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RV Tip : Q & A about RVing
We often receive questions looking for an RV tip on one subject or another. We hear from our RV Days readers and site visitors, as well as fellow RVers we meet in our travels. We are happy to share our opinions and will continue to add questions and answers to this section of our website.
Ask a QuestionWe will answer your question and/or post responses from other site visitors. Let's all share what we have learned! Please be specific as you can, so that we can better answer your question. ALSO, please provide your email address, so that you will be notified when we post a response or want to respond to you individually. More RV FAQClick on other RV Q&A below:
Battery Buzz when Plugged In
Light to Prevent Circuit Tripping
Finding Water when Dry Camping
Furnace
Sewage Odor
SlideOut Button Monaco Fifth Wheel
Floor Damage
How to Thaw Frozen Slides
generator
Portable Heaters for RV
Internet Connection
RV Trip Routing - Pennsylvania to Texas
Leave AC cover in place while Driving
Wiring Diagram
Heat Pump
Humidity
Charge Batteries over the Winter
Surface of Fiberglass Travel Trailer
Water Pump Questions
Brake Lights
RV Covers
Liability Insurance Canada RV
Lights in Bay Not Working
120 Volt Not Working
Battery Power versus Generator
Trailer Hitch
How to Use Thetford Fresh Water Tank Sanitizer
Propane Consumption
Musty smell outside under RV
RV goes into Limp Mode
Traveling Noises
Holding Tank Sensors
Wiring Batteries
Power Problem
Replacing Batteries
Losing Power
Air Conditioner Voltage Toy Hauler
Replacing a Motorhome Side Mirror
Slow Fuel Fill in RV
Microwave and Vents
LP Appliance Igniter
50 amp RV with 30 amp Generator
Refrigerator While Driving
Camper Jacks
RV Striping
Towing a Rockwood Trailer with Ford Half Ton
Best RV Wax
Driveway Dip
Shower Skylight
Towing Smart Car
Electric Power for Tent
Battery Powered RV Slideouts
Leaving Trailer on Site with Electric and Water
Hot Water Tank
How to charge RV battery in fifth wheel
RV repairs
Bucket List RV Trip to Alaska
RV toilet paper
Where can you buy land and live in your RV for retirement?
Mold removal
How do you hook up to city water?
Electric Steps
Propane Water Heater
RV Outdoor Carpet
Microwave does not have power
LP gas line
Over filling Fresh Water Tank
Shade Tabs
Slide-outs in winter
Fresh water hookup
Mattress for RV
RV parking in Boston
Trailer or RV?
RV Refrigerator
Heathcare while RVing
Internet for an RV
Cricket Electric Golf Cart
Recover RV couch/bed
Where is your legal residence?
Healthcare Considerations
Heat pump use on battery
Generator Won't Start
Grease Bearings
Electric Water Heater
City Water Hook-Up
Onan Generator
Unwieldy Mattress
How to Add Fresh Water without a Manual Fill Spout
Recommended Full Time Living 5th Wheels
TV and Heater
Potable Water System
Mckenzie Lakota Hose Fitting
Water Heater Thermostat Problem
Slow Running Kitchen Water
Power Plug
Water Leak on Underside of 5th Wheel
Overhead Clearance on an Incline
Wall Outlet Won't Work
Rear Living Room or Bunk House
RV Power Bypassing Converter
RV Drifts in the Lane
Owners Manual
Solar Charger and RV Covers
Size of Black Water Tank
New RV Toilet Used
Roof Rack
Replacing Tub Faucet
Draining Fresh Water Tank
Refrigerator Repair
Lighting Pilot
Bus Conversion to Legal RV
Can MINICooper Be Towerd
Holiday Ramber Jack Light On Dashboard
5th Wheel Puller
TV Only in Black and White
Adding Extra Fridge or Freezer
Replacing Power Plug
Best State to License 5th wheel
Shore Power Not Working
Main Breaker Went Out
In Need of Fifth Wheel Recommendations
Brake Light and Turn Signal Not Working
City Water Overfilling Fresh Water Tank
VIN Number on Trailer
Canned Goods in Slideout Storage
