Girl Camper

On this week's podcast I am answering listeners questions! I think it is so important to remember that for many, this camping thing is all brand new and we definitely want to be the site that says, "There's no such thing as a dumb question" so, here we go!

Submitted by: Michelle Cole

Travel Trailer vs motor home with toad behind - Which would have better gas mileage?

Answer: This is so much a matter of personal preferences. In 2018 I did a podcast episode on the many different types of RV's out there. In the list below you can listen to the pros and cons of all the different RV's and see what resonates most with you. I will say that my preference was a travel trailer because I didn't want to take down camp each time I left the campsite. I also like "coming home" to my RV after a day of sightseeing. I gave up the perk of having a bathroom, kitchen and bed with me everywhere I go, but the trade off of being more mobile in my tow vehicle rather than a larger motor home, was worth it to me.

https://girlcamper.com/blog/2018/02/06/episode-117-re-imagining-the-toy-hauler/

https://girlcamper.com/blog/2018/12/04/episode-151-the-pop-up-trailer-explored-with-mary-ellen-arndorfer/

https://girlcamper.com/blog/2018/06/05/exploring-the-class-b-motor-home/

https://girlcamper.com/blog/2018/08/21/the-pros-and-cons-of-teardrop-trailers/

https://girlcamper.com/blog/2018/03/06/episode-121-class-c-motorhome-pros-and-cons/

https://girlcamper.com/blog/2018/11/06/episode-147-the-pros-and-cons-of-class-a-motorhomes/

Submitted by: Beth Jordan

Is it okay to turn your propane fridge on the day before you leave so its cold in the morning?

Answer: It's not only ok, it's highly recommended. RV refrigerators work best when they are prechilled and you put cold food in them. I did a mini podcast episode about this a few months ago. Here are a few of the tips to get you started but you can see all the tips for RV refrigerators in the blog post below!

• Plug it in the night before so it is cold when you put food in it.

• Make sure the food you put in it is already cold.

• Use an RV refrigerator air circulator to keep cold air moving around. Camco makes several different kinds.

• Set it on Auto and then it will run on electricity as soon as you plug it in. When you disconnect the electric it will go to propane automatically.

• For the quick retrieval of foods organize the lunch foods or snacks in plastic, open weave baskets or bins that you can pull out with everything you need in one place.

https://girlcamper.com/blog/2018/05/30/rv-refrigerator-tips/

Submitted by: Debra Allen

I am using my Ford Transit Connect to car camp. What kind of extension cord or converter can I use to run my refrigerator, DVD or pressure cooker?

Answer: Car Camping is a great option for many reasons. When you arrive you are really already set up. No tent to find level ground for. If it is raining you are bound to be drier in the car. You are off the ground. You can make camp before you leave home by setting up your bed and curtains ahead of time. One of the women I regularly car camp with has an extension cord in which the wire is flat as opposed to round. When she shuts the tail gate it doesn’t crush the cord. It also rotates once plugged in so that it does not block the other available outlet.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0721TV97N/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_i_c_a9LiDbD3A0AYS

Submitted by: Sandy Newkirk

How often do you clean the fresh water tank and how do you do it?

Answer: That is all going to depend on how often you use it. If you are a full timer, as Sandy is, twice a year will do the trick. You are changing out the water daily and not giving it much of a chance to sit and grow bacteria. If however you only use your RV every few weeks, chances are high that bacteria can grow in the tank. It’s easy to clean your RV water tank with regular household bleach.

1) Close all drains and make sure drain plugs are installed

2) Add ¼ cup of household bleach for every 15 gallons of water the tank holds

3) Mix the desired amount of bleach in a one gallon container with water and using a funnel, pour it into the fresh water tank.

4) Fill the fresh tank completely full

5) Turn on the pump and open all the valves, sink, shower, outdoor shower and toilet until you smell bleach.

6) Close all of the faucets and let the water and bleach sit for at least 12 hours

7) Drain all of the water and refill the tank with potable water.

8) Turn all the faucets on and run the water until you no longer smell bleach. You may have to completely empty and refill the tank to achieve this. You are now ready to go!

Submitted by: Sheila Esson

Why do SUV’s with 5K tow capacity and a tow package come with 4 pin connectors and no trailer brakes? Buyer has to do these mods to tow?

