Enjoyed this video? Subscribe for more! → link.gratefulglamper.com/subscribe Want More? → video.gratefulglamper.com/youtube/channel/rvlifefavorites

Here’s my advice. A good friend of mine bought a new Newell after going on a couple of trips in mine. Needing to outfit it for travel he asked me what the most important things to buy first were. I told him he needed a very large tool box and a safe large enough to hold lots of cash. Those are the essentials. Everything else is just fluff.

@MarkBarrack

Ай бұрын

Years ago i had a similar mentality. For me today it is a credit card and a cell phone, jk. Good advice.

I really like your videos but your getting a little heavy on the product advertising, a link below is fine but it's getting close to Broadcast TV commercial levels. Revenue seems to be taking over content in some cases. But, I still like your delivery information Charity.

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the feedback!

@carolwhelan6901

Ай бұрын

gdt5430….don’t be so critical! They put a lot of time and effort making their videos. They’re really educational. We all know KZreadrs make money from advertisers, but that’s perfectly ok because they deserve to be paid for what they do!

@MaryWehmeier

Ай бұрын

Are you aware how little $$ KZread is paying content creators any more?

@ronnjerremy5796

Ай бұрын

Money is literally what KZread is about for 90% of tubers

@bertie-the-explorer

29 күн бұрын

That is why i quit watching. All famous youtubers do this. Never enough for them.

The suggestion I have heard a lot that I think is bad advice is leaving copious amounts of Irish Spring bars all around the inside of your RV will keep mice out. Mice will eat Irish Spring!! LOL Some people swear by it, "I've used it for 10 years, never had a single mouse in my RV!!!" I suspect they are just storing it where there are no mice, such as a pavement, cement or gravel storage place that have no mice nearby! Great video!! 😃

I used to use antifreeze to winterize my RV until I found out about using an air compressor to blow all the lines it is cheaper, quicker, less mess and no flush out needed. I do use antifreeze for the p-trap drains and toilet. Six winters now in central Ohio and no issues.

@aeconsulting1

24 күн бұрын

Just added the comment, then saw yours. Yep, works for me too.

@InTheDirtAgain

21 күн бұрын

Me too!

As always, good advice, but I do disagree with you on an RV Cover. I have been using them for 8 years now. They last about 3 years. I am on our 3rd one. When properly secured and checked on regularly to maintain securement, they work well. It really protects your RV. We are in NorthWest Alberta, and it works for us.

@pgithens1

Ай бұрын

I think it depends on the cover too. And as mentioned how well it is attached anchored. We used a Sunbrella cover made by CalMark on our old RV. Granted we only used it over the winter but never had any issues with mold. It was very breathable.

@tracisass4983

25 күн бұрын

This may be dumb question we are new fifth wheel owners but we do have a boat-does anyone do that plastic shrink wrap type cover like boats do?

@DL-bl6qp

13 күн бұрын

May I ask the brand you use? We also live in AB and I've been wondering if RV covers do help or hold in moisture and cause issues. Thanks.

I don't understand treating black tanks. They are not septic systems. I agree that you should use a lot of water and empty before full. I suppose if you don't empty it for several weeks then the microbes would be active. We tend to flush out ours and leave it empty between camping events. I do like the fresh smell some of the tank treatment products have.

We use Unique products. They have great products, for RV and home.

I learned about dewatering the lines when I went to fill the water tank in spring and all the water leaked back out. Previously I had thought that opening the low point drains would work, but there is a sediment filter between the water tank and the water pump which always has some water in it, and it froze and cracked. It cost about $5 to replace. I found some anti freeze stuff to put down the drains of the sinks that worked. I’ve had boats in the water for almost 40 years and never worried about things freezing because it rarely gets below freezing for many hours, but away from the water it can get way below freezing. Going forward I intend to keep the RV away from cold temperatures by going south

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

Good plan, thanks for watching

Great tips and advice. I winterize using the low drains, open the plug for the water heater (if it‘s the old style with tank), close the plug, then I blow out the remaining water with compressed air around 30 PSI and open each faucet individually including fridge, toilets and outside shower. At the end I put a small small amounts of RV antifreeze (pink) into the drains. I works for me since many years never had a problem. I have a Class A with the easy filling tube of the RV antifreeze but I just hated to use and waste a couple gallons of the pink fluid. I live in Michigan, so cold winters.

