RV Odors Gone With the Wind

RVers have been using wind directed vent caps for a couple years. These directional vent caps are great but the Xtreme Vent by Coil n’ Wrap is the ultimate venting system. Meet Ken Wilton owner of Coil n’ Wrap. You may have visited with Ken and his wife Judy at a recent RV show as they frequently demonstrate their products at these events. Judy introduced me to this great new product. These vents replace conventional vent caps on the roof of your RV. They work all the time whether your RV is traveling or stationary. Unlike the cheaper plastic models, they’re made of powder-coated aluminum and have a 2 year warranty. They work better because they are open on the front with a funnel design creating a venturi effect. The venturi effect actively vents odors from your tank and brings oxygen into the tank promoting natural enzymatic decomposition. They come in two colors, white and charcoal. And best of all they're made in the U.S.A. I recommend putting one of these on both your black water and gray water vents. Xtreme Vent will fit most RV vent pipes, but if your vent pipe is too short order the coupler and follow the easy installation instructions. Read more about their great products at Coil n’ Wrap. Ken and Judy Wilton are great folks and veteran RVers. They sell innovative RV products that will make your RVing experience easier and more enjoyable. Watch the video as I show you how I installed the Xtreme Vent on my RV.

Helping you stay odor free and acceptable in public - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Is Campground Hosting In Your RVing Future?

Long time RVer Carol Ferguson strolled into the American Land & Leisure booth at an RV rally four years ago never intending to be a campground host. As it turns out, she and her husband signed on for a year as the hosts at French Meadows by Squaw Valley, California and hosted there for two years followed by another two years of hosting at Sugar Pine Meadows in Foresthill, California. They get a campsite with full hook-ups and propane for free and are paid the minimum wage of the state in which the park is located. They even get a cool looking uniform. Last I checked, American Land & Leisure supplies campground hosts for 449 campgrounds. This company is the official concessionaire for National Forrest campgrounds. The typical work schedule is from 20 to 40 hours a week per person depending on the campground. No experience is necessary but it’s a good idea to have a short resume when you apply. You will be given an interview and if you are a suitable candidate they'll process your application, do a background investigation and assign you a campground. You must have a suitable “full-time livable” RV and be available from May to Labor Day. You may call them for more information at (1800) 342-2267 or check out their website here American Land & Leisure. Helping you stay gainfully employed - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Portable RV Waste Tanks Come In Handy

There are several portable “dump” tanks available to RVers. Most are familiar with the blue tanks with wheels and they come in gray as well. These tanks will help extend your stay while dry camping without having to move your rig to the dump station. Simply hook it up to your sewer hose and empty your black or gray tank into it. Make sure you have one large enough for the job. You may need to make several trips. You don’t want to overfill and overflow one of these when the “fecal express” is connected. I like the type with a “T” valve so you can attach a sewer hose when you dump. The larger units have a handle easily attached to the back of a truck or golf cart and pulled to the dump station. A real convenient tool when you need one, but where do you store these tanks for travel? Some folks like to strap them to the ladder. Others load them on the roof if they have a storage rack. I’ve seen them tied to bumpers and strapped on the roofs of a tow cars. Helping you cart away your cares - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Military Families RV Cross Country

Many military families are avid RVers. Being retired military I remember several RV trips we took as a "military family" moving from one duty station to another. For the military family an RV provides both a platform for a vacation along the way as well as inexpensive lodging. Today I met the Gustafson family in a military campground. They are moving from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. They left Alaska when it was snowing pulling this toyhauler. They pulled their RV from Elmendorf to Haines, Alaska and loaded it on the ferry to Bellingham, Washington. They didn't take off their snow tires until they were well into California. The Gustafson family uses many of the military campgrounds available exclusively to active duty, retired military personnel and DOD employees. The kids love the adventure partly because of the travel but mostly because they have Dad all to themselves for a while. Dad is a busy guy flying F-15 jets and now he's going to be the Vice Wing Commander at the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base. I told the boys they have alligators in Flordia - they thought that was cool and were looking forward to living by the beach. Laughing, one of the boys said, "We're going from cold to warm!" I have a special place in my heart for military kids - we raised five of them. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Forget Your RV Turn Signal No More

If I had a dollar for every time I forgot to turn off my RV turn signal I could almost buy a gallon of diesel. Sometimes road noise, wind or another distraction like dropping half a cheeseburger into my lap prevents me from hearing the wee little song my turn signal makes. I’ve caught myself just cruising down the highway advertising to everyone for 50 miles I’m preparing to make a right hand turn. Vivian Grybko had this same problem so she yanked out her old turn signal indicator and replaced it with “Turn Alarm.” The new turn signal sounds off with an audible “beep” in the 2300 hertz range. If you can’t hear this baby you need to see an audiologist. You can order one here Turn Alarm.

