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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Thursday, November 10, 2022
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DID YOU MISS reading this morning’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter? Good stuff there.
Page Contents
RVing Basics
Measure your RV at its full height
Responding to a tip on measuring the height of your RV for safety, Terry W. writes to remind us: “It should go without saying – but often it doesn’t – in the case of 5th wheels and even travel trailers, measure the height when CONNECTED to the tow vehicle.” Point well taken, Terry. Thanks!
Closing slides in winter conditions
If you have slides, be careful when opening and closing them if camping or living in winter conditions. Overnight snow can collect on the slide-cover awning and must be removed before closing the slide. Snow removal can be quite difficult because the roof areas will also be snow-covered. If possible, use a separate ladder to gain access and make sure to have assistance nearby when using a ladder in winter. You may also find that water pooled on a slide-cover awning may freeze overnight if the temperature drops. The resounding “crunch” noise when you start to put your slide in will not be a comforting sound. Again, the only solution is to carefully break up the ice and remove it. Thanks to Ron Jones, AboutRVing.com.
Penetrating oil can save the day!
It can be a bad day on the road if you break down and need to loosen a screw or bolt and it won’t budge. Here’s help: This rust eater, deep penetrating oil will penetrate rust, scale and corrosion to free parts and assemblies instantly. It will free up rusted machine screws, bolts, nuts, clamps for mufflers and tail pipes, locks and more. You need this! Learn more.
Quick Tips
RV check-out procedure
Reader Al Butler has an interesting approach to ensuring that all things are secured before breaking camp. Al and his wife write the subject of concern on a key tag – for example, “Awning Out” or “A/C – Furnace” – to note that the awning is extended or the furnace turned on. A separate tag is used for all issues, and these tags are hung on a hook. When the awning is rolled in, the furnace turned off, etc., then the key tag is removed from the hook and put away. A quick look at the hook before starting up the rig ensures that all is taken care of. Thanks, Al.
Another way to ease new fittings onto sewer hose
Putting new fittings onto your sewer hose? We’ve all heard the idea of dipping the hose in hot water to make the fittings slip on easier. Here’s the polar opposite: Stick the new fittings into your freezer for a few minutes – they’ll contract and slip in the hose easier.
“If you could tell someone new to RVing just one thing, what would it be?”
From the editors: We asked our readers this question. Here is one response:
“I learned a lesson early on from truck drivers at rest areas along the highway. At every stop, before leaving the campground in the morning, and each evening when you stop, conduct a very observant walk-around of your unit. Notice the condition of tires, side panels, hitches, doors and anything you can see. Don’t forget to look under and on the top of your RV. Looking over and under will require that you look from a distance. This observation from a distance can also help you plan your route out of an unfamiliar park and notice that TV antenna that you left in the extended position.” —Dennis J. Charpentier
Random RV Thought
Camping next to a stream or lake, then catching a few trout, then cooking them up and eating them for dinner is a very pleasing (and tasty) thing.
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!
Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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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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That key tag thing is a pretty good idea but I would never remember to put them there to begin with 😀
Yep, I’d use them once then forget them.