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How to Repair RV Roof Soft Spots: Fix Water-Damaged Wood Step-by-Step Guide
Exterior Hard 4-8 hours 354 👍

How to Repair RV Roof Soft Spots: Fix Water-Damaged Wood Step-by-Step Guide

My RV roof has had this squishy soft spot right next to the roof vent ever since we got hammered by that nasty rainstorm last month. When I step on that area, it feels spongy and I can tell there's water damage underneath the rubber membrane.

I'm pretty sure water has been leaking through the vent area and rotting the plywood underneath, which seems to be about a hand-sized area. I want to cut the rubber membrane back, replace the damaged wood, and then reseal it properly.

Should I be worried about the structural integrity? What type of materials should I use for the replacement wood, and how do I properly reseal everything to prevent this from happening again? I'm thinking of folding back the rubber, replacing the damaged section of wood, and then resealing the membrane over the new wood. …more
RV Rubber Roof Bubbling? How to Repair EPDM Separation
Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 293 👍

RV Rubber Roof Bubbling? How to Repair EPDM Separation

After 8 years of faithful service, my RV's EPDM rubber roof is starting to bubble with the membrane separating underneath — should I repair or replace? I'm concerned that if I don't address this soon, water could get in and cause major damage.

But I'm also nervous about trying to fix it myself. What if I make it worse by cutting into the roof or using the wrong products? Is this something that can actually be repaired, or am I looking at a full roof replacement? I'd really appreciate some guidance on whether this is a DIY-friendly repair and what the basic process involves. …more
Dometic 310 Toilet Leaking at Foot Pedal: Complete Fix Guide
Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 272 👍 1

Dometic 310 Toilet Leaking at Foot Pedal: Complete Fix Guide

Called my weekend camping trip short because my Dometic 310 toilet has water pooling underneath, the flush mechanism sticking, AND that annoying gurgling sound happening constantly. I can see the leak between the fixed outer part and the moving pivot section when the pedal is pressed.

Already replaced the toilet valve but it's still leaking from the same spot. The inlet and outlet hoses look fine. What causes leaks at the pedal mechanism itself after the valve has been changed? …more
How to Fix a Squeaking Dometic Fan-Tastic Roof Fan in Your RV
Ac Refrigeration Medium 45 minutes 231 👍

How to Fix a Squeaking Dometic Fan-Tastic Roof Fan in Your RV

Looked up at my Dometic Fan-Tastic roof fan squeaking loudly above my kids' beds—is this dangerous or could something actually break and fall on them? The fan blades aren't hitting the housing, so that's not the issue. What are the most common causes of squeaking in these roof fans? Is this something I can fix myself with basic maintenance, or does it usually require replacing parts like bearings or the motor? …more
Dometic RV AC Not Cooling? 5 Common Fixes for Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Guide
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 229 👍

Dometic RV AC Not Cooling? 5 Common Fixes for Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Guide

Walked out to my RV this morning trying to decide between calling a repair tech or troubleshooting my Dometic Brisk Air rooftop AC myself since it's showing weird operational issues. The compressor engages and fan motor operates normally, but the unit fails to produce cold air output. Temperature differential across the evaporator coil is minimal.

Unit functioned properly through previous cooling season with no apparent issues. Current symptoms include normal airflow volume but inadequate cooling capacity. What systematic diagnostic procedure should I follow to identify the root cause? Looking for a methodical troubleshooting sequence that addresses the most probable failure points in order of likelihood. …more
How to Fix Stuck RV Toilet Valve After Winterization - Step by Step
Plumbing Easy 30 minutes 175 👍

How to Fix Stuck RV Toilet Valve After Winterization - Step by Step

Called a repair shop about my RV toilet valve that only gets stuck when it's above 60 degrees outside — works perfectly fine during colder weather after winterization. During the camping season, my toilet works perfectly fine - the dump valve opens and closes smoothly without any problems. However, after I winterize my RV for winter storage and drain all the water from the system, I consistently run into the same frustrating problem when I try to de-winterize in spring.