Answer: If I had to venture a guess Sheila, it would be cost. Only a small percentage of people buying an SUV with towing ability of 5K or under will actually use it to tow something. It’s not in their best financial interest to install them. Consumers are not demanding it. You see them on all big trucks as a standard feature because the statistics show that it’s likely to be used for a boat, RV, flat bed trailer, utility truck or the like. That’s why people buy them. I’m just grateful that the wiring is there for the 4 prong because there are several different brands of adapters that will turn a 4 prong into a 7 way with very little effort or expense. If you decide to have a trailer brake controller put in, please have a professional do it.

Submitted by: Gail Crawford

Favorite campground? Franchise, state park, National Park, or private?

Answer: I think I am kind of a PollyAnna, 'glass is half full' person anyway, so I’m usually pretty happy wherever I am. What I like is being with friends. Having the opportunity to camp with people I care about as well as those new to camping is my jam. It’s always a thrill to mentor someone new and watch their excitement and be able to be part of their learning process. Secondly, I really love being unplugged. It takes me a day or two to get over the constant checking of the phone for updates, emails, alerts. I’m a pretty big digital junkie when I am at home. When I get to the campground and nothing works, by default, I read, I sew, I knit, I visit, I walk, I do nothing!! I put myself in time out! Lastly, for me, there’s no substitute for a campfire or babbling brook. When I was at Camp Taylor Campground a few weeks ago I had a Creekside sight where I fell asleep to the sound of the water tumbling over the rocks all night. I had my window wide open and a great breeze coming in. It was heaven. If a campground can offer any of those things I don't care if it's a state, national, private or themed campground!!

Submitted by: Jeanne Gaffney

My propane detector keeps going off. I’ve replaced it and it keeps happening although I have had all the lines checked and everything seems fine.

Answer: This is a really common problem that you don’t want to solve by disconnecting the detector.

First, turn off your tanks and make sure there isn’t a leak. If the tanks are off and the alarm is still ringing, you know that there’s no possible way propane could leaking and causing the signal to go off.

If it is a battery operated device, as is the case in most older trailers, change the batteries to fresh ones. Always start with the easy answer.

If it is hard wired to the trailer as most new trailers are, get a vacuum and vacuum the grill covering the detector to get any dust out of it that might be activating it.

Be aware the they are sensitive and any chemicals that got in your air can set it off. Hair spray, bug spray, cleaning products can set it off. Open all the windows and see if it goes off.

Check your fuses. Sometimes if there is a power surge of some kind it can affect the fuse. Replacing the fuse can sometime reset it and keep it from endlessly chirping. You should always carry a box of multi size fuses in your RV.

If you do all of that and it is still beeping, turn the propane tanks off and remove the fuse so that it will stop sounding off and then take it in to the dealer.

Submitted by: Mary Kirlin

For those that live in warmer climates and don’t winterize their trailers, what do we have to check in the spring?

Answer: If you do not winterize your trailer because you live in an area that is not prone to freezing you should still empty all of your tanks. At the end of the season, open all the valves and let all of the water run out of everything in your RV that holds water. The toilet, fresh water tank, grey water tank, black water tank, hot water heater and don’t forget the outdoor shower that could have water in the hose. Leave all of the valves open.

In the spring, close them all and fill the tanks with fresh water on a dry day. Turn on the water pump and run the faucets. Check beneath the trailer to see if anything is leaking. Chances are you are good if you had dry tanks to begin with.

Follow the system we talked about earlier for sanitizing your tanks and listen to our podcast with Mark Polk where he talked about Spring Projects for your RV. You will want to check your battery for good health, window seals, vents for cracks and of course y our tires before you hit the road.

https://girlcamper.com/blog/2019/04/09/episode-163-spring-rv-projects-with-mark-polk/

Well, that Part One of our Ask Girl Camper a Question. Next week I will finish the list. There were so many questions and such a variety of questions which was so enlightening to me. It’s a good reminder that we are all in different stages of this journey and I always want to honor that and make sure that we aren’t leaving anyone out here!!

Camco Black Streak Remover is our featured product this week! I just used this to get all the streaks off my trailer!

Camco 41008 Black Streak Remover 32 Oz, 32. Fluid_Ounces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T9IR9N0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UZMiDbTFZZDVG

On this week's show returning guest Mary Ellen Arndorfer returns to gives us the 411 on how to start enjoying water sports. Kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and surfing are great ways to play in the water and get outdoors.

I grew up in the midwest and spent time at our cousins summer home on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin where we all learned to water ski. It was so much fun. I was pretty much off the water until one of the Girl Campers brought her kayak on a trip. We all took a turn around the lake in it and went out and bought kayaks. I also now own a inflatable pontoon boat that I really enjoy using on trips. I asked Mary Ellen to come on the show because she is a water safety expert with experience with all the different types of recreation water crafts. Here are a few of her suggestions.

Safety Considerations:

Check weather conditions - storm forecasts, wind advisories and water temperatures can affect your outing.

Water temperature and water conditions (water levels, currents, contamination, flooding)

Have a PFD - personal flotation device

Helmets are a necessity in white water

Clothing (quick dry, brightly colored, dress for conditions)

Carry a whistle and flashlight

Never go alone

Beginners should stay close to shore

Equipment Needed

Kayaks and paddle boards come in hard shell and inflatable

Avoid the flimsy inflatables sold at box stores and online

You can borrow or rent before you buy to see which style you like best

Consider buying used to save money

How to Learn

Group classes at outdoor retailers

Watch YouTube videos

Meet Up groups are a good resource

Go with friends

Other Gear

Gloves (prevents blisters and sunburns)

Sun Shirt (will prevent sun burn)

Paddling jacket

Dry bag for valuables (phone, car keys, lunch!)

Hat with string or clip to stay on in wind

Small soft sided cooler for drinks and snacks

Binoculars

PFD for dog

More Resources

Paddling.com

Paddlingmag.com

Canoe and Kayak Magazine

Facebook groups

Local outfitter groups

My guest this week is award winning radio and TV host Alan Taylor. Alan is a 30 + year veteran broadcaster and auto expert. He also hosts the popular Entrepreneur Weekly Podcast for Entrepreneur Magazine. He has worked with Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Inc. Magazine and Popular Science. He is a regular contributor to ABC's "LIVE with Kelly & Ryan" as well as guest appearances on CBS, CNN, Fox News, NBC and the SPEED channel.

I asked Alan to come on the show to talk about midsize SUV's and lightweight trucks with a tow capacity of at least 5K pounds. I often see women who purchase an RV thinking that they can tow it with their existing vehicle. A lot of the times the numbers just don't add up though. Perhaps it's a 2000 pound trailer when empty and they want to tow it on their vehicle that has a tow rating of 2,500 pounds.I always encourage women to use no more than 80% of what their tow package allows for. I personally go much lower myself.

Tune into the full podcast episode to hear Alan's thoughts on what's new in the automotive and towing world. You can listen to the podcast by clicking the arrow below.

Ford Explorer has been redesigned and is coming out with a hybrid that will tow on battery power. It will be able to go 500 miles on a single tank of gas. It has three rows of seating, skylight roof and a towing capacity of 5.5K pounds. It boasts a 3.5 L engine with a V6 eco boost and 6 speed automatic transmission. Base price is 32K.

https://www.ford.com/suvs/explorer/models/">https://www.ford.com/suvs/explorer/models/

Toyota Highlander is also coming out with a Hybrid that will have a towing capacity of 5K pounds. I had the opportunity to see it at the NY Auto Show and it is sleek with a lot of technology upgrades including a 12.3 inch screen on the dashboard, built in Wifi, Sirius radio and Alexa. It has an incredible moon roof and beautiful exterior color choices. With that comes a 3.5 L V6 engine with an 8 speed automatic transmission. Starts at 35K.

https://toyota.us/2WZvB6j

The Dodge Durango was a favorite of mine. There was a lot of bang for your buck in this vehicle. It is larger than the mid size SUV's and has over 130 cubic feet of storage on board. It has the 3.6 L V6 engine that many of them have but with an 8 speed automatic transmission. It had the lowest base price for the highest tow capacity starting at 29K.

https://bit.ly/2RxWZHq

Chevy Traverse had lots of great features. It towed 5K with a 3.6 L V6 engine. Was best in class for cargo capacity with 98.3 cubic feet. It gets 17 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. It had three rows of seating and also a great roof skylight. Starting price of 34K.

https://bit.ly/2FstNNm

Alan was a big fan of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. For those with deep pockets it has a towing capacity of 7200 pounds. They offer a 5.7L V8 model that starts at 67K.

https://bit.ly/2FtEzDa

Lastly we chatted about the Volkswagon Atlas, a favorite of mine from the show. It had really impressive interior storage, a 3.6 L V6 engine with an 8 speed transmission, a tow package of 5K pounds and a starting price of 34K. It is a really attractive car with a lot of curb appeal.

https://www.vw.com/models/atlas/section/overview/

Although so many of these sound like they have the same engine, same tow capacity and same overall styling, they offer many different features, colors, dashboards and exterior designs. The way a car feels when you are sitting in the drivers seat, the location of the radio dial, heat, fan button and phone are so important. I had my last truck for ten years and I bought it used. When I finally had to give it up I waited 5 months before I found one that "felt" right.

I am including this link for more mid size SUV's and hope you find one that not only feels right for you but gives you more than you need in towing power.

https://www.tflcar.com/2018/06/best-midsize-suv-for-towing/

Did you know that a campground is a great place for non RV owners to learn about camping? Did you know that they are also a great place to host an event? Hip Homeschool Moms, Trish Corlew and Wendy Hilton recently took their followers on one of their Homeschool Road Trips to explore the World's Longest Cave System at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. Rather than the usual hotel arrangement they've used in the past for their HEART (Homeschool Enrichment Adventure Road Trips) trips, they chose Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park and Camp Resort near Mammoth Cave for their event.

photo courtesy of NationalParks.gov

On today's show Hip Homeschool co-owner Wendy Hilton shares the experience her HEART group had on their trip to Mammoth Cave. They explored the caves and learned hands on about the geology and history of the World's Largest Cave system which became a National Park in 1941. There are over 400 miles of explored caves at the Park  including Crystal Onyx Cave, the Lost River Cave and the Diamond Caverns. In addition to the caves visitors can enjoy the American Cave Museum, The Corvette Museum which made headlines several years ago when a sink hole swallowed up eight collector Corvettes and The Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum. The HEART participants got to take in all of the sites and return each evening to compare notes with their fellow homeschool families all staying at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Mammoth Cave. 

Photo courtesy of Jellystone Parks

Campgrounds like Jellystone are a great place for non RVers to experience camping without renting an RV or buying any camping equipment. They are also a great place to host reunions, family gatherings, youth group conferences and group vacations. Jellystone offers many different cabin accommodations from simple cabins for two - four people to deluxe cabins with full kitchens, bathrooms and common living space to enjoy.

There are many benefits for any group hosting a big event at a campground like Jelllystone:

No need to rent an RV or even know how to camp

Choose a cabin that fits your needs

Control the budget by preparing your own meals

Be part of the community but have a space of your own

Bring your own linens and blankets and feel at home

Enjoy all the activities at the park without having to leave the grounds

Large gathering areas for group events

Seasoned RVers and those new to camping can attend together

While looking at the Jellystone site I realized that this park is not just for kids. Although it is geared toward family fun I thought it would make a great place to host a Girl Camper event. It looks like the perfect place to camp in September when the kids have gone back to school.  I imagined a weekday trip where we could get our cardio in on the bouncy pillow, paddle the lake, and enjoy the water slides. We often say that Girl Camping is about "Making Girls Out of Women." It's about giving yourself permission to be a "girl" again and stop "adulting" for a few days. To lay on the grass and watch clouds roll by, to ride a bike with no hands, to dive into a pool without worrying about your hair, to walk to the camp store with your girlfriends and get ice cream! I think it's time for me to revisit the National Park of Mammoth Cave where I spent my 12th birthday. This time though, rather than the no frills campground we stayed at, I think I'd like to stay at Jellystone and be 12 again.

On this weeks show I welcome returning guest, Sandy Newkirk. I first interviewed Sandy way back in Episode 12 of the podcast. Sandy and I met when she happened by my house on her way to a garage sale and saw me in my driveway working on my vintage camper. She pulled up and asked if it was for sale. I explained that I was a "Girl Camper" and used it to camp with other like minded women. She felt immediately that she was mysteriously led down my street to hear those words. I invited her over and indoctrinated her into our subculture of women going places and doing things in RV's! I profiled her in a blog for Go RVing  after she got established.

Sandy took to RVing so thoroughly that she recently sold her home and 95% of her worldly possessions and purchased a 2019 Aktiv by Hymer. The Class B motor home would enable her to zip around much more easily than the Class C she had first imagined and it seemed like the easiest way to ease in to the life she had imagined. In March of 2019 Sandy left the driveways of her family and friends in New Jeresy and headed south. She has only been on the road for a few months but I wanted our campfire community here to take the journey with her so I invited her to come on the show and talk about life on the road "so far." I was interested in hearing about the learning curve regarding the motor home, finding camping spaces, living in such a small space and being alone so much. Sandy shares all of that in today's podcast!

Shout out to Bankston Motor Homes today for sponsoring this episode! We always have a great time working with them. If you have not visited their Youtube channel, check it out here!

Thanks as well to Camco! I want to share their bamboo table with all of you! I have lots of Camco goodies but this is one of my absolute favorite things!! I have two of them so I can put them together and make a table under the shade of my awning or I can separate them and use one as a coffee table between my chairs and the other as a bar or serving table. They only weigh eight pounds!!!

