As we write this in late fall, many RVers are thinking about winterizing their RVs. Depending on where you live, the question “How long does it take for water to freeze in RV pipes?” becomes more important to answer with every passing day. As the temperature drops everywhere, we think it’s a good time to …
Systems & Operation
Bubble levels are the simple, low tech, tried-and-true method for leveling an RV. They’re easy to use, affordable, and effective. Bubble levels come in a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes, and there are several different ways for an RVer to use them to level their rig. Today we’re looking at the good old-fashioned bubble …
Air in water lines is not an uncommon problem, but if the plumbing system in your RV has this issue, you’ll want to fix it as soon as possible. While air pockets in water lines don’t present a particularly urgent issue, an RV that has air in the water pipes is a nuisance and could …
We’ve had a Thetford RV toilet (the Aria II electrically-activated gravity flush toilet) in our Newmar motorhome for over 17 years. Not only has it worked perfectly for all that time, but it even has the original seal on the blade valve to this day! But we know that many RVers have reason to replace …
If you’ve ever had a clogged RV toilet, you know that the best way to tend to it is to prevent clogging in the first place! But, with that obvious statement aside, we all know that solid waste and paper can sometimes create a clog. For this reason, it’s a good idea to know in …
Portable propane heaters can be sources of fast, efficient heat. They heat up quickly, they produce a lot of heat, and their very efficient, so they use very little propane. But can you use a propane heater indoors? Is it safe? And if not, are there things you can do to make it safe? Today …
Today we’re looking at the 7-pin trailer plug. We’ll talk about what it is, how it works, and what it does. We’ll also cover whether all 7-pin trailer plugs are the same and whether or not they’re intended to control your trailer’s brakes. As a bonus, we’ll even toss in a video on how to …
What’s a trailer hitch lock? Are they all the same? More importantly, do you need one? In previous posts, we’ve covered towing-related topics on everything from how to hook up your car to your RV tow bar to the ever-important methods of trailer sway control. But one thing we haven’t covered is the topic of …
The 50 amp RV plug is a powerful thing! In fact, it has the capacity to power everything in your RV no matter what size rig you’ve got. People often wonder how much a single 50-amp plug can really handle. Well, we can power our entire motorhome on a 50-amp plug when we’re connected to …
It’s common knowledge among RVers that an RV needs to be level for comfort and for certain appliances to function properly. But there are a number of different ways to level an RV. Today we’re taking a look at the HWH leveling system. What is it and how does it work? And does it mean …
We hear a lot about macerating toilet systems for RVs, but how do macerating toilets work and why would an RVer want one? Today we’re looking at the macerator toilet and why some RVers prefer a macerating unit over a standard toilet system. What Is a Macerating Toilet? In most RVs, a regular toilet uses …
Hot air and high humidity are a terrible combination. It’s the job of your air conditioner to cool the air and control humidity to some degree. But if your AC unit can’t get the job done, it may be because your RV AC is freezing up. What horrible timing! An RV AC freeze-up is never …
A quality, highly protective RV surge protector can appear at first glance to be a bit pricey. But when you consider the cost of replacing your RV’s electronics, the cost of surge protection becomes inconsequential. Plugging your RV into unknown power sources like those at RV parks, campgrounds, state parks, etc. is always risky. Any …
More and more RV owners are deciding to hit the road to try full-time RV living. But traveling full-time brings about big changes. Living on the road, while it may sound intriguing (and it is!), is different from taking a long road trip with the prospect of returning home eventually. Full-time RVers have a lot …
Traveling in an RV is fantastic. Obviously, we think so or we wouldn’t have continued doing it for two decades! But, RV ownership isn’t all glamour and fun. There are some stressors involved. So, in the interest of full disclosure, today’s post takes a serious look at a few important things to know about owning …