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Jayco recalls some Entegra and Embark motorhomes

Chuck Woodbury
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0
Jayco recalls some Entegra and Embark motorhomes

A damaged circuit board could increase the risk of a fire, which could cause injury or death.

Remedy
Jayco will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional circuit module to the existing component board to provide over-current protection, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 9, 2020. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-517-9137. Jayco’s number for this recall is 9903518.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).

* * *
While you may not own one of these RVs, if you know someone who does be sure to tell them. RVtravel.com posts recall notices like this as they are issued. Read all recent ones by clicking here.

Not signed up for the free RVtravel.com weekend newsletters? Published online since 2001. Sign up here.

##RVT966b

Check the specs before buying an RV

Dave Helgeson
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8
Check the specs before buying an RV

By Dave Helgeson

There is a saying that goes something like this: “Ain’t she pretty, ain’t she fine, I am going to make her mine.” Unfortunately the decision to buy an RV is often based on looks (curb appeal – inside and out) rather than function. Yes, buyers consider floor plan and amenities in their buying decision, but many fail to take a close look at specifications until after the sale – often discovering the unit doesn’t fit their planned uses for it.

Some items to look for in an RV:

  • Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): The CCC is the weight of items the RV can safely carry without becoming overloaded. For the past ten years or so RV manufacturers have been required to post the CCC on the RV, but unfortunately few feel obligated to include the CCC in brochures or on the specifications listed on their websites. Following is how to calculate CCC if you are looking to purchase an older RV that does not include a CCC sticker or you need to calculate it for a new unit based on the basic information you are able obtain from the manufacturer.

The Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) of an RV can be calculated by taking the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) then subtracting the dry weight of the RV, the weight of the full water tank, the weight of full propane tanks and the seating capacity weight rating (SCWR). Detailed instructions:

  1. Find the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) on manufacturer’s specifications.
  2. Subtract the vehicle’s dry weight aka unloaded vehicle weight (UVW).
  3. Subtract the weight of the fresh water (water tank and water heater) the unit is designed to carry. Note: Water weighs just over 8.3 pounds per gallon.
  4. Subtract the weight of propane the vehicle can carry. Note: Propane weighs just over 4.2 pounds per gallon
  5. If the RV is a motorhome, subtract the weight of the seating capacity weight rating (SCWR) (150 pounds times the number of seating positions).

Note: Options or accessories added by the manufacturer, dealer or yourself also need to be subtracted from the CCC as they are not included in the base empty weight of the unit.

A  low CCC might not be a problem for a couple using the RV on short trips where they are carrying minimal food, gear, etc., traveling to a full hookup RV park. That would negate the need to travel with a full potable water tank and returning home with full holding tanks. However, a low CCC will most certainly be a problem if you are looking to live full time in the RV taking all of your worldly possessions with you. Click here to learn more about dreaded low Cargo Carrying Capacities and some options to counter them from RVTravel’s own Russ and Tiña De Maris.

  • Towing Capacity: If you are looking to purchase a motorhome and plan on towing a dinghy, boat, cargo trailer, etc., be sure and check what the unit is rated to tow before completing the purchase. You will need to check the towing capacity of the drive train as well as carrying capacity (both total weight and tongue weight) of the hitch.
  • Tank Capacities: I am not sure manufactures ever place much thought into tank capacities (potable fresh water, grey and black tanks) other than what will conveniently fit in the remaining space after everything else in the unit has been laid out. Maybe they think everyone stays in a full-hookup RV park and tank capacities don’t really matter.

You will typically find one of the following two scenarios: 1) A large fresh water tank and insufficient black and grey tanks to handle the downstream side of the equation, leaving you wondering how you could ever use all of your fresh water before overflowing  your waste tanks. 2) A modest-sized fresh water tank and huge holding tanks, leaving you wondering in what situation could you ever utilize the full capacity of the waste tanks.

There are plausible answers to both scenarios, but they don’t apply to the average RVer, so be sure to review the specifications and make sure the capacities are in line with how you plan to use the RV.

