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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2020 Ford F-250 7.3L “Godzilla” Gas Engine Towing MPG Update 9/20/2021

Ford F-250 Super Duty

Okay, now we have lots of data.

Over 5,000 miles of towing in all sorts of conditions.

Some other points:

  • Our trailer usually weighs between 8,000 and 8,500 points
  • We tow at max speed of 55 mph (this is a California law)
  • Always use “Tow/Haul” mode
  • Use cruise control most of the time
  • Most trips our routes include some steep hills

Continue reading 2020 Ford F-250 7.3L “Godzilla” Gas Engine Towing MPG Update 9/20/2021 →

A Camping “Shakedown” Trip

Camping

It has been about 10 months since we went camping. We have never gone that long between trips. This abnormal behavior was due to Joyce breaking her ankle in 3 places back in September of 2020.

Joyce’s ankle is healed and it was time to renew our habit of “excellent camping adventures.” Since the camper has been sitting for nearly a year, I decided a short trip of around 5 hours each way for 5 days was a good starting point.

But there was one problem: last year’s problem of full campgrounds has extended and even gotten worse in 2021. To compound this, we wanted to camp the week leading up to the 4th of July weekend. What a mess! Continue reading A Camping “Shakedown” Trip →

Is Fleece Obsolete?

Backpacking Gear, ,

Fleece insulation has been a staple for backpacking and other outdoor pursuits since Patagonia introduced synthetic pile and then Synchilla fleece decades ago.

Over the past few years I have seen more and more articles comparing fleece to synthetic polyester batting material such as Polarguard, Climashield and similar materials as a better option to fleece.

These batten materials are lighter than fleece with an equal insulation rating, are more compact when packed, and the manufacturers state the material insulates when wet.

Sounds like a winner to me!

Or is it just hype?

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The Time of COVID: Out of Stock and Backordered

What's Up With That?

What’s Up With That?

Joyce and I don’t buy much “stuff.”

And even if we did, this has been common during the past few months . . .

When we do purchase an item, we do our research, and buy the best we can afford with an eye to quality, durability, and functionality. So the pandemic hasn’t affected us much, other than I would like to buy another telescope, which will probably not be available until next year.

Last summer I read, and friends confirmed, that many outdoor products were not available. Tents, canoes and kayaks, exercise equipment, telescopes, binoculars, cameras and similar equipment were in short supply and often completely unavailable.

Back in August we drove past an Airstream Travel Trailer dealer in Las Vegas, which usually has dozens of shiny new trailers on the lot. At the time there were only around 6 on the lot, and all were used.

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