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 — are hunkered down in a winter wonderland. No matter where you currently are hanging out, now’s a great time to start thinking about what comes next in your RV travel life. In this edition, we’re sharing tips regarding RV maintenance, cold-weather RVing (brrrr), driving, navigation, solar power, and more.

Thinking warm thoughts,

The Family RV Association Team

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 specifics regarding annual service needs that apply to towable and motorized RVs.

Key maintenance tasks that are musts for keeping your RV operating safely and reliably for years to come include yearly inspections of the propane system and exterior seals. Regular checks help to ensure that the propane system is safe and has no leaks. Seal inspections help to avoid expensive water leaks. But these are not the only safety and reliability concerns related to RV maintenance, so I want to focus on several other annual maintenance requirements.

Have you ever thought about embarking on an RV outing during the cold-weather months? James and Stefany from The Fit RV have been winter camping for a decade, and James shares 11 tips in his video titled RV Basics: How to RV in the Winter (for Beginners). One of the key reasons the couple enjoys winter camping is the lack of crowds. And for those who typically camp only during warmer months, winter outings allow you to make greater use of the RV. Plus, it allows you to participate in winter sports, or just to see familiar landscapes in a new light. James covers topics such as tank heaters, heat tapes, heat sources, energy management, moisture control, the limitations of RV antifreeze, and more.

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

Whether you’re looking to cool things down or warm things up, the EcoFlow Wave 2 may be the solution. This portable two-in-one device provides 5,100 Btu of cooling and 6,100 Btu of heating. It reportedly can raise or lower the temperature in a 107.6-square-foot space by 18 degrees in 5 minutes. It offers up to 8 hours of runtime in Eco Mode when powered by its add-on battery, and in Sleep Mode it’s as quiet as 44 decibels. The battery is said to charge quickly using AC power, solar, a 12-volt outlet, or a power station. The unit weighs 31 pounds and measures 20.4 x 11.7 x 13.2 inches. The current cost of the unit with the battery is $999.

The Tri-Flex 12-Volt LED reading light from SalVinCo allows users to customize their lighting experience. It provides three different LED color temperature settings (warm, neutral, and cool) to suit any activity, whether reading, relaxing, or working. The light’s dimming function makes it possible to adjust brightness levels according to preferences and needs. Its flexible gooseneck design helps to ensure the optimal position, without the need for permanent installation. The Tri-Flex is equipped with a built-in USB port for charging phones, tablets, or other electronic devices. It includes a screw mount with hidden hardware. The light costs $69.

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FRVA's picks for tips you need now.

Driving a motorhome isn’t necessarily more difficult than driving a car, but it’s definitely different. Peter and John of the RV Geeks know a thing or two about RV driving, having traveled by RV for more than 20 years. Peter has special expertise, because he spent years driving buses and training professional drivers and instructors. In their post How to Drive an RV: Off-Tracking and Rear Overhang, they explain concepts such as wheel cut, wheelbase, rear overhang, pivot point, and off-tracking and why they matter.

When traveling by RV, it’s wise to do some planning before setting out on a trip. You’ll want to avoid situations where you encounter roads, bridges, or tunnels with height or weight restrictions. (Speaking of that, it pays to know the height and weight of your RV; in fact, you might want to post this info in a visible spot on the dashboard.) And, with a large vehicle, it helps to scout out places along the route to obtain fuel, such as truck stops or certain fuel stations known to have bigger lots. To help with route planning, Jeremy Puglisi and Go RVing share this list of The 8 Best RV Navigation Apps for a Smooth and Safe Road Trip.

More and more manufacturers are including solar power as original equipment on RVs, or at least providing solar power prep. But what if your RV didn’t come with solar power? Is adding a solar system a wise investment? Brian from RV With Tito explores this question in Solar Power for Your RV — Is it Worth It?

Have you heard about Grouper? This Family RV Association (FRVA) partner helps members who are 65-plus and have an eligible Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan to receive reimbursement for their membership dues. Starting in 2025, those new to the program will receive an annual payment of $50 plus ongoing payments of $20 for every three months of reported activity. What type of activities qualify? For one, anything related to RVing! Specific examples might include group events at campgrounds, chapter rallies, FRVA conventions or area rallies, pickleball, line dancing, lunch with friends, and more. Because insurance companies know that social connections have a positive impact on our health, many of them now cover group activities like they cover gym memberships.

Already signed up with Grouper? Your annual payment will be sent to you once the anniversary date of your prior year’s payment arrives. To qualify for $20 ongoing payments, reported months of activity must be after your enrollment date with Grouper (and any months reported previously, going back to June 2024, will be honored). Click here to learn more and find out whether your health plan includes this benefit.