We received this letter from a reader and thought we’d pass it along for your input. Please read it, then share your thoughts in the comments below.
First off I would like to compliment you, each and every one, for all you do to keep the RVing public informed.
Now, I would like it if you would explain to me how is it that RV manufacturers don’t do a better job keeping their buyers better informed.
I have only bought a brand-new RV once. My 2020 Arctic Fox is wonderful but our ownership has been a voyage of discovery. The manufacturers included a large manila envelope with all the manufacturers’ info on everything installed in/on the 5th wheel. Microwave, stove, awning, water pump, toilet… everything, without actually explaining how most of them work in laymen’s terms.
So, after owning several RVs for more than 30 years, I have learned a thing or two about how they operate and I am pretty comfortable with all of the modern conveniences. The only problems I ever encounter always involve the ever more complicated technological aspect of RVing. Winegard, smart TVs, making the park cable TV work, streaming, live TV, off-air vs. WiFi vs. cable, and of course the new and exciting touch screen on every control box.
Since we own a campground, we are constantly called upon because ‘the cable TV does not work’. The simplest way to get it to work is to pass the cable through a window and attach it directly to the back of the TV so it can actually ‘find’ it. Then, since we live in an area where the scenery is more spectacular than the WiFi, we have to explain to people that streaming really does not work and hiking is better for their health anyway.
I really think it would behoove RV manufacturers to include a how-to tech guide on their technologically advanced RVs that the least advanced user could easily follow to achieve their entertainment goals. I am certainly not a Luddite, but perhaps simpler would be better ???
Thanks for all you do for all of us.
Leroy
Readers, what are your thoughts on this matter? Please tell us in the comments below. Thanks!
##RVT1160
I have found there is sufficient enough content on the the internet for most RV issues. What was really the most important information to have were the electrical schematics, specific to my unit. I asked Jayco, the manufacturer on my C Class MH, for these and they sent them to me for free when I bought my rig new. These were the best maintenance resource I had because all the proper wire colors and sizes from the distribution center under the rear bunk and locations were marked for all the systems onboard. Made it easier to trace wiring when I had issues with onboard systems. This is also a great resource to have because a lot of RV techs don’t have access these when you need repairs.
What a great deal.
I asked Tiffin for mine and got “The schematics are only suggested ways to run things; not actual how it was done.” Guess it is up to whatever “idiot” got hired off the street that day as to how it got done.
That’s more than I got. At least you know that the shin bone is connected to the knee bone, even if you don’t know how it gets there.
I believe a lot of RV owners are naturally curious about how their unit works. I, for one, am one of those geeks who reads instructions, highlights certain passages to remember important parts and carries an accordion file with everything categorized. Then I pay to subscribe to newsletter like “RV Travel” keep up on the things I should know. I remember back in the day renting a Class C and taking their class on how to RV. It was like being pushed off the top of a mountain with snow skis. That was a trip!
I did the same sort of thing with the “accordion folder” then I downloaded all the manufacturer manuals as PDF copies and keep on my laptop/tablet for easy use and storage. It takes up less space and I have my tablet for other things too. As I get older it is great that you can “zoom in” on text.
I definitely agree and it is long overdue. All our RV’s have come with a basically useless manual that could fit any of the companies many rv lines.
An RV manufacturer installs appliances and media equipment as third-party units. They only know how it connects to their RV and not how it functions. They will likely not document anything not made by them.
Our 2006 Tiffin 40 QSH DP is at times “challenging” but we can get things to work eventually. Only problem is we hear “that’s obsolete and no longer made” as a routine explanation. One good thing- “No DEF means No problems”.
Thank you for your article. I once asked Forest River representative for a schematic for my Work and Play. He informed me that units under $100,000 do not have one and we needed to take it to a certified dealer for repairs. Not. We finally figured it out.
Absolutely agree about the lack of instruction/guidance. However, I think the dealer should be there when the rubber meets the road. I’ve seen excellent walk through videos on You Tube where the dealer went into great detail on the features (1 hour +). However, our dealer’s walk through was not that. They had no idea we had ordered the Power Package which was a new option for Rockwood and could not tell us how it worked and the manufacturer was no better. Most of our learning has come directly from the 3rd party installer and their helpful Facebook page. It is astounding that a 10k option being offered had virtually no one at the dealer or manufacturer up to speed on its usage.
