There is always something….

In simplest terms, the RV is a big machine. It is a living space inside a complicated machine. Considering this, anything can go wrong at any time, and my machine is no different. When you least expect something to go wrong, it will happen.

Everything was fine when we left, but when we returned we had no electricity. The 90-degree weather had turned the RV into a sauna. The power pole had power, but our landline plug looked a little aged. The outer cover on the cord had shrunk and some coated wires were exposed. I started out replacing that, but we still had no power inside. Following the power cord to the fuse box, we discovered that the power surge protector had taken a hit. Usually they will stop the surge and protect the appliances from damage. After a pause, and the surge is safely past, it restarts power to the RV. Our protector could not restart. It was fried! We are parked in Florida, it is known as the lightning capital of the United States. A nearby strike must have occurred and the electronics could not handle it.  Lucky for us we installed the surge protector, or more costly damage may have troubled us.

Recently we were on a road trip and were motioned to pull over by a passing trucker. He had seen something under the RV that concerned him. After some inspection we found a tire problem that was about to become a big issue. Truckers are on the roads everyday pushing more miles than most of us. They have a record of safety and know their big rigs in detail. They are professionals, and due respect from others. Apparently, several drivers were talking about us on the radio, discussing our problem. No less than three truckers flagged us over and a couple stopped to help. I want to give a special thanks to our trucker friends on the road!

Never let things go too long. I have learned that the hard way! Our generator has been finicky for quite a while. Sometimes it worked other time it would not. Before a long trip, I took the time to change the oil and filter. It was overdue. The next time we needed to run the generator it still would only run for a few minutes, then would die. I thought it sounded like a fuel filter so started to replace it. Of course, while I was under the RV a thunderstorm hit. Wind and rain complicated the effort. Gassy water blew onto my face, burning my eyes. A little of it ran across my face and rolled into my ear. Don’t ever let gas drip into your ear. It is one of the most painful experiences you can have. An instant ear infection-like pain flared up and spiked the entire side of my face. Eventually after flushing my ear several times, it subsided, but my ear ached for days. When the storm calmed, I replaced the gas filter, but it still would only run for a few minutes. It was another issue. The short tailpipe that directed the exhaust out from under the generator had become loose. As it turned out fumes were building up and choking the generator. It could have been dangerous to us in the RV too. A loose tailpipe was the cause of all the headache, literally!

When we bought our RV it was not new, but it was in good condition. It had the original sofa bed, table and bench, and window dressings. On the first real use of the sofa bed, it was quickly discovered to be a bit short for an adult to stretch out and comfortably sleep. To get a longer sofa would mean some modification to the table and seats as well. Our slide out is eleven feet wide, and we cleared it, removing both. The replacement sofa came from Ikea. (https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/friheten-sleeper-sofa-skiftebo-dark-gray-90341151) It is a nice long sofa bed with a matching foot stool. That was our first modification. A four-foot table spans the remainder of the slide out. It’s used mainly as a computer desk for working on the road. Dinner trays help with meals and the footstool can double and a table if needed. Functional, comfortable and multitasking additions help make the small living area more livable.

Some other changes turned the RV into a workable mobile home. We ordered a new mattress that fit the RV. It is a Short Queen, just 7 inches shorter. It allows easier walking around the bed, but it’s still long enough to sleep on. We also changed a couple sink fixtures, the shower head, and installed a ceramic toilet with bidet. ( https://luxebidet.com ) Living in an RV does not have to uncomfortable, and if you maintain it well, it will take you everywhere you dream of traveling.