5 Must-Have RV Kitchen Appliances

12 Thursday Aug 2021

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I’ve mentioned before that I think one of the biggest benefits of RV travel is the ability to cook literally anywhere you land. We’ve made dinner in Walmart parking lots and at the top of a mountain outside of Yellowstone National Park. We’ve whipped up a delicious lunch sitting outside of a movie theater and in the middle of the desert. This truly is an incredible perk, and one we take advantage of every single day.

When we’re boondocking, we tend to use our propane stovetop and oven to cook in our RV. However, when we’re in campgrounds with hookups, we much prefer to cook using the electricity that is included in our camping fees and save our propane for when we really need it. Not only does this save us money, it also makes cooking much simpler, cuts down on the amount of moisture we’re putting into the air, and helps keep the temperature of our RV down.

In order to cook with electricity and take advantage of all these benefits, we use a few different small kitchen appliances. The following are our top small kitchen appliances for an RV, and they’re items we think every RVer should consider investing in.

Instant Pot Duo

First, we highly recommend an Instant Pot. These are incredibly popular with RVers, and once you use one you’ll probably understand why.

Not only does the pressure cooking feature on these appliances make cooking a quick and easy process—much appreciated after a long day of exploring—it has a number of other features as well. Instant Pots can also be slow cookers, yogurt makers, rice cookers, and a number of other things, making them an incredible and versatile addition to your tiny RV kitchen that really does earn its place in the cabinet.

Instant Pot Vortex Mini Air Fryer

We also own and love an Instant Pot air fryer. The version we have is the Vortex Mini which is the perfect size for both storing in our RV and using our small amount of counter space. That said, it is limited in terms of how much it can cook at a time, so those cooking for more than a few people might want to consider the larger version.

We love to make fried potatoes and sweet potato fries in our air fryer, but we also use it for baking. We’ve made cinnamon rolls and biscuits in it, and have plans to try muffins. We find that our air fryer is much faster than our oven and it cooks much more evenly.

DeLonghi Dedica Espresso Machine

Okay, I’ll admit that this one is a bit unusual. That said, our DeLonghi Dedica espresso machine and the burr grinder that sits beside it are the two small appliances we use every single day without fail. We love our coffee, and have found that with a couple of easy modifications, this grinder and budget espresso machine actually make very good espresso.

In fact, it’s so good that we often find ourselves feeling disappointed when we purchase espresso beverages from coffee shops.

We love that the Dedica didn’t cost us an arm and a leg. We also really appreciate its small footprint and the fact that it’s lightweight. It’s also nice that the machine tends to stay put on the counter during travel (we are brainstorming better options though). I highly recommend this machine for RV travel, and I’m not sure we would be quite as happy on our adventures without it.

George Foreman Grill

Yes, most people prefer to grill outside, and I totally understand the appeal of that. That said, our George Foreman grill has been a staple small appliance in our RV since we started and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

We love that this little grill cooks meat quickly and with very little effort on our part, and we often end up putting it to use on the busiest days when we’re too tired to do much else. The non-stick plates are easy to wipe off, making cleaning up after dinner a breeze—even when water and tank space are limited—making this an ideal boondocking cooking method.

hOmeLabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker

Admittedly, we don’t have this particular appliance just yet. It’s high on my wishlist, but counter space in our RV is so limited I really don’t know where we would keep it. That said, if you do have the counter space to spare, this is an appliance you might want to consider.

The hOmeLabs Chill Pill creates plenty of ice for the average family and only takes 8–10 minutes to do so. Having one will save you precious freezer space and help ensure you always have ice for those iced espresso drinks or the beer or soda you drink around the fire in the evenings.

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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.

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Michael S. ~ “Kelly was calm, informative and assuring. She made a stressful situation much better. This was our first time being stuck/helpless in our RV and we’re so glad Coach-Net had our back’.”

Some Like It Hot…But Not When It Comes To An RV Fridge!

04 Wednesday Aug 2021

Posted by in Tech Tips

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As temperatures heat up this summer, so does the frustration of an ineffective absorption or “RV” refrigerator!  And typically insufficient cooling of the refrigerator is in the top three service calls right up there with batteries and air conditioners.

To make your RV refrigerator run more efficiently in hot weather, it’s important to understand how the absorption refrigerator works.  A heat source such as a flame when operating on liquid propane (LP) or a heat element when operating on 120-volt power heats a solution of Ammonia, Hydrogen, Sodium Chromate, and Water that comes from the boiler vessel.  As the solution gets hot, it turns to a vapor and travels up to the condenser fins where the components separate at various stages and create a flashing that draws heat out of the freezer compartment.  

The solutions travel back through the cabinet evaporator fins which can be seen inside the main refrigerator cabinet and make their way back down to the boiler vessel to start the process over.  There are no moving parts in this system and the solution zig zags it’s way back down by gravity. 

Here are 5 tips to make your refrigerator run more efficient in hot weather.

