Full Time RV Living–Being prepared for the unexpected

Three things have happened this week that have served as reminders to update my files.

First, a few hours after we left an RV Park in Louisa, VA. . .a couple we had met there sent an email to say that the fifth wheel at the end of our row had caught fire. . .and that by the time the fire department was through, she was sure their rig was a total loss. . .they were home and everyone got out safely, but still. . .their lives are going to be a mess for a while. . .especially if they were full timers.

So I’m thinking, how far are they from home?   Do they have their paperwork in order, or has it all been destroyed in the fire?  Did they not have a fire extinguisher on board, or did the fire just spread so rapidly, all they could do was get themselves out of the rig? 

When you hear of things like this, it reminds you again, how the events that happen in a moments time can change lives.

and then, the writers of two different RV Blogs that I read everyday wrote about losing friends. . .

One to cancer. . .and another to a freak accident while whitewater rafting.  The husband stated how thankful he was that his wife had taken the time to get things in order before she was so tragically taken from him.

Reading these things prompted me to follow through on the promise I have been making to myself for weeks to make sure our files are in order.

The first thing you need, in my opinion, is a fire proof/ water proof safe. . .especially if you live in your RV fulltime, and have all of your files with you. 

In this safe you should keep:

Birth Certificates

Passports

Life Insurance Information

Vehicle Titles

A backup copy of all the files on your computer. . .(I still need to do this one.)

and your WILL, your living will, and your medical directives. . .with instructions for your executor. . .

If you don’t have a will. . .at least do handwritten instructions and have them notarized.  Unless your estate is very, very complicated. . .this should suffice in a pinch. . .however, you should have a will drawn up just to save unnecessary grief.

Sorry to be so morbid today, but all of this has been on my mind. . .so I decided I would share my thoughts.  I started putting together a packet with instructions in case of some incident when we would go on a cruise. 

My brother in law is listed as the executor of our estate (such as it is). . .and I would always tell him. . .our “death packet” is in this drawer or wherever it happened to be.  We always had a chuckle over it. . .but really, if something happens to you when you are RV’ing far from home, it would be good for someone to know your wishes.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten things that are important to others. . .if you have any thoughts please share them by leaving a comment. . .it may be helpful to someone else. . .

Safe travels,

Janice

P.S. A friend sent me this article which I very highly recommend that you read.

Organize your family's essential information in case of an emergency

My mom had a minor stroke last week and was unable to speak. (She's fine now, thank God.) But when it happened, we had no idea where her "stuff" was - her insurance info, her bank accounts, even the location of the keys ...

Publish Date: 06/04/2007 14:00

http://lifehacker.com/264969/organize-your-familys-essential-information-in-case-of-an-emergency

From Blogger Pictures

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.

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Full Time RV Living and Maintenance–Sharing Ideas

RV owners are the most sharing, caring people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.  I have learned so many things just by asking questions on forums.

When I started writing an RV blog, it was because I wanted to pass along a few of the things we have learned as we have lived and traveled in our RV for the past nine years.

When I read an article by one of my favorite bloggers, Nick, who writes Gypsy Journal, giving advice to new RV’ers, I knew I had to pass it along. . .

I hope you read it, enjoy it, and let Nick know I sent you his direction. . .here it is:

Twelve Things Every New RV’er Should Do

From Blogger Pictures

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.

Join us on our FACEBOOK Ready To Go Full Time RVing Page. . .where you’ll meet lots of other RV’ers just like you. . .traveling and enjoying this great adventure.

Anyone who enters their email address to receive our blog updates will receive a link to our Seasonal Job Listings Page, and will also receive a follow up email linking to a sample copy of our personal Seasonal Jobs Resume’. . .these items are offered by me personally as a bonus, just to give you an idea of what may be available, and in no way can they be construed as an offer of employment by any entity listed.