Totally Agree! The “new” technology in our RV was beyond my “home expertise” – at the time HDMI splitters weren’t something I hadn’t encountered before. So, now after having to pay for technical assistance (two different times) for the AV/Internet in our RV w/ 5 TVs, a DVD player,Cable TV, Internet TV, and Satellite TV for programing, set up and to figure how everything worked. I have the knowledge to help others with similar issues. RV Dealerships can’t help much since none of the services have been activated yet when you buy new. But that shouldn’t prevent the mfg company from including BASIC “how to” instructions for the included amenities!
We also found that the manuals we were given when we purchased our trailer were not up to date. For example, the water heater instructions told us (in very great detail, and with pictures) to “turn on” the unit at the outside near where the anode rod is located. Only problem was…no on/off switch, button or anything. We puzzled over it for the longest time (even went online to the manufacturer’s site…no help) and when we finally were able to reach the dealer we were told that the new water heaters, they guessed, did not have that button and did not need to be turned on separately. There are still things that come up (two years in) that baffle us at times. Thank goodness for y’all!
This problem is not only in the RV world. Buy a large screen Smart TV, or any other electronic device, and all you get is a large fold out flyer that mostly shows how to install and turn on the device on. If you want an actual manual, you have to download a file that’s probably a 100 pages long, and then search for the information you need on your computer or tablet. Or print the manual. Frustrating is not the word I would use.
As far as the RV, not all the items installed in one are the same as items installed in another identical model.
I also downloaded the manuals direct from the manufacturer and saved them on a thumb drive. Take pictures of model number tags
I agree. My current fiver has all the manual information online, and it’s not helpful to someone new to RV’ing (which I’m not). So, think about someone new to RV’ing at a location where’s there’s no Wi-Fi. How is that person going to access the manual!
Thank you, Leroy and RV Travel! 🙂 Yes, all true. A 20-something did our dealer walk-through when we bought our 2022 RV. So, his interest was all the techie stuff. We videoed different parts of his presentation and asked lots of questions. We also have learned many things from other owners of our manufacturer’s products, including, but not limited to, the same model as ours. Lastly, our manufacturer has a website on which one may search by year, model, and category (e.g., electrical). At the very least product manuals can be dowloaded, and often much more (e.g., how-to videos). Safe travels, Leroy and RV Travel! 🙂
My 2013 Tiffin Phaeton didn’t come with any of the latest multiplexed technology, in fact all wires/cables are of the “home run” old school method of wiring which includes a single wire/cable for each and every device. You can imagine the amount of wiring/cabling that my coach has. All of the media type coax/HDMI type cables terminate in a single cabinet that is about 1’x2’x1′. There are approximately 50 or more cables in that one box with no rhyme or reason on how they are shoved in there. Not one wire/cable was organized….just a mass of wires Many had labels on them but some didn’t. The coach was wired for DIRECTV and I had DISH. You can imagine my frustrations. So those of you
who now have the new multiplexed technology….count your blessings! That technology has reduced the wiring/cabling by at least 90%. Granted, the control panels may be a little confusing to learn and they are not 100% error free…..but believe me, they are many, many times better than the old way.
Do I feel lucky after reading the comments. We purchased a Lance travel trailer in 2018, had a full walk-through and a complete set of manuals. But the two best parts were the dealer and the Lance Owner Group (LOA). LOA is made up of owners, some dealers, some manufacturer reps and just a lot of great reviewed information and discussion. We also have get-to-gethers and rallies that provide another great opportunity to share just about anything and everything. The rallies have now started to expand to other RVs, even more fun.
If you have to have all the conveniences of home then stay home. You’re taking up space from people that really want to enjoy their location.
Agree! Bought a 2021 KZ Durango Gold 5th wheel. The walk-through is a whirlwind. The awesome new thing is the touch screen that controls everything. Cool at first, but kind of slow to toggle back and forth. I want my old on/off light switches back. Now to all the cables/WiFi/etc., it’s confusing enough but when the Covid manufactured RV’s are all wired backwards, it’s really confusing. So many things in the RV didn’t work right. Water heater. Oven. At least Suburban was willing to replace with no problem. Furion refused to do anything about the oven.