Keep The Bugs Away Naturally During Summer Camping

08 Thursday Aug 2019

Posted by Coach-Net in The Great Outdoors, Tips & Tricks

Tags

Bug Deterrent, Bugs and Lights, Camping, Camping WIth bugs, Naturally Get Rid Of Bugs, RV bathroom

Everyone knows that summer is the time to get out in nature and camp. Unfortunately, this is also when the bugs tend to come out, something that can make your summer camping trips a little less fun. After all, who wants to walk around with dozens of mosquito bites or deal with constantly batting flies off their arms and legs?

Sure, you could layer on the chemical-laden bug spray and keep them away, but many people would rather not expose their skin to the stuff. Besides, these types of bug sprays won’t keep the little pests away from your food or out of your RV.

Fortunately, there are plenty of natural remedies for keeping bugs at bay. Use these to avoid chemicals, keep your campsite insect-free, and thoroughly enjoy your next camping trip.

Make Use of Fire

Fire is surprisingly useful for keeping bugs away. Light a campfire or set out some lit citronella candles. Either way, you’re sure to see a decrease in bugs, and if you sit close enough to the flame, they’ll likely stop bothering you.

Change Out Your Lights

Traditional lighting tends to attract insects. Try replacing your traditional outdoor lights with LED lights. These won’t draw the bugs toward your rig, meaning you can better enjoy your evenings outside.

On top of that, LED lights use less electricity and put off less heat—both major bonuses to those who are camping in the summer, especially those who are boondocking.

Cover Up

Dressing in long pants and long sleeves may seem miserable, but it’s not actually as bad as you might think, and it is one of the most effective ways to keep tiny pests off your skin. Just reach for loose-fitting, light-colored garments and you’ll be plenty cool enough and bug-free. As an added bonus, you’ll also be protected from sunburn.

Another way to cover up without wearing more clothing is to set up a screen tent. This is an ideal solution for mealtimes when the flies may be especially keen to join you and share in your food.

Try Repellent Alternatives

Sometimes, simply finding a good chemical repellent alternative is a perfectly fine solution to this problem. Many people use baby oil for this purpose, and it seems to work quite well. Bracelets like these are another great option. Finally, there is the option of using essential oils.

The following oils are ideal for this purpose:

Citronella
Lemon
Peppermint
Eucalyptus
Lavender
Basil
Clove
Lemongrass
Thyme
Geranium

Grab a Fan

Lots of campers like to set up an oscillating fan to keep the air moving and stay cool while outdoors. What many of them don’t know is that this is actually an effective way to keep flying bugs away. The moving air makes it more difficult for them to fly near your site, encouraging them to stay back.

Shower Often

Lastly, we must mention the simple option of showering more often. This isn’t 100% effective, but it does help a little. You see, many bugs are attracted to sweat, something that does tend to accumulate during summer camping trips.

By showering daily, you remove some of that sweat, making yourself less attractive to many insects.

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.

Debra B. ~ ” You are awesome! My towing bill was paid for before I even got out of the truck! Absolutely hands down the best in customer service, caring, professionalism and kindness.”

Replacing a Leaky RV Faucet

06 Thursday Jun 2019

Posted by Coach-Net in Tech Tips, Tips & Tricks

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

RV, RV bathroom, RV bathroom hacks, RV Camping, RV water leaks

It’s human nature to overthink some of life’s simple problems, like RV repairs. Don’t let the idea of RV home improvement projects scare you. Sometimes repairing broken RV equipment is much easier than you think, such as learning how to replace a leaky RV faucet.

One of the Easiest RV Repairs You’ll Ever Make

As full-time RVers my husband and I spend more time than most in our fifth wheel. Home repairs that were easy to set aside when we lived in a sticks-and-bricks house aren’t as easy to ignore for our home on wheels. Leaks and squeaks are constantly in our face and delayed repairs can lead to bigger, more expensive problems. So when our bathroom faucet started leaking, we took immediate action.

If you’ve never had to make this RV repair, you’ll discover that it’s easy to replace a leaky RV faucet. You probably won’t need tools to do it and what’s even better is that most RV bathroom faucets can be swapped out with a higher quality residential faucet. Our local hardware store carried a stylish brushed copper model constructed with brass fittings. It perfectly matched our other fixtures, so we went to work.

How to Replace a Leaky RV Faucet

Step 1: Turn off our water supply at the source. Go inside and lay a towel inside the bathroom cabinet.

Step 2: Unscrew the hot and cold connectors for the existing faucet. The connectors should only be hand tight. If you need a wrench or channel lock pliers to loosen them, use care so that you don’t crack the fittings. Once loose, slide the connector back along the Pex tubing.

Step 3: Remove the plastic retaining nuts from the threaded faucet water supply pipes that hold the fixture in place. Then lift the faucet up and away.

Step 4. Check the mounting area for water damage. Hopefully there won’t be any. Next, clean the area then insert the new faucet into the holes.

Step 5. Secure faucet in place by finger-tightening the retaining nuts. Insert the hot and cold water supply lines to their corresponding sides, and slide the Pex connectors up then finger-tighten them onto the fixture to seat the supply lines. For extra protection against water leaks, wrap Teflon Pipe Thread Seal Tape around the threads of both brass fixture fittings before tightening the Pex retainer nuts. You’ll find this step easier if you apply the tape before mounting faucet into place. You may also want to add a thin layer of Plumber’s Putty Tape under the faucet fixture to prevent splashed water from seeping underneath.

Step 6: Double-check all connections, then turn on the exterior water supply line and inspect for leaks.

One of the trade-offs of the full-time RVing lifestyle is accepting that things come loose and wear out sooner in traveling homes on wheels. Thankfully, many RV home repairs are often much easier and less expensive than they may seem. RVing is a simple, cost-effective lifestyle that we wouldn’t trade for anything.

About the author: Rene Agredano

Rene Agredano, a Coach-Net member since 2015, is a self-employed full-time RVer who enjoys writing, jewelry design and animal advocacy. Her adventures with a three-legged dog and husband Jim are chronicled at LiveWorkDream.com

Patricia T. ~ “Although we have had Coach-Net for a long time, this was our first call for assistance. The person we talked to was extremely helpful, polite and, best of all, helped us resolve our problem. Thank you!”

Improving Your RV Shower

03 Wednesday Apr 2019

Posted by Coach-Net in Tech Tips, Tips & Tricks

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

RV bathroom, RV bathroom hacks, RV Improvement, rv shower, RV tech tip, RV Tips, RV Water Heater, Shower Tips

Nobody can deny that being able to take a hot shower anywhere you travel is one of the very best parts of RVing. The problem is, most RV are small and run out of hot water quickly. Besides, who likes dealing with all the toiletry bottles falling from the sides of the tub while driving, or using those little built-in shelves?

Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your RV shower situation. By changing just a few things, you can make the fact that you can shower in the middle of the woods or in a Walmart parking lot even better than ever. Why not get started today?

Curved Curtain Rod

Let’s start by addressing the issue of size. Nobody likes turning around in a tiny shower only to have the curtain stick to them as they go. The solution to this annoying problem? A curved shower curtain rod. Curved shower curtain rods take the middle of the curtain out away from the side of the shower, giving you more room to move as you wash up.

Pressurized Shower Head

With your space problem solved, it’s time to tackle the problem of too little hot water. A pressurized shower head uses air to increase the water pressure without using as much water. This, in turn, empties your hot water tank much more slowly, resulting in more hot water for longer. Another major bonus is that you’ll use less of your fresh water, thus taking more time to fill your gray tank when boondocking.

Tankless Water Heater

If the new shower head doesn’t do the trick and you still find yourself running out of hot water, you’ll need to turn to the water heater itself. An on-demand tankless water heater can solve this problem for good, leaving you with hot water whenever and wherever you need it. Just be sure to invest in an RV-specific heater in order to ensure you can run the heater while off the grid.

Wall-Mounted Soap Dispensers

Tired of picking your shampoo bottle up off the bathroom floor? Want to be done with moving everything off the shower shelves for moving day? Wall-mounted soap dispensers are a great solution. Simply mount one for your shampoo, one for your conditioner, and one for body wash, and you’ll never have to deal with unwieldy bottles again.

