Results for "protection"

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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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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Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 167 👍 0

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

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Water Heaters

4.4 (6,800 reviews)

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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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours research and setup 140 👍 1

Safari Motorcoach LPG Tank Refill for Stationary RV Setup

Between my toolbox and the YouTube tutorials I've watched, I'm ready to tackle the LPG tank refill setup on my permanently parked 2000 Safari Sahar 32-footer. Since my wife and I live in California and visit several times per year to help her aging parents, the RV serves as a stationary dwelling with full hookups for shore power and water.

The challenge is that the coach won't be moved to drive to propane filling stations, so I'm exploring on-site refill options. I'm specifically interested in potentially transferring propane from a standard 40lb grill tank to our RV's fixed tank. I want to understand what type of fitting our Safari Sahar has and what safety considerations or special equipment might be required for liquid-to-liquid propane transfer.

Since we'll need heating during colder months and my wife will sometimes be at the RV without me, I want to ensure a reliable and safe refill method. What are my options for refilling the LPG tank without moving the motorcoach? …more

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Engine Easy 15 minutes to inspect 130 👍 0

RV Tire Age Limits: Why Replace Michelin Tires After 7 Years Despite Good Tread

Called three different tire shops this month about my 2020 Newmar Ventana's Michelin 275/70R22.5 tires and all want them replaced just for being 6 years old despite perfect tread. I'm meticulous about tire maintenance - I check air pressure religiously before and after every trip, whether it's a short weekend getaway or an extended cross-country journey like the 5000-mile trip I just completed.

Despite my careful maintenance routine, I experienced a blowout on the right rear inside tire during the final leg of that recent long trip. When the roadside service technician came out to help, he recommended replacing all six tires specifically because of their age, even though the remaining tires still have plenty of tread depth and appear to be in excellent condition visually.

This has me confused because I've heard conflicting advice from other RV owners - some say well-maintained motorhome tires can safely last up to 10 years, while others insist on much shorter replacement intervals. I'm trying to understand what the actual safety guidelines are for RV tire replacement based on age versus tread wear. Should I really replace tires that still look good just because of when they were manufactured? What's the real story on how tire age affects safety, and how do I properly check the manufacturing date to make this decision? …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 127 👍 0

How to Upgrade Progressive Dynamics Converter for Lithium RV Batteries Safely

Got a 15-year-old Progressive Dynamics converter that's starting to throw fault codes with my new lithium setup — worth upgrading or try making it work? I have a 2006 Lance 915 cabover that I recently upgraded with 2-200 watt Bouge solar panels and 2-100ah SOK lithium batteries.

The problem is I'm still running the original Progressive Dynamics converter charger that came with the RV, and I've learned it's not designed for lithium batteries. I'm worried about damaging my new battery investment.

What are my options for upgrading? I'm not sure if I need to replace the whole converter unit or if there's some kind of upgrade kit available. Any advice would be really appreciated since I don't want to mess this up! …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 45 minutes 126 👍 0

RV Inverter Beeping 3 Times Then Shutting Off: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Standing next to my RV watching what started as occasional inverter beeps last month escalate into exactly three beeps and complete shutdown after just minutes. My multimeter shows the batteries at 12.8V when I check them, so they seem fine.

I'm worried there might be something more serious going on that I'm missing. Could this be a safety issue? What would cause an inverter to shut itself off like this even when the battery voltage looks normal? I don't want to keep trying to restart it if there's a risk of damaging the system or creating a safety hazard. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 1-2 hours 120 👍 0

Xantrex Freedom X 1200 Inverter Low Battery Warning: Critical 11.2V Fix Guide

Walked into my new RV and discovered the previous owner left the Xantrex Freedom X 1200 inverter constantly throwing critical 11.2V low battery warnings. My Xantrex Freedom X 1200 inverter is displaying warning indicators on the panel, and I'm seeing some concerning voltage readings that have me worried about potential damage to my electrical system.

Here's the complete situation: My house battery is reading 11.2 volts, while the chassis battery shows 13.1 volts. The inverter panel is lit up with what I assume are low voltage warnings. I've been noticing the interior lights dimming significantly, especially when trying to run any appliances through the inverter. To make matters worse, it's currently overcast and getting dark, so my solar panels aren't generating any meaningful charge to help recover the battery.

