RV and Camper Toilets

OK, so RV Toilets isn't a very polite or palatable subject.  You might even ask, quite appropriately, who gives a crap?  However, there are several things newbies should know that will make life on the road -- and in camp -- more pleasant.

First of all, most RV toilets are not made of porcelain like home toilets.  They are made of plastic.  One reason for that is it makes them a lot lighter and saving weight in an RV is important.  However, that means they have special cleaning requirements.  You can usually use most liquid toilet cleaners safely  (although some may not be compatible with holding tank chemicals), but never use harsh cleansers which will mar the finish. Once scratched it is almost impossible to restore and will collect unpleasant deposits.  Use something liked a "Softscrub" cleanser,  Bon Ami ("Hasn't scratched yet"), Bar Keepers Friend, or a Mr Clean Magic Eraser for stubborn stains.  That said, there is an increasing tendency toward the use of porcelain toilets in RVs so you might come across one.  If you do, clean it as you would the one at home.

Although RV toilets look a lot like your toilet at home, there is one very major difference:  residential toilets use a lot of water for flushing (about 3 gallons in current models, up to 5 in some older ones).  RV toilets use very little water.  Conserving water is, of course, a good thing, but it does mean solid wastes sometimes pile up in the holding tank below the toilet if you don't use enough water when flushing.  If you notice this happening, you might want to draw a bucket  of water off your gray water tank and dump it down the toilet.  It will help to wash away piles of stuff, break down the accumulation, provide sufficient liquid for the holding tank chemicals to do their job breaking down waste, and help get enough liquid to flush the tanks when dumping them.  Since the bowl doesn't automatically fill like a residential toilet, you may want  to add more water before using the toilet so there is enough water to capture solids and reduce odors before the toilet is flushed.  That also helps make sure there is enough water being put into the black water holding tank.

One other major difference:  your residential toilet flushes into an essentially endless sewer system; your RV toilet flushes into a limited holding tank.  Unless there is a stoppage in your sewer at home you usually don't have to worry about things backing up.   Even septic tanks are usually large enough that you flushing a toilet won't cause a backup.  The limited holding tanks on RVs means you need to always be aware of the possibility of a back up in the holding tank.  With that in mind, it is prudent to make use of campground facilities whenever possible to reduce filling your holding tank,

When you flush an RV toilet, the water will keep running a little after you release the foot pedal and the valve closes.  This is not a malfunction.  It is designed to do that to leave about a half inch of water in the well in the bottom of the bowl to provide an air tight seal to prevent odors from the holding tank from escaping into the toilet -- and from there into the interior or the RV!  You can press the pedal down part way to add more water too.   You really only need about a half inch on top of the valve to provide an odor seal even when the vehicle is moving.  Adding more at this time is usually just a waste. 

The plastic lid and seat often becomes discolored over time.  Sometimes you can safely restore the appearance by cleaning plastic parts with vinegar or lemon juice.  Lemon juice has the advantage of leaving a more pleasant citrus fragrance.  It is unlikely a standard toilet set will fit an RV toilet.  If yours is damaged beyond repair, seek a matching replacement from your RV store or track one down in a junk yard.  There is really no reason you couldn't use a residential toilet seat if you can find one that fits.

To avoid stains sticking to the toilet bowl in the first place, always press down the flush pedal part way to run a little extra water in the bowl to wet the surface before using the toilet for solid waste. That will coat the walls of the bowl with water to minimize stuff sticking to the bowl.  Don't push the pedal down too far or you will open the valve and all the water will escape.  Then keep a toilet brush or a dowel handy to clean stains after use.  Use the dowel to swab the bowl with a little toilet paper.  That way you don't put smelly deposits on a brush that will be left sitting in a container behind the toilet.  You can simply flush the toilet paper.  I installed an old dirt bike hand grip for extra comfort on the 3/4' quarter round dowel we use in our RV.    The two square edges of the quarter round dowel grip the tissue and give a precision cleaning.  The grip gives you something to hold on to and prevents you from grabbing the dirty end if it falls over or someone puts it away up side down!

Some RV toilets have a sprayer like the one on your kitchen sink that you can use to aid in cleaning the bowl.   These get mixed reviews.  While the sprayer may add convenience to cleaning it sometimes encourages excessive water use and you have a couple more plumbing connections that might be prone to leak.  If your RV toilet doesn't have one and you REALLY want one, it can probably be added.  I decided it wouldn't be worth the cost.  Even now that I have an RV that came with one I still feel the same way.  I find it adds some convenience but it is too easy to waste water.  I use it occasionally but if my next RV doesn't have one I probably wouldn't miss it.  Even with the sprayer, it is usually faster and more effective to clean the bowl with a bit of toilet paper on a dowel as described above.

Don't put facial tissue in your RV toilet.  It will not break down as easily as toilet paper and can cause buildups and clogs that are difficult to remove when you dump the tanks and can block sensors so you don't get an accurate reading on your gauges. 

Speaking of toilet paper, it is said that it is best to use the toilet paper designed for RV toilets.  If you run out, use the cheapest and lightest weight paper you can find.  The fancier, multi-layer brands won't break down well and may contribute to clogs and difficulty dumping the black water tank.  Plain single ply is best.  If you have any question about whether a particular toilet paper is safe to use in your RV or what it will do, you can test it easily yourself.  Just put a couple of squares of toilet paper in a glass jar about half filled with water.  Shake it for a half minute or so.  It the paper breaks down, it will be OK.   To see what unacceptable paper will do, try the same test with an ordinary facial tissue like Kleenex.  It won't break down no matter how much you shake it.  Stuff like that will clog your black water system or porta-potty.

NEVER put disposable diapers or feminine hygiene products down an RV toilet.     Once again, these products won't break down in the holding tank and will cause clogs and bad odors.

Even so-called "flushable" wipes should NOT be flushed down an RV toilet.  They might be OK in residential sewer systems but are likely to clog RV holding tanks.  Standard sewer systems use significant amounts of water that are capable of moving things that would clog an RV holding tank.

Here's a tip for guys:  to avoid urine smell buildup around your RV toilet, sit down to urinate.  OK, so it may not be the most macho thing to do, so what?  Its private.  And it can keep things a lot nicer.  No matter how good your aim is, it still splatters and over time the residue from the mist builds up on cabinets, walls, and floors around the fixture.  You will also find it especially convenient for nocturnal trips when you don't want to turn on any lights.  Your female companions will definitely appreciate having a clean smelling bathroom.

You may have a tendency to limit water usage when flushing to conserve your fresh water.   While conserving fresh water is almost always a priority when boondocking, using too little water will create problems in the black water tank, ranging from th buildup of a pyramid of waste right below the toilet to not having enough liquid for the chemicals to their job or to flush the tank when the time comes.  You don't need extra water for liquids only, but it is essential when there are solids in the toilet,  It may take a little experimentation to determine the right balance between conservation and adequate flushing.  It is usually a lot easier to err on the side of using too much water and slowly backing down than having to deal with too much solids building up in the tank.  Too much water in the holding tank will not cause any problems with dumping, but too little definitely will.  The only problem with using too much water is using up your fresh water and filling your  holding tank when boondocking or when on the road.  Too little water also impedes the function of holding tank chemicals, which break down solid waste and control odor.  If you think you are short of water in the black water tank (as evidenced by piles of solids seen beneath the toilet when you flush it), try adding some extra water collected while warming up your shower or even draw a bucket  off your gray water tank and dump it down the toilet.  I have found that, in general, filling the bowl about half full before using the toilet provides enough liquids for proper operation but your experience may vary.

