Issue 907 • May 28, 2018
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QUICK TIPS
Keep the dust out of your RV
Taking your RV into a super-dusty area? Here’s a tip to help keep the dust out of the rig for the duration: Cover up any vent openings that connect the inside of your rig to the outside – the refrigerator and the water heater are examples. While you’ll have to leave the water heater turned off for this one, it may pay dividends. Cover the vents with cheap household air conditioner filters, and tape the filter on with heavy-duty masking tape. Be sure to pull the filter off the water heater before firing it up. You may need to use solvent to clean the tape adhesive (or use Gaffer Tape which comes off without leaving a residue), but it’s better than dust in your RV.
Nighttime blackout help
“Day and night” shades not giving you enough “night”? One RVer sews up dark cloth panels with a pocket across the top, sized to fit the window. She attaches the panel, via the pocket, to a tension rod across the top, hidden under the valence.
Are you licensed properly?
In many jurisdictions, if you only possess a regular driver’s license you are not allowed to pull a trailer or fifth wheel trailer over 10,000 pound see California’s law). If you’re not licensed properly, and in the event of a claim, your insurance company could deny you coverage. You could as well be ticketed or shut down on the side of the highway. Don’t put yourself in a position that will cause you grief. If you’re not sure, check with the licensing standards department of your state/province. Our thanks to George Bliss.
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Prevent hose crimping and strain
. . . and extend RV hose life
This 90-Degree Hose Elbow eliminates unnecessary stress and strain on all RV water intake hose fittings. The elbow, with an easy-grip connector, is made of brass and is lead-free. Learn more or order for a great price!
MORE QUICK TIPS
Easy protection for your real-glass glassware
For traveling with breakable glassware, a “helpful hint is putting wine (or other) glasses in an old white cotton sock. I have had these fall from an overhead cabinet into the sink and never a chip, crack or breakage. I hope this can be posted so that others can enjoy a glass of wine (or other beverage) without having to resort to plastic cups.” Thanks to Trish Doyle!
Carrying bicycles on a pop-up trailer
Got a pop-up trailer and want to carry bicycles? Because of their lightweight nature, they may not be amenable to carrying bikes on the back bumper. It may be best to carry a bike rack on the top of your towable. Consider roof mounted bike racks designed for cars.
Do you have a tip? Send it to Russ (at) rvtravel.com .
State, Regional,
City and U.S. maps
A GPS is great, but there’s nothing like a folded map to plan a trip or guide you where you’re going once you’re underway. Just about every folded map you would ever need is here. Most sell from about $2 to $6. Check ’em out or order.
WEBSITES OF THE DAY
RV Transport
RV Transport, Inc., has been transporting RVs since 1992. The company does not operate company owned equipment, and does not hire any hourly paid employees. All of the people who work with the company are “sub-contractors” and/or “owner-operators” who are self-employed business people. Do you think transporting RVs might be for you? Check out this site.
Loners on Wheels
Are you single and interested in meeting some fellow single RVers? This club has been around since 1969, and its members love it. Maybe you would, too.
Camp Host Opportunities
If you’ve thought of becoming a camp host, where you get a free campsite and sometimes even money (yippee!) for attending to a campground, then you might want to check in at Camphost.org.
Check out the long list of great RVing-related websites from RVtravel.com.
SAVE MONEY!
Don’t toss away good batteries!
Most RVers rely on battery-powered devices while on the road, whether flashlights, radios or cameras. But sometimes you just can’t tell how much life a battery has remaining so you toss it to “be sure.” This small, inexpensive tester will alert you in an instant to the condition of a battery, saving you money from needlessly tossing ones with plenty of remaining life! Works on AA, AAA, C, D, 9V and button-type batteries. Learn more or order.
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LEAVE HERE WITH A LAUGH
With hindsight, I wouldn’t have sat on that cactus.
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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 have a nice trailer but no truck. My friend has a nice truck but no trailer. So we share. I use the truck and he uses my trailer. Saves us both a bundle!
That works because you’ve both got skin in the game. A friend or family member borrowing your RV does not…
Where did this BS about the 10K “law” come from?
Mike, here is California’s rules about this. The tip was not complete as we published it. I apologize. Am going to tweak now.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/dl648/dl648pt5
Covering the refrigerator and water heater vents doesn’t prevent dust inside because they don’t vent to the inside of your RV
California has a licensing law that requires any driver of a motorhome over 40′ to have a class B non-commercial drivers license (NCDL). Unfortunately, many who own a “model” 40 motorhome think this law doesn’t apply to them even though their coach is over 40′. I would venture to guess that probably 90% of model 40 type motorhomes in California, are driven illegally.
About freaking time. I think it should be nation wide. Those things are scary for those who don’t know how to drive them.
What ever you put over the vents use Gaffer Power tape to seal. Sticks like Duct tape but leaves no glue residue, even weeks later.
All I use now.
Ditto!
Long ago, I loaned out my “new” to me 1978 Transvan to a friend of a neighbor. This guy was a local judge and he was taking his son to a rival college football game.
The motorhome was return the following day with an empty gas tank, bottles and cans everywhere including in the cabinets and a smell like someone got sick.
Found out he didn’t go, just his son and friends. NEVER AGAIN !!!!!
Why would you use air filters to cover vents in dusty situations when you are driving? A piece of visqueen makes a lot more sense. You want to completely seal the vents from dust and visqueen will do that. Tyvek would be equally good. If you tape the Tyvek or visqueen with the newer 3M duct tape that leaves no residue there will be no adhesive to clean off.