Tuesday, May 31, 2011
RVing Full Time - Keep the Dream Alive
Years ago, before I had even heard of, or dreamed of living and traveling full time in my RV, a co-worker loaned me a copy of a book by Barbara Winters, "How To Make a Living Without Having a Job." Having always lived on someone else's schedule, the dream of being my own boss became an obsession.
Having a mindset of "nothing is impossible," I set out on a mission of accomplishing the entrepreneur lifestyle dream. There were two things standing in my way, well, actually three.
Having a full time job, plus overtime often got in the way of my dreams. Having two boys who needed to be chauffeured to Little League practices, games, and church functions also interfered with my dreams. I had no concept of goal setting. Life just happened, and we took it as it came. There were no long term goals or plans. We wanted a new vehicle, we went out and bought one. We decided we needed a bigger house, no problem. Call the builder, set up an appointment, a year later, new house, big house payment, yikes.
We continued our lifestyle in that vain for several years, and then, during a cruise to Alaska, on an excursion in Skagway, our shuttle bus driver told us the story of pulling his RV to Alaska from the lower 48. He and his wife were doing something called Workamping while they traveled the country. Their employer paid their living expenses if they would provide their living quarters.
At that moment, a light bulb went off, and I knew that was exactly what I had been searching for. We loved to travel, we already owned the RV, our boys were almost grown. We just needed a plan. That is when our dream became our goal.
That is when we began taking steps toward making our dream become our reality. It didn't happen overnight. It took several years for it to all come to fruition, but let me tell you, living and traveling full time is a dream worth pursuing.
My challenge to you is "dream big." The dreaming part is free, and don't let the dream killers tell you it can't happen. Of course it can happen. It's happening for hundreds of folks all across the country every day.
Write your dream down, figure out the steps it will take to make it happen. Read articles and books from folks who are living the lifestyle. As Charley "Tremendous" Jones said, "You will be exactly the same as you are today, except for the books you read, and the people you meet."
Get out there, rent an RV, go stay in a campground, or an RV Resort. Meet the folks living your dream. They are more than willing to share their stories, and answer your questions.
Wishing you all the best as you explore big dreams and goals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4926031
Full Time RV Living and Retirement - That Mystical Magical Word - Where's the Best Place to Retire?
Recently, as I was reading an article titled, "The Best 100 Places to Retire," I began having a few retirement dreams of my own. As I began dreaming of where I would like to be in my retirement, I realized I have the best of both worlds.
As a full time RV'er, I can visit every one of those 100 cities, and decide for myself which one fits the bill. Instead of taking them in the order listed in the article, I think I'll just line them up by state. Maybe I will start with Florida, there seem to be several very popular destinations listed there. Georgia is also on the list, and South Carolina. I think I could just continue up the Eastern Seaboard, maybe zigzag over to Tennessee, and Kentucky, then on to North Carolina, and Virginia.
I think I'm liking this idea better all the time. By the time I stop to check out all the interesting spots between each chosen city, this trip should only take me about five years. I'm sure by that time, the list may have changed some, so I could just start over, and do it all again.
The comments following the article were also very interesting. Someone from North Carolina said, "Would you please take us off the list? This used to be a nice place before everyone and their brother moved in." A Californian stated, "San Diego, La Jolla, are you kidding me? I can't wait to retire and move out of here."
Of course, you know, different strokes for different folks. What say you? Are you planning a big retirement in a specified location, or do you have a wandering spirit, and you want to join me and check them all out?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4977891
Full Time RV Living - How to Make the Budget Stretch
As a full time RV'er there is little you can do to change the mileage you get when towing your rig. Regardless of what we have done, our RV Hauler gets about 8 mpg when towing, and about 12 mpg empty. Knowing these facts have allowed us to budget accordingly. I have calculated that at $3 per gallon for diesel, the cost per mile while towing is about 50 cents, and about 25 cents per mile when not towing.
Being a numbers cruncher, I know that for our three month summer trip, we can go about 3600 miles without causing hiccups in the budget. What we need to decide at this point is, if fuel prices go up, do we want to cut the number of miles we travel, do we want to cut other expenses, and move those funds into the fuel budget, or do we want to tap into savings?
Tapping into savings is not normally my first solution. I normally problem solve by cutting the budget elsewhere, such as the food and entertainment budget.
We are very easily entertained, so cutting the budget there is simple, and relatively painless. When we are in travel mode, we may do one big tourist attraction a week. We quickly learned that being a tourist full time is exhausting, so rather than go, go, go, we find we like to stay in an area, and stretch out the pleasures.
The food budget is also fairly easy to cut back on. Like most full time RV'ers, when we are out and about playing tourist is when we normally choose to eat out at a restaurant. This is normally a midday meal, when most restaurants just happen to offer a lunch menu with smaller portions, and smaller prices.
Being a numbers cruncher, I know that for our three month summer trip, we can go about 3600 miles without causing hiccups in the budget. What we need to decide at this point is, if fuel prices go up, do we want to cut the number of miles we travel, do we want to cut other expenses, and move those funds into the fuel budget, or do we want to tap into savings?
Tapping into savings is not normally my first solution. I normally problem solve by cutting the budget elsewhere, such as the food and entertainment budget.
We are very easily entertained, so cutting the budget there is simple, and relatively painless. When we are in travel mode, we may do one big tourist attraction a week. We quickly learned that being a tourist full time is exhausting, so rather than go, go, go, we find we like to stay in an area, and stretch out the pleasures.
The food budget is also fairly easy to cut back on. Like most full time RV'ers, when we are out and about playing tourist is when we normally choose to eat out at a restaurant. This is normally a midday meal, when most restaurants just happen to offer a lunch menu with smaller portions, and smaller prices.
Full Time RV Living and Maintenance - On the Go
Travel day is a glorious phrase when you live full time in your Recreational Vehicle, but what about all the stuff?
This was the question we were asked by a young couple visiting us last week. We have lamps, and knick knacks, collectibles, and electronics out all over our rig. We decided from the very beginning that this was going to be our home, and it was going to be lived in, and decorated as a home.
All the goodies are very securely fastened down. We only move a couple of things, one being the coffeepot, which we sit on the floor. It's too big to fasten down, plus, it needs to be cleaned under on a regular basis. Being forced to move it to a safe place allows us to take care of that little cleaning chore. We also move the three glass canisters sitting beside the coffee pot which hold our sweetner, creamer, and coffee beans. They ride in the sink, along with one decorative plant.
That's about it. All the rest of it is either velcroed, glued or screwed down. A few judiciously placed bungee cords keep the TV from bouncing, and keep a couple of cabinet doors closed. Not sure what their problem is, I guess all the bouncing and flexing just jolts them loose, so over time, we've learned to fasten them. Those little kiddie protectors work great for that chore also.
One other chore that I have learned to do the night before is to take the sewer hose loose, and store it. I also disconnect the water, and store the water hose. We just use our fresh water tank for the few things we might need water for. The reason I started taking care of those two items the night before is that my hubby is an early bird. He gets up ready to roll. Taking care of a few things the night before allows me to sleep in an extra half hour.
