The Top 10 Tips For Stationary RV Living

This article is about my 10 best tips for full-time RV stationary living. Whether it’s temporary or permanent.

Yes, RV living can be done in lots of various ways. And you don’t always have to be traveling to enjoy the RV life.

In fact, there’s lots of RVers that actually spend quite a bit of time in their RV in just one spot. And there’s various reasons for that.

Watch my video about stationary RV living

Table of Contents

Reasons Why You May Want To Be Stationary In An RV

For instance, it could be that they just want to save money on travel costs.

And therefore, staying in one spot for a while can help them save the costs of traveling around.

Or maybe they really enjoy the climate in one area of the country. And they want to stay a while and enjoy it. Like snowbirds, for instance.

Or it could be that they just like the area itself and want to explore it. And staying in one spot for a while makes that possible.

Or maybe they have family nearby that they want to spend a while visiting. That’s a big reason that many RVers become stationary for a while.

Finally, if they’re like us, full-timers may also really want to have a permanent home base.

They want a stationary place to be able to go if unexpected things come up out on the road. A place they can always come back to.

So clearly, there’s a lot of reasons why you may want to be stationary in your RV for a while.

And therefore, here are my best tips for successful stationary RV living. Let’s start with number one on my list.

The #1 Tip For Stationary RV Living

And that is, if you’re going to be permanently living for a while in an RV, then a towable RV is probably your best bet for that.

Towable RVs are best for long-term stationary RV living
Towable RVs are best for long-term stationary RV living

At least, it’s probably a better choice overall than choosing a motorhome. Why?

Mainly because the motorhome has an engine and a drivetrain. And if you’re stationary, it’s just sitting there doing nothing for prolonged periods of time.

But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to keep maintaining those mechanical parts.

Because mechanical things like engines, transmissions, etc., need to be used to stay in good shape.

So for that reason alone, a towable RV lends itself to stationary living better than a motorhome.

And that brings us to the question of which towable RV is best for stationary RV living?

#2 – Which Kind Of RV Is Best?

That means we’re talking about comparing travel trailers and fifth wheels then. Which kind of RV would be best in this case?

Well probably. if you can make it a fifth wheel that’s a little better. Because first of all, it’s usually built with a little better quality overall.

In addition to that, fifth wheels are often larger as well. And that leads us into another point about stationary RV living.

Which is that larger RVs lend themselves better to long-term stationary living in general. Why would I say that?

Larger RVs like a fifth wheels are great for long-term stays
Larger RVs like a fifth wheels are great for long-term stays

Because RVs don’t have a lot of living space to begin with. You’re probably looking at between 200 and a little over over 300 square ft. in most cases.

So the more living space you can get, the better for long-term living.

That’s because sometimes RV walls can kind of close in on you. It can start to feel claustrophobic for many people.

So if you plan on staying a long time in an RV, having more living space is a good thing. Now for number three on my list.

#3 – Don’t Forget About RV Maintenance

And that is, while you are stationary don’t forget to keep up the maintenance on your RV. No matter what kind of RV it is.

I see this as a problem all the time. Many RVers get stationary, and they forget about a lot of maintenance tasks that still need to be done.

Especially on the outside, or the exterior of the RV. But remember, you still need to be checking joints and seals all over your RV regularly.

Maintaining your RV's joints and seals while stationary is critical
Maintaining your RV’s joints and seals while stationary is critical

This is the only way to prevent water intrusion that can begin to seriously damage your RV.

Also, you need to be washing and waxing that RV on a regular basis too.

That helps prevent fading and oxidation on the outside walls caused by the sun and other elements.

And if you have a generator, you will need to run it on a regular basis. Usually at least every month or so.

By doing that, you will help keep it in good working shape and ready for when you need it.

Now that leads us along to another tip that’s very important. It’s number four on my list.

#4 – Stationary RV Living In A Motorhome

And that is, let’s suppose that you have a motorhome that you’re staying in for a prolonged period.

If so, don’t forget to exercise that engine and drivetrain regularly. Of course, when you’re not using it, it can be out of sight and out of mind.

But it needs to be used regularly. And once again, I recommend exercising them at least on a monthly basis.

