| Q. I have a water heater in my RV. Every year I | | | | things have been factored in, such as, cost of engine |
| drain it for storage. When I do, I notice that the | | | | maintenance, cost differential for the fuel type (as |
| anode rod, which is also the drain plug has been at | | | | gasoline prices rise, will diesel rise at the same rate, |
| different stages of decay. | | | | slower, faster? What about bio diesel? Is there a |
| Mark Says: It's a good thing you drain the water | | | | re-sale advantage to either one? |
| heater and that you take notice of the anode rod. | | | | I haven't found a discussion of these issues |
| Many people don't know it's even there. Anode rods | | | | anywhere yet. The dealer I've been working with |
| are used in suburban water heaters because they | | | | just gave me the answer above... not cost-effective |
| have steel tanks. The anode rod attracts minerals | | | | unless kept for many years. |
| and deposits that could be harmful to the tanks lining. | | | | I'm an older, single woman, wanting to do some |
| These deposits eat away at the rod rather than | | | | touring with my dog for the next 2 years or so. I'm |
| damaging the tank. I would replace the rod when it's | | | | expecting various friends to link up for certain legs of |
| about 75% consumed. | | | | the trip. I will appreciate good guidance. |
| Q. Would like your thoughts on pros & cons of | | | | Mark Says: Gas versus diesel is an age old discussion |
| towing a trailer behind my F/Wheel because I miss | | | | and one that often times gets heated. If asked this |
| my Harley-Davidson during long winter stays down | | | | question several years ago I would have responded |
| south! Also do you know of states laws prohibiting | | | | similar to the salesperson, because the cost |
| this? Thanks in advance for your reply. | | | | difference was quite significant. Tody's RV's offer |
| Mark Says: It's quite common for people to tow | | | | many gasoline models in the same price range as |
| things like boats and small trailers behind their trailer. | | | | many diesel products. Mainly due to advances in the |
| Some concerns are the hitch on the back of the | | | | chassis itself driving the prices upward. |
| trailer, it needs to be capable of supporting the | | | | What I can tell you is a diesel will last longer that a |
| additional weight and the tow vehicle you are towing | | | | gasoline engine so if you plan to keep the RV for a |
| with needs to have a tow rating capable of towing | | | | good amount of time it would be worth the |
| the total amount of weight. If you were to exceed | | | | investment. I have no idea what is going to happen |
| the vehicles Gross Combined Weight Rating your | | | | with the types of fuel or the cost comparison |
| insurance or vehicle warranty may be voided in the | | | | between gas and diesel. |
| event of an accident or breakdown. | | | | Maintenance wise it used to be that a diesel required |
| As far as the legal issue goes, here is a link that | | | | less, keeping in mind there are more filters etc. on a |
| shows each states laws for trailer towing. You will | | | | diesel, but nowadays gas engines can go upwards of |
| notice that one of the criteria is for towing two | | | | 100,000 before a tune up, with nothing more than |
| trailers. The one thing I'm not sure of is, if it's legal to | | | | routine oil changes, air filters etc. |
| tow two trailers in the state you live in can you tow | | | | This probably doesn't help much. If you want some |
| that configuration across the border of another state | | | | other peoples opinions I recommend you go to the |
| and still be legal. You may want to contact the | | | | open roads forum and post this same question in the |
| highway patrol and ask that question. | | | | appropriate forum. You are sure to get many |
| Q. Where would I be able to get instructions on using | | | | responses. Here's a link |
| the convention/microwave oven in our motor home. | | | | Q. I'm writing to ask which of your DVDs you think |
| It was put in to replace the original one but the | | | | would be the most helpful for someone needing help |
| instructions were lost prior to our purchasing the | | | | understanding rv electrical systems and learning how |
| used motor home. So far the oven has not been | | | | to tap into them for simple projects such as a fridge |
