What is Boondocking?

Boondocking or Dry Camping is when you camp in your RV without sewer, water or power connections. You should start out with a full fresh water tank and empty holding tanks. The fresh water capacity will normally not exceed your black and grey water capacity. The challenging part is maintaining battery power. If you carefully conserve power a single battery can last 2 to 3 days. If its cold and the furnace is needed this can cut you down to less than a day. There are a few options available to extend your batteries life like LED light bulbs, Solar charging systems, Generators or a Battery upgrade. LED light bulbs are 75% more efficient than incandescent bulbs. A Solar charging system will provide a charge even on a cloudy day. A Generator will allow for battery re-charging and full 110 power for air conditioning, microwave or even a plug in hair dryer. A battery upgrade could involve two 12 volt batteries wired in parallel or two 6 volt batteries wired in series. It is important to not let your battery fully discharge when boondocking because it is difficult to bring it back. I recommend charging your battery each day to maintain it. This can be done by plugging your trailer into a properly wired tow vehicle and running the engine. In a motorhome, starting the engine will charge the house battery as well. Dry camping can be a challenge, but camping off the grid can be quite rewarding.

What you need to know about buying a used RV

The number one thing to watch out for on used Recreational Vehicles is water damage or leak issues. Water damage in RV units is very costly to repair and can be difficult to detect. We see many RV buyers getting caught up in floor plans and upholstery colours that they lose site of this fact. We find that many of the units available privately have been sitting and ignored for some time and this is the reason they are put up for sale. The current owner is not using it any longer and has lost interest in it. Most of the seasoned RV’ers that use their unit frequently rarely have their unit for sale. They usually will trade theirs in for their next unit. People that are unfamiliar with RV’s should have a reliable technician inspect a unit before they purchase it. Did you know it is recommended to have a RV’s seals inspected two times a year. Leak issues aside there are many other things to consider when purchasing a used RV. A good look into the 12 volt system. Are the batteries good? Is the system charging? Do the propane appliances work? Are they up to current propane codes? Has the propane system been certified? Have the wheel bearings and brakes been checked? It is not unusual for a RV Dealership to spend $1500 servicing a used travel trailer and $2500 for a motor home.

 

Check out our RV Maintenance schedule click here

 RV service information click here

Check out our used inventory click here

Top 50 Reasons to Buy a New Puma Travel Trailer or Fifth Wheel

1. Heaviest Frame, Chassis and Axles in its Class
2. 5/8 One Piece Floor Decking with 25 year Warranty
3. Largest Fresh and Waste Water Tank Capacity
4. E-Z Lube Axles
5. 2 X 3 Floor Joists
6. Rack and Pinion Slide Out with Manual Override
7. 10’’ Laminated I-Beams in Slide Opening
8. 2 X 2’s Sidewall Framing on 16’’ centres
9. 4.5’’ Crowned Roof Rafters
10. 3/8’’ Roof Decking for a Walk on Roof
11. One Piece Rubber Roof with 12 Year Warranty
12. Extra Large Baggage Doors for Optimal Storage
13. Tinted Safety Glass Windows
14. Radius Entry Doors
15. LP Tank Cover with Easy Access Lid
16. Cable and Satellite TV Hookups Standard
17. Beech Glazed Cabinetry
18. Steel Drawer Glides
19. Pantry Standard in all Pumas
20. “Beau” Linoleum Floor with 7 Year Guarantee
21. Skylight with Shade Standard
22. Standard Storage Bin under Jack Knife Sofas
23. LED Interior Lights Standard
24. Digital Thermostat
25. Storage Under Queen Beds
26. Foot Pedal Flush Toilets Standard
27. Power Roof Vent in Bathroom Standard
28. Powder Coated Steel I-Beam Frame
29. Type A Pex Water Line with Crimp Fittings
30. Easy Access Low Point Water Drain
31. Radius 2 and 3 Tiered Steps
32. Rain Gutters
33. Darco Underbelly
34. 6 Gallon Auto Ignition Water Heater
35. Radial Tires
36. 80’’ Interior Height
37. Floor Ducted Heat
38. 55 Amp Converter with Battery Charger
39. Innerspring Mattress
40. Solid Wood Drawer Fronts
41. Kitchen Skylight
42. Large Double Sink
43. High Rise Kitchen Faucet
44. Bronze Hardware, Light and Bath Fixtures
45. Cabinet Doors under Dinette Seats
46. 30,000 BTU Furnace
47. CO2 Detector
48. LP Leak Detector
49. Fire Extinguisher
50. Smoke Detector

