RV Quick Tips & Tech Tricks
Shocking RV Electrical Hazard
You may at some time experience an electrical shock when entering or exiting your RV.
This is often caused by the wiring in the electrical receptacle that your RV is plugged into or an improperly wired extension cord. If the "hot" and "neutral" wires are reversed, your coach and you may become an electrical circuit with unpleasant or dangerous results.
There is a small polarity checker available that will eliminate the guesswork and hazards before you plug in your electrical cord. Everyone should have one of these as standard equipment!
RV Reminders Tip
Ever forget to lower your TV antenna or unhook your power cord?
We have all done something similar, and this tip deals with one method of reminding yourself of routine tasks.
Put a labeled clip or ribbon on your antenna handle, for example. Whenever you raise the antenna, put the clip or ribbon on your steering wheel. When you break camp, the clip on your steering wheel will remind you that your antenna is still up.
Do the same for anything else you want to remind yourself of! If you have a slide-out, hang a length of brightly colored ribbon on the travel lock bars (if your slide uses these). The ribbons will attract your attention BEFORE you try to extend the slide.
Simple but effective!
RV Storage Compartment Security Tip
Did you know that many RV storage compartment keys are identical? Take out your key ring and examine your compartment key. Does it have a number stamped on it? And would that number be, say, CH751 or ES201?
With those keys, you could probably open your neighbor's compartments, the compartments in the trailer next in line, and so on down the row. If that is the case, anyone with those keys could also open your compartments!
Read our full guide on Storage Compartment Security for more details on upgrading your locks.
RV Refrigerator Power Tip
Here is a helpful tip from an RV dealer: place a single ice cube in a paper cup and leave it in your freezer. Check it daily to ensure there hasn't been a power failure at the campground while you were away for the day, or that nothing else has caused the frozen foods to thaw and re-freeze.
If the freezer has been working properly, the ice cube will retain its original shape. If it has melted and re-frozen, the ice will be puddled in the bottom of the cup, indicating that food safety may have been compromised.
Waste Water Dumping Tip
Never leave your black tank valve open when you are hooked up to a sewer-equipped RV site. If left open, the liquids will drain off and leave the solid material behind to build up in the tank.
Always dump your black tank first when it is at least two-thirds full (add water if necessary). This ensures adequate flow to dump all contents. Dump the gray water tank last to help rinse out the valves and sewer hose.
Find more detailed information at RV Holding Tanks Maintenance.
Hooking Up Multiple Batteries
When installing more than one battery for 12-volt on-board systems, it is recommended to purchase the batteries at the same time. The batteries should be matched in capacity, brand, and age to get the best performance from your battery bank.
6V vs 12V Battery Circuits
Two 12-volt batteries are connected in a parallel configuration (positive to positive, negative to negative). Two 6-volt batteries must be connected in a series circuit (positive of battery A to negative of battery B) in order to get the 12 volts needed to run coach systems. Two 6-volt golf cart batteries typically provide ~20% more amp-hour capacity than similar-sized 12-volt batteries due to thicker internal plates.
Prevent Toilet Paper Unrolling on the Road
Road vibration can easily cause toilet paper or paper towel rolls to unroll and spew paper across the bathroom floor while traveling.
Simply place an elastic rubber band around the roll before driving. The roll can vibrate, but it won't unroll. When parked, move the elastic band to the side for your next trip.
Clearing RV Faucet Clogs
If a single faucet loses water pressure while others work normally, the culprit is usually a clogged aerator screen.
The screen is housed inside the tip of the faucet spout. Unscrew the housing carefully, noting the order of the rubber washers and plastic restriction parts. Clean out sediment or mineral scale using an old toothbrush, then reassemble in the exact order.
My RV to the Rescue
High winds can easily knock out power in rural areas. When grid power drops out, home water pumps, heating systems, and lighting go down as well.
Your parked RV can act as an emergency backup shelter with full propane tanks, solar battery charging, and a self-contained freshwater system.
Read the complete story...
RV Propane System Purging Tip
When taking your RV out of storage, air often gets trapped in the LP gas lines. Before trying to ignite major appliances like the water heater or refrigerator, turn on the main propane valve and light one of the stovetop burners first.
This purges trapped air from the lines quickly and provides visual confirmation that gas is flowing steadily.
