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Maintenance & Repair

What insulation value do RV windows have? Some models seem a little excessive!

Be aware of what I call the RV manufacturers' “WOW!” factor. Just last weekend I saw a unit at my local fueling station just off...

Finding and identifying your RV’s water heater information

Join me in the video below “In The RV Shop” as I talk about where to locate your RV water heater information. Besides the...

Dealer charges for RV walk-through. Regarding quality, says, ‘That’s the way the RV industry is these days’

In this column, we summarize some of your emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs (we asked you to submit your stories here)....

Tire ‘load range’ or ‘ply rating’—Why it’s important to know the difference

I found a discussion on tire load range in a forum where the question "How strong of a tire do I need?" was being...

Tool Talk: Take a sneak peek into an RV technician’s tool bag

Every RV owner needs a tool bugout bag. You need a small, simple bag of tools that will fix the most common annoyances and...

My RV’s electric water heater trips the main breaker. Why?

Dear Dave,  My electric water heater is causing the trailer to lose power. The LP heater can be on. My question is what would be...

Applying a roof coating to your RV: How to do it and why you should

Join me in the RV shop as I explain more about applying a roof coating to your RV. Doing so can offer several benefits,...

RV’s roof membrane has ripples. Factory rep says it is normal. What?!

Dear Dave,  After washing my roof and doing an inspection after it dried, I noticed "ripples" from the board particles underneath. Getting down on the...

When storing 5th wheel, what is the best battery maintainer and how do I connect it?

Hi Dave, This will be my first time to keep the 5th wheel in storage. I have two questions, below. Mainly I am looking for...

RV extended warranties: What should I know for my new-to-me diesel pusher?

Hi Dave, I am buying this coach with 36,000 miles on it. I want to purchase a warranty product that will cover all of the...

What does the ‘Four Season’ label on my truck camper include?

Dear Dave, My Snow River 810 camper says "Four Season" on the decals. I am assuming that this means the holding tanks are heated(?) and...

What condensation damage can do to RVs and how to avoid it

Join Dustin "In The RV Shop" as he talks about how condensation can lead to various issues in RVs, affecting both the roof and...

Reader asks, ‘How do you find good mobile RV techs?’

In this column, we summarize some of your emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs (we asked you to submit your stories here)....

Tire bulge: Is it a defect or was the tire damaged?

Tire sidewall bulges can be difficult to diagnose. Sometimes it is even possible to misinterpret a depression as a bulge. So let's start off...

How do I get RV black tank sensors to work with correct readings?

Dear Dave, How do I get the RV's black tank sensors to work with correct readings? —Ray, 2021 Columbus Dear Ray, I know we have covered this before;...

Why should you install RV insect screens to protect your appliances?

By Dustin Simpson RV insect screens can protect your refrigerator, furnace, and water heater from being damaged by bugs and other pests. Propane has a...

Some RVs can only carry 600 pounds of cargo, including passengers. What?

Dear Dave, How about a simple discussion on how to determine actual RV load capacity? We turned down a beautiful Class C because of its...

How well do you know your putty tape?

By Roger Danforth If you do much RV maintenance or repair, chances are good you've encountered "putty tape." This sticky material is a regular performer...

Holding tank sensor maintenance

By Dustin Simpson I'm sure at some point you've emptied your tanks only to find that your sensors are reading full. RVs require maintenance, and...

Dealership found soft spot on RV roof. Wants $17,000 to fix

Dear Dave, After a recent RV roof inspection by the dealer, I was told that there is a soft spot on the roof which will...

My RV’s roof feels “gooey.” Since there’s no ladder, I assume it’s not safe to walk on?

Dear Dave, I don't usually get up on the roof of my 2016 Heartland E292 Elkridge 5th wheel. There is no ladder, so I assume...

How to remove EternaBond tape

A question we get asked a lot is, "Can the EternaBond tape be removed?" Yes, it can be removed if it fails or if...

How many “ply” are in your tires? Why you should know

Here is a picture and comment I found on an RV Forum. I suggested that the owner review his understanding of tire construction and...

The problem with RV manufacturer’s warranties: Are they worth buying a new RV?

The debate between new versus used RVs is as old as RVing itself. Sure, there is depreciation to consider, as well as the price....

Step-by-step DIY instructions on how to restring RV window shades

Restringing RV window shades is a common DIY task that you may need to perform if the cords or strings on your blinds become...

RVer warns ‘not to buy anything from 2020-2023 due to manufacturer defects’

In this column, we summarize some of your emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs (we asked you to submit your stories here)....