All I need to do to be ready to roll is to fix a quick breakfast, clean up, and pull in the slides while he loads up the satellite dish, and the lawn chairs. We work together on the rest of the outside stuff, getting the trailer ready to hook up to the truck, taking care of the jacks, steps, whatever miscellaneous other things need to be done.
Having a routine, taking care of a few things the night before, and sharing responsibilities allows us to be ready to roll within thirty minutes.
If we can get it all together, and be on the road to our next destination by 10 a.m., we are happy campers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6028374
This was the question we were asked by a young couple visiting us last week. We have lamps, and knick knacks, collectibles, and electronics out all over our rig. We decided from the very beginning that this was going to be our home, and it was going to be lived in, and decorated as a home.
All the goodies are very securely fastened down. We only move a couple of things, one being the coffeepot, which we sit on the floor. It's too big to fasten down, plus, it needs to be cleaned under on a regular basis. Being forced to move it to a safe place allows us to take care of that little cleaning chore. We also move the three glass canisters sitting beside the coffee pot which hold our sweetner, creamer, and coffee beans. They ride in the sink, along with one decorative plant.
That's about it. All the rest of it is either velcroed, glued or screwed down. A few judiciously placed bungee cords keep the TV from bouncing, and keep a couple of cabinet doors closed. Not sure what their problem is, I guess all the bouncing and flexing just jolts them loose, so over time, we've learned to fasten them. Those little kiddie protectors work great for that chore also.
One other chore that I have learned to do the night before is to take the sewer hose loose, and store it. I also disconnect the water, and store the water hose. We just use our fresh water tank for the few things we might need water for. The reason I started taking care of those two items the night before is that my hubby is an early bird. He gets up ready to roll. Taking care of a few things the night before allows me to sleep in an extra half hour.
All I need to do to be ready to roll is to fix a quick breakfast, clean up, and pull in the slides while he loads up the satellite dish, and the lawn chairs. We work together on the rest of the outside stuff, getting the trailer ready to hook up to the truck, taking care of the jacks, steps, whatever miscellaneous other things need to be done.
Having a routine, taking care of a few things the night before, and sharing responsibilities allows us to be ready to roll within thirty minutes.
If we can get it all together, and be on the road to our next destination by 10 a.m., we are happy campers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6028374
Full Time RV Travel–How do you plan your RV Road Trips?
Although we live full time in our RV, we still do not travel full time, so we still plan our road trips. . .usually in the summer, when we are trying to escape the heat of the Texas Gulf Coast.
Now this year, we plan to travel up through the Blue Ridge Mountains, over to the Appalachians, and then on to Virginia, maybe up to Washington D.C., and then back down the East Coast, not sure how far, and back across to Texas sometime in the fall.
It has been interesting that a couple of RV Blog “friends” are currently exploring territory that we plan to cover on this trip.
Jamie and hubby George who write RV Home Yet are currently traveling North on the Natchez Trace, which is exactly what we plan to do next month, so we are very interested to read about all the things they discover along the way. . .and then Margery and Paul who write Living Our Dream have been traveling in Southern Louisiana near the Mississippi River, so we have been very interested to hear their take on the flooding in the area.
It’s been so great to have advance scouts for this trip, so I was just wondering, do you ever read up on blog posts when folks are traveling in areas you intend to go? Some of these guys really share a lot of great information on out of the way museums and points of interest, not to mention that Margery and Paul eat at some really great restaurants. . .gotta check those out. . .
Now this year, we plan to travel up through the Blue Ridge Mountains, over to the Appalachians, and then on to Virginia, maybe up to Washington D.C., and then back down the East Coast, not sure how far, and back across to Texas sometime in the fall.
It has been interesting that a couple of RV Blog “friends” are currently exploring territory that we plan to cover on this trip.
Jamie and hubby George who write RV Home Yet are currently traveling North on the Natchez Trace, which is exactly what we plan to do next month, so we are very interested to read about all the things they discover along the way. . .and then Margery and Paul who write Living Our Dream have been traveling in Southern Louisiana near the Mississippi River, so we have been very interested to hear their take on the flooding in the area.
It’s been so great to have advance scouts for this trip, so I was just wondering, do you ever read up on blog posts when folks are traveling in areas you intend to go? Some of these guys really share a lot of great information on out of the way museums and points of interest, not to mention that Margery and Paul eat at some really great restaurants. . .gotta check those out. . .
RV Road Trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway | Monty's Musings - RV ...
The Blue Ridge Parkway ranks near the top of routes RV travelers should make time to discover. Connecting two national parks, two states and an amazing array of attractions...
Publish Date: 04/27/2011 9:16
http://blog.elmonterv.com/index.php/2011/04/rv-road-trip-along-the-blue-ridge-parkway/
RV Road Trip Idea – Country Music Hall of Fame | Music Business ...
RV Road Trip Idea - Country Music Hall of FameArticle by Joe Laing Country music has.
Publish Date: 05/21/2011 12:31
http://music-lyrics-popstars.411-blogs.com/rv-road-trip-idea-country-music-hall-of-fame/
Savarino's on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives 9 p.m. ... - Nashville Scene
See anything you recognize in this description of tonight's episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: This trip Guy's pulling in for a world of flavor....
Publish Date: 11/08/2010 10:47
http://www.nashvillescene.com/bites/archives/2010/11/08/savarinos-on-diners-drive-ins-and-dives-9-pm-tonight
Black Dog's House on Wheels: Natchez Trace Parkway, Part One, May ...
Around 1785 farmers began piloting their boats down the Mississippi river to sell their goods and then walk back to Nashville following the "Trace". Today the Natchez Trace Parkway is a National Park following some of ...
Publish Date: 05/17/2011 19:52
http://sadieshouseonwheels.blogspot.com/2011/05/natchez-trace-parkway-part-one-may-13.html
Monday, May 30, 2011
Full Time RV Living - Do You Have a Love Hate Relationship with Your RV Kitchen?
A RV Blog "friend" recently wrote an article about what she liked/disliked about her RV Kitchen. Her post created quite a response, and several comments which caused me to ponder the good and bad of my RV kitchen.
Now, I absolutely love the layout of our kitchen when we are parked. The island in the center with the sink creates plenty of counter space to work on. . .
and the two RV refrigerators were the biggest selling point. . .
yes, the one on the left has been replaced. . .the trim now comes in black.
however, as great as all of it is when we are parked, when it comes to travel mode, both slides come all the way in against the island, and we have no access to the kitchen at all, unless we put out the slide with the refrigerators in it.
But, the worst part of the kitchen is the stove. I detest the stove so much that I use an induction burner to cook on about 75% of the time, and I use an electric pressure cooker the rest of the time. The oven is used strictly for storage.
Someday, when my microwave gives up the ghost I will replace it with a convection style, and then perhaps I will once again bake things. Until then, baked goods from the store bakery fill the bill. . .
I cook almost every day. . .and you can tell by looking at us that we are not doing without. . .but I have definitely learned to adapt.
What are the things you most love/hate about your RV kitchen?
Dave and I have lived in our RV Full Time since 2003, when we sold the house and everything in it, and have traveled fulltime since 2009. Follow our tales by signing up to follow our blog, and check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle.
