How to Learn the Mechanics of Operation/Maintenance on RV

[Potterhall]

As women RVers, can anyone give me some advice on how to become RV service knowledgeable, what to do when, how did you learn how to handle the mechanics of taking care of the generators, batteries, wiring, oiling, checking, etc. of the RV?
I have recently purchased my first RV, a class C, 26-foot Winnebago Outlook 2007. I am just learning the mechanics of making everything work, with the usual number of mistakes and things that don't turn on when they should (my error), etc. Reading the manuals about oiling, checking seals, charging batteries, fuses, putting this in, taking this out, etc. is a bit overwhelming. I'm sure I can learn to handle it but where, as women, did you learn? Any suggestions or help? Do you all maintain your own coaches?
I am age 65 with an older, frail husband, age 82, who no longer drives. I am sole responsibility for coach, hookups, repairs and maintenance, and driving. Would like to hear from other women who have mastered the mechanics of RVing.
Thanks! Pam

[Acadianmom]

I have had motorhomes for about 20 years and learned the operations and maintenance mostly by trial and error. A lot of error. There are books you can find online but I never got one. Subscribe to one of the RV magazines. I get both MotorHome and Trailer Life. They have articles about problems people are having, new things and travel. Just remember you have all the systems of a vehicle and a house. You will have to find someone who will do the vehicle maintenance when it needs it. Your RV dealer will work on the house systems but most will not work on the vehicle. At least in my area I haven't found a place that will do both.

The most trouble I have had over the years has been with tires. Check your air pressure before every trip. A low tire on one of the dual wheels can cause a blowout that can do a lot of damage to your coach.

Ask a specific question about something and someone will try to answer your question.

Some of the RV rallies have classes you can attend.

Good luck and have fun.

[Potterhall]

Thank you. Do you do the oiling of slideouts, or charging of batteries, or all the miscellaneous things the handbooks suggest be done every month or every 6 months, etc.? When I read all the things to be maintained, it is a lot. I am still trying to figure out what systems run on battery, what systems run on propane, what system needs electricity, what needs both, etc. Yikes. I see there are classes at the national rally. That seems like a good thing to do. Unfortunately I cannot make the one here in California in October but would like to take a class somewhere. I purchased my RV in Los Angeles, about 90 miles from where I live, so unfortunately for me, it isn't going to be very convenient to take it in to the dealership for continuous service. But I will perservere! Just don't want the errors to be too costly!
Thanks again. I hope to travel alone more in the future. Time will tell. I've always wanted to do this. Encouragement from other women who manage just fine is encouraging.

[Adrienne]

Just a suggestion: find your local chapter of RVing Women. If you're in the L.A. area, your chapter is the SoCal Journers. Each chapter usually has an annual repair and maintenance class for a nominal fee.

You can do it. As I tell the women in my seminars, if you can have a baby, you can certainly take care of an RV. Just recently, a belt broke on my radiator, causing it to overheat. I took it to a brake and tire place because they had a big parking lot and provided all kinds of services. The belt was replaced, a hole in a pipe was soldered at a radiator shop and new thermostat was installed just in case. The temperature was over 100 degrees and no one knew why the belt broke. Everything else is on a maintenance schedule on my calendar. Every Monday, for example, I empty the black tank. On the first of the month, I run my generator. I check my tires (1500 miles on the new set) every time I get ready to drive. In fact, I walk around the RV just to check it (and for exercise if it's a short stop).

There are a couple of really good tech manuals available at the RV Bookstore (yes--shameless plug for the forums sponsor). They are easy to read and understand. There is also a DVD available here that covers your particular type of RV. You might want to check it out.

Again, you can do it!
_________________
Best--

Adrienne Kristine
Forum Administrator
http://www.RVTravel.com
http://www.FreeCampgrounds.com
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[jrf]

I suggest the following as first steps to help ease you along the learning curve:

1. Attend a Life on Wheels conference -- http://lifeonwheels.com/ Each conference offers a pre-conference (additional cost) for newbies that focuses on RV maintenance and "lifestyle" information.
2. Get copies of The RV Owners Manual and The RV Repair and Maintenance Manual ; you may not understand everything at first, but focusing on one section at a time, i.e., plumbing, electrical, LP, etc., will help make things more clear.
3. Understand that there is a big difference between the *coach* systems and the *engine/chassis* systems; you will need to be aware of which is which so you can take any "problem" to the right place and ask the right questions of a service tech and/or a mechanic. For example, if you have a problem with the engine, a truck service center that deals with your engine/chassis is the appropriate place to go. If you have a problem with a refrigerator, or a stove, or another appliance, try a general RV service center. (You get the idea!)
4. Research and do the homework; check as many sources of information on particular topics as you can. There is accurate, reliable information out there, and there is also a lot of absolute nonsense. (Take it slow so your head doesn't explode! )

(If you care to send me a private message, I will send you back a list of helpful websites [with annotations].)

