The Smart RVer: DIY RV Maintenance and Repair

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Episode 213 – Dometic DM Refrigerator Not Cooling? Narrow Down the Problem Before Buying Parts

#35 trending · How To

Summary/Intro: Your Dometic RV refrigerator isn’t cooling—but does that mean you need a circuit board, a heating element, or something else? Before you start buying part

Oct 9
33 min

Episode 212 – RV Furnace Problems: Should You Maintain, Repair, or Replace It?

Summary/IntroWhen an RV furnace stops working, the most expensive answer is not always the right one. Before replacing the furnace—or ordering parts based on a guess—you

Sep 25
39 min

Episode 211 – Get Those Last RV Trips In — But Start Preparing for Winter Now

Intro: Fall can be one of the best times of the year to use your RV, but it is also the time to start thinking about freezing temperatures and winter storage. In this ep

Sep 11
31 min

Episode 210 – What seemed like a simple purchase turned into a Life Lesson for me!

Summary/IntroIn this episode of The Smart RVer Podcast, Eric Stark shares a recent experience that began with buying a boat and trailer and ended up changing the way he a

Aug 28
28 min

Episode 209 – How to Build a Roadside RV Repair Kit That Actually Makes Sense

Summary/IntroIn this episode of The Smart RVer Podcast, Eric Stark walks through how to build a roadside RV repair kit that actually makes sense. This is not about carryi

Aug 14
35 min

Episode 208 – Navigating the Perils of Stuck RV Slide Outs: Essential Solutions

Intro: In this episode of The Smart RVer Podcast, Eric Stark tackles one of the more stressful problems RV owners can run into: a slide-out that will not move. Whether it

Jul 31
28 min

Episode 207 – Why Are My RV 110 Volt Electrical Outlets Dead?

Intro: In this episode, Eric Stark covers a common RV electrical problem: outlets that suddenly stop working. Many RV owners assume they have a bad outlet, a bad breaker

Jul 17
31 min

Episode 206 – Unlocking the Secrets of RV Air Conditioning: Expert Insights from GE

Summary: RV air conditioners can be confusing, especially when they are not keeping up with the summer heat. In this episode, I sit down with Will Troyer from GE RV Appl

Jul 3
25 min

Episode 205 – RV Toilet Problems: Leaks, Smells, and Simple DIY Fixes

SummaryRV toilet problems can be frustrating, but most of them come down to a few basic areas: the bowl seal, water valve, floor flange, black tank, or water supply. In t

Jun 19
24 min

Episode 204- How to Find an RV Water Leak Before It Ruins Your Trip

Intro/SummaryWater leaks can ruin an RV trip fast, especially when they go unnoticed before you hit the road. In this episode of The Smart RVer Podcast, Eric Stark walks

Jun 5
30 min

Episode 203 –RV Water Heater Not Working? Start Here Before You Replace It

Summary /IntroIn this episode, Eric Stark focuses on a common RV problem that can frustrate any camping trip: an RV water heater that is not working. Before replacing the

May 22
33 min

Episode 202- Topargee RV Water Gauges: Know How Much Fresh Water You Really Have

Intro In this episode of The Smart RVer Podcast, Eric Stark takes a closer look at Topargee RV water gauges and why accurate fresh water monitoring matters, especially f

May 8
20 min

Episode 201 – RV Black Tank Treatment: Why I’m Talking About Solbio

In this episode, Eric Stark takes a closer look at RV black tank treatments, with a special focus on Solbio. He explains what makes Solbio different from traditional tank

Apr 24
31 min

Episode 200 – RV Slide Topper Fabric: When to Replace It, What to Watch For, and Why It Matters

In this episode, Eric Stark discusses an RV maintenance item that is easy to overlook yet important for staying ahead of bigger problems—slide topper fabric replacement.

Apr 10
33 min

Episode 199 – 12-Volt Compressor RV Refrigerators: Great Cooling, But What About Longevity?

