Monthly Archives: May 2019

Top 10 Ways Not To Embarrass Yourself As An RV Newbie

29 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by in RV Information, Tips & Tricks

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

RV Newbie

‘I love embarrassing myself!’ said no-one ever. The only benefit of making a mistake is learning from it. Instead of making an RVing mistake that COULD cost you a bundle and possibly damage your ego, read on and learn.

  1. Know Your Height Clearance

Your RV has a height. But did you consider the addition of your air conditioner and other things up top? Here are plenty of people who didn’t:

If you RV in the east, you likely will have to be aware of your true height. If you are in the west only, you will encounter major height restrictions less often. You still must know it!

If you can’t remember it, write it down and tape it in your odometer area.

  1. Learn The Basics About Battery Care

RV Battery

Your RV batteries- there’s a little bit of a learning curve to understand them.

Basic Knowledge: 

If you have the common lead-acid batteries, you cannot let them go below a 50% charge. (Somewhere around 12.0. 12.8 is fully charged.) Sounds unreasonable, but that’s how it is. Going below 50% charge even once starts to kill the life of your batteries.

If you are lucky enough to have very expensive lithium (fairly rare, especially in an RV sold at a dealership), this rule does not apply. You can let lithium drain much lower before recharging.

Medium Knowledge: 

When you aren’t plugged in, you need to keep an eye on your batteries state of charge using a multimeter. If you have a battery monitor, you don’t need the multimeter. If you’re always plugged into shore power, then your batteries will be fine. They get charged while plugged in.

Deeper Knowledge:

If you are planning on dry camping with no generator for a few days, plan ahead. You need to know if your batteries will last x number of days without using a generator. And without going below 50%.

If you DO have a generator, keep an eye on your batteries. Don’t let them get below 50% before charging them back up.

  1. Know Your Length Restrictions

Long Road

Many campgrounds and parks have restrictions on RV length. Even some roads have restrictions, such as the Going To The Sun Road in Glacier National Park. You can’t drive it if you are over 21 feet.

What a buzzkill to find out that you can’t go to where you wanted because you have too long of a motorhome. Check lengths in the places you want to go to BEFORE deciding on an RV to buy or rent.

  1. Don’t Leave Your ‘X’ Out

Well, we all are capable of doing any of these pretty much any time. But these are a tell-tale sign of a newbie in a campground:

  • Leaving your antenna up
  • Leaving steps out
  • Leaving windows/bays open
  • Forgetting to unplug power/water/cable from the power portal
  • Leaving surge protector at the pedestal
  • Forgetting to chock the RV before disconnecting
  • Forgetting to close the sewer valve

It might help to have a checklist. There are some good RV checklist phone apps out there.

  1. Know Your Weight Ratings

This can spell a lot of trouble for you. It is VITAL to make sure you stay under the GVWR of your RV, and to stay under the towing capacity of your tow vehicle.

Watch for these numbers and stay well under them for best results. Also, if you buy a used tow vehicle, make SURE you know the rating of the receiver. If it was an aftermarket receiver, it could be low.

My Ford Raptor has a tow rating of 6-8,000 lbs. After I purchased the truck, I was in for a surprise.

My aftermarket receiver is only rated for 5,000 lbs. Luckily my trailer only weighs 4,400 lbs. Eeek!

You can weigh your trailer at a truck stop scale. If you have a trailer, here’s a guide on how to weigh your trailer, tow vehicle, and find out your tongue weight.

  1. Buy An RV You Can Handle 

Large Truck

 

The bigger your RV is, the more work it’s going to take to maintain everything. There’s more to clean, more that can break, you are more restricted where you can go, and more.

You might start as small as you think you can handle and go from there. You likely can live with much less than you think you can.

  1. Don’t Bring Too Much

Too Much ClutterThis especially holds true for full-time RVers. I sure as heck brought along way, WAY too much. I only have about 20% of what I brought remaining.

I even have a photo of my mess of an RV the day I moved everything into it.

I look at it now, and I only still have maybe 10 things in that photo. Everything else has been donated.

If you’re a weekend warrior, chill. Bring the necessities. A few changes of clothing, food, games and such. You will soon figure out what you do and don’t need!

  1. Wait To Buy Camping Memberships

I didn’t know about this one. Not knowing ‘how’ I was going to camp, I got myself a Passport America membership (which I never used, not even once.) Someone gifted me an RV Club Membership but I rarely used it due to my camping style.

Start by camping some first. THEN decide if you really do need ‘X’ membership. There are quite a few to choose from.

  1. Get a Surge Protector/EMS

Oh boy. This is a very hot topic, though it shouldn’t be. If you will be plugged into power, and 90% of RVs are, you need protection. One brownout could cost you ALL the electronics in your RV.

