(as written for the Dallas Baptist Standard on December 31, 2008)

Circuit-riding preachers in the 19th century journeyed through uncharted wilderness to spread the gospel in any available setting-family cabins, courthouses, meetinghouses or open fields. They traveled with few possessions, carrying only what would fit in their saddlebags.

As the 21st century heirs to the circuit riders’ mantle, resort ministry chaplains likewise travel light and cover plenty of ground. But they make their journeys in air-conditioned vehicles and live in motor homes or trailers, moving from one RV park to another. Chaplains sometimes serve a particular location for up to six months before journeying to the next location, offering a seasonal ministry with eternal impact.

Chaplain Gordon Thomas and General Manager Dennis Maloney talk (at right). Chaplains meet once a month for fellowship, sharing and support. Meetings are held in varied RV resorts so the host chaplain can share the resort with the chaplains and the visiting chaplains can see different resorts. (Photos by Robert Ruesch)

“I never thought I would be doing chaplain work,” said Ed Bevill of Kentucky, who serves as a chaplain for Winter Texans. “I came to Texas and this resort to retire and enjoy the winter weather of the Rio Grande Valley.”

Bevill lives in Palmdale RV Resort, between Harlingen and Brownsville, where he preaches. He also leads Sunday services at Holiday Out RV Resort, about 5 miles down the road.

Bevill recalled how he and his wife, Patty, were “walking down the road in the RV resort one night, minding our own business, when the chaplain of the resort we were staying at came up and talked to us. We became friends, attended the RV church services and then, he suggested that I consider becoming a chaplain.”

For the next year, Bevill was in contact with the resort chaplain. The next January, he found himself pressed into service.

“The chaplain was supposed to be here for the winter, but an auto accident prevented that happening, so he volunteered me for a few weeks that turned into a season, and now I am in my second season,” he said.

Bevill works as a chaplain with Christian Resort Ministries. Chaplains are assigned to RV resorts seasonally to share the gospel and minister to needs of guests.

“God has a plan for all of us. We either follow it or not. It’s a choice. Yet, when we are in his will and not in his way, things happen-great things happen,” said Dennis Maloney, general director of Christian Resort Ministries.

Many chaplains with Christian Resort Ministries serve as Mission Service Corps volunteers, endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board.

Chaplain Don Baker talks to one of the residents at an RV resort after a church service. During the season, besides holding church services, chaplains will travel to the local hospital three times a week and visit 10 to 15 couples.

Since Christian Resort Ministries’ creation in a San Antonio hotel lobby in 2002, the ministry has grown from two chaplains to more than 30 chaplains in eight states.

“God is responsible for the work we do. We just come alongside him, follow his will and here we go,” Maloney said.

Once a chaplain is placed in a resort, nondenominational Sunday worship services are scheduled, along with a full platform of other services for the residents and the management team.

Chaplains often schedule professional Christian music concerts, and they offer ongoing small-group Bible studies.

They also provide crisis care. Christian Resort Ministries receive Hands on Ministry training, and many also are certified in biblical counseling, critical-incident crisis management and intervention skills.

“The chaplains of CRM are prepared for what we need to do”, said Don Baker, who served as a corporate chaplain before traveling to Arizona to be a chaplain at an RV resort.

Other duties a resort chaplain performs range from serving as master of ceremonies for a local talent show to helping resort guests align satellite TV dishes.

Chaplains always take time to teach and listen to the residents of the RV resort. Most of the residents are seasonal for either the summer or the winter months and will share their concerns and cares with the RV chaplain.

Many RV park managers are supportive of a chaplain program in their resorts as they see the value in the family-friendly faith-based programs they offer.

“With a chaplain on the grounds, I can manage the park; the chaplain helps with a religious view that brings a wholeness to a situation or question,” one park manager said.

“When I hear someone has gone to the hospital, I know the chaplain will be visiting them. The chaplain will be looking out for the individual needs, as I address resort management issues. We are a great team.”

RV resort chaplains must raise their own support from personal financial resources and reliance on gifts from churches, families and friends, along with some contributions from grateful resort residents and RV park owners.

