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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 and other potential issues as they travel.

By Steve Froese, F276276

The recent tragic carbon-monoxide-related death of three friends vacationing in Mexico is a somber reminder for everyone to pay attention to safety. While this certainly applies to all of us in our daily lives, this article will address RV safety. RV owners must be constantly aware of a number of safety-related issues to help protect their units and their families on the road. Let’s start with combustible gas.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas often formed by incomplete combustion in propane and natural gas appliances. Since most RVs have several propane appliances on board, they are prime candidates for carbon monoxide to be present — thus the importance of annual propane system maintenance by an RV service professional. During a yearly inspection, an RV technician will thoroughly examine the propane system and appliances for proper operation. This includes checking for leaks, proper pressure, and appliance condition. At the very least, the RV’s furnace, water heater, and fridge (unless it’s a residential unit) all utilize combustion. If these appliances are not regularly checked and maintained, the burners may become damaged or drift out of adjustment and potentially result in incomplete combustion and CO emission.

LEDs are very efficient, use less energy, and produce less heat. Whether your current RV lights are old and you’re looking for a replacement or you need to replace broken lights, installing LED lights can have its quirks. The biggest question to ask yourself is, “What am I looking for in the replacement?” 

Brian Pursel of RV With Tito DIY delves into the nuances of exterior LED installation, explains when additional lighting can help specific situations, and shows his “secret” LED bar that’s mounted onto the grille and how it can be helpful.

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

If you’re looking for more power sources for camping, a party, or just to have handy in the event of an emergency, the Shell Portable Power Station may be a good fit. It is designed to be used indoors or outdoors. It can operate up to 10 devices simultaneously, including but not limited to cellphones, mini refrigerators, lights, heaters, and even CPAP machines. The device supports DC/AC outputs and provides USB-A and QC, USB-C PD, and wireless charging functionality. The Power 

Station has three charging modes: indoor, which uses an adapter and a USB-C charge (120 watts); outdoor, which can use an optional solar panel (65 watts); or on-the-go, which utilizes a car outlet (12 volts). Included with purchase is the Power Station, a dustproof storage bag, a user manual, an AC outlet charger power adapter, and a 12-volt car adapter. Price is $399.99.

www.amzn.to/3F4E5RZ • (877) 759-4685

A TPMS is a great tool to help keep you, your passengers, your RV, and everyone else on the road safe. The TireMinder i10 Tire Pressure Monitoring System continuously monitors tire pressures and temperature. This system can receive wireless information from up to 20 tires (displayed in two 10-tire sections), as well as swap between four different vehicles. If 

you’re monitoring a towed vehicle, the display will automatically switch between the front and rear sections. Various levels of warnings are issued for pressure changes (under, over, and leaking), high temperatures, and signal loss. The TireMinder i10 is compatible with all types of RVs and combinations under 100 feet long with fewer than 20 tires. The price starts at $279.

www.tireminder.com • (772) 463-6522

FMCA's picks for tips you need now.

Do It Yourself RV, a website started by RV enthusiasts who strive to share information about how to make the most of your travels, explains how to install a DC-to-DC charger in your RV. This guide covers everything from before the installation to testing its functionality and performance.

Without batteries, you might as well go tent camping. Knowing how to take care of your RV battery is key, especially considering how many things need a power supply. Harvest Hosts — an RV camping membership program — features 

a blog on its website that walks you through the basics of RV battery maintenance. Safety should be your top priority, so it’s important to take the right steps and approach it correctly. The blog post summarizes the basics of RV batteries, explains what makes RV batteries different, and suggests what to look for during inspections.

Eliminate concerns related to keeping up with your postal mail as you travel with the help of one of FMCA’s mail forwarding partners: Americas Mailbox or Your Best Address. Company representatives also can assist RVers who want to set up residency in the state of South Dakota. Be sure to tell them you are an FMCA member!

The Americas Mailbox team of mail-forwarding experts is dedicated to making sure the process is as seamless as possible for RV owners. They offer a variety of plans to suit the needs of RVers ranging from full-timers to seasonal travelers. Clients can choose the schedule for sending their mail and have it shipped anywhere they want and via any method they desire. Americas Mailbox is owned by full-time RVers and located in Rapid City, South Dakota. The company has an on-site campground with nearly 100 spaces for rent, many with full hookups.

Your Best Address (YBA) offers both traditional mail forwarding and digital mailbox options. All their plans allow for unlimited pieces of mail and unlimited days of storage of physical mail. They provide secure shredding services for unwanted mail. YBA also serves “snowbirds” with as few as three months of service. The family-owned business also can help with vehicle registration in South Dakota, and FMCA members receive $100 off the cost of YBA’s registration assistance fee for the first registration. Other services include check deposit by mail, a free notary service, and local package delivery. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Your Best Address works to simplify the mobile lifestyle.

For information about these FMCA partners, visit www.fmca.com/fmca-mail-fowarding.

As an RV owner, protecting your RV is just one of your many priorities. With our member-only discounts, you can save on many things to enhance your RV lifestyle and travel experience. Click here to learn more about FMCA's member discounts.