By Steve Savage
RV Mobility Services
For all you do-it-yourselfers out there, here’s something important to remember: Not even those of us who work on RVs for a living know how everything we work on is assembled. It’s a sure bet you don’t either. Most of the calls I’ve received recently have been the result of someone correctly diagnosing what was wrong, but after repairs were made the unit failed to work. Why? On reassembly it wasn’t put back together correctly.
I carry a digital camera right along with my other tools and I never hesitate to snap pictures when I’m working on something I haven’t seen before. I also shoot pictures when I have to remove a part and order a replacement, and may not get back to the job for several days.
Plenty of things in an RV can be assembled incorrectly and yet everything will still fit — screw holes line up correctly, and so forth. It takes me much longer to repair something that’s been taken apart by someone else, and it’s harder to be on the lookout for things I would never expect to find. Remember, too: Make some repairs on your RV incorrectly and it can be dangerous.
Here are some simple steps to follow on your next RV repair project: Pay attention when you take something apart. Take pictures of the item intact and as you disassemble it. Download the service manual for the correct procedure. Doing these things will save you time and money and keep you safe, as well.
The vent was routed immediately out of the tank and down below the RV floor. Consequently, normal driving would slosh our fresh water out of the vent. On one occasion, we arrived after a long winding road at our destination with nearly 30 percent of our water already spilled overboard!
Receiving is easy. All that’s required is a phone number that receives the faxed document and redirects it as an attachment to an email. We’ve used eFax.com for many years and have had no problem with our grand total of about three faxes per year! Here’s how it works: You sign up for a free account; you will be assigned a fax number; now you can give that number when anyone wants to send you a fax. To them it’s just like sending to any other regular old fax number, but to you it looks like an attachment to an email.
Here is an example of how a tree limb can remove RV siding with surgical precision. Tree limbs are also brutal on rubber roofs, causing punctures, or rubbing and tearing on roof edges. A good patch kit will fix the rubber roof, but the siding will need more extensive repairs.
You’ll find many RV manufacturers have used Robertson screws to varying degrees. What’s the advantage? The Robertson is square – to a point. Below the top level of the screw head the socket has a taper, which makes getting the bit in the socket easier and can keep the screw on the bit without fussing. Try that with a straight slot or Phillips.
But our satisfaction was periodically interrupted. The cabin would come up to heat, the heater would shut off, and then the cabin would begin to cool down. And cool down some more. Eventually, when it got down to around 65° F or so, the heater would kick back in. So we’d find ourselves with oscillating periods of comfort and chilliness. On some really cold nights, this would happen about every 15 minutes or so. (We don’t use air conditioning much, but the problem is the same there, as well.)
Start by assembling the tools and materials needed to build the buffer: half-inch self-adhesive stripping tape, a tape measure, spray paint, and scissors or box cutter. We used automotive stripping because that’s what we had on hand, but you can buy weather stripping tape at any hardware or building supply store. The tape usually only comes in gray or black, but you can easily spray paint it any color you want.
First, use the tape measure to measure around the toilet at its widest point. If the shower door will hit the toilet when it is open, you’ll want to use a longer strip of tape to protect that side, too. Next, cut the tape to the desired length. Spray-paint the tape and let it dry. Peel off the adhesive backing and position it around the toilet bowl. Apply pressure so it will stick to the toilet.
Another method is to install — if it isn’t already installed — a Fan-tastic Vent (photo). This vent and fan operates on very low amperage and can run for hours off your batteries without pulling too much juice out of them. Set to the highest speed, the fan will turn over the air in your rig in minutes. During the hottest part of the day, set it to draw the hot air out. During cooler periods in late afternoon or early evening, set it to reverse and draw in the cooler outside air.
Some years ago, a worthy alternative appeared — a silicone rubber tape that was self-fusing. It bonded to itself with enthusiasm, and had no adhesive to age or create a mess. Furthermore, it was impervious to many chemicals, ozone and UV, which age and deteriorate lesser products.
When my wife and I bought our motorhome the salesman was our best friend — now he doesn’t even know our name. Our new best friend is the head mechanic at the dealership. I just wanted to camp, but my wife wanted the doorbell that played a dozen different tunes, electric steps, push-button awning and a media center that is so hi-tech our toad is a Geek Squad VW with two guys in it. So far we have spent more time on the road looking for RV repair service than fishing. When things aren’t working right I find myself blaming my wife for talking me into all these expensive extras. It has caused a lot of frustration and arguing in our marriage. Am I wrong? Do I need an attitude adjustment? I hate conflict — I just want to go fishing. —Broken Down in Biloxi