Now, I absolutely love the layout of our kitchen when we are parked. The island in the center with the sink creates plenty of counter space to work on. . .
and the two RV refrigerators were the biggest selling point. . .
yes, the one on the left has been replaced. . .the trim now comes in black.
however, as great as all of it is when we are parked, when it comes to travel mode, both slides come all the way in against the island, and we have no access to the kitchen at all, unless we put out the slide with the refrigerators in it.
But, the worst part of the kitchen is the stove. I detest the stove so much that I use an induction burner to cook on about 75% of the time, and I use an electric pressure cooker the rest of the time. The oven is used strictly for storage.
Someday, when my microwave gives up the ghost I will replace it with a convection style, and then perhaps I will once again bake things. Until then, baked goods from the store bakery fill the bill. . .
I cook almost every day. . .and you can tell by looking at us that we are not doing without. . .but I have definitely learned to adapt.
What are the things you most love/hate about your RV kitchen?
Lighten the Load in Your RV Kitchen — RVRepairNOW.com
Lighten the Load in Your RV Kitchen By: Raechelle Janzen – RVRepairNOW.com Whether you are camping in a brand new state of the art motor coach or a pop-up tent camper, galley space is always very limited. It is pretty.
Publish Date: 04/30/2011 9:27
http://www.rvrepairnow.com/2011/04/lighten-the-load-in-your-rv-kitchen/
Kitchen "must haves" please share! - RV-Dreams Community Forum
Don't buy or take anything in the RV that you wouldn't or don't use regularly in your home kitchen. Always consider weight and storage space. No offense to anyone, but it's best to take a wait and see attitude, especially when you're ...
Publish Date: 08/21/2010 8:01
http://91511.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=91511&p=3&topicID=9923434
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Full Time RV Living and Travel - Is Your RV OLD?
Have you ever heard of the ten year rule? Supposedly, some RV Parks will not allow you to stay if your RV is older than ten years. We are quickly coming up on the ten year mark in our rig, but you would never know it to look at it. I mean, how do they know, unless you tell them?
One of my favorite RV Writers, Nick from Gypsy Journal recently wrote an article on this subject: Ten Year Rule
I'm curious, have you ever experienced this aspect of RV'ing?
One of my favorite RV Writers, Nick from Gypsy Journal recently wrote an article on this subject: Ten Year Rule
I'm curious, have you ever experienced this aspect of RV'ing?
Full Time RV Living and Travel - Tips That Can Help With RV Travel Expenses
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| From Blog Posts |
We quickly learned that staying in and visiting tourist areas of the country can get pricey in a hurry.
Here's a great article written by an RV'ing friend with 30 Tips to Cut your Travel Expenses.
Sign up for our updates, or add our blog to your feed reader. Check back often as we discuss tips and tricks to living full time in your RV.
Money Saving Tips: Extending Your RV Travel Dollars | Vogel Talks ...
Money Saving Tips: Extending Your RV Travel Dollars. Posted on May 18, 2011 by admin. The latest Campfire Canvass survey of RV owners conducted by Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) revealed that 53% intend to use their RV ...
Publish Date: 05/18/2011 10:55
http://vogeltalksrving.com/2011/05/money-saving-tips-extending-your-rv-travel-dollars/
The trick to successfully reducing expenses on every day RV living is to make it a lifestyle habit so it doesn't feel like an inconvenience or that you are “pinching pennies”. Here are a few money-saving tips that are ...
Publish Date: 02/07/2011 9:47
http://www.taxfreerv.com/blog/getting-started-in-rving/money-saving-rv-travel-tips
Full Time RV Travel - Boondocking - or Another Perspective to Save ...
Follow our tales by clicking on the RSS feed at the top of the page, or check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle. The Zen of Boondocking Part XIV – Camping along scenic byways ... 2 Responses to Full Time RV Travel – Boondocking – or Another Perspective to Save Money on Overnight RV Parking. May 21 2011. Candace Rivero. I agree that paying $40 for a place to park & sleep for the night is not cost-effective for many RVers. ...
Publish Date: 05/14/2011 10:55
http://readytogofulltimerving.com/full-time-rv-travel-boondocking-or-another-perspective-to-save-money-on-overnight-rv-parking/
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Friday, May 27, 2011
Full Time RV Living and Maintenance - Are you Overweight?
I mean. . .is your RV overweight, and how do you know?
I recently read this great article with definitions for calculating the weight of your RV, and since all those terms are so confusing I thought you might like to see the actual definitions and what they stand for.
When we only vacationed in our rig, I never had any concern whatsoever about what it weighed. After all, we were only taking a couple weeks worth of food and clothes, and a few miscellaneous items. There was probably no need to be concerned.
Now that we are living full time in our fifth wheel, and everything we own in the entire world is rolling down the road with us, I find myself being a little more concerned about what we are carrying.
Of course we still have food and clothes with us, but now we also have shoes, and books... computers and games, TV's and stereo equipment... not to mention tools, and various other items we may need in case of a project, or heaven forbid, a break down. So yes, I work diligently to keep our stashes paired down.
Just as having an overweight body causes my knees, and sometimes my feet to hurt... in my imagination, and perhaps in reality... having an overweight coach causes problems with tires and suspension, underpinnings, floorboards and joists.
Add to that, the additional weight of the fresh water tank, (at eight pounds per gallon,) and you really start to rack up the score.
Consider that not only are they straining under the load, but they are also bouncing, jolting, and flexing as they are pulled down the highway at 60 mph. Now keeping in mind that our rig is eight years old, we once pulled into an RV park for an overnight stay, and discovered we had a tire leaking.
Only, it wasn't actually the tire that was leaking... the rim had cracked. Thankfully, we were able to pull it right around the corner to a great tire shop where the owner really knew his business. He told us that he specializes in race car trailers, and that he often sees cracked rims on them, because when you get that much weight on that small of a circumference, and then you are cranking it around to get it parked, you are really, really torquing that tire. I could definitely see his point.
With all of this said, I would strongly encourage you to be brave, and take your rig to a weigh station. If you are within your GVWR limits, you will be relieved. If you are over those limits, you will know there is work to be done to prevent issues in the future.
Dave and I have lived in our RV Full Time for the past eight years, and have traveled fulltime for the past three years. Follow our tales by clicking on the RSS feed at the top of the page, or check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle.
I recently read this great article with definitions for calculating the weight of your RV, and since all those terms are so confusing I thought you might like to see the actual definitions and what they stand for.
When we only vacationed in our rig, I never had any concern whatsoever about what it weighed. After all, we were only taking a couple weeks worth of food and clothes, and a few miscellaneous items. There was probably no need to be concerned.
Now that we are living full time in our fifth wheel, and everything we own in the entire world is rolling down the road with us, I find myself being a little more concerned about what we are carrying.
Of course we still have food and clothes with us, but now we also have shoes, and books... computers and games, TV's and stereo equipment... not to mention tools, and various other items we may need in case of a project, or heaven forbid, a break down. So yes, I work diligently to keep our stashes paired down.
Just as having an overweight body causes my knees, and sometimes my feet to hurt... in my imagination, and perhaps in reality... having an overweight coach causes problems with tires and suspension, underpinnings, floorboards and joists.
