Russ De Maris, Author at RV Travel

Modifying your RV toilet for a better fit

October 13, 2016October 14, 2016 Russ De Maris

By Russ and Tiña De Maris If there’s anything that we’ve learned during our time with RVtravel.com, it’s that our readers are an innovative lot. If there’s a way to make the RV lifestyle easier, less costly, or just plain more fun, you’ll figure out a way to do it. A number of your ideas have made their way... Read More

Save money this winter — camp on an LTVA

October 3, 2016October 5, 2016 Russ De Maris

By Bob Difley Winter is a welcome time for snowbirds as they leave the cold, wind, rain, and snow of the northern states and head for the warmer southwestern deserts. Snowbirding is also a happy time for boondockers and frugal RVers since there are millions of acres of desert open for boondocking at no cost. But if you are... Read More

How about some dump station decorum?

October 3, 2016October 5, 2016 Russ De Maris

By Russ and Tiña De Maris Most of us picked up on life’s little niceties when we were young, say in kindergarten. Sharing. Taking turns. Working at developing patience. For the most part, we see it in our fellow RVers — courtesy seems like a general rule among most. But still, there are areas where it seems like some need... Read More

Choose a Class C motorhome or Class B van conversion?

October 3, 2016October 5, 2016 Russ De Maris

By Russ and Tiña De Maris Here’s a question that some new-to-RVing wonder about: “I’ve never had an RV before, and I’ll be traveling alone with my dog. I’m intimidated by big vehicles, and I want fuel efficiency but comfort, too. What do you think about a Class B motorhome?” Here are a few things to think about. Depending... Read More

RV grill connection befuddlement

October 3, 2016October 5, 2016 Russ De Maris

By Chris Dougherty Chris Dougherty is a certified RV technician. Here is a letter he received from a reader while he was serving as RVtravel.com’s technical editor. Dear Chris, I have purchased a Class A motor home that has an LP accessory, which is also low pressure. Therefore, I cannot use my existing grill as the flame control and... Read More

Full-time RV Travels — Who really is a full-time RVer?

October 3, 2016October 5, 2016 Russ De Maris

By Russ and Tiña De Maris Want to open a can of worms? Next time you’re sitting around the RV community campfire, ask your friends how to define a “full-time RVer.” It’s a subject of great debate. Some say a full-time RVer is one who lives in their RV 365 days a year, and has no other home. The... Read More

Camping on Arizona state trust land

September 29, 2016September 29, 2016 Russ De Maris

By Dave Helgesen For active boondockers the state of Arizona has it all. The sun shines nearly all year and you have multiple climate zones in which to camp — from cool mountains to arid deserts. ATV use is permitted practically anywhere you would like to go — from the grocery store to a remote outpost. Then, there are the thousands of... Read More

RV show shopping tips

September 29, 2016September 29, 2016 Russ De Maris

By Russ and Tiña De Maris You can tell that fall has come: The geese are flying in formation and the RV shows are busting out all over. Looking to buy an RV – or just get a feel for what’s out there? Making a trip to an RV show can broaden your horizons. It can also be an... Read More

Kill lingering RV refrigerator smells

September 29, 2016October 1, 2016 Russ De Maris

By Russ and Tiña De Maris “The past is the only dead thing that smells sweet.” — Edward Thomas Full-timing friends of ours took off for a week away from their RV. On returning home to their hot Southern California RV, they were nearly bowled over by a scent that would cause CSI types to say, “Smell that decomp?”... Read More

No smoking — shore power connections

September 29, 2016January 24, 2018 Russ De Maris

By Chris Dougherty Chris Dougherty is a certified RV technician. Here is a letter he received from a reader while he was serving as RVtravel.com’s technical editor. Dear Chris, A couple weekends ago, we were using close to the rated 30 amp draw on our trailer with fridge, water heater, periodic microwave, HVAC, etc., when my son suddenly told me... Read More

Get a serious grip on RV condensation

March 29, 2016March 29, 2016 Russ De Maris

by Jim Twamley Dealing with condensation is a fact of RV life. Moisture is the RV’s worst enemy so you need to be aggressive in preventing it from causing damage. Most often condensation will form on the windows of your RV during the night when you’re asleep. As you breathe, you exhale moisture into the air. When it’s cold outside... Read More

Don’t be zapped by low voltage

March 27, 2016June 13, 2016 Russ De Maris

By Russ and Tiña De Maris In the classic monster movies, the mad scientist zaps his new “creation” with a huge blast of electricity — and it all goes bad from there. As RVers, the wrong kind of voltage can raise all kinds of problems for us; and it’s not just any voltage to worry about, but low voltage. Old... Read More