Bug Smacker

Time to Vent

Tim R. Enright

We are planning on a road trip soon, so I decided it was time to look into improving the ventilation in our 5th wheel. We have 2 hatch type windows, 1 small slide window and 3 louver type. There is also a power vent in the ceiling at the rear of the trailer.

While parked we have all the airflow we need. My concern was that it can get pretty hot while traveling. I did not want to leave any of the windows open since I have already lost one while traveling and it was not even open at the time. The only one I would consider leaving open would be the slider. I don’t know how much air would circulate with only one small window open anyway.

I called my RV manufacturer to see what they recommended. They informed me that they had no answer and directed me to a dealership. There I was told about the different aftermarket vent covers that they sold. So I ordered one. I have seen these on several different RVs and thought I had a solution to my problem. After installing the vent cover I found that it restricted the air flow through the vent, made the vent fan sound louder and kept the vent cover from opening all the way. Since my fan was a high-flow type fan, the vent cover I had to purchase actually hung over my skylight making it darker in the room. The cover would however keep the rain out while traveling.

I thought about installing another ceiling vent, but I am somewhat hesitant about cutting a hole in the roof. I may actually go this route when I get the courage to do so.

It would be nice if manufacturers thought of things like this. It would be so much easier to build a solution into the design of the trailer from the beginning.

So as you can see I have come full circle and still have not found a solution to my problem. I just wanted to share my experiences with others who may have this same situation. Plus, I thought it was time for me to vent a little.

Article Courtesy of : www.BugSmacker.com : Copyright © 2008

The Chippewa Indian Campground is owned and operated by the same tribe that runs the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.  Unlike most casino RV parks, this campground is not at the casino, it is a few miles down the road. There is, however, a shuttle bus that can transport you to the casino.

The campground is nothing special. The sites have water and electric. They also tend to be quite unlevel. There is a pool which looks as if it hadn’t been used in quite some time. Local residents zip through the campground on golf carts and ATVs. The place has potential and for the price is an OK value.

The best part of the trip were the coney dogs from Pixie. The coneys from Pixie just melt in your mouth. These things are so easy to eat that you could easily pack away a dozen or so without knowing it…till you explode! 

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Check out this tree!

Good Night Irene

Tim R. Enright

Sleeping while camping can be one of the greatest challenges of being away from home. The more time you spend in your RV, the more you will come to appreciate a good bed. From crawling into a sleeping bag under the stars to sliding under the sheets of king sized bed in a class A Motor Home, a good night’s sleep can sometimes be hard to get.

There are several levels of comfort in sleeping while camping. The most rustic sleeping arrangements start with laying out a sleeping bag either under the stars or in a tent. This can be somewhat upgraded to a folding cot or even an inflatable air mattress.

Next up the comfort scale will require a migration from a tent to an RV of some type. An RV will allow for a thicker foam mattress than a cot will have. Some come with an inner coil mattress. Newer designs may supply you with an inflatable lined mattress. The type of mattress will depend on the frame that supports it. The better ones will be found in main sleeping areas that have a permanent bed frame.

Guest sleeping arrangements tend to be less comfortable. These beds will usually double as sofas, chairs, tables or even walls. RV’s with bunk beds are extremely popular. They come in a variety of configurations. I have even seen some that more or less slide you into a drawer.

At the top of the sleeping comfort scale are the beds that are most like ones that you would find in a home. These units have upscale inner coils mattresses, foam mattresses or air mattresses. I have even heard of water beds (to go with the hot tub, of course).

If you are looking to upgrade your sleeping conditions, you will find many ways to do it. Some of them are: foam mattress covers, mattress pads, inflatable mattresses, replacement inner coil mattresses, to name a few.

When looking for a replacement or upgrade remember that the RV industry tends to size beds smaller than the bedding industry. For an example a RV queen size bed may be shorter than a regular queen size bed. This is more than often the case. A new mattress will most likely be quite a bit thicker than the one you are replacing. Make sure you have room for where the replacement is going. It would not be good to bring in your bed slide with your new mattress only to find it buckle against the wall on the other side.

Sometimes you can make small modifications to your RV to allow for a new bed. I actually removed the storage box below our bed to make room for a queen size mattress to fit below a shelf at the head of the bed. If need be you can purchase RV size beds at camping supply stores or have them special ordered from retail stores.

Whatever your situation there is always a way to improve it. After all we all need a good night’s ZZZZZZZZZZ.

Article Courtesy of : www.BugSmacker.com : Copyright © 2008

The long cold winter has gone and it is once again time to go camping. This is our first trip of the year, so we do not like to go too far from home. This was a wise decision since when we got to our site at the Valley Plaza RV Resort we noticed that we had forgotten to load the TV. We had just purchased a new Samsung LCD TV and a LG home theater-in-a-box.

I was anxious to try them out, so I had to return home to get the TV. By the way, it is awesome!

Wi-Fi That Works

Tim R. Enright

If you are anything like me then the internet has become a big part of your life. I use it at work, I use it at home, and I even use it while camping. Just because we are away from home doesn’t mean we have to become disconnected from the world.

Today’s technology has made it easier to stay connected while away from home. Staying connected while RVing is becoming common practice now. More and more campgrounds are discovering how important getting online has become to most people. The internet is a necessary evil for many of us.

The problem is that most campground and RV parks can’t seem to get it right. Not that they aren’t trying. A lot of them are. There are more hotspots every year. But out of all of the parks I have been to, only a few have a usable connection that everyone can use. Some either set up a $50 router in the office or otherwise install a system that is inadequate for the size of the park. Most have no idea how it works and cannot help if you can’t get connected.

I even saw one place where they placed the Wi-Fi antenna in the center of the park and wondered why it did not work well. Maybe it was because it was located inside of a metal gazebo. Rather than fix the problem, I was told they were going to just remove that they offered Wi-Fi from their ads.

I would like to see campgrounds not just offering Wi-Fi, but also offering Wi-Fi that actually works.

Article Courtesy of : www.BugSmacker.com : Copyright © 2008