Top 12 Nat. Pk CG. Used RVs. Redneck Airlines. Hand Crank RV Slide. Totaled RV. Propane. Invertors and Generators. 55 mph.

 

For "tRaVersing Thursday" or RV Day:

Top 12 National Park campgrounds

"This list might surprise you, especially when Channel Islands NP, with no road access, is on the list. But it will give you something to ponder — and motorhome and trailer access is possible at most of the parks. See the list here."

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RV tech shows "watch outs" for used RV buyers (video)

"If you're shopping for a "good deal" on a used RV, don't let your heart get ahead of your head. Here's an interesting video from an RV technician who walks you through someone's "great deal" that really turned out to be a lemon.

This is a guy you might like to take with you when you're considering buying a used RV — even one that's touted as that "great deal that you just can't pass up." Watch the video, and you might save yourself a major headache."

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Redneck Airlines offers RV discount

"Some airlines are desperately trying to lure back RVers who've discovered that RVing beats the pants off airline travel. If you are unsure whether you are on Redneck Air, peek into the flight deck and observe the pilot's flight check."

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How to hand crank an RV slide out

"What to do when the slideout jams while you are on location. Here's how to hand crank it back into place."

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How a paper cup can save the day at an RV sewer hookup

"Every once in awhile, typically in older RV parks, you can run into a problem with a sewer hookup. Here's an easy way to handle this uncommon situation. This is so simple you'll say "Why didn't I think of that?""

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An RV horror story. Don't let this happen to you!

"What happened to one RVer couple should never happen to anyone. Nobody was hurt — it was not that kind of an incident. But the RV was totaled. And imagine the horror the couple felt when they returned to their fifth wheel trailer to find it ruined by . . . well, watch the video."

From me: Remember to turn off the water at the spigot anytime you go anywhere.  You never know what leaks can spring up.

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Fifth wheel travel trailers — invertors and generators

"Dear Gary, 
Do fifth-wheel travel trailers have inverters? If they do not, then I need one with a generator, right?" Robert P. (Avon, IN)

"Robert, many 5th wheel travel trailers are indeed equipped with an inverter. In some cases, however, they may not power all 120-volt AC loads in the same manner as an on-board generator. Some trailers are equipped with both an inverter AND a generator. It just depends on that manufacturer. No hard and fast rule here..."  More at: http://www.rvdoctor.com/2011/05/5th-wheel-travel-trailers-inverters-and.html

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A hot idea for gauging LP in your cylinders

"Take your kettle, fill with water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, pour the hot water in one place over the tank — where the tank collar meets the tank. After the kettle is empty, place your hand at the bottom of the tank where the hot water ran down the tank. If there’s any propane in the tank it will absorb the heat from the water and the tank will be cold. From that start point, run your hand upwards along the hot water path. When you reach the point where the steel of the tank gets hot, you’ve reached the level of the propane in the tank. You now know if you’re good to go or if you need to top-off or completely refill your propane tank."   by George Bliss

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Propane Co's Under-Fill Tanks

"Propane companies are saving money by under-filling the tanks they sell."

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Leveling an RV

"How level must an RV be for everything to work properly?

Many RVers wonder what the magic solution may be for a perfectly level RV. The technical experts from betterRVing.com weigh in and help make the magic a reality.  The answer to the importance of leveling an RV may surprise you."

CLICK THE VIDEO TO SEE THE TIP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fG2Jrb7av5I

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RV Tips:

Leveling an RV

"How level must an RV be for everything to work properly?

Many RVers wonder what the magic solution may be for a perfectly level RV. The technical experts from betterRVing.com weigh in and help make the magic a reality.  The answer to the importance of leveling an RV may surprise you."

CLICK THE VIDEO TO SEE THE TIP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fG2Jrb7av5I

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Coach-Net adds RV tire protection program
"This new option for RVers, in addition to the usual towing, battery jumping, fuel delivery services, etc., will include a tire protection plan that offers tire and wheel hazard protection from nails, potholes, debris and more."   More at: http://www.coach-net.com/News/071513_HazardProtect.aspx

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Show your support for nationwide farmers markets

"The best organic food is what's grown closest to you. Use our website to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies.

Support the concept of farmer direct to the consumer markets across the country. What could be better for an RVer to find these markets wherever we travel."  http://www.localharvest.org/

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RV refrigerators are different

"RV refrigerators are much different than the one in your house. They don’t have compressors and they work off the principle of absorption. You should turn the RV refrigerator on several hours before putting food in it. It is best to leave it on overnight and put your food in it just prior to leaving. Always keep a small thermometer in your RV refrigerator so you can monitor the temperature. Food can begin to go bad at about 40 degrees." Tech Tips from Mark Polk

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Lock your freezer and fridge doors
“There are usually mechanical locks for the freezer and main refrigerator doors.  Use them always, and make sure they are on your check-off list before leaving camp.  Without the locks both doors will fly open on bumpy roads and in hard turns.” Bill's Hints

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Off-roading in an RV? Really?
"There are some amazing, beautiful places that an RV can get to ... some are slightly off the road. Off-roading in an RV? What if you get stuck? Find out all about it this week from Rich Miller, "The Wanderman.""

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On This Day:

Nixon signs national speed limit into law, Jan 2, 1974:

"On this day in 1974, President Richard M. Nixon signs the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, setting a new national maximum speed limit.

Prior to 1974, individual states set speed limits within their boundaries and highway speed limits across the country ranged from 40 mph to 80 mph. The U.S. and other industrialized nations enjoyed easy access to cheap Middle Eastern oil from 1950 to 1972, but the Arab-Israeli conflict changed that dramatically in 1973. Arab members of the Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) protested the West's support of Israel in the Yom Kippur War by stopping oil shipments to the United States, Japan and Western Europe. OPEC also flexed its new-found economic muscle by quadrupling oil prices, placing a choke-hold on America's oil-hungry consumers and industries.

The embargo had a global impact, sending the U.S. and European economies into recession. As part of his response to the embargo, President Nixon signed a federal law lowering all national highway speed limits to 55 mph. The act was intended to force Americans to drive at speeds deemed more fuel-efficient, thereby curbing the U.S. appetite for foreign oil. With it, Nixon ushered in a policy of fuel conservation and rationing not seen since World War II.

The act also prohibited the Department of Transportation from approving or funding any projects within states that did not comply with the new speed limit. Most states quietly adjusted their speed limits, though Western states, home to the country's longest, straightest and most monotonous rural highways, only grudgingly complied. Even after OPEC lifted the embargo in March 1974, drivers continued to face high gas prices and attempted to conserve fuel by buying revolutionary Japanese economy cars. For many, a desire for fuel-efficient automobiles became the standard until the trend toward gas-guzzling sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) emerged in the 1990s. In 1987, Congress authorized states to reset speed limits within their borders, but proponents of the national maximum speed limit law claimed it lowered automobile-related fatalities, prompting Congress to keep it on the books until finally repealing it on November 28, 1995.

Today speed limits across the country vary between 35 and 40 mph in congested urban areas and 75 mph on long stretches of rural highway. U.S. drivers now drive almost as fast as their European counterparts, who average between 75 and 80 mph on the highway. On some roads in Italy, it is legal to drive as fast as 95 mph."

From me:  I suppose some folks here think they are in Italy!

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Yesterday:

I didn't take Misty when I went to get Jay, as he wanted to get a plank out of the lake.  Jim, the mechanic still hasn't been well enough to finish working on my little Puddle Jumper.  If I leave blind Misty alone in the van, she might fall off the seat, which is a lot higher up. If I take her out of the subdivision in the van, she has her seat belt harness on, or in a carrier.  We looked at the plank, and realized that we would have to have a longer rope than the one I carry in the van.

