Category Archives: Travel Trailer

Maintenance: Fresh Water Tank Fill Hose Replacement

Travel Trailer

I knew it was going to happen. It happened on our 2006 Fleetwood Niagara.

The fresh water tank fill hose started to leak. It was cracked from age.

It’s just a hose, right?

Go to the local hardware store and buy some new bulk hose of almost any kind, because the fill hose is not under pressure. Wrong. I went through this with our previous trailer, because I really didn’t want the same exact hose because, well because, it had failed.

There is one problem with this apparently simple solution —  hardware stores don’t sell this size hose. I was able to come up with something on the old trailer, which was expensive, but I needed something right away as we were in the  midst of leaving for a trip.

This time, time wasn’t a pressing issue.

So off to Amazon’s website I went . . .

 

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RV Maintenance: Leaking Water Heater Hose Connections

Travel Trailer

Recreational vehicles need a lot of maintenance. Seems like after every trip there is some little thing that needs repair. Talking to other people, even the humongous motor homes and top of the line Airstream travel trailers suffer the same malady.

On our last trip our water heater started leaking (again see this post about some of the repairs I’ve had to do over the years, including a similar water heater leak).

Removing the cabinet access panel inside the trailer to get to the water heater, I could see water coming out of the hose connection fittings to the water heater. Knowing the needed parts are not available in most hardware stores, we just shut off the water pump when not using water. I would have to source the parts (and spares) once we got home. Something I should have done a long time ago.

Here’s the fix and the parts you should probably keep on hand.

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When Should You Replace Your Trailer Tires?

Travel Trailer,

Interesting that the most popular post on this site is Tire Pressure Secrets for Camping Trailers & Tow Vehicles with over 17,000 views since I published it in 2016.

Perhaps it isn’t popular and folks just think I’m an idiot. Given that, tires are important.

I just replaced the tires on our camper, which were a little over 4 years old. It might be helpful to share this information as to when tires should be replaced. Not when the tread is worn, which should be an obvious indicator, but is there a certain time limit for tires? Continue reading When Should You Replace Your Trailer Tires? →

The Business Case for Renting an RV Instead of Buying One

Travel Trailer

 

The average person can become a multi-millionaire and create a secure retirement. Buying toys like recreational vehicles, motorcycles, and other stuff is a sure way NOT to become financially independent. For most people who like to go camping, renting instead of purchasing is smarter. If you go to a RV dealer, the salesman will likely tell you that a RV is an investment. That is absolutely false – a RV is a depreciating asset. Continue reading The Business Case for Renting an RV Instead of Buying One →

The Changing Landscape of Campgrounds

Camping, General Talk, Tent Trailer, Travel Trailer,

We just got back from a two-week camping trip a few days ago and the changes are plainly visible for Joyce and me – we are frequent campers. No, this isn’t a post about climate change. Over the past four years I have seen dramatic changes in the use of the campgrounds we frequent. Keep in mind that this is an unscientific perspective from my little corner of the world where people can and do camp all 12 months of the year. 

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A History of Repairs to Our Milan Travel Trailer

Tent Trailer, Travel Trailer,

The biggest problem with travel trailers and RV’s is things rattle and move while traveling on the roads and things get worse if you are a person who is happy to drive on dirt roads to get to the best campsites. This vibration causes things to come loose and sometimes causes things to break. It is inevitable – not a question of probability, but when. Continue reading A History of Repairs to Our Milan Travel Trailer →

Sewer Crap

Travel Trailer
Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

I thought the title might be an attention getter. With a little thought and the proper maintenance procedures, dealing with RV waste isn’t the awful task many make it out to be, and you should never have a Cousin Eddie moment. So I thought I’d share some of the sewer crap accessories we I use. To be accurate, sewage is not a we thing. Sewage is 100% percent my responsibility, except for the task of generating said sewage.

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Does A Weight Distribution Hitch Increase Tongue Weight?

Camper Upgrades, Travel Trailer, , , , ,

The short answer is, No.

 

Often trying to find detailed information on trailer towing is difficult at best.

When we bought our current trailer and tow vehicle I knew that we would be close to the maximum capacity specifications for both. Most of the self-proclaimed or perceived experts would say buy a bigger tow vehicle if you are going to be close to the tow vehicle’s maximum specification for gross trailer weight and/or tongue weight. In other words, “buy a bigger gun.”

I am not a hunter and I have never hunted. But I know you don’t hunt elk with a pocket knife (too small) or a rocket propelled grenade (too big). You use a rifle with the correct caliber of bullet and other attributes that combined are a match for taking an elk. And so it is with our tow vehicle. The manufacturer (Ford) says we can safely tow a trailer that weighs up to 9,200 lbs fully loaded as long as the tongue weight is between 10% and 15% of the trailer’s weight and the tongue weight doesn’t exceed 920 lbs using a weight distribution hitch also known as a WDH, and at the same time the tow vehicle cannot exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or any Gross Axle Weight Ratings, and the Combined Gross Vehicle Weight.

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