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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Thursday, October 20, 2022
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DID YOU MISS reading this morning’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter? Good stuff there.
RVing Basics
The dangers of RV batteries
Batteries can be extremely dangerous. They emit gases that are explosive and contain a very corrosive acid. If you perform your own maintenance, then certain precautions must be taken. Do not use an open flame or smoke around batteries. Avoid any electrical arcing or sparks around the battery(ies). Wear protective clothing and safety glasses, and avoid getting any battery acid on your skin or clothes. If you do come in contact with battery acid, flush the exposed area immediately with a lot of cold water. —Tip from Mark Polk, RV Education 101
Know your own whereabouts
When you get into a new RV park or boondock site, it’s not a bad idea to jot down information on your location, including site number, park phone number, GPS coordinates, etc. If an emergency pops up during your stay, this information might pop out of your mind. A small dry-erase board mounted where you can easily find it makes a great place for this critical information.
This book plans the road trip for you!
This book by Moon plans the 50 best road trips across the U.S. (organized by region) for you so you don’t have to do a thing! Each road trip lists must-see places and the best foods, gives you local tips and much more. Learn more about it here.
Quick Tips
Cleanup tips for stove parts
“I manage a 175-unit apartment complex and have cleaned more stove parts than you can imagine. Here’s a tip that I use all the time. Simply put all your stove parts including the oven racks in a large garbage bag. Then spray the contents with oven cleaner or sudsy ammonia (avoid the fumes, of course), close up the bag and let them sit overnight. A quick scrub with an SOS pad or steel wool and everything will look like brand-new.” Thanks to Steve P.
Know the toll before you rollÂ
A motorhomer who crossed the George Washington Bridge in New York didn’t check the price before rolling over, using an EZ-Pass. He found out when he saw the bill – $76 for a one-way trip (toll depends on number of axles). Traveling in toll bridge country is new to many from Out West, so a little advanced routing research could save you big money.
“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:Â
“Get an independent third party Pre-Purchase Inspection. Regardless if it’s new or used.” —Dennis G.
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Americas Mailbox is the best. There are many plans available. Learn more.
Random RV Thought
In the early days of the automobile industry, thousands of companies came and went. Anyone with a toolbox and a garage could open a shop. A similar thing occurred in the first half-century of the RV industry. Today, just as it happened to automakers, one by one the weaker RV makers have closed or been bought out – survival of the fittest in action.
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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Survival of RV company could also just be those with Deep Pockets
Agreed. Some were bought out for making others look bad with poor quality.
Hello…. I’m totally off topic here but looking for help with an old review I believe I saw on this site.
The article was comparing rv toilets and it mentioned one that is residential level and has a superior jet system for flushing that washes the entire bowl.
I’m hoping that that review was here and if not, my sincere apologies but could you possibly steer me to it? I have been unable to locate the toilet I’ve described.
Either way, thank you very much for your assistance.
Hi, Horace. Offhand, I can’t remember that we’ve done a review on any particular RV toilet. May I suggest that you go to our RV Advice Facebook Group and post your question: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvadvice Someone on there may be able to help you. Good luck! Have a good afternoon/evening. 🙂 –Diane
To add to Mark Polk’s RV battery article- remove all metal jewelry; rings, watches, bracelets, etc. Accidently having one of these coming into contact with battery could result in severe burns.
I cross the George Washington Bridge frequently. While the toll on that bridge is extremely high, it only has to be paid crossing it from the west/south. There is no toll collected on the return trip.
If you have to finance an RV and you have a paid off house, look into borrowing money on your house. Interest rates are lower, you can’t deduct interest on av RV loan, but you can on a house loan. If you have cash for the R V, the salesman’s pencil usually gets sharper. Another plus comes from the super rich who lobbied to be able to get a tax break on their “toys” allows you to take a deduction for a second home on your RV.
If financial hardship strike you and you can’t make the payments on your RV, the bank will take your RV. If you take a loan on your house to pay for your RV and financial hardship strikes, the bank takes your house. No thanks.