RV Duallys. Awning Protector. CG Etiquette. Fire Hazard. Vacuum Gauge. CA State Parks. Portable shower. Trees Down. Paco.

Tips for checking dual tire pressure on your RV

"Many large RVs have dual tires which are an adjustment for a lot of people to get used to. In addition to the added expense when it's time to buy new tires, maintaining dual tire pressure is especially important since if the pressure in one gets low, it can rub against the other and cause damage and safety issues. FulltimeRVer.com offers some suggestions on getting an accurate reading on the hard-to-reach inside tire.

Valve stem extensions can make reaching the valve on the inside tire easier to reach. They add about four inches to the tire valve so you'll be able to reach it and get a true reading. These stem extensions are specifically designed for dual-tire vehicles and run about $15.
However, valve stem extenders can only be used on metal valves, and some tire experts warn that they can increase tire air leaks.
A dual foot pressure gauge often used by truckers is a good option as well. It looks like a regular tire pressure gauge but is longer and has an angled stem to make reaching the inside tire valve possible.
Filling dual tires up is another issue that takes some planning, according to the website. Most regular service stations won't have the proper set-up. Truck stops will be the best option for getting air for dual tired vehicles."

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Protect Your RV Awning!

"Did you know that RV awning fabric can be costly to replace? Did you know that most warranties will not cover fabric damage due to sun and weather? Protect your  RV awning fabric and your investment from the damaging effects of sun and weather with Awning Pro-Tech. The only patented cover of its kind on the market. Awning Pro-Tech will greatly extend the life of your RV fabric awning.

Awning Pro-Tech is a UV resistant product that snaps on over your existing RV awning fabric. It install easily, is virtually unbreakable, will not discolor, wind resistant and easy to clean.








Tests have shown that unlike PVC, the UV resistant polymers in Awning Pro-Tech will maintain its original physical properties after as much as 60 years. Awning Pro-Tech is sold as a 5 piece kit, with each piece measuring 51.33". When installed with a 2" overlap on each piece, it will fit awnings up to 20' long and with a diameter of 3.65" to 4.25". Basically, it will accommodate all late model RV awnings. If your awning happens to be longer or shorter, you can also order individual pieces."    From: http://www.awningpro-tech.com/
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RV Campground Etiquette

"Just about every campground you go to will have a list of rules that they request visitors to follow, just like the rules you probably have for your own household. Another list of rules that isn’t necessarily written anywhere is what is referred to as campground etiquette. These are the rules that RVers learn over time and practice out of respect for other campers, the campground owners and the environment. When you arrive at the campground you should always observe campground etiquette.
 
Be a Good Neighbor: This is a big one and it encompasses many areas surrounding your stay at the campground. When a campground gets busy it means more people, more RV’s, more children, and more pets, which usually equates to less personal space for everybody. One of the reasons we enjoy getting away in our RV is to get a little peace and quiet. Now it’s understandable for children, who are excited to be camping, to make some noise but there is a time and place for everything. Not everybody likes getting up early or staying up late, so you need to be considerate of other people around you.

Quiet Hours: Campgrounds have quiet hours and campers need to observe these quiet hours. During quiet hours you shouldn’t hear generators running or loud parties next door. If you arrive at the campground early in the morning or late in the evening, try to limit the amount of noise you make while getting set up.
 
Police your Area: In the military, “police call” meant to go through an area and pick up any trash and to keep your area looking clean and presentable at all times. This is a good rule for campers. Your neighbor, who in some cases is only 15 or 20 feet away, doesn’t want your trash to end up in their camping area. Try to keep your campsite organized and keep the trash picked up. Don’t let things like paper plates and paper cups sit outside, that can quickly end up next door. Trash and food left outside can also attract some unwanted guests like ants, mice, squirrels, raccoons, and even bears. Keeping your camp area clean and picked up will make this less likely to occur.

Fires and Fire Pits: If there is a fire restriction where you are staying never start a fire, even if there is a fire pit. Avoid putting trash in the fire pit too; if it isn’t wood it shouldn’t go in the fire pit. Trash in the fire pit can attract more unwanted guests. Never cut branches from a live tree, or the tree itself to use for fire wood. In many public campgrounds gathering firewood is strictly prohibited, check with the campground rules about fires and firewood. Many public and private campgrounds sell firewood for you to use for a campfire.
Always make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the area unattended, or retiring for the night. If you are a smoker avoid throwing cigarette butts on the ground. If conditions are right, and the cigarette butt is not completely out, it could start the entire forest on fire.

