Vagabond Chef

You’re getting ready to start the RVing lifestyle.  You’re all excited with anticipation then reality hits.  You need to find a job to fit this lifestyle its helps you reduce expenses.  This can happen while having fun and making new adventures.

The first step towards making this happen is to identify your goals.  What are your dreams for traveling on the road?  Do you want to spend time at the National Parks? How about playing golf, going fishing or maybe going to the races? Do you want peace and quiet?  What about exploring an area that has a special place in your heart?  Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to save money while living this lifestyle?

Working can help make your dreams come true; whatever they are.  Are you working to make an income or to supplement it?  Perhaps a free campsite would be enough for you.  Decide on the amount and length of time you want to earn it in.

Can you do on the road what you did before you left?  This could be the way to make the most money.  Perhaps you were bored with what you were doing and want something completely different.

Apply to many jobs (at least 20).  You’ll get a better feel for the job market and have a choice.  Be selective.  Remember your selling yourself and evaluating the employer.  Develop a list of questions to ask the employer.  What are the duties?  Hours?  If over 40 hours do I get overtime?  Do you provide equipment?  What kind of perks?  How close to the doctor’s and shopping.  Learn from experience and don’t set yourself to high.

Good Times, Good Friends, Good Food

Maybe some of these mistakes will stop us from having to learn  the hard way from their experiences.

Don’t short yourself on practice.  It takes more than an hour to learn how to drive and park your RV.  Don’t rush it.

Start with a short shake down trip to learn about your RV and its systems.  Find your problems close to home.

Be cautious about back roads.  They are not all made for large units.  If possible check it first with your tow vehicle or dinghy.

Taking sharp turns can be disasterous make them wide.  It is better than going off the road.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

Lack of use is one of the biggest problems with generators.  Fuel breaks down and gums up causing hard starting and surging problems.  The gaskets can dry up and cause leaks.

Generators are what makes RV’s truly self contained.  The problem is people forget they need some care and maintenance.  No matter what you’re doing it is always “Safety First”.  A generator produces carbon monoxide.  So make sure you check the exhaust systems of the generator set before using it.  Do not run it if there are any problems with the exhaust system.  Make sure the exhaust is pointing away from your site and not towards anyone else where using a portable unit.

A generator will last longer than the RV is treated right.  When put away in storage a fuel preservative should be added.  Start and use the generator for at least 2 hours a month and the word usage means at least under half power.

As with anything else regular maintenance should be done at regular intervals.  ‘But each manufacturer has their own ruls so follow the service manual of your RV.

Good Times,l Good Friends, Good Food

Here is something we all will do sometime and that is feel like we forgot something.  It is a terrible way to start a great trip.  Some of these things will really drive at your psyche.

Here are some ways to help that anxiety disappear .  Hopefully it will help you sleep better.

First let’s start making some checklists.  One could be of things that are needed to be purchased, another could be things that still have to be put in the RV and the third could be a list of what is already in the RV. These lists could be updated after every trip then you will know what needs to be added for the next trip and also what you already have in it.  So you don’t forget your lists keep them in your RV.

Often toiletries are forgot because they are used the day your leaving.  Have them sat in a bag on the vanity so after use the bag can just be grabbed or better yet keep an extra set in the RV.

Leave an extra key with a neighboror family member in case you think you left the gas on the stove on.  Call them and they would be able to go and check.  It’s always a good idea for someone to have an extra key just in case of an emergency.

Now sit back and enjoy your trip.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

If your pondering the thought of buying a generator for your RV there are several choices.  But don’t buy a contractors generator because of its price.

There are built in generators called gensets and there are freestanding ones called portables.  Many RVs genset ready from the factory meaning  that there is a designated area , electrical wiring and fuel sourcebuilt in to the RV, but the genset is an option.

Built ins are nice because they require less to operate.  All you have to do is hit the remote start switch while your in the unit to fire it up; no going out in the bad weather.  They do have some problems getting to when needing to be serviced.

Portable generators fall into 2 basic classes.  Portable units  built for specially for RVs (Honda or Yamaha) and the contractor style available at any hardware store.

You might be wondering what’s the difference: contractor style gives off more power but also is a lot noisier.

The portables are small and cost more but are very quiet.  You wil need a 3000 watt or larger to run your roof air conditioner.  You can also tie 2 identical generators together  to have more than enough power.

I myself would go for the peace and quiet.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

Is it safe to have the propane in your RV turned on while traveling.  Well its like which came first the chicken or the egg or a half of a dozen or six of the other.  There is no actual correct answer.  It will be up to you to decide.

It is legal to travel while using propane, but it is illegal to have an open flame near a service station fuel pump.  Some bridges and tunnels have the same restrictions.

Then others say that traveling with the propane on is an accident waiting to be a happening.  For them the only safe way to travel is with the propane turned off.

If you travel less than five hours a day and the refrigerator is off it will keep cold enough to keep food fresh if you don’t open it to often.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

The monitoring panel of your RV allows you to see the conditions and fullness of your systems.  Sometimes it only shows the fresh water, gray water and black water holiday tanks. Others include battery, propane, status of water heater and if the water pumps on or off.

Some people are confused about reading the monitor. Consider the ideal condition of each tank. The ideal condition for fresh water is full; for black and gray tanks it is empty.

The green light is good and red is bad. if the fresh water tank is full the lifht should be green. If the black and gray tanks are full the light should be red because that is bad.

Amber means your about to into the bad.

Propane full would be green, also.

Good times. Good Friends. Good Food.

Tailgating in a RV is fun and it can be more enjoyable if you try some of these .

Start your refrigerator several hours before you plan to fill it and to help make sure it stays cold only load it with items that are already cold. Also don’t forget that the refrigerator should be as level as possible for it to work properly.

The RV’s generator can only handle so much power; so know its limitations.  Know where the circuit breakers arejust in case.  check its oil level. Run it for a while with a load on it the day before it is needed to make sure it rns properly.

Make sure it has enough propane.   Who likes a raw piece of meat.

If the RV has been in storage make sure the batteries have a full charge in them.

Make sure everyone knows the correct usage of the bathroom and what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

Whether, you are moving, selling it or sending it in for repairs the best way to transporting an RV cheaply and safely is to plan and give yourself plenty of time and really be prepared.

If you own a working motorhome the least expensive option would be to have it driven to its destination.  A friend or family member would be the best choice but if needed you could hire a driver.  A transportation company reduces the risks by being licensed by the department of taransportation and they also have insurance to cover your RV if damaged.

If your RV is inoperable the cost of transporting it will vary by the distance it has to be moved and the type of RV.  An RV that can be driven or towed will cost less to transport than the one that needs a special truck to carry it.

Make sure the company you choose has the ability and the experience to safely transport your RV.  Ask for their( DOT) dept. of transportation and (MC) motor carrier numbers.  You can use these numbersto check out their safety records at www.safersys.org and check the (BBB) better business bureau for customer complaints.

Prepare your RV for transporting in the long run it will make it easier on you and the transporter.  Most transport companies will not accept responsibility for damages caused by improper preparation by the owners.  Clean the RV and remove any loose and personal items.  Make sure all cabinet doors , doors and windows are latched or taped shut.  Check the tires, engine, brake and all other fluids.  Turn off all electronics and disconnect the propane.  Make a list for the transporter telling what is what and where everything is.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD

Check these items first thing every day before you travel.   Check and adjust air pressure of the tires according to the manufacturers recommendations.  Check the tires when they are cold.

Make sure the lug nuts are tight and all there.

Check the wheel hubs and that the bearings are properly adjusted and lubricated.

Check all nuts and bolts to be sure they are properly tightened.

Check that the coupler is properly adjusted and secured to the ball mount.

Make sure the safety chains are on correctly.

Check to see that the lights are working.

Double check to make sure the towed vehicle is properly secured to the dolly.

Make sure the parking brake on the towed vehicle is off.

Check straps after 10 miles and tighten if needed.  Then check again after 1oo miles.

Do not attempt to back up with a dolly attached to your RV.

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD