Category Archives: Camper Upgrades

Get Ready to ‘Flip Your Lid’ (How to Replace an RV Vent Lid)

Camper Upgrades

Last week was time to wash and condition our membrane roof and to clean the solar panels. While I was on the roof getting ready and inspecting everything, I noticed a small hole in the corner of one of the plastic roof vents. The lid was falling apart due to UV exposure. Checking the other two vent lids, they were also getting brittle and needed to be replaced. So I ordered three lids and postponed the roof and solar panel cleaning.

Hole in the vent lid as seen from the inside of the camper.

Roof vent lids are easy to replace.

In this post I’ll go through the step-by-step instructions. Continue reading Get Ready to ‘Flip Your Lid’ (How to Replace an RV Vent Lid) →

Extended Dual-Run Fuel Tank for Honda Generators

Camper Upgrades

Recently I wrote about our Honda “EU” series generators for use in extremely hot weather to run our camper’s air conditioner. One thing I didn’t discuss in much detail was the limited fuel capacity their built-in gas tanks have. At the time I mentioned I would be purchasing an after-market extended run fuel tank. The generators barely had enough fuel capacity to run through the night, and had it been hotter or more humid they would have run out of fuel.

Disclaimer: Usually I include a disclaimer if I receive any commission from any links in a post. After researching tanks, I only found one that I was comfortable buying – that is, given my professional experience working with fuel systems, the one I bought was the only one I felt was safe. I paid the regular price, I don’t know the seller, and there is no financial benefit for me to review the product. I could have linked to some tanks that might generate income for me, but I am unwilling to do that.

This post will review the extended run fuel tank and accessories. Continue reading Extended Dual-Run Fuel Tank for Honda Generators →

“Are we out of propane, Again?”

Camper Upgrades, ,

Ah, it’s a common malady for some campers. Running out of propane on a camping trip is truly inconvenient – especially if it happens during the middle of a cold night and your furnace quits running.

Most portable propane tanks usually don’t have gauges. If they do, they don’t work well – probably better to say they don’t work at all. So what is one to do? Continue reading “Are we out of propane, Again?” →

When Should I Replace My RV Batteries: Testing and Ponderings

Camper Upgrades, Camping, , ,

It has been almost five years since we bought our Milan 26RLS travel trailer. Hard for me to reconcile the fact that each year seems to accelerate faster and faster towards the end of the game. When we bought this trailer it replaced our 2006 Fleetwood Niagara that had been “totaled” by our insurance company when vandalizing thieves destroyed it.

Two Exide CG-135 6-volt golf cart batteries installed in September 2013.

That whole process meant we didn’t go camping all summer. Once we got our new Milan the first order of business was to install a solar system and other electrical upgrades prior to its maiden voyage. At the time I was working so there wasn’t a lot of time to shop for the needed materials and components. Fortunately the best deals are on the internet if you know what you really need. There is one exception: batteries. Since 6 volt deep cycle batteries weigh over 60 lbs. each, in 2013 shipping costs made the internet cost of lead-acid batteries prohibitive. Not having a lot of time, and no local retailers close by that sold Trojan brand batteries, I compromised and bought a pair of Exide 6 volt golf cart batteries. At best, at the time, I hoped they would last for 5 years. Continue reading When Should I Replace My RV Batteries: Testing and Ponderings →

Rock Steady: How to Level, Chock, and Stabilize a Travel Trailer

Camper Upgrades, , ,

Back in 2013, before we bought our double-axle Eclipse Milan 26RLS, I wrote this post on How to Level and Stabilize a Tent Trailer.  I should have titled it, How to Chock, Level, and Stabilize a Tent Trailer.

I finally have, after almost five years and some not-so-good products, come up with the solutions to quickly and securely level, chock, and stabilize our travel trailer.

Through trial and error, and a couple of almost disastrous and dangerous events with our Milan, I have finally figured things out so we can camp safe and secure. Not only have I eliminated some potentially serious problems, our travel trailer now sits rock solid without any noticeable shaking when we move about inside.

Hopefully this post will help my readers who own campers to avoid some of the mistakes I have made with our tandem axle travel trailer.

The solutions include a pair of Andersen Camper Levelers, a Fastway ONEStep Chock, an Ultra-Fab Odyssey 4000 electric tongue jack, a pair of BAL Industries X-Chock tire stabilizers, and replacement stabilizers jacks that are 6” taller than the originals that came with the trailer. I will review each of these and go through the process of how to level, chock, and stabilize a tandem axle travel trailer. The steps should be applicable to any multi-axle trailer including 5th wheels. Continue reading Rock Steady: How to Level, Chock, and Stabilize a Travel Trailer →