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Another Helpful Gadget
If you're a full-time RVer, you may notice that your laundry bill becomes quite exorbitant, even in some of the more "economical" places. Never fear, there's a fix for that.
One of our newer gadgets that has certainly helped us is a portable washing machine. At first, we weren't really able to use it because of the size of our 2009 Jay Flight trailer, as we weren't even able to store it very well. Fast forward to the new rig, and it's finally having some use. We still don't have a dedicated space for it, as it's not meant to be used outdoors, and the only place with a relatively usable water and drain source is our bathroom sink and shower respectively. Still, through a winter of no full laundry services and the nearest laundromat about half an hour away, it's served us well.
If you've never seen these portable washing machines, they're fairly easy to use. One side will have a "wash" cycle, while the other will have a "spin" cycle. Usually you'll hook up a water hose from a faucet to the machine, and then there's a drain pipe that runs out. The actual load capacities do run on the smaller side, so you'll need to do several loads with possibly a couple rounds worth of spins. Also remember that it is illegal in many jurisdictions (and not a good idea in the first place with all the detergent chemicals) to dump grey water onto the ground, so make sure you're letting it out in the tub or shower and emptying your grey tank properly. Once you have your clothes washed, either use a line to dry if it's permitted (most private campgrounds don't allow this), a rack in your rig, or take it to a service at a much lower cost. Just make sure if you do use a laundromat, they don't have an issue with you only drying, as there was one where we were in South Dakota that insisted you do both there for profit reasons.
With our laundry system, we've been trying to figure out ways to improve the situation. We've thought about potentially building a platform for the machine so the drain pipe can sit above the lip of the shower and we don't have to pick up the machine to drain the water. It shouldn't be that difficult; perhaps something akin to when we built stairs for the old rig. Some of the newer, larger RVs will come with laundry hookups or even washer/dryer combos themselves. Without hookups or access, that isn't really an option, but you can always put it on the wish list for the next one. We're still beholden to using larger machines for most of the bedding, so we're always on the lookout for the best deals, which are starting to become few and far between.
So don't let the laundry get in the way of your Internal Compass. Grab a portable washing machine and continue to enjoy life on the road!
WRITTEN Mar 17, 2024 at 12:49 PM
TAGS: equipment, rv living
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New Gadgets and Helpers
As you spend a bit of time living on the road, you begin to figure out what does and doesn't work. Along the way, we've picked up a few things that should help us.
First thing where we've found some great use is with milk crates. Before going into this one, a little disclaimer is necessary: The bottling companies own the milk crates that you see in grocery stores, so don't be going out and stealing those. There are places where you can buy them, and at a fairly reasonable price for what they do. You might be used to seeing four 1-gallon jugs in those square milk crates, but did you notice it can perfectly fit both a 20 and a 30 pound propane tank? If you don't want to spend the time ratcheting them down (although we recommend you do), the solid base of the milk crate prevents easy tipping, while you safely transport the tanks from your local filling station. They also make for great braces if you need to hold something up.
One of the biggest things we've figured out during some of our trips is that you can't necessarily trust the quality of the water where you happen to be staying, even if you're using the RV and marine filters. We've seen moldy hoses, even our entire piping system going orange from iron deposits. Sadly, one of the regular expenses that is therefore difficult to avoid is drinking water. We've tried the packs of bottles for a while, but that doesn't quite work out well, especially when taking trash into account, so we've found a pump that can be put on top of the dispenser bottles you see in offices, and that has given us the ability to use drinking water. Refills are also easily available across the country, and if there's a decent source, we could always bring the jugs with us.
If you're like us, you probably find yourself staying at a number of state parks. Campgrounds built by the Corps of Engineers are still on the bucket list as of the time of writing this, but they typically have one thing in common: Lack of sewer hookup. If you're only staying for a couple of days, this isn't so bad, but any longer and you'll need to dump. When you have a larger rig, packing it all up to hit the dump station isn't practical. Enter into the picture: A 42-gallon waste tank. We found one where we can hook this to the back of our truck, fill it up, and take it to the dump station. Even if you happen to have a typical sedan or a golf cart, so long as you have a tow hookup, it should work as well. You'll need to make sure you're able to tow at least 500 pounds, as a gallon of water weighs a little over 8 pounds, and it isn't exactly all that fun walking one of these full of your black tank up a hill, even when it's on wheels.
