Don’t overload your RV
Loading your RV beyond the recommended limit can have a serious impact on vehicle handling, durability of the tires and passenger safety. All RVs are provided with load ratings by the manufacturers. The information will be placed on one of the following places; on the door edge/pillar, near the driver’s seat, on back exterior wall, on front left-side exterior wall or on driver’s door frame.
Extending your RV battery’s lifetime
The 12 volt DC battery in your RV is designed to survive hundreds of charging cycles. But if allowed to discharge beyond half the rated capacity, the lifetime will be drastically reduced. A few simple steps can ensure a longer battery life.
- Try not to use the battery to produce heat (hot water, coffee). Use your LP supply for all heating purposes and opt for a catalytic heater in place of the furnace.
- Always set your refrigerator to run on the LP supply, not on the battery.
- Switch off lights when you leave an area in the RV. If possible use a small portable lamp for reading purposes.
- Use the microwave oven, hair dryer and other heat producing appliances sparingly.
- Never run the air conditioner on inverted power. Always use the generator to power the air conditioner.
Managing water usage and waste water storage/disposal during dry camping
When you’re dry camping (camping without hookups) your fresh water, grey tank storage and black tank storage is limited. Try to cut down on waste as much as possible. Don’t allow water to drain without using it to the maximum. Collect water from showers and sinks that come out before it becomes hot and use it for other purposes that do not require hot water. Turn off shower water while soaping, shampooing.
How to make sure you don’t leave things behind
If you’re planning to go on an extended trip in your RV chances are you will have a sleepless night the day before, the reason being your worries about forgetting to pack something important. Here’s some advice to help you have a good night’s sleep before the big trip.
- Make a list in advance of the things you’ll need both for everyday activities and for the things you’re planning to do on the trip.
- Put all toiletries in a zip-lock bag the day before and keep it in the bathroom. Once you’ve finished using them in the morning, grab the bag and pack it in.
- Get duplicates of items that are not too expensive and stock them in the RV. This is practical if you’re planning to make frequent trips in the RV. By having a separate set you won’t need to pack up half the house every time you head for a trip.
- Leave a set of house keys with a trusted neighbor, friend or relative. This way you won’t worry whether the hot water heater was switched off or not. You can simply call your friend and ask him to check up.
Summary - Some helpful tips on areas related to RV usage have been given in this article. |
