Sunny Cal Trip Tips

On our trips, we are often comparing notes on how to make our SunnyBrooks more enjoyable and fun...........

• SUNNYTRAVELERS e-NEWS Travel Tip - TIRE INFLATION

  Tire inflation pressure should be checked monthly, at the beginning of each trip, and daily during vehicle use.  When checking a tire's pressure use a double-headed inflation gauge designed to measure up to 120 pounds per square inch (psi) in 2 psi increments.  Tire pressure should only be checked when the tire is cold. This is because friction caused by the tire rolling on the road surface generates heat.  This heat transfers through the tire and warms the air held in the tire.  The resulting expansion of the air causes a corollary increase of the pressure within the tire.  A pressure reading taken from a warm tire could lead to a dangerous under-inflation condition. There are specific maintenance practices that will help prevent premature tire wear. Among these are:

  • -Wheel alignment
    -Tire rotation
    -Inspection

• Buzz OFF- What works best to give mosquitoes the heave-ho? Citronella? Ultrasonic bug chasers? Bath lotions? Dozens of products each claim to send mosquitoes fleeing in fear. But what really works? According to research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methyl-benzmide) is the most effective mosquito repellent available today. After reviewing dozens of studies on the matter, Dr. Mark Fradin says in terms of long-lasting relief, DEET is your best bet.

  "DEET remains the gold standard of currently available insect repellents," says Fradin. And while higher concentrations of DEET do provide longer protection against the bugs, relatively less additional protection is provided in concentrations above 50 percent. Fradin says for the casual user, products containing 10 to 35 percent DEET will suffice. Children should avoid products containing more than 10 percent DEET For those who are concerned about possible toxicity DEET-containing repellents applied to clothing will help.

  Compared to another popular repelling agent, citronella, DEET was effective for a longer time period. For those who prefer the natural compound of citronella, be prepared to re-apply it far more often. And those ultrasonic bug repellers? They simply don’t work. And think twice before firing up a backyard bug zapper, to electrocute mosquito pests. One study showed of all the insects killed hy zappers, less than 1 percent were biting mosquitoes, yet billions of beneficial insects are killed each year by these insect executioners --- from Trailer Life May 1999

  Eight Tips For An Itch-Free Summer

  One after-effect of the weather changes prompted by El Nino is that this summer’s populations of mosquitoes, ticks and other insects are unusually large. Here’s how to protect yourself from insects, and the actions you should take if bites do occur.

  1. Cover up: Wear shoes, long sleeves and long pants with the cuffs tucked into your socks.

  2. Be color conscious: Wear khaki or neutral colors. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, especially blue.

  3. Use good sense about scents: Avoid using scented soaps, lotions and perfumed shampoos.

  4.  Use repellent: Repellents containing DEET are most effective. Look for a repellent containing at least 15 to 25 percent DEET. For safe and effective use of DEET products, be sure to follow the product’s directions.

  5. Avoid spots popular with bugs: Mosquitoes like cool, moist places. Flies tend to hover around animals and sweets; black flies are attracted to dark, moving objects. Hornets nest in trees and bushes; yellow jackets are drawn to food and generally nest in the ground. Bees appear to sting when the weather is gray rather than when the sun is out.

  6. Pick the right time: Be alert to the time of day when certain insects are most active. Black flies are more prevalent in the morning, mosquitoes tend to bite at dawn and twilight, and deerflies are prevalent at midday.

  7. Check for bites: Upon resuming indoors, check for bites, especially tick bites.

  8. Don’t scratch: Impetigo is a common disease that can spread if a bug bite is scratched. --- from Trailer Life May 1999

• Mosquito Deterrent - Put some water in a white dinner plate and add just a couple of drops of Lemon Fresh Joy dishwashing soap.  Set the dish on a porch or patio. Not sure what attracts them, the lemon smell, the white color, or what, but mosquitoes flock to it, and drop dead, or fall into the water, or on the floor within about 10 ft.  Works just super. ........ from Jane Woods

• Protection of your RV... use "303 Aerspace Protectant" for the Rubber Roof (EPDM).   Also it can be used for the Fiberglass and Metal Sidings.  Very easy to use.   Will also keep the Stripes on your Sunnybrook from fading fast.....from Howard Caires

• Floor Vents - Trash or small ideas drops thru the vent.  Remove the vent cover and cut out window screen to fit.  Reinstall the cover.  It works.....from Howard Caire

• Water Pump- Noise and Vibration.  Check Hardware stores such as Home Depot or Lowe's or Radio Shack.  Purchase Rubber Wire Grommets for wire, in the Electrical Dept.  Look for the size that the water pump mounting screw will fit thru.  Put the Rubber Wire Grommet under the feet of the pump.  Do not screw the pump real tight to the floor.   This will take a lot of the noise and Vibration out.....from Howard Caires

• Water Pump Surges - when dry camping, the pump is annoying.  To smooth out the surges, install Camping World Shurflo Accumulator Tank (#2290 $34.19).  It has a built in diaphagm and charged with 25 PSI in the tank.....from Howard Caires

• For 26CKFS Trailers - Toilet paper holder is mounted inside the bathroom sink cabinet door.  Very hard to get to.  Purchase from a Hardware Store, a "Gold Recessed" with oak bar to match your RV.  Mount the holder to the left side of the toilet cabinet.  Mark the location from the inside and cut it out with a box cutter or razor knife.  From the outside of the RV Electrical Cord Door, attach the backing plate for the mounting..... from Howard Caires

• If you use a pole for banners or flags, check out the mount on Dick Sweeney's trailer.   With a plastic bracket and a PVC cap, he has made a simple attachment for the pole . ....... from Dick Sweeney  

• If you want to use an electric drill to lower & rise the stabilizer jacks, a large Allen wrench works well as a tool for mating with the jack, is strong and readily available ........ from Bill Yanez

• In order to keep the wood cabinets and paneling from drying out during storage in our high temperatures, place 1 or 2 pans/pails of water in your SunnyBrook before you close up. ........ from Bob Ross

• Use Slideout support poles to check clearance when parking in tight sites. ......... from Joe Wolfe 

• Use color coordinated indoor-outdoor carpet on entryway, floor level cabinets and bathroom floors. Much easier on stored items that rattle in transit and warmer for feet on chilly mornings. ........ from Jane Woods

• Flexible vent covers are available at hardware stores. They prevent things from rolling into vents and also make walking easier on bare feet. ...........  Janell Wolfe

• If you cover your trailer between trips, use a soft, fitting cover to protect the sides from dust and sun.   Since the sun quickly destroys cloth covers, put an additional inexpensive blue or silver tarp over the roof area.   This will extend the life of the more expensive trailer cover and preserve the appearance of your SunnyBrook.   ........ from Bob Ross

• When making the bed, fold the top sheet and blankets half way toward the bottom of the bed. Pull just the spread over the pillows. This reduces the bulk that has to be tucked in......... from Joan Shimeall

• Take a plastic 2 liter soda bottle, cut the top off, and cut a slot and use it to cover the ends of your awning and prevent rain from staining the fabric. ........ from Fred Henry

• Cut out the center of a plastic coffee can lid, line the can with a baggie and use on the counter for trash.........  from Joan Shimell

• Use a flexible outside light cable for the awning with the lights embedded in the plastic. .........  from Dick Sweeney    

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Last Update: August 31, 2009

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