While buying an RV is an exciting experience, slow down and take a moment to “check the specs” – making sure the unit is right for you and your RV lifestyle to avoid disappointment down the road.

##RVT966

Forest River recalls some motorhomes for inverter issue

Chuck Woodbury
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0
Forest River recalls some motorhomes for inverter issue

Overloaded wires may increase the risk of a fire, which could result in injury.

Remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 3000W inverter with a 2800W inverter, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 14, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-754-533-5934. Forest River’s number for this recall is 40-1225.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).

* * *
While you may not own one of these RVs, if you know someone who does be sure to tell them. RVtravel.com posts recall notices like this as they are issued. Read all recent ones by clicking here.

Not signed up for the free RVtravel.com weekend newsletters? Published online since 2001. Sign up here.

##RVT966b

RV Daily Tips. Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Newsletter Editor
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13
RV Daily Tips. Wednesday, September 16, 2020

This newsletter is for intelligent, open-minded RVers. If you comment on an article, do it with respect for others. If not, you will be denied posting privileges.

Issue 1429
Welcome to another edition of RV Travel’s Daily Tips newsletter. Here you’ll find helpful RV-related and living tips from the pros, travel advice, a handy website of the day, tips on our favorite RVing-related products and, of course, a good laugh. Thanks for joining us. We appreciate you. Please tell your friends about us.

If you shop on Amazon, please click here to visit through our affiliate site (we get a little commission that way – and you don’t pay any extra). Thank you!

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Today’s thought

“A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it.” —Albert Einstein

Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Guacamole Day!

On this day in history: 1620 – Pilgrims set sail from England on the Mayflower.

Tip of the Day

Be careful with carbon monoxide, the “silent killer”

By Mark Polk
RV EDUCATION 101®

Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is called the silent killer because you cannot see it, taste it or smell it. It is produced by the partial combustion of solid, liquid and gas fuels. This includes gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood, and coal. Never use your range burners or oven as a source of heat.

If your RV is not equipped with a carbon monoxide detector you should purchase and install a CO detector designed for use in RVs. Always test the carbon monoxide detector for proper operation before each trip. CO detectors have expiration dates. Periodically check the expiration date and replace the detector when it reaches the date. 

ONLINE TRAINING COURSES BY MARK POLK
• RV Safety Features, Tips & Tricks

Do you have a tip? Submit it here.

RV owner stymied by stuck-out step

Chris Dougherty, certified RV technician, received a letter from a reader while he was serving as RVtravel.com’s technical editor. The reader had a problem with the steps on their 2011 Newmar Class A, which were stuck extended and wouldn’t retract, so they were stuck where they were parked. Read Chris’ suggestions.

Yesterday’s featured article: Man asks, “Should I sell my home to travel in an RV?”

Reader poll

How many televisions are permanently installed in your RV?
Change the channel and click here.

Helpful resources

• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION.
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION.
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
• CURRENT WILDFIRE REPORT.
• LATEST RV RECALLS.
• DIRECTORY OF RV PARKS WITH STORM SHELTERS.

Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.

Quick Tip

When to fill battery cells

Battery cells low on water? Don’t fill them until after you charge them – with one exception: If the liquid in the cell is below the battery plate, bring it up with distilled water enough to cover the plate. Charge, then complete the fill-up.

Website of the day

Scam Alerts
Here’s the official (Federal Trade Commission) website for all current scams. Good to keep on hand and check now and again. Online scams are scary; make yourself aware so you aren’t a victim.

Check out this kids’ RV-themed bedroom. It’s way too cute! 

Coleman portable stoveSWELL CONTEST OF THE DAY

How would you like to win this Coleman Portable Butane Stove with Carrying Case? Well, this might be your lucky day! In one of this past week’s Beginner’s Guide to RVing Newsletters we published a secret phrase. Simply email the phrase to us at RVcontests@gmail.com . We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (September 16, 2020) by 11 a.m. Pacific time. Remember, you can only enter once and after we notify you by email that you won, you have 24 hours to respond or we’ll give the prize to someone else.

Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com

• RV Shrink: I feel like I’m being booked into jail when checking into a campground!
• Bet you’ve never seen an Airstream like this.
• Trashy Quartzsite “ghetto” just keeps on growing.
#932-1

Trivia

“Umop apisdn” is “upside down” spelled upside down, but uses almost entirely different letters of the alphabet. How’s that for a brain twister?

*Which country is still in the year 2013? That’s right, there’s one country that’s seven years behind the rest of the world. Don’t know? Look in yesterday’s trivia.

Don’t swelter in your RV anymore!
At RVtravel.com we don’t see too many products that we go nuts over, but the SoftStartRV is a game changer. Here’s what it can do:
• Run two air conditioners on a 30-amp hookup.
• Run one air conditioner using only a small portable generator.
• Run one air conditioner on 20-amp household current.
• Run an air conditioner or two using your onboard inverter system. Read more.

Readers’ Pet of the Day

“This is our dog Gizmo. His favorite thing is to go camping with us in our class C motorhome, as pictured here in his favorite spot on the couch behind the driver. Whenever we are planning a trip he insists on waiting in the motorhome, even days in advance, just to be sure we don’t forget to take him along.” —Jerry Liszak

Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Saturday RV Travel newsletter.

Leave here with a laugh

Sometimes remembering the names of things can be hard…

bananas

Today’s Daily Deals at Amazon.com
Best-selling RV products and Accessories at Amazon.com. UPDATED HOURLY!

Join us: Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • RVillage

See all of our many Facebook groups here.

Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the latest Sunday News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.

Become a Member!

This newsletter is brought to you Monday through Friday by RVtravel.com and is funded primarily through voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you! IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS NEWSLETTER and others from RVtravel.com, will you please consider pledging your support?  Learn more or contribute.

RV Daily Tips Staff

Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Senior editor: Diane McGovern. Social media and special projects director: Jessica Sarvis. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.

This website utilizes some advertising services. 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.

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.

Need help? Contact our customer service department.

Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.

This newsletter is copyright 2020 by RVtravel.com

How many televisions are permanently installed in your RV?

Emily Woodbury
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41
How many televisions are permanently installed in your RV?

You may remember the days when RVs didn’t even have one TV installed. Now, newer RVs are being designed with three, sometimes four, TVs. Can you believe it?

If you have an older RV, chances are you only have one (or two) TVs, but if you just bought a new model, you probably have three or four. Are we right? How many televisions are permanently installed in your RV?

Please vote in the poll below, and leave a comment too. Do you wish your RV had more TVs? Do you wish it had fewer? How many TVs does your RV have, and out of those TVs, how many do you actually use? We’re curious. Thanks!

Keystone RV recalls trailers for wrong window crank handle

Chuck Woodbury
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0
Keystone RV recalls trailers for wrong window crank handle

Remedy
Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will remove the existing black round knob and replace it with a narrow crank handle, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 19, 2020. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone’s number for this recall is 20-386.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).

* * *
While you may not own one of these RVs, if you know someone who does be sure to tell them. RVtravel.com posts recall notices like this as they are issued. Read all recent ones by clicking here.

Not signed up for the free RVtravel.com weekend newsletters? Published online since 2001. Sign up here.

##RVT966b

RV Daily Tips. Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Newsletter Editor
-
14
RV Daily Tips. Tuesday, September 15, 2020

This newsletter is for intelligent, open-minded RVers. If you comment on an article, do it with respect for others. If not, you will be denied posting privileges.

Issue 1428
Welcome to another edition of RV Travel’s Daily Tips newsletter. Here you’ll find helpful RV-related and living tips from the pros, travel advice, a handy website of the day, tips on our favorite RVing-related products and, of course, a good laugh. Thanks for joining us. We appreciate you. Please tell your friends about us.

If you shop on Amazon, please click here to visit through our affiliate site (we get a little commission that way – and you don’t pay any extra). Thank you!

[activecampaign form=34]

Today’s thought

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” —J.R.R. Tolkien

Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Linguine Day!

On this day in history: 2000 – The Summer Olympics, officially known as the games of the XXVII Olympiad, are opened in Sydney, Australia.