“We are faith-based, just like the early circuit-riding saddlebag preachers,” Bevill observed. “We really are doing the same work-just in modern times.”

Robert N. Ruesch is a pastor and chaplain, serving the campground and RV resort ministry for eight years and having been involved with resort ministry more than 40 years. He regularly contributes articles to RVchurchesUSA.

Visit Bob’s site at www.CRMintl.org or contact him bobruesch@earthlink.net

Article reprinted with expressed permission from both Robert Ruesch and the Dallas Baptist Standard – 2009

One Tank Trip for Iowa Camping

August 17, 2010

A great many farms run through this region, producing a sizable portion of America’s output of corn and soybeans, but there’s a lot more to Iowa than just cornfields and farming. Make Iowa your one tank trips destination and come see for yourself.

Cedar Rapids is a perfect place to start off your vacation, as it provides a blend of city and country living. You’ve got the theaters, nightlife, and fine dining opportunities available in any big city, but there’s a small town feel at work here that gives Cedar Rapids a charm all its own. There are city parks, state parks, and wide-open county parks within Cedar Rapids, providing you with plenty of places to park the rig and sit for a spell. The Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor is a hiker’s dream, with a maze-like network of interconnected trails that run through the city and countryside. There are car and motorcycle museums in town to attract even the most casual automotive enthusiast, and don’t forget to cruise through the local wine country and sample the incredible vintages they’ve got for sale.

Getting back on the road, head south on the I-380 for close to 20 miles until you pull into Coralville, a town that definitely rolls out a warm welcome to the RVer. You’ll have no trouble finding a place to hook up the rig for some convenient Iowa camping. The town’s got plenty of activities to keep you occupied for as long as you care to stay, with museums and galleries and nearby Coralville Lake. Spend a day or so by the water, and be sure to investigate the Devonian Fossil Gorge, where you’ll be able to get a close-up look at the fossilized remains of a 375-million year old ocean floor. This is definitely not something you see every day, nor will you forget it once you’ve visited.

From Coralville, drive west on the US-6 for 11 miles to your next stop, Oxford. In addition to providing ample opportunities for camping and sightseeing, there’s a very active golf community here with several courses that range from fairly basic to challenging. Whether you are on the Pro Tour, or if you’ve never picked up a club before, spend a day at any of these peaceful golf retreats and relax in the fresh air and sunshine.

Continuing west on the US-6, it’s another 5 miles before you reach Amana, site of the fascinating and historic Amana Colonies. This area is composed of buildings whose construction dates back to the mid 1800s, with wood fences and fruit trees in the yards. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped through a doorway into a simpler, slower-paced age. Pay a visit to the Amana Heritage Society Museum, where you’ll learn about the German immigrants who colonized this area in the mid-19th century. A blacksmith, general store, and original one-room schoolhouse still stand to honor those souls who settled the area. You can rent a bike and tour the surrounding area, maybe pack a picnic lunch and sit out in the middle of nowhere and just simply be. This charming town will no doubt win your heart as it has for so many who’ve come before.

History is alive and well in Marengo, your last stop on this one tank trips adventure through the Hawkeye State, which lies another 8 miles west on the US-6. Here you’ll find the Pioneer Heritage Museum, which showcases buildings from the mid 1800s into the 1930s, including log cabins, a railroad depot, and a gas station from the late 20s.

When it’s time to point the rig toward home, hopefully you’ll have seen that Iowa camping is where the past meets the present; its feet firmly planted in the old world and the new.

This One Tank Trip seen in the Woodall’s 2010 North American Campground Directory

Court Nixes Permit Rule for National Park Speech

August 15, 2010

“These regulations penalize a substantial amount of speech that does not impinge on the government’s interests,” Judge Janice Rogers Brown wrote for the three-judge panel in Washington, D.C.

The ruling has been hailed as a significant First Amendment victory for Michael Boardley, who claimed he was blocked in 2007 from distributing Christian materials in the Mount Rushmore National Park in South Dakota.

“Requiring individuals and small groups to obtain permits before engaging in expressive activities within designated ‘free speech areas’ (and other public forums within national parks) violates the First Amendment,” Brown wrote.

“We have no choice but to hold the regulations unconstitutional in their entirety.”

