At PPL Motorhomes, we all love our rivers and lakes. In fact most of us take our Houston RVs far out of the city limits to places where the main attraction is a river or lake. So, there is no doubt that boating and fishing go hand in had with Houston RVing. However, how familiar are you with the invasive species of plants and animals that are destroying those same lakes and rivers?
According to texasinvasives.org: Zebra mussels are having a devastating effect on the state’s natural resources. They negatively impact native fish and mussels and foul beaches with their sharp shells. They wreak havoc for boaters by damaging boat hulls and reducing the performance of boating equipment. Zebra mussels can clog water intakes, costing taxpayers millions of dollars. Zebra mussels have already invaded Lake Texoma, and could take over all freshwater sources in Texas.
Hello invasive species…Goodbye Texas lakes
If you are a boater, or fisherman her are some tips for you: (Source texasinvasives.org)
Stop the Spread
There are many things you can do to help stem the tide of invasive species. One of the most effective ways to manage invasive species is for recreationalists such as boaters, fishermen, pet owners, and gardeners to Take Action. Here are some easy everyday things you can do to meet the Invasive Species Challenge:
Boaters and Anglers
You can “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers” by following these tips for preventing the transportation of aquatic invasive species:
CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY YOUR BOAT, TRAILER AND GEAR EVERY TIME YOU LEAVE A BODY OF WATER!
Inspect your boat, trailer and gear and remove all plants, animals and foreign objects from hulls, propellers, intakes, trailers, and gear before leaving a launch area.
Drain all water from your boat, including the motor, bilge, livewells and bait buckets before leaving a lake.
Wash your boat, trailer and other equipment before traveling to a new waterway.
If you are leaving a water body that is known to have zebra mussels, leave your boat and trailer out of the water for at least a week or wash it at a commercial car wash using high-pressure, hot (140 degrees F) soapy water to kill microscopic zebra mussel larvae that may be hitching a ride.
Never transport water, animals, or plants from one waterbody to another — either intentionally or accidentally! Do not release live fish, including bait, into a new body of water.
Anglers should be sure to remove material from and wash all fishing tackle, downriggers and lines to prevent spreading small, larval forms of aquatic invaders.
Before leaving any body of water, examine all your equipment, boats, trailers, clothing, boots, buckets etc and remove any visible plants, fish or animals. Remove mud and dirt and even the smallest plant fragments.
Whether you have obtained bait at a store or from another body of water, do not release unused bait into the waters you are fishing. If you do not plan to use the bait in the future, dump the bait in a trashcan or on the land, far enough away from the water that it cannot impact this resource. Also, be aware of any bait regulations, because in some waters, it is illegal to use live bait
What if we aren’t boaters or anglers? Do we have to worry about the spreading invasive species? Absolutely! Here are some things you can do to be a good steward of the land and protect our foliage and natural habitats. (Source texasinvasives.org)
Travelers, Hikers, Bikers, Birders, and Campers
If you engage in terrestrial recreational activities like camping, hiking, biking or birding, take care not to be an unwitting vehicle of dispersion.
Don’t transport items such as fire wood, hay, soil, or sod from one area to another. They may contain seeds, diseases, insects, or other potentially invasive organisms that are not yet found in Texas.
Prevent carrying invasive species on your cars, bicycles and motorcycles. Check vehicles for seeds and pieces of plants.
Wash your boots and socks before you hike in a new area. Invasive weed seeds are common hitchhikers.
Abide by local laws to prevent the spread of serious insect pests (like the Emerald Ash Borer), weeds (like Cogongrass), and diseases (like Oak Wilt).
PPL Motorhomes wants to remind you that as new, used or consignment RV owners and campers to protect our natural habitat to the best of our ability. We all need to be hyper aware of the damages we can cause to our surroundings, even if we can’t see that damage. have a conversation with the Park Ranger the net time you enjoy one of our State Parks, Lakes or Rivers and educate yourself on how you and your RV can make less of a footprint.
As many of us here at PPL Motorhomes can attest to, having allergies and loving the outdoors is a real bummer. Since we are handle a lot of consignment RVs in Houston, we’ve heard countless stories and complaints about loving the outdoors, but being highly allergic to the flora and fauna that cover our great State. The fact is that there are a lot of outdoors type people who suffer through allergy season so they can go camping, or RVing during the milder months…you might even be one of them. This seems unfair, but what can you do? Well, I did a little looking around and found this nice little checklist to help curb allergy attacks while camping.
Air out your equipment before you leave, look for mold in tents and tarps and wash off any you see with a hot water and bleach solution.
Bring along your allergy and/or asthma medication, so you are prepared for any trigger that may cross your path.
