tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72176551993689497302008-10-28T09:21:29.312-07:00Fulltime RVer and Professor of RVing Jim Twamley shares details of his life on the road, in the campground and around the campfire. If it has to do with RVs or the RV lifestyle, the Professor's on top of it.Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.comBlogger632125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-22524240964361155012008-10-28T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-28T04:00:02.121-07:00

Toad Stop is a state of the art braking system for vehicles being towed behind a motorhome. I need to preface this article by informing you most states have laws requiring a braking device on vehicles being towed by a motorhome. There are many great features incorporated into the Toad Stop system, but what I appreciate most is the major components are located under the hood and out of the way.

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-27882500011120742112008-10-24T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-24T04:00:00.642-07:00

I recently became a proud member of the Elks USA lodge 1930 in Moses Lake, Washington. This fine organization is famous for community involvement providing college scholarships, veteran outreach programs and promoting many other charitable causes. Elks membership is a boon to RVers because many of the lodges provide RV parking with hook-ups in highly desirable areas. I like using the Elks RV

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-45946504634156151352008-10-21T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-21T04:00:02.360-07:00

RV generators are great because they allow you to run all your electrical stuff without being hooked up to shore power. It’s not uncommon for us to pull off on a lonely roadside, fire up the generator and use the microwave to make lunch.On excessively hot travel days we use the generator to run both our air conditioners to keep the coach cool. Generators have become standard equipment on

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-89075174505372101842008-10-19T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-19T04:00:01.233-07:00

Wayne and Sarah Gabel are from Damascus, Oregon. They've been volunteers with Guide Dogs for the Blind for six years. Sarah says they've been foster parents to over 45 dogs ove the years so they very much enjoy working with this program.They prepare food for over 150 dogs in various stages of training. New arrivals have been in training in peoples homes since they were puppies so when they are

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-8381449407502746922008-10-18T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-18T04:00:00.191-07:00

Mrs. Professor used to complain about not being able to see out of the entry door window while traveling because the screen blocked her view. I fixed the problem and will report the results in a future article, but here is a great solution if you can talk Atwood into selling you one. Paul and Cary Carleton are RVers from Snohomish, Washington. They have a lovely motorhome but Mary had the same

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-16312057848901985622008-10-17T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-17T04:00:03.017-07:00

We were RVing at the Oregon coast last weekend and while visiting a local store I asked to use the bathroom. The clerk told me where it was located and handed me a key with a (no kidding) basket attached. I smiled and thanked her and tried not to look conspicuous walking down the store isles with this contraption. I thought, "I should just be grateful it isn't attached to a piece of furniture."

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-24211351166373060062008-10-16T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-16T04:00:00.895-07:00

RVers Christine and Lon Cross are from Yorba Linda, California. I caught up with Christine at a recent Country Coach rally. A gourmet cook and avid RVer Christine knows exactly what she wants when it comes to the interior of her motorhome. She prefers the stacking apartment sized washer and dryer for her laundry closet. Since the dryer is a front loader it is located on the top shelf of the

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-88854133606302140122008-10-15T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-15T04:00:01.545-07:00

I've been away from my computer this weekend because Mrs. Professor and I took our nieces RVing to the Oregon coast. Being retired Navy, I've had the privilege to see many coastlines and from my perspective none match the breathtaking beauty of the Oregon coast. Northern California has exquisite beaches and rock formations, but Oregon takes the number one spot in my view. Some of my favorite

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-89220904434873996292008-10-10T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-10T04:00:01.206-07:00

David and Sue McCarron have been full time RVers four years. They love touring local areas they visit using their motorcycles. Since they each have their own motorcycle they had their tow body built so they could store both motorcycles behind the cab of their Volvo semi-truck towing vehicle. Here you can see the built-in motorcycle racks.An electric wench attached to a swing arm allows David to

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-10961356437744398952008-10-08T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-14T23:50:17.879-07:00

Yesterday I wrote an article on David and Sue McCarron's Volvo sleeper cab. They are out having the time of their lives RVing around the country and touring local areas on their motorcycles once they set-up camp. David shared his philosophy of RVing which he calls, "Six rules for RV happiness." 1. Any driving day must be limited to 250 miles or five hours. 2. Regardless of rule one you must stop

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-91777640335935142912008-10-07T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-07T04:00:01.821-07:00

Full time RVers Dave and Sue McCarron tour the country in this nice Volvo semi pulling a Grand Teton 5th wheel. I did an article last year on why truckers ide their rigs at rest stops and someone asked me to do a story on what the inside of one of these sleeper cabs looks like inside. Sue gave me the tour and I am impressed. The dinette offers a nice place to relax and eat a meal or watch TV. It

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-49886671279874685832008-10-05T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-05T04:00:01.653-07:00

How will fuel prices and the uncertain economy effect the winter migration of RV snow birds this year? Some of my full-timer friends have already begun their journey from parts north headed toward the beautiful sunsets of southern California, Arizona, the Rio Grand Valley and Florida. Many of them live in park models or in their RV at a park model adult community. Not surprisingly, many of them

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-53841730177108358692008-10-04T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-04T04:00:01.601-07:00

The rainy season is soon approaching and I thought it would be a good time to review proper rigging for a rainy day. The most obvious task is to close the windows (unless you have window awnings deployed). You would think this is a "no-brainer" but I must confess I've gone off and left windows open when rain was forecast. It's a good thing I have a fake leather couch because water just beads up

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-59075031663808867362008-10-03T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-03T04:00:01.080-07:00

Have you ever parked your motorhome for a while and when you went to start it the battery was dead? Parasitic electric loads can cause this problem. These are small battery draining electric leaches like a stereo, clock, tank gauges, satellite TV in standby mode, security systems all using just a few milliamperes (mA) which ad up to a dead battery. Jerry Campbell from St. Louis, Missouri was

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-38292054766187383662008-10-02T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-02T13:08:29.308-07:00

Innovative high end RV maker Country Coach breaks new ground with it’s new motorhome design. What makes the Veranda unique is the deck. The passenger side wall lowers to make a 13 feet by five feet six inch deck. There is a 37 inch LCD high definition TV on the deck with a switchblade lift that stows the TV. There are five floor plans to choose from including one with a galley island facing the

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-40171785395518714692008-09-30T04:00:00.000-07:002008-09-30T04:00:01.857-07:00

Is RVing in your blood? Does your DNA overpower you with the urge to RV? RV scientists have discovered the existance of the "RV gene" which explains these tendancies within large percentages of the U.S. and European population. According to RV research scientist Hank Hitchbal, this discovery opens new horrizons on the road to recovery for people who have been RV deprived. "Not only will this help

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-21418371061404425652008-09-28T04:00:00.000-07:002008-09-28T04:00:00.182-07:00

RVers who frequent Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds, state campgrounds, RV rallies, or high traffic tourist destinations on a weekend may occasionally find themselves waiting in line at the dump station. You are probably in a hurry but you know you need to empty your tanks before you go, so there you sit. Here a few suggestions to help move things along. 1. Be ready to take care of business

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-55073907102952046592008-09-27T04:00:00.000-07:002008-09-27T04:00:00.203-07:00

Kelly and Joan Melfi are RVers from Frankfort, Illinois. Joan asked her talented husband to make some sliding trays in her galley storage cabinets. He constructed them so they would easily slide out enabling Joan to grab the handle and pull the entire tray out. Now she has easy access to all the pots and stuff usually stuck way in the back. He made them to match the wood in their 5th wheel and

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-51213526502898681492008-09-26T04:00:00.000-07:002008-09-26T04:00:01.068-07:00

James and Cathy Land from Madina, Ohio have been RVing since 1978. They enjoy their smaller motorhome but find it essential to have a little extra storage space. They installed a Let’sGoAERO storage pod on the back of their motorhome to accomplish this goal. It fits into the receiver hitch and has a pass-through hitch so you could tow a car or load up a bicycle rack. The pod is waterproof and

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-68580036331416870482008-09-25T04:00:00.000-07:002008-09-25T04:00:03.800-07:00

RVer Dave Willis from Hudsonville, Michigan developed this unique water filter stand. Using PVC pipe and two PVC toilet flanges, he constructed a side by side stand. He cut the toilet flanges so they butt up against each other. Next he screwed them into a wood base wide enough to hold up the filters. Next he cut two pieces of four inch PVC and inserted them into the flanges. He did not glue the

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-701110913582872052008-09-24T04:00:00.000-07:002008-09-24T04:00:00.468-07:00

I met fellow RVers Gregory and Dorthy Hawkins recently at a campground outside Glacier National Park. They are from Spokane, Washington and enjoy visiting the park during the summer.What caught my eye immediately was the dog play area occupying a large percentage of their campsite. They have two inquisitive dachshunds who enjoy the great outdoors.The dogs enjoy the outdoors any time they wish

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-2938994326886059512008-09-23T04:00:00.000-07:002008-09-23T04:00:00.627-07:00

RVers Don & Carol Huck from beautiful historic Sainte Genevieve, Missouri enjoy RVing in their Coachmen travel trailer. These friendly folks also like to display their sign with the hearty RV message, "Welcome Campers, the Huck family, Don and Carol". There are many ways to display a sign such as this and Don used his propane tank cover as the base for his display. Using half inch PVC as the

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-33068400202613741022008-09-21T04:00:00.000-07:002008-09-21T04:00:00.699-07:00

RVers Stan and Joy Wildermuth love their Coachmen Cross Country motorhome. They call Hamptonville, North Carolina home and when rolling down the road they like everything to stay put. To ensure the pantry sliding wire rack doesn't come flying out when they round a corner, Stan secured it with a sliding bolt. He drilled a hole in the bottom of the cabinet and mounted the sliding bolt so it holds

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-74388847748850274032008-09-20T04:00:00.000-07:002008-09-20T04:00:00.298-07:00

Anna Denno from Buchanan, Michigan came up with a new decorating idea for her RV. She didn't like the wallpaper border that came with the rig, so she replaced it with something more appealing. She likes the outdoors theme and in particular the moose. To decorate the mirror by the dinette she cut out a single moose from some left over wallpaper border and applied it to the mirror surface. A nice

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-63720149215237003122008-09-19T04:00:00.000-07:002008-09-19T04:00:01.260-07:00

RVer George Martin from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was not getting good wear on his old 14 inch travel trailer wheels & tires. After he wore out a set, he switched up to 15 inch wheels and tires and he reports better wear. If you're having trouble with blowouts or excessive wear this idea may solve your problem. You should also consider checking the alignment of your axles and make sure you're not

Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com0