Getting Along - Part 3 - Tips from Bernice
July 23, 2008 by Bernice Beard · Leave a Comment
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Today I am completing my top tips for making RV travel more enjoyable when traveling in groups. My hope is that by following the tips listed here, as well as those in Part 1 and 2, you’ll be able to confidently RV for extended trips with your loved ones.
- It seems obvious, but tell your traveling companions about your telephone conversations that involve them. For example, when you call a friend that you all will visit, tell your traveling companions and give them any details they need to know. This way, everyone will be on the same wavelength.
- Try to stick to your budget, but don’t get upset if your companion spends money on something you think is frivolous—the item could have a lot of meaning to the spender, now or later, or it could just be a “mad money” expenditure. You are already saving money by RV travel, so relax about what is spent on the trip.
- Go where you and your companions want to go. The trip is an adventure, so if you think rock hunting is boring, but someone else wants to do it, try it.
- Offer options instead of making demands. Instead of saying to your travel partner, “We have to go to the grocery store after breakfast,” say something such as, “Can we discuss when we can go to the grocery store next?” That way, you both have a voice in the decision.
- I discovered that friendships flourished on the road when we (1) talked freely with one another about plans, routes and wishes; (2) were ready to depart on time; (3) looked on the positive side of what could be taken as negative words or incidents; (4) thanked one another for courtesies or work; (5) were willing to sightsee or follow a route that others chose; (6) helped to research places to see and things to do; (7) shared expenses willingly; (8) laughed or saw the funny side of words or happenings; (9) were willing to jump in and help with knowledge or labor as needed; and (10) accepted the other persons as they were, not as we thought they should be. The idea is for all to share in the jobs and joys of the trip together.
- Remember that in the RV lifestyle, domestic duties know no gender. Everybody pitches in wherever necessary.
It’s the differences between all of us that make life interesting. Hopefully, if you follow these tips, you’ll be able to celebrate the diversity that exists between you and your traveling companions and thereby create a more joyous journey!
Happy travels!
Getting Along - Part 2 - Tips from Bernice
July 16, 2008 by Bernice Beard · 1 Comment
Today I am listing a few more tips to make RV travel more enjoyable, particularly when traveling in groups. RVers are frequently gregarious, like to meet people and sometimes travel with friends. In these cases a positive attitude can go a long way toward having a great time.
- If you’re normally the leader, be open to letting someone else try planning and navigating. You may learn something yourself.
- Before a trip with friends, discuss what each of you wants to include in your trip. It’s good to actually write down an itinerary, even if it is tentative and you change destinations as you travel. Read more
Practical Motor Home Inverter Applications
July 13, 2008 by Lug_Nut · 3 Comments
Two weeks ago week we looked at the type of inverters commonly used in motor homes. This week we will touch on applications of inverters in our home on wheels. We will deal with integrated types only, generally these are 2,000 watt output and larger. We will also focus only at the inverter operation, not the charger function.
The inverter basically takes 12 volt direct current from the batteries and inverts it to 120 volts alternating current, similar to that in your house.
In doing this, it produces either a M.S.W. (Modified Sine Wave) or a T.S.W. (True Sine Wave) depending on the make and model. Modified types are the cheaper of the two to produce, and are the ones found currently on the majority of motor homes today. True sine types are becoming far more popular recently. This is due to lower prices recently and more sine wave affected electronics that are being introduced into today’s modern coaches.
The inverter in a standard configured propane equipped motor home is generally wired to power the following.
- TV’s, receivers and entertainment centers
- Most duplex 120 outlets
- Microwave
- Awnings, if 120 VAC (Such as Gerard)
- Refrigerator (If 120 volt AC)
- Ice maker (If 120 volt AC)
The balance of AC powered loads such as air conditioners, hot water tank, electric stoves and of course, battery chargers only operate on shore power.
Some microwave models can be damaged if used to cook using a modified wave inverter. This damage can result in causing the efficiency to drop substantially after continued use. While wiring the inverter to the microwave outlet is normal, which at least keeps the clock on time, it may be wise to run the generator for any microwave cooking while boondocking. This applies to M.S.W. inverters, but is not applicable to T.S.W. installations. Additionally, some models of modern residential refrigerators may be susceptible to modified sine wave inverter current. The issue is control board related. This primarily affects newer all electric coaches. These really require a true sine wave inverter to assure trouble free operation.
