Twelve days of Christmas RV tools – Eighth day: smartphone and selfie stick

Smartphone and selfie stick: Modern tools for DIY maintenance

Looking back: The “old school” way

Before smartphones became commonplace, working on cars required a lot of memory and improvisation. For example, when replacing brakes, we’d only work on one side at a time so we could reference the other side if we got stuck. We’d lay out parts on a bench or use a cardboard box, punching holes for valves and rods to keep everything in order for reassembly.

How smartphones changed the game

Today, things are much simpler thanks to the camera on your smartphone. You can take photos at each stage of disassembly, making it easy to refer back during reinstallation.

If you run into trouble, you can send those pictures to a more experienced mechanic or even the manufacturer for advice. For instance, I once documented a brake assembly for RV Lifestyle & Repair Club using my phone’s camera, which made the process much smoother.

The selfie stick advantage

The smartphone camera isn’t just for documentation. It’s also a great tool for inspecting hard-to-reach areas. That’s where a selfie stick comes in handy. I recommend this extendable model, which reaches up to 72 inches (6 feet). You can get it on Amazon here.

While there are less expensive options, I prefer this one for its length. It lets you see most of the top of your rig without climbing.

Practical uses for the selfie stick and smartphone camera

• Inspecting slide room roofs: If your slide room doesn’t have an awning topper, it’s important to check for sticks or debris before retracting. A selfie stick lets you take photos or videos of the roof without climbing a ladder, helping to prevent damage to the bulb seal and leaks and making it safer for you.

• Checking dump valves: For rigs with dump valves that are hard to access—especially those with side handles and long cables—a selfie stick allows you to inspect the area without crawling underneath.

• Seasonal roof checks: In spring, I use the selfie stick and smartphone to inspect roof sealants around the edges. In winter, it helps me check for snow and ice buildup, as well as the condition of air conditioner covers and roof vents, all without stepping onto a slippery roof.

Final thoughts

The combination of a smartphone and selfie stick has made RV maintenance and inspections much safer and more convenient. I’m sure there are even more creative uses out there. What are your favorite ways to use these tools? And, don’t forget: You can always use the selfie stick to take a great selfie!

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Twelve Days of Christmas RV Tools

• First day: anemometer
• Second day: infrared temperature sensor
• Third day: water heater flush wand
• Fourth day: Kill A Watt electricity usage monitor
• Fifth day: magnetizer/demagnetizer
• Sixth day: non-contact voltage tester
• Seventh day: keychain screw gun bit holder

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• Slideout has a short to ground error code. Should I be concerned?

DAVE HAS ANSWERED MORE THAN 1,000 readers’ maintenance and repair questions. Read a directory here. There is so much to learn!

Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the author of the “RV Handbook.”

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