*************************************************************************** THE RVERSCORNER Newsletter *************************************************************************** Mar, 2002 *************************************************************************** Subscriber count: Last issue: 4564 This issue: 5510! Welcome new Subscribers! Newsletter archives for 2001 are at: Now you can change your email address for this newsletter on the RVers Corner home page - Inside this issue: - Spring is here? by Les Doll - Dewinterizing the Water System - Necessities ... by Peggi McDonald - SealTech revisited by Les Doll - My Lucky Day by Les Doll Joke of the Day: Classified Ad Section: About the RVer's Corner Newsletter: *************************************************************************** Spring has sprung in the Northern Latitudes - although you would not know it by looking out my living room window! Minus 25 degrees celsius this morning and hip deep snow! While a good number of our readers are blessed by more moderate conditions, some of us are still stuck firmly in Winter. Take heart, brave Northerners, the late Spring just gives us more time to browse the maps and dream of the places we will go this summer. *************************************************************************** Dewinterizing the Water system: Dewinterizing is simply the process of removing all traces of the RV antifreeze that was used to protect the water system. 1. Put several gallons of water into the fresh water tank. 2. Turn on the on-board water pump, and open a cold water tap. 3. Allow the water to flow for several minutes. 4. Connect the water hose to your city water supply inlet. Turn on the supply. 5. Open all taps one by one and allow the water to flow for several minutes. 6. Flush the toilet several times. 7. Now open the water heater bypass and fill the water heater with fresh water. (You may want to allow a few gallons to flow through the water heater, then let it drain completely before re-installing the water heater drain plug) 8. Run water through all the hot water faucets. That's it! *************************************************************************** EMAIL for NEWBIES People access the Internet for a number of reasons. Some want to build a personal or family website, and others need to start a business. But all of them go online to communicate with friends, family or businesses using the extraordinary and cheap medium of email. Yet after months, or even years, they're still just 'making do' with the basics they managed to pick up in their early days. It's at *************************************************************************** Necessities or Just 'Great To Have' Options! by Peggi McDonald It's that time of year again; winters snow is becoming a memory, as the days grow longer and warmer. When the 'hitch-itch' sets-in you can't wait to wake your RV from its winter sleep, connect your tow or towed and take off for parts unknown, or to your favourite camping spot. Maybe this is the year to drive a new machine off the dealers' lot. But wait; do you have all the necessities (or just special options) for a successful trip? Yes it is true most of today's RV's are totally self contained however there are several extras that ensure your travels are convenient and problem free. Valve extenders are a must to effectively check air pressure on the inside dual tires.John recommends the more costly all-steel variety. Another type of extender is available for front air bags on motorhomes. Without these extras RVers must crawl under the motorhome to check pressure or inflate the bags. Finding a convenient place to add air to large RV's presents another challenge. As a result, early in our travels we added a small ¾ horsepower air compressor to inflate the tires of our motorhome. Depending on how elaborate your present dream machine is it will be equipped with a wide selection of bells and whistles. Although if any convenient 'extras' are missing, they are easy to add-on after purchase. One such accessory is an automatic start for your water heater. When we see RVers outside in the rain using their barbeque lighter trying to light this necessity; it is all we can do not to run over and immediately express that dealers sell heaters that light automatically from the inside by flipping a switch. Recently a friend discovered the TV booster on his new 'pre-loved' unit was not working. Without this accessory the antenna will only pull in a very few channels. Don't despair, it is very easy to replace this plate even for the non-tech type RVers, simply remove the old and attach the new. Levelling an RV ensures doors shut without dragging, plus it doesn't feel like you're falling out of bed or walking on an angle. Although present RV fridges are less sensitive to being perfectly level than previous models, these cooling units do work more efficiently when your unit is set up properly. A variety of bubble type levels help simplify this task. Some are designed to sit inside the freezer while others 'stick onto' to the front and sides of any motorized and towable unit. Adding boards under tires is one way to level, we use 2" x 8"x16" boards beneath each tire. Some RVers prefer specialized interlocking polypropylene blocks designed for levelling. NOTE: To avoid straining the axles of your unit when boards or pads are placed under the outside rear tires, be certain to add an equal amount under the inside dual. Although squaring your dream machine will not stop motion from inside movement, jacks added to each corner of the RV frame will stabilize it. They come in numerous varieties from manual to the more costly heavy-duty hydraulic variety to electrical jacks designed to stabilize