Latest Edition
RV Tech Tips Issue 10
By
Feb 28, 2006, 03:00

This newsletter is posted every other Tuesday morning.

One of my favorite columns in RV periodicals and on TV programs is the RV Product Review. When we sat down to develop RV Tech Tips it was something I wanted to include. Well, you'll find our first review in this issue: the Blue Streak Automatic Chemical metering and Dispensing System for RV toilets. While we won't have product reviews for each issue, we intend to offer an unbiased, valuable review of the products we do.

Tires are another subject which I get asked about frequently. In fact, I have a customer right now whose Class-C motorhome suffered a rear-dual tire failure while on the highway, which resulted in some pretty extensive undercarriage and wire harness damage. While this will not be a stand-alone text about tire use and safety, we will offer some important tips, and links to resources from the tire manufacturers. So much damage to RVs and, unfortunately, so many accidents occur as a result of "tire abuse." Let's stop tire abuse in its tracks!

Spring-like weather is beginning to arrive in parts of the country. For those who are blessed so early by nature's annual awakening, it's time to think of RVing's annual awakening. Beginning this issue, we'll have tips for you about how to get your RV out of storage and ready for action.

Do you have a tech related RV question? Do you have a suggestion for something you'd like to see in RV Tech Tips? Drop us a line! While we can't answer all the questions personally, we do feature some here in our newsletter. Send your questions to rvtechtips@yahoo.com. You can also post your questions to other RVers on our online forum at RVtravel.com.

Until next time, I'll see you on the Hi-Way!

The Blue Streak Automatic Chemical Metering and Dispenser Kit for RV toilets is designed to relieve the RV owner from adding chemical each time they empty their black tank, and to meter an exact amount of chemical based on the flush to avoid wasting chemical, and to assure that there is enough in the tank to work properly.

The installation of this system is quite straightforward, and requires only some basic tools. We installed this one on a coach with a Sealand Traveler toilet, but it is compatible with most RV toilets. A detailed instruction book, and all parts needed for installation are included, as is a bottle of their formaldehyde-free chemical. While they recommend using their chemical, any formaldehyde-free chemical may be used.

While our installation didn't require removing the stool, some installations require removal. The installation of the tank needs to be at or below the level of the stool. The tank can be installed in the basement with additional tubing.

We installed the tank on the wall adjacent to the stool, tapping into the plumbing as stated in the directions. The installation took all of 15 minutes, and the only installation issue we ran into was the tank cover. As designed, it was loose, and would fall off the tank during coach movement. The fix is simple: double stick tape or hook and loop fastening tape.

THE PRODUCT OPERATES exactly as described, and adds a measured amount of chemical for each flush. We do have a couple of concerns, which are worth noting, but not necessarily reason to avoid the product. First, which may only be for our toilet, was the fact that the hand sprayer now sprays chemical instead of pure water. Therefore, any overspray or dripping may leave staining. Second, the toilet always has a measured amount of chemical in it, in a striking blue color, and we are unsure of what would happen if commercially available toilet cleaner was used in the toilet combining with the Blue Streak Chemical.  There is, however, a shut-off clamp on the chemical supply tubing which will allow the user to flush the toilet with water only.

The system comes with a one-year warranty, which will be voided if non-Blue Streak Chemical is used. The company's winterizing instructions are vague, suggesting that the user need only to run the chemical down to an inch or two. We did not test the chemical for it's freeze resistance.

For more information, or ordering, please visit the company's web site at www.bluestreakchem.com

•Tire Pressure – Do you know what your tire pressures are? Do you know what they should be? Air carries the load, not the tire. If the tire pressure is too high for the load, the tire will wear unevenly. If the tire pressure is too low for the load, the tire will overheat, wear unevenly, and possibly blow out.

The correct tire pressure can be determined in a couple of ways. First is by using the certification label. Usually mounted somewhere on the front left of the vehicle (or on or near the driver's side door/seat), this label includes the vehicles Vehicle Identification Number, wheel and tire sizes, recommended cold tire inflation pressures, GVWR, and GAWR, as manufactured. Most tire dealers can match different size tires to your vehicle based on the above data.

