits. They’ll be amazed what they find outside.
If you are interested in starting your own RV lifestyle and getting those kids off of the couch, see PPL Motorhomes. We carry a bunch of different motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth-wheels to choose and consignment RV might be the perfect first RV for you and your family to get out and see what you’ve been missing.
I have been with PPL Motor Homes since 1980 and have been fortunate to grow up with the company. A native Houstonian, I am married to a wonderful Cajun from Lafayette, Louisiana and we've been able to mix the two worlds and build a fun life together. We have 3 children and 7 grandchildren, so it is obvious that I was a Nana long before I became RV Nana. I also happen to be the 2011-2013 President of the Texas RV Association, so you know the RV lifestyle...is my style.
