America's early truck campers did double duty

I come from a long line of RVers. In fact, my great grandfather, Grover Rockholt, built one of America's first truck campers on the back of a one ton Model A like this one. He decided to move from Tennessee to California in a truck camper. He was a builder and made a handsome camper on the back of this truck. It had sleeping quarters, dinette, cook stove and also doubled as a passenger section for his four boys while uncle Rex rode in the passenger seat with my great grandfather as the pilot. Since great grandma had a baby, she elected to take the train (a more comfortable option back in those days).

The roads were mostly dirt and gravel back in the 30's so they had to change a few tires along the way. My grandfather, Sheldon Rockholt, (one of the four boys) recalls an incident where they encountered a low railroad bridge. The truck camper, being a few inches too tall to safely navigate under the bridge, fostered the idea to dig trenches under the bridge so they could drive under to the other side. It worked, they made it to California and I have no idea what happened to the camper after they arrived. He more than likely dismantled it and used the truck for work.

Most everyone in my family enjoys RVing. My grandfather became a full time RVer for a couple years as he and my grandmother toured the country. Now I'm following in his footsteps. It gets in your blood! Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Keep your stuff on your RV shelves with this idea

Full time RVer John Evers had a problem with his 5th wheel medicine cabinet. Every time he towed his 5er the next time he opened his medicine cabinet stuff fell out. He thought about using an expandible cuttain rod, but it wouldn't effectively keep the small bottles in place. Instead he used two thin pieces of wood about four inches wide as "fences" to hold his stuff in place.He uses two pieces because they will easily slide into place then he secures them with a large clip you can get at any stationary store. This is a simple yet effective way to secure the small stuff. Thanks John for another great RV idea. Shutting the door to falling objects - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Next RV outing consider camping with the Army

RVers have enjoyed camping at Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds for many years. These campgrounds are usually located near lakes (since the Corps of Engineers was in the dam building business). These campgrounds are scattered all over the country so it's a good idea to purchase the "RVer's Guide to Corps of Engineers Campgrounds" which you can pick up here: RVbookstore.comThe campsites usually have a picnic table, BBQ or fire pit, electric (usually 30 amps) and water with a nearby dump station. The price is right, and if you have a golden age or access pass (now called "America the Beautiful") you pay half price. Some take reservations and many are unattended and have a self service fee box.

Have a wonderful and safe RV weekend. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVer lets off a little steam with this invention

RV enthusiasits Murphy and Gail Horner have a Keystone 5th wheel. Murphy's water heater pressure release valve was leaking into the exterior water heater compartment, pooling and making a mess. To solve this problem Murphy modified his system to vent the excess water overboard.He used a sprinkler fitting to screw into the pressure release valve and then inserted a plastic tube. He cut an opening into the mesh screen and routed the tube through the opening.
I'll let Murphy tell you in his own words about the modification, "It is a gray fitting that has threads on the end that screws into the water heater, a barbed nipple on the other end. I did not use the barbs on the nipple, I put the hose into it rather than over the barbs. I did this so if the pressure release got too great it would push the hose out rather than create a safety concern (the pressure valve not able to bleed off at full volume). I got the fitting at a
hardware store, used on sprinkler systems."Going overboard to bring you the best RV innovations - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVer sorts out confusion at the pump

You meet the most wonderful and interesting people along the RV road. A few weeks ago we found ourselves boondocking at the Prairie Village Museum in Rugby, ND. Parked next to us was Tom and Lesley Hesom from Winkler, Manitoba where according to Tom, "It is so flat there you can watch your dog run away for three days."
They immigrated from South Africa to Canada but have been avid RVers for many years. While living in South Africa they began RVing with a "caravan" (travel trailer) then went to a truck camper on a 4 x 4 for some rugged out-back adventures. They've RV'd in the heart of Africa where there weren't even roads.

