I bought a package of paper price tags (the kind with a string attached). At every campsite, I write our last name, campground name, site #, and phone number on a tag. I then attach the tag to our dog’s collar, in case he wanders off. Twice, his leash became loose and he was brought back to us at our campsite.
@@todayissomeday My wife and I are pretty close to pulling the trigger on our first RV and what started out as a daunting undertaking, has been made so much easier by watching real people share their experiences. We're so much more confident in our choices and no longer feel like we don't have any idea what we're getting into. Plus it's entertaining. :) Semper Fi!
@@andrewlamont5624 ?..You’re a Marine...you capable of doing anything!...IMO, of course, lol. Thank you for your service. Seriously, y’all will be fine. Wishing you many, many years of rv enjoying.
As a 33 year retired cop, I can’t tell you what a great tip it is to write your address to where you are staying every time. And in a place you can see it at a time of crisis. A great tip for all and a really nice magnet for people to purchase Nice job on this video
If you like to pretrip.then get a dry eraser marker so you can write on the far upper left hand side of your windshield in short hand form what inerstates you will be driving on that day and or the exits you want to take if you dont have a GPS to help guide you so you have a better chance of keeping your eyes on the road instead of looking at a price of paper as you drive
There are some great apps, like weatherbug. It will drop a pin where your at and you can add the location to monitored areas so you get notified of severe weather, advisories or warnings and it also has a lightning monitor to tell you if there has been a lightning strike within 10 miles of you. It's available for IOS but not sure if they make an android version.
Hi, I have a suggestion on the veteran shirts. This is assuming you haven't already thought of it. How about I shirt the states "Proud Veteran Spouse" (With the Military branch on the side). Military spouses sacrifice just like the military members and should be recognized as well. Just a thought, thanks. Ronnie
We have a proud military family which encompases eveyrone. As someone who is a veteran and a veterans wife I couldn't agree more! The entire family sacrifices so much!
We not only have the emergency info on the fridge but also our campground name, site # and office # then we we also take pictures on our phone and we make that photo our wallpaper on our phone so even in an emergency EMT can see on phone where we are located.
My tip: when we get ready to hit the road and the fridge needs to get cold, we buy a bag of ice and put it in the fridge with our food while on the road. Your fridge is nothing more than a glorified cooler. As we travel, the fridge starts cooling down and when we get there the ice goes in the freezer to be used.
In January, facing another year of Covid restrictions, we decided (at age 76) to burst out of our bubble, buy an RV and move ahead with our life. Your channel was the first one we discovered on You Tube and you have been our mentors for the last two months as we await delivery of our new Class C RV. We are both "Army brats" who lived a military life with our family so we relate strongly to you. Thank you for these and so many other tips that have helped to educate and encourage us. We are former tent campers and pop-up tent campers with limited experience with a Class C RV and we have learned SO much from you and other generous You Tube RVers! Thank you!
That is awesome you two! Glad you are going to hit the road soon! We thank you so much for the support with the channel. Glad we could help out in any way.
The ultimate go to tip from thomyt is: If your a newbie and you are just lost on arrival at your camp site, with your new rv, and do not know what to do is: Stand next to your rv and look up at the roof with your arms closed across your chest. Someone near (another camper) will come to your rescue and ask you what you are doing? Your reply will be: I just don't know can you help me? And they will! Happy Camping and RV Fun with Thomyt
To clean the shower I use a product that’s called wet and forget shower , You just spray all the surfaces once a week and you never have to scrub ,try it I promise it works.
Always have a check list for setup and take down. Have assigned duties. Ie. Wife does the inside and husband does the outside. Have spouse / travel partner double check your assigned duties. We usually don’t need the check list anymore but do use it when starting the new camping/travel season. Old minds get rusty over the winter 😉.
My tip is use your phone to take a picture of your campground map. This has the numbers and address so when you are away you have it. It also is a historical picture of when and where you were. If you want you can also add Police Officers and Fire Fighters to your shirts. A lot of us served in those fields here at home. Take Care and safe travels.
The easiest way to keep your shower clean is to not use bar soap, the talc in the soap is what causes the buildup, by using only liquid soap, you reduce the need to clean as often. We have been doing this for way over 25 years, every since our glass shower doors came with a warning that using bar soap would void the warranty.
Always touch the pedestal with the back of your hand prior to grabbing anything on the pedestal, for instance like the door over the circuit breakers. If the pedestal happens to be electrically “hot”, when your muscles contract with the surge of electric coursing through your body, your arm will be pulled away from the pedestal instead of gripping the pedestal tighter. It is unlikely that the pedestal would be “hot”, but why risk it when there’s a simple quick test.
Turn on campground faucet before you hook up your hose. We recently hooked the hose, turned on to purge air before hooking to RV, no water! I disconnected the hose to find an acorn wedged between the faucet and hose connection.
My daughter is very active in the Civil Air Patrol. She is cadet commander, chief master sergeant. We encourage her to pursue serving in the Air Force. Thank you both for your service! We just left FL a week ago. We played on Satellite beach off of Patrick Space Force base. We also love watching those huge aircraft training. It’s the best.
This tip is for those who are debating whether or not to buy their first RV. Just do it...it's the best money you will ever spend for you and your family. We camped with a group of friends and when we all get together and share memories it is our camping memories that always get the most share-time. Whether you buy a pop-up, travel trailer, or motorhome just figure out how it works with your budget and then make it happen. The only thing you will regret is that you didn't do it sooner!
@@f1rehawksteve Steve, my wife and I have always lived by the saying, 'if it's worth having it's worth waiting for'. Finding a used RV that has been taken care of can be difficult and right now it seems like the RV market is limited on inventory. Many families started camping when Covid started and it's difficult to find what you want. If you've got your mind set on a certain brand/style of camper then I would keep saving the money and get what you want. If you buy a cheaper used unit then you might get frustrated with repairs and get a sour taste of camping. Maybe rent a couple different ones through RVShare or a similar website and test out a few styles before purchasing.
We carry an AED (automatic external defibrillator) everywhere we go. I could help you or someone else, especially if you’re boondocking. It’s not cheap ($1300) but is lifesaving. It’s also very easy to use, it tells you exactly what to do.