Sounding off for the RV lifestyle - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV Batteries Get Drug Store Treatment

Does plain mineral oil extend the life of RV lead acid batteries? Edison marketed a “Battery Oil” that was nothing more than mineral oil. A thin layer of mineral oil covered the electrolyte solution floating on top inside the battery cell to prevent both evaporation and absorption of CO2 in Edison Primary Batteries. Edison’s batteries were used in commercial applications like railroad crossing signals. RVers have been using mineral oil this way in their RV batteries for years. What is the theory behind this concept? Well, the idea is that when batteries are discharged and charged (which happens frequently in RVs) increased water consumption occurs through evaporation. During this process sulfuric acid fumes discharge from bubles rising to the top of the cells. This results in external corrosion problems. The thin layer of mineral oil acts to retard the rapid bubble explosions thereby reducing the amount of sulphuric acid that escapes. I do not have scientific data to determine whether this actually works or not, but I do know many RVers have told me this treatment has increased the life of their batteries and significantly reduced the amount of corrosion on battery posts, cables and trays. They also report less evaporation resulting in less maintenance. A down side to this is you have to get the tube of your electrolyte tester down past the layer of mineral oil in order to do an electrolyte test. I’m not recommending that you do this. I could not find sufficient data to support doing it, but, I am using my RV batteries as a test bed for this project to see if indeed these claims are true. So, today I put two ounces of plane white mineral oil in each of my battery cells using a one ounce syringe. I had to remove some of the electrolyte to ensure a proper level in each battery cell. I purchased the mineral oil at the WalMart pharmacy. I’ll report back in a year and let you know how my batteries are performing. Doing stuff at home without adult supervision - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Single RVers in a Win Win Situation

As I’ve written previously, RVing is a means to an end not the end in itself. I like the mother ship metaphor because it stirs up ideas of a self contained vehicle supporting all your basic needs including bringing you to a destination. Once there you detach your “shuttle craft” whether it’s a truck or a towed vehicle and you launch out to discover new worlds. Vivian Grybko is a widow from somewhere in Kansas. Nothing unusual about that but she is getting up in years and, well, I was afraid to ask her age for fear of being impolite. Let’s just say she's a mature single adult. After her husband died she looked at the RV sitting in the driveway and decided to start using it. She’s been using it full time now for the past six years. She joined an RV singles group called “WIN” which stands for “Wandering Individuals’ Network.” This group is a high-energy group of mature adults who hike, bike, kayak, dance, tour, sail, boat, raft, ride horses and generally make me tired just thinking about all they do. To join this group you have to be single but if you get romantically involved with someone and get married, they let you stay in the group anyway. You just have to be single when you join. You also have to be under 70 years old and own an RV. Most WIN members become expert boondockers.Vivian says, “We boondock most of the time and rarely get a place with full hookups. We’re generally not a wealthy group of folks.” I asked her how many really close friends she has in her WIN community and she said, “More than I ever had when I was living in one place for many years.” Vivian is the only WIN member I’ve met so far, but if she represents a majority of WIN members then I want to get to know a lot more of them. She is truly a free spirit with her own kayak strapped to the Jeep she tows behind her motorhome. When I caught up to her she was doing laundry and had a few minutes to spare for an interview. She was headed for a couple days of WIN sponsored dancing lessons and evening dance socials after she was done with laundry. I don’t know where she gets all her energy, but It probably has something to do with living large in the great outdoors with her RV. I asked her, “If you were not a member of WIN would you RV as much as you do?” She said, “Probably not. You have a lot more fun when you're with somebody else to share the experience.” So I asked her to tell me about her kayak experiences and she told me that she’s been kayaking all over the country and loving it. She says that in her WIN kayak group there are 50 or 60 kayakers and that she’s recently been to eight different spots on the Colorado River with her group. She receives a WIN newsletter every two months telling her what’s going on and where. She can join a WIN group touring Alaska or go on tour of Florida. They like to get together on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and celebrate with a huge feast. She's planning a kayak tour of Missouri and then on to the Great Lakes this summer. WIN was founded by a woman named Dorothy Prince so I asked Vivian what advice she would give to a single woman thinking about doing this, “Come visit us and see what it’s like.” You can find more information on their website here WIN. Whew, the interview is over, I think I’ll go take a nap. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVers Up In The Air Over A Toyhauler

