DANGER ZONE! The Most Dangerous Part Of An RV

This week on the RV Podcast:

• The most harmful a part of an RV…Between the Truck and Trailer: Why RV Hitching Is so Dangerous.
• If you drink beer in your tenting journey, you’re going to make the mosquitoes very comfortable.
• The nice debate about gentle air pollution and campers who gentle up their RVs just like the Vegas Strip,
• All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions developing in Episode 565 of the RV Podcast

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Greetings from the Great River Road! 

We’re on week three of our 34-day Fantasy RV Tour tracing the Mississippi River all the best way from its quiet supply in northern Minnesota all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. We are actually in St. Louis, MO, and we won’t assist however really feel grateful for the unbelievable journey that is unfolding earlier than us. 

The mighty Mississippi continues to remind us why this river has captured hearts and imaginations for generations. There’s one thing actually magical about following the trail of America’s nice waterway, and St. Louis has confirmed to be considered one of our most memorable locations but.

We’ve explored the Amazing Gateway Arch – do you know it’s an official U.S. National Park? – strolled by way of the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and even toured the massive Anheuser-Busch Brewery right here.

But actually, one of the best a part of this journey is not simply the locations we’re seeing – it is the folks we’re sharing them with. Our tour group has turn into like an prolonged household on wheels. There’s nothing fairly just like the camaraderie that develops whenever you’re exploring new locations with fellow vacationers who share your ardour for the street. 

We’ve laughed till our sides damage, helped one another navigate difficult parking conditions, and created reminiscences that may final lengthy after we have returned dwelling.

The power and enthusiasm of everybody on this tour has been completely infectious. It’s superb what occurs whenever you deliver collectively individuals who have chosen journey and neighborhood over staying put.

This unbelievable sense of belonging and shared journey is exactly what we’re constructing daily at RVCommunity.com. 

If you are an empty nester prepared to show the web page to your subsequent nice chapter, or if you happen to’re over 50 and feeling that decision of the open street, we wish you to know there’s a spot for you in our neighborhood. While our website welcomes RVers of all ages and levels, we particularly perceive the distinctive joys and challenges of those that are rediscovering freedom later in life. 

Whether you are a seasoned street warrior or simply dreaming of your first RV journey, RVCommunity.com is the place you will discover the assist, inspiration, and friendship to make your journey goals a actuality. 

If you have an interest in following alongside, we’re sharing each day updates, pictures, and behind-the-scenes moments contained in the neighborhood.

And, sure, now we have a modest paywall (beginning at lower than a cup of espresso monthly) as a result of high quality communities require boundaries. It retains out the spammers, the scammers, and the social media parasites searching for their subsequent viral second. 

What you get in return is invaluable: real connections in an ad-free neighborhood with like-minded adults, in-person rallies and occasions, complete RV grasp programs, skilled assist with campground choice and journey planning, and troubleshooting recommendation from individuals who’ve really been there.

But one of the best half? Genuine friendships are fashioned in the neighborhood. Because on the finish of the day, that is what this journey is admittedly about – connecting with actual folks residing actual adventures.

Ready to affix a neighborhood that will get it? Sign up today and uncover what genuine RV fellowship seems to be like.

Now, on to the RV News of the week beneath.

RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK

​Why Mosquitoes Pick You: The Surprising Science from a Music Festival​

Ever discover on a tenting journey that the mosquitoes swarmed you, however appeared to go away your journey companions alone? A novel research that examined 500 volunteer music pageant attendees within the Netherlands discovered beer drinkers had been 44 % extra prone to be swarmed, ditto with weed people who smoke. How to maintain them away? Sunscreen. 

​Pump Pain: Northwest Drivers Hit Hard by Pipeline Outage​

Washington and Oregon drivers skilled sticker shock this previous week after a pipeline outage brought about gas costs to spike. A gallon of gasoline value $4.62 in Washington and $4.24 in Oregon over the weekend. Nationally, the typical value for a gallon of gasoline was $3.12, and the bottom value was in Mississippi at $2.70. The Olympic Pipeline is now again on, so hopefully costs will lower this week. 

