
Hey! I'm Ross, "The RV Engineer!"
RVs can be a little scary, can’t they?
You’re handed the keys after a hurried 15-minute walk-through. Now you’re in charge of a factory-built home on wheels that experiences a hurricane and an earthquake every time you drive through a rainstorm.
As a designer and RV engineer, I get your frustration. My industry isn’t necessarily known for award-winning customer service, now is it?
This blog contains industry-insider information about how RVs work. Get your info straight from the horse’s mouth – er, or mine, anyway. You have a friend on the “inside” now!
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Recent Articles

What Is an RV PDI Quality Inspection?
If you’ve attended an RV factory tour or purchased an RV from a dealership, you’ve likely heard about a “PDI” inspection. Everyone makes a big deal out of their PDI. “We go through over 300

Here’s Why a Ducted RV Air Conditioner Is a “Top 10 Most Wanted” RV Feature!
Recently, I saw the results of a poll by RVLifestyle.com asking RV owners, “What features do you want in your next RV?” Number five by popularity was “ducted air conditioner.” For a split second, that

What Is a Walkable RV Roof?
If you’ve spent any time in the sights of an RV salesperson, you’ve heard the claim, “And this here RV has a walkable roof!” Which might make you wonder … what exactly is a walkable

What Are RV Cabinets Made From? (And Why You Should Care)
What are RV cabinets made from? Does this question keep you up at night, like me? Most RV cabinets look the same. They look something like this (see below). What’s really going on behind that

Should I Use Silicone Caulk on My RV?
Silicone is the caulk everyone loves to hate. Visit any RV forum, and you’ll see silicone lynched and hung in effigy. Is silicone really so awful for sealing your RV? Does it ever come off?

6 Types of RV Roof Materials – Advantages and Disadvantages
When it comes to an RV roof, “No news is good news.” So if you’re reading this guide, it’s probably because there’s something wrong with your roof. I’m sorry about that. If it helps, you

11 Causes of Trailer Sway and How to Stop It – Myths and Facts
Trailer sway is the stuff of nightmares. It’s a classic case of the tail wagging the dog. It’s the number one cause of RV accidents in this country. If you’re the sort of person who

The Big Window Round Up – All Your RV Window FAQs!
I’m answering all the odds-and-ends questions I’ve heard about RV windows! If you’ve ever wondered whether frameless RV windows are worth the price or what’s an RV window clamp ring, then read on. Note: This

Are Double Pane RV Windows Worth It? – A Designer’s Take
You are likely reading this post for one of two reasons: You are about to order a brand-new RV, and you’re curious whether it’s worth the extra ca$h to pay for double pane windows You

Can You Fix Low Voltage at an RV Campground? (And Will Your Neighbors Hate You?)
If you are an intelligent person – and as a Reader of this blog, you most unquestionably are – then you use an advanced surge protector to test the power at every campsite pedestal before

What’s Up With That RVIA Sticker and Should You Care?
Let’s talk about that shiny black-and-gold sticker on the side of your RV. Where did it come from? What happens if you peel it off? And why is your dealer trying to charge you $135

My Guide to Troubleshooting Your RV Air Conditioner (Common Problems SOLVED)
If you’re reading this guide to troubleshooting your RV air conditioner, I’m guessing something is wrong. So I’ll dispense with my usual hilariously clever introduction. Let’s get our hands dirty. But first, without any ado,
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- For the other side of the RV world, like insurance, buying and selling, towing calculators and RV checklists, you can visit Changing Gears. It’s been going strong since 2005!
- For RV camping and nomadic lifestyle tips, I invite you to check out Wayfinding Wheels. It’s full of tips and experiences shared by RVers just like you!
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