Odor control for an RV toilet is definitely a consideration.  Not only do you have the natural odors associated with its normal use, it can be a source of foul odors from the holding tank if not used properly.  To reduce odors from normal use, run a little extra water in the bowl by partially depressing the foot pedal before using.  Then make sure there is a little water left in the bottom of the bowl after you flush it. The water acts as an air-tight seal to prevent odors from sneaking past the closed flush valve.  You can also shoot a light spray of air freshener into the bowl and holding tank when you flush it.  But don't over do it.  There is no telling what effect the chemicals in the air freshener might have on the holding tank chemicals.  Speaking of holding tank chemicals, make sure you are always using sufficient holding tank chemicals for the condition of your tanks.  Read the label on your chemicals to find out how many gallons each treatment can handle and add more chemicals proportionately if your holding tanks are larger.  You may also need to add extra chemicals in hot weather as the heat tends to promote rapid and powerful odor build up.  Most RV bathrooms have a roof vent to allow odors to escape.  Many are equipped with a 12-volt fan to aid in evacuating toilet odors and shower humidity.  If your RV doesn't have a vent one can usually be added.  If you have a vent but no fan, a  fan can be added to an existing vent.  That is the simplest and most economical solution but for better air flow and quieter operation choose a Fantastic brand (or similar) power roof vent.  They have large (10") multi-blade fans that move a lot more air than the little 4", 4-blade standard add-on fans.  However, even the little add-on fans will help to some degree.  You will not want to leave the roof vent wide open when you are trying to either heat or cool your RV or when it is raining.  It is especially bad when heating because heat rises and the forced air furnace will push the hottest air in your RV out the vent, causing the furnace to have to work harder.  DO open the vent as needed for toilet use, but don't routinely leave it open.

You will sometimes get holding tank odors in your RV while driving.  The most common cause of this is driving with one or more windows open.  It creates a partial vacuum which literally sucks odors out of your holding tank.  Sometimes odors are drawn back in from the standard roof vent.  There are some after-market holding tank vent "caps" that help dispel odors and prevent them from being drawn back into your RV.  The standard vent cap is just a plastic cap that is a bit larger than the pipe so air can escape.  One of the upgraded caps is designed aerodynamically so it swings into the wind (natural or from driving) to ensure the odors are pulled up and out and directed safely away. These upgraded caps usually cost around $25 and an be generally be installed by a competent do-it-yourselfer and are well worth the investment!

Air fresheners are a common remedy for bathroom odors.  You can usually find a variety of scents at your local Dollar Tree so they don't have to be expensive and you can experiment to see what scent you like best.  When ever using an air freshener, use it sparingly.  You don't want the mist to settle on everything.  Over-use of air fresheners often creates an odor combination that is more offensive than the original holding tank odor.  Think of a strong floral scent blended with sewer smell!  Yuck!

Some smaller RVs, like tent trailers, may have a portable toilet.  Most of what has been said about RV toilets applies to porta-pottys as well.  So, if keep that in mind if you are using a porta-potty in your small RV, tent, or boat.

Enjoy your RV "throne".

Winter Camping

 Winter camping?  You've got to be kidding!  No, there are actually some good reasons to go camping in the winter.  Winter camping may not be as appealing as other times of the year, but if you are into skiing, snowmobiling, or ice fishing, winter camping might provide a good base camp for those activities.  A warm RV would be the most comfortable but even having a base camp with a tent where you can get out of the weather can be adequate.

One thing is certain:  winter camping requires special equipment and special preparedness.  If you are camping in an RV, the RV must be equipped to withstand cold temperatures.  That means being well insulated and having an adequate furnace or other heater(s) and protecting all the water based systems against freezing.  If you are camping in a tent you will want a 4-season tent for starters.  Plus a very sturdy ground cloth.  Then you will need winter sleeping bags.  A tent heater may be a welcome addition.  Just be sure to follow proper procedures for safe use.  When camping on snow I have found it useful to have a couple of extra sleeping bags, he rectangular type that can be opened up.  I laid out one on the floor of the tent under our sleeping bags, then put the second one over our sleeping bags, giving us extra protection against the cold from the snow beneath the tent and retaining body heat that escaped from our personal sleeping bags.  Temperatures that night were well below freezing but we stayed warm and comfy all night.

Your provisions may also need extra protection against freezing.  If you are in an RV and your furnace and/or heaters are sufficient to maintain a room temperature that is comfortable or at least above freezing, your provisions will probably be OK.  But, if you are camping in a tent, you may have to take steps to protect at least some of your provisions from freezing.  Ice chests are used to keep things cold during warmer months but you might find them useful for protecting things from freezing during colder times.  If you have anything that is particularly sensitive you might try putting inside the foot of your sleeping bag, if it will fit without messing up your comfort.  Vehicles like cars and trucks soak up some heat from the sun during the day and may help protect your provisions from freezing over night.  If you wake up to find your provisions frozen, consider running the heater for a while before retiring or even getting up a few times and running it again during the night.  If you are safely using a tent heater it might protect your provisions over night inside your tent but I prefer not to use a heater when I'm sleeping for fear I might never wake up!  Sometimes just keeping your provisions inside your tent will be enough to keep them from freezing.  Even though sleeping bags are designed to keep your body heat in to keep you warm your presence in a tent will warm things up a little bit.

Winter camping also means dressing properly for the weather.  You need to consider both temperature and wind chill to determine how warmly to dress.  It is always best to dress in layers so you can adjust as temperatures rise during the day or your own activity starts to make you too warm.  Getting warm and perspiring in cold temperatures is a recipe for hypothermia.  Try to keep your clothing dry.  Brush off snow before going where warmer temperatures will cause it to melt.  Change out of wet clothes as soon as possible.  You will lose body heat 25 times faster in wet clothes than in dry clothes.  Extremities, like fingers, toes, noses, and ears are especially susceptible to cold.  Warm gloves or mittens are needed on your hands.  Warm socks and winter boots to protect your feet.  Chemical hand and foot warmers can be added for extra warmth.  A hat that covers your ears or good ear muffs or a warm hood can help keep your ears warm.  My favorite winter hat is a Ushanka -- a Russian ear hat.  Its warm, fuzzy flaps cover my ears, neck, and much of my cheeks.  About the only thing you can use to protect your nose is a face mask.  It surprised me just how much even the thin nylon face masks we can wear under our motorcycle helmets did to keep my nose warm.  The only problem I've had with face masks was that they often caused fogging of goggles and eyeglasses.

Winter camping activities will probably include a roaring campfire that is even more welcome and enticing than at other times.  Of course if your camp is a base camp for skiing, snowmobiling, or ice fishing you will be spending a lot of your time participating in your preferred pastime.  Make sure you have properly prepared yourself and your equipment so you can enjoy a failure-free outing.  Also take appropriate precautions for each activity.  

As you should for any remote outdoor outing, be sure to leave word with some you trust as to where you are going and when you expect to return so they can initiate search and rescue if you run into any trouble.

Most important of all, be safe and have fun!  The safety of you and your companions should always be a priority.  Getting sick or injured is never something you want to happen. 

Winter camping is cool!

Fall Camping

Fall is when most campers put their stuff away for the winter.  But there are some really great experiences to be enjoyed as the leaves begin to turn.  Weather won't be too bad yet and is usually even more comfortable than hot summer days.  The cooler evenings are perfect for campfires.  You probably won't have to deal with freezing weather in early fall, but, depending on how high up in the mountains you go and how late in the season it is, you might encounter some pretty cold nights so be prepared to protect you and your equipment against snow and freezing overnight temperatures.  And bring your  cold weather clothing too.

Fall brings colorful leaf changes in many parts of the country.  Be sure to check out potential locations near you where you can enjoy the bright yellows, oranges, and reds as deciduous trees prepare to shed their leaves for the winter.  The only downside to seeking good viewing of fall foliage is that you may encounter heavier than normal traffic as others take the "scenic route" to also enjoy the colors.  Be aware that it is often freezing temperatures that trigger the dramatic changes in leaf color, so don't be surprised if you encounter very cold nights, especially at higher elevations.

Fall doesn't usually deliver the freezing temperatures of winter, but Mother Nature may choose to surprise you, so be prepared.  I remember a "Fall Encampment" I did with with one of my sons in Boy Scouts when it dipped to 24° overnight.  The next day it stayed pretty cold and we even got some snow.  The California boys were totally unprepared for temperatures that cold and took turns warming their hands and other body parts in front of the fireplace in the lodge.  Make sure the furnace in your RV is in good working order and that you have sufficient propane and battery power to keep it going.  If you're tent camping, bring along your tent heater and/or your cold weather sleeping bags -- or an extra set of sleeping bags in case you need to double up to keep warm.  And, of course, bring along plenty of firewood!  Campfires are always nice but are REALLY nice in colder weather!

