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 19, 2022
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DID YOU MISS reading this morning’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter? Good stuff there.
Page Contents
RVing Basics
I carry AAA Emergency Road Service on my car. Will this also cover emergency towing on my motorhome?
No, you’ll need to update to AAA Plus RV. This will cover you for up to a 100-mile tow. But coverage can be spotty in some parts of the country where you may have to arrange and pay for your own tow and then get reimbursed later. Many RVers buy policies with other companies that specialize in RV emergency service, including the Good Sam Club, Family Motor Coach Association, Coach-Net, and others. Here are some things to consider when searching for an emergency road service plan:
• Does your plan cover all vehicles that you normally travel with: motorhome, toad, trailer?
• Does it include a lodging allowance if you aren’t able to stay in your RV?
• Are you covered in Canada or Mexico? Or if you are from Canada, are you covered in the U.S.?
• Are you going to be on short trips near home or crossing the country?
• Does your plan have an upper limit? A deductible?
• What hoops do you have to jump through to get reimbursed if you have to pay cash for service?
Are campgrounds safe?
Generally, yes. But there are no guarantees. Crime, alas, can occur anywhere, even in places you’d least expect it. Use common sense and you will likely never have a problem. Our experience has been that free or very cheap campgrounds in the vicinity of major metropolitan areas may attract a higher percentage of less-than-desirable campers. About the worst experience you will likely have in any campground is to be the unfortunate neighbor of a crowd of loud, boom-box-blasting revelers intent on polishing off a few cases of beer.
Can I tow a boat or ATV trailer behind my fifth wheel or travel trailer?
This is called “triple towing” and permissibility varies from state to state. Even where allowed there may be restrictions, so check the regulations where you plan to travel. More on triple towing here.
Quick Tips
Dated your detectors lately?
Pull your smoke, LP and carbon monoxide detectors down and check their labels. Detectors are “good” within a certain date, and even if they seem to be “working” after the expiry, don’t risk it – replace them. It’s especially important to check the dates if you’ve recently purchased a used RV.
Avoid rust in RV compartments
Tony King sent in this great tip: “Because most compartments on RVs are airtight or nearly so, I keep one of these [Arm & Hammer Fridge-N-Freezer] in every compartment and it keeps any moisture from rusting anything. On warm, sunny days I open and ‘air out’ the compartments and it also dries out any moisture in the baking soda. Even when the baking soda is old and you replace it, it still works great mixed with water to keep all your batteries corrosion free.” Thanks, Tony! [Editor: You can find this product on Amazon.]
Bacon (without the mess), anyone?
Pete Doddato passes along this tasty tip: “I’ve never used microwave bacon before, thinking it would be horrible. A friend gave us a package to try and we were quite amazed. It cooks up crispy in the microwave in about 3 minutes. The best thing about it is there is no mess to clean up. We have avoided bacon many times because we didn’t want to deal with a greasy pan. Now we can enjoy bacon in the RV without the mess.” Thanks, Pete!
Don’t let bugs bug you
Put a layer of window screen over the vent holes on your bumper plugs. Still lets the drain hose air out, but keeps the bugs away.
“Travels with Charley in Search of America”: A man and his dog set off in the 1960s in a home-built RV to see America. A John Steinbeck classic that every RVer will love! Learn more or order.
Common Terms Used by RV Salespeople
PUT TOGETHER: This means much the same as “laying someone away.” In other words, the maximum gross profit to be made on that deal was accomplished. The customer was “nailed to the wall.”
Another one next issue. Courtesy of the Burdge Law Office.
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:
“First, make sure your towing vehicle is adequate to tow the RV you are purchasing. Second, take small local trips every month to learn how to use your RV. If planning to go full-time please do trips monthly to learn before taking off on the road. Third, do not overload. You will find you do not need everything you think you do. Then just enjoy.” — Lisa Adcox
Our favorite tire pressure gauge. Used by the RV Travel staff. Click here.
Random RV Thought
A candle or candles can produce enough heat in an automobile or RV on a cold day to provide some warmth. Just be mindful of where they are placed and do not leave them unattended. These 9-hour emergency candles fit the bill.
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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We use a “Makin Bacon” (https://www.amazon.com/Microwave-Bacon-Cooker-Original-Reduces/dp/B0002HSFB2/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3JJ3G39NXNLXA&keywords=makin+bacon&qid=1658264701&sprefix=makin+bacon%2Caps%2C280&sr=8-2). Put your bacon of choice on the rack and cover with a paper towel and put in the microwave. Time will vary with type of bacon, thickness, and number of pieces. Much of grease drains in the tray. We have used it for years and love it.
Speaking of bacon, we have been using our microwave to cook bacon ever since we have had one. We just lay the strips out between 4 paper towels ( 2 on top and 2 on bottom ), on a paper plate. After 3 minutes we have lightly crisp bacon . Use longer time for crisper bacon. After we finish, we just wipe the inside of the microwave with a dry paper towel and we are good to go.
So much easier than getting grease splatter all over the stove. I love the microwave but now considering a swap from the micro to a convection oven. Hmmm it may be too complex.
I’ll usually bake a package of bacon in my oven at home (instructions on wrapper) and store it in a piece of paper towel and zip bag. You can heat one piece or more in the microwave in 30 sec. It’s a whole lot cheaper than the pre-cooked in the store. I also freeze it in the zip bag. If you have a vacuum sealer, you can leave it unrefrigerated until it is opened.
In addition to having a vehicle that can pull your trailer, make sure that vehicle can STOP that trailer.
I carry the tall glass candles or Sterno cans, like those used on buffets. I got a 1/4 inch thick, four inch square of steel, made legs out of coat hanger wire. Stuck in the snow for 12 hours, I cracked a window on each side, lit my Sterno can, placed under the metal stand, heated some coffee and stayed toasty warm. The candles will keep the car from freezing too, just remember to open a window a crack to keep fresh air coming in.
Bacon on the grill is better than in the pan, no fuss, no mess. Piece of aluminum foil down first, curl the edges to act as a pan. Let cool and toss.
Regarding the candles, I bought my travel trailer from a friend three years ago and it still smells like the candles they used to burn. It’s amazing that the odor hasn’t disappeared. Be smart and use unscented candles.
I’d lay money down that it was Glad Plugins they used…and not candles. Candle scents dissipate. Those plug in things linger forEVer….they even seep into sheetrock.
Regarding your suggestion of using one or more long-burning candles for warmth in a car (or even an RV), keep in mind that you’ll be burning oxygen. In an enclosed car, that can eventually cause suffocation. If you need to burn a candle for warmth, be sure you have a window at least cracked to avoid a tragedy.