RV awnings are a great feature to have on your RV. There are different types of RV awnings and they serve different purposes. There are window and door awnings that provide shade over your RV windows or entry door. There are slide out awnings that protect the slide out roof from debris and water. And there are patio awnings that provide us with shade when we want to sit and enjoy the outdoors. The awnings on your RV will provide years of reliable trouble free operation, if you take the time to do a little preventive maintenance and cleaning.
The fabric used on awnings is made from vinyl or acrylic. Some awnings have an aluminum or vinyl wrap-around weather guard that protects the awning fabric when it's in the travel position. When you open the awning for the first time each year, or if it has been stored for a while, you will need to inspect the awning fabric for any signs of mildew or stains. Vinyl awnings will mildew. If the awning fabric is fairly clean, normal cleaning can be accomplished with a soft brush and mild soap and water. Do not use oil based or abrasive cleaners. Clean and thoroughly rinse both sides of the awning. For more difficult stains, or mildew, there are after market commercial cleaners made just for awning fabrics.
Note: Carefully follow all awning and cleaner manufacturer directions.
Inspect the awning fabric for any tears or excessive wear. Do not store the awning when the fabric is wet. Allow it to dry completely on both sides before storing. You can clean the awning hardware with the same cleaner you use to wash the RV. While the awning is out, inspect the awning hardware. The bottom awning brackets support most of the load from the awning. Check that the lag screws in the awning brackets are tight. Inspect the arm pivot holes for any enlarged holes or broken rivets in the handles. Check for a warped roller tube. If the roller tube is warped it will be noticeable when you roll the awning out. Inspect the end caps for secure mounting and broken rivets.
Caution: Do not attempt to remove the awning end caps. Spring tension can result in serious injury.
Make sure the awning rail is securely mounted to the side of the RV. Have any damaged or broken parts repaired before using the awning. In addition to cleaning and inspecting your awning there are a few things to keep in mind when using the awning. Always lower one end of the awning to allow for water run off. The weight from water pooling on the awning fabric can cause extensive and costly damage.
Wind gusts over 20 miles per hour can also cause extensive damage to the awning and to the RV. Never leave the awning out unattended. If everyone is leaving the campsite, store the awning in the travel position. When you go to bed, store the awning. Even when you are at the campsite, you should use awning tie downs to prevent any sudden damage caused by high wind gusts or a sudden storm. You have the option to position the awning arms straight down and stake them to the ground, but you will get better support if they're attached to the bottom awning brackets on the side of the RV. Remember, it is much easier to prevent damage to your awning than it is to repair it.
Happy Camping,
Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101
RV Awning Use, Care, Maintenance Tips, and AdviceThere's nothing better than family movie night when you have the hottest 3D movies to watch. 3D movies are great for people of all ages because there is so much selection now. Families will love the animated 3D movies that kids are enjoying so much these day and adults can sit down to a 3D thriller or action movie that will keep them awake all night long. Whether you are looking for a hot video or a night at the theatre you cannot go wrong with 3D movies.
So what's hot in 3D movies today? Here are a few 3D movie reviews on films that may become your favorite.
For the family
How to Train Your Dragon in 3D
If you are looking for something to watch with the kids you cannot go wrong with the great animated movie. The kids will laugh and giggle and there is enough action to keep mom and dad entertained, as well. Dreamworks went over the top when they made this one.
Shrek: The Final Chapter in 3D
Kids all over the world loved the adorable and surprising ogre, Shrek. Adults loved the romance. And everyone loved Donkey. So what can be better than watching the series culminate in one great 3D movie? If you've ever wondered what would have happened in the land of Far, Far Away if Shrek had never been around to rescue princesses and save lands, you'll love this movie. Poor Shrek gets mixed up with the likes of Rumplestiltskin and sees life in a new light.
For Young Adults and Older
Avatar in 3D
One of the biggest movies to come out in 2009, people have been raving about it ever since and they cannot get enough of it. And the 3D movie reviews on this show it is a crowd pleaser. This film is filled with visuals that will have you dreaming in Technicolor! While it may be a little too mature for family night, if you have older teens you can enjoy this great 3D movie with them.
Alice in Wonderland in 3D
This is based on the well loved children's book of the same name but with the story line being amped up it's not for young children. Teenagers and adults will truly enjoy the visualization of real people coming to life before their eyes. Disney has brought 3D movies to a whole new level with this one!