Fall weather is usually more volatile than summer weather.  It might be beautiful when you leave home, but that can change rapidly, so be sure to check the forecast before you leave home and then monitor the weather during your outing.  A NOAA weather radio is one of the best ways to monitor regional weather but just listening to local radio stations may be useful. And, of course, keep an eye on the sky and check with local rangers or fellow campers familiar with the area to know what to expect for local conditions.  Remember, mountains, which are often a first choice of campers, often generate their own weather so what you see might not show up on regional forecasts.  While the weather seems to be rather fickle almost all year round, the fall variations tend to deliver  more unpleasant surprises than spring and summer. 

Camping facilities, especially Forest Service and other government run campgrounds, may begin to shut down as winter approaches.  Sometimes that means they are completely closed.  Other times they may have already shut off the water to faucets and bathrooms, but the camp sites ares still open to those who come prepared to do without an on site water source.  Commercial venues are less likely to shut down but you may still encounter some reduction in services so always check ahead of time so you don't get surprised and have to forgo your planned activities or seek out a different destination.

If you are camping at a full hookup campground in an RV, be sure to bring along some heat tape to wrap your city water connection (hose and faucet) in case you encounter any freezing temperatures.  Often it is freezing overnight temperatures that trigger the magnificent change of leaf color that makes fall camping so much fun.  A heated water hose will solve part of the problem but you'll still need to protect the faucet itself with heat tape.  If you don't have heat tape, disconnect your hose from the faucet, drain it, and store it inside a protected cabinet each night.  If you leave it connected, the frost-free faucet can't drain and both your unheated hose and the faucet can freeze.  The faucet can still freeze if you use a heated hose.  If that happens YOU will be liable to the campground for the cost of repairing the freeze damaged faucet!  As you can imagine, they are not cheap and the labor to dig them up and replace them is not trivial, especially if the ground is frozen!  

When boondocking, make sure you have plenty of propane.  You're likely to use more for cooking and hot water as well as keeping the furnace going on colder nights.   You can get an "Extend-a-Stay" kit to connect an external propane tank to a motorhome to supply extra fuel for normal propane appliance, but since it supplies gas, it won't work for generators which tap into the liquid in the bottom of the fixed propane tank.  Night time temperatures can be surprisingly cold during fall weather. 

Cooler fall days are often a good time to hit the trails on your dirt bike, ATV, mountain bike, horse, or just hiking.  Moderate temperatures make for pleasant outings.  It is usually much easier to dress in layers to accommodate cooler weather than to try to stay cool when temperatures soar.  After all, there is only so much clothing you can remove when it gets too hot!

Fall is often hunting season in many parts of the country.  That can be a mixed blessing.  You may want to go camping to do some hunting, but if you are not a hunter, you may find yourself wandering around where they're likely to be shooting so you'll want to take appropriate precautions.  Wearing bright orange clothing is one way of distinguishing yourself from potential game but it is a better idea to avoid tramping around in popular hunting areas in the first place.  Most hunters are thoughtful and careful but there are always a few bad apples that spoil things for everyone else.  When I was growing up in Idaho a hunter was bragging in the barber shop that he "got off some sound shots but didn't hit anything".  When the barber asked him what he meant by "sound shots" he said "I heard a noise in the bushes and shot at it, but I didn't hit anything."  The barber proceeded to shave stripe down the middle of his head from front to back in a kind of reverse mohawk and when confronted by the hunter for what he did he defended his actions with a straight razor in his hand and said, in affect,"guys like you should be marked so everyone know who you are".  Other patrons in the shop quickly backed up the barber and the angry customer calmed down and departed without further incident.  Taking any shot without a clear view of the target -- and what's behind it -- is never a good idea.  Even if you're lucky and don't hit something you shouldn't (like a fellow hunter!), obstacles in the path of the arrow or even a bullet can deflect the shot so you miss your intended target and possible hit something you didn't intend to shoot.

Fall into fun!

Summer Camping

 Summer is probably the most popular time for camping.  The kids are out of school, vacations are usually taken in the summer, the weather is usually clear and warm.  Campgrounds and other attractions are open for business.

Summer camping is what, most likely, you usually do.  You probably don't need a lot of advise to get ready for summer camping.  But there are a few things you might want to consider that will help ensure a pleasant experience.

Summer usually means lots of sunshine.  Therefore, be sure to bring along enough sunscreen to cover you and your group for the length of the outing.  And don't forget hats and sunglasses!

Summer temperatures invite light clothing, often swim suits or shorts and tank tops.  However, you might actually stay cooler wearing loose fitting long sleeve shirts and long pants.   Covering more of your skin exposes you to less sunlight so you avoid direct heating and sunburn.  Loose clothing allows for perspiration to evaporate, making best use of your body's natural cooling system.

Summer often delivers some really hot days.  Even if you are traveling and staying in an air conditioned RV you will probably be outside in the heat at times.  Keeping hydrated is essential for avoiding heat related illness such as heat cramps, heat prostation, and heat stroke.  Take along plenty of water and make sure everyone has convenient water bottles or canteens to take water on all activities.  One way to cool down is to spray yourself with water from a spray bottle.  Squirt guns might make the process a little more fun, especially for the kids.

Summer travel may put extra stress on your vehicles.  Hot days may stress cooling systems and hot roads can make tires overheat more quickly.  Overheated tires are more likely to blow out.  Check the condition of your vehicle coolant, radiator and hoses before leaving home.  Also check your tires to be sure they are properly inflated and have enough tread to be safe.  Under-inflation is a common cause of overheating and tire failure.

Summer night are good times for campfires and star gazing.  Nights are usually cool enough to enjoy the warmth of  campfire.  Summer nights often deliver clear skies, allowing unobstructed views of the moon, stars, and planets.  A modest celestial telescope can let you see the rings of Saturn and the Red Spot on Jupiter.  Even binoculars can give you a closer view of the moon, but be careful, it is very bright when viewed through binoculars and you should probably use filters on the lenses to prevent damaging your eyes.  It is, after all, reflected sunlight!

Summer fun!

Spring Camping

Spring camping is almost a no-brainer:  we are usually very anxious to get out again after a winter in hibernation.  However, there are a few things that make spring camping different from the more frequent summer outings.  First off, don't let the cabin fever you've built up being shut in all winter stir you to jump too quickly into action.  Although we are all anxious to get out again, taking time to make sure both you and your equipment are properly prepared for that first spring outing will pay long term dividends in comfort and safety.

Spring is an ideal time for many camping and other outdoor recreational activities.  After a winter off, most of us are beginning to experience the affects of cabin fever and need to get out.  The weather is usually mild, not too hot, not too cold.  Trails are usually in fairly good condition, unless you head out so early they haven't been cleared of winter windfalls or dried out enough to be usable.  You will want to check on trail status before leaving home.  Sometimes trails will be closed for a while due to blockages, snow, or mud.  Hiking trails are usually less affected than OHV trails.  Going around a closed sign on your OHV is a real no-no!  You are very likely to do permanent damage to the trail and that may result in serious damage to your machine, serious injures, and perhaps a permanent closure of the trail.  Trespassing onto a closed trail you may find yourself and your vehicle in difficult or dangerous situations that can easily result in serious damage and/or injuries.  Just because the trail looks OK as far as you can see from the gate/trailhead, doesn't mean it is OK further along.  It will be well worth the wait to ride when the trail has been officially opened.  You might contact the local ranger station and volunteer to help with trail work so more trails can be opened sooner.  Trail work might include clearing fallen trees, erosion control, and repairing bridges and washouts.  It might also include checking and adding or repairing signage or sometimes even re-routing trails where major damage may have occurred during the winter.

Chances are your spring trip will be the first time you have used your RV or OHV or boat in some time.  You will want to make sure both you and your equipment are prepared and take a little extra time to warm up.  Engines and drive trains that have been idle over the winter need time for lubricants to circulate before putting any significant stress on them.  Drivers often need to refresh their memories of what it like to drive an RV, OHV or boat after months behind the wheel of a daily driver.  Take it easy until you and your vehicle have "shaken off the cobwebs".

Spring is the perfect time for a shakedown cruise to check out new vehicles and equipment.  You will likely have days that are warm enough to test air conditioner in your RV or other transport and nights that are comfortably cool enough for campfires and to verify operation of furnaces and heaters.

Spring often gives you an opportunity to enjoy wildflower displays in many locations.  We even found some glorious wildflowers blooming in the Mojave Desert during some spring outings there in areas usually thought to be quite barren.  It might be worth doing a little online research to identify areas and timing for opportunities in or near places you normally visit.