When we got back here, we knew that for the cross fence to be in line with the existing fence that we would have to move three posts, or it would look awful.  We ran a string line from end to end, and we got two posts out and reset one.  So that Misty couldn't get out of the back yard, we put temporary barriers up until we could finish it. 

We drove down to the lake before I took Jay home.  Armed with a longer rope with a rock tied to the end, Jay threw it over the 2x12x16, and steered to to the shore.  I put the ball mount in my receiver hitch, tied the rope to the ball mount, and pulled it out of the lake.  They have just finished rebuilding the fishing dock, and this board must have got away from them.

As it was wet and too long to put in the van, I carefully towed it to Jay's house.  I had that hitch put on 4 years ago, but it's the first time it's been used until yesterday.

Unwritten–rules Of Boondocking. Oldsmobile. Shopping and Roofing.

 

For "tRaVersing Thursday" or RV Day:

Do you follow the responsible–but unwritten–rules of boondocking?

"Do you follow the responsible–but unwritten–rules of boondocking?

Most rules are just plain commonsense, which you wonder sometimes whether that gene was left out of some people’s gene pool.

Pick a campsite away from others. Many boondockers value their solitude and privacy, and prefer not to have neighbors close enough to hear their generator, TV, and conversations, or to be lit up by unwanted porch lights. That is why they are not in campgrounds.

Upon arrival, walk the site with a bag and pick up any man-made trash left behind by previous campers. It won’t take you long, will infuriate you, but will bring the point home–anything that will not burn to ashes, carry it out.  And it will make your campsite that much more enjoyable.

Find ways to hang things other than driving nails into trees. There are plenty of ideas for clothes drying hangers or racks or poles that clamp onto your picnic table to hang a lamp. Slide in hooks for your awning rail can be used to hang lights, a bird feeder, trash bag, etc.

Keep your campsite neat. Put things away when not in use. Nobody want to see all your possessions strewn around your campsite like a yard sale in progress.

Pick up only downed and dead wood for a campfire. Chopping limbs off trees or uprooting bushes to burn is something only clueless teenagers would do.

Think safety when building a campfire, especially this season when parts of the country, like Texas, are as dry as the desert in July. Scrape all debris several feet away from your fire and keep your fire small. Build a rock ring or dig a depression to contain fire. And when you leave, return the fire site to its natural state.

If you plan on dumping the gray water from dishwashing and rinsing, be sure to wipe all food bits off cooking and eating utensils with a paper towel first. Always use biodegradable soaps. Dump gray water on thirsty plants or bury in a hole (and cover it with dirt) well away from your campsite. Food bits draw unwanted smells and critters.

Alter your site as little as possible. Walk your site looking for trash, even if you think you haven’t left anything behind. Often paper blows away unnoticed, so make your reconnaissance a wide circle around your campsite. When you leave, your site should appear as if no one had been there, just the way you would like to find your next boondocking site.

Remember that the way others–hikers, off-road wanderers, officials–see your site is the way all RVers are seen. Set a good example, that of a responsible, environmentally-aware, and conservation-minded steward of the land. It’s good for all of us. And thank you for doing so.

In last week’s blog, How to find dispersed boondocking campsites on public land,  we looked at how to find campsites on public lands. Once you find a suitable–and legal–campsite, it becomes your responsibility to follow certain unwritten rules of boondocking so your presence does not impact the campers that follow you. Unfortunately, you’ve likely seen trashy campers in your travels, practicing behavior that gives a bad name to RVers, boondocking, and the RV lifestyle.

Most rules are just plain commonsense, which you wonder sometimes whether that gene was left out of some people’s gene pool.

• Pick a campsite away from others. Many boondockers value their solitude and privacy, and prefer not to have neighbors close enough to hear their generator, TV, and conversations, or to be lit up by unwanted porch lights. That is why they are not in campgrounds.
• Upon arrival, walk the site with a bag and pick up any man-made trash left behind by previous campers. It won’t take you long, will infuriate you, but will bring the point home–anything that will not burn to ashes, carry it out.  And it will make your campsite that much more enjoyable.
• Find ways to hang things other than driving nails into trees. There are plenty of ideas for clothes drying hangers or racks or poles that clamp onto your picnic table to hang a lamp. Slide in hooks for your awning rail can be used to hang lights, a bird feeder, trash bag, etc.
• Keep your campsite neat. Put things away when not in use. Nobody want to see all your possessions strewn around your campsite like a yard sale in progress.
• Pick up only downed and dead wood for a campfire. Chopping limbs off trees or uprooting bushes to burn is something only clueless teenagers would do.
• Think safety when building a campfire, especially when parts of the country, like Texas, are as dry as the desert in July. Scrape all debris several feet away from your fire and keep your fire small. Build a rock ring or dig a depression to contain fire. And when you leave, return the fire site to its natural state.
• If you plan on dumping the gray water from dishwashing and rinsing, be sure to wipe all food bits off cooking and eating utensils with a paper towel first. Always use biodegradable soaps. Dump gray water on thirsty plants or bury in a hole (and cover it with dirt) well away from your campsite. Food bits draw unwanted smells and critters.
• Alter your site as little as possible. Walk your site looking for trash, even if you think you haven’t left anything behind. Often paper blows away unnoticed, so make your reconnaissance a wide circle around your campsite. When you leave, your site should appear as if no one had been there, just the way you would like to find your next boondocking site.

Remember that the way others–hikers, off-road wanderers, officials–see your site is the way all RVers are seen. Set a good example, that of a responsible, environmentally-aware, and conservation-minded steward of the land. It’s good for all of us. And thank you for doing so."  By Bob Difley.

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On This Day:

GM announces phase-out of Oldsmobile, Dec 12, 2000:

"On this day in 2000, General Motors declares that it will begin to phase out the 103-year-old Oldsmobile, the oldest automotive brand in the United States. Oldsmobile had once been one of the most venerable and innovative American brands--Olds cars were the first to have decorative chrome trim, for example, and the first to have fully automatic transmissions--but a GM reorganization in the mid-1980s had drained the brand of most of its unique identity.

Lansing native Ransom Eli Olds created the Olds Motor Works in 1897. Ten years before (reportedly because he did not like the smell of horses), he had built a steam-powered car. After a factory fire destroyed 10 of his 11 prototypes, Olds focused on trying to perfect--and sell--the only car he had left: the small Curved Dash runabout. He was successful: the runabout soon became the nation's most popular automobile.

In 1904, the Curved Dash became the first mass-produced car in the United States. That same year, Olds investors ousted the company's founder. (Ransom Olds wanted to keep on mass-producing inexpensive cars that ordinary people could buy, while the investors wanted to build pricey luxury automobiles.) Four years later, Olds Motor Works merged with Buick to become General Motors. Within GM, Olds was known as the "technology division": it pioneered V-8 engines in 1915, chrome plating in 1926, the Hydra-Matic automatic transmission in 1937, and the Rocket V-8 in 1949.

Olds (it became Oldsmobile in 1942) was the most middlebrow of the GM "ladder of brands," squeezed between mass-market Chevrolet and Pontiac and luxury Cadillac and Buick. Despite a new slogan--"This is not your father's Oldsmobile"--that debuted in the 1980s after the GM reorganization, buyers eventually began to lose interest in the brand's offerings. The brand was also notoriously slow to react to trends: for instance, it was one of the last American carmakers to add sport utility vehicles--the most popular and profitable cars of the 1990s--to its lineup.

