Get Some Control Over Holding Tank Odors

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 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 →

Is Better Quality In The Future For RV’s?

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 →

Hensley TrailerSaver 5th Wheel Hitch Line-up

When TrailerSaver introduced the TS3 nine years ago, a new standard for 5th Wheel hitches was set. When Hensley Mfg. bought TrailerSaver three years ago, they raised the bar even higher, and the improvements just keep coming. Today, Hensley Mfg. offers a 5th Wheel hitch for any sized truck/trailer combination, with or without air-ride. For the medium duty trucks, Hensley offers the 2H Air-Ride hitch, a 32k adjustable hitch, and a 32k low profile hitch. All are bolt down models. For the light duty pick-ups with standard rails, Hensley offers the TS3 Air-Ride hitch, a 26k adjustable hitch, and a 19k adjustable hitch. Read more Tell a Friend Read More →

2009. The Year Of The Revival Of The RV “Bat Wing”

Welcome to the year of the bat wing.  The “Bat Wing”, the “T” shaped crank up off-air television antenna found on pretty well every RV.  Have you noticed how many you see now in the up position in every campground?  Even large highline rigs are displaying their bat wing antennas.  So, why has this changed from last year, or previous years? The government has legislated that television broadcasters switch from analogue to digital.  This was done to make better use of the frequency spectrum and allow more services to have the ability to better share these frequency bandwidths.  This changed has brought a whole new view on off air reception.  Top quality high definition programming is now on many local channels in the U.S.A.  This will boost the number of viewers of off air substantially.  This is a definite bonus to those of us that have an RV.  Many homes get their local news through cable and probably don’t even have an off air antenna.  Many RV’s have satellite dishes, but on occasion wish to view the local news via their off air bat wing.  Whether you have a newer TV that is already digital ready, or add an analogue/digital converter, you will love the picture quality. With this increase in use of the “Bat Wing” antennas on RV’s, will come more accidental damage caused by forgetting to retract it prior to departing camp.  While some rigs have warning buzzers and lights, many do not.  Additionally, with this... 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

Nitrogen Filled Tires. Is It Worth The Bother & Cost?

One of the topics that come up often in the RV community is the use of dry nitrogen in tires. That is, using compressed dry nitrogen instead of regular air.  Is there an advantage to this that warrants the cost?  I think first we have to understand why, and if, nitrogen works better than normal compressed air in an RV tire application. Normal dry air contains mainly nitrogen to begin with, in fact about 78% by volume.  The balance is around 21% oxygen and 1% argon and mixed miscellaneous gases.  Moisture, however, is usually present in this air after it has been compressed.  For that purpose, air compressors generally employ a dryer in order to reduce this.  But, in normal service station tire fill-ups, you can expect an additional product, vapor or humidity, 1 to 5%.  The later being the worst case scenario. Though we can not see them, the air is made up of molecules.  Nitrogen molecules are much larger than those of oxygen.  This, in its self, serves as a benefit when used to inflate a tire.  More on this later. Over 99% of tires in use today are tubeless. Tubeless tires expose the rim to the gases that support the tire.  Over time these gases and vapor can oxidize or rust the rim surfaces.  While such internal damage is slight given the wheel’s life span, it can produce micro metallic pieces or dust.  There is a remote possibility that this debris may eventually end up in the tire valve seat.  This could occur when air is being expelled such... 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 →

The Monthly Mystery Challenge

Happy Valentines day to every one.  This will be the first of a series of “The Monthly Mystery Challenge.”  Each month, we will present a mystery question, which those that wish, can try and solve.  The answer to each will be revealed at the end of the month.  So let’s test your detective skills. This month will be devoted to, “Name That Coach”. Do you know the make, model and year of the pictured coach?  If so, enter your answer in the comments section found at the bottom of the page. February’s Mystery question is………….. What coach is shown in the photo to the left?  Leave a comment with your guess! (The answer will be announced at the end of the month on February 28th) Good Luck! With A Skill Testing Question  -  Lug_Nut  -   Peter Mercer Tell a Friend Read More →

The RV Trivia Challenge!

  It’s time for the Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge.  Are you an RV Guru,  a fairly well informed RV enthusiast, or are you an “RV For Dummies” candidate?  Check it out and let’s hear how you score. Alright, if you are up to the challenge, let’s see how you do. Read more Tell a Friend Read More →

Tire Monitors. A Gadget Or A Must Have?

Having a flat tire on your automobile is one thing, having a flat on your RV is totally different.  While both present a possible safety issue, the later, motorized or towed, can be a harrowing experience due to the weight and size.  Additionally the cost can be substantially more in the case of an RV.  Often, the shredding of a motor home tire while getting slowed and stopped, can cause severe body damage.  Torn, or destroyed  fenders and wheel wells can result.   Of course the wheel itself and surrounding components may also suffer and require repair or replacement.   These damages can cost thousands of dollars to correct, in addition to the replacement of the subject tire.  So how can you eliminate the possibility of having a tire blow out?  Well, unfortunately you can’t.  There is no way you can guarantee it will never happen, unless you want to get “Run Flats“, but, unfortunately, they are not available in the size and weight you need.  But you may be able to substantially reduce the chances of this ever happening. Industry experts agree that the majority of blow outs are the result of tires that are 20% or more under inflated.  This under inflation is generally the result of either, operator not regularly maintaining the tire pressures or the development of a slow leak.   Well, you could eliminate the maintenance issue by being more diligent with regular frequency.  But, the slow leak is unpredictable.  It could develop at anytime,... Read more

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