Spring camping is a perfect cure for the cabin fever that we often experience during the winter.  Get out and get going.  Get some fresh air.  Exercise both your equipment and your body.  In many places spring avoids some of the air pollution that plagues places during the summer months when air tends to stagnate.  Occasional spring showers contribute to an awesome environment for camping and outdoor activities.  You might want bring along some rain gear and indoor rainy day activities.

Spring has definite advantages for OHV riders.  First of all, the temperatures are usually mild so it isn't too hot for riding, making riding more pleasant for you and less stress on your machine.   In many cases the ground may still be little damp, minimizing dust and maximizing traction.  Some areas may still be green!  I have seen trails we rode in November completely overgrown by April.  Spring runoff might even create temporary water crossings, so be sure you know how to handle them safely and without damaging you, your machine, or the environment.

Spring is a great time for a shake down cruise to make sure you and all of your gear and equipment are in optimum condition for another season of activity.  Try to try out all your equipment so you can discover any needed repairs or replacements and get them done in time to let you enjoy a full camping season. 

Spring into action!

Cruise Control on RVs and Tow Vehicles

Cruise control is a useful tool for drivers of both motorhomes and tow vehicles as well as the family car.  The primary purpose of cruise control is to maintain a preselected speed and relieve the driver from having to constantly maintain pressure on the gas pedal.  On long drives that pressure often results in leg cramping and stiffness which can not only show up in the leg on the accelerator pedal, but is also often transmitted up into the buttocks and lower back.  Using cruise control can allow the driver to be a little more relaxed.  To the extent that relieves stress, its a good thing, but you certainly don't want to become so relaxed that you get apathetic or drowsy!  Avoiding leg cramps is definitely a good thing.  Using cruise control is said to improve gas mileage too.  Generally it does since most people can't or don't maintain steady pressure on the accelerator and the cruise control does.

Cruise control can usually help get better fuel economy.  Each time you press down on the acclerator pedal the fuel system dumps gas into the engine.  You might be surprised how often you press down on the accelerator, even when you are trying to simply maintain a steady speed.  Cruise control minimizes these surges and allows the engine to operate more efficiently.  However, cruise control can be problematic when towing a heavy trailer or negotiating hills.  Many drivers of heavy vehicles like to "get a run" at steep or long hills and cruise control cannot anticipate upcoming hills.  It can only react when the hill has already slowed you down.  Drivers who routinely maintain a steady foot on the accelerator won't see as much mileage improvement as those who tend to surge and back off frequently.  I once had a construction supervisor whose inconsistency on the gas pedal was enough to make his passengers car sick.  It was enough to cause his passengers to rock forward and back rather strongly.  Fortunately I wasn't susceptible to motion sickness but other employees were. Riding with him was not comfortable.  He would have seen significantly better mileage by using cruise control (and probably avoided passengers vomiting in his truck!).

Why does cruise control improve gas mileage?  For one thing, each time you press down on the accelerator it dumps extra gas into the engine.  Avoiding frequent and often unnecessary movement avoids this extra fuel usage.  Some years ago I recall seeing something called an "Econometer" that supposedly helped drivers improve gas mileage.  It was a dial with green, yellow, and red segments and the goal was to keep the needle in the green as much as possible to get the best possible gas mileage.  How did this work?  Well, what it really was, was a vacuum gauge.  Low vacuum occurs when the engine is under load, so maintaining a steady throttle (high vacuum) and avoiding putting load on the engine improves gas mileage.  Most drivers will get better mileage using cruise control but there are a few professional drivers who have actually been able to get better mileage without it.  So, you may hear stories about cruise control not delivering as advertised but you will want to test your own vehicle and your own skills before you make up your mind for your situation.

Cruise control should NOT be used on wet, snowy, or icy roads.  It should be apparent that you shouldn't use it on snowy or icy roads but some people have tried to use it in the rain, usually much to their dismay!  It has been demonstrated that cruise control, attempting to maintain speed on slick or even just roads, can sometimes cause you to loose control  of your vehicle.  Even a little rain can be enough to cause problems.  The coefficient of friction between your tires and wet road is about half of that on dry roads.  In addition, vehicles tend to hydroplane on wet roads.  When that happens you aren't driving on the pavement, you are driving on top of the water on the pavement and you have very little traction and even less control.  Because of lack of traction, the speed doesn't increase as it normally does when the cruise control opens the throttle, so it opens it more and more and when it eventually does get traction, the reaction is sudden and much more than needed, sending the vehicle out of control.  The classic debunking website snopes.com lists this as TRUE. So, if it starts to rain or snow, or even if the roads are just wet, shut off cruise control!

It is not usually a good idea to use cruise control when driving in hilly country.  The cruise control cannot anticipate upcoming grades the way a human driver can and will NOT downshift to help maintain a safe speed when descending hills.  The cruise control is likely to be constantly having to adjust when operated going up and down hills, completely negating any mpg savings, causing unusual wear and tear on the components, and possibly causing unwanted changes in speed.  I once had a cruise control cause an unwanted downshift that jerked a trailer so hard it snapped the hitch pin!  Fortunately the safety chains kept the trailer from getting away and we were able to stop safely and get a new hitch pin.  I now avoid using cruise control when pulling a trailer!  Many vehicle manufacturers discourage using cruise control when towing, except on flat stretches of road.

I've seen drivers use the cruise control buttons like manual driving controls instead of using the gas pedal.  While I have no hard evidence that this isn't a good thing to do, common sense tells me it isn't.  There is usually some delay as the cruise control responds to input to accelerate or slow down, a delay the "real" driver doesn't normally introduce and I seriously doubt such use will provide the fuel economy benefits of setting the cruise control and leaving it alone.  If nothing else it puts extra wear and tear on all the components of the cruise control and could cause premature failure.  I do not recommend using cruise control in heavy traffic.  The speed changes too often and the potential for another vehicle suddenly cutting you off and forcing you to slow quickly is too great.  Cruise control cannot anticipate nor even react to such things.  Also using cruise control in this manner puts unusual loads on the switches and motors that make it work, possibly causing malfunctions and/or premature failure.   Cruise control is best used on the open road when traffic is light and/or flowing smoothly.

Cruise control is usually installed as a factory option.    There are companies who make aftermarket kits that are reported to be fairly easy to install and not too expensive.  Just replacing an existing cruise control switch will run around $150 in labor so that gives you some idea of the starting place for the cost or labor involved in installing a new kit.   If you are looking for the cruise control to improve gas mileage to save money, be sure to count all the cost of parts and labor to figure out how long it will take for it to pay for itself.  However, if you want it for convenience or to relief some of the muscle cramps of long road trips you don't have to worry about whether the mpg savings will be enough.  Just count any savings as a nice bonus!

There are many anecdotes about naive drivers treating cruise control like an "auto pilot".   Hopefully, none of them are true, but in the interest of a little humor I will retell the story of the RV driver who wrecked his brand new motorhome after he set the "auto pilot" and went back to make a sandwich or a cup of coffee! Other variations include the driver who got in the back seat of his sedan to take a nap and the woman who went back in her van to care for her crying baby after setting the cruise control. Not surprisingly, snopes.com lists these as LEGEND.   They are, however, useful to warn people about the using their cruise controls incorrectly.

There are devices sometimes dubbed "cruise control" for ATVs.   In reality they are just devices that lock the throttle in position.  As long as you ride on level ground with consistent road conditions you will maintain a relatively steady speed but it won't adjust like a real cruise control when you go up or down hills.  You will slow down going up hills and speed up going down.  ATVs with such a device should also be equipped with a "deadman" kill switch to shut the engine off if the rider falls off so the vehicle doesn't continue speeding away.  Some early automobiles, like the Model A Ford had throttle lever on the steering column that could be set to maintain a constant throttle but you won't see them on modern vehicles.

Cruise along!

Are You Ever Too Old for RVing, OHVing, or Camping?

Are you ever too old for RVing, OHVing, or camping?  I suppose there may come a time when physical or neurological limitations may interfere with camping and off road activities.  But unless your doctor has issued restrictions or you have severe disabilities that would make camping or riding unhealthy, uncomfortable, or dangerous to you or others, there is no reason you shouldn't keep on going out as long as you feel like doing it.  I have a friend in his late 70's who still organizes and leads two week-long dirt bike rides in Mexico every year.  To celebrate my own 70th birthday this year my wife and I spent several days camping and riding in the west desert of Utah around Chimney Rock Pass, logging more than 50 miles of trail riding on our dirt bikes.  That birthday celebration also gave me a chance to confirm that "A potato baked in the campfire for one hour makes and excellent side dish".  I have no plans to confirm the second part of that saying (i.e., that "A potato baked in the campfire for three hours makes an excellent hockey puck".)  I'll take that on faith!