Instruct Children on Campground dos & don’ts: Children just want to have fun, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of other campers. Instruct your children not to run and ride bikes through somebody else’s campsite to take a shortcut to the swimming pool or the game room.
You are in essence renting the space you are in and it should be just that, your space. You should also explain to children that they need to be extremely careful when riding bikes, skateboards, scooters and running through the campground. There is constant traffic in and out of a campground, especially when it’s busy and not everybody is watching for small children. This is why adults should always go the speed limit too, which is usually 5 miles per hour in the campground area.

Security: Even though the majority of campgrounds you visit are for the most part safe and secure you shouldn’t leave your guard down too much. Leaving valuables sitting around the campsite unattended, or leaving your door open or unlocked is asking for trouble. Not everybody is as honest as you may be. Unsecured bicycles, scooters, video games, hitch work and other valuables can be an easy target for the not so honest camper.
Control your Pets: Pets and RVs just seem to go together, but keep in mind not everybody is a pet lover! If you have pets at the campground it is your responsibility to control them. First make sure you understand the campgrounds rules as it pertains to pets. Your dogs should never be outside unless they are on a leash. And even when they are on a leash you need to keep them out of other camper’s campsites. Use the campgrounds designated area for pets, if there is one, and always clean up behind your pets.
Control your dogs barking. I have seen instances where people leave their pet at the campground while they go on a day trip and the dog barks nonstop all day. It is your responsibility to control a barking dog. Don’t be surprised if you are asked to leave if your pet is out of control.

Respect the Environment: There are a lot of beautiful places for us to visit with our RV’s and it is up to us to protect these areas during our stay. Don’t litter or put trash into the streams, rivers and lakes. Don’t start a fire if there is a fire restriction, even if there is a fire pit. Never empty your gray or black water tanks anywhere except in specified dump stations and campground sewer systems. Always leave the campsite in the condition you found it or in a better condition than you found it in.
 
Reporting Problems: Campgrounds have camp hosts and campground managers who are available on site. If you have a problem with another camper or a campground staff member you need to address the problem with the camp host or manager and let them resolve it."
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RV light fixtures a fire hazard?
"An RV fire is a scary thing. The materials and construction of the typical RV mean any fire will likely end up as a total loss. To that end, preventing a fire from starting is critical. Here's an area of fire prevention that may not have crossed your mind: The potential of fire from mishandled light fixtures.


"We had an early "warning" on this in one of our first RVs. We noticed the outside light near the entry door was "out." Not paying much attention, in the role of resident "RV tech," I simply stuck a bulb from my tool kit in the socket, slapped the lens back on and went about my business. Some weeks later I discovered that the lens assembly had melted and burnt through completely, necessitating the replacement of the entire fixture. A closer examination of the data stamped on the fixture indicated I'd used the wrong size bulb--one that was too hot for the job.

Imagine that light fixture in an inside area, one where something combustible might have come into contact with the fixture. Not long ago a motorhome owner had a close call with just this situation. One of his basement storage compartments was illuminated by the typical "light bulb behind a lens" fixtures. On opening the compartment he found the light had accidentally been left on, the bulb apparently too large, and the lens (like ours) had burnt through. Additionally a nylon pad had been pushed up against the fixture and he found a burn hole in the pad. Happily the pad simply melted and didn't ignite. Had it been something like cardboard the results might have been a complete tragedy.