On the GPS when I arrive at the CG I hit my icon and save the location. Now when you leave the CG location is easy to return even at night. Got me out of a jam more than once.
Some good reminders. Number one tip for us is "pack a good attitude". We also leave a sign on the inside of the door window saying that there is a pet aboard and our phone number. Just in case a problem when we are away from the rig and "Marley" (our new rescue dog) is in the coach. We are still in SWF and actually heading back to the DR May 1 for a month. I am fully vaccinated and Pat has had dose 1 this week. Keep safe...
Just received the emergency magnet. It's going to be a great addition to our camper. My mom camps with us & she is 94. & now we'll have the info @ hand if we should need it.
So do I! Sometimes I just don't have time to clean that shower door well (always full of water spots) so I gave up on that stress and bought a shower curtain with an extension rod to hang outside the door. It hides the door and provides an additional decorative item to the bathroom.
My daughter loves tic tacs so I reuse them- remove label - great for tool kit( holds screws / misc pieces/ small nails/ small batteries/ hooks and more) spices ( slap a label and a magnet and they hang on hood fan) fish hooks ( drill a hole for air circulation). So many sizes too so I use the largest for my favourite spices. Not for Full time Rvers but maybe for the spice you want but seldom use but you can get at Bulk barn. Leave your ideas for other uses.... I have lots waiting to be filled. Ps love the dance moves!!! And music!
I keep a small bowl with soapy water in the sink to wash hands, dishes, etc. throughout the day. Keep a small mesh strainer in bowl so when you go to dump water into drain, run water through the strainer to catch food particles from going into your grey water. Purchased the emergency magnet! Great tips! Safe travels!
My tip is to NEVER panic! Slow down, think, search UA-cam. Nothing is ever as bad as it may seem. This is a great list even for us who are seasoned RVers. Thanks for sharing all these 🙋 -XO BlogginBrandi P.S. My stair motor just stopped working on the front door. So, I'll have to check into this. Glad I'm not the only one!
Hi friends. The quick connect is a great tip. I've not put those on our hoses but it looks like it is so much easier. And we love your emergency magnet. What a great idea! Thanks for the Harvest Hosts tip. "That's the sound of freedom, folks." Awesome. That was great. I always wonder what to do with our grease. I like the glass jar idea. "Brown water surprise." Oh my. Putting the date on the water filter is a great reminder as well. Thanks for these great tips, guys.
The quick connects on hoses are great. I like the plastic ones. Always carry extra drinking water hose. Like the magnet... tips for me... 1. double check the outside doors before departing. 2. Walk the sites before parking at campground. 3. Pool noodles for the slide out edges. 4. Review the items in your storage bays every few months or so. Just lets you make sure the things you are carrying still make sense. 5. Never be in hurry when leaving or arriving. People might trying to push you to hurry, but just take your time... that is when stuff gets forgotten or missed, and it will be your fault. 6. Check the pedestal for power before parking (carry circuit tester), I have had to move several times due to power.
I want one of the shirts, but I am not a Veteran. My Dad was Navy and my nephew just got promoted to Green Beret. He has been in the Army for 2 years. I'm glad you have the "I support" and "Military family" shirts. Thank you!
Just wanted to confirm your comments on the stair motor which I needed to replace on this trip. I stepped on the stairs as they were extending and stairs stopped working. The motor sold for 95.00, and was an easy install. My tip would be one you always mention is to use a surge protector & spending the extra $$ for an EMS/surge protector is a must.
At the start of the season,I soak the pressure regulator and 90 degree adaptor in CLR to counter the effects of hard water. I sanitize my drinking water hoses with a bleach solution and flush the water htr. The next time you get a chance look at some of the white water hoses in the campgrounds ,can you say ALGAE ? Now to essential components,get spares when possible.High amperage fuses for slides and house changing systems aren't on the shelf at auto zone or camping world. Lastly keep a spare water pump. In the immoral words of PHIL "ask me how I know!"🤣🤨.I pray 🙏🏿that this season allows us 🇺🇸 all to do better for ourselves and one another. Safe travels 🙏🏿💕and hope to see you out there 🙏🏿😊.
Great tips; love the magnet board. One tip we do as well, when leaving the site and RV there, we close the valve on the LP tank and water hook up to avoid bad things from happening when we aren’t there, esp when you have a pet inside.
Great tips. The first pro-tip I ever got was: Always empty the black tank before the grey tank. This is now second nature for RVers who have done it in reverse one time.
One tip I tell people is that if your looking at buying a different rig check out the inside with the slides in. See if you can move around and do whatever you want with the slides in. Sometimes we stay in parking lots and we don't need to put our slide out.
Use 2 basins for dish washing. One for soapy water, one for rinse water. At the end of the day, soapy water can be used to flush toilet, and the rinse bin becomes the soapy water for the next day. Rinse old soapy bin then it becomes the rinse bin for the next day. Collapsible bins can live in the covered sink when not in use.
My grease tip is what I use at home. Allow to cool and harden overnight, wipe the pan clean with paper towels, throw out towels in separate bag. Wash pan with Dawn. I live in SWFl and never put grease down my drains we have a weird county septic set up.
We do many of the tips you mentioned. My tip is for the water hook ups. We always spray Lysol Disinfectant on the water spigot. You never know what people do with these spigots. So we spray it as soon as we arrive. Before we hook up the hose, we rinse it.
My tip is to coat the shower and sink in a polymer-based auto polish. It easily lasts 6-12-months in a shower (and 5+ years on a vehicle). It's the same product that Car Dealerships want you to spend $400 on as an option after you buy your vehicle, to protect the paint. Unlike silicone or wax-based polishes, it doesn't make the shower floor slippery over time.
Awesome tips! Thanks for sharing. ANYTIME the trailer is going to move, my wife and I walk around the entire trailer and look up, down and under to make sure nothing is forgotten. I physically touch all doors, hatches, locks and compartments to ensure they are secure.
