Vagabond Chef

Tongue weight or King Pin Weight:  the tongue weight is the actual weight pressing down in the hitch ball by the trailer.  The recommended amount of tongue weight is 10-15%. of the GTW.  The king pin weight is the pressing down on a fifth wheel hitch by the trailer.  The recommended weight amount is 15-25% of the GTW.

Curb Weight:  the actual weight of a vehicle or trailer including all standard equipment, full fuel tanks, full freshwater tank, full propane bottle and all other fluids, but before taking on any people or personal cargo.  So curb weight is vehicle weight with standard  equipment only.

Dry Weight: weight of a rv or trailer containing standard equipment without fuel, fluids cargo, passengers or optional equipment.

(UVW) unloaded vehicle weight:  is the weight of a basic unit as manufactured at the factory.  It includes all fluids applicable to the unit.  So the UVW is basic vehicle weight plus full fuel tank and equipment fluids weight.

Cargo Weight:  is the weight of all things added to the curb weight of the rv.  Which is personal cargo weight plus optional equipment weight plus tongue or king pin weight.  This gives you the cargo weight.

Payload is a weight rating.  It is the maximum weight that persons plus cargo should never exceed.  Payload is derived by subtracting Curb Weight from GVWR.  This means its the difference between a vehicle with standard equipment and the maximum allowed weight.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

Vehicle and trailer weights fall into two categories.  The actual weight category tells the specific measured weight of the vehicle or its components and the rating are limits placed on the vehicle or its components, should never  be exceeded.

(GVW) Gross vehicle weight is the actual weight of the fully loaded RV or trailer, including all cargo, fluids, passengers and optional equipment, as measured by a scale.  This means that curb weight plus cargo weight plus persons weight equals GVW.

(GVWR) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum number that the RVW or GTW should never exceed.  The GVWR is also applied to trailers as well as vehicle.

(GTW) Gross Trailer Weight is the same as GWV when referring to a trailer.  The GTW is gross axle weight plus tongue weight or king pin weight plus weight on all deployed jacks equal the gross trailer weight.

(GCW)  Gross Confination Weight is the acutal weight of the fully loaded tow vehicle plus the towed vehicle including all cargo, fluid, passenger and optional equipment.  So the GCW is GVW of tow vehicle plus GVW of towed vehicle.

(GCWR) Gross Combination Weight Rating is the maximum number that the GCW should never exceed.

(GAW)  Gross Axle Weight the real weight placed on a single axle.

(GAWR) Gross Combination Weight Rating is the maximum number that the GAW of a single axle should never exceed.

Propane gas also known as LP gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless.  Manufacturers of LP add an odorant to help people detect leaks.  Many people refer to the odor of the odorant as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur.  This gas is used in your rv on such appliances as the stove, furnace, water heater, some refrigerators and even some generators.

Understanding how much LP your rv can hold can be confusing to some people.  But it is really simple.  Some people refer to the weight of LP either in pounds or in gallons.  Some say their cylinders are 30 pounds while others say their’s weight 7 gallons.  Actually they are both right because LP weighs 4.26 pounds per gallon.  So 7 times 4.26 comes to approximately 30 pounds means they are basically saying the same thing.  All gas cylinders and tanks are only filled 80% capacity to allow for expansion.

You should have your LP system in your rv checked annually by a professional before using your rv.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

Awnings are a great feature to have on your rv.  There are several different types for different purposes.  There are door and window awnings that provide shade for over the entry door and the windows.

Slide out awnings protects the top of the slide out room from debris and water.

Patio awnings provide shade and extra space while relaxing outside.

With all the accessories you can buy to go with your rv awning you can make for your rv feel like your home away from home.  You can enjoy the comforts of having a unique patio with an rv awning mat and lights that let you sit out in the dark or in the rain.

Awnings adds excellent shade, protection from the weather and adds a sense of hominess to your rv; a little decoration for your home on wheels.  Practicality and versatility mean your money is well spent on an awning.

The fabric is made from vinyl or acrylic.  Some awnings have an aluminum or vinyl wrap around weather guard that protects the awning fabric while its in the travel position.

Consider the following when purchasing the awning:

_ease of setup: the easier the set up the faster you can enjoy camping.

_ability to be tilted: being able to tilt the awning allows you to stop water from being pooled.

_sturdiness: you want to make sure its durable.

