Scientists discover RV gene

Is RVing in your blood? Does your DNA overpower you with the urge to RV? RV scientists have discovered the existance of the "RV gene" which explains these tendancies within large percentages of the U.S. and European population. According to RV research scientist Hank Hitchbal, this discovery opens new horrizons on the road to recovery for people who have been RV deprived. "Not only will this help us find a cure for RV deprivation, but should also help the RV industry make a comeback," said Hank.

This news comes too late for Pilgrim International, former maker of towable RVs who filed bankruptcy last week. The RV industry is in a tailspin and loosing innovative companies like Pilgrim is simply a shame. This company did the research and developed a prototype towable RV made from composite materials. Hopefully the technology will go to another RV company who can carry on with this great concept. The material used in making aircraft can take a beating and is much more durable and lighter than the traditional materials of wood and fiberglass.
This light weight RV travel trailer is a "t@b" produced by Thor Industries. Until recently, sales of lighter weight towables have been strong. Given the price of fuel, it makes sense people would be interested in models easier on the fuel budget.Europeans have been slow to embrace the mamouth RVs we are accostomed to in the U.S. They've been paying more for fuel many years now and the lighter weight "caravans" (travel trailers) as they call them, are extreamly popular there. Not only are they easy to tow, but they're easy to set-up and take-down and fit neatly in the corner of the driveway.

RVing is about traveling adventures, camping, living close to nature, getting out and enjoying the great outdoors. There is nothing quite like the feeling of freedom you experience when you hit the road with your RV. It's like the first time you rode a bicycle because it opens new avenues of possibility. The RV industry may be on hard times, but the spirit of RVing is alive and well. We'll pull out of this someday when the economy gets back on track, but for the time being, RVers will still hit the road with their RVs whether it's a light weight towable or a behemoth diesel pusher simply because it's in their blood. Testing RV positive - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Display your RV personalized sign with a PVC frame

RVers Don & Carol Huck from beautiful historic Sainte Genevieve, Missouri enjoy RVing in their Coachmen travel trailer. These friendly folks also like to display their sign with the hearty RV message, "Welcome Campers, the Huck family, Don and Carol". There are many ways to display a sign such as this and Don used his propane tank cover as the base for his display. Using half inch PVC as the frame he pins the PVC against the lip of the propane tank cover with a cut off "U" bolt. The sign is held in the frame by two eye bolts. On the lookout for displays of RV hospitality - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVer tames hitch with a cradle

RVer John Hass has a Coachmen travel trailer. He uses a PullRite Hitch when towing his rig. The problem with these hitches is the receiver hitch assembly can stick out past the bumper when it is in the stowed position. However, don't let this insignificant problem stop you from owning one of these fine hitches. Read more about this hitch system here: PullRite

Back home in Glen Arm, Maryland John came up with an idea of how to store his receiver hitch ball assembly while not in use. After he built it he discovered the hitch was now much easier to lift since it was already off the ground. John says, "It's easier on your back."

Not only does his hitch cradle hold the receiver hitch ball assembly, it also holds the load dispensing bars (which no travel trailer should be without). Using a few pieces of scrap lumber he made a very useful hitch cradle. He uses a screw-in hook to hold the chains in place. He even made use of an eye hook to stow the retaining pin. Since it was so useful at home, John figured he might as well take it whenever he went on a camping trip.

Hitching-up RVers with new ideas every day (except Monday) - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Stop the RV rockin’ with this homemade stabilizer system

Long time RVer Bob Campbel from Dayton, Ohio wanted a more stable RV lifestyle. He was tired of all the “rock-n-roll” he experienced as he walked around in his 5th wheel. So he decided to make his own stabilizer out of an old bumper jack, some chain and some scrap metal he had laying around his shop.

First he attaches the stabilizer leg (without the jack) to one side of his 5th wheel like this.Next he pulls the chain so it loosely fits into the side with the jack.Both legs have an “L” frame bracket that holds the stabilizer legs in place against the frame. A hinged “foot” also contains a hook that holds the chain in place. The hinged foot allows for automatic ground angle adjustment.

Since he is setting up on grass, he places boards under the “feet” of the stabilizer jack.

Bob welded a piece of “L” frame on the bottom of the jack and attached the top of the jack to the hinged “foot”. The jack appears “upside down” compared to how a bumper jack is normally used.Once the chain is loosely attached Bob begins to ratchet the jack until the chain is tight.This device actually stops the “rock-n-roll” movement of the typical 5th wheel in the rear of the coach.

