318. The WORST RV Advice You've Ever Heard

Last week we asked the RV Miles community about the best RV advice you've ever heard, and this week, we're sharing the other side of it. The WORST RV advice you've overheard or have had someone give you. Plus, what percentage of people don't cancel reservations they aren't going to use?‪@Thedyrt‬ has the answer.
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[@markwiegard8384]

The person needs to learn to back their toys in. Helping them to understand how to use their mirrors is the best help.

[@pierredaigneault5615]

About the bacon grease problem : Washing it down ANY drain is a bad idea, just pour it in a glass jar in the fridge and use it to pan fry leftover boiled potatoes for dinner. Taste is heavenly and you won't clog pipes.Well, maybe your arteries, if it's a dayly thing !

[@jamesr208]

The Salt N Pepa reference 🤣. Yep, card carrying Gen X. I’m right there too.

[@RVMilesPodcast]

I was wondering if my Salt N Pepa people would show up. #GenXPride

[@pierredaigneault5615]

About the backing up advice: New tech: pre-wired for driving/back-up camera with wireless dash mounted monitor in pulling vehicle. But beginners could ask for a drive-thru site if available.

[@ronaldstarreveld]

Love you guys. So much great information. As for the statement “ sure it’ll tow this “ usually follow that up with “ but will it stop it ?” Folks need to realize the tow rating is for perfect conditions. People need to think about the what if situation Keep up the great work.

[@RVMilesPodcast]

“Will it stop” - excellent reminder of how important that step is when it comes to safety. Thank you!

[@vanananag7736]

Jason, my husband took a tip from another RV influencer regarding black tank and stinky slinky handling. Use a heavy pair of non disposable rubber/ plastic gloves to handle the dumping of grey and black tanks. The heavy gloves are easily applied and removed and are reusable. Keep disposable bleach wipes to clean up any mess. Wash hands with soap and water after use.

[@pierredaigneault5615]

Mechanic's gloves are indestructible, wash and dry before removing, good to go!

[@penelopebartell840]

Totally with Jason on the gloves situation. We do sanitize outside and use a wipe prior to washing hands with soap and water because we have to open a door to get into the RV to wash hands. Same with filling fuel… Big believers in washing hands with soap whenever we get home, period. And before eating dinner, potluck or not! But truly, the serving utensil handles at any buffet are probably the biggest vector for things transmitted via unwashed hands 😁🤔

[@darwinbeachem5412]

Totally agree. In the summer they make your hands sweat like crazy, most of them will shred if they get caught on the edge of the bayonet connector. I use sanitizer right after I'm done and wash my hands before I get on the road.

[@kknox5795]

I do both - gloves then sanitize - but then I'm a bit of a germaphobe!

[@penelopebartell840]

@@kknox5795 One of our germaphobe actions is that for the fresh water, we spray the fresh water faucet handle and hose valve fitting etc with bleach spray prior to using :)

[@MarkLuffman]

Puyallup RV Show - please tell us more. Maybe we’ll drive over to visit while you are on duty! [Class A camp hosting in the area.]

[@kknox5795]

Best advice received from a reputable dealer: "Yes, your SUV has the power/suspension to safely tow a trailer this heavy; however, your SUV does not have the wheelbase to safely tow a trailer this long."

[@sherriweber7105]

I’m back and now I’m on this podcast now! That’s sounds crazy to make a reservation and never show up.

[@carolconnell9521]

I made a reservation for 1 week, showed up and the CG was absolutely disgusting. I left the next day but didn’t ask for my money back. Found a delightful CG down the road and stayed the rest of the week. Not sure how the CG would recognize that.

[@LawrenceTuckerFyretuck]

"Slurry", not to be confused with "surrey," is probably a better word than "soup!" 😉

[@sherriweber7105]

I want to say hope you all have a great Memorial Day! 🇺🇸 Hope have a great time with family. Love you and see you soon! 🤗😘

[@RVMilesPodcast]

You too!! See you soon! -A

[@sherriweber7105]

You’re right Abby sone might have forgotten to cancel out their reservations. Something might have happened too that came up as an emergency. And they forgot to cancel.

