Understanding Camper Weight: Avoiding Disaster

Mega-dealer error sinks RVers Everyone makes mistakes. But when does an action go beyond making a mistake? When is it an attempt to defraud and not get caught? Laziness and not giving a …? Desperation to make a deal? A group of ignorant, well-intentioned people working together? Excited and ignorant consumers? Like a Greek tragedy, this […]
Is Your RV Safety Detector Sounding?

Here’s what to do Recreation Vehicles are equipped with up to three types of safety detectors, depending on the size and design of the RV, as mandated in the NFPA 1192 standards. For your safety, these detectors must be in place and operational so they can notify you if there is a problem. Unfortunately, false […]
Surging Cable

Using an RV surge protector is essential in protecting your RV and your personal property from dangerous voltage spikes that can cause the “magic” smoke to come out of everything! However, the coax cable for TV and satellite TV is often overlooked and can lead to all the same damage as if the spike came […]
Heat Wave RVing

Any Questions? (Gratuitous 80’s PSA reference) In all seriousness, RVs can have comfort issues in both hot and cold temperature extremes. Since so much of North America is sweltering, I thought it would be a good time to discuss the upper side of extreme temperature RVing. During high heat and humidity, RVs are happier than […]
Want to Ride in your Trailer or Truck?

On April 10th, 2024, Fox News online reported a physician who was killed when she was ejected from a moving Airstream trailer. The full article can be seen here. According to the New York State Police, “Monika I. Woroniecka age 58, along with other family members were riding in the trailer for the last 20 minutes of […]
Stabilizing vs. Leveling

Unfortunately, RVers are getting confused about something that can cause serious damage to their RVs or even cause injury and death. Confusing stabilizing an RV vs. leveling an RV. The RV PHD Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Just because you […]
Quick Tip – RV Propane Alarm

Propane alarms are an essential safety device every RV with propane onboard has. This quick tip is about testing and maintaining your alarm and what to do if it sounds. About Detectors Propane detectors in RVs are hardwired to the 12-volt DC power system and are no more than 20 inches off the RV floor. […]
What To Do When your Frame Breaks

Complaints of trailer frame failures have been circulating online recently, and I wanted to take a moment to address frame failures and what you can do to minimize damage. I want to allay your fears; most frame failures are not the end of the world or your RV’s life, but they certainly can bring your […]
Techs Towing Safely

We get into habits while working, sometimes taking shortcuts to save time and effort. I get it. And working more efficiently is acceptable, provided that the result is the same or better than doing the same work before. One place where I see techs take a shortcut often is towing RVs without batteries. The RV […]
Cooking and Fire Safety Tips

In honor of Fire Prevention Week (and month), let’s look at how to keep you and your family safe while cooking in and around your RV and the campsite. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking was the leading cause of reported home fires and injuries and the second leading cause of home fire […]