You may have seen reports of RV hot skin issues in the news from time to time. It’s a real thing, and it can be extremely dangerous. So, we’re here to lay out the details on what the term “RV hot skin” means, how to test your RV for a “hot skin” condition, and how …
Maintenance & Repairs
You may have heard of an RV macerator pump online or from fellow RVers. Or maybe your RV even came with one. But what is a macerator pump exactly? What does it do, and how necessary is it to a successful and thorough holding tank dumping experience? Like many things related to RV tank dumping, …
A clogged shower drain is no one’s idea of a good time. If you’re showering in your RV and you’re standing in a couple of inches of water – or if the water just isn’t draining as quickly as it should, you’ve got an issue that needs to be resolved. This can happen to the …
The weather is warming up, the snow is melting fast, the birds are chirping even in the northeast, and here we are – spring is just around the corner! It seems as though we were just sharing our RV winterizing tips when lo and behold it’s almost time to de-winterize your RV! Spring is an …
An RV power converter may be one of those things we rarely think about, but without a working power converter, our RV life would be very different. In fact, our 12V power system would be pretty useless without a working power converter. An RV power converter is a critical component of your electrical system, which …
Your RV water pump is a fantastic thing! It allows water to flow through your rig’s plumbing no matter where you are. This provides all the water-related creature comforts of home in your RV, even if you’re camped in the middle of the woods, the desert, or on the beach. But, if your RV water pump …
A shower that produces weak pressure, or that sprays water out in random directions, is no one’s idea of a good showering experience. A number of issues can cause these problems, but a common one is a clogged shower head. If you suspect that your RV shower head is clogged, then this is the post …
If your RV furnace isn’t working, there are a number of possibilities as to the reasons why. Depending on the symptoms your furnace is experiencing, you can troubleshoot a non-working RV furnace on your own. This post aims to help you with that process. We’re going to be focusing here on the most typical RV …
Ah, the RV roof – long a source of frustration and consternation, based on the enemy of all RVers: leaks! Although the RV roof has a bad rep, roof leaks can (and should!) be avoided. Keeping the integrity of your RV roof strong is merely a matter of good maintenance. This involves regular monitoring of …
When we hear the term “thermal runaway,” it’s generally associated with lithium batteries. But what is thermal runaway, and how (and why) does it occur? We’ve all heard stories about lithium batteries catching fire or exploding in smartphones, laptops, and even electric cars. But what factors lead to this reaction? And is it a danger …
RV living is fantastic in innumerable ways – just too many to count. But one of the things most people who’ve spent any time at all living in an RV will tell you is that keeping the rig clean as you go along is important. Otherwise, a small space can quickly be overrun by annoying …
The microwave oven is an appliance that contributes to the convenience of living in a home-on-wheels while traveling wherever your spirit leads you. But if your RV’s microwave isn’t working, the great conveniences of rapid heating, cooking, and defrosting are gone, and with it your ability to save propane by tossing something into the microwave …
Today we’re investigating the function of a battery management system. Most of us are familiar with lead-acid batteries. They’ve been around since the mid-1800s, so they’re certainly time-tested. But they’re heavy, they require regular maintenance, and even with that, they don’t last as long as newer technology… such as that found in lithium-ion batteries. Lithium …
A propane furnace is a fantastic thing to have in an RV – as long as it’s working. When it’s working properly, you turn up the thermostat and a few seconds later, heat is moving through the heating ducts and warming your RV’s living space, just like the furnace in any home. But, between the …
Propane fridges are fantastic in many ways, especially when you’re boondocking and trying to conserve electrical power. Propane RV fridges actually use SOME electricity (12V, and not a lot) as well as propane. And since your RV’s furnace probably also uses propane and your stove certainly does, it’s good to know roughly how much propane …
We’re no strangers to having to deal with a cracked windshield. Back in 2014, a stone chipped our RV’s windshield, and the chip spread into a crack before we had time to spot it. We had our windshield replaced, and not long thereafter our brand new windshield caught another flying stone from a passing vehicle. …
There’s not a lot that’s worse than finding your RV toilet leaking (except maybe finding your black tank leaking!), but it helps to know what’s causing the leak so that it can be repaired as quickly as possible. In today’s post, we’re going to run through the various reasons why an RV toilet might be …
From time to time, all RVs need repairs. Some would say there’s always a repair or maintenance item that needs attention. We’re DIY guys, so we typically avoid RV repair shops, but today we’re here to share with you seven reasons why we think you should avoid repair shops, too. First, let’s be clear. Despite …
There’s a lot to an RV. It’s a house-on-wheels, after all. It has a plumbing system, an electrical system, even an HVAC system. But, when you get right down to brass tacks as they say, there’s nothing on your RV more important than your tires. With an RV, not only does your home sit on …
One thing most everyone knows about us is that we appreciate the ability to do much of our own RV maintenance and repairs, DIY-style. We know when to call on the pros – and we do! But, there are lots of maintenance items that we regularly tend to ourselves. Among them is regular attention to …
A spare tire is pretty important insurance when you’re driving or towing an RV. You’ve got lots of tires to concern yourself with, and tire blowouts aren’t as uncommon as we’d all like. The other issue is the fact that, depending on the size of the tires on your RV, you may have difficulty locating …
As RVers, we’re all aware of the threats to the RV roof that can result in water leaking into various crevices of the rig, further threatening its structure and integrity, while potentially introducing (potentially dangerous) mold into the RV environment. While we’ve used a few different products over the years to keep the roof of …
We recently published a post explaining the significance of a battery monitor for your RV. In today’s post, we’re taking a look at five of the best RV battery monitors on the market today, and we’ll share some insight into why these particular monitors are worthy of being described as being among the best. Let’s …
Today’s post is all about the RV solar charge controller. “The what?”, you may ask. This essential component of an RV’s solar power system is seldom the focus when people talk about solar. Solar panels and battery banks seem to get top billing. But the solar charge controller is a critical element of any RV …
We recently published a post asking the question, “Is an RV Outdoor Shower Worth Having?” For many, it’s well worth having, but an outdoor shower didn’t come standard on their RV. Others are working on a self-built rig and would like to install an outdoor shower. So, today we’re taking a look at the components …
All RVers who either use or store their rigs in climates where temperatures can fall to freezing or below need to winterize their RVs, one way or another. Some prefer to use RV antifreeze, while others prefer to blow out their RV water lines with compressed air. In today’s post, we’ll look at the pros …
RV batteries are a critical feature of the RV lifestyle, especially for those of us who need to be connected to technology on an ongoing basis. But RV batteries can also provide the power for lights, refrigeration, heat, water pumps, and other comforts that we’ve all grown accustomed to being integral to RV life. One …
With RV winterization in full swing, we thought this would be a good time for a post about RV antifreeze in which we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about “the pink stuff”, including “Is RV antifreeze toxic?” Many RVers who store their RVs for the winter (or even some who continue to …
It’s that time of year again – the time when some RVers who travel in colder locations need to make a few modifications to ensure that they’ll stay warm and their RV will remain healthy through the winter. RVs have lots of components that require protection from the cold, and, depending on how and where …
Today’s topic is neither glamorous nor exciting, but most RVers would agree that the RV black water tank is a crucial aspect of one of the most convenient systems aboard their rigs. It must be because you usually can’t get two RVers together for more than 5 minutes before they start telling their “RV black …