[@MrRoboto2338]

Agree with yoy 💯 on Baseball and how they have abandoned over the air traditional broadcasts in major markets. We don't have cable, and are only option is to sign up for MLB or the Regional Sports Network. They are missing out on a substantial number of viewers.

[@pierredaigneault5615]

About the capacity of the towing vehicle: the capacity to PULL a trailer is not the main concern, it's the BRAKING capacity that may be dangerous!

[@williammaitland216]

We have been camping for over 40 years. When reservations came about,,, we quit…

[@TrishBenedict]

Cancellations have been a sore point for me since the '70s when I went to Hana. We tried to get reservations in the city park to pitch a tent and we were told they were all booked up. But when we got to, there was nobody there. Literally nobody. There need to be financial penalties if you don't show up and you don't cancel. And on the other side, the reservation people need to make it easy. If you can do it online, great, but when we had to cancel a reservation at a local regional Park,(my husband lost a hearing aid and that was the first audiologist appointment we could get and It was critical for him to get plugged into the audiology process) and the website didn't allow for same-day cancellations, I sat on a hold for about 20 minutes before I got somebody. A lot of people would've given up and said 'screw it'. But I am a nice responsible person who believes strongly in canceling reservations (!) so I told her they needed to have an answering machine that people can just call if they need to cancel.

[@RVMilesPodcast]

Thank you for staying on hold to cancel your reservation. I’m sure someone out there was able to grab the spot last minute and appreciated you taking the time to do that! -A

[@markwiegard8384]

One thing is true about poop, it’s water soluble 🤷‍♂️ if anything you would want to protect yourself from the black tank treatments more than the poop water. Keep that extra bottle of bacteria gel left over from covid close to where you store the stinky slinky (RV Need phrase). So I agree with both, gloves and wash your hands before inviting people over for a cookout 😀👍

[@markwiegard8384]

Backing up 70 feet, couldn’t ask for better practice 😆 The Hanks had to back their Solitude a couple of miles boon docking. This is part of the experience….relax and anticipate how many times you will be telling newbies the story, enjoy 🤷‍♂️

[@alanlillich6738]

This was a very fun episode! Please don't ignore me because this is a KZbin comment. 😂 I have three bits of feedback. Todd's Two Minute Tech Tips at the NRVTA site has a good video on tank sanitization. I don't recall why but not sanitizing your water heater with bleach is a thing. We sanitize with hydrogen peroxide, which is safe for the water heater. I have a slightly softer opinion about dumping some grayish water outside. We have a small travel trailer and often wash dishes outside in plastic basins. If we are not on a full hookup we sometimes dispose of the water in the same way tent campers are allowed. This is usually in the drain at a water spigot. Yes we wipe things first with paper towels so the water is not full of food particles and grease. I respect Jason's opinion about not using gloves when dumping. I just hope he has someone else open doors and turn on faucets for him to wash after. I feel better using gloves and washing after. As a comparison, would Jason wash a toilet with bare hands?

[@alancavin]

I find a lot of people who have been RVing for a long time, give advice based on old technology! Things that worked 15-20 years ago may not be applicable today!

[@GoingNoWhereFast]

I always use my reservations, but I do know people who don't cancel when they see the weather may not be perfect, or their kids little league team suddenly qualified for the World Series for their town! The cheapest camp grounds are most likely to be left. I also see where some "Older" 5th wheelers will reserve the site next to them so they aren't bothered by neighbors!

[@anthonyb2334]

Here are my takes: Our on the road plans change for a variety of reasons. We generally let the campground know if we are not coming, even if we don’t get a refund. But there are some state campgrounds or Forest Service campgrounds that CHARGE you to cancel or change that reservation. So if we aren’t sure if we can make it, we may let it ride. But we do our best to let the campgrounds know when we aren’t coming.

[@user-qm1hr1ie3d]

Always use vinegar to sanitize your hot water.

[@markwiegard8384]

You don’t need to bleach the water heater, when it heats the water it kills any bacteria or above 125 - 137 degrees.

