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RV Daily Tips. Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Newsletter Editor
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RV Daily Tips. Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Issue 2602

Today’s thought

“History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.” —Bertie Charles, Forbes Publisher

Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Sloppy Joe Day!

On this day in history: 1990 – In the largest art theft in U.S. history, 12 paintings, collectively worth around $500 million, are stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. (If you want to learn more about this, we recommend this book!)

Camphost on dutyTip of the day
13 tips about work camping that will point you to success

By Nanci Dixon
Ever think about work camping? Cutting costs and staying in an area longer? Getting to know more people in a more permanent venue? We hadn’t really considered it until we met a campground host in Arizona our first year full-timing. My husband is always needing something to do and enjoys having people around, so becoming a campground host seemed like the perfect job while we were there for the winter.

The host introduced us to the park supervisor. He had an opening! After hearing my husband’s qualifications, we got the job! Please continue reading for Nanci’s (sometimes amusing) story and her 13 tips for successful work camping.

Ask Dave
My RV’s roof air conditioner drips inside when running. How can I fix it?

By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
When running my air conditioner on hot days, it begins freezing up and drips water or “snow”. What is the cure for this little issue? Thank you. —Jeff, 2024 Coleman Lantern 274BH  Read Dave’s answer.

Video of the day
TrunkMate’s sleeping platforms turn cars into cozy campers

By Cheri Sicard
Ever dream of turning your car into a cozy camper without the hassle of a full-blown RV? TrunkMate makes that dream a reality! They specialize in creating comfortable camping spaces inside your existing vehicle. This video focuses on TrunkMate’s awesome minivan sleeping platforms, available in different varieties.

Featured article
Hiking with the Angels: Everything to know about RVing around Zion National Park

By Dale Wade
Hop on board Nature’s Highways as we travel through Mukuntuweap National Monument. Never heard of it? You probably know it as Zion National Park. Established in 1919, Zion ranks third of the most-visited national parks, and has some stunning camping areas. This may be your first visit, but others have camped, hunted, and lived there for more than 8,000 years. Here’s a full guide to the park for RVers.

RANDOM RV THOUGHT: When driving, a big dark spot on the road ahead often means there’s a dip coming up. The dip shakes loose a drip of oil from many of the vehicles that pass. The darker the spot indicates the severity of the jolt. Just remember: “The darker the dot, the deeper the dip.”

Reader poll
How would you describe the reliability of your RV’s automatic levelers?

Respond here.

You might enjoy this poll, too: Have you ever won an athletic trophy?

Quick tip
Use the space over your head for storage

Instagram user @rvideas posted this one: “So smart—this RV owner installed a wire closet shelf above her bed and added collapsible storage bins.”

On this day last year…

Website of the day

The Surprising Origins of 15 Pasta Shapes
Now, this is a fun article! Have you ever wondered how your favorite pasta shapes came to be? This article tells all, and it’s fascinating!

? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Go ahead, put those magnifiers on, ready… aim… fire! Well, not really, but sort of! Let us know how this goes. We’re curious.

Thinking out loud…
The enduring love of an RV

The expectation of acquiring a new possession is often more exciting than the possession itself once you have it. Whether it’s a new chair, video game or newfangled tool, we dream about the item and how it will enhance our life. But once acquired, the product often becomes just another possession. That’s less so with an RV, which continues to captivate most owners for years and years.

Perhaps it’s because an RV is more than a “thing.” It’s a magic carpet that takes us on grand, memorable adventures. RVers who once traveled with their small children in an RV and then have to sell the RV years later can come to tears seeing all the memories drive away. An elderly couple, too old to travel anymore, will likely feel the same. RVs provide an ongoing source of wonder to those who own them. And unlike most of the miscellany in our lives, the passion an owner feels for an RV seldom dims.

And the survey says…

We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers close to 5,000 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:

• 84 percent say they usually buy their RV fuel on price, not brand
• 22 percent eat at a fast food restaurant at least once a week, if not more
• 50 percent say they’d love to RV around Iceland if they had the chance!

Recent poll: Would you prefer to stay in a campground where kids were not allowed?