You will not learn it all at once; even the most experienced long-time RVers among us learn something "new" about our rigs (or systems in general) all the time. But, if you *want* to learn, you will!

[bwexler]

You say you are 90 miles from your dealer.

I live in San Diego and routinely travel to Eugene, OR or Denver, CO for service while traveling that direction anyway because I have found shops I trust and many more that I don't.
The 2 shops I mention are Cummins Coach Care. They work on many brands and models, chassis and house. But I will drive right past other Coach Care facilities I have used in the past on the way to the ones that I believe do better work.
You have a traveling home. Broaden your horizons.
_________________
Bob & Barb on the road again

[Potterhall]

Thanks, Bwexler. I'm sure you are right and I will learn to find the best repair places for my RV, near or far. Sometimes it is worth it to drive a little to save a lot.

[whitofok]

I basically take care of my maintenance, except for engine servicing. The manuals that come with the RV are very good on what to do in many of the items that you mention. It also has information on troubleshooting. Checking battery water, checking tire pressure, engine oil, engine water, transmission fluid (if automatic) and greasing the slides, I believe, are some things that need to be done pretty often and are too expensive to take to a shop for routine checking.

They are correct that normally the shop that will repair the engine and chassis is different than the items of the house or coach. I always carry a list of chassis dealers in case of a breakdown.

I agree it takes time to read and research on how to check and do your own maintenance and it is easier to send to the shop, but the delay and expense sometimes can be a burden also.
_________________
Have a GREAT time and play safe
WhitofOK

[aischa]

I learned something very fast, that is if you need a tune up or anything you can't do yourself, always ask what their hourly rate is and usually if you bring the rig to a mechanic in a small town, they are more friendly and nicer to women and a lot cheaper. Everything related to engine or tires, I go to a truck service center. I am tired of being overcharged and put on a long waiting list at the RV service centers. They are so clogged up with warranty work most of the time.

[aischa]

Good idea Adrienne. I also learned very fast to take my time, before you hit the road, check if all the compartments are locked, is the awning tight, all wires secure, all lights in working condition? Is the shoreline stored properly and so on? Every little mistake costs ya.

[PhatLiz]

I do a lot of the basic maintenance myself. Greasing the slides, lubing the seals on the slides, flushing the holding tanks, checking the tires, etc.

We had extenders put on the inner tires to make it simpler for me to check the pressure.

I liked that Adrienne gave you a part of her schedule. I empty the black water and replace the chemicals every Sunday. I flush it (it has the pre-installed rotating washer that the hose hooks up to). I check the levels on all the tanks pretty much every morning.

One of us starts the MH every Sunday. We start the generator (if we have not been using it) every other Sunday. Post-it notes are a great help for reminders.

My DH is also semi-handicapped so it is up to me to check the fluids, filters, etc.

We have been full-timing for just over 2 years in our first MH. Talk about a learning curve! You can do this. Just be patient with yourself. Take any classes you can find and ask questions. You are not the first woman I have met who is the primary driver/maintenance person. And you are setting a wonderful example.
_________________
Liz, husband and a 40ft Horizon
Living the dream

[Corley]

I try to do a lot, but my manual is not written well. I won't check the tires though--I find I let air out while testing, hate to use the air compressor, and once the extender stuck and let all the air out of a tire that had just tested fine 15 minutes before. The big tire stores now check and fill tires free, although I tip the fellow who does it. They do it quickly without bending the stems, which I am afraid of doing since the stems can break or crack. Often, the cg personnel know someone who does work on the side, usually someone who has a day job at an RV service center. They do it cheaper. Also, self-employed mechanics do good truck work. Again, you need to ask some local folks, several to get a 360 opinion. I drive about 8,000 miles a year, so the motor doesn't need as much attention as my passenger auto that gets a lot more mileage.
_________________
MAC and Two Dog Night

[anniepoo]

I stand around and watch if I can, and always ask lots of questions when I hire a mechanic. I once actually hired a mechanic to 'supervise' while I did the actual repair.

Also, I have the Chilton's manual for the van my RV is based on.
These manuals, sold through auto parts stores, give simple instructions for doing almost any sort of maintenance on the automotive part of the rig.
They're about $15-20, and worth every penny. They'll tell you everything from how to fix a broken horn to how to do a tuneup.
They're often used by professional mechanics, but they're written for noprofessionals. They even have great advice about things you shouldn't try yourself (e.g. they'll tell you it doesn't work to buy a junkyard windshield and put it in yourself to replace a damaged windshield.)
One very useful thing in them is a diagram of all the electrical wiring.
_________________
working fulltimer, 21 ft 1977 Jamboree.
No:fridge, generator, hot water
yes:good times, laughter, friends
"Oh, Sam, I can't sleep without wheels beneath me" (Barbara Stanwyck, in 'Union Pacific')

[elh3946]