In a previous article about why motorhomes don’t have MPG ratings, I gave you a few tips how to calculate your own fuel efficiency and how to improve it. This is a quick follow-up about some of the physics behind the fuel efficiency of an RV. If you’re shopping around for full-time traveling, you might […] The post Does More Weight Really Reduce RV Fuel Efficiency? appeared first on Ask the RV Engineer ..read more

Everything on your roof – except for your air conditioner, which uses a thick foam gasket – is waterproofed with a butyl tape gasket underneath (where you can’t see) and a self-leveling cap sealant on top (what you can see). Flashing details vary by manufacturer, but the gasket-and-cap-sealant method is the de facto standard for […] The post Here’s the Wrong Way to Reseal Your RV Roof appeared first on Ask the RV Engineer ..read more

In the same way that a jack-o-lantern represents Halloween or a bald eagle symbolizes ‘Murica, an RV is supposed to embody freedom: the open road, tomorrow’s adventures, fighting The Man.  But nothing is more disappointing than realizing your home-on-wheels wasn’t really designed for the road you love. Don’t You Know You Can’t Travel with Water? […] The post Did Your Water Tank Fall Off? Not My Problem … appeared first on Ask the RV Engineer ..read more

It’s November 14th. You’re using the RV as a base camp during hunting season. After a long, icy day in the blind, you’ve returned to the RV dreaming of a steamy shower – and the d*mn water is coming out cold! Most of us would think, “I’m out of propane.” And if, like most RVs, […] The post Is Your Propane Tank Empty – Or Is It Just Too Darn Cold Outside? appeared first on Ask the RV Engineer ..read more

A water pressure regulator is one of the top three items I command recommend to all RV owners (the other two are a surge protector and a valid driver’s license). This simple $20 device is a vanguard for your water system, protecting your delicate plastic fittings from the evils of high water pressure. Plastic and […] The post A Water Pressure Regulator Is a Top 3 Item that I Recommend to All RVers appeared first on Ask the RV Engineer ..read more

Unfortunately, RV roofs age less like fine wine, more like milk. Within 10-25 years, most RV roofs look like an abandoned petri dish experiment. But with full roof replacements commonly costing $150 to $400 per linear foot, is replacement always a feasible option? If your RV roof looks uncomfortably similar to this … … then […] The post Old, Decrepit RV Roof? 5 Options for Repair! appeared first on Ask the RV Engineer ..read more

RV baggage doors – also known as storage doors or cargo doors – are a common point of water leaks. Typical signs are dark water stains and spongy floors around the baggage door, sometimes as far away as the closet subfloor corner (although this could also be a roof leak!). If you suspect a baggage […] The post Troubleshooting: How to Fix a Leaking RV Baggage Door? appeared first on Ask the RV Engineer ..read more

I love receiving letters from my Readers! Recently, I received an email from a gentleman named “Martin,” and I thought it was so insightful and articulate that I just had to share it. I’ve copy-and-pasted our conversation below with light editing for brevity and clarity.  Martin read my article about RV sidewall construction and disagreed […] The post “4-Season Ready RVs? Forget It!” – Letter from a Building Science Guru appeared first on Ask the RV Engineer ..read more

Most RV water supply systems rely on an on-demand water pump. These pumps have a built-in pressure switch that triggers on/off operation. When the pressure dips – such as when you open a faucet – then the pump turns on. When the pressure rises – such as when you close the tap – the pump […] The post What Good Is an Accumulator Tank? Can It Fix Pump “Short Cycling”? appeared first on Ask the RV Engineer ..read more

Any HVAC engineer will tell you that flex duct is a necessary evil. It’s quick to install but retards airflow. Your RV may have quite a bit of 4” flex duct running from your furnace to your heating registers. And if it’s not installed properly, you could be paying for heat you’re not enjoying! Introduction […] The post Quick Tip: Double-Check Your Furnace Flexible Ductwork! appeared first on Ask the RV Engineer ..read more