This requires some welding skill or having a friend or relative who knows how to weld. Take him or her a copy of these photos (and a candy bar) and he or she will know exactly what to do. They probably even have all the stuff laying around the shop to do the job. You can pick up a bumper jack at any junk yard for a few bucks.

Bringing stability to your RV lifestyle - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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Coachmen makes RV history - Shasta is back!

Longtime RV manufacturer Coachmen headquartered in Middlebury, Indiana is bringing back the Shasta brand after a five year hiatus. The first new travel trailer to debut is the Shasta Airflyte 12 with the distinctive classic exterior look and a modern European styled interior. Compare this new model with this 1954 15 foot Shasta travel trailer. The old trailer doesn’t have the characteristic wings because they would have covered the upper bunk vent on the street side.
This 12 footer is much lighter and more spacious than it’s 1954 relative. Weighing in at 2,482 pounds this unit is perfect for towing by a small SUV.

Tank capacities are 36 gallons fresh water, 32 gallons gray, 11 gallons black and a 6 gallon hot water heater. More than ample to enjoy a hot shower in the combo bathroom.

The galley design represents a new concept in space utilization. It uses a counter top electric grill that stows away after use. The sink has a fold down faucet with a permanent cover making more available countertop space when not in use.The European design is a far cry from the 1954 interior. In this old model you could fit four skinny people around the dinette. The Airflyte on the other hand will comfortably seat a family of six or more. The unit comes with a surround sound entertainment package. Halogen lighting fills the interior with ample light and the translucent sliding cabinet doors make it easy to find your stuff.

I like the crank-up skylight that has a roll-up screen and retractable shutter. The tinted windows open out so it sheds rain and allows you to enjoy fresh air during a shower.The most striking innovation is the absence of propane. The Airflyte uses no propane appliances and strictly runs on electricity. It doesn't have a roof-top air conditioner or a conventional heater. Instead it has an innovative 11,000 BTU heat pump which does the job of both. It really works cooling the rig down to a comfortable temperature on hot days and heating up to toasty for those cold mornings.

The absence of propane bottles, central heater and roof-top air conditioner significantly reduces the weight of this RV.

WIth crank-down jacks at four corners, pass through rear storage, sewer hose storage compartment, awning and those nifty chrome moon hubcaps this RV is a crowd pleaser.As fuel prices rise so will the popularity of the new Shasta Airflyte because of it’s light towing weight.This travel trailer is truly revolutionary and just in time for fuel conscious campers. You can find more information on this great RV here: Coachmen. Be sure to watch the video for a closer look at this innovative new RV. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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RVers beware of aggressive tree branches

RVers have a love/hate relationship with trees. We love them because they provide shade on hot days and loathe them when they reach out and grab our RV while we're backing into or pulling out of a campsite. Here is an example of how a tree limb can remove RV siding with surgical precision. Tree limbs are also brutal on rubber roofs causing punctures, rubbing and tearing on roof edges. A good patch kit will fix the rubber roof, but the siding will need more extensive repairs. I've seen RVers on their roofs with saws and pruning hooks trying to avoid the embrace of a tree. It's fine if you want to hug a tree, but it's not a good thing when a tree hugs your RV. To avoid these unfriendly encounters with wood I suggest you always check the overhead clearance before you pull into or out of your campsite. Helping you branch out in RV safety - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Old Vendor Wagons Sometimes Doubled As RVs

You don’t see these old wooden vendor wagons much anymore. They came in various shapes and sizes and were frequently homemade. Reminiscent of the gypsy wagons of Europe they sometimes doubled as both a vendor wagon and an RV. This one at the Whitehead Memorial Museum in Del Rio, Texas originally had wooden wheels. The museum uses it in parades, so they replaced them with rubber tires. The suspension is original and so is the wooden plank frame. The sides opened up to display whatever wares the traveling vendor was selling. These wagons were primarily pulled by mules with the vendor walking and leading them. Some models had driver seats, a beefier suspension and could be driven like a stage coach. Notice how narrow the wheel base is on this antique mobile store. Now imagine the narrow, rutted roads this trailer traveled. The vendors who used these wagons frequently used them like we use an RV. He could cook, sleep and eat in this unit while making his sales circuit that might cover hundreds of miles. The owners and operators of these turn of the century wagons are long dead, but I wonder what they would think about our modern RVs today? Will your RV be a museum piece someday where people will walk by and wonder about the person who owned it? If it's a usable road I'm on it - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

