Just like the items inside your house, RV components have a certain life expectancy. Following is a list of all the items in and on your RV — and their expected lifespan. Items are listed in the order they are most likely to wear out, with time ranges showing the approximate number of years each item typically lasts. The list includes all major RV components — from the drivetrain and electronics to slideouts, roof vents, toilets, refrigerators, and more! A checklist of RV repair issues that you should be prepared for + DIY tips to make things last longer.
Long Term OFF-Grid RV Living vs. Long Term ON-Grid RVing: See The Costs, Comforts, Pros And Cons Associated With Each
Have you considered living off the grid in your RV? I’ve been full-time RVing for the past 7 years. I split my time between long term stays in RV parks and living off the grid in my RV as a nomad wandering with the weather. If you’ll be staying in one place for at least 6 months at a time, then living off the grid (boondocking) is an option that you might want to consider. I’ve put together this helpful guide to give you an idea of what to expect in the way of living expenses and overall comfort when living off the grid in an RV, compared to on-grid RV living. See the costs and comforts associated with both on- and off-grid RV camping.
RV Maintenance Checklist For Spring – 8 Things You Must Check Each Year Before You Start RVing For The Season
How do you dewinterize an RV and get ready for summer RV camping? Our Spring RV Maintenance Checklist includes 8 tasks that will quickly verify that no damage was done by winter’s wrath while your RV was in storage and ensure that your RV is safe to drive for the spring and summer RV camping season.
RV Maintenance Checklist For Fall – Things You Should Check Each Year Before Winter
See a list of fall/winter RV maintenance tasks that are most important. These are the things you should do every year during the fall before winter hits. One of the MOST important is RV roof maintenance… see why!
Driving An RV For The First Time? 12 Ways RV Driving Is Completely Different From Car Driving!
Driving an RV is very different than driving a car! Most of us learned how to drive an RV the hard way — through trial and error (and a lot of mistakes). But sitting behind the wheel of a large RV on your first road trip is not the best time to figure out all the challenges and nuances that come with driving RVs. Here are 12 important first-time RV driving tips for newbies to learn before renting an RV… or buying one.
RV Electric Bike Options & Ideas: See Why I Chose The Lectric XP Ebike For RV Camping
Wondering which electric bike for RV owners is best? I live full-time in an RV travel trailer and I just bought my first e-Bike. My choice for an RV electric bike is one that folds in half, making storage simple! Mine is the Lectric XP ebike. I’ll share with you some tips to make sure you get the right e-bike setup for your needs while RVing and camping.
DIY RV Dinette Replacement: How To Make Better Use Of Your RV Living Space By Removing The RV Dinette!
For me, the 3 most important items inside an RV are: a decent bed, a decent shower, and a decent kitchen. You’ll notice that an RV dinette is not on that list! Since a dinette is not an item that I use, I decided to remove it myself. Here’s how I tackled the RV dinette replacement myself… and put a comfy recliner in its place!
Getting To Know Your RV: Important RV Refrigerator Tips Before You Hit The Road
An RV refrigerator has some unique quirks about it. Common questions include: How level does an RV refrigerator need to be to work properly? Can you drive an RV with the refrigerator running on propane? Here is the best and fastest way to cool items in your RV refrigerator. Helpful tips for new RV owners and RV renters!
Winter RV Tip: How To Winterize Your RV Better Than An RV Dealer Would
Should you take your RV to a professional to have it winterized? Or is this something you can do yourself? The professionals are only concerned with what damage ice in the water system will do to your RV. Here’s how to do ALL of the RV winterizing yourself… according to someone who’s been winterizing RVs for over 50 years!
RV Thanksgiving Dinner: How To Prepare A Hearty Holiday Feast (With All The Fixins!) In Just 10 Minutes In Your RV
Wondering how to cook a turkey in an RV? I’ve cooked plenty of large turkey feasts for family gatherings and special occasions in my RV — and I have some quick & easy RV cooking tips for you! You can prepare this RV Thanksgiving dinner in just 10 minutes, and it will be finished cooking in under 2 hours.
An RVer’s Guide To Spooky Halloween Fun At Your Campsite
Wondering what other RVers do for Halloween on the road? Here’s what you can expect to see at the RV parks and RV campgrounds – a fun Halloween guide for RVers. Plus tips for making your own RV Halloween decorations!
How RV Nomads Set Up Seasonal RV Travel Routes And Find Places To Stay Where The Temperatures Are Comfortable
How RV nomads plan their seasonal RV travel routes. These are the best RV apps to use when following 70-degree temps is your main goal. Find places to stay!
Keto On The Go For RVers: See How A Full-time RVer Does Keto While Traveling (His Easy Keto Meals For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
How do you get Keto on the go? Here’s how I do it! My favorite RV Keto recipes + How I do Keto on the road as a fulltime RVer. (I lost 50 lbs in 6 mos). Keto camping food isn’t much different from Keto homecooked food.
