Honda EU2200i Portable Generator

“When the power goes out or we’re boondocking, this little red box is the difference between comfort and misery.”

RV life means learning to be self-reliant. Whether it’s a campground power outage or a week off-grid, we rely on our Honda EU2200i generator to keep the lights (and the A/C for the dogs) running.

Our Experience

The first time we really needed it was during a storm in Central Texas. The campground lost power, and within minutes, the Sierra went dark. I pulled the Honda out of the truck bed, pulled the cord, and it fired up on the first try. We had lights, the fridge stayed cold, and the dogs barely noticed anything had changed.

What I Like

• Quiet: You can stand next to it and still have a conversation.

• Reliable: Starts every time, even after months of sitting.

• Fuel Efficient: Runs for hours on just a gallon of gas.

• Portable: Easy to move around at 47 lbs.

Downsides

• Pricey: You pay more compared to other brands.

• Limited Power: Great for essentials, but won’t run everything at once.

Verdict

If you full-time or even camp regularly, don’t skimp on your generator. The Honda EU2200i has earned its reputation as the gold standard — and for us, it’s peace of mind in a box.

👉 See it on Amazon

How We Stay Connected on the Road (Internet for RV Life)

“Between work, streaming, and keeping up with family, internet isn’t optional for us — it’s survival.”

When we first hit the road, I thought cell service would be enough. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. After one too many dead zones, dropped work calls, and frustrated Netflix nights, we pieced together a system that actually works.

Here’s how we stay connected in the Sierra 3800RK:

1. Primary Connection: T-Mobile Home Internet
   Affordable, unlimited, and surprisingly strong in most places.

2. Backup Hotspot: AT&T prepaid hotspot for when T-Mobile drops out.

3. Signal Booster: Our WeBoost Drive Reach has turned “no bars” into “usable service” more times than I can count.

4. Starlink (Occasional): Pricey, but worth it when we know we’ll be off-grid for a while.

5. Campground WiFi? Forget it. It’s usually slower than dial-up.

Staying online isn’t cheap, but for us it’s non-negotiable. My girlfriend can stream her shows, I can work from the road, and we can video chat with family no matter where the dogs drag us next.

Chasing Sunsets at Lake Livingston State Park

“Some campsites give you a nice view. Others give you a front-row seat to a Texas sunset you’ll never forget.”

After weeks of being on the go, we wanted a trip that felt easy — something close, but still beautiful. So we packed up the Sierra, piled the dogs into the F-250, and headed east to Lake Livingston State Park.

The park sits right on one of the biggest lakes in Texas, and as soon as we pulled in, I knew we’d made the right choice. Our site backed right up to the water, with enough space for the dogs to stretch out and explore.

The days were simple: fishing off the bank, grilling burgers under the awning, and walking the shaded trails with the dogs leading the way. But the magic came at sunset. Every night, the sky exploded in oranges, pinks, and purples, reflecting off the still water. We sat in camp chairs, dogs sprawled at our feet, my girlfriend sipping a glass of wine, and I thought, “This is exactly why we chose this life.”

Not every trip has to be a cross-country haul. Sometimes the best memories come from a quiet lake, good company, and a sky that refuses to quit.

Victron SmartShunt Battery Monitor

“Before I installed this, my battery management strategy was basically: ‘hope it lasts.’ Now, I actually know what’s going on.”

Living in an RV means relying on batteries, especially when boondocking. For months, I guessed — were the batteries half-full, almost dead, or fine? It was a constant guessing game until I added the Victron SmartShunt Battery Monitor.

Our Experience

Setup was simple: connect it to the battery bank, download the app, and suddenly I had real-time info on voltage, amps, and state of charge. The first weekend we used it, we discovered just how much power the dogs’ fans and our laptops were actually pulling.

What I Like

• Bluetooth App: Check battery status from my phone, even inside the truck.

• Accuracy: Way better than the old 4-light “guess meter” our trailer came with.

• Peace of Mind: No more surprises when the batteries suddenly die.

What Could Be Better

• Price: Not the cheapest gadget, but still reasonable compared to replacing dead batteries.

• Install: Easy if you’re handy, but intimidating if you’re new to wiring.

Verdict

If you camp off-grid, this is a must-have. It turns battery management from a guessing game into something you can actually control. For us, it’s right up there with solar panels and a good inverter.

👉 See the Victron SmartShunt on Amazon

How We Make RV Cooking Easy (Even in a Tiny Kitchen)

“Cooking in an RV kitchen feels impossible at first — but with a few tricks, it becomes part of the adventure.”