Since immigrating to Canada they are enjoying their retired years with their kids and grandkids (who immigrated earlier) and they are also RVing whenever they get the chance. Tom told me this story about his experience with ethanol which could help some of our readers with older RVs. Here is his story in his own words:

"Bearing in mind that we emigrated from South Africa five years ago where there is no ethanol fuel; that to the best of my knowledge there are no ethanol blends in Canada yet: that our motorhome is of 1984 vintage with an old 350 cu in Chevy carburetor V8 engine that had never tasted ethanol before, we were completely ignorant about the confusing choices of fuel at US gas stations. "Regular" at 84 octane, and "Premium" at 91 octane, and sometimes a "mid-grade" at 87 octane, are available throughout Canada and both our RV and our 2004 SUV, and my various classic motorcycles, run quite happily on "Regular"Confusion reigned at our first gas filling in North Dakota where I was faced with the choice of no less than five choices of fuel! Obviously diesel was not an option so I plumbed for the cheapest option marked "E65, not realizing that "E" stood for ethanol, with disastrous results. On long hills and in the heat of the afternoons, it started to cut out and run intermittently; obvious symptoms of fuel starvation. I had changed the fuel filter in the carburetor body very recently and reasoned that it couldn't be that. After three tries at Auto Repair shops who were all too busy or "don't work on RV's", we found one who was prepared to take a look. On hearing the E65 ethanol story they changed the fuel filter again and fitted a new fuel pump. He had had the same problem many times before with older units where the ethanol has a scouring affect on fuel lines and pumps, loosening dirt etc and blocking passages previously unaffected by pure gasoline. He also explained that ethanol tended to vaporise more easily than gas in hot conditions thus causing fuel starvation. His advice was to use only Premium as that does not contain any ethanol. We took his advice and had no more trouble apart from a leaking front gas tank, presumably caused also by the cleansing/loosening affect of ethanol. Fortunately it has two tanks so we used only the good tank thereafter.

Moral of the story is to enquire about conditions properly before embarking on trips to other countries. Our circumstances were probably different from most Canadians who travel to the US frequently, but to us it turned out to be a real problem."

Promoting positive international RV relations - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Lock down RV cabinets for travel

Full-time RVers and Escapees members Murphy & Gail Horner have an easy solution for locking down the RV bathroom medicine cabinet when they travel. They uses a dual sided hook and latch strap and screwed one end int the side of the cabinet. When ready to travel they simply loop the strap through the cabinet handle and secure it. Simple yet effective in keeping your stuff where it belongs. Locking down great RV ideas every day - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Simple solution for misplaced RV cupboard door

Full time RVer John Evers winters in Mission, Texas and summers in Michigan. I met up with him at a campground in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. John has a custom made Mobile Suites 5th Wheel by Doubletree RV (who just changed their name to "DRV"). Unfortunately one of the gally cupboards was ill-placed making it difficult to access. John solved this problem by removing the hinges on one side and affixing the two matching cabinet doors together with a short piano hinge.Now the doors open and fold together allowing full access to the cupboard. He used the leftover hinges to beef-up the opposite side. The extra hinges allow the door to bear the extra weight. A simple idea like this can help fellow RVers get more out of their rigs. Thanks John for sharing your work with this community. Keeping an open door policy for new ideas - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVer gets back on the road with this product

Lee and Beverly Maigatter (and schnauzer Daisy Mae) pose in front of their towing vehicle. Lee was not happy with the way his FL60 handled on the road saying, "It felt like I was driving on ice." He had a professional truck driver take it for a test drive and he told Lee it was just the ruts in the road caused by heavy trucks. The ruts caused the trucks front end to weave and the trucker said he would just have to learn to live with it.

Lee wanted to control the truck instead of the truck controlling him so he searched and found Steer Safe. The website is here: Steer Safe

He installed the system on the front end and eliminated the problem immediately. He drove I-80 from the West Coast to Nebraska steering with one hand.Steer Safe clamps onto the front steering arms and the axles. There is no welding required. This design buffers sway, wandering, blowouts, soft sholders and other hazards from the wheel to the steering box reducing driver fatigue. This system will work on both trucks and motorhomes. Beverly says they would have given up RVing had they not found a solution to their steering problem. Now they are happy campers. Steering you in the right direction - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Power up your RV shower with a revolutionary new shower head

