The RV Trivia Challenge 9. Are You Up To It?

Welcome to the first Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge of 2010. The Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge No. 9 series will test your skills on a variety of RV related topics.  As usual whenever a broad base of topics are presented, it becomes difficult to know the answers for all the questions.  Please remember, this is trivia, requiring some guess work on occasion.   Get a pen and paper so that you can record your answers.  Upon completion, you can check your answers with those shown at the bottom.  Good luck. So, Let’s go! Read more  Read More →

The Mystery Camper Challenge Is Back. Can You Solve It?

Where is the Mystery Camper today?  We haven’t heard from him for some time and this one will not be easy.  In the past the Mystery Camper has sent us photos of his surrounding.  These have been solved quite quickly by our smart members and readers.  Well, he has not forwarded any photo clues this time, only some words and images.  Your challenge is to name the location and campground.   So here’s all we have right now.  Clues will be added if needed every few days.  Who will have the bragging rights to solving this one?       “Something about the park’s name reminds me of Hawaii.  What would that be? The Mystery Camper                                                          Well, that’s it.  That’s all we have currently to work with.  Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom.  If you think you have solved it, let’s hear the location, campground name and how you figured it out.   With The Challenging Question    -     Lug_Nut    -     Peter Mercer  Read More →

Hydronic Heat For Gas Coaches And Trailers

Now gasoline powered RV’s and trailers will be able enjoy the comfort and efficiency of hydronic heat. RV furnaces and hot water heaters may soon be things of the past on many rigs now that an affordable propane fired hydronic heating system is available.  Aqua-Hot recently introduced its new 375-LP that can provide interior heating and a continuous supply of hot water.  While plugged into shore power it is heated with a 1500 watt 120 VAC element for general light service which helps reduce propane consumption.  During times requiring additional heat, or while no AC is available, it is equipped with a propane burner. Read more  Read More →

Extended Warranties: How To Protect Your Investment

Last week we looked at the cost effectiveness of extended warranties.  This week we will discuss what the vehicle owner is responsible for during such a warranty. If you elect to purchase an extended warranty on your RV, you need to protect that investment.  This requires regular maintenance at the frequency rate recommended by the manufacturer.  It also requires you to have the documents confirming the service was carried out.  So, keep all these receipts in a safe place so you can produce them if ever needed.  This maintenance file is also good to have when selling your RV down the road. Additionally, you are expected to operate the vehicle within its specifications and take the necessary steps that may be required once a failure has occurred.  For example, if on a motorized RV the oil pressure alarm sounds, you must stop the vehicle and engine immediately.  Damage caused by the engine operating any duration after the failure may not be covered by the warranty.  Say you saw a service station a mile down the highway and you decided to try to nurse it the extra mile.  If the oil pressure is low, not just a sensor failure, the crank bearings and the cylinder walls and more may be damaged. There are two ways the warranty shop can tell that the engine was run after the oil pressure ceased.  First, by inspecting the internal parts in the motor.  Secondly the ECM (Engine Control Module) records all engine events and would probably show that the oil pressure was low... Read more

Extended Warranties. Are They Worth It?

So, what exactly is an extended warranty? It is a warranty on a portion or all of a product that starts when the original manufacturer’s warranty expires.  It, as in the original, has a term, usually stated in months.  Additionally there may be other qualifying components such as a maximum mileage or operating hours.  Like the original warranty, it covers repairs or replacements of items that fail, but excludes normal wear, abuse or failure due to lack of maintenance. Extended warranties are offered now on many consumer purchases on vehicles worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to a seven dollar electronic accessory.  There are manufacturer, dealer and independent extended warranties available.   These additional warranties, however, come with a price.  Is this extra cost worth it? Well, of course there is no simple answer to this.  While there are many variables, even the same item may support such a need for one person’s application, but not for another’s.  However, making the right choice requires more than just knowing the cost.  You have to know what the service contract includes in full detail. First, who is the company that is offering this?  Generally they would fall into one of the three categories below. Manufacturer: While this is probably the best warranty package, it is generally the most expensive.  Service is usually throughout the country using their dealer network. Dealer: Normally more price competitive, but may be limited to a single point... Read more

So, Are You As High Tech As Your RV Is?

GPS navigation, cellular phones, Bluetooth technology, what did we ever do before these became common place in our lives?  I remember when one could take a road trip for several hundred miles without the thought of a need for any of these things.  Read more  Read More →

New Innovations In Battery Technology

Many larger class “A” coaches are opting to AGM batteries, particularly if they are all-electric rigs.  This is primarily due to their cleaner operation and they are less ventilation dependant.  We are, however, going to see even greater advances in the batteries from those we use today.  They will offer more power, last longer and be far lighter. Read more  Read More →

Diesel Pushers Owners. What The Manuals Don’t Tell You.

Operation manuals are a great help in getting the most out of a product.  By studying these one can learn how to properly use the product without exceeding its specifications and causing damage.  However, there are things that are not necessarily covered and are either common sense, assumed knowledge or just plain missed.        So, let’s look at a modern class A diesel pusher.  It has air suspension and air brakes.  In most cases the manuals do not state the following.   Air Brakes: Do not exert hard pressure on the brake pedal while the park brake is applied.  Doing so may multiply the power of both the park brake spring and the air brake chamber which could cause damage to the mechanical portion of the “S” cam assembly.  Light to moderate pressure only is required while disengaging the park brake. Airing Up:  This is when you air up to ride height from a height lower than that used for travel.  Do not drive the vehicle until the suspension is fully inflated and at ride height.  This can generally be confirmed by in-dash indicators, if so equipped, or the sound of the compressor unloading.  This requirement is to avoid two possible issues.  The first is the possibility of contacting the fender with the front tires if steered to either side.  The second issue is the acute angle that the drive shaft U joints are at when aired down.  High torque at this steep angle may cause premature U joint failure.  Moving a short distance relatively straight under... Read more

RV Trivia Challenge 8, How Well Do You Know RVing?

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season. I thought this may be a good time to sharpen those RV skills, in as much as you have time digesting that turkey dinner. Read more  Read More →

10 Great Holiday Gifts Over $100 For The RV Buff

Last week we looked at gifts for RV buffs focusing on about a $20 to $100 budget. For those that may be looking for gifts for the RV enthusiasts for $100 and up, this may be up your alley.  At least it may help give you ideas. The Tassamo premium hot beverage maker is a convenient way to enjoy your coffee or other hot beverage while on the road or in camp.  The individual loaded packs make a fresh single coffee in seconds.  This product has really caught on within the RV community.  There are several makes with varying prices from about $100 to over $200. They are available on-line, in large department stores and in specialty kitchen store outlets. Read more  Read More →

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