| Well you've bought the beast and it sits in the side | | | | Thermocouple tester - used to bench test LP |
| yard just waiting to go out for it's next adventure. | | | | appliance thermocouples |
| However towards the end of your last trip you | | | | Battery hydrometer - one that is temperature |
| started to notice some things that you thought | | | | compensated is more accurate. |
| needed attention. | | | | Volt, Ohm, multi-meter (VOM) - a digital one is best, |
| The first question you have to ask yourself is | | | | but any is better than just a simple test lamp |
| whether or not you should even attempt some of | | | | Consider the time factor - Always plan your approach |
| the maintenance items yourself. Are you ready, or | | | | to any maintenance task appropriately. Realize that all |
| qualified, for do-it-yourself RV repairs? Unless | | | | maintenance requires time. Be sure to allot yourself |
| properly trained and prepared, recreational vehicle | | | | plenty of time to complete whatever it is you are |
| owners should not attempt to make certain repairs | | | | undertaking. Do not rush yourself. You are more likely |
| or perform service on any RV, product or | | | | to omit a step or make a mistake if you are under |
| component. If you don't believe me I'll give you my | | | | pressure to complete a task when in a hurry. |
| father's phone number and you can ask him how | | | | Remember, the next time you perform that same |
| much he paid the mechanic after one of his "I can do | | | | task, the time element will be reduced. Familiarity and |
| it myself thank you very much" attempts. I was | | | | repetition will breed speed. |
| there. It turned out very badly. It got VERY dark on | | | | How to "Do It Yourself" |
| the side of the road that cold night in Tennessee. | | | | The following suggestions will get you started. |
| The Two Types of Repairs | | | | Prepare a proper and clean work area - Having a |
| There are basically two types of RV service; crisis | | | | clean work area for whatever the task may be is |
| repairs and preventive maintenance. Preventive | | | | vital in order to avoid confusion and also help keep |
| maintenance can include such items as the following: | | | | the coach clean if you must traipse in and out of it |
| checking and sealing the roof, windows, storage | | | | several times. When servicing the appliances for |
| compartments and doors, cleaning, flushing and | | | | example, it is best to perform the maintenance tasks |
| servicing the LP appliances, changing the oil in the | | | | with the appliances left in the installed positions. An |
| generator and chassis engine and checking all fluid | | | | exception would be the RV furnace. In some |
| levels, cleaning the filters in the roof air conditioners, | | | | instances concerning the furnace, better results are |
| cleaning and treating your holding tanks, flushing and | | | | attained if the furnace is removed and the work |
| sanitizing your fresh water system, performing | | | | performed on a bench. |
| battery maintenance. These can be considered | | | | If you will be needing electricity, have your extension |
| something you do now to prevent something worse | | | | cord uncoiled and strategically placed prior to starting. |
| from happening later. Call it insurance if you like. Crisis | | | | Likewise, if using a drill motor, have the correct size |
| repairs (also known as Holy Cripes what now!), on | | | | drill bit, or screwdriver tip at hand. Proper preparation |
| the other hand, offer no options. The problem is | | | | will make any maintenance task easier. Did you |
| staring you right in the face and if you want to get | | | | remember to allow enough time to do the work? |
| back on the road it has to be handled now. A few | | | | Have all replacement parts ready to go - Have all |
| examples of crisis repairs would be an abnormally | | | | replacement parts prepared and laid out for easy |
| worn tire, a flat tire, or a blown engine. | | | | access. If your maintenance task involves threaded |
| Fortunately preventive maintenance will go a long | | | | fittings, a handy tip is to apply the correct sealant or |
| way towards minimizing the frequency and the | | | | Teflon tape before actually starting the work. It's |
| degree of crisis-type repairs. Routine tire inspection | | | | much neater and easier when your hands are |
| and careful study of inflation pressures, checking and | | | | relatively clean. Lay the fittings aside and cover them |
| cleaning the refrigerator components and checking | | | | with a shop towel or cloth until needed. If the new |
| the LP pressure, regular oil changes, and periodic | | | | parts need any type of pre-assembly, do it now, |
| cleaning of the air conditioner filters can all prevent | | | | before you get engrossed in the task at hand. If |
| the above crisis repairs from happening. Keep in mind | | | | some parts in a repair kit will not be needed, |
| the old adage..Penny foolish. Pound Wise. Don't try to | | | | separate and discard them prior to beginning. This will |
| cut corners. | | | | simplify your repair and avoid any confusion you may |
| Do It Yourself? | | | | encounter later when you realize you have a few |
| Oh yeah, remember that warranty you got along | | | | parts left over. |
| with the vehicle the day you shelled out the bucks to | | | | Obtain the necessary support materials - As |
