Full-timers since 2003, we’re a couple of “Do-It-Ourself” RVers sharing tips on RV operation, maintenance, repair, and travel. We’ve handled most of our own RV maintenance over the course of two decades spent exploring North America (and international RVing, too)!
While we’re not RV technicians, we’re very mechanically inclined and have learned a lot about RV systems over the years. We handle most of our own minor service, repair and upgrade work on our 2005 43′ Newmar Mountain Aire diesel pusher. We also maintained our 2002 39′ Fleetwood Bounder Diesel during our first 2 years on the road.
We hope our experiences can help other RVers go DIY, all while saving time & money… and experiencing the satisfaction of a job well done.
We don’t pretend to be experts on any particular RV topic, and mostly know about maintaining our own rig. But lots of things are the same on RVs in general, and diesel pushers in particular. Consult with a professional technician if you’re unsure about working on your RV.
Safe Travels!
– Peter & John
Since 2011, Peter Knize & John Sullivan have co-hosted The RVgeeks, one of YouTube’s most popular channels about RVing. In 2019, they made the big leap to broadcast television as co-hosts and Co-Executive Producers of the new TV series The RVers. Look for John & Peter on The Discovery Channel, PBS, iTunes/AppleTV, Amazon Video, Fun Roads TV, Google Play, the Microsoft Store, and YouTubeTV. The RVers is also available internationally on the Wild Pursuit Network in Canada, and iTunes in English-speaking countries such as Canada, the U.K. and Australia.
Jerry
Thursday 11th of April 2024
Hello Peter&John, My Rv is stored away for the summer and will be stored in a warm climate. I just found out that the dealer did not drain one of my black tanks. It is 3/4 full mostly water from one overnight stay. Now I have no way to empty the tank until November 1st. Will this be a big problem? Thank you for any input.
TheRVgeeks
Thursday 11th of April 2024
Hi Jerry. We're guessing that the tank you're describing is probably your gray tank. One night shouldn't have your black tank (toilet only) that full... unless dinner didn't sit well? 😝
It's certainly not ideal to leave anything in any of the tanks when storing your RV for any length of time. And storing it from now until November definitely is a long span. Whether or not it's just gray water... or both the gray AND black tanks have contents... you're likely going to have some odor issues to deal with when you get back to the RV. Having the contents of those tanks sit and stew (in the heat) for that long is definitely going to yield some smells. If it's ONLY the gray tank that has water from cooking and showering, it'll smell... but shouldn't cause a problem beyond that once you drain it when you return. The good news is that if you filled the gray tank that full in only one night means that the concentration of what's in there is low... it's mostly water. Gray water smells the worst by far when boondocking for long periods, resulting in a lower amount of water and higher concentration of waste. The fact that your tank would be that full in only a single day is a good sign it's mostly water.
We'd worry more about a black tank left that full. As it heats, water content is going to evaporate off and out the tank vent... which means it's going to keep concentrating. Left long enough, that could become a solid mess that might have to be power washed out. But if it was just a single night... mostly liquid use (?)... it might not be that bad and could be treated with a super-heavy dose of tank treatment, filled about half way with water, and driven good for an hour or so before immediately dumping it. That should help get rid of residual material and help prevent longer-term odor issues with the tank.
So... if it's just the gray tank, you probably have nothing to worry about (that can't be easily remedied by dumping it). The black tank? Well... that could cause some problems (odor or a more difficult dumping task), but it shouldn't be anything catastrophic.
Rudi Winkelman
Friday 29th of March 2024
Article What Is a Fifth Wheel and Why Are They So Popular? 5th wheel connection should address and include the ball in bed connection as well.
Fred Marx
Tuesday 12th of March 2024
It's been a while since I've had to dive deeply into the consideration of the viability of my lifestyle choice. Now we're thinking seriously about exchanging our Class A for an annual at a place yet to be determined.
Yesterday's WaPo had an article about exponentially rising land rents at Arizona RV parks. This gives rise to the question: Where are the financially safe states/regions for annuals? I'm writing this in mid-March 2024. And while I know that there are absolutely no certainties in this world, I still like to make good decisions.
Here's the article link: https://wapo.st/4c5S75z
Andrew Kukulya
Monday 11th of March 2024
Good day my name is Andrew I am married and we live in St. Petersburg Florida in the city limits. I used to have pop-up tents trailers fifth wheel. We haven’t done a whole lot but we’ve done a little bit of camping but we would like to probably get A class C and like to go out west enjoy well you know all the routine there enjoy camping with the grandkids and so on my wife has about two years before she retires right now I have available parking for a RV and I could possibly have sewer, water and electric hook up it’s inside a fenced yard. You’d have access to the backyard where there’s smoker gas grill, seating area and there’s also a screen porch on the side which can lead you outside to the front yard. I have no idea what I can get for having someone there I have got a little bit of time to save up some money to get mine RV , there would be parking out front I probably would like not to have my homeowners insurance involved but if there’s ways about that I’m not aware of up I would like to make as much as I can but of course safety is also a concern I have security cameras can anybody help me try to find my next way to advertise this so far when we were camping all RV people are always and have been always considerably nice. Any information will be really appreciated. I was thinking inside the city side yard for hook up would be a easy to find I would like to keep it just between us and the RV family don’t need too many middlemen any information you can help me please feel free to give me a shout. Thank you very much Andrew K.
TheRVgeeks
Tuesday 12th of March 2024
Hi Andrew. Hopefully someone else may chime in here... but your first step may be to confirm that there aren't any local ordinances or zoning rules or even Home Owner Association restrictions that prohibit what you're hoping to do. Sometimes, the rules may allow you to PARK an RV in your yard, but hooking it up to services and allowing someone to stay in it (like a second dwelling on your property) may NOT be allowed. So confirming that's allowed would be step #1.
After that's locked in, you may want to look into short-term, peer-to-peer "site rental" options (things like HipCamp or Outdoorsy) to see if they're a fit. Some of these peer-to-peer services include insurance to cover the "renters" staying in your RV and/or on your property as part of their offering.
It's a place to start, if nothing else. Good luck!
Tom Barker
Sunday 10th of March 2024
Hello, I have been watching and waiting to hear about your new ride. When can we expect to hear about it?