Click here to see our Stock of New Puma's



RV Camper Trailer Specials

Despite the weather its shaping up to be great season here at Hub City RV.
We have a great inventory of new 2014 Puma and Canyon Cat towables. And as
always a large selection of used Motorhomes, Trailers, Fifth Wheels and
Campers.

RV Parts Specials

RV Pro Dual Pivot Slider Fifth Wheel Hitch $699.00 RV Pro Equalizer Hitch
$399.00 RV Pro 3500lbs Electric Tongue Jack $239.00 Camco Rubber Roof
cleaner and conditioner $18.99

RV Tech Tips

Wheel bearings on tow able units are often overlooked. Wheel bearings
should be re-packed every 3000 miles. If a bearing overheats it will ruin
the axle.

Another item that is often overlooked is the yearly treatment of RV unit
rubber roof’s. RV rubber roofs degrade from UV Rays, dirt, pine needles
etc. Cleaning and treating your rubber roof goes a long way to avoid
costly roof replacement.

RV Service Special

Re-pack wheel bearings single axle $169.00 and $269.00 for tandem axle.
Includes grease and axle seals.

1-888-390-7780

Hours Mon-Sat 9-5 Sun 11-4 Sales only

Hub City RV
7357 Industrial Road
Lantzville, BC  V0R 2H0
(250) 933-0700

Please visit our website at the following location:
http://www.hubcityrv.ca

RV Lingo, Slang or Terminology

Dinghy (or Toad) – Vehicle towed behind your motor home.
Basement – Storage area beneath the floor of the motor home, usually accessible from the outside.
Dump Station – Facility where you can empty your black and gray water holding tanks.
Full Hookup – Campsite with direct connections to electricity, sewer and water amenities.
Holding Tanks – There are three different holding tanks on most motor homes:Black, Grey and Fresh
Genset - A RV’s electric generator
Diesel Pusher – Motorhome with the diesel engine mounted in the rear of the vehicle.
Full Timers – People who live in their RV full time.
Snowbirds – Those who travel south during the winter months.
Equalizing Hitch- A hitch that utilizes spring bars that are placed under tension to distribute a portion of the trailer’s hitch weight to the tow vehicle’s front axle and the trailer’s axles. This hitch is also known as a weight distributing hitch.
Dry Weight- The weight of the RV without any fuel, freshwater, propane or passengers.
Dry Camping- Also known as boon docking, dry camping refers to camping without any hook-ups. It is namely camping without hooking up to any electric, sewer or water facilities. You can still have electric from your RV batteries and water from your freshwater holding tank.
Converter- An electrical device for converting 120-volt AC power into 12-volt DC power. Most RVs with electrical hookups will have a converter, since many of the lights and some other accessories run on 12-volt DC
Delam- A shorten word for delaminating. Delaminating is a condition found on a fiberglass RV where the fiberglass skin of the RV separates from the body of the RV. This is usually the result of an undetected water leak, which over time, causes the luan backer that the fiberglass is bonded with to rot. When this backer rots, there is nothing to hold the fiberglass to the body of the RV and this is where you will notice the delam bubbles on the outside walls of the RV.
Honey Wagon- Euphemism for the sewage pumping truck. Honey wagons are used to empty RV holding tanks in places where full hookups and dump stations are not available.
Inverter- An electrical device for converting 12-volt DC power into 120-volt AC power.
Puller- The slang term for a motorhome with a front-mounted diesel engine.
Shore Power- Electricity provided to the RV by an external source other than the RV batteries.
Slide In- The term for a type of camper that mounts on a truck bed, because this type of camper slides into the truck bed.
Tow Bar- A bar used for connecting a towed vehicle to the motorhome for towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Deep Cycle Batteries– Batteries designed to be recharged multiple times from a discharged state without damage.  The best choice for batteries used as house batteries in an RV
House Batteries– Batteries used exclusively to power DC appliances and lights in a RV.
Potable Water– Drinking Water.
Self Contained– RV having kitchen, sleeping, potable water and sewage retaining equipment as a minimum.  Bathing, heating/cooling and electrical are often essential components of fully self contained vehicles.

