RVSEF to conduct RV Lifestyle, Education & Safety Conference in Bowling Green

By Bob Difley Years ago I was fortunate to be able to teach classes at the Life On Wheels RV Conferences. But unfortunately, the program no longer exists due to the death of its founder and head cheerleader, Gaylord Maxwell. It was an excellent learning program with offerings for wannabee RVers to old hands brushing up. One of the other instructors was Walter Cannon, who offered classes–like his driving and safety classes–through his Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation (RVSEF). He has since brought his program to other venues across the country and in partnering with North Hampton Community College in Bowling Green, Kentucky, will again offer his “Behind the Wheel” driving classes (which will be held at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green) as part of RVSEF’s RV Lifestyle, Education & Safety Conference in 2012 on May 18 – 20. To register call RVSEF @ 321-453-7673 or email them. Check out my website for RVing tips and destinations and for my ebooks, BOONDOCKING: Finding the Perfect Campsite on America’s Public Lands (or for Kindle version), Snowbird Guide to Boondocking in the Southwestern Deserts (Kindle version), and 111 Ways to Get the Biggest Bang out of your RV Lifestyle Dollar (Kindle version).  Read More →

Tow Ratings Standardization: Comparing Apples to Apples

Have you ever wondered if 10,000 pounds of towing capacity means the same for trucks manufactured by GM, Ford, and Dodge? Towing Capacity Overkill. What could possibly go wrong here? (Credit: tacomaworld.com) You will soon know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Automotive manufacturers agreed in 2008 to standardize tow ratings as specified in the SAE’s Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice J2807 to take effect by 2013. The industry alliance includes Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, and Honda, along with several leading trailer and hitch makers. Until now, each manufacturer was free to test using proprietary conditions ideally suited to a truck’s towing strengths and decide their own maximum trailer rating. They could pretty much advertise whatever ratings they wanted since there was no “apples to apples” comparison between brands or models. Each company designed its own test, and—surprise, surprise—their trucks always aced the tests. Imagine the EPA didn’t exist, and car companies could just make up fuel-economy figures to boost sales. Kinda like, catch me if you can—on my towing ratings! Makers would boast about the pounds their pickups and SUVs could tow, and their exhaustive testing used to determine the towing capacity. But when a new truck claimed a higher number, the other manufacturers would rewrite their spec sheets with increased towing capacity and, as if by magic, match or beat the new kid on the block. And there was nothing... Read more

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #12 RV Internet Show Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #12 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube             On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage:  * Mark installs a Wingard TV Antenna, a 13,500 btu roof AC unit by ASA Electronics, Maxx Air II vent covers, a Jensen stereo system and new LP gas lines on the vintage Yellowstone restoration project.   * See what the Cape Hatteras KOA at the North Carolina Outer Banks has to offer in the way of amenities and local attractions.  * All of this and more on this episode of Mark’s RV Garage.  If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 13 will be available for viewing on 25 July 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

RV Fire Safety

One of the more common calls the Yuma Rural/Metro Fire Department responds to this time of year is for fires in recreational vehicles, according to fire marshal Curt Foster. According to Foster, two such calls happened last week, The Yuma Sun reports. RV fires are one of the largest causes of recreational vehicle loss. Photo courtesy Mac the Fire Guy RV owners need to be just as a careful, if not more so, than homeowners in guarding against fires, and the best way to do that is through prevention. “They need to be thought of as homes, because for some people they are,” Foster said. “Owners need to be taking the same precautions for their RVs that they do for in homes.” While it may seem obvious, Foster said one of the most important things that RV owners need to do is make sure the smoke, LP gas, and carbon monoxide detectors are all located properly and in good working condition. Foster recommends replacing the batteries in those detectors every couple of years and to clean and test them monthly. He added that Norcold and Dometic have issued recall notices for their refrigerators due to fire danger and that if you receive one, you should take care of it right away. Something else that may seem obvious but worth mentioning, according to Foster, is that recreational vehicles, like homes, have appliances such as ovens and heaters, and that owners need to make sure they are turned off before they leave. Driving with propane on can add to the danger if you are involved in... Read more

What is a “Green Certified” RV?

I just returned from the 48th annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky. There was a good representation of exhibitors and manufacturers at the show and attendance was up from last year’s scaled down show. All good signs that the RV industry is on the rebound. Read more  Read More →

A Tire-some Expense

 By the Never-Bored RVers The fact that we have bought 11 RV tires in the past four years does not make us experts on RV tires, but we have learned a few things that may have saved us money and agony.  No matter what type RV you use, this is applicable to you. We owned a 22-foot light weight trailer that we loaded up right to the 5,000-pound GVWR limit and drove across the U.S. and back for a year.  We had two blow-outs caused when I scraped the sides of the tires on the edge of narrow roadways, plus we wore out the original four tires.  Since they were 14” tires, the cost wasn’t too bad, but we would have preferred to use that money for more enjoyable pursuits. On our way to Death Valley this week pulling our 28-foot Bigfoot, we stopped off to have our wheel alignment checked, concerned because of what we considered unusual wear on the outsides of the front tires in our two-axle tandem.  We learned that: 1) axles were correctly arched upward to compensate for the weight and bounce of the trailer, and 2) that our wheels were aligned, so that was not the problem. There was no problem, except for the way tandem tires wear.  We were told that when we turn sharply, the tires actually skid along the road surface.  We are on the move a lot, often backing into a half-dozen or more campgrounds each month, so the wear is not unusual.  Well, that should have made us feel better about the situation, but an hour later we forked over $800 for a set of new 10-ply LT tires.  Ouch! And,... Read more

RV Slides, More and Bigger, May Not Be Better

Slides, or pop-outs, are abundant on most of today’s motor coaches and trailers.  Depending on the RV make, model, size and floor plan will normally dictate the number of slides.  There may be one or there may be multi.  There are small slides and there are full wall ones.  Additionally there are varying depths usually from about 12” to 36” or more.   So, how many is enough?  More may not always be better.  While bigger and more may provide additional interior space, it may have trade-offs.  Let’s look at some of the other considerations one should take into account, for each choice.   Multi (3 or 4) deep slides may provide very little livability when faced with overnight stops where slide deployment is not possible.  Access to the bathroom may be awkward for larger people during travel times. The vehicle will be heavier than those with less or no slides.  Generally, for most multi-slide units, slides on one side must be deployed to attain a reasonable comfort level. Single side slides (1 or 2) may he slightly less livable when faced with overnight stops where slide deployment is not possible.  Access to the bathroom may be awkward for larger people during travel times. The vehicle will be heavier than those without slides. Non-Slide units provide the same space in all circumstances.  Generally they can boondock in locations that slide types would not and also have more parking choices when in the same place.  Their weight is generally much lower than a slide... Read more

Are The Most Expensive Motor Homes The Best?

When the most expensive and luxurious coaches are thought of, Prevost is the first one that will come up.  Prevost chassis and shell that is.  The actual final product is made by a number of conversion builders, Marathon, Millennium, Featherlite, Liberty, just to mention a few.  Typical list prices for these can range from one and a half million dollars or more.      Why are they so expensive?  Well, there are very few produced each year.  They are on arguably the best bus chassis in the world, Prevost Coach.  Each design is somewhat unique with interior touches tailored to the owner.  All of this makes it a very impressive motor coach without question. But, are they really the best choice for the motor home application, even if money was no barrier?  Maybe yes or perhaps no.  Prevost is without question the finest commercial bus builder.  But it is a commercial vehicle maker not a personal coach builder.  So let’s look at why the commercial design may not be as fitting in a modern motor home.   Well, first, the dash boards on most have the unchanged look of a bus from decades before.  While it is extremely functional, it lacks the modern feel and digital touches demanded by many high end buyers.  The driver seat is designed commercially with an air ride suspended frame.  This is great for a driver that is on the road day in day out, but unless you are going to run on logging roads it is not necessary for a motor home application.  The big drawback to the... Read more

How Safe Is The Hitch On Your Motor Home?

The Lug_Nut View.  Trailer hitches, we all have them, most of us use them.  Today’s trailer hitches, or Hidden Hitch like assemblies, are found on pretty well all SUV’s, pickups, vans, cross-over’s, trucks and motor coaches.  They are out of sight, reliable and are not the shin bangers of yesterday’s design.   At least as long as you remove the ball shank when not in use. Fortunately these covert mounted assemblies require little or no maintenance, as they are out of sight, and out of mind.  While they do not require maintenance, adjustments or tweaking, they do require to be used within their specifications and have periodic inspections.  Abuse and environmental conditions can render them unsafe and in some cases, outright dangerous.  Age, rust and decaying welds and metal over time can reduce their original bond and strength.  Abuse, whether by accident or neglect, may eventually lead to a total failure and possible separation from the vehicle.  This in turn can result in not only losing the towed vehicle or trailer, but even the safety chains which are also fastened to the severed assembly.  This, unfortunately, does occur. Most hitch assembly failures are caused by physical damage.  Damage caused by impact, such as backing into a solid obstruction or over stressing by exceeding the design limitations.     Today, we will look at one of the most common ways that people overload their hitch capacity, exceeding the tongue weight.  Hitches are rated in pound... Read more

RV Weekly Round-Up (Aug. 22-28, 2009)

Check out these highlights of RV-related news, events and video from this past week. 1. Traditional RVer Isn’t so Typical Anymore: Recreational vehicles are now a common sight all year round, but RV park owners agree that in some instances, the typical visitor has changed. There are still travelers who camp out in their motel on wheels for the fun of it or to save money on lodging, as well as people who live in a “permanent temporary” home as they follow their work or use the RV as a mobile home office. Others — like construction workers or people taking medical treatments — live in their RVs permanently but don’t live in any one park all year. Read more  Read More →

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