RV Tech-Tip: Reducing The Rattles of RV Travel

Unlike a towable RV, a motorized unit involves travelling in the RV for the entire journey.  This also means listening to all the silverware, dishes and glasses that tend to rattle, sometimes nonstop. They still do this in a towable, you just don’t hear it.

In addition to the annoying clatter, tinkling and cracking sounds that emerge from every cupboard and drawer, your pieces are slowly being destroyed.  Cracks, chips and abrasive marks on your dinnerware are going to become evident and finally be ruined, given time.  So, how can it be prevented?  How can you reduce the rattles of RV travel?  How can peace reign within the coach’s cabin?

You may have tried towels, rags or napkins inserted between each, but that’s not the answer.  They still move about until they once again start the familiar clattering chorus.

So, how do you reduce the rattles of RV travel?  Well, here’s the answer you have been looking for, and it’s cheap and relatively easy to employ.  It is a non-adhesive, non-skid, rubber shelf liner material that is extra thick.  It is sold also in a pre-cut version for placemats for outdoor and marine applications.  It can be purchased in a bulk roll of about 12” to 15” wide in many marine, recreational vehicle and similar supply houses.

 

Merely cut into pieces large enough to place between each dish.  Also line the cupboard floors as this will stop all sliding when lateral forces happen.   Now, let’s tackle the flatware drawers.  Many RV drawers have a very thin bottom, primarily to reduce weight.  This bottom, or drawer floor, tends to flex while bumping down the road.  Here we need to add a cut piece of thin wood, like ¼” plywood to the floor.  This does not need to be secured, just dropped in loose.  On top add a cut piece of the non-skid liner.  Presto, quiet travelling utensils.

Okay, what about the glassware.  Again with the anti-skid liner placed on the cupboard floors, place the glasses upside down.  This will take advantage of the wider stance of the glass.  You will find that once placed like this, they will remarkably stay in place, even on fairly rough road surfaces.

And here’s another suggestion for your glassware.  Using socks, even used holey ones, cut the end of the toe off.  You now have a flexible cloth sleeve.  Slide the sleeves over each.

 

 

Now for your alcohol bottles and like, you can buy the plastic flexible mesh sleeves like those used in the liquor stores.  Simple pull a sleeve over each bottle, and the only “tinking” you will hear is when you are toasting good cheer that evening during cocktail hour.

This entire project has contributed to making your trip more pleasant by reducing the cabin noise.  But, it has also opened a new door.  Not only will your dishes now last nearly forever, but you can now consider carrying a higher quality of china to make those scenic dinner locations more memorable.

Okay!  Start to drive.  Wow, you can now hear things you never heard before.  The grating sounds of the dishes, glasses and flatware are gone.  Now you can concentrate on that new annoying sound that you never heard before.  Enjoy!