Results for "drain"

Plumbing Medium 2-4 hours 446 👍 9

RV Water Pump Losing Prime: Troubleshooting & Winterization

Got a 2022 Tiffin Open Road 34PA with a water pump that keeps losing prime during winterization — about to buy a replacement but wondering if I'm throwing money at the wrong problem? I can get it back by quickly opening and closing one of the lowest drain valves, but then it just loses prime again after a while. This has happened on other RVs I've winterized too, but it's particularly stubborn on this Tiffin.

I'm suspecting it might be the inline check valve next to the pump or maybe the one behind the Truma hot water heater, but I'd love some guidance on proper diagnosis. What are the most common causes of prime loss during winterization, and what's the best way to troubleshoot and fix this? I want to make sure I'm covering all my bases for winter storage prep. …more

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General Medium 1-2 days for initial setup 220 👍 1

RV Storage on Gravel: Preventing Weed and Moisture Issues

Nobody warned me that buying a house with RV storage meant inheriting the previous owner's 13-year-old weedy, muddy gravel disaster. While considering this location's storage options, I want to mitigate potential issues with weed growth and moisture retention under the RV.

I'm seeking advice on effective strategies for storing on a gravel surface that shows significant weed penetration and moisture retention. Initial ideas include pre-treatment herbicide application and installing a protective barrier, but I want input from experienced RV owners.

My primary concerns are preventing undercarriage damage and managing moisture/vegetation growth. I plan to spray weed killer beforehand and potentially lay down a weed barrier, pending facility approval. What techniques or materials do you recommend to protect my RV during storage? …more

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Exterior Hard 2-8 hours for temporary fix, 1-5 days for permanen 213 👍 1

RV Sidewall Blistering & Delamination Repair Guide 2024

According to three different RV shops, fixing my bubbling sidewall delamination will cost thousands, but I'm wondering if tackling this DIY repair myself is actually feasible. My 2004 Itasca Sunova has decided to sprout some lovely blisters on the right sidewall - two beauties that are about 12-14 inches long and 3-4 inches wide, running vertically right behind the awning arm. Perfect timing since we're currently on the road living our best RV life!

I'm pretty sure water snuck in somewhere (probably from the roof rail or that shower skylight we never use), and now my RV looks like it's got chicken pox. Since we can't exactly pull into the nearest RV surgeon's office, I need to know: what can I do right now to stop this from getting worse, and what's involved in actually fixing this mess properly? I'm hoping there's some kind of emergency containment plan that doesn't involve duct tape and prayers! …more

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4.5 (11,200 reviews)

Slideouts Medium 2-4 hours 208 👍 2

Power Gear Leveler Won't Retract: Complete Repair Guide

Called Power Gear support and they said press retract after leveling, but my system deployed perfectly and now just sits there doing absolutely nothing. The system appears to receive the retract command since I can hear some activity, but the legs remain extended. The only way to get them up is by engaging the transmission which triggers the emergency retract function.

I need a systematic approach to diagnose this retraction failure. What are the most likely causes when Power Gear levelers deploy normally but won't respond to the retract command, and what's the proper troubleshooting sequence to identify whether it's a solenoid valve issue, wiring problem, or control module failure? …more

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Engine Easy 45 min 196 👍 0

Femco vs Fumoto Oil Drain Valves for RVs - Which is Better?

Looked at my mechanic's quote for a $300 professional oil change setup and something seems off—wouldn't a basic Femco or Fumoto drain valve work just fine? I've narrowed it down to Femco and Fumoto, but I'm genuinely worried about road debris damage since RVs sit lower and encounter more hazards than regular vehicles.

The thought of a drain valve getting hit by rocks or debris and causing a catastrophic oil leak on the highway keeps me up at night. I need to know which design is actually safer and more protected in RV applications. Does one have better protection features than the other? I'd rather be overly cautious than deal with a roadside emergency. …more

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Engine Hard 2-3 hours for diagnosis 171 👍 0

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

Called three dealerships about warranty coverage for 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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Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 162 👍 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

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Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 155 👍 0

RV Grey Water Tank Clogged? 7 Proven Solutions to Clear Blockages Fast

Found out my RV service tech wants $800+ to replace the entire grey water system on my 2007 RV for an intermittent blockage that seems fixable. It doesn't seem to matter if we're level or not - it's completely random.

I've tried using a high suction shop vac and even attempted snaking it, but I'm nervous about forcing things and making the problem worse. I suspect it might be a manufacturing plug that fell into the tank, but I'm not sure. I found one solution with a reverse flush valve that seems to work temporarily, but I'm concerned about the underlying cause.

