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How to Repair a Hole in RV Grey Water Tank
Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 147 👍

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
Dometic RV AC Not Cooling? 5 Common Fixes for Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Guide
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 128 👍

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
Onan 5500 Generator Shuts Down Under Load: Troubleshooting Guide
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 98 👍

Onan 5500 Generator Shuts Down Under Load: Troubleshooting Guide

Onan 5500 runs perfectly at idle but kills itself within 30 seconds of turning on the AC. Been fine for years and suddenly can't handle any real load. Fuel filter is new, oil is fresh, and it starts right up every time — just dies the moment I ask it to actually work. …more
Ford F53 V10 Bypass Oil Filter Installation: Best Mounting Locations for RV Chassis
Engine Medium 1-2 hours 95 👍

Ford F53 V10 Bypass Oil Filter Installation: Best Mounting Locations for RV Chassis

Walked out to check my oil analysis results and they're showing 15-micron contaminants, but everything says my 2003 F53 V10's factory filter catches down to 25 microns. I've been reading about how these can help extend oil life and keep things cleaner, but I'm honestly not sure where the best place to mount one would be.

I've seen some people mention sandwich adapters at the original filter location, remote mounting blocks, and even tapping directly into the engine block. As someone who's still learning, I don't want to mess this up or create problems down the road. What's considered the best practice for mounting location on the F53 V10? I'd really appreciate some guidance from those who have done this before. …more
RV Awning Water Damage: Complete Repair vs Replace Guide (2024)
Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 84 👍

RV Awning Water Damage: Complete Repair vs Replace Guide (2024)

Tried getting quotes for my water-damaged RV awning and the $800 replacement estimate has me wondering if I can tackle this repair myself instead. Water pooled on it during a light rain because I had the angle wrong, and now something seems to be wrong with the spring mechanism - it's not retracting properly anymore.

I'm afraid to mess with it further without knowing what I'm dealing with. How can I safely assess whether the fabric, spring, or roller tube is damaged? I need to know if this is something I can repair or if I'm looking at a complete replacement. I don't want to make things worse by trying the wrong approach. …more
RV Stabilizer Jack Handle Spinning & Won't Retract: Complete Repair Guide
Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 84 👍

RV Stabilizer Jack Handle Spinning & Won't Retract: Complete Repair Guide

Apparently my neighbor's manual stabilizer jack retracts like butter every single time, while mine is completely stuck extended with a handle that spins uselessly. It cranked down fine but now won't come back up. What causes this spinning handle issue and how do I fix it? Is this something I can repair myself or do I need professional help? …more

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How to Fix Peeling RV Seat Upholstery: Repair Options & Costs
General Easy Varies by solution 83 👍

How to Fix Peeling RV Seat Upholstery: Repair Options & Costs

Last time I looked at my 2013 Georgetown 335DS front seats there's faux leather flaking off everywhere like the outer layer is just disintegrating. I've tried conditioning treatments but nothing seems to help.

I'm hoping this isn't going to be a huge expense, but I need to know my realistic options here. Should I expect any warranty coverage on something like this, or am I on my own? I've heard about seat covers, reupholstery, or maybe even replacing the whole seats, but I have no idea what any of this costs or what makes the most sense.

What's causing this deterioration in the first place, and what are people actually doing to fix it? I need real solutions with honest cost expectations - this RV is otherwise perfect and I don't want crumbling seats ruining the whole experience. …more
F53 Triton V10 High Output Alternator Upgrade - 250A Install
Electrical Medium 4-6 hours for complete installation 81 👍

F53 Triton V10 High Output Alternator Upgrade - 250A Install

Before I drop $800 on having a shop install a 250A high output alternator on my mid-2000s F53 Triton V10, wondering if this is something I can DIY without breaking anything. I need to upgrade from the stock alternator to handle a large inverter battery bank, and I'm looking at high-output units in the 250A range.

I found this Tucson alternator that puts out 190A at idle for under $500, but I'm worried about whether the existing wiring and belt system can handle it safely. Could I damage the engine or electrical system if I just swap it in? What upgrades would I absolutely need to do this safely?

I've worked with high-output alternators on boats before, but RV chassis systems seem different and I don't want to create a fire hazard or burn out expensive components. Has anyone successfully done this upgrade without major issues? …more
Onan QG5500 Generator Power Drop: Complete Troubleshooting Guide & Fixes for RV Owners
Engine Hard 2-4 hours 80 👍

Onan QG5500 Generator Power Drop: Complete Troubleshooting Guide & Fixes for RV Owners

Wondering why my Onan QG5500 is eating through fuel like crazy but barely putting out enough power to run my AC anymore? My Onan QG5500 generator was working great earlier today - had about 1500 watts running with the AC on a hot afternoon. I shut it down for about an hour, and when I fired it back up, it's only putting out around 400 watts now.

