Scientists discover RV gene

Is RVing in your blood? Does your DNA overpower you with the urge to RV? RV scientists have discovered the existance of the "RV gene" which explains these tendancies within large percentages of the U.S. and European population. According to RV research scientist Hank Hitchbal, this discovery opens new horrizons on the road to recovery for people who have been RV deprived. "Not only will this help us find a cure for RV deprivation, but should also help the RV industry make a comeback," said Hank.

This news comes too late for Pilgrim International, former maker of towable RVs who filed bankruptcy last week. The RV industry is in a tailspin and loosing innovative companies like Pilgrim is simply a shame. This company did the research and developed a prototype towable RV made from composite materials. Hopefully the technology will go to another RV company who can carry on with this great concept. The material used in making aircraft can take a beating and is much more durable and lighter than the traditional materials of wood and fiberglass.
This light weight RV travel trailer is a "t@b" produced by Thor Industries. Until recently, sales of lighter weight towables have been strong. Given the price of fuel, it makes sense people would be interested in models easier on the fuel budget.Europeans have been slow to embrace the mamouth RVs we are accostomed to in the U.S. They've been paying more for fuel many years now and the lighter weight "caravans" (travel trailers) as they call them, are extreamly popular there. Not only are they easy to tow, but they're easy to set-up and take-down and fit neatly in the corner of the driveway.

RVing is about traveling adventures, camping, living close to nature, getting out and enjoying the great outdoors. There is nothing quite like the feeling of freedom you experience when you hit the road with your RV. It's like the first time you rode a bicycle because it opens new avenues of possibility. The RV industry may be on hard times, but the spirit of RVing is alive and well. We'll pull out of this someday when the economy gets back on track, but for the time being, RVers will still hit the road with their RVs whether it's a light weight towable or a behemoth diesel pusher simply because it's in their blood. Testing RV positive - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Handling a traffic jam at the RV dump station

RVers who frequent Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds, state campgrounds, RV rallies, or high traffic tourist destinations on a weekend may occasionally find themselves waiting in line at the dump station. You are probably in a hurry but you know you need to empty your tanks before you go, so there you sit. Here a few suggestions to help move things along. 1. Be ready to take care of business when it’s your turn. This is not the time to get distracted talking to people or flush your system until it sparkles like new. What your fellow RVers are counting on is efficiency, so take care of the basics and move along. 2. If you notice someone is having trouble getting things done (a new RVer perhaps) then go help them. Show them how to do it (quickly) and help them move along. 3. Other approaches include leaving earlier, emptying your tanks with a portable the day before or just relax and read a novel or magazine. You can always get out and socialize with other RVers in line while you wait. Keeping the sanity in sanitize - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Sliding RV trays help organize the galley

Kelly and Joan Melfi are RVers from Frankfort, Illinois. Joan asked her talented husband to make some sliding trays in her galley storage cabinets. He constructed them so they would easily slide out enabling Joan to grab the handle and pull the entire tray out. Now she has easy access to all the pots and stuff usually stuck way in the back. He made them to match the wood in their 5th wheel and Joan is a happy camper. Sliding a few good ideas your way - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Extra storage makes smaller RVs more enjoyable

James and Cathy Land from Madina, Ohio have been RVing since 1978. They enjoy their smaller motorhome but find it essential to have a little extra storage space. They installed a Let’sGoAERO storage pod on the back of their motorhome to accomplish this goal. It fits into the receiver hitch and has a pass-through hitch so you could tow a car or load up a bicycle rack. The pod is waterproof and lockable. It comes with signal lights so it requires some wiring. You can learn more about these units here: Let’sGoAERO
The only pod I have is my iPod - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV water filters stand up to the elements in this device

RVer Dave Willis from Hudsonville, Michigan developed this unique water filter stand. Using PVC pipe and two PVC toilet flanges, he constructed a side by side stand. He cut the toilet flanges so they butt up against each other. Next he screwed them into a wood base wide enough to hold up the filters. Next he cut two pieces of four inch PVC and inserted them into the flanges. He did not glue the PVC because the flanges are high enough to hold them firmly in place and he can remove them for easier storage. Dave can use this system on grass, gravel or pavement without it tipping over or being blown over. A simple project to make your RV hook-up experience more convenient. You can pick up all these parts at your local hardware store. Wouldn’t it be nice if the spam filter on your computer worked this well. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV dogs have it made in the shade with this set up

I met fellow RVers Gregory and Dorthy Hawkins recently at a campground outside Glacier National Park. They are from Spokane, Washington and enjoy visiting the park during the summer.What caught my eye immediately was the dog play area occupying a large percentage of their campsite. They have two inquisitive dachshunds who enjoy the great outdoors.The dogs enjoy the outdoors any time they wish because Gregory installed a dog door into the side of their travel trailer. He also built a portable ramp leading to the dog door. The ramp can be disassembled and stored flat. The platform is made from PVC and can be adjusted at the bottom for various terrain conditions.