​Get Outside — For Free! National Parks Celebrate Public Lands Day Saturday​

If you might be close to a nationwide park this Saturday, Sept. 27, entry is free in celebration of National Public Lands Day. There are six free entry days to the nation’s nationwide parks, and on Saturday, parks will waive entrance charges and host quite a few volunteer actions to have a good time. 

​Grizzly Swipes Yellowstone Hiker in Park’s First Attack in Four Years​

Yellowstone National Park reported its first bear assault in additional than 4 years final week when a startled grizzly swiped at a solo hiker, inflicting important however not life-threatening accidents. The 29-year-old man was mountaineering alone at Turbid Lake Trail, positioned northeast of Mary Bay in Yellowstone Lake, and used bear spray to get away. Because the bear was shocked and acted defensively, it won’t be put down.

​Ohio State Parks Crowned Best in the Nation​

Ohio State Parks had been simply topped finest within the nation by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association. The different finalists had been Florida and Wyoming. Ohio’s 76 state parks are free to enter, provide 9,300 campsites, and a few 1,200 miles of trails. We are planning our summer time 2026 RV Lifestyle Community rally simply exterior considered one of Ohio’s state parks – cannot wait!

RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEK – The most harmful a part of an RV – the Hidden Danger in Hitching Up Your RV

A 65-year-old girl died after she was pinned between a Fifth Wheel and a truck on the Moosehead Lake Campground in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula final week. The campground is in a nationwide forest in a distant space, and police are investigating how the Michigan girl was pinned.

According to a press launch from Sheriff Jorge H. Cruz of the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office, regulation enforcement and emergency personnel had been dispatched to the campground at about 3:26 p.m. on Monday after being suggested of an unresponsive girl who had been struck by a camper.

Upon arriving on the scene, officers found a 65-year-old girl, who was a resident of downstate Roscommon, pinned between a fifth wheel camper and a truck. Despite rapid efforts, together with utility of CPR and different life-saving measures, she was pronounced useless on the scene because of the severity of her accidents.

We haven’t got a whole lot of particulars on this, however it is vitally straightforward to see the way it might happen. If you’ve gotten ever towed a fifth wheel or a journey trailer, you virtually at all times want somebody on the rear of your tow car to identify you as you again up into place to hitch up.

In a fifth wheel, the tailgate is down and one of the best view to line every thing up is true behind the tailgate and in entrance of the fifth wheel. But one of the best view is NOT the place the spotter ought to stand. The spotter wants to face off to the aspect and clear from each autos.

There could be very little area between a tailgate and the RV, and as you again up, that area will get very tight. If you again up too quick, your spotter is in nice hazard. It’s a pinch level and, sadly, there are tales yearly about folks being mangled, struggling horrible accidents, or being killed – identical to what occurred final week in Michigan’s UP.

We did some analysis, and it occurs on a regular basis.

Here’s a narrative from Florida: “A 60-year-old man was pinned by a pickup truck and critically injured Sunday when a 60-year-old girl backed into him in what Jacksonville police described as a tragic accident. Police stated the girl’s foot slipped off the brake and hit the accelerator as she tried to again into an area beside a camper, working over the person as he guided her.

Here’s a narrative from Utah: “A Vernal man was killed early Saturday after being pinned between a camper and a vehicle while on a family camping trip. Investigators say the vehicle rolled backward and pinned the man. It’s unclear whether the parking brake had been set or what other factors led to the incident, which is still under investigation.” 

From Seattle: “A 73-year-old man was killed in a tragic accident when a fifth-wheel trailer pinned him towards a fence at a house in Seattle. According to the Seattle Police Department, a driver was attempting to park a fifth-wheel trailer on his property round 2:30 p.m. Police stated the driving force realized that he struck a fence, however didn’t understand {that a} member of the family was pinned between the truck and the fence.

One extra, this one from North Carolina: “A man was killed when he was pinned between a camper and a pickup truck at a Rowan County campground Thursday. The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. at the Tamarac Marina Campground on Blackfoot Lane. According to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, the 63-year-old man was attempting to hook up a fifth-wheel camper to his pickup when the accident occurred. Burrow’s wife told officials he asked her to back the truck up so he could put the linchpin in place, but when she did the camper fell, pinning him between it and the bed of the truck.” 

