Articles Index – updated articles about RVs by Collyn Rivers
This Articles Index shows all current collected articles by Collyn Rivers. All are updated at least once a year (some far more often). You can also access a number of articles of interest written by others. Click Here to access this link.
Batteries & Battery Charging
- Caravan twin-wire or chassis return – here’s why twin-wire is usually better
- 12 volts dc from 24 volts dc
- AGM batteries for caravans – they are still worth using
- Australian Battery Breakthrough
- Battery charging and battery chargers – how to do it properly
- Battery charging via generator – how to speed it up
- Battery ventilation is vital – why take any risk?
- Blade fuse problems in caravans – they may burn or melt
- Connecting caravan batteries – there’s no magic way of doing it!
- Dc-dc charging – how to speed alternator charging
- Electrical converter problems in caravans – problems when used for free camping
- Electrolysis corrosion in vehicles – how to find and fix it
- Fuel cells for caravans – great idea, but cost is too high
- How long can lead acid batteries last
- How to tell caravan battery charge – energy monitoring explained
- Imported RV electrics
- Interconnecting batteries in series or parallel- here’s how and why
- Lead acid batteries for caravans – they are still a good buy
- Lead acid batteries for caravans – they are still a good buy
- LiFePO4 jump starters really do work – they power other things too
- Lighting for caravans – it makes every sense to install LEDs
- Lithium batteries in caravans and motorhomes
- Lithium battery rival
- Lithium battery safety in caravans – are they all the same?
- RV Alternator Charging Problems
- RV Batteries
- Speeding battery charging from generators – cheap, effective and relatively simply
- Variable voltage alternator problems with caravans – how to fix
Caravan/Tow Vehicle Behaviour & Suspension
- Caravan and motorhome tyres
- Caravan and tow vehicle dynamics
- Caravan and tow vehicle dynamics
- Caravan design need for change
- Caravan Dynamics Simply Explained
- Caravan Length and Stability
- Caravan nose weight – it’s vital for safe towing
- Caravan suspension – it is mostly misunderstood
- Caravan Tow Ball Weight – how much
- Caravan weight safe to tow – depends on what tows it
- Caravan wheel placement
- Choosing a Caravan Tow Vehicle
- Do caravans need independent suspension – the answer is no.
- Do Not Trust Caravan Declared Mass
- Fifth-wheel caravans are safer – here’s why they are
- Gross Combined Mass Upgrades
- How caravan and tow vehicles interact
- How to Load a Caravan Safely
- Making caravans more stable – here’s how and why to do it
- Mechanical sway-control has little value at speed
- Need for a WDH – avoid using one if possible
- Overhung Caravan Hitches
- Overweight RVs – a police point of view
- Reducing caravan sway – here’s how to minimise the causes
- RV Accident Data (Australia)
- RV Industry Changes Needed
- Should I grease my tow-ball?
- Ten Tips for Safe Caravan Towing
- Tow Vehicle/Caravan Weight Ratio Explained
- Towing Without a WDH – Weight Distributing Hitch
- Weight Distributing Hitch limits cornering
- Weight distribution hitch setting up – how much correction is needed
- Wheels falling off trailers – and how to stop it happening
- Why caravans sway and roll over – how to prevent it
Cooling and Heating
- Caravan fridge problems – how to fix the most common faults
- Air conditioning a caravan – here’s how
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Diesel heating in caravans and motorhomes – it’s easy, effective and safe
- Interconnecting batteries in series or parallel- here’s how and why
- Make caravan fridges work as claimed – here’s how to do it
- RV Fridge Basics
- Safe caravan and motorhome heating – use diesel or LP gas
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 14: Fridges
Electrical (general)
- Caravan fridge problems – how to fix the most common faults
- Caravan twin-wire or chassis return – here’s why twin-wire is usually better
- 12 volts dc from 24 volts dc
- AGM batteries for caravans – they are still worth using
- Battery charging and battery chargers – how to do it properly
- Battery charging via generator – how to speed it up
- Blade fuse problems in caravans – they may burn or melt
- Blade fuse problems in caravans – they may burn or melt
- Circuit breakers and fuses in caravans – how to know which to use
- Dc-dc charging – how to speed alternator charging
- Electrical converter problems in caravans – problems when used for free camping
- Electrical converters in RVs – they’re unsuitable for free-camping
- Fuel cells for caravans – great idea, but cost is too high
- Grid connect solar modules for RVs – here’s how you can use them
- Imported RV electrics
- Interconnecting batteries in series or parallel- here’s how and why
- Inverters for caravans – and motor homes too
- Lead acid batteries for caravans – they are still a good buy
- LiFePO4 jump starters really do work – they power other things too
- Lighting for caravans – it makes every sense to install LEDs
- Lithium battery rival
- Make caravan fridges work as claimed – here’s how to do it
- Quietening caravan water pumps – easy and cheap to do
- RV Alternator Charging Problems
- RV Batteries
- RV Solar Basics
- Solar regulators with current shunts – how to fix misleading readings
- Speeding battery charging from generators – cheap, effective and relatively simply
- Supply cables for caravans – choices of current capacity and length
- TV interference from LEDs – here’s what causes it
- Variable voltage alternator problems with caravans – how to fix
Health & Safety
- Caravan and tow vehicle dynamics
- Caravan nose weight – it’s vital for safe towing
- Caravan weight safe to tow – depends on what tows it
- Battery ventilation is vital – why take any risk?
- Blade fuse problems in caravans – they may burn or melt
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Circuit breakers and fuses in caravans – how to know which to use
- Claims for dual-cab ute towing capacity mislead caravan buyers
- Diesel heating in caravans and motorhomes – it’s easy, effective and safe
- Fifth-wheel caravans are safer – here’s why they are
- Free camp safely in Australia – this article shows how
- Gas risk in caravans – deaths & brain damage still occurs
- How to Reverse a Caravan
- Is Napisan a Safe Toilet Chemical?
- Lightning risk in caravans – how to reduce that risk
- Making caravans more stable – here’s how and why to do it
- Mechanical sway-control has little value at speed
- Napisan and Look-Alikes safe for Septic Tanks – a professor’s view
- Overhung Caravan Hitches
- Overweight RVs – a police point of view
- RV Accident Data (Australia)
- RV Industry Changes Needed
- Safe caravan and motorhome heating – use diesel or LP gas
- Safe toilet chemicals – can Napisan be used in septic tanks?
- Sleep apnoea machines for camping – correct choice is vital
- Supply cables for caravans – choices of current capacity and length
- Ten Tips for Safe Caravan Towing
- Towing Without a WDH – Weight Distributing Hitch
Legal & Compliance
- Caravan & Tow Vehicle Weight Definitions
- Caravan and motorhome compliance – the Caravan Council of Australia explains all
- Caravan design need for change
- Caravan fault issues – who is responsible?
- Caravan tare weight issues – some declared weights may not be correct
- Australian Road Rules Confuse
- Australian RV Road Rules – Summary
- Australian RV rules and regulations – a constantly updated general guide
- Buying used caravans – what to check
- Gross Combined Mass Upgrades
- How to free camp legally in Australia
- Imported RVs – there can be major problems re-registering private imports
- RV Compliance – Here’s how to know
Solar
- All solar house – self-building an off-grid all solar house
- Australian Battery Breakthrough
- Grid connect solar modules for RVs – here’s how you can use them
- Grid connect solar problems – what vendors may not reveal
- How much solar input – here’s how to find out
- How to tell caravan battery charge – energy monitoring explained
- Interconnecting batteries in series or parallel- here’s how and why
- Lithium batteries in caravans and motorhomes
- Lithium battery safety in caravans – are they all the same?
- Living with solar – how make it all work
- Our solar equipped RVs – all proved a major success
- Problems with stand-alone solar – much applies also to RVs
- RV Batteries
- RV Solar Basics
- Solar input available for caravans – know what’s available and increase it too
- Solar regulators with current shunts – how to fix misleading readings
Travel
- Caravan and motorhome tyres
- Caravan common sense – a rare commodity?