Trivia

The state of Alaska is not only the largest state in the country but is also home to the northernmost, westernmost, and easternmost points of the United States. Point Barrow is the northernmost point, Little Diomede Island is the westernmost point, and Pochnoi Point on Semisopochnoi Island in the Aleutian Islands is the easternmost point. But wait… how is a point in Alaska the easternmost point? This article explains.

Readers’ pet of the day

“Chloe (Chihuahua) loved to camp and met no strangers. She loved to take walks and sleep next to the campfire. She was a real cuddle bug, too. Sadly, she crossed over the rainbow last fall at the age of 15. She is so missed.” —Cori Cotton

We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your Chloe, Cori. She sounds like she was the best camping companion. We hope she’s somewhere cuddled up next to a campfire right now. ❤️

Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Sunday RV Travel newsletter. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!

Leave here with a laugh

From Terri Street Barnes on Facebook (click to enlarge)

Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY

Visit Current National Radar Weather Map

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

Bumper Snicker: “Alcohol and Calculus Don’t Mix. Don’t Drink and Derive.” Seen a good bumper sticker lately? Share it with us at editor@rvtravel.com.

RVtravel.com All-Star Team

Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.

Our policy on using artificial intelligence.

My RV’s roof air conditioner drips inside when running. How can I fix it?

Dave Solberg
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1
My RV’s roof air conditioner drips inside when running. How can I fix it?

Dear Dave,
When running my air conditioner on hot days, it begins freezing up and drips water or “snow”. What is the cure for this little issue? Thank you. —Jeff, 2024 Coleman Lantern 274BH

Dear Jeff,
The water or snow that you are experiencing could be two different things. First, let’s look at how the roof air conditioner works.

How a roof air conditioner works

The thermostat is set to a desired temperature and when the ambient inside temperature rises above that, it sends 12-volt power to the control module in the air conditioner and the unit kicks in. The fan draws warm, moist air from the inside of the rig through the air return in the ceiling and pulls it through the evaporator coil. There are copper tubes incorporated into the evaporator coil which “flash” the air and remove moisture and heat, and the cooler air is then directed down to the vents or ductwork. It looks like your rig does not have ducted vents, but is rather a single unit with the air coming out of the vents on the unit.

Roof air conditioner
Roof air conditioner (Click to enlarge.)

 

As the air passes through the evaporator coil, moisture is drawn out and flows down to the drip pan which has two drain holes, one on each side. The pan is slanted so the moisture should flow to the sides, out the drain holes, and down the roof.

Air Conditioner Evaporator coil
Air conditioner evaporator coil
Air Conditioner drain holes
Air conditioner drain holes

Here is an example of the “rain” you might be experiencing.

Air Conditioner Condensation
Air conditioner condensation

If the drain holes are plugged, or you have applied silicone around the roof air conditioner, the moisture will build up and pool in the drain pan and the fan will splash it around and out the vents.

There may be much exposed metal near exhaust area

Another issue could be an abundance of exposed metal around the exhaust area. As the cold air coming out of the evaporator coils hits the hot metal, condensation forms and will splatter out the vents.

Pull off the interior return air cover and you will see the air intake and exhaust areas. Look at the exhaust chamber and you most likely will find not only bare metal areas, but gaps that would create inefficient air flow.

I use Thermo-Pan® insulated board with HVAC tape to cover any bare metal spots and plug gaps or holes that allow air to flow anywhere other than out of the vents. The Thermo-Pan board is a foil-faced cardboard-type material that will not have the same heat exchange as bare metal and will reduce condensation.

 You might also enjoy this from Dave 

My RV’s roof air conditioner smells like mildew. What should I look for?

Hi Dave,
I’m wondering if you have any ideas on why, when my AC is on, it smells like mildew in our 2018 Fox Mountain. This is the first time it has happened. I took a look at the air conditioner itself, but I don’t see anything really. Wonder if you can help. Thanks, Dave.  —Andrew, 2018 Fox Mountain

Read Dave’s answer.

RELATED

Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the author of the “RV Handbook.”

Read more from Dave here. 

HAVE A QUESTION FOR DAVE?

Send your inquiries to him using the form below.

