Wait just a doggone minute! I didn’t know about the following tips and my husband and I have been RVing for several years! There are so many RV tips and tricks, how can you possibly know all of them?
Perhaps you already know about the following tricks that make RVing easier. If so, I apologize. If you’re new to the RV life or, like me, have somehow missed hearing about these tricks, you’re welcome!
Squish the TP
After a long day of driving, the last thing you want to do is rewind your toilet paper back onto the roll. To avoid this problem in the first place, simply squish the roll. Bending the cardboard tube prevents it from unrolling too easily. (Hint: This trick also helps limit the amount of TP used because it will not roll quite as smoothly.)
Freeze it
On RV travel days, place a frozen jug of water inside your RV refrigerator. It will help cool down the RV fridge and because it melts, you’ll have cold, fresh water to drink when you arrive at the campground.
Cabinet locks
Easily installed magnetic childproof locks will keep your RV cabinets closed securely as you travel. (What?! No more bungee cords wrapped around cupboard handles? I’m in!) Just set the locks to “lock” before your trip starts and unlock them once you arrive at your destination.
Rubber floor tiles
Use some rubber floor tiles to form a small pad on the ground by your outdoor RV shower. Additional tiles can also serve as a “sidewalk” that leads to your entry door. This enables you to rinse sand off your feet and keep them clean as you walk to your entry door.
Stop flapping
If the wind causes the slide covers to flap, you can stop it with a beach ball. Inflate the ball just enough so that it will fit snugly between the top of the slide and the cover. The ball will cause enough tension to prevent the cover from flapping.
Cover it up
A round covered cake carrier will help you transfer paper plates, napkins, utensils, and more from the RV to the picnic table. The cake carrier will protect these items from wind and insects until the steaks finish grilling and you’re ready to chow down.
Use a syringe
Warped or loose veneer can be repaired by using a syringe. Fill the syringe with wood glue. Gently poke the end of the syringe into the loose piece and apply glue. Press the veneer back into place using steady pressure until set.
Velcro
Did you know that Command also makes Velcro hooks? I cannot believe that I just discovered these amazing things! You can use Command Velcro products to keep track of your TV remotes, décor, and more.
Garden flag stand
Use a small garden flag stand to keep paper towels just where you need them. Simply slip the paper towels onto the stand. Then place the stand near the BBQ pit, picnic table, or wash station.
Body measure
When your RV slides are extended, stand next to the slide and extend your arm. Does the slide extend to your wrist? Your thumb? Remember this and use this body measurement to quickly determine if it’s safe to extend your slide at the next campground. This quick, easy tip will ensure a safe camping space.
How about you?
Do you have a favorite RV tip or trick to share? Tell us in the comments below.
##RVDT2528
For the toilet paper you don’t need to squeeze it so it no longer functions properly, just unroll a ply or three, then stuff the unrolled end inside the roll opening. Working for us for years.
Good idea, Albert! Thanks for sharing it. Safe and happy travels to you!
We used empty saline syringes to suck water out of the reservoir on the back of our RV fridge while down in Houston. It was almost an everyday chore because of the high humidity down there.
We’ve been using the frozen water jugs for years. I put 4 gallon jugs in our home freezer. The day before the trip, two go into the freezer and two in the refrigerator.
Just make sure you don’t fill them to the top. Leave a 2 inch air space for expansion and the cap loose while freezing.
We carry a plastic milk crate to store them in the shower while traveling.
I recently travelled in our class A on a very windy day in Northern Arizona. For the very first time I encountered “slide flapping” as described by Gail Marsh. She suggested using a beach ball to stop the annoying flapping. Unfortunately, I am having a hard time visualizing that technique. Is there any way all your readers could see a picture, after all a picture is worth….
Thanks,
Larry Sugarman
I used an inflatable pool toy that kids ride on…it was long enough to go under two thirds of the slide cover…no more rain puddles and wind problems…just remember to pull it out before bringing slide in.
Our RV is in storage right now and after searching photos of our trips I haven’t found one that shows the beach ball in place. I’ll try to explain it a bit better. First, this trick is used only on the toppers over slide outs. I partially inflate the ball and test to see if it securely wedges between the topper fabric and the top of the slide. If it needs a bit more air to keep the topper fabric from flapping, I’ll add more air to the ball. It’s a bit of trial and error until you get the correct tension. The ball stays wedged between the topper fabric and the top of the slide out. If winds get too extreme, we pull in the slides. You must remove the ball before pulling the slides in.
I use a measuring tape with sharpie marks for extended slides; dining room, kitchen, and bedroom.
When I think I am close to an object, I simply extend the tape to the closed slide and see if it will provide adequate clearance! Just used it yesterday in Catalina State Park.
I got this tip from RV Travel a few years ago. Low tech, and flawless!
Been squeezing the toilet paper tube for years, but also the paper towel roll to keep the towels from unrolling from the holder. And we use the half-size paper towels because most of our uses don’t require a full sheet.
We haven’t tried the beach ball for the slide awning, but it would seem like you have to remove it each time you close the slide. Since we are travelers, not campers, and move every two to three days, it wouldn’t be worth it if it must be removed. Good idea to keep in mind for the future, however!
We live in a class A and when it rains or the site is muddy, I use painters tape and tape doggie potty pads on my entrance steps to help keep the floors drier and mud fee. Then I dispose when dirty or torn.
For slide clearance I cut off an old broom handle for the deepest slide and cut a groove for the shallowest slide. I keep it in my water bay.
Thank you, Gail! DW has used the last one for several years with great success. Happy new year and safe travels!