Issue 983 • October 8, 2018
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QUICK TIPS
Stop slideout plumbing leaks before they start
Responding to a story we posted regarding water damage to RVs, Dave Telenko pointed out an area of concern that some RVers might miss. “Another spot to check is the kitchen slide. Not only the pressurized water, but the drain line that flexes back and forth every time the slide goes in and out. On our 2017 Forest River 34Q, there was such a leak. The problem is the mating of a soft flexible hose (bilge hose) into standard ABS (house plumbing) pipes with a compression type fitting. It didn’t work and leaked and would never work. I put a piece of metal on the inside of the soft hose and then tightened up the fitting and it was tight. I did try to pull it out and no way could I.” —Thanks, Dave, for keeping us “on the dry slide.”
“Have you ever removed the battery cover of your radio or another device to find the alkaline batteries covered with crystalline whiskers? If crystals have formed on the radio battery terminals, no worries! Try a cleaning product for calcium, lime, and rust removal. CLR brand is the product I use but others should work fine. Use an old toothbrush with just a little product to remove the crystals and corrosion from the radio terminals. Wash the residue off the terminals with clear water —the terminal will shine as new. Caution: Be careful not to allow any liquid to enter into the radio’s case. Allow 24 hours to pass before using.” —Thanks to Hugh Rae. [Editor: There are several types of calcium, lime and rust removers available here.]Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
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Unique RV Overnight Experiences at 600+ Wineries, Farms and More
With a Harvest Hosts membership (just $49/year), you can stay overnight at more than 600 wineries, farms, breweries and other attractions in North America for free! Harvest Hosts offers a unique alternative to traditional campgrounds, where members can meet interesting people, taste great wines, eat fresh produce and stay in peaceful settings. Learn more here.
Today’s brain teaser (answer below): What is higher without the head than with it?
MORE QUICK TIPS
Important to know when buying new tires
Need new tires for the rig? It may be best to stick with the same tire specification as the original equipment. If you do decide to change specs, make sure you always match up your tire and wheel capacity. For example, NEVER mount a 3,000-pound capacity tire on a 2,000-pound capacity wheel.
Full-time RVers, beware of this insurance issue
People who live in their RVs more than 150 days per year are apparently full-timers by many insurance companies. Full-time RVers will need to obtain a full-timers comprehensive personal liability policy. This policy will change the coverage to be similar to your home insurance. Anyone injured inside can make a claim against you, and this type of coverage is designed to cover such claims. Many full-timers don’t realize they need this coverage until their insurance claims are denied because their RV is their primary residence. Another benefit of this coverage is higher limits of insurance on the contents of your rig. You are living full-time and the rig is your home. All that “stuff” you have should be covered. Of course, the policy premium depends on the size of the deductible you set up. We try to have a $500 emergency fund just to cover deductibles. — From “So, you want to be an RVer? And Enjoy the RV Lifestyle? [Revised]“
Do you have a tip? Send it to Russ (at) rvtravel.com
Saturday Before the Game – Is Your RV Tailgate Ready?
Tailgating and RVs go together like fall weekends and football. Enjoy the comforts of home and the company of the crowd! Ensure your RV is ready for the big game by tackling those minor repair jobs before they turn into big ones. Visit your local Lowe’s to stock up on Road & Home™ RV repair and replace parts today.
WEBSITES OF THE DAY
The best things to do in October in the U.S.
The title says it all! This article from Travel + Leisure lists the neatest things to do in the month of October all across our beautiful country.
Pack your RV for winter travel
This is a helpful article to prepare you for traveling in your RV during the cold months ahead. Lots of good information, including packing lists, winter gear and emergency kits to keep on hand.
Check out the long list of great RVing-related websites from RVtravel.com.
JOIN THE NEW FACEBOOK GROUP: RV Horror Stories (A place to share your story about a new RV you recently bought that is riddled with defects that your dealer or manufacturer can’t or won’t repair.)
The only tool you’ll need!
This multifunctional tool is seven in one! This heavy-duty pen tool features a handy tablet or smartphone stylus, a sturdy screwdriver, a bubble level, a universal inch/cm ruler and a handy Phillips screwdriver flathead bit, and it’s only the size of a pen! Perfect for any weekend project, and it even makes a great stocking stuffer. Learn more or order.
Answer to today’s brain teaser: A pillow
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LEAVE HERE WITH A LAUGH
A child goes to his father and asks, “Father, how do parents think of names for their children?” The father answers, “Well, son, the night before the mother gives birth, the father goes into the woods and camps for the night. Tradition is, when he wakes the following morning, the first thing he sees is what he names his child, which is why your sister is named Soaring Eagle. Why do you ask, Bear Poop?”
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.
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I would pay to store my RV, but every place within a 35 mile radius has a waiting list.
If I ever win the lotto, I won’t buy campgrounds, I’ll buy parking lots. RV storage seems like a good way to make some income.
Headspace is higher without the head as well (space-like the outer alien ? kind)?!
What is higher without the head than with it?
The level of beer in a full glass.
This just came to me as I was drinking a glass of beer…
“What is higher without the head than with it? ”
Pillow
Not sure about others, but when my head is on my pillow, it is higher than just the pillow. If they are considering the head pushes the pillow down, then it would be true.
The links in the RVing related websites aren’t working.
In response to searching for water leaks in a camper= someone mentioned this awhile back. I found line/fitting leak in our first camper when not connected to city water and pump is on. pump will cycle with NO water used means you need to go find the leak!!!!!
Been trying to join the forum put my info in and it told me to check my email for a confirmation, still nothing, how long does it take?
Me, too. Same problem.
Louise Mellon
There should be a third option for the poll for full timers – n/a i always use my rv
That was going to b my commnt!
I guess we were lucky when we bought our house (30 years ago!). We were not RV’ers then. There was a gate with access to the side and backyard – and it didn’t work. Who cares, right? So we buy our first trailer a few years later, fix the gate and fence, and we’ve been parking our stuff out there ever since – just like everyone else on the street. I’d say over 50% of all our neighbors have RV’s of some kind, along with ATV’s, side-by-sides, boats, you name it. There is NO HOA and no CC&R’s. We just happened to buy in the right place – by accident. Had we not had the ability to park our first trailer in the yard, I doubt there would have BEEN a first trailer!
I don’t have a place to park my class A on my property. So I must pay to store it. I’m not rich so the $600.00 per year fee means I can’t afford the gas on one trip. Our city has a dumb rule that says if anyone complains about your rv parked in front of your house then you must move it to storage. 100k people in my town and only 2 have been cited for it. Me and one other. It’s pretty tough to drive around my city and see all of the other rvs parked in front of their homes on the street. I have an old lady &×?€%= that lives down the street that turns me in. The city won’t give me an exemption even though it is the only way I can transport my handicap wife. It doesn’t fit into an ADA rule. Also they asked the local GoodSam chapter if this was a reasonable law and they said yes. No one asked me. All of thoes GoodSam members no longer drive their rvs or are dead. At the time they were asked the members all had an off street places to park their rvs. Real fair!
Selective enforcement is entirely actionable in most places. if the only basis is whether someone objects. Laws don’t change based on whether you feel like enforcing them that day.
You would have an especially strong case with your ADA infringement (it IS illegal to ban a wheelchair van, for example).
I would like to see reviews on randomly selected campgrounds across the country.
Go to rvparkreviews.com where you will have more reading than you ever thought about.