So as we Follow our Internal Compass, we're still finding ways to make our lives more efficient and versatile. Who knows what we'll find next...
WRITTEN Jan 14, 2024 at 11:27 AM
TAGS: rv living, equipment
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A New Trip Brings New Equipment
Where did we go for trip 15? Nowhere!
Instead, a new trip has been "started" because the 2009 Jayco Jay Flight has been sold. It served well as a home for a couple of years, and was a good way to get our feet wet with living full-time in the RV. Not to mention, with the truck we were able to find, it was just about all we could pull, and was questionable even at that. Unfortunately for various reasons, it was not going to be able to suit us any longer, and so it's time to make like William DeVries and change to a different heart.
Enter heart number two for Freedom Rolling, a 2013 Keystone Cougar 318SAB. It's a good thing that we picked up a new soul able to take on a Fifth Wheel, because this one IS a Fifth Wheel. It's nearly 35 feet in total length with three slideouts, yet still accessible should we need to stay in a truck stop. We're up to 50 amp plugs now, so we say goodbye to the under-powered generator. There were a few modifications made before purchasing, such as a table-and-chair dinette group along with some larger recliners that make packing up a little more awkward, but we will certainly have a chance to make this our own.
So keep reading as we Follow Our Internal Compass in our new heart to many new places across this country.
WRITTEN Oct 02, 2023 at 12:32 PM
TAGS: trip 15, rv living, equipment
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Getting Into the RV: Outdoor Stairs
Ever notice how rickety those RV stairs can be, and then one day, they just break on you? You could spend hundreds for part replacements or buying new stairs, or even worse: You buy a step ladder and destroy yourself while constantly using it as you receive dirty looks from the other campers because your setup looks trashy. Instead, try this less expensive idea on for size.
Camper stairs are easy to build, and are a great portable solution. Head down to your local hardware store and lumber yard, and here's what you'll want to get:
Two Pressure Treated Stair Stringers
2x6 Lumber
Exterior Wood Screws at least 2-1/2 inches long
Optional 2x4 Lumber
Exterior Wood Sealant
Optional Wood Stain or Outdoor Carpeting
For tools, make sure you have the following:
Circular saw
Some form of saw horse (use the back of your truck or a folding ladder)
Impact driver (drill might work if it's powerful enough)
Hammer or Rubber Mallet
Tape Measure and Ruler with Pencil
Optional Reciprocating Saw with Wood Blade
Paint brush
Safety equipment (Some might not want it, but we recommend it)
Before buying the materials, you'll want to measure the height from the ground to the bottom of the door entry, as well as the door width should you want to store your stairs in your RV, to see what size stringers and how much lumber you need to get. With our dimensions, we were able to use 3-step stringers at about 20 inches of height, and made our treads 20 inches wide so the stairs could go inside the RV. You could splurge on 2x12 boards or specialty stair treads if you really want, but 2x6 boards are your most economic solution for a single tread.
First, cut your 2x6 lumber to size. You'll need two boards for each "stair", but save any excess you might have, because you'll use it later. Once all your boards are cut, line up your stringers and start screwing in your treads. The second board on each step will overhang the stringer on the front, so do all of the rear boards before the front ones. Everything should line up, but it's OK if there's a little over- or under-hang, so long as it isn't too noticeable. Risers aren't really necessary, but you can do them if you want; not having them gives you a better way to "grip" the staircase if you need it to be portable.
Once the actual "stairs" are done, you'll need to put in some supports. This is where that excess 2x6 lumber comes in handy, but you can also use the less expensive 2x4 lumber should you run out of 2x6 pieces; we were able to do the whole thing with the 2x6 boards we had bought. Use vertical pieces from the back part of the stair stringer down to the ground. It doesn't have to go all the way to the top step; we stopped a little short based on the excess we had so we weren't wasting lumber. Once those are in, cut some horizontal cross pieces between your vertical supports to make sure the stairs don't wobble when you're on the top step. Some will put the supports on the outside, but for space saving purposes, we chose to tuck them on the inside; it seems to work just as well. You can do diagonal cross pieces if you really want to, but it requires some special tools to make the angles, and rectangular solutions are just fine. The same goes for handrails: You can do them if you really want, but there's probably already a rail on the outside of your rig, so just use that.
One to two hours later in the blazing sun, give or take for some product exchanges, you have yourself some lovely and sturdy stairs! Now time to seal them and either stain or put some carpeting on the treads, depending on what you want to do. After that has dried, you and your fur baby will have a much easier time getting in and out of your home. Not to mention, it looks a lot more sightly when you're at "higher end" resorts. Depending on the size, you should be able to pick this up yourself and move it around on travel days. Just be aware that it won't work for overnight boondocking at corporate establishments because it extends too far out into the next parking spot; you'll still need to use a step-ladder or something a bit smaller and more easily portable, but at least you can use that for other applications.
Don't let your old stairs, or the high expense of new RV stairs, keep you from Following your Internal Compass. Build yourself something that will work for you.
WRITTEN Mar 19, 2023 at 12:54 PM
TAGS: equipment, rv living
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Equipment Changes Bring More Options
Our first soul has been retired.
The Ford F150 has been sold. Although this truck was very good as a starter vehicle and allowed us to explore what we have thus far, it's the end of the road with us. Even with the tow package upgrade, she was still only able to pull about 6000 pounds. Although our present heart fits the bill, it won't last forever, and we need options to be able to get something a little bigger. Farewell, F150; may she serve another owner well.
Enter into Freedom Rolling's lives soul number two, a Dodge Ram 2500. With nearly double the towing capacity and already being setup to be able to take on a Fifth Wheel, she is a welcome addition to the Freedom Rolling family. The one major change to our basic expenses, though, is that we say goodbye to the relatively inexpensive unleaded gasoline, and hello to diesel fuel. There's still some need for gasoline with the generator so we haven't lost our spare completely, but diesel will bring some new challenges and new procurements, along with some options should we wish to find another rig.
So join us as we Follow our Internal Compass with our new found soul.
WRITTEN Jan 29, 2023 at 11:43 AM
TAGS: equipment, rv living
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Kitchen Needs: Did It Work?
One year has passed since first writing about RV essentials in the kitchen. What has worked? What didn't? Did we need to add or subtract anything? Let's find out as we begin a new series on Freedom Rolling, "Did It Work?" This is where we look back at our predictions and see what's actually worked, and what sort of adjustments we needed to make along the way.
First and foremost, there were a list of appliances we intended to bring. The combination slow cooker, pressure cooker, and maker of quite a few other things, has been one of the main staples of the kitchen. This is used several times a week, doesn't take up very much counter space, and packs very well in the equipment cupboard. The immersion blender, not so much. The food processor attachment is a "nice to have", however the whisk has proved to be a bit too powerful and ends up making a mess. The induction cooktop has been a great thing, but sadly was a bit old, and has since stopped working properly. We'll think about getting another, as it does help to save on propane, which we'd rather use for grilling and boondocking. Our combination blender/chopper is on its last legs as it's seven years old, but we have been finding great use for it, so this was a good choice.
One thing briefly touched a year ago was the cookware and tools. We ended up not taking cast iron pans with us, and probably for the better, given their weight and bulkiness. In speaking of bulkiness, one of the not-so-good choices we had made was our large induction frying pan with lid. The whole contraption is very difficult to fit in the equipment cupboard with the long handle sticking out, and is a pain to pack. We also have a griddle pan with cumbersome handle, but thankfully it is flat, making equipment easier to pack. A cookware set that has been fabulous, though, is a chef-endorsed eight-piece induction-friendly cookware set with removable handle that packs in a very surprisingly compact manner. The carrying bag didn't survive long, but the pots and pan certainly have, and is one of the best small kitchen essentials. Our butcher block knife set, along with a mandolin, have served us well. too.
There are always things you wish you had brought but didn't, and kitchen gadgets is no exception. While on the road, one of the staples we ended up finding was a small air fryer. Although it doesn't get as much use as the slow cooker, it has been a boon for our travels. With a traditional coffee maker not surviving very long, a single cup coffee maker has been quite the help. This accepts the pods that are placed in fancy machines, or the regular grounds, with a travel mug fitting well beneath the machine. Although we've only used it while parked, one item that will serve us well is a miniature waffle maker. We brought a larger model with us that has seen rare use, and who knows what will happen with this smaller item, but at least they don't take up too much space.