a unit that works with the push of a button. No matter what stabilizers you chose, always place boards or specialized pads beneath them. RV's are heavy, and it is difficult to determine if the ground is solid. Digging out is no fun, "We've been there, done that." One plus to RVing is spending time outdoors on the patio, in the pool, on the hiking trails etc. Your awning provides much needed shade when trees are scarce. To combat windy days many RVers add anti-flapping devices (several designs are available) between the awning and the support bar plus they use tie down straps for stability. If your awning is extra long, a centre bar provides needed support. NOTE: When planning a day away or if windy weather threatens, be prepared to roll up your awning as a precaution. Wind can do mega damage to awnings, and 3AM awning calls during a torrential rain are definitely no fun. Patio drapes that extend from your awning to the patio (secured with bungee cords) are the newest extra to control the suns heat as well as extend living space. A full screen room on the other hand provides privacy plus helps to keep bugs at bay. While inside, most of us prefer fresh air rather than air conditioning. Our 'Kastle #2' came with window awnings. John and I soon discovered that when the window awnings were extended rain didn't come in through the open windows. These awnings along with the tinted windows on that RV drastically diminished heat from the suns rays. Note: The see-thru variety do not keep out the rain. In the early days we used indoor/outdoor carpet as a Patio cover to keep dirt in control, but a new variety of open weave vinyl-coated polyester rugs are more efficient because they allow water to drain through---an appreciated touch if it's raining during pack-up. To avoid driving away with your antenna extended why not add a clip (large hair style clip) to the handle when the antenna is down and move it to the steering wheel on a motorhome or the last check point on your towable when the antenna is extended. Hanging your RV keys or a decoration from the handle when it is extended is another reminder option. Before your first outing, check all water hoses for small holes or leaks; add fresh washers and plumbers tape to avoid dripping connections. Cleaning water deposits off your unit is a chore no one needs; besides dripping water makes a mess and such a waste. Be certain all water hoses are insulated and specially designed for safe drinking, do not connect your unit with the green garden hose from home, it allows the sun to heat the water and breed harmful bacteria your family will ingest. Always place a water regulator at the tap end of the hose to avoid damage to RV plumbing from high park water pressure. Although pressure can rise to an excessive 100 PSI, regulators contain it at 45 PSI. Most campsites only provide one water tap per site, adding a "y" connector sets up a second tap for messy clean-ups. Leave the orange electric cord that runs your lawn mower at home, it is not heavy duty enough to supply necessary power--fires can result. If you must use it in an emergency NEVER leave the excess rolled up; that creates even more heat. Plugging a voltage indicator to a 120Volt wall plug provides a reading of available power coming into your unit. Volts below 102 will cause brownouts and dangerous surge conditions result if you are getting over 130 volts. Many RVers add some form of a surge protector to keep high tech equipment in their units out of harms way. Always test park power, with a ground monitor that uses indicator lights, before plugging in. If the lights suggest 'reverse polarity' or an 'open ground', DO NOT connect till the park rectifies the wiring problem. Many parks, especially those in the south, insist you use a rubber sewer donut between your hose and the park connection. It keeps your hose out of their septic system and sewer gases in the ground. If you do not have a donut the park will sell you one. Numerous adapters now come in different coloured and interesting plastic shapes (however many parks still want you to use the donut), however to connect your slinky hose to them can sometimes be challenging. TIP; Soak the ends of a new hose in hot water and add Vaseline to the adapter ends; in five minutes the hose will connect with little problem. One last point, campground hook-ups are not always convenient distance from your unit. You will need a 25-foot water hose plus a 25-foot extension; a 25-foot 30 amp electrical extension; a 20-foot and 10-foot sewer extensions with adapter ends plus a series of electric 'dog bones' and compact plug-in adapters---15 amp to 30 amp, (or reverse if you have a pop-up) and a 30 amp to 50 amp. The list of 'nice to have' extras could go on and on but the above are some of the most popular ones. Visit any RV store to see the many other available 'necessities' that make getaways more enjoyable. Have a great summer. Peggi and John are RV Lifestyle Consultants who understand idiosyncrasies of the RV Lifestyle. Log onto the McDonald's webpage www.rvliving.net --- 'the Information Site for the International RVer' --- for more comprehensive information. Peggi's best selling book Spirit of the Open Road as well as her two FREE e-books RV Living: Facts Tips Hints and More---Volume One and Two are featured on: . *************************************************************************** - SealTech revisited by Les Doll Some time ago I featured the SealTech leak detection system. Now view their site at *************************************************************************** THE ABC's of RVing Most of today's veteran RVers learned as they went. There was a time, too, when they didn't know the difference between a black water tank and a grey water tank, a hookup site from a primitive site, how they could run their home appliances on the RVs' 12-volt onboard systems, or that they could claim a tax deduction for the interest paid on their RV loan. INSTANT DOWNLOAD (PC or MAC). Only $11.95! <> *************************************************************************** My Lucky Day by Les Doll This newsletter is published every month on (or about the 23rd) of the month. Why the 23rd? Because that was the day I met my lovely lady (19 years ago) and I feel the 23rd is a lucky day. If I was so lucky on the 23rd, then I hope my luck will rub off in some way to my newsletter readers ... can't hurt! Right? Okay, the newsletter is a day late but ... I just bought my dream home ... five acres ... 6 year old home ... 20 mins from work ... I've been a little BUSY! And a little bit LUCKY! We move in on Friday, March 29th! Gotta LOVE it! Les *************************************************************************** Joke(s) of the Day: Mrs. Davidson's dishwasher quit working so she calls a repairman. Since she has to go to work the next day, she tells him, "I'll leave the key under the mat. Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill on the counter, and I'll mail you the check. Oh, by the way, don't worry about my Pit Bull, he won't bother you. But, whatever you do, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, talk to my parrot!" When the repairman arrives at the apartment the next day, he discovers the biggest and meanest Pit Bull he has ever seen. But, just as she said, the dog just lays there on the carpet watching the repairman go about his business. The parrot, however, drove him nuts the whole time with his incessant yelling, cursing, and name calling. Finally the repairman couldn't contain himself any longer and yelled, "Shut up, you stupid ugly bird!" To which the parrot replied, "Sic 'em, Spike!" *************************************************************************** CLASSIFIED ADS *************************************************************************** FREEDOM ...EARNING A FULL TIME INCOME WHILE RVING "You'll discover that you also possess the ability to "Let Go" of your current lifestyle that you think is your security ... and replace it with the knowledge that your security comes from within! All it takes to hit the road is ACTION which is a result of your DESIRE! " See this exciting new electronic book at: *************************************************************************** SPIRIT OF THE OPEN ROAD by Peggi McDonald is a 'must have' for all RVers, both novice and experienced travelers. Although written from a Canadian point of view it is 95% generic and a valuable guide to RVers from all countries. For complete details - *************************************************************************** Free Campgrounds of the West This best-selling guidebook can save an RVer hundreds of dollars on camping fees. Now available by instant Internet download! The price for all this valuable information is a modest $10.95 for an Adobe Acrobat download*, ready for printing . Most RVers will save the cost of this book many times over in camping fees. INSTANT DOWNLOAD (PC or MAC). Only $10.95! <> *************************************************************************** Free RV E-Books Note: these e-books will work only with Windows98+ and Internet Explorer v4+. You don't have to use IE as your main browser - it just needs to be on your hard drive. Sorry Mac and WebTV users. I PROMISE to look into this when I have time! You can download and read these off-line, send them to your friends or post them on your website as long as they are not changed in any way. The RVers Corner E-Book Library Information on how I create these e-books: *************************************************************************** How to Get a Life by Living Full-Time in a Recreational Vehicle Experience the freedom of the open roads. Tonight you can boondock in a nature preserve, and tomorrow you can luxuriate at a five-star resort. This week the view out your window can be the desert, and next week it can be the ocean. When you tire of being in one place, or you simply yearn for new adventure, you move. And you do this without packing, without leaving your home. Your home is on wheels and you take it with you. by Collen Sykora Webmaster of *************************************************************************** !!! HAPPY CAMPIN' !!!



Les Doll - RV Technician My advice is free and worth only what you gain from it! E-mail address webmasterl (at) rverscorner.com The RVers Corner - Visit the RV'ers Open Forum: The RVers Corner Newsletter is a monthly newsletter dedicated to enhancing the RV experience - you are being sent this newsletter as a result of subscribing to the RV Corner mailing list. If you wish to unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the end of this newsletter. We value each one of our subscribers, and you may be assured that we will protect your privacy. We do not share our mailing list with anyone. Our group is now over 5500 subscribers - thanks for your continuing support! Les Doll E-mail to webmasterl (at) rverscorner.com Meet the webmaster at: *************************************************************************** We hope that this newsletter will prove valuable to you and we strive to bring fresh, new content with every issue. If you wish to contribute an article or relate a tip that you have learned, please e-mail me. webmasterl (at) rverscorner.com *************************************************************************** Many thanks to all contributors! ***************************************************************************