I'm particularly concerned because I know lead-acid batteries can be permanently damaged if they're discharged too deeply. The voltage reading of 11.2V seems critically low to me, but I want to understand exactly how urgent this situation is and what my immediate next steps should be. Should I be looking at shore power connection, generator use, or is there something wrong with my charging system that caused this in the first place? I need to know both the immediate fix and what might have caused this failure. …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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Propane Medium 45 minutes 118 👍 0

RV Gas Detector Beeps Every Minute at Night - How to Fix

Before my wife mentioned it, I had no idea our RV gas detector was beeping every single minute from 7PM to 7AM—now it's driving me absolutely crazy. It only does this during nighttime hours - never during the day. I'm plugged into shore power with 4 batteries (2 coach, 2 engine). What would cause this specific timing pattern? Is it actually detecting gas or is something else going on with the detector itself? …more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Generators

4.6 (18,900 reviews)

Solar Batteries Medium 45 minutes 118 👍 0

RV MPPT Solar Controller E1 Error Code: Causes & Fixes

Halfway through troubleshooting my MPPT solar charge controller's E1 error — would this be covered under warranty, or am I stuck paying out-of-pocket? The controller was working fine for months, but now it's completely stopped charging my batteries and just displays this E1 fault code on the screen.

From what I've read, this could be related to battery over-voltage conditions or possibly some kind of wiring fault, but I want to make sure I understand all the potential causes before I start troubleshooting. I'm comfortable doing basic electrical work myself, but I also want to know when this might be something that requires professional attention for safety reasons.

Can someone provide a detailed breakdown of what the E1 error specifically indicates, walk me through the proper diagnostic steps to identify the root cause, and explain the repair process? I'd especially appreciate guidance on how to safely approach this troubleshooting and what warning signs would indicate I should call in an expert instead of attempting the fix myself. …more

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General Medium 4-8 hours 116 👍 0

How to Reduce RV Interior Noise: Complete Sound Dampening Guide for Motorhomes

Despite having a 2021 Coachmen Mirada, looking at my sound meter right now and there's 69 decibels of highway noise blasting through the cabin. My target is to achieve approximately 65 decibels for better communication with passengers.

I need a systematic approach to interior noise reduction. What are the most effective sound dampening materials and techniques for motorhomes? Specifically, I'm looking for solutions that address engine noise transmission, road noise, and any rattling components that contribute to the overall sound level.

What realistic noise reduction can I expect from proper sound deadening implementation, and what are the key areas to focus on for maximum impact? …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 113 👍 0

Ford V10 RV Chassis A/C Cycling On and Off at High RPM - Complete Fix

Before highway driving yesterday, my gauge showed 250 PSI on the high side, but every Ford V10 manual says my 2019 Georgetown XL should max at 200 PSI. After completing full refrigerant system service including line replacement, receiver-drier, and expansion valve replacement, followed by proper evacuation and R134a charge to specification (920g), the system operates normally at idle and low RPM conditions.

However, above 2800 RPM during highway driving, the compressor cycles on and off repeatedly. System pressures appear normal during stationary testing. Is this cycling behavior a designed protective feature of the Ford V10 PCM during high load conditions, or does this indicate an underlying issue with head pressure, airflow, or refrigerant charge that requires further diagnosis? …more

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Appliances Hard 8-16 hours 113 👍 0

Entegra Odyssey 26M Murphy Bed Couch Replacement and Ground Clearance Upgrade

Our 2022 Entegra Odyssey 26M's Murphy bed couch just completely failed at 11 PM and we desperately need a replacement solution before family arrives tomorrow morning. What if I could swap out that murphy bed couch for some fancy theater seats? I'm picturing myself reclining in luxury while Netflix loads at dial-up speeds thanks to campground wifi.

But here's where my engineering expertise (aka zero knowledge) kicks in - can theater seats even work with a murphy bed setup? Do the backs need to come off or fold down? And while I'm dreaming big, I'd also love to get a couple more inches of ground clearance so I stop scraping on every driveway entrance like I'm driving a lowrider.

Am I asking for the impossible, or is there actually a way to make this couch-to-theater-seat transformation happen? And what's the least complicated way to get this thing sitting a bit higher off the ground? …more

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