In this weekly roundup, Togo RV shares the top stories and features that are impacting and shaping the RV community. We cover everything from news and travel updates to gear and gadgets, and all the good stuff in between.
Can You Tow Your Trailer with a Minivan or SUV?
While pickups often have the right specs for towing practically any trailer, not everyone owns one—or wants to own one. And that doesn’t mean you have to put your RV dreams aside. Minivans and SUVs can be reliable tow vehicles, as long as you pay attention to the numbers. When towing, it’s essential to check the payload capacity, tow capacity, gross vehicle weight rating, tongue weight, and gross combination weight rating to make sure your vehicle and trailer are a good fit. Togo RV’s complete guide to towing with minivan and SUVs explains these terms and offers recommendations for best-in-class vehicles suitable for towing.
How to Properly Disinfect and Clean Your Rig
Properly cleaning the surfaces in your RV may be easier said than done. What are the best cleaners to use? What hidden areas need to be cleaned? Togo RV’s guide to cleaning and disinfecting your RV explains everything you need to know. One of the best all-round cleaners you can use is vinegar. Just mix vinegar with water, and get to work wiping down all of the surfaces in your rig. Don’t forget to clean out the inside of your fridge and drawers. Hidden areas such as awnings, freshwater tanks, and air filters should not be overlooked. To kill viruses like the coronavirus, make sure to use bleach-based disinfectants or a solution containing 70 percent or more alcohol.
Mark Your Calendar with 2021 National Park Free Entrance Days
What could be better than enjoying the splendor of a national park? Enjoying the park for free. Each year, the National Park Service reserves days where admission fees are waived for all visitors. This provides an opportunity for more people to experience the parks. In 2021, you can visit any NPS site for free on the following dates:
- January 18: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- April 17: First day of National Park Week
- August 4: One-year anniversary of the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act
- August 25: National Park Service’s Birthday
- September 25: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
Source: National Park Service Free Entrance Days in the National Parks
KOA Names Award-Winning Campgrounds
Each year, Kampgrounds of America (KOA) recognizes the best campgrounds in the system at an annual convention, held virtually this year in November. The highest honor for campgrounds is the Campground of the Year title, which went to the Pueblo KOA Journey in Colorado. Since 2004, the owners have worked to improve the park and have grown their number of guests to more than 22,000 visitors annually. Another title of distinction is the Rising Star Award, which went to the Coloma / St. Joseph KOA Holiday in Michigan. This award goes to owners who have purchased a KOA within the last five years. A bevy of parks received the President’s Award and the Founder’s Award.
Source: RVBusiness KOA Honors Several Member Campgrounds with Awards
Photo: Joni Hanebutt/Shutterstock
Zamp Solar Debuts Innovative Panels
Zamp Solar’s innovative Obsidian series is an improvement on traditional solar technology, making it easier for RVers to get off the grid. Available in two sizes, the Obsidian panels are 30 percent lighter than traditional panels and more aerodynamic, while offering the same reliability and longevity. Where standard panels use rigid mounting systems, these use a flexible Omni-rail system, which makes panels easier to mount. The Obsidian lineup includes individual 45- or 100-watt panels, as well as 15-amp or 30-amp integration kits, which include a charge controller, roof cap, and solar wiring harness. Panels are made in the U.S.
Source: Zamp Solar The Obsidian Series Panels
Photo courtesy of Zamp
