Lynx Living Blog
A Beginner’s Guide To Off-Roading: 5 Important Things To Know Before You Go
The One Tip That Will Completely Transform Your RV Experience
Being able to hit the road and rest at any moment is the dream life for any traveler.
Owning an RV means you can go on fun adventures while camping, visiting your favourite national parks, or driving to cross off some of your bucket list items.
If you can’t get a good night’s rest in your own RV, then you will have a less comfortable and enjoyable experience.
This month we share the one tip that will completely transform your RV experience.
Imagine how difficult it would be to sleep on an uneven surface.
You would be rolling up against a wall, frustrated as you retrieve your pillow from the floor once again, or jarred awake in the middle of the night as your RV suddenly rocks out of nowhere, or one of your kids has to get up and use the restroom.
No one wants to sleep on a slant at night with their feet tilted in the air and their head pointed downward.
When the morning comes around, you’ll be lucky if you managed to get a few hours of sleep before you’re suddenly on the floor and realize that your RV moved yet again, and you woke up before the crack of dawn. It’s difficult to get a good night’s rest in your RV if you’re constantly finding yourself sleeping on an uneven surface.
If you’re traveling with your kids and/or spouse, think about how they must be feeling too.
Leveling your RV allows you and your family to sleep with comfort and prevents any middle-of-the-night movement. A slanted or downward-sloped RV is no way to live life on the road.
The best part is that the benefits of leveling your RV don’t stop at getting a good night’s sleep.
You’ll find that when you level your RV, it will also be easier to cook, shower, and yes, even spend some quality alone time in the loo (which, if you’re traveling with kids, may be the only place you get some alone time).
Leveling your RV also allows your refrigeration to work efficiently, especially if your rig is a vintage masterpiece, and prevents it from malfunctioning prematurely.
What exactly does leveling your RV mean?
We’re glad you asked.
Leveling refers to lifting the RV by raising each tire appropriately to obtain levelness that is comfortable and safe.
Lynx Levelers make it easy to level your RV and bring you closer to the best sleep you can get on the road!
One Lynx block raises your RV by one inch. For a two-inch raise, you’re going to have to build a pyramid with three blocks. With the easy instructions below, we’ll focus on leveling your RV with three blocks. You can also see a full video demonstration here if you need visual instructions.
1. Find a site that is solid ground and leveled. Clear any large rocks out of the way.
2. Before you start leveling, you’re going to want to get your RV in the exact position it will end up once leveled. To do this, you’re going to stack your blocks directly next to the wheels you want to raise, and you’re going to make two pyramids rather than one big stack (that way you’ll have blocks left over when you need to stabilize the RV).
3. Use the Lynx Cap on the centre of your pyramids. This gives your tires a smooth, gentle surface to rest on.
4. Pull your rig forward, and slide your levelers into place. You’ll know exactly where to put your stack because you’ll be able to see where the tire was.
5. Slide the levelers behind the tires. For a seasoned leveler, you can use a Lynx Stop ‘N Chock for the rear pyramid. That way, when you roll over your levelers, you’ll have some backing and know when you’re sitting pretty.
6. Now, put your RV in reverse, roll back onto your levelers, and add your second Lynx Stop ‘N Chock.
With millions of products sold over the last 20+ years, a 10-year warranty on your levelers, and a 5-minute setup, you can sleep like a baby knowing that Lynx Levelers got your back!
How to Create An RV Interior That Looks and Feels Like Home
The biggest change with the overall look of RV interiors is how much more closely they follow residential trends than they did even a few years ago.
In the age of popular design platforms, such as the DIY network and HGTV, more people are becoming aware of home trends. The demand for more modern or forward-thinking designs for RVs has been on the rise.
Let’s dive into a few tips on how you can transform your RV interior to something that looks and feels like a modern home. Switching your flooring, installing granite countertops, painting, and decorating are all on the agenda!
Vinyl Plank Flooring
Photo Credit: localcolorxc.com
Vinyl plank flooring is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This type of flooring will serve as the base for creating an RV space that looks like home.
A few benefits of vinyl plank flooring:
- Water-resistant
- Cost-effective
- Safe from temperature variations
- Can withstand normal wear and tear
There are a variety of vinyl wood patterns to choose from. We recommend going for a pattern with a darker shade, rather than a red or piney pattern, to create a refined and elevated final finish.
Granite Countertops
Photo Credit: @_the_fergusons
Introducing natural stone like granite to your RV is a great way to create a modern-home look.
The natural and diverse look of granite can be a major improvement for RVs. Granite countertops can be installed in kitchens and bathrooms. Matching floors and backsplashes can bring the design together.
A quality granite counter brings durability and elegance. There’s no need to worry about caring after granite surfaces thanks to products specifically formulated to clean, seal, and polish granite.
Easy peasy!
Paint Walls and Cabinets
Photo Credit: Pinterest
This is a great way to completely transform the interior of your RV in one step. White walls and cabinets can drastically elevate the look of your RV and make it look like a sophisticated home on wheels.
The most important consideration when choosing paint and/or primer is what type of surface you’re painting.
Generally, you want to look for paint that will adequately cover and adhere to whatever surface you’re painting. The interior walls in recreational vehicles are usually made from thin plywood panels and have a special vinyl coating. The special covering is similar to wall paper, and it’s not really designed to be painted. This makes painting the interior of an RV more difficult than painting standard walls in a residential home. Taking your time and being patient with your prep work is essential for painting an RV successfully.
Here are some simple steps to follow to paint your RV:
- Sand the walls – This will help the primer adhere. Consider using a sanding sponge to make this process easier.
- Clean the walls – Use a TSP cleaner and degreaser. After cleaning, rinse the walls with water and let dry completely.
- Prime the walls– RV walls aren’t made of sheetrock like in a normal house, so you need to use a specific type of primer to prep the walls for paint. For the best results, be sure to use bonding primers, as they are able to bond securely on slick surfaces compared to traditional water or oil-based primers.
- Paint the walls –You can choose to use a paint brush, roller, or paint sprayer. We recommend painting the walls and ceilings with a paint sprayer. On the cabinets, we recommend using a combination of the paint sprayer and paint brushes to get even coverage around all of the corners
Decor
Photo Credit: barefootdetour.com
This is the easiest way to create an RV space that resembles your home. Consider hanging family pictures, art, or beautiful photography to create a comfortable environment.
Command hooks and Velcro strips are effective in hanging things in your RV without damaging the walls and keeping them secured in place while you’re on the road.
Having a comfortable space where you can relax is what home is all about. Be creative and include items that resonate with you, such as throw pillows, blankets, basket-woven bins, hanging plants, and furniture.
A tip to consider when choosing items to decorate your RV with is including similar color tones and patterns to create a cohesive look.
Additionally, since most RV interiors are shades of brown, adding color in small ways can make a huge difference to make your RV “pop.”
Home sweet home!
P.S. To make sure your RV really feels like home, it needs to be level. After all, your house is! Always have your Lynx Levelers in tow.