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 memories, and it also might be time to check a few things before you head out on your next big (or small) RV adventure. If you’ve been looking to modernize your tech, Steve Froese shares his experience in upgrading his RV’s home theater and provides some tips to consider. We also have included several products and websites to check out before you embark on your next journey.

Safe travels!

The FMCA Team

Don't forget to hit the great outdoors with an FMCA membership, now available for $60 for the first year and $50 thereafter! Click here to learn more.

By Steve Froese, F276276

My wife and I are the proud owners of a Generation Z RV. Among other things, Gen Z embraces technology. In this article, I will discuss how we gave “Hopper” a leg up in this regard.

While she is a mere teenager at 17 years old, some would consider her to be “over the hill” in RV years. On the contrary, Hopper is a beautiful home on wheels that certainly does not look her age. She is mechanically and cosmetically sound, and we don’t have to worry about things like diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) or the absence of propane appliances.

However, also because of her age, some of the amenities are a little dated. She lacks centralized digital control of lights, awning, slideouts, etc. But not having this reduces the chances of system failure, so I am totally okay with that. It’s not inconvenient to operate a manual switch. In fact, it’s much simpler that way! What we do miss with Hopper is our big-screen surround-sound home theater. Don’t get me wrong; my wife and I aren’t in the habit of hunkering down in the RV all day binge-watching. But after a long day of biking, hiking, or exploring, we enjoy being able to catch up on our favorite streaming shows before turning in for the night.

Have you ever emptied the gray tank in your RV but noted that the tank sensor lights did not reflect that? Something could be gummed up or disconnected. Cleaning out your gray tank is a simple task, especially with products currently available to help get the job done. The RV Geeks explain how even simple dishwasher detergent can be used to dislodge grease so you can finish the job with minimal hassle. Check out their video here.

A discussion of new products on the market to enhance your RV lifestyle.

Disconnecting a vehicle’s battery is often required before towing it behind a motorhome. Roadmaster’s #766 and #767 Remote Manual Battery Disconnect kits mount under a vehicle’s hood and eliminate the need to pull the battery cable. Each kit includes a heavy-duty switch with preassembled cabling, a ribbed plastic loom, wire ties, and all necessary hardware. The kits also provide a positive current source for breakaway systems or any other systems that must be connected to the battery. The #766 is suitable for all gas-powered vehicles and provides 200-amp constant duty and 600-amp surge capability. The #767, which is designed for diesel vehicles but can be used with gas vehicles, offers 300-amp constant duty and 1,000-amp surge capability. The price is $156.90.

www.roadmasterinc.com • (800) 669-9690

Haloview’s RD10 Rearview and Dash Cam provides interference-free reception for vehicles up to 80 feet long. The front camera captures 1080p video and easily mounts over existing rearview mirrors. Using the touch screen, you can start and stop the dash camera and switch between the front and rear cameras. If you need to reverse your vehicle and/or park it at night, you can utilize the RD10’s six infrared lights to help capture clear video by enhancing details in low-light conditions. And the rear assist marker lines help determine distance to avoid collision while parking. The price is $369.99.

www.haloview.com

FMCA's picks for tips you need now.

Batteries are a necessity for the modern camper. You may have been charging your batteries and maintaining your RV for years, but have you ever wondered whether you can overcharge them? How does this affect other devices? Technical editor Dave Solberg from RVtravel.com was asked in a Q&A if RV batteries should be disconnected from the battery bank while connected to shore power or running a generator. The blog post explains how to charge batteries, what automatic transfer switches are, how inverter/chargers come into play, and how all of this may affect the solar panel and charging system.

It’s important to be able to signal where you’re going to other drivers, especially while towing. The 7-pin trailer plug is integral to this. Each pin has its own function and color as well, so learning how it works and how to wire one is beneficial. Kendall Jennings from Camper Smarts explains what 7-pin trailer plugs are, what they control, how to wire them, what to do if the connection on your RV is different from that of your tow vehicle, and how to prevent trailer plug damage.

Batteries bring life and luxury to your RV, and this can make off-grid living much more comfortable. Everyone uses electricity differently based on their lifestyles, so there’s no single answer to how much power you need. Brian of RV with Tito walks you through the nuances of amp-hours, measuring your energy consumption, and determining how much power and space you need to support yourself comfortably off the beaten track. You can read the entire article here.

Before you hit the road this spring, be sure to perform a careful inspection of your tires. As you may know, RV tires tend to age out before they wear out. And sometimes the damage isn’t visible on the outside. Tire manufacturers recommend having a tire professional inspect tires on a regular basis once they reach five years of age. All tires have the date stamped on the sidewall. Look for the string of characters that starts with the letters “DOT.” The last four digits indicate the week in which the tire was manufactured followed by the year. So, a tire with the digits “0323” was manufactured during the third week of 2023.

If it’s indeed time for new tires, you’ll want to learn more about FMCA’s Tire Savings Program. Right now, Goodyear is offering FMCA members an additional 5% off the cost of RV tires. This offer is good until May 31, 2023. So, if you’re a fan of the Goodyear brand, now is a great time to buy.

FMCA members also receive special rates on tires from Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, and Continental. To learn more and to obtain a quote on your tires, visit www.fmca.com/rv-tires-discounts.

Don't forget to hit the great outdoors with an FMCA membership, now available for $60 for the first year and $50 thereafter! Click here to learn more.