RV Tips – Traveling With Cats

Most RV’ers own a pet.   I believe the majority of  them have dogs, but it is not uncommon to find seasoned feline RV companions.  They are not as obvious unless you see them peering through the window at you. We’ve been traveling part time for several years  with our cats.  They are all boys ages – 1 1/2, 12 and 14.  I can’t say that they always enjoy it, especially when the road gets rough.

There are some things you can do to help your kitties adjust to life on the road. –  Since they are den animals by nature, an open cat carrier can provide a safe haven.  The carrier also works great when our chow-hound kitty is ready for breakfast at 4 a.m.  Our youngest will retreat under the covers of our bed when the road gets bumpy.  You can actually put something under the bedspread like a small storage bin or box that raises the covers up and gives them a bit of an air gap.

There is safety in numbers.

– Before you extend/retract the slide-outs, locate all your kitties.  You may need to temporarily put them in a bathroom or in a carrier.

– If you have one that experiences motion sickness, like our middle cat, a lighter breakfast may help alleviate this situation.   It’s no fun cleaning up cat puke while going down the road.  Just ask my wife.  Keep a supply of paper towels, carpet cleaner, rag towels and rubber/vinyl gloves on hand.

– When visiting Canada, ensure they have a current rabies shot with documentation.  This is a bone of contention with many.  Since our cats stay indoors, we don’t typically immunize.  Most of our felines have lived to be 16-19 years.

– Always have plenty of fresh water on hand.  We recommend a bowl with rubber on the bottom to keep it from sliding around.

– Going out for the day?  Make sure the RV is well ventilated and leave plenty of water.  Sometimes we leave some music on for background noise.

– Bring some of their toys, including a scratching post.    Make your home on wheels seem like their sticks-and-bricks home.

Take a left up ahead Dad.

– Litter boxes.  Some people keep them in the shower.  Recommend an extra large mat to cut down on the tracking.  Found this one on Amazon: PetFusion Smart Grip Cat Litter Mat – Gray Twist We have also used the Breeze system with some success.  Tidy Cats Cat Litter, Breeze, Litter Box Kit System, 1 Kit.  We usually keep a solid deodorizer near the box.

– Stock up on canned food and kibble for the duration of your trip. Keep some extra food in case you get extended on a boondocking trip.

– Veterinarian care:  We haven’t had to use a vet on the road, but our Rand McNally GPS lists veterinarians right on the map. This is a good article for RV’ers needing care for their pets while on the road: http://rvlife.com/when-a-pet-needs-a-vet/ – Most felines adopted from shelters have embedded ID chips.   Otherwise, a collar with your cell phone number is essential if you have an escape artist onboard.

If you are taking your felines on the road full time after living in a regular home, don’t worry – they typically adapt easily.  If you have the opportunity, plan a few short trips before you become nomads.

Now for a true story.  While driving on the Trans-Canada Highway, I heard the distinct sound of nails being dragged across a chalkboard, only we don’t have a chalkboard.  I dispatched my wife to investigate.  After awhile, she found our youngest behind the slide-out wall.  He had climbed into the overhead and had fallen between the walls.  It took about 20 minutes to dismantle the trim to pull him out.  Now, we stuff pillows into the gap to prevent our mischievous one from getting into trouble.

Traveling with felines can be a challenge, but they are part of your family and would rather be with you, regardless of the unexpected.  Do you have some tips on traveling with cats?

Cruisin down the Trans Canada Highway.

RV Tips – RV Emergency Kit

Boondocking. It’s not for everyone.

It’s late March and you have been camping on BLM land in the Leslie Gulch area of Oregon.  The campsite is 30 miles off the main road.  The  week here has been amazing and you are the last to leave before a spring snow storm hits in a couple of days.  Your heavy duty truck has been a workhorse and towing the 35 ft. Fifth Wheel has been easy.  As you go to start your vehicle, the starter doesn’t engage and you can’t fix it.  No cell phone reception and no one around.  What do you do?

Like the 10 Essentials for Hiking, each RV’er should have the essentials.  I’ve listed some things that you should have to be better prepared.

• Cell phone – I know, silly to mention it, but it is a necessity
• Fire Extinguisher – Have at least three.
• Air Pump – A high volume pump that can inflate those large motorhome tires: Slime 40026 2X Heavy Duty Direct Drive Tire Inflator
• Automotive Tool Kit with spare bulbs chassis and coach fuses: Camco 65136 ATC/ATO 5 Fuse Assortment
• Weather Radio – Invaluable, especially if you travel in the Midwest or South.
• Extra water, food – In case you get stuck somewhere for a few days
• Flashlights – Keep them in your truck, RV and toad.
• Emergency Kit with reflectors, flares and a reflective vest, heavy work gloves
• Pet Carrier and extra pet food – In case you need to put your RV in the shop
• Gorilla Tape – This stuff will hold anything together, especially a torn awning
• First Aid Kit – Keep one in the RV and the toad
• Emergency Road Service – Check your coverage to ensure it includes remote towing. Some companies will not tow you if you are more than a mile or two off the main road. Good Sams, Coachnet or AAA.

Also, if you can afford it:

• A GPS locator like a SPOT: SPOT 3 Satellite GPS Messenger – Orange
• A satellite phone – You can buy prepaid minutes or monthly plans.  Also great for backcountry hiking.
• CB Radio
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System: TST 507rv Tire Monitor System – Monitors PSI and Temperature -Flow Through System Model
• Mobile WiFi hotspot – You can use your cell phone or dedicated cellular hotspot.  Works best with a cellular amplifier.

Some other things RV’ers worth their salt should have:

• Surge Protector – You never know how dirty the campground power is. Progressive Industries SSP30 Smart Surge  or Technology Research 11615 Surge Guard, 30 Amp.  There are 50 amp versions.
• Water Pressure Reducer – Your RV can only handle so much pressure.
• Water filter – Some campgrounds have lousy water.  A basic one: Camco 40043 TastePURE Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector
• Walkie-talkies – Great for parking the rig or around the campground.
• Step Stool – Most of us aren’t six feet tall.
• Extra hoses, cords & adapters – heavy duty extension cords, dogbones for 50-30 amp, and spare cheap sewage line
• Coax for the campground cable connection.  At least 25-50 ft.  Don’t forget a barrel connector too.
• For you coffee drinkers, nothing like a french press or old fashioned percolator when you are boondocking.
• LED bulbs: HOT SYSTEM™ 1156 7506 1003 1141 LED SMD 18 LED Bulbs Interior RV Camper White 10-pack

For the theoretical problem mentioned in the opening statement, you may be up the creek without a paddle unless you have a satellite phone, GPS locator with texting capability, OnStar or an Internet connection.   RV’ers are typically more prepared than the average motorist, especially those that enjoy boondocking.  Do you have any tips for the essential RV items?

An RV GPS is a must-have!

RV Travel – Campground Review – Yosemite Ridge Resort, Groveland, Ca.

Average sites, mostly level.

Located in the hamlet of Buck Meadows on Hwy 120 (Big Oak Flat Rd) is a campground that can serve as a good base camp into the west gate of Yosemite. The huge Rim Fire in 2013 and the El Portal fire in 2014 burned near here but left the immediate area unscathed.

The RV sites are mostly level but did require a couple of leveling blocks.  They can accommodate at least 40′.  Most are gravel surface, back in, but there are several pull throughs.  The pedestals provide 20/30/50 amp connections and the Directv cable connection is on the pedestal.

Facilities: Rustic cedar and not winterized.  Acceptable for the spring/summer but not very usable during the fall/winter due to lack of heat.  Laundry on site, but did not use it.

Horseshoes and my long shadow.

Amenities: Directv-must pick up the cable box on check-in at the office. Horseshoe pit, Rainbow pool- a natural pool with waterfall about 5 min. drive away.  General store and restaurant closed in winter.  Pay at the pump gas station on-site.(about .75 per gallon higher)

Nearby: hiking, biking, rafting, golfing.  The oldest bar in California, the Iron Door Saloon – in Groveland.

Oh, deer. Lots of wildlife around here.

The good:  Quiet park, not too big.  Convenient to Yosemite, lots to do nearby.  Plenty of wildlife to observe. Pet-friendly with trails and lots of paths to walk on.

The bad:  The park well pump had some problems when we were there and the water was silty and unusable.  Had to flush tank afterward, even with a filter.  Power was not the cleanest and dropped down to 108V a few times.

Tunnel View, Yosemite

Getting here: http://www.yosemiteridge.com/maps.html   Right on Hwy 120 in the hamlet of Buck Meadows about 10 miles east of Groveland, Ca.

My rating: Location-9, Facilities-7, Value-8

Rates: Nov-Apr-$25, May-Oct-$40  Full hookups, mostly shaded.