Here are my two bamboo tables put together to create a dining space. I can seat six people at them together. I also use them separated and seat eight people.

Have you wondered if there's a pecking order to setting up the RV once you arrive at the campground? Well, there is! Today I am going over the steps to help you make sure you don't make a costly mistake but, before we cover that I want to chat for a minute about the whole backing in thing! If you've been at this for a while, please think back to your beginner days and remember the fear that once struck your heart at the mere thought of backing a trailer or motor home into a site. Bear with us for a minute while we encourage the newbies.

For two years I only camped in pull through sites because I didn't know what the he** I was doing! After several humiliating efforts at campgrounds I resolved to simply pay extra and stay in a pull through site. That all changed one day when my friend Salliane Brown offered, not to park it for me, but to walk me through the process using her method for backing in. Once I did it I was so proud of myself that I parked every Girl Campers trailer as she arrived for the weekend. I got it down and although I still have to pause at times and really think about what direction I want to turn the wheel, I very rarely need help getting backed in. I do make these few suggestions to those still on the learning curve though.

Tips for overcoming the FOBI - Fear of Backing In

Just give it the old college try. Each time we try, even if we don't succeed, we have learned something. I joined a ladies golf team once and just couldn't tee off straight to save my life. On the last week of play I stepped up to the tee box and for reasons I cannot understand, the swing all came together. Suddenly knees bent, elbows straight, head down, eye on the ball all came together at once and worked. The ball sailed straight down the green. It was a beautiful sight. It seems to happen this way with backing in too. Just keep trying.

Get out of the tow vehicle and walk your site. Look for where the hook ups are; check for low hanging branches that might scrape your roof; see if the picnic table or fire ring are going to create a problem. When you are standing at the back of your site look at your rig and see if it is pulled up enough to make a tight turn into the space. Sometimes this is much clearer from the back of your site than it is from a side or rear view mirror.

If you have tried and are getting frustrated and feeling low - ask for help. There's no shame in that. What is a shame is staying home because you are not yet good at one aspect of RVing. Many times someone from the campground will help you and if that's not the case, there is usually a Good Samaritan nearby to pitch in. Sometimes you don't even have to ask, they will come out of the woods like woodland fairies and offer assistance.

Only take direction from one person at a time. It seems that the fairies sometimes arrive in droves and they all want to assist together. There's nothing helpful about three different people set up at three separate angles all chiming in together. Just concentrate on one persons directions and tune the others out.

Once you have arrived at the site:

First check to see where your hook ups are. It's an awful feeling that I have personally experienced when you are all unhitched and stabilized and you go to plug in your water or electric and you are too far away from the hookups. The sewer hose is normally the shortest so check to make sure you will be able to reach it from the spot you have chosen to put your RV in.

Check to see if your RV is level left to right. It can be off a little bit and not bother you but if it is higher on the door side that will could mean you are sleeping at a slight downward angle if your bed is set up with the head on the opposite wall. I use the Camco Leveling Blocks to raise mine when necessary.

Put your wheel chocks in place. Even if your site seems level, even a small slope backwards can cause your trailer to roll when you lift it off the hitch. Because a trailer is so heavy, it can pick up momentum pretty quickly. I place a front and back chock on my tires as soon as I have finished leveling the RV from side to side. I use the Camco Chocks.

Unhitch from the tow vehicle. Unhook the chains, disconnect the seven way switch and brake away switch, remove the safety pin from the coupler and unlatch the coupler. Raise the tongue jack until the coupler clears the hitch ball and then pull your tow vehicle forward.

Level the trailer front to back by raising or lowering the tongue jack.

Once it is level, drop the stabilizing jacks. I normally put my stabilizing jacks down on blocks of wood or the leveling blocks. Do not use the stabilizing jacks to level the trailer. They are not designed for that.

Connect water, electric and sewer if you're camping with full hook ups. I start with the electric by plugging in my Camco Power Defender which will protect my RV's electrical system in case of a power surge but will also tell me if the pole I am connecting to has any problems such as a reverse polarization. Once you plug in you may have to throw the switch to get the electric to come on. I then add my water filter and connect  the hose to my trailer.  I connect the sewer hose last. I don't bother with the sewer hose unless I will be at a campground for more than two days. If I am just camping for a weekend I hook it up when I'm leaving and do the dumping then.