Coil n’Wrap carries this wonderful new shower head delivering 3 times more water pressure without increased water consumption. The shower head uses the venturi effect to accelerate the flow of water mixing it with air which increases the outgoing water velocity.RVers love this product because it doesn’t matter if you are using your water pump or the street connection you will notice a dramatic pressure increase. You control the flow of water with the “comfort control valve” simply turning it to adjust the spray level. Boondockers love it because you get more spray with less water dribbling down the drain. In the full force position it uses 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) while in the reduced consumption range it uses 1.5 gpm and still delivers reasonably good pressure. This is what Ken Wilton says about this product, "benefits include increased pressure and reduced water consumption. It doubles or triples the water pressure and reduces water consumption by half. It uses a nozzle in the shower head to increase pressure. Using a nozzle also reduces water flow. Built into the head is a venturi system which oxygenates the water to give it back the volume that was lost as a result of the nozzle that restricted the water flow. This gives the effect of a jacuzzi jet. It's the most exhilarating shower you will ever have. Reduced water consumption means the hot water tank can keep up and you don't have to dump or fill up as often. Great for those times when you are dry camping."

I like it! A major improvement over the old shower head. The kit comes with everything you need to connect to an RV or a standard home shower including instructions. You can order it here: Coil n' Wrap

While you’re there, check out all the other fine RV products for “frustration free RVing”. In the video I show you how to install and operate this unit. Keeping it clean - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

This RVing idea might save the day

Anthony Blazek from Tinley Park, Illinois came up with this idea when a nearby RV caught on fire. The concept is to have a fire hose ready to go at all times. To accomplish this Anthony uses a “Y” adaptor to connect the extra hose. On the end of the hose he uses a plastic on/off valve and a brass fire nozzle. He leaves it coiled up and charged with water “just in case”. He always informs his RV neighbors about his standby fire-hose. It is long enough to easily reach the front and rear of the RV. It also comes in handy for washing the RV and the car. Please heed this very important advice: If your RV is already on fire DO NOT go back inside with this garden hose because if you do, you will die! The toxic fumes and smoke will make you unconscious and you will become BBQ. Immediately call 911 and then warn your neighbors to evacuate their RVs until the fire department says it’s safe to go back. Get out of the way and let the fire department do what it does best. This garden fire hose is no match for a large fire, but it could save the day putting out a small grass fire, or out of control camp fire. The grandkids like it because It’s great for filling up water balloons. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Make this easy to close RV screen door modification

Kelly Melfi from Frankfort Illinois is quite an innovator and I will be bringing you several of his ideas and inventions designed for better RV living. Most all of us RVers have the problem of having almost go outside in order to grab our screen door handle. With Kelly’s idea you can easily reach your screen door from inside your coach. Kelly used a ½ inch piece of PVC and two “elbow” connectors as the handle. He attached the handle diagonally across the slider bars with sheet metal screws through the center of the elbows. This allows the handle slide cover to freely slide back and forth on it’s tracks. Another great idea for RV enthusiasts - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

How can you live full time in the confines of your RV?

Friends have asked us how we can live full time in the cramped quarters of an RV. This is an reasonable question for which I have a reasonable answer. If you go back in your family tree a few generations you’ll find ancestors who lived in small dwellings (often one or two rooms) in which they raised families, cooked, did laundry and made most of their own clothing. They also raised and preserved much of their own food and still had time for church.If these ancestors were alive today, they might ask us the opposite question, “How can we live in such large dwellings?” They would be lost in the average-sized American house.

RV living is far more advanced than what our ancestors had. RVers have indoor plumbing, microwave and convection ovens, cooktops, refrigerators, electric lights, computers, indoor/outdoor stereo, TV’s everywhere, cell phones and combo washer/dryers. Some RVs even have dishwashers.Many modern RVs have more storage and counter space than did 1800s kitchens. With slide-out rooms RV galleys have become even more spacious.
I would wager most any 1800s American family would have gladly moved from their one room dwelling into a modern day RV. They would have the same or even more living space and modern conveniences to boot. So the reason we live well in our RV is because we have everything we need and want, making life very comfortable.

People who question the full time RV lifestyle need to think outside the box, because much of the RV lifestyle happens outside the confines of the RV box. With awnings, outdoor entertainment, BBQs, portable tables and very comfortable folding chairs and lounges, outdoor living is an extension of your living quarters. Besides, most full time RVers follow the great weather by moving where they can enjoy the outdoors year round.

