10 Helpful RVing Tips and Tricks

[@sgwanderer]

Totally agree with with using a tester to check the van or motorhome chassis is "live". I had a rental motorhome once, which had a external power lead incorrectly wired up, I found out the hard way when I went to get back into the motorhome after connecting the lead. I became the earth between the motorhome and the ground, I am lucky to still be here and alive to share my story.

[@LoveYourRV]

Wow, scary!

[@pigpaul]

Excellent video,my dad just bought a 25 foot RV. Didn't know anything about what to do or not even pop that hood!! and lucky their is good people like you helping out, can't thank you enough!

[@LoveYourRV]

pigpaul You're very welcome, glad to help out. Hope you enjoy the RV :) Cheers Ray

[@sailingsolar]

1) Very good advice, to check any power box is properly wired BEFORE one plugs their RV into it. 2) A properly functioning smoke detector would eliminate the need to set up that step latter, imo. You gave some really great tips. Much more valuable then some of the lame tips given by other RV videos I've seen. Personally I consider it a must to have multimeter that also has a clamp on DC Amp measuring ability. Not one that does only clamp on AC Amps and DC amps with the probes, which are cheaper.

[@jackyoungblood8011]

Thanks for the tips,some I should know but never slowed down to think about. Thanks!

[@misfitgypsy6669]

Picking up my first 5th wheel in a about a month. I'm learning a lot from your videos. Can't wait to take my first trip! I have no idea where I'll go but that's part of the adventure. Safe travels.

[@LoveYourRV]

Awesome!

[@catherineandoliver8151]

Never would have thought about the step ladder outside the emergency exit until I would have been too late. Thanks especially for that tip!!

[@campervandavid]

Would vasoline not be better to use for the seals on the inside? I imagine that can of seal protector you have for the outside does a good job though.

[@LoveYourRV]

I think Vaseline being petroleum based would likely eat the rubber over time and attract dust and dirt.

[@campervandavid]

O ok.

[@0HARE]

These are all great tips. Thanks for sharing them. I already use some of these tricks, but I appreciate learning the new ones. Happy Trails!

[@garyanderson9467]

Your videos are still one of my favorites. I only wish you did more.

[@LoveYourRV]

Gary Anderson Thanks. :)

[@sailingsolar]

I really like how you don't feed the trolls like those other "Jerry Springer" mentality RV channels.

[@rvmotorhomecamping1179]

Nice tips and production. I have thought about strapping a 6 foot step ladder to my back ladder but didn't think about its use for fire safety egress. The metal dump handles are a good idea too. Appreciate the channel. I will be doing some vids on using ham radio when boondocking for communication.

[@LoveYourRV]

Thank you! Let me know when you have your ham radio vids up, sounds interesting.

[@aaronvalinski8864]

Clear containers is one of the best tips ever.gj

[@garyanderson9467]

Just love your videos. You must be an engineer. Keep up the good work.

[@LoveYourRV]

Gary Anderson Thanks! Spent 25 years as a TV and Stereo repair guy, always have loved to tinker. Cheers Ray

[@garyanderson9467]

Close enough. You seem to approach every problem in a logical, rational manner and make molehills out of what many would consider insurmountable mountains.

[@SplotPublishing]

I like the metal dump handles. Where did you get them? I'd probably coat them with rubber like the stuff you use for pliers and other small tools.

[@LoveYourRV]

I got them at a local RV parts store, they are on Amazon too - www.amazon.com/Valterra-T1003-6MVP-Carded-Metal-Handle/dp/B0006MRRP8 Good idea on the coating!

[@SplotPublishing]

Thanks. We're in the process of fixing up our old Class C. Great advice and tips.

[@ronaldallen2504]

Excellent tips...thanks for posting

[@LoveYourRV]

+Ronald Allen You're welcome, glad you liked them, Cheers Ray

[@terrycooper2932]

Your awesome!! Enjoy your videos. Learning so much from you. By the time I'm ready to go I'll be ready thanks to you!!!

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks! Glad it helps. Cheers, Ray

[@allan6021]

Ray, I'm a little (a lot) late in adding a comment to this video but I thought I'd mention that I use a Prime Products 12-4058 AC Power Line Monitor to check pedestal power and wiring before I even bother parking my travel trailer on a site. The non-contact voltage tester would still be a good idea but I think once you've confirmed the pedestal is wired OK the trailer shouldn't get "hot".

[@LoveYourRV]

Cool. I have a Progressive Industries Surge Protector installed as well - amzn.to/2CTbXPY It shuts down when the AC voltage goes too low or too high as well as checking for faulty wiring. But it can't find every possible failure, such as a Reverse Polarity Bootleg Ground, but the non-contact tester can - noshockzone.org/are-little-shocks-ok/ Cheers Ray

[@allan6021]

Yup. I have a Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C as well that protects us once we're connected.

[@_S-O-S_]

Lots of good advice! Nice job!

[@Hundert1]

Thanks for the neat tips, especially the electronic ones. I'm just a beginner at electrical and think battery testing skills could be important to learn more about like hydrometer, specific gravity.?? I'd like to know which electronic tester equipment and brands are the best to purchase.

[@LoveYourRV]

This post should be of interest. - www.loveyourrv.com/maintaining-and-testing-my-rv-batteries/ Cheers Ray

[@barbarawebster6808]

I wish I had seen this before I went on vacation! I would have saved myself a big mess. I live at 5 thousand feet, but went down to the coast for 2 weeks. I used my laundry soap there, never even thought about the change of altitude on the way back... what a horrible mess. thanks for sharing these tips. Do you think that seal protection spray would be good for the door and window seals on my van? We have brutal winters here. Often my doors and windows freeze shut.

[@LoveYourRV]

You're welcome. :) It should help. The better shape the rubber is in the better it will withstand the cold. Freezing shut though may be from trapped water, snow that melts and refreezes so not sure how to solve that. I haven't lived in really cold regions.

[@earldeanpowell]

How do you keep the step ladder walking away at nite?

[@Hundert1]

Earl Powell good point. I really think it is horrible that campers have to fear theft and vandalism here in USA. Police, public and society is just not doing enough to end this kind of crap. Campground laws should be strictly enforced with significant penalties.

[@renelopez2244]

This was a great video. Thanks

[@ronbothwell762]

Great tips..., keep em coming...

[@realredrebel]

Thanks. Very useful information.

[@MTBIKEXC]

Great stuff again! Thanks!

[@debra-vs]

Great tips. Thanks!

[@Keoweerv]

Great tips!

[@curtisanderson5344]

Awsome tips

[@tbonemully]

Very helpful.

[@LoveYourRV]

www.loveyourrv.com/ten-helpful-rving-tips-and-tricks/ *10 Helpful RVing Tips and Tricks *

[@MichaelBuchananbuck]

I like the tips I live in the northwest and am having problems with rain leaking thru the bedroom 5th wheel slideout. My rv is the exact same configuation as yours. I think it might be a bad seal.

[@LoveYourRV]

Could be a seal or maybe the slide needs some adjustment. It may not be even all the way around leaving a gap somewhere. I don't have a bedroom slide so not sure about adjustments for them but our main slide has a few. So far I haven't had any leaks and been in some pretty intense downpours. If the slide is made by Lippert you might want to check out there site, they have some pretty decent info there. www.lci1.com/support

[@MichaelBuchananbuck]

thanks it a 31 ft heartland sundance ill look at the site and try and lube the slide it does not leak when we keep the slide in.. but we do get monsoon conditions up here in the seattle area

[@bigjoe2458]

use a dry lubricant instead of baby powder. it won't attract dirt or grease.

[@scottwall4669]

A few of your tips are great, respectfully sir I would not advise anybody who is not a skilled electrician to stick anything in the park 30 or 50 amp plug. You can be killed!!! Why not plug in your coach?? Why test with the volt stick?? If it does not work you gotta move anyway because ol Earl or Betty at the office wont be fixing that. And checking your stairs to see if coach is electrified?? These things are grounded, maybe 70 years ago they were not. Clear sewer hose elbows still have me scratching my head. Why do you want to look at the Yuk?? You hear it flush, then you rinse, then rinse again. Another unnecessary gadget. A month worth of poop is not something I enjoy looking at. Drill bit attachment on manual jacks...really now we need to exercise our hearts. 12 seconds with a crank is to much?? You want to haul around and out a battery drill? Also, when going down the ground will give but when drawing up it locks at the top with no notice and older folks can break a wrist if the power drill is running fast. Crank that dude by hand and enjoy some exercise. Fuse in the 5th wheel plug should only be attempted by a skilled electrician or RV mechanic, again...what if the generator is started when you are poking around in that plug?? Disaster and major shock.That fuse can melt the plug and you will drain your batteries quick even if properly applied. Clear containers are awesome.

[@LoveYourRV]

I like watching poop and hate hand cranking jacks - different strokes I guess! "Why not plug in your coach?? Why test with the volt stick?? And checking your stairs to see if coach is electrified??" - Answers here --->> www.noshockzone.org/rv-electrical-safety-part-iv-%E2%80%93-hot-skin/ "What if the generator is started when you are poking around in that plug?? " - Won't make any difference it's only low voltage 12 volt DC power from the battery present there not 120 VAC. No danger of major shock. It's low current 12 volt DC power. "That fuse can melt the plug" - if there was enough current flowing to melt the plug the fuse would have blown long before that, that's the point of using a fuse and not just a piece of wire. On top of that, there is a second failsafe of the fuse in the trailer wiring circuit. Some company is even selling a cover that does the same thing - www.rvglow.com/ You will only run down the battery if you aren't plugged into shore power. If you aren't plugged in and dry camping you should already be aware that running any lights will drain a battery. Cheers Ray

[@ebfabulous]

OMG ! a ladder outside the bedroom window??? How about a sign saying "Attention rapists, enter here " ?????

[@LoveYourRV]

elizabeth barrett The emergency window is locked only openable from the inside and the night blinds are down, so what's the rapist going to do stand on the ladder looking stupid? If a rapist wants inside an RV there are a lot easier ways than up a ladder and breaking and tiny window to crawl through. How about just pop open the door with a small crowbar.