Technical Guides

Motorhome dealerships aim to impress from your first visit — with inviting showrooms and rows of sparkling new recreational vehicles visible from the entrance.

However, what you find out back of the dealership has the biggest impact on your long term satisfaction when buying an RV. That’s where you’ll locate the motorhome maintenance services and parts departments.

These areas determine what customer support you'll receive. They oversee your motorhome's warranty, influence parts availability and guide you to a reliable RV repair network.

In this blog, we discuss why a dealer's after sales service makes a big difference to your long term ownership satisfaction and trouble-free travel.

We also cover why technical motorhome expertise truly matters, and what to look for in comprehensive after sales service and parts. Plus, we highlight the main questions to ask your RV dealer and what warning signs to watch out for.

Are you dreaming of swapping a traditional home for full time motorhome living? It's a big step, but it’s also a reality for many New Zealanders who embrace the freedom and unique rewards that come with it.

This blog explores the advantages and disadvantages of living full time in a motorhome in New Zealand — without being tied to one spot.

We cover campervan living costs in NZ, freedom camping rules, self-containment certification and the demands of off-grid living in a motorhome. We also look at working remotely from an RV, the growing community of full time motorhomers in New Zealand, and the joys and challenges of life on the road.

Natural renewable energy sources like wind, water flow, geothermal steam and tidal surges can all be harnessed and extracted efficiently — with the right technology.

However, the sun is the most suitable renewable for keeping the habitation battery in your motorhome charged because the infrastructure is affordable enough. Even fitting the most basic solar panel system to your motorhome will help lower your overall cost of ownership — so you can freedom camp for longer and reduce your overall camping spend.

In this blog, we examine how solar systems work, the types of solar panels available and the many benefits of owning a motorhome with a solar system. We also discuss the affordability of solar panels, the risks of installation and whether solar power is right for you.

As the point of contact between the road surface and your motorhome driving along it, tyres are the very foundation of vehicle safety. Although highly durable, they’ll need replacing at regular intervals during the lifetime of your RV.

But which tyres should you choose for your motorhome when the original factory ones wear out?

In this blog, we discuss when to replace your motorhome tyres and what to consider when choosing new ones. We also highlight some essential tips about tyre codes, load indices, tyre load capacity and speed ratings — to help you select the appropriate tyres for your motorhome.

Motorhome water damage can lead to costly repairs, disrupt your travel plans and decrease the value of your investment. It’s perhaps the most preventable wear and tear on a recreational vehicle. All it takes is scheduling regular checks and maintenance.

The more you understand your motorhome tyres and how to maintain them, the safer your RV adventures will be — and the longer your tyres will last.

As a motorhome owner, it’s important to routinely check the air pressure in your vehicle’s tyres for safety, fuel efficiency and prolonging their lifespan.

In this blog, we discuss how motorhome tyres differ from car tyres, why having the correct tyre pressure is important and how to calculate the right tyre pressure. We also cover inflating your motorhome tyres and fitting a tyre pressure monitoring system.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, you’ll know how important it is to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine every night. But what about when you’re away from home — on the road or in the backcountry on motorhome adventures?

In this blog, we explain how a CPAP machine can help you sleep in your motorhome when you’re hooked up to mains power and while you’re off the grid. We look at what you need to run a CPAP machine and how much power it may use.

We also review some commonly held beliefs about the extra equipment you need, like an inverter, solar panel and portable backup battery — and determine whether they stack up.

Finally, we outline how to set up a CPAP machine in your motorhome and offer some top tips for using one during your RV travels.

Preparing for a motorhome road trip involves maintenance and cleaning jobs, to ensure your RV is in the best and safest condition. But the work doesn’t end once you hit the open road. Certain parts of your motorhome need monitoring for your own personal safety and health — and for your motorhome’s wellbeing.

As you pull into a beachside freedom camping site for the evening you notice the battery on your mobile device is almost drained. Thankfully your recreational vehicle has an inverter onboard which can draw power from your motorhome’s 12 volt (V) battery storage — reviving your phone.

In this blog, we discuss what an inverter is, different types of inverters and how to match one to your motorhoming needs. We also look at how many watts (W) you’ll likely require and how to prevent battery damage when using your inverter.

Most motorhomes leave their showrooms with absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries. Forming the backbone of 12 volt power supplies, they help make it possible for you to enjoy electrically-enhanced camping independent of the national power grid.

But are AGM batteries your best option for freedom camping — or do lithium-ion batteries give you more power for longer?

In this blog, we talk about the advantages of both AGM and lithium-ion batteries. We also discuss why you should consider upgrading your energy storage to the latter — and your charging system to suit.

Plus, we cover how to choose the right lithium-ion battery for your motorhome and how to monitor your battery’s charge.

It’s time to sweep out the autumn leaves and get your motorhome ready for a new season of adventures. Don’t let the winter chill stop you from hitting the road.

Before you make new memories on the open road this winter, make sure your motorhome is in tip-top condition. Use our guide to check that you’ve taken care of all the important maintenance and safety tasks.