Is Better Quality In The Future For RV’s?

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 Well, it just might. The RV industry has been crippled by this economic downturn like no time before.  It has been particularly hard hit as it was such a hot product considering the somewhat limited market.   Some say it will never be the same, and that may very well be, at least for many of our lifetimes.  But, it will recover and again grow.  Perhaps not in the galloping way it has of the past decade. Back in January I did an article on the quality, or lack thereof, of RV’s today. It was titled “Is There Quality In Today’s RV’s?”  (Link Here if you missed it)  It drew many comments with a variety of different points of view.  But now, could there be changes afoot?  There just might be, but not necessarily by design. Read more Tell a Friend Read More →

Replace Your RV Ceiling Vent - DIY

This video clip goes over the importance of proper ventilation in your RV and how to replace a ventilation system. The video goes over step by step process of installing a new ventilation system in your both the inside and outside steps. We recommend this one that comes with a remote - Fan-Tastic Ceiling Fan/Vent with Remote Control available at Camping World. Or you may want to try the Shurflo Ceiling Vents as an alternative. Tell a Friend Read More →

The RV Trivia Challenge No. 2

The Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge No. 2. If you did okay on the RV Trivia Challenge No. 1, you may be on the road to becoming an RV Guru.  Others may be settling into a well informed RV enthusiast while still some may well be slipping into an “RV For Dummies” candidate rating.   If you missed the first RV Challenge, here’s a link to it.   The RV Trivia Challenge Keep in mind, this is a trivia.  It is not based on one RV type rig.  So, regardless of your type of camping, there should be some things that are familiar. Well. Let’s get at it!  Be sure to post your score, and or comments, in the comment box at the very bottom.  Good Luck!!! The Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge No. 2 1) The hitch point of a 5th wheel trailer pivots the tow and towed vehicle  ………… A) At the rear most part of the tow vehicle B) Near, or over the axle of the tow vehicle C) It does not pivot, the trailer becomes part of the tow vehicle, similar to a bus 2) If your house battery bank was rated at 400 amp/hrs, how long should you run a 20 amp load on a fully charged bank? A) 10 hours B) 20 hours C) 40 hours D) 15 hour 30 minutes 3) What would the maximum output be of a 5000 watt generator operating in Denver Colorado? A) About 5000 watts B) About 5350 watts C) About 4225 watts D) About 4805 watts 4) What is meant by the term “3 way fridge”? A) It refers to a three door, side by side frig B) It has a fridge, a freezer and an ice maker C)... Read more

DIY - Electronic Prodigy Brake Control Installation for Your Trailer

In this video clip Stew Oleson and Bill Gehr will show you how to install an Tekonsha Prodigy electronic brake control for your tow vehicle. Tell a Friend Read More →

Investing? In An RV?

Time and time again, we hear people that are pondering purchasing an RV state, “I want to get the right one as it is a large investment.”  When these statements, or similar are made, it almost always brings comments, like “An RV is not an investment, it’s a depreciating asset.”   These exchanges are fairly common on RV forums like RV.NET/Forums.   So, who’s right here?  Well, an investment, at least a financial one, is generally made to grow or increase the value of those funds and get a financial return.  At the outset, it would certainly appear that the “nay sayers” are in fact, correct.  So let’s look at those that still refer to the purchase of a recreational vehicle as an investment. Well, the purchase price is generally a substantial amount of money.  Also, as pointed out by the other side, the financial value will decrease, not increase; that is a guarantee.  But, does an investment’s return have to be measured in currency?  Perhaps not.   According to the Encarta Dictionary, the meaning is not confined to necessarily being a monetary return as can be seen on this link. There are other valuable things that may well qualify.  Perhaps it may provide big dividends in the form of a better lifestyle, a family unity, a healthier way of life or more.  The word investment originally was used solely to describe a financial security investment placed mainly to make financial gains or profits..  Today the... Read more

Getting The Most Out Of Your RV

Today, with RV’s costing so much money, both in the capital and operating costs, one has to get the most out of the equipment and features of their purchase.  So, how can an owner get the most out of the equipment and features from their current, or future, RV? The answer is pretty basic really: know how to operate and service each item that makes up the rig.  Surprisingly, or perhaps not, a large number of RV owners either do not thoroughly read the manuals, or do not retain much they are told or read.  Time and time again we hear or read of people asking elementary questions, like, “How do I get the chrome wheel cover off the wheel on my motor home?”  Also, one can not assume that a component on a new coach or trailer that appears similar to that of their last rig is, in fact, the same.   Perhaps many believe they already know how each component operates or maybe they don’t read the manuals as they are waiting for the movie to come out.        Knowing how to operate and carry out simple servicing and care of each component is a necessity to get the full value and maintain each in top condition.  To fully understand this requires the reading of each section of the manual, including those that seem most familiar, like the television set operation manual.   This one I can relate to first hand.  Back in October I purchased a digital TV converter for my rig, which is an ‘07, built in ‘06.  Dah!  It didn’t need one as... Read more

Kicking Your RV Fun Up A Notch!

No matter how comfortable, classy or fancy your RV, you still need something to do while vacationing or travelling the country.  Many choose golf, fishing or perhaps hiking.  One of the newest sport/hobby activities that is growing quickly, is rubber boating.  Now, when I say new, it certainly was for me, but there are folks that have been doing this for 10 years or more.  From what I was about to learn, and witness, this may very well have been one of the best kept secrets of how to discover the real Florida. So, what exactly is a rubber boat?  Well, it’s an inflatable boat that is made of a flexible material similar to PVC or vinyl.  It can be collapsed when not in use and blown up with an air pump when required.  Generally an outboard motor is used, and fastens on a built in transom.  The gasoline powered motors generally range from 2.5 horse power to 15, with the most common being 9.9 to 15.     This “Rubber Boat” sport, or hobby, is ideal for us RV enthusiasts.  Many of us can not tow a boat trailer as we are already towing a vehicle.  But, as a rubber boat can be deflated, it can easily be stored somewhere in the rig or in the towed vehicle.  Both the equipment and operating costs are very reasonable for the fun and enjoyment one can probably receive. A wide choice of makes are available such as Zodiac, Apex, Delphinus, Sea Eagle, and many more. I got my first experience at this “new to me” activity at the park I’m... Read more

Hope to Head East Next Summer

Hello all! I have been out of commission lately due to an illness in my family that I have been dealing with. In fact, as a result, I will be going to Kentucky and will be there for as much as four weeks which will be my first experience at full timing. I’m sure that will lead to an article about that experience. Now, let’s talk about next summer. My wife and I would love to head east next summer and want to make it up to Maine. We would prefer to find a campground that is on the ocean. We are looking for one that ‘promotes’ relaxation! That is, we are not really into campgrounds that have regularly scheduled activities, but just some nice relaxation next to the ocean.  Now, if someone has some suggestions in the ‘New England’ states area as well; that would also interest us . Again, we would like to stay near the ocean. When I was young, my mother and grandmother took me to the New England states on vacation. We visited Mystic Seaport in Connecticut and also drove to Maine to get some lobster to bring back home. I don’t remember everything we did, but I remember it being a very fun and interesting trip. My wife has always had the dream of visiting Maine. I personally think it has to do with her reading Stephen King books! Anyway, I think her dream of visiting Maine has rubbed off on me and now it is my mission to plan it out and make it happen. From what I can figure, it would take me about three days to get there. That would be about 400 miles per day, which... Read more

Slide Out Extensions

Frequently Asked Questions About Slideouts   RV Slide Out Slide-out Extensions Once a high-end luxury item, slide-out room systems have become a common feature on today’s RVs. With a simple touch of a button, campers increase their living space. There are three basic types of slide-out systems: 12-volt DC electric-motor, high-pressure hydraulic and hybrid systems. Whether motorized or manual, these systems have grown more reliable; however there are some good-to-know safety and service issues. The following information is to be used as a general guideline. As always, check your owner’s manual to address the specifics of your RV. FAQs Q. I hear a grinding sound immediately after pressing the button. Is this normal? A. Yes, it’s normal to hear a moaning sound as the piston shafts engage. Q. What do I do if the room stops before it’s fully extended? A. The piston shafts may need to be adjusted. Contact your dealer for service. Q. I’m going to be camped for an extended period of time. Is it okay to leave my slide-out extended for a long duration? A. Keep the extension in when the vehicle isn’t in use. If you’re full-timing or hunkered down in camp for awhile, bring it in and extend it again occasionally to keep the system lubricated. Q. What preventative maintenance is required for my slide-out system? A. Usually the only maintenance required for a hydraulic-system slide-out room is to keep the pump full of a high-quality, multi-purpose transmission fluid. For... Read more

Maintaining Your Wastewater Tank

Wastewater tanks are the easiest things to keep clean and smelling like roses. All you have to do is maintain them and they will never be a problem. I will give you a few ways to do this and not have to worry about the smell that creeps up in your RV from time to time. Let’s start with toilet, paper you can use single ply, the cheap stuff that does not clog your tank and then there is the RV toilet paper that cost much more and will do the same job. The next thing is dumping, dumping needs to be done when the tank is full and to perform this you connect the sewer hose to the dump station, then just pull the handle marked Wastewater tank or Black Tank, when the tank is empty, hook a hose to the sewer flush or run a hose into the RV and down the toilet, make sure you are not using your fresh water hose for drinking water, we do not want to contaminate the hose we get drinking water from. When the water coming from the tank is clear you’re done. Make sure to leave about three gallons of water in the tank to keep the enzymes swimming; now you want to add some more tank chemicals/enzymes that you can pick up from any RV dealership. The tank chemicals/enzymes you add will help in breaking down the toilet paper and the solids. They also help by keeping the smell down and keep your tank clean as a whistle. There are a few other ways to keep your tank clean. One way is to flush your tank then add some Dawn or Joy soap, not that anti-bacterial stuff as that would kill the enzymes you... Read more

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