Add to that, the additional weight of the fresh water tank, (at eight pounds per gallon,) and you really start to rack up the score.
Consider that not only are they straining under the load, but they are also bouncing, jolting, and flexing as they are pulled down the highway at 60 mph. Now keeping in mind that our rig is eight years old, we once pulled into an RV park for an overnight stay, and discovered we had a tire leaking.
Only, it wasn't actually the tire that was leaking... the rim had cracked. Thankfully, we were able to pull it right around the corner to a great tire shop where the owner really knew his business. He told us that he specializes in race car trailers, and that he often sees cracked rims on them, because when you get that much weight on that small of a circumference, and then you are cranking it around to get it parked, you are really, really torquing that tire. I could definitely see his point.
With all of this said, I would strongly encourage you to be brave, and take your rig to a weigh station. If you are within your GVWR limits, you will be relieved. If you are over those limits, you will know there is work to be done to prevent issues in the future.
Weigh Your RV! - jasonbutler868's posterous
Weigh Your RV! Most people who are new to RVing and have just recently bought their first RV may be too excited to get out there on the road that they do not think about how much cargo they are loading. ...
Publish Date: 05/10/2011 15:46
http://jasonbutler868.posterous.com/weigh-your-rv
RV Weight Issues - All That 'Stuff' Really Adds Up! - The Fun ...
Just as you need to know your RV's height limitations and width limitations, you also need to know your RV's weight limitations. Here's how to tell how much weight your RV can legally carry, as well as how much your RV weighs with ...
Publish Date: 09/07/2009 13:48
http://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/09/rv_weight-2.php
Weighing your RV can be the difference between a safe, enjoyable trip and a costly, disastrous trip. With multiple slide out rooms, amenities like washers and.
Publish Date: 08/24/2009 18:35
http://blog.rv.net/2009/08/o-school-why-weigh-your-rv/
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Full Time RV Living - Don't get rid of everything
If you have sold the house, and are now moving lock, stock, and barrel into your Recreational Vehicle, good for you. The question now is, where do you put all of the stuff, and the only answer to that is, trial and error.
First off, let me say to you, don’t get rid of everything like we did. I know you are thinking, oh I’m never going to need a blender, or a food processor in the RV. Don’t decide that so quickly. Keep in mind, this is not a vacation trip…this is going to be your life, and if you have always enjoyed cooking, that is not going to change.
I know you may be thinking, oh, we are just going to eat out all the time. Trust me, that gets old, and you will find yourself really, really wanting a home cooked meal, so even if it means getting a small storage shed while you make your final decisions, then that would be the thing to do.
I sold my Kitchen Aid mixer in our Estate/Garage Sale, and I have always regretted it. I love making home made bread, and cinnamon rolls, so I would have used it. I also got rid of most of my electric appliances, and have replaced almost all of them.
If you are parked at the lake, and you have an ice maker aboard as we do, the blender really comes in handy for making a wonderful fruit slushy. Can you imagine anything more glorious on a hot summer day, than sitting in your lawn chair, overlooking the sailboats on the lake, and sipping a divine, icy drink that you were able to whip up yourself in a matter of moments.
Don’t skimp on your pots and pans either. We owned a very nice set of waterless cook ware that I refused to let go of. Great decision. The RV stove is temperamental enough to cook on, without also having inferior cookware. In addition to great cook ware, an electric pressure cooker is a wise choice. When you are cooking at altitude, there are things that do not get done, such as rice, beans, and pasta. Voila, the magical pressure cooker solves all your problems.
If you hate using paper plates, utensils, and cups in your real life, you will hate it in your RV’ing life. It only takes seconds to wash the real dishes, and it makes it feel like home, rather than being on a perpetual vacation.
I could go on, and on about kitchen issues, but surely you get the picture. This is life, when you are planning, think of it as life, and act accordingly. Of course, you can’t keep everything, but be very judicious in what you weed out. If there is a question, hang onto the item. A few months down the road, when you have decided you are never going to use that again, donate it to the local thrift store, or women’s shelter.
Now, just as there are questions with what to keep for the kitchen, tools also fall into the category of “I may need that someday.” Yes, you may, and a well stocked tool box is vital, because you may not be somewhere that help is readily available, so you may be dependent upon the tool decisions you have made.
With that said though, you must keep in mind, this is a Recreational Vehicle, and there are “weight” issues, so you simply cannot take it all. Try to choose multi use tools whenever possible, and attempt to weed out duplicates. You know what type of repairs you may be making, so plan your tool kit accordingly.
We do our own RV maintenance, and most of our own home improvements, so it was important to us to keep our cordless drill and circular saw set. Inside the RV we keep a Black and Decker combo tool kit, the kind you buy at Walmart that has just a miscellaneous assortment of everything, and each one has it’s own nifty little slot that it fits in to.
Inside the truck, we have a larger assortment of mechanics type tools, a complete electronics repair kit, on board we also have supplies for plumbing repairs, a tree saw for overhanging branches, a nifty fold up shovel, which we haven’t used yet, but you just never know, and a few other nifty items that I can’t let go of yet.
On to clothing issues, and shoes. Now here is the place to be relentless in pairing down. How are you going to live your RV lifestyle? Will it be a very casual life, or will you continue life as you know it now? Only you can decide what type of clothing you plan to live in.
We knew that we would continue attending church services as we traveled, and since we believe God deserves our best, we “dress up” for church, therefore, we kept a few “dressy” outfits. Now it’s only a couple of really dressy outfits, because I figure if I am attending a different church every couple of weeks, who is going to know that I am wearing the same outfit over, and over.
You may only need t-shirts, shorts, and flip flops, so whatever you decide is fine. There are malls, discount stores, and thrift shops everywhere you are going to go, so you can replenish anything you may be missing, or you can donate anything, and everything you decide you can live without.
Wow, now that you have it all loaded, there is one last “REQUIREMENT.” Drive your rig to the nearest truck scale, and “WEIGH IT.”
This is an absolute necessity for so many reasons, safety being number one! If you are overweight, it affects everything, absolutely everything. Being overweight could cause you to have a blow out, because your tires simply can not support the load. If you are towing a trailer, and the trailer is overweight, or too heavy for the tow vehicle, you may not be able to get stopped in an emergency situation.
The first time we weighed our rig, I went in to absolute panic mode. The trailer itself was not overweight…it was fine, but the loaded trailer was way over the recommended tow capacity for the vehicle we had at the time.
My number one priority at that moment became finding an adequate tow vehicle. Did you know that if your trailer is overweight for your tow vehicle, your automotive insurance could be void in the case of an accident?
Verify everything. You can never be too careful when it comes your safety, and the safety of others.
Full Time RV Living – Packing and Organizing the Recreational Vehicle for Life
Written by: Janice L. Evans
Please feel free to comment or ask questions. I will make an attempt to answer each and every one.
First off, let me say to you, don’t get rid of everything like we did. I know you are thinking, oh I’m never going to need a blender, or a food processor in the RV. Don’t decide that so quickly. Keep in mind, this is not a vacation trip…this is going to be your life, and if you have always enjoyed cooking, that is not going to change.
