Have Questions About RV Life and Travel? Ask Here. Get Answers
What have you always wanted to know about RVing but were afraid to ask? Or, didn’t know who to ask? Well… this page is for you. Ask away….
Click below to see the questions that have already been asked and to read my answers or add your comments.
RV Toilet Smells
An RV Life and Travel reader writes about the stinky smell from an RV toilet: I have been in my RV for a month and I am a full-time RVer. I love it but …
Shopping Without Moving the RV
When you need to go grocery shopping or otherwise get supplies or go out, is there a way to do it without having to move your RV? We have a class A motorhome. …
RV Washer and Dryers
Which RVs have clothes washers and dryers in them, and which W/D is a good buy? What are the pros and cons of having a W/D in my RV?
Bob, the RVing …
RV Generator Receptacle
My question is about my RV generator receptacle. I just purchased a used 2007 Coachman motorhome. When going from shore power to generator power, it says …
RV Breakdown Fears
I’m a single mom. Fear of RV breakdowns and stories of others buying “lemons” for their first motorhome is scaring me out of fulfilling my dream of full …
Water Filters and Your RV
We bought a trailer that does not have any water filters. We would like to have running water in our trailer, so we can shower and do dishes. However, …
Clogged RV Toilets
How do you keep your RV toilet from clogging? We have been full time camping for only two weeks and the toilet is clogged. We are unsure how to unclog. …
Flat Tires and Blown Tires
Out of the last three camping trips, we have had two flat tires each on different tires. Our camper is only two years old. We have a 35 ft. 5th wheeler. …
RV Tire Cupping and Shocks
My front tires are cupping; they are mud and snow. What are the best shocks for my 1982 Toyota 1/2 ton camper? One person says I need new shocks. Mine …
Slow Cookers in RVs
Hi – I am contemplating taking my slow cooker (heavy as it is) with us on a six month snow-birding 5th wheel trip. Has anyone done this and used the cooker? …
Telephones in Campgrounds
I am curious if you know of any campgrounds that have a landline hook-up for the phone? Thank you.
Coleen, the RVing editor replies:
Hi Angel, …
Fifth-Wheel Toy Hauler Buying Tips
We’ve decided to buy a 5th wheel trailer, a toy hauler, for our first RV. We’re soooo excited about getting a 5-er! Would you please give us some tips …
Electrical Shocks from RV
We are getting shocks from our RV, electrical shocks. We have a late 1960’s small RV that we recently bought. It’s in excellent shape for its year. However, …
Cleaning the RV Toilet
I have a question about cleaning the toilet in our recreational vehicle. It’s a fifth-wheel trailer. What type of toilet cleaners can safely be used in …
Improving Motorhome Ride and Handling
Would replacing the shocks (air, Bilstein, etc?) help the ride and handling on my 1999 Holiday Rambler Vacationer? Also, I’m wondering about a stabilizer …
RV Dealership Websites
I actually work for an RV dealership in Florida, Florida Outdoors RV. I was wondering what you, as an RV consumer, look for when pursuing an RV dealership …
Caterpillar or Cummins?
Caterpillar or Cummins? We are looking at a diesel and want to know. Does Cat or Cummins get better MPG? Which is the quietest? Which size engine for which …
Locating Gas Stations
How do you find gas stations? We are traveling to Myrtle Beach this summer with a travel trailer and a diesel pick up truck. We are looking for gas stations …
RV Air Quality Concern
I’m writing about the air quality inside the RV. I’m concerned about the chemicals that may provide smells, (i.e. formaldehyde) and perhaps present danger …
Backing Up a Pop-up Camper
Please give me an easy lesson on how to back up a pop up tent trailer.
Bob replies: I’ll try to muddle through this. I’ve been backing trailers for …
Traveling With the Propane On
Is it okay to travel with the propane furnace on, when traveling when outside temps are below freezing? Is it okay to travel with the refrigerator operating …
Power Inverters and C-pap Machines
Will C-pap machines work with power inverters? My husband and I have bought our motorhome and will be RVing fulltime by August of this year. We bought …
Wireless Pet Containment
Anyone know the real story on the new Perimeter Wifi wireless pet containment system? Looking for reviews from real people. Such as how well it transmits …
Cost Cutting RV Tips
What tips do you have for cutting the cost of RVing? How do you use your RV to save money on vacation? What frugal tips can you share to help your fellow …
Why Are You a Full-time RVer?