I checked the obvious stuff like circuit breakers and they all look fine. The generator is still running, but something is clearly wrong with the power output. I'm not sure what could cause such a sudden drop or even where I should start troubleshooting. Could this be an electrical issue? Any ideas on what might have failed and how I can figure out what's wrong? …more
RV AC Unit Failed After 3 Years - Warranty Claims & Repair Guide
Ac Refrigeration Easy Warranty process 80 👍

RV AC Unit Failed After 3 Years - Warranty Claims & Repair Guide

Got a dead front AC unit on my buddy's 2022 Holiday Rambler Endeavor at 2 AM — need this figured out before we hit the road tomorrow morning. We're talking a rig that's not even 3 years old yet! He's got two other roof units still working fine, but this one just gave up.

Is this typical for RV air conditioners? Seems crazy short for something that expensive. Should he be looking at warranty coverage or is he stuck buying a new unit? Any advice on how to handle this with the manufacturer or dealer would be awesome! …more
Dometic Fresh Jet 5 vs Penguin 2 Air Conditioner: Complete Installation Guide for RVs
Ac Refrigeration Medium 3-4 hours 79 👍

Dometic Fresh Jet 5 vs Penguin 2 Air Conditioner: Complete Installation Guide for RVs

Spent the weekend camping next to a couple with whisper-quiet AC while my wife kept complaining our Dometic Penguin 2 sounds like a freight train. I've been reading about the newer Fresh Jet 5 and wondering if it would be worth upgrading.

I'm mainly concerned about three things: Is the Fresh Jet 5 actually that much quieter than the existing Penguin 2 model? Will it use more power from my electrical system? And honestly, I'm not super handy with installations - would this be a straightforward replacement where I can swap out the Penguin 2 without extensive rewiring?

Any advice would be really helpful since this is a pretty big purchase for me and I want to make sure I understand what I'm getting into before I commit to the upgrade. …more
F53 Chassis Leaf Spring Problems: Signs of Failure and Replacement Guide
Engine Hard 3-4 hours per spring 79 👍

F53 Chassis Leaf Spring Problems: Signs of Failure and Replacement Guide

Got a 2001 F53 chassis with leaf springs making weird noises and the RV feels unstable—is this dangerous with my grandkids riding along? Specifically for my RV, I want to know what to look for during inspection of the passenger side front spring. I'm considering replacing the stock springs (2750# rating) with new springs rated at 3750#, as my front axle weight when loaded is 6000#. Are there particular areas I should focus on when checking the springs? Also need to understand how urgent replacement is if I find problems. …more
RV AC Humming But No Air Flow? Fix It Yourself (2024 Guide)
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 79 👍

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

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Diesel vs Gas Class A Motorhome for Family of 6: Expert Advice
Engine Medium 2-3 months research and shopping 78 👍

Diesel vs Gas Class A Motorhome for Family of 6: Expert Advice

Three months of research comparing diesel pushers versus gas Class A motorhomes for our family of 6 has left us more confused than ever!

Here's what's driving me crazy - diesel pushers from around 2010-2012 seem like the budget sweet spot, with their quieter engine placement at the rear and more comfortable ride. But we had a devastating mold problem in our last house that affected everyone's health, and I'm terrified of buying an older RV that might have hidden moisture issues.

The newer gas Class A units (2015 and up) seem like they'd be safer from a mold standpoint, but I worry we're sacrificing ride quality and long-term reliability. Since we don't already own a heavy-duty truck, a motorhome seems more practical than a 5th wheel. With four kids, comfort matters, but their health matters more.

Am I overthinking this, or should the mold risk really be the deciding factor here? I just need someone to tell me straight - which way would you go? …more
How to Reinforce Your RV Rear Ladder: DIY Safety Upgrade with Aluminum Tubing
General Medium 2-3 hours 77 👍

How to Reinforce Your RV Rear Ladder: DIY Safety Upgrade with Aluminum Tubing

Finally planning to tackle my wobbly RV rear ladder this Saturday — what materials and tools should I have lined up for this safety upgrade? It's rated for 250lbs but I don't trust the mounting points on the rear wall.

Looking at reinforcing it with 1-inch aluminum square tubing. What's the best way to bolt additional support tubes alongside the existing ladder rails? Need to know proper attachment points and hardware to distribute the load better and reduce that scary flexing. …more
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