Full Time RV Living and Maintenance–You need to look underneath your rig

Our air conditioner is underneath our rig, and since we could not get the inside to cool down, (it was 98* in East Texas) I was convinced that the ducting had pulled loose.  We were parked at my Dad’s place. . .and before he retired, he owned an a/c repair company, and still has lots of a/c goodies left over from those days.  If there was a problem with our a/c’s duct work, this was the perfect place to do repairs. . .

Nope, no problems. . .but guess what I did discover?  Because our rig sits so low to the ground, and because the a/c units are underneath, we have these two massive steel bars welded to the frame to protect all that stuff in case we drag the bottom pulling into a driveway or something.

Well let me tell you. . .those steel bars have definitely done their job. . .because we have even dragged bottom going over an oversized speed bump. . .and I guess somewhere along the way, we must have bumped one of the landing jacks in the rear, because it had popped out of the railing, and was kinda just hanging there.  I don’t think it was in any danger of coming loose or anything, but it definitely needed to be reattached.

It wouldn’t just pop back up into the rail as flush as Dave would have liked, so he went and got a couple of mounting brackets, with plates and bolts, and added them for security. 

So this is my point, we often check underneath the rig. . .you know, squat down, look under there to make sure nothing is hanging loose. . .but we rarely get completely under it to check for problems.   Had it not been for checking the a/c duct work, we probably would not have seen the issue with the jacks until it came down further. . . and was noticeable as we were lowering them to stabilize the rig.

When’s the last time you did a thorough check for issues underneath?  Now might be a good time. . .summer driving season. . .

Have a great one. . .see you down the road!

Be Prepared for Temporary RV Repairs on the Road - Our Excellent ...

Set up some flares or triangular reflectors if it's dark, then block the rear wheels before you begin. Place a jack stand under the RV in case the jack gives way. Once your RV is lifted, don't get underneath it. ...

Publish Date: 06/08/2011 19:15

http://ourexcellentadventures.com/2011/06/08/be-prepared-for-temporary-rv-repairs-on-the-road/

From Blogger Pictures

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.

Full Time RV Living and Maintenance–You need to look underneath your rig

Our air conditioner is underneath our rig, and since we could not get the inside to cool down, (it was 98* in East Texas) I was convinced that the ducting had pulled loose.  We were parked at my Dad’s place. . .and before he retired, he owned an a/c repair company, and still has lots of a/c goodies left over from those days.  If there was a problem with our a/c’s duct work, this was the perfect place to do repairs. . .

Nope, no problems. . .but guess what I did discover?  Because our rig sits so low to the ground, and because the a/c units are underneath, we have these two massive steel bars welded to the frame to protect all that stuff in case we drag the bottom pulling into a driveway or something.

Well let me tell you. . .those steel bars have definitely done their job. . .because we have even dragged bottom going over an oversized speed bump. . .and I guess somewhere along the way, we must have bumped one of the landing jacks in the rear, because it had popped out of the railing, and was kinda just hanging there.  I don’t think it was in any danger of coming loose or anything, but it definitely needed to be reattached.

It wouldn’t just pop back up into the rail as flush as Dave would have liked, so he went and got a couple of mounting brackets, with plates and bolts, and added them for security. 

So this is my point, we often check underneath the rig. . .you know, squat down, look under there to make sure nothing is hanging loose. . .but we rarely get completely under it to check for problems.   Had it not been for checking the a/c duct work, we probably would not have seen the issue with the jacks until it came down further. . . and was noticeable as we were lowering them to stabilize the rig.

When’s the last time you did a thorough check for issues underneath?  Now might be a good time. . .summer driving season. . .

Have a great one. . .see you down the road!

Be Prepared for Temporary RV Repairs on the Road - Our Excellent ...

Set up some flares or triangular reflectors if it's dark, then block the rear wheels before you begin. Place a jack stand under the RV in case the jack gives way. Once your RV is lifted, don't get underneath it. ...

Publish Date: 06/08/2011 19:15

http://ourexcellentadventures.com/2011/06/08/be-prepared-for-temporary-rv-repairs-on-the-road/

From Blogger Pictures

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.