Ed and I are so excited to be coming back with YOU and our RV community. We have taken a few days off to focus on our channel goals and recoup from a busy work life. We have some finishing touches yet to complete, but our next video, will be posted on March 27th at 10am central time on our YouTube Channel, It’s A Good Life RV. Also, check out the changes on our website, www.itsagoodliferv.com.
As we re-focused our intentions and goals for our channel, we felt that as a YouTuber, we could share our experiences with others so you could share it with others as well. “You know how these things start. One guy tells another guy something, then he tells two friends, and they tell two friends, and so on, and so on…”
We tend to consider it a given that sharing is a good thing. As kids, we’re taught (and made) to share our toys, our crayons, and our rooms. As we age, our toys and our personal space become larger and more expensive, and we share them less and less, but we still value the idea of sharing. There are lots of ways to share resources as adults, including your knowledge on how to fix your car, how to plan your road trip, prepare food, how we find our jobs, and just our experiences in the RV lifestyle. The benefits of sharing are many. Sharing can make the world a much better place.
We are so excited to drive our focus back on how we can show YOU how you too can live, travel and work from your RV. But also for YOU to show US how you are doing it. Our hopes are sharing with you our experiences and knowledge, our hope is that it will create happiness in your life as well.
Considering the issues we recently had towing, we felt this subject should be addressed. Our issue while towing was not the actual hitch in the bed of the truck but we felt it was time to talk about hitches. After doing a ton of research, I hope the information below will help you when choosing your hitch. But always, do you own research as well.
A fifth wheel trailer hooks up to the tow vehicle by fitting a pin into a hitch receiver, then clamping it in place. The receiver mounts so that the pin of the trailer carries the weight forward of the center line of the rear axle. This placement makes fifth wheel trailers stable and allows a fifth wheel trailer to haul more weight than a standard tongue hitch trailer, when you equip the tow vehicle with the correct hitch.
Things to consider to tow a fifth wheel, a pickup truck must be equipped with a fifth wheel hitch. These hitches have their own weight rating known as the Gross Trailer Weight Rating, or GTWR. The hitch you purchase must be able to handle the overall weight of your fifth wheel, including all the equipment and furniture inside it. The hitch must be mounted in such a way that your RV’s pin will end up just an inch away from the center of your truck’s rear axle. The hitch also comes standard with mounting pieces that includes several bolts and brackets that directly connect to the frame of your truck and not to the cargo bed. We have what is called the Puck System. The Puck System is mounted posts that install into the truck bed hard points (pucks). Some brands have their mounting posts in fixed positions on the hitch base. We like this system because it’s very easy to remove the hitch when not in use, so we can have access to the full bed. Plus the hitch comes out in 2 pieces making it easier for Ed and I to remove.
Similar to our puck system hitch
Step 1
Determine the heaviest weight of the trailer being towed. The trailer weight should not exceed its gross vehicle weight rating. You can find the gross weight rating in the trailer’s owner’s manual, or on plate or sticker mounted to the side of the trailer. To calculate the needed hitch size, figure that the trailer will weigh its gross vehicle rated weight when you are towing it.
Step 2
Calculate the hitch weight of the trailer. The owner’s manual may give a dry hitch weight, which is the hitch, or pin weight with an empty trailer. The loaded hitch weight of the trailer can be quite a bit higher. A rule of thumb with a fifth wheel trailer is to figure 20% of the total maximum weight of the trailer for the hitch weight.
Step 3
Decide what type of hitch you need for your tow vehicle. If you have a long bed truck, generally eight feet, you can use a fixed fifth wheel hitch. If you have a shorter bed truck, you will probably want to use a sliding fifth wheel hitch to minimize the risk of damage on sharp turns. The sliding hitch allows the trailer to slide back, and give more room to the front of the truck for tight turns. But do your research because there are hitches out there that makes it a breeze to tow with a short bed.
Select a hitch that is higher in capacity than the gross vehicle weight rating of the trailer. The total hitch rating allows 20% of its rated weight for pin weight. If you know that your trailer has a higher pin weight than this 20% of the total hitch weight rating, then select the next higher weight capacity hitch.
Types of 5th Wheel Hitches
We suggest that you look at each brand and pick one hitch in each brand. Then compare those hitches between each other. At the end of the day they all do a good job and you could spend hours/days reading posts of people’s opinions, getting nowhere. For example: personally we like the Puck System that came with our Ford truck but that may not be the best fit for you.