| used at all other than to heat something up. | | | | baffle compartment fan, adding a 12v plug receptacle |
| Mark Says: Try to identify the manufacturer of the | | | | to charge things like cell phone, etc. |
| convection oven and go to their web site. Often | | | | If not one of your DVDs, if y'all know of a book I'd |
| times they will have the owners manuals available for | | | | really appreciate the advice. Thanks. |
| download. | | | | Mark Says: I don't think any of our DVD's would be |
| Q. I have a 27 foot Dutchman Travel Trailer that I | | | | helpful in these areas. There are a couple of books |
| bought new in 2002. To date I have blown out 7 | | | | that might be useful to you. The RV Handbook and |
| tires. I am now on Goodyear radials having replaced | | | | RV Repair & Maintenance. Here is a link where |
| the O.E. Carlyle tires. My question is this: Do tires on a | | | | they are available. |
| trailer require balancing and alignment like a car? I just | | | | Q. We have a 2003 23 ft. Komfort trailer with one |
| find it amazing that I have had that many blowouts. | | | | airconditioner, micro wave, radio, and TV. Would you |
| Mark Says: My first thought would be that the tires | | | | please tell us how to determine what size generator |
| are overloaded. If you haven't done it yet take the | | | | we need for the trailer? |
| trailer to a set of scales where you can weigh each | | | | Mark Says: The easiest way to determine what size |
| wheel position separately. Compare the weights to | | | | generator you need is to calculate how many watts |
| the tire weight rating when they are inflated properly. | | | | you plan to use at any given time. I am including 2 |
| I have heard a lot of people complain about Carlyle | | | | links that will tell you how many watts everything |
| tires, but seven blowouts indicates some other type | | | | uses and then there is a link where you can plug |
| of problem. Balancing the tires cannot hurt but isn't | | | | those figures in and it will tell you the size generator |
| absolutely necessary. Alignment for a trailer is usually | | | | you will want to get. |
| related to one of the axles shifting over. If you stand | | | | Q. I Have a Refrigerator that's freezing up. It |
| in front of, and then behind the trailer look to see if | | | | Happened after we defrosted it last august. as of |
| both axles (tires)are aligned with each other. If one | | | | may 1 after turning it back on, it still freezes. any |
| of the tires sticks out further than the other take it | | | | help? |
| in to have it checked out. | | | | Mark Says: Here is one possibility. Look inside the |
| I still don't think this is what is causing the problem. | | | | refrigerator compartment toward the back and you |
| Weigh the wheel positions and try distributing any | | | | will see some fins. On one of those fins there will |
| weight in the trailer so none of the tires are | | | | likely be a small piece of plastic. You can slide it up or |
| overloaded. Another important factor is to make sure | | | | down on the fin. That will control the temperature |
| you are using replacement tires designed specifically | | | | inside the refrigerator compartment. If it gets |
| for trailers. The sidewalls are designed to hold up to | | | | bumped or moved from it's original position it can |
| the twisting and flexing that occurs when you make | | | | cause it to freeze in the refrigerator. The problem is |
| turns etc. | | | | I don't remember which way to slide it to make it |
| Q. I just subscribed to your newsletter, hoping for | | | | stop freezing. Get a small refrigerator thermometer |
| some helpful info as I get re-involved with motor | | | | and experiment with it to see where it needs to be |
| homing. I sold my 24' class C and am shopping for | | | | adjusted. It will take quite a bit of time in each |
| something newer and more efficient, also larger. I'm | | | | position so be patient. You want the temperature in |
| tending toward the Class B+ Phoenix Cruiser, 27' with | | | | the refrigerator to be around 36 to 37 degrees. Food |
| 2 slides. It comes as either gasoline or diesel. I've | | | | can begin to spoil at 40 degrees. |
| been told the additional cost for a diesel engine | | | | Hopefully this will correct the problem. |
| outweighs any gas mileage benefit unless you keep | | | | Copyright 2007 by Mark J. |
| the rig for many years. But I also wonder if other | | | | |