I have been enjoying visiting blogs and decided to start my own, even though I don't know what I am doing or if anyone will even be interested in reading what I have to say. I am a 50 year old management consultant who has been married to the the love of my life for 30 years and have two grown daughters and a son-in-law who we are very proud of. We are blessed to live in Scottsdale Arizona and are enjoying getting out and experiencing it in our RV! Thanks for stopping by our blog and please consider joining us, who knows where we will go...Kevin & Tracy.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

RV'ing Fosters Ingenuity!

I have found over the years that owning an RV causes me to be much more creative then I would otherwise be.  I'm not sure if it is because RV related items tend to be expensive or if having an RV and tinkering with it causes me to come up with all kinds of new ideas on how to improve things. 

Below are a couple of examples of what I am talking about.  The first was the result of losing a 1/2 inch socket in the wall when I was working to eliminate the noise in our overhead sleeper area.  The socket came off of the ratchet and I thought that I had lost it in the wall forever. I knew that I had purchased a flexible tool with fingers that I might be able to use to fish out the socket, but as usual, I couldn't find it anywhere.  So ingenuity to the rescue, I had some magnets, superglue and a handy dandy yard stick and the socket was rescued quickly and easily!



Additionally I had posted several days ago that my neighbor had helping me install a couple of stabilizing jacks on the rear frame of our motorhome.  I had purchased a handle with a "J" hook on the end that I used to raise and lower the jacks (I know, not as nice as the auto levelers that many of you have commented about). So I set out on the Internet to find something that I could use to raise and lower the jacks using my rechargeable drill. 

After looking at many websites, the best I could come up with was a 6" adaptor that fit into my rechargeable drill, but it would still require me to climb under the rig and that wouldn't do.  So off to Home Depot I went and found a 3/8" aluminum rod that would fit nicely in my drill, but I still needed a "J' hook on the end to fit into the jacks.  So, I decided to place the end of the rod in my bench vise and heat it using my torch.  Once hot, it was easy to bend it into a "J" hook on the end and it works perfectly to raise and lower the jacks without me having to crawl up underneath the rig. 



I'm sure that you all have done similar projects on your RV's, I always feel pretty good when things work out well and save me a few bucks besides!

That's it for today...hope your week is going well and that you will go out and use some good old ingenuity today!

8 comments:

  1. Awwww, I miss your lovely smily header, but this is a great sunset. Have been off line a few days....too much stuff going on.

    Good luck with the new stabilizers.

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    1. Michael - I have missed reading your Blog and I hope all is well. I like that header picture too and will return to it soon. I just thought it was time to shake things up! Have a great week.

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  2. My Jim is very good at coming up with ways to do things - or thinking outside the box. Me - not so good. But once in awhile I give him a suggestion that he actually likes.

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    1. Sandie - I hope Jim is still recovering well and I'm glad that you and he work as a team, Tracy and I do as well.

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  3. I was lucky my jacks on the rear had a regular 3/4 inch bolt head on the end of the screw assembly. All I need is a 3.4 inch socket and extension and my 24 volt Drill.Started with a 12volt drill, then an 18, and now a 24volt,found out bigger is better in drills, this new one will lift the frame up and extend the springs, combined with the nose tripod, we have a very stable fiver when it is parked. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

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    1. I think my rechargable drill is my favorite power tool and the one I use the most. I started years ago with a 6v, then 9v, 12v and now an 18v. Haven't moved to the 24v yet, but I certainly think that would be great to have, if I can just convince Tracy!

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  4. Gotta love those simple projects that make rving easier and save money at the same time.

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    1. George - I really do love doing these fun little projects, especially when they work out well. They make me feel like I have really accomplished something and they give me bragging rights besides. Hope your travels are going well.

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