Who'd a thunk or Best Practices for Troublefree Operation
MarkS said
10:19 AM Nov 28, 2013
The question about gray tank sensors reading incorrectly because of grease made me wonder about common practices that seasoned RVers do to enjoy trouble free coach operation. I'm talking about the simple habits that help prevent problems. Everyday behaviors that a newby wouldn't think about or maintenance actions that you repeat to clean or prevent XXX. Suggestions like, always use Dawn because it really cuts grease, or flush and rinse the black tank every fourth dump to prevent making mountains out of mole hills, are the kinds of recommendations everyone could use. My holding tanks haven't been delivered yet,neither has the rest of the coach, so I am really interested in best practices in every facet of operation.
if we could get enough of these "tips and tricks", we could publish an ebook or checklist to benefit everyone.
The only dumb suggestion is one you didn't share.
Lucky Mike said
11:02 AM Nov 28, 2013
My all time favorites!!!
1. Dishwasher detergent......adding a 1/4 cup after dumping and adding 5 gallons of water to the holding tanks both black and grey will rinse and clean the sensors and tank during travel....Adding a bag of Ice to the black tank is a plus!!!
Note: reason for Dishwashing detergent is its low foaming effect and its concentrate.....a tide ball or laundry packet also works well
2. Fabric softner sheets placed in cabinets and chases has been proven to keep rodents at bay......not to mention keeps the basement and hose storage area smelling a little better
3. liquor store bottle spacers found in the boxes are great to keep cups and glasses safe during travel and keeps the noise down!!!
simple vinegar wiping on the counters will keep them pesky ants running in the other direction!!!!!
4. converting a wooden roll top bread box and placing it in the drivers area of a coach makes for a great fast storage and retrieval of cell phones and other things within reach of the driver....I even added cup holders to the top of mine
5. a cheap solar lite mounted in the vent area or in the shower skylite makes a great nitelite in the bathroom without drawing on batteries durring overnite stops
6. if you like to black your tires....try dish soap!!! it will dry to a gloss on your tires and next time you wash you wont have to add soap to remove the dirt!!!!
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
08:36 PM Nov 28, 2013
That a great idea on #6!
Use baby powder on rubber seals to keep them suptle. I do this on the inside slide seals, and use 303 Aerospace on the outside wiper seals.
MarkS said
01:03 PM Nov 29, 2013
Mike and Jim, that's exactly what I'm talking about. I'm sure everyone has little tricks to care for their coach and make their RV experience worry free.
Terry and Jo said
09:29 PM Nov 29, 2013
On our Mobile Suites, we have four batteries because of having an inverter. The slide-out battery trays that were used will not allow the batteries to come out far enough for one to check and fill the back cells on those batteries. I have one of those "Original Quik-Fold Tables" like one finds at Camping World. I take that and set it up in front of the tray and put a 2"x4" or 2"x6" board across it. That way, I can pull the batteries up and and put the leading end (the one closest to me) out on that 2-by, which allows me to reach all of the cells.
We also have a wireless remote thermometer with an extra temperature sensor so that I can monitor the outside temps, the temps in the underbelly, and the "base" lets me monitor the temperature inside the coach. I wrote a piece about it on my blog. Technology is VERY Helpful
Terry
Grams said
10:47 AM Dec 9, 2013
Mike, Didn't know about "simple vinegar wiping on the counters will keep them pesky ants running in the other direction!!!!!" Could have used that this fall! I used a spray ... now I have a safer alternative.
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
03:15 PM Dec 9, 2013
Another thing I have done is put quick disconnects on all my water hoses. The only thing that I have to thread on my Y-valve and everything else quick connects to the Y.
GENECOP said
05:37 PM Dec 9, 2013
Couple of times a year I put Seafoam into the Diesel tank, I also run the Genny so the Seafoam runs through it as well....Fuel stabilization is also good for those extended down times...
Lucky Mike said
06:22 PM Dec 9, 2013
Good Stuff Gene!!!............I run that thru at least 4 times a year!!!!...........(it reminds me when my dad and grandfather would put marvel mystery oil in) seafoam has cured alot of problems for me and definitely will clean up the carb on a generator pretty fast!!......Good Call :thumbs up:
WestWardHo said
10:20 AM Dec 11, 2013
Another anti-ant thing is corn meal! Kills ants and sprinkled around ground touch points will keep them out. Safe & bio-degradable
The question about gray tank sensors reading incorrectly because of grease made me wonder about common practices that seasoned RVers do to enjoy trouble free coach operation. I'm talking about the simple habits that help prevent problems. Everyday behaviors that a newby wouldn't think about or maintenance actions that you repeat to clean or prevent XXX. Suggestions like, always use Dawn because it really cuts grease, or flush and rinse the black tank every fourth dump to prevent making mountains out of mole hills, are the kinds of recommendations everyone could use. My holding tanks haven't been delivered yet,neither has the rest of the coach, so I am really interested in best practices in every facet of operation.
if we could get enough of these "tips and tricks", we could publish an ebook or checklist to benefit everyone.
The only dumb suggestion is one you didn't share.
1. Dishwasher detergent......adding a 1/4 cup after dumping and adding 5 gallons of water to the holding tanks both black and grey will rinse and clean the sensors and tank during travel....Adding a bag of Ice to the black tank is a plus!!!
Note: reason for Dishwashing detergent is its low foaming effect and its concentrate.....a tide ball or laundry packet also works well
2. Fabric softner sheets placed in cabinets and chases has been proven to keep rodents at bay......not to mention keeps the basement and hose storage area smelling a little better
3. liquor store bottle spacers found in the boxes are great to keep cups and glasses safe during travel and keeps the noise down!!!
simple vinegar wiping on the counters will keep them pesky ants running in the other direction!!!!!
4. converting a wooden roll top bread box and placing it in the drivers area of a coach makes for a great fast storage and retrieval of cell phones and other things within reach of the driver....I even added cup holders to the top of mine
5. a cheap solar lite mounted in the vent area or in the shower skylite makes a great nitelite in the bathroom without drawing on batteries durring overnite stops
6. if you like to black your tires....try dish soap!!! it will dry to a gloss on your tires and next time you wash you wont have to add soap to remove the dirt!!!!
Use baby powder on rubber seals to keep them suptle. I do this on the inside slide seals, and use 303 Aerospace on the outside wiper seals.
On our Mobile Suites, we have four batteries because of having an inverter. The slide-out battery trays that were used will not allow the batteries to come out far enough for one to check and fill the back cells on those batteries. I have one of those "Original Quik-Fold Tables" like one finds at Camping World. I take that and set it up in front of the tray and put a 2"x4" or 2"x6" board across it. That way, I can pull the batteries up and and put the leading end (the one closest to me) out on that 2-by, which allows me to reach all of the cells.
We also have a wireless remote thermometer with an extra temperature sensor so that I can monitor the outside temps, the temps in the underbelly, and the "base" lets me monitor the temperature inside the coach. I wrote a piece about it on my blog. Technology is VERY Helpful
Terry
Good Stuff Gene!!!............I run that thru at least 4 times a year!!!!...........(it reminds me when my dad and grandfather would put marvel mystery oil in) seafoam has cured alot of problems for me and definitely will clean up the carb on a generator pretty fast!!......Good Call :thumbs up:
Jesse