This is not something to fool with. There are tons of stories out there of people who regret not having one. There are also people who say that they have camped for 10 or so years without one, and they have never had a problem. Great. You don’t have a problem until you have a problem.

Don’t roll the dice. Get an EMS (Electrical Management System) or at the very least, a good surge protector before you EVER plug in.

  1. Have Roadside Assistance For Your Setup

Once again, it only takes one incident for you to regret not planning ahead. Getting roadside assistance ahead of time is vital to saving the big bucks if you have a breakdown.

Typically, your first incident will pay for itself. Whether it’s a tire change, a lockout, or you need towing to the nearest shop, it will cost you big bucks without protection.

Conclusion

Hey, we all make mistakes. Making some of these mistakes will cost you more than others. We hope at the very least you protect yourself with an EMS, as having electrical damage will cost you the most.

You are now fitted with the knowledge you need to look like a seasoned vet when you pull into the campground. Get out there and enjoy!

Do you have a recommendation for newbies that is not listed here? Shout it out below!

About the Author: Kelly Beasley

Kelly Beasley is co-founder of Camp Addict and loves sharing her enthusiasm for the RVing lifestyle. As a full-time RVer since May 2015, Kelly’s playful writing style helps make learning about the sometimes dull subject of RV products a bit more interesting.

RV ProtectAww Shucks!

Melissa A. ~ “The whole experience was so much better than expected. The young lady that help me was sweet and professional. The driver arrived well before they said he would. Thank you Coach-Net!”

6 Reasons To Camp In State Parks This Summer

21 Tuesday May 2019

Posted by in National Parks, The Great Outdoors

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

State Park Camping

It’s that time of year. People are pulling their RVs out of storage, cleaning them up, and getting ready to head out on their summer camping adventures. As an RVer, you are very likely among these excited folks, and you may be wondering what this year’s adventures will hold for you.

Our recommendation? Check out some state parks!

All too often, state parks are overlooked. Many people simply assume that private RV parks are the best/only option, while others skip over the state parks in search of the grandeur offered by national parks. This is unfortunate because it means some wonderful gems are being passed over.

Why not change up your plans this year and hit up some state parks during your travels? You never know what amazing new discoveries you may come across. If that isn’t enough to convince you, you may also want to consider the six points below.

State Park

#1: Low Rates

Camping might be one of the cheapest ways to travel and see the world, but that doesn’t mean camping fees don’t start to add up. State park camping fees tend to be much lower than the fees at private parks or even those at national parks. Obviously, this is a major bonus if you camp often.

#2: Surprising Amenities

You may not expect it, but many state parks actually have some pretty awesome amenities. A huge number of them have electric and/or water hookups, and many even have sewer hookups. Those that don’t have sewer at each site tend to at least have a dump station, and almost every state park with a campground has bathhouses for campers.

Besides those basic things, you’ll also find things like playgrounds, grills, fire pits, and more. We’ve even found laundry rooms at some, and at one particular location—in New Orleans—the laundry machines were free!

#3: Escape into Nature

Teenager In Cave

Generally speaking, private RV parks don’t offer much in the way of an escape into nature. National parks do, but they have their own set of issues such as lack of hookups and tiny sites. State parks offer the best of both worlds, giving campers a chance to escape into a natural environment without giving up certain comforts.

#4: Big Rigs Usually Welcome

As mentioned above, most national parks don’t have room for larger RVs. State parks will almost always welcome larger rigs into their campgrounds, meaning you can have low rates and a beautiful natural environment without downsizing your RV.

#5: Recreation Opportunities Onsite

In addition to the surprising amenities offered by so many state parks, each park also offers a variety of recreation opportunities, making these parks true attractions in and of themselves. Whether you prefer kayaking, hiking, or fishing, you’re sure to find a number of state parks that offer opportunities for your favorite outdoor activities.

On top of that, many state parks also offer ranger-led activities and even Junior Ranger programs for visiting children.

#6: Countless Choices

One of the greatest things about making state parks your camping location of choice is the fact that, depending on how far you’re willing to travel, you could easily camp every single weekend of the year and never visit the same park twice. There are so many state parks in this amazing country of ours, and each one is so unique that even just exploring the parks alone would keep you happily busy for quite some time.

Ready to start your state park adventures? Find out about the state parks in your area and get going right away!

About The Author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

RV ProtectAww Shucks!

Gary S. ~ “I have had Coach-Net for quite some time and they have always been very responsive and helpful. I’ve contracted with other services before and they have failed to live up to their ads. I have confidence in Coach-Net and have no hesitation in recommending this company.” 

