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The RVer's Open Forum / GENERAL RV DISCUSSIONS / RV Helpful Hints

Next 20 Messages

Lou User ID: 1028194	Aug 29th 10:10 PM Lets share our thoughts on hints that make things easier. Got a helpful hint that you will share with us? Let us use only hints with known results. On another post I suggested that BobW use "NeverDull" polish to clear faded plastic lens on his headlights. C Hammond recommended that drier sheets from the clothes drier be used with a little wash water to remove bug splats.
JC User ID: 1028194	Aug 29th 10:14 PM I've tried a "natural", i.e., Deet-less, product called "Crocodile", available from www.dancingroots.com to repel mosquitos and it worked pretty well in the Tetons a couple of weeks ago. I tested it on a couple of areas of exposed skin; the repellent-coated skin had one bite, while the untreated areas had many.
Lou User ID: 1028194	Aug 29th 10:14 PM We have all at one time parked under a pine tree and found that it dripped sap on our car/RV. Easiest way to remove it is with rubbing alcohol. Just wet a small rag and it will even take the tar off if it has turned solid. Just will require a little more rubbing. Even you favorite liquor will work if you don't have rubbing alcohol.
tk User ID: 1028194	Aug 29th 10:16 PM For us TT folks: Some RV supply stores now sell a back-up mirror that has folding arms, fits over tailgate OR also has suction cups for burbs/vans. Around $30. I used to get out and look about 3-5 times before got ball under TT coupler, now I sometimes get out once to make sure I'm heading back in general direction of coupler, and can see ball slide under coupler. I like it!
JimA User ID: 9614573	Aug 30th 1:49 PM If you have a closet across the rear of your rv and the hangers jump off while traveling simply reverse the hangers - hook them from the rear. When we go a new trailer in '96, the hangers jumped off the first trip. We then reversed the hangers. Seven years and 30000+ miles not a single hanger has fell since.
Steve D Moderator User ID: 1028194	Sep 10th 11:46 AM Here's an answer to a problem I have experienced for years. I have found that the small disposable propane bottles that we use for stoves, lanterns and the like won't seal well after they have been used a time or two. Many times, I have gone to get a bottle that I had used part of and found it to be empty. I have water tested some of them and found that most of them "seep" after they have been connected a time or two. Well, I did some research and found that Marshall Brass makes a cap that is designed just for that thread. It is made to cap off one of their devices but the caps work perfectly to seal off the outlet of the small bottles and they are very inexpensive. I bought them for $2.59 each from a local supplier. (But I would NOT recommend that supplier again as they charged me $14.00 S&H) The part number for Marshall Brass is supposedly G-483. Hope this helps someone keep their propane where it belongs. Steve
Winston User ID: 8193053	Sep 10th 1:24 PM If you are ever pestered by wasps or bees at your campsite, take a litre (plastic bottle)of classic coke. Cut about three inches down from the top,and invert the top into the bottle. make sure that the coke is about two inches below the neck opening. The wasps or bees will come down the neck and fall into the coke. They love sugar which coke has lots of.
Lou User ID: 0554384	Sep 10th 2:42 PM Here is another that will save you from getting nailed by the wasp. Several weeks ago we were in a beautiful campground on the gulf coast. As I was getting ready to hook up to shore power, I noticed a wasp going into the electrical box. Opened it very slowly and am I glad I did. Must have been 20 or so of the real big red ones on their nest. One shot with the wasp and hornet killer from about 10 feet took care of all of them. OPEN that box slowly and be ready to run. Gonna remember your coke bottle trick winston. Sounds good. Lou
Lou User ID: 1028194	Nov 29th 1:05 PM We have a 30' Flair with basement. To increase storage I put a 3/8 plywood shelf in each compartment that sits on aluminum angle. Shelf can be removed if a large article has to be stowed. I mounted the shelves about half way up. Doubles the floor space in the compartment. Also put a couple in the interior cabinets for the wife. Lou
isa User ID: 1028194	Nov 29th 1:06 PM To keep like things together(e.g. tools, cleaning products, dry foods etc.), we use the large plastic Rubber Maid totes which come in various sizes. Just make sure that you know the height and width of your basement storage doors before you purchase any.
