Short Bed? Payment Trap. Short Hose. Floor Vents. 5 Stupid Things. Wasps Like Gas. Surge Protector. Stow Stuff. RV Tips. Deadline in Iraq.

 

For 'tRaVersing Thursday", or RV Day

How to lengthen an RV bed

"A bed in an RV can often be too short for tall RVers, who have to scrunch up to fit in — not good for a restful sleep. This video shows you how to fix that problem for about $30 — a lot cheaper than a new bed!"

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The Payment Trap / The Illusion Of Freedom...

"Many people are making payments on their recreation vehicles thinking that they are free to travel and live off the grid when in actuality they are tied to the system and a slave to their wages. Their possessions end up owning them, they do not own their possessions. Many people are just one paycheck away from repossession and losing everything.."

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Carry an extra hose?

"Carrying an extra, specially sized water hose, can be a godsend for the traveling RVer. Here's why.

Keeping a long water hose in the rig is always a given, particularly if you frequent RV parks with hookups. But a short coupled water hose, just a few feet long, can make life a whole lot easier when on the road."

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A tip about heating vents in your RV

"Jim Nelson shows you a way to cover one or more of your RV's heating vents to keep debris from falling in and to help control your heating comfort."

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5 Stupid Things I Have Done To Damage My RV

"Here are 5 Stupid Things I Have Done To Damage My RV plus One *Bonus Stupidity Not Done by Me. When You travel enough time in your RV you are bound to eventually do some stupid things. These are my top doh! moments."

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Flea collars keep wasps out

"Wasps like the smell and sweet taste of propane, and will turn the pilot light areas in the refrigeration and water heater compartments into their next home. If too many wasps move in, their condo will clog up the pilot light area and the system won’t work. When the propane is turned on, it could result in not only frying the wasps but also the RV wiring, meaning a potentially expensive service call to the repair shop.

Cut a flea collar in half and lay each half on the bottom of one of the compartments. Wasps don’t like the smell of flea collars and will congregate elsewhere.

Other solutions, such as commercial wasp traps to keep wasps out are available. If wasps have already invaded these compartments, one-shot solutions to get rid of them include dousing them with a cup of soapy dish detergent in water. Wasps reportedly like the smell of beer better than they do propane, so place a half-full can of beer in the compartment. The wasps will crawl into the can to get at the beer and drown."  by Cheryl Probst

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Are surge protectors needed in RVs? And what about extended service plans?

"Dear Gary,
A friend told me about how his 120-volt appliances in his RV fried at a campground in AK. He said a surge protector probably would have prevented a huge bill to replace what was destroyed. Is it a good idea to have a surge protector? Also what are your thoughts on extended service plans?" —Jim G. (Seattle, WA)

Read Gary's response. Posted by The RV Doctor, Gary Bunzer

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A Sometimes Overlooked Motor Home Safety Tip

"All motor home owners observe certain procedures prior to taking off from a camp stay. Things like, disconnect all connections, slides in, jacks up, antennas down, and more, are standard rituals they are all accustom to. A vehicle walk around after everything is set, is a good policy and hopefully is done by every RV’er. These often reveal issues that need attention such as open compartments, obstacles beneath the coach or wheels, awnings not locked, etc. A little time spent completing this can save a lot of time and possibly costly repairs later.

Okay, all checks out as ready for the road, but, what about loose items within the coach? Those items like toasters, coffee pots, cutlery and other personal things that we all carry, are they safe? They create little or no danger while driving down the road outside of possibly rattling in harmony with the bumps on the road surface. However, in the case of a sudden deceleration caused by a collision or even a panic braking action, these items can become lethal. The sink with several dishes, knives and forks, can be tossed up and become ballistic household shrapnel.

Many makes of class “A” RV’s do not fair well in a collision, and in some impact instances, the body may practically disintegrate, offering little or no protection for the occupants.  Unlike automobiles, trucks and even buses made today, RV’s do not have to meet the same crash test safety regulations.

But, even if they did, they still pose an added danger that the others generally do not. That is, loose cargo items throughout the interior. These normally harmless pieces will continue their forward travel speed should the vehicle be caused to stop instantly.

So, if you are lucky enough to survive the impact moment of a bad collision, you may still be seriously injured, or worse, from this flying debris. So what can we do to reduce this potential danger? Well, cleaning off the counter and removing items in the sink is a good start. Look for items that would be unimpeded from travelling in a forward motion to the front passenger area.

Be sure any heavy items are secure and would be blocked by a wall or bulkhead towards the direction of travel. If there is nowhere else to store that blender, place it on the floor, preferably without a clear path forward. If you have any forward facing cupboards, use a tie of some type to prevent them from opening in a sudden stop event. These are just some ideas, but each rig is different, as are what people carry with them. Use common sense in how items are stored while travelling.

Now, don’t forget your seatbelts! While your motor home may seem like sitting in a living room, you are travelling in a vehicle that is, not only less maneuverable than your car, but also may possess other possible dangers. Drive safe!"   With an Eye on Safety – Lug_Nut – Peter Mercer

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From me:  This includes your pets. Keep them safe in strapped-down carriers or in a seat belt harness.  A man had his neck broken by a large dog being thrown forward, and beloved animals have escaped through broken windows, never to be seen again.  It is also easier for the medics to tend to passengers if the animals are restrained.

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RV Tips:

Use big enough leveling blocks
"Got leveling blocks for under the tires? Make sure the blocks are big enough that the tire sits completely on the block — not overhanging it. Dually rig owners, BOTH the tires must be supported, not just one."

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Keep your RV food safe

"Food borne illnesses can stop your RVing fun in a big hurry. How can a RV foodie keep this nastiness away? The food safety experts at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center provide a few tips to keep the food fun going."

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Prep your rig to be sales-ready before upgrading to a new RV 
"Is it pristine clean? Do the appliances work? Does it have any off-putting odors? Look at your rig as a new buyer sees it — and take care of its shortcomings before they turn off a prospective buyer. These tips will tell you how."

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Treat your campground neighbors as you would want to be treated.

"Don't play your music so loud that they are forced to listen to it — they may not share your love of Conway Twitty. Would you want to listen to their music? Always be considerate."

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From me:  Standard size sheets v. RV sheets?

Get some sheet grippers.  Available at most dept. stores.

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Adjust the hitch ball height
“Towing with the tongue high (or low) can overload one of your trailer axles.  Set your ball height to level the trailer when attached to the tow vehicle."

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Cleaning the RV shower, sinks and toilet
"Remember that whatever you use to clean the sinks, showers and toilet ends up in the RV holding tanks. Never use any cleaners that could possibly damage the holding tanks. Clean these surfaces with a non-abrasive mild detergent, water and a soft cloth.

Never use any harsh detergents or abrasive cleaners that can scratch or damage ABS, plastic and fiberglass finishes. Some wet wipe products work well on these surfaces, but avoid using bleach." Tech Tips from Mark Polk

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On This Day:

Benny Goodman brings jazz to Carnegie Hall, Jan 16, 1938:

"Jazz has been called "America's classical music," a label that does more than just recognize its American origins. The label also makes the case that jazz is worthy of aesthetic consideration alongside music usually thought of as "classical." In the current era, when programs of Duke Ellington and J.S. Bach often draw the same highbrow crowds, that argument hardly seems controversial. In the 1930s, however, the notion was almost laughable, which is what made Benny Goodman's January 16, 1938, concert at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall so revolutionary. Goodman and his supporting cast claimed a new place for jazz on the American cultural scene that night, in what has come to be seen as the most important jazz concert in history."

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Bush waits for deadline in Iraq, Jan 16, 1991:

"On this day in 1991, President George Herbert Walker Bush waits to see if Iraq will withdraw from Kuwait by midnight, a deadline mandated by the United Nations, or if war will ensue.

On November 29, the United Nations Security Council authorized the use of all means necessary to remove Hussein's forces from Kuwait, giving Iraq the deadline of midnight on January 16 to leave or risk forcible removal.

Just after midnight in the U.S. on January 17, Bush gave the order for U.S. troops to lead an international coalition in an attack on Saddam Hussein's army. U.S. General Norman Schwarzkopf led Operation Desert Storm, which began with a massive bombing of Hussein's armies in Iraq and Kuwait.

Following an intense bombing of Baghdad, U.S.-led coalition ground forces marched into Kuwait and across the Iraq border. Regular Iraqi troops surrendered in droves, leaving only Hussein's hard-line Republican Guard to defend the capital. After pushing Hussein's forces out of Kuwait, Schwarzkopf called a ceasefire on February 28 and accepted the surrender of Iraqi generals on March 3."

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Yesterday:

It was a good time to go shopping, mostly for fresh green veggies and pet food.

As Jay is in his own little world of getting drunk, I went by myself.  Ray was taking his son to the doctor. 

After I had dropped off the paper recycling, I  stopped at several thrift shops as I was looking for a food processor.   All I found was a very bulky old one that would not be very practical.  Anyway, it didn't have all the attachments. My small one is great, but lately it seems to have lost it's oomph to mix some things.

Maybe Nala is missing Misty, or maybe she just likes a different bed.  After I put laundered Misty's beds back in place, I found Nala asleep in the one under my bed.  She and Ava actually got within two feet of each other without Ava hissing, so we are making progress.  Nala was here first so she should, in theory, be alpha cat, but senior Ava wants that title.  She doesn't seem to realize that shy, gentle Nala wouldn't want to defend her title, she's a lover not a fighter.

It was a nice sunny day, but very windy. At Kroger's I really had to hang onto my door to stop it from hitting the car next to me, yesterday.