Full Time RV Living–RV Maintenance–Spreading the Good News

Yaaa. . .we have our home back. . .it’s so great! AND. . .

they did not need to remove the slide. . .

which saved us a bundle on labor costs. . .thank you Lord!

I prayed a very specific prayer about that. . . and it was answered.

This was our problem child. . .the kitchen slide.

In order to remove it, they would have needed to remove both refrigerators,

and the stove! Isn’t that crazy? 

I was amazed to be told that this was the heaviest slide in the coach. . .

I would have guessed that the living room slide was heavier.

Apparently, this little one foot wall between the door

and the slide out was what was causing all the problems. 

No one had ever told me that once the slide touches the

wall to STOP pushing the button.  I thought you were supposed to push the button

until the slide stopped going out.  Our tech said the slide motor is so strong

that the slide had managed to complete dislodge this wall. . .hello! 

I will say that I had noticed the wall moving out a little bit the last few trips. . .

and I WAS greatly concerned. . .

mostly that the slide might just fall out on the ground. 

I’m not sure that could actually happen. . .but hey. . .

I have a vivid imagination. . .so in my mind, I could picture it!

 

Anyway, because the wall had moved a little bit. . .

the entire slide had gotten a little cockeyed in the opening. . .

and thus all the problems.

 

The living room slide only required a new motor and gear box. . .

which held us up a couple of days while the parts manager

was trying to figure out the model #. . .if only they would have asked us. . .

we told them we knew exactly where

to get the motor. . .seriously. . .one phone call. . .

voila. . .next day. . .new motor. . .

but did they think to order the gear box at the same time. . .

oh NOOOOO. . .another phone call. . .NEXT day. . .gearbox. . .

and finally. . .finally about six o’clock we see this beautiful sight. . .

the porter bringing the rig out onto the driveway.

 

We chose to use Camping World in Katy for the same reason

we use Ford Dealerships to service the truck. . .

nationwide accessibility and warranty service. 

We’re hoping everything is now ship shape with the slides,

but if it becomes necessary to have any further adjustments done

at least we can take it in wherever we are.

 

We told Jessie, (our service advisor) that we had never had a good experience

when it came to having major repairs done on the rig. . .

but I must say, that other than the delays with parts, he, and Lance (our service tech)

did everything in their power to get us back on the road in a timely fashion.

 

Lance did say he didn’t believe he wanted to be working on any Alfas anytime soon. . .

I can’t say I blame him.  

  He was working with zero ground clearance in the back. . .

thankfully, he was skinny.  

We did get him a little thank you gift for all his agony. . .

and to say we appreciated his extra efforts. 

Dave went up to check on things on a daily basis. . .

and both guys were Johnny on the spot to take him back, and show him what was going on.

 

Being away from “home” is miserable. . .

and we’ve gotten so spoiled to traveling with all of our stuff. . .

I’m sure the hotel staff thought we were moving in. . .it did feel that way.

 

I said before that we needed to empty both fridges. . .

so we had our big ice chest. . .both of our computers. . .

and various other paraphernalia to help us survive.

It was a nice hotel room. . .not a bad experience at all. . .

but we are very, very happy to be home.

 

The rig is so, so dirty. . .I’m hoping for a few days of sunshine,

so we can get it washed and waxed. 

With the drought, and water restrictions, we haven’t been able to do any washing. . .

we may hafta use a bucket and towels. . .but it’s gotta be done!

 

We have one more big remodeling project to do. . .

Dave’s desk is sad and pathetic,

so we are going to replace it, and the file cabinets. . .

and then our bodies and our budget will need to take a break!

 

More on that later. . .

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. Connect with 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. If you would like to receive our blog updates, just enter your email below. As a bonus, you will receive a link to our Seasonal Job Listings Page, and a follow up email linking to a sample copy of our personal Seasonal Jobs Resume. We respect your privacy, and never share your email address

 

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Full Time RV Living–Repairs and more Repairs

Before we even got started on slide repairs at the RV Repair Center,

we went by Columbus Tire Center in Columbus, TX. . .

I love doing business with people I feel I can trust. . .

and I tell you. . .this is one great owner.