Tip of the Day

Keep your powder dry — and your landing gear greased

By Russ and Tiña De Maris
We learned the hard way that it’s necessary to keep the landing gear greased on our RV. We were just preparing to head out on the road after a few months hunkered down in the Northwest. We had everything tied down and packed into place, and rolled the pickup into position to hitch up. At that moment, it all ground to a halt – literally: The landing gear refused to budge. Or, rather, it refused to lift the fifth wheel high enough to get onto the saddle. Read more.

Do you have a tip? Submit it here.

Man asks, “Should I sell my home to travel in an RV?”

Financial guru Dave Ramsey offers advice to a man who calls into his radio show to ask if it makes sense for him to sell his home and travel full-time with his wife and children in an RV. Dave is, shall we say, less than enthusiastic. He explains why.

Yesterday’s featured article: Should you box up your batteries?

Reader poll

What’s used most in your kitchen, butter or margarine?
Spread it here.

Quick Tip

Save water when washing your hands

When you are dry camping and trying to reduce water usage, bring along a foamy soap dispenser. Most stores carry at least one brand. They dispense enough liquid along with the soap that you don’t need to wet your hands beforehand. Just dispense then rub your hands together before a quick rinse under the faucet. When the product is used up, you can refill the containers yourself with a 1:5 ratio of soap to water. Thanks to Mary-Jeanine I. for a clean suggestion.

Website of the day

Indie Bound
While we do love Amazon (we can’t deny it), we do also love supporting small, locally owned bookstores while traveling. This site shows you every independent bookstore near your current location. Shop local!

And the Survey Says…

We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 1,500 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:

• 6 percent smoke marijuana, and 5 percent smoke cigarettes
• 13 percent have owned more than six RVs in their life
• 11 percent rented an RV before they bought one

Recent poll: How long have you waited in line at a dump station?

Trivia

It’s only 2013 in Ethiopia. Ethiopia does not follow the Gregorian calendar, which most of the rest of the world uses. It has 13 months, 12 of which have 30 days and the remaining one with either five or six days, depending on the leap year. The country is seven years behind the rest of the world. I hope their 2020 is better than ours…

*Think teaching English to someone would be an easy task? Think again. We told you why it would be difficult in yesterday’s trivia. 

Readers’ Pet of the Day

“This is our ‘Big Beautiful Hound’ Jenny. She’s a Harrier Hound and we rescued her around St. Johns, AZ. The Humane Society assumed she was a pack dog used to hunt mountain lions, she is very strong. We’ve had her for 9 years. Here she is relaxing after a long walk in the desert. She loves to travel with us and has logged over 100,000 travel miles. She’s very vocal, howling and talking all the time. She loves food. She’s a gem with quite a funny personality and we love her very much!” —Mary Habil

Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Saturday RV Travel newsletter.

A fun way to solve problems with your RV!
This amazing Digital Inspection Endoscope makes discovering problems with your RV fun! This small two-camera endoscope with a viewing monitor allows you to see into tight, small, dark spaces to locate where problems might occur. Have mice? See where they’re coming in. Have a wire that has come loose? Peek at it and see where it needs to be tightened. Have a water leak? Find the source! Read more about this amazing device here. Every RVer needs one!

Leave here with a laugh

Q. What’s the only rock group that has four guys who don’t sing?
A. Mount Rushmore!

Today’s Daily Deals at Amazon.com
Best-selling RV products and Accessories at Amazon.com. UPDATED HOURLY!

Join us: Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • RVillage

See all of our many Facebook groups here.

Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the latest Sunday News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.

Become a Member!

This newsletter is brought to you Monday through Friday by RVtravel.com and is funded primarily through voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you! IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS NEWSLETTER and others from RVtravel.com, will you please consider pledging your support?  Learn more or contribute.

RV Daily Tips Staff

Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Senior editor: Diane McGovern. Social media and special projects director: Jessica Sarvis. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.

This website utilizes some advertising services. 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.

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.

Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.

