RV Water Heater. Safe Shore Power. RV Awning. "Ant Farm". EternaBond R & R. Classic Diners. Robertson Screws. Korea. Route 66.

 

For “tRaVersing Thursday”, or RV Day:

How to adjust the flame on your water heater so it works most efficiently

“Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor, shows you how to adjust the flame on your RV water heater so that it runs with maximum efficiency. This is easy to do and can make a big difference in the performance of your heater.”

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Test your shore power outlet for safety

“One quick way to ruin an RV trip is a heavy electrical shock. Shore power systems in campgrounds can be dangerous if not maintained or if mis-wired. Protecting yourself isn't difficult or expensive.

On arriving at a campground, don't just assume the power supply is safe. First, make sure the breaker is turned off to the power outlet, then plug in the RV power cord. If you have an exterior power outlet on your rig, plug in an electrical circuit analyzer that indicates circuit problems. If you don't have an outside outlet, plug the analyzer into an outlet inside, and have a helper look at it.

Now turn on the breaker to your RV circuit. If the circuit analyzer indicates all is well, well and good. If not, DON'T touch the side of your coach or attempt to go inside. Switch off the breaker immediately, especially if you should get an indication that the hot and ground wires are reversed. If they are, you have a potentially dangerous situation. Don't touch the electrical box or the side of your rig. Unplug the shore power cord without touching anything else.

If the tester indicates a reversed hot and neutral wire you are physically safe, but you could see damage to sensitive electronics. If your analyzer shows an "open ground" situation, there is still a level of danger to your physical safety if an electrical short took place.

In any case, if your tester shows a problem, disconnect and ask for a new site.”     By Russ and Tiña De Maris

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Five quick tips about your RV awning

“A patio awning extends the living area of our outdoor world. Similar to the front porch of your home, the patio awning provides us with shade and cover from a light rain when we want to be outdoors without getting drenched.

Here are five RV awning quick tips to help protect and extend the life of your RV awning:

1) Never leave it out for any extended time you're away from the campsite. A quick wind or thunderstorm can result in expensive repair costs to the awning and the RV. If the wind begins to pick up at the campground, retract your awning to its stored position. Better safe than sorry.

2) If it begins to rain on an extended awning, lower one end to allow the water to run off. If not, it can quickly pool in the center of the awning fabric and the weight can damage the awning itself and/or the awning fabric.

3) Use a commercial RV awning cleaner to clean it. Spray the cleaner thoroughly on the awning fabric, roll it up and let it sit for several minutes. This helps to distribute the cleaner over the entire surface of the awning fabric and allows the cleaner time to work. Open the awning and thoroughly rinse both sides of the fabric.

4) For the most part, there are two types of awning fabric, acrylic or vinyl. Acrylic fabric is a woven cloth. Avoid scrubbing acrylic awning fabric. Scrubbing can remove the water-retardant finish. For stubborn stains blot the cleaner on the fabric with a sponge or soft cloth.

5) Use awning tie-downs to help protect your patio awning from wind gust damage.”    By Mark Polk

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Don't let your RV become an "Ant Farm"

“Did you know that ants can tunnel into some RVs' walls just like in the Uncle Milton Ant Farms that many of us had as children?

Here's a tip from RV technician Chris Dougherty about how to keep these pests from tunneling into your RV and causing structural damage.”

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EternaBond How to remove and replace

 

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RV Tips:

“It's a good idea to inspect your RV roof every quarter. Look to see if cleaning is needed, and verify the seals around any openings like plumbing vents, air conditioner, and roof vents. Water is a damaging enemy that must be kept out.”

“Water pressure in your RV seem low? When was the last time you flushed out your water heater? A buildup of crud can actually impact water flow.”

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Classic Diners, Retro Diners, and Old Diners Locations Locator Map and Directory

“Do you love lumpy mashed potatoes? Then you need to find a classic diner. Here's the place to start your search.”  Diner Locator.

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Robertson screws save time and frustration

“Reader Fred Campbell of New Mexico recently wrote in concerning his fondness for Robertson screws, which some of us airheads refer to as "square drive." As Fred aptly points out, "Robertson screws are those with the square hole in the head as opposed to a cross or a slot."

You'll find many RV manufacturers have used Robertson screws to varying degrees. What's the advantage? The Robertson is square – to a point. Below the top level of the screw head the socket has a taper, which makes getting the bit in the socket easier and can keep the screw on the bit without fussing. Try that with a straight slot or Phillips.

You can thank Canadian P.L. Robertson for the invention, way back in 1908. He had licensed the design to a British party, but they deliberately drove the company into bankruptcy, thereafter buying the rights to the design from the bankruptcy court. Yes, you might say Robertson got screwed in the deal, as he then spent big money buying the rights to his own design back from the crooked character.

Interestingly, Henry Ford gave Robertson screws a shot on Model T Fords, liked them, and tried to buy the license for use. When Robertson refused, Ford would only use the screws on Canadian-built Model Ts, and the Robertson screw never took off in the U.S.

Got any Robertsons in your RV? Fred Campbell warns, "I have seen more people try, and fail, to remove a Robertson screw with a Philips head screwdriver than I care to mention." The frustration is real, and the Phillips head suffers. But a genuine Robertson driver or bit?  We can personally attest that we've lost more Robertson bits than we've ever worn out.

Fred has a similar story: "I had to purchase a Robertson out of necessity when I couldn't remove a screw near a water tank in the old (1970) Layton. It had rusted due to condensation on the tank. I purchased the driver at a Sears tool outlet in 1975, and I still have it to this day. I purchased a second one within the past few years and modified it to fit in my portable 3/8" drill. I use these all the time in my RV."

You can find Robertson screws, and the bits to fit your portable drill at hardware outlets and some hardware stores. They're great for putting in stuff you'll want to take back out later, without the hassle of torn screw heads. We've found they help clean up a fellow's language, too.  Many thanks to Fred for sharing his thoughts with us.”  By Russ De Maris

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On This Day:

Truman orders U.S. forces to Korea, Jun 27, 1950:

“On June 27, 1950, President Harry S. Truman announces that he is ordering U.S. air and naval forces to South Korea to aid the democratic nation in repulsing an invasion by communist North Korea.

The original figure of American troops lost--54,246 killed--became controversial when the Pentagon acknowledged in 2000 that all U.S. troops killed around the world during the period of the Korean War were incorporated into that number. For example, any American soldier killed in a car accident anywhere in the world from June 1950 to July 1953 was considered a casualty of the Korean War. If these deaths are subtracted from the 54,000 total, leaving just the Americans who died (from whatever cause) in the Korean theater of operations, the total U.S. dead in the Korean War numbers 36,516.”

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Route 66 decertified, Jun 27, 1985:

“After 59 years, the iconic Route 66 enters the realm of history on this day in 1985, when the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials decertifies the road and votes to remove all its highway signs.

Route 66 was the scene of a mass westward migration during the 1930s, when more than 200,000 people traveled from the poverty-stricken Dust Bowl to California. John Steinbeck immortalized the highway, which he called the "Mother Road," in his classic 1939 novel "The Grapes of Wrath."

Beginning in the 1950s, the building of a massive system of interstate highways made older roads increasingly obsolete, and by 1970, modern four-lane highways had bypassed nearly all sections of Route 66.  Drivers can still use 85 percent of the road, and Route 66 has become a destination for tourists from all over the world.”

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Yesterday:

Nila, my shy foster cat, is getting used to being fed in my bathroom, and as her three-storey kitty condo is in there now, she is more relaxed.  That kitty condo was always her favorite place to be.  When her litter brother Simba, was adopted, it was a forgone conclusion that it would go with her, not him, to their ‘furever’ homes.  Shy animals feel better with their own ‘stuff’.   I think that her problem with being up at the window seat stems from a loud truck going by, the first time she was up there.  Usually, she has the run of the house, but there will be times when she has to be locked up in my bathroom, instead of the grooming room.

With this excess of tomatoes, I was going to throw them all in a pot with some seasonings, until I saw a recipe for Roasted Tomatoes.  I made two trays of them in my convection oven.  They are scrumptious.

As Jay was having ‘thrift shop withdrawal’, he wanted to go with me when I went into the next town.  Misty and I went to get him, and he was actually ready, so we had just a short walk.

We were early for my chiropractor appointment, so I was seen early.  I think this young chiropractor is wary of putting too much pressure on my old back, so it is still out.

From there, we went to Angelic thrift shop and I bought a stretchy slim black skirt.  Usually, I look terrible in skirts, but I think this one will be alright with a flared blouse over it. 

Next door at the Dollar General, I bought some paper goods, and Jay got some ‘Motor Honey’ for his ATV.  At Lowes, I bought a toilet fill valve, and hinges for the new gates.  We unloaded the paper recycling at St. Marks thrift shop, and there I found a red silk blouse with faint black lines on it, to go with my new skirt.

As my hurt toe was bothering me, just a quick walk around Krogers to look for bargains, and that was enough for the day.