Choosing a hitch for a 5th wheel trailer is dictated by the kind of truck that will be pulling the trailer. Towing a 5th wheel is made more comfortable with the proper hitch. Each manufacturer has its own system and style, but some basic considerations need to be addressed when choosing the kind of hitch best designed for your situation.
Today’s blog post is about Product Reviews. As we grow our YouTube channel several companies have contacted us regarding sponsorships. I will first say we DO NOT promote products that we have not used and we will give honest reviews on the product. The good, bad and the ‘scratching our heads’ thoughts.
I (Dora) wanted to write a post regarding this product because we LOVE IT! When we first spoke with the company about the product, we thought it would be more like a regular headlamp, but we wanted to keep an open mind and try the product out. When we opened the box after receiving the product, we were a bit surprised with the design. Actually it’s pretty cool looking but needed to try it out at dark to see if it cast the light enough to use when signing people in and out of our location. As shown in the pictures below, Ed wears his like any other headlamp but he’s very impressed how much light it puts off. So much easier than trying to find a light source so he can see to write or use the tablet in the dark. Now with Dora wanting to be a bit different, she found a way that she felt good with and not messing up her hair. LOL She puts it around her neck and turns it on. I was a bit surprised but the headlamp works great as a necklamp. LOL So now I will get to the review and details about the product.
Since we are currently Gate Guarding in South Texas, it requires one of us to work during the night hours. Working in the dark without proper lighting can be challenging at best. We do have ‘Shop Lights’ that light up our location but once you are shaded from a vehicle you can not see your tablet or paperwork. So….we’ve been trying to find a solution for some time now. We’ve tried to hold the tablet in one hand and a flashlight in the other. For Dora, being clumsy, the flashlight option did not work. Then we tried a small portable handheld shop light hooked to the tablet. We will say the handheld shop light works great for walking the dogs but no so much at work. Then….. a company contacted us regarding the product listed below. I’ve included pictures so you can see the difference from others.
LED Headlamp Flashlight, Wide-Beam USB Rechargeable Head Light with Taillight & 8 Clips Waterproof Lightweight, Headlight Headlamps for Running, Cycling and Camping.
With upgraded light source, the led headlamp is brighter than traditional headlamps. And it’s enough to deal all the darkness in your life, providing optimal lighting for any situation, such as hiking, walking, mechanics, etc.
The adjustable headlight provides 230°wide area illumination. The design is user-friendly, you needn’t move headlight to illuminate the desired area, suitable for night running and cycling.
With built-in lithium battery, no need to change dry batteries again, it is very economic and environment protection. The design of battery indicator remind you charging the lights in time.(Micro USB charging cable included)
The headband light has white front headlights and red tail lights, with 3 light modes(high/low/strobe), and the front and tail lights can be turn on at the same time. The on/off button allows you to easily cycle through the 3 light modes.
With breathable and sweat absorbable elastic band, this headlamp is comfortable to wear. In the meanwhile, this headlamp comes together with 8 clips, which can be clipped on anywhere for your convenience.
After stating all the product details we wanted to share with you a great Contest Give-Away so you too can get a 2-pk of the headlamps! Keep your eye out on our social media accounts and our website for details!
Today’s post is about being thankful. As full-time RVers you really need to be prepared with whatever life throws at you. Since our home gets pulled down the bumpy roads Well we try to ‘roll with it’ on every travel day. Well this one was a bit of a shocker and then very thankful for what didn’t happen but also who we found.
Trying to keep our story short I’ll highlight what happened to us during our last travel days. To begin our 1st travel day Ed had noticed that hooking up the RV to the truck things were a bit different but he didn’t put much thought into it because the RV was at a strange angel. We started down the road, actually 4 hours into the trip, and we noticed the clearance between the RV and the truck bed was minimized. We took a lot at the hitch and noticed the hitch had dropped so we unhook the truck and began the fix. We thought.
After spending an hour repositioning the hitch to the original location we headed down the road. Within an hour we arrived at our overnight location and quickly noticed the hitch had fallen again causing clearance issues. That’s when we knew we may have a bigger issue. We got a flashlight out and began looking around and that’s when we found the issue. The hitch on the RV had several cracks and it had began pulling away from the frame of the RV. A bit of panic sat in because we quickly knew we could have lost everything. Then I took a deep breathe and began searching for Mobile Welding Services. As luck would have it, there was a business not far from us, but it was after hours, so we just settled in for the night hoping to get someone out the next day.