It’s Important To Be Level

Since the solution needs to travel back down the zig zag tubes of the cooling unit, it’s important that your rig is level for this to happen.  Most refrigerator manufacturers state the unit should be level 3 degrees side to side, 6 degrees front to back.  Since most of us do not have a digital leveling device that could tell us that, a good device to use is a bubble leveler that is typically provided with your new refrigerator.

If the bubble is breaking the circle, it’s ok.  This is one of the biggest issues with RV refrigerators as many owners bring their rigs home before a trip, park it in the driveway, and plug into the garage to cool the refrigerator down and load it.  Most driveways are slanted to allow for rain runoff and well past the requirements for the solution to makes its way back to the boiler vessel.  When it happens, the solution pools in the cooling unit tube which makes it heat up and eventually flakes and blocks the flow of the rest of the solution until it becomes solid and the unit does not cool at all. 

Routine Maintenance

Since there are no moving parts, most owners think there is little or no maintenance required for their refrigerator other than cleaning it out.  After all, our residential refrigerator needs no maintenance unless I forget the Braunschweiger hidden in the veggie drawer!  However, for RV refrigerators, there are a few things you need to do at least once a year to make your unit run more efficient.

Clean the roof vent if your refrigerator is not in a slide out.  The heat generated in the back of your refrigerator compartment needs to vent out either through the top of the rig or on the side if your unit is in a slideout.  The roof top vent has a screen covering the rectangular exhaust commonly referred to as the flue which can get plugged and needs to be cleaned to allow the heat to exhaust out. 

Next, clean the burner assembly and other components to get rid of soot, obstructions from spiders and other inspects and dust.  Use an air gun blower and clean out the entire outside compartment shown here.  This is a blow gun purchased at an auto parts store with a ¼” clear hose on the end with a pinch clamp.  Wear safety glasses as this will provide a shower of soot and dust but will prevent additional heat from collecting on the components.

Check the door seals to make sure they are making a good connection.  Place a piece of paper or dollar bill between the door and frame, shut the door and try pulling the paper out.  If it tugs slightly, it is good, however if it slides out easily, it is not sealing and warm moist air can penetrate the inside.

Cool Your Food Before You Go

Don’t put warm food inside a warm refrigerator and expect it to get to 36 degrees anytime soon!  If possible, cool down food before camping and get your refrigerator to operating temperature before you leave.  A typical refrigerator can only reduce ambient temperature inside the cabinet about 10 degrees per cycle which means it can take over 24 hours to bring a unit down from 90 degrees to 36 or even more.  Plus, if you add warm food, it will take longer. 

Since the freezer is the first stage of cooling, I have found it’s easier to keep the rest of the refrigerator cool by putting 5 lb bag of ice in there if you have room.  The more stuff you have in the freezer, the cooler the temperature is in the main ref cabinet…from my experience.

Also, limit the amount of can items in the main cabinet as they have a tendency to create condensation which can collect on the evaporator fins and cause frost.  This will give a false temperature reading to the temperature sensor called the thermistor and the refrigerator will not cool efficiently. 

Make Sure There Is Good Airflow Inside

Heat rises and it’s not uncommon for a refrigerator to create pockets of hot and cold air as there is virtually no air movement inside your refrigerator.  Use a small 9-volt fan placed on the bottom shelf to get air moving evenly around the inside.  Do not put plastic or other liners on the shelves as this will also block the air flow.  Check to make sure the thermistor is not covered in frost, if so you will need to defrost the unit.  You may need to raise the thermistor to a higher position on the evaporator fins as hot air rises. 

Cool The Back Of The Refrigerator Compartment

If possible, park your rig with the refrigerator side in the shade during the heat of the day.  Direct sunlight in the afternoon will heat the compartment and make it difficult to keep up with the additional heat.  The addition of venting fans will also help move the heat out of the compartment to the roof vent or slideroom upper vent.

These should be placed above the cooling unit just under the evaporator coil.  Smaller fans placed at the bottom are ineffective as there is to much obstruction from the boiler vessel and other cooling unit components.

Quick Troubleshooting

If your refrigerator is not cooling efficiently, check the operation on both modes.  If it is cooling on LP better than 120-volt AC power, you can verify it’s not the cooling unit, rather something in the 120-volt AC operation.  Generally low voltage or a weak heating unit.  If it’s cooling on 120-volt AC, then it’s something in the LP operation such as low LP pressure from the regulator, dirty burner assembly, or erratic flame operation.

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 Club

RV 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.

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Claire W. ~ “Coach-Net is a life saver to RVers when stranded out on the road. Service is provided in a VERY reasonable time frame.” 

Coach-Net Camping: Haley In Caprock Canyon

04 Wednesday Aug 2021

Posted by in We Love It. We Live It.

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Haley is back at it and hitting the road again! If you’re up to date on our blogs or follow us on social, you know that Haley is our fun-loving, funny & spunky office manager here at Coach-Net who LOVES to camp. This time around she makes her way out to Caprock Canyon State Park, where she saw some big Texas sunsets and said “hello” to some Texas-sized buffalo.

My fiancé and I headed out west to Caprock Canyon State Park in Quitaque, TX. One of my closest friends was getting married in Lubbock and it’s only an hour away so we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go camping. We’ll almost always choose camping over staying in a hotel.

