Posts that are helpful to fifth wheel trailer owners
This year, I picked up a simple mechanical rope winch as a backup for our boat’s anchor windlass. With 30 meters of heavy chain and a 44-pound anchor, retrieving everything by hand is tough if the motor or gearbox fails. I figured I could hook the winch at the stern and pull from the bow … Read more
In this video, I diagnose and repair my faulty RV 12VDC freshwater pump. Turns out the microswitch, part of the water pump’s pressure switch assembly, was intermittent. A new inexpensive microswitch solved the problem. Installation was straightforward, only requiring unscrewing 4 screws to access and replace.
In this video, I’m checking out a new product from Haloview, the same folks who make the wireless rear monitoring system and cameras I use on my RV. I’ve tested several of their models, including the BT10 model, but I really prefer the BT7 with its square design over the long rear-view-mirror style. One cool … Read more
Today, I’m upgrading the 30-amp power inlet connection on the RV to a SmartPlug. I’ve been wanting one for a while. I already have one installed on our boat, and they’re so much safer than the old twist lock style you see on a lot of boats and RVs. Recently, my twist lock arced, so … Read more
In this video, I check out the Topdon TC004 Mini thermal imaging camera. It’s a compact, budget-friendly option. I’ve used their Tornado 30000 battery charger before and love it. I have also tested other thermal imagers on the boat to spot hot spots in wiring, monitor the diesel engine, and more. They are super handy … Read more
Took advantage of a gorgeous mid-January day, sunny, dry, and not too chilly, to finally replace the cracked shower skylight on the RV roof. The old one developed a large crack (probably from a tree branch), and the plastic started to craze badly. Wasn’t thrilled with that dark-tinted model anyway. This new white one feels … Read more
I’m back at it, testing another winter RVing product (or for boating). This one is a heater from the folks at Xtreme Heaters, built just right to tuck in RV storage bays or underbellies to fend off freezes. The heater is recommended by and pairs perfectly with the EZ Snap winter skirting on the Keystone Cougar fifth wheel … Read more
In this video, I install and set up a new product from LevelMate. The LevelMateMAX is a wireless RV leveling assistant. A small box is screwed inside the RV on a wall. It connects to a smartphone app showing the current level of the RV side to side and front to back. I reviewed an … Read more
This video shows dashcam footage from my trip into Blythe, California, from some free dispersed camping land near Ehrenberg, Arizona. I needed to head to Standage Tire and Auto for replacement trailer tires. The existing tires were due for a change, and a fast leak in one hastened that happening. Luckily, my TPMS alerted me … Read more
In this video, I install a Titan 12V inline vent fan to boost the airflow into our fifth-wheel trailer bedroom using the RV furnace. Due to the location of the bedroom heating ducts and the distance from the furnace fan, it has been relatively weak. The booster fan helps get more heated air where we … Read more
Recently, I tackled some routine maintenance on my trailer. I started by jacking up one wheel with a 20-ton bottle jack under the U-clamps—something I’ve done for years without issues, even though RV makers suggest using the I-beam frame. I took off one wheel at a time, cleaned them up, and pulled the brake drums … Read more
In this video, I install an under-sink reverse osmosis water filter system with UV purification. Model Q3-600UV from SimPure. The installation went well overall, except for a problem with the fresh water line. My RV uses a straight PEX pipe, so I had to buy a couple of Sharkbite fittings to make it work. Then … Read more
Today, I continued maintenance on my nearly 14-year-old Cougar RV, tackling some cracked decals that have been slowly deteriorating. Over time, I’ve removed several of these swooshes using elbow grease, mineral spirits, Goo Gone, isopropyl alcohol, plastic razors, and a heat gun set to a gentle setting to soften the vinyl without damaging the fiberglass. … Read more
I’m back with another product review—this time, it’s a fan from Titan, a company out of Taiwan. I’ve been using their fans to keep my RV fridge running efficiently by cooling the outside enclosure, and they’ve worked great. Last winter, I installed one of their rack-mount cross-flow blower fans, which did the job despite a … Read more
In this video, I reattached our trailer’s plastic underbelly and provided some tips and tricks for keeping it attached. I pulled most of it off a little while ago to repair some cracked tanks, clean/lube my electric waste valves, and inspect the plumbing and wiring. I cut the Coroplast material into several sections to make … Read more