Whether you’re relaxing at a full-service resort or roughing it off the grid, staying cool in your RV this summer requires a few tips and tricks. Let nature work for you, don’t be a sun-seeker, and if you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
The state of New Jersey has more than its share of great RV Resorts to choose from so we’ve chosen the top four top-rated RV parks in the area to get your adventures started. We’re sure one of these great resorts will have what you and your family are looking for on your next camping adventure.
Echo Farms Campground – Ocean View, New Jersey
Show Mom she’s the light of your life with a weekend of lighthouses, blooms, glitz and memorable views at locations in and around New Jersey.
Cape May
Cape May beach, New Jersey
Treat mom to a weekend in Cape May, when the flowers are in bloom, the temperatures are moderate, and there are plenty of activities to fill your day. Enjoy a whale watching trip, some relaxing time on Cape May’s beautiful beaches, or take the family to the Cape May Zoo.
Reduce the stress of travel for you and your horses this show season by taking the time to inspect and prepare your trailer before hitting the road. From floors to ceiling vents, inspect and update your trailer for safe and stress-free transportation.
Without proper trailer preparation, travel can be a source of equine stress, illness and injury, according to The Center for Equine Health at the University of California at Davis. Keep your trailer in perfect working condition and, after a long winter’s rest, recondition your horses for safe entry and peaceful riding. A trailer-skittish horse and uninspected trailer can be a deadly combination.
Whether you’re a horse owner with a life-long love affair with horses or an admirer from afar, these five US travel destinations are sure to delight horse lovers of every age and stripe! Continue reading
Find safety, affordability and stylish transportation in the all-new 2018 Sundowner Charter line of horse trailers.
Transport your warm bloods in spacious, secure, affordable comfort in either the gooseneck or bumper tow aluminum horse trailers by Sundowner.
From its rural manufacturing and distribution center in Coleman, Oklahoma, Sundowner has been single-mindedly producing top quality aluminum trailers for all applications. Its horse trailers range from small bumper pulls, to trailers with lavish living quarters, all with the Sundowner commitment to detail and backed by a 3-year hitch-to-bumper, and 8-year structural, warranty.
From frame to floors, gates to dividers, Sundowners are distinctive for their commitment to all-aluminum construction, including aluminum or stainless-steel screws and rivets for long-lasting rust-proof construction
Find all the great features of Sundowner trailers in the Charter product line, available at Crossroads Trailers Sales in two-horse bumper pull models and 2+1 gooseneck models.
The all-new Charter Sundowner TR SE Gooseneck 2+1 is a high-quality, functional, and flexible gooseneck straight load trailer – loaded with features and options for trailering your horses.
Sized right for warm bloods at 6-ft-9-inches wide and 7-ft-6-inches tall, the TR SE Gooseneck 2+1 boasts two 38-inch straight load stalls, a four-foot tack area and a flexible space the can be a dressing room, space for a cart or buggy, or room for a third equine passenger. The trailer rides on dual axles with radial tires
The all-aluminum trailer is both stylish and practical with 20-inch by 36-inch windows in the nose area, a high-quality skin in a variety of color choices and graphics package. Also standard are full-length running boards, a spare tire and wheel trim, safety breakaway, four-wheel electric brakes, and LED clearance and tail lights.
With a walk-up rear ramp and 60-inch wide side door with ramp, the TR SE Gooseneck 2+1 gives equine enthusiasts plenty of options for transporting horses and gear.
At the front is a well-designed tack room with rubber floor mats, a dome light, six tack hooks, blanket bar, brush tray, and two saddle racks.
Padded airflow dividers separate horses and each stall is equipped with butt and breast bars, and rubber mats. Each stall includes sliding windows and pop up vents. Find two inside tie rings in each stall as well as 1 outside ring. The spring-loaded rear ramp is rubber lined
More compact and lighter to tow, the all new charter LE bumper pull is sized right at 6-feet-9-nine inches wide by 7-foot-6-inches to transport your warm bloods and their gear. The all-new charter LE is a straight load trailer with two large sliding windows in the generously sized horse area and practical forward tack room.
The all-aluminum construction makes this two-horse Sundowner Charter strong and light. This charter comes with a pre-painted brilliant white exterior with graphic package. Tow safely atop rubber torsion axles, radial tires, and four-wheel electric brakes with safety breakaway.