In 2004, four years after GM made its announcement, the phase-out of Oldsmobile was complete. That April, the last Oldsmobile--a cherry-red Alero--rolled off the Lansing assembly line and went straight to the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum nearby, where you can see it today."

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Yesterday.

This morning, I couldn't get online. So much happened yesterday that I didn't have time to a draft a post in Live Writer.    Finally, I have switched out some Ethernet cables, and now it is up and running again.

Yesterday had to be a shopping day, I was out of fresh veggies for my juicer, and I wanted to get some special food for Ava, my 'new' old cat. 

Misty and I went to get Jay, and had our walk down there, while he fiddled and diddled getting ready.   Jay took the battery out of his mother's truck as we had to take it back to the Interstate distributor on the way to Conroe.  The Interstate battery in the Puddle Jumper was giving me trouble too, so he went to disconnect it, and found out that the positive terminal was loose.  So maybe that battery is OK.

We had several other stops to make on the way, all time consuming, but got the new battery, and then went to Walmart to get Jay a battery charger, and a new answering machine for me.  We parked in the back, as there was no room in the front parking lot,  but the store didn't seem crowded.

More time was spent at my favorite Krogers for things that Jay and I needed, and then a stop at Petsmart for Ava's food. Then a stop at another Krogers so that I could make a bank deposit. It was after 3.00pm before I got home. 

Just as I was eating some late lunch, the buyers came to get the old galvanized roofing that came off my old RVport.

The couple came towing a horse trailer with a horse that they had just purchased.  It had those sunken dents above it's eyes, a sure sign of not enough food, and it's feet were in terrible shape. I hope they take better care of it than the last owners.  The wife must have been 10 months pregnant, and was helping move the long sheets of roofing, hoping that it would make her go into labor!

The big problem was how to get the long roofing in the slant load trailer without hurting the horse. We tried different ways, but it was so long that it just wouldn't fit. The horse was really calm while all this was going on, and just ate hay.  In the end the husband put the roofing through the bars on the outside and slid them into the empty part of the trailer, but it was sticking out about 18" outside of the side of the trailer.  That was going to be a hairy hour long drive back to their home. 

This took quite a while, and I was tired out from the shopping and wrestling with the roofing, then my internet went out, so I fed the animals and went to bed early yesterday.

The Best RV? Blue Boy. Satellite TV For RVs. Military RV Parks. First Family RV Trip. Noisy Water Pumps. RV Tips. Paris Flight In 1783. Renter Woes.

 

For" tRaVersing Thursday, or RV Day:

Who makes the best RV?

"Given that I spend a good deal of time working on RVs, I'm often asked who makes the best of "whatever category RV a person might be seeking." Not an easy question to answer as I do not believe there is a single answer. There are, however, some things to consider — the most important of which is price.

Simply put, you never get the same things in an entry-level RV you find in a high-end one. There really is a reason some things cost more than others, and an entry-level product, regardless of manufacturer, is intended to be sold based on price, not quality. In my experience, it may look good when new but the "new" is short-lived.

For example, the shine quickly fades on the exterior as the gel coat is very thin. The carpet quickly looks matted down, and the cushions in the furniture sag and look worn out almost overnight. The reason, of course, is because they are made as cheaply as possible in order to meet an impossibly low price point. The same things hold true of axles, frames, sidewall construction, and all the things folks either cannot see or do not know how to assess. Manufacturers, by the way, acknowledge in private that their more expensive products wear much better and require much less maintenance than their entry-level models for these exact reasons.

For occasional seasonal use, entry-level products do just fine. They also are not a bad choice if the owner is willing to perform regular maintenance. For serious campers, however, I question the wisdom of buying at the lowest price points.

How do you tell quality? You start off by doing plenty of shopping so you know what you are seeing. With some practice you'll be able to tell thick versus thin gel coat and the quality of slide seals, and know the difference between photographed vinyl finish on woodwork versus real wood.

In the end, you'll quickly discover there are real differences between manufacturers and product lines. When you are able to tell the difference, you are ready to buy. Until then, getting taken in by an inferior product is never far away. By the way, you really are much better off buying a high-end pre-owned product than an entry-level model off the dealer’s lot. If you can, try to stay within five years of the current date to be up-to-date with technology.  Happy Hunting!"  by Steve Savage, Mobility RV Service

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A demonstration of a portable waste tank tote

"When camped without a sewer hookup, sooner or later you'll need to empty your holding tanks. The way to do it without moving your RV is with a portable tote that you can use to transport your waste liquids to the dump station. Here is a demonstration of one such tote:

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Satellite Television Options for Recreational Vehicles

"Different types of TV satellite systems for RVs explained.  This four-minute video was made in 2011, but it still does an excellent job of explaining the four types of satellite systems for RVs, from manual to fully automatic. They typically deliver programming from both the Dish and Direct TV systems." Watch the video:

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Android App helps locate military campgrounds and RV parks

"If you are current military or retired, you know that one of the benefits of serving with Uncle Sam is the nationwide network of U.S. military campgrounds and FamCamps available for you and your family. This app will quickly track down the available amenities."

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First-time family RV trip tips

"RV holidays are fantastic for family trips away because of the freedom and flexibility they give. It can be quite daunting for those who are thinking about taking their young children away on an RV trip for the first time, but it really is a great experience.

Surviving a trip on the road with the kids isn't as hard as you think. Kids love an adventure as well as being able to feel secure and on an RV holiday. There's the best of both worlds as they can take their favorite toys and games as well as have their home comforts, which is often restricted with flights and hotels.

Even though RV trips are a great choice, they should always be planned in advance to maximize a holiday and avoid cabin fever. It's tempting to take everything with you, but don't over-pack as items like clothing can take up a lot of room. Plan well to suit all weathers and make room for the fun stuff like wetsuits, racquets and games."    More at: http://www.newrver.com/family_rv_trip.shtml By Russ and Tina DeMaris
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Feedback on noisy water pumps

"In a story published a while ago, we posted information on how to quiet down a noisy RV water pump. Readers were quick to dip into their own experiences and shower us with advice. Here are a couple of comments that may give you further fodder for fixing your fixtures:

Alan writes: "Yes, those darn pumps can be noisy! I discovered a solution out of need. I installed a valve in order to winterize the rig myself and discovered that I did not have enough room in the truck camper space allotted. What I did was create a loop with plastic tubing at the pump entry point and another at the exit of the pump in order to get the valve to fit. It worked just great and I found that the noise was reduced almost to the point I could not hear it."

Adds reader Bruce Mitchell: "Several years ago I purchased a 5th wheel trailer. Whenever the water pump was running everything vibrated. It was so bad that it felt like you were standing on a foot massager.  I took the trailer back to the manufacturer. They did everything that you mentioned in your article, to no avail.  Out of frustration, I called SurFlow. They informed me that they had a Service Bulletin out on that very problem. They sent me a copy which I took back to the manufacturer. I had to do some talking but they finally followed SurFlow's advice and solved the problem.

"The pump was mounted on the plywood floor under the kitchen cabinets. It was mounted right next to an 8-inch square hole where the plumbing went through the floor. This was part of the problem as the hole allowed the floor to vibrate more. They moved the pump to the wall. The main issue and the subject of SurFlow's bulletin was that they recommend that no hard piping be connected directly to the water pump. They suggest at least 3 feet of soft hose between the pump and the hard piping.  On mine they put approximately 18 inches on both the intake and outlet of the pump that connected to the hard piping. That totally took away the noise and vibration. They used a clear reinforced vinyl on my rig to connect to the water pump.

