For someone new to RVing, the lingo used can be confusing. Heck, I even get confused myself sometimes! As I have been visiting a number of RV forums over the past few months I started writing down what everything means. Since I had this list I figured I might as well put it on my blog so everyone can get some use of it.
I hope you find it helpful. If you have anything to add or any corrections to make, just reply to this blog entry and I can make the changes.
For months I have tried to figure out a suitable way to carry my Moped with me on my adventures. I could have had a rear hitch welded up on the trailer but that would have been expensive and things can take a beating bouncing around on the back of a trailer. I was going to put it in the truck bed in front of the hitch but since that is where I am going to put my generator it wouldn't fit. I finally decided to install a 2" front mount hitch and get a scooter carrier to go into it. Of course these things are never as simple as they would appear.
Over the past couple of years of camping I have been out in all types of weather. When it turns cold I try to find ways not only to stay warm but to do it as inexpensively as possible. When at a campground with electric I will normally run an extension cord out to the 15 amp plug in the power pedestal. I'll then plug an electric space heater into this cord to help heat the trailer.
I could just plug the heater into an electrical outlet in the trailer but with it running, maybe the water heater is warming up and then decide to run the microwave you can trip the 30 amp breaker on the pedestal. By putting the space heater on a separate line you all but eliminate any problems.
The biggest problem with this has been how to run the electrical cable from the pedestal inside the trailer. I have been opening a basement door running the cord into the basement, up through a small access hole in the bathroom sink, then across the floor to the heater. It works but isn't the most convenient way to do it.
My GPS came in the mail the other day and of course I just couldn't let it sit on the shelf. It took a couple of hours to upgrade the firmware, load in the maps and configure the settings. After that I walked around the neighborhood for a bit to get familiar with it. Once I comfortable enough using it I figured it was time to give a trial run. It was time to find a cache.
Geocaching is a treasure hunt of sorts. People hide items (caches), record their location using GPS coordinates and upload the information to the Geocaching web site. Anyone can then search for caches, get the information and go out and find them. Once you find one you then mark it as found on the Geocaching web site and the web site keeps track of caches everyone have found. Of course you put the cache back where you found it so others can find it at a later date.
Currently there are over 1 million active caches hidden worldwide. Caches can range in size from micro caches the size of a film canister to large sizes bigger then an ammo can. While the smaller caches contain no more then a paper log where you can record your name and date you found it, the large ones can contain swag that you can take and replace with something of your own.
I've talked about the modifications and additions I have been doing to the electrical system on the trailer. Today I have pretty much completed the work. There are a few things to tidy up but I am comfortable using it with the way it is now.
To recap the work done I added an additional battery, installed an inverter, installed the solar system and added an auxiliary 12 volt buss for accessories. I've included a picture below with descriptions of what I have done.
One of the main questions I get asked when someone hears about the trip I have planned this winter is "what are you going to do?". While sitting out in the desert does sound boring, they have no idea of all the things to do in the Quartzsite area.
First of all is the huge RV swap meet, Rock/Gem show, Arts/Crafts show, Pow Wow, Classic Car show and who knows what else that goes on in January and February. The town's population of ~4000 people swells to, what some claim, over 1 million visitors during the winter. With 1000+ booths at the various swap meets, that should keep me busy for a while.
Yes, I finally had to do it, I winterized the trailer. Temps dipped into the upper 20's last night with colder weather coming this weekend so I couldn't put it off any longer.
But all is not lost. This does mean no more camping in the area this year, but it also means I am getting closer to leaving on my trip out west for the winter. OK, so maybe it isn't a sad day after all!
It didn't take long to do. Just pulled the drain plug on the water heater, switched the water heater bypass valve, stuck the suction hose into a gallon of RV antifreeze and run the "pink stuff" through every faucet and the toilet. This also puts some antifreeze into the drain traps. Took about 45 minutes and 3 gallons of antifreeze.
