Understand the ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS in your RV

As my wife have traveled around the country in our RV, we have talked to so many RV owners who tell us stories about having an electrical problem at one time or another with their RV.

And, as they tell their stories, it quickly becomes obvious that far too many RV owners have no idea how each of the different electrical systems in their Rv operate.

Because of this, I have just written and published a book just for RV owners that can help them understand not just how all of the electrical systems in an RV operate, but also how they interconnect and affect each other.

As a Retired Electrical Engineer,  and a couple who have owned 10 different campers from travel trailers to motorhomes and who have camped around the country for decades, we have experience pretty much every type of common electrical problem that can occur in an RV.

BTW - This is not a book full of electrical schematics and formulas for a technical person, rather, it includes common sense explanations and interconnection diagrams that the average RV owner can understand and use when they have an electrical problem.

So, read this book and you will better understand such topics as; Converters, Inverters, DC-Voltage systems AC-Voltage Systems, RV Generators, RV COACH Batteries, RV MAIN Batteries (Engine), GFCI receptacles, RV Fridge, RV Propane System, Tow Connectors, DC Fuses, AC Breakers, and more.

 I have published my reasonably priced book on AMAZON and you can find it there in several ways;
1- You can go to your AMAZON account and just search for my name; DONALD BOBBITT.
2- You can click on this link; RV ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

by DON BOBBITT

Work Camping. Is it right for you?

Work Camping is a great way for Campers, who travel in their RV for long periods of time and want make a little money to supplement their travels while they do so.

There are literally thousands of campgrounds around the country that have jobs for part-time workers.

Work Camping Benefits

These campgrounds will typically pay a low salary, around minimum wage, and some will even give them a discounted price on a campsite while they work for them.

During their Peak Season they will generally require a 40-hour work-week, and in the off-season they may only give you a 20-hour work-week.

As a Work-Camper, you are not legally considered a permanent employee but you would be a temporary employee. And this status depends on which state you are working in.

In most of these campgrounds that use temporary Work-Campers, you will only be allowed to work for up to six months before you must move on.

Work Camping jobs

These Work-Camping jobs exist because campground owners always need extra employees to perform low-impact labor around the campground to keep things operating well.

The most common jobs Work Campers are needed for are;

Check-In Clerks
Reservation Clerks
Customer Relations Clerks
Electricians
Plumbers
Landscape Maintenance personnel
Laundry personnel
Housekeeping personnel

There are other tasks that come up in campgrounds, but these are the most common jobs that need workers regularly


So, if you are interested in Work Camping, and feel you're good at these tasks and especially if you have experience doing these jobs before in another campground,
Click on the link below to read my article on HubPages where I explain Work Camping and read more details about this special lifestyle.

Work Camping to pay for your travels

by Don Bobbitt

Check out this great T-Shirt designed for CAMPERS along with others I have listed on my SHOPIFY Store, NULIVIN4U.com;

My RV My RULES Tee

Your RV Generator and How it Works - Tips on Maintenance

Many of the larger RV campers today have built-in generators.

These generators will typically operate on the motorhome's fuel system while owners of towed campers will have a portable generator they can use.

Portable Generator - pic by Marion Doss via Flickr

Below is a link to my article on my HubPage site that provides a short history on the evolution of RVs and their use of generators.

It then goes into how Gas and Diesel Generators function differently and provides some tips on the proper maintenance of your RV Generator.

Also, I have included links to a couple of very good YouTube videos that are full of tips on RV Generator maintenance.

Having a HOME-BASE Campsite

Our New USED Camper on our new HOME-BASE Site

Not too ago, I had some health problems and my wife and I knew we wouldn't be traveling much for several years.

We still loved the traveling lifestyle and we really hated doing it, but we sold our motorhome and then tried to come up with what we would do with the money.

Changing our Camping Lifestyle

Don and Helen checking out a Tiki Bar

We knew we could no longer jump from campground to campground anytime we wanted.

But, we still had places we wanted to visit. Sure, some of them we could just drive to or fly to, spend a few days and that would be it for that place, maybe forever.

