JHBOX solar motion light does a good job of illuminating all the rungs on the entry steps. Light will come on when the electric eye senses motion and stays on for 25 seconds.

ver since Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, people have been on a constant quest to find the best way to illuminate dark places. First came incandescent lights, which were hugely inefficient but lit up the world. Fluorescent fixtures, which produced less heat and could generate more light from less power, hit the market in 1934, though it wasn’t until the 1980s when they began showing up anywhere but businesses and warehouses. And then came the light-emitting diode (LED).

To say the invention of LED lighting was a giant leap toward efficiency and cost effectiveness is an understatement. The fact that LED fixtures run cooler, are brighter, last a lot longer, are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased in a variety of color (light) temperatures makes it possible to identify a number of places where added lighting will improve livability and safety. For RVers, lighting up the patio, the entry steps and storage compartments (inside and out) are logical places for additional light — if you go on the Internet you’ll find hundreds of imported products with wacky names that supposedly fit this bill. But not all are created equal; after years of testing under full time usage, we can recommend three products that perform as advertised, are reliable and inexpensive.

acking an RV travel trailer or fifth wheel into a site, the side of a house or any other place where access is tight can be challenging. For some outdoor enthusiasts, just the thought of backing up sends shivers down their spine — sometimes to the point where they opt for a motorhome just to keep from making uncomfortable maneuvers. For years, driving experts have touted the importance of practicing backing maneuvers in an open lot to become acclimated to the task. It’s great advice — but those inevitable blind spots can still take their toll on a driver’s nerves. Relying on a partner to guide the driver helps mitigate the problem, but can sometimes lead to regrettable arguments and unexpected contact with stationary obstacles. The situation is even more difficult when backing a big rig.

Fortunately, wireless cameras with advanced features have taken some of the edge off of RVing in reverse. The latest wave of large color monitors provides greater definition than products of just a few years ago. However, being able to see what’s behind you doesn’t mitigate the lack of vision when turning — especially on the blind side where vision via the mirror is compromised because of the articulation of the trailer in relation to the tow vehicle. There is a solution, though — and it’s not trading up to a motorhome. Adding additional cameras is a game changer — and if you already have a back-up vision system with provisions for side cameras, mounting the additional hardware can be achieved in just a few hours.

xpansive motorhome windshields offer splendid views of the road and scenery. Unfortunately, they also let in a lot of sunlight and heat. It’s just part of the deal; you can’t have that open feeling without some compromises on comfort. Makeshift window covers and standard sunshade material can help — and you can always extend the front privacy shade — but any view to the outside will be completely blocked out, not to mention darkening the cabin.

Magne Shade has just about perfected a sunshade that covers the front windshield as well as applications for the driver-, passenger and entry-door windows — without turning the interior as dark as a tomb. One key is the use of a high-quality PVC-coated polyester fabric that is “porous” in the sense that it’s weaved with innumerable tiny holes that, when installed, diffuse the sunlight entering the RV, providing light without being uncomfortable. It also allows you to see out — but from the outside, passers-by can’t really see in (except at night, when the interior is lighter than the exterior and you will draw your privacy curtains).

nce upon a time, there was more than just one Class A gas chassis to choose from. Long before Ford established dominance with its venerable F-53 chassis, General Motors (GM) offered an alternative with its wildly popular P32 chassis — featuring big-block Chevrolet power and front coil springs that offered a smoother ride than what the Ford could provide. Workhorse Custom Chassis picked up where GM left off with its W-Series chassis, but the company suffered several setbacks in the early 2000s that eventually led to the demise of a GM-powered Class A motorhome chassis.

The good news is, there are still tens of thousands of P32-chassis motorhomes on the road and parts are plentiful, making a P32 chassis motorhome a good used RV choice. However, these motorhomes were never known for their handling; in particular, the rear leaf packs allowed the rear axle to “walk” from side to side, contributing to that queasy “tail wagging the dog” sensation. And the suspension, while offering a softer ride than the Ford, was often too squishy, leading to white-knuckle handling in high winds or when being passed by semi-trucks.

t’s often said that life is a journey, not a destination. This is particularly true for those who travel by motorhome. We all know where we want to go and what we want to see, but it’s the mountain vistas, verdant meadows and roadside attractions along the way that make driving across America so enjoyable.

Unless your motorhome is plagued by ride and handling issues.

When freeway expansion joints sound like muffled explosions reverberating through the chassis, 18 wheelers nearly push you out of your lane or the steering wheel requires constant adjustment just to stay in a straight line, the journey loses some of its cachet. Now, instead of enjoying the passing scenery you’re focused on just getting to your destination so you can put this stretch of highway behind you.

s the travel season comes to a close, now is a good time to think about detailing the interior of your RV before Old Man Winter comes rolling in. None of us particularly like the idea of housework, but cleaning the RV’s living space before putting the rig away for the season means you’ll return to a clean, fresh interior come springtime. Besides, keeping your carpet/floors, furniture and cabinets clean will keep them looking newer, longer.

RV interiors are different from many homes in that they can consist of multiple materials and surfaces, like carpet, fabric upholstery, leather/Ultraleather, tile, stone, fiberglass and wood — and each has its own cleaning regimen. The good news is that it only takes a few hours and a few common household and RV-specific solutions to make your RV sparkle like new inside.

inter. If you enjoy traveling, it sucks — at least, in the northern part of the country.

I’m probably not alone in that sentiment. There’s no denying that traveling in an RV during winter where very cold weather (think snow) prevails — especially for New Englanders like myself — can be difficult. The popularity of “four-season” RVs has led more folks to take their RVs out in the snow, but for most of us, plummeting temperatures are Mother Nature’s reminder that it’s time to put the toys — and the toy haulers, including those without garages — away.

Whether you store the RV all winter or use it for snowbirding or skiing trips, it still needs to be protected from the elements — and understanding the limitations of its water system and pushing back against the freezing cold is essential.

The primary problem doesn’t lie with the PEX, or crosslinked polybutylene, pipe that is used in all new RVs since the new millennium. PEX can withstand freeze damage and high pressure very well. The problem stems from the plumbing connections, water-fed appliances/hardware (faucets, valves, ice makers, shower heads, etc.) and holding tanks.

Lippert’s Floe 636 automatic winterizing system simplifies the process — a lot. First designed and distributed in Ireland for caravans, the system is basically a small air compressor system with a pressure switch and isolation valve that is permanently built into the RV’s plumbing system.