| drive it off the dealers lot? Read it carefully before | | | | mentioned earlier, have all wiring diagrams, service |
| you even attempt to loosen a screw. In some cases, | | | | notes, installation instructions or any other type of |
| warranties may be voided or manufacturer liability | | | | resource open and within easy reach before starting |
| lessened if unauthorized repairs are performed Some | | | | the job. If you feel you may need additional help or |
| maintenance items, though mandated by the product | | | | support information, postpone the maintenance until |
| manufacturer, may not be covered by new or | | | | all the necessary information is in your hand. |
| extended warranties. Rarely are maintenance items | | | | Remember, preparation is much easier for a |
| ever covered under warranty. The key is knowing | | | | preventive maintenance procedure as opposed to an |
| when to actively participate and when to simply | | | | unwanted crisis repair. Also, keep in mind many |
| make an appointment at your local service facility. | | | | maintenance tasks are now available on detailed |
| So the warranty is run out and you are in the garage | | | | instructional video tapes. Check out our Video Library |
| getting the tools out. There a few more | | | | Page. Additionally, many local community colleges now |
| considerations to ponder before you dive in. | | | | offer classes for the RVer and RV shows offer |
| Am I physically fit and mechanically adept? - Buck up | | | | seminars on RV maintenance. |
| and realize your limitations there laddie or lassie. Ask | | | | Get to know a local service facility - Do Not Leave |
| yourself, "Can I physically perform the steps | | | | This Step Out! Even though you may want to |
| necessary to do this?" Many items in, under, on and | | | | perform some maintenance yourself, always get to |
| around motorhomes require quite a bit of physical | | | | know a local dealer or service center in your area. |
| dexterity to access and remove if needed. Physical | | | | Eventually your going to have to swallow your pride |
| limitations may prohibit some of us from performing | | | | and call on them for help and aside from being there |
| certain maintenance items. If the subject at hand is | | | | to order parts for you, they can also be a good |
| truly over your head then it's acceptable to back off | | | | source of information. |
| and call a pro. You definitely do not want to risk | | | | Additional tips - Never attempt to adjust your RV |
| converting a simple maintenance task into a costly | | | | generator yourself. This is one area that is definitely |
| crisis repair! It will cost substantially more to undo an | | | | better left to your service shop. Many specialty tools |
| error than to simply make an appointment with a | | | | are required, as the generator needs to be load |
| service center if the subject is beyond your scope. | | | | tested while making governor and carburetor |
| (Again I offer my dad's phone number to anyone | | | | adjustments. Load banks and specialty testers are |
| who doubts this.) | | | | beyond the scope of the do-it-yourselfer. Just |
| Do you have a willingness to learn - If you truly want | | | | remember that on the RV generator every |
| to be able to perform some routine maintenance | | | | mechanical adjustment that is made has an electrical |
| items, be willing to do a little homework. Servicing LP | | | | result. You cannot tune a generator by ear. This item |
| related appliances and components, for instance, | | | | is for the professional. |
| virtually mandates a basic understanding of the | | | | Also never attempt to adjust your LP regulator |
| sequence of operation of that appliance. Both | | | | without the knowledge and use of a water column |
| electrically and with the flow of the LP gas. Each | | | | manometer. Changes in the delivery pressure, though |
| appliance is different, but your advantage is that you | | | | crucial to each appliance cannot be determined by |
| only need to learn those that pertain to your RV. | | | | visually watching a burner flame. Too high LP |
| And it's not that difficult to learn. Oh, it requires | | | | pressure will damage many appliances, while too low |
| reading and studying the literature that came with | | | | of a delivery pressure will result in improper |
| your rv, but for the most part, it can be enjoyable. | | | | combustion and inefficient appliance operation. |
| Have the right tools - Be aware that many | | | | By honestly accessing your technical expertise, |
| maintenance tasks require a selection of tools and | | | | learning and gathering a resource library of sorts for |
| that some require specialty tools that you may not | | | | those items on your coach, and acquiring the proper |
| have in your tool kit. Here are a few specialty tools | | | | tools and parts, you may be just ready to |
| you may want to eventually acquire: | | | | experience the fun of maintaining your investment |
| Manometer - this device allows you to measure the | | | | for your leisure over the road enjoyment. It is hoped |
| LP pressure correctly. | | | | that major repair costs are avoided and total |
| Never adjust your LP regulator without using a | | | | enjoyment is realized from the experiences of |
| manometer. | | | | working on your own motorhome. |