Preparing Your Airstream for Winter SmartPlug September 26, 2017 8:11 pm No Comments While some people use their Airstream year-round, many put it in storage for the winter months. If you’re one of the many people putting your RV in storage during the “off-season,” it’s imperative that you store it properly so it will be ready to go next season. With summer coming to an end, it’s time to start thinking about your plan for winterizing your Airstream. Here are SmartPlug’s tips to help you along the way: 1. Interior Make every effort to prevent mice and other rodents from having access to your Airstream. Inspect the underside of your RV for any gaps or holes, if any gaps are found, fill using silicone or expanding foam. Check all corners and crevices, especially where plumbing and wiring enters the RV. Be sure to remove all food and crumbs from your Airstream. Defrost your freezer compartment and clean your refrigerator, then leave fridge doors open and place baking soda in the compartments to absorb any odors. Ensure all gas appliances have been turned off and turn off the gas supply valve as well. Finally, close all window blinds to avoid sun exposure to the carpet, drapes, and upholstery. 2. Exterior When your Airstream is outside for an extended period, it can begin to show signs of wear from constant exposure to the elements. Before you store your RV, make sure to give the exterior a thorough cleaning, including the roof. Waxing your exterior is a little extra work, but it protects your RV finish the same way it does for an automobile. During your thorough cleaning, inspect all roof seams, body seams, and window sealants for cracks or openings that would allow water to get in. Now would be a good time to check your electrical connector and power cord for any signs of burning or damage. If it’s time for a replacement, browse our RV product line for an easy DIY upgrade. Clean your connector, polish it, add some ELT Lube. Don’t forget to clean the awning fabric and let it dry completely before storing it. Ideally, you should try to store your Airstream under a covered area and on a solid surface, such as pavement or concrete. Lastly, treat all locks with a spray lubricant and lubricate all hinges. 3. Chassis Just like the rest of the exterior of your Airstream, the tires on your RV can be damaged by elements. Before storing, inflate tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure and put covers on them that will block out the sunlight. Place a piece of wood or something sturdy between the ground and tires. Make sure that whatever you use to block the tires is larger than the footprint of the tire. If your Airstream will be in long-term storage, remove the batteries and store them where they will not freeze. At SmartPlug, we know how valuable your RV is to you and your family. It couldn’t be more important to take these steps to ensure your unit is protected during the winter months.

Tips to Winterizing Your Boat SmartPlug September 8, 2017 6:44 pm No Comments With boating season coming to an end for most of the country, it’s time to start thinking about winterizing and protecting your valuable recreational asset. It’s no secret that winter weather can wreak havoc on a boat that’s not prepared for hibernation. The time and effort you put in now will have a definite effect on your boat’s performance and save you time and money come next season. Here are SmartPlug’s tips on winterizing your boat: 1. Engine Care Before you stow your boat away for the winter, your engine(s) definitely need some TLC. For inboard engines: an oil change is key, as is flushing the engine with non-toxic antifreeze. For outboard engines: treat your fuel tank with fuel stabilizer, flush the engine with fresh water, and lightly lubricate the exterior. 2. Fresh Water System Properly draining your fresh water system is a must before winter storage. A frozen water pipe can do major damage to your boat. Be sure to completely drain the fresh water tank and water heater and pump a non-toxic antifreeze into the system. 3. Exterior Your boat should receive a thorough exterior cleaning before storing for the winter. Pressure wash the hull and ensure barnacles are removed from props, shafts, rudders, struts, and trim tabs. Now would be a great time to wax the exterior, too. 4. Interior Once you take care of your exterior, make sure you remove all valuables, electronics, flares, fenders, etc. from your boat. Take time to open all drawers and cabinets to clean them out thoroughly. Don’t forget to clean out your refrigerator and freezer, too. You may also want to invest in a dehumidifier to keep your boat dry and mildew-free. 5. Electrical System Lastly, before you store your boat for the off-season, be sure to check your electrical connector and power cord. Ensure there are no signs of burning, discoloring, or other damage. Now would be the best time to replace any questionable components. View our full marine product line for a hassle-free upgrade, and you’ll be ready to hit the water come springtime. At SmartPlug, we know that a person’s boat is often their prized possession. If you live in a region where there is an off season for boating, we hope you take the time to winterize your boat. This will save you time, money, and effort, and ensure your boat is more than ready to get back on the water come next season!

