Issue 939 • July 23, 2018
This newsletter is brought to you Monday through Thursday by RVtravel.com and is funded primarily through voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you!
U.S. shoppers: Shop at Amazon.com
Canadian shoppers: Shop at Amazon.ca
QUICK TIPS
High-priced motorhome oil changes?
Not every motorhome owner wants to be his own mechanic – not even for oil changes. But we had a report from one RVer who said his local Camping World asks $165 to change the oil in a “gasser,” and pumps up the price to $300 for a diesel unit. He promptly got the appropriate oil filter and took his “gasser” to the local Walmart. In and out the door for $50. Not everyone trusts Wally, but just sayin’ …
Did we strike out with slideout advice?
Back in Issue 923 we offered a tip that suggested when retracting your slideouts, it would be best to stop retracting before the slide is all the way in, then bumping it in the rest of the way. We got plenty of feedback, essentially reminding us that not all slideouts are created equal. Paul Rider says his hydraulic slideout manufacturer instructs that their slides should be pulled in, and the switch held for a few seconds to allow air to purge from the system. Similarly, Randy Coleman advises his system could be damaged by the “stop-and-bump” method, a fact he learned through painful financial means. We’ve gone back and updated our original post. ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS if they should differ from the advice you get here. Thanks to all of you for the helpful feedback!
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS NEWSLETTER and others from RVtravel.com, will you please consider becoming a member by pledging your support? Even $5, $10 or $20 is appreciated. Many readers set up an ongoing contribution, typically $5 to $10 a month. Your contributions make it possible for us to produce 25 highly informative newsletters every month. Learn more or contribute.
Stinky holding tank odors? Here’s the solution
Eliminate disgusting tank odors for less than $1 per treatment with formaldehyde-free Unique RV Digest-It. Unique’s highly concentrated, non-toxic blend of tank cleaning microbes maintains clean sensors, eliminates odors and liquefies the solids in your tank, ensuring no backups. All without harsh chemicals or dangerous ingredients. Try it once and you’ll be shocked at how clean your tank can be! Learn more or order.
Answer to today’s email alert brain teaser: 11 cows. All but 11 cows died, 11 cows survived.
MORE QUICK TIPS
Free jack pads – just follow Randy
Randy C. tells us, “When we are ‘breaking-camp’ one of the last things I do is raise the jacks while seated in the driver’s seat. Once they are stowed, I’m ready to drive. At times in the past I have left the jack pads behind, because I don’t have a “reminder.” So, I took a clothes pin, painted it yellow to match the pads and clip it on the ignition key. If the clothes pin is still there I know the pads are under the coach, not in it. Just a simple reminder.” Thanks Randy! Guess it’s pointless to follow you around now!
Tire balancing
“Balance your tires. Uneven wear, once it is severe, can’t be stopped by balancing. Replace worn tires before starting a long trip. You don’t need the aggravation of replacing one on the road.” —From Trailers & Fifth Wheels Made Easy
Do you have a tip? Send it to Russ (at) rvtravel.com
Take Your Turns Seriously
If your vehicle lacks a built-in connector, pick up this Road & Home™ 7-Way Vehicle End Connector. Built with cord and socket casing made of ABS plastic, this connector withstands corrosion and impact damage for safe and dependable use on public roads. Shop connectors for cars and RVs today.
WEBSITES OF THE DAY
Love Your RV
Full-timer Ray takes you along on his RVing journey. You’ll find great tips about the lifestyle on this website, as well as his favorite RVing products, DIY projects and more.
TripSavvy
Whether you’re planning a trip or just want to learn a little about the world, TripSavvy is a great, easy-to-navigate website about all the cool things to see and do when you travel. Enjoy!
Check out the long list of great RVing-related websites from RVtravel.com.
A DEET-free mosquito and tick repellent that works! 
Well, it’s that time again (unfortunately). If you’re one of those people that mosquitoes love (we all know at least one person like this) this product is for you. This awesome DEET-free insect repellent works for mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects. Keep this one handy, folks. As RVers, there’s a good chance you’re probably going to need it. Learn more or order here.
Join us: Facebook • Twitter • YouTube.
LEAVE HERE WITH A LAUGH
Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip. —Will Rogers
Today’s Daily Deals at Amazon.com
Best-selling RV products and Accessories at Amazon.com. UPDATED HOURLY.
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, Greg Illes, J.M. Montigel and Andrew Robinson. Advertising coordinator: Gail Meyring. Marketing director: Jessica Sarvis.
ADVERTISE on RVtravel.com and/or in this newsletter. Contact Gail Meyring at Gail(at)RVtravel.com .
Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
This website utilizes some advertising services. Sometimes we are paid if you click one of those links and purchase a product or service. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc . RVtravel.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
RVtravel.com includes links to other websites. We cannot control the content and/or privacy policies of those sites. Please be aware when you leave this newsletter or any other section of RVtravel.com to read the privacy statements of any of those websites that collect personally identifiable information. Our own privacy policy applies only to RVtravel.com and its affiliated blogs.
This newsletter is copyright 2018 by RVtravel.com
WOW, and the pedestal circuit breaker on/off issue continues on.
Mike’s electrical tip says to have the circuit breaker off before plugging in or removing the plug so as not to pit the plug spades.
Was told by someone just as respected that using the breaker as an on/off switch was a contributing factor to weakening the internals of the breaker and causing arcing in the breaker’s contacts. After awhile the contacts get so burned that you either get a failure or diminished volt/amps due to the burning and/or pitting.
SOOO maybe all of the electrical wizards can get their acts together and decide if the RV public would rather have pitted plugs (easily replaceable) or ruined breakers that keep failing under heavy load and need the campground to round up someone to replace the breaker.
I personally vote to save the pedestal!!
Mikee, you need a better slogan such as “Viva la Pedestal” or something like that. Seriously, this is a complex issue for the reason you mention. All I can do is report what the National Electrical Code suggests, and what most manufacturers include in their operators manual. I do have a few contacts in both areas, so I’ll start a conversation going. However realize that one aspect that you didn’t mention was safety, and it’s always safer plugging into a dead-front outlet than a hot one. What price safety?
RE: Clothes Pin reminder. I can’t imagine someone driving off in their motorhome without getting out and doing a walk around or even two….one going one way, and the other going in the other way. Does Randy have other clothes pins for the awning, slides, water pressure gauge, surge protector, power cable, water hoses, sewer hose, tv antenna, compartment doors locked….etc.?
don’t know if Randy does or not but I have been using them for years, the sarcasm wasn’t required Ron. crow is such a nasty thing to eat sometimes.
We feel that the high pressure a dealership puts on buyers to purchase an extended warranty tells us that there is a lot of profit to be made for them and the insurer. Therefore we never buy extended warranties.
I had the same understanding, but a different perspective. The peace of mind an extended warranty gives me is part of what I’m paying for, and how much profit the seller makes on the sale of a product that offers that benefit is irrelevant to me. Whether it’s 100% or 1%, it changes my life not a whit.
If one can afford an expensive rig then have the cash available in case of a problem as battling with companies who are known to hide the small print and not pay without help from trade magazines is just more than I desire as dealing with companies who are designed to con & beat one up when it comes time to pay the claim then they say the dealer charged to much is another strategy they use..POOR investment for sure..Only buy what you can afford & support..I have been RVing since Dec.1977 so I know a thing or two..as they say.
In the item about slide outs Mr.Rider should not have air in his hydraulic system as it will severely affect his slideout(s). Air is compressible which could leave his slide out partially open or closed. He should have the air bled out of his system before traveling. As an industrial mechanic I have not seen a hydraulic system that self bleeds itself, they are sealed. That’s what makes them work so well. It’s really easy to bleed the system but unless you have experience it could be a very wet and oily experience. Lol
I concur as I have had the same working experience with hydraulics.
I tried it once myself. Just to save some money. I mean, how hard could it be, really? Right?
Next time, I’ll call Bob p. You should, too.
Re today’s question: Of course, for us full-timers, it depends on where we’re currently parked.
Are extended warranties worth it.
James, there are ONLY if your RV has lots of problems AND the company that you chose for the extended warranty COVERS those problems. If purchasing READ everything that they cover AND better yet what they DON”T cover. I chose to self-insure when I bought my 2002 Windsor PBT and unfortunately 3-4 years later I had a $6000 bill for replacing an Aqua-Hot system in my coach. That was the only event that the extended warranty would have paid for itself.
When I enquired about an extended warranty for our “new to us” 02 Mountain Aire with Good Sam I decided to put the $237/month into a savings account instead, so far I’m ahead of the game and the savings are looking good. From what I’ve read about most of them, they have so many ifs, ands, and buts that if you’re not holding your mouth the right way, they don’t cover your problem. After all they are in business to make a large profit and they can’t do that if the pay all the claims they get. Which is why the salesperson makes their commission by selling you on the idea of “bumper to bumper” coverage. NOT.
I agree,they will pick your bones like a buzzard and if something is not exactly to their liking they will deny..deny..deny.
I, too, agree extended warranties are not worth what you pay for. I often think of the warranty you get with a new fridge or stove. It’s for 2 years parts and labor. I expect them to last 15 or 20 years. I have more confidence in the product than the manufacturer has. As Bob says, bank what the premiums would be and you are most likely to come out far ahead in the end.
It’s just like life insurance you hope to never need it.?