Furnace Circulation Fan on 1999 Fleetwood Savanna
No Generator in Cold Weather
Hot Water or Electric Floor Heat
Jayco Kitchen Pluming Schematic
Battery Recharging While Driving
Dealer Stock Only
Atwood Hot Water Heater
Dish Network
Heating a Stored RV
Connecting Two Propane Tanks
Malfunctioning Furnace
No Water in Trailer
Trip across country
Tripping Circuit Breaker
Clearance Lights
AC Clearance
House Battery Charger
Engine Compartment
Tie Down RV
Brakes on Motorhome
Fulltime RV Types
Slide Question
Seals on Roof Accessories
Atwood RV Furnace
Rhino Lining for RV Roof
DVD player won't work on Generator
Holiday Rambler Master Electrician
Hook up LP to Portable Generator
Cable Connection
Jayco Eagle Fifth Wheel Winterizing
RV Covers for Winter Storage
Atwood Water Heater
Splendide
Portable Stairs
Size of Hot Water Heater Tank
Dutchstar Fuse Locations
RV Manuals
Some Power Outlets Not Working
RV Furnace
Rocks Side to Side
Running the Coach AC while Driving
Electrical Problems
Oven Doesn't Come On
Outlets Not Working
Winterizing
Covered RV Storage Las Vegas
No Hot Water
Hooked Up 50 amp to 30 amp
Water Heater in Fifth Wheel
Onan 6.5kw RV Generator Won't Start
Water Heater
Propane Use
Winterizing RV with Pressure Pot
Cable TV Jack Location
Battery
Run Both Air Conditioners
5th Wheel Batteries
Lint Filter on Splendide Combo
RV Overnight Parking
DVD with HDMI Output
Motorhome Drain Cover in Shower
Fulltiming in UK
Winterizing for Snow
Fresh Water Tank
Potential Damage to RV Fridge
Slide Out Cylinder
Inverter-Charger
RV Rental in my Driveway
Travelaire
Electric Stabilizer Jacks
Two Bedrooms
Electrical Outlets Have No Power
Slide Out Topper
Holding Tanks
Fresh Water Tank Clog
Generator
Bathroom Faucets
High Pitch Sound
Water Pressure Regulator
Refrigerator Seals
Storing Fifth Wheel Hitch
Lights Not Working
Electric Power Loss
RV Television Antennas
Generator while Driving
Solar Charger
Generator just clicks
Electric Power
Replacing RV Gas Oven
AC in Summer Heat
RV Refrigerator
RV Brake Controllers
Store Propane Tank in Arizona Heat
Camper Ceiling Leak
12 volt battery
Rotten Egg Smell in Water Line
Replacing Atwood Water Heater in 1998 Bounder
50 Amp for 30 Amp RV
Extra Refrigerator in RV Basement
Dometic Air Conditioner
Dead Batteries
Batteries Not Charging
Air Conditioner
Short Term RV Storage
Steps Not Working
Refrigerator
Water Leak
Microwave
Flagstaff Travel Trailer Awning
RV Satellite TV
Pounding in Rear Jack
Where to get Fresh Water
Power Converters
Motorhome Length Short or Long
Jacks Down on Parked RV
RV Mileage
Making RV fulltime stationary home
Raising Beds in Toy Hauler
Spare Tire
Towing combination
Hot Water Heater
Slideout Weight
Freezing Water Lines
Extended Warranty
Generator Size
Travel Trailer Bearrings
Storing Dishes
Hot Water
Washer Dryer combos vented
Toilet for RV
Summer Florida motor home storage
Battery Help
Generator
Septic antifreeze
DVD player
RV Fuel Stops
Propane Inspection
Double Towing
Electric 50 to 30 AMP
TVs for motor homes
Motorhome Size
Queen Mattress
Inverter to run Medical Device
Inverter
Batteries when RV Winterized
RV ELECTRIC JACK
breakaway cable
Motorhome or Trailer
Freezing tanks and water lines
Diesel Engine Oil
RV Lifestyle Links
Roof mounted Duo-Therm Air Conditioner and Heat pump
Monthy Cost Living in RV
Tripped Outlets
Snow Chains
Triple Towing
RVer Healthcare Insurance
Winterizing for Fulltimers
Televisions
Portable Generator
Highway Weight Scales
Tow Bar or Car Dolly
Fiberglass Bulge - Bubble
How much does a 5th-wheel weigh loaded vs. unloaded
Fulltime Home Base
Type of Driver License Required
Awning spring load has unraveled
5th wheel tow vehicles
Stabilizing your RV
Self-contained travel trailer
Will the new flat screen TVs run on inverter power?