Which means that at the very least you should start the engine up and run it for a while. Make sure it’s being lubricated well in the process.

However, if you want to exercise these components properly, you really should do more.

You really need to unhook the motorhome and take it out on the road for a drive. It’s especially good if you can take it on the highway.

Drive your motorhome regularly to keep it working like it should
Drive your motorhome regularly to keep it working like it should

Just run it for a while and get everything working. This will help the transmission, the brakes, the suspension, and pretty much everything.

By doing this on a regular basis, it will keep things in good working shape while you’re stationary. OK, let’s move on to number five on the list.

#5 – What About The RV Park Or Campground?

And that has to do with choosing the RV park where you will be staying for a while. Make sure that you choose it carefully, especially for security.

Unfortunately, a lot of folks don’t think about that when choosing an RV park or campground. Many just think about choosing by price alone.

Don't forget about security when choosing an RV park or campground
Don’t forget about security when choosing an RV park or campground

But then they move into the park they have chosen and find out that there’s problems in that park.

However, now they’re kind of committed in many cases. So before you do that, read the online reviews for that park or campground.

Read them very carefully. And if you start to read about security issues, maybe it’s better to choose someplace else.

Or you could also ask around in the area and get some suggestions from people that are local.

Because that often gives you a lot of good information you need to know before you choose your park or campground.

#6 – How To Keep Your Camping Costs Low

OK, moving on to number six on the list. And that is, if you’re going to be in a park, try to get the lowest rates possible for your stay there.

And that means that you don’t want to be paying daily rates for an extended stay. Even weekly rates can be too much.

So look for annual, quarterly or semiannual rates instead. That way you can get the cost of your stay as low as possible.

Long-term rates are best for stationary RV living
Long-term rates are best for stationary RV living

But here’s something to keep in mind about longer term rates at most RV parks.

And that is, you may find that they don’t include the cost of electricity in those rates. Instead, you will be billed for that separately.

So try to find out what the electric cost for an RV tends to be on average before you commit.

And that way, you can budget the cost of the campsite for the entire time of your stationary stay.

#7 – How To Increase Your RV Living Area

OK, now moving along to number seven on the list. And that is, it’s good to have an outdoors area for extra living space and comfort.

Once again, that gets back to living space being an issue in an RV for long-term stays. In fact, over time it can get very tight for some people.

So it’s nice to have a little outdoor area where you can go out and enjoy the outside. And do so in comfort too.

So here’s a recommendation if you’re going to be in the area for a while. Or in one campsite spot for a while.

And that is, you might choose to set up a pergola or a gazebo on your campsite.

Because they are great for having a really nice enjoyable area outside and have shade at the same time.

Having a comfortable outside area makes staying in an RV more enjoyable
Having a comfortable outside area makes staying in an RV more enjoyable

Of course, if you’re not going to be there for a permanent stay, then maybe a popup canopy would be fine for your needs.

In fact, we’ve done that ourselves. Because they generally don’t weigh an awful lot, or take up a lot of space either.

And you can even store the canopy in the RV and use it as you go from place to place too. So it can be good for all of your RV travels.

Whatever you do though, just consider the idea of setting up a nice little area outside your RV while you’re stationary.

It extends your living area to the outside and let’s you feel more comfortable.

#8 – What Stationary RV Living Does To Your Tires

OK, that brings us to number eight on the list. And that has to do with your tires.

Because if you’re sitting in one spot for a while. it’s so easy for tires to get pounded by the ultraviolet rays of the sun.

If so, they’re going to dry out and crack very quickly and easily while you’re just sitting. And that makes them age very fast.

So if your RV is stationary, make sure that you have the tires covered and protected. And that will be a great way to make them last longer.

Get tire covers for your RV tires when you are staying in one place for a while
Get tire covers for your RV tires when you are staying in one place for a while

#9 – What About Extreme Weather?

Now moving on to number nine on the list. And that has to do with weather considerations.

So, what if you’re going to be in an area where extreme weather could happen before you leave?

Then get prepared for that in advance. For instance, what if you’re going to be in a more northern area where colder weather is going to come?

If very low temperatures will start to happen before you leave, get ready for it. And to do that, you may want to skirt the bottom of your RV.