Great tips. I think the most valuable one I ever got from y'all was the slap bracelets checklist. They've saved me from some embarrassing goofs since we've had our motorhome. As both a Navy & airline pilot, checklists were a way of life and they certainly will save your bacon when rving . . . or keep you from trying to drive off with the jacks extended, power still plugged in, the awing out, a slide out . . . no sir . . . never happened to me. Your checklist arrived yesterday, btw. One thing to be alert to with hose fittings is galvanic corrosion (dissimilar metals), particularly connecting brass fittings to aluminum. Brass and aluminum have a thing for each other and if you leave them connected very long, they're bonded forever. So either disconnect them often (defeating the purpose of quick connect fittings) or use some sort of ant-seize compound on the threads . . . or just leave them and someday you'll get to practice your "splicing on new hose-ends" skills. I use an orange hose for my black tank flush and everything associated with the black tank is kept in an orange bin. My potable water supply hose is blue and all the stuff on the fresh side is in a blue bin. Fly Navy (where corrosion is a way of life).
My favorite three tips are peel and stick wallpaper behind the stove top and sinks. It stops messy food satters and water splatters by the kids..toothpaste is hard to get off of rv walls. Since it uses static electricity to go up it is easy to take down. The second one is rubber mats from hot depot under the table and under the bench seats at the table. Helps with spills that go down the cracks and feet and dog mess on the slide out carpet. I also use it down the middle of the coach it's padded interlocks together and is in big 24 by 24 sheets 20 for a set if 6 at home depot. I really like that the carpet stays clean and it only takes minutes to put down. The third tip is when I need a quick table cover when the grandkids are in the rig with us I use one of three things...saran wrap..wrap it around and instant table cover or if I have an extra peel and stick sheet I use that or a California king size pillow case...these are handy table covers if the kids want to craft, color with markers or paint on my rv table. No stains. I would rather throw the pillow case in the wash or trash then have a ruined table. Buy mismatched pillow cases at thrift stores. They are also good for storing extra blankets sheets and jackets in the rig.
My only thought - we use a bucket with a typical bucket handle at our stationary place in the Texas Hill Country to catch cold rainwater (which we can pour into the toilet tank) so as to not waste water (from our rainwater collection system). The traditional bucket handle might be easier than a pot handle -- plus, a typical bucket is cheap and frees up your pot for -- well, typical "pot usage" like cooking ! :)
Rereading this I now realize that it sounds like we just put a bucket out in the rain. I only mentioned rainwater because we have a more limited supply so we want to use it wisely. We catch it on the roof and store it in a tank. From there it is pumped into our house and we use it like any "normal" home does. We simply catch the cold water when running the hot water until it gets hot -- like you were saying. My only real point was about using a bucket vs. a pan. Sorry I made it confusing !🙃
Here is my suggestion: if you add solar to your RV. Maked up a wiring Diagram or have one made by the installer. Wiring diagrams are not available for most RVs. Most techs know standard components and what they do but have no idea how you or someone installed your equipment. Keep a supply of replacement fuses on hand. For your system as they are not always available where you are. I run 400 amp fuses and they are most times special order. As well as a glass fuse for Battery monitor system. 2nd suggestion. If you work on your own rig or call out mobile tech. Have a good circuit tracer. Makes tracing wires easy. Not many techs Cary them. 3rd tip. Keep some spare parts on hand that are not readily available. Example Slide motor, step motor. Leveler motor and valve for the pump. Furnace control boards ect. Work with a good service tech or manager that is familiar with your RV make a list of hard to get parts that may leave you stuck with out power, water refrigerator ect for weeks. You can simply say I have the part. And have it fixed on the spot. These are Tech tips to help keep you moving in comfort. I know you just installed solar. So this may apply to you. Also wondered if you changed your converter to one that will charge LITHIUM batteries. Most RVs do not come with one that will do Lithium. Always enjoy your Videos. Thanks
Not sure if this would work in a RV, but I cleaned dryer vent duct in our sticks and bricks by disconnecting at dryer outlet then blowing the duct line with a leaf blower. Used an old towel to fill the gap between the outside of the leaf blower outlet tube and the inside of the dryer vent metal duct. Worked great and ended up with a big pile of lint on the ground outside and no blowback into the house. EDIT: maybe list GPS coordinates for location, especially if boondocking.
I add a shutoff valve to the end of my potable water hose. I hook up the hose to the spigot, turn on the spigot, flush the hose, then turn off the hose end valve and then hook up to the RV and turn the valve on at the end of the hose. One less trip back to the spigot. A real backsaver if your spigot is one of those nuisance ones located below ground level.
8:00 I did not serve, nor did my father; however, my grandfather served for 40 yrs in the Navy and was an instructor. Will you have shirts for "(grand)(son/daughter/child) of a proud veteran"? That would be awesome.
Phil, On your "brass" quick hose connectors. are you SURE they are brass? There are brass colored quick disconnects on the market that are actually aluminum which is very reactive vs solid brass. Looking at your connector on your water softener at the 47 second mark of your video, it looks like the brass color has been removed on the points of the fitting revealing the aluminum underneath.... If they don't feel dense, or you purchased them at a big box store, they probably not brass. I purchased more sets of lead free brass quick disconnects than I need on Amazon as I need spares as I accidently left a fitting on the hose bib at a campsite, OOPS. I also purchased a 50 pack of silicone hose washers and the replacement O-RIngs for the quick disconnects I purchased. 1 April 1893
Great tips. Love the magnet emergency sheet and will be ordering one of those for our 5th wheel. One tip we found is to put a pool noodle on the bottom and side edge of your sides. Protect that head! Thanks for another great video.
@@todayissomeday Once we get to our next mail stop, I'll be getting one! I'm a worry wart about the pets and what if's! Just saw you over at Mcguires livestream too! We saw you both at the Tampa RV show a couple of years ago, but were to shy to say hello lol So..Hello! Love what you do for everyone...Army brat here ;) Have a great week
My very first expensive lesson when we bought our used Class C was don't step on stairs while in motion. The motor was okay, but I broke the linkage and had to replace it. Now that advice is at the top of my list when I am having visitors or loan my rig to family.
My husband keeps gallon ice cream buckets with lids filled 3/4 with water and keeps them frozen in our spare outdoor freezer. When we prepare for a trip, we put them in RV refrigerator and freezer, and turn on our little fridge battery fan. Swap the buckets out as they thaw between the fridge and freezer.
