Tech Talk E-Newsletter

It’s officially summer, and we’re officially excited about what the busy RV season will bring. While we here at Family RV Association are all about having fun, we also know…

Annual RV maintenance shows up as an underlying theme in many of my articles, as its importance can’t be overstated. Failure to have your RV serviced every year, or even…

Anyone else out there itching to jump in or hitch up the RV and go somewhere? Actually, anywhere at this point! Here at the Midwest headquarters of the Family RV…

By Steve Froese, F276276 Spring and summer tend to be the busiest times at RV dealerships. For this reason, the RV rental or detailing departments usually hire temporary staff to…

By Bruce W. Smith One of the beauties of engine-oil analysis is that it can be used to fine-tune both the type of oil that suits an engine best and…

By Steve Froese, F276276 In the September Tech Topic, Mind Your Maintenance, I provided tips for pretrip inspections and regular RV maintenance. In this installment, I want to share some…

Are we the only ones who can’t believe 2024 is about to come to a close? Some of you have headed for your winter warm spots. Others — like us…

Planning and maintenance are sure ways to prevent potential problems from cropping up during your travels. For some RV owners, the arrival of fall signals that their camping season is…

By Steve Froese, F276276 I often refer to the importance of good habits and regular RV maintenance in my articles. Let’s take a closer look at what that means for…

For many, summertime is prime time for RVing! Whether you’re a full-timer or a weekend/vacation traveler, the open road beckons, and opportunities to enjoy the fun, freedom, and flexibility of…

By Steve Froese, F276276 A plethora of information regarding lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries is available online, but not all of it is accurate. So, I thought I’d provide an overview to…

As nature starts to bloom, it’s time to shed the winter blues. After last year’s slew of weird weather, we’re hoping that this season allows us to go back to…

One FMCA member shares the story of how he fixed an issue with his RV generator. By Steve Froese, F276276 I often receive emails from FMCA members asking me if…

Whether you’re spending the last stretch of 2023 in a sunny campground or in a winter wonderland, December is a time for happiness and cheer. That can mean different things…

Be sure to schedule or perform regular maintenance on your RV’s chassis — you’ll thank yourself later! By Steve Froese, F276276 I often emphasize the importance of RV maintenance. Most…

Now that the weather has finally cooled down a bit, we can prepare for the upcoming holidays and other delights the season brings. What are your plans for this fall?…

CONSIDER THE SOURCE   It’s easy to find information nowadays, especially online, but that doesn’t mean it’s reliable.   By Steve Froese, F276276   One can find information about everything…

’Tis the season for mosquito spray, sunscreen, and summer heat. As you’re making travel plans, don’t forget to double-check that your A/C and fridge are working properly. And while you’re…

BATTERY CHARGING   By Steve Froese, F276276   I would like to introduce a reader email for discussion: “I have a 2014 Fleetwood Bounder 34B with a parasitic drain on…

With March comes the vernal equinox, the return of Daylight Saving Time, and beautiful flowering plants. The beginning of spring is a great time to hit the road and make…

Tricking Out Your Tech   By Steve Froese, F276276   My wife and I are the proud owners of a Generation Z RV. Among other things, Gen Z embraces technology.…

Happy New Year! It’s crazy how fast a year can fly by. With a new year comes New Year’s resolutions — do you have any habits you want to break…

SAFETY DANCE   Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, so it’s best to prevent tragedy before it has the opportunity to occur. RV owners need to be aware of this…

Autumn officially arrived on September 22. The scorching heat seems to be coming to an end in some areas, and the leaves are starting to change colors. The days are…

The weather is scorching, and summer has officially started. It’s hard to believe that the year is already halfway over! The days are long, the nights short, and there’s still…

Age-Old Questions: Coach Class? Gas Versus Diesel? By Steve Froese, F276276 Two of the questions I often am asked are, “What type of motorhome should I buy?” and “Should I…

Topics this month include water system maintenance, a do-it-yourself water filter installation, a new supplemental braking system, and a wireless boombox/speaker. Plus, two major RV manufacturers recently introduced EV RVs.…

Ho, ho, ho, my goodness! The holidays are upon us, and another year is almost over. How did that happen? We don’t know. What we do know is that we…

By Steve Froese, F276276 The electrical system is an important part of the RV infrastructure, yet many owners don’t understand how it works or how to even begin to troubleshoot…

It’s finally here. Fall. That blissful time between the scorching heat of summer and the chilling cold of winter. The perfect time to throw on a sweatshirt, go outside and…

By Steve Froese, F276276 It has been a very difficult year and a half. My family has not been able to travel for most of that time, and we have…

It’s summer. Time to park your RV in the shade, eat some watermelon, and just plain chill. Fortunately, technology can make all of that easier. Well, except maybe the watermelon…

When the days start to get longer and the weather a little warmer, the desire to air out the RV and hit the road grows. However, just throwing it in…

By Steve Froese, F276276 What better way to shake off 2020 than to enjoy a family RV trip? And what better time than now? Spring is upon us, which means…

Our “2020 Vision” has left us with a new appreciation for the freedom to travel, to explore our continent, and to spend time in the company of friends and family. …

By Steve Froese, F276276 The electrical system in your RV is likely one of those out-of-sight, out-of-mind subjects. Some owners don’t have much understanding of how the electrical system in…

Fall is here and we have some tips for you regarding RV roof maintenance and internet on the go plans, as well as New Tech from Xantrex and Zoleo, a…

By Steve Froese, F276276 No matter what age or type of RV you have, regular maintenance is a must. Arguably, one of the most important jobs is roof maintenance, as…

A tribute to RV Doctor Gary Bunzer, critter proofing your RV, DIY RV upgrade project inspiration, RV weatherstripping, rookie mistakes, electric bikes, FMCA RV Insurance. READ MORE  

Are you a coach conversion aficionado? Or just someone who’s intrigued by the idea of converting a bus for RV living? You may be interested in perusing National Bus Trader…

By Steve Froese, F276276 While vehicle maintenance is an important part of keeping our RVs in good shape, we don’t always consider preventing insects, rodents, and other creatures from entering…

By Brian Pursel | RVwithtito.com If your RV has a gas/electric water heater, consider adding a spare thermal cutoff switch to your toolbox. When this switch fails, as it did…

Are you as eager as we are for summer to arrive and to hit the road in the RV?  We’re sure you are!  The frosty winter may have slowed us…

By Gary Bunzer, Technical Editor Most RVs are equipped with a fresh-water demand pump. Very small folding camping trailers or pickup campers might have something different, such as a hand-operated…

By Gary Bunzer, Technical Editor Q. Dear RV Doctor: I own an older 32-foot Wanderer toy hauler. Recently on a trip, I noticed air getting between the siding and the…

This time of year tends to find RVers in two camps: those who are blissfully enjoying their RV in a warm locale, and those who were forced to put the…

By Steve Froese, F276276 I have always been a strong advocate of RV owners performing their own maintenance and repairs. However, this comes with a major caveat: Never perform a…