I know you may be thinking, oh, we are just going to eat out all the time. Trust me, that gets old, and you will find yourself really, really wanting a home cooked meal, so even if it means getting a small storage shed while you make your final decisions, then that would be the thing to do.
I sold my Kitchen Aid mixer in our Estate/Garage Sale, and I have always regretted it. I love making home made bread, and cinnamon rolls, so I would have used it. I also got rid of most of my electric appliances, and have replaced almost all of them.
If you are parked at the lake, and you have an ice maker aboard as we do, the blender really comes in handy for making a wonderful fruit slushy. Can you imagine anything more glorious on a hot summer day, than sitting in your lawn chair, overlooking the sailboats on the lake, and sipping a divine, icy drink that you were able to whip up yourself in a matter of moments.
Don’t skimp on your pots and pans either. We owned a very nice set of waterless cook ware that I refused to let go of. Great decision. The RV stove is temperamental enough to cook on, without also having inferior cookware. In addition to great cook ware, an electric pressure cooker is a wise choice. When you are cooking at altitude, there are things that do not get done, such as rice, beans, and pasta. Voila, the magical pressure cooker solves all your problems.
If you hate using paper plates, utensils, and cups in your real life, you will hate it in your RV’ing life. It only takes seconds to wash the real dishes, and it makes it feel like home, rather than being on a perpetual vacation.
I could go on, and on about kitchen issues, but surely you get the picture. This is life, when you are planning, think of it as life, and act accordingly. Of course, you can’t keep everything, but be very judicious in what you weed out. If there is a question, hang onto the item. A few months down the road, when you have decided you are never going to use that again, donate it to the local thrift store, or women’s shelter.
Now, just as there are questions with what to keep for the kitchen, tools also fall into the category of “I may need that someday.” Yes, you may, and a well stocked tool box is vital, because you may not be somewhere that help is readily available, so you may be dependent upon the tool decisions you have made.
With that said though, you must keep in mind, this is a Recreational Vehicle, and there are “weight” issues, so you simply cannot take it all. Try to choose multi use tools whenever possible, and attempt to weed out duplicates. You know what type of repairs you may be making, so plan your tool kit accordingly.
We do our own RV maintenance, and most of our own home improvements, so it was important to us to keep our cordless drill and circular saw set. Inside the RV we keep a Black and Decker combo tool kit, the kind you buy at Walmart that has just a miscellaneous assortment of everything, and each one has it’s own nifty little slot that it fits in to.
Inside the truck, we have a larger assortment of mechanics type tools, a complete electronics repair kit, on board we also have supplies for plumbing repairs, a tree saw for overhanging branches, a nifty fold up shovel, which we haven’t used yet, but you just never know, and a few other nifty items that I can’t let go of yet.
On to clothing issues, and shoes. Now here is the place to be relentless in pairing down. How are you going to live your RV lifestyle? Will it be a very casual life, or will you continue life as you know it now? Only you can decide what type of clothing you plan to live in.
We knew that we would continue attending church services as we traveled, and since we believe God deserves our best, we “dress up” for church, therefore, we kept a few “dressy” outfits. Now it’s only a couple of really dressy outfits, because I figure if I am attending a different church every couple of weeks, who is going to know that I am wearing the same outfit over, and over.
You may only need t-shirts, shorts, and flip flops, so whatever you decide is fine. There are malls, discount stores, and thrift shops everywhere you are going to go, so you can replenish anything you may be missing, or you can donate anything, and everything you decide you can live without.
Wow, now that you have it all loaded, there is one last “REQUIREMENT.” Drive your rig to the nearest truck scale, and “WEIGH IT.”
This is an absolute necessity for so many reasons, safety being number one! If you are overweight, it affects everything, absolutely everything. Being overweight could cause you to have a blow out, because your tires simply can not support the load. If you are towing a trailer, and the trailer is overweight, or too heavy for the tow vehicle, you may not be able to get stopped in an emergency situation.
The first time we weighed our rig, I went in to absolute panic mode. The trailer itself was not overweight…it was fine, but the loaded trailer was way over the recommended tow capacity for the vehicle we had at the time.
My number one priority at that moment became finding an adequate tow vehicle. Did you know that if your trailer is overweight for your tow vehicle, your automotive insurance could be void in the case of an accident?
Verify everything. You can never be too careful when it comes your safety, and the safety of others.
Full Time RV Living – Packing and Organizing the Recreational Vehicle for Life
Written by: Janice L. Evans
Please feel free to comment or ask questions. I will make an attempt to answer each and every one.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Full Time RV Living - Avoiding a Disaster
Oh I so drive my poor hubby crazy. . .planning ahead. . .working out all the details. . .and the what ifs.
See, my motto is this. . .if you plan ahead for it, and it doesn't happen. . .well, then you are ahead of the game. Ahhhh. . .once I realized that's just the way my mind worked, I was able to continue with my plan, and all is well.
Until I read an article like this. . .Avoiding an RV Disaster. . .written by a fellow RV'er whom we met in the South Texas Valley this past winter.
Good grief. . .GPS nightmares. . .RV's catching on fire. . .and I was only concerned about being on the road too long. . .or avoiding a low clearance. . .or maybe not dragging the bottom of the RV as we pull into a driveway. Well. . .so much for peace of mind. . .hunnnneeee. . .we have problem. Just kidding!
Dave and I have lived in our RV Full Time for the past eight years, and have traveled fulltime for the past three years. Follow our tales by clicking on the RSS feed at the top of the page, or check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle.
See, my motto is this. . .if you plan ahead for it, and it doesn't happen. . .well, then you are ahead of the game. Ahhhh. . .once I realized that's just the way my mind worked, I was able to continue with my plan, and all is well.
Until I read an article like this. . .Avoiding an RV Disaster. . .written by a fellow RV'er whom we met in the South Texas Valley this past winter.
Good grief. . .GPS nightmares. . .RV's catching on fire. . .and I was only concerned about being on the road too long. . .or avoiding a low clearance. . .or maybe not dragging the bottom of the RV as we pull into a driveway. Well. . .so much for peace of mind. . .hunnnneeee. . .we have problem. Just kidding!
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Tornadoes: The What, When & Where | Woodall's Campgrounds, RV Blog ...
We have very little control over external forces such as tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, disasters, illness, and pain. What really matters is the internal force. How do I respond to those disasters? Over that I have complete control. ...
Publish Date: 05/08/2011 2:00
http://blog.woodalls.com/2011/05/tornadoes-the-what-when-where/
Please review fire safety with your family | RV at Clem's Yet?
Your RV is full of gas and propane, and when you put those two things next to electrical wires and other dangers, the threat of fire is never too far away. This is why you should have a fire plan that every member of your traveling ...
Publish Date: 05/09/2011 14:17
http://rvatclemsyet.com/please-review-fire-safety-with-your-family
Full Time RV Living and Travel - America's Scenic Byways and My Bucket List
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| From Blog Posts |
On my ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing FaceBook Page I recently asked for a few of your favorite things that you wanted to do from your bucket list. I hafta say, that's quite a list that we have going over there.
Since that time, I've been thinking about how long my list is, so I've decided that I need to prioritize. I think that visiting America' National Parks and Monuments, and America's Scenic Byways are going to be my top priority. When I decided this, I didn't quite realize that there are 394 National Parks alone. This list may keep me busy for a long, long time.