Filament-type lights do indeed get hot; when replacing bulbs make sure you always use the manufacturer indicated replacement. Some RVers are switching to LED bulb replacements for the sake of battery power economy. An added benefit of this scheme also means a higher level of safety, as LED bulbs produce no "waste heat" that could spell out a fire hazard. Of course, make sure making sure basement storage lamps (or any other that could come in contact with combustible materials) are always clear of contact is a must. From: http://rvtravel.com/RVusing/Light_fixtures.shtml
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RV a “gasser”? Vacuum gauge can help save fuel

"We recently talked about how diesel drivers can save fuel by keeping an eye on an exhaust gas temperature gauge. What about gas engine owners, is there something they can use? Absolutely. Before the days of factory real-time miles-per-gallon meters the vacuum gauge was a helper for those wanting to see less of the pump.
If your car doesn’t have an MPG meter and you don’t want to pump the money into an expensive aftermarket device like a Fuel Efficiency Adviser (fuelefficiency.com) a vacuum gauge may be just what you’re looking for."
More at: http://www.rvtechtips.com/?p=300

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Stansport Battery Powered portable shower On The Go Camping Shower Portable RV Shower 

"The ultimate outdoor portable shower by Stansport! Camping, boating, fishing or hiking, showering, camp cleanup or dishes! Use it anywhere for anything. The Stansport portable Battery powered shower gives you instant water pressure at the flip of a switch.
All you need to do is add HOT water and four Dcell batteries (not included). Just place the powerful pump into any water source (lake, stream or included 3gallon collapsible bucket) and flip the power switch located on the waterproof battery case. Extra long 7ft. shower hose with on/off flow control shower head. Water pump with clog stopping debris filter. For Hot showers you will need to heat water in the collapsible solar heating bucket (included). "  From: http://www.rvtoyoutlet.com/p-RV5374.html
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Yesterday:

I called Jay early to remind him that the power company's tree cutters were coming early, and he said that he would ride his 'new' bike up here.  That was it… he didn't show up.

The tree service had just told us they were coming the afternoon before, so that wasn't much notice.  Ray and I started at 7.30 as the men already had arrived in their big bucket truck.  We hand pushed the two utility trailers out of the way, and tried to start my Class B+ motorhome.  But as it is still waiting for Jim, the mechanic, to fix the auxiliary fuel pump, we finally towed the 10,000 lb rig out of the way with my little Aerostar.    We got the motor home out of the way, but not out of the way of the neighbor's cars, so Jim came and was more generous with the amount of gas he was pouring in the carburetor, and it started.  Ray was standing at the ready with his hand on the release of a fire extinguisher!  We were just too scaredy-cat with the gasoline.
 
Ray and I were enthralled watching them work, they sure knew what they were doing.  We could have been putting up the shelves in the cargo trailer, but it was a little too close to where they were felling the trees.   Actually everything was.  My neighbor's mobile home was only 7ft from this line of tall dead trees, and he didn't even come outside.   As Ray and I commented to each other, we wouldn't want to be inside with all that going on! 

First, the 'bucket man" went to the top of the little trees.  He cut off the branches and then cut about 16" sections off the top, dropping them exactly where he wanted them to fall.  He did this by cutting on one side, then a small cut on the other side, leaving a little tiny stem which he just nudged loose and aimed with his hand.  He worked all the way down the skinny trees like that.   You could tell he had been doing this for years.


Then Ray and I really had to marvel at the skill of these Mexicans, as we had never seen a tree "bottom cut" before.  On two of the trees he did some fancy roping high up as far as the bucket would reach.  He cut off any big branches and carefully lowered them to ground.  Then he did some more fancy roping and belaying up in the tree tops, and brought the bucket down to the ground.   Next he cut through the bottom of the tree at the ground, while two of his helpers held guide ropes that he had put around that tree and a big tree next to it, when he was up in the air.  It swung right up next to the big tree.  He cut some more sections off the bottom of the tree as the helpers lowered it to the ground, still slithering it down next to the trunk of the big tree.  Then the tree top was finally lowered to rest on the ground, and cut up.  All this was really close to the neighbor's mobile home, and my cargo trailer! 
If you are interested, I took pictures, and here is an album: https://picasaweb.google.com/LakeConroePenny/TreeFelling20110706?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLXSx6P3ne350gE&feat=directlink

Some views of "Bottom Cutting":





















You can see how close they were to the neighbor's mobile home. Even the one right next to it was cut down.











Tree till hanging there, being cut up in the air.    Then they lowered the treetop to the ground and cut it up.

In the afternoon, June, the adopted "Mom" of Paco, the Chihuahua, called to say that he is a keeper. She said that he has settled in at his new home, really likes her husband, gets along well with their other dog, and sleeps on their bed.  Paco will like that, as I didn't let him do that here.

How's that for good news to make it a great day!