Good video, lots of information. We are at that stage were we are getting ready to go full time, so I have been watching a lot of U-tube information videos. You two are doing as good a job as anyone out their. That said my tip of the week is ? when watching a video click on the settings icon, click on the play back speed. it will say normal, then click on 1.25, 1.5 or 1.75 to speed up the video. 1.75 might be a little fast, but 1.5 works well, If someone hears something they want to really get , back it up and play back at normal. this saves 50% or more listening time.
Love how you caught the cold water that came out in the shower when you were boondocking to use other places. Danny loved the tip about pulling the gray water just a bit to make sure you didn't have a leak on your septic. Good video. Lynn and Danny
Two tips. 1. Vaseline on hose fittings eliminate corrosion & mineral buildup. 2. Dielectric grease on power plug prongs enhance connectivity & reduces corrosion or pitting. Apply minimal amounts.
Our top 5 tips 1: Pack the day BEFORE you leave, there is always something you will forget if you pack up on the day departure 2: Buy a macerator for your grey & black tanks. We had the Sanicon system installed the day of pickup and it has been a major stress reliever! Our kids even empty the tanks! 3:quick connects 4: buy a water softener, there is nothing worse than your skin drying up during your time away from home 5: RV Trip Wizard is the best trip planning app with RV safe GPS
I see your Emergency Magnet was for KARS Park. Our favorite quick weekend getaway. We love having coffee during sunrise on the Banana River and watching fish and dolphins have breakfast, and it's in the front yard of the coach! If you can make out our avatar, it is out coach at sunrise at KARS.
Great info. I heard your tip about catching shower water before, but didn't understand it - visual learner here. So glad you showed what you meant! Thanks for the video!
Some really good tips. Digged the extra washing machine spin cycle and the quick disconnect connectors. We’re about to take the plunge full time camping with a new 38LL.
Ace Plastic hose quick connects are leak less and are cheaper. When you forget one on the hose bib at your last camp sight, a replacement is at the nearest Ace Hardware.
Use a vinegar solution to maintain your quik connects each time you use them. That will remove the same minerals as you would maintain the shower glass doors. Thanks for all the tips and advice! Brendan & Lena Frozen Sneakers, Pa.
Thank you for the info. For full-time RV I make sure to try to plan meals around what you because otherwise you will fill your pantry with wasted ingredients same for the fridge plus theres not alot of room in your fridge.
My wife and I enjoy your videos very much. Thanks so much for your military service, makes me even more proud of you and your efforts. We just placed our order for a TT which should be here in June. Also I made the purchase for the Harvest Host membership. Thanks for the savings!😎
Well, we pulled the plug on buying a membership for harvest host. The price seems pretty hard to beat using your coupon code and rates about to raise. My wife was sold when I told her wineries are one of the main hosts.
I love the sound of freedom-we will in the Seattle area with Whidbey Naval Air Station and I just love it whenI see those Hornets 🐝 and Growlers fly over -Thank you for your service ❤️🇺🇸🙏🏻
"Sound of freedom right there folks...!" I loved that! 👍🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲 Thank you for your service!!!! God bless you and safe travels! Thank you for the heads up regarding the Harves Host subscription increase. Planning to renew right away.
For the black tank flush I use a water meter to add water to fill the tank. I also added a inline ball valve on the black tank fill so I can turn the water off at the water wall when the tank is full.
I bought a package of paper price tags (the kind with a string attached). At every campsite, I write our last name, campground name, site #, and phone number on a tag. I then attach the tag to our dog’s collar, in case he wanders off. Twice, his leash became loose and he was brought back to us at our campsite.
My go to tip is to watch "You, me, and the RV" and "Changing Lanes" channels for all you need to know.
Both channels are super helpful. Keep it up!
You guys...😊
Could not agree more
@@todayissomeday My wife and I are pretty close to pulling the trigger on our first RV and what started out as a daunting undertaking, has been made so much easier by watching real people share their experiences. We're so much more confident in our choices and no longer feel like we don't have any idea what we're getting into. Plus it's entertaining. :) Semper Fi!
@@andrewlamont5624 ?..You’re a Marine...you capable of doing anything!...IMO, of course, lol. Thank you for your service. Seriously, y’all will be fine. Wishing you many, many years of rv enjoying.
As a 33 year retired cop, I can’t tell you what a great tip it is to write your address to where you are staying every time. And in a place you can see it at a time of crisis. A great tip for all and a really nice magnet for people to purchase Nice job on this video
Well said
If you like to pretrip.then get a dry eraser marker so you can write on the far upper left hand side of your windshield in short hand form what inerstates you will be driving on that day and or the exits you want to take if you dont have a GPS to help guide you so you have a better chance of keeping your eyes on the road instead of looking at a price of paper as you drive
Soak your hose fittings in vinegar to remove hard water minerals.
During severe weather warnings you need to know in what county are you camping. Also obtain the phone number for the county sheriff department.
There are some apps that will tell you what county you are in, such as Where Am I At and Where Am I.
There are some great apps, like weatherbug. It will drop a pin where your at and you can add the location to monitored areas so you get notified of severe weather, advisories or warnings and it also has a lightning monitor to tell you if there has been a lightning strike within 10 miles of you. It's available for IOS but not sure if they make an android version.
Hi, I have a suggestion on the veteran shirts. This is assuming you haven't already thought of it. How about I shirt the states "Proud Veteran Spouse" (With the Military branch on the side). Military spouses sacrifice just like the military members and should be recognized as well. Just a thought, thanks.
Ronnie
We have a proud military family which encompases eveyrone. As someone who is a veteran and a veterans wife I couldn't agree more! The entire family sacrifices so much!
We not only have the emergency info on the fridge but also our campground name, site # and office # then we we also take pictures on our phone and we make that photo our wallpaper on our phone so even in an emergency EMT can see on phone where we are located.
Great idea.
My tip: when we get ready to hit the road and the fridge needs to get cold, we buy a bag of ice and put it in the fridge with our food while on the road. Your fridge is nothing more than a glorified cooler. As we travel, the fridge starts cooling down and when we get there the ice goes in the freezer to be used.
My tip....keep a journal in your RV to write out your adventures.
Great idea!