Remember to pack food that is friendly to people with food allergies, check with your group to see what people are allergic to and do not bring that item.
Check out your camp site for ragweed, poison oak or poison ivy and other plants that may cause allergic reactions. Bring ointments and medications just in case.
When building a fire, make sure that people who have asthma sit farther away and out of the wind so the smoke does not irritate their lungs.
There are ways to conquer your allergies so you can enjoy your RV and camping outings more. The video above offered some good tips that can be used while out on the road and while there are no real “cures” for allergies, you can curb some of the symptoms. If you know of any home remedies we can all use, share them with us. All of us at PPL Motorhomes and even those who consign their RVs with us could really benefit from your knowledge.
OK, it’s time for RV Nana, to be just that. Recently we were on a trip on the San Marcos river. As I was walking around some of the camping areas I, noticed a Class A motorhome that looked a little peculiar. I really wasn’t sure why at first. Then I noticed that, in what I can only assume was an attempt to level out the motorhome, the jacks had the front tires off of the ground at least 5 inches. This is a “No-No”! Leveling jacks are not meant to function in such an extreme manor.
Take a look at this. You can really see how high the tires are off of the ground in this picture. I’m sure these good folks didn’t have an issue this day, but there really is no telling when something will happen that can cause a catastrophic disaster to your rig and possibly injure family or friends. Use your heads folks. If you think it is even remotely unstable, it probably is.
This is the perfect time to use Lynx Levelers. Lynx Levelers are interlocking blocks you can arrange in a variety of configurations to meet any need. Stack into a pyramid shape, place in front of the tires that need to be lifted and drive on. If not level the first time, add or subtract height as needed and drive on again.
If you have any questions on how you can keep your Houston RV level without jeopardizing the stability of your rig, Just give PPL Motohomes a call and we can give you some tips and hints on ways to make your RVing adventures both fun and safe.
Buying a consignment RV is a lot like buying a car; there are some features and options that you’re going to want, and there will be some others that you don’t have a need for. But, buying an RV on consignment gives you a whole new list of options to choose from, and if this is your first recreational vehicle, take a look at the list I put together below before you start shopping. I think it will put you on the right track when it comes time to pick your first RV.
How many people will I likely be traveling with?
RVs come in all different shapes and sizes, so you want to be sure that you have adequate space and seating room for everyone who will be traveling with you. Plus, if you don’t take in account for sleeping room, you might end up sleeping outside!
How much stuff am I planning on traveling with?
This question goes hand-in-hand with the one above. The more people who travel with you, the more stuff that is coming along for the ride. But, with all of the extra people and belongings, you’re adding more weight to the RV, and that could be a problem. You don’t want to overload your new RV with too much weight bearing down on the chassis and wheels.
What climate will I be using the RV in?
Most modern RVs are well equipped with insulation, but if you’re planning on vacationing to colder climates, you want to know that you’re getting enough insulation to keep you warm when the temperatures drop at night. Also, make sure that the heater and air conditioner are equipped to cover the entire inside of the RV. When it comes to vent placement, notice where they are located throughout the RV’s floor plan — especially in the bathroom when it comes to a heater vent!
How many items will I need to plug into an outlet?
Different RVs have different numbers of outlets depending on the floor plan, and the locations of the outlets can vary, too. If you plan on bringing a lot of electronics along with you, remember that when you’re shopping and take note of the quantity and locations of the outlets. Also remember, you only have 30or 50 AMP service and you cannot plug in and turn on everything you have at your home. Forget using the toaster, electric skillet, hair dryer, both AC units and outside lights all at the same time. It just won’t work!
The bottom line is that if you are looking to join the RV lifestyle, you’ve already made a step in the right direction. The world is a pretty big place and the best and most affordable way to see it is in an RV! Come and check out all of the great consignment RVs we have here at PPL Motorhomes, I know we’ll have one perfect for you and your family.
It’s that time of year again. The time every kid can’t wait for…the end of school. But, that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t keep learning, nor should it mean that “couch potato syndrome” should set in. Those of us here at PPL Motorhomes who have children, or grandchildren will be taking them on road trips almost immediately after school ends. Of course, they’ll get ample time at home to play and decompress from the school year, but we won’t be letting them turn into a couch potato this summer either. That’s why RVing is so great! It’s more affordable than your think, just take a look at all of the consignment RVs we have to offer. Plus, owning an RV is not just a home away from home for our kids and grand-kids is also a great teaching tool. It gets them outdoors so they can take a discovery hike, paddle a canoe, swim in a lake or go to the beach. In fact, owing an RV, in my opinion, is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family. The ability to make memories with family and grow in the RV lifestyle is, in my experience, invaluable.
Now while the family in video below doesn’t have an RV, it certainly shows how much fun kids can have in the great outdoors.