We got there just when the sun was setting over the canyon. It was absolutely gorgeous! The west Texas sky is so big and there were buffalo roaming around. It was like a dream. That was just the park entrance. We found our site and set up camp. Setting up went pretty smoothly despite the plague sized grasshoppers jumping on the jacks and directly into our faces. Once we were settled, we went for a little drive. We took in the beautiful sky and stars. The town of Quitaque has just a little over 400 people so, everything was very quiet and peaceful.

The next day we woke up around 6 to see the sunrise. We made coffee and breakfast over a campfire and started our day.

We drove through the canyon and went hiking and swimming. I know I’ve mentioned this in the past but, I really love terracotta. I kept stopping on the trail to look at the dirt and rocks. It was all so beautiful. We read about how everything used to be under water. We found gypsum, terracotta, flint, obsidian, and so many seashells.

This was my first time to take the RV on a long trip. I was nervous at first but, it was actually a lot easier out west. The roads are long and there aren’t many people. Even in DFW I was pretty comfortable on the road. I’ve learned to stop worrying about taking wider turns and going a little slower than everyone else. Most people in Texas are pretty cool about trailers though. Especially when you get out of the city.

We’re already talking about going back to Caprock Canyon in October. Our next trip will be to New Orleans for OUR HONEYMOON! We can’t wait to see good live music and eat so much food! We will stop in San Antonio on the way. We aren’t taking the RV but, we will be staying in some historic homes.

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Jay K. ~ “Very happy with our experience with Coach-Net and the follow up on what could have been a real nightmare 400 miles from home at the start of a 2 1/2 Week family vacation. Coach-Net’s team really made the very stressful process of an “on the road repair” seem safe, competent, and easy and saved our family vacation.”

5 Unforgettable RV Trips in Iowa

04 Wednesday Aug 2021

Posted by in The Great Outdoors

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Iowa sits in “Heartland America,” sandwiched between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. A landscape of rolling plains, golden cornfields, and quaint Main Streets, Iowa is rich in culture, history, and activity. It’s waiting to be discovered and explored, cherished and memorialized in selfies. Load the family in the RV and turn the wheel towards the Midwest. It’s time to make some memories in the Hawkeye State.

Get Wet and Wild at Iowa Great Lakes

Iowa Great Lakes are a chain of five glacial lakes in northwest Iowa. This oasis is truly a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Open year-round, folks, young and young-at-heart, can enjoy every type of water sport and pastime imaginable, from sailing to ice fishing. 

Enjoy parasailing, sailing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and going on a glass-bottom boat tour in the spring and summer. In the winter, snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and hunting are on the agenda. Marinas and outfitters offer rentals and guide services.

Besides fun at the lake, visitors can play all day at Arnolds Park Amusement Park or Boji Splash Indoor Waterpark, tour museums, choose from a variety of delicious restaurants, shop till they drop, and much more. Plus, you won’t find any shortage in RV parks. There are easily a dozen campgrounds surrounding the lakes.

Travel Back in Time in the Amana Colonies

The seven villages that make up the Amana Colonies were established in 1856 in Eastern Iowa by German Pietists escaping religious persecution. Utilizing craft and farming skills learned overseas, the settlers maintained a nearly complete self-sufficient economy for almost a century. These specialty trades were passed down from one generation to the next.  

Today, the Amana Colonies have become a tourist destination, offering delicious German cuisine, arts and crafts, handcrafted furniture, and outdoor recreation. Seasonal events and activities are planned throughout the year. Festivals like Maifest, Wurst Festival, and Oktoberfest include food, great brews, live music, kids’ activities, contests, and so much more.

Besides hotels and bed and breakfasts, visitors can stay at the Amana RV Park. But it’s a good idea to check the Amana Colonies website beforehand to plan your RV trip around one of the annual festivals.

Venture Underground at Maquoketa Caves State Park

If you’ve had enough of the hot, humid summer weather above ground, try venturing below the surface in Iowa’s best caves.  Maquoketa Caves State Park consists of about 13 caves that visitors can walk or crawl through (for those serious spelunkers). A 6-mile trail winds through the park and showcases its most profound features, including enormous bluffs, geologic formations, forests, and scenic overlooks.

For more in-depth information on the geology of the cave formations and state park establishment, visitors can take a trip to the interpretive center. Best of all, everything can be accessed steps from your RV if you opt to camp at the park’s newly upgraded campground.

Explore the Charming Town of Winterset

What do covered bridges, John Wayne, and apple cider have in common? Winterset, Iowa, of course.

Winterset is the county seat of Madison County, also referred to as the “Covered Bridge Capital of Iowa.” What was once 20 covered bridges peppered in and around Winterset is now a mere six. These remaining historical structures collectively share the same name as the romance novel and movie adaptation, Bridges of Madison County.  They can all be explored while driving along the 82-mile Covered Bridges Scenic Byway. Plus, a great time to visit Winterset is in October, when the annual Covered Bridge Festival is celebrated.

Culter-Donahoe Covered Bridge, one of the covered bridges, sits in the historic Winterset City Park, which is right next to the Winterset City Park Campground. Located just minutes from downtown, RVers will want to set up camp here while they tour the town. 