We don't cover the tires bc they needed to be changed in 5 years anyway after always being covered. Never cover the RV in the winter per another person advice. And they are right. ALWAYS winterize. Other than that u got it all.

@boosebill

Ай бұрын

Even worse, we wintered in PA (living in RV) One day we noticed that a neighbor had gotten a pull along. The next day he had it covered with plastic sheet that was all the way to the ground, and anchored with rocks. I stopped in and explained to him that he had created a solar still and what the rv would look like by the spring (lots of mold!) He was very grateful for the advice. If you cover be sure to use a good breathable cover.

One time we were camping out , it got down to 18 Deg F two night in a row. Our water and my daughter's water froze up over night and did not thaw out until about noon. My daughter let one of her faucets drip the second night and hers did not freeze up. My generator ran out of propane about midnight and in my drunken state could not get the generator started again so I did not let the water run in fear of running the battery down. Luckily no damage was done to either camper.

I live in Montana and have to deal with -40F winter weather and plenty of field mice looking to stay warm. Last year, I used a 5gal bucket trap with a gallon or two of the pink antifreeze in the bottom and the pink stuff can definitely freeze solid. Found me a little mouse friend in a frozen chunk.

One extra thing about winterizing: Do not use the cheap fluid with ethanol. It will dry out your seals over time, eventually leading to failure. Go for the more expensive RV antifreeze. It's only a few bucks more.

Been RVing for decades, living in current motorhome since 2004. I don't use any additives in my black except baking soda. I also do not put TP in my tank. Many videos from those who clean the tanks professionally to not use additives that turn it into a septic tank. As for leveling, if only for a short while if the frig stays cold then I am level enough. If not will use Jack's.

Very interesting video. I learned a lot. Thank you!

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Rember, RV Antifreeze is cheaper than the damage caused by either being cheap or thinking the low port drains got it covered. Make pink comes out of the faucets and I pour at least two solo cups worth down each drain. I most likely using more than needed. But the stuff is cheap.

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

👍

Great advice and great delivery, thank you.

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you, Charity 💕

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching 💙

We bought a top of the line cover with our first class A, very pricey. It was shredded the first Utah winter. As I have the room for it, I built a shop/garage not cheap either!! The point is covers are expensive and usless. The manufacturer warrantied it. I have the new one in the box never opened it LOL. Learned first hand about winterizing, shower P trap.. ever tried to get the shower out of a 43ft American Eagle? Even the tech took my name in vain... just missed the shower, I guess, everything else was winterized ok...

Someone told us you can just hook up and RUN your camper to your house power by using a simple plug adapter. Good thing we did our research and found out you can fry your A/C unit this way. Just because the plug fits......

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

Oh, that is some bad advice for sure!

I love your channel. It is so unique and offers a different perspective of RVing.

@GratefulGlamper

27 күн бұрын

Thanks! That’s what we aim to do! 💙

Thanks for good info!

@GratefulGlamper

25 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching

A couple others to add: 1) You don't need a supplemental braking system for your TOAD if it is light. Just incorrect and dangerous. 2) Either advice or the decision not to purchase surge/Electrical protection. We saw this first-hand this weekend. Our Progressive Dynamics system cut our power multiple times this weekend due to low voltage. The motorhome next to us was just plugged in. I'm certain they too had low voltage but no protection from it. Last one is controversial and related to the battery discussion. A prerequisite for us is a refrigerator that is both electric and propane. We leave the propane on going down the road to cool the refrigerator. Some would say we are a rolling death machine waiting to happen. I call nonsense. The same propane leak sensor that works when stationary works when rolling down the road. And modern RVs have modern propane tanks with excess flow valves built in to mostly stop the flow of gas in the event of a leak. There isn't that much propane in the system to begin with. We have inadvertently left our propane off after filling and discovered part way along our journey that the refrigerator wasn't working. It was a hot summer day and we were traveling to a full sun destination. The refrigerator never caught up even after having cooled for several hours prior to the outage. Out of an abundance of caution, we wound up ditching most of the food likely to spoil and restocking. The refrigerator never did fully catch up until temps cooled at night. I can't even imagine having a residential refrigerator that would be off until AC is restored or you'd have to run the generator non-stop while boon docking. I have learned to take RV advice with a grain of salt especially from KZread channels. (Present company mostly excepted. 😀) Many on-line RV experts simply wind up parroting "advice" that is seen on miscellaneous social media sites.

