Issue 901 • May 16, 2018
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QUICK TIPS
Slideout marks on floor or carpet?
We received this slick tip from long-time RVtravel.com reader Tim Slack.
“We started getting wear marks in the living room carpet from our DS slideout. I didn’t want it to wear a groove in the carpet. While at an RV service center, I was offered two strips of Teflon about 5″ x 32″ x 1/4″ thick. Each has nonskid backing. Now before I bring in that slide, I place the strips on the carpet where the marks were beginning to show. The slide glides in along the Teflon strip and then rests on it while we travel. When we’re setting up again, push the button, the slide glides back out and I stash the thin strips until next time. No more marks. My Teflon strips cost about $25-$30 total. And they’re thin enough to not disturb the adjustment of the slide. Problem solved.” Thanks, Tim!
Inexpensive backup prescription glasses for travel
With electricity expert and veteran RVer, Mike Sokol
If you’re like me, then driving at all without your glasses is a no-go. While I’ve always kept an “old” pair of glasses as a backup in case I lose my prescription pair on the road, this year I decided to treat myself to a “new” backup pair with my current prescription. I found Zenni Optical and gave them a try. I simply entered in all the info from my current prescription, made a few choices, and in a few weeks had a great pair of backup glasses in hand. My “real” glasses cost me $600 last year, since I have 20/800 vision to correct, but the Zenni “backup” glasses cost less than $90, even with a bunch of extra options. They fit and look great, plus I can see though them just as well as my $600 glasses. Take a look here.
Safety tips for new RVers
Before you hit the road for the first time, it is recommended that you purchase and understand how to use the following: (A) Any state- or provincial-mandated safety equipment that you are required by law to carry. (B) Two to four orange traffic cones — they are handy to have. Taller ones are easier to see. (C) Four emergency flares. (D) A 6-volt flashlight or any rechargeable light. Thanks to Ron Jones, AboutRVing.com.
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MORE QUICK TIPS
Another tip to reduce slideout marks — and a bonus!
Here’s a great tip we received from Paula and Nelson DiGennaro regarding marks on your floor or carpet from the slideout. “We tried commercial Teflon slides for the main slide in our 2006 Itasca Meridian and found they were too thick to allow the slide to come in. However, we improvised by going to Staples/Office Depot and buying one of their clear desk floor mats with teeth. We cut two 6”-wide strips long enough to cover the carpet area of concern. We slide them under the slide’s lip when bringing it in and all is well. Likewise we remove and store the slide mats when the slide is out. Perfect! The mat cost around $25, and sometimes there are coupons available. We took the leftover mat piece and cut it so it sits on the carpet under my computer table and chair. Two jobs done for the price of one. Sweet!” Thanks, Paula and Nelson!
Do you have a tip? Send it to Deanna (at) rvtravel.com .
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Speaking of maps… Scribble Maps lets you draw and write on maps, so instead of telling your family “go through the second stop sign, turn right at the cows, take the first left after the church,” you can just draw the route for them!
50 Budget-Friendly RV Parks
The link says it all! Enjoy these under-the-radar parks on a budget. Can’t complain about that!
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RV Daily Tips Staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Associate editor: Deanna Tolliver. Staff writer: Emily Woodbury. Contributing writers: Russ De Maris, Bob Difley, Gary Bunzer, Roger Marble, Mike Sokol, J.M. Montigel and Andrew Robinson. Advertising coordinator: Gail Meyring.
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I ruined the roof on my trailer when I hit the toll booth at the entry to a campground in St. John’s, NF. They told me someone hits the overhang every year. I know it was my fault, but if it happens every year, why not change the design of the roof when they repair the damage?
My slides have caused scratch marks on my wood floor. Newmar did a one time replacement of the damaged wood flooring. They also gave me 16 pieces of stuff to put down before I bring in the slides. That is a pain in the neck to do each time I go or take up when I stop. SIXTEEN pains. Since I move frequently it is a real PAIN to put them down & take them up. So I do not use them and now have scratches on the floor again. They should not have used the wood they used if it is going to be scratched by the slides going in and out. Poor production.
I think the posts here are all basing their preferences on personal experience and their own situation. It depends on what you want form a park, how long you are planning to stay, what size rig you have, Location, location, location. I’ve found that many parks in the Eastern part of the country are on average more expensive. But that too is relative. If you travel in season in the most populous parts of Calif. you will pay a premium. Travel out of season in that same area and you catch a break. I hate it when I see these lists of all inclusive rates, that are telling us the RV’ers what is affordable. Sometimes that is like a TV personality, making $250k/yr base salary, telling viewers that a $300.00 dress is affordable. Yes in some circles it is affordable, but others not so much.
That was supposed to be a $300.00 dress in the above comment
I have to agree with those who don’t see $45 per night as “budget friendly.” I stay 1-2 weeks at a time at US Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds, where a water-and-electric site costs $20-$25 per night. With my Federal Senior Pass, that comes down to $10-$12. I’ve paid as little as $8 per night for campsites with electric service only, filling my onboard water tank as needed and using my pump. Now that’s budget friendly! 🙂
I’ll admit to backing into something and causing over $200 damage, but it wasn’t to my RV., it was another vehicle.
With our size coach, we think budget friendly is under 60/night. We rarely can fit into the lower priced campgrounds. Our choice but you need to think averages when seeing general numbers.
On a budget note – we have found that cheap plastic place mats from a Dollar store work well to prevent marks or wear from slides. They are easily stashed on top of the washing machine if you have one.
A budget friendly rv park to me is $25 to $30. $35 dollars and up is not a bargain campsite as I can find that price at lots of locations.
Harry, John you guys are right, there are hundreds of sites available for under $35. It’s crazy to say that $40++ is low cost or budget.
The carpet-saver tip of using teflon pieces under the slides is from an older issue. I copied the comment from another reader about an alternative material that worked better for her. (If the owner of this tip will claim it, I’d like to give you credit for it. )
“We tried the commercial Teflon slides mentioned in the article for our main slide in our 2006 Itasca Meridian and found they were too thick to allow the slide to come in. However, we improvised by going to Staples/Office Depot and buying one of their clear desk floor mats with teeth. We cut two 6”-wide strips long enough to cover the carpet area of concern. We slide them under the slide’s lip when bringing it in and all is well. Likewise, we remove and store the slide mats when the slide is out. Perfect! The mat cost around $25 and sometimes there are coupons available. We took the leftover mat piece and cut it so it sits on the carpet under my computer table and chair. Two jobs done for the price of one.”
If budget friendly are an average of &45 as listed, what is an expensive park?
I think of budget friendly at $20 or less!
A Budget friendly RV Park to me is under $30 not $35 to $50.
I agree with you John. Fifty dollars is not “Budget Friendly”.