RV Trax Panama City

Year: 2011

  • Wheel Chocks and Leveling

    Wheel Chocks and Leveling

    When backing up or pulling into a campsite with your travel trailer or fifth wheel, stop at the approximate spot where you plan on parking the unit. Check the leveling from side to side. If it is not level, pull forward or back about an foot. Put leveling blocks at the tires on the low side of the unit and pull onto the blocks. Verify the unit is level side to side and chock the wheels front and rear. Disconnect the unit and adjust the front jacks so the unit is level front to rear. Added stability can be encountered by leaving the front of the unit slightly low and extending the rear stabilizers, then adjust the front jacks back to level. This applies a little more load on the stabilizers to reduce rocking of the unit. It is important that the rig is level to avoid damaging the refrigerator cooling unit and for drains to work properly. Travel-trailer owners need to know to block the back and front of the tires on both sides of the vehicle, while parked at their campsite. Weight distribution through-out the camper will shift while you are enjoying the amenities of your home on the road. If the weight happens to be concentrated in the rear of the camper, well the front may pop up and you might find yourself taking an unplanned tour of the campground.

     

     

  • Fresh Water Pump Noise

    Fresh Water Pump Noise

    RV Fresh Water Pump Noise

    Most RV’s are equipped with a fresh water storage tank and a on demand fresh Water Pump , which provides satisfactory service for most RV’ers. A common complaint is the noise and vibrations associated with the pump usage. Newer recreational vehicles are very susceptible to this problem, because most newer RV fresh water supply plumbing is manufactured with Pex Tubing. This tubing has many advantages, but this tubing is very rigid and tends to chatter, because it cannot absorb the on demand pump pulsations and vibrations, resulting in a “hammering” type sound emitting throughout the RV.

    Installing flexible Braided Hose at the water pump inlet and outlet will reduce these noises considerably. Installing a inline Accumulator Tank at the pump outlet pressure port is very effective at reducing pulsating noise and eliminates short cycling of the pump.

    The best alternative is to replace the old style pressure activated pump with variable speed Flojet Pump. This modern pump utilizes a water flow sensor instead of a pressure switch. The flow sensor enables a variable water pump motor speed for precise water flow control determined by the water demand required. This pump is very efficient and requires lower battery amperage draw.

  • Exercising The Generator

    Exercising The Generator

    Exercising the RV Generator

    Generators are a convenient and important accessory for your Recreational Vehicle that makes it a self contained unit. With a little maintenance and regularly starting the RV Generator, you will be rewarded with many hours and years of service.

    Today’s fuels absorb water and break down quickly, sometimes within two months, and leaves unwanted gum deposits in the generator carburetor, thus causing surging, poor running conditions, or it may not start at all. Most generator manufacturers recommend starting and exercising the generator at half load every two weeks. Running an Air Conditioner will often be a sufficient load. We have come across many carburetor issues even when a Fuel Stabilizer is added to the fuel system, when it has not been started regularly.

    Always remember to turn off generator loads such as Air Conditioners, Electric Water Heaters, Microwaves, Coffee Makers, etc. before starting or stopping a RV Generator to avoid damaging generator electrical controls and components. If a generator is surging. Turn it off immediately and seek Service to avoid damage. Do not mess with the throttle linkage trying to clear it out, to avoid expensive generator damages.

    All gas and diesel generators produce deadly carbon monoxide gas, so always inspect generator fluid levels, any signs of fuel leakage and for a damaged exhaust system before starting. A damaged or leaking exhaust can introduce deadly Carbon Monoxide gas into the RV. It is highly recommended to purchase a Carbon Monoxide Detector and mount it inside the RV as high as possible for you and your family’s safety. Remember Carbon Monoxide is a odor free and invisible gas that will kill. .The tail pipe should protrude at least one inch past the outside vehicle side wall of the RV. Gen-Turi has a exhaust tube that deflects exhaust sound and gas above the roof line, where it is much quieter and safer. When using a Portable Generator, always keep the exhaust pointed away and as far as possible from the RV.

    You should always use a fuel system Stabilizer added to the fuel system, when stored, and allow the engine and generator run to allow the preservative to enter the fuel delivery components. Exercising the generator regularly will allow heat from the generator to vaporize away moisture. If the gas generator cannot be started on a regular basis, it is sometimes best to drain the carburetor of gasoline, following safety precautions when handling fuel. Most carburetor bowls have a drain screw to make this easy. Check the generator owners and service manual for proper procedures.

    Always consult the Generators owners manual for proper service intervals. These intervals vary from usage. Most generators have a hour meter to keep track of the time the generator has run. Performing these simple steps will reward you with many hours of convenient electrical generating service.

  • Drinking Water Filters

    Drinking Water Filters

    Filtering Drinking Water

    There are many health reasons to be concerned about the water we drink, especially with an Recreational Vehicle. You and your RV travel and stop at many destinations, that will have many water quality issues. There is not any way to know the health risks that may be encountered from the local water supply, or especially the contaminants introduced from the campground. Freshwater sanitation of your RV is equally important to maintain a clean water system. I recommend installing the best water filtration systems available. A dedicated filtered water drinking tap and ice maker line run from the water filter is very important.

    Most water filtration systems only filter contaminants by physically straining the water. A much better system is called the Metal Trap Ultra Dual Filtration system by Hydropure Technologies. This system works for city water and well water systems. This system works on the principal of chemical oxidation, absorption and ion exchange, whereas it removes and traps the unwanted contaminants. This is a two stage system, whereas the first stage filters iron, copper, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) from most well water systems. It also removes chlorine, chlorinated organic compounds, herbicides, pesticides and residual pharmaceuticals

    As water enters the second stage, activated carbon filters down to one micron. The activated carbon filters out the foul tasting and potentially harmful chemicals and contaminants. This one micron sediment filter will remove dissolved calcium particles, oxidized metals, viruses, bacteria and fine silt.

    These water filtration systems have good installation instructions, quite easy to install and work . exceptionally well. The RV system is rated for 6000 gallons and a larger version is available for your home rated at 14,000 Gallons.

  • Wall Mounting a Flat Screen TV in your RV

    Wall Mounting a Flat Screen TV in your RV

    Wall Mounting a Flat Screen TV

     

    Instructions:

     

    1. Purchase the television Wall Mount Kit.
    2. Locate the studs in the wall where you want to hang the TV.
    3. Measure the height where you would like the television mounted and mark location with a pencil.
    4. Take out the back bracket from the kit and place it on the wall with the drilled screw holes at the studs. Drill the bracket if necessary, for proper alignment. Verify the wall mount bracket is level.
    5. Attach bracket to the wall at the studs with the screws enclosed in the kit. (Verify the length of the screws is not too long to protrude out the RV exterior wall). Two sided tape or construction adhesive applied to the back of the bracket before screwing will enhance wall and bracket strength.
    6. Attach the other half of the kit to the back of the television, using the screws enclosed.
    7. It is recommended that you have someone to help lift the television to the mounting bracket on the wall. Slip TV onto track attached to the wall. Slide TV across the track to verify it is centered, then tighten the screws on the bottom track until the television no longer slides freely.
    8. Secure wiring with cable hooks or hide in a flat conduit if necessary. Exposed wires can be disguised by painting a wall color.

     

    Congratulations, you have now mounted a flat screen TV in your RV.

  • Making RV Window Curtains

    Making RV Window Curtains

    Making Wall-Mount Curtains for an RV

    Making and sewing wall mounted curtains for an Recreational Vehicle is not very different than sewing curtains for a regular window. The main difference is the method of installation for the RV curtains. Wall mounted curtains for a Recreational Vehicle usually connect to the wall at the top and bottom of the curtain. Curtain Tracks are installed above and below the window. The top and bottom helm of the curtains have a row of Carriers that slide or pop into the tracks. It is preferred to use a sew in vinyl carrier tape on the outside of the curtain helm and then onto the wall mounted track.

    Instructions

    Measuring the Window:

     

    1. Measure and record the length of the window from the outside edge of the top track to the outside edge of the bottom track. It is not recommended to rely on the size of the window. You are measuring the window and the space surrounding the window frame where the tracks are mounted.
    2. Measure and record the width of the window from one inch outside the left window edge to one inch outside the right window edge.
    3. Add 4 1/2” inches to the window length to determine the modified length of the curtain. This measurement is to allow extra fabric seam allowance for the top and bottom helms and for enclosing the sew in carrier tape.
    4. Multiply the width of the window by two. Divide this measurement by two to determine the width of each panel, because RV curtains generally have two panels that you can open them in the center.

     

    Measuring and Cutting the Fabric:

     

    1. Lay the fabric on a table with the back side facing up.
    2. Using chalk, mark two rectangles measuring the modified length (see step 3 Measuring the window)
    3. Cut the two rectangles from the fabric. These are the two curtain panels.

     

    Sewing the Curtains:

     

    1. Lay one fabric panel horizontally on the table with the back side facing up. Fold the left edge of the fabric over ¼ inch onto the back side of the fabric, and then fold it over ½ inch and pin the helm. Repeat this procedure for the right edge of the fabric and for the other curtain panel.
    2. Sew the left and right helms using a straight stitch and ½ seam allowance. Repeat for the other panel.
    3. Lay one panel horizontally on the table with the back side facing up. Fold the bottom edge over ¼ inch. Pin the helm. Repeat for the top edge and for the other panel.
    4. Sew the top and bottom helms using a ¼ inch seam allowance and a straight stitch. Remove the pins and repeat steps for the other panel.
    5. Measure and cut two pieces of vinyl carrier tape to the width of the hemmed panel.
    6. Lay the panel onto the table with the back side facing up. Fold the hemmed top edge over 1 inch against the back side of the fabric. Repeat for the bottom panel edge.
    7. Insert the vinyl carrier tape with the snaps facing up beneath the fold of the top edge, aligning the bottom edge of the tape with the bottom edge of the helm. Repeat for the hemmed bottom edge of the panel.
    8. Locate the snap bumps under the folded top curtain edge. Rub the bumps with the chalk to indicate the positioning of each snap. Repeat for the bottom panel edge. Remove the inserted vinyl carrier tape.
    9. Use a fabric hole punch or an eyelet tool to punch holes on the top of each chalk mark. Place fabric horizontally onto the table with the back side facing up. Fold the top and bottom edge over one inch as in step 5.
    10. Insert the vinyl carrier tape with the snaps facing up under the folded top edge. Align the snaps with the holes in the fabric. Pin through the fabric, the vinyl tape and the lower most layer of fabric. Repeat for the bottom panel edge.
    11. Insert a machine needle intended for sewing vinyl. Sew the top edge using a straight stitch and a one inch seam allowance. Verify you are sewing through the bottom edge of the vinyl tape to secure the tape within the fabric fold. Remove the pins and repeat for the bottom panel edge.
    12. Repeat steps 6 thru 11 for the second curtain panel.

     

    Inserting the Carriers:

     

    1. Lay the finished panels with the back side facing up.

    1. Snap the Carriers to the exposed snaps along the top and bottom edges of the panels.
    2. Insert or snap the Carriers into the Tracks along the top and bottom of the RV window. Some Tracks require an End Cap to be snapped or screwed to the ends of each track to secure the carriers. Arrange as desired.

     

    Congratulations, you have now successively made your own custom RV curtains.