One Side Mount ATV/RV Combo To Go

Many RVers enjoy riding off-road vehicles. The four wheel ATVs are especially popular and RVers have come up with some great ways to get them to their favorite off-road destinations. Here is an example of the side mount system. A metal rack extends across the truck bed and ramps attach to the side. The operator drives the ATV up the ramps onto the back of the truck. Retaining bars block the wheels preventing the ATV from overshooting the truck bed (that would be bad - but admittedly fun to watch). If you have a travel trailer and want to take along your ATV this option may be perfect for you. I've also seen two ATVs being carried in this manner. The nice thing about this arrangement is most of the dust is blown off your ATV before you get back home. Staying on top of things - 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

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

Tool Box A Must For RV Towing Vehicles

I pulled my 5th wheel next to my assigned RV site in the pouring rain. I had a hard time backing into a tight spot at an RV park in Arizona. I wasn’t expecting rain, after all, it was Arizona, so I was glad to have all the tools I would need for a quick set-up close at hand. For a travel trailer or a 5er you need a stabilizer crank, some boards for the landing gear, tire chocks, water hose, channel lock pliers, electric chord adapter, water pressure gauge and a multi-meter (to check out the utilities). I kept all these things in my handy locking truck-bed toolbox. These toolboxes come in various sizes and are made from aluminum, steel or plastic. They can insert in your truck bed with wings that hold the box up off your truck deck so you can slide lumber and other long items under it. You can also get boxes that rest on the bottom of the truck bed without wings. Downdraft off the face of a 5th wheel trailer will blow stuff out of your truck bed if it isn’t secured and these toolboxes keep your stuff safe and dry. Clearance is an important consideration if you’re pulling a 5th wheel because the thickness of the toolbox could interfere with the operation of the king-pin pivot overhang. So, before you purchase one make sure you have adequate clearance tolerances. I enjoyed my truck-bed toolbox because it held a large amount of gear and it locked so I didn’t have to worry about people walking off with my stuff. Since I used the truck as a touring vehicle I liked having my tools with me. My biggest problem was keeping it clean and organized. Most of them come with sliding trays that will help you with this task. Even trucks with modified tow-bodies employ these boxes. They are a “must-have” if you pull a travel trailer or 5th wheel. Some folks even mount them on the back of trailers. Helping you keep it all together - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV Wind Deflectors, Do it Right or Don’t Do it at All

Just how effective are those RV wind deflectors you see on trucks pulling 5th wheels and travel trailers? Though somewhat technical (what you’d expect from a Professor of RVing) this information could save you some serious cash. Trucks pulling trailers lose a majority of their energy at highway speeds through aerodynamic drag. Using computational fluid dynamics scientists study air flow as it interacts with test models in a wind tunnel. These studies have determined that in order for an RV wind deflector to work efficiently it must be within a few feet of the trailer due to the fact air flow created by the deflector closes in within a few feet unless it’s conducted by another surface. Cab extension gap seals and side fairings will help to make this possible. (see the article, “On the Aerodynamics of Tractor-Trailers” by M. Hammache and F. Browand here: Technical Link). According to these scholars, the best place for an air deflector is actually on the trailer itself because that's where the majority of the drag occurs. When you place a rounded “nose cone” on the trailer you eliminate the gap of a cab wind deflector and the aerodynamic drag is significantly reduced. So, if you’re looking to save a bunch of money by installing one of these over the cab deflectors make sure it’s as close to the trailer as possible and also install gap seals. If you don’t do this you’re throwing money to the wind. In fact, if the gap is too large, it will end up reducing your fuel economy because you're actually increasing the drag. The bottom line is that trailers, like the Titanium brand, made with an aerodynamic nose are more fuel efficient than any after market cab mounted wind deflector. The more aerodynamic the trailer, the better the fuel economy. Preventing the money from blowing out of your wallet - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Remembering Your First Encounter With An RV

