Does your RV really need outdoor TV?

Is an outdoor television important to your RV lifestyle?

Admittedly, I do not watch much television so I'm already biased in my opinion, but I do recognize that many RVers enjoy watching the tube. I forget when it happened, but at some point in the not to distant past RV manufacturers began offering RVs with the option of an outdoor television.

Since I'm a full-time RVer I have ample opportunity to study the habits of RVers in various styles of RVing. The people I see using the outdoor television the most are the guys. They seem to make the space under the awning the outdoor TV room where they can watch Nascar, football, hockey and stuff their wives might not be interested in.

What I've noticed more than anything is the lack of use of these outdoor televisions. Here is an example of an RV that sat for the whole weekend with the TV door open with nobody watching. I'm not kidding, every time I walked the dog or drove by it looked like this.
So, what looks cool on the showroom floor may not be as useful as you might think. If you use it, great. If you don't, it ends up wasting good storage space and becomes an expensive dust collector.

Helping you think it through - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Replacing RV electric plugs

Most RVers I hang around with have the impression that RV manufacturers do not focus on quality. They are of the opinion that RV manufacturers skimp and cut corners on material and labor in order to boost their bottom line.

I've been around RVs most of my life (owning several types and brands) and I would have say that for the most part they are correct in their assessment. Manufacturers seem to be more concerned about making money than satisfied customers. I can take you through any RV park in the United States or Canada and show you more dissatisfied and disgruntled RV customers than you can imagine. It's staggering, frankly, and I hope the few RV manufacturers who emerge from this economic depression change their ways and begin producing high quality products with quality materials and craftsmanship even if it does cost a little more.

I currently own what is considered one of America's high end motorhomes. To be honest, I will say it is well built where it counts (chassis and box) but I still run across stuff that makes me shake my head and say to myself, “What were they thinking?” Like the electric plugs (duplex receptacles) they purchase in bulk for a few cents (exactly what they are worth).

All my coach plugs are located on one circuit (dumb). So when Mrs. Professor plugs in her hair dryer in the bathroom and I'm running the toaster in the galley the circuit trips. She's learned to ask if the coast is clear before she turns on her hair dryer.

I recently experienced a power loss in all my electric plugs. It took me several days and help from my RV brand forum to locate the problem. One of the cheap electric plugs shorted out and it took me a while to find the offender. Once I replaced it, all was well until the others began to fail.

I replaced the plugs we use most often with heavy duty 20 amp duplex receptacles. You get what you pay for in electric components, so spend the few extra bucks and buy something that will give you good service. In the video I go through step by step how to change out an RV electric plug.

Whenever your electric plugs loose power and all your other appliances (like your microwave) are working properly check the GFI first. Sometimes these trip and if you forget about them, you could spend a couple hours trying to fix the problem when all it requires is to reset the GFI.I also recommend using electrician screwdrivers (instead of an electric drill with a screwdriver attachment) as they will quickly crank in electric screws and won't strip the threads like a power drill.Here is the installation video - enjoy!

Staying plugged into the RV lifestyle – Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Coming off the road from full-time RVing

Mrs. Professor and I have been full-timing for several years and thoroughly enjoy the lifestyle. There will come a time when, for whatever reason, we will come off the road as full-timers and revert back to being part-time RVers once again. If you are planning to become a full-time RVer, I applaud your decision and recommend talking to as many current and former full-time RVers as you can!

In this interview with former full-time RVer Joy McClain, you will gain some interesting insights. Mrs. Professor and I met and became friends with Jim and Joy McClain during our first year of full-time RVing.
Professor: How long were you full-time RVers?

Joy: Fifteen great years! In fact, it began as our honeymoon.

Professor: What were the phases of RVing you went through?

Joy: The first five years or so we just kept going from one coast to the next, north to south and east to west. After our exploring we decided to become work campers, sometimes just hosting in private parks. Then we began working with the rangers in state parks which was extremely exciting, especially in the Rockies. After three years of working in the mountains, we ventured to the Oregon coast and worked private and city parks during the summers and began hitting the deserts of Arizona for the winters. Our travels began to slow down the last seven or so years with the exception of staying out of the cold or heat. We stopped workcamping and decided to totally relax, which we did, and enjoyed every wonderful minute of it. I think it's called "finally really retired."Professor: Did you have an exit strategy?

