We've been drinking the water from our RV's fresh water tank for over a decade without a problem. It's perfectly safe to do, as long as you sanitize your fresh water system periodically. We do ours about twice a year (keep in mind that we're full-timers... those who store their RV all winter should be fine sanitizing once a year, in the spring).
Clean, safe, sanitary drinking water is a breeze when you take a few basic steps to manage the fresh water system on your motorhome, travel trailer or fifth wheel. Fresh, drinkable, potable H2O doesn't only come from bottled water, but right from your RV's tank, saving money and plastic in the process.
We'll show you how to kill any bacteria that may be present in your camper's water system, and have all the safe drinking water you need.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
How To Calibrate RV Tank Monitors
Since we're sometimes pretty serious boondockers (that's camping without hook-ups for you RV newbies), we want to know the exact levels in all of our holding tanks - fresh water, gray water and black water - and our propane level too.
We have a fresh water capacity of 105 gallons, 65 gray and 45 black. The limiting factor for boondocking is always the gray tank. We can easily spend 7 days out in the desert, with both of us showering every day, cooking every meal on board, doing dishes etc. If we know we're going to want to stay in one spot longer, we can make it up to 10 days by being REALLY frugal with water. When the gray tank is full, we always have about 1/4 tank of fresh water left, and the black tank usually takes about two weeks to fill.
A key part of knowing how long you can stay in one place without hook-ups is knowing the levels in your fresh, black and gray tanks. This video will show you how we calibrate our tank monitors so we always know where the levels are. Tank monitors vary by make and model, but this will give you an idea about how we calibrate our Newmar monitors.
This is not something that needs to be done on a regular basis. We calibrated our tank monitors shortly after purchasing our motorhome, and have never needed to touch them since.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
We have a fresh water capacity of 105 gallons, 65 gray and 45 black. The limiting factor for boondocking is always the gray tank. We can easily spend 7 days out in the desert, with both of us showering every day, cooking every meal on board, doing dishes etc. If we know we're going to want to stay in one spot longer, we can make it up to 10 days by being REALLY frugal with water. When the gray tank is full, we always have about 1/4 tank of fresh water left, and the black tank usually takes about two weeks to fill.
A key part of knowing how long you can stay in one place without hook-ups is knowing the levels in your fresh, black and gray tanks. This video will show you how we calibrate our tank monitors so we always know where the levels are. Tank monitors vary by make and model, but this will give you an idea about how we calibrate our Newmar monitors.
This is not something that needs to be done on a regular basis. We calibrated our tank monitors shortly after purchasing our motorhome, and have never needed to touch them since.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
How To Whiten an RV Kitchen Sink
Corian is a great material, but it isn't impervious to staining and discoloring. Here's a quick, easy tip for whitening a Corian or similar solid-surface kitchen or bathroom sink. Whether in your RV or in your house, this simple technique will rejuvenate even the dingiest and most discolored sink.
When our RV's sink first began getting dingy and stained, we tried whitening it with bleach, which we'd heard was very effective. Bleach is just so smelly and toxic that we decided to stop using it. Here's a better way to get the job done.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
When our RV's sink first began getting dingy and stained, we tried whitening it with bleach, which we'd heard was very effective. Bleach is just so smelly and toxic that we decided to stop using it. Here's a better way to get the job done.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
How To Replace an RV Plumbing Vent
Sun exposure and age can lead to cracked plumbing vent covers on the roof of an RV. Installing a new vent is a quick easy job, completed with just a few simple tools.
Older style roof vents may not match replacement vents, which makes it impossible to simply snap a new cap onto an older vent base. This means having to replace the base, even if it's in good condition.
This is a quick, easy repair, completed without special skills in under half an hour.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
Older style roof vents may not match replacement vents, which makes it impossible to simply snap a new cap onto an older vent base. This means having to replace the base, even if it's in good condition.
This is a quick, easy repair, completed without special skills in under half an hour.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
How to Thoroughly Clean an RV Vent Fan
We demonstrate how to remove, clean and reinstall a Fantastic vent fan in your RV. The fans are used so often and move so much air, that they get really dirty. Once a year or so, we like to remove and super-clean ours. We'll show you how to make your Fantastic fans look like new.
Having an exhaust fan in your motorhome, travel trailer or fifth wheel is terrific for saving on air conditioning use in the summer, and for reducing moisture from the RV in colder weather. Removing and replacing the fans to give them a really good cleaning requires no special tools or knowledge, and can easily be completed in a half hour or less.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
Having an exhaust fan in your motorhome, travel trailer or fifth wheel is terrific for saving on air conditioning use in the summer, and for reducing moisture from the RV in colder weather. Removing and replacing the fans to give them a really good cleaning requires no special tools or knowledge, and can easily be completed in a half hour or less.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
How To Flush an Atwood RV Water Heater
Rust, lime scale and other debris can build up in an RV's water heater. Left alone, this can shorten its useful life. Simple annual maintenance and care of your RV's hot water system will save you money by extending the life of the heater.