Coming to a Theatre Near You
Piranha 3D
If you love being scared and having a laugh at the same time you won't want to miss this scary 3D movie. It's filled with action, blood, and terrifying visuals that will jump out of the screen and make you scream. 3D movies are finding new genres and the horror genre is perfect to be next in line to awe movie going fans all over the world. It has just come out in theatres so if you want a real thrill check this out before it makes it to video! 3D movies are just getting better and better so check out one of these hot new 3D movies on video or catch them in the theatre where they will really blow your mind. Movies have reached a whole new level!
New 3D Movie ReviewsMore people today buy TV shows on DVD than ever before. Owning television DVDs is a really great way to bring home a huge collection of entertainment straight to your home. You get a ton of value for your money, and you get endless hours of fun. Plus you can relive all of the highlights from your favorite shows, or delve into an entire series from beginning to end for the first time.
When you want to buy TV shows on DVD, you can start by checking out the most popular TV series DVDs. Here are the 5 most popular television DVDs boxed sets that consumers are reaching for.
Seinfeld: The only comedy television DVDs on this list, the Seinfeld complete series is extremely popular. This longstanding show may go down as one of the best sitcoms in history, and it's an iconic show that everybody can relate to.
Six Feet Under: Six Feet Under is an HBO television DVDs classic, and it's one of those shows that never quite peaked in popularity the way that some of the others did. Still, it's incredibly unique and engaging set of TV series DVDs, and it's an excellent pickup.
Deadwood: Fans of Deadwood are probably saying, you can't purchase the complete TV series DVDs set because the complete series was never allowed to air! Fair enough, but you can take home everything that was ever produced for this exciting, in your face, badmouthed HBO TV series.
The Sopranos: There has been no television show in recent history, at least outside of reality television, that has captivated the masses like The Sopranos did. You can buy the entire series worth of television DVDs in one convenient boxed set. You'll be enthralled from beginning to end, even it's an end that left some people unsettled.
The Shield: Perhaps the best crime and cop show ever to hit the airwaves, The Shield is the only drama on this list not to be produced by HBO. This gritty drama gives an at times realistic and at times frightening portrayal of Vic Mackey and his Strike Team in Los Angeles. An absolute must own for action, crime and drama fans that want to own a boxed set of television DVDs
There you have for the most popular TV series DVDs that are available today. When you want to buy TV shows on DVD, there's no better place to start than the above classics!
Buy TV Shows on DVD - 5 Most Popular TV Series DVD Boxed SetsI love Lucy history began in the evening of the 15 October 1951 when the USA was treated to the first episode of a television situation comedy that was to run for 179 episodes and establish the series as a perpetual favorite. On paper the "I love Lucy" show was just a story of a marriage but what a marriage, what a wife?
1950's television was awash with programmers about family and marriage and critics may have been ready to rubbish the show but from the very first showing it was a huge success and before long 40,000,000 viewers were tuning in regularly. The shows phenomenal success was largely due to the casting of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez a real husband and wife team as the lead characters and to the team of creative writers who created the story lines which were usually wildly absurd yet still managed a type of hilarious reality.
The show was of its time and in it can be seen the issues and contradictions affecting lives of many Americans women at that time. Looking back at the "I love Lucy" history allows us to see the struggle for change as it was happening. Underneath the cover of the crazy antics and the quirky humour of the very attractive red headed Lucille Ball there could be detected a story line, which continued through the episodes and struck a cord with women. This is contradiction of a woman's traditional role of homemaker wife and mother and the need to be recognised as intelligent, decision-making individuals in their own right. To escape from the traditional restrictions of domesticity and to move out from the confinements of home, family and financial dependence, to have a life in which they could make choices.
These issues were very real to women in the post war 1950's and were clearly reflected in Lucy's continuous rebelliousness to become part of her husband's world. The I love Lucy history is not really a history at all. Because ever since the first showing the show has not been off the air. Somewhere in the world, as you read this, another generation is learning to love the crazy behaviour of this team. Even though the situations and the humor may not be clear to the new audiences and the clothes and sets are of another era. The humor still works and the show, which is way past its golden anniversary, has a timelessness and innocence which is a quality lost in much of today's viewing.
So as re-runs of the show continue, history continues to repeat itself and the characters have taken on lives away from the sitcom screen. So the "I love Lucy" actors and their real lives have become a source of interest. If you are real fans you can increase your knowledge of I love Lucy history by visiting Lucille Balls hometown and experiencing the unique places that commemorate the series such as the Lucy-Desi Museum, the Lucy-Desi Center Gift Shop, and the Desilu Playhouse. Then to complete your visit, don't miss the "I Love Lucy" wall murals in downtown Jamestown.
I Love Lucy History Goes on Making History
