Replace Your Old RV Toilet Seat

Do RVers care about their toilets? You bet they do! Like you I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about my toilet because it’s just there and works fine most of the time. So when it’s not working properly it captures my attention (at least once a day). I don’t know about you, but one of the most annoying things to me is a loose toilet seat. You know what I’m talking about, it’s the toilet seat that requires a seat belt because when you sit down you don’t know if you’re going to slide off onto the floor. Usually this is caused by loose bolts. I know you’re thinking, “Yes professor you have a screw loose” but really these toilet seat bolts are usually only plastic and are hard to keep snug on the porcelain. I decided to fix the problem by coughing up twelve bucks and buying a new one. I went to Home Depot and even found one that matched. The nice thing about this new seat is easy removal for cleaning. Just move the retaining clips counter-clockwise and the lid will lift off. Replace the retainers and turn the clips clockwise to reattach the seat. There, now I’ve given you something to think about - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

A Look at the Rugged Toy-hauler Pop-up Combo RV by Starcraft

RVers are becoming more concerned as the price of fuel skyrockets. One solution is the “pop-up” trailer because it’s low profile cuts wind resistance which helps with fuel economy. Starcraft has been making folding camping trailers since 1964 and the quality and engineering that goes into their trailers is top-notch! Our family began RVing with an old Apache pop-up trailer. We loved this trailer because it had enough room for a family of seven. That was a long time ago and now Starcraft has taken the folding camping trailer to new levels of excellence and versatility. I love the combo toy-hauler RT design. You can take your favorite toys along and have very comfortable living quarters at the same time. The platform on the front has tie-downs and the rails also double as ramps so you can take along one quad or two motorcycles (depending on the model). This is not your grandfather’s pop-up, no siree, It has a 6 gallon water heater, a 35 gallon fresh water tank, Furnace with electronic ignition and a Dometic 1.9 cubic foot 3 way refrigerator. There are many options available like a stereo system, oven, RVQ carryout gas grill and 13.5 Duo-Therm air conditioner. It even has an electric tongue jack. The combo shower/toilet has a privacy shower curtain and though small, will get the job done. Getting to a remote campsite is easy because these trailers have plenty of undercarriage clearance and can handle tough terrain. These rigs are easy to set-up and will provide you and your family with years of enjoyment. Watch the video for a more detailed tour of this outstanding RV. Jim Twamley - Professor of RVing

RV Toys That Teach

It's less than a month before Christmas, and most RVers have kid's for whom they need to purchase gifts. If you have kids or grandkids from one and a half to five years old the "Off-road Ollie's Outdoor Pursuits" may be just the thing for them. It has an RV pulling a trailer with a magnetic hitch. In the trailer is an off-road motorbike. It sports a canoe that attaches to the roof of the RV and really floats. It comes complete with a little girl and boy that push a secret button on the RV allowing the roof to open to let them into the RV. The RV makes an engine sound when pushed along and best of all no batteries are required. This toy originates in the UK so I could not confirm whether it is free from lead paint. You can purchase this toy at Toys that Teach. There is also a set from "Mighty World" toy company that is a hiking and camping set. Complete with a boy and girl hiker, tent, campfire, BBQ, ice chest and all the stuff you need for camping. This set is for ages three and up. Click here to check out all the Mighty World toys. If you plan on ordering toys off the internet you better hurry because soon vendors will not be able to guarantee delivery by Christmas. Keeping you on top of your shopping game - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

What to Look for in a RV Storage Facility

My neighbors didn't complain, but I know that storing my RV next to my stick house didn't make them happy. I tried my best to keep my RV looking good and thereby reducing any "visual conflict" with the neighborhood. The unfortunate reality is that stick house neighborhoods and RVs just don't mix. The houses really make the RV's look bad! For this reason many RVers prefer to store their rigs at commercial storage facilities. Vandalism and pilfering are common problems when you leave your RV on the street unattended. Unfortunately it can also occur in commercial storage facilities. Anyone with a code can get into the place and that leaves your RV vulnerable. To help you select the safest storage unit I have a six point list. 1. The facility should be manned daily by bonded employees and have a security patrol that checks on the facility after hours. 2. The facility should have regular hours when you can enter and exit and is security armed with motion sensors or trained guard dogs after hours. 3. It must have surveillance cameras that cover all the storage spaces and the video footage recorded 24 hours a day. 4. The gate code only works during regular hours and is changed on a regular basis. 5. They must have satisfactory fencing and gates (will it keep out your typical teenager?). 6. They must have a good track record with no reported break-ins or vandalism. On point six you can check with the Better Business Bureau or ask for the contact information of two clients that have stored their RVs there for at least one year. The best possible storage is a completely enclosed unit that is lockable form the outside. Unfortunately, this type of unit is very expensive compared to open storage. Many RV storage facilities have covered storage which keeps weather and ultra violet rays from damaging your rig. Should you elect to store your RV in open storage or covered storage, make sure you have a good dead-bolt lock in addition to your regular locks on your entrance doors. Be sure all your windows are locked and in the case of a 5th wheel or travel trailer your kingpin or tongue lever has a high quality lock as well. And finally, make unexpected visits to your storage facility during the day and drive around the outside at night just to see how things look. Good RV storage facilities will also have a dump station and a wash rack. Helping you keep your RV save and sound - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Stepping Up to Extra RV Storage Space

RVers are always looking for more storage, it's the nature of the beast. Fellow RVer John Culver found some extra storage in his entry steps. His Monaco motorhome came with one step that doubled as storage, so he looked at the other step to see if he could also make it into storage. Sure enough, he discovered a hollow space under the step and he did a little "re-manufacturing" to make more storage. It's amazing how much wasted space you'll find in RVs. Granted, you don't want to overload your rig with excessive weight, but handy storage areas like these stairs can spread out the load and make your RVing experience more enjoyable. Have you found an extra space in your RV that you'd like to share with us? Tell us about it by clicking on the "comments" section below. Thousands of your fellow RVers read this blog every day and will benefit form your suggestions, even the most simple suggestions. This month marks the one year anniversary of RV Now and I thank you for your readership. Keeping you informed on all things RV - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Fake RV Fireplaces Fire-Up Your Propane Bill

Many RV manufacturers have been installing fake fireplaces in their RV floor plans. These are really nice for atmosphere and they actually give off heat. They also take up space that could be used for storage and most folks don't use them much. Another drawback is they use a lot of propane gas but so does your furnace. (If they are the electric models they also draw a lot of electricity - hat tip to the folks contributing in the comments section).When you're buying an RV the manufacturers are selling you a dream. They're promoting an idea of home and hearth, warmth and romance, luxury and leisure. The fake fireplace helps to sell these units otherwise they wouldn't include them. If you want the fun of the fake fireplace, then by all means, pick one of these units. If you want efficient cost effective heat then have a catalytic heater installed instead. These units will warm your RV much more efficiently and be more cost effective though less romantic. We had these fake fireplaces in our last two stick houses and only used them three or four times. Those of you who have these units in your RV's please tell us if you think they are worth having. Tell us what you think by clicking on the light blue "comments" section below. Helping you get the right options in your next RV - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

American Bathing Practices & RVs

RVers often wear hats in the morning to conceal the fact they have "bed hair" and haven't bathed. They'll get around to it eventually because they're RVers and there's no hurry. Seeing this tub the other day reminded me of an observation by famous journalist Ernie Pyle that back in the 1930's most Americans only bathed once every two weeks. You've seen this old style bath tub in westerns with a cowboy leaning back in the suds smoking a stogie while someone (often a pretty girl) pours in more hot water. According to a study by the Environmental Protection Agency, 90% of Americans report bathing once a day while 5 % report bathing more frequently. Unless the 5% unaccounted are RVers, I would assume American RVers are bathing at least once a day. Some RV's actually have short tubs limited only by the capacity of the hot water heater to fill them. Most RV's however, have a shower or some combination of shower and toilet and we are using them! So, sometime between the 1930's and now Americans have become obsessed with bathing. We know it's not due to a desire to enjoy a stogie because it's quite difficult to keep one lit in the shower. It must be some other factor like "feeling clean" or adhering to a social norm or the pleasure of hot water cascading down your skin. For me I like feeling clean and a hot shower "wakes me up". If you're wondering where to invest your spare change you might want to consider putting it into companies that make soap, hair shampoo and body gel because Americans, and especially RVers, aren't about to change their bathing habits. Not even a severe drought in the American South can change that. Americans will still bathe even if they have to use moist towelettes. Keeping it clean - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Replacing Aging RV Marker Light Lenses

I was driving down a pretty country lane in my RV when a low hanging branch whacked my 5th wheel. I didn't think much about it, but on later inspection discovered a cracked marker light lens. When I did an inspection of my motorhome marker lights I discovered one that was cracked on the rear cap. How that happened I have no idea (knowing me, I probably backed into a tree limb ).These lenses are cheap (usually under a dollar) and easy to replace. Most RV stores and auto parts stores carry them in stock. These lenses are important because they help keep water from entering your coach. If there is a crack the light may fill up with water and leak into your RV. Ultra violet radiation also tends to fade and weaken these lenses so you may want to inspect them and replace those that have had the most exposure to the sun. You may need to use a screw driver blade to help pop the lens cover off, but most of the time you can just pull them off with your fingers. When you inspect these lenses, be sure to look carefully at the caulking around the fixture. Make sure there are no cracks in the caulking and that it is firmly affixed to the surface of the RV. If you discover that the caulking is failing take the fixture off and scrape off the old caulking and replace it with new. Many interior RV water leaks can be traced to a leaking marker light. Since these marker lenses are so cheap you may want to replace them all with shinny new lenses. This is also a good time to check and replace your bulbs. Reflecting on RV maintenance - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Happy Thanksgiving RVers

What do RVers have to be thankful for?

