10-minute tech

A Compilation of Tried-and-True Tips From RVers

Closet Fix

In both rigs that we have owned, hanging clothes in the closets has been a frustrating experience, until we modified the system. It's almost impossible to use strong plastic hangers in the metal rail provided due to the closeness of the holes to the ceiling, and it's hard to move the clothes around when retrieving items if the closet is packed tight. We solved the problem by utilizing 1-inch eye snaps, metal closet rods and rod ends, together with end-brace boards. We use the metal rail to hook the snaps with the rod positioned in the loops. Brace boards can be used on one or both sides of the closet. Now our clothes are easy to hang and they stay in place while on the road.

ROBERT E. GEIGER, MENA, ARKANSAS

Grill n' Tub

Store your cooled-off outdoor grill and its accessories in a plastic tub with a snap-on lid. This makes it easy to carry everything needed around the campsite in one trip. But most importantly, it confines the dirt, grease and smell of the used grill to the inside of the plastic tub, not inside the RV storage compartment and its other contents. These plastic containers are very inexpensive and available at most discount stores, in the housewares department.

ALLAN BLUESTONE, GLENVIEW, ILLINOIS

Wasting Water

How much water do you waste while waiting for the hot water to arrive at the shower or sink faucet? This waste is especially critical when boondocking. There is a solution. Just run a length of 1/2-inch tubing from the hot-water supply feed to the faucet under the sink farthest from the hot-water tank to the top of your freshwater tank. Add a shut-off valve, and you're in business. You'll need 1/2-inch tubing of sufficient length to reach the freshwater tank from the faucet, a 1/2-inch tee fitting, one Y-inch shut-off valve, six hose clamps and a 1 1/2-inch nipple. The nipple needs to be "welded" into the freshwater tank, which should be done by your dealer, if you have no experience in such a process.

When you want to shower or wash your hands, open the shut-off valve and let the water run until the tubing/hose gets hot. Shut off the valve before using the faucet.

NORM POZNER, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO

Roof-Vent Crank

If you cannot reach those high-ceiling roof-vent handles, make a simple crank from 1/2-inch PVC rigid pipe to extend your reach. A notch cut in one side of the PVC pipe end allows the new extension crank to easily slip onto the vent handle shank. I cut the notch in the pipe on a tapered angle to keep the crank from slipping off the handle. Make sure the pipe and fittings are of the same type. The materials are available from local hardware stores and cost less than $5.

MARVIN WILBER, LUPTON, MICHIGAN

When the plastic slide locks WV on our kitchen drawers broke and allowed the drawers to hang precariously when pulled out, I made a unique repair. I went to the local hardware store and bought some inexpensive C-shaped door handles. By removing the drawers below each one in need of repair, I was able to gain access to install the handles. Each handle is attached so that it is placed under the slide rail in the back of the drawer and attached with the provided screws. This makes a very secure lock, so the drawer does not tilt when opened, and the repair does not interfere with drawer operation. This can be used on the other drawers of the same type throughout the RV Costs about $1 per drawer to make the repair.

CHARLES E. REEVES, PORT ARKANSAS, TEXAS

Poop n' Scoop

We have two dogs and my husband often takes them for strolls. He's always asking me for "doggie bags" that he can keep while on the walk. In looking for a method that would be handy for him, we bought a roll of produce bags (very inexpensive) from our local grocery store. We rolled out 20 or 30 bags and stuffed them into the back bumper of the trailer. The hole in the bumper plug serves as a dispenser. My husband now has his bags handy, the dogs are happy and so am I.

CHARLENE ROSS, STRATHMORE, ALBERTA, CANADA

Switch Cover

After getting our new RV with a slideout, we noticed that the control switch was near a light switch. We were concerned that our grandchildren might accidentally use the wrong switch while turning the light on or off To secure the slideout switch, I used a cover from a single-bulb, 12-volt DC light fixture and attached it to the wall with hook-and-loop material. We applied the hookand-loop sticky-back material to the cover and opposing spots on the wall. Not only does this look good, it's easy to do and gives me peace of mind.

ARLENE QUAKENLRISH, ALBANY, GEORGIA

Clothespin Modifications

Regarding the `Down-Spout Extenders' (August 1998), I ave been using this method for the last couple of years. However, I have a fifth-wheel trailer and installing and removing the clothespins was a real hassle every time I wished to travel, so I simply left them on. As you would expect, each time I traveled, I lost one or two of the clothespins, which meant I would have to get the ladder out to reinstall them. After doing this three or four times, I tried something different.

I use plastic clothespins that have a hole in one end of each leg of the pin. I separated the two sides, disposed of the spring and after drilling an 1/8-inch hole near the end of each down spout, I attached one leg of the clothespin to the bottom of each down spout with an aluminum Pop rivet. One leg works just as well as a whole clothespin, I haven't lost one since then, and I use half as many clothespins. If one should get caught on a low branch, it simply turns toward the rear of the fifth-wheel, and is easily straightened using the awning rod-- and no need to wrestle with the ladder

DUANE F. ABRECHT, PAWNEE, ILLINOIS

Copyright T L Enterprises, Inc. Jun 1999
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