Listed here are things we've learned during our fulltiming years. These DOs & DON'Ts are usually found out the hard way and we'd like to save you the expenses we've incurred by our ignorance. We hope these hints will save you time, frustration and money!

DON'T defrost the inside of your RV refrigerator using a hairdryer or other heat source!

• Reason: Using a hairdryer, or other heat source, inside the refrigerator can cause tiny cracks and/or holes in the fins which will then give the ammonia a place to leak out! No, it can't be fixed, you'll have to replace the whole refrigerator at a cost of $1,000.00 or more!

DON'T use bleach, or other harsh chemicals not meant for RV toilets (or sink/tub), for cleaning!

• Reason: It will eventually cause the seals, gaskets and piping to dry out. We had to replace the whole toilet partially due to using bleach to clean it. The cost is almost the same as replacing the seal!

DON'T use connectors between your satellite dish and your receiver! In other words, use ONLY ONE satellite cable with one end connected to the LFNB (dish arm) and the other end connected to your receiver.

• Reason: Extension connectors, or using more than one cable (or the wrong cable), will cause interference in your satellite signal. See our link to 'DSS Troubleshooting' on our RVers page for more info and help for satellite dish problems.

DO level your RV placing the level (usually the bubble type) in, or near, the middle of the refrigerator (refer)!

• Reason: Using a level in the RV refer is the proper way to level your RV! The major reason for leveling your RV is not so you are comfortable, it's because the refer needs to be level so the ammonia will flow properly! This is especially true of older RVs.

• Reason: Too much protein, their internal workings can't handle it! Both of our dogs got gastly sick, one for almost two months, because I thought I'd add alittle FLAVORing to their breakfast. Really BAD IDEA!