This newsletter is copyright 2020 by RVtravel.com

What’s used most in your kitchen, butter or margarine?

Emily Woodbury
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39
What’s used most in your kitchen, butter or margarine?

The debate has been going on for years… butter, or margarine? Which do you use most in your kitchen?

They’re used for many of the same reasons in the kitchen and at the dining room table, but butter and margarine are two very different products. Butter is a dairy product that is made from churning milk or cream. The churning process is what separated the solids, the butterfat, from the liquids, the buttermilk.

Margarine, on the other hand, isn’t a dairy product. Its primary ingredients are vegetable oil, water, salt, emulsifiers, and sometimes milk.

Which do you use most often in your kitchen? Please vote in the poll below and tell us there.

Keep your powder dry – and your landing gear greased

Russ and Tiña De Maris
-
7
Keep your powder dry – and your landing gear greased

By Russ and Tiña De Maris
We learned the hard way that it’s necessary to keep the landing gear greased on our RV. We were just preparing to head out on the road after a few months hunkered down in the Northwest. We had everything tied down and packed into place, and rolled the pickup into position to hitch up. At that moment, it all ground to a halt — literally: The landing gear refused to budge — or rather, it refused to lift the fifth wheel high enough to get onto the saddle.

What happened?

Our landing gear, neglected over a several-year period, simply chewed itself up, leaving no gears to mesh together. Talk about grinding to a halt! Happily, the landing gear manufacturer still existed and within a few days we were able to rebuild the landing gear system and head out on the road.

This problem might have been avoided if we (and previous owners) had been smart enough to keep the landing gear greased. And it wouldn’t have been a tough job — really a simple matter of popping a dust cover off the top of the landing gear posts (inside the front compartment of the fifth wheel), applying the appropriate grease and running the jacks up and down a few times.

Grease your trailer tongue jack too?

This same idea may well apply to your travel trailer tongue jack. If there’s a zerk fitting, annual maintenance would apply — a shot of grease and a roll up and down a few times to distribute the grease. Electric jack owners may find they need to open the “head” of the jack to lubricate, which is a bit more of a hassle. But compared to chewing up your gears in the middle of nowhere, what’s a few extra minutes at home?

Finding out how to properly maintain your landing gear (a look at your owner manual will help) will help you sleep better at night, and your landing gear or tongue jack will slide better by day.

##RVDT1428

RV Daily Tips. Monday, September 14, 2020

Newsletter Editor
-
42
RV Daily Tips. Monday, September 14, 2020

This newsletter is for intelligent, open-minded RVers. If you comment on an article, do it with respect for others. If not, you will be denied posting privileges.

Issue 1427
Welcome to another edition of RV Travel’s Daily Tips newsletter. Here you’ll find helpful RV-related and living tips from the pros, travel advice, a handy website of the day, tips on our favorite RVing-related products and, of course, a good laugh. Thanks for joining us. We appreciate you. Please tell your friends about us.

If you shop on Amazon, please click here to visit through our affiliate site (we get a little commission that way – and you don’t pay any extra). Thank you!

RV Advice: Have a question for other RVers? This Facebook group is a very helpful resource.

[activecampaign form=34]

Today’s thought

“We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it will be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires that we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it. —Wendell Berry

Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Eat a Hoagie Day!

On this day in history: 1984 – Joe Kittinger becomes the first person to fly a gas balloon alone across the Atlantic Ocean.

Did you see the news? Click here to read the latest issue of the Sunday News for RVers.

Tip of the Day

Getting along – Pointers for a great RV partnership

By Greg Illes

It is said that wherever your relationship is going, traveling together in an RV will take it there sooner. Here are some thoughts and pointers for traveling (and living) in close quarters with your loved one. Read more.

Do you have a tip? Submit it here.

RV Electricity – This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session

Driving over wires is a bad idea

Dear Mike,
While watching the news here in Northern California they were showing a RVer using his RV generator to power his and neighbors’ homes. There were power cords laying across the street and I’m not sure this happens but I would expect cars drive across the cords. I’m hoping the cords are the proper gauge for the load and distance. Bu it would seem to me to be a bad idea to have cords unprotected from car tires like that. Shouldn’t a cord cover of some sort be used? —Tom Hart

Read Mike’s response.