Following your Internal Compass always seems like a great idea, but it's always a good idea to learn from the past when doing so. Here's to kitchen needs being in a better spot for the future.
WRITTEN May 08, 2022 at 10:01 AM
TAGS: rv living, equipment, did it work
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Trucks, Trailers, and Hitches
In order to pull your RV, you need a hitch. Finding the right hitch, as well as the right truck, can be overwhelming. Here's some of our experiences to help you with finding the right equipment for your RV adventure.
The first thing you'll need to do is to select a truck that can actually pull the type of trailer you want. When shopping for a truck, you'll want to look at some very important numbers: Curb weight, Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). Curb weight is how much the truck weighs without anything in it. The GVWR will be your curb weight plus your payload, or what is carried along in the truck, including yourselves, as well as part of the trailer setup itself. The GCWR is maximum amount that you will be able to carry, trailer and all.
When looking at your trailer's capacity, consider the full load, not just the dry weight, because you're going to want your stuff along for the ride. The best rule of thumb is to take the truck's GCWR, subtracted by the GVWR. However, because the trailer's tongue is sitting on the truck, that weight needs to be considered on the payload of the truck. Generally, this is about one-tenth the trailer weight. Sometimes, your hitch itself will only be able to carry a certain amount of total weight, so you'll need to take that into consideration.
With all the weights down, now you'll need a hitch. Some trucks will already come with one, and that's great news! However, you'll need to be mindful of the type of hitch to use, whether it's a simple receiver hitch, or a fifth wheel hitch. The receiver hitch is perfect for a smaller to medium size trailer. This hitch is installed on the underside of the truck, located by the bumper. The fifth wheel hitch is needed for fifth wheel trailers and some toy haulers. This hitch will be located in the center of your truck. Whichever one or ones you need, make sure your truck can handle the hitch, along with the weight of the trailer.
Hitches are something that can be self-installed, however it is recommended to be done professionally. The representatives are typically very knowledgeable, and will make sure you have what you need for your truck to pull the trailer. The best places to go are the service mechanics that deal with the trucking industry. We highly recommend against big box store servicers, especially U-Haul. These companies will take your money for the product, hook it up incorrectly by taking shortcuts, and then blame the manufacturer for the inferior job they do, especially when it comes to wiring.
With all of this knowledge in hand, you should be ready to put together a setup for your RV adventure. Happy travels, and remember to follow your internal compass.
WRITTEN May 18, 2021 at 07:21 PM
TAGS: equipment
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RV Essentials: Kitchen Needs
There are many essential items we will need for RV living, several being in the kitchen. We’re going to go in depth about what items we will bring, and what we think we will need on this journey of full-time RVing. We’ll go over each item we are bringing, and what purposes they have. With being full-time, we have to make sure we have equipment that serves multiple functions.
Instant Pot
The Instant Pot can do 7 functions in one appliance. We can make rice, pressure cook, sautée, stew, and other functions. We have made curry, short ribs, rice, and other stuff in it. It takes the place of the slow cooker.
Nu-Wave
The Nu-Wave is an induction hot plate which heats and cooks foods evenly. It is small and easy to store. We have pans that work on electric, gas, and induction, so this way we don't carry different sets of pots and pans. It also helps if we run out of propane to use on the grill, but still have electrical power.
Magic Bullet
This tiny magic blender works wonders. It is multi-purpose, which is a number one priority while RVing full-time. We love making milkshakes and banana smoothies. We also can make different sauces, ice cold mixed drinks, and even use it as a food processor.
Immersion Blender
The blender is good for blending hot soups or homemade red sauces. The attachments include a whisk which is great for whipped creams, pancake batter, or cake mixes. Also a small food processor that can chop onions, garlic, and even some soft spices and herbs.
Of course, there are certain utensils that are a must-have. We will definitely have measuring cups, some mixing bowls, cast iron pans, and also the grill!
If you have any comments or questions leave them below. Always remember to follow your internal compass!
WRITTEN May 04, 2021 at 07:34 PM
TAGS: rv living, equipment
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Our Equipment! Part 1
We have acquired the soul of our RV adventure!
Stay tuned for more on our travels, and remember to Follow Your Internal Compass.