After a few months of racking our brains, a fellow RVer told us to just put our RV on a site central to places we wanted to visit regularly and call it our Home-Base

We talked about it and we were excited over this idea because it fit what we needed perfectly.

Most of your family and friends were living in Virginia because that's where we were from originally. And, putting a camper there would allow us to be with our family whenever we wanted, but we could also take short hops from that central location and feel like we were traveling again.

A Camping Home-Base

So, decision made, we decided to drop back and get ourselves a nice used camper and place it on a Home-Base site of our own. Then, we could drive up to Virginia and use our camper whenever we wanted to enjoy that camping lifestyle. At the same time we could plan less trips but still visit those places nearby we hadn't seen in years

As I said, our children and grand-children live in Virginia and one of our requirements was that we wanted to be able to see them as much as possible.
After a little shopping we found a campground where we could rent a site full-time at a reasonable annual cost.

While we were looking for a site, we had also been shopping for a good but reasonable priced camper to use when we visited our Home-Site.
It took us several months of shopping and a lot of disappointing deals that fell through, but we finally got a camper that filled our needs and had it hauled by a guy that hauls campers for people to our Home-Base.

Oh, I guess I should mention that for campers to have a Home-Base campground is not a new idea. In fact , over the years, I have met numerous older campers who had decided on doing the very same thing. And I don't just mean Full-Timers who who usually do not own a fixed home anymore. I mean Most-Timers and even Part-Timers.

The concept of having a Home-Base just seems to suit a lot of campers, to go to a Home-Base rather than hop around the more commercial campgrounds.

Anyway, the picture you see here, was taken a few weeks after I had my camper placed onto my site. As you can see, the only thing that I have done, at that point, was have my Son-in-Law build me a temporary set of steps to make getting in and out of our camper easier.

We improved our site over the next couple of years and eventually, we had what was essentially a very "homey" second home, that we could visit any time we wanted, year-round.

My health improved after a few years and we actually sold that camper and purchased ourselves a nice older motorhome that we are still using to travela dn camp when we get the urge.

So, if you just don't want to drive a camper around the country, but still want to see other sites than what you have at home, think about setting up a Home-Base in a location that you want to call your second home.

by Don Bobbitt

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BOOK - The ULTIMATE RV Owner;'s REFERENCE

Check out this great reference book designed for RV Owners.

This book provides so much useful data on RV’s that I will just list a few of the subjects covered here.

RV FINANCIALS:  Searching for the right RV, Negotiating for an RV, RV Values, Purchasing an RV, RV Depreciation, Selling or Trading an RV.

CAMPING: It includes numerous tips on; Camping in an RV, selecting the best campground, improving your campsite, and what to look out for in your campground while you are staying there.

RV MAINTENANCE: RV Electrical and mechanical Systems, Troubleshooting Tips, Generator repairs, Fridge repairs, Door malfunctions, Outdated accessory updates.

RV USE and SAFETY: Proper RV operation and critical Safety tips, Driving Tips, Pre-travel checklists, On the Road tips.

And much MORE!

And it has a comprehensive Index included for quick reference on specific RV subjects.

Click on the link below to go directly to the product on Amazon!

How to minimize Sun damage while Camping in your RV

A Sunny day in Arizona.

OK, I'm sure you think you know all of the facts about the Sun and how it can damage your skin.

Sure, you want that great tan, but you don't really want to end up with old wrinkled skin before your time.

Well, just in case you missed something, below is a link to my article on HubPages where I explain such things as; the UV Index, peak Sun damage hours, SPF, and other facts you need to understand if you really want to minimize your potential skin damage from the Sun while camping in your RV.

Ways to avoid those damaging UV rays from the sun.

RV Financials - 5 Part explanations of RV pricing, selling, trading and financing

Every RV owner or potential owner should read these five articles.
They take the reader through the intricacies of the world of RV financials.

You learn about how an RV is valued as well as how it Depreciates. 

And, it provides valuable information on how to get the most for your older RV if you trade it in on another one, or sell it yourself. 

This information will help you not only understand the way dealers value your RV, but also how to get the most for your RV.