We ended up here several years ago, after one of those tire incidents

where all the layers peel off the tire, but you still have air. . .

spent the night at the local KOA, (back in the day before Thousand Trails)

and limped in to the Tire Store the next morning.

 

We had been concerned for some time that one of our tires might be rubbing

on the fender. . .but had not been able to find a resolution.  Ryan, the owner,

offered the perfect solution. . .a narrower width tire. . .but with the same number

of ply.  He didn’t have enough in stock to fix us up. . .but ordered and had them delivered

right away. ..got us fixed up and on our way.

That’s why, when we needed replacements. . .I held out until we could get back here.

In addition to needing the tires replaced, I was very concerned about our wheel bearings.

These guys checked everything out. . .cleaned and lubed everything up. . .

took the time to show and assure hubby that all was well with the bearings and suspension.

 

Although we left with our pocketbook a little lighter,

it feels good to have faith in those you are doing business with. . .

 

Next time we have a tire issue. . .guess where we’ll go?

 

As you may have also noticed, we had the tires replaced with the rig still

attached to the truck.  I am a freak about not wanting the rig jacked up in the rear

when the front stabilizer jacks are down.  I once saw a rig, where the front

stabilizer jack had collapsed, and a wrecker needed to come lift and stabilize them

before they could get it back on their truck.  I am convinced that somewhere, sometime

too much pressure got put on those front stabilizers, thereby causing the collapse.

There’s enough things to go wrong, without purposefully adding to the list!

Across the street from the tire store is the second largest oak tree in the State of Texas. ..

the first largest being at Goose Island State park in Rockport, TX. . .the tree seems to be in

someone’s yard, so I just took this pic from across the street. . .however, if you want to see

a really awesome shot of it, click here. . .it is absolutely magnificent!

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Ready To Go Full Time RVing-How do you find a full timer rig?

This was such a great question, that I thought I would share IT. . .and my answer. . .as my blog post today. . .leave a comment, and tell me your opinion. . .

We are looking to buy a 350 or 3500 4x4 truck and 5th wheel for fulltiming. I have been reading blogs and sites like IRV2 and can never find anyone to give direct advice. My question to you is, if you went today to buy a truck and 5er, what would you buy? I read where you said that the 5er you got was on your list and you knew it was of good quality. I have no way of knowing which ones are good quality. I would love to have your thoughts on this as you have been there and dont that. Thanks so much.

First off, let me say, thanks for reading our blog. . .and second off, let me say that as a FEMALE, anything I may tell you should be verified. . .ha ha. . .and you may be sorry you asked the question! : )  I ask hubby's opinion, but we've discussed all these issues so many times. . .he says exactly what I know he is going to say!

Now IMO, you should not pull anything longer than 30 feet with a 350 or 3500. . .yes I know it will pull it. . .that is not the question. . .will it STOP it?  and the second part of that discussion is. . .the insurance companies, at some point, are going to start cracking down. . .and if you are over your GCVWR and are in an accident. . .you probably are going to end up in court to get your claims covered. . .everytime we pass a truck weigh station, one of us will pose the question. . .How much longer before we hafta start pulling through those?

Next. . .if you are going to be a true Full Timer, as opposed to having a home to go back to, you need some space.  This is going to be your house. . .opposing slides in the living room are a necessity on our list. . .and at least one slide in the bedroom. . .a decent size shower that you can stand up and turn around in. . .full size closets, not shirt closets. . .and a pantry, or something that will serve as a pantry. 

Brands of full timer models. . .hard to say. . .so many have gone out of business. . .but Mobile Suites builds a beautiful rig, Montana (upper end only) are still building, I believe. . .we don't pay new prices for anything. . .but if you are going to, you may as well research the custom builders, and get exactly what you want.  You can find several listed in the back of Trailer Life Magazine

If you are searching for used, we liked Alfa, Hitchhiker, King of the Road, Newmar, wow, it's been so long ago. . .I'm kinda blank. . .I’m sure others can share choices in the comments section. . .

All rigs, including brand new, have their issues. . .it’s all part of the learning curve. . .so if you think you are going to buy a brand new one, and everything will be roses. . .think again. . .bouncing down the road at 60 mph shakes things loose. . .and some roads bounce more loose than others. . .plus rattle your teeth!

Hubby took a RV Inspection Class online from Mobile RV Academy. . .which taught him how to check out all the systems and look for problems.

I'll just throw this out there. . .we are currently in the process of purchasing a Class A Diesel Pusher. . .so our entire rig, 2002 Ford F550 Custom Thoroughbred RV Hauler, and 2003 Alfa Ideal 36 foot fifth wheel are going on the market. . .we're thinking our asking price will be about $52,000 for the entire package, and we will work from there.

If you are interested in more info. . .I will be happy to share all the particulars.  We always knew we would eventually go to a motor home. . .and it seems there are such great deals right now on used ones that the time is getting closer. . .

Wishing you all the best in your adventure. . .and please don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions.

Safe travels,

Janice and Dave Evans

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.

Connect with 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.

If you would like to receive our blog updates, just enter your email below.

As a bonus, you will receive a link to our Seasonal Job Listings Page, and a follow up email linking to a sample copy of our personal Seasonal Jobs Resume.

We respect your privacy, and never share your email address

Full Time RV Maintenance–This is Getting Old Fast

Well. . .as beautiful as it is. . .and as much as I love it. . .the “Beast” is acting beastly this week. . .

and is really starting to get on my last nerve!

A week ago Saturday, the master cylinder starting going out, and the brakes were mushy. 

Now of course this happened on a day that we had the RV attached,

and were halfway to a new destination, and of course the repair shops are closed on the weekends,

so we very carefully, and prayerfully continued on our way to Crystal River FL. 

Bright and early Monday morning Dave presented himself and the Beast at the local Ford Dealership.

A new master cylinder, new brake pads on the front, grind the rotors, yada, yada,

and a boatload of cash later, all was well, and we had an entire week to explore the Nature Coast of Florida. 

The Beast was performing beautifully, took us everywhere we wanted to go. . .not even one hiccup. . .

A week later, moving day again. . .get the RV all attached, headed for Pensacola. . .

get about thirty miles down the road, horrible, horrible shimmy.  What on earth?  

My first thought was, just having had front brake work done, that something was bad out of alignment,

or a tire was out of balance. . .it was that sort of vibration.  Stop. . .check everything. . .

no bubbles on any tires. . .nothing loose. . .weird. . .continue on.

Dave thinks it seems like a vacuum hose is off. . .since the next town has a Ford Dealership that is ACTUALLY open on Saturday. . .we decide we will stop by there. . .but alas, they only do oil changes on Saturdays. 

Ahhh. . .but you know how charming my hubby can be. . .he convinces them to just run a diagnostic. . .just so he’ll know if there’s a major problem.  Those guys were so nice. . .they dragged their laptop all the way out to where the truck was, since we couldn’t get it and the RV into the service bay. . .and determined that some electronic module thinga ma jiggy, which controlled the fuel injectors probably needed to be replaced. . .BUT. . .they assured us that it was not going to hurt to drive it, and that he was sure we would not get stranded on the side of the road.

Being the weekend, not wanting to be stranded in a podunk town in Florida, needing to be in Pensacola to meet up with our nephew on Monday, we decided to continue on. . . and here we are, thankfully without incident in beautiful Pensacola Beach FL. . .

Here it is. . .another Monday morning, and once again,

Dave has presented himself and the Beast at the local Ford Dealership. . .

oh Lord, please let it be something simple.

Now, I have no problem understanding that the Beast is almost 10 years old. . .that things must be replaced. . .

and Lord knows. . .a repair is still cheaper than a truck payment. . .

but please, if you could just have your temper tantrums when the RV is NOT attached. . .

that would be so great. . .really!  I promise we’ll get you whatever you need. . .

but being stranded on the side of the road with a big ole’ fifth wheel attached is just NOT a fun proposition. . .

been there, done that!

But on a brighter note. . .here we are in a campground on Gulf Shores National Seashore. . .across the street from a gorgeous beautiful,  white, sugar sand beach. . .crystal blue water. . .just fantastic.

Dave’s nephew Nick, his beautiful bride, Lindsey, and our two great nephews, Caden, 3 1/2, and Ashton, 6 months, will be here for lunch. . .Caden will be so grown up, we haven’t seen him since his first birthday,

and we will have the privilege of meeting Ashton for the very first time. . .it’s going to be a great day.

The last time we were in Pensacola,  my grandson, who is now seventeen,

wasn’t too much older than Caden is now. . .here’s a flashback. . .

My grandson Jordan, his Pa, and his Great Grammy, my wonderful mother in law on the beach. . .

right down from where we are staying this trip. . .

now. . .THIS is what I’m talking about, when I say I want to go to the beach. . .

Safe travels everybody,

Janice

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.

Connect with 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.

If you would like to receive our blog updates, just enter your email in the top right corner.

We respect your privacy, and never share your email address

Full Time RV Maintenance - Adding Solar Panels

Solar power and living off the grid have always fascinated me, and I am very interested in adding solar panels to our RV, but have never read an article on it that I understood. . .until now.

Check out this great article: RV Solar Power Installation Guide

Solar Energy : Equip Your RV With Solar Panels | Cheap Way Energy

Are you environmentally conscious? Do you enjoy seeing the world in your RV? Have you wondered if there is another.

Publish Date: 07/07/2011 7:35

http://www.cheapway-energy.com/solar-energy/equip-your-rv-with-solar-panels/

Niche Investment Network Blog » Blog Archive » Solar Power: The ...

Consider trying RV Solar Panel Kits, they can give you the freedom to travel anywhere you want for as long as you want without worry. Your generator will now act as an accessory rather than a necessity and may eliminate ...

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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.

RV Maintenance is a Pain in the - You Fill in the Blank!

If you think you are going to buy a brand new RV, and therefore you are not going to have any RV Maintenance issues, let me assure you, that is not the case. Anytime you are pulling something weighing twenty thousand pounds down the highway, you are going to shake things loose.

After traveling the highways in the great state of Iowa, due to the horrific winter they had causing massive damage to their roads, we had things shake loose that we never dreamed of. The entire front facing of the kitchen slide out was lying across the couch. We have been traveling in this coach for six years, so we thought we had every possible thing fastened down, but this is just the nature of the beast.

If you can accept this aspect of RV'ing, you will be way ahead of the game, otherwise, you will stay frustrated all the time, wondering when the next disaster will strike.

Learning to read the date codes on tires, and having them changed at regularly scheduled intervals will help prevent blowouts. However, longtime RVing friends, who did everything right, still managed to have a faulty tire installed, which caused a blowout, and about $3000 worth of damage to their rig, so you can do all the right things, and still have a mishap.

The other tire issue we learned first hand is that, rims will crack. The tire shop owner said he sees cracked rims on RV's on a regular basis for several reasons. Rigs being overweight add additional stress to axles, tires, rims, etc. In addition, as stated before, rough roads, and then, think about the fact that when you are backing into an RV space, you are cranking the tires around, which is putting additional stress on your rims. It may be worth an extra trip around your rig to check out the condition of the rims. A $250 investment now, may save you from being stranded out on the highway later.

Another simple and inexpensive maintenance prevention is to purchase dirt dauber screens, and install them in your furnace and hot water heater openings. If only someone would have shared this little tidbit with us we could have prevented a $700 repair bill to our propane furnace. A $7 screen was all that would have been required to keep the little beasties out.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4872714

 

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 Maintenance–Keeping the Door Locks in Working Order

Keeping things in working order, and repaired is a significant part of this lifestyle.  It’s all being jolted and bounced as we travel down the road from one fabulous place to the other, not to mention that all the outside components are being subjected to sun, wind, rain, dust, etc., etc.

When I read this article about RV Compartment Locks: Repair and Replacement I knew I should share it with you.  Russ DeMaris explains the entire procedure perfectly of how to take care of these little often overlooked, but necessary items on the outside of the RV.

We often find that the screws on our compartment locks are loose, and the door is not closing as tightly as it should.  After reading Russ’ article, I think doing a little maintenance on all the outside doors and locks will be a good project for the day, as we get the rig ready to roll to our next destination.

See you down the road,

Janice and Dave

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Most RVs use the same key for all outside storage compartments. The entrance door lock isn't much better when it comes to RV security. Keep this in mind, especially when storing your RV for the off-season. Never leave valuables inside.

Publish Date: 11/25/2009 9:00

http://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/11/rv_locks-2.php

10 RV Accessories for you to Buy Today! | Camping the Hill Country

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Great RV Gear: Go 'keyless' to make your RV storage compartment's ...

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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–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.

Full Time RV Travel and Safety - Do You Run With Your Propane On or OFF?

This is an age old question that I have seen discussed over and over, with valid arguments and points made on each side. . .so when I saw this article, Propane Safety Tips for Recreational Vehicle Users I wanted to share it with you guys, and see what you have to say on the subject.

The article includes a YouTube video at the end by one of my favorite RV Specialists, Terry Cooper, who owns Mobile RV Academy. Terry also trains and certifies RV techs, so I was interested to see what he had to say about running with propane on or off. You should check it out.

MORE RV SAFETY TIPS AND HELPS

A Safe RV Season Starts With a Propane Primer | RV News, Videos ...

Before you go on your RV adventure, you need to remember some basic safety precautions for your propane system. ... If you think you smell propane in your RV: Get everyone out of the RV immediately. Don't smoke, light matches, operate electrical switches, use either cell or telephones, or create any other source of ignition. Turn your gas off at the main cylinder, if safe to do so and you know how. Call the area fire department emergency number or 911 from ...

Publish Date: 05/26/2011 10:47

http://rvbuddies.net/a-safe-rv-season-starts-with-a-propane-primer/

Preparing Your RV for a Summer Road Trip | Vogel Talks RVing

“If you use propane properly and do some basic safety checks prior to use, then you and your family should have a safe and worry free trip,” stated Eric Skehor, provincial gas safety manager for the BC Safety Authority, ...

Publish Date: 05/27/2011 10:37

http://vogeltalksrving.com/2011/05/preparing-your-rv-for-a-summer-road-trip/

Full Time RV Travel and Safety - Do You Run With Your Propane On or OFF?

This is an age old question that I have seen discussed over and over, with valid arguments and points made on each side. . .so when I saw this article, Propane Safety Tips for Recreational Vehicle Users I wanted to share it with you guys, and see what you have to say on the subject.

The article includes a YouTube video at the end by one of my favorite RV Specialists, Terry Cooper, who owns Mobile RV Academy. Terry also trains and certifies RV techs, so I was interested to see what he had to say about running with propane on or off. You should check it out.

MORE RV SAFETY TIPS AND HELPS

A Safe RV Season Starts With a Propane Primer | RV News, Videos ...

Before you go on your RV adventure, you need to remember some basic safety precautions for your propane system. ... If you think you smell propane in your RV: Get everyone out of the RV immediately. Don't smoke, light matches, operate electrical switches, use either cell or telephones, or create any other source of ignition. Turn your gas off at the main cylinder, if safe to do so and you know how. Call the area fire department emergency number or 911 from ...

Publish Date: 05/26/2011 10:47

http://rvbuddies.net/a-safe-rv-season-starts-with-a-propane-primer/

Preparing Your RV for a Summer Road Trip | Vogel Talks RVing

“If you use propane properly and do some basic safety checks prior to use, then you and your family should have a safe and worry free trip,” stated Eric Skehor, provincial gas safety manager for the BC Safety Authority, ...

Publish Date: 05/27/2011 10:37

http://vogeltalksrving.com/2011/05/preparing-your-rv-for-a-summer-road-trip/

RVs of Every Description Are For Sale - Will You Buy Used Or Must You Have a New One?

The RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) stated, that RV sales are up. This rise in sales only reflects new RV sales, and I must ask the question, why would you want to pay a new RV price, when you can purchase a practically new, barely used unit for a fraction of the price?

The advantages of buying new, beside that new vehicle smell, is that you get a warranty. Well, you sort of get a warranty. Your new unit will come with a warranty, but what if, as happened to several hundreds of new RV buyers across the country, your manufacturer decides to close its doors? How much good is that warranty then when your rig is an orphan? The dealer will not want to do the warranty work because the manufacturer is no longer there to pay the costs.