If you hear of any I have missed let me know and I will add them.

RV Storage Covers

In the winter many of our customers want to cover their RV units to avoid leak issues. This is a great idea especially here on the Wet Coast, I mean West Coast. The West Coast is known to develop a little rain and snow from time to time. Alot of people cover their units with a tarp. Now this is a good idea provided an air-space is left between the RV's roof and the tarp. This will allow air circulation and prevent condensation. Wrapping your RV up tight with a tarp will usually cause more condensation damage than the leaks it may prevent. Another option is a custom fit RV Storage Cover. These covers are designed to envelope the entire unit. The material used is called Polypropylene. This material is rugged, water repellent and still breaths to let out vapour and condensation. And if you the cover when your your unit is clean, its still clean when you take it off. Not covered in black streaks, pine needles and moss. We can get these covers for most Motorhomes, Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Campers and Toy Haulers. Want a quote click here to contact us.



Black Water Holding Tanks


There are a number of things you must do to ensure your black water holding tank functions as it should. One of the biggest mistakes that is made is leaving the black water tank gate valve open when set up in a park with full service. This is OK for the grey water tank as it will flow, because its sink and shower water. If the black water tank valve is left open the fluids will run and the solids will stay causing a mountain of you know what in the tank. This will eventually lead to a clog in the black water holding tank and it is challenging to find someone to fix this. The proper method of using the black water tank is to keep the valve closed while in use. Use RV toilet waste digester to break down the solids and control any odors. Drain the black water tank when it is at least half full or more. It is a good idea to close the black water tank valve after draining and flush with clean water and drain again. Once the tank is drained and flushed, we put about a gallon of water and 2 ounces of waste digester down the the toilet. You are now ready for your next trip. There are many waste digesting products available. Some are liquid, some are powder and some are tablets. Most are very effective if used as directed.

3'' Black Water Tank Gate Valve

 

Liquid Waste Digester

 



2003 Newmar London Aire 4557

This top model was specially built for the Newmar family in 2003 and comes with 7 page order sheet, here are just a few of the options. The 2003 Newmar London Aire 4557 is originally from the US and can be licensed in either country. It is powered by 500 horsepower Cummins turbo diesel on a Spartan chassis. Fully painted body, two slides and 3 solar panels. External vehicle proximity with warning signal, 12 Kw generator, Tag wheels, Central vacuum, Water softener, Power drivers window, Washer and dryer, Dishwasher, Side by Side fridge, Large sink, Cooktop Microwave, Corian countertops, Custom ceiling lighting, Main Air Conditioned 24,000 BTU and Basement Air Conditioning 9,000BTU, Freezer in basement, Leather airride driver seat, Both seats powered with vibrators. Easy bed sofas with drawers, Ceramic roof coating, Tire pressure sensor, 50 amp power, Star Choice satellite. This coach is competively priced for both the US and Canadian market. Also will come with a safety report so you know exactly what your buying. If you want to view this unit or other Class A's we have in stock click HERE





