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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Wednesday, September 14, 2022
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DID YOU MISS reading this morning’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter? Good stuff there.
Page Contents
RVing Basics
Wouldn’t an awning get torn apart in a storm?
If there’s a chance of strong winds or heavy rain, it’s best to retract your awning. We know one couple who returned to their rig on a clear, sunny day and found their awning flipped right over the top of their rig – an unexpected wind gust did serious damage. Some electrically deployed awnings have wind sensors that automatically retract themselves if an unsafe wind speed is reached. For manual awnings, tie-down straps can be used, too, that place a strap over the entire width of the awning and anchor into the ground at both ends.
Does rain pose any danger to an awning?
Absolutely! Heavy rains, if not allowed to shed off an awning, can cause it to act like a large water reservoir. The weight of the water has been known by some unfortunate RVers to actually bend and break awning arms. If there’s a chance of rain, it’s best to set the awning to a tilted angle, which will prevent rainwater from collecting on the awning fabric. Here’s a video tip on YouTube from reader Wolfe Rose about how he used an inexpensive grommet to easily drain the water from his RV’s awning.
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Quick Tips
Travel with all RV windows closed on road trips
On road trips, make sure you travel with all RV windows closed. This will help keep fumes outside and prevent dust from entering the living area. In addition, any open rear windows may suck unwanted fumes and odors into the RV. Thanks to Ron Jones, AboutRVing.com.
Warning about LP appliances in slideout
A reader, who asked to remain anonymous, passed this along: “Do you have any propane appliances in a slideout? If so, most likely there’s a rubber propane hose that flexes every time you put your slideout out or bring it in. Over time the rubber can dry out and can start to leak. The hose can also become kinked, preventing propane from flowing to the appliance(s). You should periodically check for problems before it becomes serious.” We’ll let you draw your own conclusions as to the anonymity request! Thanks, Anon E. Mouse!
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:
“Learn/Study… there are so many aspects of owning an RV (of any type) that it is IMO worse than buying/owning a house. Join RV organizations that offer forums and information, freely. Join RV-oriented groups on Facebook such as RVillage, etc. BUT, remember one thing in everything that you read: Everyone can and will have their own opinion on everything, good or bad, that you will find competing ones on nearly every subject. Read all of it and make YOUR OWN conclusions. Be they right or wrong, you will have done your best to become educated enough to make YOUR right decision.” —KT Gillespie
Random RV Thought
It’s always a good idea to check inside your RV’s microwave oven before hitting the road for the day. A cup of coffee that got heated but then forgotten will certainly spill, making a mess.
“What’s the best modification you’ve made to your RV?”
From the editors: We asked our readers this question. Here is one response:
“I reinforced our rear closet bar structure, using a campground picnic table as my workbench when the entire bar came down on a very rough road. I installed a 2″ dowel diagonal brace from the closet rod bracket to the rear wall structure at the closet floor with some wood glue and a few screws. It will never come down again, and we don’t worry about how heavy the closet bar load is anymore. All in, it took me 2 hours, including finding a local hardware store, and about $25 to do the job.” —Dave Wood
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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In addition to reinforcing your closet hanger rod, especially if your closet is at the rear of your trailer, try this tip – take a strip of heavy cloth (e.g. denim) that is as long as your rod, and fits around your rod. Sew velcro fasteners every few inches. Before you drive anywhere, put it around your hangers and velcro it together around the rod. Then if you hit a bump, all your hangers won’t jump off the rod. My wife made this when we started RVing with a small trailer (19 ft single axle) about 11 years ago, and it works really well.
There are also good RV repair manuals available on Amazon. I have one ‘Trailer Life Repair and Maintenance Manual’ which I’ve found invaluable through the years. My trailer is ten years old and so is my well-read and useful manual.
Open windows can cause drag, and buildup of air pressure (make sure to close the roof vents as well!). I not only close the windows before traveling, but I pull the shades down. Should a window shatter for any reason, the shades should confine the glass to the immediate area, rather than have glass strewn all over the RV. Good suggestion on checking the microwave! I am always leaving my coffee in the microwave.
Why close the roof vents (unless you’re on a gravel road)? We’ve always left our’s open to prevent heat buildup and to help rid the trailer of moisture from sleeping, cooking, and bathing. They don’t help a lot but every little bit helps.
We do have rear-facing vent covers if that makes a difference.
Advice to someone new to RVing. Yes everyone will have an opinion and unfortunately that’s how quite a bit of bad advice becomes accepted “tribal knowledge” and keeps getting passed along as fact. Some of it is even dangerous. If you’re new to this start with your primary sources of real facts. Read and re-read all of the manuals provided with your RV. Call the manufacturers if you’re unsure of anything and subscribe to reputable sources of information such as RV Travel. If you’re unsure of someone’s opinion locate a published source to verify what you’re being told.
When you state the following, “Read and re-read all of the manuals provided with your RV”, you should see the deplorable explanations in the Keystone Manual that is provided with each RV purchased ! Every owner’s manual states, “if applicable” to your RV. I have a ’19 30RLS 5er, my buddy has a 2018 Montana 5er. Both provided manuals state the same, “if applicable” to your RV. Once again, these manufacturers have no interest in providing thorough detailed instructions(by way of a detailed model-specific-manual) on how to function in your specific RV! So, what does a newby, like me, hope to do ? You just hope your mechanical knowledge allows you to fix and figure out the many items the provided manual does not address. So far, I have not “blown up” or “torn apart” anything major in my brand new RV. But, yes I have made some little mistakes, and still have many unanswered questions as to why some particular thing operates the way it does. Very frustrating at times !!!
I have to agree. Most of the manuals I received dealt with the installation of the relevant item. Even the manufacturer online manual was so fluffy to be almost useless. Of course, lots of warnings ⚠️ so they can avoid lawsuits. Very light on actual instructions. YouTube has been more useful than anything, and then it still takes watching several different contributors to glean actual information, and less product promotion.
When I look to YouTube videos for help, I look at several and read the comments to validate what they are saying.
In general, the most reliable videos give both the pluses and minuses of their advice. Read and watch: widely, frequently, and skeptically from a variety of sources. Sources that explain the reasoning behind the tip are best.
If you’re new to RVing, wait till evening to read RVTravel when there are lots of comments from various viewpoints. Even good advice might not fit your situation.