5 Crazy Boat Designs SmartPlug August 23, 2017 8:57 pm No Comments At SmartPlug, we’re passionate about boats. We like looking for inspiration from unique, crazy, and innovative boats. Whether it’s a yacht designed to be aesthetically pleasing, or a speed boat designed to be the fastest on the water, we’re intrigued. If you share our passion for boats, we know you’ll enjoy these 5 crazy boats just as much as we do! 1. Miss Geico This turbine-powered race boat can’t help but get your attention. Built by Mystic Powerboats in Deland, FL, this boat is a water icon. Don’t blink or you could miss it, as it can reach speeds of 200-MPH! 2. Gibbs Aquada Seriously, what’s cooler than a boat that’s also a car? With the press of a button, wheels come up and a jet drive kicks in with 2,000 pounds of thrust. What’s even crazier is that the entire process takes only about 12 seconds. 3. Transparent Canoe Even though this one isn’t as technologically advanced as some other boats, this is a cool way to really enjoy the water beneath you. Made out of polycarbonate material, it’s lighter than most aluminum or wood canoes, weighing about 40 pounds. This canoe provides 100% visibility. 4. Sea Breacher This boat truly was inspired by the ocean, looking just like an Orca whale. The Sea Breacher not only looks cool, but it’s a semi-submersible boat that can dive 5 feet beneath the surface. Believe it or not, this boat can also leap 16’ into the air and it reaches speeds up to about 50-MPH! 5. Earthrace It’s possible that you’ve seen this boat before, as it’s famous for setting a record for a 60-day circumnavigation of the globe, all while running on biodiesel. After accomplishing the circumnavigation, this boat got crushed driving in front of a moving whaler. So, take a good look at the image here, because you can no longer see it in person! Which one of these boats tops your list? Tell us in the comments!

Equip Your Airstream Toolbox SmartPlug August 7, 2017 1:53 pm No Comments While you’re on the road, especially on family trips, safety should be your number one priority. While equipping your Airstream with our SmartPlug technology is a great way to ensure safety for all passengers, another great safety tip is equipping your Airstream toolbox with the necessary items. Here are some of our must have items to keep in your toolbox at all times: Tools No matter how new or well-constructed your Airstream or RV may be, eventually something will have to be tightened or loosened. Some basic tools to equip you for any of these circumstances are: Socket wrench set: for tightening or loosening bolds and machine nuts Philips head and flat bladed screwdrivers: keep a large, medium, and small size in your toolbox for tightening or loosening screws Small drill bit set: get the kind that works with both metal and wood Cordless drill: and don’t forget to have a spare battery.   Adhesives It’s important to keep things together on your Airstream! Adhesives are perfect for a variety of specialized purposes. Keep these in your toolbox:  “Super” Glue: for those high strength repairs Vinyl Adhesive: used to fix tears in vinyl fabrics Multi-Purpose Adhesive: can be used for most items losing their stickiness; loose trim and molding, peeling decals, etc.   Miscellaneous Some other important equipment for your toolbox: Two way radios: can be used when backing your Airstream into a site, hitching up the trailer, or monitoring your children Tube of ball hitch lube: to help minimize grinding while towing Spare fresh water hose washers A travel-sized can of spray lubricant: for various projects or repairs   You never know what may come up while you’re traveling to your next RV destination; it’s always better to be safe and prepared! We hope these tips help get you started on equipping your own toolbox.

Testimonial – Bob Livingston SmartPlug July 19, 2017 5:21 pm No Comments At SmartPlug, we love hearing how our products help enhance the RVing experiences of our customers. Our SmartPlug products have become so beneficial to RVers that Bob Livingston, Senior VP, Group Publisher of Trailer Life & Motorhome personally installed, photographed, and wrote a review for our product. Trailer Life Magazine is America’s champion for the fun, freedom, and adventure of Recreation in Motion, and they’re the voice of RVers around the world. Trailer Life Magazine’s core purpose is to enhance the RV lifestyle by creating, collecting, and distributing high-quality news, test, and reports about all things RVing. We appreciate the glowing review, and the surplus of information Trailer Life Magazine offered readers about our product. We’ve attached the entire article for all to read. Enjoy!