Barbie-pink Dunkin’ Donuts RV

August 13, 2010

The pink RV will be in Edmunds, WA August 15-16 giving away free coffee and coupons for Dunkin’ Donut coffee beans in grocery stores.

Dunkin’ Donut stores used to be in the Northwest, but closed down a few years ago.

If you are in the area, take advantage of the offer and get a cup of coffee.

Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks?

Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

reprinted with permission

Riding High in Nova Scotia

August 11, 2010

RVing across Canada may be the best way to see the country, because you can get out of the cities and still enjoy comfortable amenities. Lorraine Sommerfeld photo/for the Toronto Star

This was the rugged young man who would be
piloting the dinghy his Nova Scotian lilt sneaking in on some broadened vowels. Six of us sat in the inflatable rubber boat, staring mutely at our feet that were encased in several kilograms of rapidly hardening red mud.

We’d descended the banks of the Shubenacadie River in central Nova Scotia. It’s the largest river in the province, but as I could safely see the other side, as well as several sandbars, I tumbled into the boat and anticipated a nice couple of hours on the water on a lovely day.

Instead, I had the most amazing experience of my life.

Shubenacadie Tidal Bore Rafting Park is one of several companies offering Tidal Bore rafting on the river. Daily from June to the end of September, groups head out to meet the incoming tide. As the sea water rushes in, it mixes with the fresh river water. In a mind bending visual that challenges all you know, one layer of water races atop another as the two combine to create one of nature’s greatest feats: a tidal bore.

The ensuing turbulence is “read” by river guides who then pilot the boats into the heart of the bore. Into. At strongest tides (we had a good moon—waves were about eight metres), you blast upriver into the cresting waves. The boat is nearly vertical as water pours over you from all directions, and it crashes to safety only to be filled with the raging river.

You get soaked. There is no way around it. This is a rodeo on the river, with the river bucking every way to toss you. Clutching the ropes and boat handles, I asked what happens if someone falls in. “Oh, it’s fine, I’ll just pop you back into the boat,” he said, unworried. Two hours later as we approached the dock, it felt like we’d been gone 10 minutes. Our shoes now clean from the pounding water, we headed for the showers.

Nova Scotia is the only place in the world you can do this. With prices starting at $55 for a two-hour tour, if you’re old enough to hold on tight and young enough to still get soaked this experience is not to be missed.

We were trekking through Nova Scotia in an RV; it’s still one of my favourite ways to see Canada, with the ability to leave the beaten path of the cities, but leave none of the comforts behind. With a series of classic trails (we were following the Lighthouse Trail), Nova Scotia is incredibly tourist friendly. And while it may not be hard to get lost in Nova Scotia, it’s definitely hard to stay that way. You can literally ask anyone, anywhere, for help, and be back on your way. Doing a multi-point turn in a 10-metre rig may be cause for concern elsewhere, but not here in the laid-back nest of lobsters, fishing boats and endless shores.

If you’re new to campgrounds or RV parks, reading between the lines of amenities can be overwhelming. Each destination has its strengths; larger grounds will have pools, parks for kids and larger showers and washrooms. In-town sites might feature more concrete than trees, but are frequently provincially run and more modern. My favourite? Hands-down the small, family-owned sites that often don’t translate in the splashy advertisements.

If you’ve never considered an RV holiday, much has changed from even 10 years ago. New units are marvels of space-saving configuration. Pop-outs on some units feature bunk beds, head space has been increased in higher sleeping areas, hot-water tanks are bigger, steps are automatic and even things like outlets are where they need to be. For $150 a day, the large unit we had let us take in the winding roads of Nova Scotia, cook, camp and vacation in comfort. We spent $250 on gas during six days; hardly exhorbitant.

Our first night on the road was minutes from Peggy’s Cove. Situated in a tiny perfect arc of Indian Harbour, King Neptune’s Campground is run by Kay Richardson and her family. As we packed up the barbecue and prepared to take in a promised glorious sunset, Kay rounded the corner of her home with a tray. Homemade gingerbread cake, whipped cream, coffee and tea. Here was our Nova Scotia welcome mat, in the form of a tiny white-haired lady who treated guests at her campground like guests in her home.

The following morning, she led me into her white frame house. An ancient wood stove dominated the living room. “It’s the only heat source in the house,” she said.

Deep in the heart of Kejumkujik National Park, you can bed down in the towering forest, and tour the efforts of experts and volunteers in protecting endangered species of turtles and birds.

We ate cod we’d caught while deep sea fishing; lobster we’d selected from the Bay of Fundy at Hall’s Harbour; a raw scallop that had been clacking at us moments before, on a dock overlooking a gorgeous golf course at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenburg, a town of 2,300. And every night we gathered around a campfire, listened to the surf and marvelled at the star fields.

In a world of false promises, bait-and-switch and not-exactly-as-shown, Nova Scotia truly is better than advertised.

Not Just For Seniors

August 4, 2010

This project was brought to my attention by the Safety Committee in Retama Village (an adult living community for RVers down in the Rio Grande Valley) after one of the residents experienced medical issues that required calling 911.  The Committee recommended it as a standard for all residents and their RVs.

The specific item I’m referring to is called the Vial of Life Project (sponsored by Senior Safety.com).  The goal of the project is to ensure all Seniors have the Vial of Life kits in their homes.  It also makes sense, though, to have them in your RV (for some of us the RV and home are the same) and even your car.

Vial for Life packet

The way the system works is that you receive a kit, which contains 2 stickers and a medical information form for each person.  The form contains basic medical information that covers everything from hearing and vision to medical conditions and medications to doctor and insurance information.

Once you receive the kit, you fill out the form for each person, and you put the completed form into a zip-lock bag.  You place one sticker on the bag and then tape it to your refrigerator door (remember not to cover it with all those magnets or artwork from the kids).

Sticker for door

You then place the other sticker at eye level at your front door.  This notifies any rescue workers that might enter your RV that there is medical information available on the refrigerator.  For the car, you might put one sticker on the windshield and the other on the glove compartment with the medical information.
This is a simple effort that may seem like a waste of time.  And, nobody wants an ugly zip-lock bag with a red sticker on their refrigerator.  However, in an emergency situation, ensuring that the responders have as much information as possible can help save your life.  A secondary benefit is that this information can help reduce unnecessary medical tests at the hospital (which could be expensive, delay your treatment, and is stressful on the body).

Please contact the Vial of Life Project if you are interested in taking advantage of this easy way to be prepared for an emergency.

National Park Service – No Fees Aug. 14 and 15

July 31, 2010

“This fee-free weekend provides an opportunity for individuals and families alike to take an affordable vacation or to explore a nearby park they have never visited before,” Salazar said. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of the free admission to visit not only our greatest natural wonders but also our nation’s historic and cultural icons.”

There are 391 national parks located across the country in 49 states, many of which will hold free events on August 14 and 15. A complete list by park or state is available at www.nps.gov. A sampling of offerings include:

• Ranger-led programs with free instruction and equipment loans for those who want to get wet. Enjoy snorkeling at Cape Cod, kayaking at DeSoto, or canoeing in Congaree or Big Cypress. Prefer to simply chill out near the water? Bring your blanket to one of the 50 parks with beaches.
• Watch history come to life at military encampments and firing demonstrations at Antietam, Gettysburg, Fort Laramie, Fort McHenry, Fort Vancouver, Fort Stanwix, Fort Matanzas, Kings Mountain, Wilson Creek, Kennesaw Mountain, and Yorktown.
• Dance or tap your toes to the sounds of the Pig War Band at San Juan Island, Cajun music at Jean Lafitte, Ojibwe music at Grand Portage, mountain music on the Blue Ridge Parkway, folk songs at Carl Sandburg, classical music at Saint-Gaudens, or dulcimer music on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

The entrance fees being waived at the 146 sites usually charge for admission range from $3 to $25. There are 246 other parks that do not have entrance fees so you can plan a free visit year-round.

The fee free waiver does not include other fees collected in advance or by contractors—such as fees charged for camping, reservations, tours and use of concessions.

The National Park Service website provides information to help the public plan their park adventures at www.nps.gov.