What are the safest and most proven methods to diagnose and fix these random grey water blockages? I don't want to damage the tank or create bigger problems, but this unpredictable draining is driving me crazy. Are there specific cleaning products or techniques that actually work without risking harm to the system? …more

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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 147 👍 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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Ac Refrigeration Easy 30 minutes 130 👍 0

RV AC Freezing Up? Fix Ice on Coils in 5 Steps

Turned on my RV's AC as a total newbie and watched it run perfectly for an hour before becoming a frozen disaster that won't cool. I can literally see ice building up on the coils, and then it's game over until everything thaws out.

This has happened a few times now and I'm getting tired of sitting in a hot RV waiting for the thing to defrost. What actually causes AC units to freeze up like this? And more importantly, how do I stop it from happening again? I'm guessing it's something simple I'm missing, but I'd rather fix it right than keep dealing with this cycle. …more

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Engine Easy N/A 129 👍 0

Ford E-350 vs E-450 Chassis: RV Fuel Economy, Power & Weight Capacity

Last weekend I felt this awful engine strain and heard sluggish acceleration sounds while test-driving a 2017 Phoenix Cruiser #2351 with its E-350 chassis and V10 engine. I'll be doing extensive western touring through mountain and plains regions, which means substantial mountain grades and wind challenges. I'm comfortable driving slowly and want to understand two key things: 1) Will this E-350 chassis handle mountain grades without major issues, and 2) What's the real-world fuel consumption like? I plan to do an initial inspection this weekend, followed by a third-party mechanical review. I'm not overly concerned about fuel economy but want to understand the actual performance limitations. I'd appreciate insights from owners who have experience with similar touring conditions on an E-350 chassis. …more

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4.6 (9,800 reviews)

Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 128 👍 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

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Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 127 👍 0

RV Black Tank Not Holding Full Capacity: 7 Common Causes and DIY Repair Solutions

Somewhere between embarrassed and desperate, I have to ask this probably dumb question: why does my RV's black tank act full when it should hold way more? We have a 40-gallon black tank, but when I try to fill it with water for cleaning, it starts overflowing through the vent pipe at only 23 gallons. I'm afraid there might be something seriously wrong with the installation or that I could damage the system.

A professional cleaning service said the tank was completely clean with no blockages, so I'm confused about why it won't hold its full capacity. The water is definitely coming out the vent pipe, so I assume that means the vent isn't blocked? I'm hesitant to keep trying things without understanding what's actually causing this - could this be a safety issue or sign of improper installation? What should I be looking for to diagnose this safely? …more

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Appliances Medium 3-4 hours 125 👍 0

Best RV Thermostatic Shower Mixing Valves 2024 - Installation Guide

According to my screaming every morning, there's this scalding burn followed by an icy shock sensation hitting my back in my RV shower. There's no middle ground - it's like my water heater has anger management issues.

I'm shopping for a thermostatic mixing valve to save myself from daily temperature shock therapy. I keep seeing mechanical models like the Symmons Temptrol and Phoenix PF213200, but honestly have no idea if they're any good. And don't get me started on those fancy digital ones like the Kohler DTV+ - they look amazing but I'm guessing they're about as RV-friendly as a pet elephant.

Anyone know which thermostatic valves actually work well in RVs without requiring me to rewire half my rig or sacrifice my firstborn to the plumbing gods? …more

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General Easy 15-30 min 119 👍 0

RV Windshield Washer System: Complete Maintenance Guide & Troubleshooting Tips

Somewhere between following three different YouTube tutorials, I managed to turn my RV's windshield washer repair into a sprinkler system that hits everything except the actual windshield. The specific issue I'm experiencing is fluid running back into the reservoir after each use, which means washer fluid isn't effectively hitting bugs before they dry and smear. I actually found a clever solution - using an aquarium air pump check valve from PetSmart for just $3.00. Sometimes it's these little fixes that make a big difference.

Sometimes the washer sprays like a garden sprinkler gone rogue, other times it dribbles like a leaky faucet. The fluid seems to have a mind of its own - either freezing up in cold weather or not hitting the windshield where it's supposed to.

I'm dealing with nozzles that spray everywhere except where the bugs are, a reservoir that I can never seem to locate when it's empty, and wipers that just smear everything around instead of actually cleaning. Could someone help me troubleshoot and confirm if my check valve solution might help? …more

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