I do this
In January, facing another year of Covid restrictions, we decided (at age 76) to burst out of our bubble, buy an RV and move ahead with our life. Your channel was the first one we discovered on You Tube and you have been our mentors for the last two months as we await delivery of our new Class C RV. We are both "Army brats" who lived a military life with our family so we relate strongly to you. Thank you for these and so many other tips that have helped to educate and encourage us. We are former tent campers and pop-up tent campers with limited experience with a Class C RV and we have learned SO much from you and other generous You Tube RVers! Thank you!
That is awesome you two! Glad you are going to hit the road soon! We thank you so much for the support with the channel. Glad we could help out in any way.
The ultimate go to tip from thomyt is: If your a newbie and you are just lost on arrival at your camp site, with your new rv, and do not know what to do is: Stand next to your rv and look up at the roof with your arms closed across your chest. Someone near (another camper) will come to your rescue and ask you what you are doing? Your reply will be: I just don't know can you help me? And they will! Happy Camping and RV Fun with Thomyt
My wife and I said when we finally by a RV we should make a sign to put out that says something to the effect of “we need help” lol
I love the sound of freedom as a retired Army Veteran.
To clean the shower I use a product that’s called wet and forget shower , You just spray all the surfaces once a week and you never have to scrub ,try it I promise it works.
“The sound of freedom”. ABSOLUTELY
Always have a check list for setup and take down. Have assigned duties. Ie. Wife does the inside and husband does the outside. Have spouse / travel partner double check your assigned duties. We usually don’t need the check list anymore but do use it when starting the new camping/travel season. Old minds get rusty over the winter 😉.
All great tips.....I'll add we do the same and have also swapped duties, just in case one is not around....nothing is missed.
My tip is use your phone to take a picture of your campground map. This has the numbers and address so when you are away you have it. It also is a historical picture of when and where you were. If you want you can also add Police Officers and Fire Fighters to your shirts. A lot of us served in those fields here at home. Take Care and safe travels.
Great idea with the pic!
One of the basic tips for trailer and Fifth wheel owners is to make wide turns. Tail lag will cause trouble if you do not pay attention.
The easiest way to keep your shower clean is to not use bar soap, the talc in the soap is what causes the buildup, by using only liquid soap, you reduce the need to clean as often. We have been doing this for way over 25 years, every since our glass shower doors came with a warning that using bar soap would void the warranty.
Always touch the pedestal with the back of your hand prior to grabbing anything on the pedestal, for instance like the door over the circuit breakers. If the pedestal happens to be electrically “hot”, when your muscles contract with the surge of electric coursing through your body, your arm will be pulled away from the pedestal instead of gripping the pedestal tighter. It is unlikely that the pedestal would be “hot”, but why risk it when there’s a simple quick test.
A GREAT Tip!!!!
#1 a fifth of a good quality Bourbon because nothing ever goes as planned during parking and setup!!!
True!!!!
Turn on campground faucet before you hook up your hose. We recently hooked the hose, turned on to purge air before hooking to RV, no water! I disconnected the hose to find an acorn wedged between the faucet and hose connection.
I love the magnet thing, great information to have. Thank you Stacy and Phil
Our pleasure!
Live vicariously through you. A real money saver.
My daughter is very active in the Civil Air Patrol. She is cadet commander, chief master sergeant. We encourage her to pursue serving in the Air Force.
Thank you both for your service!
We just left FL a week ago. We played on Satellite beach off of Patrick Space Force base. We also love watching those huge aircraft training. It’s the best.
This tip is for those who are debating whether or not to buy their first RV. Just do it...it's the best money you will ever spend for you and your family. We camped with a group of friends and when we all get together and share memories it is our camping memories that always get the most share-time. Whether you buy a pop-up, travel trailer, or motorhome just figure out how it works with your budget and then make it happen. The only thing you will regret is that you didn't do it sooner!
My wife and I are trying to get there right now, putting money back every paycheck. We just don’t know if we should buy a cheap one off of someone
Or save our money to get a nicer one that we “think” will fit our needs for a longer time. How hard are old RV’s to get rid of?
@@f1rehawksteve Steve, my wife and I have always lived by the saying, 'if it's worth having it's worth waiting for'. Finding a used RV that has been taken care of can be difficult and right now it seems like the RV market is limited on inventory. Many families started camping when Covid started and it's difficult to find what you want. If you've got your mind set on a certain brand/style of camper then I would keep saving the money and get what you want. If you buy a cheaper used unit then you might get frustrated with repairs and get a sour taste of camping. Maybe rent a couple different ones through RVShare or a similar website and test out a few styles before purchasing.
We carry an AED (automatic external defibrillator) everywhere we go. I could help you or someone else, especially if you’re boondocking. It’s not cheap ($1300) but is lifesaving. It’s also very easy to use, it tells you exactly what to do.
We have been looking at that as well. Great tip!
On the GPS when I arrive at the CG I hit my icon and save the location. Now when you leave the CG location is easy to return even at night. Got me out of a jam more than once.
Some good reminders. Number one tip for us is "pack a good attitude". We also leave a sign on the inside of the door window saying that there is a pet aboard and our phone number. Just in case a problem when we are away from the rig and "Marley" (our new rescue dog) is in the coach. We are still in SWF and actually heading back to the DR May 1 for a month. I am fully vaccinated and Pat has had dose 1 this week. Keep safe...
Great tip! Have fun!!!!
Just received the emergency magnet. It's going to be a great addition to our camper. My mom camps with us & she is 94. & now we'll have the info @ hand if we should need it.
the saving the cold water tip is pure genius!
I use a decorative shower curtain to keep my shower doors clean and scum free
So do I! Sometimes I just don't have time to clean that shower door well (always full of water spots) so I gave up on that stress and bought a shower curtain with an extension rod to hang outside the door. It hides the door and provides an additional decorative item to the bathroom.
My daughter loves tic tacs so I reuse them- remove label - great for tool kit( holds screws / misc pieces/ small nails/ small batteries/ hooks and more) spices ( slap a label and a magnet and they hang on hood fan) fish hooks ( drill a hole for air circulation). So many sizes too so I use the largest for my favourite spices. Not for Full time Rvers but maybe for the spice you want but seldom use but you can get at Bulk barn. Leave your ideas for other uses.... I have lots waiting to be filled.