RichB User ID: 1028194	Nov 29th 1:06 PM The best tip I've come across is to put things in contaners that fit the cabinets. Flour and sugar goes into "tupperware" containers so you can stack them yet see how much you have without taking them out of the cabinets. It takes a while to figure out how to fit the various containers in the cabinets or storage comparments but "a place for everything and everything in it's place" is the best axiom for a camper.
dmartin User ID: 8583623	Nov 29th 8:52 PM I've used velcro in many circumstances to keep things from shifting around & falling over while traveling. Much of my wall surfaces were redone with a tight Burbur rug so Velcro sticks to my walls!
Barthbill User ID: 0067194	Nov 29th 9:08 PM Dry camping outside shower and clean-up hose. . I replaced my city water inlet with one without a check valve. The absence of a check valve means that I must use a male plug to prevent water from running out the filler when the pump is running. But that is a good idea, anyway, for cleanliness. An added benefit is that when dry camping we now have a source of fresh water outside. I have made up a small hose with a male hose connector on one end and a sink sprayer head on the other end. When I am performing "Sewer Service", my wife stands by with the sprayer. When I am done, she sprays while I wash up. that way, I do not touch anything except the sewer stuff. The wash up hose is then put away in a clean bag. We also use it for sand cleanup at the beach and pet washing. I had planned on a separate hose in the valve area, but this is so simple, I may stick with it. This set up has the advantage of not having plumbing exposed to freezing temperatures on cold winter nights.
Lou User ID: 0554384	Jan 21st 6:18 PM Exercise the generator. Tried to crank the generator last week and it just would not start. I seldom use it and it is forgotten most of the time. Each cylinder had a valve stuck open and no compression. From now on I am going to listen to the owners manual and run it every other week. Learned an expensive lesson. Lou
bo User ID: 0651814	Feb 27th 10:51 PM When opening the compartments on the outside of the RV, most have a handle you pull up. As you pull up, put a little pressure on the door with your knee or other hand and the latch comes open very easily.
Dick User ID: 1028194	Jul 13th 9:07 PM Removing RV decals. Some of the decals on my motorhome have started to turn up along the edges. I wanted to remove some of them. I found a rubber wheel that you put in your drill. It works like a rotary eraser. It peals of the decal and most of the glue. It does not harm the paint or fibreglass. I us varsol or lacquer thinner to remove the remaining glue. I found this method to work great. 3M calls it a vanilla wheel and charges $35 to$45 Can. I found a similar wheel at auto supply stores for $13. I tried just pealing off the decal, but the glue was all left and was difficult to remove. Hope this helps someone.
Donald User ID: 1348824	Jul 14th 6:55 PM Dick, You can remove the decal and the glue with WD-40. A hair dryer will also soften the decal and glue.
Phyllisc User ID: 2811214	Jul 26th 8:09 PM I use diaper wipes for a variety of things. One is getting spots out of rugs, clothing etc. and cleaning faucets to a nice shine. Also good for cleaning up your hands etc. These are very useful. I also use Pam cooking spray if I'm going near the southern states where the bugs get all over your RV or car. This will not hurt the paint and the bugs slide right off. A truckers came over and thanked me for the idea because he had just spent an hour scraping and scratching his paint on his truck.
BOB User ID: 8987493	May 25th 3:03 PM I have closepins on anything that has to be secured before traveling.When the tv antenna goes up the pin goes on the steering wheel.Same with the coffee pot and printer.When all the pins are gone it's safe to drive.
Ernie User ID: 8868883	Jul 21st 2:08 PM This information might be of use to someone on the forum: When connecting your Rv to your house power, make sure that you have a 20 amp circuit breaker: that you have a an extension cord that's rated at 15 amps and is # 10 guage wire. You also need a 30 amp to 15 amp adapter, 3 prong. You might think that your roof A/C pulls 30 amps, it pulls about 12-13 amps when the compressor kicks in and about 10 amps nominal. If you use an extension cord that rated at 10 amps, #14 wire, chances are that A/C will shutoff and could trip the circuit breaker. The longer the distance to the RV the more voltage you lose at the A/C. Therefore the A/C will not operate properly, and shutdown. It is also important that you have a good 20 amp circuit breaker installed in the electrical box. Circuit breakers lose there ability to handle the rated current with age, they get "soft". Thank you, Ernie

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