Sagebrush RV Services

06/25/2024

Deterring Trailer Theft:

Recently we learned of two small cargo trailer thefts in our area. Based on the circumstances we have come up with a few recommendations that might prove helpful for you if you own such a trailer.

1. Padlocks are usually of little value to secure your trailer to your tow vehicle hitch as a theft deterrent. Let's just say a standard padlock is easily defeated in about one minute. Some of the best locks use a heavy band of steel over the hitch instead of a padlock. Price: Around $40. This lock looks much more challenging than a padlock. It may discourage a theif altogether. Available at O'Reilly Auto Parts.

2. Plain trailers are in the highest demand since they have few, if any distinguishing marks. Consider adding signage to make your trailer easier for motorists and police to identify. Get creative. You need not disclose the actual contents. "Claude's Mower Blade Sharpening" sounds boring enough but very helpful to area police if stolen. Again, it may discourage a theft entirely.

3. Very likely that your trailer is not insured. Today most insurance carriers require a rider on your policy to assure trailer coverage. Coverage may be associated with your home or your tow vehicle but not unless you initiate it. The old days of having your agent stop by with Coverage suggestions have mostly faded into the past. If you need a policy rider, you can fill out a form online. Keep receipts as to the price you paid and the contents.

4. Add a heavy bicycle cable lock to a wheel and the frame or axle. Combination cable locks are not easily broken and no theif has time to deal with a mounted wheel locked to the trailer. You want your trailer to look less inviting than other trailers in the neighborhood.

5. Have a few pictures of your trailer, both empty and loaded. This should include any make, model, year and manufacturers labeling as well as the VIN and serial number (if any)

6. Locks should be used at all times whether attached to a tow vehicle, a fence post or concrete blocks.

8. Have your trailer tagged. No one knows for sure if it helps but police typically respect order and therefore may be more likely to help the victim.

Remember, you do not need absolute security for your trailer but it must look more secure than others in the area! Protect your investment and travel safe!

CLAUDE!

05/24/2024

RV Dealer Standards / Beware:

The dealer is entitled to a profit but you are entitled to fairness and respect. Have boundaries defined and insist they be well considered.

04/01/2024

Review: Class C RV's with no Slide-Outs.

In this YouTube video we tour and review the three best Class C RVs under 25' without slide outs. All three of these compact class C motorhomes are perfect f...

03/04/2024

Great Deal on Class C Motor Home??

Remember the basics of RV Internet sales:

1 Need a great deal on a used motor home?
Crooks know how to build up an offering to make it sound irresistible.

2 Examine the English grammar of the ad carefully.
Crooks have problems with improper use of singular and plural nouns. They also have problems with subject / verb agreement and improper use of prepositions.

3 Look for poor writing conventions.
Typically the greeting is followed by a blank line. Typically there is a blank line before, or at least an indentation before the start of a new paragraph. Typically there is a blank line between the end of the content and the closing.

4 Look for details that don't fit or don't make sense.
This is an important clue. The details of acquiring the camper went from being nearby and simple to pre-inspect, to being much, much farther away and totally impractical to pre-inspect. How? Why? (No explanation offered.)

Also, the deal which could initially be completed in 48 hours and urgent changed to requiring roughly a week to 3 weeks for completion with the timetable far less urgent to the seller. What changed and why?

Also, financial arrangements must make sense. Here, the seller wanted $1,000 for the rig. The seller also indicated all the tires were just replaced (a $600+ expense), and the seller would ship the unit at sellers expense to the buyer anywhere in the U.S. Clearly a $1,000 motorhome sale offers only a substantial net loss in this situation. This makes no sense.

5 Look for emotional ploys.
In this case the seller claimed to be in the U.S. Military and in an urgent deployment situation requiring an accelerated sell cycle. Urgent sales situations are inherently suspect.

6 Look for gaps in normal expectations.
In this case, a southwestern city was shown on Ebay. Later communication indicated the motorhome location was closer to CANADA, not in southwestern USA.

7 Look for poor communication support from the contact.
Here despite an initial seller contact "the neice" of the seller who "knows Ebay" refers the prospective buyer to the owner (on assignment in the military and about to deploy). But at no point is there any seller phone number offered.

8 Is the 'deal' difficult to verify is person?
This deal went from local with general area map to merchandise 800 miles away. Never buy long distance unless you or a highly trusted contact can provide a good inspection.

9 What do your skeptical friends think about the 'deal'?
Talk with someone who does NOT always agree with you, someone whose input is more trustworthy than exciting. Does this deal make sense to him (or her)?

10 Found one too good to be true? ..then it is.
If the guidelines above are inconclusive, step back and consider the transaction from a wider perspective. Is this a crazy good deal?? Then it's crazy. Save your money and move on. You've learned a valuable lesson for FREE.

11/22/2023

Winter RV Prep / Basics and More:

Optimizing your rig from stem to stern. Grab your notepad. This is not the most comprehensive list, but it's close!

Protect your RV from freezing temps, stay warm with extra insulation, heating & protect your RV or motorhome when it gets cold. Watch how I heat the RV with ...

10/13/2023

Tools / Heat Gun 101:

Having great tools doesn't mean we know how many ways they can make life easier!

WHY this is one of the MOST USED POWER TOOLs in my toolbox. Don't have one? Here are several uses for this tool that you may not know about - plus some BONUS...

10/11/2023

RV Recent Recalls / Major Manufacturers:

Are you monitoring the real news in the RV world?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued the following recalls:

10/09/2023

RV Renovation / Your Next Project?

Here is what fearless can do!

This video starts with the begging of our journey renovating our 47-year-old retro RV. This vintage motorhome was in pretty bad shape when we bought it. Fo...

09/30/2023

RV Repair / Schwintek Customers:

"Be Prepared". Do you have a spare room slide-out motor on hand? You will need it at some point.

Our RV slide out got stuck in the out position and we needed to hit the road! In this video we talk about how to manually close your RV slide out so you can ...

09/29/2023

RV / Trip Planning:

Eventually you will probably develop your list, but until then here's great place to start.

RV Trip Planning made easy with unbiased data & best-in-class features. Save time, plan RV Safe Routes, and find great campgrounds. Try the FREE demo today.'

09/25/2023

Slide Rooms / Schwintek Fix:

Repairs to keep you moving!

Instead of trying to get the rig to the RV shop in pandemic time, I decide to take on the challenge myself. It was just a few days before we set out for the ...