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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
Camco Rhino Sewer Hose Adapter Pro: Complete Review & Installation Guide for RV Owners
Plumbing Easy 10 minutes 278 👍

Camco Rhino Sewer Hose Adapter Pro: Complete Review & Installation Guide for RV Owners

Noticed my 2018 Forest River Cherokee's cheap sewer hose adapter keeps leaking at the connection no matter how tight I make it. The Camco Rhino Sewer Hose Adapter Pro claims it works on both threaded and non-threaded outlets with some kind of clamp system, but I'm worried about spending money on something that might not actually work reliably.

Has anyone actually used this adapter successfully? I'm particularly concerned about whether the clamp system really creates a leak-resistant seal, and if it truly eliminates the need to carry multiple adapters. My RV has a non-threaded outlet and I've had nothing but problems with adapters that don't fit securely or leak during dumping. …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
RV Engine Stalling & Transmission Issues - Diagnosis Help
Engine Medium 2-4 hours diagnosis 269 👍

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
Cummins ISL Code 1896: EGR Valve Controller Gaskets & Repair
Engine Medium 3-4 hours 260 👍

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
1999 F53 V10 Oil in Coolant: Complete Head Gasket Diagnosis & Repair Guide
Engine Hard 2-3 hours for diagnosis 242 👍

1999 F53 V10 Oil in Coolant: Complete Head Gasket Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Called three dealerships about oil contamination in my 1999 Ford F53 V10's coolant system — before I tackle this head gasket nightmare myself. The unit overheated after the oil level dropped significantly, though it still starts and runs without throwing any codes.

Based on the symptoms, I suspect a blown head gasket, but I want to perform proper diagnostic testing before committing to a major repair. What specific diagnostic procedures should I run to confirm whether this is actually a head gasket failure versus other potential causes like a cracked head or block issue?

Looking for a systematic approach to pinpoint the exact problem before I start tearing into this engine. …more

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Kwikee RV Steps Not Working? Complete Troubleshooting Guide
Exterior Medium 30-60 min 233 👍 1

Kwikee RV Steps Not Working? Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Apparently we're leaving for a three-week cross-country trip next Monday and my Kwikee electric RV steps are still having intermittent retraction issues even after replacing both the gear box and motor. My steps are exhibiting intermittent retraction issues - they extend normally but require manual assistance to retract fully, stopping approximately a quarter inch through the cycle without intervention. I've already installed a new gear box and motor, yet the problem persists.

What systematic diagnostic approach should I follow to identify the root cause? I need to understand the complete troubleshooting sequence for motor functionality, electrical switch operation, and mechanical linkage components. Are there specific voltage measurements, resistance checks, or mechanical adjustments that should be performed to isolate whether this is an electrical or mechanical failure?

Thanks,
Pete …more
Fix Cracked Dometic RV AC Covers & Roof Vents
Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 207 👍

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
How to Fix RV Fresh Water Tank Leaks: Complete Diagnosis & Repair Guide
Plumbing Medium 1-4 hours 205 👍

How to Fix RV Fresh Water Tank Leaks: Complete Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Nobody warned me how tricky RV fresh water tank leaks could be — got my tools ready and determined to fix this dripping mess under my trailer myself. The dripping was pretty steady at first but seems to have slowed down overnight to just occasional drops. My tank gauge still shows full, so I don't think it's completely emptying out.

I can see there's an underbelly cover that would need to come down to access everything underneath, but I'm hoping maybe there are some easier spots I should check first? I'd rather not tackle removing panels if I don't have to - any guidance on where these leaks typically start would be really helpful, especially near the drain valve! …more
How to Fix RV Garage Door Delamination: Complete Repair Guide
Exterior Hard 2-4 hours 191 👍

How to Fix RV Garage Door Delamination: Complete Repair Guide

Finally facing the inevitable with my 1994 Fleetwood Jamboree Rallye garage doors that are 30 years old and completely delaminating at the seams — repair or replace? The extruded aluminum frame corners that are supposed to be screwed together are failing because the screws keep breaking under stress. What started as minor separation has now progressed to the point where the structural integrity of the entire door system is compromised.