[@markwiegard8384]

I traveled for a living for 7 years. Hotels, eating out, renting a car….today with bed bugs, illegal immigrates from third world countries bringing back once thought to be cured diseases, funguses, and lice….sleeping in my own bed, eating and cooking in my own kitchen, and showering in my own bathroom everyday is worth hooking and unhooking while traveling. Besides, we have pups and they like it too. 🐶

[@markwiegard8384]

I think the reason the government camping isn’t priced high enough. The low prices should be reserved for retirement age (62) then the parks should have an average fees close to the same price as private/commercial campgrounds. As one potential solution which isn’t conducive for full timers like yourselves. Another option is make a no show fee painful. A no show without 36 hour advanced notice is to double the daily camp charge at the end of their scheduled booking period. The government websites will have this in bold print with a check box next to the statement ✅ Any or all fines that are applied in a new revenue column and set aside for national parks to apply for park improvements and or need repairs. That way people will have a tough time waving the “I’m a tax payer too” or “who gets the extra funds”. The fines would be considered as a thank you for the voluntary donation to the parks and the fine could be a tax deduction (takes the pain out a little more). Take a negative and make it a positive support for the parks. We love Corp of Engineer parks and don’t want to pull to find them full when we get there. That’s all I got. 🤷‍♂️

[@bonniehanely4882]

We’ve booked the day before we were to arrive at a campground where the check in time was 5pm. That way we could check in earlier in the day.

[@markwiegard8384]

I think the reason the government camping isn’t priced high enough. The low prices should be reserved for retirement age (62) then the parks should have an average fees close to the same price as private/commercial campgrounds. As one potential solution which isn’t conducive for full timers like yourselves. Another option is make a no show fee painful. A no show without 36 hour advanced notice is to double the daily camp charge at the end of their scheduled booking period. The government websites will have this in bold print with a check box next to the statement ✅ Any or all fines that are applied in a new revenue column and set aside for national parks to apply for park improvements and or need repairs. That way people will have a tough time waving the “I’m a tax payer too” or “who gets the extra funds”. The fines would be considered as a thank you for the voluntary donation to the parks. Take a negative and make it a positive support for the parks. We love Corp of Engineer parks and don’t want to pull to find them full when we get there. That’s all I got. 🤷‍♂️

[@johndagricola]

The whole non-cancel reservation discussion comes down to this: entitled, self-absorbed, inconsiderate, my life and happiness is all that matters, E.T.C.

[@MeAndTreeRV]

As a BRAND NEW member of the RV community in a Class B, enjoying your channel.

[@RVMilesPodcast]

Welcome to the RV community! Glad to have you here!

[@utahiker]

Half ton towable. Yeah, right. I bought a F-250 last month.

[@laureljaneg]

Amazed at the amount of people that can’t be bothered to cancel their campsite reservations. Like Abby said most probably a week or so in advance that they’re not gonna be able to use the reservation. It will be interesting to see how California fares with their new rules.

[@sherriweber7105]

Jason and Abby I was thinking about this all day and wondering about what it would be like if someone left their black open and great Lt tank while driving on the highway. It would be one big mess. I think! I could be wrong but I think I saw that on a KZbin video KZbin put out. It was a while ago.

[@RVMilesPodcast]

It would be a very awful mess and incredibly gross. Let’s hope no one out there is doing something like that. -A 🤢

[@sherriweber7105]

@@RVMilesPodcast Ya really! I hope not too! That would be gross! lol!

[@danieldean1372]

The worst advice that we have ever gotten was. "Take it back to the dealer and they'll repair it". 😅 We take ours back to the manufacturer after having ours at the dealer for three months and never repaired. The manufacturer always repairs our correctly the first time and in just days.

[@territ8837]

It just makes me angry when a park still charges you for a night’s stay if you need to cancel AND give a reasonable amount of notice. At least return a percentage of that money if you cancel a reasonable amount of time beforehand. Arkansas state parks charge you for one night even if you cancel. I think more people would cancel earlier if they knew they would be reimbursed some of that money.

[@laureljaneg]

State of California will actually give you a credit that is good for five years if you cancel in a timely manner.

[@jamesr208]

MLB blackout restrictions are the worst. I live 360 mi from Baltimore and can’t watch the Orioles unless I pay up for the crazy expensive package on directtv.

[@RVMilesPodcast]

that is just wild! We are about 190 miles from Wrigley and I can't believe they think I should pay all that money to watch. Hard pass. -A

[@pierredaigneault5615]

@@RVMilesPodcast It's not about distance it's about the billion dollars stadium rental cost and hundred of millions paid to the players!

[@MonacoMike]

The biggest misconception about 'grey water' is that it isn't always just soapy water. If you wash your dishes after eating you are also adding food scraps to your grey water. I suppose someone could say that soapy water from a grey tank is no different than washing your RV with soapy water but not when you bring in food scraps to rot on the ground.

[@MeAndTreeRV]

“E4 can’t take it down…” Am I the only one who immediately thought “What does the E4 Mafia have to do with it”? 😂

[@ChloeGirlDoggie]

Dumping water of whatever color . . . An RV is a home, whether permanent or temporary; just as we are tied to sewer or septic in our stick and brick homes, our RV is tied to sewer/septic via dump stations. I have yet to see a stick/brick homeowner collect and dump their water (kitchen, shower, or toilet) in their backyard - why do it in RV? Seriously people! Jason- saw you at the Puyallup for a portion of your Alaska presentation; nice to be able to see you in person :)

[@RVMilesPodcast]

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoyed the RV show!

[@sherriweber7105]

Hi Abby and Jason! I just wanted you to know wish you Abby a Happy Mother’s Day!🌸🌺🌺🌷 And you mothers as well. Both your moms I mean. Jason I hope you pamper Abby! lol!

[@RVMilesPodcast]

Thank you so much!

[@sherriweber7105]

@@RVMilesPodcast Oh no problem! Abby. You are a mom after all! lol! Going to get to watch a podcast today. That’s my Mother’s Day gift to get caught up. lol!

[@MulligansBlog]

It seems in sanitizing amount - bleach may be fine, but hot water tanks are different and I’d follow mfg guidelines. It seems you stumbled on yet a “1/2 ton towing type” question! 😂😂😂

[@judystreich7333]

Really hits a nerve when watching YT video and owners do NOT have a toilet in it and actually say they just let their gray water go on the ground and do their thing in nature because they can, and they are “out boon docking”, trying to justify their lifestyle. Oh, hell no, just wrong and gives the rest of us a bad rep.

[@penelopebartell840]

Try local honey, daily. For the allergies.

[@RVMilesPodcast]

Just picked up some local honey with the intention of doing this now that we are actual locals of one area. lol.

[@user-ke4yg2zh2y]

Hear s m response that don’t matter

[@2ndSprings]

Some NFS places in Cali require 2-days if a day on the weekend is needed. If you only need one, then it's THE GOVERNMENT that requires you to purchase an extra day. This retired Gen-X'er is all for moralizing against the government, but not the generations... ;-)

[@2ndSprings]

BTW, thanks for your consistently great content!

[@Timothy-jo7tb]

So Mentos and Coke a Cola is not a good idea to clean your black tank

[@RVMilesPodcast]

Let's just say - we aren't going to do it. lol.

[@whitleyrobertson7070]

Jason, Jason, Jason….”on accident”? Really?!, I am not sure how that became ok but it is “by accident”…..sorry I have to say something every time I hear it……sign a baby boomer….

[@mrsjohnson1743]

Eeee hoo hoo hoo! Sorry but GOT to wear gloves for black tank. It makes cleaning hands so much easier. I like that they can be quickly taken off to touch door handles, etc. Gosh, they wear them in hospitals, right? 🤷‍♀️

[@RVMilesPodcast]

I support this school of thinking! -A

[@MaryWehmeier]

Then why do we make comments? Jason- get her! We’re not mad! LOL Your kids are going to be traumatized! LOL.

[@RVMilesPodcast]

No, please keep leaving comments. I truly wasn’t trying to be disrespectful and apologize that it came across that way. -A

[@GoingNoWhereFast]

I wish you guys would stop talking over each other... Hard to understand what you said since you both sounds similar!

[@jamesr208]

The verbal sparring between them is the funniest part of the show! Hit rewind, it’s worth it

[@pierredaigneault5615]

What? You can't read their lips? LOL

[@GoingNoWhereFast]

@@pierredaigneault5615 You know, It's like their an old married couple... oh wait, maybe they are!!