Horses travel securely in 38-inch stalls with rubber floor mats, padded airflow shoulder dividers, side slide windows, pop-up air vents, and padded butt and breast bars. Like its bigger gooseneck sibling, “Suncoated” double wall construction, dome lights, two inside tie rings in each stall and one outside each stall, make the stalls both safe and attractive.
The spring-loaded, rubber-coated rear gate ramp makes loading horses a breeze and the double 7-foot side doors provide a safe exit and access to the forward tack room. The tack room provides plenty of storage and organization in well ventilated, secure comfort. Behind the locking door and window, find six tack hooks, a blanket bar, brush tray, sliding window, and two saddle racks.
Find the right Sundowner Charter 2H trailer for you – the spacious gooseneck or sprightly bumper tow – at Crossroads Trailer Sales in Newfield, N.J. With a full-selection of Sundowner horse trailers in stock, the experts there can have you, and your horses, on the road in no time.
For work or play chose the strength, durability, comfort, and luxury-for-less offered by the Bison Ranger.
New for 2018 Bison Ranger models offer the best in gooseneck living quarters at a best-of-show price. The stalwart steel constructed Bison Rangers offer dependable durability, safe, easy loading transportation for your horses, while the living quarters are packed with the quality and amenities most often found on luxury models.
Bison Coach has built industry-leading horse trailers since 1984. In 2003, Bison Coach kicked it up a notch, adding living quarter horse trailers to their line of horse trailers.
Bison’s Milford, Indiana plant is also a “one stop shop” for manufacturing. While other living quarter horse trailer manufacturers were shipping the living quarter areas out for finishing – sometimes many states away – Bison committed to holding the reins on every aspect of its trailer construction – maintaining control over quality, while saving its customers thousands of dollars. With Bison’s one-stop approach consumers also avoid the hassle of different warranties for different parts of their trailer. With Bison Coach, take the trifecta of value, quality, and hassle-free ownership.
Now under the ownership of Thor Industries, Bison continues to be the leading manufacturer of gooseneck living quarter trailers in North America, with a diverse line of aluminum and steel horse trailers, from basic and lightweight, to beefy and luxurious.
The new for 2018 Ranger aluminum-over-steel living quarters trailers by Bison offer the superior strength, easy repair, and durability that only steel frame trailer can offer. The exterior of the Bison Ranger features the superior strength of a steel frame, easy maintenance of an aluminum shell, excellent towability, and wide variety of options. Available in two exterior color options, each with stylish graphics, makes for a distinctive exterior and a trailer you’ll be proud to tow. From the heavy-duty Bulldog gooseneck coupler with convenient hitch light to make hooking up easier, to the rear aluminum-constructed doors with double cam-bars for a tight seal, Bison Ranger trailers are built with convenience and quality in mind. Bison keeps your trailer looking sharp with ATP stone guard protection.
With an incredible variety of floor plans and options, it’s possible to build a trailer to fit your exact needs, making it no wonder that the Ranger is the top-selling line of trailers offered by Bison Coach. Two excellent examples of the options available in the Ranger line of gooseneck living quarter trailers are the 2018 Bison Ranger 8311 three-horse living quarters model, and the four-horse 2018 Bison Ranger 8414.
The horse area is loaded with LED lights above the stall fans for each horse, and mangers and aluminum air flow dividers on stalls two and three. The positive slam latched horse gates feature comfortable padding on each gate for your horses. Enter stall one through a side door and find an insulated stud wall and roof, and escape door to the living quarters lavatory. Tow two or three horses in comfort or use the first stall as a mud room. To the rear find a three-tier swing out saddle rack, bridal hooks, built in brush box, and collapsible rear tack wall.
While the rear of the trailer provides a safe and comfortable environment for your horses and gear, you will find unexpected luxury in the living quarters of the Bison Ranger. The Bison Ranger living quarter package features residential-style dry baths, energy saving LED interior lights, rustic residential plank-wood look flooring, full-kitchens, generous slide-out options, and a queen bedded cab-over sleeping area. Look for raised panel hardwood cabinetry in two finish options and upgraded window treatments.
The Bison Ranger bathrooms features a two-piece residential style shower with glass door, large linen closets, porcelain commode, vanity with plenty of room for storage, as well as a generous, mirrored medicine chest for even more storage.
Bison 8414
Smart design means the Bison Ranger has a spacious interior for long-haul living on the road. Consider models with slide-outs, such as the all new for 2018 8414 RBLBH for extended or family travel. This 41.5-foot four-horse trailer features a large living quarters slide-out complete with a full awning, sleeper sofa, residential-style galley kitchen with gas cook-top, large refrigerator, and a convection microwave.