Care for RV fresh water tank
Fulltiming Decision?
Does RV need to be level?
Traveling with full water tanks
Rubber seal on slide out
Is buying an RV a good investment?
Changing RV power source
Electricity
Portable Propane Gas Grill
Flat floor on RV Slide Outs
RV Furnace problem
RV Back-up Camera
Exit Strategy: Hanging up the Keys
Clearance of 5th Wheel How to Winterize RV Question: Can you help me on how to winterize our RV? I would like to know the steps involved, how to handle the washing machine, water heater, etc.
Fulltimer Expenses Question: What is the average yearly revenue needed to be a fulltimer? We are curious about costs for things like fuel, RV Maintenance, RV Sites, Food... RV Vacuum Cleaner? Question: Can you suggest a compact yet powerful vacuum for my RV....
Where to RV? Question: I want to start doing some traveling around the country but don’t know where to begin...
RV with a Group Question: I am interested in taking some trips with other RVers, but how do I find out...
What to Buy Question: I am not sure what to look for when purchasing an RV. Is there an advantage to buying new, or am I ok looking at used RVs? What is Boondocking Question: I just ran across the term ‘boondocking’…what does it mean?
Workamping Question: I am recently retired and want to travel around the country in my RV. I am not sure if I want to give up working all together. Are there ...
RV Canada Question: We have traveled extensively across the US, but we have not yet made a trip up to Canada..could you share an RV tip on some places to see that are RV-friendly? Cooking on the Road Question: I love to cook and I'm afraid that it won’t be the same on the road as it is in my home... How do you like SBI!? Question: Just wondering how long you have been using SBI!? How do you like it? I have been researching, and thought I would ask a customer...
I am recently retired and want to travel around the country in my RV. The problem is that I am not sure if I want to give up working all together. Are there any options to continue working while on the road? RV Tip: Answer: There are many opportunities for work while on the road. RVers can find jobs workamping in campgrounds, selling products at RV rallies and shows, in online businesses, positions in casinos, retail establishments, theme parks and so on.
As you ponder various types of work, it's a good idea to give some consideration to your individual needs and preferences. Think about factors such as the length of time you want to stay in a particular location, the number of hours you want to work, if you have sufficient space to run a business of your own, if you want to carry inventory, etc. Thinking about the nature of work you want to do is important in finding a job that successfully meets your needs and that of your employer.
Feel free to take a look at our list of considerations and ideas for RVer jobs.
I want to start doing some traveling around the country but don’t know where to begin. I know the Grand Canyon is a “must see” destination for many folks, but I am looking for something a little off the beaten path. Any RV tips or suggestions?
RV Tip: Answer: There so many places to see in the US, Canada and Mexico. The National Parks are simply amazing and not to be missed. We like to venture off the beaten path ourselves. When we are planning a trip to a well-known destination, we look for side trips in that vicinity (or along the way). For instance, we spent a few months visiting the Grand Canyon and the Grand Circle of National Parks in Utah. Some of these parks are well known (i.e., Zion and Bryce), others less so (such as Capital Reef and Canyonlands). And beyond the National Parks, while we were in this area, we also visited a number of "off the beaten path" sights in southern Utah (read more). Depending on your interests and hobbies, you can usually find some wonderful and lesser known places to visit, hike, browse or otherwise explore. An RV tip we've learned is that it helps if you take time in your travels. The longer you are in an area, the more you learn. Chat with the locals, fellow campers and the helpful employees and volunteers in places like the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centers. Look at local papers, bulletin boards and brochures for ideas. Search the internet for a particular geographic area and type of activity you enjoy.
