RV Boot Camp and Arizona Freezing

Happy February!  We are at the Escapee RV Park at North Ranch, between Congress and Wickenburg, Arizona.  The program was about three days long, and covered RV systems, driving tips, weights and loading,  fire safety, and one hell of a lot about RV tires.  It was a great course, and our brains are full of facts and lists of things to do and things to add for safety.

The course ended today around noon as the wind was blowing across the Arizona desert and it was about 35 degrees.  We had lunch at the Nichols West diner in Congress and then Neil went into Wickenburg to have the truck tires balanced, and the truck washed.  We also topped up the propane tank since the freezing weather has made the furnace run a lot more than normal.  In fact, it is colder here in Arizona than back in Juneau!

Natural and Home Made Cactus at North Ranch

On Thursday afternoon, we will get the truck and fifth wheel trailer professionally weighed by the Escapee Smart Weigh program--it weighs each individual wheel to determine if the trailer is balanced side to side and front to back.  After that, we will bring the Fiver back to our space in the North Ranch RV Park and get ready for our drive in the truck back to Anaheim for a Hagadorn Family get together around Super Bowl.  We will stay there for a long weekend and then come back to North Ranch for our next leg of our Arizona Adventure.

We learned a lot at Boot Camp, and Pamela put together a list of some Lessons Learned to share:

1. RV – stands for recreational vehicle. You are suppose to be recreating and therefore not in a hurry, especially when driving. You are not in a racecar, nor even an SUV.  Take your time.
   
2. RV measurements - put on a 3x5 card in next to the driver. You need the total length, width (with slides in and slides out) and height to top of tallest vent. Make sure you have them in both feet and meters (for Canada or Mexico travel). This will save you time, when you see signs for a narrow bridge, underpass, or making ferry and campground reservations.
   
3. Side Rearview Mirrors – adjust so you see very little sky and more pavement. You are a vehicle not a plane.
   
4. Staying in Center of Lane – you can line up the grease trail on the highway with the driver’s right foot. This will put you in the middle of the lane for your RV.
   
5. ICE – Make sure your In Case of Emergency information is on your phone (under ICE) for rescue personnel. They are not allowed to open your purse or wallet unless a police officer is present.
   
6. Backup Hand Signals – the guide always stands on the driver’s side. Make sure your partner knows what your hand signals stand for and use your whole arms. Think of the jet airplane guides at an airport.
   
7. Toilet tissue – if it will not dissolve in a jar of water in 30 minutes, it will not dissolve in your tank. There are grocery brands that will, such as Angel Soft, Scott’s 1000 and the Costco Kirkland.
   
8. Smelling Propane – Fact is women smell better than men – when it comes to noticing propane leaks. If she smells propane, believe it and look for the leak.
   
9. Fire in an RV – while rare, know how to get out of your rig FAST. If you see flames inside, you have 20 seconds to get out safely before propane blows. IN ADDITION, you need to get 2,500 feet away uphill, yes half a mile as fast as possible in case the propane does blow.  Know how to get out of both sides of your RV.

One of the Seminars Was All About Tires

One of the things we are looking forward to is getting to warmer parts of Arizona.  We hope to move towards Scottsdale and further south.  We hope you are doing well where ever you are.

Neil and Pamela