LED Lights for RV'S

LED Lighting for RV's has come a long way in the last few years.  I remember buying some of the first LED bulbs a few years ago and paying $65 per bulb.  These early bulbs were outrageously expensive and provided very dim light.  Fast forward to today and we have a great selection of bulbs available in the $20 to $35 dollar range.  These new bulbs are very bright and expected to last about 10,000 hours.  The real bonus for people that dry camp, or camp without a 110 power supply, is that they use 90% less power than a standard bulb.  Most types of bulbs are now available and many LED lights come with adapters for screw in or press in style connections.  We also have complete interior fixtures with dimmers, LED taillights and LED clearance lights.  Now is a great time to upgrade your RV to LED lighting.

Starlight Revolution LED bulbs

ECO-LED bulbs



Green Longlife LED fixture

Bargman LED clearance lights

LED tailights



What's the deal with Truck Camper Jacks?

There are a number of Camper Jack manufacturers. These include Hijacker, Happijac, Atwood, Rieco Titan and Brophy. The most common in these parts would be the Hijacker hydraulic jacks. Hijacker jacks were made in Victoria British Columbia by Victoria Industries for many years. Recently Victoria Industries was sold to Demco and they will not continue manufacturing camper jacks. This is a shame really, because we could easily get rebuild kits for these jacks and now they are no longer available. The other maker of hydraulic jacks is Rieco Titan, which are not very common in this neck of the woods. Today most manufacturers use Happijac screw type jacks. They are available with a manual crank or 12 volt electric motors. Atwood makes a screw type jack, available with a manual crank or 12 volt electric motor. Rieco Titan has a tripod jack available. These jacks are manual screw type and usually get unbolted and removed, or swing up under the campers wing wall. Lastly, there are Brophy jacks, common on campers of the 70's and 80's. These have a winch and cable and are not very portable.

Hijacker Hydraulic Jack

Atwood Electric Jack

Rieco Titan Screw Jack

Happijac Electric

Brophy Jack

When Do Your Dreams Begin?

If you've turned on the news recently, you've probably been subjected to a litany of depressing statistics, economic disaster and global crises.  The world is constantly in turmoil, the economy is in the toilet, and we should all just pull the covers over our heads and hide it out. Hurry up and wait for things to change seems to be a popular plan.  So many people plan their whole lives for their dream trip, only to put it off because things seem uncertain.  How many people do you know that work their entire adult life, dreaming of retirement, only to pass on a few months into it.  What are we waiting for?  Everyday, customers come in telling us that they've planned their RV trip for years, but they're waiting until things "settle down".  When was the last time things were settled? If there's one thing we've learned, it's that there are no guarantees. If your dream is to get out on the open road, see the country, live the rv lifestyle- do it!  You don't know what's around the corner.  Stop worrying about the future- live the present.  Go RVing!

Hub City RV's New Parts Department

Now that we're all settled in to our new location, we finally have our Parts Department up and running. We have a fantastic selection of RV parts, and accessories, with more on the way; hitches, batteries, plumbing, electrical and more, including a great selection of vintage parts for those classic RV's.

Conveniently located in Lantzville, just minutes past Nanaimo, our Parts Department is open from Monday to Saturday. We're looking forward to seeing you!

Hub City RV Has Left That Building

It's been a crazy few months for all of us at Hub City RV. About six months ago, we had the bright idea that it was time for a change, so we started exploring new properties for our dealership. We found a great location, only a few minutes south of our existing spot, and close to Nanaimo, where many of our customers reside. So we took the plunge. It seemed like a good idea at the time.. After three months (it was supposed to be one) of major renovations at the new location, we're finally moved. Well, mostly. All our units are in, the offices are sparkling and new, and the coffee's on. We're still a work in progress (especially the Parts Department), but we're here and we're excited for the future. To all our loyal customers- we're looking forward to showing off our new digs. And of course we can't wait to meet our new friends. So stop by- we're open for business!

