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)!
These are The RVgeeks… John on the left, and Peter on the right
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.
Doug
Sunday 11th of January 2026
Hello Geeks, I've been following you guys for most of my rving life and appreciate the helpful videos that you share. I'm wondering if you have made a video on a pre trip air brake safety check. I'd especially to learn Peter's take as an experienced bus driving instructor on the importance and the proper technique.
Thanks Again and keep on trucking!
DW
TheRVgeeks
Sunday 11th of January 2026
Hi Doug! Thanks for your kind note and great question. We've never actually done a video about doing a PTI, but we probably should! I took a look to see who covered the steps in a way I agree with, and found the following document that covers it pretty well: https://dotmobileinspections.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/DME-Seven-Step-Air-Break-Test-1.pdf It's primarily about checking to be sure that the system holds and builds air, both with the brakes applied and released, and ensuring the emergency brakes and warnings come on when they should. Hope this helps!
Brad Osborne
Wednesday 31st of December 2025
So my wife and I are empty nesters and looking to buy our first camper. I am trying to find out if certain campers are within weight limits for my truck. I tried playing around with the calculator, but I can't take the trailer to scales until I buy it so I have no idea on tongue weight and some of the other weights I need. How do I determine if the camper is safely pullable before I buy?
TheRVgeeks
Wednesday 31st of December 2025
Hi Brad!
Even though our towing calculator won’t work until you actually own a trailer (so that you can weigh the whole rig), it doesn’t mean that you can’t use the information you DO have to make some calculations to try and figure out if you’re going to be OK towing a particular trailer with your existing truck. We have a new video and post planned to answer the question of “How much trailer can my current truck/towing vehicle handle?” which we’ll hopefully have ready soon. In the meantime, here’s some general information on the topic that we’ve been sharing that we hope you’ll find helpful…
The starting point from which you can get a good idea of what a given truck can tow is by looking at the truck’s posted towing & payload capacities from the door sill/jamb placard. Your truck’s towing capacity simply needs to exceed the posted GVWR of any trailer you’re considering. Same with GCWR, which needs to be higher than the total maximum weight of the truck & trailer combined. Those are easy peasy to figure out, and less likely to be a problem anyway.
The payload, which is more important since it’s usually easier to exceed, should be figured out like this… Take that payload capacity number, and subtract the weight of yourself and any passengers you normally travel with, and any gear you keep in the truck when camping (generator, bikes, kayak, etc). If the weight of you + your passenger(s) + your usual gear in the truck bed & back seat + 15% of a trailer’s posted GVWR is less than the posted payload on your truck’s placard, you’re off to a great start. The idea is to find out how much excess payload you have available for tongue weight (use 15% of a trailer’s GVWR, as that’s the most it’s allowed to put onto the tongue). NOTE: If the truck’s payload capacity isn’t explicitly listed on the placard, simply subtract the truck’s posted empty (curb/tare) weight from its GVWR to get payload capacity.
A quick example – a truck with a 1,500-lb payload capacity. If the driver and passenger combined weigh 350 lbs, and the total amount of gear normally carried in the bed & back seat of the truck is a 50 lb generator, two E-bikes each weighing 75 lbs (150 lbs combined), you’d have used up 550 lbs of your payload capacity (350+50+150), leaving 950 lbs for tongue weight. 950 ÷ 0.15 = 6,333. THAT is the maximum GVWR of any trailer that should be considered in this 1,500 lb truck payload example, of course assuming that 6,333 won’t cause you to exceed GCWR.
You’ll still need to get weighed, but this is the right place to start figuring out what type of trailer you can shop for. Hope this helps. Safe travels!
Ryan Sells
Wednesday 3rd of December 2025
Peter & John,
I was given the option of early retirement, you can guess the "possible" alternative to not accepting it. I've thought about RV'ing for years now, as a solo. I've always loved the Winnebago Vista 31B due to the amenities and bunk beds, I have grandkids. Within the last year or so I've started really liking the Winnebago Ekko w/450cc dual purpose bike, for the 4wd adventuring capability and smaller footprint. And lately I've been thinking about a Jeep Wrangler and a lightweight toy hauler w/450cc dual purpose bike for similar reasons as the Ekko, but at a lower cost point. I am pretty positive I'm more of the boondocking type as opposed to the RV Park type. Though I have thought about being a Camp Host. Do you have any suggestions for how I would determine which is the best route for me?
TheRVgeeks
Wednesday 3rd of December 2025
Hey Ryan. You're definitely in that difficult phase of RVing... deciding WHAT is the right setup! LOL! It can be a real challenge. Having a motorized vs towable RV is definitely a big decision point. And they have some different pros and cons. What may help you decide is figuring out whether or not, once you've setup camp in a location, if you plan on having to drive very often. With a motorized RV, you'd have to pack it up and break camp. But with a towable, you just disconnect and use the towing vehicle to get around, leaving the trailer in place.
Since you're talking about having a small, dual-purpose motorcycle, that may be a moot point if you plan to use THAT to get into town if you need something.
One way you could try things out a bit would be to see if you can rent a Class B van (simiilar in size/layout to what you're considering) on one of the peer-to-peer RV rental platforms like Outdoorsy, RVnGo, or RVshare. That would give you the ability to find out if that size motorized RV would work or not, at least.
Hope this helps! And good luck... hope to see you out on the road!
Gary
Thursday 20th of November 2025
Peter & John
I think you are from the PNW and now own an ORV. Are you aware of the PNW Outdoors RV Owners Group page on Facebook? You may be interested in attending the 2026 Spring PNW ORV Owners Meetup/Campout on May 15-17 @ Howard Miller Steelhead Park, Rockport, WA
TheRVgeeks
Sunday 23rd of November 2025
Hey Gary! We’re not on Facebook, but we’ll hopefully be in the area and able to attend (and you’re right… we’re PNW based, with a 2024 19MKS)!
Deborah Allen
Tuesday 18th of November 2025
Your link to “35 Genius Car Hacks: Make Your Life Easier With Tips & Tricks” in your 11/18/25 email has been hacked and points to https://urls.grow.me/6MqbC0H0d7/e/daallen7@verizon.net?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Tue+Nov+18+2025&utm_campaign=+35+Genius+Car+Hacks+For+RVers+RV+Decks+More+Outdoor+Space.
TheRVgeeks
Tuesday 18th of November 2025
Hi Deborah. It’s not hacked. Those are the links that are generated by our newsletter mailing system. They resolve to the correct link. But thanks for the concern.