The Absolute Truth On How Fix A Clogged RV Toilet AND Eliminate The Possibility Of Future Clogs When RVing
The majority of online articles about unclogging an RV toilet were clearly written by someone who has never owned an RV — much less used an RV toilet! Here’s what you should NOT do if your RV toilet keeps clogging, what you SHOULD do to fix a clogged RV toilet, and how to prevent RV toilet clogs. Whether you have a regular RV toilet or an RV macerator toilet with a built-in grinder, I’m going to show you how to fix a clogged RV toilet once and for all!
Camping Cooking Equipment For RVers: All The Best Camping Appliances That Make Full-Time RV Cooking A Breeze!
Making healthy, home-cooked meals doesn’t need to stop when you go RVing. RV cooking is easy as long as you have the right camping cooking equipment! See a list of camp cooking gear and appliances that I regularly use in my RV as a full-timer who cooks 95% of his own meals.
Pros & Cons Of National Park Camping vs. National Forest Camping: Here’s What You Can Expect At Each
Trying to decide between National Forest camping vs. National Park camping? Having done both, I can attest to the fact that there are pros and cons to each. Here’s what you need to know about RV camping in or near National Parks. If backcountry camping in an RV is your goal the next time you visit a National Park, start here!
How To Make Your Own RV Awning Room For Extended Outdoor Living By Using A 90% Sun Shade Tarp
Adding a sun shade tarp to make your own RV awning room will greatly improve the livability of your outdoor space AND reinforce the awning should modest wind or rain suddenly appear. If you want more RV awning shade, here’s how to do it… on a budget.
The Easiest Way To Deal With RV Waste: Use An RV Macerator Pump + An RV Portable Waste Tank!
I’m going to show you the easiest and most affordable way to empty your RV holding tanks (both the gray water tank and the black water tank) without tearing down camp just to empty your tanks. It involves an RV macerator pump and an RV portable waste tank — but NOT the Blue Boy RV waste container! Plus, I’ll show you the best way to find RV dump stations.
How To Make An RV Solar Power System Meet Your Specific Needs + Helpful Series vs. Parallel Wiring Tips
When boondocking or RVing full time and living off the grid, you will have to tailor your Solar Power System to meet your specific needs. Here are some clever ways to set up your RV Solar Power System. Plus, everything you need to know about solar arrays, your solar system’s batteries, and solar power wiring tips. See the differences between parallel vs serial wiring connections, and why I chose a series-parallel configuration for my RV solar installation.
A Fulltime RVer Shares Why A 200-Watt RV Solar Kit Is A Good Investment For Boondocking
When it comes to seriously looking at solar power as a dedicated source of electricity when boondocking, a great place to start is a 200-watt Solar Kit. Is 200 watts enough? Yes, it’s enough to power a refrigerator… and watch TV. Here’s what to look for when you’re buying an RV solar system. And remember… you can always add more solar power over time.
An RV Solar Suitcase Is A Super Simple RV Solar System That Requires No Electrical Knowledge… At All!
If you want to use solar power when you’re RVing, but you fear taking on a DIY project that involves wiring and mounting solar panels & charge controllers, an RV Solar Suitcase may be exactly what you’re looking for! Here are the pros and cons of using a Solar Suitcase for RV boondocking.
My DIY Cargo Van Conversion To A Class B RV – Step 3: Insulating The Floor, Roof, And Walls
My hands-on DIY cargo van insulation tips. See step-by-step how to insulate a van roof, how to insulate cargo van walls, and how to insulate a van floor. I’ve done it myself… and you can too!
RV Refrigerator Stop Working? Money-Saving Tips For Repairing vs. Replacing It
RV refrigerators can fail for a number of reasons. A common problem is when the refrigerator stops cooling properly — especially after it hasn’t been used in awhile. See how to solve a number of RV refrigerator repair issues yourself, online repair manuals for Dometic and Norcold refrigerators, and when it makes sense to replace instead of repair an RV refrigerator.
Tax Deductions For RV Owners – A Fulltime RVer’s Personal Experience And Advice
Did you know that you can save money on your taxes if you buy an RV? Yep. Here are all the IRS tax deductions for RV owners. And… if you run your business out of your RV, then the RV tax deduction is even greater!
My DIY Cargo Van Conversion To A Class B RV – Step 2: Installing Items On The Roof (RV Solar Panels, A TV Antenna, And An RV Roof Vent)
For your DIY RV van conversion, you’ll want to start from the top down. That way, one step won’t interfere with another while constructing your Class B motorhome. First, determine which amenities you want to include. Then, install everything that you plan to have mounted on the roof before you do anything else. I’ll show you how to install RV solar panels, an RV vent, and a TV antenna on the roof of your RV van.
