Results for "cold weather"

Propane Easy 30 minutes 368 👍 0

RV Propane Regulator Freezing Up? Common Causes & Easy Fixes

About the third time this season my propane system is acting up during cold weather prep and I'm done trying to figure this out on my own. When temperatures drop, I notice my propane regulator develops frost on it and the gas flow seems to slow down or stop completely. This makes me nervous - is this actually normal behavior or do I have a serious problem?

I'm worried about running my furnace and other propane appliances when this happens. Should I be concerned about safety? And if this freezing is normal, what's the safest way to prevent it from happening? I don't want to do anything that might make the situation worse or create a hazardous condition. …more

Read answer

General Hard 45-60 min 357 👍 0

How to Remove Firefly RV Control Panel: Complete DIY Guide

Our 2019 Fleetwood Discovery LXE has a malfunctioning Firefly multiplex control panel that needs to be completely removed. I've been putting this off for months because I keep hearing horror stories about people cracking their panels or damaging the surrounding woodwork during removal.

I need to access the back of the unit for some electrical work, but I'm honestly terrified of breaking something expensive. The panel seems to be mounted flush with no obvious screws or clips visible from the front. I've searched everywhere but can't find a complete walkthrough that covers the preparation, actual removal process, and how to get everything back together properly.

Can someone please provide a detailed DIY guide that covers all the steps? I'm willing to take my time and do this right - I just need to know the proper technique so I don't end up with a broken control panel or damaged wall. …more

Read answer

Engine Medium 2-4 hours diagnosis 351 👍 0

RV Engine Stalling & Transmission Issues - Diagnosis Help

Replaced multiple parts but I'm still standing in the auto parts store aisle staring at diagnostic tools with no clue which one I actually need for my RV's stalling and transmission issues. When I'm cruising and let off the gas, sometimes the RPMs drop like a rock, other times they just hang there until I slow down more. That's weird enough, but here's the real kicker - every now and then the whole engine just dies on me when I'm rolling up to a stop sign or red light. Maybe happens twice in 600 miles or so, so it's not constant but definitely not normal either.

I'm wondering if these two issues are connected somehow? Like could whatever's causing the stalling also be messing with how the transmission acts when I let off the throttle? Really hoping someone has seen this combo before because I'm in Germany and finding RV-specific help is tough.

I'm looking for any insights from folks who might know what could cause this - hoping to get to the bottom of this before it becomes a bigger problem! …more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Awnings & Accessories

4.5 (7,600 reviews)

Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 325 👍 0

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

Read answer

Solar Batteries Medium 4-8 hours 282 👍 0

Lead Acid vs Lithium RV Batteries: Complete Upgrade Guide

Pulled into my favorite boondocking spot with batteries that used to last three days, but now these lead acid units are completely dead after just one night! I've been running two 12V lead acid batteries in my travel trailer and I'm SO tired of dealing with their limitations - slow charging, constant maintenance, and they seem to die at the worst possible times.

I found these Dyness 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 lithium batteries and I'm really hoping they might be the solution I've been looking for. But I'm completely lost when it comes to lithium technology. Will my current converter/charger work with lithium batteries, or am I looking at more upgrades? I keep seeing mentions of something called a BMS - what exactly does that do and why is it important?

I just want a system that actually works reliably and charges properly both when plugged into shore power and while driving. Can someone please tell me if making the switch to these Dyness LiFePO4 batteries is worth it, and what I need to know about compatibility with my existing charging system? …more

Read answer

Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 271 👍 0

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

Read answer

Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 252 👍 0

RV Gray Tank Draining Slowly? Fix Clogs & Flow Issues

Called around to shops about my 2019 Forest River Cherokee's gray tank drain crawling—what used to take 5-10 minutes now drags on for 30-45 minutes. The black tank still drains at normal speed, so I don't think it's a problem with the main sewer connection or hose.

I'm wondering what typically causes gray tanks to develop drainage problems over time. We do a lot of dishwashing in the RV and I'm thinking maybe grease or soap buildup could be creating blockages somewhere in the system. The flow starts out okay but quickly reduces to just a trickle, even though I know there's still plenty of water in the tank.

What are the most common culprits behind slow gray tank drainage, and what's the best approach for diagnosing and fixing these flow issues? I'd rather understand the root causes and proper solutions before I start taking things apart or using harsh chemicals that might damage the system. …more

Read answer

Ac Refrigeration Easy 30 minutes 246 👍 0

RV Whirlpool Fridge Cycling Every 30 Minutes: Normal?

Looked everywhere for answers on my Whirlpool residential refrigerator cycling every 30 minutes—my neighbor says it's normal, RV dealer says it's broken, YouTube says something else entirely. The ambient temperature here is around 65°F, and I have both the fridge and freezer set to the 3rd snowflake setting.

I haven't timed it exactly with a stopwatch, but I keep noticing it kicking on again after what feels like a short time. I'm concerned this frequent cycling might be a sign of a problem or could lead to premature failure. I try to keep the vents clean when I can access them. Should I be worried about this 30-minute cycle pattern, or is this within normal range for an RV refrigerator in these conditions? …more

Read answer

Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 243 👍 0

LiFePO4 Battery Not Charging in RV: Complete Diagnosis Guide

Planning my next boondocking trip when this faint electrical burning smell started coming from my battery compartment, and my 950W flat mounted plus 1200W ground solar setup isn't charging my LiFePO4 batteries at all. My LiFePO4 batteries used to charge up beautifully, hitting 100% by late afternoon like clockwork.

Now? Total drama queens. This morning we woke up at 18% charge, and after a full day of glorious sunshine, we're sitting pretty at a whopping 63%. With 2150W of solar, I should be swimming in electrons! But instead my batteries are acting like teenagers - moody and refusing to cooperate.

I'm starting to suspect something's gone wrong, but honestly, I have no clue how to properly check LiFePO4 batteries. Are they actually broken, or am I just doing something monumentally stupid? What voltage readings should I be looking for, and what else should I check before I start panic-buying new batteries? …more

Read answer

Propane Medium 2-3 hours 240 👍 0

Extend-A-Stay RV Propane System: Install & Safety

My simple Blackstone griddle connection last month has escalated into a dangerous Extend A Stay regulator nightmare that's got me seriously worried about safety. Currently, I've installed the Extend A Stay to connect the griddle to the onboard LP tank, which works fine. My goal is to find a way to place the regulator before the Extend A Stay connection, eliminating the need to carry the separate Blackstone regulator. However, the current Extend A Stay connectors don't seem to allow for this adaptation. Has anyone found a solution to streamline this propane connection setup? …more

Read answer

General Medium Varies by issue 232 👍 0

How to Fix RV Slide Out Topper Awning Problems: Common Issues and Solutions for Smooth Operation

Before buying our first RV, I never even knew slide topper awnings existed, and now ours is acting up and I'm completely lost. We're having all three slide toppers professionally replaced next week, but I'm honestly worried we'll end up with the same problems all over again if they're not installed properly.

I've been reading horror stories about misaligned toppers, wrong spring tension, and fabric bunching up during slide operation. Since this is costing us a pretty penny, I really need to know what specific things I should insist the installer check and test before they leave. What are the critical adjustments that need to be made during installation to prevent these common topper problems from happening again? …more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Refrigerators

4.3 (9,200 reviews)

Engine Easy Planning decision 223 👍 0

When to Replace RV Tires by Age, Even If They Look Fine

Every time I look at those 2017 motorhome tires I replaced last week, I keep wondering if I jumped the gun when they still looked perfect. I recently purchased it and it came with the original Michelin tires, which puts them at about 7-8 years old now based on the DOT date codes. The previous owner was meticulous about storage - the RV was kept in a climate-controlled garage for most of its life and only has about 27,000 miles on it.

Here's what's puzzling me: these tires look absolutely pristine. I've inspected them thoroughly and can't find any visible signs of aging like sidewall cracking, dry rot, or unusual wear patterns. The tread depth is still excellent, and they hold air pressure perfectly. However, I keep reading conflicting information about tire age versus condition. Some sources say rubber degrades internally even when stored properly, while others suggest that well-maintained tires can safely exceed the typical replacement timeline.

I'm planning some extended travel in the coming months and want to make the safest decision. Should I replace these 7-8 year old Michelin tires even though they appear to be in excellent condition, or is it safe to continue using them based on their visual inspection and low mileage? What do RV tire experts generally recommend for the age-based replacement timeline? …more

Read answer

Chassis Easy 30 minutes 219 👍 0

Which Dually Tire for RV Leveling Blocks? Inner vs Outer

My Class A sits crooked when parked in front of my house due to the road crown, and the entry steps won't extend because they hit the curb. I built some wooden ramps from stacked 2x8s to level out the passenger side, but they're only wide enough for one tire. My neighbor insists I should use the inner dually tire since it carries more weight, but the RV dealer told me to always use the outer tire for stability. Meanwhile, YouTube videos show people doing it both ways. The road slopes toward the curb, so using the inner tire would actually put me higher up the crown. I've been defaulting to the outer tire thinking it keeps things more consistent, but now I'm second-guessing myself. Which dually tire should actually go on the leveling blocks? …more

Read answer

Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 216 👍 0

How to Convert RV from Lead Acid to Lithium Batteries - Step-by-Step Guide

Despite having perfectly fine lead acid batteries yesterday, it's 11 PM and my RV's two 6v deep cycle batteries just died completely — need to swap them for LiFePO4 lithium before we head out tomorrow morning. Since they're similarly priced, I'm looking to upgrade, but need guidance on system modifications.

Specifically need info on: converter voltage requirements, solar controller settings, inverter cutoff adjustments, and whether I need additional battery management components.

What are the key steps to convert successfully? …more

Read answer

Plumbing Medium 30 min 207 👍 0

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

Read answer

Loading more Q&A...

You've seen all 51 Q&A articles!