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
- 12 volts dc from 24 volts dc
- AGM batteries for caravans – they are still worth using
- Air conditioning a caravan – here’s how
- 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
- Caravan common sense – a rare commodity?
- Caravan facts and opinions – the nonsense so often on forums
- Caravan fridge problems – how to fix the most common faults
- Caravan twin-wire or chassis return – here’s why twin-wire is usually better
- Circuit breakers and fuses in caravans – how to know which to use
- 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
- Electrical converters in RVs – they’re unsuitable for free-camping
- Electrolysis corrosion in vehicles – how to find and fix it
- Fuel cells for caravans – great idea, but cost is too high
- Fuel savers do not work – almost all are scams
- Grid connect solar problems – what vendors may not reveal
- How long can lead acid batteries last
- How much solar input – here’s how to find out
- RV Battery Basics
- 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
- 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 safety in caravans – are they all the same?
- Living with solar – how make it all work
- Microwave oven power draw – it’s more than many users think
- RV Alternator Charging Problems
- Speeding battery charging from generators – cheap, effective and relatively simply
- Supply cables for caravans – choices of current capacity and length
- Variable voltage alternator problems with caravans – how to fix
- Weight Distributing Hitch limits cornering
Caravan/Tow Vehicle Behaviour & Suspension
- Australian Road Rules Confuse
- Australian RV rules and regulations – a constantly updated general guide
- Buying used caravans – what to check
- Caravan & Tow Vehicle Weight Definitions
- Caravan and motorhome tyres
- Caravan and tow vehicle dynamics
- Caravan common sense – a rare commodity?
- Caravan design need for change
- Caravan Dynamics Simply Explained
- Caravan facts and opinions – the nonsense so often on forums
- Caravan nose weight – it’s vital for safe towing
- Caravan suspension – it is mostly misunderstood
- Caravan tare weight issues – some declared weights may not be correct
- Caravan Tow Ball Weight – how much
- Caravan weight safe to tow – depends on what tows it
- Caravan wheel placement
- Choosing a Caravan Tow Vehicle
- Claims for dual-cab ute towing capacity mislead caravan buyers
- 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
- Fuel savers do not work – almost all are scams
- Gross Combined Mass Upgrades
- How to Choose the Best Caravan Layout
- How to Load a Caravan Safely
- How to Reverse a Caravan
- 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
- Reducing caravan sway – here’s how to minimise the causes
- RV Industry Changes Needed
- RV Solar Basics
- Ten Tips for Safe Caravan Towing
- Tow Vehicle/Caravan Weight Ratio Explained
- Towing Without a Weight Distributing Hitch
- Ultra-light caravans – they are rare but feasible. Here’s how to do it
- 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
- Air conditioning a caravan – here’s how
- All solar house – self-building an off-grid all solar house
- Caravan common sense – a rare commodity?
- Caravan facts and opinions – the nonsense so often on forums
- Caravan fridge problems – how to fix the most common faults
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Diesel heating in caravans and motorhomes – it’s easy, effective and safe
- Grid connect solar problems – what vendors may not reveal
- How much solar input – here’s how to find out
- Imported RV electrics
- Interconnecting batteries in series or parallel- here’s how and why
- Inverters for caravans – and motor homes too
- Lighting for caravans – it makes every sense to install LEDs
- Living with solar – how make it all work
- Make caravan fridges work as claimed – here’s how to do it
- Microwave oven power draw – it’s more than many users think
- Problems with stand-alone solar – much applies also to RVs
- Safe caravan and motorhome heating – use diesel or LP gas
Electrical (general)
- 12 volts dc from 24 volts dc
- AGM batteries for caravans – they are still worth using
- Air conditioning a caravan – here’s how
- All solar house – self-building an off-grid all solar house
- 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
- Caravan common sense – a rare commodity?
- Caravan facts and opinions – the nonsense so often on forums
- Caravan fridge problems – how to fix the most common faults
- Caravan twin-wire or chassis return – here’s why twin-wire is usually better
- 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
- Electrolysis corrosion in vehicles – how to find and fix it
- Fuel cells for caravans – great idea, but cost is too high
- Fuel savers do not work – almost all are scams
- 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
- 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
- Lightning risk in caravans – how to reduce that risk
- Lithium batteries in caravans and motorhomes
- Lithium battery safety in caravans – are they all the same?