Command Hooks

Nobody likes drying off with a damp towel, and this becomes even more annoying when the towel isn’t even within reach of the shower when you’re ready to dry off. Command hooks are the quickest and easiest way to fix this issue. Simply hang one or two heavy-duty hooks on the wall nearest your shower and leave your towel on a hook to dry after each shower. Then, when it’s time to dry off the next time around, your towel will be dry and within reach.

Have an RV shower tip you’d like to share? We’d love to hear about it! Comment below to help your fellow RVers get the most out of their RV bathrooms.

David R. ~ “Thank you for the great service, especially for this grumpy old man. Sandra was determined to find someone to change my tire. But I had a lug nut that would not come off. You were concerned for me and got me towed. You called me back 2 times to make sure I was taken care of. Now that is what I call teamwork.“

RV Bathtub Replacement Tips and Tricks

09 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by Coach-Net in RV Information, Tips & Tricks

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Camping DIY, DIY, RV, RV bathroom, RV bathroom hacks, RV bathtub

One of the first lessons we learned after starting to full-time RV is that homes on wheels are built for the road in more ways than one. For instance, after just a few years of everyday use, we had to learn the fine art of RV bath tub replacement. Here’s what we discovered:

DIY RV Bath Tub Replacement isn’t Too Difficult

In order for RVs to remain lightweight enough for the rigors of the road, durability sometimes gets sacrificed inside the rig. When it came to our four year-old fifth wheel, the first spot that showed wear and tear was in one of our most used appliances: our RV bathtub. Too small for a real bath but large enough for comfort when showering, the bathtub floor developed a hairline crack seemingly overnight.

We worried that water might be dripping through the crack, so we quickly applied Eternabond Waterproof Sealing Tape to the area. Normally used for repairing rubber RV roof leaks, Eternabond tape (and others like it) were made for repairing fiberglass boat hulls – so you know it’s durable. Rolls come in various widths and lengths.

We knew it wasn’t a permanent fix, but the Eternabond tape kept the crack in our RV bathtub watertight long enough for us to take our time researching the next step in this major RV repair: a total DIY RV bath tub replacement.

Replacing our RV bath tub and the surround unit seemed daunting at first. But once we gathered all the right parts and researched the replacement steps before tackling the actual job, it didn’t take more than a day’s work to get it done. This video gives an overview about how we did it, but keep reading for more detailed tips:

Things You Need to Know to Replace a RV Bathtub and Surround

Don’t try to salvage the original tub surround.

We’re frugal, so we wanted to salvage the tub surround. Unfortunately we found it incredibly difficult to remove intact, clean and re-install. We had to carefully remove all caulk, then use a flat pry bar release adhesive from behind the surround. – without cracking it. If we could do it again, we would spend the money for a new surround. The time we could have saved would have been worth the added expense.

Be prepared for the unexpected.

Once your plumbing is removed and the job is underway, you will be without water until you are done. Be prepared with extra water for as long as it may take to finish the job—which may be longer than you had planned.

Also, keep in mind that you don’t know what might be lurking underneath your RV bathtub until you actually rip it out. Thankfully we didn’t find dry rot but we did discover that our new RV bath tub was too shallow for the skirting (or apron) around it. In order to make the new tub fit, we had to come up with a hack. We could cut down the apron framing around the tub – or take the easy way out by fabricating a riser to go underneath the tub. We simply cut 1/2″ thick plywood to fit the tub platform, then cut a hole for the downspout. We attached this riser to the platform with drywall screws, being careful not to pierce any plumbing. This raised the platform just enough so our new tub sat firmly on the ground. If we had the opposite problem (a RV bathtub that was too tall), we would have created a riser for the apron framing.

Take Careful Measurements and Order the Right Parts

Finding the perfect replacement RV bathtub was difficult. We wanted a fiberglass RV tub, but decided upon the more common ABS Plastic RV Bathtub after reading Amazon product reviews explaining how the fiberglass bathtub suitable for our RV did not match the manufacturer’s specified dimensions. When we pulled the trigger and ordered our new tub, we not only received the wrong color tub due to a poor product description, but the drain was on the wrong side.