For those of you who are wanting to work a few hours here and there as you travel, the National Parks, and the tourist towns surrounding the National Parks are a great place to find work. . .just ask. . .what's the worst thing they can tell you? We spent the Summer of 2010 working at a gift shop in West Yellowstone. It was the perfect gig. . .we worked a few hours a week. . .had a free RV space. . .had lots and lots of time to explore the park. It was the adventure of a lifetime. We enjoyed every minute.
What is on your bucket list. . .just a few things you would love to see or do before you "kick the bucket?"
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Spending a summer in America's first national park | Wandering ...
This company runs the hospitality and accommodations for many national and state parks, including the beloved Yellowstone - America's very first national park. I'm not a stranger to the park; last summer I spent a few weeks camping ...
Publish Date: 05/01/2011 16:16
http://www.wanderingeducators.com/travel-journals/north-america/spending-summer-americas-first-national-park.html
Alaska National Parks- Alaska Tour Jobs
Getting there is essentially only possible by plane, but once you're there you'll experience the most unexplored national park in America. gates of the arctic. The flight into Gates of the Arctic provides sweeping views of vast mountain ...
Publish Date: 05/03/2011 19:05
http://www.alaskatourjobs.com/i-heart-alaska/alaska-national-parks/
Get a Summer Job Working Outdoors « Rocky Mountain National Park
Where can you find information on summer jobs in national parks like Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain National Park and Everglades National Park? Check out a comprehensive, great, fun website called Cool Works. If you are interested in the ...
Publish Date: 05/07/2011 19:00
http://rockymountainnationalpark.piemlak.com/2011/05/07/get-a-summer-job-working-outdoors/
Summer Jobs and Seasonal Jobs in Great Places | CoolWorks.com
Summer jobs and Seasonal jobs in National Parks, Ski Resorts, Ranches, Camps and Cruise Ships and other Great Places.
Publish Date: 05/16/2011 18:46
http://www.coolworks.com/
Xanterra Parks and Resorts - A great company - for a year or a ...
Looking for work with Xanterra Parks & Resorts? You've come the right place! Xanterra Parks & Resorts believes people are our most valuable resource and we look forward to seeing you in one our national parks, state parks or resorts ...
Publish Date: 06/05/2009 4:09
http://www.coolworks.com/profile/xanterra-parks-and-resorts
Jobs with Aramark Parks and Destinations
Jobs with Aramark Parks and Destinations. Whether it is arctic beauty of Alaska's Denali National Park or the desert vibrance of Colorado's Mese Verde National Park, Aramark Parks and Destinations are there. Aramark Parks and Resorts: ...
Publish Date: 03/06/2008 2:00
http://www.aramarkparksjobs.com/
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Full Time RV Travel - Know the State Highway Laws
Every state has a different set rules and regulations: check them out here
Full Time RV Living and Travel - Saving Money on the Road
http://vogeltalksrving.com/2011/05/money-saving-tips-extending-your-rv-travel-dollars/
Full Time RV Living and Travel - Golf and RVing are a Perfect Fit
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| From Blog Posts |
I'm not sure if sitting out in the lawn chairs watching the golfers is more fun, or actually being on the golf course playing the game is more fun. It's probably a toss up. . .and if that wasn't great enough, for you guys who are wanting to work a few hours here and there as you travel. . .there are numerous combination RV / Golf Resorts around the country who hire RV'ers in exchange for your RV parking space. What a life!
Check out just a few of them here: RV Parks with Golf / Golf Courses with RV Parks Now, I'm not saying all these places are looking for RV'ers to work on their golf courses, but hey, it never hurts to ask, does it? What's the worst thing they can tell you. . .don't be shy. . .go for it!
I liked this cool golf tip. . .
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Rv Resorts Arizona: A Destination For Fun Seekers | Global Resorts ...
Golfers and tennis lovers can enjoy their stay in RV resorts Arizona, for there are different golf courses and tennis courts available in the resorts. To put simply, you can find any kind of luxury you could ask for, right from fine dining, to five star quality of room service ... Rio Bend RV Resort presented affordable RV Resort, RV Park, RV Camping, RV Review, RV Resorts Arizona, RV Resorts Review, RV Camping Parks, Park Model Home, RV Camping Parks, Park Model Trailer. ...
Publish Date: 05/17/2011 10:00
http://larrywellsreview.com/rv-resorts-arizona-a-destination-for-fun-seekers/
Look no further than the beautiful Rio Bend RV and Golf Resort as it has everything of the very best to offer their guests. Surrounded by wetlands as well as a bird sanctuary and 80 acre lagoon it is one of the greatest RV Resorts to be ...
Publish Date: 05/11/2011 15:47
http://www.golfclubresortsonline.com/rio-bend-rv-and-golf-resort/
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Full Time RV Living and Travel - You're in Good Company
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| From Blog Posts |
Here are other famous celebrity RV owners. . .there's even a video tour of Dolly Parton's little RV.
What's not to love about RV'ing? Other than going on a cruise, I can't think of a better way to travel. . .and the only reason the cruise wins out over the RV, is because they take you where you are going, and do all the cooking and cleaning up. Either way is a great way to live!
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| From Blogger Pictures |
BEST REVIEW - TOP 7 FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT LIVING THE RV LIFE 2011 ...
We owned a home prior to getting this RV. It is wonderful to only have to worry about unexpected maintenance and repairs on such a small item compared to a house full of expensive updates when water heaters break down, etc. Top 5 ...
Publish Date: 05/16/2011 17:00
http://www.best-reviewer.com/best-review-top-7-favorite-things-about-living-rv-life.htm
Wines, Chocolate, Prime Rib, and The CWRTV RV - Celebrity Wine ...
There is a double treat at this park. It has a great RV park and is home to Beef Eaters Restaurant. Both places have been visited by many of the local celebrities.The park has had the “RV Park of the Year” award several times. CWRTV RV ...
Publish Date: 05/02/2011 9:00
http://www.celebritywinereview.tv/wines-chocolate-prime-rib-and-the-cwrtv-rv/
Full Time RV Maintenance - Do You Need A Surge Protector For Your RV?
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| From Blog Posts |
To the question, "do you need a surge protector for your RV?" I answer a resounding YES!
If you have read very much of my stuff, you have heard me talk about this subject before. I am a believer! I have personally known several different RV'ers who have either plugged their rigs into plugs that were wired incorrectly, have been plugged in at a park that experienced a brown out (too low) or a power spike (too high) and because they had no surge protector they burned out various TV's, microwaves, and assorted other electrical devices that they will continue to discover on down the road.
In this article I recently read do you need a surge protector for your RV? the author was saying that someone asked him if it was worth spending $300 to have one. I call that $300 worth of insurance that you are definitely going to need if you travel very much.
Case in point, this month, we are parked at a fairly large, fairly nice RV park just on the outskirts of Houston TX. . .got set up. . .all is well, until we turn on the big a/c unit. Immediately the surge protector shut us down. . .okay, that's fine, we'll just use the smaller unit until the next morning when the maintenance personnel can check things out. The problem. . .the ground was not properly connected at the box. . .fixed that. . .all is well until the outside temps begin going up, and everyone in the complex decides to run their a/c. . .our voltage meter dropped all the way to 104. . .surge protector once again shut us down.