Joy: To be honest I never did consider or have an exit strategy about leaving the road full of excitement and adventure; it was my husband. It never entered my mind to end that wonderful journey with all the great and dear friends we would meet every year, old ones and new ones. His strategy was to take me to the place I seemed to have cherished most on our journeys and tempted me with the perfect house. He knew I would love every aspect of that house including the perfect climate and extraordinary scenery. Our new house is not far from our Arizona winter campground where our friends meet every year.Professor: What were the things that most influenced you to come off the road full-time?

Joy: I believe Jim was mostly concerned about our future health, considering age, and thought we should have a home and yet still venture out on short jaunts.

Professor: What do you miss most about full-time RVing?

Joy: To be perfectly honest with all of you, I miss full-timing everyday. In my mind I miss the freedom. I have always felt "free as a bird," like we could fly with the wind. As for Jim, he is feeling very secure now that he has a place and a feeling of permanence. He says we can jump in the rig and take off whenever we want. Because of this we are now trying to duplicate everything in the RV, that we removed for the house, so we can just jump in and go.

Professor: How often do you use your RV now that you've come off the road?

Joy: Well, put it this way... We were off the road four months in the house, and back on the road for two months. How long we wait for the next trip, who really knows. I guess whenever the spirit hits us. We always began our trips with Willie Nelson's, "On The Road Again." It gives you a great sense of freedom.
Professor: If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently?
Joy: Absolutely nothing!

Professor: Any other words of advice to folks who are thinking about going full-time?

Joy: Yes, absolutely! Do it now! Don't wait for, “Maybe we'll do it tomorrow." Life is too short and once you get on the road you'll always wonder why it took you so long!

Taking you inside the multifaceted RV lifestyle – Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

How to avoid paying more for an RV

A recent study at Ohio State University and reported in the journal Judgment and Decision Making demonstrates that people who hold an item for as little as 30 seconds are willing to pay more for it.

The study used a mug as the item of interest and researchers measured how much people would be willing to bid in both an open and closed bid process. It turns out the longer people hold an object the more they begin to feel ownership of the item even before they buy it.

When I shop I usually don't touch items unless I'm marginally interested in purchasing them. So, it makes sense that when people stop long enough to examine an item thoroughly they would be more prone to buying it. Unfortunately research also shows they are prone to pay more for it.

"The amazing part of this study is that people can become almost immediately attached to something as insignificant as a mug. By simply touching the mug and feeling it in their hands, many people begin to feel like the mug is, in fact, their mug. Once they begin to feel it is theirs, they are willing to go to greater lengths to keep it." said study leader James Wolf.

Take this research further and apply it to the purchase of a “big ticket” item like a car or RV and you can save yourself a lot of money. This study is about “feelings” of attachment you get when shopping. If you're aware of these feelings, you'll be a smarter shopper.

Based on this study, here is a guide that should prevent you from paying too much for an RV.
Before you even begin to look at RVs make an agreement with yourself that you will look at a many RVs at several different dealers and shows. Agree that you will NOT make any one of these RVs yours in your mind. Don't visualize yourself having the time of your life while thinking about any particular RV. Instead, choose two or three RVs that will suit your needs. Decide in advance what you want to pay before you make an offer. This target price will help you overcome the “mine, mine, mine” emotions that drive purchasing decisions.

Remember that RV dealers are willing to negotiate especially during this economic downturn. If the dealer doesn't like your offer it's easier to walk off the lot because you have two other deals to consider. Don't be surprised if you get a call with a counter offer immediately.The whole point of this exercise is to remember not to “get married” to any particular RV until after you've made the deal. Remember that all “sticker prices” are negotiable even at “below wholesale prices.” Don't give in to high pressure sales tactics that take advantage of your emotions. As the buyer you are in the driver seat as long as you keep your “buying” emotions in check.

Helping you keep more of your hard earned money – Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

How to make your motorhome cockpit AC/heater more efficient

Motorhomes are basically an RV built on a chassis. Traveling down a hot New Mexico highway in summer makes you wonder if your motorhome's air conditioning unit is broken because it doesn't seem to be very cool.

Not to worry, there's nothing wrong with your AC it's just overwhelmed. It's not like cooling a small car, it's more like cooling a small apartment and vehicle air conditioners were not designed for this large of a job.

Dave Willis from Hudsonville, Michigan decided to help out his AC/heating unit by limiting the space it had to heat or cool. He says it really makes a difference.

Dave went to Home Depot and purchased a curtain rod and mounted it behind the driver and passenger seats. He put the rod close to the top of the ceiling and attached curtain rings and a curtain.
Now when he runs the heater or the AC, more of the air stays in the driver/passenger cabin.

Hang around I have more great ideas to share - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Bring along your bikes with this RV bumper mounted rack

Bicycles are a wonderful way to enhance your RVing experience. Once you set-up camp it's nice to be able to "get around" with alternative transportation (and it's healthy too).