When I lived in a ginormous stick house I had loads of extra work including mowing, watering, fertilizing, winterizing, painting, cleaning, repairing, weeding, cleaning gutters, shoveling snow, and so-on (makes me tired just thinking about it). I have a new set of maintenance requirements for my RV, but they are much more manageable and make for easy living. I still need to look after the care and maintenance of two motorized vehicles (the motorhome and the towed vehicle), but I had to take care of two vehicles even when I lived in a stick house.

Our expenses are greatly diminished compared to living in a stick house. Even with increased fuel prices we still save money living the full time RV lifestyle. It allows us to visit our kids and grandkids (who are scattered over several states) much more frequently than when we were stationary. We have hundreds of RV friends we’ve met over the years. RVers are the friendliest people on the planet. We get to see great places and do interesting things we wouldn't otherwise be able to experience. We pay no property tax and our monthly space rental at RV campgrounds is a fraction of our former house payment.

Everything we need is right at our fingertips and best of all we sleep in our own comfortable bed every night whether we’re in Arizona or Maine, Florida or Montana. Giving you the full story - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Should you pull over and wait out a severe rainstorm?

Recently we were driving through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and experienced two Texas style rainstorms in one day. The first encounter found us driving the motorhome, enjoying the day, when it started getting cloudy. Next it began to sprinkle, followed by rain, followed by sideways rain. It was so bad I pulled off the road into a large gas station with extra parking to wait it out. It was raining so hard my coach windshield wipers couldn't keep up and I could no longer drive safely. Mrs. Professor appreciates it when I do this and since we have a fully self-contained RV we can have a snack, relax and enjoy the moment even while being pelted. Weather reporting being what it is, you never know in what kind of predicament you'll find yourself. Keep in mind that driving on a wet highway can lead to hydroplaning and loss of control. It also increases your stopping distance and if there is an accident around the next corner you might become part of it if you don't take adequate precautions. Slow down, turn on your headlights and, if necessary, look for a safe place to turn off the road. You can afford to wait out a storm until it's safe to travel again. Stay safe and well - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV manufacturers and dealers falling like leaves in autumn.

Apparently this sign captures the current mood of the RV buying public.Joining a growing list of failing RV manufacturers, Weekend Warrior Trailers Inc., operating out of Peris, California closed it’s doors for good this week. Pilgrim International Inc. out of the quiet little town of Middlebury, Indiana is closing plants and laying off workers. Monaco is doing the same laying off 1,430 workers. Other RV manufacturers have gone out of business this year or filed bankruptcy including Travel Supreme, King of the Road, National RV Holdings Inc., Western RV Inc. (makers of Alpenlite 5th wheels) and Alfa Leisure Inc. Every major RV manufacturer is laying off and cutting back or making plans to do so in the immediate future.The flagship RV manufacturer Winnebago reported a 73% decline in profits and closed one of it’s plants in Charles City, Iowa. Even Affinity Group Holding Inc. owners of Camping World are reporting losses.Dealers too are feeling the pinch. Lazydays in Tampa, Florida bills itself as the largest RV dealer in the Nation laid off 15% of it’s workers in July. Longtime California based Dan Gamel is shutting down six dealerships.

Why is the RV industry in a nosedive? Most people think it’s the inflated gas prices, but the primary reason is because the U.S. is in a recession. Our current recession was caused by loose lending practices in the home loan industry and now that foreclosures are at an all time high, banks are running out of cash to cover the bad loans and are tightening their lending practices. When people can’t borrow money to purchase RVs (a major discretionary expenditure) then sales plummet and RV manufactures go out of business.

The fact unemployment is rising and consumer confidence is tanking doesn’t help. I think the RV industry will not even begin to recover until the economy as a whole starts to recover. My personal study of the economy doesn't give me hope it will be any time soon. Some economists are looking as far as 2012 for an economic turnaround in which case there won’t be many manufacturers left standing. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Lock in some RV fun at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

An exceptional RV destination.Located 50 miles north of Michigan's famous Mackinaw Bridge is Sault Ste. Marie There are a couple campgrounds on the water which allow you to watch the Great Lakes freighters come and go as they load up on cargo's of coal, limestone and iron ore.There are several attractions worth seeing in one of America’s oldest towns. The River of History Museum will thoroughly inform you on the history of the area. Across the street is the Tower of History with it’s four viewing platforms giving you a panoramic view of the area.The Museum Ship Valley Camp is a floating exhibit bring you inside a retired lake freighter. Plan on an hour or more to see this wonder which includes a display of the Edmund Fitzgerald (along with two recovered life boats). The engine room gives you an appreciation for the power of these workhorse ships. You can enter the wheel house and crew quarters but will have to navigate a few ladders (stairs).Across the parking lot from the Valley Camp is the famous Soo Locks Boat Tours. With ample RV parking and a self locking kennel (where you keep the key) this is a “must do” experience. This boat tour takes you through the locks and navigates the St. Mary’s River. A snack bar is available on each ship in the fleet. Dinner cruises are also available but check the schedule as it changes through the season. You can find out more about this great boat tour here: Soo Locks Boat ToursA trip to downtown Sault Ste. Marie will provide you with shopping and dining. The specialty in the “Upper Peninsula” are pasties which are warm pastries stuffed with beef and sometimes vegetables. I tried a couple and they are good with catsup or gravy on the side. Sacrificing my waistline for a worthy cause - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Playing it cool with a German RV freezer

Mike and Connie Schmidt are full time RVers I recently met at a military campground in Spokane , Washington. Mike likes having more freezer space so he purchased this WAECO 110 cubic inch freezer. The unit fits nicely in Mike's Country Coach storage compartment in a slide out cargo bay. Made in Germany (known for fine craftsmanship and engineering) it runs on 12 volts or standard shore power. The automatic switch moves to 110 AC shore power when connected. Mike says, "With an unconditional 5 year warranty and half the price of the competition you can't go wrong with this unit." Mike says it's also 20 cubic inches larger than the competition, works great and has an easy to use control panel. You can learn more about this product here: WAECO. The Swedish Dometic Group recently acquired WAECO but the products will remain essentially the same. Keeping it cool in the dog days of summer - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Make more RV storage by converting a drawer into a cabinet

Long time RVer Ralf Wind from Jenison, Michigan needed more space in his motorhome galley. He noticed the drawers under his stove were only half drawers and didn't utilize about 12 inches of space behind them. He removed the top drawer and disassembled the drawer box. He added hinges and a cabinet stay to the front drawer piece and attached them to the cabinet face. Now he has a deep cabinet instead of a half drawer. It's perfect for large items like a toaster and pots and pans. Opening a whole new world of RV improvement possibilities - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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DVD: EZ RV Upgrades
RV technician Mark Polk shows you products that will help make your RV more efficient -- how to install and use them, and more.

Extra sewer hose storage need not be complicated

It doesn't take long into your RV carrer to recognize the importance (necessity) of carrying an extra length of sewer hose. You can pick up a fancy PVC container tube with easy twist on/off caps at your local RV store, or you can make your own. Since the standard sewer hose is three inches wide you should use a four inch wide PVC pipe. I recommend you run it the entire width of your RV and secure it with plumbers tape and screws. You can purchase threaded end caps and glue them onto the pipe with PVC glue and use a threaded cap to hold the hose securely inside the tube. If you want to leave adapters on the end of the sewer hose, you'll need a larger diameter PVC pipe. The larger the PVC pipe the more costly the fittings, so you may want to consider this simple application that uses a long bolt and a wing nut to keep the hose in place. Since this is your extra sewer hose, it doesn't really matter how fast you can access it because you won't be needing it very often. The open nature of this set-up allows the hose to dry and prevents mold and mildew from growing on the hose or inside the container. Helping you extend your RV fun - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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RVers Guide to Dump Stations
There is one thing that all RVers need, and that's a dump station. A dump station, if you don't already know, is a place where you can empty your RV's holding tanks. This directory offers a comprehensive listing by state and by highway of most of the known public dump stations in America — more than 2,000 all together.... learn more.

Does your insurance have you covered?

I couldn't resist taking this photo. You're guess is as good as mine, but I was thinking this motorhome owner was making a statement. What do you think they were trying to say? Click the light blue "comments" below and tell us your thoughts. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Stop the RV rockin’ with this homemade stabilizer system

Long time RVer Bob Campbel from Dayton, Ohio wanted a more stable RV lifestyle. He was tired of all the “rock-n-roll” he experienced as he walked around in his 5th wheel. So he decided to make his own stabilizer out of an old bumper jack, some chain and some scrap metal he had laying around his shop.

First he attaches the stabilizer leg (without the jack) to one side of his 5th wheel like this.Next he pulls the chain so it loosely fits into the side with the jack.Both legs have an “L” frame bracket that holds the stabilizer legs in place against the frame. A hinged “foot” also contains a hook that holds the chain in place. The hinged foot allows for automatic ground angle adjustment.

Since he is setting up on grass, he places boards under the “feet” of the stabilizer jack.

Bob welded a piece of “L” frame on the bottom of the jack and attached the top of the jack to the hinged “foot”. The jack appears “upside down” compared to how a bumper jack is normally used.Once the chain is loosely attached Bob begins to ratchet the jack until the chain is tight.This device actually stops the “rock-n-roll” movement of the typical 5th wheel in the rear of the coach.

This requires some welding skill or having a friend or relative who knows how to weld. Take him or her a copy of these photos (and a candy bar) and he or she will know exactly what to do. They probably even have all the stuff laying around the shop to do the job. You can pick up a bumper jack at any junk yard for a few bucks.

Bringing stability to your RV lifestyle - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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Trailers & Fifth Wheels Made Easy
Dollar for dollar, this book offers more information about how to operate a travel trailer or other towable RV than any other book published today. It’s a little book — about 59 pages — but it’s packed with concise information about how to operate a towable RV in a safe and efficient way. Learn more or order.

RV sign language saves time and space

Roger Conley (left) and his friend Richard (both from Reese Michigan) joke around at a recent Coachmen rally. Like many RVers Roger wanted to display he and his wife's name and where they are from. Nancy and Roger were relaxing under the awning one day and came up with this brilliant idea. Instead of the usual hand carved sign, he attached a weatherproof sign to the side of his slide-out. He used rivets to hold the sign in place and it it slides in and out past the rubber gaskets no problem.He doesn't have to store a sign every time he breaks camp or remember to put it out when he sets up. It's a self deploying "automatic" sign that's easy to install. You can make the sign yourself or have a sign shop make one for you. If you have an unusually long name and a short slide, you have a problem, but you could always run it vertically.

Signing off - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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Grandma and Grandpa Love Their RV
Have your grandchildren ever asked you, “Grandma and Grandpa, where do you go in your motorhome?” Well, here’s a great way to answer their question: give them this wonderful children’s book, which shows them with words and dozens of colorful drawings where you go and what you do when you go away with your motorhome, fifth wheel or trailer. It explains that you worked hard all your life and now it’s time for you to play -- by pursuing your favorite hobby, RVing. Learn more or order.

Power up your toad battery while on the go

Jerry Campbell from St. Louis, Missouri told me about a kit he installed on the vehicle he tows behind his Coachmen Sportscoach. “Toad Charge” will keep the battery of your towed vehicle charged while it’s being towed behind your motorhome. This is a great idea because many auxiliary braking systems deplete the battery while towing.

It works by connecting the motorhome chassis electric system to the towed vehicles battery using the motorhome alternator to supply up to 5 amps of charge to the towed vehicles battery.

The kit comes with easy to follow step by step directions. You get a charge regulator that is installed in the towed vehicles engine compartment and a thermal circuit breaker installed near the motorhome starting battery. It comes with 40 feet of power cable for the motorhome and 10 feet of cable for towed vehicle. A 7 foot piece can be permanently mounted to the tow bar with connectors at each end for easy hook-up. Jerry used extra prongs on his signal cable to hook it up. The cable has it’s own built in ground wire to minimize voltage drop.A nice safety feature is a built in blocking diode that prevents reverse current flow in the event the motorhome batteries go dead. This will prevent the towed vehicle battery from discharging to the motorhome allowing you to start your toad which is a good idea if you’re out in the boonies where these kind of things usually happen.

You will find more information on this product at their website here: Toad Charge.

Getting charged up about RVing - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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2006 Guide to Dinghy Towing
If you plan to pull a vehicle behind your motorhome, the 2006 Guide to Dinghy Towing from Motorhome Magazine should be an essential resource about how to do it. Learn more.

RVs improving international relations

Renting an RV from CruiseAmerica is a great way for out-of-country visitors to see the U.S.A. The Moeller family from Dessau, Germany are enjoying Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with one of these RV motorhome rentals. They were camped next to us at the Tee Pee Campground in Mackinac City, Michigan. They came here to pick up their daughter, Mathilde, who was an exchange student here this past year. They wisely decided to combine an RV vacation along the way. The father Frank is a vascular surgeon and their son Paul is a first year medical student. The mom, Adrea, is a hospital secretary who says, “Americans are very nice here, everyone is very friendly and helpful.” Frank says, “The cars (he means motorhomes) here are big and not fit in campground in Germany.” We gave them a tour of our motorhome and spent the evening visiting with them using the daughter (who learned English well during her stay) as an interpreter. “Das is gut, Ja?” is about the extent of my German, but with hand signals, drawings, and an interpreter we had an excellent visit.The kids were having a great time as our long time RV friend Bill Isetts entertained the kids by making balloon animals and hats. RVers, no matter where they’re from are the nicest people on the planet and RVing is the best way to see the planet. In our travels we’ve met RVers from all over the world and have seen RVs that have actually been around the world. Frankly, I think the world would be a more peaceful and friendly place if everyone was an RVer! Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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Woodall's 2006 Go & Rent Directory
The Woodall’s 2006 Rent & Go Guide will guide you to RV and campground lodging rentals for the USA, Canada or Mexico. This slim guide is helpful whether you want to plan a family vacation, find a great place to stay on a sportsman trip, or rent an RV before you buy one. Learn more or order.

Gloves look cool and make RV hook-up chores cleaner

The controversy over whether to wear gloves while dumping sewer tanks will continue as long as there are RVs, but that’s not what this article is about. This is a story about how wearing work gloves while hooking up your 5th wheel, travel trailer or the tow car to the motorhome is a good idea.I used to do all the pre-travel hook-up chores without wearing gloves. When I finished and was ready to climb into the drivers seat I would look at my hands and think, “how did they get so dirty?” I'd have to spend a few minutes washing and drying my hands before we could hit the road.

Wearing gloves will help keep your hands clean AND abrasion free. How many times have you cut your hands or busted your knuckles doing hook-up duty? Leather and rubber dot gloves also assist your grip.When necessary, you can easily remove a glove to do delicate work like fishing a key out of your pocket and unlocking a lock.I also like to wear gloves when pumping fuel as it keeps the smell off my hands and helps me grip the nozzle. It also looks cool when you put them in your hip pocket while walking into the Truck Plaza. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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DVD: Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing Video
Learn how to tow your trailer the safe and easy way. In this DVD RV expert Mark Polk shows you everything you need to know about towing, weights, hitch work and backing. Essential viewing for new trailer owners. Learn more or order.

Park your RV by the beach at Tee Pee Campground in Mackinac City, Michigan

I’ve been to all kinds of RV parks over the years and know what I like and don’t like when it comes to atmosphere and amenities. I enjoyed my stay at Tee Pee Campground because of it’s location on the water. Here Joe Cooley and Doras Weinley (wearing red) greet and assist customers like they are family. Like most Michigan RV parks Tee Pee Campground is open for business from May through October. Joe and Gene Cooley purchased Tee Pee Campground in partnership with Jo’s parents in 1969. Since then they have been helping campers enjoy the Mackinac City area providing a campground with a spectacular view of the Mackinac Bridge, clean facilities and loads of fun. A free shuttle service will pick you up at the campground office and take you to and from the Mackinac Island ferry. A visit to the island where motorized vehicles are replaced with horse drawn carriages and bicycles is a must-see attraction. The campground has 30 amps and water (no sewer - a dump station is provided). I enjoyed the group campfire on the beach where you can view passing boats and the bridge lights. This is the place to stay at the gateway to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing