What Ever Happened To Rear Windows In Motor Homes?

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our E-mail Digest or RSS Feed. We will then send you the stories that are posted each day in an e-mail digest. We use a service called Feedburner for delivery of these emails. You will receive an e-mail from Feedburner after you subscribe and you must click on that email to activate your subscription. Thanks for visiting and enjoy all the information! RV.Net Blog Admin Looking at class “A” coaches over the past 20 years has to beg the question “What ever happened to the back window?”  Twenty years ago the majority of coaches had back windows.  Over the years they have disappeared on almost all diesel pushers and on many higher line gas designs.  Today nearly all diesel pushers and most gas A class coaches are without rear window. Perhaps it was faded out as it offered very little to the coach.  So let’s look at what advantages the rear window actually offered. Provides extra light into the rear or bedroom area.  The difference a rear window makes to extra light can not be over stated.  It can turn that hazy dark room into a bright cheerful space.  All of this with a blind to select dark when needed.   Provides an inside visual when backing for a spotter.  Ever had to back into a site in heavy rain?  It’s either wet spotter or no spotter.  With a rear window, your spotter can stay in the comfort of the rig and observe the area you are backing into and use verbal warnings, if... Read more

The RV Trivia 4 - Destinations and Attractions

The Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge 4 is focused on destination attractions.  Many you have probably heard of, but do you know where they are located?  Well, we are about to find out.  Get a pencil and paper so that you can record your answers as you go through it.  You will then be able to check your answers against those displayed at the very bottom.  Be sure to share your score and any other comments you may have in the comments section following the answers. So, give it a go!  Happy Travelling.     1) If you wanted to RV to an area, in North America, where you might be able to see crocodiles in the wild, where would you go?  A) South California B) South Florida C) There are no crocodiles in North America 2) If you were at Dollywood, what town would you be in?  A) Los Angeles, California B) Las Vegas, Nevada C) Branson, Missouri D) Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 3) If you were at the “Four Corners”, which states would you have to be in?  A) Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico or Utah B) Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico or Colorado C) Louisiana, Mississippi or Alabama D) California, Nevada or Arizona 4) Travelling and camping in the Cabot Trail requires you to get to what Province in Canada? A) Ontario B) Quebec C) British Columbia D) Nova Scotia E) New Brunswick 5)   No vehicle over 21 feet long is allowed on this scenic mountain road called Going-To-The-Sun Road.  This is a toad road for many of us.  Where is this famous road?  A) Whistler, British Columbia B)... Read more

Extended-Stay Maintenance Checks

Normally when you plan a trip in your RV you conduct some type of pre-trip checks to make sure the RV is properly prepared for travel. When it’s time to leave the campground you perform these checks again for the return trip. But what happens when you find that perfect campground or RV Park and stay put for extended periods of time? Do you conduct routine maintenance checks on the RV to make sure it is in a safe and operable condition while it’s parked? Most likely you do, but if not here are some extended-stay maintenance checks to consider performing. Read more Tell a Friend Read More →

Get Some Control Over Holding Tank Odors

Holding tank odors can be a real problem, especially if you don’t know how to deal with them. If you are new to the RV scene, this issue is perhaps the most popular complaint (aside from dead batteries!). When purchasing a new RV, part of the delivery process is explaining how to empty and rinse your holding tanks, as well as preventing holding tank odors by using chemicals. But on a particularly hot day, even chemicals can’t stop the odoriferous emanations gagging you out of your RV. It’s the same problem porta-potties have which everyone has probably experienced at one time or another. So what can you do to assist in controlling tank odors? Do the Lil’ Stanker holding tank fan mod. Read more Tell a Friend Read More →

Factory Service May Be The Answer

The Lug_Nut view. Motorized recreational vehicles are not a daily driver, and in general are used infrequently, usually only for vacations or a weekend get-away.  In fact, the average RV in the United States travels about 4,500 miles per year.   Many times mechanical issues can spoil or cancel an otherwise great trip.  Unlike an automobile, you can not just rent a like unit or get a loaner while the vehicle is being repaired.  You then become dependant on how fast the issues can be addressed and fixed.  So you take it to your local dealer and hope they can get right on it.  You have a slide problem, a refrigerator that stopped cooling and an awning that has a bent arm.  As a general rule most dealers assign one technician to work on your rig.   Even if they start on the unit that day, usually not much is done except the diagnostic part of the issues.  Next there are parts that are usually required.  Again, unlike an automobile dealer that generally stocks most parts, the RV dealer does not.  This is due to the vast number of parts, assemblies and components that go into making these vehicles.  So, you may well be further delayed while the needed pieces are located, shipped and received. Okay, on day three the parts have arrived.  Hopefully the technician is free to get them installed.  Most of this day is lost in receiving the items, rescheduling the tech and preparing the install.  Sometimes the parts received are not correct or are not complete and require... Read more

The Monthly Mystery Challenge for June Update: June 19th Solved

The Mystery Camper is at it again!  This time you not only have to guess where he is, but what make, model and approximate year his coach is.   The Mystery Camper has once again found another beautiful RV park somewhere in North America.  June’s Monthly Mystery Challenge will be to figure out where he is now and to figure out what rig he has.  Name the place, the name of the RV park and the make, model and year of his rig.  View the photos that the Mystery Camper took.    This is the tail light on the Mystery Rig This looks like a headlight on the Mystery rig Hmmmmm....Looks like a new door design To aid you, we will add clues every day or so if required. Clue 1:  The first letter in the city’s name is displayed high on the mountain. Clue 2: This is one of five properties operated by this RV resort group. Clue 3: City named after one of two explorers. Clue 4: The Gateway to Hell’s Canyon. Dennis gets the bragging rights for correctly solving both the location, Premire RV Resorts, Granite Lake, Clarkston, Washington.  He also guessed the correct motor home, 2009 Monaco Camelot.  Good going Dennis. So, let’s hear your guess.  This one may very well be the toughest yet.  Post your solution in the comments section below. Roaming The Country    -    Lug_Nut    -    Peter Mercer Tell a Friend Read More →

Replacing Your TV In Your Current RV

Last week, we covered some of the choices available for televisions in new or existing RV’s. (Link Here) This week, we will look at upgrading the equipment in your existing rig.  Recently this has been a popular project for many, so let’s try to understand why. Read more Tell a Friend Read More →

May’s Mystery Challenge Answer

The Mystery Camper was back at it again, somewhere in North America. These shots were taken at the campground he was at. As usual, our readers solved this one without too much effort. It was indeed Outdoor Resorts (Signature Resorts) in Indio, California. Read more Tell a Friend Read More →

TV Choices in Today’s RV’s

Rv’s have to hold the record for the most television sets per square foot for any type of dwelling. There are many class A’s that have four, class C’s with three and even class B’s with two and possibly more. So where are all these sets in such a limited area? Generally there are up to two in the living room and kitchen area, one in the bedroom and one in an outside bay for patio viewing.  The CRT type has been replaced by lighter more compact LCD or plasma panel types.  The LCD has become the popular choice as it is available in so many sizes, is cost efficient, and seems somewhat more resilient in the mobile application. Now all of these are starting to come equipped for high definition broadcasts, requiring more sophisticated receivers, antennas and wiring. Is this new high definition a “must have” in an RV?  Perhaps not, in my opinion, though many may disagree.  Don’t get me wrong, HD (High Definition) produces a remarkable, photo like, picture.  While this is a stark difference from SD (Standard Definition), I don’t believe it adds that much to watching a movie on TV.  Viewing sports, for example, may be a little different, as the far sharper images can, in fact, make a vast improvement. So how many are too much? Most RV’s today come standard with one or two TV sets.  Generally each comes with a set in the living area with perhaps an additional one in the bedroom area.   An optional set is often available in... Read more

Some Less Practiced Tips On Saving Fuel While RVing

There are many ways that we can reduce fuel and related costs while enjoying travelling in our RV’s.  Of course, we all know that reducing speed, assuring we have the correct tire pressure, reducing idling time, and accelerating at a reasonable rate all help to contribute to better fuel mileage.  There are other, less practiced means to further reduce these costs.  So, let’s take a look at some of them. Weather Considerations - Winds of 15 MPH or more can have a substantial affect on increasing or reducing your vehicle’s moving resistance.  So much so, that on some larger vehicles a 25% or more difference can be experienced between running against a headwind, or running with one.  Driving an “A” class coach that, say, averages 8 miles per gallon, typically drops about 1 mile a gallon if operating in a 15 MPH plus headwind.  That would consume slightly more than 57 gallons for a 400 mile day run, compared to a still air consumption of 50 gallons.  Higher winds of 25 to 35+ MPH can be devastating and may result in the burning of mid 60’s for the same run.  Limiting the distance, or if possible cancelling that day’s run on windy days, can help save on your overall fuel bill.  The reverse holds true if you are going to be travelling in the general direction of the wind.  Some of the best miles per gallon have been recorded with a tailwind.  These days should be used to travel a little further if your journey is a long haul, like... Read more

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