We have posted our experiences and thoughts on places to RV. You are sure to find some gems of your own.
Can you suggest some good RV sites promoting RV trips? I am interested in taking some trips with other RVers, but I don’t know where to begin to look for such things.
RV Tip: Answer: If you are looking for organized RV trips, there are a number of RV caravan companies that organize comprehensive trips to a variety of destinations, including places like Mexico, Alaska and Canada. A few popular RV Caravan companies are:
Tracks to Adventure - http://www.trackstoadventure.com Adventure Caravans - http://www.adventurecaravans.com If you are simply looking for ideas on where to travel, we have posted our experiences and thoughts on places for RV travel. That might be a good start. We explain more about different RV clubs here. An easy RV tip for choosing travel destinations? We recommend any of the National Parks. Spend adequate time to see these wonderful treasures and explore the surrounding areas.
I am a first time RVer and am not sure what to look for when purchasing one for the first time. Also, is there an advantage to buying new, or am I ok looking at used RVs?
RV Tip: Answer:
As you might expect, there is no quick or easy answer to your question. There are advantages to buying new and to buying used. The best RV tip we can give you on this topic is to carefully consider your individual circumstances - in other words, begin at the beginning. Consider who will be traveling in your RV, where you will go, if you will RV occasionally or often, how you envision spending your days while RVing, your own budget and so on. We mention numerous things to consider on our home page and throughout the Your RV Lifestyle website, and we can't overemphasize the importance of this step. Not only does it help you sort through the tradeoffs of buying new vs. used, it also helps you to narrow down your preferences for type of RV (motorhome, 5th wheel, trailer, etc.). When we bought our motorhome, we looked at both new and used. We ended up buying new, but the deciding factors centered around finding a rig that would suit our planned RV lifestyle at a price we could afford. If we had found a used RV that fit our needs as well, we probably would have bought used. And before we ever seriously went looking for an RV, we had spent a lot of time doing research - reading books, going to RV shows and dealers to look at the various models and brands, and renting an RV to try things out. In a nutshell, the biggest advantage to buying a pre-owned RV is price. You may be able to get more for your money. New RVs start depreciating once they leave the lot. Shop wisely and patiently and you may find a good price on a well-equipped late model used RV. One of the potential pitfalls of buying used is that you might get stuck with someone else's problems. On the other hand, you may benefit from someone else "breaking in" the RV and working out any bugs.
In this regard, know what to look for and who you are buying from. Make sure you have any pre-owned RV inspected. Take the time to read some of the books on this subject -- packed full of RV tips relevant to an RV purchase. This is a big investment - whether you buy used or new. It's worthwhile to be informed.
RV Tip: Question: What is the average yearly revenue needed to be a fulltimer? We are curious about costs for things like fuel, RV Maintenance, RV Sites, Food, etc.
