By Rene Agredano
Learning how to back up an RV is one of the biggest challenges that every RVer encounters. The following tips can make the back up procedure second nature for both driver and co-pilot.
First, use walkie talkies or cell phones to communicate. A walkie talkie that doubles as a weather radio is useful but cell phones can also be used.
Next, pre-determine which hand signals and verbal commands you’ll use. Handy terms such as “Driver side” and “Passenger side” are useful for indicating which way to point the rig’s back end. A raised fist signal can indicate when to stop.
Assess the parking area when you arrive at your destination. Look for obstructions that might block your slide-outs and be mindful of low-lying trees and boulders that can interfere with your turning radius, especially on the passenger side.
When the backup procedure begins, the co-pilot must be able to see the driver’s face in the mirror. Make consistent eye contact or else the driver cannot see the co-pilot’s signals.
Keep your backup speed as slow as a baby’s crawl. The co-pilot should be able to walk around the entire rig while it’s moving. Slow speed gives the driver enough time to react to an impending accident.
Finally, don’t yell. Yelling increases both parties’ stress levels and doesn’t help. If you follow these tips, you won’t need to raise your voice at all during your next camping adventure.
The Power Dome EX is a multi-purpose, portable and emergency power source that can be used as a power supply for several 110volt AC or 12volt DC applications when away from wired electrical power. Use it to operate computers, TVs, fax machines, fans, electrical tools, etc. You can also use it to start your car or RV engine when confronted by a dead battery.
Actually, it is rocket science! A U.S. company has developed the space-age solution to keep your RV interior dry and fresh. With a rugged yet classy design, the H2Out® Space Dryers use a desiccant developed by NASA. This proven technology will prevent water condensation and contamination, eliminating corrosion, rust, mold, mildew, dampness and odors. Not messy, corrosive and toxic like other products. The H2Out® Space Dryer has many more applications and works while your RV or Trailer is in motion as well as stationary.
Personally, I love a slice of toast in the morning, but I hate starting the day listening to the rumble and roar of my generator. Inverter power is a possible option, but an electric toaster at 900W will draw 80A from an inverter — four slices of toast can use up three to four percent of battery capacity. It’s always possible to pan-fry bread, but let’s face it, that’s fried bread, not toast. Besides, it’s just another dirty pan to wash.
If you only need to register, your traveling partner can stay behind. But if you’re both going out for an hour or the day, some other method is needed. Typically, a camp chair or a cooler will suffice to “mark your territory”, but these aren’t always noticed or heeded. I recall a time when we pulled into a site and got all situated, and the real occupant pointed out to us his “marker”, a camouflage jacket draped over the far picnic bench, virtually out of site of where we were. Poor technique, but we didn’t argue.
Many think “crank up” RV TV antennas are perfect for bringing in FM radio signals. Why so? In the “old days” of analog signals, the FM radio band rode in between TV channels 6 and 7. It’s still there, the trick is to coax the signal out of your coax — short for coaxial cable.
A look at the back of your FM radio will help you determine how to hook up the coax cable. For radios that allow the use of an external antenna, you’ll either see a fitting like that on the back of your television where the round coax fitting screws (or slides) on; otherwise you’ll find two small screws, side by side. If you’ve got a coax fitting, you’re set to go: simply connect up the coax fitting. If you find the “two screws” style, you’ll need one more attachment, a Radio Shack purchase.
RV refrigerators operate most efficiently when cold air is allowed to freely circulate inside the unit. Food that is packed too tightly will prevent circulation and quickly spoil. To prevent this expensive problem always keep your food purchases to a minimum when taking your RV out on the road. Buy your items at least one day before departing and store them in your home refrigerator until leaving. Placing cold food items inside a cold RV refrigerator puts less demand on the unit.
The recreation maps are large-scale, grand-view depictions of terrain and land-use, with major highways and arterial roads; Landscape maps are topo-style, smaller-scale, with secondary roads, campgrounds, contour lines for elevation, and so forth — exactly the kind of detail needed for serious exploration (or just for finding that great out-of-the-way campground).
On a visit to a Flying J truck stop we found bulk propane for $2.75 per pumped gallon. The same truck stop offered Amerigas exchange cylinders for $21.99. A quick nod at your calculator says you’re paying $1.64 more per gallon for the exchange, but you’re getting a “fresh tank.” Not exactly!
A couple of our favorite foil-wraps can be prep-worked before pulling out, then on arrival fire the grill and toss a packet on. Go about the rest of your set-up business and in a short time the appetizing aromas will signal the meal is ready. Best of all, cleanup is easy!