As you mature you may modify your riding style or even switch from dirt bikes to ATVs or side-by-sides, but in general there is no good reason to abandon your sport entirely just because the calendar says you're getting older.  How you are old is more important than how old you are!  I believe you don't stop riding (or camping) because you get old; you get old because you stop riding (or camping).  I  admit I have been forced to acknowledge that my body doesn't heal as readily as it once did so I try harder to avoid crashing.  That means I'm a little less adventurous than I once was, a little more cautious.  I have even found that the ground comes up a lot faster and harder when I jump down from my pickup truck than it used to.  One of my riding buddies was once asked why he didn't take up golf.  His reply:  "Because I can still get my leg over my motorcycle!"  I must admit I came back to camp from one particularly tiring technical ride in the Mojave Desert several years ago and announced that "I think I need some new shocks -- and my bike could probably use some new ones too!"

"You don't stop riding because you get old.  You get old because you stop riding."  is one of my favorite quotes and one I firmly believe in.  Of course you could substitute "RVing" or"camping" or any number of pleasant and popular activities for "riding", but any way you cut it, giving up on the things you like to do will age you much faster than the mere passage of time.  My grandfather was fond of saying "A man will rust out quicker than he'll wear out" and I've seen plenty of folks "retire" to a life of leisure as couch potatoes who didn't last very long.  I know one gentleman who, upon retiring, parked himself in front of the TV and refused to do anything more physical than lifting the remote control and within just a few months had to trade his favorite easy chair for a wheel chair which was, in turn, was all too soon exchanged for a coffin.  One evening when visiting my Dad in Oregon I helped him haul 30 bales of hay on his little Datsun pickup and stack them for the calf they were raising.   We felt pretty proud of our accomplishment.  The next day we drove to Idaho to visit my Grandfather who, at 88, we discovered, had spent the morning hauling 80 bales of hay and storing them in the loft of his neighbor's barn -- by himself!  Dad and I just shared a knowing look and said nothing about our puny efforts the night before.  BTW, Grandpa was not a big husky fellow, but he was strong and in incredibly good shape for his age.  He was only 4'11" tall.  I like to tell people I come from a long line of short people (my Dad was 5'3").  I'm a more average 5'8" or at least I was well into my 70's.

As we age we do need to consider the physical changes our bodies are going through.   Our bones are more brittle and it takes longer to heal from sprains and road rash.  Our muscles may not be quite as strong or as resilient.  So it is only prudent to exercise a little more caution in our outdoor activities.  But that doesn't mean we have to curtail them entirely.  As a dirt bike rider I find I  have lost interest in doing the huge jumps that were, at one time, appealing, but I still thoroughly enjoy trail riding and flying through the whoops!  Of course I am almost obsessive about wearing all my body armor!  And, when it comes to camping and RVing, there are few, if any restrictions imposed by age, unless your doctor shuts you down.  You may need to limit activity when  you are recovering from illnesses or surgeries that are more common as we grow older, but often our health benefits by maintaining regular participation in the things we like to do.  Be wise.   Let your body, not the calendar, tell you what you can and can't do.  Of course, if the DMV pulls your driver's license, you may have to let someone else drive your RV or chauffer you to camp.

My wife and I are in our 70s now and are grateful to still be in good health and able to participate in our favorite outdoor activities.  I must say the concept restricting activities because of "getting old" has been more and more on our minds.   However, we still believe you don't stop riding/camping/sailing because you get old, you get old because you stop riding/camping/sailing.  We do make adjustments to our routines to minimize the risks that could be associated with the physical and mental limitations that can develop as we age, but we aren't ready to sell all our toys and covert to couch potatoes.  But everyone is different.  We have  a friend who is just a few years older whose family just put him in assisted living last week.  He had been fairly active until just a few months ago and has gone down hill surprisingly fast.  For us it is simply a reminder that you never know what the future will bring and perhaps a prompting to be more aware of changes as they occur

Don't let the calendar -- or anyone else except maybe your doctor or the DMV -- tell you when to stop enjoying your favorite outdoor activities.   You (or your doctor) should be the only ones to set limits.  And even if your doctor wants to limit your activities, make sure you understand and agree with his reasoning.  Some physicians tend to be over cautious and may not understand the value of your chosen ways of keeping active.  I could count on understanding from my chiropractor in California.  He was a fellow dirt rider and sometimes raced vintage dirt bikes, but not all doctors have an appreciation for the OHV lifestyle.

Keep on keeping on!

Dump Valve Maintenance and Repair

Dump valves are pretty reliable unless they freeze or get damaged by mishandling or impact with something.   However, they will sometimes need repair or replacement in normal use due to ordinary wear and tear on the seals or getting debris trapped as they are closed.  You can also break the internal slide or bend the shaft if you don't pull and push the valve straight in and out.  If you discover sewage accumulated inside the dump cap between dumps, you probably have one or more leaking valves, assuming you closed them correctly and completely the last time you used them.  The color and smell of the accumulated fluid will tell you which valve is leaking.  Foul smelling stuff that is blue, green, or brown is coming from the black water tank.  Some holding tank chemicals might even turn it orange!  Grayish, soapy water that is nearly odorless is from the gray water tank. The black water valve will  be large, 3" valve.  The gray water valve may also be a 3" valve but on some rigs it is a smaller, 1 1/2" valve.  Having a clear plastic dump cap instead of a black one will let you see if there is anything behind the cap before you open it allowing you to avoid a nasty surprise.  Always make sure both valves are fully pushed in before deciding you have a problem with the seals.  Sometimes a bit of debris may get caught in the valve when it closes causes it to leak until it is opened and flushed again.  You may be able to clear debris from seals using a brush or carefully cleaning the groove with a bent wire.  A persistent leak is a strong indicator that the seals need to be replaced  Having a clear plastic dump cap will let you see if there is leakage before you open the camp and get doused with nasty stuff.  Having a dump cap with a hose fitting allows you to slowly and easily drain the accumulated sewage safely into the dump hose or a container before you open the cap and get a big uncontrolled "whoosh" of nasty stuff all over you and the ground.  The space between the valves and the cap can usually hold a quart or two of nasty leakage.  Dump your tanks before attempting to work on the valves.  After you get home from dumping and parked where you're going to be working on them, put a container under the valves and remove the outer cap and open the valves and leave them open for a while to let everything drain out and stop dripping.  This will help avoid getting sewage up your sleeve or dripping in your face while working on the valves.

Sometimes you can clean debris from the seals by carefully scraping the groove with a bent piece of wire.  Be gentle and careful if you try this.  You only want to remove the debris and must avoid damaging the soft rubber seal.  Often even soft debris that has been stuck for some time may have already damaged the seals, forcing you to replace them to correct the problem.

To avoid problems with your dump valves, always pull and push the handles straight.   Any angle on the handle could bend the shaft, damage the seals, or crack the slide.  Once any of these things has happened you will have to replace the valve.  Fortunately they aren't very expensive (around $20 each at even higher priced RV parts stores and even less at discount outlets) and they are usually pretty easy to change.

Always wear protective rubber, nitrile, or vinyl gloves when working with sewer hoses and dump valves  to avoid exposure to chemicals and nasty waste products.  Then thoroughly wash your hands after you have removed and discarded the gloves.  Coveralls are a good idea too, and be sure to wash and disinfect your work clothing when you're done, especially if there was any spillage.

