Even The Simple Things - Faucet Water Filter

My Double Sink and Kitchen Faucet

    Water, water everywhere....but not a drop to drink. If you have ever been on a cruise ship, that was a mantra you learned...quickly. Even though you were surrounded by water, it wasn't safe to drink. Only by filtering and purifying salty seawater were you able to use it as drinking water. While not as difficult in an RV, filtered water can, at the very least, make your water taste better and remove some sediment you probably don't want to drink. There are MANY ways  to make safe potable water from the nastiest water sources. I already have a filter system for that. What about just a quick way to make your water taste better? Here's one easy way.

Many competing companies make a basic screw-on water filter. It connects to you faucet head and allows you to switch between filtered and "tap" water. Some are quite large, others are small. I wanted one I could get replacement filter cartridges almost anyplace. (Home stores, Wally world, supermarkets, etc.) I settled on the PUR version. You can get it in various finishes; white and chrome are the most popular choices. It has a replaceable filter cartridge and a visual indicator to tell you when it should be replaced. It simply tilts up for filtered and down for unfiltered water. A snap to use.

Putting it on the faucet is easy. Most faucets in the typical RV kitchen have threaded caps over the end. (Aerators) Be careful when you remove it, as they sometimes have water restrictors and/or little screens inside. Once unscrewed, simply screw on (or snap on) the filter assembly. I have the older style (uses the same cartridges). The newer models have a choice of basic and advanced filters. The advanced is better and will filter MANY contaminants from your water. It will NOT remove crypto-sporidia or cysts however. A smaller micron filter is needed for that. In my case I do that when I fill the fresh water tank. I remove the entire filter for travel as it puts undue stress on the faucet itself. It fits nicely in one of the sinks, with the cover on.

Each filter is good for 100 Gallons of water. I only use it for cooking and drinking. So it will last a LONG time. I really did taste the difference with the filter on. The basic one eliminated any "tank flavor" from my water supply. That alone makes it worthwhile. The basic filters are only around $14 each with the Advanced version being $26 each. The advanced one is a 3 stage filter and removes or reduces levels of:

• 2,4-D
• 2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
• Alachlor
• Asbestos
• Atrazine
• Benzene
• Carbofuran
• Carbon Tetrachloride
• Chlordane
• Chlorine Taste & Odor
• Class I Particulates
• Endrin
• Ethylbenzen
• Heptachlor Epoxide
• Lead
• Lindane
• Mercury
• Methoxychlor
• Monochlorobenzene
• MTBE
• o-Dichlorobenzene
• Rust
• Sediment and dirt
• Silvex
• Simazine
• Styrene
• Tetrachloroethene
• Toluene
• Toxaphene
• Trichlororethene
• TTHMs
• Turbidity

Water is so critical for life...I take no chances! This is a cheap safety and taste solution for your RV water needs. A little extra insurance never hurt.

Be Seeing You...Down The Road,

Rich "The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com

Editors' note: PUR water faucet filters are available at Amazon.com. 

Cheap and Effective Handy Lights

    Light. We all need it. Too many times I have been in (or under!) the RV and needed a light to fix something or take a better look at a problem and didn't have a flashlight handy. As a disclaimer, I have a serious fascination with flashlights. Even as a small child, I would look with wonder at anything that generated light without fire. No, I wasn't a caveman!! But being from a time where "double A" penlights were the best we could do...the age of LED's and ultra bright lights seems quite amazing! In this age of wonder, there is a veritable smorgasbord of cool lights to keep around for any purpose. I've got one in particular that I find very useful.

This tiny inexpensive gem both lights up an area and can be used as a spotlight. At $3.49 (or free if you have a coupon) including batteries this one is a keeper! It's a small oval about 4" long by 2" wide and about 1" thick. It's got 24 LED's on one side and 3 LED's on one edge. The switch let's you toggle between each set and turn the light OFF and ON. The 3 LED setting is great for "regular" flashlight use and the other is fantastic for area lighting and repairs in deep cabinets...or under the sink...or under the couch...or in the engine compartment...or in a bay...ask me..I know!




I keep more than one of these around at all times. Since they have both a magnet on the back and a fold-able  "clothes type" hanger, it's really easy to find a place for  them to live. For me, I keep one magnetically attached to my range hood and another sitting on the counter held in place by the stove-top cover. They are both easy to get to. Since I got each one (at different times) with a free coupon, they are nice at the right price! The coupons come up quite often, so I believe I will never have to replace batteries in them! Just get a new one. Of course I'll give the first one to a deserving individual who happens to have 3 AAA batteries lying about!

If you are a flashlight junkie like me AND you're practical, this little light fulfills a myriad of uses. AND it's cheap. Not cheaply made (well I guess it is...but the materials are good quality) but actually cheap as in DOLLARS! Even if you pay retail, it's only $3.49. So far the ones I have had for 3 years are still going strong. I just got another coupon last week....time for a third. Hmmm, wonder where I'll put that one!

Be Seeing You...Down The Road.

Rich "The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com

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Light Weight CHAIRS That Take Up Very Little Space

    Even something as simple as a chair can cause a lot of aggravation in the RV world. While it's always nice to have a comfy chair to relax in, it isn't always practical to lug one around. Sure, you could always retreat inside your RV and relax on a chair or the couch, but one of the amazing things about RV travel is the beautiful locations you end up at. Having the ability to sit outside and enjoy the vista is a given. In order to really enjoy the outside you'll need something to sit on that's comfortable, portable, durable and doesn't take up too much space when stored. Short of lugging an old La-Z-Boy out of your basement storage, which wouldn't REALLY be practical you'll need a folding and pack-able alternative. Thankfully, there is a booming business in just that kind of product! What makes a good one? Read on!

First, figure out where you will be storing your chair(s) when they are not in use. For me, they usually sit on the floor in front of the bathroom door while I am underway and then live in the passenger footwell when we're camping. Until they are needed, that is! As usual, I did a lot of research before I plunked down hard earned cash for a folding chair. I wanted one that would be comfortable AND would last a long time. Of course it had to fit my limited storage space as well. I settled on a collapsible version that fit in a bag with a shoulder strap.

There were MANY of this style available in lots of different materials and price points, After some research into outdoor rated cloth, The one I chose is made from a heavy man-made canvas fabric with metal grommets at all attachment/folding points. It has 4 Plastic "feet" with small ridges to hold itself in place when unfolded. It's about 36" in length and weighs around 3.75 lbs. It fits into the included travel bag without too much struggling and the bag itself has a adjustable cinch cord to hold it closed. The shoulder strap is heavy and double sewed. It appears that it will take a beating and stay attached for a long time.

The true test of any chair is....comfort! Sure, it folds up nicely, isn't too heavy and appears quite durable. But if no one sits on it....because it's literally a pain in the....well you know. No one will use it. I'm happy to report this chair is comfortable. MUCH more comfortable than I thought it would be. It will never be mistaken for a La-Z-Boy, however after sitting in it for a few hours I can say I didn't feel like I had been tortured in any way. If I HAD to find a flaw, I would say it can be a bit difficult to fold it tight enough to repack into it's bag. Not impossible, once you figure out how to fold it right!

If you like sitting (I know I do!) having a couple of these chairs is a great addition to your outdoor gear. Since they take up such a small space....why not get more than one. I found these on sale for under $20 dollars so they're not too expensive and go great with my folding table!

Be Seeing You...Down The Road,

Rich "The Wanderman"

www.thewanderman.com

Editor's note: There are several comfortable camping chairs available from Amazon.com, as well as the highly-regarded Strongback Chair, available from its manufacturer.