Results for "ABS plastic"

Exterior Medium 3-4 days (includes curing time) 396 👍 1

DIY RV Basement Door Paint Repair: Complete Guide & Cost Analysis

Despite protecting my RV all winter, those brutal summer months have absolutely destroyed the paint on my four basement doors and rear wheel area across 2' x 20', leaving me staring at a $5,000-6,500 shop estimate versus DIY with my compressor. I've never done automotive paint work before. Could I really achieve decent results for under $500 like I keep reading online? I'm concerned about proper paint matching, whether I'll damage the surface during prep, and if I choose the wrong spray gun or technique.

Has anyone successfully tackled RV exterior panel paint repair as a DIY project? I need reassurance that this is actually doable without professional training, and guidance on the complete process from start to finish. …more

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Engine Medium 3-4 hours 376 👍 0

Cummins ISL Code 1896: EGR Valve Controller Gaskets & Repair

About to drop $2,800 on my Cummins ISL throwing code 1896 for EGR valve controller out of calibration and wondering if I can tackle this myself. Planning to pull and clean the EGR valve controller to see if that clears it up.

Do I need to order replacement gaskets before I start this job? Want to make sure I have everything on hand before I tear into it. …more

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Electrical Medium 45 minutes 349 👍 0

RV Shore Power Not Working: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Plugged into shore power at the campground last night and absolutely nothing happened — no lights, no AC, nothing. Breaker on the pedestal looks fine and my neighbor's rig is running perfectly on the same circuit. Starting to wonder if something fried inside the transfer switch. …more

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Best RV Leveling Blocks & Jacks

4.6 (9,800 reviews)

Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 315 👍 0

Fix Cracked Dometic RV AC Covers & Roof Vents

Already tried following a YouTube tutorial to fix the cracked Dometic air conditioner cover on my 2022 East to West 1900MMK travel trailer but somehow made the crack even worse. What are my repair options - can I fix the crack or should I replace the whole cover?

Also dealing with a broken cap on the roof tank vent. I'm curious about material choices - I've noticed galvanized steel can rust, while PVC seems to degrade in sunlight. What are the pros and cons of different vent cap materials? What's a reasonable price range for replacement?

Looking for practical solutions for both issues. …more

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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 307 👍 0

How to Repair a Hole in RV Grey Water Tank

Tried marine epoxy on my old Class A's tank and it worked perfectly — but now I've drilled a 1 inch hole in my ABS grey water tank while running battery cables. The hole is in an awkward spot near the rear wheel vault with thick metal bars and beams, making repairs challenging.

What's the best way to repair this? I've prepared a patch by flattening and heat forming a pipe section, beveling edges and scouring surfaces for a strong mechanical bond. Should I cement the ABS patch and then cover with fiberglass, or are there other recommended repair methods? I want to ensure a durable fix for this tricky tank damage. …more

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Engine Medium 30-45 minutes for installation 217 👍 0

Balance Beads with Internal TPMS Sensors - Real Experience

Since it's 2 AM and I need to hit the road at dawn, I'm desperately trying to figure out if balance beads will interfere with my RV's internal TPMS sensors. I keep reading about how great balance beads are for eliminating wheel vibration, but I'm terrified of damaging those expensive TPMS sensors inside the wheels.

What if the beads hit the sensors and break them? Or interfere with the signal? I can't afford to replace TPMS sensors if something goes wrong. Has anyone actually done this successfully, and are there special precautions I need to take with bead size or how they're installed? I need to know this is safe before I risk it. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Easy 30 minutes 213 👍 0

Dometic CF80 Drain Foam Replacement: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Woke up to check out my new place's Dometic CF80 basement refrigerator/freezer and discovered what looks like deteriorated foam filter stuff in the bottom drain compartment. The foam material shows significant contamination and degradation.

I need to understand the specific function of this foam component within the CF80's drainage system. Is this foam element critical for proper unit operation, and what are the consequences of operating without it? Additionally, what is the recommended replacement schedule for this component, and how do I determine when replacement is necessary versus simple cleaning? …more

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Propane Medium 2-3 hours for inspection and potential repairs 208 👍 0

Water Heater Hot When Empty - No Safety Protection Issue

Finally asking what's probably a dumb question, but why is my RV water heater getting scorching hot even when it's completely empty? After 10+ years of RV ownership, I somehow managed to leave my water heater running while empty and connected to shore power. When I opened the access panel today, that sucker was HOT.

I'm honestly amazed I haven't burned anything down yet - or at least fried the heating element. I always assumed there was some kind of built-in safety feature that would shut things down if the tank went dry, but apparently my water heater didn't get that memo.

