You’ve finally made the purchase, and now the beast waits patiently in the backyard for its first big expedition. On your most recent vacation, though, you began to have concerns as the journey concluded. Read the Best info about rv resort.
Whether or not you should tackle some of the upkeep tasks on your own is the first thing to consider. Do you feel competent enough to perform RV maintenance on your own? It is not recommended that RV owners try certain repairs or servicing on any RV, product, or component unless they have received enough training and preparation.
If you don’t believe me, you may call my dad and ask how much he paid the mechanic after one of his “I can do it myself, thank you very much” attempts. I was present. The outcome was catastrophic. On that chilly night in Tennessee, the roadside quickly became utterly dark.
The Two Varieties of Maintenance
Emergency repairs and routine upkeep are the two primary categories of RV servicing. Preventative upkeep may involve inspecting and sealing the roof, windows, storage compartments, and doors; cleaning, flushing, and servicing the LP appliances; changing the oil in the generator and chassis engine; checking all fluid levels; cleaning the filters in the roof air conditioners; cleaning and treating your holding tanks; flushing and sanitizing your fresh water system; and maintaining your batteries.
These can be viewed as proactive measures taken to head off potential problems down the road. You might also refer to it as “insurance.” When it comes to Holy Cripes, what now! Repairs, though, you’re out of luck. If you want to get back on track, you can’t avoid dealing with the issue, and it’s staring you in the face right now. A flat tire, a severely worn tire, or a blown engine are all problems requiring immediate attention.
The good news is that regular maintenance can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of repairs that qualify as emergencies. The emergency above repairs can be avoided with preventative care such as oil changes, periodic cleaning of air conditioner filters, monitoring and cleaning refrigerator components, and checking the LP pressure. Don’t forget the adage. Cheap and naive. Be economical with your poundage. Avoid taking any shortcuts.
How about some DIY?
Remember the warranty your car came with when you drove it off the lot and forked over the cash? Before you even think about turning a screwdriver, give this a thorough read. Unauthorized maintenance and repair can void manufacturer warranties and reduce their responsibility in specific situations.
Even if the manufacturer requires them, new or extended warranties may not pay for some routine maintenance procedures. Warranties rarely extend to maintenance costs. The trick is determining when you need to take an active role and when you can schedule an appointment at your neighborhood service center.
Now that the guarantee has expired, you’re preparing to make repairs in the workshop. But, before jumping in, there are a few other things to consider.
Do I have adequate mechanical and physical competence? – Wake up and smell the coffee, laddie, or lady. You must ask yourself, “Can I physically perform the steps necessary to do this?” Manual dexterity is needed to gain access to and remove goods from under, within, and outside of RVs. Specific upkeep tasks may be out of reach for those with physical impairments. It’s okay to step back and call in the experts if you realize you’re over your head.
Do not take the chance of turning a routine maintenance job into an emergency that requires expensive repairs. If the issue is outside of your expertise, the expense of fixing it will be far more than the convenience of scheduling an appointment with a repair center. (If anyone still has questions, they have my dad’s number.)
Willingness to learn: If you want to be able to undertake some essential maintenance, you’ll need to put in some time and effort to prepare yourself. Repairing LP-related appliances and parts, for example, requires a fundamental familiarity with the device’s operational flow. The LP gas flow and the electric current. While you’ll need to familiarize yourself with each appliance’s unique operation, the good news is that your RV will have its own set of controls. And getting started isn’t rocket science. Even though you need to read the manuals and guides that came with your RV, you might love the experience.
Be well-equipped — it’s essential to realize that doing various maintenance jobs will necessitate a variety of instruments, some of which you may not have on hand. Here are some specialized gadgets that could come in handy along the road:
Manometer: a tool for precisely gauging LP pressure.
Always use a manometer when adjusting your LP regulator.
Thermocouple tester for testing thermocouples in LP appliances on the bench.
A temperature-compensated battery hydrometer would be preferable for precision.
A digital VOM (voltage, resistance, and amperage) is preferable to a simple test bulb.
Think about the time it will take before beginning any maintenance project. Keep in mind that upkeep of any kind takes effort and time. Ensure you give yourself plenty of time to do the task. Stay calm and take your time. You’re more likely to forget something or make a mistake when you’re in a rush. Remember that the time required to do the identical work the following time will be less. Acquiring fluency in something requires lots of practice.
Guide to “Do It Yourself”
The following are some guidelines to help you get going.
Make sure you have a clean and organized workspace – This will help you stay on top of your tasks and keep the coach looking good even if you must enter and exit it multiple times. For instance, if you need to service your appliances, doing so while they are still in their permanent locations is recommended. The RV heater is an exception to this rule. Sometimes, taking the furnace apart and doing the job on a workbench yields superior results.
Power tools require an uncoiled extension cord in a convenient location. Also, if you’re using a drill, ensure you have the appropriate drill bit or screwdriver tip. Any upkeep job can be simplified with careful planning. Have you scheduled adequate time for the task at hand?
Have all necessary spares on hand, and set up where they can be quickly accessed. A helpful maintenance suggestion is to use the appropriate sealant or Teflon tape before beginning work on threaded fittings. The process is much more orderly and straightforward when hands are generally clean. Spread a shop towel or cloth and set the hardware pieces somewhere safe until needed. Before getting too deep into the project, take the time to pre-assemble the new components if required. Disassemble a repair kit and throw away any pieces that won’t be used. Doing so will streamline the repair process and spare you the potential headache of trying to account for extra features.
As was previously noted, it is essential to have all resources, such as wiring diagrams, service notes, installation instructions, etc., readily available before beginning the task. You should wait if you need more information or assistance before proceeding with the maintenance.
It’s essential to remember that preparing for a preventative maintenance operation is significantly less complicated than preparing for an unplanned emergency repair. Don’t forget that instructional videotapes covering a wide range of maintenance topics are now easily accessible. Visit the Video Collection Page of our Site. In addition, RV shows sometimes have lectures on RV maintenance, and many local community schools also offer curricula tailored to the RVer.
Do Not Skip This Step: Familiarize Yourself with a Local Service Centre! Always familiarize yourself with a local dealer or service center, even if you intend to undertake some maintenance. You’ll have to get over your pride and ask for their assistance at some point, and they can be more than just a source for replacement components.
In addition, you should never try to fine-tune your RV’s generator alone. Leave this to your service center for the best results. The generator needs to be load tested while the governor and carburetor are adjusted, requiring a wide variety of specialized equipment. Using load banks and specialized tests is outside the purview of the average DIYer. Remember that any time you make a mechanical change to the RV generator, there will be an electrical consequence. A generator cannot be tuned by ear. Those in the know will appreciate this item.
Never change your LP regulator without first learning to read a manometer regarding water columns. Observing a burner flame is not a reliable way to detect changes in the supply pressure, despite how important these are for every device. Many appliances can be damaged by LP pressures that are too high, while LP pressures that are too low can cause faulty combustion and inefficient appliance operation.
Maintaining your investment for on-the-road fun and relaxation can be a lot of fun if you take the time to draw on your technical knowledge, educate yourself about the many components of your coach, and stock up on the necessary tools and parts. It is hoped that costly repairs can be avoided and that the RV project can be completed to the total satisfaction of the owner.