New Winegard antenna installed but now roof AC and microwave do not work

Dear Dave,  I just had a Winegard antenna installed where the old antenna was, but now I have no power to my A/C or microwave....

Leaking water heater pressure relief valve? This tool will help

By Dustin Simpson Do you have a leaking water heater pressure relief valve? Is it normal for it to leak? Sometimes there can be a...

How do I install new wallpaper in my RV so it doesn’t peel?

Dear Dave, How do I keep my new wallpaper from shrinking and peeling? I will be applying peel-and-stick wallpaper over the existing wallpaper in my...

Why does RV furnace cycle on and off until the temperature inside gets warm?

Dear Dave,  Hi. My furnace burner cycles constantly. It starts up, burner kicks in, and after 15 or so seconds the burner shuts off. The...

A reminder to clean your RV’s fresh water tank every six months

I always refer to your RV's fresh water tank as a dirty fish tank. Think of all the slime and bacteria growing in tanks...

Do I need to winterize RV’s washer/dryer combo if I haven’t used it?

Dear Dave,  I have a Splendide washer/dryer combo. What is the best way to winterize it? Or do I even need to winterize it if...

Can you clear up the confusion regarding Class B, B+ and C vans?

Dear Dave, Can you help clear up the confusion of what exactly is a Class C, Class B+ and Class B van? —From: Just about...

Quick RV Tech Tip: Reader’s critique of the VIAIR air compressor

Most of the time I get technical questions. However, this time I received a critique of the VIAIR® compact air compressor from a reader...

Why did my travel trailer have 3 tire ‘blowouts’ in 18 months?

I came across another post on an RV forum regarding tire blowouts. I am sorry to report that many of the posters did not...

Easy leaking toilet fix: Replace the ‘ball seal’ on your RV’s toilet

Welcome to "In the RV Shop with Dustin". We recently had a customer in the shop with a toilet that was leaking water from...

Buy a used ‘cream puff’ RV, perform full inspection, be happily rewarded

In this column, we summarize some of your emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs (we asked you to submit your stories here)....

My RV’s roof needs replacing. The service center recommends aluminum. Your thoughts?

Dear Dave, I had a tree fall on my trailer which will require roof and some rafter replacement. The repair company I will be using...

What could be causing ‘soot’ around vent on RV roof?

Dear Dave, Would you have an idea of what may be causing the "soot" at the rear roof vent on our 5th wheel? There's nothing...

I don’t want heat in my RV bedroom. Can I just cover the vent?

Dear Dave,  I don't want heat from the RV's furnace in my bedroom. Can I just cover the vent somehow? —Lynne, 2016 Sabre Dear Lynne, I assume...

Could you have hydraulic leak coming from the RV slide-out cylinder and not know it?

This is a prime example of why keeping up on your RV slide-out maintenance is important! In this video, we discuss a hydraulic leak...

My RV’s TPO roof has some bubbles. Should I reroof?

Dear Dave, I have noticed that on my RV's TPO roof, which is now 13 years old, there are a couple of large bubbles that...

What’s causing the RV furnace to run a short time and then show airflow-limit fault?

Dear Dave, My daughter just purchased this fifth wheel. When we turn the heat on it runs for a while then triggers the airflow/limit fault....

Alternatives to hitch ball grease

A new hitch ball is often bright, shiny and chromed. But many RVers have been much dismayed, on lifting the hitch coupler off the...

Easy under-the-sink vent replacement eliminates RV bathroom odors

Let's face it. Nobody wants their RV bathroom to be known as the source of mysterious RV  odors. Have you ever wondered what this...

Behind the scenes at Dustin’s RV repair shop

Hey, everyone. We wanted to share a quick behind-the-scenes look with Ashley and the team from our weekly RVtravel.com column "In the RV Shop...

RVs arriving at dealership with so many defects that it takes 30+ days to fix to sell

In this column, we summarize some of your emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs (we asked you to submit your stories here)....

Check out what hitting a pothole can do to a tire

Some people want to claim a tire is "defective" and present the tire for a free replacement because of a bulge in the tire...

Your RV’s rubber roof thinner than a dime; damage could cost you $10,000 to fix

If you have a rubber roof, then your beloved home-on-wheels is being protected by a flexible plastic sheet that is thinner than a dime....

How do you determine proper truck towing capacity, Part 2: Just the facts, Ma’am

GCWR, payload, GAWR—so many terms and so much confusion. There has been an enormous amount of discussion and debate on what a truck can...

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