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13 tips about work camping that will point you to success

RV Travel
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0
13 tips about work camping that will point you to success

By Nanci Dixon
Ever think about work camping? Cutting costs and staying in an area longer? Getting to know more people in a more permanent venue? We hadn’t really considered it until we met a campground host in Arizona our first year full-timing. My husband is always needing something to do and enjoys having people around, so becoming a campground host seemed like the perfect job while we were there for the winter.

The host introduced us to the park supervisor. He had an opening! After hearing my husband’s qualifications, we got the job! We had planned a short trip to Joshua Tree National Park, so he asked us to start when we got back. “Do you want us to train before we leave?” I asked him. He said no.

After our trip, we returned to our new campsite in the worker’s area. We were eager to get started selling firewood, raking campsites, and directing people to their spot. I did think it was a bit odd to start our training at 6:00 a.m., but we were ready with our official shirts and hats the next morning. I knew this was not what we had signed up for when I was handed a toilet brush and a bucket. No wonder he didn’t want us to train ahead of time…

Ten bathrooms and 52 toilets later I was close to crying. The breaking point was when I was shown the library sale room and there on the bottom shelf was a cookbook for sale that I had done all the food photography for. In one hand was my fabulous career as a food photographer and in the other hand was my new career as a restroom cleaner. The juxtaposition would have been funny if I hadn’t been holding back the tears.

Back at the campsite I was in complete tears, serious tears, not just the trickle-down-the-cheek type but complete sobs. My husband, who was entirely happy with the job, was distraught with my reaction. He kept asking, “What do you want me to do? Do you want to leave in the middle of the night? What do you want?”

We were committed for three more months

We had committed until the end of the season, which thankfully was only a long three months. I reached an agreement with my husband that I would only wash the mirrors, pick up trash and clean out the grills in exchange for never, ever doing this again. 

The end of the season came and we were not even out of the city limits when the park supervisor called to talk to my husband and ask if we would come back next season. I explained he was driving, couldn’t talk, and “Thank you, but there is no way I am ever going to do that again.”

Somewhere that summer, I relented. Fast forward to year four as winter season park hosts in the same park. Doing the same job. The selling point is four days on, eight days off to travel, and a great group of returning and new park hosts.

We have also accepted several other work camper positions during the summers. Some we loved and several we didn’t—and never returned to.

If you are considering work camping, here are 13 tips that may help:

1) Research positions available. Try searching “camp hosts” or “work camping” online and that should provide a number of options. *Note: More online sources are listed at the bottom of this article.

2) Create a strong resume, slanting toward the position wanted. RV parks and campgrounds are looking for flexibility, commitment and a positive attitude with the ability to work well with others. They are also always looking for restroom cleaners. Remember that. 

3) Decide if you are looking for payment, a site or both. 

4) Decide how many hours you actually want to work. Check out how many hours are needed to pay for your site and then any expected hours past that.

5) What do you want to do? Do you like office work or being outside? Is “housekeeping” and cleaning toilets going to be game over, or will it be acceptable?

6) What amenities are important to you? Hiking trails? Pool? Activities? Restaurants? Are they available or nearby?

7) Ask what the sites are like. Are you sandwiched together? Are they spacious? Double-check if they have full-hookups. Some Forest Service sites don’t have sewer or water.

8) Ask about the turnover of staff. Having seasonal work campers coming back year after year is a good sign of a great working environment. We have passed an interesting campground often in our travels and I have noticed that they are advertising for new workers constantly and with immediate openings. That is not a good sign and I have refrained from applying.

9) Read the fine print. Read between the lines, particularly when the ad says they need someone “to be able to do everything and be on call”!

10) Get a written assignment of duties. That provides protection against additional items being added on. Be clear on when the season ends, so you know how long you are committing to.

11) Don’t argue with management about a better way to do things. Don’t argue with other work campers. That should go without saying, but as I have watched a number of hosts not being asked back, I have noticed it is seldom their work ethic but their relationships with management and other hosts.

12) Ask for a letter of recommendation when your stint is done. Even if coming back, it is always good to have references.

13) Are you camping in a park you can picture yourself working in? Talk to the work campers there. Introduce yourself to the owners/managers about possible openings. Get names, email addresses, and phone numbers to follow up with. A recent summer camp host position took us five years to get, but we talked to the supervisors every year we camped in the park until we got an email asking us to apply. Still the best job ever!

Here are a few places to research work camping jobs:

RELATED

##RVDT2602

TrunkMate’s sleeping platforms turn cars into cozy campers

Video Editor
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TrunkMate’s sleeping platforms turn cars into cozy campers

Ever dream of turning your car into a cozy camper without the hassle of a full-blown RV? TrunkMate makes that dream a reality! They specialize in creating comfortable camping spaces inside your existing vehicle. The video below focuses on TrunkMate’s awesome minivan sleeping platforms.

TrunkMate offers a variety of models and sizes to fit your needs. Here’s a quick look at the models covered in the video. Be sure to watch for details.

• RuumiBox Single Bed: Perfect for solo adventures with built-in storage.

• BlitzBed Single Bed: Lightweight and maximizes headroom.

• RuumiBox Double Bed: Turns your minivan into a couple’s retreat.

• RuumiBox Double Bed (1-drawer model): All the comfort, with flexible storage options.

• BlitzBed Double Bed: A lightweight double bed that doesn’t compromise on space.

When using a TrunkMate platform, you’ll first need to prepare your minivan, which usually involves folding down the third-row seats. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly flat. TrunkMate platforms come with adjustable leveling legs that will create a level sleeping surface.  Here’s how it works:

  1. Place the support legs on the floor of your minivan.
  2. Pull out the bed frame and connect it to the support legs.
  3. Unfold the boards and lay them on top of the bed frame.

Now, just add your favorite mattress. TrunkMate recommends a 3-inch tri-folding mattress with a non-slip bottom that keeps it in place while you sleep.

What about headroom? If you’re tall, that can be a concern. See TrunkMate’s solution, tested in a Honda Odyssey, in the video.

For double bed setups, you might need to remove the second-row captain’s chairs. This is sometimes necessary in minivans like the Honda Odyssey. But it might not be needed in all vehicles.

TrunkMate’s raised bed designs are super comfortable. As they increase airflow, you sleep better, regardless of whether it’s hot or cold outside.

When you’re not sleeping, your TrunkMate platform can double as a bench. This is great for relaxing during the day.

With single-bed configurations, you can keep your second- and third-row seats in place. Use them as backrests for reading or watching movies in bed.

Learn more about TrunkMate here.

RELATED

##RVDT2602

How would you describe the reliability of your RV’s automatic levelers?

RV Travel
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How would you describe the reliability of your RV’s automatic levelers?

Automatic levelers… If you have them, you may love them or you may hate them. Sometimes they can be a little wonky, and they’re not always entirely accurate. You may know that a little too well…

For some RVers, automatic levelers are a game-changer, making setup quick and easy with just the press of a button. When they work correctly, they save time and effort, allowing you to get settled at your campsite without the hassle of manually adjusting blocks or using bubble levels. But when they don’t? That’s when the frustration kicks in—uneven leveling, error messages, or, in the worst cases, a system that just won’t cooperate.

Then there’s the issue of different terrains. Some RVers report that their levelers work flawlessly on paved sites but struggle on soft ground, gravel, or uneven surfaces.

Others say their systems have minds of their own, sometimes adjusting too much, other times not enough. And let’s not forget the dreaded mid-night re-leveling, where the system decides to make adjustments while you’re fast asleep.

If your RV does have automatic levelers, how would you describe their reliability? Are they always reliable? Only sometimes? Hardly ever? Never? Oh, boy…

Please tell us in the poll below and leave a comment, too, if you feel like sharing your experiences. You may help other RVers out. Thanks!

You may enjoy these other popular polls:

##RVDT2602

Army Corps campgrounds at Susquehanna and Potomac Rivers closed amid staffing crisis

Russ and Tiña De Maris
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Army Corps campgrounds at Susquehanna and Potomac Rivers closed amid staffing crisis

With federal funding cuts big in the news, some are concerned about how RVers might be affected. Limited funding invariably leads to limited services. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a leading provider of outdoor recreation, welcoming approximately 260 million visitors annually to its more than 400 lake and river projects across 43 states. Now several of those sites are shutting down. In this case, funding cuts kill camping.

Funding cuts kill camping in Pennsylvania

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, which oversees operations of numerous Flood Risk Management and recreation sites throughout the Susquehanna and Potomac River Basins, will close several campgrounds and beaches due to staffing shortages that will prohibit the safe operations of these facilities ahead of the 2025 recreation season.

USACE staff will continue to prioritize tasks essential to public health and safety, such as dam operations for flood protection and emergency response readiness. The following recreational offerings will be impacted:

Raystown Lake in Hesston, Pennsylvania

  • Seven Points, Susquehannock, and Nancy’s Boat-to-Shore Campgrounds will remain closed until further notice.
  • Scheduled recreation and stewardship events will be reduced and are subject to cancellation.
  • The Raystown Lake Visitor Center, as well as day-use facilities such as beaches, overlooks, picnic pavilions, walking trails, boat launches, disc golf courses and the mountain bike skills park, will remain open.
  • Leased areas and concessionaries, including Seven Points Marina and Raystown Resort, will operate according to their respective schedules.

Cuts hit Tioga-Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes in Tioga, Pennsylvania

Here are more details on closures, and sites that will remain open:

  • Tompkins Campground, including its swim beach and boat ramp, will remain closed until further notice.
  • Cowanesque Lake day-use facilities such as picnic pavilions, walking trails, boat launches, disc golf course, and picnic areas will remain open.
  • Ives Run Campground and Visitor Information Center, as well as day-use facilities such as picnic pavilions, walking trails, boat launches, disc golf course, swim beach and picnic areas, will remain open.
  • Lambs Creek Recreation Area and boat ramp will remain open.
  • Scheduled recreation and stewardship events will be reduced and are subject to cancelation.
  • Leased areas and concessionaries, including Mill Cove, Tioga Little League Fields, and Mansfield Veterans Park will operate according to their respective schedules.

Visitors who have paid reservations that have been cancelled due to campground closures will be refunded via Recreation.gov. All refunds generated within the Recreation.gov system will be communicated through email. For assistance, click here.

Non-federally operated facilities escape the axe

These closures do not impact recreation areas on Jennings Randolph Lake located in Garrett County, Maryland, and Mineral County, West Virginia, or projects that are operated and maintained by non-federal entities. The Baltimore District has various agreements where USACE-owned property is managed by city, county, or state governments, and/or private individuals. There are 12 properties in two states that fall into this category:

  • Kanakadea Park, East Sidney Lake and Dorchester Park in New York
  • Bald Eagle State Park, Kettle Creek State Park, Aylesworth Park, Curwensville Lake, Mill Cove, Tioga Little League Fields, and Mansfield Veterans Park, Lake Raystown Resort and Seven Points Marina in Pennsylvania

As funding cuts kill camping, we’ll continue to inform you. In the Pennsylvania closures, updates regarding Baltimore District closures will be communicated via the Raystown Lake website and Facebook page, as well as the Tioga-Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes websites and Facebook page.

For more on Army Corps camping, click here.

More articles you might really like

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‘So many lies’: TV station investigates deceptive practices at Camping World

Russ and Tiña De Maris
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‘So many lies’: TV station investigates deceptive practices at Camping World

Camping World is facing serious backlash after a TV exposé revealed troubling stories from customers of its North Charleston, South Carolina, dealership. The report details the experiences of several RV buyers, including a senior citizen and a young couple, who encountered defective RVs, poor customer service, and unsatisfactory repairs. With numerous lawsuits filed and a disappointing “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau, Camping World’s reputation is taking a major hit.

Three customers’ Camping World rip-off experiences detailed in exposé

WCSC-TV, also known as Live 5 News, is based in Charleston, South Carolina. 267,000 viewers tune in each week, and some 2.1 million folks visit its website. So when the station ran an exposé on Camping World practices, Marcus Lemonis, the company’s CEO, must have felt a bit of a pinch. The real-life experiences of unhappy customers may well warn potential buyers to be more than beware. Instead, “Be running the other way.”

Dorothy Simms and her daughter. Live 5 News.

Live 5 News spotlighted the experiences of three RV buyers who claim that Camping World’s North Charleston, South Carolina, outlet ripped them off in a big way. A senior citizen, Dorothy Simms, saved up all her money to buy an RV to start the full-time RV lifestyle last November. She says Camping World sold her a bill of goods—an RV full of cracks, leaks, holes, and rust. After she complained, the dealership “repaired” her rig, returning it with “everything back in working condition.”

It was in “working condition,” provided Dorothy didn’t mind the leaking shower that flooded the bedroom, producing enough vapor to grow mold on her brand-new mattress. The TV station reported, “‘I could see spots of mold already forming on the brand-new mattress, brand-new out the box; this has been less than a month,’ Simms’ daughter, Shanna Brogdon, said.”

Back to the dealership again. Staff wouldn’t acknowledge the mold on the mattress. The company evidently bought back the rig—but not for the full price she paid. If it weren’t for Shanna, Dorothy’s daughter, the full-time RVer wannabe would have no place to live.

Young couple’s dream dashed

Jason and Carol Santore. Live 5 News.

But the Camping World rip-off saga doesn’t just affect older customers. A young couple, Jason and Carol Santore, had big plans for their future. They sold what they could, and bought land to develop Airbnb rentals. They bought an RV from the North Charleston dealership to live in.

Speaking of their dream, Carol told the news station, “‘It got abruptly destroyed, stopped in its tracks because of owning this camper. It was either we lived in a broken camper or we had a roof over our head.’” The Santores took their rig back to Camping World because of a seemingly endless series of problems. The slide-out quit working. The shower developed a crack. Interior molding fell off. The entry door refused to work.

The young couple tried working with Camping World, but described they got nothing in return but a series of empty promises and failed communication. “‘We were the ones that got screwed in the end, but all we wanted was our money back for what we paid for,’” Carol Santore told the station’s reporter.

“Screwed,” indeed. When the couple returned the failing RV, Camping World gave back little of what the Santores paid for it. Is it a Camping World rip-off?

Lawsuits, and an “F” rating

Live 5 News interviewed an attorney, Josh Salvin, for the exposé. Salvin’s clients include more than half a dozen North Charleston Camping World clients. He told the station that Dorothy Simms’ experience isn’t unusual. “‘It falls into the same repeating trends of unsafe campers, then repairs that take far too long,” Salvin said in the interview. “‘Oftentimes, the campers are returned to the client still having problems and the customer has to go back again.’”

More than a dozen lawsuits against Camping World have been filed in Charleston County, South Carolina. Many claim the company knew about defects before the customer ever signed on the dotted line. The Better Business Bureau that serves the area reports that the North Charleston Camping World has an F rating with 1,228 complaints filed against the business. It’s a symptom of a Camping World rip-off.

When the TV station made a personal visit to the dealership to make inquiries, reporters were told they’d need to schedule an interview to get comments. Later, reporters were told by phone that the company has no comment.

RELATED

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RV Daily Tips. Monday, March 17, 2025

Newsletter Editor
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4
RV Daily Tips. Monday, March 17, 2025

Issue 2601

Today’s thought

“Wishing you a pot o’ gold and all the joy your heart can hold.” —Irish blessing

Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is St. Patrick’s Day, which means it’s also National Corned Beef and Cabbage Day!

On this day in history: 1958 – The United States launches the first solar-powered satellite, which is also the first satellite to achieve a long-term orbit.

Tip of the day
Ways RVers can get lucky on the road

With St. Patrick’s Day upon us, luck is in the air—or at least, we hope it is. Life on the road can be unpredictable. One day, you’re basking in a scenic, quiet campsite with a perfect sunset view; the next, you’re parked next to a generator that sounds like a jet engine. But sometimes, RVers just get lucky. And no, we’re not talking about that kind of luck (though, hey, good for you if it happens).

Here are some of the best ways RVers can get lucky on the road—no four-leaf clovers required.

Ask Dave
How can I clean my RV furnace ductwork?

By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
I would like to know if you have some heating duct cleaning advice. I have a floor duct system, LP gas and basement heat pump unit which is centrally located. There are overhead ceiling vents and I need to clean the floor duct system. Any assistance with this issue is greatly appreciated. Thanks. —Dave, 2001 34 ft. Winnebago Journey  Read Dave’s response.

In the RV shop with Dustin
Your RV takes on water damage through more than rain: Protect those sealants!

By Dustin Simpson
In this video, I walk you around to several RVs currently parked on my RV repair lot. You’ll see just how much morning condensation drips off the RVs, even during moderate conditions. This video proves why keeping up on your RV roof and body sealants is so important—your RV is taking on water damage even when it’s NOT raining!

Video of the day
DIY motorhome stairs mod prevents falls for RVers and pets

By Cheri Sicard
The video below from the Fix it Now YouTube channel shows a DIY motorhome stairs mod designed to prevent RVing children, dogs, and/or their parents/owners, from falling down the stairwell while the motorhome is traveling. The idea is to block this space and level it with the rest of the RV floor. Check this out.

The latest news for RVers

To read more recent news, click here.

Featured article
Questionable RV design: Fancy dinette makes no sense

By Chuck Woodbury
This is a Liberty Coach, a big, long, luxury motorcoach. A motorcoach is like a motorhome on steroids. It’s like a tricked-out Greyhound bus, with the whole thing gutted and then a million (or two) dollar rolling mansion is built on its chassis. According to Google, a new model costs, on average, about $2.7 million dollars. I assume they are incredibly well-built. But what were they thinking with this dinette?! Check it out.

Reader poll
Will you do something special today for St. Patrick’s Day?

Respond here.

DID YOU KNOW? St. Patrick, Ireland’s Patron Saint, was actually British. It’s believed he was born in either Wales or Scotland. He was abducted at age 16 and brought to Northern Ireland as a slave. There, he was forced to tend sheep for 6 years. One surprising St. Patrick’s Day fact is about St. Patrick’s name. His real name was ‘Maewyn Succat’. He picked up Patrick along the way. Oh, a quick joke: What did the baby Leprechaun discover at the end of the rainbow? Answer: A potty of gold, of course.

Quick tip
Handy flashlight holder

Need a place to put your BIG flashlight? A poster called DakotaCamper put this idea up on rv.net’s forum awhile ago. “Its just an inexpensive Attwood rod holder from Wally World. It’s mounted right by the back door so I can grab when we’re loading the camper. With a black bedliner and a black camper box, it’s hard to check the clearance between the wheel wells without the flashlight. It’s handy, too, when camping – very accessible when you need it.”

Website of the day

The History of St. Patrick’s Day
Here you have it from History.com: The true history of today’s holiday.

? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
We’ve always enjoyed the other ones of these, and this one is no different. The best part? It’s aimed right at us RVers! *Adds to cart*

Recipes

Don’t miss yesterday’s recipes! St. Patrick’s Day recipes: Classic favorites and creative twists

Trivia

Adding cream to your coffee will actually keep it warmer longer. Wait, what? It seems counterintuitive, but it’s true! Think about this: The higher the temperature, the faster it sheds heat, right? Adding cream initially lowers the temperature of the coffee, and then further slows the release of heat since the fats in the cream act as an insulator. This makes the cup of coffee stay warmer longer, even though it spends less time at its maximum temperature.

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“Smokie is our retired barn cat, now house and camping cat. She likes sitting outside watching the world go by while staying close to the RV.” —K. Hadden

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• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.

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Ask Dave: How can I clean my RV furnace ductwork?

RV Travel
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Ask Dave: How can I clean my RV furnace ductwork?

By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
I would like to know if you have some heating duct cleaning advice. I have a floor duct system, LP gas and basement heat pump unit which is centrally located. There are overhead ceiling vents and I need to clean the floor duct system. Any assistance with this issue is greatly appreciated. Thanks. —Dave, 2001 34 ft. Winnebago Journey

Dear Dave,
Your Journey has what Winnebago called “TrueAir,” which is two compressors located in a compartment under the floor. It operates the same as the roof air conditioner compressors and is ducted up through the backwall of the rig and to the vents ducted in the ceiling.

True Air Diagram
TrueAir (Click to enlarge.)

The heat pump option of your Journey is designed into the compressors with a reverse valve so the heat actually goes up to the ceiling ductwork rather than the floor ducts.

The furnace of your rig is a Suburban model mounted below floor level typically in the compartment with the water heater directly forward of the TrueAir. It also has a metal plenum* mounted underneath the floor similar to a residential system rather than the corrugated hoses used in other products. This not only provides superior airflow, but makes it easier to clean, as well. Unfortunately, Winnebago does not have 3D drawings for your model year. However, this one is from a 2010, which would be similar to yours. [*From Merriam-Webster: plenum: an air-filled space in a structure, especially one that receives air from a blower for distribution (as in a ventilation system).]