Just two RV sites away from where I'm parked is a toyhauler with the door lowered. Inside is a man enjoying the morning sun and reading a book. Nothing unusual about that except that neatly stored next to the toyhauler are two ultralight aircraft . I say, "Do you carry those aircraft with your toyhauler?" He recounts how when he arrives at his destination the toyhauler door is lowered revealing two disassembled ultralight aircraft. First the “tricycles” are rolled down the ramp. These pieces of metal welded together house the motor, the landing gear (wheels) and the operator seat. Though folded into a neat bundle the 19 and a half feet wings extend through the toyhauler garage and into the kitchen. The wings are unrolled and assembled on top of the tricycle. This all takes about 30 minutes. Gas is added and RVer Art Braa is ready for takeoff. All he needs is a short piece of road or a flat field the equivalent of one city block to take off and land. When airborne his maximum speed is just under 60 miles per hour. He uses a GPS to monitor his ground speed. Under Federal Aviation Regulation 103 Art may only fly during daylight hours. With five gallons of gas Art can stay aloft about two hours. When I asked him what would happen if his motor stopped midair he said, “You become a glider.” In fact Art has become a glider twice in the last few years of ultralight flying. He just glided down to a flat spot and landed safely. When I asked about the motor he said it was a Rotex snowmobile engine. He has two aircraft because one is a two seater and the other a single. “So, how do you fly this thing?” I asked. He told me that some ultralights have a stick and rudder like a regular airplane but his uses a trapeze bar like a hang-glider. When you want to climb you push the bar forward and pull back to go down. He moves the bar to the left to make a right turn and the opposite to turn left. Art was a jet pilot in the Air Force and the ultralight required getting used to because the controls are the opposite on a jet. Art spends his winters in Arizona where the weather is just right for flying. He loads up his ultralights into his KZ 41 foot three axle toyhauler and heads to South Dakota in the summer where he uses his ultralights to work the ranch moving cattle, checking water lines and fences. He says it takes him one hour to do what would otherwise take him five hours to do with a pick-up. He hauls his trailer with a 2000 FLD 20 Freightliner. He says he doesn’t use half the gears when pulling this big trailer and he doesn’t even notice it back there when he’s driving. Heck, if his toyhauler didn’t have an AC unit and a TV antenna on top he could take off and land on the roof. Art says these ultralights cost around $20,000 new. The ultralight and the toyhauler are the perfect match. Powered parachutes also fall into the ultralight classification and can also be easily stored and transported in a toyhauler. The sky's the limit for hobbies that blend with the RV lifestyle so get ready to take off with your hobby and your RV. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Screening Those Small RV Conversions

RV conversion vans are probably the most fuel efficient RVs on the road today. The downside is that you are trading roominess for fuel economy. The plus side is you can fit into any RV campground space on the planet. The RV below belongs to Jim Givens (who didn’t want his picture displayed - he’s sensitive about his role in the Federal Witness Protection Program). Jim has been RVing for 30 years and has had every type of RV. He likes this Gulf Stream “Vista Cruiser” van conversion because the Mercedes diesel gets 22 miles per gallon (21 mpg when towing his VW bug). His RV style calls for more driving than parking and this rig is best suited for him. Gulf Stream didn’t think about bugs when they designed this unit because there were no screens on any of the windows. Jim solved this problem by having Phoenix Tent and Awning make screens for both his side and rear doors. These screens snap in place and have a center zipper. For additional space Jim uses an outside screen room to enhance his RV experience. There are many types of RVs that will meet your particular style of RVing. From a motorcycle pop-up tent trailer to a 45 foot, four slide-out tag axle bus there is something that will suit your needs. And like Jim, you may need to do some modifications to make your RV perfect for you. Exploring all the options on the fly - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV Sewer Hose Storage Option

