Eric Stark

Dometic DM Refrigerator Not Cooling? Narrow Down the Problem Before Buying Parts Your RV refrigerator has lights, the controls appear to work, and you are getting ready for a trip. One problem remains: the food compartment is warm. Does it need a circuit board? A heating element? A thermistor? Or is something outside the refrigerator causing

RV Furnace Not Working? When to Maintain, Repair, or Replace It When an RV furnace stops producing heat, it is easy to assume the furnace needs an expensive part—or that the entire unit needs to be replaced. That is often premature. An RV propane furnace depends on several supporting systems. A weak battery, restricted airflow,

RV Winter Prep after the Last Trip: What to Do Before Freezing Temperatures Hit Late summer and early fall can be some of the best times of the year to use your RV. The days are cooler. Campgrounds are quieter. The leaves are changing. And after the busy summer travel season, those last few trips

Roadside RV Repair Kit Checklist The Practical RV Repair Kit for Common Trip-Ruining Problems A good RV repair kit is not about carrying everything. It is about carrying the right items to handle the most common problems: electrical issues, water leaks, roof sealant problems, sewer fitting failures, propane connection concerns, and loose parts. Use this

  RV Outlets Not Working? It Might Be One GFCI There are few things more frustrating than plugging something into your RV outlet and getting nothing. Maybe it is the coffee maker. Maybe it is a phone charger. Maybe it is the outlet outside the RV or the one in the bathroom. You try another

Topargee RV Water Gauges: A Better Way to Track Your Fresh Water Most RVers have pushed the fresh water button on their monitor panel and wondered whether the reading is even close. The panel may say full, two-thirds, one-third, or empty, but that does not tell you how many gallons are actually available. When you

RV faucet Replacement: Water Lines Made Simple –  Replace a Faucet Without Creating Leaks Replacing an RV faucet sounds simple—until you open the cabinet and see the water lines and fittings underneath. Tight spaces, plastic connectors, and hard-to-reach connections can make even confident DIYers hesitate. This guide is built around a real-world scenario: replacing your

When Electrical Problems Seem Relentless (RV 12V vs 120V Made Simple) If you’ve ever felt like your RV has “electrical gremlins,” you’re not alone. I’m constantly barraged with questions about weird power issues—lights dimming, furnaces quitting, outlets dead, water pumps slowing down—and a lot of the time it feels relentless because the symptoms bounce around.

RV Roof Sealing Tapes VS Dicor Lap Sealant! RV roof sealant “tapes” such as Eterna Bond, Stick n Bond, Cofair Kwik Roof, Dicor Diseal, and Dicor lap sealant —self-leveling or non-sag — are both legit—just meant for different jobs. The best results usually come from using each where it makes sense. 1) What do people

Weigh Safe Weight Distribution Hitches: Why So Many RVers Are Paying Attention If you tow a travel trailer, you already know that weight distribution and sway control can make or break your driving experience. Too much tongue weight, not enough, or poorly distributed load can all lead to white-knuckle miles, extra wear on your truck,

RV Help: Who They Are and How They Keep You on the Road If you’ve RVed for any length of time, you already know the truth: it’s not if something will break—it’s when. A water heater misbehaves, your slide won’t move, the fridge stops cooling, or a mystery leak appears right before a big trip.

EZ Grease-N-Go: Hitch Greasing Without the Mess If you’ve ever tried to grease a trailer hitch ball on the road, you know the drill: bulky grease gun, sticky lithium grease, and more product on your hands and clothes than on the ball itself. The founders of EZ Grease N Go had that exact experience during

Why a Weight Distributing Hitch Matters for RVers If you’re towing a travel trailer or toy hauler, a weight distributing hitch (also called a weight distribution hitch) is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment you can buy. Instead of letting all the tongue weight push down on the back of your tow

Lithium RV Batteries for RVs: Why They’re Worth It (Cold-Weather Myths, Setup Tips & Real-World ROI) Thinking about upgrading to lithium RV Batteries? If you value longer life, low maintenance, fast charging, and dependable power for boondocking, lithium (LiFePO4) is a smart move. This guide distills expert insights, clears up cold-weather confusion, and lays out exactly

RV Inverters How to Choose the Right Brand, Size, and Features If you’ve ever stood in the aisle (or scrolled online) wondering why RV inverters cost $199 at one place and at another $1,499—this guide is for you. We’ll cut through marketing jargon and help you choose an RV inverter that matches your rig, your

RV Awnings Made Simple RV awnings do more than look good. The right setup expands living space, protects the coach, and keeps you moving—rain or shine—without costly surprises. Below is a straight-talk guide to why awnings matter, which brands lead the U.S. market, what to avoid, and how to choose between electric vs. manual mechanisms

Hughes Power Watchdog 30 & 50 Amp Voltage Booster Power Center ( Formerly Hughes Autoformer) The Hughes Watchdog Power Center is the all-in-one RV power protection system with surge protection, voltage boosting, WiFi/Bluetooth monitoring, and automatic recovery—built to keep your RV safe anywhere you travel. Key Features: Voltage Boosting Technology: Automatically boosts low park voltage

https://youtu.be/4zQnEjmMcik   RV Sewer Hose Supports For RVers, managing grey and black water discharge is a routine part of life on the road. One often overlooked but very helpful accessory is a sewer hose support. The Camco Rhino (orange) sewer hose support is one of the more popular models out there, known for its bright