Ps love the dance moves!!! And music!
I use for a small pill/first aid kit. A bandaid, Advil, antacid, and chapstick. They are perfect to throw in your pocket.
I keep a small bowl with soapy water in the sink to wash hands, dishes, etc. throughout the day. Keep a small mesh strainer in bowl so when you go to dump water into drain, run water through the strainer to catch food particles from going into your grey water. Purchased the emergency magnet! Great tips! Safe travels!
Thanks for sharing!!
Checking the pedestal with our EMS is the first thing I do!
Spot on.
My tip is to NEVER panic! Slow down, think, search UA-cam. Nothing is ever as bad as it may seem. This is a great list even for us who are seasoned RVers. Thanks for sharing all these 🙋
-XO
BlogginBrandi
P.S. My stair motor just stopped working on the front door. So, I'll have to check into this. Glad I'm not the only one!
Hi friends. The quick connect is a great tip. I've not put those on our hoses but it looks like it is so much easier. And we love your emergency magnet. What a great idea! Thanks for the Harvest Hosts tip. "That's the sound of freedom, folks." Awesome. That was great. I always wonder what to do with our grease. I like the glass jar idea. "Brown water surprise." Oh my. Putting the date on the water filter is a great reminder as well. Thanks for these great tips, guys.
The quick connects on hoses are great. I like the plastic ones. Always carry extra drinking water hose. Like the magnet... tips for me... 1. double check the outside doors before departing. 2. Walk the sites before parking at campground. 3. Pool noodles for the slide out edges. 4. Review the items in your storage bays every few months or so. Just lets you make sure the things you are carrying still make sense. 5. Never be in hurry when leaving or arriving. People might trying to push you to hurry, but just take your time... that is when stuff gets forgotten or missed, and it will be your fault. 6. Check the pedestal for power before parking (carry circuit tester), I have had to move several times due to power.
All great tips, Michael!
I want one of the shirts, but I am not a Veteran. My Dad was Navy and my nephew just got promoted to Green Beret. He has been in the Army for 2 years. I'm glad you have the "I support" and "Military family" shirts. Thank you!
Hand Salute to your Dad and Nephew!
Just wanted to confirm your comments on the stair motor which I needed to replace on this trip. I stepped on the stairs as they were extending and stairs stopped working. The motor sold for 95.00, and was an easy install. My tip would be one you always mention is to use a surge protector & spending the extra $$ for an EMS/surge protector is a must.
That is good to hear Ray. $95 is way cheaper than most I've read about.
We put our contact info for us as well as notification about pets left in the rig on the outside of the rig next to the door
Great tip; thanks!
Great tips. The emergency info placard beats the heck out of a sticky note. sound of freedom.
Yes it does!
At the start of the season,I soak the pressure regulator and 90 degree adaptor in CLR to counter the effects of hard water. I sanitize my drinking water hoses with a bleach solution and flush the water htr. The next time you get a chance look at some of the white water hoses in the campgrounds ,can you say ALGAE ? Now to essential components,get spares when possible.High amperage fuses for slides and house changing systems aren't on the shelf at auto zone or camping world. Lastly keep a spare water pump. In the immoral words of PHIL "ask me how I know!"🤣🤨.I pray 🙏🏿that this season allows us 🇺🇸 all to do better for ourselves and one another. Safe travels 🙏🏿💕and hope to see you out there 🙏🏿😊.
Great tips; love the magnet board. One tip we do as well, when leaving the site and RV there, we close the valve on the LP tank and water hook up to avoid bad things from happening when we aren’t there, esp when you have a pet inside.
That's a great idea!
Great tips. The first pro-tip I ever got was: Always empty the black tank before the grey tank. This is now second nature for RVers who have done it in reverse one time.
My tip, MEASURE your height of your rig and put it on the oil change sticker as a reference, I love the pool noodles.
Good tip!
Also, measure how much room you need to open your slides.
One tip I tell people is that if your looking at buying a different rig check out the inside with the slides in. See if you can move around and do whatever you want with the slides in. Sometimes we stay in parking lots and we don't need to put our slide out.
Use 2 basins for dish washing. One for soapy water, one for rinse water. At the end of the day, soapy water can be used to flush toilet, and the rinse bin becomes the soapy water for the next day. Rinse old soapy bin then it becomes the rinse bin for the next day. Collapsible bins can live in the covered sink when not in use.
My grease tip is what I use at home. Allow to cool and harden overnight, wipe the pan clean with paper towels, throw out towels in separate bag. Wash pan with Dawn. I live in SWFl and never put grease down my drains we have a weird county septic set up.
We do many of the tips you mentioned. My tip is for the water hook ups. We always spray Lysol Disinfectant on the water spigot. You never know what people do with these spigots. So we spray it as soon as we arrive. Before we hook up the hose, we rinse it.
Great tip!
My tip is to coat the shower and sink in a polymer-based auto polish. It easily lasts 6-12-months in a shower (and 5+ years on a vehicle). It's the same product that Car Dealerships want you to spend $400 on as an option after you buy your vehicle, to protect the paint. Unlike silicone or wax-based polishes, it doesn't make the shower floor slippery over time.
Great tip I do this in the toilet so stuff does not stick! ☺️
@@richardcampbell9225 Thanks Richard. Back at you on the toilet tip. :-)
Awesome tips! Thanks for sharing.
ANYTIME the trailer is going to move, my wife and I walk around the entire trailer and look up, down and under to make sure nothing is forgotten. I physically touch all doors, hatches, locks and compartments to ensure they are secure.
Great tips. I think the most valuable one I ever got from y'all was the slap bracelets checklist. They've saved me from some embarrassing goofs since we've had our motorhome. As both a Navy & airline pilot, checklists were a way of life and they certainly will save your bacon when rving . . . or keep you from trying to drive off with the jacks extended, power still plugged in, the awing out, a slide out . . . no sir . . . never happened to me. Your checklist arrived yesterday, btw. One thing to be alert to with hose fittings is galvanic corrosion (dissimilar metals), particularly connecting brass fittings to aluminum. Brass and aluminum have a thing for each other and if you leave them connected very long, they're bonded forever. So either disconnect them often (defeating the purpose of quick connect fittings) or use some sort of ant-seize compound on the threads . . . or just leave them and someday you'll get to practice your "splicing on new hose-ends" skills. I use an orange hose for my black tank flush and everything associated with the black tank is kept in an orange bin. My potable water supply hose is blue and all the stuff on the fresh side is in a blue bin. Fly Navy (where corrosion is a way of life).