Winterset’s town square is full of historical buildings and novelty shops, and eateries. The Madison County Courthouse stands sentinel in the center of the square. Folks will also find the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, the only museum in the world dedicated to the legend, nearby. The massive establishment houses “the largest diversified exhibit of John Wayne artifacts in existence, including original movie posters, film wardrobe, scripts, contracts, letters, artwork and sculpture, and even one of his last customized automobiles.”

Need a break from sightseeing? Head on over to the Winterset Cidery for a flight of craft cider concoctions. Sit out on the open deck overlooking the endless apple orchard and soak in a bit of the Heartland’s sunshine.

Fill up at the World’s Largest Truck Stop

Truck stops are essential for all drivers, RVers included. It’s where travelers fuel up and grab a bite to eat. It’s even better when a truck stop has even more conveniences like restaurants, laundry facilities, and a section for RVs to park and stay overnight if needed. While there are many of these travel centers around the nation, none compare to Iowa 80, dubbed the “World’s Largest Truck Stop.”

“Some say Iowa 80 Truckstop is like a small city, others have likened it to a Trucker’s Disneyland, all can agree it is a place not to be missed.” The website goes on to explain, “Iowa 80 Truckstop features eight restaurant choices, a convenience store, gift store, Super Truck Showroom, barbershop, chiropractor, dentist, movie theater, workout room, laundry facilities, gas islands, diesel fuel center, truck service center, Truckomat truck wash, Dogomat pet wash, CAT Scale, 24- private showers, trucking museum and more!”

Be Sure You are RV Road Ready Before Departing

There is a certain amount of preparation that goes into making your RV ready for any trip. While you are checking off your list of to-do’s, be sure to add “signing up for Coach-Net Roadside Assistance” if you haven’t already done so.  Coach-Net is your safety net for all of your RV adventures. Learn more here.

“As an RV owner, you owe it to yourself to have the protection you need when you need it most. You can rest easy knowing that Coach-Net has you covered.”

About The Author: Levi Henley

Levi Henley and his wife, Natalie, have been full-time RVers for over 5 years. They have also been Coach-Net customers for the same amount of time.  They travel and workcamp around the U.S. in their 26-foot Itasca Sunstar motorhome with their two cats.  They write for multiple RV-related publications and recently co-wrote “Seasonal Workamping for a Living: How We Did It.” You can follow their adventures on the road at henleyshappytrails.com 

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Mike S. ~ “I am very pleased I chose Coach-Net! When I needed you, you were there for me!”

Saving Energy On A Family Camping Trip

04 Wednesday Aug 2021

Posted by in Kids and Camping, The Great Outdoors

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There are now 94.5 million camper households throughout North America, with RV ownership at an all-time high of 13 million households. A little over 50% of RV users bring along their family when camping, according to Kampgrounds of America. Camping is mostly seen as a respite from everyday life, but parents may find that it’s also a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to learn how to save energy. Awareness and the practice of energy-saving lower the costs of camping, and lead to taking care of nature – the very thing that campers are enthusiastic about.

Clean Resources

Each family member should understand what green energy is in order to make good choices. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says that using clean renewables reduces the need for importing energy and decreases the use of “dirty” fossil fuels. Field trips, games, and role-modeling are some of the ways that even younger children can discover that solar, hydro, wind, geothermal and biomass are sources of clean energy. Through familiarity, each family member will be able to come up with ideas on how to make use of renewable resources to save energy.

Conserving Energy

You can start going green by using the most popular type of renewable energy. Install solar panels on your RV to conserve energy. Solar energy is practically free, and is obviously in abundance wherever you go, even when it’s cloudy. It keeps the appliances, lights, chargers and heaters going. If your campsites don’t have electrical hook-ups, you can still enjoy watching TV, have a cool drink from your refrigerator, or ensure you have light to read by at night. 

You can also reduce your energy consumption by hanging wet clothes on a clothesline rather than using a dryer. Wind is another free natural resource. Together with the sun, it can dry whatever you wash, and a clothesline can easily be constructed wherever you’re camping. Using less propane is also a good goal. The Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education says that propane is a popular choice for campers because of its portability, but it also produces carbon dioxide, the leading cause of climate change. Instead of propane, get that grill going and barbecue to your heart’s content. Cooking outdoors is an exciting activity for the whole family, and everyone can take part in the preparation and cooking.

Cutting Down On Electricity

Organize your fridge, and arrange your food and drinks neatly so that it’s not over-packed. RV fridges work best when there’s space for air to circulate. Find ways to lessen the need to open the refrigerator door. This will make it run more efficiently, and thus, conserve energy. 

Family members can take turns in cooking outdoors. It saves electricity and keeps your RV’s interior cooler resulting in less air conditioner use. Assign specific people to check leaks, cover vents that let the heat out, and identify appliances or anything that may be turned on, but is not being used.   

There are many more ways to care for the RV and save energy while you’re camping: the trick is to make it fun and treat everything as an adventure. Over time, energy conservation, even while camping, will be second nature to the whole family.

Author: Alicia Rennoll

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Tips for Finding and Using FREE Campgrounds With Hookups

21 Wednesday Jul 2021

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Last year, during our travels through the middle of the country, we discovered an amazing thing: free campgrounds. And not just your typical dry camping sites in a government owned park, either—I’m talking about campgrounds with water and electric hookups and often even a dump station onsite! This was a game changer.

You see, we’ve done a bit of boondocking here and there, and we have plenty more boondocking stops planned for the next couple of weeks. That said, it isn’t our favorite way of exploring. We normally use Thousand Trails campgrounds to keep costs low, but when we’re not near these campgrounds, we need other options that don’t cost an arm and a leg. These free campgrounds with hookups fill that role perfectly.

In this article we will talk about how to find free (and incredibly low-cost) camping with hookups, and then give you some tips for using these campsites.

What to Expect from Free and Low-Cost Campgrounds with Hookups

Generally, free campgrounds with hookups are located in city parks, but some can be found at casinos, county parks, and other locations. The rules vary from one park to the next, but many ask for a donation in exchange for your stay, and all the places we’ve visited limit your stay to a certain number of days. These seem like reasonable requests, considering the awesome thing that is being offered.

In some cases, we will find city parks or county park campgrounds that aren’t totally free, but are under $15 a night. I still consider this an incredible deal, and we will often use these parks as well. The rules and amenities at these places tend to be very similar to those found at free campgrounds.

Most of these low-cost campgrounds have a donation box available, in which you place your gift or camping fees. However, we have come across some places that require you to check in at the city hall, sheriff’s office, or even a local museum.

We’ve found free and low-cost campgrounds that are electric-only with nothing but a field of grass to park on. We’ve also found parks that offer full hookups (water, sewer, and electric) and concrete pads. Most have electric and water at each site and a dump station somewhere in the park or the town. Many are near the local pool, and the majority have a playground very close by. Once in a while we will come across a free campground with showers for RVers.

Every free or cheap campground we’ve ever found has been located in a small town, if not in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes the town might have something to do, or it might be 30–45 minutes from a big city. Other times, there isn’t much in the way of attractions for miles around.

Where to Find Free and Low-Cost Campgrounds with Hookups

Wondering how one might go about finding a place to stay for free (or almost free)? We usually use the website called FreeCampsites.net. As the name suggests, this site is dedicated to listing free campsites. It also includes low-cost campgrounds.

In order to find the campgrounds with hookups, I will filter my search to find only the campgrounds with the hookups I need. That said, sometimes a particular amenity may not be included in the listing, so if I’m having trouble finding what I need in a particular area, it does sometimes help to read reviews in case the thing I’m looking for isn’t listed properly.

Once I find something that looks like what I need, I don’t stop there. I dive deeper, reading all of the reviews on FreeCampites.net and then seeking out yet more reviews on other sites. I’ll also look for information about a given campground on its city website. This helps to ensure the campground is still in existence and as listed.

Besides FreeCampsites.net, there are other ways to find free and low-cost campgrounds. Some of the options we know if include:

  • Campendium — This works much like FreeCampsites.net and is often where I’ll turn second.
  • RoamFreely — This is an app that also works like FreeCampsites.net. It has some campgrounds listed that aren’t on either of the websites mentioned above, but it’s missing several as well.
  • Keeping your eyes peeled — Another great option is to keep an eye out for campsites that look like they might be a part of a city park or a casino. This works well if you take backroads often or enjoy visiting small towns. If you find some, stop and check. If it is indeed a free of low-cost place to stay, be sure to list it on Campendium and FreeCampsites.net.
  • Asking around — Finally, it never hurts to ask others about campsites they know of. Ask other RVers on Facebook groups and forums, or ask locals if they know of any great and inexpensive places to camp. You might be surprised at the hidden gems you can find.

Tips for Using Low-Cost Campgrounds

At this point, we’ve stayed in our fair share of these free and super cheap campgrounds. Along the way, we’ve learned a thing or two that help make our trips to these places a bit more enjoyable.

These are our top tips:

  • Arrive early — We are definitely not early risers. However, we have found that when it comes to free and cheap campsites, it pays to arrive as early as possible in order to snag a site.
  • Shower at the pool — As mentioned before, most of these campgrounds do not have showers for RVers. They also don’t tend to have sewer hookups at each site, making it necessary to conserve tank space. We’ve learned that the showers at the city pools are a great way to get clean and tend to be very low-cost.
  • Explore small towns — You might be far away from any true attractions, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth seeing nearby. Go into town and try the local coffee shop and eateries. Some of our favorites have been in tiny towns.
  • Look for historic markers — Even in the middle of nowhere with no true attractions around, you will see historic markers. Make a point of looking for these and stopping to check them out.
  • Be willing to drive to attractions — If you’re looking to visit a particular attraction or city, you might be able to find free camping as long as you’re willing to camp 45 minutes away.
  • Find campgrounds along your route — Even if there isn’t a free campground close to your final destination, there could be some along your route. Since we don’t like to drive more than 3 or 4 hours in a day, these campgrounds can be a great way to break up a long trip.

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.

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Robert T. ~ “Professional, knowledgeable and friendly. Wow, he took me step-by-step to guide me to the problem area and fix the blown fuses. I will highly recommend Coach-Net!”

Coach-Net Camping: Lake O.H. Ivie

07 Wednesday Jul 2021

Posted by in We Love It. We Live It.

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Mark has been working as our Sr. Business Data Analyst since August 2020. While he’s relatively new to our team, he’s no noob when it comes to RVing. He and his wife spent 2019 through late 2020 traveling around the U.S.  in there travel trailer. They recently took Coach-Net’s Airstream for a quick weekend trip.

  1. Where did you go?

    We went to Lake O.H. Ivie in Voss, TX for the Memorial holiday weekend. It’s about a 3 hour drive from our home in Granbury. It’s a very secluded and beautiful Texas lake where I used to go all the time as a child. It was my first time to visit the lake in over 20 years.
  1. How long was your trip?

    We only stayed in the lakeside RV park for 2 nights. We didn’t want to stay for too long as it was our 6 month old’s first time camping and we were not quite sure how it would go. As it turns out, she loved it and we could have stayed much longer.
  1. Was this your 1st time RVing?

    Actually, from 2019 through late 2020 we traveled around the U.S. and lived in an RV. We are very experienced RVers and love every minute of it.
  1. What’s the fondest memory of your trip? 

    This whole trip will be special because it was our daughter’s first camping trip. She absolutely loved looking out the big windows of the Airstream!
  1. Did you find anything challenging about your RV trip? 

    With the location being remote, we didn’t have any cell reception so that was challenging at times, especially when trying to meet up with family and plan things. It was also an unmarked RV spot on dirt paths with some very tight turns and close obstacles. We had to do a 180 and some fancy maneuvering but were able to get it there without a scratch or problem. These types of challenges are also a big part of the fun for me; maybe not so much for my wife.
  1. Would you go again? 

    Yes, we love to get on any lake we can and Ivie is so clear and blue which is a rare find in TX. The fishing is really really good there right now and never fails (but keep that on the down-low.)
  1. Where would you like to go next?

    We would like to visit more of the great state parks in TX. In our experience state parks, all across the US, is the best RV camping experience.
  1. Why do you love RVing?

    The best thing about RVing is that you can right into the attraction or scene you are visiting. You don’t have to travel back and forth between a hotel, you have everything you need right there with you.
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120-volt Power – Protecting Yourself At The Campground

07 Wednesday Jul 2021

Posted by in Tech Tips

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As millions of people hit the road this summer for a long awaited getaway in their RV, campgrounds across America will be packed with people.  And that means an increase demand for electrical power as nobody can “rough it” anymore with a single air conditioning unit and only one TV!  No we have to have both roof airs going, 3 or more TVs, the pod coffee maker, microwave, and everything else.  Electrical system and pedestals commonly referred to as shoreline power will be taxed to the max.  So it’s important to understand your electrical system, learn how to check the pedestal for proper polarity and voltage, and know your limitations.

Let’s start with a basic understanding of how electricity gets to your rig. 120-volt power can be obtained from three different sources. The campground pedestal through your power cord, a generator either onboard or portable through a power cord, or from the house batteries which provide 12-volt DC power to an inverter that can provide 120-volt power to a select few items. 

Since we are talking safety at the campground, let’s concentrate on the pedestal and the power cord.  The cord can be permanently mounted inside the service compartment, or a twist plug like the unit in the graphic.  Either way, the 120-volt power goes to the distribution center located inside the coach.

Inside the distribution center you will find a main circuit breaker that shuts off all power, and individual circuit breakers for the various appliances and wall outlets.  In most RVs you will also find a set of automotive fuses for the 12-volt operations although some manufacturers have design a separate set of push button type fuses located in another compartment. 

Power from these circuit breakers is routed through wiring known as Romex to the appliances inside cabinets and sometimes even embedded in the walls and ceiling during manufacturing.  That is why it’s important to check for wiring before adding anything to your rig that might require installing a screw into the wall or ceiling!

Back to the pedestal.  Most campgrounds offer a 15 amp, 30 amp, and sometimes 50 amp connection.

These all have a hot, neutral, and ground wire and can only be plugged in one way.  The 50 amp connection has two hot wires supplying the distribution center so it can handle a larger load.  Before plugging into the campground source it’s important to check the make sure the pedestal is wired correctly and has proper voltage.  This can be done with a variety of devices such as this digital tester.

The voltage should be at least 110-volts and not more than 124-volts.  Lower than 110-volts will still run appliances, however they will run slower and could cause damage to items like the fan motor in your air conditioners.  If you are plugging into a 30 amp outlet, you will need to use an adapter to check the voltage.  If you plan to use the 50 amp outlet you will need a different tester.

Another option is a multimeter which will tell you the voltage of any of the outlets. 

First, become familiar with the multimeter and the outlet.  Set the dial to AC which is the squiggly line under the A and hold both probes in one hand.  This will prevent electrical current from going through your body if something happens.  On a 15 amp outlet place the red probe in the small slot which should be the hot wire and the black probe in the larger slot which should be the neutral.  You should have a reading of 110-120-volts. 

To check for a properly grounded outlet, keep the red probe in the small (hot) slot and move the black to the ground which has a slight rounded side.  The reading should be the same, if not it is not properly grounded.  Refer to the graphic above.

On a 30 amp outlet refer to the graphic as well and see the hot is always counter clockwise to the ground hole.  Typically the outlet should be mounted with the ground hole at the top but always take caution first.

A 50 amp outlet will have one hot wire or slot on each side and the ground to the top with a rounded side as well.  Each hot slot should have 110-120-volts.

While this method will help check proper wiring and voltage at the time of measurement, it does not help monitor what the voltage does while you are at the campground and the temperature starts to rise and the hundred other rigs start to plug in. That’s why it’s best to get a surge protector such as this popular model from TRC that not only acts as a surge protector in case of a spike in voltage, but also shows the voltage, correct wiring, and amp draw that your RV is pulling.

A few final tips:

 Always shut off the main circuit breaker before plugging in any device to the outlet and turn it off again when disconnecting your power cord. 

If you need an extension cord, use the same gauge as your shoreline power and do not go any longer than 25 feet.

Water and electricity do not mix!  Standing water around a campground pedestal is dangerous.  If the pedestal or your cord is in standing water, stay away and get a qualified electrician and the campground management to come and drain the water and verify it is safe.

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 Club

RV 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.

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Pure Sine Wave Versus Modified Sine Wave Inverters

07 Wednesday Jul 2021

Posted by in Tech Tips

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An inverter allows you to use your RV batteries to run AC appliances. They come in all sizes, and systems can be built to run everything from desk fans to air conditioners (if you have the battery power). All inverters are not equal, however. There are a few ways that these devices turn the DC power from your batteries into AC, and not all of them work well on all devices.

What is a sine wave?

Source

The image above shows a sine wave. It’s a wave that oscillates between positive and negative numbers at the same rate over time. The next question is, how does that relate to electricity?

Direct current, or DC, flows in one direction through a circuit. To put it another way, when you hook up a battery to a lightbulb, the power flows out of the battery, in one end of the light, out the other end, and then follows the wire back into the battery. Graphing this electrical flow over time would result in a straight line.

Alternating current, or AC, moves both forward and backward. In other words, the power alternates direction. Keeping the graph above in mind, imagine the wavy line as electricity moving forward through a wire, then slowing to a stop, and then starting to move backward faster and faster until it reaches the opposite stopping point. This process happens over and over again. It’s kind of like rubbing your hands back and forth to create heat. The graph is a visual representation of that AC power sloshing back and forth.

The reason DC and AC differ in how they move has to do with how the power is typically generated. There is no need to go into detail about the mechanics of generating electricity, though. The main point here is that some electrical devices in our RVs like computers, LED lights, and phones run off DC power. Appliances like coffee makers, microwaves, fans, phone wall chargers, and TVs all require AC power in some capacity to function.

Unless you have a generator, which produces AC power, you are stuck with DC power from your RV’s batteries when your RV isn’t plugged in. An inverter will convert DC from your batteries into AC so that you can run AC appliances from your DC batteries.

How An Inverter Works

Imagine you have a flashlight powered by one battery. Since a battery is DC, the current will flow in one direction through the light to power it. Imagine you quickly take the battery out, flip it around, and put it back in the flashlight. The light would still work, but the current would be flowing in the opposite direction. If you could flip that battery around repeatedly at around 50 times a second, the current direction would be alternating.

That is precisely how a basic mechanical alternator works. Unfortunately, this method doesn’t produce a smooth sine wave because instead of the current gradually changing direction, it does so abruptly. The resulting wave looks like a square wave.

Source

A square wave will run AC devices, but many of them don’t like it. Things with motors tend to overheat, and electronic devices with a computer chip may not function at all. Fortunately, you won’t find inverters that produce a simple square wave for the most part.

Most modern inverters use various electrical components to produce what is called a “modified sine wave.” In essence, they try to gradually alternate current directions like true AC. The resulting graph looks more like a stair-step pattern.

Source

As you can see from the photo above, the modified sine wave looks a little bit like the pure sine wave pictured above. If your electrical device doesn’t need a pure sine wave inverter, such as an incandescent lightbulb, a heater, a toaster, or any other device that doesn’t really care what the quality of current is, then a modified sine wave inverter works great.

Unfortunately, when it comes to electronic devices such as computers, fluorescent lighting, speakers, AC motors (fans, refrigerators, air compressors), and some CPAP machines, a modified sine wave inverter doesn’t work as well. Aside from flickering lights and wacky computer issues, a modified sine wave inverter causes many devices to run inefficiently. In other words, power is lost in the form of heat. The result of devices running hot is a reduced lifespan.

Pure Sine Wave Inverters

A pure sine wave inverter, like the name implies, uses more expensive components that duplicate the pure sine wave that you would find coming out of a household plug. Anything you can run with a household plug will run just fine with a pure sine wave inverter.

Which one should you get?