Inverters in conventional propane equipped motor coaches are generally turned off when not required, particularly if dry camping. This is due to a continuing draw, albeit light, of electric current, even if all loads are off. First, there is a search mode that essentially searches for a load, even in stand-by mode. Secondly, TV’s, microwave readouts and many modern receivers use power in the “off” mode. The TV’s and receivers remain on stand-by to be instant “on”.
Inverters in all electric coaches are generally always left on. This is required as the refrigerator, if it is a residential type, is 120 volt AC only. Inverters can be left on even when connected to shore power. Once connected, the unit shuts down the inverter and operates as a charger and will automatically take over in the event of a power disruption.
Now, as if the inverter/charger didn’t do enough, there are models available with a built-in automatic generator starting board. These will automatically start and stop the generator as required to keep the batteries within operating voltage range. Additionally, the auto start can be wired to the air conditioning thermostat and provide instant start should the temperature within the coach rise above a user preset value. Once the temperature is within the set temperature range, it will automatically shut the generator down until the next event.
If you have never had a coach with an inverter/charger, you don’t know what you are missing. The convenience of having household power without the need for continually running the genset, is well worth the costs involved. If you already have an inverter equipped coach, you probably wouldn’t have a coach without one again.
With A Current Alternate View - Lug_Nut
Getting Along in RV Travels -Part 1- Tips from Bernice
July 9, 2008 by Bernice Beard · 1 Comment
No two people look alike, think alike, or travel alike-at least most of the time. It’s a wonder that we get along at all! Yet when traveling in an RV, we must try to maintain smooth relationships with all of our fellow travelers because we’re “stuck” together for the duration of the trip. The tips in this article will hopefully help you to avoid turning little annoyances into big problems.“Drive your Motorhome Like a Pro” DVD released
July 8, 2008 by RV.net Blog Admin · 1 Comment
RV.net echoes the announcement of Mark Polk’s brand new DVD titled “Drive your Motorhome Like a Pro”, co-hosted with Lorrin Walsh, author of the book by the same name. As indicated in the press release, this DVD provides the tools to increase one’s awareness of driving motor coaches, and demonstrates unique driving techniques needed to become a safer and a more confident driver.
We thank our bloggers for their dedicated efforts to keep the RV community informed and entertained. Therefore, when we find out that one of our bloggers has released a new book or product, we help them spread the word.
Crazy RV Swap?
July 6, 2008 by David Kurtz · 9 Comments
Call Me Crazy!
After our Door County adventure last week and after getting our trailer home, I called our dealer, House of Camping in Bridgeview Illinois about two problems I had and needed them fixed. While on the phone with my dealer, I asked him if he still had another model we had looked at. Perhaps I should rewind a bit on this so you all can be on the same page as me.
Campground Advice - Part 3 - Tips from Bernice
July 2, 2008 by Bernice Beard · 2 Comments
This is the third and last set of campground related tips I have to offer. Besides the advice listed below, as well as that in Part 1 and Part 2, if you have any other piece of information you’d like to share with beginners (or veterans), please do so by posting a comment. RVers are known to be very helpful to one another and sharing information often makes a huge difference. When we are at the campground, we want to minimize the hassle and leave the most time for enjoyment, so I hope some of these tips can help you do just that and avoid, to the extent possible, those occasions in which a small detail can turn an otherwise perfect stay into a problematic one.
- Before you level your RV, make sure the cord and hoses can reach the electricity, water and sewer hookups.
- On a cold night, if the hose to the RV from the campground spigot freezes, detach it and put it into the shower to thaw. Read more
Choosing An Inverter/Charger
June 29, 2008 by Lug_Nut · 16 Comments
So far as motorized recreational vehicles, there are two duty types of inverters used. Stand alone and integrated inverter/chargers. Stand alone units are relatively low wattage output units that are individually wired to operate a single load like a television and perhaps a satellite receiver. The inverter/charger is an integrated part of the electrical and charging system of the unit. The inverter in this case serves two purposes. First it is the main battery charger, at least while either an outside source or generator is supplying AC power. Secondly, it is an inverter that supplies AC power when none is available. Once AC power is absent, the inverter automatically takes over, providing it is in the armed mode state. It is normally wired to operate necessary functions within reasonable wattage like T.V’s, receivers, duplex outlets, refrigerators (if an all electric coach), ice makers and perhaps microwaves.
There are two output configurations available, M.S.W. (Modified Sine Wave) and T.S.W. (True Sine Wave). All smaller or cheaper inverters are M.S.W. Most motor home inverters are also currently M.S.W. The exception of this would be higher end units and newer all electric coaches, most of which are equipped with T.S.W. output inverters. So what are the operational differences?
M.S.W. gets it name from exactly what it sounds like. It is a modified look-a-like wave. However it is more “square” than the smooth sweeping frequency lines that are created with a true sine wave. These inverters are cheaper to buy but function well in most applications. There are however, loads it does not work with or properly with. Those loads are, but are not limited to, many small power chargers, electronic boards found in many appliances, most microwaves, 120 volt A.C. powered clocks and full featured cappuccino makers. Some of these will not operate and some may be damaged over time with continued use.
T.S.W. power resembles that of home supplied hydro. It is capable of operating any like voltage load providing it does not exceed its output capacity. These units are now to a price level making them the best choice for future use.
So, if you are ordering a new coach, or replacing or upgrading to an inverter charger, should this be a “must have”? In my opinion, it is. The benefits far out weigh the now small price difference. If you own a coach that has a M.S.W. inverter charger, like most do, don’t worry. Your coach was equipped to exist with such a wave form and should do fine. But, just remember, if you were to order a new rig or ever it has to be replaced, go T.S.W. You won’t regret it.
On Sunday the 13th of july, we will be looking at “Practical RV Inverter Applications”. I sure hope you can join us.
Just Reading The Sines - Lug_Nut - Peter Mercer
Campground Advice - Part 2 - Tips from Bernice
June 25, 2008 by Bernice Beard · Leave a Comment
As a continuation from Part 1, you will find here a few more tips on how to select and take full advantage of the campground, as well as little tricks for special circumstances. If you have any comments, please post them, they are very welcome.
- Use a directory, such as the Trailer Life Directory for Campgrounds, RV Parks & Services to locate campgrounds. Directories let you know campsite sizes as well as activities and facilities. They also give clear directions to campgrounds.
- With over 16,000 public and private campgrounds in the United States, RVers have lots of choices. Once you choose a campground, you still have some decisions to make. Some campgrounds allow campers to choose their own campsites. In addition, you’ll probably be asked whether you want full hookups or just water and electricity. Some campgrounds offer cable television hookup. Keep in mind that all these amenities will affect the price you pay.
- Many campgrounds near highways offer recreation rooms, swimming, hiking, perhaps a lake, and sometimes planned weekend activities. Resorts that cater to long-term residents, on the other hand, offer guests a busy calendar of daily programs-exercise, painting, music, and other activities. Often a full-time leader plans social events.
- Keep all your campground membership cards together in the glove compartment so they’re handy when you register at a campground. Also, you won’t have to carry them in your billfold or purse.
- If your travel schedule is such that you arrive early at a campground, let the office staff know that you will not stay longer than 24 hours overall.
- Most campgrounds have a night registration procedure so that if you arrive after the office is closed, you can choose a site and pay in the morning.
- If a campground is full and you cannot camp in an overflow area, ask the office staff to refer you to another campground that has space.
- Expect to find places without full hookups. Know how to boondock, or dry camp (camp without any hookups). Always keep a sufficient supply of fresh water and leave empty space in the gray and black water tanks.
This is what I have for today, Happy Camping, and I’ll be back with more…
Today’s Roof Air Conditioner Choices
June 22, 2008 by Lug_Nut · 8 Comments
Air conditioning is something that many of us have come to expect, whether it is in a house, car, office or RV. In many cases it is no longer an option as it once was. That is the case with most, if not all, motor homes and trailers today. While there are also manufacturers that mount the A/C units in the basement, we will only deal today with roof mounted. There are, and may be, configuration choices with options when it comes to ordering a new rig or replacement A/C unit. The selection may include the number of units, output capacity, heat strips, heat pumps, height profile, air ducted and possibly the thermostat control type. While many of these will probably not be a choice when purchasing a new rig, it is possible that a couple may, particularly if you are ordering a factory build. Let’s look at these choices.
Number of Units: Single A/C units are standard on Class “C” and “B” coaches, most trailers and shorter, entry level class “A” coaches. Larger class “A” coaches usually come standard with two units. The largest group of class “A’s”, 42′ to 45′, generally come standard with three A/C units.