The earlier kids start appreciating the outdoors, the better stewards of our State Parks they will grow to be. A child that grows up outside, rather than in front of a TV, or a gaming console is going to be more well rounded in their appreciation of the things that are around them. Science, Math, History and Poetry can be found right outside the city limits. They’ll be amazed what they find outside.
If you are interested in starting your own RV lifestyle and getting those kids off of the couch, see PPL Motorhomes. We carry a bunch of different motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth-wheels to choose and consignment RV might be the perfect first RV for you and your family to get out and see what you’ve been missing.
As I sat down to write about celebrating Mother’s Day, I wanted to approach it from a lighthearted perspective. You know, maybe recounting a story or two about going RVing with my family on Mother’s Day. Maybe a funny story about how my husband and kids virtually destroyed our pre-owned 5th wheel’s galley all in attempt to make me one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had. Which they did, might I add. I thought maybe I’d spin a yarn about being surrounded about the majesty and beauty of the great outdoors as I watched the kids bounce and frolic in the woods collecting pine cones, sticks and creepy crawlies. Then I thought, maybe I’d write about spending my first Mother’s Day with my grandchildren on the road and how, even though things were different, they were actually quite similar to when my kids were their age.
…and then it hit me. The real reason for celebrating Mother’s Day is to not just to remember, but celebrate all of the wonderful things our mother’s did and continue to do for us. What would the world be without our mother’s love and guidance? What would the world be without her there to take you to your first Little League game, or make that skinned knee feel better, or teach you how to spell. I can literally sit here for hours on end and not run out of stories, or things to say about the the strongest woman I’ve ever known. I can only hope that my children see the same things in me.
There is no doubt that we’ve all taken advantage of knowing that we’d always have someone there for us who is always at their best, even when we are at our worst. Have you thought to yourself, “What would the world be like with out Moms”? Watch the video.
So, what do you plan on doing with Mom this Mother’s Day? Let me recommend that you continue making memories with a nice trip to one of our amazing State Parks. Don’t just get Mom out of the house, get her out of the city. Take her some place where she can bask in the silence of her surroundings. Pack up that RV and take her to a place where she can rest, relax and enjoy her family. You have to give of yourself just one day a year, while she gives all 365 days. Take her RVing.
Don’t have an RV yet? What a great opportunity to give her the gift of travel. You can find great consignment RVs here at PPL Motorhomes which would make a perfect first “home away from home”. Owning a new, or used RV will open up doors for Mom that she never even knew existed.
PPL Motorhomes wants to say, “Thank You” on behalf of our staff and all of those who buy parts, or leave their consignment RVs with us. We all have one thing in common, we all love our State parks. However, I think that most of us forget that before we ever visit one of our beautiful State Parks there are volunteers already there cleaning up, beating paths, painting facilities and running tours. There are there day in and day out making sure that our experiences are nothing but memorable. They also stay long after we’ve left the park to ensure that the experience is the same for other RVers, campers and hikers time and time again.
The bottom line is that without State Park volunteers, we would not have the parks. They meet, greet and curtail the visitors making sure to take care of the park and the visitors. In fact, the park hosts can be some of the greatest assets to the parks. Many are out there to make sure your camping, or RVing experience is terrific.
Here’s a little insight as to what they do.
Remember, the next time you are out at a State Park, take the time to thank a volunteer for their commitment to making Texas Parks beautiful through what amounts to nothing less than 8 hours of backbreaking work daily. State Park Volunteers are the backbone of our Parks System and without them, well, I’d hate to imagine what sate our parks would be in.
If you are retired and looking for something to do on your RV vacation, consider volunteering at the State Parks you are visiting. Visit this link for more information: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/involved/volunteer/spdest/ There is little more rewarding than knowing your made a significant difference by being a steward of the great State of Texas.
Here’s something that you don’t see every day. RV vs. Bridge, who do you think will win? The bridge will, of course. If there is one thing that all of us here atPPL Motorhomes know, it’s the height of our RVs in relation to the bridges and low hanging tree limbs and powerlines along our routes. You should always know the clearance height of your RV before attempting to navigate under anything. A good idea is to write it on an index card and tape it directly to your dashboard.
Low bridges like in the picture above are rare, but can be found across the state – usually off of the beaten path. I’m really not sure how such an extreme miscalculation could have happened other than to speculate that the driver either forgot he was towing his rig (which seems unlikely), or he wasn’t paying attention to signage that usually precedes a low overpass. When venturing into rural areas, there is a possibility that you will encounter a low bridge, so watch for warning signs.
Keep in mind too though, that’s it’s not just bridges that you have to think about while in tow.
The bottom line is that you always need to be extra aware while towing your rig. It’s very easy to get lazy and start assuming that you will fit under every bridge, overhang or protruding tree. When you stop paying attention is when these things creep up on you and chances are you are going to do irreparable damage to your beloved Texas RV.
We all know someone who has either had an accident of this nature, or has come really close to having one. It can easily be our rig that is the next victim of us not paying attention to our surroundings and knowing our RV’s height. They put measurements on over passes for a reason folks, don’t ignore them. PPL motorhomes wants you to enjoy that RV for many more years to come, so go and put the height of your RV somewhere obvious on your dashboard for future reference.
All of us at PPL Motorhomes are always looking for new adventures and places to visit and last year RV Nana and her bunch visited an amazing place: The Brazos Bend State Park and Observatory. For those of you who haven’t been to this amazing place you’ll be please to know that this destination isn’t short on things to do and see. You’ll find really great bike trails, beautiful scenery and lots of wildlife. In fact, we had a bag of marshmallows out for S’mores one evening and a raccoon scurried down a nearby tree, grabbed the entire open bag and ran back up to enjoy his snack. Within minutes it looked like it was raining giant marshmallows as he tore into the bag.
On that same trip, we were riding our bikes along the lake and came right up on an alligator (10’ long – no exaggeration). He was peacefully sunning himself. At that point, I was on the lead bike and I motioned for everyone to just keep peddling and move to the left quietly. He acted as if he had never even seen us, but it sure spooked all of us from my 9 year old grandson to myself.
Check out the sights in the video below:
Check out the Texas Parks And Wildlife webpage for more information like what you’ll read below.
Brazos Bend State Park, approximately 28 miles southwest of Houston, covers roughly 5000 acres, with an eastern boundary of 3.2 miles fronting on the Brazos River on the southeast border of Fort Bend County. This was the area of Texas’ first Anglo colonization. It was purchased by the state in 1976-77 and was opened to the public in 1984.
Archeological materials show that prehistoric people visited this area, possibly as early as 300 BC; in early historical times, the Capoque band of the Karankawa Indians roamed between the mouth of the Brazos River and Galveston Bay and may have traveled inland as far as Brazos Bend. In the early 19th century, this area of Texas was the site of Stephen F. Austin’s first colonial land grant from Mexico, and present park land was included in a grant to Abner Harris and a partner named William Barrett in 1827. Most of riverfront was sold shortly after the Texas Revolution, and records show that in 1845, part of the park and 2400 feet of river frontage were in the hands of cotton brokers who lived in Brazoria. At the time, the Brazos River was one of the principal routes of commerce, and it may be that the brokerage firm used the area for one of its riverboat landings. In recent times, the land on which the park is located was used for cattle grazing, pecan harvesting, and as a private hunting preserve.
Texas is filled with amazing parks to visit and Brazos Bend State Park is only one of them. In fact, that is one of the greatest things about Texas, we have all types of terrain from mountains, to hills and valleys to seas, we have it all. So much so, that sometimes it can be difficult to decide where we want to go next and the best part is, these places are virtually in our backyard.
What are your favorite places to visit in Texas? Where should we go for our next family outing? RV Nana and PPL Motorhomes welcomes all suggestions, just drop us a line.
What an exciting time for our PPL family! PPL Motor Homes, my home away from home, is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this week with a huge RV sale, great seminars for the RV enthusiast, door prizes and fun for all. As most of you know, I’ve been with PPL since 1980 and have watched it grow from the an office with only 2 employees (and our only electronic office equipment was a typewriter without a correcting key) to becoming the largest RV consignment center in the USA, with a selection of over 450 consigned RVs at our Houston location and over 90 employees. In addition, we have almost 100 RVs at our recently opened RV Consignment center in New Braunfels, Texas, making it convenient for our South Central Texas customers to stop by.
Many of our team members have been with me well over 15 years and have often teased me that I should have written a book called “Days of PPL” to capture all the fun, interesting and sometimes weird things that I have seen in the last 32 years. It would have probably been a great soap opera. We love our customers and have had a wonderful time with them through the years sharing stories, ideas, travel adventures, helpful hints and more!
This is an exciting time at PPL and I am so glad that I am a part of this great team! We would love it if you would celebrate our 40th anniversary with us by sharing your memory of PPL Motor Homes!
I have been with PPL Motor Homes since 1980 and have been fortunate to grow up with the company. A native Houstonian, I am married to a wonderful Cajun from Lafayette, Louisiana and we've been able to mix the two worlds and build a fun life together. We have 3 children and 7 grandchildren, so it is obvious that I was a Nana long before I became RV Nana. I also happen too be the 2011-2012 President of the Texas RV Association, so you know the RV lifestyle...is my style.
By RVNANA