Why are you a full-time RVer? Just what made you decide to move into a recreational vehicle and call it home? We tend to think that other people do things …
Adding Shocks to a Travel Trailer
Should I install shocks on my travel trailer? I’m not new to RV’ing, but what has always bugged be is that everything inside is scattered all over after …
Mail Service for Full-time RVing
Can someone give us some information about the mail service you use while full-timing? We will be newbies very soon and need lots of information from you …
Health Insurance for Full-time RVers
Because we are not yet medicare age, what health insurance company will insure us any place in the US? We will probably establish residency in Florida …
RVers Establishing Residency
We will be selling our home before full-timing. How do we establish residency in Florida or any state? Thank you, Nancy
Coleen, the RVing editor …
Name that Campground with a Tower and Zipline
A campground with a tower in the middle of a man-made swimming lake and zipline…. Now just how many of those can there be out there? We’re looking to …
WiFi while Fulltime RVing
What is the best way to get WiFi for my laptop while traveling?
Coleen, the RVing editor replies:
For many RVers, it isn’t one best way to connect …
Dogs and Full-time RVing
How many RV parks allow you to bring dogs? We would like to start this year as RVers, but have dogs that are a part of the family and they would have to …
Freshwater Holding Tank
I’m sure this is a “dumb” question, but I bought a used 5th wheel trailer. The freshwater holding tank is 2/3 full. I’ve never used my freshwater tank …
Alaska Marine Highway
I have some questions about going to Alaska. How hard was it to got thru the border? Do you need a passport? Didn’t used to; we lived in Michigan. How …
Fulltime RVer Living in Alaska
How can you be a full-timer and live in Alaska? My wife and I have been considering the full-time RV lifestyle, but we live in the Yukon Territory, Canada. …
RVers in Wheelchairs
We are looking for info on RVing in / from a wheelchair. For us, a 5’er seems best. I have made plans for one but have not found any real dependable info. …
Solar for Boondocking
We want to go solar for boondocking. Currently, we have one 12 volt marine battery. Our needs are few, but our wants are many.
How many batteries and …
Unmetered RV Hook-ups
For RV hook-ups, what does unmetered mean? I see campground ads for unmetered hook-ups and I don’t know how they are different from regular ones. They …
North Dakota Winters
North Dakota winters … and I’m going to live in a pull style older bumper pull trailer. I live in north Idaho. I have a 1991 454 3/4 ton truck, that will …
Unused RV
Hi! I am interested in buying an RV. I’ve found one that fits my price range and its size is perfect for my family & my vehicle. But, it is a 2007, “never …
AK Canada Highway in May?
Since you traveled the AK Canada Highway in the spring, how are the roads in May to get to Alaska? We would enter through Calgary, just above Montana. …
CO Detector
My CO detector is going off. I have a bad smell in my R.V., like cat urine or BO. Can it be a gas leak or my batteries draining? Please help. I don’t want …
FL Mail Processing Centers
What is a good mail service in Florida, to use to not only to process mail while on the road, but also to help with establishing Florida residency?
…
RVers Attitudes Have Changed
I have been camping – RVing on and off full time for many years (25). As of late, I have found that we full timers and others have had a recent change …
Budgeting
Budgeting…. How do I plan for full time RV life budgeting and expenses beyond the obvious? What are some things I need to plan for both on a monthly …
Living in a 5th Wheel
Is it bad to live in a 5th wheel trailer for a long period of time? Like two or more years? What problems will it cause to the 5th wheeler? Anything I …
Christian Workcamping
How do we get started workcamping? We would like to be part of a Christian group doing odd jobs or needs, vbs, or whatever God needs us to do while enjoying …
RV Depreciation
Why the small depreciation on used RVs? As a single woman, I’ve been looking at Class B vehicles, such at RoadTrek and other vans, but even the used models …
Breaker Tripping Problems
I have a 31 ft. Fleetwood Prowler and when I plug the power cord in to any outlet it will trip the general purpose 15 amp breaker. I didn’t have problems …
Bathrooms
Can we use the bathroom in the RV when it is in motion on the highway, or do we have to stop at rest stops to use their bathrooms?
Coleen, the RVing …
Campgrounds in Winnipeg
We will be visiting Winnipeg in June and July. We think we understand all that is needed to cross the border into Canada, but we are concerned about where …
Domicile Information
How do I determine what the State of Kansas considers to be a citizen for tax purposes? I am considering spending a lot of time RVing in Texas, but will …
Tag Number
Tag number… What is it? Where is it? When are you required to know or show it for a 5th wheel?
Coleen, the working while RVing editor comments:
…
Campgrounds to Alaska
My husband and I are planning a three month trip thru Canada and Alaska this summer. I’m wondering about the best way to find out about campgrounds in …
Becoming a Work Camper
My husband and I love to travel and are considering becoming work campers next year. When would be a good time to start looking for jobs for the next season? …
Preventing Generator Theft
This concerns preventing generator theft. We are in the process of buying two 2000 watt Honda generators. My question is, How do you keep them from being …
Generator
I would like to know if the 4000 watt Champion generator that I just bought is going to be enough to run my AC in my Keystone Montana 2955rl.