- Living with solar – how make it all work
- Make caravan fridges work as claimed – here’s how to do it
- Microwave oven power draw – it’s more than many users think
- 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 Alternator Charging Problems
- RV Battery Basics
- RV Solar Basics
- Solar input available for caravans – know that available and increase it too
- 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
- Air conditioning a caravan – here’s how
- Australian Road Rules Confuse
- Australian RV rules and regulations – a constantly updated general guide
- Battery ventilation is vital – why take any risk?
- Blade fuse problems in caravans – they may burn or melt
- Buying used caravans – what to check
- Caravan & Tow Vehicle Weight Definitions
- Caravan and motorhome compliance – the Caravan Council of Australia explains all
- Caravan and tow vehicle dynamics
- Caravan common sense – a rare commodity?
- Caravan design need for change
- Caravan Dynamics Simply Explained
- Caravan facts and opinions – the nonsense so often on forums
- Caravan nose weight – it’s vital for safe towing
- Caravan tare weight issues – some declared weights may not be correct
- Caravan Tow Ball Weight – how much
- Caravan weight safe to tow – depends on what tows it
- Caravan wheel placement
- 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
- Do caravans need independent suspension – the answer is no.
- 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
- Gross Combined Mass Upgrades
- How to Choose the Best Caravan Layout
- How to Reverse a Caravan
- 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-A-Likes safe for Septic Tanks – a professor’s view
- Need for a WDH – avoid using one if possible
- 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 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
Legal & Compliance
- Australian Road Rules Confuse
- Australian RV rules and regulations – a constantly updated general guide
- Buying a New RV in Five Steps
- Buying used caravans – what to check
- Caravan & Tow Vehicle Weight Definitions
- Caravan and motorhome compliance – the Caravan Council of Australia explains all
- Caravan and tow vehicle dynamics
- Caravan common sense – a rare commodity?
- Caravan design need for change
- Caravan Dynamics Simply Explained
- Caravan facts and opinions – the nonsense so often on forums
- Caravan fault issues – who is responsible?
- Caravan nose weight – it’s vital for safe towing
- Caravan tare weight issues – some declared weights may not be correct
- Caravan weight safe to tow – depends on what tows it
- Caravan wheel placement
- Choosing a Caravan Tow Vehicle
- Claims for dual-cab ute towing capacity mislead caravan buyers
- Free camp safely in Australia – this article shows how
- Fuel savers do not work – almost all are scams
- Gross Combined Mass Upgrades
- How to Choose the Best Caravan Layout
- How to free camp legally in Australia
- Imported RV electrics
- Imported RVs – there can be major problems re-registering private imports
- Need for a WDH – avoid using one if possible
- Reducing caravan sway – here’s how to minimise the causes
- RV Compliance – Here’s how to know
- RV Industry Changes Needed
- Supply cables for caravans – choices of current capacity and length
- Ten Tips for Safe Caravan Towing
- Tow Vehicle/Caravan Weight Ratio Explained
Solar
- AGM batteries for caravans – they are still worth using
- Air conditioning a caravan – here’s how
- All solar house – self-building an off-grid all solar house
- Battery charging and battery chargers – how to do it properly
- Battery charging via generator – how to speed it up
- Caravan twin-wire or chassis return – here’s why twin-wire is usually better
- Circuit breakers and fuses in caravans – how to know which to use
- 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
- 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
- Lighting for caravans – it makes every sense to install LEDs
- Lithium batteries in caravans and motorhomes
- Lithium battery safety in caravans – are they all the same?
- Living with solar – how make it all work
- Microwave oven power draw – it’s more than many users think
- Our solar equipped RVs – all proved a major success
- Problems with stand-alone solar – much applies also to RVs
- RV Battery Basics
- RV Solar Basics
- Solar input available for caravans – know that available and increase it too
- Solar regulators with current shunts – how to fix misleading readings
Travel
- AGM batteries for caravans – they are still worth using
- Air conditioning a caravan – here’s how
- Australian Road Rules Confuse
- Australian RV rules and regulations – a constantly updated general guide
- Battery charging via generator – how to speed it up
- Best Way to Drive an RV Around Australia
- Buying a New RV in Five Steps
- Caravan & Tow Vehicle Weight Definitions
- Caravan and motorhome tyres
- Caravan and tow vehicle dynamics
- Caravan common sense – a rare commodity?
- Caravan design need for change
- Caravan Dynamics Simply Explained
- Caravan fridge problems – how to fix the most common faults
- Caravan nose weight – it’s vital for safe towing
- Caravan suspension – it is mostly misunderstood
- Caravan tare weight issues – some declared weights may not be correct
- Caravan Tow Ball Weight – how much
- Caravan weight safe to tow – depends on what tows it
- Caravan wheel placement
- Choosing a Caravan Tow Vehicle
- Claims for dual-cab ute towing capacity mislead caravan buyers
- Do caravans need independent suspension – the answer is no.
- 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
- Fifth-wheel caravans are safer – here’s why they are
- Free camp safely in Australia – this article shows how
- How much solar input – here’s how to find out
- 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
- LiFePO4 jump starters really do work – they power other things too
- Lightning risk in caravans – how to reduce that risk
- Make caravan fridges work as claimed – here’s how to do it
- Making caravans more stable – here’s how and why to do it
- Mechanical sway-control has little value at speed
- Microwave oven power draw – it’s more than many users think
- Need for a WDH – avoid using one if possible
- 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 Industry Changes Needed
- RV Solar Basics
- 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
- Solar input available for caravans – know that available and increase it too
- Supply cables for caravans – choices of current capacity and length
- Ten Tips for RVing Around Australia
- Ten Tips for Safe Caravan Towing
- Top 10 Australian RV Apps
- Tow Vehicle/Caravan Weight Ratio Explained
- Towing Without a Weight Distributing Hitch
- 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
- 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
General
- AGM batteries for caravans – they are still worth using
- Air conditioning a caravan – here’s how
- All solar house – self-building an off-grid all solar house
- Australian Road Rules Confuse
- Australian RV rules and regulations – a constantly updated general guide
- Battery charging via generator – how to speed it up
- Buying a New RV in Five Steps
- Buying used caravans – what to check
- Caravan & Tow Vehicle Weight Definitions
- Caravan and motorhome compliance – the Caravan Council of Australia explains all
- Caravan and motorhome tyres
- Caravan and tow vehicle dynamics
- Caravan common sense – a rare commodity?
- Caravan design need for change
- Caravan Dynamics Simply Explained
- Caravan facts and opinions – the nonsense so often on forums
- Caravan fault issues – who is responsible?
- Caravan nose weight – it’s vital for safe towing
- Caravan suspension – it is mostly misunderstood
- Caravan Tow Ball Weight – how much
- Caravan twin-wire or chassis return – here’s why twin-wire is usually better
- Caravan weight safe to tow – depends on what tows it
- Caravan wheel placement
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Choosing a Caravan Tow Vehicle
- Circuit breakers and fuses in caravans – how to know which to use
- Claims for dual-cab ute towing capacity mislead caravan buyers
- Do caravans need independent suspension – the answer is no.
- Driving across Africa – in 1956/60 the very last time it was possible
- Electrical converter problems in caravans – problems when used for free camping
- Electrical converters in RVs – they’re unsuitable for free-camping
- Electrolysis corrosion in vehicles – how to find and fix it
- Fifth-wheel caravans are safer – here’s why they are
- Free camp safely in Australia – this article shows how
- Fuel cells for caravans – great idea, but cost is too high
- Fuel savers do not work – almost all are scams
- Grid connect solar problems – what vendors may not reveal
- How much solar input – here’s how to find out
- How to Choose the Best Caravan Layout
- How to free camp legally in Australia
- How to Reverse a Caravan
- Imported RV electrics
- Interconnecting batteries in series or parallel- here’s how and why
- Inverters for caravans – and motor homes too
- Is four wheel drive needed for motorhomes
- LiFePO4 jump starters really do work – they power other things too
- Lighting for caravans – it makes every sense to install LEDs
- Lightning risk in caravans – how to reduce that risk
- Living with solar – how make it all work
- Make caravan fridges work as claimed – here’s how to do it
- Napisan and Look-A-Likes safe for Septic Tanks – a professor’s view
- Need for a WDH – avoid using one if possible
- Problems with stand-alone solar – much applies also to RVs
- 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 Industry Changes Needed
- RV Solar Basics
- RV Toilets – Which is Best?
- 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
- Solar input available for caravans – know that available and increase it too
- 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
- Ten Tips for RVing Around Australia
- Ten Tips for Safe Caravan Towing
- Top 10 Australian RV Apps
- Tow Vehicle/Caravan Weight Ratio Explained
- Towing Without a Weight Distributing Hitch
- Ultra-light caravans – they are rare but feasible. Here’s how to do it
- Weight Distributing Hitch limits cornering
- 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
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)