Boat Care Tips for Summer SmartPlug July 6, 2017 7:51 pm No Comments Odds are you’ve already taken your boat out on the water this season. As much fun as enjoying the nice weather on a boat can be, there are some basic maintenance responsibilities that come with the good times. Statistics show that nearly 10% of all boating accidents are maintenance related, so let’s make sure we’re doing all we can to have a safe and enjoyable boating season. Here are our summer boat care tips: 1. Wash your boat The first and simplest task is to wash your boat regularly. Remember that your exterior needs to be just as clean as your interior. If you boat in saltwater, it’s important to rinse your boat thoroughly with fresh water after every outing to remove salt residue. This will prevent salt buildup and damage to the clear coat. 2. Change your oil Just as your car needs to have their oil changed, so does your boat. Checking your fluids is a simple task and should be done before hitting the water, every time. If the oil is dark or your engine has hit the recommended service interval, take the time to change the oil. Changing the oil in your boat’s engine is an easy way to prevent bigger issues from arising later in the season. 3. Check the propeller If you have an outboard or stern drive boat, before every outing take a quick look at the propeller as part of your pre-launch routine. Use a deep socket to make sure the propeller nut is secure. You should also get into the habit of removing the propeller every so often to make sure there isn’t a fishing line wrapped around your propeller shift. If it is, take it to a dealer so they can inspect the gear case further. In addition, while the prop is off, inspect it for nicks, scratches, or any other signs of damage. At SmartPlug, boating safety is our number one priority. With summer being the busiest boating season, it’s the most important time to make sure your boat maintenance is up to date!

Five Tips for Safe RV Travel SmartPlug June 7, 2017 4:48 pm No Comments SmartPlug was designed with one main goal – to improve safety standards of RVers and Boaters. When traveling or spending leisure time in an RV, there is nothing more important than the safety of all passengers on board. With millions of RV enthusiasts enjoying the RV lifestyle, it’s increasingly important that all RVers take the time to understand how to safely enjoy their travels. Here are SmartPlug’s five tips for RV Safety: 1. Security A major concern for RVers is the lack of security options for protecting their RV and their belongings from theft or invaders. The most important precaution to take is to keep your doors, windows, and bays locked. Avoid displaying flashy or expensive items to keep yourself from being made a target. Another option is installing a camera security system. Lastly, check in with trusted friends or family members to make sure they know your intentions for timing and location. By sharing your updated location and planned schedule, you’ll not only give them peace of mind but you’ll also be creating a back-up plan if you go unheard from. 2. Know Your Height This tip sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed by the amount of people who forget the extra height of an RV while driving. In fact, hitting a bridge or overhang is one of the most common RV accidents. A simple trick to ensure you’re always aware of your height is by putting a bright colored sticky note on your dashboard with your exact clearance. In addition to height, keep in mind the width of your RV. Getting stuck under a highway overpass will certainly ruin your RV season! 3. Traveling with Kids RVing is a great way to spend time together as a family. While traveling with kids, it’s important to give constant reminders to remain seated. During long RV trips, it’s easy to forget you’re in a moving vehicle, but keep in mind that turns, bumps, braking, and unexpected movement can cause danger for the passengers who are not seated. In addition to being seated, being buckled in is the safest way to travel. 4. Be Cautious Being a cautious driver will help you avoid a great deal of accidents. Always use turn signals, signal in the last 100 feet before you turn, and always drive with your headlights on. You would expect a vehicle this big would be easily seen, but accidents are regularly reported as being caused by drivers who “never saw them coming.” Finally, always slowly approach your turns. You can never be too careful when it comes to the safety of you, your family, and others on the road. 5. Updated Electrical Connection The last thing you need during an RV trip is an unexpected fire. The best way to prevent RV fires is by making sure you have the proper electrical connections. Many RVers are still using the outdated and problematic twist-type connectors. The SmartPlug provides greater protection against loose connections and corrosion – the leading causes of park power failure and fires. Make sure your RV’s electrical connection is minimizing electrical transfer, has solid sleeve connection, and has weatherproof seals. We hope you follow our tips to enjoy a fun and safe RV season! Remember, SmartPlug offers top of the line inlets, connectors, cordsets, and other electrical accessories designed specifically for RVs. For more information or for help safety-proofing your RV, visit us online.

