Issue 920 • June 19, 2018
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QUICK TIPS
Carry tire balance beads with you, just in case
If you need to have a motorhome tire replaced by a service company “alongside the road” and carry only an unmounted tire, you will face this problem. The service tech can mount your tire, but doesn’t have the equipment to balance the tire in the field. An anonymous reader suggests carrying tire balance beads (available on Amazon) with you in your tool kit. Ask the tech to put them in the tire and you’ll eliminate the need to add another stop for tire balancing. Thanks for keeping us in balance, whoever you are!
Ground-lift adapters
With electricity expert Mike Sokol
Never use a ground-lift adapter to power any appliance from an electrical outlet or extension cord that has a ground pin on the power plug. If the appliance has a grounded power plug then it’s not double-insulated internally, and lifting the ground with this sort of adapter or a broken extension cord can allow its chassis to become electrified. And an electrified chassis on anything can lead to a dangerous shock that’s potentially lethal.
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Waterless trap for your RV plumbing system
Make foul smelling odors a thing of the past!
Already used by major RV manufacturers, the revolutionary HepvO waterless trap is a fantastic alternative to a conventional ‘P’ trap and it won’t fail due to evaporation, movement, freezing or leakage. Its unique membrane prevents foul air from the grey water tank entering your RV and its in-line design helps create extra storage space! Learn more.
MORE QUICK TIPS
Easily keep track of your toad car steering wheel movement
If your toad car steering wheel gets stuck and isn’t freely turning, it can really cause damage. Wrap a lint roller sheet around the top of the steering wheel, then occasionally take a peek with your rear-mounted camera. If you can see the steering wheel moving, you’re not locked up.
Mark Polk on campground check-ins
When you first check into a campground, locate your site and conduct a site survey. Identify where the campground connections are and where to locate the RV so you have easy access to all connections. If you have a slide-out make sure there are no obstacles in the way. Allow plenty of room for extending the awning.
Do you have a tip? Send it to Russ (at) rvtravel.com
Answer to riddle in this issue’s email alert: You can only eat one banana because then your stomach is no longer empty!
Portable hose can save the day!
We’re all been there — camped overnight too far from the water hookup. For many of us, carrying an extra hose just takes up too much space for something we’ll rarely need. But when you do need it, this 25-foot pocket hose will save the day. When it’s not needed, it will store easily in a drawer, on a shelf or in a cabinet. And (really good news), it’s very inexpensive. Learn more or order.
WEBSITES OF THE DAY
RV Education 101
RV expert Mark Polk teaches you all you need to know about RVing in his online video classes. We highly recommend signing up for some of the classes that interest you – we guarantee you’ll learn something!
Best lakes in all 50 states
Looking for a good swim or a good place to picnic? This is the list for you. Find the best lake, sit back, relax and enjoy summer!
Check out the long list of great RVing-related websites from RVtravel.com.
Get your sunscreen before the sun gets you!
We all know by now that too much sun is bad for us. It ages our skin and can lead to skin cancer. If you’re not already equipped with good sun protection then here’s your opportunity to select from many brands with all SPF ratings, and at great prices. Learn more or order.
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LEAVE HERE WITH A LAUGH
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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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A few months ago I read an article, in this newsletter, that warned not to use pocket hoses for fresh water. The article said there were chemicals used in the making of the hose, that would leech into the water. In this newsletter there is in the tips section a tip saying the pocket hose can save the day. I hope that that is for uses other than fresh water…..
Grounded plug adapter: I think there may be one situation where using such a device is acceptable. My laptop charger (an after market unit) has a grounded plug. But, for no purpose that I can see. There is nothing connected to the ground in the little black box that converts high voltage AC to low voltage DC. The original chargers for all my laptops lack the ground.
BUT! Mike is right that most times using an adapter like is putting yourself at an unacceptable risk.
True, because on a laptop computer the ground plug is often optional. You see this with Apple products that have a swappable plug or cordset on the power supply. The direct plug is ungrounded, while the grounded cordset does actually ground the power supply as well as the computer. Confusing isn’t it? I’ve written dozens of articles about laptop grounding and ungrounding for my pro-sound engineers, where selecting the wrong type of ground can make the entire PA system hum and buzz. And that’s not what we want for a Jimmy Buffett concert, do we? (Fins to the left, fins to the right.)
In any event, small appliances like a laptop can be used safely most of the time with a ground-lift adapter because their power supplies are double insulated anyway. But the safety from shock has nothing to do with the power supply being only 5 to 12 volts DC. In fact, there have been several deaths recently from cell phone chargers being plugged into a phone, and the person grabbing the plugged-in phone while in a shower or bathtub have been electrocuted (killed). So NEVER touch ANYTHING that’s plugged into an electrical outlet while you’re in a bathtub, shower, or standing in a puddle.
And NEVER plug your RV into any home electrical outlet with a ground-lift adapter, even if you’re just charging your batteries. That’s extremely dangerous and can lead to electrocution.
Interesting tip about the balance beads. I used the link just to find out more. This is the first time I’ve heard of them.
We had to have an rv repairman come to our trailer last month to work on the slide outs. He could only take payment by cash or check. I was glad we had brought the check book.
If you are in south Georgia, I can’t recommend Valdosta RV enough.
Carrying a package of balance beads for tire balance on the road in the case of….. I just installed an EEZ Tire Monitoring system (TPMS) on my Class A. It is noted in the instruction manual to be sure the valve stems have filters inside the tire so the beads cannot enter the system and make it unreliable.
Humm, maybe someone just wants to sell some balance beads?
Hi, John,
I don’t think so. When I read the tip last night I added our link to the balance beads, to make it convenient for anyone who decided to buy some after reading the tip. Every little bit of revenue helps support our newsletters and our efforts to advocate for, and inform, RVers. The link had nothing to do with the person who sent in the tip. But if you want to buy some balance beads, thanks for your support! 😉 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
“An anonymous reader suggests” . . .
I wonder why someone on THIS forum would be anonymous.
Hi Chuck. I have a pet peeve that maybe we can address here. Recently I noticed that when pulling my 5th wheel into interstate service plazas , individual cars are parking in the RV / Truck area so they can have easier access to plaza services taking up limited parking spaces. I wonder how many of our readers have experienced this and if it can be addressed. I’d love to see a $50 fine sign posted etc. It’s a hassle when you pull your rig into a service plaza and no spots are available because cars are using them.
Thanks