Category Archives: Outdoor and Camping

Outdoor and Camping Projects to Repair or Improve

Favorite Things – Travel Trailer Miscellaneous

Posted on by February 20, 2017avatar

There are few things I have gotten for the trailer that have worked out really well. I brought a wooden toolbox I had made that has a rope handle. I filled it with jars and a utensil holder to store all my silverware (4 place setting set from Ikea) and kitchen utensils. Since my trailer only has 2 smallish drawers in the kitchen using the toolbox freed those drawers for other things.  I then added the OXO rotating utensil holder for my longer cooking utensils.  I obviously have to pack these when I’m moving the trailer, but have loved having everything … Read more…

RV Roof UV Protectant

Posted on by February 20, 2017avatar
RV Roof UV Protectant

Maintenance day: I spent a fun filled day scrubbing my travel trailer roof and then applying a roof UV protectant to it. Since slippery high surfaces make me nervous and I’m doing these projects solo I lean toward caution, so I scrubbed the entire roof on my hands and knees with a scrub brush and the recommended solution of Spic and Span for my rubber roof. Yesterday had been a bizarrely (and scary) windy day where the gusts were so strong I wasn’t sure my trailer was going to stay upright. It tore apart the sewer hose support, blew the … Read more…

Favorite Things – Instant Pot

Posted on by February 20, 2017avatar

When I was going through the decision process of what kitchen appliances to take in the travel trailer I decided an Instant Pot was one of the best things I could get. It has mutiple functions in one appliance: Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Saute/Browning, Yogurt Maker, Steamer & Warmer. Here it is on my counter top extension and ready to make Thai pasta. I had never used a pressure cooker before so I bought it a few months before hitting the road so I could figure out how to use it. It’s become one of my favorite appliances. Some … Read more…

Favorite Things – Magnetic Spice tins

Posted on by February 20, 2017avatar

Since I cook almost all my own meals and rarely eat out, spices were going to be important to me when I started traveling full time in my trailer. But how to store them in an accessible way? My preference was to have magnetic spice containers so I purchased the Kamenstein 6-Piece Colored Magnetic Tin Set from Walmart since they had the best price.  Before selling the house I washed them, labeled them, and filled them with spices.  When I got settled in to the travel trailer the problem became what to stick them to. The only metal in the … Read more…

Favorite Things – Extend-a-Shower Shower Rod

Posted on by February 20, 2017avatar

The showers in most RVs are little and mine is no exception at 40 inches wide and 24 inches deep. Fortunately, I’m short so the lack of shower head room is no issue for me.  The shower curtain that came with the travel trailer was awful — nasty, scimpy material on a poor ceiling sliding mechanism. I wanted a rod that would allow more room when showering, but not be sticking out in the way when not showering. I found the Stromberg Carlson Extend-A-Shower in satin nickel. The best price I could find at the time was the sale price at … Read more…

Time for RV manufacturers to update their business model

Posted on by August 28, 2016avatar

For years RV manufacturers have forced “buy local” on all their customers. The way they enforce it is when it comes to service — if you take your RV to a dealer you didn’t purchase from they make you the lowest priority. You, the consumer, is basically screwed if you don’t get warranty work and repairs done while you’re at home. I think RV manufacturers need to update their thinking to keep up with the changes related to the internet and the growth of full-time RVers. We are no longer a people who purchase campers, trailers, and motor homes and store … Read more…

Finding problems with new travel trailer

Posted on by August 28, 2016avatar

I didn’t spend a fortune on a travel trailer so I didn’t expect absolute perfection. I knew they had to keep costs down to keep the price low. I started checking things as soon as I got it, but have still be surprised by some of the problems I’ve had. Tub enclosure I only had it a couple of days when the tub enclosure separated from the wall because it had been forced into place instead of placed properly. I’m still working on this issue. The dealer sent rivets and double stick tape for me to repair it myself. Is it just … Read more…

Counter top extension for travel trailer

Posted on by February 20, 2017avatar

When I ordered my trailer I ordered the counter top extension. When the dealer received the trailer there was no extension. Forest River mailed it to me at my campground in Texas, but it was unassembled with no instructions, not even screws. I called the dealer and the service guy mentioned something about shims, said he really didn’t know and suggested taking it to a dealer in Texas. To get into a dealer in summer takes weeks where I would be without my home. Forget it. I wasn’t sure how to install so I posted on the Forest River owner forum … Read more…

LED replacement bulbs for camper

Posted on by March 4, 2014avatar
LED replacement bulbs for camper - The DIY Girl

Converting the standard interior camper or RV lights to LED is incredibly easy once you determine the bulb size in the fixtures. I was not too enthralled with the lighting in my camper. The interior lights were dual 921 bulbs that would get smoking hot when used for a short time (figuratively, not literally) and provided a harsh light. I’m in a Rockwood A128S which is an A frame hardside pop-up camper that folds down in transport and there are warning stickers that lights must cool down before closing the camper. Need I say more? I was very interested in … Read more…

Changing your in-cabin air filters

Posted on by September 22, 2013avatar
Changing your in-cabin air filters - The DIY Girl

Recently I was reading a Family Handyman online article on 5 things you should do for your vehicle and it mentioned changing the in-cabin air filters once a year. If you click on the image to the left it will take you to their article. I’d had issues with the filters leading to my cabin. I had parked my vehicle outside at a friend’s house for a few days while we traveled and when I got back the smell in the car was grotesque. A ridiculous amount of money later I found out that in my absence a mama mouse … Read more…