The first RV I saw as a kid was a homemade Teardrop trailer. It was silver, had a door and a window and immediately gripped my five year old attention. To me it looked like something from another planet and it could have been, because it abducted my imagination and lured me onboard. Do you remember when you saw an RV for the first time? There’s something evocative about an RV in the eyes of a child. We've had several kids explore our motorhome always with a sense of wonder and adventure. When our boys were kids they started a piggy-bank account so they could save up and buy an RV. They even drew pictures of how it would look and talked about all the places it would take our family. An RV no matter how large or small draws the attention of the kid within us all. As a child we instinctively knew the promise the RV held. It was fuel for our imagination, a source of inspiration. Maybe that's why old men who drive huge motorhomes, smile and look fondly as they pass by a teardrop trailer or a tear-drop lookalike, like the T@B by Dutchmen pictured here. Though faded with time, a Teardrop trailer or one of the many copy cats still has the power to ignite our imagination once again. Perhaps this RV has become an archetype in our collective conscience, an icon of freedom in the industrial age. Even after all these years when I see a teardrop trailer it still grips my attention. I'm irresistibly drawn to it and I want to see it inside and out. I want to touch it, crawl under it, open the windows and compartments and experience it all over again. In fact, my wife and I recently did just that at a rest stop of all places. We pulled in next to a couple who just purchased a new red Teardrop. The couple was eager to show us as we were to see it. I hope you’ll enjoy this short video essay I put together on Teardrop Trailers:

Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing, Dr. of RVology and ROAD Scholar

RV Travel Trailers Watch For Speed Bumps

RV’ers need to be aware of tail dragging speed bumps at national and state parks. Here is an example of a speed bump installed by people who don’t have a clue about RVing. Fort Stevens State Park in Oregon is a prime example. This is a wonderful park but as you can see it has high speed bumps. Travel trailers suffer the most from these because when the tow vehicle’s rear tires go over the speed bump, the springs naturally move down and the tongue weight forces the hitch to it’s lowest point. Load levelers will help prevent this but will not eliminate it. That’s why you see so many gouges in these speed bumps that are too high to begin with. The best approach to these is to come to a complete stop after your rear tires have traveled over the speed bump. This gives the suspension time to level itself out and you should be able to clear the speed bumps using this approach. If you can’t clear it using this technique, then your hitch is too low, your tongue weight too heavy, your tow vehicle overloaded or any combination of these. I’ve pulled travel trailers thousands of miles, and I used load levelers. Load levelers and a sway control bar are very helpful and much safer than towing without them. Helping to keep your RVing safe and fun - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing, Dr. of RVology and ROAD Scholar

Cowboy RVers Ride the Range in Their Combo Trailer Conversions

In the old days, cowboys road down the trail with a bedroll strapped behind their saddle and slept under the stars or rain. Now they travel in comfort with these combo/conversion trailers. These trailers combine a horse trailer in the rear with a bed and breakfast in the front. Notice the amenities begin with a large cab-over type bed. They typically have a comfortable dinette/bed or a couch/bed that also doubles as a dinette. The standard cooking facilities, refrigerator, sink and microwave oven are standard. There is an entertainment center with indoor and outdoor speakers. The bathroom is not large, but more than adequate with a nice shower and plenty of room to rest. One problem with these trailers is that they do not come standard with entry steps because many cowboys like to use a portable step or just hop off their horse into their living quarters. The rear of the trailer has enough room for three horses with padded dividers and a new easy open divider latch. Since these rigs carry heavy loads, the axles are very beefy.
A side entrance tack room is roomy enough for all your saddles and gear. Lighting for the outside and the horse trailer is controlled by these convenient external switches. Since I’m at the rodeo this week, I’ve seen many of these types of trailers set up near the arena campground area. Rodeo clown, Keith Isley, lives in one of these trailers and works the rodeo circuit living in the comfort of his combo trailer. These trailers come both in a bumper pull and a 5th wheel gooseneck style. Notice that these trailers have only one central landing gear You can attach a hay rack on top and you’re ready for a RVing horseback riding adventure. You can check out the floor plans of these combo trailer conversions here Cherokee Trailers

Watch this video I put together to see these trailers in action.
Taking you places you’ve never been before - Jim Twamley the RV Guy

Trailer Extensions Allow More Cargo, But Caution Is Advised!

A few years ago in Yellowstone National Park we were camped next to a family who brought all their bicycles on an extended rack on the back of their travel trailer. I thought it was a great idea and thought about doing it to our trailer but never got around to it. This type of trailer extension can carry all kinds of cargo including a light weight motorcycle or ATV, bikes, a small amount of fire wood or whatever else you need to carry provided you can tie it down and it isn’t too heavy. These kinds of homemade extensions are neat but caution is advised for several reasons. First, this will add weight to the axles, leaf-springs and the leaf-spring equalizers and all the attendant hardware. You should seriously consider “beefing up” these components if you do this. Second, you must consider the added length will cause your trailer to “drag” when you traverse a steep curb going into a fueling station or shopping area. So, you may want to consider adding anti-drag wheels to your extension. Third, you need to add signal lights onto the end of this extension as well. And finally, make sure the welding is professional grade and will support the weight of the extension as well as the cargo you plan to put on it. Jim

Homemade Blocks Make Leveling Easier

Ron Wieringa, from Cole City, IL built this nifty set of leveling blocks for his Denali 5er. After he cut and secured them with wood screws, he painted them black and attached a handle.