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment and for watching

A lot of truth about these RV Facebook groups. I own a unique motorhome brand (that is also no longer in business), which lends itself to having some owner's group Facebook groups. There are some "experts" on there when people are looking for advice on fixing something that leaves me scratching my head. I had an electrical issue that I was trying to chase down and was getting some of the dumbest, most off-the-wall, and sometimes just dangerous "advise" I had ever seen. I ignored all of it. And the "experts" were amazed when my issue was with a blown fuse that the manufacture decided to hide in the most ridiculous place.

@GratefulGlamper

29 күн бұрын

💯

For those who conceal carry be careful using a gun for protection in your RV. A bullet can easily go through the thin walls of your RV but could easily end up going through several other RV's parked near you.

You really have no reason not to use Dawn dish soap. I understand these videos are just very well scripted product info commercials. I’m sure if you had a deal with Dawn dish soap you would support its use. I’ve used Dawn sometimes on travel days on black and gray tanks. It’s like a washing machine. I’ve put an inspection camera inside the tanks. (Once a year). Tanks clean and sensors working. I do agree with the tank treatment.

I'll cover one that is unique to tandem axle towables ... the use of the Trailer-Aid device to lift a wheel off of the ground for service. This seriously overloads suspension components and can easily damage them.

I can’t remember the channel but there is a great video where someone tests several tank treatment products. We were not having great success with Digest-it and after watching the tests, switched to Liquified. It’s worth a little extra money, it works so much better!

LOOOL @ 1:29 🤣🤣

❤❤❤😊😊😊Thanks

@GratefulGlamper

26 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching

Good vid for rookies!!

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

Thank you!

Good advice, except that not covering the RV has to be the worst advice I have ever heard. A quality RV cover that fits the RV and is properly installed will not damage even a fully painted RV. I suggest watching the video on this topic by Endless RVing. Without a cover, you are exposing your RV non-stop to the two worst things possible, rain and the sun. Here in the Northwest, with all the trees, my RV would quickly be covered in green slime and mildew in the rainy months or covered in pitch, bird droppings, and dirt the rest of the year. A good cover will cost you around $400. But, there is virtually nothing you can fix on your RV for that amount. I can get four or five years out of my cover before I need to replace it. When I remove it, my motorhome looks as perfect and clean as the day I put it on, even months later. If you want to guarantee thousands of dollars in damage on your RV as well as shortening the life and value, go ahead and store it out in the weather without a cover. There's a reason that when people see my 20-year-old RV they can't believe it isn't practically new.

@MrRMB1

Ай бұрын

She said a properly installed cover. Hers wasn’t installed properly and caused damage. It’s better not to have one than one incorrectly installed. It’s a personal preference. I don’t use one and never had a problem.

What are you hanging the pictures in your RV with? I like how they are displayed

@GratefulGlamper

25 күн бұрын

They are mixtiles!

What soap do you use when washing the outside with a brush? I know someone who leaves the black tank all the time, even after camping season. Bad?

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

Leaving the black tank valve open IF the black tanks is completely empty and rinsed and rv is going straight to storage wouldn’t be an issue per se BUT my bigger concern would be forgetting to close it once that the RV is taken out of storage and put back in use. So is a rule of thumb it’s best to just keep the black tank closed, and the gray tank open if you’re hooked up or the RV is in storage.

