A Level RV Is Important For Many Reasons

You probably know that having a level RV is necessary for the proper operation of such appliances as your refrigerator. The refrigerator’s compressor needs to be level to properly process the ammonia or other refrigerant through the cooling system to keep your freezer frozen and your groceries cold.

Two lanes reduce waiting time and they are fairly level too.

Although we try to stay at campgrounds and RV parks with full hookups, we often find ourselves at places that require one to trek to the dump station, get pumped out, or run back and forth with the tote to empty our holding tanks. We’ve seen some nice dump stations and some that…well, lets say they just aren’t conducive with getting everything out of one’s holding tanks.

But did you know that you really should also be level when you dump your holding tanks? Most never give it a thought but it could be the cause of some of the clogging issues many are seeking solutions for on the various forums and social media platforms.

Raising the right side and front was required here due to the slope of the parking lot.

Let me try to illustrate to you what happens when you dump your holding tanks without the rig being level.

If the drain side is too low, the solids in the tank could create a blockage that won’t allow the tank to empty completely. Hence you find the tank filling up faster than expected.

If the drain side is too high, the solids will settle to the farthest point from the drain, allowing only the liquids to run off and exit the tank. This leaves the waste solids to solidify and never evacuate the tank without some extraordinary measures to remove the crusty residue….the dreaded cone of crap.

Having a level RV means not only side to side, but front to back as well. It doesn’t take much of an angle to prevent the waste from properly and completely exiting through the dump valve and down into drain.

Ideally you want your rig as level as possible front to back and side to side to ensure all of the holding tanks contents remain suspended together and exit completely.

Tow Dolly Tires

A few months ago I noticed that the tread on our tow dolly tires had started to display an uneven wear pattern. It wasn’t a pattern that I could associate with wheel alignment or over/under inflation that one would expect to see.

Where To Buy RVing Stuff

With many of the better known RV and camping retailers releasing their new 2015 catalogs, many of you are thumbing or scrolling through the pages dreaming of all of the RVing STUFF you want or need for your RVing pleasure or maintenance. While these places offer good selection and some are conveniently located near you, they may not be the best place to shop if you’re trying to stretch your hard earned dollars.

RV Window Screens

You probably don’t even give it a thought, but your RV window screens are your first defense against dirt, dust and other particulates floating around in the air. Keeping them clean has two important purposes: First, the air flow through the open windows will be more efficient. Second, you’ll breath better.

Now consider how much air moves through those screens. RVers tend to use their roof exhaust fans to vent out the warm air, and in order for air (and the heat and moisture it holds) to escape, air has to be coming into the rig…through the screens. That constant cycle of of airflow causes the screens to load up with dust, pollen and other things floating around in the air quicker than if you’re using the air conditioning. If you live in areas where there are a lot of Cottonwood trees, you know how quickly it can stick to window screens.

RV Maintenance – Slide Toppers

Slide Toppers are those awning-like things that extend and retract with the slider. Some hate them, others love them. I am glad our motorhome has them, even though they add to the maintenance chore list.

The purpose of slide toppers is to help shed water off the slide when extended, to help prevent water from pooling and getting under or around the gasket that keeps the inside of the slide dry and draft free. They also help to keep debris from settling on top of the slide, which if not removed before closing the slide will cause damage to the gaskets and the slide itself. You don’t want your slide functioning as a trash compactor crushing leaves, twigs and other things that trees tend to shed constantly.