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Double Your Covers, Double Your Fun - RV Tip #115
Sink covers look nice but are nearly useless when preparing food because they totally eliminate access to the sink. Cutting larger sink covers in half will allow the cook access to the sink without sacrificing all the surface area plus actually extend the countertop work area—a definite win-win!
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RV Tips for New RVers
1. RV Campground Etiquette: Be a Good (Campsite) Neighbor
Most RVers are considerate of fellow campers when staying at a campground. A good rule of thumb is to treat others as you would like to be treated. If we all follow these simple campground etiquette tips, everyone in the campground will have an enjoyable and safe camping experience.
2. Storage Racks and Bags - RV Tip #148
The vinyl-clad wire racks and bins are great for storing towels and sheets. They also provide for good air circulation. The ones that stack on one another can be held together with a plastic electrical tie to keep them from bouncing apart while driving.
3. Be Cool and Exercise (that Generator) - RV Tip #88
Try using your coach air conditioners when driving rather than your engine (dash) air or in a colder climate, run your heat pumps. While it is important to regularly use your engine air conditioner to keep the seals lubricated and performing, using your coach air conditioners or heat pump will provide good climate control and it will force you to exercise the generator under load—easily accomplished when traveling.
4. This Little Light of Mine - RV Tip #94
Reading lights are notoriously miserable in many RVs. Find one of those inexpensive, small, clip-on light fixtures that use a 60-watt (maximum) bulb. These work fine and can be moved as needed and your eyes will appreciate it.
5. Who You Gonna Call? - RV Tip #90
Make a list of phone numbers (family contacts, emergency services, coach and chassis manufacturer, dealer, insurance, etc.). Make copies so both the pilot and copilot can carry one, put one up front in the coach, one near the bed, and one in the tow vehicle. It is nearly impossible to get to some of this information, for example, when stored under the bed or in a cabinet obstructed by the slide—especially when slides cannot be opened for any reason!
6. Keep the Doors Closed - RV Tip #23
Cabinet doors may pop open when traveling and especially if you have to cross a speed bump. When your rear tires cross the speed bump at a slight angle (not at the same time), this will cause your coach to rock side-to-side—sometimes with enough action to toss dishes out of upper cabinets. Plus, you do not have to be going fast for this to happen.
7. Feeling a Bit Cranky - RV Tip #173
If you manually crank up your TV antenna or satellite dish, hang only your ignition key from the crank. That way, you can’t drive away without remembering to lower these items. The best way is to have the key in hand when you crank.
8. Extra Drawers for Your RV - RV Tip # 101
Use lids from copy paper boxes to organize and store canned goods in cabinets. The lids are available at any print or copy shop—and usually free. Slide the lids into a cabinet shelf and if your shelf happens to be above your washer/dryer, two lids will fit side-by-side. Put canned goods in the lids. Doing so will buffer them as you are driving.
9. Let’s Talk About Your Weight
The weight of your RV is important. Weight affects your safety and the safety of others on the road plus the economy and operation of your RV. Weight is also regulated—that is, you must comply with the law wherever you might be driving. While it is impossible to be too underweight, it is dangerous and illegal to be overweight. Additionally, all this weight rides on your tires. Therefore, your tires are of the utmost importance since they are the single point of contact between you (or your trailer) and the highway at all speeds. Take good care of your tires.
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