The Art of Finesse’ with a RV!

[sthrngary]

Most of us love to learn, so that means we love to listen to others, smarter then we are, telling me what good RV habits should be. This board provides a source for me personally to learn more. The key then for me at least, is to put those habits into practice. Now the real learning begins. In all my years with both Airstream the brand and RVing, one word seems to pop up all the time, Finesse.

When I get a new or new to me RV trailer/Class “B”, I write a important list for my family that includes “Do’s and Do Not’s”. Little things and big things. Examples include “Don’t pull out the drawers out HARD.” (Needed a new drawer put in with new gliders.” Here’s another, “If the glass does not go down flush on the sink, don’t press it down to make it flush”. (Fresh water flowed into the grey water tank before the trip began).

In every RV and especially the ones I have owned, there is always something that needs a little “Finesse’). Since this forum is mostly owners of Airstream Interstates, what “Finesse’ Issues” have you uncovered. I just think this stream would be interesting to a lot of folks.

PS: Nice to be back on the board.

[wachuko]

Welcome back Gary!!

I have one... when opening the sliding door... push out a little first then slide back... don't try to slide back from the get-go...

Oh, one more... the amount of times you will hit your head with the TV in an AI Lounge can be represented by this simple formula...

[Bgibbs]

This formula also applies to the overhead over my bed!

[Tobbun]

My wife hits her head on the lounge TV (she is 5'3") a lot. Looked at trying to raise it a little or put some cushion on the bottom. Might just need smaller TV for that space.

[Tobbun]

On the topic of finesse... I try my best with the blinds. I don't just hit the button to put them up or down. I tap it a little to get the blinds to open or close... The. Check each one ... Then hit the button to start opening or closing and stop it after it starts. Check all the blinds again then finish opening or closing.

[Pahaska]

Shoes will not be left in the aisle between the twin beds. Ouch!

[eyechip]

Please keep these coming! With my first time setting forth in two weeks with a new 2018 GT I am craving any wisdom!

[c21]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Welcome back Gary!!

I have one... when opening the sliding door... push out a little first then slide back... don't try to slide back from the get-go...

When closing the slider, it helps to crack open the passenger door to let air escape. Makes it much easier to gently close the big door.

[sthrngary]

The blinds on this version work with a hand held remote control. You need to walk to mid-cabin, point the remote to the left side rear window. Then hold the up/down button until all blinds move. Saying a prayer helps also.

Let's add one more for good luck. When your Satilight Radio has a issue with having the blue tooth a Wifi on at the same time. So if you are EVER, sorry, when your Satilight is stuck on one channel, you have to reset the system in Fusion and make sure both Wifi and Blue Tooth is OFF. This one only happens when you least want it to happen.

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by sthrngary

The blinds on this version work with a hand held remote control. You need to walk to mid-cabin, point the remote to the left side rear window. Then hold the up/down button until all blinds move. Saying a prayer helps also.

STHRNGARY - Welcome back. I finesse the blinds one at a time. I don't do "All Up/Down" to minimize not seeing/catching a binding blind & minimizes praying time

WACHUKO's formula is way too complex even for us engineer-types. My formula is very basic:

Total # of times you will hit your head on TV = (N + 1)
where: N = yesterday's total

There's no finessing the "hitting front tv" issue for me anymore. And since I downsized the rear tv, I am moving the original rear tv to go in front. It is plenty big even for front use.

[TayaraTravel]

I follow (and preach to my co-traveler) a simple mantra:

1) Move like you are a diver in an underwater cave.

2) Drive like the van is submerged in molasses.

These two rules prevent most bodily and property injury.

[Air99]

I wiggle the transmission lever liberally when driving in hilly country, to downshift just before the engine bogs down or use engine braking on long descend for better vehicle control. It is one of the better manumatic tranny on the market, offering very smooth transition between shifts.

[Hittenstiehl]

Eyechip, I see that is in the Sprinter Forum so I think most of the cool tips and tricks are geared toward those folks even though the thread says RV.

Maybe we should open a Tips, Tricks and Finesse for Trailers. And then another separate one for Vintage Trailers. Good luck on your new Globetrotter.

[eyechip]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

Eyechip, I see that is in the Sprinter Forum so I think most of the cool tips and tricks are geared toward those folks even though the thread says RV.

Maybe we should open a Tips, Tricks and Finesse for Trailers. And then another separate one for Vintage Trailers. Good luck on your new Globetrotter.

My bad, by "GT" I meant Grand Tour. I am still learning the abbreviations and vernacular.

[Hittenstiehl]

Eyechip, "MY bad" not yours, enjoy your Grand Tour not your Globetrotter and I'll mind my own business.

[jamieb1086]

Wow. That’s a simple formula and too easy to understand. Can’t we go a little deeper math wise?

[Silverpuller]

Originally Posted by Tobbun

My wife hits her head on the lounge TV (she is 5'3") a lot. Looked at trying to raise it a little or put some cushion on the bottom. Might just need smaller TV for that space.

My wife has the same problem, add to that the bottom edges of the hanging cabinets. Thanks to our son, and his efforts to baby proof his house for our grandson, we found this great solution. Available from Amazon or Target (and prolly more sources).

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by Silverpuller

My wife has the same problem, add to that the bottom edges of the hanging cabinets. Thanks to our son, and his efforts to baby proof his house for our grandson, we found this great solution. Available from Amazon or Target (and prolly more sources).Attachment 316153

SILVER PULLER - Those are really good, used them at home too on sharp corners of coffee table to protect 3yr old grandson. Stays put. Then used them on AI rear tv before I yanked it out to put smaller one that does not stick out onto aisle.

[wachuko]

Inserting the key always in the same direction to avoid it from folding down... Initially I made the mistake of having too much stuff on the key chain. Now I only have the key with the red strip.

If you insert with buttons facing up, it will not fold (first two photos). If you do it the other way, it could fold down (third photo, bent on purpose to show what I mean)...