Now you have a used, orphaned rig just like the rest of us. The only difference is, because we bought used we saved thousands at purchase. And guess what? Having an orphan isn't so bad. All the major appliance warranties are still covered by the appliance manufacturers, and when we needed a little body work done, it was no big deal to find a body shop to take care of things. Any big, heavy duty trailer place can take care of axles, suspension, and tires, so we pretty much have everything covered, don't we?

Of course you must know what you are looking for, and you must know how to negotiate, but there are incredible values to be had. We have been looking at used motorhomes for several months, and have had our eye on one particular unit, but it didn't have as big of an engine as we would have liked, so we have been stalling. The price dropped $30,000 in four months, and perhaps we may have procrastinated too long, because there is now a sale pending. Our loss for dragging our feet. Now we get to start over in our search.

For your protection, you should have a certified inspection done on any used rig. If you are financing the unit, your lending institution will most likely require the inspection. In an effort to pay a fair price, you should do extensive research. There are numerous websites, and books available to help you in your quest, but the bottom line is, you can help your bottom line tremendously by being willing to purchase a pre-owned RV.

If you feel like you don't even know where to start check out this great RV Check List.

RVs For Sale By Owner Tips On Shopping Wisely @ The Art of Sound

RVs For Sale By Owner Tips On Shopping Wisely. By: Julie Jacobs Posted: Nov 09, 2010. ]]> As you look for a used motorhome or travel trailer, it is necessary that you take the time to be prepared. ...

Publish Date: 05/24/2011 15:53

http://www.art-of-sound.co.uk/motorhome-news/rvs-for-sale-by-owner-tips-on-shopping-wisely/

Top 10 Accessories for Your Motor Home - Home Decor and Home ...

The interior accessories are usually what most motor home owners purchase, and the online possibilities are virtually endless. Shopping online is more economical since most online dealers offer affordable prices compared ...

Publish Date: 05/29/2011 2:13

http://marcinpruciak.info/?p=530

What to Look For in a Motorhome | beihai163.com

If you are planning to purchase a motorhome, you should create a list of different motorhomes that you like and compare them. After comparing technical specification, you might want to check the feedback written by other ...

Publish Date: 06/06/2011 2:15

http://www.beihai163.com/camping/what-to-look-for-in-a-motorhome/

RVs of Every Description Are For Sale - Will You Buy Used Or Must You Have a New One?

The RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) stated, that RV sales are up. This rise in sales only reflects new RV sales, and I must ask the question, why would you want to pay a new RV price, when you can purchase a practically new, barely used unit for a fraction of the price?

The advantages of buying new, beside that new vehicle smell, is that you get a warranty. Well, you sort of get a warranty. Your new unit will come with a warranty, but what if, as happened to several hundreds of new RV buyers across the country, your manufacturer decides to close its doors? How much good is that warranty then when your rig is an orphan? The dealer will not want to do the warranty work because the manufacturer is no longer there to pay the costs.

Now you have a used, orphaned rig just like the rest of us. The only difference is, because we bought used we saved thousands at purchase. And guess what? Having an orphan isn't so bad. All the major appliance warranties are still covered by the appliance manufacturers, and when we needed a little body work done, it was no big deal to find a body shop to take care of things. Any big, heavy duty trailer place can take care of axles, suspension, and tires, so we pretty much have everything covered, don't we?

Of course you must know what you are looking for, and you must know how to negotiate, but there are incredible values to be had. We have been looking at used motorhomes for several months, and have had our eye on one particular unit, but it didn't have as big of an engine as we would have liked, so we have been stalling. The price dropped $30,000 in four months, and perhaps we may have procrastinated too long, because there is now a sale pending. Our loss for dragging our feet. Now we get to start over in our search.

For your protection, you should have a certified inspection done on any used rig. If you are financing the unit, your lending institution will most likely require the inspection. In an effort to pay a fair price, you should do extensive research. There are numerous websites, and books available to help you in your quest, but the bottom line is, you can help your bottom line tremendously by being willing to purchase a pre-owned RV.

If you feel like you don't even know where to start check out this great RV Check List.