_weather hardy fabric: you want weatherproof fabric in case of rain or snow.

_safety when setup and when stowed.

_simplicity is a favorite feature when shopping for an rv awning.  If it takes to long, is too technical, needs more than one person or is too awkward to setup, consider a different awning.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

1).  Avoid using an extension cord when hooking up to campground electricity.  The wiring used in household extension cords are not suitable for rv electrical systems.  But sometime you need an extension cord, so purchase one compatible to your rvs electrical system and keep it on hand.

2).  Electrical adapters are a necessity for rvers.  Eventually you will need one to make your connection at the campground.  You may be in an outdated campground or an area that only provides 15 or 20 amp electrical services.  There are adapters that go from rv typeplug down to household type outlets and vice-versa.

3).  Every rver should have a digital voltmeter that plugs directly into an outlet in your rv.  Buy one that can test campground polarity, measure AC line voltage and AC frequency.4).  Here are some calculations to figure out how much electricity  you can safely use in your rv.  Check the data plate on the appliance or electronic device you are using and apply these formulas:

watts divided by volts equal amps

amps time volts equal watts

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

Back up cameras come in a variety of styles.  Some only have lenses mounted inthe rear of your unit.  While others have lenses mounted on the side view mirrors.

With back up cameras yo should get sound, that way if someone notices something wrong they can let you know.  The camera that have lenses on the side view mirrors help you see when changing lanes and watching to make sure you are staying in your lane.

Also if you leave the back up camera on you can monitor your tow vehicle or keep an eye on the traffic behind you.  But most importantly you can make sure your not leaving anything lay on the highway behind you.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

The best cost effective and most logical way to protect your rv when not in use for long periods of time even if stored indoors is to cover it with a rv cover.

The best covers are made of a breathable material that is water resistant and protectsthe rv from the suns damaging  UV rays.

Before covering the rv place some type of blocking between the tires and the ground.  Be sure that the blocking is larger than the footprint of the tire.  No part of the tire should hang over the blocking.    This could cause structural  damage to your tire.  Keep your tires covered from the UV rays with  a good quality tire cover.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

Being a retired chef and an rver I have an interest in camp food going from basic camp food cooked over an open fire to elegant gourmet food cooked in the comfort of your rvs kitchen.

I put together a small cookbook with around 100 recipes.  I am selling this cookbook for $10.95 including shipping and handling.

Here is an example recipe:

VAGABOND CHEF’S TURKEY BURGER

1 lb. ground turkey

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1tbsp. instant minced onions

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. marjoram

1/8 tsp. thyme

1/2 tsp. celery salt

1 tsp.parsley flakes

Thoroughly mix all ingredients but do not over mix.  Shape into 4 patties.  Place on grill.  Cook 4 minutes on each side or until done.

If interested contact me at vagabond_chef@yahoo.com.  Watkin products are used in this recipe which I also sell.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

Here are some websites of manufacturers that could come in handy for you.  A lot of these manufacturers make more than one model of motorhome or 5th wheel  and some make both.  So look at these sites and enjoy.  All the websites start with www.

CLASS A:  countrycoach.com       damonrv.com     fourwindsrv.com   georgieboy.com     Itasca.com     mandalaycoach.com     newellcoach.com     rexhall.com     tiffinmotorhomes.com     winnebagoind.com     featherlitecoaches.com     holidayrambler.com

5TH WHEELS:     carriageinc.com     dutchmenmfg.com    generalcoach.bc.ca    jayco.com     komfort-rv.com     kz-rv.com    starcraftrv.com     triplerv.com

BOTH:     coachmenrv.com     fleetwood.com     forestriverinc.com     gulfstreamcoach.com     monaco-online.com     newmarcorp.com     thorca.com     nuwa.com

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

Every seam of your rv and every where a hole got cut into your rv has the potential to let water in.  To protect your investment take time to closely inspect all the seams and the sealants.  Water damage on an rv is like progressive tire damage.  The outside of the tire looks fine but the internal damage from water leakage could be major.  Make sure you use the proper sealant for the type of material you are repairing.

Cleaning the roof is only part of maintaining your rv.  Every time you clean the roof inspect the sealants around all the openings and seams.  Water will take the path of least resistance and if there is the smallest opening the water will find it.

Check with your rv dealer for sealants compatible with your roofing material.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD