Popular New Guides Product Guides Tools Checklists My Rig

Results for "bacteria"

783+ Q&A Updated Weekly Free
RV Sewer Hose Freezing Temperature & Cold Weather Protection
Plumbing Medium 30 min 86 👍

RV Sewer Hose Freezing Temperature & Cold Weather Protection

Nobody can seem to agree on whether I should winterize my RV sewer hose system now or wait until temperatures actually threaten my specific setup. Current setup involves a dual-hose configuration with approximately 30 feet total length running to septic connection point.

Critical issue: The final two feet of hose rises approximately two inches above the main run elevation before connecting to the septic inlet. This creates a low point where effluent can accumulate rather than draining completely. Overnight temperatures are forecast to drop to 25°F for the next 48 hours.

What is the precise freezing temperature for RV sewer hoses, and does the uphill section with potential standing water create additional freeze risk at this temperature threshold? …more
RV House Refrigerator Storage: Should You Leave the Door Open?
Ac Refrigeration Easy 15 minutes 84 👍

RV House Refrigerator Storage: Should You Leave the Door Open?

According to the moisture buildup around my residential fridge door seals after just two weeks of storage, I'm clearly doing something wrong.

With my old propane fridge, I religiously propped that door open during storage like every RV manual commanded. But now that I've got this "house fridge" - do I treat it like a regular home refrigerator and keep it closed, or do I stick with my old RV habits and prop it open? I'm probably overthinking this, but the last thing I want is to open it up next season and get knocked over by some horrific smell that could wake the dead. What's the right move here for preventing mold and keeping things fresh during long-term storage? …more
Fix RV Black Tank Sensors Reading Full When Empty - Easy DIY
Plumbing Easy 2-24 hours 79 👍

Fix RV Black Tank Sensors Reading Full When Empty - Easy DIY

This used RV came with black tank sensors that constantly read 2/3 full even after completely dumping and flushing. No matter what I do, the sensors consistently show that misleading reading, and I'm pretty sure this is a sensor probe issue with waste buildup, but I've never cleaned them before and don't want to damage anything. I've heard about using special tank chemicals, sensor cleaning products, and even some kind of ice cube trick, but I need to know the proper methods that actually work.

What are the proven ways to clean RV black tank sensor probes and get my readings back to normal? I really need accurate tank levels so I know when it's actually time to dump! …more
RV Fresh Water Tank Safety: Complete Guide to Preventing Contamination Risks
Plumbing Easy 4-12 hours for sanitization 78 👍

RV Fresh Water Tank Safety: Complete Guide to Preventing Contamination Risks

Between the horror stories about brain-eating amoebas and my complete cluelessness about RV water systems, I'm terrified I'm going to poison myself with my own fresh water tank. I've been RVing for years and never really thought twice about our fresh water tank - we'd fill up wherever, use it for drinking, cooking, even my wife's neti pot rinses.

Now I'm second-guessing everything! How often should I actually be sanitizing our tank? Are there specific water sources I should avoid? And what about activities like nasal irrigation - I keep seeing conflicting advice about what water is actually safe to use. I really want to keep my family safe but also don't want to become completely neurotic about every drop of water we use. What are the real best practices here? …more
Why RV Water Smells Bad After Storage: Quick Fix Guide
Plumbing Easy 30 minutes each use 77 👍

Why RV Water Smells Bad After Storage: Quick Fix Guide

Pulled the RV out of winter storage and the water smells like rotten eggs the second I turn on any faucet. Hot and cold both reek. Sanitized the tank with bleach before storage but clearly something went wrong over the winter. Need this fixed before our first trip next weekend. …more
How to Sanitize Your RV Water Tank After Summer Storage - Complete Guide to Cleaning and Maintaining Fresh Water Systems
Plumbing Easy 2-3 hours 77 👍

How to Sanitize Your RV Water Tank After Summer Storage - Complete Guide to Cleaning and Maintaining Fresh Water Systems

About to tackle sanitizing my Winnebago Navion's water tank this Saturday after months of Arizona summer storage — what supplies should I have ready? The fresh water tank was completely drained before storage and has remained empty for approximately 4 months.

Given the extended storage period and the harsh desert conditions with temperatures exceeding 100°F for most of the summer, I need to determine the proper protocol for bringing the water system back online. Is a simple rinse sufficient, or does this situation warrant a full sanitization procedure?

What is the recommended bleach ratio and contact time for sanitizing after this type of extended hot weather storage? I want to ensure the water system is safe for consumption before our next trip. …more

Still stuck on this repair?

Get a personalized answer from a verified RV mechanic. Describe your issue and get step-by-step help.

Chat with an RV Mechanic
27708 RV owners helped · Avg response under 5 min
How to Change Diesel RV Fuel Filters on the Road: Complete Emergency Guide
Engine Hard 30-60 minutes 63 👍

How to Change Diesel RV Fuel Filters on the Road: Complete Emergency Guide

Already dealing with contaminated fuel issues in my diesel RV after three days of heavy rain at our campground caused sputtering and power loss. When it clogs your filters and you're stuck roadside, what's the actual process for changing diesel fuel filters away from home? The big issue seems to be priming - at home I can prefill filters from a jug, but that's not practical on the highway.

What equipment should I carry for emergency filter changes? Is there a reliable way to prime the system without making things worse? Or should I focus more on prevention? …more
Montana 3793RD Black Water Tank Gate Valve Location and Access Guide
Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 57 👍

Montana 3793RD Black Water Tank Gate Valve Location and Access Guide

I turned the black tank valve handle on my 2023 Montana 3793RD and it's just spinning freely without actually opening the valve mechanism. Need to locate the actual gate valve to check the connection. Where exactly is this valve positioned on this model? Do I need to access it through the underbelly panels? …more
Robert, RV Mechanic
Ask an RV Mechanic Avg reply < 5 min

My Rig Settings

Hi, I'm Hank!
Need help setting up? I can walk you through it
Rig Info
Give it a name you'll recognize
Power & Electrical
Climate Control
Water System
Refrigerator Type
Leveling System
Convenience & Features
Sync across devices