Once these things are done I head inside to make sure my fridge has switched over from propane to electric. I drive with the propane on in order to keep my fridge cold. If you do too please remember to turn off the propane tanks when you are getting gas. Do this before you approach the pump. I then run the water to get any air out of the lines and add a little water to the toilet bowl. I always leave some water in the black tank so I don't have to add much. When I dump the tanks before I leave the campground I add the TST drop ins. Lastly I pull out the items that live on the counters while I camp, drop the awing, put out my camp rug and chairs and let the fun begin.

 

 

 

 

 

Setting Up Your RV Site

Do you love the roar and crackle of a good campfire? Are you mesmerized by the flickering lights, glowing embers and radiating warmth? I've got some tips on building the perfect campfire!

Ingredients 

Tinder or fire starters

Kindling

Dry hardwoods

Rake

Ring

Fan or bellows

Fireplace gloves or tongs

Lighter

Start by preparing your ring or stone circle. Remove old debris and rake around the outside of your ring to make sure that any combustible materials are away from the ring.

Good campfires get going by using three levels of materials that burn. Tinder is the fastest burning material and it is used to ignite the kindling. Kindling burns slower than tinder and long enough to get the hardwood larger logs started.

Tinder - You can forage the forest floor for dried leaves, pine straw, pine cones and very small dry twigs. You need really dry material that will burn up quickly. I usually use balled up newspaper to which I add homemade fire starters that will burn longer than newspapers or twigs. A well made fire starter made with a wax base will burn for several minutes, long enough to get the kindling burning well. If you are not using fire starters you may want to invest in a set of bellows to fan the flames.

Kindling - Kindling is the medium sized wood that is used to ignite the hard wood logs. It can be fallen branches found on the ground, scrap wood from home improvement projects or slices of hardwood cut off the larger logs with an axe.

Hardwood logs - Most campgrounds sell seasoned, dried hardwood for campfires. Most states have restrictions on bringing wood in from out of state locations. These regulations have to do with an effort to control the spread of insects that ravage certain species of trees and should be strictly observed.

Tinder is in the center of the fire surrounded by kindling and topped off with the hardwoods. There are a few ways to stack the hardwoods to get your fire going. The teepee style, the log cabin and the upside down. I prefer the log cabin to the teepee which collapses as soon as the kindling is burned up and can smother the fire out. Once the large logs are burning you can add more large logs without having to use additional kindling and tinder. A pair of fire gloves is handy to move wood around.

Photo credit: Camping With Gus

Fire starters are easy to make at home and I like to make them in big batches on a rainy day and give them as gifts. A new one I have recently begun making from paper bags basically eliminates the need for tinder. It's tinder and a fire starter all in one.

Cut lunch bags about 2/3 of the way down the bag. Open the bag and put it in an aluminum pan. Cut the paper into strips and make them into paper "nests."

I make the "nests" by opening the strips and placing them on my wrist like a bracelet. When I have a pile I slide them off and ball them up.

Shaving old candles with a potato peeler allows me to work with wax that is not hot.

I first place wax in the bottom of the bag and then add the paper nests. I top that with more curled ribbon wax and place them in the oven on 300 degrees for about ten minutes. When they come out the wax has melted into the paper and I tie them up with twine and store them in a plastic box.

Collecting Wax

I buy old candles at garage sales, flea markets and thrift stores.

The Dollar Store has some great bargains on ten packs of wax candles.

I ask the 'church ladies' who clean the church to save the candle stubs for me. It's a higher quality wax that doesn't smoke or smell.

I save all the old birthday candles, gouda cheese wrappers and candle stubs from holiday table settings and use them for these projects.

Melting the Wax

You can use an old aluminum small sauce pan, preferably with two handles. You place it in the oven on 300 until it's all melted. You can just let the leftovers solidify in the pan and reheat it the next time you make starters.

Disposable aluminum pans are a great way to melt and remelt wax. Place them in the oven on 300 until the wax is melted. You will need to use two or even three pans together to get enough rigidity to keep the pan from twisting when you take it out of the oven. The downfall for this method and the old sauce pan is that once they are removed from the oven they begin to harden up and you need to keep placing them back in the oven.

Buy an old crock pot at a flea market or thrift store and designate it for this purpose only. It's best to buy a small one because you need a lot of wax to fill a large one. I melt the wax on high and then turn it on warm while dipping my starters. The wax stays melted on the warm setting.

A smaller crock pot is best so that the wax can be deep in the pot and dipping is easier.

Other household things you can use for fire starters. 

Brown paper from packages. I cut it into strips, dip it in the wax and twist it into a bow.

Corrugated cardboard from frozen pizzas, packing materials or cut up boxes. I cut these in strips and dip them up to about one inch from the top. The unzipped portion makes an easy place to light it.

Coffee filters filled with dryer lint, tied with twine and dipped in hot wax makes a good fire starter. The twine can be used to ignite the bundle.

Dried roses hung upside down for a few weeks make a pretty fire starter. The petals open when dipped and hold a lot of wax. Warning - people find them hard to toss in the fire.

Pine cones, broken up small branches and bundled dried leaves pinched together are also good.

I cut strips of brown paper from packing materials or grocery store bags into rectangles and after I dip them in the wax I wait about thirty seconds and twist them into bows.

Coffee filters, dryer lint and twine are all you need for these starters. Fill the filter with lint, tie it up and dip!!

Have you found the perfect trailer but are afraid to pull the trigger because it has a wet bath? Are you imagining sloppy pools of water on everything and mold incubating on the walls? Think again. RV's with wet baths can keep a trailers weight down significantly and give you added floor space where you really want it. Here are a few of the tips I've employed in my RV wet bath.

Keeping Towels Dry 

Put towels up high by creating a shelf out of spring rods.

You can create a shelf with two spring rods on the bottom and one across to hold towels and products in place.

Hang your towels on spring rods and then use another spring rod for a shower curtain to go over them when showering.

Hang wire baskets high on the wall and put shower supplies and rolled up towels in them.

Keeping Other Things Dry

Put toilet paper in plastic container

Photo credit: Outdoorsoul.net

Make spring rod shelf for shampoo, bath gel and shower items

Use a bamboo mat to keep your drying off towel from dropping into any pooled water on shower floor

 

A bamboo mat let’s you dry off without standing in undrained water caused by an RV that’s not perfectly level.

Consider an adjustable shower rod to store things

 

Image courtesy of Wayfair

Solutions in a Wet Bath

Hang a rod across shower wall and hang baskets or cans from it for storage.

Mount a shower shampoo, conditioner and body gel dispenser.

 

A wall mounted shower dispenser lets you do away with bottles and is easy to refill.

Keep cleaning supplies in a caddy between toilet and wall.

Use large Command hooks to hang towels from after the shower.

Have a squeegee in the shower and remove water from walls as soon as you are done showering.

Use a microfiber towel to get any excess water left behind.

Turn on overhead fan after each shower.

My Favorite RV Kitchen Hacks 

I want my RV kitchen to do everything my home kitchen does and I am always scouring for RV kitchen tips because it has to do all of that in 10% of the space. Here are a few of my favorites!!

Magnetic Knife Holder - Chef style magnetic knife holders have so many uses in a camper. In the kitchen they can be used to store knives obviously but also to hang other things from. I love the idea of old soup cans on the kitchen magnet holding the potato peeler, wooden spoon and can opener. It would also make a nice place to stash a few wildflowers picked on your hike.

 

Baby Food Jar Spice Rack - courtesy of Coach Vaughn   

Old school baby food jars are a great way to store spices in an easy to grab way. You will need a magnetic strip under the cabinet to hang them from. You can also buy empty food jars with metal lids on Amazon for this purpose.

 

Stackable Food Containers - are a great way to save space, keep food fresh and find what you are looking for in a hurry! They can be costly but are worth the investment. Stackable food containers can be purchased at Home Goods, The Container Store and through Amazon.

 

Tension Rods are a great way to create storage space in a cabinet for hard to store things. When installed vertically they can define a space for serving plates, cutting boards, and cookie sheets. Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Sink Basin - Camco makes a kitchen kit that has a small basin, drying rack and sink mat all in one set. I use the basin within my sink and fill it half way with hot soapy water in the morning. Rather than running the water each time I have an item to wash I drop knives, plates and coffee mugs in it all day. Before I start dinner I add some hot water to it and clean up the days dishes all at once. When I am boon docking this is a great way to conserve water.

Shelf liner - Shelf liner has so many purposes in an RV. You can use it to keep your pots and pans from sliding around in a cabinet while you are driving. You can cut it into small squares and layer it between your stacked plates to keep them in place. You can use small squares on the counter top under a cutting board or mixing bowl to keep them from sliding around while you are preparing food. You can use the Gorilla Grip under your bench cushions to keep them from sliding off the bench seat each time you get up or down.  The

 

Cabinet door storage -  You can make good use of the inside of a cabinet door in an RV to maximize storage.  Here are some great ideas from One Crazy House on ways to organize with magazine racks.

I use the inside of mine for a message center by placing an inexpensive white board there to record my tow vehicle and RV tire PSI. It's easy to forget the number and then I don't have to look it up each time.