Sometimes the problem is due to worn seals, which can be replaced without replacing the entire valve.  However the effort is pretty much the same whether you're replacing just the seals or the entire valve.   Seal kits will be a little less expensive than complete valves but since the valves are fairly inexpensive, I prefer to replace them rather than just change the seals to avoid any extra labor if just changing the seals doesn't solve the problem.  Some valves can only use their own branded seals and if you get the wrong ones, they will leak.  That is one reason I prefer to replace the whole valve so I don't have to worry about matching old seals.  You'll need to dump and flush the holding tanks before beginning any repair.  The valves are blade valves that are fastened between flanges on either side -- one on the outlet from the tank and one on the pipe that leads to where you attach the dump hose.  They are secured by 4 bolts -- one in each corner of the square part of the flange on the valve.  Remove the 4 bolts, then carefully pull out the valve.  Remove the old seals and clean the flanges.  Install the new seals on the flanges.  Make sure to put the large end of the seal over the lip on the flange.  Then very carefully slip the valve (new or old) into place, taking care not to dislodge or distort the seals.  This can be tricky.  Replace and tighten all 4 bolts and you should be good to go.  New valves should come with new bolts, another benefit of replacing the valve and not just the seals.  Always hold the nut and tighten or loosen the bolt head because the nut is knurled to prevent it from slipping.  Turning the nut will grind the surface of the valve.  Tighten the bolts until the heads begin to bite into the plastic flange.  Once the bolts are tightened, close the valve to make sure it operates smoothly.  If there is any resistance or it won't close completely the seals have probably slipped and you'll need to take it out and reinstall them properly.   At least partially fill the tank with clean water to test the installation.  Sometimes (often) the old bolts will be so badly rusted you can't unscrew them to disassemble the valve.  If there is room you may be able to cut the bolts using a hacksaw or a die grinder with a metal cutoff blade.  Since you will be replacing the old valve you can cut right through the valve itself.  Cut the the center of the bolt through the middle of the flange of the valve itself and be careful not to damage the flanges on either side of the old valve.  The flange on the valve itself should provide enough buffer to prevent you from damaging the flanges on the tank and pipe.  If you damage those other flanges you'll have a lot more to repair!

Some small leaks might be temporarily repaired using a wet patch roofing tar.  This is not a suitable permanent repair.  The underlying cause must be diagnosed and repaired, but if there is a small drip around the junction of the valve body and the flanges it mounts to, sealing it with tar might let you finish a trip and then make appropriate permanent repairs when you get home.  Using wet patch sealant avoids having to wait until the tanks are drained and dried.  Wet patch roofing tar is intended to be used in rainy conditions and may not be resistant to the chemicals and other contaminants in sewage.  While it may stick to wet surfaces, it may not stick to greasy, soapy surfaces or those contaminated with human waste and holding tank chemicals.  Clean the surface as well as you can before attempting to apply wet patch.  I  like Henry's wet patch cement, available in 10 oz tubes to fit a caulking gun at most home centers.

Maintaining dump valves mostly consists of keeping them lubricated so they operate smoothly without any tearing or excessive wear.  Lubricate the shaft of the valve with a silicone spray.  DO NOT use WD40 as it will dissolve the grease that helps seal around the shaft and will make the valve harder to open and close.  The plastic "paddle" that actually opens and closes usually doesn't require any direct lubrication but some holding tank treatments contain valve lubricants or you can buy special valve lubricant to put into your holding tanks.  Valve lubricant is usually dumped down the toilet when the tank is empty so it goes directly to the valve.  You will have to put lubricant down a sink or shower drain to lubricate gray water valves.  Choose the drain closest to the gray water tank and put it in when the tank is empty.  You may want to open and close the valves a time or two to get the lubricant into the seals before adding waste to the tanks.

Dump valves may have metal or plastic handles.  These handles sometimes get bent or broken, especially the plastic ones.  If the valve is otherwise in good shape, the handles are easily replaceable.  Open the valve, then grip the shaft with cloth protected pliers to avoid damaging the shaft, while twisting the handle to remove it.  Then screw on the new handle and tighten it and close the valve.

Some dump valves are located away from the outside edge of the RV and are operated via extension cables.  If you have valves that are difficult to reach you may be able to replace them with cable operated valves for added convenience.  When replacing existing valves with cable operated valves, use new Bladex/Valterra valves.  They are specially designed to operate easily with cables.  Follow the installation instructions carefully to ensure proper operation. Some ultra-luxury units even have electrically operated dump valves.  To me that is overkill and unless you have physical problems that prevent you bending over to reach the dump valves or to pull the handles, I don't think it is worth the expense and it introduces extra electro-mechanical parts that can be additional points of failure. If you have cable or electrically operated valves, make sure to push the handles all the way in when you are done flushing your tanks.   For some reason it seems easier to forget to close them than it is to close the directly operated valves and the results can be very nasty the next time you take the cap off the dump port to connect your sewer hose!  It may be harder to tell if cable operated valves are fully closed because there is some flexibility in the cable, altering the "feel" you get when closing valves with direct handles.  Always close all valves with a firm, smooth, quick motion to ensure the valve is fully closed.  If you encounter resistance there may be debris interfering with the operation.  Open the valve and inspect the seals and remove any debris before trying again.

Dump it!

Hydration for Camping, Boating, and OHVing

Maintaining adequate hydration while camping and involved in related activities, such has hiking, OHV riding, boating, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, is essential to both comfort and good health.  Because of lot of our camping and related activities take place in warm or even hot weather, our hydration requirements are usually greater than normal.  However, hydration is still an important factor colder times.  You will still lose body fluids through respiration and perspiration even when the outside temperatures dip well below freezing.  The effects of dehydration can range from discomfort to coma and even death!  If you find yourself feeling really lethargic in hot weather, you probably aren't drinking enough water.  If your urine is more yellow than clear, you are definitely starting to get dehydrated.  When you start feeling thirsty you are beginning to get dehydrated.

It  may seem kind of counter-intuitive, but you can easily get dehydrated even when involved in water based activities.   Just because you are on or even in the water doesn't mean you are getting enough inside.  Even when boating or swimming you will need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and maintain your mental capacities and the strength you need for your activities.  If you happen to swimming in fresh, pure water you might be able to just take a few swallows now and then to quench your thirst.  But in salt water or water that isn't suitable for drinking you will need to bring along your own supply.  Most of us don't wear apparel for swimming that is conducive to carrying water so you should plan regular breaks to get a drink from a canteen, water bottle, or hydration pack you have close by in your vessel or on shore.

How much water should you drink?  You have probably been told to drink 8 glasses of water per day.  I'm not sure where that came from but I have heard it is NOT accurate.  The truth is that each person's need for water is different and even your need will be different from day to day, depending on activity, diet, medications,weather etc.  One starting point for determining how much water you need is to multiply your weight by 2/3 to get the number of ounces of water you should drink every day.  However that, even at best, is just a starting point.  A better guideline for whether you are drinking the right amount of water is the color of your urine.  If your urine is usually clear, you may be drinking more water than you need.  If it is dark yellow, you are definitely not drinking enough water.  Pale yellow urine probably indicates you are getting about the right amount of water.  If you are out camping and engaged in strenuous activities like hiking, swimming, or riding an OHV, keep an eye on the color or your urine and if it is darker or smells stronger than usual, drink more water.

It is not very common but is is possible to drink too much water.  When this happens it is called hypnoatremia or water intoxification.  Drinking too much water flushes the electrolytes out of your system and then your body can't really use any water.  Symptoms include drinking when you aren't thirsty, headaches, cramps, swollen lips, nausea, swollen feet and ankles, and even unconciousness or coma.   Treatments may include cutting back on how much water you are drinking, taking diruretics to get rid of excess water, and sodium replacement.  If I thought I was drinking too much water I would first probably switch to sports drinks to try to restore electrolytes in addition to cutting down on fluid intake.  Water intoxification can be serious and may need to be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.  In extreme cases it can even be fatal!  Known fatalities are mostly linked to water tortures but it has been known to occur from someone over drinking water, usually the result of some kind of medical/chemical reaction.  Illegal drugs such as Ecstasy are believed to create unquenchable thirst which can lead to water intoxification.  I have seen elderly people suffer from hypoatremia from simply drinking a lot more water in a day than they are used to consuming.

When you begin to feel thirsty, you are already starting to get dehydrated.  To avoid dehydration start by pre-hydrating your body prior to your activities and then drink plenty of water throughout the day.  When dirt biking we start drinking plenty of water and sports drinks at least the day before our planned rides.   For sure there is a trade off between drinking enough water and too many nocturnal trips to the restroom.  It may take some experimentation to work out what works best for you. Then be sure to drink enough water or sports drinks during your activities the next day. You won't want to "tank up" on liquids just prior to physical activities.  Too often it can cause serious stomach distress which sometimes results in throwing up everything you just drank!  Not pleasant nor a very effective way to stay hydrated.  The best way is to take frequent sips of water or your favorite electrolyte frequently throughout the day.  A hydration pack, like a Camelbak, is a handy way of easily getting the water you need without interrupting what you're doing..While having enough water is the biggest concern, you will also need to maintain a proper balance of electrolytes to ensure comfort, performance, and good health.  One of the most important electrolytes is salt and it is one of the first to get depleted through perspiration.  You can buy salt tablets that are convenient to carry during activities.  How much salt do you need?  That will depend on several factors, including your body size, outside temperature, level of perspiration, and amount of activity.  You might be able to find some guidelines via online research, but it may be best to check with our doctor so you get enough but don't over do it.  Too much salt isn't good for you.  Isn't it interesting that salt is composed of two deadly poisons:  sodium and chlorine.  The scientific name for salt is Sodium Chloride.  Either component taken by itself will kill you but you need the compound to live.  Some researchers believe it is more than a coincidence that the percentage of salt in your bloodstream is almost same as it is in the ocean.  If you become extremely dehydrated and require medical attention, one of the treatments will be to give you a saline solution (salt water) intravenously to quickly restore hydration and electrolyte levels.  However, drinking salt water is not usually a good idea, only if you are experiencing symptoms of dehydration such as heat cramps. Trying to drink salt water to simply quench you thirst will result in stomach problems and even more dehydration as your body works to process the salt.

If you find yourself feeling particularly lethargic or weak during hot weather, you are probably starting to suffer from dehydration.  Drinking plenty of water will probably restore your energy levels.  By the way, as mentioned above, it is best to drink small amounts frequently rather than gulp down a whole bunch at once.  This is especially true if you are involved in vigorous physical activities where a large amount of cold water in your stomach could cause rather severe pain and discomfort.  While ice water is particularly appealing in hot weather you're better off sipping room temperature water when  you start getting dehydrated, but keeping a glass or other container of ice water handy throughout the day may encourage you to drink more.  I even like to crunch and eat the ice, but I was told that might be a symptom of low iron in my blood!

Drink small amounts of fluids frequently, especially during very hot weather and/or strenuous activity.  Don't wait until you feel thirsty and then chug-a-lug a whole lot of liquids.  Maintaining your fluid levels by small drinks throughout the day works much better and you will be far more comfortable.   That's one reason I like to wear a Camelbak style hydration pack when dirt biking -- I can take a few sips of water any time I want.  You REALLY don't want to chug down a quart of cold water and then do something physically demanding, like running or agressively riding a dirt bike or a horse!  That is a good way to feel really sick to your stomach really quickly and you'll be likely to loose everything you drank very quickly through vomiting.  I usually add ice cubes to my Camelbak when I fill it each morning and I wrap it in piece of bubble foil insulation cut from an old windshield sunscreen to help keep it cool out on the trail.  The reflective surface protects the dark fabric from absorbing heat from sunlight and the bubble foam helps keep the bladder cool.  However, it is seldom still icy cold when I consume it on hot desert rides.

What you drink is as important has how much you drink.   Good old water is the best source of hydration, followed by sports drinks that replenish lost electrolytes.  However some sports drinks contain excessive amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners.  The negative affects of too much sugar are pretty well publicized, but the side affects of artificial sweeteners are less well know.  I have been told that one of man problems with the popular sweetener aspartame is that it blocks the release of lactic acid from the blood stream, creating muscle fatigue.  Avoid high caffeine drinks like colas and avoid alcohol.  The are both diuretics, which speed dehydration.  Soda and beer also contain significant amounts of sugar that can also be unhealthy.

A frequent and painful early symptom of dehydration is heat cramps.  These usually occur in the arms and legs but can affect just about any muscle, like those in your throat or even your tongue.  They are like really bad charlie horses.  For immediate relief try stretching the offending muscle if you can.  Sometimes you may get cramps in both the front and back of your arms or legs and then it is impossible to stretch out one without aggravating the cramping in the other.  When that happens, about all you can do is find the most neutral position and have someone bring you some electrolytes to drink.  We've found that dill pickle juice works very well, especially if you hold some under your tongue before you swallow it so it can be directly absorbed into your bloodstream.  If you don't have pickle juice, drink a little salt water.  A teaspoon or so in a glass of water should be about right.  To avoid heat cramps altogether, drink plenty of water and sports drinks throughout the day to maintain your fluid and electrolyte levels.  Heat cramps usually don't require professional medical assistance but you may have some muscle soreness for a few days.

The next level is heat exhaustion.  The first symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, cold, clammy skin, fast pulse, and nausea and vomiting.  It may also include dizziness and headache and may include heat cramps.  If you or someone in your group shows these symptoms, they need to cooled down and given fluids as soon as possible.  Heat exhaustion may require professional medical attention if it is not addressed quickly or goes on too long or the patient doesn't respond to cooling and liquids.

Symptoms of more severe dehydration called heat stroke will include hot dry skin (when you stop perspiring you are dangerously dehydrated and your body can't cool itself).  You may become nauseous, dizzy, and get headaches.  If you or any of your companions exhibit these symptoms, you need to cool them down and get some fluids into them as quickly as possible.  Severe dehydration can lead to unconsciousness, coma, and, eventually, even death.  Douse or spray a severely dehydrated person with cool water and encourage them to sip water.  An unconscious victim will require intravenous liquids so seek medical attention as soon as possible.   Heat stroke typically requires professional medical assistance to avoid serious long term damage.

Avoid dehydration by pre-hydrating before any strenuous activity on hot days and then drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

There are several convenient ways to carry water with you during your activities so you can drink as much as you need throughout the day.  Bottled water comes in handy sizes and a lot of backpacks and fanny packs have special outside compartments to keep them easily accessible.  There are also carriers designed specifically to hold bottled water that can be worn slung over a shoulder or around your neck if you're not wearing a fanny pack or back pack.  Some are even made of neoprene to insulate the bottle to keep the water cooler.  Here are some examples available from Amazon.com. Water bottles come in both single use and multi-use varieties.  When you buy bottled water it normally comes in a disposable container.   Multi-use water bottles usually offer extra features such as being insulated, having closable tops, handy carrying handles, and built-in straws.  There are some reports of toxic chemicals from single use bottles leeching into the water when they are used for an extended period of time.

Canteens have been used for many years by campers, hikers, scouts,soldiers, and cowboys to carry water.   The come in various sizes, shapes, durability, and ways to be carried.  Here is a typical boy scout canteen, with a carrying strap to sling it around your neck and/or over your shoulder:
                                                   


                                                 
Here is an army style canteen that is carried on your belt:




                                                       

Blanket style canteens are often used when horseback riding, but are often used by hikers too.  They come in various sizes ranging from less than a quart to a gallon or more.  The blanket covering can be wet so that evaporation helps cool the contents.  You can carry them via the neckstrap, but if you take advantage of keeping the blanket wet to cool the water you will have wet spot on your clothing where the canteen rests.

                                                    

My favorite water system for outdoor recreational activities like dirt biking is the Camelbak Hydration pack.  These are soft back packs with a vinyl bladder inside and a tube from which you can suck water directly through a "bite valve" that keeps it from leaking out between drinks.  I add a Velcro tab to the bite valve and a mating tab on the center of my chest protector so keep the tube handy for use while riding.  Sometimes it takes some extra glue or even a tiny cable tie to  keep it in place.  If you can't get the Velcro to work, just tuck the bite valve in the side of your chest protector.  Here is an example of a Camelbak hydration pack:

                                                   
If you use a Camelbak you may want to pre-cool it to keep your water cooler longer.  However, don't freeze it.  The ice will block the drinking tube and it will probably be several hours before you will be able to drink from it.  The best way I've found is to empty out any stale water, fill the bladder with ice cubes, then continue filling it with as much water as it will take.  Doing this my 70 ounce Camelbak gives me ice cold water for 8-10 hours even in air temperatures hovering around 100°.  To help keep it cold I wrap the pack itself with a reflective windshield cover.  The reflective surface together with the little bit of foam insulation helps keep heat from both the sun and from my body penetrating the pack and warming the water. 

What hydration system you use will depend on the kind of activities you will be participating in and the budget you have for acquiring a system.  Small canteens are relatively inexpensive; large hydration packs will cost several times as much but will carry more water more conveniently.  The most important thing is that you make sure you always have an adequate supply of water.

You can fill your canteens or hydration packs with water or with sports drinks.  However, if you fill them with sports drinks you will have to make sure you clean them out regularly to avoid spoilage or sticky deposits.   In many, many years of dirt biking in the Mojave Desert I have found water to be the best source of hydration on the trail.  Then I consume some sports drinks when I return to camp to balance my electrolytes.  Water is far more refreshing and avoids the sticky aftertaste that often accompanies sports drinks.  I definitely do not recommend filling canteens or hydration packs with sodas!  First of all, sodas are not ideal sources of hydration, especially if they contain caffeine.  Secondly, the bouncing of the container will make the soda fizz, possibly leaking out and quickly losing all the carbonation so it goes flat.  If you're out on the trail for any time, the contents of your hydration container is going to get warm and warm, flat soda is disgusting and not something you will likely drink very much of.  Water is the best thing to fill your hydration system -- and your body -- with.  It is even still healthy and refreshing when it is luke warm.

Having plenty of good tasting drinks you enjoy on hand is a god way to stave off dehydration.   Water is the very best, with sports drinks that replace lost electrolytes coming in second.  Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages should be way down the list and avoided or used only in moderation.  Both are diurectics that will cause you to lose hydration.  Typical sodas may deliver a lot more calories than you might like to consume while sitting around and relaxing around camp.  Diet sodas probably have artificial sweeteners that can have very unpleasant side effects.  For example, as mentioned above,  the popular sweetener "aspartame", found in many "diet" products, blocks the transfer of lactic acid out of tired muscles.  It is the accumulation of lactic acid that makes your muscles ache and feel fatigued.  Not a good way to recuperate from strenuous activity.

Whatever type of container you use for hydration you will want to keep it clean.   Those used only for water usually need little maintenance unless they have been contaminated.  If the water begins to get cloudy or smell bad, you will want to clean and sanitize your canteen or hydration pack.  A canteen can be sanitized by filling it with water and adding a few drops of unscented chlorine bleach.  Put on the cap, shake it well, and let it stand for a few hours.  Then dump it out and rinse it until the chlorine smell is gone.  Rinsing it with a solution of water and baking soda can speed removal of the chlorine smell.  Hydration packs can be cleaned in essentially the same way but the drinking tubes sometimes require additional cleaning with special little brushes.  You should be able to purchase a hydration pack cleaning kit where ever hydration packs are sold.  They aren't cheap but neither are they terribly expensive and they will make cleaning your hydration pack a lot faster and easier.  Your taste buds will thank you!

Drink up!

Gas versus Diesel

Gas versus diesel powered motorhomes and tow vehicles.  The question always comes up.  And, unfortunately, there is no easy answer.  But there are some distinct advantages and disadvantages to each the potential buyer should be aware of.  Gasoline and diesel engines behave differently, have different strong points and different weaknesses.  Personal preferences play a significant role in choosing between gasoline or diesel powered RVs and tow vehicles.

There have even been long standing debates over whether gasoline or diesel engines or more environmentally friendly.  Unfortunately, there has not been any conclusive answer.  Turns out the issue is more complex than most people could possibly imagine or understand.  Each technology has its benefits and its problems.  Each type of fuel yields different results, with gasoline winning in some categories and diesel in others, but neither can be conclusively declared better than the other in all categories.  And, of course, there are those who simply want to ban the use of ALL fossil fuels, but we will leave that for another discussion.

Gasoline powered vehicles are generally less expensive to purchase than diesel.  Gasoline engines typically deliver more horsepower from a given displacement.  Gasoline engines usually provide faster acceleration  than diesel engines. They are usually less expensive to work on also.  An oil change on a gasoline vehicle is typically around $50 or less.  But they generally get poorer fuel economy and don't have the high torque of diesel engines.  If you have gasoline powered motorsports toys you can use your spare gas in your vehicle if you run low.  I've even burned pre-mix 2-stroke fuel in my truck in a pinch with no negative side effects.  Gasoline powered chassis usually have the engine up front in a "doghouse" between the driver and passengers seats.  For some people the engine noise and heat can be a problem.  You can buy fuel for gasoline vehicles at any gas station, although you sometimes have to look for one with adequate lateral and overhead clearance to accommodate an RV.  Surprisingly enough, many motorhomes run on regular unleaded gasoline but some require more expensive premium fuel.  Be sure to know what your vehicle requires.  If you use a low or mid grade fuel and the engine starts to"ping", upgrade to premium fuel soon, before permanent engine damage can occur.  One cause of pinging is pre-ignition, which means the fuel mixture ignites before the spark plug fires.  This can burn valves, which leads to poor performance and reduced mileage and are expensive to repair.  Gasoline powered vehicles will be subject to annual emissions inspections when the vehicle is registered where such inspections are required.  A poorly tuned engine also creates high levels of pollution (NOX and unburned hydrocarbons) that are really bad for air quality.

Vehicles equipped with diesel engines are more expensive to purchase but the usually deliver better fuel economy, higher torque, and longer life than gasoline engines.   The higher torque of diesels usually means greater load capacity but they may be a bit slower to get going.   Diesel engines are usually more expensive to work on.  Simple oil changes can run $200-$400!  The increased price means it may take a lot of driving to recoup the additional cost in fuel savings or longevity.  If you plan to full time and/or put a lot of miles on your vehicle, a diesel may be advantageous.  At one time diesel fuel was cheaper than gasoline, and that coupled with better fuel economy, reduced fuel costs.  But these days diesel tends to higher than premium gasoline (at least where I live),which doesn't make a lot sense because diesel is made from the dregs left over from refining gasoline.  If you do a lot of boondocking for OHV activities, you may have to carry some extra diesel fuel since the gasoline for your toys is not compatible with diesel engines.  Diesel engines in general are a bit noisier than gasoline engines, not necessarily in the exhaust system, but from direct sounds generated within the engine.  They do not have spark plugs to ignite the fuel.  The fuel is ignited by heat generated from compression.  This can sometimes be heard as a sort of knocking sound, which some people find objectionable.  Some people don't like the smell of diesel exhaust either.  Diesel chassis often have the engine in the rear (known as a "diesel pusher").  On large motorhomes this puts the engine up to 40 feet behind the driver, greatly masking any engine noise.  Finding diesel fuel on the road used to mean looking for truck stops, but the proliferation of gasoline powered automobiles has made diesel much more available.  Yet even today, not all gas stations carry diesel, so you need to check the signs before you pull in.  Make sure you use only the designated diesel pump.  Putting gasoline into your diesel vehicle will cause a lot of problems and can be expensive to remedy.  Motorhomes with diesel engines may have diesel or propane powered generators.  If your camping style is such that you use a lot or propane, you may want to make sure the generator is diesel powered to conserve propane for other uses or carry extra propane.  In some areas subject to emissions inspections, diesel powered vehicles are exempt from emissions inspections.  They will still be required to pass any required safety inspections.  But increasing pressure on air quality is forcing some areas to impose emissions controls on diesels so be sure you know what is required where you will register you vehicle.  Diesel powered vehicles often have higher weight carrying and towing capacities than their gasoline counterparts.  So if having a really big motorhome or being able to tow a really large trailer is important to you, you may want to seriously consider getting a diesel.  Be sure to check the horsepower and torque ratings  and Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating so you can be certain you're getting enough power for satisfactory performance.   All diesels are not alike.  You might be disappointed with the performance of some of the older, smaller diesel engines.

I have owned both gasoline and diesel powered motorhomes and found both to be satisfactory.  I've never full timed or taken long cross-country trips more than a couple thousand miles, so I was never able to take full advantage of the higher fuel economy attributed to diesel vehicles.  My diesel was a 40' pusher, and, due to its size, age, and weight, did not deliver particularly good mpg numbers.  Unfortunately, I also saw diesel fuel climb from cheaper than unleaded regular to more expensive than premium gasoline which quickly negated the cost savings I anticipated when I bought it.  More recently, diesel dropped below regular unleaded again, then bounced back higher than premium so you may have to keep any eye on prices and trends before you make any decision -- and then be prepared for it to flip back and forth over time.

The bottom line:  choose what is right for you each time you make a purchase.   As for me, there are a lot of other key factors that have far more influence on my decision than the type of fuel a vehicle uses.

Choose the right fuel.