Before you call

You've probably read the humorous accounts of the questions tech support folks are asked. Those of us who work in parts and service at Camping World have similar stories and rather than have you embarrassed or frustrated, I would like to give you some advice.

Before you call or visit your Camping World store (or any other service facility) to ask about a part or service, you will need to know some details. For example, let's say your refrigerator stops cooling. You will need to know the make and model of your fridge before we can find the part you need (circuit board? thermostat? igniter?) or schedule a diagnostic test with one of our techs. This is especially important if the refrigerator needs to be replaced. All refrigerators, even the same brand, are not created equal. The new fridge will have to fit in the same space or the cabinet will have to be modified.

If your water heater pilot does not stay lit or continues to heat without shutting off--right: make and model. We'll try to help with the diagnosis and give you some helpful hints like cleaning the orifice or adjusting the thermocouple.

If you need tire covers, you will need to know the size of the tire. You have no idea how frustrating it is for one of us to have to say, "We have no idea what size tires are mounted on your 2005 Jayco travel trailer so I don't know what size covers you will need." The manufacturers did not have a meeting and decide all travel trailers made in a certain year will have the same size or brand of tire.

That log you're keeping (you are keeping a repair and maintenance log, right?) should have all the information about your RV in it so you can refer to it. Many of the manufacturers also have manuals, schematics and diagrams online that should be added to your log.

We'll do our best to help you find what you need and I have no problem saying, "I don't know but I'll ask someone who might know." Meet us halfway and have the information we require. Help me help you.

Another fuse

My steps are working. Jeff, half of the team who installed my converter, came to the rescue and found another fuse that was blown located under the hood by the batteries. Now if the steps stop working again, I know where to check. Also, fuses are inexpensive and I have them ranging from 10 to 30 amps just in case. You might want to check your own supply and have them available.

For want of a nail...

...a shoe was lost. In this case, a fuse was the culprit.

The converter was installed and I plugged into the 30 amp outlet. All was well until Sunday morning. The refrigerator light still didn't work and it wasn't cooling, the water heater DSI (Direct Spark Ignition) didn't light, and the steps didn't extend or retract. The guys in the shop don't work on Sunday. I checked the fuses under the refrigerator, replaced one and flipped the circuit breakers with no success.

So I returned on Monday to find out what went wrong. Chris looked at the other bank of fuses under the hood behind the batteries. These are the fuses I can't see and are close enough to other wires for me to leave alone. The wiring connection was corroded and power was not reaching from the batteries to the converter. He used sandpaper on the connection, replaced the wire and fuse, and the refrigerator worked. So did the water heater. The steps, however, are still not functioning. The power step fuse looks good. It was late, everyone was tired and I plugged in again for the night.

Reminder: check fuses and condition of connections regularly.

I've been converted...

...or rather, Lucy has. The new 60-amp converter was installed today and the 12 volt system is slowly recovering while I'm plugged into a 30-amp outlet. The steps don't work yet but the monitor panel lights, the water pump works and the refrigerator stopped defrosting. The light inside the fridge isn't working yet; I'll check tomorrow.

I lost the small cabinet near the entry steps since the new converter is larger than the 22 year-old converter that went to the scrap heap. I found a new home for the laundry supplies and spare propane tanks that formerly occupied the space.

My fingers are crossed that the next item I buy for Lucy isn't a "need" but a "want" like window shades, captain's chairs (at least one for the driver), or the front windshield curtain. First, however, I'm going to enjoy having power again.

When converters die

After I had the two house batteries replaced, the starting battery was checked and a new one was recommended. Now I know exactly how old the batteries are.

However, the 12 volt system wasn't charging like it should and pretty soon, the electric steps didn't work, the monitor panel didn't light up and the refrigerator started whining. The generator was working well, but I would have to start the engine to get the genset fired up. Back to the shop to find out the converter was dead.

It's 22 years old so it wasn't too much of a surprise. I'm very glad I'm working at Camping World since I get a discount on the part. The labor price is not discounted because Camping World believes the techs should be paid fairly for what they do. I agree. Occasionally, there is a free installation special or a percent-off discount, but most of the time, the labor is what it is.

The old converter is a different size so some modification of the cabinet under the refrigerator might be made. I'll let you know how the new converter is working after it's installed tomorrow.

Remember the RV

It's winter and for many of you, the RV is winterized and stored somewhere. For the rest of us in warmer places, the RV is parked nearby and not used as much.

Just because you're not traveling doesn't mean the RV will be all right just sitting there until you want to use it. Whether it's a trailer, fifth wheel, tent trailer, truck camper, folding trailer, or motorhome, some kind of moisture barrier should be placed on the ground under the RV. Your truck camper is probably on some kind of platform or pallet. If your RV has tires, you can purchase inexpensive plastic placemats to put between the tires and the surface they're resting on: dirt, gravel, asphalt, cement, concrete, etc. Use your jacks to raise the rig slightly so all the weight isn't resting on the tires. Flat spots could develop on the tires from sitting.

If your RV is nearby and you have an electrical connection, keep it plugged in. Use the refrigerator on propane to keep critters, especially spiders, from setting up housekeeping in vital areas. Spiders love propane. Your water heater should be drained (stand back because what comes out will be ugly and smelly), filled with fresh water and turned on weekly to let it cycle through heating your six or ten gallons of water. Run a water hose to the RV as well and check your connections for any leaks in the faucet, sink, shower or toilet.

Your motorhome should be started weekly and ideally driven somewhere. It's meant to move so just running the engine is not enough. Drive it around the block or to the grocery store, park or shopping center.

You might also consider using the RV as a private office to escape the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Watch your football games or read your favorite novel.

The picture above was taken two miles from where I used to live and was a favorite overnight place for my RV and me to go for some exercise.

Remember the RV!

Frugal RVing

Yes, that's part of the title of my book and it's also something I practice every day.

As I sat down with my spreadsheets this evening and once again looked at this year's travel expenses, I had to make a tough decision. By taking the position at Camping World, I will not be able to take time off in June or July (company policy). That means I won't be able to teach at the Life on Wheels conference in Moscow, Idaho, or attend Escapade in Gillette, Wyoming. Camping World's headquarters are in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and that Life on Wheels is scheduled in May, followed by LOW in Ankeny, Iowa, later that month. It would not be wise to drive thousands of miles to the first without attending the other on the return trip. That trip would involve three weeks off without pay and hundreds of gallons of gas.

I will still be teaching at LOW in Tucson in March but that will be the only trip for 2008. The good news is that my travel may increase in 2009. That will depend on how frugally I can RV.