To avoid the hassles and waiting times we endured, take precise measurements of your current tub, including the length, width, and depth. And make note of which side your drain is on.

If you live full-time in in your RV, know that there will come a time when you need to replace the RV bathtub (or shower pan). Thankfully, many people have tackled a DIY RV bathtub replacement ahead of you, so don’t despair when it’s your turn. The job isn’t nearly as hard as you think it is if you do your homework, talk to other RV owners and visit helpful websites like the RV Repair Club.

About the author: Rene Agredano & Jim Nelson

Ronald E. ~ “Mary was very friendly and made sure I was taken care of. She continued to keep me informed. Won’t leave home without.”

4 Fabulous RV Bathroom Hacks

19 Thursday Apr 2018

Posted by Coach-Net in RV Information, Tips & Tricks

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

RV bathroom, RV bathroom hacks, RV hacks, RV Tips, RV tips and tricks, tips

There is absolutely no denying the fact that RV bathrooms are tiny. While this does make sense considering the size of the overall space, it can make some things a bit more difficult than they need to be. For instance, getting ready each morning might be a smidge more challenging. What’s more, storing all of your toiletries and other bathroom necessities in such a small space can seem absolutely impossible at times.

Fortunately, there are ways to make good use of the space you have by implementing some clever ideas that fellow RVers have come up with.

Here are a few of my favorite hacks for making efficient use of RV bathroom space.

#1: Add a Tension Rod (or Two)

Many RVers have trouble finding places to hang wet towels and bathing suits. This becomes especially difficult when the weather turns rainy and hanging things outside is no longer an option. In these cases, one must get creative.

One of the easiest and most creative solutions I’ve found is to hang a simple tension rod across the back of the shower. Hang wet towels on this rod to dry, and remove them when the shower will be in use.

You can also use tension rods under the sink to hang spray bottles. This is a great way to clean up a cluttered under-sink cabinet, especially if you have a lot of cleaning products.

#2: Go Over the Door

Over-the-door storage solutions are some of my favorite ideas. They are incredibly easy to implement, and can actually make use of some space that would be completely useless otherwise. While not all RVs have bedroom doors, you can almost always count on an RV having a bathroom door, and this means you get some really great storage in the bathroom area.

To make the most of this, start by hanging a shoe organizer over the door, facing out into the RV. This can be used to store items such as makeup, hair brushes, and curling irons. A transparent shoe organizer works best for this because it allows you to see where each item is stored. However, a colored one can work as well.

With the shoe organizer hung facing out, head to the backside of the door and hang an over-the-door towel rack there. This will give you extra towel-hanging space, as well as a place to keep your robe or anything else you may want to hang.

#3: Make Use of Magnets

A magnetic board hung on an open bathroom wall or in the backside of a cabinet door is a fabulous place to store small containers of makeup, bobby pins, and even toothbrushes and toothpaste. Just add sticky-back magnets to the back of anything you’d like to hang on the board, and go to town hanging your bathroom items from this easily accessible board.

#4: Hang Baskets

Many modern bathrooms boast shelves for holding extra toilet paper and towels. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work out too well in an RV where everything will fly off the shelves the moment you hit the road. What does work instead is hanging a set of nice matching baskets from the wall. These can be used to hold rolled-up towels, as well as hair dryers and curling irons.

You can even make it possible to remove one basket from the wall to be used as a shower caddy. Fill this basket with bath products so you can grab-and-go anytime you’re headed to the campground shower house.

Of course, these are just a few of the many great ideas out there. Have another one you’d like to add? Let us know about it in the comments!

About the Author:

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

John B. ~ “From the time of call to the time I was back on the road was less than an hour. Thank you Coach-Net!”

Coach-Net

~ Travel and Adventure Blog

Tag Archives: RV bathroom

Keep The Bugs Away Naturally During Summer Camping

Make Use of Fire

Change Out Your Lights

Cover Up

Try Repellent Alternatives

Grab a Fan

Shower Often

Like this:

Replacing a Leaky RV Faucet