Automotive

Whether you’re a seasoned RV traveler or a newcomer to the sport, it never hurts to hear what others have to say about the joys and the, well, problems of RV life.
Put moth balls near the propane lines of the water heater and refrigerator.  This will repel spiders.
Use comet cleanser with bleach to stop ants from entering your RV or campsite. Also, a small amount of Vaseline around any entry points into your RV will stop them from actually entering.

Animals come out of hibernation every spring, and by the summer, natural foods are getting scarce.  Campgrounds are often in close proximity to wildlife (bears, foxes, squirrels, etc.) and the animals often become too comfortable with human visitors.  This results in garbage raids, snatched food, and cars that are broken into in the quest for food.  To avoid difficulties while traveling by RV, there are steps that should be taken.  Final Touch Coach Works suggests the following tips that can keep RVers safe, while allowing them to enjoy the wildlife:

Summer is upon us and we are heading out.  If you happen to be one of the many RVers who also tow a car, boat or trailer, there are some things you should know.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has some rules and regulations:

Last month we ran an article by Dan Gregg which featured the photos for a 2005 Roush Mustang and the information for an A/C cobra.

It’s been said that, “All roads lead to Rome.”  In a motorhome, all drains lead to holding tanks.  Holding tanks are the built-in tanks that hold any waste coming from your RV.
Tanks that hold wastewater coming from sinks and showers are called “gray” tanks. Tanks that hold sewage are “black” tanks.  Typically, there is one “black” tank and one or more “gray” tanks.  The easiest way to know if the tank is “gray” or “black” is to look at the waste valves. 

Working in an RV Collision Center means you see a lot of RVs.  They always show up with at least one adult driver, one adult passenger, maybe a couple of kids, and, nine times out of 10, a dog.
Traveling with a four-legged friend should—and will be—a pleasant experience if you follow certain rules:
• Put your pooch on a leash before you open the door.  Dogs get excited as soon as their home-on-the-road stops moving and they want out.  

Owner(s): Norm Teague
Color: Rosa Red
Interior: Black leather interior

New or used, it doesn’t make much difference.  There will be a time for RV service beyond the usual maintenance.  When it comes to service or repair, the hang up, the bottleneck, the big hit on the bank balance, is usually the service provider.  But take heart.  There are things that you can do to smooth out that bumpy road.

Last month, we talked about the types of batteries used in RVs.  Now, we focus on getting the most out of them.  Some terms should first be explained: The three most basic units in electricity are voltage, current, and resistance.  Voltage is measured in volts, current is measured in amps, and resistance is measured in ohms. 

As we go through our lives we use and consume many things.  Some things like food we need to buy almost every day while other things we buy them less frequently such as clothes.  There are still other items, which we buy very infrequently.  Some of these, such as a car, we choose with care while others, such as new tires for the car, we don’t spend much time choosing and simply buy the brand we trust for the model of our car.
But times are changing and when we buy replacement products it makes sense to study your options in detail.

Batteries are generally misunderstood and almost universally ignored until they fail.  The purpose of all batteries is to store chemical energy and to convert this chemical energy into electrical energy when the need arises.
There are three types of batteries commonly used in RVs: flooded lead acid, gel, and absorbed glass mat (AGM). 

Vehicle: 1970 1/2 Chevrolet RS Z-28
Owners: Steve & Marla Harkavy, Canyon Country
Color: Camaro Gold w/Black Rally stripes

RVers spend a lot of their time on tires; some moving down the highway and some parked in a campsite.  So the more we know about our tires, the better off we are.
Every tire manufactured for sale in the U.S. has a required Department of Transportation (DOT) number imprinted on at least one of its sidewalls.  That number begins with the letters “DOT” and may contain up to 12 additional numbers and letters.  Tires produced after January 1, 2000, have a four-digit code at the end of the DOT number. 

Vehicle: 1950 Chevy Sedan Delivery
Owner: Dave Christensen, Canyon Country, CA
Color: Dodge Viper Copper and Chrysler 300 Cream with green and red pearl
Interior: Two-tone leather

Winter, or what we in southern California consider winter, is here, and it’s time to make sure that your vehicle is ready for whatever mother nature dishes out this year.  Here are a few tips to ensure your vehicle will get you where you need to go as safely as possible.  Consider too that older or high mileage vehicles should get more attention in preparation for winter driving.  Attention to these things now, when the weather is good, will save you money and frustration later.

Tires are what allow us to move our RV from one place to another.  Tire failure is one thing that can happen to an RV that puts our lives at risk.  There are two things we can do to minimize that risk.

You’ve done your homework and have found pictures of RV graphics that appeal to you.  You’ve narrowed it down to three or four colors you really like.  The next step is finding a paint shop that can make your dream a reality.  And finding one that specializes in painting RVs is going to take a little more homework.

Taking your semi-automatic pistol, revolver or shotgun to a qualified gunsmith on a regular basis for inspection and cleaning is the single most important thing the average gun owner can do to ensure it functions safely and stays in mint condition.
The gunsmith has the proper tools, equipment and cleaning supplies, as well the experience, to inspect and clean your firearm in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.