I've noticed that not only are the corner joints failing, but the door panels themselves seem to be separating from their backing material, and the weather seals around the perimeter are starting to pull away as well. The doors don't close properly anymore, leaving gaps that let in water and debris. I'm concerned about further damage to the garage area and contents if I don't address this comprehensively.

I need a complete repair approach that addresses the delamination issue, reinforces the structural components, and replaces the failing seals. Simply adding corner braces feels like a band-aid solution, and I'm worried about drilling out the broken screws without causing more damage to the aluminum frame. What's the proper way to tackle this type of comprehensive garage door repair on an older RV? …more
RV Roof Leak Around Air Conditioner: Complete Repair Guide
Exterior Medium 2-3 hours 191 👍

RV Roof Leak Around Air Conditioner: Complete Repair Guide

Around noon Saturday I'm planning to tackle this stubborn RV roof leak by my air conditioner — what tools should I gather beforehand? My rooftop air conditioner is letting water in every time it rains, and when I climbed up there (probably looking like a graceful gazelle), I can see the sealant around the AC unit is definitely cracked and peeling.

I'm standing in the RV section of the hardware store looking at about 47 different tubes of sealant, and I have no idea which one won't turn into another cracked mess in six months. What's the best product to properly reseal around an RV air conditioner? I'd rather not repeat this whole 'indoor rain shower' experience again! …more
RV Slide Out Water Leak Repair: Complete Guide to Finding & Fixing Leaks in Your RV
Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 176 👍

RV Slide Out Water Leak Repair: Complete Guide to Finding & Fixing Leaks in Your RV

Replaced my slide out seals last month but water still keeps pouring in every time it rains — am I missing something obvious here?

I've heard it could be the weatherstripping or seals, but I'm not sure how to inspect them properly or what other things might cause leaks. Could someone walk me through a systematic approach to find and fix slide out water leaks? I'd really appreciate guidance on what to check first and how to go about diagnosing the problem.

While the seals look okay visually, something clearly isn't sealing right when it rains. …more
RV Hydraulic Leveling Jack Leaks: Normal Seepage vs Serious Problems Explained
Slideouts Easy 30 minutes inspection 171 👍

RV Hydraulic Leveling Jack Leaks: Normal Seepage vs Serious Problems Explained

Somewhere between parking and leveling my 2019 Forest River Georgetown, I noticed the hydraulic leveling jacks have small amounts of fluid on the fittings. No puddles underneath and the jacks aren't sagging when stored or in use. Just a light coating on the hoses and one fitting has a small amount of fluid visible.

Is this normal seepage or something I should worry about? What's the difference between normal weeping and a real problem that needs immediate attention? …more

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Dutchstar Chassis Cracking Noise: Diagnosis & Repair Guide
Chassis Medium 45 minutes 170 👍

Dutchstar Chassis Cracking Noise: Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Hearing a loud cracking or popping noise from underneath my Dutchstar when going over bumps or turning. Sounds structural — like metal flexing or a weld breaking. Crawled under and couldn't see any obvious cracks but the noise is getting louder each trip. …more
RV Water Pump Pulsing & Cycling Issues: 7 Causes + DIY Solutions
Plumbing Medium 45 minutes 170 👍

RV Water Pump Pulsing & Cycling Issues: 7 Causes + DIY Solutions

Noticed my RV water pump keeps pulsing and cycling on its own even when no faucets are running - is this dangerous with kids around? The water pump keeps turning on and off rapidly - like every few seconds - even when I don't have any faucets or anything running. It's doing this pulsing thing constantly.

I've heard someone mention something about an accumulator tank, but I'm not really sure what that is or how to check it. Could there be other things causing this too? I'd really appreciate some guidance on what might be wrong and where I should start looking. This is all pretty overwhelming as a beginner! …more
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