Navigating the Open Road: Reflections on our RV experiences

RV / Airstream Lessons Learned

Embark on a journey of RV / Airstream Lessons Learned + PRO TIPS. From winter camping tips to maintenance hacks, discover invaluable insights for your next adventure.

L1. Always travel with a basic toolkit to conduct field repairs. The Dexter rubber torsion axle(s) and shocks will do their best to smooth out the trailer's ride, however, screws, fittings, and even panels will loosen or fall out. During the shakedown of our first trailer, a 2021Caravel 22FB purchased used, the entire lounge wall next to the door separated from the wall and the rest of the frame structure. Fortunately, we had a cordless impact driver, gorilla tape, and some purchased screws from a local hardware store to conduct an adequate emergency repair continuing our trip using the lounge seating as intended. 🤨

L2. The tankless on-demand water heater is a fantastic improvement for the entire Airstream lineup when hooked up to a city water supply, ensuring everyone can enjoy a hot shower. However, the situation changes when boondocking. The clean water supply is rapidly depleted flushing cold water from the lines and it fills the gray tank with clean water. Therefore, when boondocking, we heat water in a kettle for dishwashing and use community showers when available. 😠 

L3. Roof-mounted solar panels have shown to be only somewhat effective for most of the year. Our previous trailer, the 2021 Caravel, had three 90-watt panels, and we rarely saw energy generation exceed 100 watts. Depending on the season, low sun angles and shorter days significantly decrease panel output. Additionally, National and State Park campsites are often surrounded by trees, further limiting solar generation opportunities. An external power source, such as a portable generator or deployable solar panels, is the best option for keeping batteries fully charged when boondocking. This is particularly crucial for wet camping in winter temperatures at or below freezing, as fully charged batteries are necessary to operate the furnace overnight, preventing the trailer's plumbing from freezing. 🥶

L4. Draining the black water tank creates significant pressure as it flows through the hose, potentially causing a mishap if the hose isn't firmly attached to the dump station receiver. We now utilize the Camco RhinoFlex Clear RV Sewer Hose Elbow with a 4-in-1 Adapter to ensure a secure connection to the dump station receiver, eliminating concerns about any accidental disasters. 😲

L5. Taking out wheel chocks before the trailer is completely connected to the tow vehicle might cause the trailer to move unintentionally, particularly on wet surfaces, when plastic levelers are used as a jack stand block. The force from the power jack can cause the trailer to shift off a plastic leveling device that the jack is placed on. While it's not a significant issue if it occurs occasionally, it can be quite startling when it happens without warning. 😉

L6. In cold, damp climates, managing interior humidity is most effective by using a combination of the furnace and Dometic FanTastic roof vents. Keeping both vents slightly open and running typically results in a 10% reduction in humidity within 30-60 minutes. It's ideal to have one or both vents covered, allowing for continued use during rainy conditions. Dehumidifiers can be a useful addition, but standard home models work best between 60°- 85°F. In cold, wet conditions, when temperatures drop below 50°, a specialized dehumidifier is needed, which can be quite costly. Occasionally, moisture may appear on the inside of a window, which can be easily removed with a squeegee. 😎