Boating Safety Tips for Summer SmartPlug May 15, 2017 6:26 pm No Comments SmartPlug was designed with the purpose of creating a new industry standard when it comes to boating safety. Whether you’re traveling or just enjoying leisure time on a boat, safety should always be the number one priority. With millions of boaters out on the open waters every day, practicing safe boating has never been more important. We’ve put together five important practices for you to keep in mind this boating season: Be Weather-Wise Regardless of the season, always be sure to keep a close eye on the weather and bring a radio on board with you. Before departure, check local weather conditions – TV and radio forecasts are a good source of information. If you notice darkening clouds, volatile or rough changing winds, or sudden drops in temperature, be proactive and get off the water. Leave the Alcohol Onshore Never use drugs or alcohol before or during boat operation. You would be surprised by the number of boating accidents caused by alcohol consumption. The probability of being involved in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved. In addition to the dangers it causes to you and everyone else on the water, it’s against the law! Keep the alcohol onshore to be sure you never run into a problem caused by alcohol consumption. Make Proper Use of Lifejackets The majority of drowning victims are the result of boaters not wearing their lifejackets. Before departure, make sure you have a lifejacket for each person on board and one throwable device for any boats 16 feet or longer. Don’t just keep the lifejackets stowed away onboard, WEAR THEM! Boating with Kids If you’re purchasing a boat for family use, consider a boat that has a cabin to offer refuge for children who need a nap or are getting too much sun. Make sure you buy children a lifejacket specific to their weight with a collar that will turn a child face up in the water. Children’s lifejackets must have a strong waist and crotch straps, a handle on the collar, and be bright in color for good visibility. In addition, it’s also a good idea to attach a plastic safety whistle to their lifejacket. Updated Electrical Connection While you may assume fires on the water don’t happen, fires are in fact a real danger for boaters. Fires on boats tend to occur most frequently around the engine. Battery wiring missed connections, and battery charging complications are the most common reason for boat fires. SmartPlug provides the best protection against loose connections and corrosion – the leading cause of shore power failure and fires. To ensure your safety onboard, make sure your boat’s electrical connection has a solid sleeve connection, weatherproof seals, and a multi-point locking system. We wish everyone a wonderful and safe boating season! For further assistance safety-proofing your boat, please don’t hesitate to contact our team. Happy Boating!

Our Shore Power Features are Sure to Impress! SmartPlug April 3, 2017 6:14 pm No Comments The SmartPlug is a revolutionary shore power system designed to replace the outdated and problematic twist-type design in use today. It’s intuitive to use and provides greater protection against loose connections and corrosion – the leading causes of shore power failure and fires. Why is the SmartPlug the new industry standard? Because we’ve thought of EVERYTHING before designing this product. It’s safe, simple, and secure. The SmartPlug’s features and benefits include: Weatherproof: Water intrusion leads to corrosion, and corrosion leads to electrical arcing and overheating. SmartPlug’s three weatherproof seals eliminate the possibility of water and moisture intrusion, ensuring a safe and dry connection. Push straight-in sleeved design: One of the primary causes of electrical arcing in twist-type designs is the fact that the electrical pins bear any weight or tension in the cord, and eventually work themselves loose. The SmartPlug’s sleeve design means that the body of the plug bears that weight or tension, rather than the electrical pins, keeping those points of electrical contact secure. Multi-point locking system: SmartPlugs employ two locking side levers as well as two points of contact on the locking cap to ensure a rock solid connection. When not in use, the cap can be closed to form a weatherproof seal on the inlet. Ease of use: Simply push the plug straight in until the side levers ‘click’ and then snap the locking cap down on top to finish the job. Additionally, the unique shape of the plug ensures a straight-in connection that can only be plugged in one way. No more finding the offset pin in the dark and no twisting required! Easy installation: Simply remove the legacy twist-type round inlet from your *boat, connect the wiring to the SmartPlug inlet and reinstall using the same screw hole footprint. On the plug end, you simply cut off your old plug end and attach wires to the new SmartPlug. Quality of materials: SmartPlug Systems uses only the finest materials available in the construction of its products. All external metals are Marine-Grade 316 Stainless Steel, the electrical pins are nickel-plated brass for maximum conductivity, and plastics are UV and heat resistant Valox 553U resins made right here in the USA. Ready to purchase your SmartPlug? Find a local vendor here.

What Our Customers are Saying | Captain Mike SmartPlug July 6, 2018 9:00 am No Comments At SmartPlug, we are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Happy customers are our #1 priority and we love it when they take to social media to share their experience! Check out this Facebook review from another satisfied SmartPlug customer: “The warranty parts you sent arrived yesterday. Fantastic job by both SmartPlug and the USPS. I have completed the replacement of both plugs to my cords. Your instructional video and the instructions included with the plugs made the installation a snap. I have enclosed a photo of the completed installation. Both plugs are working perfectly. I wanted to thank you again for your exceptional customer service. I am a firm believer in your SmartPlug technology and the safety it provides my boat. Several years ago I almost had a fire on my boat which was caused by the original installed boat plug. A friend of mine recommended your products and I saw the benefit of using a SmartPlug cord set. You can rest assured that you have a proponent of your product and plan to spread the word to my friends. Looking forward to seeing you at the next boat show to personally shake your hand. Thanks, Capt. Mike.” Thanks, Mike! We appreciate your review and look forward to meeting you soon!