Annoying. . .yes, but replacing appliances and a/c units would be much more annoying.
This is not a problem we have really ran in to all that often of having the voltage drops. . .and NO, we will NOT be returning to this park for this reason, but I am thankful that we have protection from this issue.
It is my understanding that this is a common occurrence in parks on the East and West Coasts, where they are not really set up for big rigs in many of their resorts.
Have any of you had these issues, or even had the lights dim when the a/c kicks on? I would be interested to hear what areas of the country experience these issues the most.
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| From Blogger Pictures |
The RV Doctor: Are Surge Protectors Needed in RVs?
I indeed, heartily recommend a surge protector for RVs. I tend to the favor those that are hard-wired into the AC system, but that's just a personal preference. Certainly the portable, in-line type is just as effective. ...
Publish Date: 04/06/2011 13:29
http://www.rvdoctor.com/2011/04/are-surge-protectors-needed-in-rvs.html
In all honesty you should stick to the hardwire devices over the RV portable surge protectors. The reason should be obvious. The portable models plug in outside of the camper, so it is easy for someone to steal it from you. ...
Publish Date: 03/09/2010 18:20
http://reviewsurgeprotector.com/rv-surge-protectors.html
The Lazy Daze Companion: Surge Protectors
There are two basic types of surge protectors: a portable protector is intended to be plugged into the campground utility box, while a hard-wired protector is permanently wired inside the RV and is always ON, so so speak. ...
Publish Date: 01/17/2011 20:37
http://lazydazearticles.blogspot.com/2011/01/surge-protectors.html
Full Time RV Maintenance - RV Fresh Water Tank - Potable Water
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| From Blog Posts |
A discussion on Keeping Water Fresh in your RV fresh water tank caught my attention today, because they were discussing putting bleach in the RV's fresh water tank, and then carrying potable water to use for drinking.
Now, we try to avoid using bleach in anything that will be going down the potty into the RV's black water tank, just because we don't want to kill the good little beasties, and enzymes living down there that eat up all the bacteria.
However, I can see the writers point. We also carry potable water when we know we will be using the RV fresh water tank only. For some reason, the water out of there just tastes funny to me, and it makes funny tasting coffee, so before we disconnect we fill a gallon jug from the filtered water tap at the sink.
I'm curious as to whether others have had this problem, and how you dealt with it.
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| From Blogger Pictures |
What Does It Really Cost to RV Carrying Water | Lite Thots Blog
Go RVing and leave the water behind; save in fuel costs and increase engine performance. Make the kind of water filter you need when you get there. Why fill your fresh water tank before leaving home? Well, it will help slosh last year's ...
Publish Date: 05/10/2011 8:31
http://www.litethotsblog.com/rv-lifestyle-2/3215-what-does-it-really-cost-to-rv-carrying-water/
Now I could see the validity of following the instructions in this next link, as long as none of the bleach water got flushed down the potty.
Checking your RV Water System | See Where the Road Takes You
I came across a couple of different articles to help you out next time you want to check your RV water system yourself. Here are a couple tips from RV Basics: Start with a nearly full fresh water tank. Turn the water heater off and let ...
Publish Date: 02/01/2001 2:00
http://seewheretheroadtakesyou.com/checking-your-rv-water-system
Monday, May 16, 2011
Full Time RV Living - It's an Emotional Decision
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| From Blog Posts |
I hope you will take the time to read their story, it brought back all those moments of indecision I felt when we were making those decision eight years ago. . .looking back, we know we did the right thing, and we are loving every moment of this lifestyle. . .
Emotions in planning Full Time RVing
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Full Time RV Travel - Boondocking - or Another Perspective to Save Money on Overnight RV Parking
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| From Blog Posts |
Two weeks ago in our weekly reader survey we asked if you had ever spent the night with your RV in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Fifty-seven percent of you answered yes. When we asked that same question seven years ago, only 46 percent. What that means is a lot more RVers are holing up in Wal-Mart parking lots these days.
THE REASON IS OBVIOUS: the average price of a full-hookup site in an RV park today is $40.96. That's according to a recent survey by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. So holing up for a night in a Wal-Mart parking lot buys an extra 100 miles of gas.
I AM A BIG BELIEVER in campgrounds and RV parks. But I am not a big believer in staying at them when I simply need a place to sleep for the night. To pay $30 to $40 for that is crazy. For RVers in transit -- on their way to somewhere -- staying for free when convenient saves money, perhaps enough to make a trip affordable in the first place.
I salute Wal-Mart for its service to the RV community. There are few places to park along the road anymore where you can grab a free night's sleep without getting booted out. If Wal-Mart suddenly pulled the plug on its overnight parking, I suspect some RVers could no longer afford to travel or would travel less with their RV.
I believe there is an opportunity for an RV park to grab some of these Wal-Mart RVers. Why not offer in-transit RVers a place to park overnight for $10 if they arrive after 7 or 8 p.m? The RVer gets no hookups, no restroom password, they can't swim in the pool, and the free coffee at the front desk isn't free. But they can sleep. And then they can leave. I believe a lot of RVers would go for this.
If parks could find a way to make this work, then the entire RV industry would benefit because RVing would be more affordable. As is, fewer and fewer people can afford to do it -- and that means fewer RV sales for manufacturers and dealers and fewer folks enjoying one of the most wonderful leisure activities ever invented!
Read the entire piece, and sign up for Chuck's awesome newsletter HERE
I think Chuck's proposal has a great deal of validity.
Do you think it could work?
Do you think it would be abused?
Do you often camp without hookups, just to save a buck?
Leave a comment, and share your thoughts. . .
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| From Blogger Pictures |
The Zen of Boondocking Part XIV – Camping along scenic byways
By Bob Difley National Scenic Byways, a program administered in part by the National Forest Service (FS), describes routes through some of the most scenic.
Publish Date: 05/07/2011 17:07
http://blog.rv.net/2011/05/the-zen-of-boondocking-part-xiii-camping-along-scenic-byways/
Because we have Android Phones, I found this next article very interesting:
Camp and RV ~ Android Application v3.7.1 By AllStays | Travel & Local
*Walmart (with Parking or No Parking noted with frequent user reports.) *Overnight Parking like casinos & other places. *2800 Truck Stops with amenities, if RV friendly, and what is nearby. *Outdoor Supply Stores (Camping World, REI, ...
Publish Date: 03/03/2011 12:08
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-allstays-app-camprv-qjDAx.aspx
And this next article is just funny. . .with a little common sense thrown in:
Dear Dr. RV Shrink: We have been using Walmart parking lots for overnight stays while traveling between destinations. We think this is a wonderful opportunity offered by Walmart. We call them our “Pit Stops.” We do our shopping, ...
Publish Date: 12/31/2010 18:31
http://rvshrink.blogspot.com/2010/12/rv-parking-at-walmart.html
Friday, May 13, 2011
Full Time RV'er Jobs - You can find work on the Road
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| From Blog Posts |
We are often asked, can you really find jobs on the road? To that I say. . .positively, yes!
