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.
This newsletter is funded primarily through advertising and voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thanks to all of you!
Thursday, November 17, 2022
DID YOU MISS reading this morning’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter? Good stuff there.
Page Contents
RVing Basics
Protect your shore power plug from damage
When not using your shore power plug, it’s possible your plug prongs could get bent. Tom Hart suggests this solution: “To save your plug from damage, get an adapter plug for your 30-amp or 50-amp power cord and use it when unplugging or storing your cord. These can save the plug-in end of your AC power cord from damage.” Thanks, Tom!
Dump tanks at fairgrounds
Looking for a place to dump your tanks? Check out county fairgrounds. Many have dump stations where you can dump inexpensively – sometimes for free.
Check your tow hitch regularly
Add checking your tow hitch to your walk-around-at-rest-stop inspection list. A funny noise could be a need for lubrication – or something far more sinister.
Quick Tips
Lighting the storage area under bed
Bernd K. offers this suggestion to light up the storage area under a bed: “12-volt LED strips are safe, draw little current, and their flat dimensions are not likely to make physical contact with any item in under-bed storage.” Thanks for the suggestion, Bernd!
Checking your transmission fluid level
When using the dipstick, check your transmission fluid level when it is warm. For Allison electronic transmissions, use the appropriate sequence of pressing console shift buttons and noting the results on the digital readout. Change the fluid according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, and top up with the approved fluid. Thanks to Ron Jones, AboutRVing.com.
“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:
“Do NOT buy a new RV. Buy one that is a couple of years old. The price is probably 30% (or more) cheaper than a new RV. It has basically the same bells and whistles and any major issues have been fixed by the previous owner. New RVs only come with a 1-year warranty (absolutely ridiculous for such an expensive vehicle) and the RV will spend most of the first year sitting at the dealer’s repair yard waiting for them to fix it. Don’t plan on the RV dealers honoring the warranty or treating you as a valued customer. Once you sign on the dotted line, all the dealer cares about is getting you out the door so they don’t have to deal with you anymore.” —Greg T.
Keep insects and bird nests out of your RV furnace
Wasps, mud daubers, birds and rodents pose a serious threat to the furnace on your RV. They can enter through the furnace vents. Their nests can interfere with air flow and cause serious damage. Camco 42141 (Model FUR 200) Flying Insect RV Furnace Screen fits Duo-therm and Suburban furnace vents. Camco offers several furnace screens so check which one will fit your vent. Learn more or order.
Random RV Thought
Before making a reservation at an unfamiliar campground or RV park, check it out on Google Earth or Google Maps. Unless it’s heavily wooded, you will learn how much room is between sites, how neat it is, and if the park is by a highway, train tracks or another area where it might be unusually noisy. A street view of the park is also helpful in determining if it’s “your kinda place.”
RESOURCES:
• 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
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): chuck@rvtravel.com
Advertising: Advertising@rvtravel.com
Help desk: Contact us.
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.
RVtravel.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
This newsletter is copyright 2022 by RV Travel LLC.
In reference to today’s Random Thought, I also find useful to check Google Map or Earth for parking layout of places I would like to visit, by the time I get there, I know what to expect. Having a 31 ft class A, I even look at restaurants, shopping malls, and other attractions. Always look for exit strategies, and park accordingly.
I also look at the aerial view in either Google or Bing maps. There were only a few times where the view was obstructed by trees.