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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Monday, July 4, 2022
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DID YOU MISS reading this morning’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter? Good stuff there.
Page Contents
RVing Basics
Where should I get insurance for my RV?
Check with your present auto insurer if you’re happy with the company or agent, but only if it offers policies specifically for RVs. If you plan to live full-time in an RV, be sure your policy covers you—many companies will not insure RVs used full-time (so read the fine print). Two popular companies that cater to RVers are Progressive and GEICO.
Is RV insurance expensive?
Statistically, RVers are good drivers and insurance companies take that into account when setting rates. You will likely be surprised at the moderate rates.
I operate a business from my RV. Do I need special insurance?
It depends on who you ask. One representative from a prominent RV insurance brokerage told us they’d never heard of such a thing. Another RVer reported that he had a claim rejected when his insurance company ruled that because he made money from videos he monetized on YouTube that he was operating a business, which violated his policy. It’s best to ask any insurance company about its policy. And definitely get the answer in writing!
Shower curtain storage? Yes, please!
This nine-pocket shower curtain is the extra bathroom storage you’ve always wanted. The quick-dry mesh pocket curtain can be hung facing in, or out of your shower. Perfect for shampoo, body wash, shaving needs, toothbrush and toothpaste, washcloths and brushes … you name it! it’s almost like it was made for RVs. Learn more or order this space-saving organizer here.
Quick Tips
Safer parking in parking lots
If you park your tow rig and trailer in a “normal” parking lot, you’re likely hanging out into the driving lane. When making a short stop in a lot, put “safety cones” out in the drive lane to make sure oncoming drivers really see the rig.
Brighten your taillights
Taillights can get dim from dirty contacts. Make sure there’s no power to the taillights, then pull the bulbs. Use steel wool to clean bulb contacts and base; do the same for the contacts and base of the taillight fixture. [Caveat from Joseph Bulger: “Cleaning the light bulb sockets with steel wool can cause a short if you don’t get all of the little steel fibers out of the socket. I first start with Deoxit and a little bit of bulb grease for good measure. I would use a 400 grit sand paper if the socket is real bad, and then Deoxit and bulb grease.” Thanks, Joe!]
Where to mount your new flat screen TV
Replacing on old “tube”-style TV with a flat screen in your RV? Think about mounting the new flat screen on a swing-arm mount that’s attached inside the old TV’s cabinet. You can swing the TV into the cabinet any time, and out for viewing from different areas of the coach. And no need to rebuild the cabinet to accommodate the new TV, provided it fits in the hole.
GPS home security advice
A sage RVer warns to never put your “home” coordinates in your GPS. If a crook steals your GPS and keys, he knows right where to go to clean you out.
Less messy way to repack wheel bearings
Repacking your trailer wheel bearings? It’s a good idea to do it every year, but many hate the job because it can be so messy. When repacking the bearings, wear nitrile gloves. They don’t tear, and they’ll keep the goo off your hands.
Common Terms Used by RV Salespeople
STICKS: Reference given to the borrower’s furniture he puts up as collateral on a small loan, such as when he borrows the money for the down payment on the RV he is getting ready to buy.
Another one next issue. Courtesy of the Burdge Law Office.
Tiny LED button lamp perfect for RV’s small, dark spaces
This 6-pack of tiny, battery-powered LED “Button Lamps” is just what you need for your RV’s closets and storage spaces. The tiny lamp is ultra-bright and has all the power of a normal-sized lamp. Backed with a strong adhesive, these little lamps will stick to any surface. They’re waterproof and good to have in case of an emergency. 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. Here is one response:
“The first thing I would tell my friend who is buying an RV is to learn campground etiquette and respect his new neighbors and respect himself. Most RVers do a good job, but more and more people do not. Loud music, outside TV, uncontrolled kids and dogs will increase as the RV population increases.” — Johnny Whiddon
Random RV Thought
If you will be using your RV in the winter or storing it outside, be sure to have its roof inspected for leaks. A leak can severely damage your RV’s structure, an often very costly repair.
Going full-time? Need a home base? This is the best.
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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I don’t disagree with the advice about camping etiquette, but the most important thing is understanding from front to back, top to bottom, your RV and if it is a used RV, it starts out with a third-party inspection. A very thorough inspection of everything from mechanical electrical to more. Then read and learn from that report and read your operating manual. The more you know, the better and safer your RV experience will be!
QUICK TIPS: Greasing wheel bearings. Consider Bearing Buddy. You can find them at etrailer.com and amazon. Happy 4th.
Something that often happens when using bearing buddy is the grease gets pushed past the seal and can get on the brakes. Now that’s a really big, unsafe mess.
Hey editors of RV Travel. You need to permanently edit the advise to clean bulb sockets with steel wool. Please look at my response to this a year ago. Small strands of steel wool could be stuck in the socket causing a short which could cause issues.
Thanks, Joe! Duly noted and updated. Have a great evening/night. 😀 –Diane
Another problem with GPS stolen items is your phone. Do not save your home setting, on your phone. The thief can use it to direct him right to your house.
Like the idea of not putting your home address in the GPS. That said, your registration and insurance card will certainly give you away. And your service records. And any magazines laying around. And any loose mail… etc.
On the insurance front. We have been sitting for over three weeks and have not gotten authorization from GEICO to get our bumper and step repaired. We missed a chance to get the repairs done last week and now the next slot at the only place we can get repaired, here in rural Oregon, is next month. Hopefully, we might hear by then..
Cleaning the light bulb sockets with steel wool can cause a short if you don’t get all of the little steel fibers out of the socket. I first start with deoxit and a little bit of bulb grease for good measure. I would use a 400 grit sand paper If the socket is real bad and then deoxit and bulb grease.
re: Brighten your taillights
Some RVer’s drive with their lights on during the daytime so they are easier to see. I stopped doing that after my first trip because too many other drivers following me didn’t seem to see my turn signals.
I stood behind my trailer and had my wife turn on the truck lights, hit the brake, and use the turn signals. It was apparent there was little difference in brightness between the lights and the turn signal–especially when the brake light was on.
I no longer drive with my lights on. Check your RV with the sun shining the rear lights.
I tried replacing the bulbs in the tail lights with LEDs but my 2020 Ford F150 continually warned that bulbs had burned out. The fix is to add a resistor to the tail light–but the resistor gets very hot and can melt the housing. (Especially when waiting through a long left-turn light.)
My trailer has LED tail lights. The running lights are much dimmer than the brake or turn signals. The lights have 4 LED’s used for running and 8 for turn/brake.
Are you saying that the truck warns you that a trailer light is out?
I replaced the entire incandescent style brake/turn/ running lights housing with an LED direct replacement. Same as yours, four led running lights and 8 for brake/turn. A night and day difference. My truck does not give me a warning light. May have something to do with the number of led’s.
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