RVers are very clever when it comes to stowing stuff on their rigs. Master RV Technician Wayne Kingston came up with the idea to put a hose storage tube under the slide-out room of this motorhome. The location is convenient to the plumbing access panel. You can pick up these "E Z Hose Carrier" storage tubes at your local RV parts store. They come in several sizes or you can also make your own out of PVC pipe and fittings. Your RV may not have room under the slide-out for this type installation so look around for a creative place to attach one of these hose storage units. Keeping ideas rolling your way - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Better Stability Means Better Dancing in your RV

If you have a travel trailer or 5th wheel you know about rock-n-roll, and I’m not referring to music. When you step onto your RV steps do they sink a little causing the the whole rig to move? You can brace the steps but that won’t solve the problem especially in long rigs. You’ll still get movement whenever you walk around inside. You could purchase those dandy braces that look like an erector set when you’re done and they do help. Or, you could install two additional scissor jacks in front of the tires. This gives you a total of six stability points (seven if you have a 5er kingpin stabilizer). I got this idea from Jim Cowen who installed these on his Luxury by Design 5er. They really do add considerable stability to your rig. Now you can dance the night away without squeaking and creaking. Keeping it on the level - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

A Shady RV Deal You May Want

RVers Jim and Joy McClain enjoy the full time RV lifestyle in the comfort of their Contessa motorhome. Joy was tired of her “dust catcher” curtains that came with the coach so they went looking for an alternative. Home Depot came to the rescue with custom made blinds. These sharp looking blinds are easy to install and come in enough colors to match whatever project your contemplating. They are also easier to keep clean. They easily attach with a couple of drywall screws. The trim adds a nice touch and blends well with the decor. The shades pull down just by pulling on the bottom rim and they'll stay at whatever level you choose. Jim ordered the shades about a foot longer so the shade can slope down over the terrain of his dash. The side shade is installed with the pull-down side closest to the window. When you want to raise them, just pull the side cord a couple times. These shades can also be used while driving since they stay put at whatever level you choose. I’m always looking for innovative ideas that make your RVs more enjoyable. So if you see me in the campground, stop me and show me what you’ve got. Opening the curtain to new ideas - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV Cats Rock-n-Roll In Old HiFi Cabinet

RVers Jim and Beverly Cowen love animals. They have two cocker spaniels “Bud” and “Angel” along with four cats. All these animals were rescued and given a loving home on wheels. The aptly named kitty “Cricket” jumps up on the counter with ease to check out this reporter eye to eye while the other cats George, Tater and Bitsey are a little camera shy. I visited with these good folks for a while today and found out they’ve been RVing together in every kind of RV for over 30 years. They’re from Seibert, Colorado and are enjoying the Arizona desert’s mild winter. (I’ve been running around in shorts and a tank top this week). Jim has been reading RV Now and RVtravel.com for a while and when he saw me in the campground he introduced himself as a reader and told me about his HiFi cat box. In his previous Prowler 5th wheel he installed a pet door so his cats could go to their litter box located in the 5er basement. When they moved into their Luxury by Design 5th wheel they didn’t have the same basement access as they had in their previous coach. Jim wanted a tidy and well contained place for the cats to take care of business and he found the solution in an old HiFi cabinet he picked up at a yard sale. He gutted the cabinet and put a cat door in one end with the litter box hidden inside. When it’s time to clean the litter box they just lift up the HiFi lid for access. It doesn’t play old records anymore, but it’s the cat’s meow for a litter box container. Putting catnip in your reading - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVer Screens Out Unwanted Pests

RVer Art Braa tows a 41 foot KZ toy-hauler behind his Freightliner FLD 20. When he’s relaxing he likes to open up his toy-hauler garage door and enjoy the of the Arizona desert. As the occasional flying insect happens by he is denied access to the living quarters because of a roll-down screen door. This screen door is made from common charcoal fiberglass insect screening for doors, windows and porches (available at any hardware store). Just cut a strip that will cover your door and sew a cloth boarder around the outside. You could also use sun shade material for this project. Staple a couple of hook and latch strips over the door and fasten the screen over the doorway with staples or screws. When you don’t need it just roll it up and secure it with the hook and latch strips. Art just lets his screen door hang in place but says you could also put some hook and latch on the screen and the door frame in the middle and the bottom to make it fit snug against the door frame. Some toy-haulers come with a roll-up screen that covers the entire garage door. Helping you stay bug free with a "no fly zone" - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing.