Our Sierra 3800RK has a rear kitchen, which is bigger than most, but cooking in an RV still takes creativity. Three dogs underfoot and limited counter space can make dinner feel like a circus act. Over time, though, we’ve learned some hacks that make cooking on the road easier — and honestly, more fun.

1. One-Pot Meals Are Your Best Friend
   Fewer dishes, less cleanup. Chili, stir-fry, tacos — one pan, done.

2. Portable Grill = Freedom
   We use a small propane grill outside. It keeps heat out of the RV and doubles cooking space.

3. Batch Prep
   Pre-chop veggies and store them in Ziplocs. It saves time and avoids clutter.

4. Multi-Use Gear
   An Instant Pot doubles as a slow cooker, rice maker, and pressure cooker. Total space-saver.

5. Keep Staples Stocked
   Pasta, canned beans, tortillas, and spices — the building blocks for dozens of meals without needing a grocery run.

Cooking in the RV isn’t about five-star meals — it’s about making food that keeps everyone fed, happy, and ready for the next hike. With a little planning, even the tiniest RV kitchen can feel like home.

A Weekend Among the Pines at Sam Houston National Forest

“Not every adventure needs to be a cross-country haul — sometimes the best trips are just a couple hours from home.”

After a busy month of work and errands, we craved a quiet escape without the long drive. So we loaded up the Sierra, packed the dogs, and pointed the F-250 north toward Sam Houston National Forest.

The drive was an easy two hours, but as soon as we pulled into the forest, it felt like another world. Towering pine trees replaced the concrete jungle, and the air smelled fresher, cooler. We found a shady site tucked back off the main loop — big enough for the Sierra and a little fenced-in dog run we brought along.

Days were spent hiking trails where the dogs led the way, noses down, tails wagging. My girlfriend and I laughed at their stubbornness — each one convinced they knew the best path. Afternoons meant campfires, books in hammocks, and cooking simple meals in the Sierra’s rear kitchen.

At night, we listened to owls hooting in the distance and watched the glow of the firelight flicker off the trees. No WiFi, no distractions — just us, the dogs, and the pines. Trips like this remind me that we don’t always need to chase the big bucket-list destinations. Sometimes the magic is closer than we think.

Andersen Camper Leveler System

“Leveling an RV shouldn’t take twenty minutes of guesswork — and with Andersen Levelers, it doesn’t.”

When we first started RVing, leveling was my least favorite chore. Pull forward, check the bubble, back up, stack blocks, pull forward again… it was a sweaty, frustrating mess. Then I found the Andersen Camper Leveler System, and it changed everything.

Our Experience

The first time I used them was at a sloped site near Austin. I slid the curved leveler under the low side wheels, pulled the truck forward, and boom — perfectly level in under a minute. My girlfriend literally said, “That’s it?” and I just grinned.

What I Like

• Simplicity: Drive on until you’re level, chock the wheel, done.

• Durability: We’ve used ours on gravel, grass, even soft sand. They haven’t cracked once.

• Space-Saving: They take up way less room than traditional leveling blocks.

Downsides

• Weight Limit: Works best with rigs under 30,000 lbs (we’re fine, but heavier RVers should check).

• Learning Curve: First couple tries took some practice to stop at the right height.

Verdict

After months of use, I won’t go back to stacking blocks. These make setup faster, easier, and less stressful — especially when the dogs are barking and you just want to relax.

👉 See Andersen Camper Levelers on Amazon

6 Lessons We Learned the Hard Way About RV Maintenance

“If you don’t keep up with maintenance, your RV will teach you the hard way — usually at the worst possible time.”

When we bought the Sierra 3800RK, I thought, “It’s brand new, what could go wrong?” Turns out, even new rigs need constant care. Here are six lessons we’ve learned — mostly from mistakes:

1. Check Your Roof Seals Regularly
   Water is your RV’s biggest enemy. After a big Texas storm, we found a drip coming from a skylight. Now, I climb up once a month to check and reseal if needed.

2. Don’t Ignore Tire Pressure
   We blew a tire outside of Waco because I hadn’t checked PSI in weeks. Lesson learned: a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) is worth every penny.

3. Flush Your Water Heater
   Sediment builds up fast in Texas water. After the hot water started smelling like rotten eggs, I learned the importance of flushing the tank and replacing the anode rod.

4. Keep Spare Fuses and Bulbs
   One burnt-out fuse took down half our lights during a trip. Now I keep a box of spares in the truck.

5. Grease the Slides
   A squeaky slide-out is annoying, but a stuck one can ruin a trip. A little spray lube every few months keeps things moving.

