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
- 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 twin-wire or chassis return – here’s why twin-wire is usually better
- 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
- 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?
- 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 design need for change
- Caravan Dynamics Simply Explained
- 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 to Load a Caravan Safely
- How travel trailer and tow vehicles interact
- 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
- 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 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
- 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
- Make caravan fridges work as claimed – here’s how to do it
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Make caravan fridges work as claimed – here’s how to do it
- Microwave oven power draw – it’s more than many users think
- 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
- Battery ventilation is vital – why take any risk?
- Blade fuse problems in caravans – they may burn or melt
- Caravan and tow vehicle dynamics
- Caravan nose weight – it’s vital for safe towing
- Caravan weight safe to tow – depends on what tows it
- 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
- 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
- Overhung Caravan Hitches
- 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
- 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 used caravans – what to check
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Australian Road Rules Confuse
- 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
- Caravan and motorhome tyres
- Caravan common sense – a rare commodity?
- Caravan design need for change
- Caravan tare weight issues – some declared weights may not be correct
- Caravan Tow Ball Weight – how much
- Caravan wheel placement
- Choosing a Caravan Tow Vehicle
- 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
- How travel trailer and tow vehicles interact
- 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 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
- Weight Distributing Hitch limits cornering
- What off-road really means
General
- Air conditioning a caravan – here’s how
- All solar house – self-building an off-grid all solar house
- Buying a New RV in Five Steps
- Buying used caravans – what to check
- 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
- Choosing a Caravan Tow Vehicle
- 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
- Lightning risk in caravans – how to reduce that risk
- Living with solar – how make it all work
- Napisan and Look-A-Likes 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?
- Ten Tips for RVing Around Australia
- 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
- 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)