RV Washers And Dryers

08 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by in Kids and Camping, Tips & Tricks

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

RV Washer and Dryer

Unless you are lucky enough to custom order your new RV from the factory, chances are it has some amenities you don’t need. When we purchased our first diesel pusher, it included the last thing we would ever want in a motorhome… or so we thought.

Enter the RV washer/dryer; it sat in one of the RV closets taking up valuable space that could otherwise be used to store clothes, linens, tools, or what-have-you, and we were not impressed.

Here we are, several years later, and we are true converts. While it is true that the unit is large, heavy, and takes up significant space, this is a small price to pay for the convenience a washer/dryer offers. It has really become a “must-have” go-to appliance in the years since.

Toddler In Mud

We travel with two teenagers and two pets, and my eldest daughter has a two-year-old, and he is sure to be traveling with us soon as well, so the washer/dryer has become a lifesaver. We now take the appliance for granted, and certainly noticed its absence when we had one RV that did not have one. Our current RV has this essential appliance and it is unlikely we would be without one if and when we purchase a new RV in the future. If you’ve never considered a washer/dryer to be a factor in your RV purchasing decision, here are some thoughts that may affect your decision:

  • You don’t have to turn around after leaving an RV park because you left a load of laundry in the dryer (yes this has happened).
  • You won’t have to scrounge for change in order to wash your clothes
  • You won’t have to purchase single-use wash detergent every time you need to do a load of laundry.
  • It’s very easy to do laundry after kids and pets get things dirty.
  • The space taken up by the washer/dryer may be compensated for by the fact you can pack fewer clothes and linens due to the convenience of onboard laundry.
  • Individuals who may have soap sensitivities don’t have to worry about residual detergent in the commercial public machines.
  • You don’t have to worry about changing your loads of laundry over between the public washers and dryers or leaving them in the machines while you are out, especially if the laundry facilities are busy and/or they close at night. This is especially relevant if you are out sightseeing and won’t be back to the park to switch your laundry.
  • The sheer convenience of being able to do laundry where and when you want

There are some other things to think about when considering an RV washer/dryer:

washer

  • While combo units such as ours are the most convenient, the wash load capacity is generally larger than the drying capacity. The easiest workaround for this is simply to wash smaller loads
  • You can opt for a separate washer and dryer units, but they take up more space and you will have to change your laundry over manually. This is not a major inconvenience for most people.
  • You can also opt for vented or ventless dryers. The latter is used in RVs that can’t easily support a vent installed on the outside of the coach. Ventless dryers take longer to dry the laundry and consume more water.
  • There are other options for washing clothes in an RV as well, such as washers that utilize the RV shower, as well as manually hand-cranked units. These are handy for the budget-conscious RV owner.

In summary, we have found that our washer/dryer has become an essential appliance in our motorhome, and the extra space it takes up is a small price to pay for the convenience it provides on the road. If you haven’t considered this appliance, or if you have previously dismissed it as an option, I highly recommend giving it another look.

 

About the author: Steve Froese

Steve Froese, an avid RV owner, traveler, and Coach-Net member since 2013, is the principal of “A Word to the Wise Technical Communications”, a published RV author, certified RV technician, and licensed Professional Engineer. He frequently collaborates with the “RV Doctor”, Gary Bunzer, and has worked with the RVIA/RVDA as a technical and training writer and consultant. Professionally, he works as a quality engineer and musician. Watch for more of Steve’s work in upcoming Coach-Net publications.

Tire DiscountsAww Shucks!

Patricia H.~ “Superior service any time I have needed it. No ID or signing things in the freezing cold. The Tech stayed until the it was safe! I love your hassle free, unmatchable service! Thank you!”  

RV Brake Maintenance

08 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by in RV Safety, Tech Tips

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Brake Maintenance

What type of maintenance is required for RV brakes? This is not a tough question to answer, rather a lengthy one as there are several different types of RVs and therefore, several different brakes that need to be covered so it warrants a forum like this to be able to answer it properly.

Types of Brakes

Motorhomes will typically have hydraulic brakes used on the smaller units and air assist brakes for the larger diesel pushers.

Hydraulic Systems

Hydraulic Systems

A hydraulic brake system uses hydraulic or brake fluid pushed by a master cylinder when the brake pedal is applied that goes to the brake pads at the wheels and applies the pressure to either a brake drum in older units or the disc/rotor.  This is a closed system, however, it can still absorb moisture through humidity and condensation that can contaminate the fluid.  Brake fluid can withstand very high temperatures, however, if contaminated the moisture will boil at a much cooler temperature and vaporize causing poor brake performance.  Therefore it’s important to not only check your brake fluid levels at every oil change interval or as recommended by your chassis manufacturer, but also change the brake fluid approximately every three to five years!  Again, check with your chassis manufacturer for specific recommendations.