The ramp is made from wood and carpeted to help the dogs with traction. The ramp hooks over the PVC platform stand next to the dog door. The platform made using a metal tray which is also carpeted. A longer piece of carpet is attached to the platform and spans the gap between the ramp and the platform. Gregory secures the decorative vinyl lattice to the side of the ramp with washers and wing-nuts bolted through the side of the ramp.The dogs love the freedom of being able to go outside anytime and the Hawkins like it because they don't have to get up to let them out. I like it because it's innovative and dog friendly - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Display your RV personalized sign with a PVC frame

RVers Don & Carol Huck from beautiful historic Sainte Genevieve, Missouri enjoy RVing in their Coachmen travel trailer. These friendly folks also like to display their sign with the hearty RV message, "Welcome Campers, the Huck family, Don and Carol". There are many ways to display a sign such as this and Don used his propane tank cover as the base for his display. Using half inch PVC as the frame he pins the PVC against the lip of the propane tank cover with a cut off "U" bolt. The sign is held in the frame by two eye bolts. On the lookout for displays of RV hospitality - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV pantry rack stays put with this device

RVers Stan and Joy Wildermuth love their Coachmen Cross Country motorhome. They call Hamptonville, North Carolina home and when rolling down the road they like everything to stay put. To ensure the pantry sliding wire rack doesn't come flying out when they round a corner, Stan secured it with a sliding bolt. He drilled a hole in the bottom of the cabinet and mounted the sliding bolt so it holds the pantry frame in place. To mount the sliding bolt, Stan made a metal plate and screwed it into the pantry rack frame then bolted the sliding bolt onto the bracket. Be sure to use a countersink and flat head screws when you make and install the bracket. These wire pantry racks can become heavy when you're loading up for an extended trip, so be sure you have some type of system to keep them safely stowed away while your moving down the highway. Checking out RV pantries all across America - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Clever RV decorating idea

Anna Denno from Buchanan, Michigan came up with a new decorating idea for her RV. She didn't like the wallpaper border that came with the rig, so she replaced it with something more appealing. She likes the outdoors theme and in particular the moose. To decorate the mirror by the dinette she cut out a single moose from some left over wallpaper border and applied it to the mirror surface. A nice touch for a small space like the galley area and easy to do. Her favorite desert? You guessed it - Chocolate Moose. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV wheel and tire upgrade extends tire life

RVer George Martin from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was not getting good wear on his old 14 inch travel trailer wheels & tires. After he wore out a set, he switched up to 15 inch wheels and tires and he reports better wear. If you're having trouble with blowouts or excessive wear this idea may solve your problem. You should also consider checking the alignment of your axles and make sure you're not over weight. Proper tire inflation and the age of the tires are also major factors to consider. Hanging out with RV big wheels - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

How to keep your RV door open and run the AC at the same time

RV innovator Kelly Melfi from Frankfort, Illinois enjoys leaving the door open on his 5th wheel. When it's too warm most RVers shut the door and turn on the air conditioner. Not Kelly, he just closes his screen door which has been fitted with Plexiglas inserts. He used some "h" channel he picked up from a hardware store to hold the Plexiglas in place. He can remove the plastic when he wants to use the screen by simply lifting it out of the channels.The bottom of the door as well as the slider insert also have plexiglass but are not removable.

Other RVers have simply screwed the Plexiglas over the screen door. Here an RVer uses a couple screws at the top of the door and a handle to secure the bottom piece. A simple yet effective way to enjoy more "view" without sacrificing the luxury of heat or air conditioning. It's also more effective at keeping "no-see-'em" bugs out of the RV.

Providing you with a clear view of RV innovations and modifications - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

How fast can you be ready for a weekend RV trip?

Earlier this summer I attended a Coachmen RV rally in Centreville, Michigan. These RVers had a great time eating together, playing games, enjoying great entertainment and one night we all watched the movie "RV" on the big screen. Let me tell you, there's nothing quite like watching "RV" with a room full of fellow RVers. The laughter was uproarious and Mrs. Professor and I had a great time!

One evening at dinner, I brought out my video camera and began questioning my fellow RVers about how long it took them to prepare for a weekend camping trip. The responses ranged from 30 minutes to a week. Bob & Gail Ring said it only took them 30 minutes,while Rick & Rita Frey disagreed on the prep time by a few days.Our Canadian friends Floyd & Lil Zimmer weren't exactly sure.I hope you'll enjoy the video as much as I did making it. In my opinion, RVers are the most enjoyable people you'll ever meet. They are fun loving, happy, positive people who enhance my life every time I'm around them (which is quite a bit if you've followed this blog for long). Excuse me, but I need to start getting ready for our next RV weekend trip to the Oregon coast - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing.

RVer tames hitch with a cradle

RVer John Hass has a Coachmen travel trailer. He uses a PullRite Hitch when towing his rig. The problem with these hitches is the receiver hitch assembly can stick out past the bumper when it is in the stowed position. However, don't let this insignificant problem stop you from owning one of these fine hitches. Read more about this hitch system here: PullRite

Back home in Glen Arm, Maryland John came up with an idea of how to store his receiver hitch ball assembly while not in use. After he built it he discovered the hitch was now much easier to lift since it was already off the ground. John says, "It's easier on your back."

Not only does his hitch cradle hold the receiver hitch ball assembly, it also holds the load dispensing bars (which no travel trailer should be without). Using a few pieces of scrap lumber he made a very useful hitch cradle. He uses a screw-in hook to hold the chains in place. He even made use of an eye hook to stow the retaining pin. Since it was so useful at home, John figured he might as well take it whenever he went on a camping trip.

Hitching-up RVers with new ideas every day (except Monday) - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

How do you post RV notes and campground registrations?

Peter Komish is an RVer from St. Anne, Manitoba, Canada. He frequently needs to post RV registration cards on his RV and have a place where friends can leave notes when he is gone. To solve this problem he glued two pieces of metal on the wall next to the door. He uses a magnetic chip bag clip which holds the registration card securely to the side of his unit. The metal has begun to rust, so using stainless steel would be best. Another possibility would be to use hook and latch material using a chip bag clip. It would accomplish the same thing but could be easily removed and replaced when neccessary. It also comes in handy when you need to leave a neighbor a note. I've had many occasions when I've gone to visit a fellow RVer and they weren't home. I usually write a note on the back of my card and scruntch it into the door handle and hope it doesn't blow away. This system assures your message will be received and your friends will appreciate it much better than writing your message on the side of their RV with a Sharpie. Taking note of useful RV ideas - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Motorhome tires are huge so where do you carry a spare?

RVers with motorhomes have a problem when it comes to the spare tire issue. Because motorhome tires are so large and heavy it is difficult to find a place to carry one, so the vast majority of motorhome owners elect not to carry a spare.Galen Froelich enjoys RVing in his Coachmen Cross Country motorhome, but he didn’t want to be caught without a spare. He decided to mount a spare tire with a wheel to the receiver hitch. The wheel is mounted to a vertical brace that is welded and bolted in place on a standard drop down receiver hitch extension.Here is a closer look at how it is put together. Galen has no illusions about changing a tire himself, but he says it is easier for the towing company to change a tire without having to find one in stock and taking a lot of extra time and effort. With this setup he can be back on the road faster and without having to pay the going price for a new tire.

He has a lock on one of the tire retaining bolts (but we all know it won’t stop a determined thief). His tow bars fit into the receiver hitch extension like normal and he has the piece of mind of knowing he is prepared.As far as I’m concerned, I’m trying to work off my spare tire - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Rearrange your RV cockpit to suit your driving style

Larry Russ is an avid RVer and do-it-yourself guy who loves to tinker with his rig. Larry is from Dover, Ohio and enjoys driving his Coachmen motorhome. Larry didn’t like his instruments or his back-up monitor where they were in his cockpit because when he scanned his instrument cluster he had to look down taking his eyes off the road. Larry prefers a “heads up” display so he mounted some of his instruments and the back-up monitor (and also his CB radio) where he could see it without taking his eyes fully off the road. He didn’t sacrifice his view and he says it makes for a much more enjoyable and comfortable motorhome driving experience.Larry made a glove compartment out of the hole previously occupied by the back-up monitor. His instrument cluster came from Nordskog Guages and can be found on the web here: Nordskog

He also threw an altimeter and a digital thermometer and compass in the mix. Giving you a “heads up” on RV innovations and innovators - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV mirror, on the wall, you’re too high to see at all

You adjust mirrors on your motorhome or truck before you drive, so why not adjust your bathroom mirror? Mike and Betty Kalasz from Holland, Michigan had a problem with their motorhome bathroom mirror. Betty was too short to be able to see in the mirror so they moved it down a few inches where she could use it. This was easily accomplished by removing the screws holding the medicine cabinet and mirror to the wall then reattaching it where she wanted it. They covered the gap between the medicine cabinet and the ceiling with matching wood trim. Now Betty is happy with her coach and she can even reach the top shelf. Reflecting on useful RV modifications - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Keep your RV bumper rust free with this idea