- Caravan design need for change
- Caravan Length and Stability
- Caravan tare weight issues – some declared weights may not be correct
- Caravan Tow Ball Weight – how much
- Caravan wheel placement
- Australian Road Rules Confuse
- Australian RV Road Rules – Summary
- Australian RV rules and regulations – a constantly updated general guide
- Best Way to Drive an RV Around Australia
- Buying a New RV in Five Steps
- Choosing a Caravan Tow Vehicle
- Choosing the right interior fittings for an Australian RV
- Claims for dual-cab ute towing capacity mislead caravan buyers
- Do Not Trust Caravan Declared Mass
- Driving across Africa – in 1956/60 the very last time it was possible
- Electrical converters in RVs – they’re unsuitable for free-camping
- Free camp safely in Australia – this article shows how
- How to Choose the Best Caravan Layout
- How to free camp legally in Australia
- How to Load a Caravan Safely
- How to Reverse a Caravan
- Is four wheel drive needed for motorhomes
- Microwave oven power draw – it’s more than many users think
- Need for a WDH – avoid using one if possible
- Overhung Caravan Hitches
- Quietening caravan water pumps – easy and cheap to do
- Reducing caravan sway – here’s how to minimise the causes
- Retarding rust electronically – claims are exaggerated
- RV Books’ Top Ten RV Accessories
- RV Fridge Basics
- RV Toilets – Which is Best?
- Safe toilet chemicals – can Napisan be used in septic tanks?
- Sleep apnoea machines for camping – correct choice is vital
- Solar input available for caravans – know what’s available and increase it too
- Ten Tips for RVing Around Australia
- Top 10 Australian RV Apps
- TV interference from LEDs – here’s what causes it
- Ultra-light caravans – they are rare but feasible. Here’s how to do it
- Weight Distributing Hitch limits cornering
- What off-road really means
General
- Caravan & Tow Vehicle Weight Definitions
- Caravan common sense – a rare commodity?
- Caravan design need for change
- Caravan facts and opinions – the nonsense so often on forums
- Caravan fault issues – who is responsible?
- Caravan suspension – it is mostly misunderstood
- Air conditioning a caravan – here’s how
- All solar house – self-building an off-grid all solar house
- Australian RV Road Rules – Summary
- Blade fuse problems in caravans – they may burn or melt
- Buying a New RV in Five Steps
- Buying used caravans – what to check
- Choosing a Caravan Tow Vehicle
- Choosing the right interior fittings for an Australian RV
- Driving across Africa – in 1956/60 the very last time it was possible
- Electrolysis corrosion in vehicles – how to find and fix it
- Fuel savers do not work – almost all are scams
- How much solar input – here’s how to find out
- How to Choose the Best Caravan Layout
- How to free camp legally in Australia
- Interconnecting batteries in series or parallel- here’s how and why
- Is four wheel drive needed for motorhomes
- Is Napisan a Safe Toilet Chemical?
- Lightning risk in caravans – how to reduce that risk
- Living with solar – how make it all work
- Napisan and Look-Alikes safe for Septic Tanks – a professor’s view
- Overhung Caravan Hitches
- Problems with stand-alone solar – much applies also to RVs
- Quietening caravan water pumps – easy and cheap to do
- Retarding rust electronically – claims are exaggerated
- RV Books’ Top Ten RV Accessories
- RV Toilets – Which is Best?
- Safe toilet chemicals – can Napisan be used in septic tanks?
- Should I grease my tow-ball?
- Ten Tips for RVing Around Australia
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 14: Fridges
- Top 10 Australian RV Apps
- Tow Vehicle/Caravan Weight Ratio Explained
- Ultra-light caravans – they are rare but feasible. Here’s how to do it
- Weight distribution hitch setting up – how much correction is needed
- What off-road really means
- Wheels falling off trailers – and how to stop it happening
- Why caravans sway and roll over – how to prevent it
The Camper Trailer Book
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 1: Camper Trailer Overview
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 2: Where to Go in Australia
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 3: What can be towed where
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 4: Tow vehicles
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 5: Chassis and suspension
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 6: Trailer hitches
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 7: Trailer brakes & braking
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 8: Wheels and Tyres
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 9: Batteries
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 10: Battery and Alternator Charging
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 11: Generators
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 12: Fuel cells
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 13: Energy monitoring
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 14: Fridges
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 15: Water
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 16: Internal and water heating
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 17: Lighting
- The Camper Trailer Book – Chapter 18: Supplementing with Solar
As with all of Collyn's writings, all articles are protected under the Commonwealth Copyright Act. No part may be produced in any form without the written permission of the copyright holder (RV Books, 2 Scotts Road, Mitchells Island, NSW, Australia 2430)