Toquart Bay

Hidden away on the West Coast of Vancouver Island is the rustic beauty of Toquart Bay. Well off the beaten path, this forestry campsite provides only the basics of camping. What it lacks in amenities, it more than makes up for in raw, West Coast scenery. With camping right on the beach, and a well-maintained marina for the fishing enthusiasts, outdoor lovers have it all here. The Broken Islands group are a favourite with kayakers, who will camp throughout the Islands as they explore by sea. Because the campground is accessed by a rough road, off the highway to Tofino, it is still relatively undiscovered. Bears, eagles and an abundance of wildlife make this a great outdoor adventure. Whether you fish by day, kayak, or just sit back and enjoy the view, this beauty of a campground is a must-see on your Island adventures.

What is a Class B Motorhome

A Class B or Van Conversion is a RV built into a full size van. These units normally have a raised fiberglass roof to allow enough height to stand inside. Some Manufacturers lower the van floor and this allows them to use a lower roof. Don't let the size of these units fool you, many of them have all the same amenities as large Motorhomes. For example hot water, shower, flush toilet, fridge, stove, furnace and air conditioning. There are many Manufacturers building Class B Motorhomes in the United States. The two most popular brand are Pleasureway and Roadtrek. And they are Made in Canada. People like these compact units because they are easy to park. This can be a real benefit when travelling across country. Large Motorhomes can be quite challenging to park in some Cities and Towns. The only real drawback to these units is price. They are quite labour intensive to build. A new top of the line Pleasureway has a retail price of well over $100,000.
Click here to view our stock of Class B Motorhomes

What to know about Fifth Wheel Hitches

There are two basic types of fifth wheel hitches, one for short box trucks and one for long box trucks. The short box hitch has a method of moving the entire hitch behind the axle, which allows the user to get the fifth wheel at 90 degrees to the truck. With the hitch in the forward position the front corner of the fifth wheel can hit the truck, causing extensive damage to both. The long box truck does not require a hitch that moves back because there is ample clearance. There are a variety of methods of adjusting your short box hitch to the rear position. Some have pins to pull and manually slide, some have levers and some are automatic; all require frame brackets. For some of the newer trucks no drill frame clamps are available. There are a couple other options, like an oscillating head and weight rating. Oscillating head basically means that not only can the hitch head rock front to back, it can rock side to side as well. Most fifth wheel hitches have a weight rating of between 12,000 and 25,000 pounds. Installation for most vehicles is between 3 and 4 hours labour, as it involves drilling quite a number of holes in your truck's frame and bed. Hitches generally start at about $675.00 and up, depending on your requirements.

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Special on Huskey Long Box 5TH Wheel Hitch $499.00 Click Here

What is a Class A Motorhome?

There are two basic types of Class A Motorhome. One is a rear engine diesel, commonly known as Diesel Pusher. The other usually has a gas engine up front and is known as a Class A. Both motorhomes have a bus type appearance from the outside. Class A Motorhomes are completely built by RV manufacturing companies. This means they start with a chassis and build the entire coach, including the driver and passenger areas. There are a variety of options and features you will find on Class A Motorhomes. These include: built in generators, in motion satellite systems, solar panels, multiple slide outs, multiple air conditioning systems and even heat pumps, in addition to all regular options like awning, tv antenna, stereo and microwave. Most of the body construction of these units is now laminated type with metal or aluminum frame or a combination. The exteriors are usually RV fiberglass siding and, as always, the better coaches have moulded front and rear fiberglass caps. Class A Motorhomes range in size from 22 to 44 feet. It is unusual to find a diesel pusher under 30' although there are some exceptions. Many people are afraid to drive these units because they are typically quite large. You would be surprised at the increase in visibility these coaches offer. Many of the buyers for these units have owned most other types and consider Class A's the ultimate RV. Click to view our selection of Class A Motor homes.
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How RV Refrigerators Work