Sewmasters of Yuma Has Your RV Covered

RVers use a lot of fabric and frequently need custom made awning drapes, wiper blade protectors, mirror covers, tire covers and a multitude of other items. On most ships in the Navy you’ll find a “Sail Shop” where a boatswains-mate sews canvas bags, covers and just about anything a ship’s rigging calls for. Sewmasters of Yuma is your personal “Sail Shop” where you'll find most everything "fabric" you’ll need to outfit your RV. Walking into the store is like walking into a warehouse with stacks of fabric lining the shelves. Customers fluff out awning material checking the quality like a Far East merchant inspecting silk in a Bazar. Sewmasters makes awning drapes in various sizes and will custom make anything you specify. They also make 5th Wheel skirts, patio shades, Arizona rooms and a whole lot more. Sewmasters of Yuma is located on 32nd Street across from the big swap-meet. If you want them to ship your order call them at (928) 726-1166. They’ve been in business since 1990 and are well known with a good reputation. They’re “old school” and don’t have a fancy website but you’ll be able to find what you need at a good price when you call. All their sewn products are made in the USA on site at the Yuma store. In the meantime I’ve got you covered spinning a yarn everyday - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Generators Sprout Legs and Leave the Campground

RV Boondocking is much more enjoyable with a generator. These portable light weight Honda generators are great for recharging the batteries and making a fresh pot of coffee. Many folks chain these to their rigs thinking that it will deter thieves. While I was dry camping at Hi Jolly BLM campground in Quartzite a fellow camper came home one afternoon to discover his generator had grown legs. Thieves routinely target these small units because they sell fast and are worth a lot more than say a stolen stereo. In this case the thieves had bolt cutters and the generator that was chained to the tree was set free. If you stow your generator where they can't see it you stand a better chance of keeping it. Another guy was saying something about rigging explosives to his generator. I'm not sure what came of that idea. You could also make a more sturdy storage container, but I suggest you use one of those fancy guarded locks that are next to impossible for bolt cutters to break. Law enforcement recommends engraving your name and phone number several places on the unit as they frequently find these lost generators when they bust unsuspecting thieves. Bringing you the shocking news of generator rustling - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Cutting Up In Your RV

Food preparation in your RV requires a flat surface where you can cut and prepare food. You know I'm a big fan of multipurpose tools for the RV and these chopping mats are great for RV food prep. Once you have chopped your food, just fold it up like a taco and dump it into the skillet. These mats protect the surface where you're cutting and also help keep your knives sharp. They are light weight and store easily. They're also great for roiling out dough for pies and pastries. They're cheap (I picked this two pack for a buck at the swap meet) and they can be used for craft projects as well as many other useful applications. They can also be used as friction buffers on tripod mounts, in fact, they have many uses. Please double click on the blue "comments" section and tell us the unique uses you've discovered for these chopping mats. Cutting a wide swath across America - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Tips on Driving a Motorhome or Large RV

RVing is more than enjoyable, it’s downright fun! Because of size, some folks can be intimidated by RVs. Even the smaller RVs are larger than the average car so people who have never driven large vehicles can feel overwhelmed at the idea of getting behind the wheel of an RV. Be sure to watch the video for a firsthand look at what it’s like in the cockpit of a motorhome. Let me assure you that pulling a 5th wheel or travel trailer or driving a motorhome (no matter how large or small) is easy. If you’re a novice I recommend finding some personal instruction available from RV dealers, RV & truck driving schools and through videos and DVDs. Follow these few suggestions and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the RV experience. Remember that you’re living large and heavy and need to put more distance between your RV and the rig in front of you. Never tailgate because you do not have the same stopping distance as you do in a car (you shouldn’t tailgate in a car either). Positional awareness is very important in keeping your rig in the center of the road. Pick a point on your windshield that is always there like a decal or a fixed point on the dash and line it up with the fog line. Get out of your RV and look at where that visual reference places your rig in the road. Adjust this visual reference until you are dead center in your lane. This little exercise will help you keep yourself moving straight down the road when you are having to thread the needle through construction zones and narrow bridges. In the video I show you how to make a tight right hand turn with a 40 foot motorhome with an additional 18 feet of towed car. I say I’m turning into the “right lane” when it is actually my left lane that I’m moving into in order to give myself room to make the sharp right angle turn. Watch trucks and other RVs make these kinds of turns and it will give you a better idea of what to do and what not to do. So please don’t write in the comments section that I don’t know my left from my right, it’s kind of hard to drive, talk and make a video at the same time and get everything perfect. I do make mistakes (just ask Mrs. Professor). Make sure you check both mirrors before you make any lane changes and keep in mind that you do not have the same kind of acceleration as a car. You will need to adjust your driving habits to include thinking well in advance of where you want to turn and give yourself plenty of room to execute your turns. Know how tall your RV is so you don’t tear off an air conditioner going under a low bridge. Don’t be in a hurry, take your time, practice safe driving habits, wear your seat belt and enjoy the ride. If you find yourself tense, gritting your teeth or over-gripping the steering wheel take a few deep breaths and tell yourself, “I’m in my happy place - my RV” relax and think about all the people who would give their left arm to be where you are right then.

