In the video, I installed a high-water bilge alarm from Johnson Pump as an extra safety upgrade on the boat. This little unit sits just above the normal bilge pump level and alerts us with a super-loud buzzer or a light if water gets too high, in case the pumps fail or we have a … Read more
Over the years, I’ve had requests to do a video series showing the installation of a typical boondocking system from start to finish. Something a little more basic than the complex systems I usually show. In this first video of a multi-part series, I begin a fresh installation of a Renogy-based off-grid power system for … Read more
We enjoy summers exploring the gorgeous BC coast aboard our 34′ CHB trawler-style liveaboard boat, often in remote areas without many services. To stay out for weeks, I rely on my boat’s 1200W solar power array, 940 amp-hour battery capacity, and the boat’s ample food storage. But water management is key. The trawler has two … 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
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
Today, I decided to tackle some plumbing maintenance on my RV, specifically focusing on a leak I noticed around my water heater connections. Over the last few weeks, I’ve seen some weeping where the plastic meets the metal on both the hot and cold connections. This issue became apparent because I mostly boondock, using my … Read more
I tackled a little maintenance project on my RV. I noticed that the slide wiper seal on the top was completely falling apart due to its age – this trailer’s almost 14 years old now. I had previously replaced the secondary bulb seal a couple of years ago because it had failed from too much … Read more
Since we bought our Keystone Cougar fifth-wheel trailer in early 2011, I’ve put much effort into maintaining and keeping the roof well-sealed. I know that water damage is a top destroyer of RVs. Most leaks emanate from cracked seams on the roof, leading to wood rot to the ceiling, walls, and flooring, not to mention … Read more
Winterizing the Plumbing Systems In this video, I describe how I prep our boat’s plumbing systems for winter storage on the BC coast. This region of Canada is known for reasonably mild winters by Canadian standards, but it still gets below freezing, sometimes to as low as -10 Celsius or more (14F). First, I drain … Read more
As we started our snowbird journey south, we ran into a hiccup on the first day in the USA. After crossing from Victoria, BC, to Port Angeles, Washington, we were heading down Highway 101 along the Hood Canal when a warning message appeared on the dashboard. “Check Trailer Brake System”. Also, “Service Trailer Brake System” … Read more
RV Overloading It’s one of the easiest things to overlook regarding RV safety. RVs can be substantially overloaded but not outwardly show it like a car or truck when it is obvious the back end is riding low. So unless you weigh your RV, you may never know it may be dangerously overloaded and a … Read more
In this video, I swap out our 12-year-old Atwood RV stove/oven for a brand-new Furrion 21″ stove. New features will include oven light, knob lighting, oven remote lighting via sparked, and windowed oven door. Installation was relatively straightforward, with only one LP gas connection and two wires for the 12V power. The new stove slide … Read more
An RV maintenance tip reminding you to check your RVs nuts and bolts for proper torque. I often check critical areas to ensure none of the nuts and bolts have come loose. It is also a good time to visually inspect things looking for corrosion or damage. A little preventative maintenance can ward off a … Read more