T toll-free roads
H holiday weekends
A automatic leveler
N National Parks pass
K keyless entry
S spectacular scenery

G God’s creations
I interstate highways
V vacation
I inverter
N nice neighbors
G GPS


Some great destinations for RVers to consider:

T Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello (Virginia)
H Henry Doorly Zoo (Nebraska)
A Acadia National Park (Maine)
N Niagara Falls (New York)
K Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks (California)
S San Antonio Riverwalk (Texas)

G Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina)
I Indian Memorial at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (Montana)
V Vermont!
I Inyo National Forest (California)
N National Mall (Washington D.C.)
G Going-to-the-Sun Road (Montana)

Happy Thanksgiving - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Rethinking RV Countertop Space

Space is critical in recreational vehicles and every square foot must be carefully engineered for comfort and functionality. Meal preparation, cooking and clean-up are much easier if you have adequate countertop space. Many RV manufacturers have employed the “fold-down counter extension” in their models, but the problem is they don’t always remain level and you can’t put much weight on them. The kitchen "island" has become a popular addition to RV floor plans, but they take up too much space. Tiffin Motorhomes is using this very functional roll out cabinet design. I like this design because it gives you a great deal more countertop space when you need it and retracts back into the cabinet when you’re finished using it. I love this idea because in my world flat spaces tend to collect more junk. This system won't allow you to collect junk for long because you have to stow it when you travel. I would also like to see this concept used in desks and bathroom cabinets. Another less expensive way to give yourself more countertop space is to use a stove-top cover. These can be the folding metal type or a wood top that also doubles as a cutting board. We’ve had both of these types of stove-top covers and liked them both. The folding metal type looks better, but the wood top is more functional. Helping you find more working surfaces in your RV - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Tool Box A Must For RV Towing Vehicles

I pulled my 5th wheel next to my assigned RV site in the pouring rain. I had a hard time backing into a tight spot at an RV park in Arizona. I wasn’t expecting rain, after all, it was Arizona, so I was glad to have all the tools I would need for a quick set-up close at hand. For a travel trailer or a 5er you need a stabilizer crank, some boards for the landing gear, tire chocks, water hose, channel lock pliers, electric chord adapter, water pressure gauge and a multi-meter (to check out the utilities). I kept all these things in my handy locking truck-bed toolbox. These toolboxes come in various sizes and are made from aluminum, steel or plastic. They can insert in your truck bed with wings that hold the box up off your truck deck so you can slide lumber and other long items under it. You can also get boxes that rest on the bottom of the truck bed without wings. Downdraft off the face of a 5th wheel trailer will blow stuff out of your truck bed if it isn’t secured and these toolboxes keep your stuff safe and dry. Clearance is an important consideration if you’re pulling a 5th wheel because the thickness of the toolbox could interfere with the operation of the king-pin pivot overhang. So, before you purchase one make sure you have adequate clearance tolerances. I enjoyed my truck-bed toolbox because it held a large amount of gear and it locked so I didn’t have to worry about people walking off with my stuff. Since I used the truck as a touring vehicle I liked having my tools with me. My biggest problem was keeping it clean and organized. Most of them come with sliding trays that will help you with this task. Even trucks with modified tow-bodies employ these boxes. They are a “must-have” if you pull a travel trailer or 5th wheel. Some folks even mount them on the back of trailers. Helping you keep it all together - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Pill Organizers for the RV Lifestyle

As I wrote in my previous post, I like to use the showers at RV parks and campgrounds. Part of my morning routine is to take my medications and vitamins. I take so many that I need to keep them organized. I picked up a couple of the “day-of-the-week” plastic pill organizers at the drugstore for this purpose. One of the side benefits of these pill organizers is that they remind you what day it is. It’s a well known fact that retired folk frequently loose track of what day it is. We can tell you what time it is, but the date on our watches (if we wear one at all) is so small we can’t read it, so the plastic pill organizers come in handy this way. As functional as they are, pill organizers are not without problems. I would put them in my shower tote and dutifully take my medicine as part of my morning ritual. Unfortunately, these neat little plastic pill organizers would come open spilling the contents in my shower tote. I corralled them into a larger plastic storage container and eliminated the spillage problem. Do you have a novel way of organizing your pills you’d like to share with us? If you do, please leave us a note in the light blue “comments” section below. Helping keep you organized in a healthy way - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing