Category: RV
In a previous post, I converted the tank sanitation recipe given by the ORV manual into one that actually matches the tank sizes they use. Since then, I’ve developed a better method of doing tank sanitation due to a posting I read elsewhere (and have since lost the link to). Rather than use bleach in liquid form, the new method…
RV locks are not secure. The vast majority of cargo door locks share the same key among the same lock manufacturer, and the passage door locks aren’t much better, typically using one of fewer than 100 key patterns. On ORV trailers, at least as of our manufacturing year (2017), the cargo door locks were a triple cam version of TriMark…
RV parking is a mixed bag at ski resorts, ranging from none allowed at all to dedicated facilities and hookups for visiting RVs. Though they tend towards not allowing overnight parking at all, in many cases there are year-round private RV parks nearby. The information below is accurate as of this post and provides as much information as is known.…
In a previous post, I wrote about the beginnings of a Victron System Dashboard. Most of that is still in use; however, I’ve made significant improvements to the data collection that warrants an update. Shortly after putting the old system into operation, I began to have issues with connectivity. Prior to that project, I had replaced the original Victron Nano…
The information that follows is all available at a variety of locations online. I’m aggregating and re-posting it for only one reason: easier access. While doing my solar installation, it was a challenge to keep track of which site had which piece of data. Some only had up to 90°C while others were limited in which wire gauges they showed.…
I’ve written about this in parts before and will probably write more in the future, but I wanted to cover this now since it’s timely. RV refrigerators do not function well outside of comfortable camping temperatures — if it’s too hot or too cold, it will have trouble cooling, sometimes to the point of not cooling at all. We experienced…
As I write this, we’re hours away from setting off for Ketchum, ID to ride Sun Valley Resort. We’ve packed nothing, the truck still needs fueled, the propane needs refilled, and I need to dewinterize the trailer. If nothing else, this trip has shown exactly why winter camping requires the flexibility it does. Between yesterday’s heavy snow and today’s 60…
My system is almost entirely Victron. In designing the system, I researched A LOT of options but ultimately decided on Victron for two reasons: (1) price; and (2) the various components I needed were all available from Victron and could communicate with each other. There’s now a third reason: the systems are very open and can easily be made to…
Between heat and cold, dry air and humid air, winter road chemicals, sea salt spray, road bounce, and the various other conditions a travel trailer can find itself in, maintenance needs are a certainty. Unfortunately, the manual isn’t much help in that area — its very vague descriptions of the maintenance tasks needed seem more oriented towards sending you to…
Another way to be prepared is to think negatively. Yes, I’m a great optimist. but, when trying to make a decision, I often think of the worst case scenario. I call it “the eaten by wolves factor.” If I do something, what’s the most terrible thing that could happen? Would I be eaten by wolves? One thing that makes it…
The trailer has nice tinting and blinds on all of its windows except for the two doors. Those got a single pane of opaque, frosted glass that often lets in more light than its surrounding windows combined. While not an issue most of the time, it was really annoying in the morning, especially since we seem to have a habit…
Nothing highlights the flaws of an RV like winter. Whether it’s a small gap connecting unheated space, a poor HVAC layout, weak circulation, or a noisy blower, winter weather manages to highlight each one. Over the course of our outings during the first winter of ownership, I addressed each one as best I could. Sealing Gaps and Improving Insulation The…