RV Tips
From RV Wiki
RV-Focused Chat Groups
RV Maintenance
- https://www.rvrepairclub.com/
- How to use a Multimeter for RVers
- Test for smart/traditional alternator
- The type of alternator in your towing vehicle determines how you can charge your house battery.
Driving an RV
RV Insurance
- Good Sam Club offers RV insurance underwritten by Progressive.
RV Necessities & Extras
- Must haves, and nice-to-haves
- Essential gear & accessories from RV Blogger
- RV Starter Kit from 2KrazyKampers
- My "RVing" wishlist at Amazon
- RecPro RV accessories including replacement high-efficiency air conditioners
- Replacement mattresses including custom sizes
- Go Power calculator and general RVing tips
RV Gear Retail Outlets
Security
- WhereSafe GPS tracker to know where your RV is at all times
- Mobile app can be shared with up to two more followers for free; more can be added for a price
- Tracking is by subscription in addition to cost of the device.
GPS mapping
- Garmin RV 890
- Uses your RV's description to warn of unsafe routes
- Includes database of RV campgrounds
- Does not depend on cell tower signals (true GPS)
- RV Trip Wizard mobile app
- Available as part of RV Life Pro package
- Can save trip info for places with no cellular signal
Dumping Holding Tanks
- Finding dump stations if you aren't staying in a large campground can sometimes be difficult. This article has some tips that might help:
Internet on the Go
- RVLove
- RV Mobile Internet - crucial!
- Mobile Must Have
WiFi Antennas & Extenders
RV Electronics
Information Resources
Solar Panels & Solar-Ready Generators
- 10 Solar Panel Kits reviewed
- 8 Tips for RV Boondocking with Solar
- 10 Best Portable Solar Panel Systems
- Off-Grid RV Solar Panel Systems
- Includes very useful discussion of batteries, lead acid vs lithium, etc.
- Solar Panel Guide from RVwithTito blog
- Jackery Power Outdoors Solar panels & power stations with lithium batteries
- The Solar Addict blog
- Compares several solar generators, including Yeti, Inergy, & Jackery brands
- SunPower semi-flexible solar panels & kits
- use promo code RVWITHTITO for 10% discount
- PoweredPortableSolar featuring PointZero Titan+ Solar Generator & panel kits for 500-2000W of solar power on an RV
- The Titan has a 30A outlet to power an entire RV, and can take input from up to 2000W of solar panels.
- Continuous Resources solar generators, panels, batteries, etc.
- Bluetti AC200P Solar Power Station This is the one I've decided to buy.
- How to hook up solar panels to RV batteries
Generator/Inverters
- Using a portable generator
- Champion 3400W Dual Fuel Portable Generator Inverter with Electric Start
- Champion 4500W Gas Portable Generator Inverter with Wireless Remote Start
- Bluetti AC200P power station accepts 700W solar, 120V A/C, 12V DC, outputs 120V A/C, 12V DC, USB, includes 2000Wh LiFePO battery, charge controller & inverter
Batteries
- Lion Energy Lithium batteries & solar generators/panels
- BatteryHookup for DIY
- Battleborn Lithium batteries
- Battleborn vs SOK LiFePO4 batteries
RV Climate Control
Assistive Devices
- SoftStartRV
- Smooths out startup power spike & eliminates noisy compressor "clunking" to make operation quieter
- Allows running an a/c using a small generator, 2 a/c units on 30 Amps, etc.
12V Air Conditioners
12V vs 120V air conditioners require less power and are suited for boondocking if you have enough battery storage.
- Dometic RTX-2000
- Nomadic Cooling 2000
- Indelb Sleeping Well systems
- Rigid 12V Cooling System a small, inexpensive, low-power-consumption unit suitable for a small camper or single room
12v vs Gas Absorbtion Refrigerators
My travel trailer came with a 12v refrigerator instead of one that can run on LPG/12v/120v like in our older Class A. This article explains the differences.
Boondocking Tips & Gadgets
- Love Your RV boondocking 101 - Esp. "see more" for specifics