It's also a great place to write down your grocery list. You can screenshot it to your phone when you go to the store.

The back of the cabinet door can hold cutting boards, serving trays, foil, saran wrap and parchment paper in magazine holders fastened to the door back.

You can apply hooks there for towels, grilling utensils and pot holders.

 

Refrigerator door - You can pull out the plastic on your RV fridge door by removing the top piece of trim and removing the face front. once it has been removed you can swap it out for a metal insert and use it as a magnetic message board. You can also paint it a different color or cover it in removable wallpaper or with stickers. Painting it with chalk board paint is a good way to use it as a message center and for RV art!! Here' a great tutorial from Clover House Blog. Another way to add character and style is to apply a pretty vintage metal tray to the fridge door. You can also DIY a new cookie sheet with pretty paper and put that up for magnets and notes. I secured mine with Command strips.

On this weeks show I am walking you through the basics of matching your tow vehicle to your RV. I am breaking down and defining the terms associated with towing safety.  I'm also laying out the formula used to determine what size RV can be safely towed by what sized tow vehicle.

Some terms we hear discussed at RV dealerships and on social media groups dedicated to RVing are below. It's a good idea for those new to towing to familiarize themselves with these terms.

GVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This number indicates the maximum amount of weight that can be carried in that RV. This would be fully loaded. It is what the industry has determined through federal guidelines that the frame, and axle, and wheels can accommodate. It is a federal law that each RV or travel trailer that leaves a factory must have this number in the left front corner of the outside of the trailer on a non removable plate. 

UVW - Unloaded Vehicle Weight. This is sometimes referred to as the dry weight. When a travel trailer leaves the factory it is individually weighed. The weight for that trailer is connected to its vin number and is specific to that individual trailer. You can have two trailers made the same day at the same plant that will have two different UVW ratings. It depends on the options that are put on them. An awning on a trailer can weigh a lot. An added 30 # propane tank can add another 25 pounds empty -  54#’s when it’s full. Also keep in mind that if you bring that trailer home and do modifications to it before you put one thing in it, every modification you make adds to your UVW.

CCC- Cargo Carrying Capacity. This number is also on the label in the left front corner of your RV. It can also sometimes be found on the inside of the door. This number tells you how much weight you can add to your RV when you’re packing it. The CCC on my Liberty Outdoors Max is 660 pounds. The axle and the tires are not rated to carry more than this amount of added weight. 

GVWR - UVW = CCC

The GVWR on my Max trailer is 3800 pounds. When I deduct the 3,140 pound UVW (or the dry weight as some people like to say), I arrive at the number 660 which is my Cargo Carrying Capacity. This simply means I cannot put more than 660 pounds of stuff in my trailer.

Tongue weight - the downward force that the tongue of the trailer exerts on the hitch that is connected to the vehicle. ... Experts agree that an acceptable tongue weight for any trailer is somewhere between 9 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight. 

Your tow vehicle also has ratings that you need to be aware of. 

There are three numbers to concern yourself with in your tow vehicle. 

Your tow vehicle also has a GVWR which can be found on the door jam or the door itself on your tow vehicle. This number reflects the maximum amount of weight that vehicle can have in total. It’s made up of the weight of the vehicle itself, what’s in it and the tongue weight of anything it’s pulling. 

The Cargo Carrying Capacity number is also listed on the door. That’s how much stuff you put in your tow vehicle. 

The UVR or dry weight, is what it weighs empty but with a small amount added for gas. This number is a little trickier to find. You can find it in your owners manual. You can also get that number by taking your gross vehicle weight rating and deducting your cargo carrying capacity. That will give you a number close to what your vehicle weighs dry.

There is one last number to concern yourself with and it’s called the GCWR. This number reflects the total of the GVWR for your tow vehicle and the RV together. It is the maximum allowable combination of your tow vehicle, its passengers and cargo combined with the weight of the RV and its cargo. This rating is set by the vehicle manufacturer. I got this number from my owners manual but you can also get it from a website. At this website you put in your Vin number and all the details about your vehicle will come up including the gross combined weight rating. 

It's important to understand these terms and adhere to these guidelines. If you don’t have the power needed to get up to speed quickly or you’re overloaded on pin weight and start swaying, serious things can happen.

I hope this gave you a good general overview of these terms and the importance of towing below the maximum ratings. On next weeks show I am going to be talking about SUVs with the towing capacity of 5000 pounds. These vehicles come in well below most trucks but a step above the 3500 pounds that have so many people towing right on the edge.

A good resource for more detailed information on this subject is the RV Safety and Education Foundation.