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!
June 10, 2022
If you did not get an email notifying you of this newsletter, sign up here to get one every time it is published.
[activecampaign form=38]
DID YOU MISS reading this morning’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter? Good stuff there.
RVing Basics
What’s a fifth wheel travel trailer?
A fifth wheel trailer is much like a conventional travel trailer except it is built with a raised forward section for a bi-level floor plan. Fifth wheels, which are very popular with full-timers, are pulled behind a pickup truck using a special hitch mounted in the truck’s bed. They are very stable to tow and often very spacious inside. You’ll sometimes hear them called “fivers.” They are so comfortable these days, and relatively affordable, that many people are selling their homes and living in “fivers” year-round.
What’s the difference between a travel trailer and a fifth wheel trailer?
First, the travel trailer is perhaps the most traditional and best-known recreation vehicle, having been around far longer than motorhomes, fifth wheels or other RVs. Generally, travel trailers are also the least expensive RVs (except folding camping trailers), and can be pulled by most vehicles. The more powerful the tow vehicle, the longer (and heavier) the travel trailer that can be towed.
Because of the special hitch required, fifth wheel trailers can only be towed with a truck, whereas travel trailers can be towed by cars or SUVs (and even a motorcycle, in their very smallest versions). On the road, however, a fifth wheel trailer is more stable and more easily controlled in windy conditions. Because the front section of a fifth wheel trailer hangs over the truck bed, the combined length of a tow vehicle and its trailer is shorter with a fifth wheel than the same size travel trailer.
Keep insects and bird nests out of your 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 airflow 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.
Quick Tips
Using the roof air while driving serves two purposes
Most big motorhome owners realize that using the dashboard air often doesn’t cut it to keep cool while driving. Firing up the generator and using the roof air keeps the rig cool easily — with an added benefit: Since generators need to be “exercised” regularly, running the roof air while underway is a great way to get in that generator maintenance time.
Water pump cycling too frequently?
While water pump cycling is one sign of a plumbing system leak, it is also caused by air in the hot water tank. —Thanks to Lee Cataneo for the reminder
Be prepared in case of fire
One of my biggest fears as a full-timer is fire — not just something that could start in my rig, but also to a neighbor’s unit parked nearby. As a preventive measure, I use a water “splitter” or manifold at my site’s water spigot. One side supplies water to our rig, but the other has my extra 30-foot hose that I could use to fight a fire in my rig or a neighbor’s. This precaution, in combination with smoke detectors in our living area and one in basement storage, helps me sleep better at night. —Thanks to Jim Schrankel (Editor: Here are numerous affordable water splitters at Amazon.)
Size does matter
Is your vehicle licensed properly for its size? Some jurisdictions will move you from personal class to commercial class simply because of your licensed GVW (gross vehicle weight). Be sure this doesn’t happen to you as the rules change significantly. Being classed commercial may limit your hours of driving, keeping log books, having restricted routes, need to carry specific equipment, etc. —Thanks to George Bliss
Watch where you point your vents!
Got “pointable” air conditioning vents in your RV? Be careful how you point them! If you accidentally aim them at your thermostat, you may find the a/c system cycling erratically. The same is true for heater vents blasting at the thermostat.
Not enough power to run your air conditioner? Think again!
In the summer heat if your 110 power is from a small portable generator or a 20-amp household hookup, you’re out of luck running an air conditioner. That is, unless you have a SoftStartRV. It’s inexpensive, simple to install, and makes running your A/C possible when you never could before. Used and endorsed by RVtravel.com publisher Chuck Woodbury. Learn more or order at discount price.
Common Terms Used by RV Salespeople
BUY RATE: This is the interest rate that banks or financing institutions will charge on all contracts being financed. It is a “secret” number between the lender and the dealer which is the real amount of the interest rate that the loan starts out at before the dealer increases it for its own extra profit.
DE-HORSE: This is when you take a customer out of his trade-in and let him temporarily drive the newly purchased RV before the purchase has really been finalized on the dealer’s books. The idea is to keep the customer from shopping around and finding another deal somewhere else.
ETHER: Is a slang term used in association with its actual application. For example, putting someone in the ether. This is usually done in a closing situation and the customer is not completely aware of what is happening.
More 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 recently. Here is one response:
“Do your homework, including reviewing the number of recalls your manufacturer has. Be VERY skeptical about what the salesman tells you. Be VERY thorough in checking out ALL of the systems. Be confident in the fact that dealership service after the sale will go wanting. Don’t waste your money or time on an extended warranty. Use the money on mobile techs who will attend to your issue quickly.” — Ray Leissner
Random Thought
If you get a splinter, here’s a way to remove it without using a needle. Simply lay duct tape over the splinter, or over the sore spot if you can’t see it. Pulling the tape upward and to the side should pull the splinter out. Hey, it’s worth a try.
Run your RV air conditioner with a small generator
When the temperature heats up and you’re boondocking with only a small portable generator for power, you’re out of luck running an air conditioner. That is, unless you have a SoftStartRV. It’s inexpensive, simple to install, and makes running your A/C possible. Learn more or order at a special discount.
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.
I take exception to George Bliss’s tip. I know of no state that requires a CDL, Commercial Driver License, to drive a RV except those who deliver RV’s. Some states like TX require a special license based on size to operate your RV, but it is not a CDL, it is a special private equipment license just to ensure you can handle your RV which I think is good as I’ve seen many RV’ers who had no business behind the wheel.
There is nothing in the tip that says anything about a CDL. It talks about vehicle GVW.
We drive a 25 ft. Thor Siesta. Since we turn off the LP while driving, we can’t exercise the motor generator. We installed curtains behind the driver and passenger seats, to separate the front of the vehicle from the rest of the MH. During the summer, the vehicle AC keeps the front of the vehicle cool. The opposite during cold days.
Water pump cycling too frequently?
While water pump cycling is one sign of a plumbing system leak, it is also caused by air in the hot water tank.
Caused by less or no air in the tank… The cushion of air acts like a bladder tank and gives you “extra pressure” before the pump kicks in. Without the air, the pump would kick in the instant the tap was turned on.
My one “something” I would tell to RVrs is to take an expert with you when you pick up your new RV as an expert IN THAT BRAND.