6. Don’t Wait on Small Fixes
   The little problems always get bigger. That loose cabinet latch? Tighten it before it rips out entirely.

RV life isn’t just traveling — it’s maintaining a rolling house. Do the work upfront, and you’ll spend more time enjoying the adventure and less time at the repair shop.

Finding Quiet on the Gulf at Padre Island National Seashore

“Sometimes the best campsites don’t have hookups, WiFi, or even neighbors — just the sound of waves and the stars overhead.”

We’d been craving some solitude. After weeks of crowded RV parks, tight back-in sites, and neighbors who ran their generators all night, we pointed the F-250 south and headed for Padre Island National Seashore.

The drive down felt endless, the landscape turning flatter and flatter until all that was left was sand, water, and sky. By the time we pulled the Sierra onto the hard-packed sand, the dogs were whining at the door, eager to sprint into their new playground.

There’s something magical about parking your home right on the beach. No fences, no busy roads — just miles of shoreline. The dogs chased seagulls, my girlfriend walked barefoot along the water, and I sat in my camp chair, watching the tide creep closer to the wheels of the rig.

Nights were my favorite. With no light pollution, the stars felt so close you could touch them. The sound of the waves became our lullaby. Sure, we didn’t have hookups or showers, but we had peace, freedom, and the kind of quiet you can’t buy.

Trips like this remind me why we put up with the challenges of RV life. The breakdowns, the heat, the endless maintenance — it’s all worth it for a moment when your dogs are sleeping peacefully in the sand, your girlfriend is laughing with a beer in her hand, and the ocean is your backyard.

WeBoost Drive Reach RV Cell Signal Booster

“If you work on the road, no cell service means no paycheck — here’s how we fixed it.”

One of the scariest moments of full-time RV life wasn’t a storm, a breakdown, or even the black tank. It was sitting in the Sierra 3800RK in the middle of nowhere, staring at my phone… with zero bars. We had work deadlines, family to check in with, and three restless dogs wondering why their humans were pacing around holding cell phones up to the ceiling.

That’s when we finally invested in the WeBoost Drive Reach RV Signal Booster.

Real-Life Results

The first big test came in a state park outside Laredo. Without the booster, we had one flickering bar of service — calls dropped every 30 seconds. With the booster turned on, we suddenly had three strong bars, enough to upload photos, video call family, and even stream a little Netflix.

What We Like

• Reliable Boost: Works for multiple devices at once, so my girlfriend can scroll while I’m on a Zoom call.

• Simple Setup: An antenna outside the rig, booster box inside. No complicated wiring needed.

• Durable: We’ve driven through storms, high winds, and bumpy backroads — it’s still working like day one.

What Could Be Better

• Price: It’s an investment, no doubt. But for us, it’s worth it.

• Placement: You need to be reasonably close to the booster inside the rig for the best signal.

The Verdict

If you’re a weekend camper who only visits big RV resorts, you might not need this. But if you’re a full-timer like us — working, traveling, and sometimes parking way out in the middle of nowhere — it’s not just a convenience. It’s peace of mind.

👉 Check it out on Amazon

The Ultimate Checklist Before Towing Your Fifth Wheel

“One missed step can turn towing day into a nightmare — here’s the checklist we follow every single time.”

When we first started towing the Sierra, I thought I had it all under control. Hitch it up, crank the truck, and hit the road, right? Wrong. Our first big mistake happened outside San Antonio — I forgot to latch one of the basement doors. Let’s just say nothing humbles you faster than watching your own gear skid across the highway.

That’s why we built this pre-tow checklist. It lives on the fridge, and we go through it every single time we move the rig. It doesn’t just save us from embarrassment — it saves our safety, sanity, and wallet.

Interior

• Lock the fridge and cabinets (we once had salsa explode on the carpet… never again).

• Retract all slides and make sure nothing’s caught in the seals.

• Secure loose items — the dogs’ water bowl has to be emptied, or it sloshes everywhere.

Exterior

• Raise stabilizers and landing gear fully.

• Check tire pressure and lug nuts (a blowout in West Texas was enough to teach us this one).

• Hitch up and double-check the kingpin connection.

• Safety chains and breakaway cable connected properly.

• Connect and test brake lights and turn signals.

Final Walkaround

We call this the “two sets of eyes rule.” One of us walks around the rig while the other waits, then we switch. You’d be surprised how many times a second look catches something — an unlocked storage bay, an awning arm not fully stowed, or the sewer cap not screwed on tight.

It might take five minutes, but skipping this step can cost you hours of frustration on the side of the road. RV life already has enough surprises — don’t let preventable ones ruin your day.