That really increases the ability of the RV to maintain warmer temperatures inside. And it helps protect your RV plumbing as well.

Also, you probably want to increase the insulation in your RV too. By maybe covering the windows with an insulated material.

Also, stuffing some soft material up into the roof vents to provide better insulation is a good idea.

Insulate your RV well when to prepare for extreme weather
Insulate your RV well when to prepare for extreme weather

Of course, if you’re staying in the south for a while, the opposite kind of weather could happen.

How To Get Your RV Ready For Hot Temperature Extremes

And this is often what snowbirds do. As they often are going to be in areas like maybe Texas or Arizona.

These are areas where you could be facing 100ยฐ or more for a prolonged period of time.

So once again, try to insulate as much as you can to stay comfortable in that kind of weather.

And here’s another consideration for really hot temperatures in the southwest. It has to do with your air conditioning units.

Because they may not be able to keep up in that kind of an environment. So what can you do if that is the situation?

Well, you actually might want to think about installing a mini-split in your RV.

Especially if you’re going to be staying in one spot for a prolonged period in high heat.

These days, mini-split air conditioners seem to be catching on pretty well. Even in the RVing community.

Mini-split air conditioners are becoming popular in the RVing community
Mini-split air conditioners are becoming popular in the RVing community

And a lot of people are using them in extremely hot temperatures. Because they help make up for the deficiencies of RV air conditioners.

#10 – Your Internet Options While You’re Stationary

OK, let’s move along to number 10 on the list. And that is your internet needs while you are stationary in one spot.

Now, when you’re traveling around, you probably have a mobile internet solution already. One that helps you stay up with your internet needs.

But when you’re in one spot, you may find that it’s actually cheaper and faster to just connect up to a local cable company instead.

Local internet solutions can be much better for long-term stays
Local internet solutions can be much better for stationary RV living

Especially when you are going to be in one area for several months. So give that some thought as well.

Conclusion

OK, those are my 10 tips for stationary RV living. And clearly, being in one spot for a while in an RV can have its challenges.

But it can also have its rewards too. Especially if you think ahead and prepare well.

And hopefully the tips I’ve shared with you in this article will help make your RV stays in one place more enjoyable and more successful.

Have safe and happy RV travels!

RV Living Tips – The Do’s And Don’ts Of RV Life

This article is about my RV living tips on the do’s and don’ts of RV life, travel and camping.

And I have written a lot articles and made a lot of videos about RVing so far.

But the information in this article will be about some of the best RV living tips that I can give you.

For things to do and things not to do if you own an RV. So let’s go ahead and get started first of all on the “do” list.

Table of Contents

RV Living Tips – The #1 Thing To Do

And the first piece of advice I can give you is that you should have a system for purifying water in your RV.

Because we have traveled all over this country in our RV. And we have found that water quality varies considerably from one area to another.

In fact, it can even be very different from one campground to another at times.

So you really want to be sure that especially your drinking water is safe for use.

In fact, I made a video about that in the past. And the video is not about some expensive and complicated water purification system.

Because I feel that you can go a little crazy in this area if you aren’t careful.

But actually, the video is about a very simple and inexpensive system that we use even now. And we’re very happy with it.

So you can watch the video and see if it’s something that will work for you as well. Just click here or on the image below to watch that video.

Watch my video on water filtration
Watch my video about RV water filtration

#2 On The List Of Things To Do

OK, next up on the list is to keep all safety equipment in your RV current and up-to-date. And try to make sure it works properly as well.

Now what do I mean when I’m talking about life safety equipment?

Well, I’m talking about fire extinguishers, LP detectors, CO detectors, and smoke detectors.

RV living tips - RV life safety equipment
RV life safety equipment

These are components in your RV that can save your life. So they really are important!

However, I can tell you that as an inspector, we often observe that these items are just ignored. And very often, for a very long time!

In other words, they’re out of sight and out of mind in many cases. Now of course, RV owners may intend to keep them current.

But before you know it, many years have gone by and nothing has been done. So don’t be that kind of RVer!

Make sure all of these life safety devices are well within the range of use recommended by the manufacturer.

What About Fire Exit Safety?

