How many solar panels on my RV

Tony FlammiaRV Tech Tips

There seems to be a theory floating around on how many solar panels are needed for your RV, which is you need 1 watt for every amp hour of battery you have. For instance, if you have a 200 amp hour battery, a 200 watt solar panel will be enough- and I can tell you that is simply not true. …

Avoid an RV buying nightmare

How to avoid an RV buying Nightmare

Tony FlammiaRV Tech Tips, Spotlight

If you’re looking to buy a new or used RV you may be wondering what steps you need to take to avoid buying something that has the potential to fall apart or cost a small fortune to fix. Here’s a five part answer coming from someone who has experienced what could happen when you’re buying an RV alone. Brenda Puckett …

Dump your RV tanks up hill!

Tony FlammiaRV Tech Tips

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’ve found the perfect set up spot but you’re too far away or downhill from the sewer connection? Here we have a solution, whether you are boondocking or moochdocking: a macerator.  Some rigs come equipped with a macerator, but many don’t. I do suggest upgrading your RV game by purchasing a …

What does an RV inverter do?

Tony FlammiaRV Tech Tips

Many people are dabbling in solar power and looking for ways to live off the grid for a while because it opens up more camping options. Yet, they still want to power their televisions, too.  They will need a device called an inverter that pulls energy from 12-volt direct current (DC) RV batteries and use that to invent the 120-volt …

How much can my truck REALLY tow?

Tony FlammiaRV Tech Tips

If you don’t have a motorhome, then you’ll need to tow your fifth wheel or travel trailer with a truck. But, how much weight can you really tow with it? When you try to research that question online, you’ll probably get many different answers.  “We see that all the time,” said Todd Henson, lead technical instructor at the National RV …

Five tips for selecting the right generator for you

Tony FlammiaRV Tech Tips

In the winter of 2021, RVers living in Texas got caught off guard when a highly-unusual, rare winter storm drifted through the state. It brought nearly half an inch of ice followed by 5 inches of snow in many areas.  Temperatures dropped below freezing for nearly 10 days in parts of the state. The cold weather put such a drain …

Tips for maintaining RV batteries

Tony FlammiaRV Tech Tips

If there is one thing all RVs have in common, it is more batteries than a typical car. With the exception of a pop-up trailer, most RVs will have at least two batteries to power everything inside the rig when it is not plugged into shore power. Motorhomes will have an additional battery to provide power to the engine. All …

How to eliminate a ‘poop pyramid’ and prevent one from forming

Tony FlammiaRV Tech Tips

It’s a very common problem in the RV lifestyle, especially with new RV owners. People hook up a septic hose to their RV and attach the other end to an outlet at their campsite. Then, they open valves to both the black and gray water tanks to flush all the yuckiness down the drain.  But, they forget to close the …