So here's my slightly embarrassing question: Do most RV water heaters actually have dry-fire protection, or am I supposed to rely on my apparently non-existent common sense? And more importantly, what can I do to prevent my future self from making this same bone-headed mistake again? …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 205 👍 0

Ford E450 V10 Spark Plug & Coil Replacement Guide - RV Engine Maintenance Tips

After handling coil swaps on my old Chevy like they were nothing, this Ford E450 V10 setup has me completely intimidated and second-guessing everything. I've heard cylinder #3 is particularly difficult to access and I'm scared I might break something or use the wrong tools.

I tried using a 7mm wrench like some sources suggested, but it doesn't seem to fit properly and I'm afraid of stripping the bolt heads. I'm also concerned about how to safely reach the coils without damaging other components.

Can someone please walk me through the safest approach and tell me exactly what size wrench I should be using? I'd rather ask for help than risk making an expensive mistake. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 201 👍 0

How to Fix Cracked Norcold RV Refrigerator Door Hinge: Complete Repair Guide

Walked out to my 2006 Newmar 3910 after that brutal heat wave last month and the plastic around my Norcold RV refrigerator door hinge has completely cracked and given way. The door is literally falling off now, though the actual hinge hardware still seems okay - it's just that the plastic frame around the hinge pin has failed.

I'm hesitant to attempt any repairs myself since we just invested in new guts for this unit to get both 120v and propane operation working. We're currently wintering in Temecula, CA, and I don't want to damage the door frame beyond repair or create a safety hazard. Are there reliable repair methods for this type of plastic failure, or am I looking at having to replace the entire door? I'm particularly concerned about whether the door frame can be saved or if attempting a repair might make the whole situation worse. …more

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General Medium 4-8 hours 201 👍 0

How to Remove and Replace Cracked Factory Protective Film on RV Front Cap

Staring at my newly purchased older Newmar motorhome with factory protective plastic coating cracked and peeling everywhere on the front cap. The coating has been on there for years and is now showing significant cracking, peeling, and deterioration that's making the RV look pretty rough. I understand this was a common factory option to protect the paint from road debris and bug damage, but it's clearly past its useful life.

As someone who enjoys DIY projects and wants to restore this coach to better condition, I'm wondering about the feasibility of removing this old protective film myself and either replacing it with something newer or just maintaining the bare paint underneath. What's the proper process for safely removing aged factory protective coating without damaging the underlying paint? Are there modern alternatives I should consider for replacement, and what tools and materials would I need for this type of project? I want to make sure I approach this methodically to get the best results. …more

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Best RV Batteries

4.5 (15,400 reviews)

Ac Refrigeration Easy 30 minutes 197 👍 0

RV Refrigerator Door Latch Replacement Options

According to Murphy's Law, our RV's refrigerator door latch completely gave out just days before our big family reunion trip this weekend! The plastic latch on my residential Whirlpool refrigerator door has given up the ghost, and now I'm living in constant fear of opening the door to find my condiments have taken a scenic tour of the RV floor.

I know this has to be a rite of passage for pretty much every RV owner out there. What are the best aftermarket options to replace these flimsy factory latches? I've seen magnetic catches mentioned, and Camco seems to make everything RV-related, but I'd love to hear what actually works long-term. Bonus points if it doesn't look like I jerry-rigged my fridge with whatever was lying around the campsite! …more

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Engine Easy 15 min visual, 1 hour full 197 👍 0

Ford F53 Motorhome Brake Inspection: Complete Guide to Checking Rotors and Pads

Turned onto that steep mountain grade last week and heard grinding from my 2014 F53 chassis, but I can't figure out how to properly inspect the brake pads and rotors. I've been crawling around under there, contorting myself into every possible position, but I just can't get a good view of the brake components through the wheel openings.

Is there a specific technique or approach that actually works for getting a proper look at the pad thickness and rotor condition? I really want to stay on top of brake maintenance, but the limited visibility is making this nearly impossible. Should I be using special tools, or is there a better method I'm missing? …more

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Electrical Medium 30 minutes 196 👍 0

How to Install Heavy Battery in Ford F53 Chassis: Step-by-Step Guide Without Injury

Group 31 AGM battery weighs 75 pounds and sits in the worst possible spot on my F53 chassis — wedged behind the step well with about 4 inches of clearance above it. Last time I changed it I nearly threw out my back. There has to be a safer way to swap these heavy batteries. …more

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Plumbing Easy N/A 193 👍 0

Dometic RV Toilet Parts Diagrams: Complete Guide by Model Number

Halfway through this camping season, my Dometic RV toilet is eating through replacement parts way faster than it should, and I can't figure out which diagrams match my model number. I think I need a new ball seal and possibly a water valve, but I want to make sure I get the right parts for my specific model.

Where can I find official parts diagrams that show all the components? Also, I'm not even sure how to figure out what model toilet I have - is there a way to identify the model number? Any guidance would be really helpful since I don't want to order the wrong parts. …more

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