"SurFlow said that they have advised manufacturers of this, but I still see most RVs have the hard piping connected directly to the pump.""  Thanks, Alan and Bruce!  By  Russ and Tiña De Maris

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RV Tips

Preventing Seasickness While Fishing

"Ginger helps prevent seasickness. There’s really not enough in most cookies to matter. Get the candied (crystallized) slices in the spice section or with the dried fruit. Eat it like candy throughout the day on the water."

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"Rich, The Wanderman" likes simple solutions to complex problems.
This week Rich tackles high moisture and humidity levels in RV showers. Too much moisture and you can have all sorts of problems. See how to fix it ... simply!"

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Preserve the coating on nested cookware
"Don't let nested coated cookware scratch while bumping down the road. Toss oven pads, pot holders, or dish towels between the pans."

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Have the right-sized tools
“Make sure that you have a lug-wrench and jack that will work with YOUR trailer. The jack must fit under the axle when the tire is deflated.” Bill's Hints

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Campsite check-in
"When you first check into a campground, locate your site and conduct a site survey. Identify where the campground connections are and where to locate the RV so you have easy access to all connections. If you have a slide-out make sure there are no obstacles in the way. Allow plenty of room for extending the awning."

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"Be sure the ice cubes in your fridge are at least partially frozen before heading out in your RV. Don't fill the tray just before you leave or the water might splash around and then freeze all over the place."

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Help keep the toilet rim clean
"Dirty toilet rim got you down? Shoot it! Spray the bowl rim with cooking spray to ward off "Klingons" of every kind."

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On This Day:

Men fly over Paris, Nov 21, 1783:

"French physician Jean-François Pilatre de Rozier and François Laurent, the marquis d' Arlandes, make the first untethered hot-air balloon flight, flying 5.5 miles over Paris in about 25 minutes. Their cloth balloon was crafted by French papermaking brothers Jacques-Étienne and Joseph-Michel Montgolfier, inventors of the world's first successful hot-air balloons.

Joseph and Étienne Montgolfier ran a prosperous paper business in the town of Vidalon in southern France. Their success allowed them to finance their interest in scientific experimentation. In 1782, they discovered that combustible materials burned under a lightweight paper or fabric bag would cause the bag to rise into the air. From this phenomenon, they deduced that smoke causes balloons to rise. Actually, it is hot air that causes balloons to rise, but their error did not interfere with their subsequent achievements.

On June 4, 1783, the brothers gave the first public demonstration of their discovery, in Annonay. An unmanned balloon heated by burning straw and wool rose 3,000 feet into the air before settling to the ground nearly two miles away. In their test of a hot-air balloon, the Montgolfiers were preceded by Bartolomeu Lourenço de Gusmão, a Brazilian priest who launched a small hot-air balloon in the palace of the king of Portugal in 1709. The Montgolfiers were unaware of Lourenço's work, however, and quickly surpassed it.

On September 19, the Montgolfiers sent a sheep, a rooster, and a duck aloft in one of their balloons in a prelude to the first manned flight. The balloon, painted azure blue and decorated with golden fleurs-de-lis, lifted up from the courtyard of the palace of Versailles in the presence of King Louis XVI. The barnyard animals stayed afloat for eight minutes and landed safely two miles away. On October 15, Jean-François Pilátre de Rozier made a tethered test flight of a Montgolfier balloon, briefly rising into the air before returning to earth.

The first untethered hot-air balloon flight occurred before a large, expectant crowd in Paris on November 21. Pilátre and d'Arlandes, an aristocrat, rose up from the grounds of royal Cháteau La Muette in the Bois de Boulogne and flew approximately five miles. Humanity had at last conquered the sky."

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Yesterday:

Sorry for the vent!  Yesterday started out with a fiasco.  Shay next door, was in my front yard hollering and screaming at her son who lives on the other side of my house.  He was in the process of throwing out an unwanted, uninvited guest, and Shay just had to get in the big middle of it all.  She was strutting around, shouting and screeching at everybody, in her bathrobe, like a fish wife.  (Shouting like a fish-wife isn't all that attractive!)  Then she said that she was having chest pains, in her usual dramatic fashion.  I gave her an aspirin and she called 911.  Some more people arrived, so she got even more upset while waiting for the ambulance, and threatened to shoot some of them.  Not only did they send an ambulance, and 2 cop cars, but a great big fire truck, too.  All that for a little 50 year old "lady"!

Ray had gone into town so he missed all the commotion, but upon his return he went to the Conroe hospital to see her.  So when Shay's sister, who has just had open-heart surgery, arrived for someone to drive her to Conroe for a doctor's appointment, neither Ray nor Shay was here.  Shorty afterwards, Ray came back to take her to the doctor, and in the afternoon all three came back together.  Apparently, the doctors told Shay to avoid stress, but she causes it herself trying to run everybody else's lives. 

My guest house rent was reduced when I rented to just Ray and his one cat when he and Shay were divorced.  One bedroom, one bathroom, one utility room, and one carport.  But a few years later, when she had nowhere to go, she moved in, without my permission, and has been upsetting Ray's life, their son's life, and mine, since then.  She also took over another of my carports and made it into her outside sitting area. The rent wasn't raised when she moved in, even though it causes a lot more wear on my water heater, washer, dryer, furnishings, etc. 

Some months ago, Shay had said that she wanted to move some things in my storeroom so they could use it, too.  I told her that it needed to stay just like it is, as there is a lot of glassware in there. They have their own storage areas in their utility room, and in the attic above the guest house. 

Then, the other day, Shay informed me that she was going to move some things around in MY storeroom, so that they could put two tall potted plants in there when it freezes.  I was too dumbfounded to speak, and assumed that Ray would say something to me first, so that I could offer other options. 

Yesterday, I went to get something out of the storeroom, and found that my stored van's bench third seat had been moved on top of some of my things, squashing several items, including the very one that I had gone to get.  And there sat the plants in the bench seat's place.  Now, that is a bloody nerve!  Especially when they are behind on their rent.

As you can tell, I am fed up with the whole rental kit and caboodle!  So far, I have kept my mouth shut, but Ray and I are to have to have a talk today.

How are Workampers Paid? Is It Right For Me? RVers Bucket List. Operation Plumbbob. Nixon Cancels Draft.

 

For “tRaVersing Thursday”, or RV Day:

How are Workampers compensated?

“How Am I Compensated Or Paid As A Workamper? (aka working while RV camping).  Workamper News is here to help answer all of your questions.”

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Can I Workamp Without Experience?

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What Type Of Workamping Opportunities Are There?

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Is Workamping Affordable For Me?

“Take some time to consider this question before jumping into the Workamping lifestyle.”

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Is This The Right Time In My Life To Be Workamping?

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Unique Workamping Opportunities for RVers

“Discover the interesting workamping jobs available for fulltime RVers looking to save on campground fees or make extra money. See how you can live in your RV and work with the circus, at a seasonal store or a campground, or be your own boss as a sales rep. Read all about our workamping adventures at www.LiveWorkDream.com "

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Working Age Full Time RVers - How to earn an income while traveling.

“Interviews with full time younger/working RVers focused on how they earn an income while they travel perpetually.”

 

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Full Time RVing & Part Time Work at Camp Grounds

“This clip aired on the FOX News Network on the joy of Full-Time RVing and Part-Time work at the camp grounds.”

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The RVers Bucket List - Roadtreking across America

“Every RVer has a bucket list. Here's the most popular as surveyed at the Roadtrek 40th anniversary rally in Branson, MO. From the http://roadtreking.com website and journalist Mike Wendland, who travels the country in an RV looking for interesting people and places.”

