The $1,128,000,000 Campground

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Airstream RV Blog #84 - The $1,128,000,000 Campground from Sean Michael on TheLongLongHoneymoon.com.

How valuable was this camping experience? We’ve been told that a half acre of land on the Las Vegas Strip recently sold for $47 million. And yet, here’s a massive swath of such land dedicated to a full hookup RV campground. So using these numbers as reference, I guess our little campsite is worth at least $5,000,000 — and the campground itself is worth around $1,128,000,000. Read more

The Last Word On Shocks, I Think.

The choice of shocks for your rig is as much as a science as is the choice of chocolate or vanilla ice cream. There are shocks out there for every desired ride and handling. The real problem is getting through the hype and mystique to be able to read the claims by the shock makers and then decide which one suits your needs and wants for a combination of ride and handling.

Mooney wrote, “I’ve had Bilsteins and Rancho’s, Rancho 9000’s worked much better.” The Ranchero shock is a unit that is desiged for the off road crowd. They are a very heavy duty unit but according to Ranchero the selection is limited to SUV’s and pick up trucks.

TX Brad commented, “Interesting: ’ Life no longer simple’ !
Like knowing what is available today on new RV’s, but also what is good for replacement on an older RV . What factors are needed in selecting a ‘good’ replacement shock. ie weight, length ( wheel base), # axels\wheels , class A vrs C ?  Thanks  TX Brad”.

Most of those are taken into account by the shock maker and then he applies his own philosophy of ride and handling to the mix. And yes there are great differences between shocks. Than said, a glowing endorsement by one rig owner of a particular brand may not give the ride and handling results that you are looking for. For example, I installed Rancheros on my Chevy Tahoe several years ago. They stayed on the Tahoe just over a week and then were replace by Monroe Sensamatics. The rancheos were just too hard a ride for the passenger car like ride that I desired on the Tahoe. But the Rancheos are on my Chevy 4 wheel drive diesel Pick up and I love them on that application.

Photoian took me a bit to task in his comment and rightly so, “As seems usual, your discussion is Class A oriented. What about fifth wheels?
How do one even know how the shocks perform when no one rides in it. Last year I had a recall on bearings and , while taking care of those, it was discovered that the shocks were shot. I had them replaced and then called Monroe, the mfgr, and asked if there were upgrades for my model of shock.
He told me the shocks I had were entry level shocks and recommended a gas-filled shock. I bought six (triple axle) for backup for our Alaska trip this year.
This week, in Prince George, BC, I had my brakes inspected and while doing that, I asked the mechanic to look at the shocks. He did and said they were fine. I told him about my past experience and he said the ones I bought were not necessarily an up grade but just another kind, gas filled instead of oil filled.
So I’m still in the dark about shocks.”

On a trailer with no one riding in it to check the ride, the best way to check shocks is a visual inspection. You check them for leaks, damage, and the integrety of the mounts. But just one little comment on your comment. Gas shocks are not gas filled. They still have fluid but the air that is normally in a shock that could mix with the fluid and cause a foaming of the fluid that would change the way the shock works. Instead of that the shock is topped off with an inert gas under pressure to reduce the foaming and make the shock work better. In some instances the gas is in a plastic envelope in the shock.

So, read the makers blurbs, listen to the folks that tell you that XYZ is the best brand since sliced bread, and try to make an intelligent choice. Till next week keep on camping.

Brad

RV vs. Hotel - Which is Better?

RV vs. Hotel! from Sean Michael on TheLongLongHoneymoon.com.

Being travel enthusiasts, my wife and I have stayed everywhere from flea-infested hostels, to skanky motels, to cozy bed & breakfasts, to five-star resorts. I’d like to think we’ve learned something about hotels, and how they compare vis-a-vis RVs. So let’s ponder the timeless question: “What’s better, staying in an RV or in a hotel?”
Read more

A Great RV Add-on For Coffee Lovers

Sitting around a camp fire and drinking coffee just seems to go together.  Then again, for many of us, a good cup of java goes with any surroundings, like while you are driving your motor coach enjoying the scenic countryside.   Or even better, it helps pass the time when sitting in construction traffic. 

So, how do we get that rich fresh coffee flavor in every cup, and do this each and every time you desire?   There is only one way.  Make it fresh each time.  This in itself is not possible with a standard drip coffee machine, and pouring it manually each time may not be a feasible solution either.  The answer may be using a full blown European style café/cappuccino maker.  These units grind the beans, heat the water and fill a cup with the freshest coffee you will find, all in 30 seconds or so.

Having one of these on the counter of your motor coach will provide a delicious hot cup of java, to your taste, at the touch of a button.  No more wasting coffee if you just want one or two cups.  No more drinking or throwing out stale, over heated, bottom of the pot dregs.  Also, making only the exact quantity of cups needed reduces both energy and the fresh water required.       

There are many makes, models and sizes available.  The majority, if not all, that I have seen, are made by European manufacturers like Saeco or Trevi to name two.  These are all capable of also making fancy coffees like cappuccino, latte, etc.  The machines are not cheap.  You can expect to pay anywhere from $450 to $1,000 or more for a unit size suitable for a coach counter top.  You can find them usually in specialty kitchen shops or perhaps even in a large department type store.  My family and I own two, a large Saeco in the house, and a smaller Trevi in the motor coach. 

These coffee machines are relatively heavy in weight and sit on rubber feet, making them ride well on a counter top of a moving coach.  Most, if not all, will not operate on a modified sine wave inverter.  Therefore, if your RV does not have a true sine wave inverter, you will need to be plugged into shore power or have your generator running.

The only drawback, other than the somewhat steep initial cost, is the counter top space it takes up.   But, for the convenience of this great option, it is a small price to pay for a real coffee lover.  Once you have used one, you won’t want to go back.  The pleasure and ease of making a fresh coffee is exceeded only by the exceptionally rich taste.

 

Just Smelling The Coffee   -    Lug_Nut    -   Peter Mercer 

 

 

RVs of the Rich and Famous!

Amongst the general public, RVs have something of a mixed image. Some people just don’t appreciate the difference between a motor home and a mobile home. To the uninformed, there’s a thin line between a campground and a trailer park.

But walk onto any Hollywood back lot, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by RVs.

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 is the max I would want to drive on any day. So, that also means that I will need to make some plans for where we will stay on the way there and back. Or, we can ‘wing it’ while we make our way there and back.

So, if you have any suggestions, I would love to hear from you. I will be working these plans for some time and I am excited about going!

Thanks for reading and happy camping! See you next week!

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 electrical systems, maintain a full-charge in the 12-volt battery and clean the battery terminals periodically. Mechanical system tubes should be kept clean of dirt and debris.

Q. Do I need supports beneath the slide-out extension?
A. No. Supports can potentially cause damage to the slide-out unit as well as to frame. To minimize rocking, consider using a tripod stabilizer instead.

Visual Inspections
Occasionally take the time to visually inspect your slide-out system. If you’re purchasing a new / pre-owned RV, include the following steps in your walk-around inspection:

Check the alignment of any wheels that might ride on the carpet or flooring, impeding proper clearance.

Check the seals when the slide is retracted and also when it’s extended. Using a flashlight, closely examine the seals when the slide is retracted. You shouldn’t see light or detect airflow.

Inspect the tires and beneath the slide-out area to ensure proper routing of wires or cables and to confirm that nothing rubs on the tires when the slide is retracted.

Safety Precautions for Engaging Slide-Out Rooms

• Clear the room of people and loose objects
• Check the exterior of the unit for clearance
• Make sure the RV is level and the stabilizer jacks in place
• Unlock all travel locking devices 
• Engage the slide-out mechanism

This article was brought to you by Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service

Okay, Tire Experts: Were You Right?

In a recent RV.net blog post (Okay, Tire Experts: What’s Wrong With Our Tire?) we discussed our mysterious tire wear. One of our tires has been rapidly wearing out on the inside, in a pattern suspiciously reminiscent of crop circles. What was causing this strange phenomenon?

A number of theories were offered, including bad tires, bent rims, warped axles, and space aliens. Well, we’ve hauled our RV across the desert to a group of trailer axle experts, and today we report on what we found. 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 have in the tank , if you did use something like bleach or anti-bacterial soap the enzymes would stop doing their job of breaking down the paper, solids and smell in the tank. Next you can add 2 bags of ice to the tank through the toilet and go for a drive. While you are driving the ice will scrub the tank and clean it of any foul things that have been sticking around in it. Next, proceed to the nearest dump station and Bingo you have a squeaky clean tank. You will hear many ways of dealing with your black water/ wastewater tank but it will be up to you. A few things you might want to get for yourself when you know you have to do the dirty deed are Latex gloves and some cheap eye glasses, they will keep you clean and no splatters will get in your eyes. Next make sure you clean the area up of any spills so that next guy who uses it does not kneel down in a puddle you left behind. Just be courteous, when at the dump station so everyone will be happy to follow after you.

This article was brought to you by Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service

Camping on Route 66

America is replete with family owned RV campgrounds. Some of these parks have been in operation for decades. The best deliver not only a pleasant camping environment, but also a sense of history. You get more than a good night’s rest. You get a cultural experience. Read more

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