@ZXX984

Ай бұрын

@@GratefulGlamper thanks

Worst advice I heard was " you don't need to read all those manuals that came with the RV" Read every page. You'll be amazed at the answers for the questions you will have

@GratefulGlamper

28 күн бұрын

💯

Not being an RV owner, I don't know how best to care for a motorhome or a travel trailer. Still, I've heard of lots of advice about how to maintain an RV, and I just scratch my head and say *"What?!"* or *"Anyone who would give advice like this is full of shit!",* and *"whoever takes this advice is an idiot!"*

😂 girl you are getting very funny 🤣. Thank you as always for your great advice. I never go to fb for the diy stuff. Thanks again. ✌️🙂

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

You are so welcome, thanks for watching

everyone has a GPS, but not all GPS are the same. so please. please, please don't blindly follow your GPS. make sure you have a unit that is for large vehicles or even has an RV option. I can't tell you how many times I've seen RVs go down a track that they shouldn't or try to manoeuvre through streets that they shouldn't.

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

Great tip! We use the Garmin 770 which is RV specific.

Interesting that all the professional tank cleaning agencies say that an TV holding tank doesn’t need the tank treatments as they are not septic systems and you can actually make your own for much cheaper that doesn’t break stuff down and sludge on the bottom of the tank. Unique makes sludge and it’s almost impossible to get all of it out when flushing the tank. The tank cleaners recommend a solution of stuff that prevents anything from sticking to the tank and being able to empty the tank completely unlike with the tank treatments.

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

We’ve used unique for over 2 years with great results. The “professional”tank cleaning companies need to stay in business-so consider their motivation in their “advice”.

@chrishemp4970

Ай бұрын

When I purchased an abused RV that had severe black tank buildup, I fortunately found Unique. Followed directions for a good clean out and have not had any troubles since.

@Scoopy2022

27 күн бұрын

@@GratefulGlamper LOL, I thought the same thing with all the comments with "Professional tank Cleaners" What is their motivation! Great video!

Special toilet brush???

I will never use RV antifreeze again. Hate the smell. I always "blow the lines". And, I cook all the time in mine without issues. If you're a slob then it wouldn't matter anyway.

Let me start with I love your videos and all your advice please keep up the great work. I do have one suggestion when winterizing with rv antifreeze, i fill the water system as normal then I open my low point drain valves to let it drain. Because rv antifreeze does freeze , any low piping will have antifreeze with room to expand 40 years ago an rv tech friend told me , have not a had a problem

Hey! are you looking for a new editor for your team? let me know, I can help.

TAKING advise from sales man 'face bookers and preachers needs to be seriously scrutinized

Absolutely disagree with the advice to not use a cover. We have been RV owners for over 25 years and have always used a cover on class C, several class A,s and 5th wheel. The cover arguably does protect the RV from sun damage just as the tire covers do. A quality cover is worth every cent spent on it. Never had damage from a cover and if the sun will UV out a cover every 3-4 years think what it does to an uncovered rv.

Some Facebook pages are loaded with idiots. From those who ask stupid questions like "what is the best" or "where do I get camping chairs".... OMG it's like they have no idea or inclination to look for things themselves. The other group are those who habitually chime in "magic erasers" , "use gorilla tape" or "use JB weld or superglue". Magic erasers only ruin soft surfaces. JB weld and superglue work on some things but not in the applications for which they are suggested. I guess my point is if you really don't know how to fix things then folks need to keep quiet and not offer bad advice. I've already left a few groups because of the amount or morons who post there. Of course if you say something to these snowflakes regarding their input they immediately report you to the moderator.

Winterizing is more than just getting the water out of your system. It also involves keeping out the mice. We spent considerable time mouse proofing our travel trailer by getting on the ground under the unit to check for any holes in the base. There were a lot! Also, we remove every single food item and empty out all the food storage. My mother -in-law had a packet of gravy mix she left in a drawer in her motorhome and the mice found it. Also important to take out linens and clothes. Empty your fridge and freezer, dump out your ice cube trays and prop the doors open. Check for any liquid item that can freeze, like cleaning products, health and beauty products in your bathroom. Bad advice: leave moth balls out. They do nothing to deter mice, they are toxic and make your unit really smell bad.

Is Colorado windier than every other state? Ron W34BIN

@GratefulGlamper

Ай бұрын

It can get windy at times.

@captainblacktoe1328

Ай бұрын

Wyoming!

Are these legit suggestions or product endorsements? I'm not sure all of your suggestions are bad advice.

KUTGW

How does Ben afford to pay this supermodel to narrate his videos every week?

@GratefulGlamper

24 күн бұрын

It’s costly…