SOURCE: National Park Service press release

One Tank Trip For North Dakota

July 26, 2010

Visitors to North Dakota have a diverse range of expectations when it comes to their vacation, but one thing everyone agrees on is that there are fewer places on the map where you’ll receive a warmer, friendlier welcome. It’s fitting, then, that “Dakota” is the Sioux word for “friend.”

Starting this one tank trip in Medora, you’ll discover a few interesting tidbits about this area. Founded by a French nobleman in the late 1800s, Medora was a thriving boomtown for many years. A few years later, Theodore Roosevelt arrived on the scene, originally to hunt buffalo. He fell in love with the area and built two cattle ranches within easy range of Medora. As a result, Medora serves as the entrance to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Among the many spectacular features to be found here is the Coal Vein Trail, which takes you through an area where a fire burned for nearly 30 years, thereby giving the rocks an unearthly purple color. A fantastic way to enjoy this area is with a horseback ride down the Maah Daah Hey Trail, which runs nearly 100 miles through the park and connects the north and south sides. This ride offers us a mix of scenery, from rolling grasslands to majestic buttes, and runs parallel to the Missouri River. While in Medora, you can enjoy a tour through the Cowboy Hall of Fame, or maybe you’d like to knock a few golf balls around at the award-winning Bully Pulpit Golf Course. Click on the link below to find North Dakota camping options in Medora.

Drive east on the I-94 for 15 miles until you come to the northbound US-85, which takes you through 66 miles of incredibly attractive scenery before you come to the ranching community of Watford City. Give your legs a good stretch with a walk around the paved trail that envelops the city, then cool down with a trip to the Wild West Water Park, or set up camp by the banks of the Yellowstone River. Get a taste of exploration by heading up the Lewis and Clark Trail, or rent a boat and enjoy a day of fishing on Lake Sakakawea. Anyone who enjoys being outdoors will want to return to Watford City again and again.

Back on the road, cruise east on the ND-23 for 30 miles, then take the southbound ND-22 for 65 miles into the town of Dickinson, home to – among other things – the Dakota Dinosaur Museum. This fascinating facility offers us a rare, up-close look at various prehistoric fossils, several full-size dinosaur displays, and a genuine triceratops skeleton. Another exhibit showcases meteorites, including some that were originally part of Mars, as well as from our own moon.

Sometimes, the journey can be just as interesting as arriving at one’s destination. A good example of this philosophy is the Enchanted Highway, which connects Dickinson with the town of Regent. Leaving Dickinson by way of the eastbound I-94, you’ll come to the exit for the southbound Enchanted Highway in about 10 miles. As you cruise down this unique stretch of road, you’ll be treated to a series of metal sculptures that are the incredible work of one very talented artist. Flocks of geese, gigantic grasshoppers, a 75-foot tall buck jumping over a fence, and even Teddy Roosevelt himself, are among the many displays presented in sculpted metal. There’s nothing quite like it.

As your tour through the land of enchantment comes to an end in Regent, drop in to the sculptor’s office and get a glimpse at what projects are in the works, or pick up a souvenir of this offbeat leg of your trip in the Enchanted Highway gift shop. Then, head west on the ND-21 for 14 miles before angling north on Highway 22, which you’ll stay on for 9 more miles until you reach the city limits of New England. This aptly named town has the charm of a New England village, while possessing a personality and appeal all its own. This is a quiet, peaceful region, where you can pull your rig over and escape into nature, with plenty of hunting and fishing and North Dakota camping opportunities available.

Continuing west for 16 miles on the ND-21 brings you to the northbound US-85, which you’ll take for a little over 20 miles into Belfield. This community is positioned on the banks of the Heart River, which means you’ll find a wealth of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as strolling down the walking trail that runs through town, or hiking up to Belfield Dam.

Medora’s just a short hop away, a mere 15 miles further west on the I-94, but since Belfield is extremely RV-friendly, maybe you’d rather just pull over and go with the local flow for a while on this last one tank trip stop.

See a list of Woodall’s Recommended North Dakota RV Campgrounds.

Emergency Escape Window Recalls

July 26, 2010

Though you will receive a notice, if you have a Fleetwood Encounter or Storm or a Coachmen Catalina travel trailer, check with the dealer to see if your unit is affected. You should get this recall fixed immediately. See this release for more information.

Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

reprinted with permission

Army Corps Waives Fees For Military

July 26, 2010

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today it will continue to waive day use and camping fees for active service military personnel and DoD civilians who are on mid- or post-deployment leave from duty involving deployments in support of overseas contingency operations.

The Corps began waiving recreation fees for active service personnel on temporary leave from duty in Iraq in 2003. In August 2008, the Corps expanded the waiver to cover DoD civilians and active service military personnel on mid or post leave from deployments.

“Our intent is to recognize the selfless service of these men and women to our nation and the world,” said Steve Stockton, the Corps director of civil works. “The more than 2,200 Corps-operated recreation sites nationwide provide excellent opportunities to find renewal, solace, and to reconnect with families and friends.”

Active service military personnel and DoD civilians on leave will be required to show identification and leave orders/forms upon arrival to the recreation sites to obtain the waiver. The waiver will also apply to all immediate family members accompanying them on their visit. The waiver will be applied to day use and camping fees.

Fees will be waived on a walk-up and space available basis, as well as for reservations made through the National Recreation Reservation Service call center at 1-877-444-6777. However, fees will not be waived for on-line reservations made through Recreation.gov.

In addition, state, local and other managing entities of recreation areas located on Corps lands are encouraged, but not required, to comply with this waiver of fees in the areas they manage.

The Corps is the nation’s largest federal provider of outdoor recreation, managing more than 400 lake and river projects in 43 states and hosting more than 350 million visitors per year. The Corps estimates that nearly 89 percent of its recreation projects are within 50 miles of metropolitan areas and provide a diverse range of outdoor activities to people of all ages.

For more information, visit www.CorpsLakes.us

SOURCE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers press release

Green Alcohol, Duct Tape & WD-40

July 21, 2010

No, it is not a recipe for a new mixed drink.  They are three of the most important items for any camper to have with them – any means those with tents to big motor homes.

I’ll start with the green alcohol.

All RV’s have sewage holding tanks that eventually need to be emptied.  Tent campers often carry porta- potties that also need emptying.  The amount of harmful fecal bacteria present in the effluent is overwhelming.  There is enough stuff in one of those tanks to infect the entire population of my home town and still have some left over.

I am appalled at the number of people I see dumping their sewage tanks with bare hands and no apparent method of disinfecting themselves.  Some use heavy canvas work gloves or rubber gloves.  But, unless they are disinfected all they do is spread the bacteria to their container and even the person using them. Disposable vinyl or latex gloves should always be used.  Disinfecting is also necessary, but many campers ignore this important step because they do not know what to use.

Years ago I used a solution of bleach and water mixed together in a spray bottle as a disinfectant.  But, if any bleach happened to get on my clothes they were ruined.  I also found the smell unpleasant and it was not good for my skin.   I switched to Lysol in an aerosol can, but it could get kinda expensive.  Then, one day when I had to take Oscar to the veterinarian, I was introduced to wintergreen isopropyl alcohol as a disinfectant.

The Vet used it in the bottle it came in and just screwed on a spray top.  After one animal was examined, they would spray down the tables with the green alcohol and then wipe them off with a paper towel.  I thought this was a great idea!  Wintergreen 70% isopropyl alcohol is available at Wal-Mart for about a buck and a half a bottle.  The wintergreen has a nice scent.  Once I have dumped my holding tanks,  I spray down my gloves, peel them off into a trash can and then spray down my hands with enough alcohol to disinfect the spray bottle handle as well.  Next I spray all the dump levers and caps.  Lastly, I spray down the soles of my shoes before climbing into our truck.  An application of a little hand lotion once in the truck helps to prevent any dryness the alcohol may cause on my hands.

For tent campers green alcohol is great for spraying down your hands after using a porta-potty. You can recycle or purchase small spray bottles that hold a couple of ounces and fit in your pocket.  These small bottles of green alcohol are beneficial as a disinfectant for public porta-jons or restrooms.  If you check the ingredients of a small hand sanitizer bottle you will discover that it is isopropyl alcohol.  Buying it in a pint bottle is much less expensive.  It is great stuff and no camper should be without it!

Duct Tape was first used in WWII as a sealing tape for ammo boxes.

Silver duct tape is also called Hurricane Tape, Racer Tape and now Camper Tape

At the time it was called Duck Tape (as in quack-quack).  Truthfully, it is not a good tape for sealing heating or air conditioning ducts.  Its adhesive is a natural rubber compound that dries out and releases its adhesion after a few months.  But, for temporary or emergency repairs to a RV or tent it is unsurpassed by other tapes.

I keep a big roll of 3M duct tape in the RV all the time.  Rarely do we set up camp that I do not use duct tape for something.  There are many other brands of quality duct tape such as Scotch, Duck and Nashua.  Unfortunately, some brands are of inferior grade.  Sticking with a brand you know is good is the best way to go – it does not have to be 3M if you know the quality of the brand.  Another brand of duct tape that has recently come on the market is Gorilla Tape.  It is thicker than regular duct tape and its adhesive is awesome.

Pop-Up Camper with canvas/vinyl material completely recovered with silver duct tape.

I have used duct tape to fix torn awnings, rips in rubber roofs, torn aluminum camper siding, rips in  tents, lawn chair repairs, tarp tabs, leaking pipes and hoses, and I have even twisted it into a rope for tying items down.  I have friends that have used it to hold in broken

Director's Chair completely recovered with silver duct tape - a new life for camping furniture!

windows, hold a compartment door closed that had a broken latch, seal where gaskets are missing around slide-outs, repair a broken fender on a golf cart, patch a leaking air mattress and even patch a crack in a camper grey water holding tank.

I have seen wallets, jackets, pants, boats, tents, door mats, and drinking cups made entirely of duct tape.
I used a piece of duct tape today to make a tie to hold one of my tomato plants to a post.  Without a doubt is it the most useful tape a camper can have with him.  The only downside is that one must understand that the tape is a temporary repair.  While it is extremely strong, has a really sticky adhesive and is somewhat water proof, it will deteriorate when exposed to the elements and the adhesive will dry out and release over a period of several months.

Now, duct tape is being used as a “fix” for a reception problem on the new Apple Iphone 4– who would have ever thought……… ?

The TV show Myth Busters recently did two episodes on duct tape that included putting a car back together that Carrie totally cut apart, making a black powder cannon from the stuff and even a suspension bridge that Jamie and Adam walked across.  In summary, don’t leave home without at least one roll of duct tape.  The stuff is amazing and its use is only limited by your imagination.

Last but definitely not least is WD-40

This amazing liquid in an aerosol container can make anything you have not secured with duct tape move.  I have used it on my camper’s screw jacks, as a fire starting fluid, to clean chewing gum off of the carpet, as a cleaner for bugs splattered all over the front of the camper, waterproofing for shoes, a cleaner to remove road tar from both the truck and camper.  It is useful as a cleaner and rust preventer for tools that are exposed to salt air or high humidity.  It also works well to remove the gooey residue left after removing duct tape from a smooth surface.  Having spent the past two weeks at the ocean-front I have used up a full can on my golf cart, lawn furniture, beach umbrella, tools, beach cart wheels and even the snap on Oscar’s leash which filled with sand and salt water.  A light spray on the polished aluminum wheels of our truck that is wiped down with paper towels leaves a clean, shiny surface that easily repels brake dust and road grime.  It is great for removing paint, grease and dirt from your hands.

I remember my grandfather polishing his big black DeSoto sedan with a can of kerosene and a rag.  The kerosene would leave a brilliant shine, remove dirt and make it easier to get the next round of tar and bugs off of the paint.  Today, WD-40 has replaced kerosene as the preferred petroleum based polish and cleaner for the fiberglass front cap on many trailers and can make sun aged plastic parts look new again.  It also helps to preserve and protect these parts.  WD-40 should NOT be used on your rubber camper roof.

You can scroll through a list of other uses for WD-40 by downloading the PDF at

http://www.wd40.com/files/pdf/wd-40_2042538679.pdf ^[6]

When combined as a three-pack, green alcohol, duct tape and WD-40 are indispensable items for any camper.

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