So, click on these links and learn, before you lose money.

I strongly recommend that you read all of these articles, in sequence, before you consider any Rv purchase, so here they are below;

 RV Financials, Part-1 - RV Prices, where the world of RV pricing is explained for the novice.

RV Financials, Part-2, Understanding RV Depreciation where you will get a better understanding of how much an Rv can depreciate every year.

RV Financials, Part-3 - Understanding the RV Trade-In Process where you will get an inside view of how RV dealers work you into accepting their offer for your old Rv when you want to trade.

RV Financials, Part-4 - How to Sell your RV yourself. Here you can pick up on how to properly sell your RV and get the maximum possible price.

RV Financials, Part-5 - Resale Expectations. Be prepared for the reality of your RV's true value.

The Right Gear for your RV CAMPSITE

by DON BOBBITT

SO, you are planning your first trip in your RV.

And, you're planning on being at this great campground for two whole weeks.

Sounds great, Huh?

Well, right now you need to ask yourself, do you have all of those little things that will make your camping experience a great one?

Click on the link below to read my article on HubPages where I describe the options you should consider to make your camping experience a wonderful one.

Whether you have a Motorhome, a 5th wheel camper, a tag-a-long, or a Pop-Up, this Hub can help you make the right choices in grills, chairs, outside lighting, rugs, tables and more.


Set up your RV Campsite for Fun and Comfort.

How to Balance your RV Power Load on 30Amp Service

An RV AC Power Control Panle typical of most RV's.

Even though many of the Rv's on the market now are designed with 50-Amp power connections and management systems, you can still find many campgrounds that have only 30-Amp power service available.

When this happens to many of us, we are at a loos as to what we can do to operate our RV with all if it's modern appliances on this restricted power source.

Click on the link below to read my article which describes numerous things you can do to balance your power load throughout the day when your camper is in a campground with only a 30-Amp Service.

The article includes numerous tricks and tips which can keep your power usage to a minimum while still enjoying your camping experience.

Balance your RV Power Load on 30Amp Service

Check out this 50-Amp to 30-Amp adapter for your 50-Amp RV.

The OLD MAN in the KEYS - Evolving Chapters

Seagulls, Palm Trees and smooth GULF Waters

OK, Here are a set of links to my chapters about being AN OLD MAN IN THE KEYS.

These are writings about my observations while staying down here, and include photographs, people and how they act while on their vacations, little pieces of natural beauty I see, and of course, some of what I consider the better Tiki Bars and casual dining places.

So, come back here regularly, or just follow this blog post to be notified when I have written a new chapter.

Don Bobbitt

The OLD MAN in the KEYS - Part - 1

Livin' in the Keys for a While

The OLD MAN in the Keys - Part - 2

Being an Observer

The OLD MAN in the KEYS - Part - 3

Maybe it's the Pelicans

The OLD MAN in the Keys - Part - 4

Or it could be the TIKI BARS

Replacing your RV TV ANTENNA

Batwing RV TV Antenna with a bent lobe.

All of the RV's I have owned in the past have had a "Batwing" antenna on them.

The older RV's will have the original version that was designed for use during the days of Analog TV transmissions.

The newer Rv's will have an antenna that looks the same and the old design, but the new design will contain an amplifier that will pick up and amplify DIGITAL TV signals.

It is more efficient and should always be the preferred purchase for anyone who needs to replace their older version.

Well, the link below opens an article of mine that recounts my experience with an employee at an RV parts and service center when I needed to replace my TV antenna after it was broken in a campground.


Replacing your RV TV ANTENNA

Hopefully, you will enjoy this little story about my encounter with an authentic, self-proclaimed "expert".

Understanding RV Financials - Part-1 - RV Pricing and Values

Important Tips and references for an RV Buyer

So, you're interested in buying a NEW RV?

Or, maybe you're just interested in trading in your old one for a newer one?

Well, before you do this, you need to go to the appropriate web sites and get the latest official pricing that the typical dealer will use when you start your negotiations.

RV TRAVELING - Making my Long Range plans for next Summer in my RV.