He designed them to be used with a commercial leveling device and attached a "lip" to his wood leveling board to hold the commercial leveling device in place when used together. This allows for greater height in the leveling process.You can buy leveling devices which work well and are light weight or, like Ron, you can build your own.

I asked Ron why he designed these landing gear chocks with a "stop block" in the rear and he told me it was because when he parked where ice formed the landing gear would slip on the blocks when retracting, this "stop block" design prevents them from slipping.

Can You Full Time in a Small RV?

Ron and Patty have been full time RVing together for a year and a half. Here they just finished picking up trash around the campgroud - Thank you Ron and Patty! Ron has been full-timing for 15 years and Patty has 20 years of RV experience. What makes this couple unique is that they full time in a 24 foot travel trailer. You might think that two people living full time in a 24 foot RV would be next to impossible. Yes there is more room on the space shuttle, but hey, this isn’t rocket science! Here are the advantages of a small unit like this:

It is within most everyone’s budget range.
It will fit in any campsite listed in the free campgrounds book and will fit in any federal and state campground.
There are few height restrictions (You can park under tree limbs and pass under low clearance bridges that other rigs can’t).
Smaller travel trailers are lighter and highly maneuverable, easy to park and pull.
Travel trailer overhead cabinets are easy to reach and once inside there are no more stairs to navigate.

There are also disadvantages compared to the larger rigs, such as less storage space, less battery storage and smaller tank capacity but these things are very manageable when you learn the secrets of resource conservation.

Ron & Patty own a Kodiak 24 RBSL ultra/lite by Skamper a Thor company. Ron says they engineered this unit well because they put the heater under the oven instead of the refrigerator. He especially likes the pass-through storage compartment in the front of the rig. The bathroom can accommodate two people and it has a walk-around queen size bed. What Patty likes most are the windows that light up the interior. Even during an overcast day, there is a light and airy feeling inside this rig. Since many RVers enjoy being outside much of the day a smaller unit is more than adequate. When you’re asleep it doesn’t matter if you’re in a mansion or a cardboard box – as long as you sleep good what does it matter? The bottom line is that your mattress is more important than how big your RV is!

Rick and Beckey Schramm have been full time RVers for a year now. They started out in a KZ travel trailer, but switched to a BIGFOOT travel trailer because it was a higher quality unit and since it is made in Canada is a true four season travel trailer. Beckey loves this 21 foot trailer because it has excellent window placement for great views. Beckey says it’s just the right size for two people, not too much upkeep and has double the storage of their last trailer. She’s right; the storage inside this trailer is amazing! Hat tip to the engineers of this BIGFOOT. They engineered this rig very well and you can take a virtual tour of BIGFOOT trailers here: http://www.bigfootrv.com/bigfootrv_travel_trailers_2500.html
If you are thinking about RVing full time or part time in a travel trailer, Rick says research it thoroughly and then do it. I agree! We had a travel trailer and loved it and a travel trailer may be just right for you.


Sometimes it rains and you have to stay indoors most of the day, and sure, things can seem a little claustrophobic at times, but all the essentials are there, a stove and oven, microwave, TV, refrigerator/freezer, couch, dinette, full bathroom, coffee pot, furnace, toaster, and all the creature comforts you will ever need. So get yourself an RV and get out here and enjoy the great outdoors!

My grandparents were full time RVers using a travel trailer back in the days when full time RVing was unheard of. Here is my grandfather, Sheldon Rockholt hooking-up his Wilderness travel trailer.
Finally, consider this about travel trailers, most are pulled by a pick-up truck with a topper. This means that you have the entire bed of your truck as storage. Think about it, a 5th wheel has a large basement storage area but the 5th wheel uses up most of the storage area in the back of the truck because of the hitch. You will have more storage capacity in the bed of the pick-up with a topper than you will with most 5th wheels. Keep this in mind when researching whether to purchase a travel trailer or a 5th wheel.