Winnebago Journey Furnace Ductwork
Winnebago Journey furnace ductwork

Notice the furnace is shown in green with the ductwork running on two sides. I’m not sure if yours has the two; however, you should be able to see it from underneath.

There are several residential duct cleaning companies that now offer RV duct cleaning, as well. I would suggest doing a search for local companies and see if they offer this service.

To clean the ductwork yourself

I have not performed a full duct cleaning; rather, I used a shop vacuum to clean out directly underneath a vent in a few models. However, I think it would be fairly easy to do the entire plenum.

Some companies use a vacuum hose with a rotating brush and push it through the plenum, while others use forced air from one side and a vacuum on the far end. Start with the farthest vent and run the hose through the vent and push it along the plenum and keep all other vents closed. On the other end, insert the vacuum hose and seal it off with painters’ tape or plastic. Set the air compressor to about 40 psi, so you don’t blow dust all over the rig, and push the air hose as far into the plenum as possible. If you hit an obstruction, measure the distance and switch to another vent, closing the first one you used.

I had our home ductwork cleaned after we finished building it and the company used a rotating brush on the far end and a vacuum. You can find a similar product on Amazon here. It connects to a cordless drill and swirls inside the plenum.

Duct Cleaning Brush
Duct cleaning brush

For the price, it might be cheaper to just have a local service do it once a year.

 You might also enjoy this from Dave 

I’m looking to purchase a Class A with basement A/C. Your thoughts?

Dear Dave,
I’m looking to purchase this Class A with basement A/C. Do you know of problems with this system? I know the option didn’t last very long. Thanks for the info. I read your column every day. —Robert, 2004 Winnebago Itasca Suncruiser

Read Dave’s answer.

MORE POSTS FROM DAVE:

Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the author of the “RV Handbook.”

Read more from Dave here. 

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DIY motorhome stairs mod prevents falls for RVers and pets

Video Editor
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DIY motorhome stairs mod prevents falls for RVers and pets

By Cheri Sicard
The video below from the Fix it Now YouTube channel shows a DIY motorhome stairs mod designed to prevent RVing children, dogs, and/or their parents/owners, from falling down the stairwell while the motorhome is traveling. [Moving around in the motorhome while it’s moving is highly discouraged, of course.]

The idea is to block this space and level it with the rest of the RV floor.

The process begins with measurements—measure twice, cut once!

Our host used plywood wrapped in water-resistant flooring material followed by upholstery material that matches the RV’s interior.

The video will show you how to complete the DIY motorhome stairs mod using a staple gun.

When in place, this motorhome stairs and door modification stylishly covers the well by the door, keeping it safe from stumbling dogs, crawling babies, or even clumsy adults.

When you need the door, it easily moves out of the way and stows next to the sofa. Brilliant!

More DIY:

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Will you do something special today for St. Patrick’s Day?

RV Travel
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Will you do something special today for St. Patrick’s Day?

If you didn’t get the memo, today is St. Patrick’s Day! That means everyone who is even .001 percent Irish celebrates and calls themselves Irish! It also means you should be eating corned beef and drinking a Guinness!

Will you do something today to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Go out to eat? Go to an Irish pub? An event or festival? Will you just stay in but cook something Irish?

Maybe you’ll dress the part, wearing green to avoid the dreaded pinch. Some folks go all out with shamrock-covered outfits, while others keep it simple with a green shirt or hat.

And if you really want to embrace the spirit, why not throw on some Celtic music in the background while you celebrate? A little Irish folk music or a classic Dropkick Murphys song might just set the mood.

Of course, no St. Patrick’s Day is complete without some festive food and drinks. Whether it’s traditional Irish fare like shepherd’s pie, soda bread, or colcannon, or just a fun green-colored beer, there’s no shortage of ways to indulge. And let’s not forget dessert—perhaps an Irish coffee or a Bailey’s-infused treat to round out the night.

After you vote, please leave a comment and tell us how you plan to celebrate. Sláinte! 🍀

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