RVs For Sale By Owner Tips On Shopping Wisely @ The Art of Sound

RVs For Sale By Owner Tips On Shopping Wisely. By: Julie Jacobs Posted: Nov 09, 2010. ]]> As you look for a used motorhome or travel trailer, it is necessary that you take the time to be prepared. ...

Publish Date: 05/24/2011 15:53

http://www.art-of-sound.co.uk/motorhome-news/rvs-for-sale-by-owner-tips-on-shopping-wisely/

Top 10 Accessories for Your Motor Home - Home Decor and Home ...

The interior accessories are usually what most motor home owners purchase, and the online possibilities are virtually endless. Shopping online is more economical since most online dealers offer affordable prices compared ...

Publish Date: 05/29/2011 2:13

http://marcinpruciak.info/?p=530

What to Look For in a Motorhome | beihai163.com

If you are planning to purchase a motorhome, you should create a list of different motorhomes that you like and compare them. After comparing technical specification, you might want to check the feedback written by other ...

Publish Date: 06/06/2011 2:15

http://www.beihai163.com/camping/what-to-look-for-in-a-motorhome/

Full Time RV Maintenance–This is a great idea. . .

From Blog Posts

I was very thankful to see this ad, which served as a great reminder to me that our carbon monoxide alarm is out and needs to be replaced.

And besides that, this is my favorite, favorite place to check out motorhomes. It's never a sacrifice to stop by when we are in Houston!

 



 

RV Fire Safety

RV owners need to be just as a careful, if not more so, than homeowners in guarding against fires, and the best way to do that is through prevention.

Publish Date: 04/06/2011 20:14

http://blog.rv.net/2011/04/rv-fire-safety/

Tips for RV Fire Safety | See Where the Road Takes You

I was scouring the internet looking for some tips for fire safety. I came across this wonderful post about this important issue. There is nothing more important than your family and friends safety while in your RV. ...

Publish Date: 05/20/2011 14:42

http://seewheretheroadtakesyou.com/tips-for-rv-fire-safety

Mac is back! The Fire Guy, that is. - RV Home Yet?

Someone in our Boomer group invited Mac McCoy, the Fire Guy, out to where we are camped to give a demonstration. We were fortunate that he said yes. Being on BLM land he was restricted- no fires in his demonstration....

Publish Date: 01/25/2010 22:11

http://blog.rvlifestyleexperts.com/2010/01/mac-is-back-the-fire-guy-that-is.html

Full Time RV Maintenance–This is a great idea. . .

From Blog Posts

I was very thankful to see this ad, which served as a great reminder to me that our carbon monoxide alarm is out and needs to be replaced.

And besides that, this is my favorite, favorite place to check out motorhomes. It's never a sacrifice to stop by when we are in Houston!

 



 

RV Fire Safety

RV owners need to be just as a careful, if not more so, than homeowners in guarding against fires, and the best way to do that is through prevention.

Publish Date: 04/06/2011 20:14

http://blog.rv.net/2011/04/rv-fire-safety/

Tips for RV Fire Safety | See Where the Road Takes You

I was scouring the internet looking for some tips for fire safety. I came across this wonderful post about this important issue. There is nothing more important than your family and friends safety while in your RV. ...

Publish Date: 05/20/2011 14:42

http://seewheretheroadtakesyou.com/tips-for-rv-fire-safety

Mac is back! The Fire Guy, that is. - RV Home Yet?

Someone in our Boomer group invited Mac McCoy, the Fire Guy, out to where we are camped to give a demonstration. We were fortunate that he said yes. Being on BLM land he was restricted- no fires in his demonstration....

Publish Date: 01/25/2010 22:11

http://blog.rvlifestyleexperts.com/2010/01/mac-is-back-the-fire-guy-that-is.html

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.

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

Why Weigh your RV?

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/

From Blogger Pictures

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.

Full Time RV Maintenance - Do You Need A Surge Protector For Your RV?

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.

From Blogger Pictures

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.

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

RV Surge Protectors

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

From Blog Posts

I am always, always intrigued by the types of questions, and the variety of questions that RV'ers ask. . .either on blogs, or forums or on the numerous websites that I read on a regular basis.

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.

From Blogger Pictures

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.

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

Full Time RV Maintenance: Sewer Slinkies and other Black Water Topics

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.

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.

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