The toilet dump valve gets completely stuck in the closed position and requires significant force to get it moving again. It seems like the valve mechanism seizes up during the months of storage when there's no water in the system. I'm assuming this happens because the seals and moving parts dry out completely without any moisture present during winter storage.

What's the best preventive maintenance I can do to keep this valve from sticking during winterization? Are there specific lubricants or treatments I should apply to the valve mechanism and seals before putting the RV into storage? I'd rather prevent this problem from happening in the first place rather than having to force a stuck valve every spring and risk damaging the toilet. …more

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Ford F53 Chassis Firewall Wiring: Finding Brake LED Through-Holes
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 168 👍

Ford F53 Chassis Firewall Wiring: Finding Brake LED Through-Holes

Opened up my 2022 Holiday Rambler 36DB for spring prep and once again I'm staring at my 2021 Ford F53 chassis firewall wondering where those brake LED through-holes are hiding. I need to run the brake indicator LED wire from my toad to the dashboard inside the motorhome, but I'm having trouble locating the best firewall penetration point.

Rather than drilling a new hole through the firewall (which I'd prefer to avoid for obvious reasons), I'm hoping to find an existing through-hole or grommet that I can utilize. I've heard that Ford F53 chassis typically have several factory access points, but I'm not sure exactly where to look or which ones would be most suitable for this type of low-voltage wiring installation.

Can anyone provide specific guidance on where to find existing firewall through-holes on the F53 chassis that would work well for routing brake indicator wiring? I want to make sure I'm using an appropriate location that won't interfere with existing systems and will provide a clean, professional installation. …more
RV Window Seal Leaking: Complete Repair Guide & Solutions
Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 166 👍

RV Window Seal Leaking: Complete Repair Guide & Solutions

Opened up my RV window seals yesterday thinking I fixed the leak, but water's still dripping through during today's downpour — what did I miss? The rubber seals around the frames are obviously shot, all cracked and dried out looking.

I'm torn between two approaches here: should I take the time to completely remove the old seals and put in new butyl tape/rubber sealing, or can I just run some caulk over the existing stuff and call it good? Looking for the best long-term fix that'll actually keep me dry! …more
Norcold RV Refrigerator Fire Hazard: Complete Prevention Guide & Safety Tips
Ac Refrigeration Medium 1 hour inspection 160 👍

Norcold RV Refrigerator Fire Hazard: Complete Prevention Guide & Safety Tips

Standing in my flooded RV after last week's torrential downpour, I'm realizing my Norcold double door refrigerator might be one electrical surge away from turning this whole rig into a bonfire. I've discovered a concerning burn mark that suggests serious heat distribution issues, particularly around the chimney and heat diverter placement.

I'm trying to figure out if this is one of those real risks from the previous class action lawsuit or just an RV urban legend. After the factory modifications following the lawsuit, which installed a thermal overheat switch, I'm still worried about the fundamental design - specifically how the heat diverter seems to direct heat toward the cabinet wall.

What exactly causes these fire risks, and more importantly, what can I actually DO about it? The fix seems to involve removing the fridge and installing heat protection on the cabinet wall. I've heard whispers about recalls and some prevention methods, but I want concrete steps to ensure my RV doesn't become a potential fire hazard.

Any guidance on real prevention steps would be amazing - I'd rather not explain to my insurance company why my vacation home spontaneously combusted! …more
Onan 4000 Generator Won't Start Without Choke: Code 14 Troubleshooting Guide
Engine Medium 2-4 hours 150 👍

Onan 4000 Generator Won't Start Without Choke: Code 14 Troubleshooting Guide

Halfway through another camping trip and trying to decide between babying my Onan 4000 with manual choke every startup or finally fixing this Code 14 nightmare. Let me try again:

Just found out that my 2013 Thor Class C's Onan 4000 generator won't cooperate after sitting since March, and I'm dealing with a nightmare. Been getting Code 14 errors and spent half the morning just trying to get it fired up.

