Russ and Tiña De Maris – Page 30

Replacing RV door glass — Don’t lose your temper!

April 6, 2016April 14, 2016 RV Staff

By Russ and Tiña De Maris Strange things happen along the road. A flying baseball, rock or tree limb can make a mess of that “relight,” or window, in your RV entry door. If your glass is a mess (or you get to that point down the road), it’s sometimes tempting to look at the cheap side and just charge... Read More

Keep your hitch ball covered — DIY RV project

April 6, 2016 RV Staff

By John Cook with Russ and Tiña De Maris After walking into the hitch ball on my tow rig while wearing my “dress” blue jeans, not long after greasing the hitch ball, I ran the risk of using some colorful metaphors. What a shame that I was still a couple of years from hearing from our reader, John Cook. John,... Read More

Dry camping? Remember your batteries

April 6, 2016April 6, 2016 RV Staff

By Russ and Tiña De Maris There’s a lot of beauty that can be reached only when “dry camping” or boondocking. If you’re new to the idea of RVing without hookups, here’s a good reminder regarding battery life. RV batteries take a LONG time to charge, particularly if you’re trying to charge them with the typical RV converter-charger. Here’s a... Read More

How to prevent your solar panels from being stolen

April 6, 2016April 6, 2016 RV Staff

By Russ and Tiña De Maris Reports from around the sunny side of the nation show that theft of solar panels is on the increase. Some brazen thieves are marching into yards and removing the precious panels from sticks and bricks homes, but RV solar panels are attractive as well. If you’ve purchased a solar panel, you know they’re an... Read More

How to get rid of slideout squeaks

April 6, 2016 RV Staff

By Russ and Tiña De Maris Many an RVer has been driven to distraction by a squeaky slideout. There’s just something jarring to the nerves about this noise — perhaps it’s the same affliction that hits us when fingernails are drawn across a chalkboard. What’s to be done to exorcise those squeaks? First, with your slideout extended, take a close look... Read More

Prep meals at home for RV use

April 6, 2016April 6, 2016 RV Staff

By Tiña De Maris Heading out for an RV trip and don’t want to spend too much time slaving over a hot stove on the road? A few “work a bit before you go, less while you’re gone” tips are in order. Nearly any soup, stew, or side dish can be worked up ahead at home, frozen, then kept on... Read More

How to prevent your LP gas valve from getting stuck

April 6, 2016 RV Staff

by Russ and Tiña De Maris Gas valves on LP bottles can stick “shut” after refilling, even if the valve handle is opened to full. There are a couple of reasons, and usually the fix is simple. Here’s a routine that will help you figure out if your tank is acting out of sorts and not passing gas as it... Read More

How to keep the condensation out of your RV

April 6, 2016April 6, 2016 RV Staff

By Russ and Tiña DeMaris One of the banes of winter RVing is the buildup of humidity in a rig. Cooking, taking showers and running non-vented LP heaters like Blue Flames and catalytic units build up the amount of water vapor in the air. Result? Nasty slickness that can promote mold growth. To reduce condensation, first reduce the amount of... Read More

What octane is best for your RV or tow vehicle?

April 6, 2016 RV Staff

By Russ and Tiña De Maris It’s a question that stirs up a lot of feelings, but first the factoids: The “octane rating” listed on a fuel pump is a measure of the ability of gas to reduce engine knock. “Regular” must have a minimum octane rating of 87; mid-grade from 88 to 90; and premium needs a rating of... Read More

Do you really want a Harbor Freight solar system?

April 6, 2016 RV Staff

By Russ and Tiña De Maris You’ve seen the ad: 45 watt solar power system. Includes panels, wiring, mounts and regulator. Hurry in for less than $200. What a deal, especially for breaking into solar on the cheap! Deal? Depends. Look a little deeper. About that 45 watt ouput: On a clear summer day it translates to about 45 amp-hours... Read More