Changing the gate valve between the black tank and the sewage hose is not a job anyone looks forward to – but it turned out to be much easier than we feared. With just a few common tools and some plastic gloves, you can save a big bill from the RV shop by doing this simple job yourself!Read More →
Back in the spring, we noticed a water stain on the ceiling over our bed. After a little exploration on the roof, Jeff discovered that the sealant around our bathroom skylight (right next to the bedroom) was cracked and failing. In addition, the skylight itself was beginning to feel brittle and showing signs of age. So we decided to replace the skylight. Here’s a short video on how Jeff did it. Don’t miss the blooper near the end!Read More →
After three years of RVing in a 2004 Class A motorhome, we’ve learned a lot about making RV campground reservations, emptying our tanks, conserving electricity and propane, and doing many of our own repairs. We’ve also learned to go with the flow without freaking out (at least not for too long!) when Plan A doesn’t work out for one reason or another. Jeff has pulled all that learning together for you in a timely new book called “The Complete Guide to Owning and Enjoying an RV.” In Section One, you’ll find chapters that explain the functioning of the electrical, septic, and fresh-water systems; lists ofRead More →
Five years ago, before we bought an RV and started “Miles and Smiles,” I wrote, and Kathy edited, a book entitled The Complete Guide to Renting an RV. It was a project that grew out of our own frustration when we were RV “newbies” and trying to find the information we wanted, needed, even yearned for about how to: Choose the right rental RV for you. Find and understand the best deal. Find the kinds of campgrounds we would enjoy. Plan an itinerary. Drive and park such a large vehicle. Handle utilities – especially the sewage system. What to pack and what to leave behind.Read More →
In this video we share tips on free camping, enjoy the free Deep Creek Preserve campground, take the Babcock Ranch Eco Tour (lots of Alligators) and explore the Punta Gorda Military Heritage Museum. Read More →
As RVing becomes more and more popular, it’s getting harder and harder to find a nice campsite – or any campsite – during the high season in popular areas. And RV destinations don’t get much more popular than Florida in the winter. More and more RVers are making reservations at their favorite Florida campgrounds a full year in advance. Others find themselves constantly on the phone, spending three nights here, and two nights there, wherever they can find a vacancy. And did I mention that most Florida campgrounds are expensive? This year we made it our goal to spend as little as possible on campsites,Read More →
In this blog we explain why we bought a Renogy 200 watt solar suitcase, and how to decide if portable solar power is right for you. You can see a great summary in our video! Although Kathy and I have camped almost exclusively in state, county, and private campgrounds, we know that some of the most beautiful campsites in the U.S. are free. Most of these are on state or federal land, often in remote locations with stunning views. Most allow two-weeks stays. But there’s a catch. No hookups! No running water. No electricity. No sewer connections. This is affectionately called boondocking. Now, in ourRead More →
I (Kathy) was happy being the navigator while Jeff drove our 37-foot Class A coach, fondly named Windy. On the other hand, Jeff happy being the sole driver? Not so much. The first time I drove Windy was three years ago. I’d had a lesson from a guy who it turned out had no idea that I needed to learn how to back into a campsite, maneuver around low branches, and drive on both interstates and narrow back roads. But at least I’d had a lesson. So on a rather deserted divided highway in rural Texas, I agreed that it was time for me toRead More →
The water from our RV water heater was hot — too hot — 160 degrees hot. And much to our surprise, there was no way to adjust the built-in thermostat. Fortunately, Atwood does sell a replacement thermostat with adjustable settings, so during some down time, Jeff set out to install one. IN THIS VIDEO:Atwood Adjustable Thermostat – https://amzn.to/2XrpRpSArctic MX4 Thermal Compound – https://amzn.to/3aUyDkdRead More →
One of the top problems reported by RVers is waste tank monitors that just don’t work! In theory, with a simple push of a button on your RV’s control panel, you can see just how full your tanks are so that you know for sure when they need to be dumped. The problem is that most monitoring systems installed by RV manufacturers are simply, excuse the expression, “crap.” After a couple of uses the monitors typically read “full” all the time, which means that you really have no idea how much capacity you have left. THE CAUSE Factory tank monitors rely on a series ofRead More →