Another way is to use the tire inflation chart which is available from the tire manufacturer for your particular tire. This is better for RVs, because they usually have a dynamic load variance based on wheel position. In simpler terms, "stuff" may be heavier on one side or area of a loaded coach than another, resulting in different weight loads on different wheels. Once the RV is weighed by wheel position, the individual tires can have their weights adjusted appropriately. This is just as important with trailers, and the primary reason trailers should be towed level.

•RV Weight – As I have discussed before, exceeding the GVWR by overloading the RV is an accident waiting to happen. Not just due to exceeding the design limits of the RV's structure, but because of exceeding the design capabilities of the tires. While a few pounds here or there may not make a huge difference, it's important to weigh the coach, by wheel position, once the coach is loaded for travel.

On a side note, even if you upgrade your tires, your GAWR and GVWR DO NOT change! While upgrading a tire may help prevent a tire failure, an overloading situation can still lead to mechanical failure.

•Speed Rating – Not usually an issue with highway service tires, but each tire has a maximum recommended speed at which it is designed to be used. Speed in excess of the rating may cause excessive heating, and/or mechanical failure.

•Tire Age – Tires don't last forever. The accepted rule is that tires last five years. The industry recommends having tires that are older than five years professionally inspected on a regular basis. Personal experience indicates that it's probably not worth the risk… get new tires. Is your life, or someone else's, or the destruction of your RV worth it? Budget for new tires every five years or as needed due to wear. By the way, this is for the tire's age, NOT the vehicle's age. The tire age can be determined by referencing the date stamp on the tire.

Always inspect tires monthly while parked, and daily while traveling. This inspection should include:
• Cold Inflation Pressure, using a dual-head 120 psi gauge calibrated for 2 psi increments.
• Damage – Look for cuts, gouges, bulges, foreign objects, etc.
• Age Wear – Look for cracks in the side walls, dry rot, etc.
• Uneven Wear – Is the tread wearing evenly and appropriately? If not, have a service professional have a look.

•Alignment – Misalignment can substantially reduce the life of a tire. Make sure your RV is kept in alignment. Even new coaches occasionally roll off the assembly line out of alignment. If you start to see odd wear patterns on the tires, bring it to a tire professional's attention promptly. Not only can misalignment cause your tires to wear poorly, but it can also cause the RV to handle poorly.

SAFETY NOTE: "While driving, if you experience a sudden vibration or ride disturbance, or if you suspect that damage to your tires or vehicle has occurred, immediately reduce speed or stop. Drive with caution or have your vehicle towed to the nearest vehicle or tire dealer to have your vehicle inspected." – Rubber Manufacturers Association

SAFETY NOTE: Changing a tire can be hazardous. Tire changing on large vehicles is recommended only for professionals. Follow the instructions in your owner's manual precisely with regard to jacking and tire changing instructions.

For more complete information on tire care and safety, go to "the source" for tire safety and maintenance… some of the people who design and make the tires! They're at the following websites:
www.michelinrvtires.com
www.goodyear.com
http://www.rma.org

The first installment of a series of "opening up" your RV after its winter storage.
Now that spring has sprung, uncover your RV and have a look around. Give it a good bath inside and out. Look for any rodent damage, and fix it. (Be sure to clean up anything they left around too). Operate everything in the unit, and make sure no repairs are necessary… if they are, make an appointment right away at the RV service shop, to beat the rush.

Don't overlook maintaining your frame
As advanced as today’s RVs are, one thing that seems to be overlooked by many manufacturers is the finish of the frame. But even if the RV had a great paint job on the undercarriage, it would still need some care from time to time to protect it for the long run. Here are some tips for keeping your frame in tip top shape.

The weight of LP gas
LP gas can be measured in weight or in gallons. You may have heard somebody say that the gas cylinders on their travel trailer are 30 lb. cylinders, or they may say their cylinders hold 7 gallons apiece. One gallon of LP gas weighs 4.26 pounds. The typical BBQ grill uses a 20 lb. cylinder, and at 80% full it would hold 4.7 gallons of LP gas (all LP gas containers are only filled to 80% of their capacity to allow for expansion when the temperature around the container rises). -- Mark Polk (Learn about Mark Polk's RV "How-to" DVDs and eBooks.)

Got a draft under the slideout? The same pipe insulation as above can be used to seal it. Just cut to length and stuff under the inside gap between the floor and the slide. Don't forget to remove it before closing the slide, though.