No-Slide Rugs
Silicone caulk is applied to bottom of the rug to prevent sliding.To prevent rugs from sliding on wood or tile floors, apply a thin bead of silicone caulk to the bottom of the rug and let it dry completely. The silicone will keep rugs and other items that tend to slide in place. I also have used this on ashtrays, soap dishes, and small knickknacks.
Richard Lappin, F200858
Wichita, Kansas
Connector Handle
Connector handleWhenever I had to unhook the wiring harness going from my motorhome to my towed car, I would carefully pull the T-shaped mini handle on the connector. I knew that pulling on the wiring itself would yank the wires out of the terminals inside the metal connector. Yet at times it was difficult to disconnect, especially if the parts were wet from rain or snow.
My solution was to drill a 1/8-inch hole through each side of the T-handle and attach a heavy wire loop through the holes to serve as a handle. The wire resembles the handle on a paint can, only smaller. Since then I never have had difficulty disconnecting, no matter how long the two parts have been plugged together or how wet they are.
Frank Woythal, F291956
Andover, New York
Swinging TV
Swinging TVI like to sit outside and watch television. However, most TVs that will fit in an outside storage bay take up too much room. As a solution to this, I bought a Sharp flat-screen TV that had a back that could fasten to a foldout hinge. With the hinge attached to the wall and the TV fastened to the folding arm, the setup doesn’t take away any storage room when the TV is folded back against the wall. I use a strap that is permanently fastened to the wall on one side and has a snap on the other to keep the TV in place while traveling. My wife made a quilted cover that can be put over the TV, between it and the strap, to prevent the strap from damaging the screen.
Leonard Brown, F79645
Oxford, New Jersey
Mustard Bottle Makeover
Mustard bottle makeoverInstead of tossing out the new plastic mustard bottles that have an “X” opening, wash one of them well, remove the “X” nozzle, and fill the bottle with sugar. The bottle won’t break, rattle, or leak. It also works great on a picnic table.
Phyllis Nygaard, F160457
Fresno, California
Step Switch Guard
Step switch guardI’ve always thought that putting the switch that actuates the entry steps next to a light switch was a bad idea. Then I learned that many RVers have mistakenly hit the wrong switch and found themselves making an uncomfortable exit from their coach. Since it could be as much as a 3-foot drop from the coach to the ground when the steps are retracted, a fall from this height could lead to serious injury. To solve this safety concern, I mounted a $1.25 drawer handle over the step switch to make an accidental activation almost impossible.
Heinz Fischer, F260114
Long Beach, California
Safety Check
Before plugging our electrical service cord into the campground service pedestal, I always check the polarity of the electrical connection as well as the voltage level. In order to do this, I carry a circuit tester, a voltmeter, and a 30-amp adapter in a plastic waterproof “space saver” container. I keep the container in my service compartment, so it’s always readily available when we arrive at a campground.
James H. Doherty, F152581
Arcata, California