The Bison 8311 provides comfort for all.
The 2018 Bison Ranger 8311 three-horse living quarter model assures that you and your passenger travel in safety and comfort in an easy-to-tow 26-foot trailer. The Bison Ranger 8311 is 8-feet wide with an 11-foot short wall for horses and a well-designed living area with optional big slide-out. Find a residential style double sink, two-burner gas stove, microwave and 6-cubic-foot refrigerator. The forward queen bed area features shirt closets and a linen closet. Loads of storage throughout the Bison Ranger 8311, makes it the perfect trailer to tow for weekend shows or traveling the circuit.
With so many ways to customize your Bison Ranger, there’s a living quarters trailer to meet every travel need. To learn more about the many options available with the Bison Ranger, visit Crossroads Trailer Sales in Newfield, N.J. They carry an extensive line of new and used Bison Rangers and the expert staff at Crossroads Trailer Sales can guide you to the best Bison for your needs.
New Jersey may be famed for its shore, glitzy boardwalks, and rolling farmlands, but winter brings its own excitement. In New Jersey, winter is time to get out and have fun.
Hit the slopes at Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon. Less than 50 miles from New York City, Mount Creek is the perfect place to enjoy a “snow day,” weekend getaway, or a mini vacation. With 167 acres to ski down, a 1,000-ft drop, snowboard and tube runs, there’s plenty of opportunity for fun – and with the region’s most extensive snow-making system, little chance for disappointment. With proximity to metropolitan areas and quality skiing, consider a weekday escape to avoid crowds, or check in for an extended stay slope side at the resort’s lodge or indulge in a luxury condo rental.
Perfect for families, Campgaw Mountain Ski Resort in Bergen, N.J., offers extensive areas for beginners and the smallest skiers. The county-owned ski area has one major slope, but five beginner and intermediate trails and a big “bunny” area. There are six 800-ft tubing runs. Campgaw Mountain bills itself as the best place in New Jersey for anyone new to skiing.
New Jersey is a great place to try out the fastest growing winter sport in the world, snowshoeing. Great locations to burn some calories while enjoying the great outdoors are plentiful in New Jersey.
High Point Cross Country Ski Resorts offers five miles of trails exclusively for snowshoeing. The center’s longest path, Monument Trail gains 500 feet in elevation and rewards hikers with a view of the Catskills and Poconos in the distance. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area provides miles of great trails suitable for beginners yet challenging enough for an experienced trekker. The Lamont Reserve and adjacent Rockleigh Woods Sanctuary offers the public 4.5 miles of trails through 200 wooded acres. Be rewarded with wintery views of the New York City skyline when you rise to the challenge at Ramapo Mountain State Forest, which has trails with challenging climbs ranging from about 200 to 1,100 feet.
Just because the lake is frozen doesn’t mean the fishing fun is done for the season. Winter is a great time to try out ice fishing. When lakes and ponds freeze solid, it’s time for the hardiest of souls to get out the fishing gear. The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife encourages anglers to engage in the fun, productive, and social sport of ice fishing. How, where and when are subject to weather conditions, but generally ice must be at least 4 inches thick for safety.
Some popular “ice fishing” catch are the chain pickerel and yellow perch, while the Division has stocked several fishing species in recent years, including walleye, northern pike, tiger muskies and muskellunge. The division’s new Winter Trout Stocked Lakes program gives ice fishermen a chance at an icy trophy trout.
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife suggests a few popular lakes for ice fishing. Cranberry, Jefferson, Aeroflex, Hopatcong, Musconetcong, Swartswood, Little Swartswood and Wawayanda in Sussex County; Greenwood, Pompton, Shepherd, Green Turtle Pond and Monksville Reservoir in Passaic County: Furnace, White, Mountain, Delaware and Deer Park Pond in Warren County; Budd Lake in Morris County, and Spruce Run Reservoir in Hunterdon County.
Up and down the state, outdoor ice rinks are ready for families yearning to burn off some energy, couples looking for an old-fashioned date, and other people looking to enjoy some icy fun in the great outdoors.
The Mercer County Ice Skating Center is an “open-air, sheltered skating facility” open seven days a week through Mid-March. The center has a little something for everyone, with a full snack bar, fireplace and lounge area, skate rentals and lockers. Middlesex’s outdoor Family Skating Rink overlooks the lake in beautiful Roosevelt Park. Skate with an ocean view at the Jersey Shore “Ice at the Pier.” Located at Pier in Long Branch, New Jersey, the rink is scheduled to be open through President’s Day weekend.
Canada and Vermont may grab the lion’s share of the maple glory, but New Jersey has its own thriving maple industry and winter is a great time to get a taste of what “Maple Sugaring” is all about, according to visit New Jersey.
On Sundays from early Feb to March 25, visit the Tenafly Nature Center to learn how to identify a maple tree and about the maple sugaring process. You can even enjoy a sweet taste. Saturdays and Sunday from Feb.17 to March 11 at the Basking Ridge Environmental Education Center learn about the history and centuries old process at the outdoor “sugar shack.”
Take advantage of a snow day and grab your sled for some old-school adventure. New Jersey’s rolling hills make it ideal for families to find a perfect place to hit the hills. Many state and county parks as well as golf courses offer sledding opportunities with convenient parking, rest rooms and snack stands.
In Northern New Jersey, Liberty State Park in Jersey City offers thrills with a view. Sled down the park’s hills while taking in the sights of the Manhattan skyline. Considered by some to have the best sledding in New Jersey is Jersey City’s Mosquito Park. It offers six acres of rolling hills and stunning views of the Pulaski Skyway.
In Central New Jersey, the Monmouth Battlefield State Park offers up a fun-for-all-ages long sledding hill just behind the Visitor’s Center. Thrill seekers from around the state head to southern New Jersey’s Fort Mott State Park and it’s steep sledding hill.
Wherever wintry adventures take you, Crossroads Trailer Sales in Newfield, N.J., can help you get there in a style in a new or used RV.
While winter RV vacations can be a peaceful, uncrowded time to experience the beauty of the country with its wintery white blanket, towing a trailer or maneuvering a motor home safely through unpredictable weather requires some preparation and patience to avoid turning a pleasure trip into a white-knuckle adventure.
Safety for a winter trip begins at home. Make sure you and your RV are prepared for winter travel – which means expecting the unexpected.
Winter road safety is not a splurge; before heading out on a journey where winter might mean snow and ice on the roads, make sure your RV is up to the rigors of winter travel. While there’s much you can do yourself, a certified service technician can make sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition. Let the winter experts at Crossroads Trailer Sales in Newfield, N.J. prepare your trailer or RV for safe winter travels.
If you’re headed for snow and ice, consider swapping out your tires for snow tires with greater grip. If you’re not investing in tires, inquire about the right snow chains for your vehicle.
Check battery, fluids, seals, and wipers. Have brakes and lights serviced. Make sure your emergency kit is up to date and all components are in useable, working order.
Planning and awareness are keys to a safe winter driving. Be prepared to make a quick exit and a safe stop if the weather turns treacherous. Research the number and location of service stations, grocery stories, campgrounds, and RV Parks that are open year-around along your planned route.
Take some driving advice from truck drivers, road warriors who keep moving no matter the conditions. The folks who teach truckers how to drive, Roadmaster’s Driving School, start and finish their advice with the most basic of instruction: slow down. Bad things happen faster when weather conditions are poor. Your best defense is slowing down. Driving slower gives you more time to react and reduces the chance of hydroplaning.
Don’t be bullied or influenced by smaller vehicles, or those not towing, who are frustrated by your slow speed; stay steady and take advantage of passing areas by moving to the right to allow other vehicles to pass when the opportunity is available.
Allow additional space between your RV and the vehicle in front of you to allow more reaction time in hazardous conditions. Even if the road doesn’t seem slick, plan for extra stopping time. Avoid last minute decisions to turn or change lanes and use your turn indicators early to give the driver behind you plenty of time to react.
Do not use cruise control when conditions deteriorate. Stay in complete control. Keep a relaxed but firm, two-handed grip on the steering wheel.
Go light on the brakes; if you start to slide, or there’s a hazard ahead, break gently and steadily to keep your RV in control or prevent a jack-knifed trailer. Retain contact with the road on accelerations by increasing your speed slowly and steadily. If you need to stop suddenly, focus on a safe escape route and avoid jerking at the steering wheel.
When you’re driving in the mountains, be aware winter can bring swirling winds and gusts that will make towing a trailer or driving a lumbering RV even more dangerous. Avoid proximity to other vehicles when possible and drive slow and steady.
Be seen by other vehicles. Keep your lights on low while on the road.
Always have a Plan B. Twenty miles in treacherous weather may be too much; be flexible and willing to get off the road. The cost for an unplanned hotel stay pales in comparison to the cost and trauma of having your RV pulled out of a ditch or the expense and danger of a jack-knifed trailer.
Before tacking any winter trip in your RV or trailer, let the service experts at Crossroads Trailer Sales in Newfield, NJ, winterize your RV.
Whether you’re preparing your RV for a long winter’s rest or getting ready to take advantage of smaller crowds, lower prices, and unspoiled wintery beauty with an RV trip, be sure your RV is ready to brave a wintery blast.
Winterize your RV for safe storage or safe travels. Winterizing done right means protecting the electrical, water, and living systems from freezing cold. Failure to properly winterize an RV can lead to costly problems in the spring when it’s time to awaken your RV from its hibernation – or a catastrophe on the road during a cold-weather adventure.
A starting point for winterizing your RV is deciding what you can do yourself, and what should be left to trained professionals. While skilled owners can do much winterizing work themselves, the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association/Recreational Vehicle Industry Association recommends a RVDA/RVIA certified service technician to avoid damage to complex systems.
When it’s time to winterize, let Crossroads Trailers in Newfield, N.J., handle it for you. With over 20 years’ experience in RV service, Crossroads’ technicians are experienced to meet and exceed your winter preparation needs.
While there’s lots of advice on do-it-yourself winterizing, for many owners, winter is the cue to take the RV in for a deep service and thorough check. Even with leaving the heavy lifting to a certified technician, there’s much work an owner should do before tucking an RV away for the cold months.
First, decide what you should leave to the pros. The RVDA suggests choosing a professional saves money down the road in several instances.
Even the most experienced owner may miss a small leak, that could turn into a big problem during winter storage. By pressurizing the water system, a technician will be able to detect the sneakiest of leaks and repair it promptly.
Luxury RVs have complicated water systems. A certified brand-specific technician will have deep understanding of water systems and won’t overlook any part of the distribution, manifold, and lines snaking through your unit. Technicians will also be able to distribute anti-freeze through the cold-water lines without filling the tank.
A little water – or waste – can turn into a big problem during winter storage. Let technicians empty the holding tanks and check macerator pumps and transmission lines.
Even with the help of a trained technician, there are many tasks a smart owner should take before storing an RV. Don’t let moisture build up inside; check the seals of your doors and windows, and reseal yourself — or put it on the list for your certified technician.
Clean out food storage areas and wipe out crumbs and any residue. Clean out the refrigerator and wipe dry. Leave the refrigerator door slightly ajar. Leave cabinet doors and drawers open. Remove batteries from remote controls, clocks and small appliances, and turn off antennas and boosters. Close the window blinds and shades to protect your interior from sun damage.
Consider your plans for storage when it comes to batteries. If you plan to start the RV periodically during storage, plugging it in to power, leave the batteries with the unit. If the unit will be tucked away for the long haul, consult your service professional to make sure the batteries are fully charged and stored.
Winter is an ideal time to take a snow-mobile loaded toy hauler out for a weekend, or visit some of America’s snow draped parks in the RV. Visit a certified technician to make sure your RV is cold-weather ready, pack carefully, and be prepared for tons of frosty fun.
Keep the toasty warm in and icy leaks out by checking the seals on doors and windows. Re-caulk before heading out or have the unit resealed by the service center. Consider beefing up your window treatments with panels of foil-backed insulation hook-and-loop fastened to window frames. What the temporary window covers lack in curb appeal, they will make up for with insulating properties. If the unit isn’t already equipped with insulating blinds or curtains, swap the existing coverings out with weather-wise thermal treatments. As a bonus, insulated window coverings will help keep your unit cool when summer returns.
Before leaving home, consider assembling a cold weather skirt cut from insulating foam boards. Build the barrier from the bottom of your unit to the ground to shield tanks, water lines, and the floor. A purpose-built RV skirt will help, but won’t keep the underside of your unit as warm as the insulating material.
Check the forecast before you head out. Have materials at hand to protect your water pipes and systems from extremes and pack a blow dryer for quick thaws. Bring along a safety compliant space heater for when temperatures bottom out. A fast-moving, violent storm means you may be snowed in for the long haul or face power outages. Don’t leave home for a winter’s journey without cold weather staples, including extra warm clothing, a weather radio, extra blankets, full propane tanks, extra food and cash, and plenty of batteries.