My favorite three tips are peel and stick wallpaper behind the stove top and sinks. It stops messy food satters and water splatters by the kids..toothpaste is hard to get off of rv walls. Since it uses static electricity to go up it is easy to take down. The second one is rubber mats from hot depot under the table and under the bench seats at the table. Helps with spills that go down the cracks and feet and dog mess on the slide out carpet. I also use it down the middle of the coach it's padded interlocks together and is in big 24 by 24 sheets 20 for a set if 6 at home depot. I really like that the carpet stays clean and it only takes minutes to put down. The third tip is when I need a quick table cover when the grandkids are in the rig with us I use one of three things...saran wrap..wrap it around and instant table cover or if I have an extra peel and stick sheet I use that or a California king size pillow case...these are handy table covers if the kids want to craft, color with markers or paint on my rv table. No stains. I would rather throw the pillow case in the wash or trash then have a ruined table. Buy mismatched pillow cases at thrift stores. They are also good for storing extra blankets sheets and jackets in the rig.
Nice meeting y’all on the McGuires on Fire we mean Tires 😉 Thanks for all the great info!!! New subscribers!! 😄
Welcome!! So glad you popped over!
My only thought - we use a bucket with a typical bucket handle at our stationary place in the Texas Hill Country to catch cold rainwater (which we can pour into the toilet tank) so as to not waste water (from our rainwater collection system). The traditional bucket handle might be easier than a pot handle -- plus, a typical bucket is cheap and frees up your pot for -- well, typical "pot usage" like cooking ! :)
Rereading this I now realize that it sounds like we just put a bucket out in the rain. I only mentioned rainwater because we have a more limited supply so we want to use it wisely. We catch it on the roof and store it in a tank. From there it is pumped into our house and we use it like any "normal" home does. We simply catch the cold water when running the hot water until it gets hot -- like you were saying. My only real point was about using a bucket vs. a pan. Sorry I made it confusing !🙃
Here is my suggestion: if you add solar to your RV. Maked up a wiring Diagram or have one made by the installer. Wiring diagrams are not available for most RVs. Most techs know standard components and what they do but have no idea how you or someone installed your equipment. Keep a supply of replacement fuses on hand. For your system as they are not always available where you are. I run 400 amp fuses and they are most times special order. As well as a glass fuse for Battery monitor system.
2nd suggestion. If you work on your own rig or call out mobile tech. Have a good circuit tracer. Makes tracing wires easy. Not many techs Cary them.
3rd tip. Keep some spare parts on hand that are not readily available. Example
Slide motor, step motor. Leveler motor and valve for the pump. Furnace control boards ect. Work with a good service tech or manager that is familiar with your RV make a list of hard to get parts that may leave you stuck with out power, water refrigerator ect for weeks. You can simply say I have the part. And have it fixed on the spot.
These are Tech tips to help keep you moving in comfort.
I know you just installed solar. So this may apply to you. Also wondered if you changed your converter to one that will charge LITHIUM batteries. Most RVs do not come with one that will do Lithium.
Always enjoy your Videos. Thanks
All great tips Jim. We carry some of the parts you listed. We did upgrade to a 3000W Magnum Hybrid Inverter. Works as advertised.
Not sure if this would work in a RV, but I cleaned dryer vent duct in our sticks and bricks by disconnecting at dryer outlet then blowing the duct line with a leaf blower. Used an old towel to fill the gap between the outside of the leaf blower outlet tube and the inside of the dryer vent metal duct. Worked great and ended up with a big pile of lint on the ground outside and no blowback into the house.
EDIT: maybe list GPS coordinates for location, especially if boondocking.
I add a shutoff valve to the end of my potable water hose. I hook up the hose to the spigot, turn on the spigot, flush the hose, then turn off the hose end valve and then hook up to the RV and turn the valve on at the end of the hose. One less trip back to the spigot. A real backsaver if your spigot is one of those nuisance ones located below ground level.
8:00 I did not serve, nor did my father; however, my grandfather served for 40 yrs in the Navy and was an instructor. Will you have shirts for "(grand)(son/daughter/child) of a proud veteran"? That would be awesome.
Yes, we will have one for military families and for those that support the military.
Phil,
On your "brass" quick hose connectors. are you SURE they are brass? There are brass colored quick disconnects on the market that are actually aluminum which is very reactive vs solid brass.
Looking at your connector on your water softener at the 47 second mark of your video, it looks like the brass color has been removed on the points of the fitting revealing the aluminum underneath.... If they don't feel dense, or you purchased them at a big box store, they probably not brass.
I purchased more sets of lead free brass quick disconnects than I need on Amazon as I need spares as I accidently left a fitting on the hose bib at a campsite, OOPS. I also purchased a 50 pack of silicone hose washers and the replacement O-RIngs for the quick disconnects I purchased.
1 April 1893
Good question....now I will have to go look at them all. Thanks, Chief!
Great tips. Love the magnet emergency sheet and will be ordering one of those for our 5th wheel. One tip we found is to put a pool noodle on the bottom and side edge of your sides. Protect that head! Thanks for another great video.
love the Emergency Placard idea for the refrigerator. What an Excellent idea!
Glad you like it!
Great tips! I need to have that emergency sheet! I should have thought of that a long time ago! Thank you both! 🤗
You are so welcome!
@@todayissomeday Once we get to our next mail stop, I'll be getting one! I'm a worry wart about the pets and what if's! Just saw you over at Mcguires livestream too! We saw you both at the Tampa RV show a couple of years ago, but were to shy to say hello lol So..Hello! Love what you do for everyone...Army brat here ;) Have a great week
Your pool noodle tip for protecting wipers is brilliant! I'm making mine now. Great video -- many thanks. MJ
Glad it was helpful!