That’s enough about RVs for now!

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On This Day:

Nevada is site of first-ever underground nuclear explosion, Sep 19, 1957:

“On this day in 1957, the United States detonates a 1.7 kiloton nuclear weapon in an underground tunnel at the Nevada Test Site (NTS), a 1,375 square mile research center located 65 miles north of Las Vegas. The test, known as Rainier, was the first fully contained underground detonation and produced no radioactive fallout. A modified W-25 warhead weighing 218 pounds and measuring 25.7 inches in diameter and 17.4 inches in length was used for the test. Rainier was part of a series of 29 nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons safety tests known as Operation Plumbbob that were conducted at the NTS between May 28, 1957, and October 7, 1957.

1957's Operation Plumbbob took place at a time when the U.S. was engaged in a Cold War and nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union. In 1963, the U.S. signed the Limited Test Ban Treaty, which banned nuclear weapons testing in the atmosphere, underwater and outer space. A total of 928 tests took place at the Nevada Test Site between 1951 and 1992, when the U.S. conducted its last underground nuclear test. In 1996, the U.S signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which prohibits nuclear detonations in all environments.”

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Nixon cancels draft calls for November and December, Sep 19, 1969:

“President Nixon announces the cancellation of the draft calls for November and December. He reduced the draft call by 50,000 (32,000 in November and 18,000 in December). This move accompanied his twin program of turning the war over to the South Vietnamese concurrent with U.S. troop withdrawals and was calculated to quell antiwar protests by students returning to college campuses after the summer.”

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Yesterday:

Misty and I were delayed going down to get Jay, as Ray came over and we were getting things lined up for him to do.  So when we got to Jay’s, he was actually ready.

First, Jay and Ray took the pins out of the hinges of my front door, and put it on saw horses.  Ray painted the door slate blue, to match the trim on the house and shed.

Jay wanted to finish up the installation of the new light over my sink and stove, before he started working outside and got all hot and sweaty.  He has high blood pressure, probably from his drinking, so he really feels the heat.  The day before he had just plugged the new light in, but it needed to be hard-wired.  So I turned off that breaker, and the old light’s wires were taken out of the junction box, and the new light’s installed. 

Then Jay got on top of the new roof and put in the rest of the screws.  We dug out some gutters that I had, and looked to see where is the best place to put them, but didn’t install them yet.  By that time, Ray had finished the door and they re-hung it.

In the afternoon, the rain came again, so I watched where the gutters would be needed most when going from the new carport to the front porch.   Not quite where we thought.  The rain cooled things down so that I opened the doors and windows, but soon had close up and turn the AC back on, because of the humidity.

We are still under a burn ban, even after all the rain the last few days.

Save "Your" Site? Propane Leak. Easy Hitching. RVing Tips. First Mother’s Day. "Hello Dolly".

 

For “tRaVersing Thursday”, or RV day:

How to "reserve" your newly occupied campsite

“Everyone's been there, perhaps many times. You found a good campsite, but you need to leave for a while. Whether it's getting some groceries, going sightseeing, or just driving that annoying half-mile back to the entrance to register, you have to leave that (great or last) site vacant. Other campers are trouping by, eager for a vacant site. So how do you save "your" site?

If you only need to register, your traveling partner can stay behind. But if you're both going out for an hour or the day, some other method is needed. Typically, a camp chair or a cooler will suffice to "mark your territory", but these aren't always noticed or heeded. I recall a time when we pulled into a site and got all situated, and the real occupant pointed out to us his "marker", a camouflage jacket draped over the far picnic bench, virtually out of site of where we were. Poor technique, but we didn't argue.

A really useful item to use for reserving your site is the collapsible traffic cone. These are sold in various auto and RV stores (and of course Amazon), for use as safety/emergency markers (a very good item to have handy in a roadside breakdown). They come in sizes from around a foot high, to more than two feet high, and they collapse into a 2-inch-thick square which packs away very nicely.

The cones are high-visibility orange, plus they have reflective bands which are easily seen at night (very useful when you arrive back at camp late and have trouble finding your own site). They also have that "mystique" of officialdom, and tend to garner a bit more notice and respect than the odd piece of camp equipment.  They have weighted bases, so they won't blow away in a stiff breeze (unlike camp chairs). And at $10-15, if some rude traveler does make off with them, it's not a major economic event.

Put one or two of these in the entrance to your campsite, and you will have to pick them up before you re-occupy the site. Using this technique, you'll never leave them behind.”  By Greg Illes

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Disconcerting propane leaks on RV, Posted by RV Doctor

Dear Gary,
”My one-year old travel trailer developed severe propane leaks around both service pigtails leading to the trailer's 30# propane tanks. This was discovered after the very first filling of tanks and then remounting them. In one year the original vinyl hose became hardened and was spinning on the hose barbs connecting to the central regulator/tank switch assembly, despite the swaged-on collar…..The manufacturer (from China, it looks like), must have substituted this hose for the proper LPG hose. Is this legal?” 

Read the remainder of the question and Gary's response.

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Safely tow your trailer or fifth wheel with easy set up

“Safe and proper towing requires the driver to maintain control of two vehicles. Huskey Towing Products has produced a video that shows step-by-step demonstration of its system that begins with a technique for leveling the trailer, determining coupler height, recording the tow vehicle fender well elevations, and then monitoring the effects of tongue weight on the hitch ball as distributed by the WD system.”

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Save power when watching TV

"When boondocking, I turn down the brightness of my TV's. Most LED, and LCD TV's have a power saving setting which essentially slightly darkens the picture. You can get the same power saving results by turning down the brightness on any TV, then turn the contrast up slightly to improve the picture. This will work for tube type TV's as well. The reduction of brightness reduces the power the TV draws extending that precious battery life!"  By Joe Brignolo

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Check your battery shutoff switch

"If you have a battery shutoff switch as I do, make sure that switch is ON. More than once I have started the troubleshooting process only to find that switch in the OFF position. Inadvertent operation of that switch when looking for the compartment lights or curious children/grandchildren could leave you in the dark."  By Joe Brignolo

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How to keep things from falling out of your RV cabinets

“Tracy Lehr has a tip about how to keep the contents of your RV cabinets from falling out after a day of bouncing around on the highway.”  Cedar looks nice and smell great, too.

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Save money at RV salvage grave yards

“Old RVs have to die somewhere and most of them do it at RV salvage yards around the U.S. Whether you're restoring a classic Scamp trailer or trying to fix your RV air conditioner, these RV grave yards are the best sources for used parts.

Before you turn to the manufacturer of your broken RV part be sure to visit these online directories of used RV parts emporiums:

Gypsy Journal's RV Surplus and Salvage Outlets

RVers Corner RV Salvage, Used RV Parts Surplus RV Parts Suppliers

RV.net Used RV Parts and Manuals

The power of the Internet means you don't even have to physically visit the RV grave yard to acquire your part. Many of these suppliers will fulfill search requests, including Paramount Auto Body, a Reno-based business that carries used RV parts from sinks to awnings. To help expedite your search include accurate measurements and photos of the part you need in your email to the company.

If you're lucky enough to be located near a used RV parts supplier be sure to take the old part with you. RV parts often look identical until placed side-by-side. You'll want to wear a hat and sunscreen too since RV salvage yards are usually outdoors. Carrying some hand cleaner in your vehicle will also be useful since you'll be digging around dirty old relics. Once you find the RV part you need you might even have the opportunity to haggle with the owner for a better price. It never hurts to ask for a discount as long as you're respectful.” By Rene Agredano

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Night lights, again. . .

