Our Blog
-
Does More Weight Really Reduce RV Fuel Efficiency?
In a previous article about why motorhomes don’t have MPG ratings, I gave you a few tips how to calculate your own fuel efficiency and how to improve it. This is a quick follow-up about some of the physics behind the fuel efficiency of an RV. If you’re shopping around for full-time traveling, you might
-
No, You Shouldn’t Apply New Lap Sealant Over Old Lap Sealant!
Everything on your roof – except for your air conditioner, which uses a thick foam gasket – is waterproofed with a butyl tape gasket underneath (where you can’t see) and a self-leveling cap sealant on top (what you can see). Flashing details vary by manufacturer, but the gasket-and-cap-sealant method is the de facto standard for
-
Did Your RV Water Tank Fall Off? Not My Problem …
In the same way that a jack-o-lantern represents Halloween or a bald eagle symbolizes ‘Murica, an RV is supposed to embody freedom: the open road, tomorrow’s adventures, fighting The Man. But nothing is more disappointing than realizing your home-on-wheels wasn’t really designed for the road you love. Don’t You Know You Can’t Travel with Water?
-
Is Your Propane Tank Empty – Or Is It Just Too Darn Cold Outside?
It’s November 14th. You’re using the RV as a base camp during hunting season. After a long, icy day in the blind, you’ve returned to the RV dreaming of a steamy shower – and the d*mn water is coming out cold! Most of us would think, “I’m out of propane.” And if, like most RVs,
-
RV Furnace Not Working – Is It Always the Sail Switch?
“My RV furnace isn’t working!” is a common distress signal across many RV forums and Facebook groups. I’ll bet $100 that the first (and second) response to this SOS will be, “Check your sail switch. Probably needs replaced.” Is this advice accurate? Is the furnace sail switch the suicidal culprit it’s so often made out
-
I Recommend a Water Pressure Regulator to All RVers
A water pressure regulator is one of the top three items I command recommend to all RV owners (the other two are a surge protector and a valid driver’s license). This simple $20 device is a vanguard for your water system, protecting your delicate plastic fittings from the evils of high water pressure. Plastic and
-
Old, Decrepit RV Roof? 5 Options for Repair!
Unfortunately, RV roofs age less like fine wine, more like milk. Within 10-25 years, most RV roofs look like an abandoned petri dish experiment. But with full roof replacements commonly costing $150 to $400 per linear foot, is replacement always a feasible option? If your RV roof looks uncomfortably similar to this … … then
-
Troubleshooting: How to Fix a Leaking RV Baggage Door?
RV baggage doors – also known as storage doors or cargo doors – are a common point of water leaks. Typical signs are dark water stains and spongy floors around the baggage door, sometimes as far away as the closet subfloor corner (although this could also be a roof leak!). If you suspect a baggage
-
The RV Engineer Goes to RV Tech School! (Part 2)
This isn’t exactly a blog post; it’s more of a public journal entry. It’s a follow-up to my personal life update, The RV Engineer Goes to Tech School (Part 1). As you know, I recently left my engineering position at an RV manufacturer and attended a vocational school to become a Certified RV Technician. For
-
Federal Trailer Lighting Info and Regulations
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has developed standards and regulations for lighting on all road-ready trailers. These standards define the number of lights and reflectors a trailer must have, where the lights and reflectors should be located, and which SAE or DOT code the lights must have. These regulations can be found under
-
Should I Leave My RV Water Turned On When I’m Away from the Campsite?
A common question from new RVers is whether you should leave your water turned on when you’re away from your campsite. I think you shouldn’t. And here’s why. RV Water Supply System 101 First of all, your RV has two sources of water: If you have a simple RV, you probably connect to city water using
-
“Isn’t Marine-Grade OSB an Oxymoron?” – Letter from a Reader (He’s Right)
Engineers don’t have a Hippocratic Oath, per say, but the National Society of Professional Engineers does publish a Code of Ethics for Engineers. Among other mandates, it states: I may not have raised my right hand and sworn on the Bible to accept these oaths, but I do abide by them (I’m not a PE).