• Join Mike’s Facebook group, RV Electricity.
• Read more of Mike’s articles here.

Quit struggling with hose and cable hookups at the campsite
Are you tired of struggling to hook up your coax cables, water hoses and other connections when you arrive at your campsite? It’s a snap with Cable and Hose Grips from J Wright Concepts. Save time and frustration! Life is too short to hassle with the little stuff! Learn more or order.

Should you box up your batteries?

If a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, a battery in the box is worth at least two in the junk pile. Eh? If your rig doesn’t provide “inside storage” for your house batteries, leaving them out in the weather, unprotected, can be most unprofitable. A lot of older travel trailers have the house battery sit up near the hitch, well exposed to the elements. What could the problem be? Find out here.

Reader poll

How important is having a microwave oven in your RV?
Heat up your answer and tell us here.

NEW FACEBOOK GROUP: The future of RVing: Where is it headed?

Helpful resources

• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION.
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION.
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
• CURRENT WILDFIRE REPORT.
• LATEST RV RECALLS.
• DIRECTORY OF RV PARKS WITH STORM SHELTERS.

RV Travel Newsletter Issue 909Be like Mike: Don’t forget the fuse!
Mike says: Your RV has both 120-volt AC electrical systems (like your house), plus 12-volt DC battery systems (like your car). If the power goes out, it could be a circuit breaker (like in your house) or a blown fuse (like in your car). Always carry spare fuses that fit your RV’s battery system. Confirm the exact type and size of fuses your RV needs, then get a set of replacements. Here’s one pack, but be sure to check what your RV actually uses before ordering it.

Quick Tip

Make your own RV step covers

To keep his RV step covers renewed, Ben Warren makes his own. Here’s how: “This can be done really inexpensively by purchasing a remnant of artificial turf and a small container of tent grommets at a big box store or Harbor Freight. The grommets come with all the tools you need except a hammer. I just punched three holes on each side of the measured piece of artificial turf and then installed the grommets and used nylon zip ties to attach them to the steps. This is cheap, and when they get dirty you can just spray them off with water. When they get worn out you can adjust them or just replace them as needed. I’ve had a set on my 5th wheel now for two years and still look great. Artificial turf comes in a variety of colors so that you can match the decor of your RV.” Thanks, Ben!
[Editor: Check out artificial turf on Amazon.]

Want to see something cute? Check out this hedgehog who goes camping. We guarantee you’ll smile!

Website of the day

American Fun Facts
Reader’s Digest has a great list of American fun facts you may not know! Plus, each fun fact links to another interesting article, so click here when you’re feeling curious and have some time to kill.

Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com

• See wild burros, gunfights and a historic stretch of Route 66.
• Another nomination for “longest RV”.
#931-1

Trivia

Think it’s hard to learn another language? Well, you’re right, but it’s also very hard to learn English. Try and explain to someone that every “c” in Pacific Ocean is pronounced differently. Hard, right? But yup, each “c” is said differently – the first with an “s” sound, the second as a harsh “ck” sound, and the third with a “sh” sound.

RV Travel Newsletter Issue 911Give your phone or tablet a full-sized keyboard
How neat is this? This tiny, collapsible Bluetooth keyboard connects to your phone and tablet so you can type comfortably. The 5-ounce palm-sized keyboard can be folded into your pocket or backpack to carry around. All you have to do is press “Connect” to quickly pair with your devices. Check it out here.

Readers’ Pet of the Day

“We are newbie full-time RVers. Our two beagles, Missy and Gretchen, have adapted to the 2019 Renegade Valencia 38RW very well. They like the window by the couch to watch the world.” —Ellen Lane

Send us a photo of your pet. Show the world how cute they are! Submit a photo and a short description here. 

Leave here with a laugh

Reader Pat Gerard sent this haiku to us. Thanks, Pat! We got a big smile out of this.
Pat writes:
“Husband and I went grocery shopping,
with masks.
Came home, took off masks.
Brought home wrong husband.
Stay alert people.”

