If your travel trailer or fifth wheel has too much “spring” when you walk around inside, adding stabilizer jacks will eliminate the problem.  Some RVs come with stabilizers already installed but if yours doesn’t, it’s not a hard thing to install yourself if you’re the least bit handy with a drill and an adjustable wrench.    What you will need:   4 Wheel Chocks 4 Stabilizer Jacks Pencil or magic marker 13/16 inch drill bit Electric Drill...

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Spring is almost here and many of us are beginning to think about hitting the roads and our first vacation trip.  If you haven’t been out in the RV for a few months, think about what items will be the most important to take along on those trips.  If you get these nagging thoughts about having forgotten something as soon as you get a few miles down the road, there are plenty of checklists available for pre-trip planning.  One of the lists we go through before heading out is t...

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With the travel season coming up and gas prices going up, you need every edge you can get!  Here are some insights to stretching your gas dollars.     1.  Keeping your RV tuned up is the best way to stretch your gas mileage.  Servicing your RV  on a regular basis can increase your mileage by 20%.  If your emission system is not operating properly, it...

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February can be brutally cold in many parts of the country.  Even in some southern locations you may find that the furnace is needed to take the morning chill away.  If your furnace doesn’t work when you turn it on, here are some things you can do on your own to get it going again. Check the thermostat setting If the thermostat in your RV controls both the air conditioner and the furnace, be sure the switch is set on "Heat." If the thermostat in your RV controls...

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New Mexican’s are used to windy spring days and the virgas that can spring up unexpectedly with approaching thunderstorms.  These types of wind can wreak havoc on a RV awning!                     Our friends Cal and Audrey, recently got caught in a wind storm that ripped through a RV park in Houston where they were staying that left severa...

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Before you start remodeling your motorhome, create a well defined plan for your living area that’s based on your ideal layout. Ideas for remodeling your RV can come from many things, such as a picture from a book or catalog, an ad from a magazine, an picture of a room that you have seen from other RV remodels, or a sketch in a notebook. It doesn’t matter how you go about forming your plan – but you need to have something. If you try to remodel your living area without a sound i...

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Baby it's hot outside!  If it's too hot inside, here is some advice about your air conditioner. Unlike air conditioners used to cool a house, an RV air conditioner is very different in the way it cools. Nearly all RV air conditioners work on the same basic principle as a refrigerator.  RV air conditioners also differ from ones found to cool a house in the fact that it is hermetically sealed (Closed System).. The most common issue involving RV air conditioners is it is not cooling e...

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It happens after a period of time. Your RV becomes tired looking, dull and drab from dust, dirt and extended usage. It's not from lack of good housekeeping skills.  Like most brick and motar homes, a make over or face lift is what’s needed!  You may be considering trading up to a new RV and it’s easy to fall in love with a brand new, shining model.  However, if you're not ready to trade or take on new payments and love your current home away from home, it can look near...

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Have you ever had a RV battery die on you, or had problems deciding which one to get?  Here is an excellent article that gives you a lot of information about choosing a battery, maintenance, charging and dry camping. Some Basic Battery Info In today’s RVs everything relies on 12-volt batteries to function–everything from the roof air conditioner to the refrigerator. Once the roof air conditioner and the refrigerator are turned on they run on 110V, but the computer used to star...

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Perhaps one of the most unpleasant tasks that comes with owning a RV is having to clean and maintain the holding tanks.  There's no avoiding it! Here is a step-by-step procedure you can follow. Before you begin, always wear disposable protective gloves when handling any waste system component and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. 1. Connect the sewer hose. Begin by inserting the nozzle end of the hose into the campground sewer inlet or dump site, and open the valve...

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    You’re cruising down the highway in your motor home and suddenly, BANG!  A rock has been kicked up into your windshield and now you have a chip.  Should you repair or replace the windshield?  Here are the recommendations and explanations from Foremost Insurance. Benefits to repairing the windsh...

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Seems like they appear overnight.  You never noticed them before and then all of a sudden there they are, black streaks down the sides of your RV.  Black Streaks are the result of time and neglect.  Anyone owning a recreational vehicle has vertical surfaces that are susceptible to acquiring black streaks. Though they may not be prevalent on new surfaces, most smooth and semi-smooth vertical surfaces will get them. It is simply a matter of TIME. &n...

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The birds do it, the bees do it and even RVers do it – getting your “nest” on wheels ready for the coming season! As the days begin to grow longer and warmer, it’s time to prepare your RV for hitting the road!  Taking a little time now will help ensure enjoyment all through the year.  A few hours of preparation can save you a huge amount of hassle in the long run. And remember to always make safety your first priority. If you prepared your RV properly last...

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Motor homes, 5th Wheels, Travel Trailers and truck Campers can experience a problem with the build up of humidity, even in the high New Mexico desert climate.  This is especially true if your recreational vehicle or boat has been stored for any amount of time, or if you travel to humid climates. Humidity build up can create problems with mold and mildew and perhaps lead to dry rot if it seeps behind walls and into the floor.  The obvious solution to a humidity problem is a dehumid...

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One of the best things about traveling in a RV is being able to have water on tap inside, for cooking and cleaning, for personal needs, and for drinking. The water pump draws water from an onboard storage tank and pressurizes the water system for on-demand use. When you’re in a trailer park or a campground, you can usually just hook a potable water hose to an available water spigot to supply pressure to the water system. Always use a clean potable water hose to avoid contamination and prev...

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Here's another area that few of us give much thought to--until we have a flat tire on the road. Lug nuts play a critical role in RV safety. Here are some thoughts and tips on dealing with lug nuts.   Lug nuts and their mates, the lug stud, are designed to be torqued to a given point. The nut and stud, when put under twisting pressure (loosely translated "torque") actually stretch a bit. When the pressure is taken off, the metal snaps back, allowing the nut and stud to mate. One technician...

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Winter RV camping isn't for everyone.  If you’re going to be adventuresome and brave the cold, exercise caution, educate yourself and be prepared for any emergency. The single biggest factor in accidental deaths during the cold, in both homes and RVs, is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.  Every year people die because they attempted to use something for warmth that is not meant to be used in an enclosed space. Most RVs are equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, circui...

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A Trident 8 year warranty on your RV's paint and fabrics could be the best investment you can make in your RV.  Here are some reasons why: Any painted surface will be protected against fading or discoloration.  In the New Mexico climate, the brutal sun pounds down on your RV's exterior almost every day.  This can create oxidation which will erode the paint finish.  Plus, the Trident Protection Plan will provide protection against any permanent damage caused by hard water s...

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Taking Care of Your RV Tires Will Save You Money, and Might Save Your Life! Proper Tire Inflation Correct tire inflation is a key component in tire care. The recommended maximum inflation pressures for your tires are indicated on the certification label or in your owner's manual. Since RVs can be loaded with many different configurations, the load on each tire will vary. For this reason, actual air pressure required should be determined based on the load on each individual tire. Inflation pre...

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Do's and Don'ts for Cleaning Your RV Interior There’s good news and bad news when it comes to cleaning the inside of your “home away from home”. The good news is that RVs are compact - usually no more than a few hundred square feet. The bad news is that our RVs are exposed to elements unlike your stick and mortar home.  They are exposed in the pine-sappy woods, on the sandy seashore or in the dusty desert. And the fact of the matter is, your RV is made of l...

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Some people call RVing "camping" but really, it's like having a house on wheels.  Having electric in your RV seems decadent compared to true "camping". The ability to run a microwave, hair dryer, TV, toaster, washer/dryer or even an espresso machine - is brought to us by the magic of "shore power" (usually) or a 12-volt system with an inverter In this article we’ll discuss electric derived from the post and plug. Amps Draw It’s important to note that in an RV you can&r...

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Tips for a Maintaining Trouble-free RV Holding Tanks Holding tanks, certainly not the glitz and glamour of hitting the open road, are a fact of life when RVing. Most RVs have a black tank, one or two gray tanks and a freshwater tank. There’s no getting around it – without holding tanks we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the “home-style” plumbing features in our rigs. But holding tanks present mystery and perhaps even a bit of confusion to a new RVer. What, when, how&he...

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From time to time most RV owners, who are not full timers, have to store their RV for a while. It may only be for a few weeks or it could be for several months. Even though the RV is stored you need to take a few extra steps to protect it from the sun. Yes, the sun can be the worst enemy of your stored RV.  This is especially true if you live in New Mexico where the atmosphere is thinner and the sun's rays are stronger. Of course if you have a garage for your RV then you are one of the for...

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The term "dry rot" is actually a misnomer because the decay is caused by certain fungi capable of carrying water into the wood they infest. The water can be transported far away from the source and the wood will often feel dry to the touch thus the term dry rot.  Gradually, the wood decomposes and its strength is lost.  Such damage is often inconspicuous until it's final stages, working behind the paneling on the structural framing of the RV.  Dry rot in an RV can be caused by a...

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Hot summer days can mean more RV refrigerator problems - what to do? When temperatures are blazing,  your refrigerator is working hard. Any additional help you can give it will ease it's load. 1. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Decide what you need to take out or put in beforehand, do it quickly and close that door. 2. If you find you are opening the fridge door often for beverages or cold water, consider using a separate ice filled cooler to store these items.  You ...

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The roof on your recreational vehicle is just as important as a roof on any landlocked house. It protects you and your home from some of the destructive forces of nature, Part-timers, as well as full timers, need to plan regular maintenance for the tops of their RVs. Proper roof maintenance will keep your rig snug and dry. Two types of roofing materials are generally used on recreational vehicles: metal and rubber. Metal RV Roofs: Metal roofs, usually aluminum, are found on many older motorho...

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The generally accepted method of sanitizing your RV's fresh water system as outlined below involves filling the fresh water tank with a solution of household bleach and running the solution through each faucet. Then letting it stand for at least three hours. Finally, flush the system once or twice to remove the taste and smell. This procedure is one you'll find in most any book about RVing is tried and true but be sure to read on to find out what I do. Start with a nearly full fresh water ta...

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Your RV furnace operates on the 12vdc system, You do not have to be plugged in to 120v power use it.      If your thermostat only controls the furnace and has a switch to turn the furnace on/off, switch to ON position. If your thermostat controls the furnace and the air conditioner make sure the switch is set to FURNACE.   Set the thermostat to a warm temperature.  The furnace blower should come on after 15-30 seconds.         The blower w...

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