Author: David Mitchell

By David Mitchell Quick Answer: Wire a campervan from the battery outward. Fuse the battery positive close to the terminal, add a shunt and a negative bus bar, feed a fused distribution block, and size every wire for its amps and run length. Test with a multimeter before connecting loads. Pull up a stool. Picture a friend’s garage on a Saturday: a bare van, a roll of cable, and a pile of parts that look more confusing than they are. I have stood in that garage many times, and the same truth shows up each time. A good build is…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: Overlanding is self-reliant, vehicle-based travel where the journey matters more than the destination. You drive to remote places and carry your own shelter, water, food, and safety gear. To begin, use the vehicle you have, add basic recovery and navigation gear, and take a short, easy trip close to home. The gravel road narrowed, the cell bars dropped to zero, and the only sound was a kettle starting to hiss on the tailgate. That is the moment many people first understand what this hobby feels like. It is not a race to a famous trailhead. It…

By David Mitchell Quick Answer: To sanitize an RV fresh water tank, drain the system, add a diluted household bleach solution (about ¼ cup per 15 gallons of tank capacity), fill the tank with fresh water, run every faucet until you smell bleach, let it sit for several hours, then drain and flush until the smell is gone. It was a Sunday night in October, the end of a quiet weekend trip in a Class C, when I filled a glass at the kitchen tap and noticed a faint stale smell. Nothing was wrong with the trip. The tank had…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: A 3000 watt inverter can run most RV gear: a microwave, coffee maker, TV, laptops, lights, and a fridge, one heavy appliance at a time. It may also start one 13,500 BTU air conditioner, ideally with a soft-start kit. Keep total running watts near 2,400 and size your batteries for the load. You bought the inverter, or you are about to. Now the real question shows up at the campsite: can I run the coffee maker and the microwave together? Let’s answer it the way a good coach would, one reader question at a time, with…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: An inverter on a truck converts the 12-volt DC power in your battery into 120-volt AC power, like a wall outlet. It lets you run laptops, chargers, and small tools on the road. Match its wattage to your devices, and use proper fuses and cables. Picture this: you pull into a trailhead, open the tailgate, and a buddy asks, “Wait, you can charge a laptop out of your truck?” Then comes the real question we hear all the time: what is an inverter on a truck, and do I need one? This guide answers that the…

By David Mitchell Quick Answer: An inverter in a semi truck changes the truck’s 12-volt battery power (DC) into 120-volt household-style power (AC). It lets drivers run a microwave, mini-fridge, laptop, or CPAP in the sleeper cab. Size it by total watts, use correct cables and fuses, and hire a pro for larger installs. Reader question: You are parked at a truck stop or a quiet pullout, you plug a coffee maker into a wall-style outlet in the cab, and it just works. How? That little box under the bunk is doing the heavy lifting. Let’s walk through it like…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: What is a jerry can? It is a rugged, portable container for fuel or water, usually holding about 5 gallons (20 liters). It has three handles for easy lifting and a sealed spout for pouring. Overlanders use it to extend range, carry water, and refuel generators. Picture a dusty fuel stop 120 miles behind you and a trailhead 90 miles ahead. That is the moment a spare can earns its spot on the rack. Below, I answer the questions new RV and overland travelers ask me most, one straight answer at a time. Fuel storage Steel…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: What is a gear bag? It is a sturdy carry bag that holds one group of equipment, such as recovery tools, camp kitchen items, or hookup supplies, so you can grab, check, and stow it fast. Many travelers use several small bags instead of one big pile. You roll into camp at dusk. The one strap, hose, or lantern you need is somewhere in the back of the rig, under three other things. Sound familiar? If you have ever asked what is a gear bag and whether you really need one, grab a seat. I will…

By David Mitchell Quick Answer: A center console boat is an open-deck boat with the steering console in the middle, so you can walk all the way around it. Most use outboard engines and suit fishing and day trips. Many mid-size models are trailerable behind a properly rated truck or SUV. “Wait, what is a center console boat, and can my camping rig pull one?” A friend asked me that at a lake campground last summer, standing next to his Tacoma and a borrowed trailer. Good questions deserve straight answers. This guide walks through them one at a time, from…

By David Mitchell Quick Answer: To wax a fiberglass boat, wash it, remove oxidation with a polish or compound if the gelcoat looks chalky, then apply a thin coat of marine wax to a dry, shaded hull. Let it haze, buff it off with clean microfiber, and skip non-skid surfaces. Pull up a bucket and grab a mug. I have spent plenty of Saturdays in a driveway next to a truck, a trailer, and a boat that looked tired after a summer of sun. A good wax job is one of the most satisfying chores in the garage. It is…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: Dig out the path in front of the stuck tire, tuck the angled end of each board firmly against the tread, and drive forward slowly with steady throttle. Keep rolling until you reach firm ground, then stop, stand clear, and retrieve the boards. Avoid spinning the wheels. Pull up a camp chair. I once watched a friend’s 4Runner sink to its axles in a soft sand wash, and a pair of plastic boards had it moving again in about ten minutes. Here is how to use traction boards the way a seasoned friend would show you…

By David Mitchell Quick Answer: To install flexible solar panels on a van roof, clean the metal, mark a layout clear of vents, bond the panels with a recommended adhesive, seal the cable entry, then wire through a fuse to an MPPT controller and battery. Check the manufacturer’s instructions first. Pull up a stool and grab a coffee. I have spent plenty of Saturdays in driveways with a roll of masking tape, a tube of sealant, and a nervous friend asking, “Are we sure about this?” Solar on a camper van is one of the most satisfying upgrades you can…