Deluxe RV Group Blog

Fiat Ducato Replacement Tire Options

22/12/2025

Most Fiat Ducato motorhomes between 2019 and 2025 were supplied with Michelin Agilis tires specific to the camping industry. As Fiat Ducato's in New Zealand wear these out many owners come to find that this specific model of tire isn't imported or available in New Zealand for direct replacement in the correct size. Luckily we do have availability of many other brands and options. We always recommend consulting with your local tire professional to ensure you get the correct tire load ratings for your RV.
The brands we use here for replacement at Deluxe are the Kumho KC53 or as a more cost effective option the Petlas PT825. Both are the correct rating and have low road noise.
We also recommend you check out of tire pressure blog article here to ensure you have smoother travels across our New Zealand roads.

Inverters: Usage and Limitations

19/12/2025

We often have many conversations regarding inverters, how to use them and their limitations and sometimes wonder if people fully understand the product. Unfortunately inverters do have limitations as all systems in RV's and it is paramount to understand how and when to use an inverter.
An DC to AC inverter is a clever device that allows us to use appliances that run on 'home electricity' in our RVs using our batteries. Inverters convert direct current (DC), like the power from an RV house battery, into alternating current (230-volt AC), the same as your wall plugs at home.

Do you leave an inverter on all the time?

RV inverters can seem like relatively complicated electrical devices, and it's hard to know when they should be left on or turned off. For most installations, an inverter should be turned off when not in use. This is because an inverter can drain power from batteries even when there is no power being used.

What would I use the inverter for?

Charging your laptop
Charging E-Bike batteries
Running a small coffee machine
Low wattage hair dryers
Running Starlink systems
Running CPAP machines
Charging phones & tablets
Kitchen type appliances
Charging tool batteries

What are the limitations of an inverter?
Inverters are hard on our batteries and are generally designed for short term usage as suggested above. You should always aim to use 12v appliances if you can and only use the inverter when necessary. The inverter will stop working when the battery voltage is too low, and you will essentially run out of power if you over-use the inverter.
It is also worth noting that some inverters will only run 230v plugs from the plug located on the inverter itself. We are lucky that Pilote have a controls system that allows us to wire in Enerdrive inverters into the 230v system with automatic switching. This means that all the 230v plugs in the van will be live when the inverter is switched on, allowing you to use any plug socket in any location.

Tips and Tricks

Upgrade your solar and battery system to suit your inverter usage
Only use the inverter when necessary and ensure the inverter is turned off
Use the inverter during the day when your solar recharges the batteries
Charge E-Bike batteries while you are on the move or during the day
Use low wattage appliances