Need To Know Stuff....

[rookie_rv]

Rookie RVer :C here! There are a lot of “need to know” stuff that would be useful to a Rookie like me. For example, I recently found out when using the stove to ALWAYS, ALWAYS have a window open and the hood fan on. This example would fall under safety “need to know” stuff. Where can I find “need to know” but not just limited to safety? I’m thinking quick tips, don’t forget to, here’s what I do, etc.? Or is this too broad of a question?

[MrWizard]

I don;t worry about the window when cooking

but if i used the stove for emg heat, i would crack the vents and 'A' window

before someone says never use the stove for heat, it is preferable to being cold or freezing, and is safe when done correctly

my mom warmed the kitchen and half the house when i was a kid, by using the oven on the gas stove

is NOT my fault common sense is NOT common anymore

[WILDEBILL308]

rockhillmanor wrote:

rookie_rv wrote:
Rookie RVer :C here! There are a lot of “need to know” stuff that would be useful to a Rookie like me. For example, I recently found out when using the stove to ALWAYS, ALWAYS have a window open and the hood fan on. This example would fall under safety “need to know” stuff. Where can I find “need to know” but not just limited to safety? I’m thinking quick tips, don’t forget to, here’s what I do, etc.? Or is this too broad of a question?

Are you talking about the smoke detector going off all the time?

If so to this day no matter what RV I had.....when making toast the alarm always go off. Most RV's have the smoke detector right across from the sink/stove area. Put that will low ceilings (much lower than your house) the alarm does go off.

Some people put a shower cap over the smoke detector when they are cooking AND STANDING right there. Find a colored one so that it catches your eye so as not to forget to remove it when done cooking.

I thought the alarm going off meant Breakfast was ready.:B
Bill

[4x4van]

rookie_rv wrote:
For example, I recently found out when using the stove to ALWAYS, ALWAYS have a window open and the hood fan on.

Who told you that? They're wrong. 30 years RVing, and I've never heard that, and I've never done that. The short amount of time that you are cooking will not kill you with CO (you DO have CO detector, right?).

My hood fan is 120V, it won't even work unless I have hookups or generator running, and I certainly don't fire up the generator while boondocking just to cook (unless it's to use the microwave). If I'm cooking for awhile, I'll open the roof vent in the kitchen, nothing more. And I'm not going to open a window to cook, letting the cold air out (during the summer) or in (during the winter).

[rockhillmanor]

rookie_rv wrote:
Rookie RVer :C here! There are a lot of “need to know” stuff that would be useful to a Rookie like me. For example, I recently found out when using the stove to ALWAYS, ALWAYS have a window open and the hood fan on. This example would fall under safety “need to know” stuff. Where can I find “need to know” but not just limited to safety? I’m thinking quick tips, don’t forget to, here’s what I do, etc.? Or is this too broad of a question?

Are you talking about the smoke detector going off all the time?

If so to this day no matter what RV I had.....when making toast the alarm always go off. Most RV's have the smoke detector right across from the sink/stove area. Put that will low ceilings (much lower than your house) the alarm does go off.

Some people put a shower cap over the smoke detector when they are cooking AND STANDING right there. Find a colored one so that it catches your eye so as not to forget to remove it when done cooking.

[wa8yxm]

K Charles wrote:
Do you open the window when you turn the stove on at home? We don't. Sometimes when we want to let out condensation from boiling water but not just because the stove is on.
Safety is the same in a house or an RV.

My Sticks and bricks was a large basement (like 1,000 sq ft) 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, Large room (living room) and kitchen/dining totalling another 1,000 square feet, with 8 foot ceilings that is 16,000 cubic feet, plus drafts and such.

My RV is 13' wide by 18 feet long, 7 foot ceiling, and of curse that is total width, average width is perhaps 10 feet so we are looking at not 16,000 cubic feet but 10x30x7 (Lost a few feet due to "Stuff") or 2100 cubic feet. about 1/8th the house. So it takes 1/8th the CO to kill you. Oh and many RV's are not all that drafty either.

[LanceRKeys]

Just take the time to look everything over each and every time you stop. I do a quick walk around every time we stop for fuel or bathroom breaks. Check all your tires (including spare) before you leave. And it would be a good idea to make sure your jack will work if/when you get a flat. Most importantly have fun!

[enblethen]

I have not had any issues with leaving vents and rear side windows open. We do run with vent/heater on dash letting in air.

[bob213]

Go outside and make sure the vent for your hood fan is open.

oops! didn't notice Rockhillmanor already pointed that out

[WILDEBILL308]

With all the talk about leaving vents and windows open no one told you that they need to be closed going down the road. The reason is if the vent is open or window it will tend to create a slight vacuum inside the RV. This will pull odors from the black tank and gray tank and stink you out.:B
Bill

[rockhillmanor]

rookie_rv wrote:
Rookie RVer :C here! There are a lot of “need to know” stuff that would be useful to a Rookie like me. For example, I recently found out when using the stove to ALWAYS, ALWAYS have a window open and the hood fan on. This example would fall under safety “need to know” stuff. Where can I find “need to know” but not just limited to safety? I’m thinking quick tips, don’t forget to, here’s what I do, etc.? Or is this too broad of a question?

Look outside your RV. On the side of some RV's there is a vent above where the stove is inside to allow exhausting of the stove.

Check to see if the flap on the vent is working.

I found out on my first used RV the previous owners had put a piece of foam in the vent to prevent it from hearing it flapping while driving. :R

[Devocamper]

you will need to spend days and days reading the forums here as well as other sites and take it all in slowly but more often than not it is all common sense experience, unless you have very specific questions.
Mike

[jplante4]

ScottG wrote:

ArchHoagland wrote:
Go buy a few fire extinguishers. The one that came with yours is useless.

I carry five.

Everytime I get a newer RV the FE is smaller and smaller. Our latest came with one about the size of my hand - no kidding. Just ridiculous.
One of my first mods was a big one.

And part of your yearly maintenance should be to take a rubber mallet and beat the bottom of it to loosen up the powder.

[ScottG]

ArchHoagland wrote:
Go buy a few fire extinguishers. The one that came with yours is useless.

I carry five.

Everytime I get a newer RV the FE is smaller and smaller. Our latest came with one about the size of my hand - no kidding. Just ridiculous.
One of my first mods was a big one.

[TazFord]

Try YouTube. It is loaded with rookie tips