Brake pads, rotors, and drums on older units should be inspected periodically by a trained professional looking for the proper thickness of the pads, even wear pattern, and grooves or excessive wear on the metal components of the rotors and drums.  You will notice a slight brown or rust colored “dust” forming on the rims which is normal as the pads are applied to the rotors or drums and wears off.  Excess dust forming is a good sign to have the brakes inspected sooner than the chassis manufacturers recommended maintenance schedule.  A “safe” thickness of the brake pad will vary with the type and weight of the rig as larger vehicles will require more pad than your car or truck.  Most states have a DOT requirement of 3/16” from the center of the pad, however check with your chassis manufacturer and a certified technician for your safe thickness recommendation.

Air Assist Brakes

Air Assist Brakes

Larger motorhomes with air assist braking systems use air to apply the brake pads so there is no master cylinder and no fluid to check or replace.  However, condensation and moisture can still form in the system and cause a weak braking condition.  These systems have an air reservoir tank to store the compressed air and a filter to help collect moisture and oil.  It is recommended to drain the reservoir tank regularly, typically every six months as water and oil will collect near the drain valves.  Some have an automatic drain valve feature, check with your chassis manufacturer for specific draining instructions.  The filter in the cartridge should also be checked periodically and changed every two-three years as a clogged filter can reduce airflow and weak braking.  Pads and rotors should also be inspected periodically by a trained professional looking for safe pad thickness, even wear, and excessive wear on the rotors.

Fifth Wheel And Travel Trailers

Fifth wheel and travel trailers have electric brakes that are operated by a controller located inside the tow vehicle.  This can be an add on system mounted under the dash or an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) system designed into the dash of the tow vehicle.

Fifth Wheel

With electric brakes, there is no brake fluid to check and flush, however, there are several areas that need maintenance and even adjustments.

As with any braking system, the pads and drums should be inspected periodically for wear and grooves.  Verify the brake pads are wearing evenly and have the “safe” thickness to stop your rig.  Most manufacturers recommend replacing the pads if they are less than 1/16” thick, however, for larger rigs, it’s a good idea to replace them a little sooner than that!  Also, inspect for cracks/chunks of pad missing as well as any moisture that would prevent the pad from gripping the rotor.  If you do need to replace pads, it’s a good idea to replace all at the same time so there is a consistent thickness all around.

When the brake pedal is applied on your tow vehicle, a signal is sent from the brake controller to a magnet on the bottom of the brake assembly which activates the brakes.  This brake controller can be set from 0-10 depending on the amount or pressure required to slow the trailer down.  It should not be set high enough to stop the truck when braking as this would cause a breaking loose condition when braking in adverse weather conditions.  Most experienced service technicians will use a gravel portion of their lot to set up the brakes, starting with the controller at about 4-5 and moving at a slow speed to manually apply the brake controller.  Adjust the pressure to the point the trailer skids on the loose gravel but does not pull the tow vehicle much.  Your brake controller owner’s manual should also provide information on proper setup.

With the wheel off and the hub removed, inspect the pads as mentioned above and also check the electromagnet.  Make sure it can move in and out of the cradle but is not loose or disconnected.  There are also wear indicators on the magnet that will show when it is time to replace it.  You can also check the magnet for proper amperage and resistance with a multi-meter.  Consult your brake manufacturer’s service manual for specific information.

Temp Gauge

With the wear of the brake pads, you will need to occasionally adjust the brakes with the star adjuster which is accessible through the slot on the back side of the hub.  This will provide the proper gap between the brake pad and the drum without needing to set the brake controller to a higher setting.  It is also a good idea to use an infrared thermometer to check the temperature of the brakes and hub while driving.  Once a day check the hub, brake drum, and tire to see what temperatures you have.  If the outside ambient temperature is 70 degrees, it’s not uncommon to register temperatures up into the high 80’s or even 90 degrees F.  However if the temperature spikes high, it’s a good indicator that the brakes are being overworked and need to be addressed.

About the author:

Dave Solberg: Managing Editor, RV Repair Club

For the last 25 years, Dave has conducted RV maintenance and safety seminars, developed dealer and owner training programs, written RV safety and handyman articles, authored an RV handbook reference guide and logged over 100,000 miles on the road in an RV.

RV Repair ClubRV Repair Club is your go-to online resource for enthusiasts who want quality RV maintenance, repair, and upgrade information – a community where passionate RVers can come together to gather knowledge and share their experiences.

Learn more about RV Repair Club.

RV ProtectAww Shucks!

Jim G. ~ “The young lady who assisted us was very kind, she listened to our needs and passed along the specific RV information to the service provider. The service provider used was local to us and very good. The service was efficiently, safely and expertly given.”