Coleen, …
RV Height
Is an RV height of 9′ 6″ getting too high for many places? New pickup truck camper, and max height of it all is 9′ 6″ and I did wonder. At that height, …
Triple Towing
Do you know what states that you cannot do a triple tow? Such as a trailer and a small trailer behind our self contained trailer? I understand that there …
Firewood for Camping
How do we get firewood for camping now that we have a motorhome? We just purchased a 36′ class a motorhome. We do not intend to use a toad of any type. …
Cost for Full-time RVing
What does it cost for full-time RVing? Filled with wanderlust, we’re considering the full-time RV lifestyle. However, since most of our outings have been …
Toyota’s Winnebago Look-a-Like
I am looking for an RV that looks like a Winnebago. It was made in the late 1970’s to the early 1980’s. It did not have the pick-up front end. It was also …
Campgrounds Around San Ramon, Ca
Campgrounds around San Ramon, Ca.
Coleen, the working while RVing editor replies:
I’m taking a guess here that you are asking me to recommend campgrounds …
RV Water Tanks
We don’t use our RV water tanks. Since I’ve owned my motorhome, I have never put water in my holding tanks. I shut the valves off to my tanks. We don’t …
Vehicle Registration
In regards to my vehicle registration, how long can I stay in a state? As a full-time RVer, is there any limit to how long I can stay in a particular state …
RV Singles Meeting Singles
Do you know where I could meet up with other RV singles who may be seeking someone to travel with?
Coleen, the working while RVing editor replies: …
Credit Checks for Campgrounds
We are running into some issues about hitting the road. The problem is that most of the nice campgrounds around San Diego want to be paid the month that …
Mexican Violence
Saw in your newsletter that you are headed to Port Isabel, TX. We were thinking of going to south Texas, also, but concerned about the Mexican violence …
Camping Partner
I’m looking for a camping partner. I’m looking for someone to split expenses with me for RVing. I’m retired and bored. Please help.
Coleen, the working …
Dry Hookup
What does a dry hookup mean? Is there elec, but no water?
Coleen, the RVing editor replies:
A dry hookup RV site means there is an electrical hookup, …
Gas Stations – Good Ones
Is there anyone who has started a list or website that has good gas stations – easy to pull in and out of with a trailer? There don’t seem to be a lot. …
Name of RV Dealer
There used to be a great RV dealer right off the Ventura Frwy in California on the south side of the freeway either in Ventura or Oxnard. It wasn’t huge, …
Class A Verses 5th Wheel for Full Time RVing
We have no RV experience and are planning on living in the RV we purchase. Which do you think is better for full time living? A fifth wheel or Class A? …
Booking Sites
My wife and I are considering booking a motorhome for three weeks. We would be picking it up from and returning it to Los Angeles. We are wanting to tour …
Keep Mice Out
I’ve heard there is a household spice I can put out to keep mice out of my trailer. Can you tell me what it is? Do you have any other ideas, or better …
Fridge, Travel, and Propane
Can you travel longer distances with your propane on in your recreational vehicle? So your fridge food and freezer food stays cold/frozen? I have heard …
Parking Near Salt Water
We are worried about parking near salt water. We are buying a Montana 5th wheel and want to camp very close to the beach so we can walk to the sand and …
RV Parking
I’m getting closer to the time to purchase that RV and have a question about RV parking. I read everything I can, and was wondering, do most campgrounds …
Prescriptions on the Road
I’m having trouble figuring out how to get prescriptions on the road, especially since they are all filled on different dates, and my insurance won’t fill …
Class B Motorhomes
We’re thinking a Class B motorhome might be our next recreational vehicle. We don’t have camper van experience. What brand of Class B do you have and like? …
In Motion Mobile Satellite
Where is the best place to look for an in motion mobile satellite unit for my RV? … And Coleen replies asking other site visitors to share their experience …
First Recreational Vehicle
When was the first recreational vehicle created? I know RVs have been around a long time. But, when do they consider the first one was built and used? …
Freezing Water Lines
I’m living full time in northern Illinois in a 33′ travel trailer, as a necessity for work. It’s not a 5th wheel and doesn’t have a basement. This is my …
Portable Generators
My dilemma is rather to use small portable generator(s) such as Honda or Yamaha 2000 in combination, or purchase one larger generator. Used to power a …
Employment Opportunity
Employment opportunity for RVers to work near the British Columbia and Yukon border. I am looking for a Canadian couple who would like to work with me …
Alaska Home Base
Does anyone use Alaska as their state domicile? What are the pros and cons of doing so? We’re trying to find the best state overall for our state residency …
RV for Single Woman
As a new FT RV’er, what model motorhome should I choose: Class A or Class C? I am 62 years old and really want to get this recreational vehicle right. …
RVing to Costa Rica
We are thinking about towing our travel trailer to Costa Rica. Anybody here done something similar? What problems have you had along the way or while RVing …
Blue Ridge Winter RVing
I am planning a trip to the Blue Ridge and they are saying the temp at night will be 16, 17, or some in the 20 degree range. What do I need to do to my …
Winter Travel on the Alcan
I’m looking for information on traveling the Alcan Highway in the winter. We’ve traveled the Alaskan-Canadian Highway in the spring. But, we’ve never made …
Picture Frame
What is good to use for picture framing in an RV? My father is now a full time RV-er and I have a portrait of his granddaughter for him. I am not sure …
Refrigerator Problem in Below 0 Weather
Is it normal to have refrigerator problems in below zero weather in the recreational vehicle? If so, how do other people using an RV in those freezing …
Travelling in Cold Weather
When travelling in cold weather, is the vehicle heater sufficient to heat the motor home or do you use the propane system? We have a Fleetwood South Wind …
Holding Tank Problems
We have maggots coming into our toilet. We are full time campers now and have a terrible situation. Have you ever heard of anything like this. I am freaking …
Campgrounds Near Rose Bowl Festivities
We will be going to the Rose Bowl festivities next year and wonder about the campgrounds. How close in proximity to the parade route are they? What price …
Newbie to RV
My partner and I have settled on buying a used Class A pusher. There are literally hundreds available in various models and price ranges, yet, as newbies, …
Rig for New RVers
Which is preferable for first-timers? We have narrowed our search for our first RV to a 2001 Georgie Boy 3515 Cruise Master and a 2003 Winnebago Brave …
Health Insurance Coverage
The only thing stopping us is health insurance coverage. We are in our early 50s. He will need medical insurance coverage in case of accident or illness. …
Tunnels and RVs
Can a recreational vehicle legally go into a tunnel? I’ve heard that RVs aren’t allowed in tunnels and must take detours. I’ve also heard it is okay if …
Wireless Router for AT&T Aircard
Is there such a wireless router for the AT&T aircard? To which Coleen, the RVing editor replies by asking for your help to answer this question. Please …
New Shocks
What new shocks would you get to improve the ride of the Fleetwood Bounder motorhome? We are planning to go full time RV’ing and want the best handling …
Fulltiming – US?????
My husband and I are bored in Sarasota. We want to sell our home and cars, and get a fifth wheel and truck, and travel full time. Frankly, we’re scared …
Cabin Fever
Is this really possible or will I be ready for the lunie bin by spring? This will be my first year RVing and living in one during the winter. How do I …
RV Summer Work Opportunities
How would a retired couple go about checking job opportunities for next summer at national parks or other attractions that use temporary summer help? …
When It’s Cold Out
How do I keep my plumbing in working order when the temperature is below freezing? If I put antifreeze in my septic tanks, fine, but what of my fresh water? …
RV Titles in Texas
Do you have to have a title for a a 35 foot recreational vehicle in the state of Texas? A woman that has one for sale said we didn’t have to have one. …
Winter RV Experiences
We’re going to spend the winter in Pennsylvania and I’d love to hear from any one who has advice on how to protect our trailer during PA winters. It’s …
Getting Started RVing
How does one get started living full-time in a recreational vehicle and traveling everywhere? RV life and travel sounds great, but where does one begin? …
Passengers In RV
Is there a limit to how many passengers can ride in a recreational vehicle? Does it differ from state to state? Does the allowed number of passengers in …
Foul Smell in RV
I have a foul smell in my RV. I went camping this weekend in a travel trailer and there was an awful, foul smell whenever the water turned on. My camper …
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Which camping spots in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are your favorites? Can you give me some recommendations, please? What things do you consider …
High Oil Pressue
I’m having a problem with high oil pressure in my 1991 Rexhall motorhome. Do you know what could be causing the problem or what I could do to fix it? Thanks …
Waste Tank Sensor Access
If I wanted to run a new tank sensor line to my monitor on the wall, how do I run it behind the paneled wall? Will I have to rip the panel to run the wire? …
RVing Women Chapters
Does my state (Alabama) have a group of RVing Women? Do they have RVing Women Chapters in AL? If so, how do I get in touch with them? Thanks for your time. …
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