Helping you own the road (after all we did pay for it) - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVers are at Home on the Range and so is the A-10 Thunderbolt

Many RVers are familiar with the Barry M. Goldwater bombing range because it is on one million seven hundred thousand acres of land that you have to drive through if you’re going to Rocky Point, Mexico. The range begins near Gila Bend, Arizona and if you are pulling your rig down to Mexico or the abundant BLM land for some boondocking don’t be surprised if you see an A-10 Thunderbolt strafing nearby. When the A-10 fires it’s powerful 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling gun you hear two distinct sounds, you hear the guns going off, but even before that you hear the bullets breaking the sound barrier. It sounds like when you drive your RV over a cattle guard. During practice the pilots fire at parachutes suspended between two poles while sensors in the ground tell the ranger controllers the accuracy. These weapons are designed for close air support for our ground troops and can kill tanks, convoys, armored personnel carriers, gun emplacements and everything else the enemy deploys on the battlefield. The gatling gun fires large depleted uranium armor-piercing shells at a rate of 3900 rounds per minute. They don’t carry this many rounds because even a two second burst will put 100 hits on a tank and it only takes six hits to do the job. The pilot of an A-10 can put around 80% of his bullets in a twenty foot circle from a mile out hence the name “Tank Killer.” It also carries the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile and standard unguided bombs. A-10s have the ALQ-131 ECM pod under one wing and two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles under the other for self-defense. This baby is powered by two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofan engines mounted high above the wings. As an Air Force aviator myself we used to joke that these planes didn’t really fly because they were so ugly they just scared the ground away. Believe me, if you are the enemy and you see one of these coming you have every reason to be scared. The Barry Goldwater range exists so we can train the finest pilots in the world to fight and win on the battlefield. RVers who are down this way between October and April can go on this tour open to the public at no cost. Space is limited and there may be a waiting list so if you are interested call the Range Management Office at 623-856-8516 to book a tour.

God bless our Troops - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Make Your Own RV Conversion Van Slide-Out

When you're on the road as much as I am you see many different kinds of RVs. I saw this cool van conversion the other day but no one was home so I couldn't get photos of the inside. But the story tells itself because this is a do-it yourself slide-out room sticking out the rear doors. The slide room is on a roll-out track system (like a big drawer) and has a window and outside storage access. I'm guessing this a bedroom but can't be sure. The canopy roll over the top of the slide-out is no doubt for weather protection. This adds a good deal of weight so the leaf springs need assistance in the form of air bags or helper springs. I know this isn't a much detail as I usually provide, but it does give you an idea of how to increase space in a conversion type RV. Keeping fresh ideas rolling your way - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Absentee RVers Give Quartzsite and Southwest a Wake-Up Call

Checking back with several vendors from the recent Quartzsite RV show it turns out they estimate attendance was down anywhere from 30 to 50 percent this year. Sales were also down as the usual crowds failed to materialize for the 2008 season. A vendor said, "Having done the show twice, in 2005 & 2006, we and other vendors see a dramatic downturn in traffic, perhaps 40% attendee decrease and profits off 50%." With his cap off and scratching his head another vendor theorizes that folks are absent this year because of high fuel prices and a lousy economy. Some think Quartzsite is suffering because the city has turned against boondocking RVers and is trying to make Quartzsite into a resort town like Palm Springs. Prime vendor spots have recently been lost to commercial RV dealerships in Quartzsite. But the story doesn’t end in the dust bowl of Quartzsite, the contagion is present all over the south west. Saturday I went to the swap meet at Goodyear a suburb of Pheonix, Arizona. Last year this place was so packed you had to keep checking your wallet pocket because people were bumping into you at every turn. This year you could fire a cannon down the walkway and not injure anyone. Vendors here report sales are down more than 50 percent from last year. About one third of the swap meet complex was vacant where last year it was full of vendors. Something is wrong and I’m not sure what it is. 2008 could be the slowest RV season ever here in the south west. Keeping my fingers on the pulse of the RV scene - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV’s With Big Batteries Now Have a New Watering System

Single point battery watering systems are fairly new in RV applications. I for one don’t enjoy the whole “battery watering” drill. One of the reasons I’m a full time RVer is because I don’t want to be bothered having to “water” stuff, especially my batteries! Unfortunately, it’s fact of RV life unless you go with alternative gas matte batteries which have their own unique problems. These systems have been in service on the regular sized 12 and 6 volt batteries but unavailable on the larger 4, 6 & 8 D batteries found on commercial type trucks and many motorhomes. I did a story on why you should use these systems here Battery Watering System: As far as I know, Tom Tomlinson is the only one selling these 8 D battery watering systems to RV customers. The new single point all in one snap-in coupler is unique because it is a coupler, valve, filter, flow indicator and Y-splitter all in one. This system equally fills each battery cell simultaneously without overflow because the individual fill caps stop replenishing exactly when the proper water level is reached. The fill caps also have level indicators so you can tell when you system needs more water just by looking at the caps. Just connect the pump to your quick coupler and put the pump into a bottle of distilled water and after a few pumps you’re done. You can read more about it at Tom’s website here RV Power Supply: I like how this system works because it’s both safe and easy.

Helping you keep the lights on - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Grill Cleaning While RVing

RVers love to BBQ whether they use a grill from home or one supplied by the campground. There are many ways to clean a grill like using a big wad of tin foil or a long handled wire brush. Linda and Andrew Martin from Ramer, Tennessee were displaying their invention the “Grill Gadget” at the recent Qurtzsite RV show. In 1981 Andrew needed a tool to better clean his grill. He designed this using a long bolt inserted into a wood handle with a brass head. The brass head fit over the grates of his grill and easily removed the gunk. He used it for 20 years before he realized he had a tool that every BBQ enthusiast needs hanging off their grill. There are three models to handle multiple grill types. Simply scrape the grates with the Grill Gadget and wipe off the brass cleaning head with a paper towel and you’re ready to make smoke. You can order these off the internet for for $19.95 plus S&H. Visit their website here Grill Gadget. They are light weight and will handle the dirtiest grill in the campground. Keeping it clean - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Achieve a Smoother Ride While Towing or Driving Your RV

I met Shelly Kanji at the Quartzsite RV show. She was demonstrating the RollGard product line that adds control and stability to any vehicle that has leaf springs. Whether the application is in a truck pulling a travel trailer or 5er or a motorhome, the RollGard stabilizer will add safety and stability to your rig. On trucks pulling a 5ers RollGard will help manage tongue weight, reducing bounce and improve control. You can use this product instead of air bags. Here's an example of what it looks like mounted on a typical leaf spring application. This product reduces lean and sway making towing a big 5er or travel trailer more pleasurable. Put these on your 5th wheel or travel trailer and reduce the bounce and maintain better control in wind and when trucks pass. The RollGard is held onto the existing leaf spring with a buckle. The RollGard spring is held over the axle by rubber inserts. The buckle is held under your leaf springs by a roll pin. The roll pin is held in place by the buckle and the bolt on your existing leaf springs. These patented roller pins prevent spring binding. On motorhomes RollGard helps the factory leaf springs recover more quickly from steering inputs resulting in better overall stability. Though it has many of the same characteristics, this product is not a “helper spring” like you can pick up in automotive catalogs. It can help manage the load, but it’s primary function is control of unwanted suspension movement reducing bounce and improving the ride (something “helper springs” do not do). RollGard installs easily on most leaf spring equipped vehicles. You can read more at their website here RollGard. Helping you drive straight and level - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing