Dear Dr. R.V. Shrink:
First let me thank all your wonderful readers for the vacuum cleaner suggestions. After reading that column we found an unused, still in the box, Shark Pet Perfect Cordless Vac at a thrift store for eight bucks. I figured for that price how could I go wrong? It is scary how much that little thing picks up out of the carpet even after we steam cleaned last fall before putting the motorhome in storage. We keep taking turns using it, then popping it open to see how much dirt, hair and dust we've collected.
So, now "I" have a question. We are in Texas and it is cold enough that you wouldn’t want to stick your tongue on a metal pole. Our forced air, propane furnace is running 24/7. When we get up in the morning the windows are solid condensation. I’m afraid we are going to start to grow gills, and mildew if we don't control it. I know this is a physics problem more than a mental one, but if you can help us with this I will sleep much better at night. I have been having this recurring dream that mildew is building up on my body like barnacles on a ship.
--Dewdrops in Del Rio
Dear Dewdrops:
If you are talking about your forced air furnace, that is not your problem. It is vented to the outside. If you are talking about a catalytic heater that isn't vented, that can put a lot of moisture into your rig. You do not say whether you have an electic hook-up or not. If you do, go out and buy yourself an electric space heater. Propane from heat and cooking are only part of your problem. You would also have to stop showering and breathing. I would suggest you use your range hood fan when cooking and bathroom vent when showering.
When it gets cold, all this moisture condenses out to cooler surfaces like your windows. If not dealt with, it can eventually lead to mold, water stains, mildew and even ruin equipment.
This hopefully is a temporary problem for you. Once the Polar Vortex passes and the Tahiti Vortex comes through, you can open your windows again.
When this is an ongoing problem you might want to try a small dehumidifier. Some of the small 12v models are a joke, so read a lot of reviews before you open your wallet. For short term, and tight space areas you can also try products like Damp Rid. One summer in Alaska we had mildew invade our Airstream. We had to attack it with bleach and head for Arizona for a winter of dry heat to cure the the black cancer taking over our silver trailer.
Bottom line, control your breathing and pay attention to venting.
--Keep Smilin’, Dr. R.V. Shrink
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
RV ice queen
Dear Dr. R.V. Shrink:
We have been traveling with our RV for a few years. We are usually gone from home 7 or 8 months. We live in Upstate New York and I prefer to leave right after color season. Unfortunately, my husband likes to leave right after Santa Claus. Every year we end up white knuckling our way south through some blizzard, ice storm or slushfest. By the time we make it to the sunbelt our rig looks like it was entered into a mud bog race. It never fails we have things break, rust and wear far more than any other travel time. Are we the only people stupid enough to travel in these weather conditions? How can I work out a compromise with my husband to leave earlier?
-- Empire State Ice Queen
Dear Ice:
No, you are not alone. Check any major north/south artery after Christmas and you will find a caravan of RV’s headed for the sunbelt. Family and tradition often keep people in the snowbank until the festivities are over. My advice would be to explore the methods used by others. Depending on budget, many leave early and travel home for the holidays. I know couples that split up for the holidays. One staying north until after New Years Eve. You are correct. Traveling in extreme weather is tough on an RV. Frigid temps often make things break instead of bend, freeze up, expand and burst, brine up and decay. I recommend that owners driving through such conditions make a point to get a thorough washing once out of the quagmire. Spending time or money to have your rig completely winterized in the fall should prevent broken plumbing. Even though I completely blow out my water system, I always use RV anti-freeze as an added insurance. I know people that will make a fall tour ending in a southern clime, find a convenient storage facility and travel back home for a couple months. Another thing I suggest is not putting yourself on a schedule. Using all the weather information available today, pick yourself a weather window and make a break for it. Weather.com has a commuter forecast site that works much like Mapquest. You dial in your route and it will give you a weather synopsis. Here is another tip I learned the hard way. Be very careful which windshield washer fluid you choose. They are not all created equal. The trade name Prestone is almost synonymous with anti-freeze. You would think that a windshield wash would contain an anti-freezing agent. Not always so. Prestone Bug Wash will freeze solid as a rock in cold weather. Not only will you have no windshield wash as you are barreling through the slushfest, it can damage your reservoir, lines and pump. Read the fine print when buying fluids. So I guess the bottom line in the compromise question might be an every-other-year solution. Stay late one year, leave early the next. If you can stand to be separated for a few weeks, split up and enjoy some alone time. Often pets are a problem when trying to work out this holiday travel solution. Sometimes it is easier for you and your family to celebrate Christmas early and make your getaway before you have to break out the blizzard blanket. It is never any fun trying to load an RV when it’s colder than a well diggers lunchbox.
--Keep Smilin’, Dr. R.V. Shrink
##RVT867
We have been traveling with our RV for a few years. We are usually gone from home 7 or 8 months. We live in Upstate New York and I prefer to leave right after color season. Unfortunately, my husband likes to leave right after Santa Claus. Every year we end up white knuckling our way south through some blizzard, ice storm or slushfest. By the time we make it to the sunbelt our rig looks like it was entered into a mud bog race. It never fails we have things break, rust and wear far more than any other travel time. Are we the only people stupid enough to travel in these weather conditions? How can I work out a compromise with my husband to leave earlier?
-- Empire State Ice Queen
Dear Ice:
No, you are not alone. Check any major north/south artery after Christmas and you will find a caravan of RV’s headed for the sunbelt. Family and tradition often keep people in the snowbank until the festivities are over. My advice would be to explore the methods used by others. Depending on budget, many leave early and travel home for the holidays. I know couples that split up for the holidays. One staying north until after New Years Eve. You are correct. Traveling in extreme weather is tough on an RV. Frigid temps often make things break instead of bend, freeze up, expand and burst, brine up and decay. I recommend that owners driving through such conditions make a point to get a thorough washing once out of the quagmire. Spending time or money to have your rig completely winterized in the fall should prevent broken plumbing. Even though I completely blow out my water system, I always use RV anti-freeze as an added insurance. I know people that will make a fall tour ending in a southern clime, find a convenient storage facility and travel back home for a couple months. Another thing I suggest is not putting yourself on a schedule. Using all the weather information available today, pick yourself a weather window and make a break for it. Weather.com has a commuter forecast site that works much like Mapquest. You dial in your route and it will give you a weather synopsis. Here is another tip I learned the hard way. Be very careful which windshield washer fluid you choose. They are not all created equal. The trade name Prestone is almost synonymous with anti-freeze. You would think that a windshield wash would contain an anti-freezing agent. Not always so. Prestone Bug Wash will freeze solid as a rock in cold weather. Not only will you have no windshield wash as you are barreling through the slushfest, it can damage your reservoir, lines and pump. Read the fine print when buying fluids. So I guess the bottom line in the compromise question might be an every-other-year solution. Stay late one year, leave early the next. If you can stand to be separated for a few weeks, split up and enjoy some alone time. Often pets are a problem when trying to work out this holiday travel solution. Sometimes it is easier for you and your family to celebrate Christmas early and make your getaway before you have to break out the blizzard blanket. It is never any fun trying to load an RV when it’s colder than a well diggers lunchbox.
--Keep Smilin’, Dr. R.V. Shrink
##RVT867
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
RV sucker
Dear Dr. R.V. Shrink:
I don't have central vac in my motorhome and use an older upright self propelled that I really love but every time I use it I have a ton of dust everywhere. In our enclosed 40' motor home, it doesn't take long to build up. I know that everyone claims to have the best vacuum out there so here's hoping that someone has experience with a smaller, efficient vacuum. I also boondock a lot so I'm wondering if there is one that runs on battery that works on carpet. Thanks y’all.
--Dusty in Denton
Dear Dusty:
I would start out cleaning the machine you have. The bag may be too full, broken, or not attached properly. You might also look into hypoallergenic bags that fit your machine to keep the dust down. Most handheld machines I have used are all bark and no bite and don't work well on carpets. A vacuum is one product you buy that you hope really sucks, and often it doesn’t. If you read the comment section of this column over the next couple of weeks you will likely hear from many readers who have tried machines and are willing to share their experience with you. Another method I find helpful is Amazon comments/reviews. Often Amazon customers have written reviews on products they have bought. These comments are ranked 1-5 stars. I read a few of the lowest and highest rankings to get a consensus. When I think I have narrowed my choice down to one product I read them all. My weapon of choice is a small shop vac. I just get down and dirty with the handheld wand. This would not be the answer for everyone, but it is powerful and allows me to reach into all the small nooks and crannies. Depending on your budget, you could explore the cost of having a central vacuum system added to your coach. It would sure be a lot more fun than buying a new kayak or mountain bike, and probably just as much exercise if you use it enough. Okay folks. Let’s here from you out there on the road. What should Dusty do?
--Keep Smilin’, Dr. R.V. Shrink
##RVT866
I don't have central vac in my motorhome and use an older upright self propelled that I really love but every time I use it I have a ton of dust everywhere. In our enclosed 40' motor home, it doesn't take long to build up. I know that everyone claims to have the best vacuum out there so here's hoping that someone has experience with a smaller, efficient vacuum. I also boondock a lot so I'm wondering if there is one that runs on battery that works on carpet. Thanks y’all.
--Dusty in Denton
Dear Dusty:
I would start out cleaning the machine you have. The bag may be too full, broken, or not attached properly. You might also look into hypoallergenic bags that fit your machine to keep the dust down. Most handheld machines I have used are all bark and no bite and don't work well on carpets. A vacuum is one product you buy that you hope really sucks, and often it doesn’t. If you read the comment section of this column over the next couple of weeks you will likely hear from many readers who have tried machines and are willing to share their experience with you. Another method I find helpful is Amazon comments/reviews. Often Amazon customers have written reviews on products they have bought. These comments are ranked 1-5 stars. I read a few of the lowest and highest rankings to get a consensus. When I think I have narrowed my choice down to one product I read them all. My weapon of choice is a small shop vac. I just get down and dirty with the handheld wand. This would not be the answer for everyone, but it is powerful and allows me to reach into all the small nooks and crannies. Depending on your budget, you could explore the cost of having a central vacuum system added to your coach. It would sure be a lot more fun than buying a new kayak or mountain bike, and probably just as much exercise if you use it enough. Okay folks. Let’s here from you out there on the road. What should Dusty do?
--Keep Smilin’, Dr. R.V. Shrink
##RVT866
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