Fast forward to the next day, we got the call that someone could be out after their 1st morning appointment. Honestly, we figured they would be an hour to 2 hours later than what the appointment time was set for. So, we did our morning routine and began getting some work done inside the RV while we waited.
Then Ed got the call that they were on the way to us. 2 guys showed up on time, actually early, very professional and knowledgeable . They went right to work and never stopped until the project was done . Beautiful welds great craftsmanship the man is a true professional and takes pride in his work . We would definitely use them again. If you are ever in the area and need some work done please give ARC-PRO PROFESSIONAL WELDING SERVICE LLC. a call and tell them Dora & Ed sent you.
Yep that is true. It is NOT click bait. We found Glowing Rocks in today’s video!
Yooperlites, as the name suggests, are found in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, specifically along the Lake Superior coast. When looking up what exactly a Yooperlite was, we found that Yooperlites release anger and negative thoughts and helps fight your fears and phobias.
Can you find Yooperlites during the day?
A yooperlite is not just any type of rock; it is the coolest rock you will ever see in your life. During the day, you might stumble into this during one of your metal detecting sessions and think nothing of it. In daylight, they look like thousands of other rocks along the shoreline. But when night falls, with the use of of UV light, that is when you will truly appreciate and admire this piece of “gem”.
How do you hunt for Yooperlites?
From sunset thru the night is the best time to locate Yooperlites. While walking along, hold the light up in a position where you’re not shining it directly down at the beach. Go slow – your eyes will have more time to scan the area if you go slowly.
We continue our RV Falls Colors Tour at Chapel Falls, Rock and Trail. What a amazing place! Unfortunately we did not get to see everything on this trail but the way we look at it, we’ve saved something for next time.
Today’s blog post is not about traveling with kids, but traveling as a full-time RVer and leaving family behind. How do you deal with the separation? How does the family you left behind deal with it? What methods can you use to keep in touch? How to plan a return visit and what is all involved?
Everyone deals with separation differently but we are here to tell you our experiences. We’ve been dealing with this issue since 2009 when we started this journey. Maybe we can give you a small morsel of advice on how you can deal with it. I will say it does get easier BUT then it doesn’t. Yes that doesn’t make sense but I hope as you read farther in the blog you’ll better understand. When we started our Full-Time journey I cried so hard that I couldn’t catch my breath. Just thinking about being out of their lives for 6+ months was heart wrenching. BUT, reality is that no your not ‘out of their lives’ for that length of time. Yes you may not be able to physically touch them but with video chat, texting and phone calls you can definitely be included in their lives. Don’t fear. You will not miss out if you make the effort to keep in touch. Heck it’s fun to share your new experiences with them!
When we started Full-Time RVing in 2009 we used a Video Chat program on our computer so we could see our kids and their spouses. So even years ago before todays technology, we found a way to stay connected. Now fast forward to 2021. There are several FREE Video Chat programs you can use while you are on the road. Zoom, Apple FaceTime, Google Hangouts, and the app we originally started with Skype, are just to name a few. But, all else fails, ask your kids or grandkids. They are a huge resource. Find out what they are using to make it an easier transition for you.
Planning is key. When you were in the Sticks n’ Bricks home, did you get together with family on a regular basis? Maybe Sunday after Church? If so, plan your Video Chat or Phone Call day for that time. You can remotely be with your family and share great conversation. Yes it takes more effort but totally worth it. So the take away is; YES it’s hard to leave your family behind as you explore in your RV but it is very doable using technology to stay in touch and not feeling excluded. Also, are there special events you share with your family? IE: Christmas, weddings or school events? If so, either plan on logging in remotely to be included OR plan your travel plans around it. Heck if your family is already spread out in several states, travel to them. Plan a RV vacation with them. Maybe the grandkids want to come with you on a special trip. Heck you have an RV. Make it a memorable road trip for you and your family. How exciting would that be?
Another thing you need to plan is your return trip or your RV trip to your family living in different states. When would it be best to travel to family in the northern states if your bringing your RV? We’ve spent a few Christmas’ in COLD Iowa with family in our RV. Let me tell you. It’s not for the faint of heart. You either need to plan a way to keep your pipes from freezing OR winterize your RV and just use it for sleeping space while visiting your family. Oh another thing to remember. Can you mooch dock on your families property? Will their HOA allow it? Are the RV parks in the area open? Planning travel days are super important during this time of the year as well. We DO NOT like to pull our 5th wheel in snow and ice. Way too risky for us. So planning once again is key.
Since we briefly touched on how you deal with separation, how does your family deal with it? Will they understand your RV life goals? Will they feel like you are abandoning them? Boy these are touchy points to consider because as said before, everyone has their own way of dealing with these issues. From our experience, our kids dealt with it very well. Some days they were like; “oh Mother” when I would cry because I missed them so much. Kids are resilient. They deal with change probably better than we do. But being upfront and clear of your RV goals it will set them up for a great transition to your new lifestyle. Keeping your Sunday gathering time the same even if you are remotely logging in will be extremely helpful. Allowing them to understand you are there for them regardless of your physical location. And heck you may just see them more since your home now has wheels. Maybe they will start asking when you plan to leave when visiting with them? LOL
So get out there and enjoy your RV lifestyle. Experience the great places you’ve always wanted to visit and take your family along with you either through remote video, sharing videos OR take them on the ride with you.
As we continue our RV Fall Colors Tour, we make it to Munising MI to explore Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Originally we searched the area for boondocking sites that we could camp at. I will say we did find a couple different locations but, the remote location which included very bumpy road and low hanging branches we decided we did not want to risk it with our 5th wheel. So we decided to find a centrally located RV Park to stay at. Tourist Park Campground, located in the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the shore of Lake Superior was the RV park we found. Since we are ‘0ff-season’ occupancy was not an issue. Initially we planned on staying 1 night but it is such a beautiful area that even the 2 nights we stayed was not near enough time. But, we had to continue down the road because of our upcoming job. We WILL return in the future and continue exploring.
Watch todays video so we can show you a location you NEED to add to your bucket list.
Understanding the difference between potable water and nonpotable water could literally save your life.
Potable water Potable water, also known as drinking water, comes from surface and ground sources, and is treated for microorganisms, bacteria, toxic chemicals, viruses, and fecal matter, so that it is safe for consumption. Potable water normally flows out of your tap, including your kitchen and bathroom sinks. This water is clean and safe because it has been treated at your local municipal water treatment plant; or if you live in a rural area, it is water from your well that is treated before it reaches your tap. Portable water is suitable for drinking, cooking, hand washing, and personal bathing.
An easy way to remember the difference between potable and non-potable is to break the word “potable“ into two parts — “pot” and “able”. What is safe to put into a pot to make your coffee or cook your dinner is able to be used for drinking and consumption.
Non-potable water Non-potable water refers to any water that is not safe to drink, cook with or bathe in. It should never be used for drinking, cooking, washing foods, preparing drinks, cleaning surfaces, bathing, washing, or rinsing food containers. Dishes made of plastic, wood, and other porous materials, like clay, should not be washed with non-potable water because bacteria can remain in these surfaces if they do not dry properly.
Non-potable water sources include ground water, stagnant bodies of water, lakes, rivers, streams, natural springs, and rainwater collected and stored in a barrel or cistern. Non-potable water is also water that has been used.This includes greywater we have used in our homes or campers when washing dishes or taking showers. Once water is used, it is no longer safe for human consumption.
When you digest non-potable water or eat off contaminated surfaces, you swallow organisms harmful to your body and expose yourself to a number of water-borne diseases. Common waterborne diseases include cholera, typhoid, flukes, dysentery, cryptosporidium, and giardia.
Deaths due to water-related diseases exceed a shocking 5 million annually throughout the world. Those who get medical help and survive often have to go through a prolonged recovery period. The long-term effect of a waterborne infection can be a weakened immune system, which leaves the individual vulnerable to other diseases and illnesses.
Used water should be poured or allowed to flow down your drain line so that it can be treated at the water treatment plant; or if in your RV or camper’s grey water tank, the water should be dumped in a dump station. While you might think it would be safe to dump the grey water from your trailer onto the ground or in a ditch, it isn’t. Doing so can be harmful because untreated water releases chemicals, bacteria, and microorganisms into the groundwater, which will eventually seep into wells and other water sources, contaminating it and making it unsafe for others.
Non-potable water can be used for other purposes at home and in industrial applications, such as flushing toilets, watering non-edible houseplants, car washing, cooling water for power plants, fire suppression, hot water heating, and carpet dying. If recycled and filtered, non-potable water can also be used for irrigating landscaped areas and watering gardens.
Summary It’s very important that you make the distinction between potable and non-potable water. Whenever you come across water that is not from a tap, bottle, or filtration system, you must treat it as non-potable.
If you will be hiking or traveling to a remote location where you won’t have access to potable water, it is recommended that you prepare by bringing a portable filtration device. These can include special filtration bottles, straws or water sacks.
Not Your Average Explorer 