We don’t have to learn extra. This occurs means, means too usually.

We can attest to the hazard from our personal expertise simply the opposite day. As many are conscious, now we have a brand new Fifth-Wheel hitch that requires the fifth-wheel kingpin to be positioned precisely over a gooseneck ball. Jen and I are slowly getting used to it, nevertheless it clearly is a two-person job.

Jennifer is aware of properly sufficient NOT to get instantly behind the truck. She stands off to the aspect and, whereas the angle might not be one of the best, it is the most secure and generally, it takes a few passes to get it proper.

That’s what we had been doing, maneuvering the truck and lining it up when a neighbor – who sincerely thought he was serving to – came to visit and stated, “Let me help.” Before we might cease him, he bought proper behind the tailgate, with the fifth wheel at his again. 

“This is how you line it up,” he stated to Jen. “This is where you need to stand.”

I jumped out of the truck and informed him completely not. Maybe I used to be a bit too harsh. He insisted he was proper. We defined that sure, proper behind does provide the best view, however it’s too harmful.

He insisted he might shortly get out of the best way if wanted, and he wasn’t a idiot. I bit my tongue. Some persons are simply so cussed, and so I thanked him and informed him we had this, and Jennifer, from a secure aspect place, guided me in.

Folks, do not stand in pinch factors. 

Most of us have a system in backing up and hitching up, and it usually depends on a whole lot of cameras. Cameras can certainly be useful, but when that’s all you employ to again up, you might be trusting in know-how an excessive amount of. Cameras don’t give one of the best view. You want a spotter.

And you’ll want to take your time. It’s okay if it takes a few approaches to get it proper. 

Here’s how we hitch up. We get the truck sq. to the fifth wheel, not on an angle, and place it about 4 or 5 ft from the fifth wheel. Then, I drop the tailgate. I’ve put reflective tape on the kingpin and have a spot out the truck rear window that I line up so I can see a straight projection.

Then Jennifer will get to face on the rear aspect of the truck, even with the kingpin. With my window down and searching the rear mirror at my trajectory marks, I very slowly again up, listening to her cues. 

Jennifer will say 5 ft, 4 ft, three ft, cease. Then I put the truck in park and get out of it, becoming a member of her on the aspect to see for myself whether it is on the best course. Sometimes, we begin another time. But as soon as it is lined up from three ft out, I very slowly again up, listening by way of my open window as she tells me the gap… two ft, one foot, six inches. 

Again, at six inches, the truck goes into park, I get out once more, ensuring with my very own eyes, not wanting by way of the mirror, that we’re nonetheless lined up. Then, again within the truck, I put the truck in reverse and creep backwards, ever so slowly, till she says cease.

Then the truck goes into park once more, we decrease the kingpin onto the ball, and we’re hitched. 

The key to security goes very slowly and staying distant from that pinch level.

We’re sharing these sobering particulars as a result of a few of you want this wake-up name. Too a lot of you method hitching with reckless aggression—treating it like some type of check of your toughness. I do know I in all probability will not persuade the cussed ones, however for these of you who prioritize security over ego, you are already nodding alongside.

Here’s the reality: hitching and unhitching your RV – whether or not it is a trailer or fifth wheel – is the only most harmful second in your whole towing expertise. This is when accidents occur. This is when folks get damage. This is when households get that devastating telephone name.

Every time you hook up or disconnect, you are coping with 1000’s of kilos of transferring steel in tight areas. There’s no room for machismo right here – solely cautious, deliberate security practices that deliver you dwelling in a single piece.

We might do a whole phase on unhitching, particularly in the necessity to put chucks behind the wheels whenever you unhook, however that’s one other subject for one more episode.

Our whole focus at present comes down to at least one vital aim: stopping anybody from getting caught between an RV and a truck. Think in regards to the devastating grief these households should carry—shedding somebody in such a horrific means. The pictures and reminiscences of what occurred will hang-out them endlessly, bringing nightmares and insufferable sorrow that no household ought to ever must endure.

