Skip to contentTopic Search: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, yours has an automatic changeover regulator for dual propane tanks, you might manually switch the regulator from Tank A to Tank B. Then, if Tank B produces the same tepid result, you might throw up your hands in frustration, assume both tanks are empty, and abandon ship. But you’ve...…Skip to contentTopic Search: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, yours has an automatic changeover regulator for dual propane tanks, you might manually switch the regulator from Tank A to Tank B. Then, if Tank B produces the same tepid result, you might throw up your hands in frustration, assume both tanks are empty, and abandon ship. But you’ve...WW…

Skip to contentTopic Search:“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 to be? Or has this stereotyped, unloved part just been misunderstood?A sail switch, also known as an air prover switch, is a normally open switch that closes in the presence of sufficient airflow. It looks like this (or quite similar):Don’t...…Skip to contentTopic Search:“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 to be? Or has this stereotyped, unloved part just been misunderstood?A sail switch, also known as an air prover switch, is a normally open switch that closes in the presence of sufficient airflow. It looks like this (or quite similar):Don’t...WW…

Skip to contentTopic Search: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 fittings,” I say? Yes, I do! Whereas your sticks n’ bricks house was likely plumbed with sweated copper pipe, your RV is likely plumbed with PEX or PB plastic pipe and polymer plastic fittings. Plus, the fittings on your faucets, shower diverters, toilet...…Skip to contentTopic Search: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 fittings,” I say? Yes, I do! Whereas your sticks n’ bricks house was likely plumbed with sweated copper pipe, your RV is likely plumbed with PEX or PB plastic pipe and polymer plastic fittings. Plus, the fittings on your faucets, shower diverters, toilet...WW…

Skip to contentTopic Search: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 I want to tell you about your choices: reseal, recoating, refinishing – and yes, replacing!I’ve discussed several types of RV roofing materials, such as in my post “The 6 Types of RV Roof Materials.” Here are the common top...…Skip to contentTopic Search: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 I want to tell you about your choices: reseal, recoating, refinishing – and yes, replacing!I’ve discussed several types of RV roofing materials, such as in my post “The 6 Types of RV Roof Materials.” Here are the common top...WW…

Skip to contentTopic Search: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 two months, I memorized flow charts, troubleshot relays, disassembled slide-outs, and sniffed ethyl mercaptan. I spent more hands-on time with my multimeter than my wife (hmm … that came out wrong). And in a few weeks, I will set myself loose upon the world of...…Skip to contentTopic Search: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 two months, I memorized flow charts, troubleshot relays, disassembled slide-outs, and sniffed ethyl mercaptan. I spent more hands-on time with my multimeter than my wife (hmm … that came out wrong). And in a few weeks, I will set myself loose upon the world of...WW…