Our campsite in 3-Flags, a TT RV Resort in Wildwood Florida.

If you're going on a relatively long trip and camping in several different places, a smart RV owner absolutely must make his plans early.

Even if it's just a skeleton of a travel outline, good planning is an absolute must for us all.

My wife and I are planning on spending most of the Summer, in 2017 traveling up the SouthEast states and then spending a couple of months in the eastern parts of Virginia.

TRAVEL - Going to the Keys? Better be prepared for the wild traffic.

Everyone I have ever met have either been to the Keys on a vacation or are hoping to go there at some time in the future.

I have been to the Keys several times over the past. I have stayed in hotels right on Duval Street, I have stayed in a nice Bed and Breakfast, and more recently, I have been down here in my RV motorhome for longer stays in nice campgrounds located in the upper Keys.

How to select the right Grill for your RV and your outdoor lifestyle

A typical model of tabletop Grill used by campers.

One of the things a camper does often is cook out on their Grill.

It's just what you want to do when you are camping; you stay outside more often and you eat foods that you can easily and quickly prepare while you're outside.

This kind of lifestyle and foods literally demands that you have a decent Grill for preparing these meals, appetizers and even snacks.

Campground Memberships - Save big with the right memberships for your camping lifestyle.

Campgrounds and Camper Priorities

Eventually, we RV campers will have stayed at so many different campgrounds that we tend to take them for all granted and start looking for savings wherever possible.

You know what I mean, we’re always running around the country in our RV, and at each campground there is a charge for your stay. The savvy Camper soon learns where to get the best deals on their favorite campgrounds.

Even though we might only stay for one or two nights at one campground or maybe we’ll settle in for several weeks at another, after a few years of traveling the country in our RV, many of them tend to blend together in our brains but we end up prioritizing them by cost first and quality later.

How to keep Warm in your RV

Every RVer will eventually end up in their camper when a surprise cold snap hits on a cold night ,wondering how to keep warmer without having that propane furnace running throughout the night.

For the more experienced camper, careful pre-planning has them sitting cozy in their RV while the Winter cold has a minimal effect on them.

When you travel up North (anywhere north of Florida) you can wake up with this stuff on your car. Pic by Don Bobbitt

But it often ends up that some of us, are just happily camping and when an unanticipated cold snap hits the area, and we are left spending several nights and days, cold and uncomfortable.

RV HEATING Systems Controls - Here is a Tip on how they operate.

A Winter Camping Surprise, Pic by Don Bobbitt

As I have mentioned before, my wife and I have often camped in the Tampa area of Florida during the Winter.
And, we quickly learned that, even in Florida, it can get quite cold at night.

As all campers soon learn, when you are traveling in your camper and cold weather does hit, you can often end up looking for multiple ways to keep yourself warm.

How to recognize the different Types of Campers and RV's

Over our lives, my wife and I have owned a number of different types of Recreation Vehicles.
We originally started out camping with tents, and we eventually moved up to Pop-Ups, then Trailers and then finally Motorhomes. 

We changed types of campers as we found over our lives that our camping lifestyle changed in parallel with our normal life changes.

RV Slides - add room to your RV, but they must be maintained.

The addition of Slides to RV’s has revolutionized the interior designs of RV’s, by giving you, the owner much more floor space to enjoy once you arrive at your campsite. 

If your RV has one or more slides, and nearly all of the newer ones do, there are a few things you should know.

How to keep COOL in your RV

OK, you're HOT!

That's my assumption, if you are reading this Blog Post.

And in an RV, if you don't take certain precautions, you can get really hot while vacationing in the deep South of the United States.

But, don't despair, there are some things you can do to make your RV much more comfortable in the heat and it only takes a little thought and self-management.

Spring is Near! Are You ready for your first Camping Trip?

Ready to be de-winterized

That's right!

Winter happens every year and pardon the pun but it is often an uncomfortable time of the year to one degree or another.

And, if you have an RV, the weather can really cause you some problems if you have not prepared your "home away from home" for its potential onslaught.