RV Tip: Answer: Regarding the cost to RV fulltime - again there is no "one size fits all" answer. We assume you have read our our page on RV costs. We really can't throw out a number - it really depends on personal preferences about how you want to live. For instance, you know better than we do what you spend on groceries, dining out, medical bills and premiums, auto maintenance/fuel/insurance, life insurance, long term care insurance, barber/hairdresser/etc., clothing, recreational activities (movies, sports, cultural events, etc.), cell phone, internet access, cable or satellite TV, and so on. A lot of those sort of expenses are apt to stay the same. You would know better than us how to tweak some of those expenses depending on how you plan to live your RV lifestyle vs. how you live today. Depending on what sort of housing situation you are in now, what may change is the housing, home insurance and utility bills. Again, you need to estimate the puts and takes. For instance, when we moved from our townhouse to a motorhome, we no longer had expenses for a mortgage, property tax. association fees and homeowners insurance. Instead we had fulltimers RV insurance, campground fees and membership dues, mail forwarding and fuel expenses. As far as utilites go, the electricity, sewer/trash and water bills were gone, since they would be included in camping fees. Our cell phone and internet ended up costing us more because we needed broader coverage, added our parents to our plan. And one big RV tip: do not underestimate the cost to maintain the RV - again, this will depend on the type of rig. But it is a hefty item - you have to keep these things in good shape if you want them to last, and you need to budget for unforseen occurrences. Remember too that an RV is a depreciating asset. What we did when we started out is we put together an excel spreadsheet to estimate expenses. We started with our existing budgets and expense records, tweaked them on what we thought would change. Based on the type of rig we planned to have, we did research on what it would cost for insurance, maintenance, fuel. We now use Quicken to keep track of what we are spending. Some big ticket items are medical and insurance expenses, food and RV maintenance. You can control fuel bills by staying put, but assuming you want to go out and see the sights, you will still be running around in a car or truck. Campground expenses can be managed, but that depends on where you choose to stay. We have chosen to buy into campground memberships that give us reduced rate stays. Some of these, like Thousand Trails , save us money in the long run - but it has a few years pay-back period. We can tell you this - most RVers we talk to agree that you don't go out to be a fulltime RVer because it will cost you less. But it really does depend on how you live. Certainly people can settle in an RV park semi-permanantly with no medical coverage or insurance and go nowhere and live for less than someone with medical coverage, who wants to travel and have some discretionary income. We also know that you probably really want a number - we did too when we were starting out. We now realize that it truly is a personal matter - and we encourage you to actually write down your current and planned expenses and do the math. And if you are serious about selling house and home, then build a cushion into your estimates, so that you don't get caught by surprise. Another good idea is to read the articles on our fulltiming page, and some RV Books. This reading provides different perspectives and gets you thinking about things that might not otherwise occur to you. We think it is worth it to join a few and try them for a year or two ...and then decide. Good Sam and Escapees are good choices for the magazines alone, plus the tips, rallies, support. If you have a motorhome or are thinking of getting one, join FMCA and go to at least one of their conventions. That will get you started. More about RV clubs.
My wife and I love to RV and we have traveled extensively across the US, but we have not yet made a trip up to Canada. Have you traveled there and, if so, could you share an RV tip on some places to see that are RV-friendly? RV Tip: Answer: Canada is a huge country with many wonderful places to visit. Personally, we have only scratched the surface. Our very first RV vacation was to Canada, in a rented Class C motorhome. We toured Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island, Prince Edward Island, and made a brief stop to see the Hopewell Rocks at the Bay of Fundy. We loved this trip and would highly recommend visiting the Maritimes. Our second foray into Canada was to Montreal and Quebec. We were there for the Montreal Jazz festival. While jazz predominates, we also found a variety of music and a number of free outdoor performances. This is a great destination if you enjoy live jazz/music -- just be prepared for an urban environment and lots of crowds. Aside from the Jazz Festival, both Montreal and Quebec offer cultural and historical sights, museums and fine food. Don't miss the Walled City of Quebec. We stayed in RV parks on the outskirts of the cities. We learned to use the Montreal subway, which was a good way to get around. We drove into downtown Quebec, found a parking garage and then toured the city on foot. We still have a lot of Canada to discover and look forward to visiting other provinces. British Columbia is at the top of our list. Alberta and the famous Calgary Stampede also come to mind. When we get ready to plan our next Canada RV trip, we expect to start our research with the RV Travel to Canada e-book, which has lots of RV tips, info on logistics and links to travel planning resources. We will probably start our research on campgrounds via the internet, but will validate our findings with the ratings in the major campground directories. One thing we know for sure, we'll allow as much time as possible to appreciate all there is to see and do.
RV Tip: Question: We have recently purchased an RV and plan to do a lot of traveling once the weather gets warmer. I love to cook and I'm afraid that it won’t be the same on the road as it is in my home. Any suggestions on how to make cooking on the road something that I will look forward to? RV Tip: Answer: Cooking in your RV may be a bit different than cooking at home, but not necessarily.
RV Tip: Question: I just ran across the term ‘boondocking’…what does it mean? RV Tip: Answer: In general, RVers use the term "boondocking" to refer to camping without hook-ups, typically for free or a nominal fee. Since there is no real official definition, the term is used informally for a variety of circumstances. These run the gamut from an overnight stop (in places like a rest area, Wal-Mart or truck stop) to dry camping for a several days at an RV rally to longer term parking/camping on private or public land. Public land that permits this independent parking is managed by various state and national agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Forest Service, Army Corp of Engineers, etc. There are RVers who boondock for extended periods of time -- equipped with solar panels and the like, and quite adept at managing power and water resources. Other RVers may only boondock for an overnight stop or a rally. Some RVers will only boondock when necessary. Others look for opportunities to save money and/or commune with nature. We are probably pretty typical boondockers. The overnights are convenient. Dry camping is often the norm at rallies. We have made the trek to Quartzsite, AZ to boondock for a couple weeks. And we will spend several days on public lands now and then, to get out in the "boonies" and take advantage of a star-filled nighttime sky. We have some RV tips on boondocking from our experience. We have found it handy to be able to use the RV as the self-sufficient vehicle that it is.
RV Tip: Question: Just wondering how long you have been using Site Build it? How do you like it? I am new to starting websites, and been trying to get as much info as possible on it. So I thought I would ask a customer. Thank you and great site!
RV Tip: Answer: Thanks for the feedback. We have been pleased with Site Build It! We went into it because we had no experience with building websites and it seemed to be a comprehensive solution that would help us along. Site Build It! is used by novices as well as expert webmasters who upload their own html and know more about the internet than we ever will. There is an excellent forum widely used by SBI owners where you can find the answer to just about anything. We use the “building blocks” of SBI!, so we can attest that you can start at the beginning and grow a successful site. And Ken Evoy, the president, is very in touch with what is going on in the Internet industry as well as within the forum posts. He is a frequent contributor to forum threads and very committed to make improvements and keep pace with web developments. He seems to anticipate potential pitfalls and is very thorough in how he rolls things out -- trying to make it as easy as possible for the “building block” type SBI! owner as well as the more web-savvy. We think the money making potential varies greatly, depending on the niche topic you select for a site, the amount of time you spend on the website and how much you try all the various techniques associated with site building. It does take time to do it right. The first 6 months, we devoted a lot of time getting started. Then we hit the road and average probably 10 hours a week on the site. The income has been increasing -- it gives us some spending money as we travel. There are big successes amongst SBI!ers. The niche you choose and associated monetization sources - and the effort you put into it - are all big factors in money making potential. Our advice would be to give SBI! a try - you'll never know what you can do until you start. Do spend adequate time selecting your site keyword/subject. It is a critical step. We think that SBI! is the way to go!! See the results! Put A Smile in Every Mile! Jose' and Jill Home | RV Days | About This Site | Privacy | Contact Us | Site Map |
Search this Site Good Sam RV Parks: Top Rated Parks Across the Country. Listings on Over 2,100 RV Parks! About Our RV Life We are fulltimers who began our RV life while still working in corporate America. Our start in RV living was not typical. Tips for Choosing Campgrounds Campgrounds include luxurious RV resorts, activity-filled family destinations, secluded natural settings and basic parks. Prices run the gamut too. Fulltiming Ever Wonder about the Full-time RV Lifestyle?
New vs. Used RV. Which Should You Buy? Whether to buy a new or used RV is a common question, and big decision.
RV Clubs Rally and Save You Money RV clubs benefit RV wannabees, new and experienced RVers. Choose from many clubs for discounts, rallies, magazines and specific interests. 1-800-PetMeds: $5 Off. Budget for RV Costs Plan a budget for RV costs. Estimate RV costs, financing, insurance, and living expenses. Enjoy your RV lifestyle more by planning ahead.
RV Internet Access RV internet access is of growing importance. How to stay connected is another RV lifestyle choice
RV Books: Read, read, read. This is how we got started, intrigued and ready! A Must-Do.
RV Travel: Where to go and getting there. Like many RVers, it's the RV travel that intrigued us in the first place.
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