Prepping For Winter Storage  Prepping Your RV for Winter Storage is a crucial process that can save you from expensive repairs come spring. The key is to protect against the three main threats: freezing water, pests, and moisture. Here is a detailed guide on how to properly prepare your RV for winter storage.  1. Prepare

Understanding Your RV Furnace: A Guide to Function and Diagnosis Welcome! This information is designed to give you a foundational understanding of how a typical RV furnace operates, helping you to better diagnose any issues you may encounter. While there are many different models, they all share a similar core function. Most RV furnaces operate

RV Solar Panels and Harnessing The SunFor RVers chasing adventure across wide-open highways and off-grid campsites, one modern upgrade is shining brighter than the rest—solar panels. Not long ago, these systems were considered a luxury. Today, they’ve become a staple for full-timers, weekend warriors, and anyone looking to reduce generator time and gain true energy

Upgrading to Lithium Batteries in Your RV: A Comprehensive Guide Today we’re exploring the upgrade from traditional lead-acid or AGM batteries to lithium batteries in your RV. As of July 2025, this switch is gaining traction among RVers for its efficiency and longevity. However, it’s not a simple swap—let’s break down the key considerations to

 RV Maintenance Top 10 Most Overlooked RV Maintenance Tasks (And Why Skipping Them Can Cost You) RV ownership is a gateway to freedom, adventure, and unforgettable road trips—but it also comes with a responsibility that’s easy to forget when the sunsets are glowing and the wheels are turning: maintenance. Staying on top of RV Maintenance

Upgrading to LED Lights in Your RV: A Bright Idea for Smart RVers Why Switch to RV LED Lights? If you’re still running incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, you’re paying in battery drain, heat, and hassle. RV LED lights deliver the same or better brightness while using far less energy and producing much less heat—perfect for

Summer RV Maintenance Checklist: 8 Pitfalls to Fix Before You Hit the Road As temperatures climb and campgrounds fill up, many RVers focus on trip planning and forget the unglamorous stuff: summer RV maintenance. But skipping a few “boring” checks can turn a dream vacation into a week on the shoulder of a hot highway.

WFCO vs PowerMax RV Converters: Which One’s Right for Your Rig? Introduction If your lights are flickering, your batteries aren’t holding a charge, or your fan spins up like a jet whenever you plug in, your RV converter may be the culprit—or your next best upgrade. Two names dominate DIY discussions: WFCO vs PowerMax. Both

RV Brake Maintenance Today we’re hitting the brakes—literally. We’re talking RV brake maintenance for travel trailers and motorhomes. Brakes aren’t the sexiest topic, I get it, but they’re the unsung heroes that keep you, your rig, and everyone else on the road out of trouble. Whether you’re towing a trailer or driving a big Class

Sprucing Up Your RV: Cosmetic Fixes and Light Repairs for the RV DIYer  “Hey there, Smart RVer crew! Today we’re rolling up our sleeves for some hands-on action. We’re talking cosmetic fixes and light repairs—those little projects that make your RV feel like home and keep it running without breaking the bank. Whether your rig’s

Hey, Smart RVing crew! Welcome back to The Smart RVer Podcast, where we’re all about making your RV life easier, cheaper, and way more fun. I’m your host, Eric Stark, and today we’re diving into a topic every RVer with a slide-out needs to hear: maintenance and repair. Those slide-outs? They’re game-changers, giving you extra

How do I know if my RV Water Pump is not working? There are several key indicators that your RV’s water pump is not working properly, including low water pressure, unusual noises, and the pump running continuously.  Water pump type basics: Most RV water pumps are 12 volts, 3 gallons per minute (gpm), and ½”

How to Measure for a Completer RV Slide Out Awning (Hardware, Roller Tube and Fabric) It is very easy to measure your Slide Out Room to add a Completer Slide Out Awning or Topper. The Slide Out doesn’t have to be extended, this measurement can take place with the room closed.There are only 2 steps. Step

50 Amp RV Power Cords nd Adapters – Twist Lock and Plug In 30 Amp RV Cords and Adapters – Twist Lock and Plug In

RV Maintenance Guide for RVers Plus Parts & Tools To help you enjoy the RV Lifestyle and avoid being bogged down by persistent problems or the stress of not understanding your RV, we have put together this simple guide to help remove the frustration from RV Maintenance. The following list is a suggestion of how

Allow TheSmartRVer.com to break down the world of converters for new RVers. There are 3 basic components of converters that you should understand as a Smart RVer:Note: We use WFCO brand converters as our example in this article. This information is based on newer converters with new technology for charging Lead-Acid, AGM, and Lithium Batteries.

Below are some helpful images to help you identify which trailer axle you have and which components are required for it.  For more information, listen to Podcast Episode 140 about Trailer Axles.