QUICK RV TIP, A Tool for Closing those hard to reach Windshield Curtains

Close those RV Windshield Curtains easily

This is one of a series of QUICK RV TIPS for RV owners.

They are simple things you can do as an RV owner to make your camping and travel more comfortable and enjoyable.

I have written the tips, which are short and informative, and listed them on my site; RVANDCAMPER.ORG. Click on the link above to read the actual article;

QUICK RV TIP, RV Tires, A Quick Check you can make while on the road.

RV TIRES, A Quick Safety Check

This is one of a series of QUICK RV TIPS for RV owners.

They are simple things you can do as an RV owner to make your camping and travel more comfortable and enjoyable.

RV Sewage Management - Best Shaken Not Stirred

Typical RV Service Center

One thing that a camper ends up knowing how to do, is how to properly dump and maintain their RV Sewage tank.
And, I can tell you that almost all of my fellow campers have a Horror story they tell about "that time they saw....."
Because, honestly, when something does go wrong while someone is dumping an RV Sewage tank it is definitely a bad situation, that they will remember for the rest of their life.

JOKE - Little Johnny and Salesmanship!

Such a Smart Young Man!

The teacher gave her students a weekend assignment. It was to sell something, and then give a talk on
how they did and what they had learned about salesmanship.

Little Sally led off.  "I sold Girl Scout cookies and I made $30" she said proudly. My sales approach was to appeal to the customer's civil spirit,and I credit that approach for my obvious success."

"Very good", said the teacher.

Little Debbie was next.  "I sold magazines" she said.  "I made $45 and I explained to everyone that  magazines would keep them up on current events."

A Winter Camping Trip - Day-4,5,6,7 - Christmas and Such!

Yep! That's what it has been, 4 days of "and Such"

We had a great Christmas! The last several days I have been surrounded with relatives and friends. Some of whom I have not seen in a very long time.

And that's been a good thing! At least my hearts says so. Of course, my nerves say otherwise. We have been running from one place to another every day and especially on Christmas Eve and Day.
We have collected a lot of great memories over this period and the trip has been something special for us.

A Winter Camping Trip - Day 3 - Weather changes a few plans

As you can tell by the photo the Day-3 started out dreary. If you look back in my older posts, I have this identical picture but it was Autumn and the colors were fantastic.

But, its OK, I grew up here in Lynchburg, so I'm quite familiar with what a real winter of dormant nature is like.

 No Problem for me.

The weather itself, is crazy warm for this time of year, but I'm not complaining about that either.
In fact, just to show people that I now come from the tropical world of Florida, I waked around in shorts, a T-Shirt and flip-flops. The rest of the 'Burg was wrapped up as if they were just waiting for the next cold snap to hit.

A Winter Camping Trip - Day-1 thru 3

Day 1 and 2

Well, we got here. But, it was a punishing trip.
My wife and I have made some long trips before, but with this one, we finally overdid it.

You see, we left Home in Florida at 3-AM, heading to Myrtle Beach, SC. My wife had an appointment with a Doctor of hers, so we detoured there and then we went through Raleigh, NC to pick up our grand-daughter. After that stop we continued on to our campsite in Lynchburg VA.

The whole idea was to save on a hotel room on the way up.

Oh, we traded off with the driving, several times, and we made a number of rest are stops just to stretch relax a little. But, we ended up spending over twenty hours in the car, just driving.

Never again! By the time we got to the camper, my son-in-law had everything set up for us, so we just unloaded the overnight necessities, but we were WHIPPED! And wound up on caffeine, of course.

We had a glass of wine, put on our PJ's and crashed for the night.

A Winter Camping Trip - Day-0 - Loading Up for the Road

Wow! This is the day before we hit the road and it is going to be a busy one.

Over the years, we have found that we need to make the day before we leave on a camping trip a special one.

Because our drive is going to be a long one, we know that we need to do things in a certain order.

As I mentioned in a previous article, we have most of what we are going to take with us kind of, well, piled in the floor of our spare bedroom. So there will be no last minute searches for articles that we might need.

Here are some of the things that we will do that makes our trip packing a lot more efficient;