"A couple of problems with the stick-up lights: Battery powered nightlights are battery hogs, and many people don't want a light on fulltime when camping. Instead, when boondocking, use a $6 infrared sensored LED battery nightlight which last for months and months of usage. They remain off until they see you move. You can enjoy the darkness many of us prefer when RVing, and the light will turn itself on when it sees you moving in the dark and off when you're done." By Wolfe Rose

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Make sure you know this when buying a tire warranty

“RV tire safety expert Roger Marble offers advice about one very important thing to know when buying a tire warranty, whether for a car or RV. Your warranty could prove worthless if you don't pay attention to this.”

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Wifi courtesy in the RV park

‘No one is more insufferable than he who lacks basic courtesy.” – Bryant H. McGill

“By nature, RVers rub elbows with a lot of different folks, and too often, we find those who truly are insufferable. Happily, most RVers have developed courtesy in the lifestyle. We don't fire up our generators at 5:00 in the morning to brew a cup of coffee. We make sure our campsite is at least as clean (or better still, cleaner) when we leave as when we arrived. Holding tanks are dumped at dump stations, not in the storm drain. But after hearing a discussion among some upset RVers, there may be an area of RVing courtesy that needs a little attention: Internet usage. Read more.

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Improve your RV's FM radio reception

“In these really "high tech" days, the thought of FM radio may seem a bit "quaint." Still, saving money is far from quaint, and those free FM radio signals are a lot cheaper to draw in than satellite radio. But one RVer recently asked us how he could add an antenna to his recently-purchased FM radio.

Many think "crank up" RV TV antennas are perfect for bringing in FM radio signals. Why so? In the "old days" of analog signals, the FM radio band rode in between TV channels 6 and 7. It's still there, the trick is to coax the signal out of your coax — short for coaxial cable.

If your TV is hooked up to your TV antenna, then you'll need a splitter. This little device allows you to add one more receiver to a single antenna connection. It's best to look for a TV-FM splitter, and you'll find one on the Internet, like this one.  You'll also need a couple of additional pieces of coax cable with the appropriate fittings. One piece will attach to the "jack" that allows your TV to attach to the antenna, the other will go from the splitter to your FM radio. You'll have to figure out just how long these two pieces of cable will be by looking over your own situation.

A look at the back of your FM radio will help you determine how to hook up the coax cable. For radios that allow the use of an external antenna, you'll either see a fitting like that on the back of your television where the round coax fitting screws (or slides) on; otherwise you'll find two small screws, side by side. If you've got a coax fitting, you're set to go: simply connect up the coax fitting. If you find the "two screws" style, you'll need one more attachment, a Radio Shack purchase.

Called a "matching transformer" this little guy acts as a go-between from your two screws to the coax cable. Screw the one end into the coax fitting; the clips slide under the screw connectors on the radio.

With your FM radio connected up to the coax, turn on your TV antenna amplifier and prepare to be wowed by more stations than you thought possible. All of them free!

A final note: Some RV TV antennas make use of an "FM trap" that is designed to block overpowering FM signals from interfering with TV reception. Look over your antenna manual to see if your antenna has a trap (some that have traps have an option to turn them off or on). Lost your manual? Give the splitter a try (just keep your receipt to take it back if you find your antenna has a trap).”    By Russ and Tiña De Maris

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The Statue of Liberty, closed since Hurricane Sandy, will reopen July 4 after a huge repair effort.

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Cost effective RV camping

“Spending weekends at home can be boring. There really isn't much to do, but on the other hand you don't have a lot of time before the weekend is over and it’s back to work again. How about a quick weekend RV getaway close to home?”

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Quiet, Please.

“If you prefer quiet RV parks, when calling ahead for reservations ask if there are any railroad tracks close by. Same with busy streets or airports. Many RV parks are on inexpensive land, and sometimes it's because they are in noisy locations like railroad tracks. If trains run often, it can be difficult to sleep.”

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Odor from toilet?

"Black water smells getting back into your RV? Turn off water to the toilet and empty the bowl of all water. Keep your foot on the "empty" valve and rub Soft Scrub on the rubber ring at the bottom of the bowl and across the flapper valve. Now apply petroleum jelly to the rubber ring. Be sure to wear gloves! We do this about every three weeks on the road." By Jim Hazard

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Cutting Board Cuties

"Use larger plastic food container lids (like those on cottage cheese or whipped toppings) as small cutting boards. They're lightweight and can either be tossed out or disinfected by using a spray bottle with non-diluted white vinegar. Not only does the vinegar disinfect cutting boards, it also kills bugs on countertops and elsewhere around the rig. Said to be as effective as bleach, it's an environmentally friendly alternative." By Gale Green

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Ultra Fifth-Wheel Quick Pins take hassle out of fifth wheel landing adjustment

"For us as fifth-wheelers, one of those 'days-end' chores on the road wasn't something we cherished. Bending over and fiddling around with the landing gear hitch pins, particularly after dark, wasn't something the pilot looked forward to. Likely as not, there'd be a hassle trying to see the pin hole, or worse yet, dropping the greasy thing into the dirt, all of which could lead to emitting less-than-desirable language." But maybe one company has solved this problem. Read more. By Russ De Maris

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A Benchmark Atlas may change your view of the road
“The Benchmark series of atlases have long been favorites with wanderers, and with good reason. Covering the 11 western states, these tabloid-sized books are a wealth of information and far richer than the typical road atlas. Each one covers one state, and the information is generally provided as two sets of maps: recreation view and landscape.

The recreation maps are large-scale, grand-view depictions of terrain and land-use, with major highways and arterial roads; Landscape maps are topo-style, smaller-scale, with secondary roads, campgrounds, contour lines for elevation, and so forth — exactly the kind of detail needed for serious exploration (or just for finding that great out-of-the-way campground).” By Greg Illes      More at: http://www.benchmarkmaps.com/

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On This Day:

Woodrow Wilson proclaims the first Mother's Day holiday, May 9, 1914:

“On this day in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issues a presidential proclamation that officially establishes the first national Mother's Day holiday to celebrate America's mothers.

The idea for a "Mother's Day" is credited by some to Julia Ward Howe (1872) and by others to Anna Jarvis (1907), who both suggested a holiday dedicated to a day of peace. Many individual states celebrated Mother's Day by 1911, but it was not until Wilson lobbied Congress in 1914 that Mother's Day was officially set on the second Sunday of every May. In his first Mother's Day proclamation, Wilson stated that the holiday offered a chance to "[publicly express] our love and reverence for the mothers of our country."”

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An unlikely challenger ends the Beatles' reign atop the U.S. pop charts, May 9, 1964:

“Following the ascension of "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" to #1 in early February, the Beatles held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for three and a half solid months—longer than any popular artist before or since. Over the course of those months, the Fab Four earned three consecutive #1 singles (a record); held all five spots in the top five in early April (a record); and had a total of 14 songs in the Billboard Hot 100 in mid-April (yet another record). But just when it seemed that no homegrown act would ever stand up to the British invaders, one of least likely American stars imaginable proved himself equal to the task. On May 9, 1964, the great Louis Armstrong, age 63, broke the Beatles' stranglehold on the U.S. pop charts with the #1 hit "Hello Dolly."

Of course it wasn't Louis Armstrong the young revolutionary, but Louis Armstrong the late-career light entertainer who knocked the Beatles from the top of the pops. By the early 1960s, Armstrong's most important and influential work was already behind him, yet his famous charisma and ebullient personality were still enough to lift a show tune like "Hello Dolly" to the #1 spot on the pop charts—and over the Beatles--on this day in 1964.”

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Yesterday:

Well, my new old cat, Holly, is still hiding in the linen cupboard in my bathroom, and she hasn’t eaten or drank anything since she arrived here.  She is really traumatized.  Poor baby!  Cats cannot go without food for very long, they get something called Hepatic lipidosis, or ‘fatty liver disease’. 

It was shopping day, so I went into the next town to pick up a few building supplies and groceries.  Ray worked on the camping-cargo trailer while I was gone.  Jay had to go somewhere with his mother.

Kenya said that I should just leave Holly alone for 24 hours, with food and water, of course.  So I will be using the other bathroom for that time. She will have to go back to her foster mom for a couple of days to get her to eat, if she doesn’t start eating here by noon today.

RV: The Big 3 Expenses. Big Rig. Down The Drain. Receptacles. Backing In. Shelf Barriers. Diesel Cavitation. RV Fuel Cells. Booze Revenue Act.

For "tRaVersing, or RV Day":

Save $$$ on three of RVers biggest expenses

"Three of the biggest expenses for fulltime or near fulltime RVers are fuel, campgrounds, and eating out. But one of the great advantages of RVing is that you can easily change any one or all three of these expense categories to adjust to the changing economy or the fluctuation of your personal finances.

To save on the fuel expense, drive fewer miles between campgrounds, stay longer at each destination, drive 55 mph, avoid jackrabbit starts and quick stops, and keep your tires properly inflated. Go online to find the cheapest gas stations in the areas you travel. Join the Pilot Flying J RV club to get discounts on every fill up.

Save on campground expenses by staying at public campgrounds, like in the national forests, that don't have hook-ups or better yet, by boondocking free on public lands for several days a month. Stay longer at campgrounds and RV resorts where you can get a cheaper weekly rather than day rate. When on the road spend the night free at Walmart and Cracker Barrel restaurants. Check campground fees in a campground guide or online before choosing where you will spend the night.

 
You likely aren't pressed for time like you were when carrying a full work schedule, and therefore have time to cook. Your RV's galley, no matter what size, is fully capable of making tasty and nutritious meals. By shopping at local farmers markets and farm stands you can enjoy the freshest and healthiest foods. Make cooking a creative event, rather than something to get out of the way quickly. You will amaze yourself with how enjoyable relaxed creative cooking can be--and how much money you will save over expensive restaurant food."  From: http://frugalrving.blogspot.com/2011/05/save-on-three-of-rvers-biggest-expenses.html

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30 Tips to Cut Your RV Travel Expenses

Following are 30 tips that will help you save money while still enjoying all the fun, freedom, and flexibility that RVing has to offer: http://vogeltalksrving.com/2011/05/30-tips-to-cut-your-rv-travel-expenses/

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Your Rig May Not Be Too Big for CG:

Take a second look if your rig is larger than the campground's maximum size limit

"When entering a National Park, National Forest, or State Park campground, do not be turned away because your rig is over the posted maximum size. In most cases, this limit indicates what size vehicle can be accommodated at ALL the campsites, though some--and sometimes many--will fit larger rigs. Before giving up, drive through the campground and look for these larger sites and measure whether you will fit. Remember that  overhangs can extend beyond the designated pad allowing larger rigs to squeeze in. Parking your tow or toad away from the campsite may also enable you to fit into the designated space. If there is a host or ranger on duty, ask about larger sites that are available."  From: http://www.rvquicktips.com/2011/05/take-second-look-if-your-rig-is-larger.html

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How to retrieve something dropped down your sink

"Never pay a plumber to retrieve something you dropped down your sink. Here's a simple trick that will remove the object quick and easily. You will wonder why you never thought of this. We assume this will work in an RV's sink as well as one in a home."

the video shows use a shop vac with a pair of pantyhose over the nozzle and suck it back out of the drain.  The little one-gallon shop vacs are very handy to have in an RV.

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Fire Safety Tip from Mac McCoy
"In a compact galley, all combustibles -- from paper towels to curtains -- are apt to be closer to the stove, so use even more caution in your coach than you do at home. A box of baking soda -- the ingredient in powder extinguishers -- can be used in lieu of a fire extinguisher for minor galley flare-ups. Learn more about Mac and fire safety."

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Replacing RV electric plugs

"Most RVers I hang around with have the impression that RV manufacturers do not focus on quality. They are of the opinion that RV manufacturers skimp and cut corners on material and labor in order to boost their bottom line.  Manufacturers seem to be more concerned about making money than satisfied customers.   I currently own what is considered one of America's high end motorhomes. To be honest, I will say it is well built where it counts (chassis and box) but I still run across stuff that makes me shake my head and say to myself, “What were they thinking?” Like the electric plugs (duplex receptacles) they purchase in bulk for a few cents (exactly what they are worth).

All my coach plugs are located on one circuit (dumb). So when Mrs. Professor plugs in her hair dryer in the bathroom and I'm running the toaster in the galley the circuit trips. She's learned to ask if the coast is clear before she turns on her hair dryer.
I recently experienced a power loss in all my electric plugs. It took me several days and help from my RV brand forum to locate the problem. One of the cheap electric plugs shorted out and it took me a while to find the offender. Once I replaced it, all was well until the others began to fail.   I replaced the plugs we use most often with heavy duty 20 amp duplex receptacles. You get what you pay for in electric components, so spend the few extra bucks and buy something that will give you good service.

In the video I go through step by step how to change out an RV electric plug.   Whenever your electric plugs loose power and all your other appliances (like your microwave) are working properly check the GFI first. Sometimes these trip and if you forget about them, you could spend a couple hours trying to fix the problem when all it requires is to reset the GFI.  I also recommend using electrician screwdrivers (instead of an electric drill with a screwdriver attachment) as they will quickly crank in electric screws and won't strip the threads like a power drill.

Here is the installation video - enjoy!

Staying plugged into the RV lifestyle" – Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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The right way to back into a campsite

"There is nothing that labels you a camping neophyte than when you blow backing into a campsite with all your neighbors watching. To avoid embarrassment, plan ahead and practice. Make sure the person giving the directions can be seen in the mirrors at all times. If you are giving the directions, make sure you can see the mirrors--or the driver can't see you.
Use agreed upon hand signals for back up, go slow, turn right or left, hard turn or gradual turn, and stop. Or use a verbal communication device (walkie talkie or cell phone) to give clear and explicit instructions and to warn of obstructions. Don't yell--that really indicates that you are amateurs. If unsure about giving any direction, signal the driver to stop and walk up and discuss the situation. Then watch as the neighbors shake their heads admirably at your professional conduct." From: http://www.rvquicktips.com/2011/05/right-way-to-back-into-campsite.html

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Random RV Thought
Don't be afraid of spoiling the food in your RV refrigerator when you are driving. If the fridge is cold before you leave it will stay plenty cold all day long even when turned off. Just turn it back on when you get to your destination.

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Keep your stuff on your RV shelves with this idea

"Full time RVer John Evers had a problem with his 5th wheel medicine cabinet.

Every time he towed his 5er the next time he opened his medicine cabinet stuff fell out. He thought about using an expandable curtain rod, but it wouldn't effectively keep the small bottles in place. Instead he used two thin pieces of wood about four inches wide as "fences" to hold his stuff in place.

He uses two pieces because they will easily slide into place then he secures them with a large clip you can get at any stationary store. This is a simple yet effective way to secure the small stuff

Thanks John for another great RV idea. Shutting the door to falling objects" - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

 http://rvnow.rvtravel.com/2008/08/keep-your-stuff-on-your-rv-shelves-with.html

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Diesel owners: Are you protected against cavitation?

"In our last post we dove into the deep pool of multi-colored engine coolants. In this follow-up post we’ll discuss a coolant related concern for you diesel engine owners: Cavitation.

Engines throw off excess heat from combustion by routing water along the cylinder walls–these are typically lined with a cast iron sleeve. As the piston travels up and down it brings with it a bit of side motion–causing the piston to strike the liner sleeve, “piston slap.” Think of this slap like the clap of the clapper against a bell: It produces a vibration. In the case of a bell, the vibration is in our hearing range, and is typically pleasant.

But the vibration caused by a piston slap is an extremely high frequency, not one we hear with our ears, and the results can be anything but pleasant. As the piston slaps the liner, the liner pushes out a bit, then quickly returns to its normal position. As it moves out small bubbles are created in the coolant and as the liner moves back in, the bubbles implode creating in scale, a huge shock wave. Left unchecked, these shock waves will repeat and repeat, hammering away at the cylinder liner until finally, tiny pits form in the liner. The pits eventually form holes allowing the engine coolant and lubricating oil to meet. Disaster is not long in coming.

Enter SCAs, or Supplemental Coolant Additives. These additives transform cylinder liner rust (iron oxide)–which is soft–into a much harder form. This hardened material resists pitting, actually healing itself, provided a high enough level of SCA is maintained in the system. Since SCAs typically contain nitrites, overdosing the system can also lead to damage as too much nitrite in the coolant will eat away at the solder that holds the radiator together. Hence, the need for using the right amount of SCA.

Figuring out the “right amount” is easy on doing a cooling system flush and recharge. By taking the known cooling system capacity, you simply read the chart provided by the SCA manufacturer and dump in the right amount. SCA will eventually need to be added to the system and system mishaps like a leaking coolant will require the addition of “make up” coolant. The use of system test strips will help you determine how much SCA to add. The strips are easy enough to use: On a cold engine, pop the radiator cap, extract a small sample of coolant, dip a test strip, then following the instructions for the proper timing of the test, compare the test strip to a color chart.

It’s not a bad idea to carry extra coolant with you on the road. If you dilute your spare coolant to the correct level to simply “dump in” the system, by having already added the proportional amount of SCA to this backup coolant, you won’t be needing to worry about diluting the system’s SCA when you add the makeup.

Not just every auto parts store sells SCA and finding the test strips can be even more difficult. We’ve found that diesel fleet suppliers can help, or drop into a truck stop that has a big rig repair facility on site. We use Fleetguard’s 3-way coolant test strips, which can be a bit expensive on the intial purchase, nearly $50 for a pack of 50 through amazon.com. However, we picked up a partially used bottle from a truck stop for $25. They do “date out,” but we’ve found that if we stick them away in the freezer when not in use, they’ll keep." Posted by Russ and Tiña DeMaris Published in Cooling, Diesel Engine

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Zero-emission fuel cell back-up power now available for RVs

Unit from Germany is the answer for off-grid campsites, providing access to 'Glee' reruns, night lighting and microwaves that brown.

"Fuel-cell cars have been a tomorrow technology as long as I’ve been reporting on them, but it looks like 2015 will be the year they finally go commercial, with hundreds of thousands (you read that right) planned for production as early as 2015.

Right now, it remains theoretical. The cars, including the Toyota Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle advanced (FCHV-adv), fuel up at Proton OnSite in Connecticut, are in test fleets, and the numbers are very small. And what is loftily referred to as the hydrogen infrastructure — the necessary network of filling stations — is lacking. There are maybe 70 of them in the U.S. (nobody seems to have an exact count), and only about 25 of those are open to the public.

But that’s all set to change, and even now fuel cells have made inroads — just not in cars yet. I love the fact that there are hundreds of fuel-cell forklifts at companies like Wal-Mart and Bridgestone-Firestone, and 1,000 or more in the pipeline. Why? It’s cost-effective, there’s no need to store heavy battery packs, and because the lifts are zero emission, there’s no problem operating them indoors.

And another major use is auxiliary power, providing electricity when it usually isn’t available. And that’s what led me to Smart Fuel Cells’ EFOY. Who’d a thunk it? This German company has built a successful business providing $4,000 to $6,000 portable fuel cell back-up power for huge RVs. As you know, what’s the point of going to a campsite if you can’t plug in what Albert Brooks, an RV owner in "Lost in America," refers to as a microwave that browns? And you won’t want to miss the repeat of "Glee," either. Right now, standard operating procedure means running the RV’s big engine, which is a colossal waste of fuel.

Some RV campsites have hookups for electricity, but many don’t, and gasoline generators are noisy and smelly. The noisy part means that some sites make you turn them off at night, which isn’t a liability of the fuel-cell alternative. The EFOY made by SFC uses a $65 plug-in methanol cartridge that you get off the shelf in 1,500 convenience stores in Europe (where it’s partnered with 50 RV companies), and 50 in Canada."  More at: http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/transportation/blogs/zero-emission-fuel-cell-back-up-power-now-available-for-rvs

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On This Day:

FDR legalizes sale of beer and wine, Mar 22, 1933:

"On this day in 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Beer and Wine Revenue Act. This law levies a federal tax on all alcoholic beverages to raise revenue for the federal government and gives individual states the option to further regulate the sale and distribution of beer and wine.

With the passage of the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act in 1919, temperance advocates in the U.S. finally achieved their long sought-after goal of prohibiting the sale of alcohol or "spirits." Together, the new laws prohibited the manufacture, sale or transportation of liquor and ushered in the era known as "Prohibition," defining an alcoholic beverage as anything containing over 0.5 percent alcohol by volume. President Woodrow Wilson had unsuccessfully tried to veto the Volstead Act, which set harsh punishments for violating the 18th Amendment and endowed the Internal Revenue Service with unprecedented regulatory and enforcement powers. In the end, Prohibition proved difficult and expensive to enforce and actually increased illegal trafficking without cutting down on consumption. In one of his first addresses to Congress as president, FDR announced his intention to modify the Volstead Act with the Beer and Wine Revenue Act.

No fan of temperance himself, FDR had developed a taste for alcohol when he attended New York cocktail parties as a budding politician. (While president, FDR refused to fire his favorite personal valet for repeated drunkenness on the job.) FDR considered the new law "of the highest importance" for its potential to generate much-needed federal funds and included it in a sweeping set of New Deal policies designed to vault the U.S. economy out of the Great Depression.

The Beer and Wine Revenue act was followed, in December 1933, by the passage of the 21st Amendment, which officially ended Prohibition."

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Yesterday:

The little boarders Muffie and Maddie had tired me out a bit, and I overslept.  There was no work scheduled around here, so I started to list Ray's Recessed Light Fixture Trims on eBay, and it's not finished yet.  We had stored them in my attic for safe keeping, and I made six trips up and down the stairs for different info on them, including the UPC Code, which was required by eBay.   It is easier just to advertise items on Craigslist or www.bookoo.com.

Many people had emailed me about their rescue efforts for different animals, and problems with RVs that they hadn't checked out thoroughly before they bought them.  It gets depressing hearing about the same old problems caused by man.  After all day at the computer, the lack of exercise really bothered my back.   I was worn out from sitting and went to bed early.

The day before, it was tank-top weather when I got dressed, but when the rains came, it turned a lot cooler, now it will be warmer again.  It is going to be in the 80's for the next few days.