Now, while we’re on the subject here, also make sure you know where your fire exits are in your RV.

They’re usually a window of some type, and they’ll be marked as an emergency exit. So be familiar with where those exits are.

This RV window has a red handle to identify it as an emergency exit
This RV window has a red handle to identify it as an emergency exit

But more than that, don’t just know where the exit is, also make sure that it works properly.

Once again, as an inspector, it’s amazing how often I get to that window and try to open it.

But it’s clear that it hasn’t been opened in a long time. In fact, in many cases it’s even stuck to the rubber seal of the window.

So don’t let that happen in your RV! Instead, know where the exits are, and know that they would work well in an emergency.

The #3 Thing To Do On My RV Living Tips List

Next up on our list of RV living tips and things to “do”, is to know the age of your tires. And be sure to replace them when needed!

The truth about RV tires is that they usually age out long before they wear out.

And many RV tire manufacturers recommend that you don’t let your tires go beyond 5 – 6 years of age.

Of course, you can go longer than that if you choose. But you’re taking a big risk if you do.

Because an RV’s tires are the connection that you have with the road as you travel.

And if something goes wrong with an RV tire, very bad things can happen quickly. Resulting in a bad accident, serious injury, or even death!

So know the age of of your tires at all times and replace them when you should.

Now how do you know the age of your tires? Once again, I made a video about that.

To watch it, just click here or on the image below.

Watch my video on how you can know the age of your tires
Watch my video about how to know the age of your tires

So you can watch the video first and then go and find out the age of your tires right away.

That way you can make your decision about replacing your RV’s tires based on what you find.

The #4 Thing To Do On My List

Our next point on the “do” list is to buy your RV from one of the better RV brands. One that is known for better overall build quality.

Now there’s plenty of people out there that say “All RVs are just garbage”. But that’s just not true!

There are RV brands that are better made than others. They are not all built poorly as some claim.

And the truth is that you can get a problematic RV from almost any RV brand out there.

Because all RVs are still basically built by hand. And that means that consistency can be a challenge in the RV building process.

So why not put the odds on your side to get a better overall product by buying a brand that’s known for more consistently higher quality?

It really does make a difference if you choose wisely before you buy the RV!

To find out which brands I recommend, just click here or on the image below.

Download my "better brands" RV guidebooks

#5 On The “Do” List Is Very Important

Next on the list of things you should do is to check RV seals and joints often.

And you’ll find RV joints where the front cap and back cap meets the RV walls. But there’s more than that to check.

There’s also joints and seals up on the RV roof that need to be examined too.

So what are you looking for? Well, you don’t want to see holes in the sealant on those joints.

You also want to check for areas where the sealant is cracking. Or where it’s been rubbed away.

RV living tips - check for holes and gaps in your RV sealant

And if you find that any of that is happening, then replace that sealant right way!

Because the last thing you want is to have water leaking into your RV.

If it does, it can do major damage very quickly. And it can be very expensive to fix. So check your RV seals, joints and sealant often!

Another Important Thing To “Do” On My List

OK, next up on the “do” list is to have an electric management system for your RV.

One that will protect your entire RV’s electrical system from dangerous electrical situations.

Remember how I mentioned earlier that from one campground to another you can find differences in water pressure?

Well, the same is true of the quality of the electrical connections that you can encounter.

In one campground it’ll be great! But in another campground it can be downright dangerous.

So don’t just settle for a generic RV surge protector. You will need an RV electrical management system.

In fact, I made a video about this that can be very helpful for you to view.

It will compare the differences between electrical management systems and surge protectors.

And it will help you determine what’s best for your situation. To watch that video, just click here or on the image below.

Watch my video about RV surge protectors and electrical management systems

#7 On My List Of RV Living Tips

My next recommendation on the “do” list is to have a tire pressure monitoring system.

One with enough sensors to cover every tire on your RV’s rig, not just the RV itself.

Because if you have a towable RV, then it’s probably being towed by a tow vehicle.

And if you have a motorhome, then you might be carrying along a towed vehicle too.

So have sensor for every tire in the rig. And then monitor them all closely as you drive.

There’s lots of advantages to monitoring your tires closely as you go down the highway.

RV living tips - Have a tire pressure monitoring system for your rig
Have a tire pressure monitoring system for your rig

For instance, if there are problems that develop with a tire, then you can know about it quickly.

Or at least you will begin to see hints that your tires may need attention soon.

And then you may be able to save yourself from a tire blowout before it actually happens.

In fact, this has happened to us while we were on the highway traveling.

And we were able to avoid a major problem with our tires that could have been very dangerous.

All by having a tire pressure monitoring system and watching it carefully as we were driving.

RV Living Tips – #8 On The List

Next on the “do” list is to make sure that you know your rig’s weight. And unfortunately, a lot of RVers don’t know that.

They’re just going down the highway without any idea of how safe their rig’s weight really is.

And as they travel and camp, they buy this thing and that thing along the way. And bring all of that stuff into the RV over time.

They often figure that as long as they’ve got space left in the RV, then they’re fine. But that’s not true!

So be sure you know what the safe weight limit is for your RV. And know what the weight limit is for the cargo that you can bring into it.

Then don’t go above those weight limits. That way you won’t overload the RV, and you can stay safe while you travel.

I made a video about this too. And you can view it by clicking here or on the image below.

Watch my video about the weight of RV
Watch my video about the weight of RVs

#9 – One Of The Best Of My RV Living Tips

Next on the RV “do” list is to get an RV inspection on any RV that you buy. Whether it’s a new or used one.

Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of RV buyers that don’t follow this advice.

But think about it! Almost every town or city has an inspection department for new homes.

And their function is to go out and make sure that any building that’s constructed is built according to code, and is safe.

So why would you want to buy a home on wheels and not have it inspected properly?

In fact, I recommend using certified NRVIA inspectors for this purpose. Because they know what they’re looking for during the inspection.

RV living tips - Always use a certified NRVIA RV inspector before buying an RV
Always use a certified NRVIA RV inspector before buying an RV

They can easily determine what shape any RV is really in by inspecting it thoroughly.

Now, online you often hear a lot of complaints about people buying RVs that aren’t really ready for use.

However, the vast majority, if not almost all of them, have not done their due diligence before buying the RV.

And most of them did not get an RV inspection as they should. So don’t be one of those people!

OK, that’s the list of “do’s”. Now let’s move on to the list of RVing “don’ts”.

#1 On My List Of Things Not To Do

And number one on that list is don’t rely on Google Maps to direct you in an RV. And that’s especially important if you have a bigger rig!

Because Google Maps is just going to try to get you to take the quickest route possible.

And I can tell you for sure, it’ll take you down some roads that you really don’t want to be on with an RV.

Roads that can get you in trouble quickly with a bigger rig. So my recommendation is to make sure you use an RV GPS app instead.

Or plan your trips with something like RV Trip Wizard. In fact, we’ve been using it for years for planning RV trips and we’re very happy with it.

Once again, I made a video about how RV Trip Wizard can be used that way. So just click here or on the image below to view that video.

Watch my video on how to use RV Trip Wizard for planning RV trips
Watch my video on how to use RV Trip Wizard for planning RV trips

RV Living Tips – The #2 Thing You Shouldn’t Do

OK, number two on the “don’t” list is don’t leave your black tank valve open at RV parks.

I see this a lot with people in campgrounds that are going to be there a while. Or maybe they even just live in the park.

Well, don’t leave that black tank valve open on a constant basis and think it’s fine to do that.

Because the liquids are going to drain right out like they should. But very often, the solids don’t.

Instead, they build up inside the tank and harden there. Once that happens, you have a real problem on your hands at that point.

And it’s often called “the black tank bomb”. It’s a solid, hardened, collection of waste that clogs up the whole RV sewer system.

RV living tips - avoid the black tank bomb!
RV living tips – avoid the black tank bomb!

And you really don’t want that! Because it’s going to be expensive to repair in many cases.

Instead, what you want to do is just leave the black tank valve closed until the tank is full.

Then open it and let the pressure in the tank push everything out of it all at once. Both the liquids and the solids.

I know that it takes more effort to do this regularly. But it will save a lot of unnecessary expense and frustration if you do.

#3 On The RV Living Tips “Don’t” List

Next up on the “don’t” list is don’t hook up to a city water connection without a water pressure regulator.

Always use a water pressure regulator in RV parks and campgrounds
Always use a water pressure regulator in RV parks and campgrounds

Remember that I said there are variances in the quality of water across the US, and from campground to campground?

Well, there are also variances in water pressure too. And sometimes there’s more pressure than there should be in the water lines.

When that happens, the excess pressure can cause a real problem with the plumbing in your RV.

And if it does, it’s most likely not going to be an easy problem to fix in many cases.

So protect your plumbing by using a very simple and inexpensive water pressure regulator. And then you don’t have to worry about those issues.

RV “Don’t” #4 On My List

OK, next up on the “don’t” list is don’t drive too fast on the highway when you’re traveling with your RV.

I have to say that we have people go right by us like we’re standing still in our rig.

And I know for sure that the tires on those RVs are not rated for that kind of speed.

Just remember that there is not a fire to go to when you’re traveling. So don’t get too anxious about getting to your destination.

Instead, make sure you’re maintaining a safe speed for your RV. And for us, that speed is somewhere between 60 and 65 miles hour.

That speed seems to keep us in control of what we’re doing at all times.

But also maintain a safe distance too between you and the vehicle in front of you too.

Because things can happen unexpectedly on the road. And you want to be able to bring that big RV down to a stop fairly quickly when they do.

So maintain a good safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you.

Tip #5 That You Shouldn’t Do

Next up on the “don’t” list is don’t leave your RV awning out when you’re away from your RV.

Always retract your RV awning when away from your RV
Always retract your RV awning when away from your RV

Because there are areas in this country where storms just come up quickly without warning. In fact, almost in the blink of an eye!

And the storm can get bad very fast, with high winds. Then it can grab your RV’s awning and destroy it before you know it.

In fact, we’ve seen it happen on several occasions in our RV travels. So don’t leave your awning out when you’re away from the RV.

It can be an extremely expensive mistake to make that is easily avoided.

RV Living Tips – #5 On The List

Next on the “don’t” list is don’t use an RV service tech or repair facility without checking out their online reviews.

Of course, there’s lots of repair techs and service facilities for RV repairs and maintenance. But they are not all the same, not by a long shot!

So be sure you know a little bit about them before you take your rig to them.

And having word of mouth testimonials is a good thing. But it’s also good to check online reviews as well. So be sure you do that.

#6 Of Things You Shouldn’t Do To Your RV

OK, next on the “don’t” list is don’t procrastinate about caring for your RV’s exterior. And a lot of RVers do this!

Of course, they often intend to go out and wash and wax their RV on a regular basis.

But they know it’s a big job. So instead, they just sort of put it off for a while

And weeks turn into months, and then months turn into years. Next thing you know, the outside of their RV looks terrible.

So don’t procrastinate caring for your RV’s exterior. Instead, wash and wax it often!

Now I made a video about this too. It’s about a system that I use to be able to wash and wax my RVs all at the same time.

And it doesn’t take me very long to do it. Also, it’s not a lot of effort to do it either.

So if you want to see the video I made on that subject, just click here or on the image below.

RV living tips - Watch my video on how to effortlessly wash and wax your RV
Watch my video on how to effortlessly wash and wax your RV

Oh and one more thing. Don’t forget about caring for the rubber and plastic parts on the outside of the RV either.

You can easily protect them by using a great UV inhibitor like 303 Aerospace Protectant.

Tip #7 Of Things You Shouldn’t Do

Next up on the “don’t” list is don’t procrastinate when a mouse gets into your RV. Now this is a very important piece of advice!

Because a mouse can do a tremendous amount of damage to your RV in a very short time.

They often chew through wires behind walls and in the ceiling where it’s hard to reach.

And you’re not going to appreciate getting a bill for many thousands of dollars for those repairs.

So make sure that when you know a mouse has gotten in, get on resolving that situation right away.

And again, I made a video about this subject. In it I cover various means of tackling the situation and handling it effectively.

So if you want to see that video, just click here or on the image below.

Watch my video about preventing mice from ruining your RV
Watch my video about preventing mice from ruining your RV

Tip #8 Of RV Don’ts

Next up on my “don’t” list is don’t leave your campsite without one last walk around of the rig.

You know, it’s amazing how you can easily forget some very important things to do.

Because maybe you’re not feeling good that day. Or maybe you’ve got your mind on something else.

Or maybe while you’re packing up, the next door neighbor comes over and starts talking with you and gets you out of your rhythm.

And then, you just forget something you shouldn’t forget. Then you drive off and find out about it later, when it’s a problem.

So before you leave your campsite, don’t get out of there without making one last walk around.

Make sure that you look at everything as you go very carefully and deliberately.

Also, using a checklist for setting up your campsite and for taking it down is a very good habit to have too.

Conclusion

All right, these are the various “do’s and don’ts” that I wanted to cover in this article.

And I hope that you found something in there that’ll be very helpful for you in your RV life. Ways to make your RVing more safe and enjoyable!

Have safe and happy RV travels!

RV Converter vs Inverter – How To Know The Difference

This article is going to be talking about the RV converter vs inverter. And how to know the difference between them and what they do.

Of course, most RVs have multiple power sources built into them. And that allows them to go almost anywhere you want to go.

So wherever you go you can have useful power to run the items in your RV.

But RV electrical systems are very often misunderstood by the RV owners themselves.

Watch my video about RV converter vs inverter

In fact, many RV owners don’t really know what a converter is, and what an inverter is.

So very often you’ll hear them using those terms interchangeably. And of course, it’s really no shame that you don’t know that, if that’s the case.

RV converter vs inverter explained in this article

Because this kind of equipment is not really used in normal homes that people live in. Homes that are connected to the power grid.

So that’s the purpose of this article. To help explain the basics of converters and inverters, and what you really need to know about them.

You can also listen to my podcast on this subject by clicking here.

Table of Contents

RV Power Sources – Alternating Current

Now let’s start out by discussing RV power first. And the power in an RV actually comes in two main forms.

The first is direct current, abbreviated by DC. And the second is alternating current abbreviated by AC.

RVs Use Two Different Kinds O Power

Now alternating current is what your stationary home usually uses on a daily basis.

Because that’s what’s sent to it by a power plant, or by the grid that it’s plugged into.

So when you take a device and you plug it into the wall socket at home, most like likely you’re getting alternating current to run it.

But here’s the problem with alternating current and RVs. It can’t be stored in its present form and taken with you on a mobile basis for whatever you need.

RV Power Sources – Direct Current

So what about direct current? Well, it can be stored in batteries. And then the batteries can go with you on a mobile basis.

And it’s this ability to use DC power on a mobile basis that makes it so useful for RV life.

What’s Happening When Your RV Is Plugged Into a Power Pedestal

However, RVs also can power the same 120 volt items that you use at home.

Things like televisions, microwaves, washers and dryers, and so on.

The 120 volt items an RV may have to power

So let’s say that you are plugged into a power pedestal for instance. Probably at a campground or an RV park.

Well in that case, you’re going to receive the alternating current that you need to run those AC items.

What Your Batteries Are Doing For Your Power Needs

But RV batteries and the 12 volt electrical system in the RV will also be running the lights in your RV. And it will be doing that at the same time.

It will also power the water pump, the furnace, and other smaller items like that as well.

The 12 volt items that your RV has to power

These are all components that run on 12 volt direct current instead of alternating current.

But the problem with batteries is that battery power doesn’t last forever. It has a limit when it is stored in a battery.

So when power goes out of a battery, it has to be replenished or recharged.

RV Converter vs Inverter – What The Converter Does

And here is where the converter comes in. Because you’re going to find converters in almost all RVs out there.

And their purpose is to receive shore power, or 120 volt alternating current that comes from the grid.

Then the converter changes it to 12 volt direct current to recharge your batteries if needed.

Converter vs inverter - what a converter does in an RV

And then it will help run all the 12 volt items and components in the RV as well.

Now when the batteries finally reach a fully charged state, it maintains them at that level.

So shore power, or alternating current, lets you run both 12 volt items in your RV and 120 volt items in the RV at the same time.

And that’s because of the converter. But RVs are not always plugged into shore power.

What Happens When Your RV Isn’t Plugged In?

So what happens when you unplug and take the RV on the road when you’re traveling?

What about your power needs when your RV is unplugged?
What about your power needs when your RV is unplugged?

Or what happens when you’re camping in an area that doesn’t have a power pedestal?

For instance, what happens if you’re boondocking off grid and there is no other power source available?

Well, your batteries are still going to run those 12 volt items in the RV with no problem.

At least until the batteries are depleted of their stored 12 volt power.

But how do you operate those larger 120 volt items that require alternating current?

Or in other words, how do you run your TV, the coffee pot, a hair dryer, and so on?

And how do you recharge your electronic devices now? Because they don’t run on 12 volt direct current either?

RV Converter vs Inverter – The Inverter

Well here is where the inverter comes in. Because now its job comes into play.

It has to take the power stored in your batteries, and then change it from 12 volt direct current to 120 volt alternating current.

Converter vs inverter - what an inverter does in your RV

And that way it helps run the devices in your RV that require alternating current.

Of course, inverters are not found in all RVs. Remember earlier I said that you pretty much find converters in almost any RV out there?

Well, inverters are only found usually in better equipped RVs. The ones that are a little more expensive.

So it’s possible that you may have to install an inverter in your RV if it’s needed.

And if you do, you need to figure out what size inverter you’re going to require.

RV Converter vs Inverter – What Size Inverter Will You Need?

So here’s a general guideline for how you can go about doing that for your power needs.

First of all, 120 volt alternating current devices usually have a label on them somewhere that explains what it’s power needs are.

And the label will usually tell you how many watts of power the device consumes when it’s running.

So look for those labels on the 120 volt items you have or use in your RV.

Then add up the watts that could be used by all those devices you might use at the same time.

And then I recommend that you add about another 20% on top of that just to be safe. That gives you a little extra headroom for AC power.

Converter vs inverter - determining the proper size of an RV inverter

That way you can determine the size of the inverter that you are going to need.

An Example That Helps Explain Your Inverter’s Power Needs

So let’s give you an example that may help. Suppose the 120 volt devices you think you’ll use at the same time total up to about 400 watts.

Well then add 20% to that figure. And 20% of 400 is 80. So that’s 480 watts of inverter power that you are going to need.

And that means that if you get about a 500 watt inverter, then you should be in pretty good shape.

So that’s how you can figure out the size of the inverter that works for your particular needs.

A Word Of Warning About Using RV Inverters

Now one word of warning though. Inverters are not known for being very efficient in the exchange of power.

So there’s energy that’s lost in in that change from 12 volt direct current to 120 volt alternating current.

And that means that when you’re using your inverter, you will actually deplete your batteries faster.

Or at least faster than if you were just using the battery power for direct current alone.

So what that means is this. Only turn on your inverter when you really need it. Or only when you need to run those 120 volt devices.

And that way, you can make your batteries last longer while you’re unplugged from shore power.

How Do You Replenish Power In Your RV Batteries?

Now what happens though when your battery power has been used up and is all depleted?

Well, this is a situation that RV boondockers face on a regular basis. And they have two main choices at that point.

What about your RV power needs when boondocking?
What about your RV power needs when boondocking?

First of all, RV boondockers can use solar power to replenish their batteries.

That means they can use solar panels that take the power from the sun and transfer that into the batteries.

That way they don’t have to break camp and then go plug into shore power somewhere.

Because that would then use the converter to power the batteries back up to normal.

Instead, they can stay right where they are and recharge their batteries using solar power.

But another solution is to use an RV generator instead. Either a portable one or one that’s permanently installed in your RV.

You can recharge your RV batteries with either solar power or a generator

Because generators will recharge your RV batteries as well. It just uses fuel to do that.

RV Converter vs Inverter – The Conclusion

Well, I think you can see that the RV power system in most RVs is very flexible.

It allows you to camp almost anywhere you want to go. And enjoy all the things your RV has to help you have a good camping experience.

So hopefully this article has helped you understand better what a converter is and what it does. And what an inverter is and what it does.

So if I have helped you understand that better, then the article has done its job.

Have safe and happy RV travels!

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