Why Replace your Automobile Antifreeze?

Normally I would be discussing RV antifreeze used to protect the water system in your RV or boat from freezing, but today I want to talk briefly about automotive antifreeze. If I were the CEO of an automotive antifreeze company my entire focus would be on the need to regularly flush the coolant system and add new antifreeze to the vehicle cooling system. I would do this for two reasons. Read more  Read More →

RV Navigation and Much, Much More

Lug_Nut’s view of a growing technology.  Earlier I wrote about the adaption of using an Apple iPad in an RV for its application of a glass dash. If you missed it here’s a link   In addition to using this for instrumentation and of course navigation, there are other great features that RVer’s might find of interest. There are times when we are exposed to harsh or adverse weather conditions from heavy rain, snow threats or even tornado activity.  In many cases our only window to the weather is what we can see while speeding along the highway.  Well, there is a way that we can really know what’s ahead, 5 miles, 50 or hundreds.  We are talking about weather radar.  A clear and easy way to view precipitation throughout the country, all in real time less, 10 minutes. This is a great iPad app (Application) that lends itself well to the RV traveller, and it is just one of what may be many.  The one-time cost of this application is $1.99.  This application requires WiFi to retrieve. Travelling with large class A coaches or RV tow combinations can present some challenges for stopping along the way.   Travelling on the interstate highways can provide the manoeuvring required a each rest stop.  These rest stops however, can be found at random distances making it difficult to determine how far you must travel to the next.  The iPad offers the answer with an app containing every rest stop in the U.S.  Using its built in GPS system, this program can instantly tell you... Read more

The Next Generation In GPS Navigation Plus

A look at the cutting edge, from Lug_Nut.   Many RV owners consider the addition of adding a GPS navigation system to their existing coach.  Most choose the portable type mounted on a holder attached to the top of the dash or windshield.  These offer the advantage of portability which allows them to be used also in the towed vehicle.  However, one of the biggest drawbacks is the somewhat small screen. Then there are people that like the look and feel of the in-dash type.  Screen sizes on these are normally about 7” diagonally and many offer touch screen control.  The in-dash units contain a combination of features.  They are the AM/FM radio, Sat radio, CD player, back up camera capability and of course satellite GPS navigator all in one.  The cost of these before installation can be $600 to $1500 or more. Okay, that has been the choices that we have had in the past.  But, things are changing.  No longer are we going to be confined to using the same looking and functioning GPS navigation equipment that has been unchanged for years.    Well, for those that want to bring their motor home or tow vehicle into the next generation of the electronic future, consider this.  An Apple iPad can deliver more information on one big screen as well as offering the ability to be interactive.  The huge 9.7” touch controlled screen can deliver a high definition GPS navigation including voice guidance.  It can replace the need for your radio and provide iTunes and more.  It’s... Read more

A Beginner’s Guide to Storage

By the Never-Bored RVers There are many truisms about RVing for extended amounts of time, but probably none so ubiquitous as “I don’t have enough room for everything I need.” I call this “A Beginner’s Guide” because it was my solution to being able to fit in everything we needed when we began our full-timing life on the road.  In other words, if you’re already past that point, this probably won’t do you much good.  It also applies mostly to you guys/gals considering pulling a travel trailer as we do. We turned over the keys to the new owners of our three-bedroom home four years ago after going through the torment of selling everything that we couldn’t give away or store in a 10×10 unit (which we painfully cleared out earlier this year).  That meant being able to take only essentials in our 22-foot “starter” travel trailer.  Luckily, we had eight months from the moment the flash hit us that this was what we wanted to do for a year or two or ten, etc., to plan our escape from our typical bricks & mortar existence. Monique & I have our separation of responsibilities for most tasks; this was no exception.  We both agreed that a tow-behind trailer was the way we wanted to go, literally, because it would allow us to get into smaller campgrounds and wind along “pigtail” roads.  We still are committed to this choice, although a year after embarking on our journey, we moved up to a 28-foot all-season model with a slide (wish we had another in... Read more

Optimum Trailer Braking

If there is one phrase I advocate it would be “you get what you pay for”. This phrase always holds true, regardless of what you are purchasing. If you are going to buy a product intended to perform a specific job it only makes sense to pay a little extra and get one that does the job flawlessly.     Read more  Read More →

The RV Trivia Challenge No. 13 – On-The-Road Knowledge

The Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge No 13 will test your on-the-road knowledge . Keep in mind, this is not an I.Q. test, it is a trivia requiring some guess work.  So, get a pencil and paper to record your answers.  When you have completed the 10 questions and scored your answers, please post your results in the comment section found at the very bottom. Read more  Read More →

Driving An RV. How Old Is Too Old?

A Lug_Nut pondering thought.   A while ago, while staying in an RV resort, I got to thinking about the aging population.  Of those that enjoy RVing today many are in the upper middle age group.  This is particularly true when looking at the people that own larger RV’s like motor homes and 5th wheel trailers combinations.  Despite the average age of people that own RV’s in the U.S. being in the mid forties, one must realize that RV;s include everything from a tent trailer and up. In the larger class of both motor homes and trailers there are many owners that are 65 years old and older.  This may be partially due to the cost of some of these rigs.  For the investment required, the average working person could not possibly reap enough benefits from it given the available free time their job may offer.  Then of course there is the affordability.  Life is backwards, by the time you can afford what you want, you are too old to enjoy it.  Well, that may fit most cases, but with an RV that may not hold true. So, how old is too old to operate a motor home or trailer combination?  There is no correct answer.  There is a time when one must quit.  This time is when one may become either physically or mentally unable to operate their vehicle in a safe manner for all concerned.  This does not only affect aging drivers, but applies to all.  But, we will look at those that are caused by age. What actually causes this to happen to an otherwise healthy senior citizen?  His eye... Read more

Daily Preventive Maintenance Travel Checks

  We just returned from a five week long RV trip, traversing the country from east to west and back again. Something I noticed that surprised me is the majority of RVers I saw at the campground did not take a minute or two to check the fluid levels in their RV or tow vehicle after arriving at the campground, or before leaving on the next days journey. I’m sure some people did check their vehicle over and I just didn’t see it, but what I am saying is that out of all the campgrounds we stayed I saw very few people with the hood up checking fluid levels.  Read more  Read More →

The Accuracy and Worth of Onboard Fuel Monitors

As reported by Lug_Nut .  Last week we looked at needed dash instruments and readouts required in the operation of your RV or tow vehicle.  This week we will examine an option that may be a somewhat luxury that many already have, the fuel mileage onboard computer.  Does it work and does it provide a value? Fuel consumption computers are found on many vehicles sold today including many RV chassis.  These display digital readouts of such things as instant MPG, current MPG since last reset, estimated remaining fuel range and more.  While all may have somewhat questionable accuracy they are still very useful.  In addition, one has to also remember that the calculations do not include consumption from the generator or any fuel burning heaters or boilers. Unfortunately their accuracy can not be adjusted.  This is due to their method of calculation.  While gasoline and air intake are burned at a theoretical weight ratio of 14.7 to 1, it is subject to vary depending on conditions and the exact fuel properties.  Temperature for example, alters the volume to weight ratio of both fuel and air.  So repeatability is not necessarily possible.  One day’s event may well be more accurate than another. Even industrial electronic flow meters with temperature compensation are generally only accurate to a + or – of about 0.5 %, and these are far too expensive and delicate for such an application.  But, for what they are and do, the automotive fuel consumption computers work pretty... Read more

What Does Your RV Instrument Cluster Tell You?

As Lug_Nut sees it.   Most automobiles need only three instruments, a speedometer, a voltage meter and a fuel gauge.  The rest can be handled by warning lights, also referred to as “Idiot Lights.”  Even tachometers have little actual application in most family cars, SUV’s and trucks.  Yet the majority of these vehicles have a host of gauges, speedo, tach, oil pressure, engine temperature, voltage, fuel, etc.  But what about motorized RV’s and RV tow vehicles?  Do they also have the market driven instrument overkill?  Probably not. Many RV owners would like a dash that looks like it was taken from a Boeing 747.  Mostly a guy thing I think.  But, the gauge readouts required by most RV’s and tow vehicles are far greater than that of a passenger auto.  Let’s look at what those readouts need to provide. Speedometer – Well, that goes with out saying.  Without one, you may have to pay many speeding fines.  In addition, the speedo in this application may also be used to synchronize shift points for deceleration and compression brake engagement.  For the cost of motorized RV’s today, I don’t know why they do not come with switchable mile/km units like found on some autos.  These are analogue gauges that recalibrate from one to another at the push of a button.  Tachometer – Monitoring engine speed is critical to maintain adequate engine cooling while climbing a grade or operating within a desired torque band.  It is also required to properly... Read more

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