Since we have a Suburban water heater, we're borrowing a friend's RV to demonstrate how to flush an Atwood heater.
Only a few simple items are required, including a wrench to remove the drain plug, a tank flush wand, and some white vinegar (1/2 gallon for every gallon of tank capacity). If you have a Suburban brand water heater, be sure to have a new replacement anode rod on hand as well.
The small amount of time required to do this simple but essential maintenance will pay for itself with years of extra service from your RV's water heater.
Watch our video on flushing a Suburban RV water heater here.
We also have a video follow-up about Suburban anode rods here.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
Since we have a Suburban water heater, we're borrowing a friend's RV to demonstrate how to flush an Atwood heater.
Only a few simple items are required, including a wrench to remove the drain plug, a tank flush wand, and some white vinegar (1/2 gallon for every gallon of tank capacity). If you have a Suburban brand water heater, be sure to have a new replacement anode rod on hand as well.
The small amount of time required to do this simple but essential maintenance will pay for itself with years of extra service from your RV's water heater.
Watch our video on flushing a Suburban RV water heater here.
We also have a video follow-up about Suburban anode rods here.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
How To Lubricate a Blue Ox Tow Bar
We've now had over a decade of trouble-free full-time service from our Blue Ox tow bar, and it requires very little maintenance. But when the arms start feeling a little "sticky" (requiring a stronger pull to extend or retract them) it means the grease inside the bellows has begun to get old or dry and needs to be replaced. We re-lubricate our tow bar every year as part of our annual spring cleaning and maintenance.
It's a quick and easy job that can be accomplished in short order by just about anyone with a couple of basic tools. As you'll see in this video, no special skills are required.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
It's a quick and easy job that can be accomplished in short order by just about anyone with a couple of basic tools. As you'll see in this video, no special skills are required.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
How To Prevent RV Roof Leaks
Just about everything attached to the roof of an RV is a potential entry point for water. The TV antenna, vent fans, satellite dish, plumbing vents, solar panel mounts or anything else screwed into, or transitioning through the roof to the interior are places that invite leaks.
The main line of defense against water damage is vigilance — periodic inspection of the Dicor waterproof sealant. Dicor self-leveling lap sealant is ubiquitous in the RV industry, sealing roofs on everything from pop-up trailers to diesel pusher motorhomes and everything in between.
The best way to avoid ever developing a leak in your RV is to check the roof at least a couple of times a year, looking for any cracks in the Dicor. One of the surest signs that an owner is meticulous in caring for their RV is to look for the tell-tale signs of Dicor patching on the roof. Dicor develops small cracks over time, and the periodic application of fresh Dicor to cover those cracks leads to the patchwork look of a well-maintained roof.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
The main line of defense against water damage is vigilance — periodic inspection of the Dicor waterproof sealant. Dicor self-leveling lap sealant is ubiquitous in the RV industry, sealing roofs on everything from pop-up trailers to diesel pusher motorhomes and everything in between.
The best way to avoid ever developing a leak in your RV is to check the roof at least a couple of times a year, looking for any cracks in the Dicor. One of the surest signs that an owner is meticulous in caring for their RV is to look for the tell-tale signs of Dicor patching on the roof. Dicor develops small cracks over time, and the periodic application of fresh Dicor to cover those cracks leads to the patchwork look of a well-maintained roof.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
How To Re-String a Pleated RV Window Shade
Pleated day/night window shades are a common feature in just about every class of RV. Since the design relies on thin fabric cords sliding across hard plastic parts, cord wear and breakage is a distinct possibility.
During our 10+ years of full-timing, we've probably had to re-string blinds around 10 times, or an average of about once a year. Part of the inherent problem with the design is that there needs to be enough tension on the cords to hold the shades where you put them, preventing them from falling on their own.
Unfortunately, keeping tension on the cord increases the friction of it against the hard plastic parts as you open and close the blinds. It's a delicate balance that sooner or later leads to broken cords.
The good thing is that re-stringing a pleated RV window shade is a do-it-yourselfer's dream job, with the vast majority of the cost being labor, inexpensive & readily available replacement parts (just the cord) and no special mechanical skills or tools required. A little time, patience and care are all that's needed for this task.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
During our 10+ years of full-timing, we've probably had to re-string blinds around 10 times, or an average of about once a year. Part of the inherent problem with the design is that there needs to be enough tension on the cords to hold the shades where you put them, preventing them from falling on their own.
Unfortunately, keeping tension on the cord increases the friction of it against the hard plastic parts as you open and close the blinds. It's a delicate balance that sooner or later leads to broken cords.
The good thing is that re-stringing a pleated RV window shade is a do-it-yourselfer's dream job, with the vast majority of the cost being labor, inexpensive & readily available replacement parts (just the cord) and no special mechanical skills or tools required. A little time, patience and care are all that's needed for this task.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
How To Hook Up an RV
Connecting an RV to full hookups at an RV park or campground isn't too difficult, but if you've never done it before, this quick tutorial will get you started. Even if you've been RVing for years, you might pick up a quick tip or two to improve your routine.
For example, do you spray disinfectant on your campsite's water spigot before you connect your water hose? If not, you will from now on after watching this.
We love boondocking (camping without RV hook-ups), taking full advantage of our ability to live comfortably off the grid for extended periods. But there's something wonderful about taking a regular shower vs a navy shower, microwaving dinner without firing up the generator and watching TV late at night without depleting your house batteries.
These luxuries require hooking up in a campground. When it comes time to connect to water, sewer and electric, following a few standard procedures can make your stay a better one.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
For example, do you spray disinfectant on your campsite's water spigot before you connect your water hose? If not, you will from now on after watching this.
We love boondocking (camping without RV hook-ups), taking full advantage of our ability to live comfortably off the grid for extended periods. But there's something wonderful about taking a regular shower vs a navy shower, microwaving dinner without firing up the generator and watching TV late at night without depleting your house batteries.
These luxuries require hooking up in a campground. When it comes time to connect to water, sewer and electric, following a few standard procedures can make your stay a better one.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
The Best RV Leveling Blocks
Every RVer has to deal with unlevel campsites from time to time. Even if your RV is equipped with a leveling system, some sites are so sloped, you just can't get your rig level. This is why RVers carry leveling blocks, also known as jack pads, stacker blocks or stabilizer pads. Whatever you call them, they all serve the same purpose: allowing you to level your RV on a sloped campsite. They also help keep jacks from sinking into soft surfaces.
Some of the most common stacker blacks are the yellow or red plastic levelers typically found at RV or camping stores. A little Googling will reveal a wide array of other options too. If you have a circular or table saw, you can even home-make your own from blocks of wood. Unfortunately, for us full-timers, who are conscious of space & weight (and of course quality & cost too), nearly all of these options have their drawbacks.
We researched a ton of different levelers, ranging in price from as little as $15 for basic plastic blocks to as much as $300 for some over-the-top heavy duty high-end models. We found "Utility Blocks" on eBay, and they're a great balance of size, weight, strength and cost. Although more expensive than basic plastic blocks, they're much heavier-duty, excellent for a large motorhome like ours and perfect for about 98% of the places we camp.
Utility Blocks are available on eBay: http://tinyurl.com/mpucb3p
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
Some of the most common stacker blacks are the yellow or red plastic levelers typically found at RV or camping stores. A little Googling will reveal a wide array of other options too. If you have a circular or table saw, you can even home-make your own from blocks of wood. Unfortunately, for us full-timers, who are conscious of space & weight (and of course quality & cost too), nearly all of these options have their drawbacks.
We researched a ton of different levelers, ranging in price from as little as $15 for basic plastic blocks to as much as $300 for some over-the-top heavy duty high-end models. We found "Utility Blocks" on eBay, and they're a great balance of size, weight, strength and cost. Although more expensive than basic plastic blocks, they're much heavier-duty, excellent for a large motorhome like ours and perfect for about 98% of the places we camp.
Utility Blocks are available on eBay: http://tinyurl.com/mpucb3p
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
How To Replace a Carefree of Colorado RV Slide Topper
Our favorite type of DIY RV project is one that's both surprisingly manageable and also saves a lot of money. Slide topper replacement fits that description to a T by being much easier to accomplish than one might expect, while costing as little as 1/2 to 1/3 the price of having it done at an RV shop. If you thought that replacing your slide toppers was out of your league as a DIY RVer, watch this first and you just might change your mind!
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
How To Replace an A&E RV Slide Topper
Our favorite type of DIY RV project is one that's both surprisingly manageable and also saves a lot of money. Slide topper replacement fits that description to a T by being much easier to accomplish than one might expect, while costing as little as 1/2 to 1/3 the price of having it done at an RV shop. If you thought that replacing your slide toppers was out of your league as a DIY RVer, watch this first and you just might change your mind!
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
We don't pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But many systems are the same on different RVs. The advice we give works well for us, but be sure to consult a professional technician if you're unsure about working on your own RV.
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