Issue 924 • June 26, 2018
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QUICK TIPS
Determining towing capacity
When determining the tow capacity of a vehicle be sure you know the rear axle ratio. It’s possible to have the same type and size of vehicle with the same engine and the tow ratings vary by several thousand pounds. The axle ratio is a comparison of how many times the drive shaft rotates, versus the rear wheels. A 4.10:1 axle ratio means the drive shaft or pinion gear rotates 4.1 times for each rotation of the rear axle or ring gear. The higher the numeric value the better the vehicle will tow. Some people have a misperception that a vehicle with four-wheel drive will have a higher tow rating than an identical vehicle that is two-wheel drive. In reality the two-wheel drive vehicle will have the higher tow rating. The reason for this is the transfer case in the four-wheel drive vehicle adds additional weight to the vehicle, usually close to 500 pounds, which lowers the tow rating by that same amount. Keep in mind that any weight you add to the tow vehicle takes that same amount of weight away from the vehicle’s tow rating and Gross Combined Weight Rating. From Mark Polk, RV Education 101.
No texting while bathing!
With electricity expert Mike Sokol
Appliances that don’t have a grounded plug are double-insulated and generally safe to use without an outlet ground. However, I consider ANYTHING that’s plugged into a wall outlet to be potentially dangerous if you touch it while standing in water. So don’t pick up that iPhone while you’re in the bathtub if it’s connected to a wall charger. It only takes 10 mA (milli-amps / 0.010 amperes) of AC current to be dangerous to your heart.
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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
Water pump wacky?
If your water pump runs a few strokes and then stops, only to repeat the sequence a few minutes later, you probably have a dripping faucet or a leak. In addition to all faucets, check the pressure fitting for a drip and the water heater drain plug for leaks. If no leaks are found, you probably have a malfunctioning pump pressure cutoff switch.
Under-rig cheapy creepie!
“I always carry what I call a ‘cardboard creeper’ in the bed of my truck. It stands straight up alongside the utility bed out of the way. I just got a new one, made out of the thick cardboard that made up the box our new TV came in. It’s glossy on one side and ‘cardboard’ on the other. Easy to slide around on and great for any kind of under-vehicle work. Not so good on wet surfaces, of course.” Hat tip to Tommy Molnar.
Do you have a tip? Send it to Russ (at) rvtravel.com
Amazon Deals of the Day!
Here are more than 1,000 special deals, just for today. And the items just keep on changing. If you can’t find a great deal here on something you want, then, well, you must not need anything. If nothing else, it sure is fun to poke around here to see the incredible array of cool stuff that’s available at this very moment at bargain prices! Click here for today’s deals!
WEBSITES OF THE DAY
Campground Map
Make it easy on yourself! Use this website to find every campground in the U.S.! Simply zoom 
in on a state (or area) and see all the campgrounds nearby.
Buy your hunting or fishing license online!
Here’s another link to make things easy. Buy your hunting or fishing license online – no need to go to a store and buy one in person.
Check out the long list of great RVing-related websites from RVtravel.com.
Double refrigerator bars ensure nothing moves while driving
I know it’s happened to me many times – I’ve opened the fridge (even slowly) after driving down the road and a heavy jar has fallen on my toe – “OW!” – because it shifted in the fridge. Never have that happen again with these easy to install double refrigerator bars. These spring-loaded bars can also be placed in cupboards or in closets. Order for a good price here.
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LEAVE HERE WITH A LAUGH
“If you run behind your RV, you’ll arrive at your destination exhausted.” —Thanks to George B.
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The answer to today’s email alert brain teaser: He saw the catcher and umpire.
RV Daily Tips Staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Managing editor: Diane McGovern. 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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Simple way to measure height of your RV.. One can use a 2×4, firm cardboard, or I used a thick shipping piece of Styrofoam w/small piece of wood on top and measured from the ground with a 30 ft metal tape..I just put the wood piece on the 2″ Styrofoam and slid it from a folding step ladder onto the A/C cover that way no chance of accident..Some old railroad bridges in my area only 10’5″ but when they repave the road that decreases so beware..
No, but I should measure it. I know it’s around 12ft. ignoring the two whip antennas that extend higher.
Two things… First, for those who have, or will, measure the height of your “DP”, make sure that the suspension is aired up first.
And Second, instead of bars holding your food stuff in your fridge, consider purchasing clear plastic bins. With the bins, you can organize your common items, you can pull out the bins to select the item in the back of the bin without having to shuffle through other stuff to get to it, and lastly, you can insure that everything will stay in place during travel without the worry of something falling out when you open the door(s).
Swim noodles cut to a longer width than the refrigerator shelving work great to hold food items in place.
I have neve measured the height of my Trailer (the mfg. gave me a hight #), but I increased the tire size so I am going to get a hands on reading so I can post it on my dash board for easy reference.
FYI, the campground map in this issue is missing a lot of campgrounds. Several where we have stayed and where we have reservations this summer are not on the map. Allstays is a much more comprehensive source of camp ground locations.
I agree our resort in Alamo, TX was not listed and neither was the resorts we stayed in FL.
The Campground Map website fails to mention several popular RV campgrounds in each of the five cities I checked.