Today’s Daily Deals at Amazon.com
Best-selling RV products and Accessories at Amazon.com. UPDATED HOURLY!

Join us: Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • RVillage

See all of our many Facebook groups here.

Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the latest Sunday News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.

Become a Member!

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How important is having a microwave oven in your RV?

Emily Woodbury
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How important is having a microwave oven in your RV?

Some people, perhaps you included, say they cannot live without a microwave. Others hardly ever or never use theirs. Some people even refuse to have one in their home or RV.

Redneck fire alarm.

Of course having a microwave does make things easier (and quicker) for many meals, snacks or recipes. But, of course, there are other methods of heating or defrosting food. Heck, you can even pop your popcorn on the stove (what a thought, right?)!

What do you think? Is having a microwave oven in your RV important to you? Please tell us in the poll below. As always, thanks for voting.

RV Electricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Driving over wires is a bad idea

Mike Sokol
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RV Electricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Driving over wires is a bad idea

By Mike Sokol

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you’re a newbie who’s never plugged in a shore power cord (or ask – what’s a shore power cord?), or wonder why your daughter’s hair dryer keeps tripping the circuit breaker, this column is for you. Send your questions to Mike Sokol at mike (at) noshockzone.org with the subject line – JAM.

Dear Mike,
While watching the news here in northern California they were showing a RVer using his RV generator to power his and neighbors’ homes. There were power cords laying across the street and I’m not sure this happens but i would expect cars drive across the cords.

I’m hoping the cords are the proper gauge for the load and distance. Bu it would seem to me to be a bad idea to have cords unprotected from car tires like that. Shouldn’t a cord cover of some sort be used? —Tom Hart

Dear Tom,
Yes, you are 100% correct. It’s a very bad idea to be driving vehicles over unprotected extension or shore power cords, especially on asphalt or concrete. Doing so will cause the wiring insulation to collapse and begin to break the strands of copper wire. Eventually you’ll have a short circuit or a fire from overheating, neither of which is good. So protecting your cables from traffic is important.

Enter the Yellow Jackets

When I used to do rock music shows where we had to run power and signal wires through the crowd and over driveways, we also brought along cable ramps called “Yellow Jackets,” named so because they were always black and yellow for visual warning.

While these used to be terribly expensive to purchase (considering I would sometimes need 150 feet or more of cable coverage), the new generation of mid-duty cable ramps are pretty affordable, with a 3-pack of 40″ ramps (or 10 ft. worth) costing about $70 delivered.

Protect your cables from tire damage

You need to protect your cables from this sort of damage. So it’s best to get your power wires into some sort of protective cable ramp that will prevent them from damage. As you can see from the picture, the cables are nestled in their own little compartment which can be driven over with most vehicles.

These particular cable ramps are rated for vehicles up to 11,000 lbs. per axle, which should be good for most traffic. Now, I’m not recommending these particular ramps for placement across a busy highway or intersection. If that’s what they need to do, then the price goes up by a factor of 10x or so for heavy-duty versions that fire trucks and semi-trailers can drive over.

Of course there are cheaper ways to accomplish this same thing by using a pair of 8 ft. 2×4’s with a plywood cover. That’s how we used to build cheap cable ramps for theaters that didn’t have the money for the professional version. I’ll draw up a diagram later on how to make your own on a budget, but in the meantime it’s hard to beat these factory-built cable ramps which get high ratings on Amazon.

OK, everyone. Remember that electricity is a useful and powerful force, so we all need to pay attention to safety precautions while using it.

Let’s play safe out there….

Mike Sokol is an electrical and professional sound expert with 50+ years in the industry. His excellent book RV Electrical Safety is available at Amazon.com. For more info on Mike’s qualifications as an electrical expert, click here.
Join Mike’s popular and informative Facebook group.
And you don’t want to miss Mike’s webcasts on his YouTube channel.

For information on how to support RVelectricity and No~Shock~Zone articles, seminars and videos, please click the I Like Mike Campaign

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