The only way I can get it started is by manually messing with what I think is the choke linkage - otherwise it just won't go. Once I shut it off, same story - won't restart unless I physically manipulate that linkage again. Only has 240 hours on it and was serviced about 2 years ago.

I'm pretty sure the carburetor is gummed up from sitting, but what exactly does Code 14 mean? And more importantly, what do I need to clean to get that choke working automatically again? I really need to get this thing running properly before our next trip! …more
RV AC Humming But No Air Flow? Fix It Yourself (2024 Guide)
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 141 👍

RV AC Humming But No Air Flow? Fix It Yourself (2024 Guide)

I tried everything I could think of, but probably a dumb question—why would my 2006 Sightseer 30B's AC hum after storage but blow zero air? big mistake lol. The thing is humming like crazy but zero air coming out of any vents. It's loud enough to wake the neighbors but doing absolutely nothing.

I'm guessing something got stuck or seized up while it was sitting? Anyone know what typically causes this after long storage periods? Really hoping it's something I can fix myself before calling a repair guy. …more
How to Remove RV Window Screens for Cleaning - Step-by-Step Guide
General Easy 15-30 minutes 135 👍

How to Remove RV Window Screens for Cleaning - Step-by-Step Guide

Called off work Friday to tackle a deep RV window cleaning project this weekend — what's the safest way to remove these screens without snapping them? There don't seem to be any obvious screws holding it in place. What's the proper way to take out RV window screens for cleaning access? …more
Thetford Aurora Toilet Replacement Guide: Best RV Toilet Upgrades
Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 135 👍

Thetford Aurora Toilet Replacement Guide: Best RV Toilet Upgrades

The minor drip from my Thetford Aurora toilet seals started last month but now it's turned into a constant leak requiring daily maintenance. After one seal replacement, the failure recurred within four months of operation, indicating a potential systemic issue with this model's design.

I'm evaluating replacement options and need technical guidance on reliable alternatives. Budget considerations are important, but I require a unit that can withstand continuous use without recurring maintenance issues. Preference is for ceramic bowl construction over plastic alternatives for durability and performance characteristics.

What are the most reliable Thetford toilet models for Aurora replacement, and how do budget options like the Aqua Magic series compare to mid-range and premium models in terms of long-term reliability and seal performance? …more

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RV Toilet Won't Hold Water: Fix Bowl Drainage & Sewer Smells
Plumbing Medium 60 minutes 135 👍

RV Toilet Won't Hold Water: Fix Bowl Drainage & Sewer Smells

Since my RV service tech insists I need to replace my entire toilet just because the water keeps disappearing from the bowl, I'm wondering if he's overselling me on what might be a simple seal issue. Pretty sure it's a seal issue but not sure if it's the ball seal, blade seal, or something with the valve itself. Getting some lovely sewer smells too which is just fantastic 🙄

Before I start tearing things apart, what's usually the culprit here? And roughly what am I looking at cost-wise for parts? Really hoping this is one of those DIY fixes and not a "call the RV guy" situation. …more
RV Windshield Protection Film: Complete Guide to Preventing Rock Chips & Damage
Exterior Medium 2-4 hours professional 132 👍

RV Windshield Protection Film: Complete Guide to Preventing Rock Chips & Damage

Our RV service guy insists we need a $3,000 Class A windshield replacement for rock chips, but that seems excessive when protection film exists. Just got back from a 2500-mile adventure and collected five lovely new rock chips as souvenirs. The good news? They're all clustered in the bottom 12-15 inches of the windshield, well below my line of sight (because apparently rocks have terrible aim).

I'm thinking about slapping some kind of clear protective film on that lower section to give my poor windshield some armor for future road trips. Has anyone tried this approach? Does paint protection film actually work for windshields, or am I just dreaming of a chip-free future? Looking for real-world advice on whether this is a smart move or just wishful thinking! …more
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