There are a lot of misconceptions about how RV refrigerators work.  For example, an RV fridge does not have a compressor or refrigerant like a household unit.  RV fridges have a coil system that boils ammonia and when it reaches the condenser, it cools.  There are three methods of boiling the ammonia: a 110 heating element, propane flame, and a 12 volt heating element. This type of refrigerator is referred to as a three way fridge.  Most units today are two way electric and propane.  Using a 12 volt heating element to cool a fridge is very difficult because the RV's house battery will discharge rapidly if you don't have another method of recharging it.  You can tell your RV fridge is working well if it cools right down in 2 or 3 hours.  Your fridge has a problem with the cooling unit if you get a strong smell of ammonia, the freezer is cooling but the fridge isn't, or if it becomes warm inside.  If you smell ammonia, the cooling unit needs to be changed as it is leaking.  If the fridge is warm inside or the freezer cold but not the fridge, your cooling unit probably has a blockage.  In most cases you would change the cooling unit.  About 10% of the time you can temporarily unblock a cooling unit by turning the fridge upside down.  Some people have tried driving over rough roads with their fridge in the back of their pick-up truck to loosen the blockage.  Changing a cooling unit is an expensive operation, even a rebuilt unit can range in cost from $600 to $900.  It takes approximately 2-3 hours to remove and replace the fridge and the cooling unit.  When a cooling unit needs to be changed, we will always recommend a complete fridge.  For a few hundred dollars extra, you will get not only an updated model, you will get new electronic modules as well.  Nothing is worse than installing a new cooling unit and having the ignition module or power supply fail, costing an additional $250.  Replacement refrigerators are available for most existing Dometic and Norcold models.  The cost to replace your fridge starts at about $900 for a small camper fridge to $2000 for the deluxe larger models.  Some of the four door models with ice makers reach $5000 and more.  The only way to extend the life of your fridge is to ensure that you keep the fridge level when in operation.

How Truck Campers are Built

Truck Campers are popular for allot of reasons. You can utilize your existing pick up truck and this will save additional insurance and maintenance costs. People who like to camp in the back country like having four wheel drive, more ground clearance and a unit that is shorter in length. Towing a boat, race car, horse trailer or utility trailer is an option with a truck and camper.Campers today have all the conveniences of a motor home or trailer like hot water, shower, toilet and some even have a slide out. There are three main construction techniques utilized by camper manufacturers. The stick and tin method has been around since RV's started to be manufactured. These campers are built with a wood frame, are insulated with fiberglass and have profiled aluminum siding. The second type of construction is referred to as bonded wall or laminated. This method utilizes foam insulation and Filon fiberglass siding. The sidewalls are built in one piece by bonding foam between the interior and exterior panels. The third is the moulded fiberglass shell. The manufacturer moulds the top and bottom of the unit and seams it in the middle. All types of construction have advantages and drawbacks.
Here is a couple links to more Truck Camper information:

What is the deal with truck camper weights?

Truck Camper tie downs

Check out our in stock Campers

Stick and Tin

Bonded Wall

Moulded

Truck Camper Tie downs

Camper tie downs have come a long way since the Belly Bar. Belly Bars are still available but the vehicle specific side mount tie downs are stronger and provide more ground clearance. Side mount or split mount tie downs are mounted to the side of the pick up's frame and usually requires no drilling. There are two manufacturers making side mount tie downs, Billis and Torque Lift. Billis tie downs are less expensive than Torque Lift but will not always work with trucks with running boards or side steps. We have found the Torque Lift tie down will work in just about any situation. Both of these companies can provide rear tie downs that mount to O.E.M. truck receivers.The only other type of tie down available is called a stake pocket tie down. They mount in the stake pocket on the top of the truck box. They are typically used for lighter duty applications. Check out Billis' fit list and Torque Lift.

Belly Bar

Side Mount / Split Mount / Frame Mount

Post Pocket Tie down