In this episode of The Smart RVer Podcast, Eric Stark talks about a growing trend in today’s RV industry: factory 12-volt compressor refrigerators. These refrigerators o

Mar 27
28 min

Episode 198 – The #1 RV Toilet Upgrade Mistake (And How to Avoid It)

In this episode, Eric Stark breaks down the #1 mistake people make when upgrading an RV toilet: assuming the new toilet will connect the same way as the old one. The floo

Mar 13
20 min

Episode 197 – RV Power Converters (Styles, Brands, and How to Identify What You Have)

Ever been plugged into shore power but still had dim lights or a battery that won’t stay charged? In this episode, Eric breaks down RV power converters in plain English—w

Feb 27
40 min

Episode 196 – RV Water Lines Made Simple: How to Replace a Faucet Without Leaks

Today, we’re talking RV water lines and how to replace a faucet without leaks. I’ll cover the tools you need, the key steps that matter, and two digital catalogs that mak

Feb 13
29 min

Episode 195 – The Hidden Winter Diesel Problem (Power Loss, Soot, DPF)-Interview with Power Service

This podcast episode examines the often-overlooked winter diesel challenges, with a focus on power loss, soot accumulation, and issues related to the Diesel Particulate F

Jan 30
32 min

Episode 194 – When RV Electrical Problems Seem Relentless (Battery + GFCI Troubleshooting)

The podcast episode meticulously examines the myriad of electrical problems that RV owners frequently face, particularly those that seem never-ending and multifaceted. Er

Jan 16
27 min

Chart trend

Position in the How To chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#98#194JulAugSepOct

#32

all-time peak

days in the top 50 since Nov 2024

Chart positions

Where The Smart RVer: DIY RV Maintenance and Repair ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 11, 2026).

#116 NEW How To US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I listen while driving around making deliveries, the show delivers great information in an entertaining way. I am relatively new to Rv’ing and learn something each week and highly recommend the show

joerone · Oct 2025

I am a new RV owner, and having to learn everything by trial and error. It seems impossible to learn anything from the manuals or calling the RV manufacturers, and sometimes all the YouTube videos in the world can make me feel more overwhelmed than anything. I accidentally stumbled upon this podcast and instantly wanted to watch all the videos and learn as much as I could, the information was so straightforward and helpful. I ended up calling Eric Stark on the phone, and he gave me his time and wisdom and answered so many questions that I was unable to find anywhere. I just appreciate being able to talk to a real person! And also somebody that understands Montana winter weather:) It feels nice to finally have a knowledgeable contact with very direct and straightforward answers. I would highly recommend!

Ann@Fran1 · Jan 2022

I really like this podcast a lot! I’m relatively new to RVing full-time, and he does a great job of explaining things in a way that makes sense and helps me understand what’s going on, whether or not I’m actually doing my own repairs. The tips he offers are really valuable. I like how he explains things matter-of-factly - it’s just like talking to your trusted local guy! And I like how he’s now making a point to make it clear he wants to reach out to anyone interested, not just mechanically-minded guys. I appreciate how gracious he’s been about that so much!

Marykatie · Nov 2020

Eric Stark’s perspective as an RV parts dealer/technician is a valuable resource for anyone who has ever turned a wrench on their rig. As a factory technician I find his tutorials to be straightforward and easy to follow. He doesn’t get too deep into the weeds with technical talk and keeps a realistic mindset that most customers will choose a cost effective route when faced with complex issues. Whether that means repairing something or replacing it he is always honest about advocating products he sells/uses. Over the years I’ve listened to his Podcasts (albeit few and far between) and find myself wanting to purchase something from his company vs. typical online channels. This guy actually called me once in response to an email I had about awning care, something his company makes in-house. I think that kind of professionalism and personal touch is lacking in today’s online ordering routine. I bought a $900 heat pump and never heard a peep from a supposed family owned company, I ask this dude a question and get a direct call! Anyways if you’re interested in RV repair and maintenance Eric’s show is the most authentic out here. He has probably covered all the major basics and a few where they’re more specialized but for the most part they all stand the test of time in terms of offering applicable information.

Fleetwood Gearbox335 · Dec 2019

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