This is why we’re spending a lot time on security protocols at present. Every precaution we focus on, each process we apply, might be the distinction between somebody going dwelling safely to their family members or changing into one other preventable tragedy.

Please share this episode with anybody who tows an RV. And ship us your feedback. Our private e-mail is [email protected]

SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ – Wendy Bowyer

Wendy Bowyer studies on the new points most talked about this previous week on social media and our RV Lifestyle Community group.

In our superb non-public RVLifestyle Community, a few of my favourite posts are from those that share photos of their tenting adventures. It is an effective way to study superb campgrounds and locations to go to. Recently, a member named Phyllis shared a put up about her journey to Capitol Reef National Park and Antelope Island State Park in Utah.

She shared many photos of the gorgeous mountains and cliffs she noticed at Capitol Reef, and likewise gave descriptions of Antelope Island State Park, which is on an island within the Great Salt Lake. I did not know, as an example, that this island has a big public bison herd, wild antelope, many uncommon birds, and so many wild animals. Needless to say, each spots are actually on my bucket record!

In our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group Carolyn lately wrote: 

“Can we please create a movement to decrease light pollution? When we go camping we look forward to seeing the stars but unfortunately we have noticed a trend of camping areas being lit up like Christmas. I understand if you are outside and may have difficulty with night blindness but when you go to bed please be considerate of your neighbor and turn off your lights. Some of us want to escape the bright lights of the city.”

Then Carolyn shared photos illustrating what she was speaking about. This rig that I presume was her neighbor someplace was massively lit up. We’re speaking gentle beams taking pictures throughout the evening sky and even touchdown strip lights on the bottom close to the truck. All the folks appeared to be inside for the evening.

As you’ll be able to think about, this put up actually bought folks speaking.

Some defended the lights, saying folks have to thoughts their very own enterprise, there’s nothing fallacious with utilizing a number of lights and that is what tenting is all about.

But the bulk agreed it was an excessive amount of. Steve stated, “I’ve seen campsites look like airport runways! It’s beyond ridiculous!”

Some stated they’re beginning to see campgrounds require folks flip off their lights at a sure time, one thing they did not see years in the past. But to be sincere, I believe the sunshine desire is extra a conflict of tenting types. Some RVers desire to remain at resorts the place there are lights, actions, and never a whole lot of nature. But different RVers camp to get out in nature and join with creation and that imaginative and prescient of tenting means the celebs are the one factor that present gentle at evening. 

What do you assume?  Do you assume extra persons are utilizing lights than earlier than? And do you’ve gotten a desire?

RV QUESTION OF THE WEEK

QUESTION: From Lisa: Can bleach be used within the kitchen gray tank? Will it hurt something?

ANSWER: Yes, bleach can be utilized in an RV’s gray water tank and is definitely a standard technique for sanitizing and deodorizing it. Many folks go for bleach-free sanitizing merchandise as a result of they imagine bleach is simply too harsh; nonetheless, you’ll be able to certainly use bleach on your kitchen gray tanks and even your contemporary water tanks. Bleach helps kill micro organism and remove odors.

However, there are two essential issues:

• Use a diluted resolution – sometimes 1/4 to 1/2 cup of unscented family bleach per 10-15 gallons of water
• Let it sit for a number of hours or in a single day, then flush completely with contemporary water

This is a sensitive topic as a result of there are purists on the market who’re very vocal about utilizing bleach.

And they elevate these potential considerations:

• Rubber seals and gaskets: Prolonged or frequent publicity to sturdy bleach options can deteriorate rubber elements over time
• Tank sensors: Some tank degree sensors could also be affected by harsh chemical substances
• Plumbing connections: Metal fittings might doubtlessly corrode with repeated sturdy bleach publicity

Personally, I believe they’re overreacting a bit and that correctly diluted bleach is a superb sanitizer. Just do not use bleach too continuously – possibly a few times per season for deep cleansing.

And at all times dilute correctly and rinse completely afterward.

Many RV house owners use this technique efficiently for periodic deep cleansing with out points; nonetheless, as with every thing, moderation is vital to avoiding potential harm to your system elements.

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