There are many ways to bring bicycles along. Folding bikes can be stored inside RV compartments but the most used method by far are external bike racks. There are ladder racks, bumper racks and hitch mounted racks.

Don and Carol Huck from St. Genevieve, Missouri elected to build their own bicycle rack for the bumper of their Coachmen travel trailer. It is a simple design employing "U" bolts to attach the rack to the rear bumper.Here is a view from the under side. This method will allow them to remove the bike rack since it is not permanently attached. The bicycle wheel channels are made from two pieces of one inch angle iron welded together with cross members. The rack includes two vertical stability bars to which the bikes are strapped. Peddling great RV ideas - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Sewer extension dilemma solved

RV plumbing is a BIG issue to most RVers. Many travel trailers and 5th wheels have two separate gray water dump valves. Usually one gray tank drains into an exit drain pipe shared with the black water tank, while the additional gray water drain is located elsewhere.

This type of arrangement makes it easier for the RV manufacturer but harder for the end user. If you own a rig like this you need to figure out how to link the two drain pipes externally.

RV stores sell “Y” adaptors for this purpose. You can also purchase connectors to assist you with this project.John Hass from Glen Arm, Maryland is an avid Rver.Here is a photo of his Coachmen travel trailer with two separate dump valves, one forward of the wheels and one aft.John opted to make his own “Y” connector using a standard stick house black pipe “Y” connected to an RV male coupler. He used flashing, caulking and hose clamps to fashion this homemade adaptor.Since the location of the sewer hole varies from park to park, John decided to make one end of his hose shorter. Whether the sewer dump hole is forward or aft of his tires he can simply swap the position of the hoses to accommodate the situation.Helping you stay connected – Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV makeover will save you money

If your old RV seems outdated it probably is. In the past you might have thought about trading up for a newer model with a contemporary color scheme. In this economic climate that may not be possible, so why not do some remodeling and redecorating?

Looking for a great deal on a used RV but aren't having any luck finding the color scheme you want? Why not purchase the great deal and use the extra money you save and decorate it how you want?

Motorhomes, 5th wheels and travel trailers are not much different than a stick house when it comes to remodeling and redecorating.
Dale and Ute Ford from Lake Forrest, California used a little creativity to redecorate their motorhome. Ute decided to redo the color scheme. She started by finding some upholstery material she liked for a few of the window boxes. The boxes easily come off the wall by removing four screws. She removed the top fascia board from the window box and stripped off the old fabric. She replaced the old fabric with the new using a staple gun to hold it in place. She put it all back together and remounted it on the wall. She removed the day/night shade pull down buttons and painted them to match the new window box color.

Next she sewed slip covers for the dinette chairs. These are easily removable for dry cleaning. She added coordinated place settings and made a dramatic change to the dining area.She transformed the bathroom by adding an exterior curtain in front of the shower. She simply ran a curtain rod across the top in front of the shower and installed her new curtain. Amazing what a little fabric and some creative thinking can do to transform the look of an RV.

Bringing you the latest RV cover story – Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

What tools are essential for Rving?

Years ago while pulling our Komfort travel trailer through Santa Rosa, New Mexico the wind began peeling the panneling off the upper side of the trailer. I had a cordless electric drill, but I didn't have any screws. We felt conspicuous driving through town with a flapping pannel but I found a TrueValue Hardware store, purchased some screws and we were back on the road in no time. From that experience I learned to be better prepared.

Many Rvers bring tools along with them whether it's a weekend trip or they are full-timers. The kind and amount of tools you take largely depend on your style of Rving.

Toy people (those with toy haulers) will frequently bring enough tools to do minor surgery on a quad or motorcycle while other RVers have a different concept of what tools are necessary. Ultimately the essential tools for RVing depend on the style of RVing and the level of mechanical ability of the RVer.
Ray Bentsen from San Diego, California is a craftsman and made his own tool chest in one of his storage bays. He made the tool chest himself from aluminum (I'm jealous). I particularly like the way he organized his screwdrivers and a few other essential tools, however I usually need my screwdrivers handy at the location where I'm working, so I keep them in my portable toolbox.As a full time Rver I bring along only the tools I need. If I haven't used a tool or set of tools for a year, I eject them. The tool I use more than any other is my cordless drill. The second most used tool is a utility knife followed by my multimeter and portable air compressor.

I keep a modest set of mechanic's tools. I value a professional grade wire stripper along with a supply of electric connectors. I have an assortment of drill bits, a grinding wheel and wire brush (for the drill) and a set of hole saws. I have a hack saw, staple gun, rivet gun, caulking gun, funnels, strap wrench and safety goggles.

I keep a box of replacement bulbs and fuses, bolts, nuts, washers and screws. I keep caulking on hand as well as several kinds of tape and adhesives. I pack a small spool of electric wire and an assortment of wire ties. I store my tools in an outside storage compartment except one – the Leatherman, which I keep inside the coach for quick jobs.

In the utilities bay I keep a pair of channel-lock pliers, a water pressure gauge, water pressure regulator and some extra washers.

Though they may not be considered tools, I use gloves when I hook-up my towed vehicle and they save a lot of wear and tear on my hands.

Tooling up for another great RV year – Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

A hot tip for a cold RV night

Everyone has a different personal RV sleeping profile. Some folks like to sleep with the windows open even during winter. Others prefer the warmth of an electric blanket. Some sleep with the covers off while others like the feel of several heavy layers of blankets. Some sleep in the buff while others wear Charles Dickens era pajamas. Some sleep with one naked foot out of the covers while others sleep with socks. It's all a matter of personal preference.

The important issue is that you get a good nights sleep waking up refreshed and ready for another day. Sleep researchers claim that how you begin your sleep is as important as the sleep itself. Keeping a routine at bedtime will help you begin to relax and look forward to a good night's sleep. Avoiding caffeine and other stimulants before bedtime is also good advice.

I stumbled upon a great idea last week that has made a huge difference for us at bedtime. We like to sleep with the heater off and no electric blanket. During winter the bedroom gets cold and the sheets are like ice when you get in bed. It's hard to relax when your teeth are chattering, so I started thinking about what we could do to solve the problem. I remembered seeing "bed warmers" in museums and knew they placed heated rocks in these and passed them under the sheets to make them toasty warm.

I decided to use Mrs. Professor's electric hair dryer to do the same thing. By blowing hot air between the sheets for a few minutes it has the same effect as the ancient "bed warmers." It's much more relaxing and comfortable to crawl into a toasty warm bed now that we've discovered this winter bedtime secret.

Should you choose to try this please be careful because you are dealing with a heated appliance which brings with it the remote possibility of a fire (make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy). I point the nozzle of the hair dryer so it does not come in contact with the sheets and I raise the top sheet high enough (about eight inches) to allow the air to billow the bedding with warm air.

Giving you something to sleep on - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Performing air conditioner maintenance on your RV

Want your RV air conditioners to last longer and work more efficiently? Routine maintenance is the best way to prevent having to fork out over $1,000 for a replacement.

Some RV air conditioner systems have a valve that allows the unit to also act as a heater. During colder months RVers tend to use these types of AC units just as much as they would during the summer.

If you’ve never performed air conditioner maintenance or if you haven’t done it for a while you may want to considering doing so when weather permits.Cleaning your air conditioner is straight forward. First remove the cover retaining screws. Pull the cover off and remove any large pieces of debris like twigs or leaves and then blow out the heat exchanger fins with compressed air.Clean the inside cover with a mild detergent and replace it.

Wasps like building nests under air conditioner covers and their nesting material can plug up the unit.Inside your coach be sure to remove and clean the vent cover and filter. I recommend doing this once a month during heavy usage.Using a vacuum with a brush attachment or a soft brush clean the louvers inside the unit. Do this at least once a year.This is a photo of a unit that had to be replaced because it was not properly maintained. A dirty heat exchanger causes the compressor to work harder and longer and significantly shortens its life span of the unit.

Bringing you effective and proven RV money saving tips - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Where do you keep your books in the RV?

Start off the new year right by reading books! How about setting a goal for yourself to read two books a month or more? RV parks usually have a free book exchange where you can trade in books you've finished for some you haven't read.

A great source for books about RVing is the largest RV bookstore on the planet - RVbookstore.com. Here you will find everything you need to know to make your RVing more fun and enjoyable.

If you are like me, you probably have several books you like to keep around for reference. Both weekend and full-time RVers enjoy taking books along on their travels, but where do you store them?

If you put them deep in the back of a cupboard you will forget about them, but if you have them somewhere at the ready, you're likely to read more.

James and Colleen White from Mt. Carmel, Illinois enjoy reading and like having their books handy so they installed a simple retaining rack in the space over the driver side and passenger side windows. This decorative railing is available at any big box hardware store. This is a handy place for both reference books as well as casual reading.Reading is one of the greatest gifts we have, so please, read with abandon in 2009! Happy New Year - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing