Our Blog
-
“Is RV Payload Based on Stationary Use with the Occupants Inside?” – Letter from Educated RV Owner!
Towing is complicated, isn’t it? Every time I think I know everything, I go back to SAE J2807 or the FMVSS, and I learn something new! One of my Readers, “Charlie,” recently poked and prodded me with a series of insightful questions. I’ve edited our conversation and posted it here. You can never learn too
-
Did You Know Your Gray Tank Can Smell Worse Than Your Black Tank?
I recently had the privilege of attending a free seminar by Sue “the Queen of Poo,” RV Tech and founder of Royal Flush RV. Sue Rasmussen is a delightful, well-spoken certified RV technician who specializes in RV tank cleaning. Yup, you heard that right. She’s a trim 5’5″ with a silver smile and a gentle
-
Can (or Should) I Recharge My RV Air Conditioner Refrigerant?
There is a LOT of false advice going around about recharging your RV air conditioner. When I typed the search phrase “Can I recharge my RV air conditioner?” into Google, 8 of the first 10 results told me that yes, I could recharge my RV rooftop air conditioner, and it was easy to do! I
-
“4-Season Ready RVs? Forget It!” – Letter from a Building Science Guru
I love receiving letters from my Readers! Recently, I received an email from a gentleman named “Martin,” and I thought it was so insightful and articulate that I just had to share it. I’ve copy-and-pasted our conversation below with light editing for brevity and clarity. Martin read my article about RV sidewall construction and disagreed
-
The RV Engineer Goes to RV Tech School! (Part 1)
In a few weeks, I will be departing for the southern United States for nearly 2 months to become an Advanced Certified RV Technician. It’s not every day an Engineer leaves his Ivory Tower, padded office chair and ergonomic mouse to become a blue-collar fix-it man. So what gives? Am I undergoing a masculine midlife
-
How to Protect and Rewire Utility Trailer Wiring
Let’s take a break from our regularly scheduled RV programming and look at their close cousin, the utility trailer! (Although a lot of this advice does apply to RVs as well. It’s just harder to wire an RV because of the underbelly.) Wiring a small trailer is no easy feat. Even wiring (correctly) a simple
-
Can an Accumulator Tank Fix Water Pump “Short Cycling”?
Most RV water supply systems rely on an on-demand water pump. These pumps have a built-in pressure switch that triggers on/off operation. When the pressure dips – such as when you open a faucet – then the pump turns on. When the pressure rises – such as when you close the tap – the pump
-
Furnace Overheating? Double-Check Your Furnace Flexible Ductwork!
Any HVAC engineer will tell you that flex duct is a necessary evil. It’s quick to install but retards airflow. Your RV may have quite a bit of 4” flex duct running from your furnace to your heating registers. And if it’s not installed properly, you could be paying for heat you’re not enjoying! Introduction
-
From the Road: How Many Solar Panels Do I Need to Recharge My Batteries?
“So I apparently have the wrong battery (deep cycle marine approximately 88 Ah) for my 21’ Coleman trailer but we’ve easily gone 3-4 nights dry camping without any problems. (Propane fridge and any a/c or microwave wave using the generator). Normal use of the water pump, led lights, stove fan and minimal heater use. What
-
Are 6-Volt Golf Cart Batteries Really Better for Your RV House Batteries?
Wondering whether 6V or 12V batteries are better for your RV? I don’t blame you for asking – and I don’t blame you for being confused, either. Most of the blog content written on this question is shockingly bad and inaccurate. And most of the “campfire talk” around the issue isn’t much clearer. Let me
-
Why Does My RV Sink Stink? (What’s an Anti-Siphon Vent/Air Admittance Valve?)
You might not have heard of an Anti-Siphon Trap Vent Device (ASTVD). It’s not the sort of feature that gets published on a sales brochure. Here’s what it looks like: Anti-siphon vents are also called air admittance valves or cheater vents. I’ll either call it an “anti-siphon vent” (for short) or an air admittance valve
-
Are RV Manufacturers Too Cheap to Install this $15 Odor-Killing Upgrade?
Your tanks stink to high heaven. Gray or black, doesn’t matter. All wastewater RV tanks smell like an overflowing public latrine at a county fair on a hot summer day. Don’t take it personally; everyone else’s tank smells the same way. Tank odors are caused by natural anaerobic bacteria. You can reduce the offending smells