Are you going to get rich?. . .or even make a living? Although there are those who will argue the point, I would have to answer. . .probably not.
But, depending on how many hours you are willing to work, you can most assuredly cover the cost of parking the RV, and sometimes even earn a little additional pocket change.
For us, covering the cost of RV parking is more than sufficient to make working on the road worth it. We can then free up the funds we had budgeted for parking expenses, and use that for doing touristy stuff, or whatever else we find fun to do.
We will be discussing this topic in depth on this blog, so check back often for updates. . .and if you have questions, we'll be happy to share what we know.
In the meantime, I'm including a few of my favorite go to links for more info on the subject. . .
RVers Workers On Wheels Newsletter #669 ~ April 29, 2011
TX: Seeking RVers for Oilfield Well Site Locations ~ WY: Help Wanted - Paying Wages and Campsite Various Jobs ~ WA: Pay Plus for Seasonal Work Camping Position ~ AR: Work Camping House Sitter Wanted, Year Round ...
Publish Date: 04/30/2011 0:49
http://www.work-for-rvers-and-campers.com/RVers_Workers_On_Wheels_Newsletter-669.html
RV Quick Tips: Workamper News: The RVers job source
Workamper News: The RVers job source. If you are among the fortunate whose RV lifestyle is not affected by the current economic chaos, the ups and downs of the real estate market and Wall Street, and there is always enough spendable ...
Publish Date: 04/19/2011 17:05
http://www.rvquicktips.com/2011/04/workamper-news-rvers-job-source.html
Full-Time RVers…Get a Job | RV at Clem's Yet?
Seasonal jobs: Working RVers often find work on Christmas tree farms and retail lots. There are also apt to be more short term retail jobs in the stores near the holidays. In the fall, check out the pumpkin patch. ...
Publish Date: 02/22/2005 2:00
http://rvatclemsyet.com/full-time-rvers-get-a-job
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Full Time RV Maintenance: Sewer Slinkies and other Black Water Topics
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| From Blog Posts |
From Blog Posts
While black water issues are not necessarily my favorite RV topic, a friend, who recently began RV'ing was asking me how to prevent the "smell" that sometimes happens if you neglect to dump often enough, especially now that it is getting warm.
I explained the basics of course. . .don't leave the black water valve open. . .ALWAYS, ALWAYS keep it closed. . .unless you would like to build up a little mountain of tissue and other assorted nasties in the bottom of the tank.
At one of the RV Shows, we got to know a girl whose company specialized in black water tank proctology. . .oh the stories she had to tell. I'm pretty sure having a constipated sewer hose is something you want to avoid at all costs.
Keeping the valve closed, and using lots and lots of water is the best way I know of to keep everything dissolving. . .and believe me, that is a good thing. You will quickly determine how often you need to dump. . .we personally do not use any additives when we are sitting still, and usually, dumping once per week is more than sufficient.
Now here, in the picture below is an example of RV'ing that totally confuses me.
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| From Blog Posts |
How, pray tell, is all the "stuff" supposed to make it all the way to the end and into the sewer itself? I just don't get it! I decided that if the pipes leading from my house to the city services were always kept as straight as possible with as few turns as possible, then that is probably how I needed to set up the RV drain hoses. . .so the pic below is how our slinky is set up.
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| From Blog Posts |
As much as I would love to have one of those nifty macerator style systems, I can't justify spending $250 or so, as long as what we have is working so great.
I'm including a few links below so you can get even more ideas of how to take care of "things," and just in case you need it, here's info on how to get up to date listing of DUMP STATIONS across the USA. . .
Good luck!
RV Black Water Tank Odor Elimination | Woodall's Campgrounds, RV ...
Yet another method to eliminate black water holding tank problems and odors. The author has over 35 years of RV experience and likes this method the best.
Publish Date: 11/10/2010 20:06
http://blog.woodalls.com/2010/11/yuck-the-nastiest-part-of-a-rv-is-inside-the-black-water-tank/
Camco 40123 RV Quickie Flush with Back Flow Preventer | A ...
Fairly easy to install. It was not RV Quickie real pleasant drilling a hole in the black water tank, make sure the tank is empty before you do it, but it was well worth the effort. Great 40123 RV addition to my RV. ...
Publish Date: 04/24/2011 13:51
http://cool-tirestyle-portable-12volt.co.cc/Product-Advice/camco-40123-rv-quickie-flush-with-back-flow-preventer/
The Icky Job of Cleaning Your Black Water Holding tank | RV at ...
Cleaning your black water tank for your RV is important for the lifespan of your tank, personal hygiene and comfortable living while camping. There are not many steps for keeping your RV black water tank clean, but it's important to be ...
Publish Date: 01/24/2011 16:26
http://rvatclemsyet.com/the-icky-job-of-cleaning-your-black-water-holding-tank
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Full Time RV Living: Staying in Touch on the Road
I'm not one that really feels a need to make changes just for the sake of changing things, but if you can show me the advantage of making the change then I am more than willing to try things out and experiment.Such was the case when my nephew told me I needed to switch my email account over to GMail or Google. I had used Yahoo Mail with great results for years and was very happy with it, but since he was very knowledgeable in the computer world, and he made Google sound so enticing, I decided to give it a try.
Wow. . .what a world of difference. Everything you need is right there. Let me explain. . .
EMAIL - Now, email is email. . .right, so I can't really tell you there is too much difference in getting my emails every morning. It's all the other programs that go along with the email account that make the difference. For example. . .
GOOGLE READER - All my favorite blogs that I love to read every day are all in one place. I simply set up my Google Reader account, click on, add new account at the top of the page. . .copy and paste the blog address in, and there you go, everytime there is a new post on a blog, I automatically get an update.
I even have blogs divided into folders, RV Blogs, Business Blogs, Ministry Blogs, etc. . .
Now, I am not sure how I set this up, but I was able to add a NEXT button into my GOOGLE CHROME BOOKMARKS BAR. . .when I finish reading one blogpost. . .I just click on NEXT. . .and so on until I reach the end of the list. I love it!
GOOGLE DOCUMENTS - No more Word Documents for me. . .I now create all my documents in the Google Documents File. NOW, no matter where I am, as long as I can log in to my Google Account, I have access to all of my documents and information.
The other day, I forgot to take my shopping list with me to the store. . .no problem. I opened my shopping list file on my phone, and was able to see exactly what was on my list.
I haven't even discussed PICASA for organizing all your pictures, or BLOGGER for building your travel blog.
I could go on and on about how much I love it, and I'm not even getting paid for all this love. . .but if you would like to get even more in depth information about all the wonderful ways GOOGLE could work for you while you are out on the road. . .you hafta check out the website of some fellow RV'ers.
GEEKS ON TOUR - Now, although there is a fee of $39 per year to become a member, and get all the inside scoop goodies. . .there is plenty of FREE info on their website, especially if you are a newbie, and still needing to learn just the basics. I highly suggest you check their website out. I have not had the privilege of meeting them in person yet, only online, but I know that when we finally meet them, it will be like spending time with folks we've known all our lives. You can feel the warmth and caring come through in their writings, their lessons, and on their videos.
Leave a comment and share with everyone your tips for staying in touch on the road. . .
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