It’s probably apparent by now that a pure sine wave inverter is the better of the two. Unfortunately, it is also the more expensive of the two. If you already have an inverter in your RV and are unsure of what type it is, your manual should tell you. If you don’t have a manual, you can always find the make and model on the device and google it to find out.

If you have a modified sine wave inverter, take a look at how you use it. Computers are probably not a good idea, but devices like laptop plugs that convert AC to DC with a rectifier will work fine. The disadvantage is it may wear out your laptop charger. If you run fans, fridges, or other devices with an AC motor using your modified sine wave inverter, they can prematurely wear. If you travel with a CPAP machine, make sure you confirm that it will run with a modified sine wave inverter, as some don’t.

Bottom Line

Upgrading to a pure sine wave inverter is the optimal choice, but most RVers can run many of the things they need with a cheaper modified sine wave inverter if it’s not in your budget. They just have to be aware of what they are plugging into it.

RV Technical Assistance Hotline

Basic electrical issues and other problems are common, and not everyone is an RV repair expert. However, did you know that your Coach-Net Premier Plan comes with access to the RV Technical Hotline? It’s available to you 24/7 to guide you through many common operational issues. Call the Roadside Assistance phone number on your member card to be connected to a technician.

About The Author: Levi Henley

Levi Henley and his wife, Natalie, have been full-time RVers for over 5 years. They have also been Coach-Net customers for the same amount of time.  They travel and workcamp around the U.S. in their 26-foot Itasca Sunstar motorhome with their two cats.  They write for multiple RV-related publications and recently co-wrote “Seasonal Workamping for a Living: How We Did It.” You can follow their adventures on the road at henleyshappytrails.com 

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Awesome National Park Programs You May Not Know About

07 Wednesday Jul 2021

Posted by in Kids and Camping, National Parks, The Great Outdoors

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It’s no secret that our national parks sites are absolutely amazing. From breathtaking views to incredible hikes to awesome history lessons, there’s something for everyone in these spectacular places. What many people don’t know is that in addition to keeping these parks, monuments, historic sites, and trails in tip-top shape, the National Parks Service also offers a variety of programs to enhance your visit to each location.

As a traveler, there’s a good chance you find yourself visiting NPS sites often. (And if you don’t, you should change that, because as mentioned above, these places are incredible.) Therefore, it only makes sense for you to learn about all of the awesome programs the NPS has to offer so you can take full advantage and make your visits as awesome as possible.

Unfortunately, if you don’t know what you’re looking for, finding out about these programs can be a little bit tricky. That’s where this article comes into play.

Below we’ve listed 6 amazing programs offered in the national parks. Determine which ones are useful to you, and make sure to use them on your next outing to a national park.

“America the Beautiful” Pass

First and foremost, we absolutely must mention the “America the Beautiful” pass. This pass allows the holder to enter all NPS sites without paying entry fees. The cost for this pass is $80 for 12 months. As you might imagine, it can be a huge money saver if you visit several national parks a year.

Other Types of Passes

Even better than the “America the Beautiful” pass are the special passes provided to seniors, military members, and people with disabilities.

Senior passes are provided for those ages 62 and older, and the cost is a mere $20 a year or $80 for a lifetime pass. Military passes are for current US military members and Gold Star families, and are free of charge. Lastly, the Access Pass is for anyone with a permanent disability, and is also free to obtain.

In addition to entry to the parks, these three passes all offer cardholders discounts on certain campsites.

“Every Kid Outdoors” Program

Another way to get a national parks pass is through the “Every Kid Outdoors” program. This program gives every 4th grader (and 5th grader for 2021 only) an annual national parks pass for free. The goal of the program is to ensure every child has a chance to see the majesty of America’s national parks while making memories outside.

The pass is good from September 1st of the child’s 4th grade year through August 31st of the following year, and can be obtained through this site.

Junior Ranger Program

Even if your kid isn’t in 4th or 5th grade right now, there is still an NPS program that is wonderful for them. The Junior Ranger Program is tons of fun for kids ages 5–13, and gives them the opportunity to be fully engaged in their visits to the parks.

To participate, simply visit a NPS visitor center and ask for a Junior Ranger book. These are usually free, but occasionally you may be charged a small fee. Fill out the book as you explore the park, return it to a ranger, be sworn in as an official Junior Ranger, and go home with a park-specific badge to display on a sash, banner, or anywhere else you see fit.

BARK Ranger Program

Have fur babies rather than human children? If so, the BARK Ranger program might be of interest to you.

Similar to the Junior Ranger Program, this program gives dogs (and kitties) an opportunity to join the NPS team by earning special badges. In this case, the badges are park-specific dog tags, and are earned by learning the rules of visiting a national park.

Volunteers-in-Parks Program

Last but not least, there is the Volunteers-in-Parks program. This awesome program gives national park lovers a chance to donate their skills and time in order to help improve the parks. It is open to all individuals, but children under the age of 18 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian.

In return for their efforts, volunteers who complete at least 250 hours of work in a single calendar year will be offered a volunteer pass that gives them free entry to NPS sites.

May contain affiliate links.

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.

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