My very first expensive lesson when we bought our used Class C was don't step on stairs while in motion. The motor was okay, but I broke the linkage and had to replace it. Now that advice is at the top of my list when I am having visitors or loan my rig to family.
My go-to tip... Slow down. Take your time at setup and breakdown. If you rush, you are more likely to make a mistake.
That is a great tip!!!
@@todayissomeday I know this to be true. Two miles down the road and boom, I remembered I had not hooked the safety chains.
Just bought one of the best shirts "marine corps"....😉
My husband keeps gallon ice cream buckets with lids filled 3/4 with water and keeps them frozen in our spare outdoor freezer. When we prepare for a trip, we put them in RV refrigerator and freezer, and turn on our little fridge battery fan. Swap the buckets out as they thaw between the fridge and freezer.
Great tip!
I use a Styrofoam cup lined with aluminum foil when need to pour grease and don't have a glass jar. A metal coffee can works as well.
Just bought two of your shirts...thanks for your service...Wife and I are both Navy Vets. Keep up the good work.
Good video, lots of information. We are at that stage were we are getting ready to go full time, so I have been watching a lot of U-tube information videos. You two are doing as good a job as anyone out their. That said my tip of the week is ? when watching a video click on the settings icon, click on the play back speed. it will say normal, then click on 1.25, 1.5 or 1.75 to speed up the video. 1.75 might be a little fast, but 1.5 works well, If someone hears something they want to really get , back it up and play back at normal. this saves 50% or more listening time.
Love how you caught the cold water that came out in the shower when you were boondocking to use other places. Danny loved the tip about pulling the gray water just a bit to make sure you didn't have a leak on your septic. Good video. Lynn and Danny
Glad you enjoyed it
To hang the ER sheet, adhere a sheet protector with opening up where you want to keep it and slip the sheet in and out as necessary.
Two tips.
1. Vaseline on hose fittings eliminate corrosion & mineral buildup.
2. Dielectric grease on power plug prongs enhance connectivity & reduces corrosion or pitting.
Apply minimal amounts.
Great tips Travelin Tom!
Our top 5 tips
1: Pack the day BEFORE you leave, there is always something you will forget if you pack up on the day departure
2: Buy a macerator for your grey & black tanks. We had the Sanicon system installed the day of pickup and it has been a major stress reliever! Our kids even empty the tanks!
3:quick connects
4: buy a water softener, there is nothing worse than your skin drying up during your time away from home
5: RV Trip Wizard is the best trip planning app with RV safe GPS
All great tips!!
I see your Emergency Magnet was for KARS Park. Our favorite quick weekend getaway. We love having coffee during sunrise on the Banana River and watching fish and dolphins have breakfast, and it's in the front yard of the coach! If you can make out our avatar, it is out coach at sunrise at KARS.
Gaffer tape is great. Strong and doesn't leave a residue like duct tape. It's saved us a couple of times now. Got the tip from long long honeymoon.
Great info. I heard your tip about catching shower water before, but didn't understand it - visual learner here. So glad you showed what you meant! Thanks for the video!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video. I enjoyed your video. I really enjoyed your advice on the McGuires on tires live stream. New subscriber
Thanks and welcome aboard!
Love the tip to use the extra spin cycle on the washer! Will be trying that tomorrow. :)
Hope you like it!
@@todayissomeday It worked! I'll be doing this routinely now. Thanks for the tip!
Some really good tips. Digged the extra washing machine spin cycle and the quick disconnect connectors. We’re about to take the plunge full time camping with a new 38LL.
Again guys a very great video some helpful hints that’s most people like me wouldn’t even think of very helpful thank you and keep up the great work
Ace Plastic hose quick connects are leak less and are cheaper. When you forget one on the hose bib at your last camp sight, a replacement is at the nearest Ace Hardware.
We just signed up for Harvest Hosts with your affiliate! Woo Hoo!
Yay
Use a vinegar solution to maintain your quik connects each time you use them. That will remove the same minerals as you would maintain the shower glass doors.
Thanks for all the tips and advice!
Brendan & Lena
Frozen Sneakers, Pa.
Love the “Proud Veteran” T’s . . . How about including a RED Friday design?!
We cant. That design is copyrighted
Are the words “RED Friday” copyrighted, or specific graphics? I see many graphic variations online.
Thank you for the info. For full-time RV I make sure to try to plan meals around what you because otherwise you will fill your pantry with wasted ingredients same for the fridge plus theres not alot of room in your fridge.
My wife and I enjoy your videos very much. Thanks so much for your military service, makes me even more proud of you and your efforts.
We just placed our order for a TT which should be here in June. Also I made the purchase for the Harvest Host membership. Thanks for the savings!😎
Well, we pulled the plug on buying a membership for harvest host. The price seems pretty hard to beat using your coupon code and rates about to raise. My wife was sold when I told her wineries are one of the main hosts.
LOL
Phil’s shirt needs to show some love to Alaska and Hawaii!
Dang it....you are right! We will work on that.
Info magnet is such a winner! Tshirts are awesome!
Agreed!!
I love the sound of freedom-we will in the Seattle area with Whidbey Naval Air Station and I just love it whenI see those Hornets 🐝 and Growlers fly over -Thank you for your service ❤️🇺🇸🙏🏻
Couldn't agree more!
"Sound of freedom right there folks...!" I loved that! 👍🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲 Thank you for your service!!!! God bless you and safe travels!
Thank you for the heads up regarding the Harves Host subscription increase. Planning to renew right away.
Thank you Justin!
Thanks for your service!
God bless you.
Much appreciated
Yes we love the sound of Freedom!!!!
All day, every day!
Well done. We full time and several of these were something I didn’t know. Thanks!
Our pleasure!
For the black tank flush I use a water meter to add water to fill the tank. I also added a inline ball valve on the black tank fill so I can turn the water off at the water wall when the tank is full.
I got my emergency information magnets today! Thank you for creating them❤❤
Glad you like them!
We love the RV Emergency Contact Magnet! What a great idea. And you guys are very cool. Thank you both for your service! :)
Our pleasure!
Hubs ordered the magnet too, and we will use the sticky back to attach it to somewhere! A place TBD. LOL