Archive for January, 2009

We’ve put together a ‘starter’ list of items we believe are essential equipment for your RV. Depending on your RV, you may not need all of the items and could possibly add others. That’s why we call it a starter list… you should modify the list to suit your personal needs.

• Water Pressure Regulator – High water pressure could damage the water lines in your RV. Attach it to the water spigot to save your water hose too.
• Fresh Water Hose – Use a hose made for potable water. A regular garden hose is not safe. A 25 foot hose will do in most situations, you may want to carry an extra 25 feet for those times when you’re further away from the water connection.
• Sewer Hose – Two sections… a 10-foot section and a 20-foot length. Each length should be set up with something like Camco’s Quick Connect system so they can be easily connected together when you need the extra reach.
• Sewer Hose Fittings – You might want to carry some different connectors and hose ends, but you can wait to buy them until you have a better handle on your camping needs. You will need a rubber sewer ring or sewer donut. The sewer ring is used to seal your hose end and the sewer pipe. It’s common courtesy and at some campgrounds it’s require.
• Electrical Extension Cord – A 25-foot extension cord amperage as your RV’s electrical cord. It may not be often, but when you can’t get close enough to the electrical outlet, you’ll be glad you have the extension.
• Electrical Plug Adapters – Sometimes called dog bones, they allow you to plug your RV into whatever electrical service is available.
• Garden Hose – For rinsing out your black water tank, washing the rig, or whenever you might need a hose. Don’t forget a nozzle.
• Wheel Chocks – While primarily for safety some will also help minimize rocking. There are many types available so do some research.
• Leveling Blocks – The orange or yellow plastic ‘lego’ blocks are lightweight and work great, but wood blocks will do just fine.
• Level or Stick-On Levels – How else will you know your RV is level?
• Extra Fuses – Check your RV manual for the types and sizes of fuses in your RV and carry extras of each.
• Extra Light Bulbs – Carry extras for the interior as well as the exterior, for the stoplights, marker lights, and such.
• Fire Extinguisher – If you buy your RV new, it will already come equipped with a fire extinguisher.
• First Aid Kit – You may think you already have all the first aid stuff you need in your RV but a first aid kit is for emergencies when you need it fast or have to leave your RV.
• Rags – For washing the RV and other chores. Good to have when working with the sewer hose.
• Flashlight – Include extra batteries too.
• Matches or Butane Lighter – For lighting the stove, oven, grill or starting a campfire.
• Tools – What tools you carry will depend on your repair skills but the basics should include:
• Pliers, both large and small
• Needle-Nose Pliers
• Channel Locks
• Assortment of flat-heat screwdrivers
• Assortment of Phillips-Head screwdrivers
• Hammer
• Fuse Puller
• Basic Wrenches, both box and open end
• Socket Set, if you’re so inclined
• Tire Gauge

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The RV Handbook: Essential How-to Guide for the RV Owner, 3rd Edition

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Even if you pride yourself on being able to do your own RV repairs there will be a time when you’ll have to take your home on wheels to the shop for repairs. Here are some tips to help insure you have a positive experience…

• Use your warranty. If your RV is new, take full advantage of your warranty period. There will be repair issues that become apparent as you use the RV. Keep notes and allow plenty of time to get these items resolved within the warranty period.

• Know who is paying. Know what is covered, and not covered, under manufacturer warranties and any extended warranty policy. The RV service department usually will not start the work until it is clear who is paying the bill.

  The extended warranty company will likely have a labor guide or they may use a manufacturer’s labor guide that indicates the total hours it should take to diagnosis and make the repair. They may also have a maximum labor rate. Be sure you and the service department are aware of this and if the service department will bill the job accordingly.

• Plan ahead. You can’t plan for emergency service work, but when possible plan service appointments well ahead of time. Most RV service centers are booked ahead and during the RV season you may have to wait several weeks. Even if they can get your RV in quickly, parts may need to be ordered which can take weeks to arrive. Check with your service center.
• Prioritize your work. Make a list of the work you want done in order of priority. A prioritized list is especially important if you have a time limit for repairs or a limited budget. If the RV service center rewrites your list to their own form, be sure you compare their version with your list.
• Fix the problem not the symptom. Make sure you and the service manager understand the cause of the problem before you agree on how it will be repaired. Otherwise you may end up spending time and money treating symptoms while continuing to have problems.
• Follow up. Ask the service manager for an estimate of when the work will be completed and then keep track of what work is being done and if the work is still on track. Make sure the service manager has a contact phone number but don’t rely on him to call you, a service manager often has a large number of customer demands to juggle and it’s easy to overlook things. You don’t want to make a pest of yourself but a good RV service manager should be willing to give you progress reports.
• Be flexible. Repairs may take longer than initially expected. Allow some flexibility in the travel plans or appointments you schedule following the repair work. The repair work may also cost more than estimated so having a special fund for RV repairs can help with unforeseen expenses.
• Use the ‘downtime’ well. RV service centers usually have a waiting room, and it can be enjoyable spending time there chatting with fellow RVers about the RV lifestyle and picking up tips. If you are at a service center that does a lot of work on your brand, the tips and ideas may be especially helpful. When the service work will take most of the day you can take a long lunch and/or spend time out exploring local sights.
• Take a vacation. If you are a fulltimer or extended traveler you may have to vacate your home on wheels for a few days depending on the extent of the RV service work. Why not plan a cruise, take a plane trip back ‘home’ or just a few nights in a bed and breakfast inn.
• Inspect the work. Before you drive away from the service center do a thorough inspection of all work to insure it have been completed and the done properly.

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