Welcome to the Beginner’s Guide to RVing from RVtravel.com. The information we present here every Monday through Friday is for brand-new RVers – those in the market to buy their first RV and those who just purchased theirs. If you are an experienced RVer, this material may be too basic for you.
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Tuesday, July 28, 2020
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DID YOU MISS reading this morning’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter? Good stuff there.
RVing Basics
Can I trust that an RV salesman will tell me the truth?
Not necessarily. He/she will try to sell you the RV and as many add-ons as possible – an extended warranty, insurance, roadside assistance, tire protection, etc., which are high-profit items. Some salespersons are perfectly honest, but others will say just about anything to make the sale and then ramp up the price with additional products, often priced far higher than elsewhere. It’s hard to tell the good ones from the bad ones. Most salesmen (or saleswomen) are paid by commission, so they use whatever techniques they can to sell you an RV. Never buy on your first RV sales buying outing, no matter what the pitch. Do your homework. Take your time.
Do you have a quick tip about identifying a good salesperson?
Ask him or her if they currently own an RV or have in the past. If not, be cautious. Also, ask the salesperson how long he or she has been with the dealership: If it’s been for years, that’s a good sign. Keep in mind, too, that the first thing a salesperson will do is try to earn your trust. He’ll ask you if you have dog. You say “Yes.” “Aren’t they great?” he’ll say, trying to establish common ground. He/she might ask, “Do you plan to bring your grandchildren along on trips?” and you’ll say, “Oh, yes. I know they’ll love it.” The salesman will say, “My grandkids love traveling with my wife and me.” Etc. The salesman knows what he’s doing. He wants you to think of him as a friend, whose pitch you will then buy “hook, line and sinker.” Be careful.
How can I tell if there are any recalls on a used motorhome I’m considering buying?
Check out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall database here. RVtravel.com publishes recalls as they are issued. If you haven’t already, sign up to receive its free newsletters here.
Never get bit by a mosquito again!
What if we told you we had a solution for all those mosquito bites and bee stings? We do! This LED lantern (and flashlight) lures mosquitoes and other flying bugs and zaps them as soon as they fly up and touch it, providing a 16×16-foot mosquito-free zone. Neat, huh? Never swat away a bug again! It’s waterproof, non-toxic, and harmless to humans. Learn more or order.
Quick Tips
Watch your rear!
“Here is a tip I use while driving down the highway. I installed a Fresnel lens on the rear window of my 31-foot Class C motorhome to enable me to see close to the rear of the rig. Doing this gives me the added advantage of being able to know when I’ve passed another vehicle and it’s far enough behind to allow me to change lanes. When I can see the headlights of the overtaken vehicle in the Fresnel lens, it’s safe to go. The normal rearview or side-view mirrors do not give a good estimate of how far ahead of the overtaken vehicle you are.” Thanks to Fred C.!
Quick way to sanitize the public water hose connection
Worried about what the last guy may have done to the water hose connection at your site or at the filling area? Get yourself a bottle of “spray Clorox” and spritz the water tap threads before hooking on your own hose.
Easy protection for your real-glass glassware!
“Put wine or other glasses in an old white cotton sock. I have had these fall from an overhead cabinet into the sink and never a chip, crack or breakage. I hope this can be posted so that others can enjoy a glass of wine (or other beverage) without having to resort to plastic cups.” Thanks to Trish Doyle!
Clean water stains off your RV ceiling
Water stains on your RV ceiling? Take a clean sponge, soak it with hydrogen peroxide, straight out of the bottle. Carefully rub the stain with sponge and follow up with a clean paper towel. Best to test an inconspicuous spot first, and be sure to protect the floor below the ceiling from drips.
“Exercise” your generator
Don’t just exercise the pooch, exercise the generator, too. Fire it up and run it at half-load (or more) for two hours each month.
We welcome your Quick Tips: Send to editor@rvtravel.com
Common Terms Used by RV Salespeople
MOUSE HOUSE: Slang term used for a finance company.
Another one next issue. Courtesy of the Burdge Law Office.
Protect your RV “pigtail”
That 7-way connector on your travel trailer or fifth wheel is a critical component. When not plugged into your tow rig, the thing is susceptible to the onslaught of dirt, rain and even bugs. Here’s a plug cover that slips right over your precious plug and keeps out the crud. One user says, “This works perfectly to keep the plug on my RV clear. I remove it when not in use and place it in my ‘RV emergency tool kit.’ This way, it’s not knocked around when driving.” Learn more or order.
If you could tell someone new to RVing just one thing, what would it be?
From the editors: We asked our readers this question recently. Here is one response:
“Don’t be in a hurry and remember you are going to make mistakes.” — Dr. Willie Live
Random RV Thought
Carry an extra 10 feet of sewer hose with appropriate fittings installed just in case the (campground) sewer is located too far from your waste outlet for your regular hose to reach. And an extra water hose is a good idea, too – 10 feet will probably suffice.
RESOURCES:
• If you’re a member of Facebook, be sure to sign up for our groups RV Buying Advice, RV Advice and Budget RV Travel. For a list of all our groups and RVtravel.com newsletters, visit here.
• If you buy a defective RV and are unable to get it fixed or its warranty honored, here is where to turn for help.
• If you need an RV Lemon Law Lawyer, Ron Burdge is your man.
• Why you should never finance an RV for 20 years!
Read previous issues of Beginner’s Guide to RVing newsletters here.
RV Travel staff
CONTACT US at editor@RVtravel.com
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editors: Emily Woodbury, Diane McGovern.
Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
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