I asked long time RVer Bob Campbel why he had a PVC sewer hose storage pipe hooked up under his 5th wheel bumper which is also capable of storing the hose. He told me he doesn’t store anything wet in his bumper storage because it eventually rusts and also ruins the sewer hoses stored there.To be honest, I never thought about it that way, but come to think of it I’ve seen many a rusty bumper on RVs using them as sewer hose storage. Bob used a “U” bolt to connect the PVC container to the bottom of the RV bumper. This is a typical sewer hose storage unit available at any RV parts store. Keeping you from hosing up your RV bumper - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV woodworker takes cows seriously

Longtime RVer Bob Workinger from Canton, Ohio enjoys woodworking. Like many RVers he has a theme running throughout his motorhome. Bob's theme happens to be cows. But you could just as easily apply his approach to any theme such as Nascar, football, hockey, cooking or classic cars to name a few. Whatever your theme, Bob demonstrates you can make tasteful accessories that not only highlight your hobby but are functional at the same time. The cow head displays his theme and is also a hat hanger at the same time. It's a convenient place near the entrance where Bob can hang his hat and call it home.

Bob didn't stop there, he also made towel racks in the shape of cows. In the bathroom he put up a robe and shirt hook in the shape of a cow. The front hoof is one hook and the tail is another. They protrude from the wall just enough to hang shirts or whatever else you need in the bathroom. If your theme was hockey, you could do this with a miniature pair of crossed hockey sticks and achieve the same result. Like Bob, just use your imagination and you'll come up with some fun innovations on your hobby or theme. Bob enjoys cows so much he also installed a "cow air horn" on his coach. He says he can sometimes get cows to come running to the fence line when he sounds off on the back roads. Tracking down RV stories until the cows come home - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVing Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

RVers traveling through the upper peninsula of Michigan have long enjoyed the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. I highly recommend taking the Pictured Rocks boat tour run by Pictured Rocks Cruises. You can visit their website here: Pictured Rocks Cruises You leave from the harbor of the small town of Munising, Michigan. Tours leave several times each day and reservations are not necessary. The busiest days are Tuesday and Wednesday so plan accordingly.You will see many rock formations on this two and a half hour tour. Castle Rock is the first formation you see on the tour. We also saw a Peregrine Falcon perching high atop a tree on one of the many rock formations, so it is a good idea to take along a pair of binoculars. Kayak enthusiasts and boaters enjoy this National Lakeshore.Lake Superior is so cold it is said once a person drowns the lake never gives up it's dead. The lake depth is just over one thousand feet at it's deepest point. The lake is so large it has characteristics of an ocean with huge swells and stormy gales. One of the crew feeds bread to the gulls as we pass by their rookery.This is a top notch excursion and a must see attraction. I encountered a Good Sam tour taking in the sunset cruise and they all loved it. We stayed at Wandering Wheels Campground which has wifi, heated pool, 50 amp pull-through sites, cable TV, mini golf, store and close to all the area attractions. There are several great restaurants in town and the drive along Lake Superior is magnificent!

I rate the Pictured Rocks cruise in the top three highlights of our summer tour through Michigan! It was picture perfect - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVers show their Nascar enthusiam in lights

Rick and Rita Frey from Cincinnati, Ohio are new to RVing and have jumped headlong into the spirit of RVing. They love Nascar and it shows in every aspect of how they've decorated their coach. The table has a checkered flag because this is where winning meals are served. The bed has a Nascar theme comforter and even the outside patio mat is a checkered flag. Rita made exterior light covers in keeping with this theme. Using a string of outside Christmas lights (clear) she attached these half circle mini-shades. She sewed hook & latch on the ends of the half circle. Next she fastens them over the plastic base of the lamp. I recommend using LED lamps because they put out almost no heat and are safer with this type of application. Creating a festive and inviting Nascar atmosphere the Frey's attract fellow RV friends into their winners circle. Giving you the green flag for RVing - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Enjoy partial shade with this snappy RV window awning trick

RV window awnings typically have two positions - deployed or stowed. If the window awning is deployed it cuts the viewing area in half. To solve the problem you can use a bungee cord to hold the window awning partially open. Loop the wire bungee ends through the strap as depicted in the photo below and attach the other end of the cord to the wall hook. This will give you flexibility in controlling the level of shade inside your coach. Sometimes the easy solutions are the best. Helping you stretch your RV enjoyment - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Check your RV tires with this handy gadget

This RV "tire checker" is conveniently located at the entrance of this 5th wheel. It's attached to the wall with hook & latch straps at the top and bottom for easy access. By thumping on a tire you know is properly inflated you can then get a "feel" for how they sound and respond to a tap from this baseball bat. It's a simple tire checking device and can also be used in various other capacities. Swinging for the RV bleachers - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing