Results for "weatherproofing"

Electrical Medium 3-4 hours 187 👍 0

RV Underbody Lighting Installation: Complete DIY Guide

I'm wondering if anyone else walked out this morning and spotted how embarrassingly bland their RV's underside looks compared to those slick LED setups online? My husband and I are pretty new to the RV world and I've been wanting to add some nice ambient lighting underneath our Class A motorhome. I think it would look really cool when we're set up at campsites in the evenings. I've seen other RVers with these gorgeous blue or white lights that make their rigs look so professional. We're definitely beginners when it comes to electrical work, so I'm hoping someone can walk me through what's involved. Is this something we can tackle ourselves or should we find a professional? Any product recommendations would be super helpful too. Thanks so much for your patience with us newbies! …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 168 👍 0

Ford F53 Chassis Firewall Wiring: Finding Brake LED Through-Holes

Opened up my 2022 Holiday Rambler 36DB for spring prep and once again I'm staring at my 2021 Ford F53 chassis firewall wondering where those brake LED through-holes are hiding. I need to run the brake indicator LED wire from my toad to the dashboard inside the motorhome, but I'm having trouble locating the best firewall penetration point.

Rather than drilling a new hole through the firewall (which I'd prefer to avoid for obvious reasons), I'm hoping to find an existing through-hole or grommet that I can utilize. I've heard that Ford F53 chassis typically have several factory access points, but I'm not sure exactly where to look or which ones would be most suitable for this type of low-voltage wiring installation.

Can anyone provide specific guidance on where to find existing firewall through-holes on the F53 chassis that would work well for routing brake indicator wiring? I want to make sure I'm using an appropriate location that won't interfere with existing systems and will provide a clean, professional installation. …more

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Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 166 👍 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

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Best RV Refrigerators

4.3 (9,200 reviews)

Solar Batteries Medium 4-8 hours 165 👍 0

Complete RV Solar System Guide 2024: Sizing, Installation & Wiring

Turned to YouTube for RV solar advice and now I'm more confused than ever - probably a dumb question, but how do I actually size this thing? Could fellow RV owners share details about their current solar setups?

Please provide insights on:
- Total system watts
- Fixed or portable panels
- Rigid or flexible panel types
- Series or parallel wiring configuration
- Total system amps
- System voltage
- Wire gauge used
- Controller type
- Personal pros and cons of your current setup
- What you might change in a future installation

These details will help establish baseline specifications for a fleet installation project. …more

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Appliances Medium 45 minutes 163 👍 0

Glendinning Power Cord Reel Problems (2020+ Models)

The neighbor's 2020 Glendinning power cord reel works flawlessly while mine keeps having slip ring connection failures despite the supposed dielectric grease fix. I'm looking at their newer post-2020 units but still concerned about long-term reliability issues that plagued earlier models.

Should I trust the updated slip ring design or go with their Cable Master bucket system instead? The Cable Master uses a bucket to house the wound-up power cord, which eliminates the slip ring issue, but the bay with the Transfer Switch might be too small for my specific setup.

Need to know if the 2020+ models actually solved the connection problems or if I should stick with the more reliable bucket design despite the potential space constraints. …more

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General Easy 30 minutes to 1 hour 142 👍 1

Flag Pole Mount for Tiffin Allegro 33AA Without Fixed Ladder

Spent all morning staring at my new Tiffin Allegro 33AA trying to figure out how to mount a telescopic flag pole without destroying something. My previous RV had a fixed ladder which made mounting easy and secure, but this new rig doesn't have that option.

I'm concerned about using suction cups or zip ties because they don't seem very secure, and I'm afraid the telescopic flag pole could come loose while driving and cause damage or become a road hazard. The bike rack is already occupied with our bikes, so that's not available either.

What are some safe, secure mounting options that won't damage the RV's exterior? I need something that will hold firmly during highway speeds but won't leave permanent marks or holes in my new rig. …more

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Exterior Medium 2-3 hours 140 👍 0

RV Hit-and-Run Damage Assessment & Repair Guide

Came back from dinner to find someone had sideswiped my RV in the campground parking lot and took off. Damage runs along the entire passenger side — fiberglass is cracked, trim is torn off, and the compartment door won't close. Need to figure out repair vs insurance claim vs total loss. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 3-4 hours 137 👍 0

Solar Controller Size for Three 400W RV Panels - Complete Guide

Between upgrading from two 400W Renogy panels to three, my RV dealership insists I need a massive 100A solar controller, but that seems like total overkill. Currently running separate controllers but need to consolidate to a single MPPT unit due to space constraints in my electrical compartment.

Need to determine the proper amperage rating for an MPPT controller to handle three 400W panels efficiently. What calculation method should I use to size this correctly, and what safety margins are recommended for solar controller sizing to ensure reliable operation? …more

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Engine Easy N/A 132 👍 0

Is It Safe to Sleep with Your RV Generator Running? Safety Guide

This is 11 PM and my wife is sweating bullets in our RV — need to know if running our generator overnight is safe before we both melt. We have a 2023 Class C RV and my wife really needs the A/C running at night to sleep comfortably. I know our RV has a carbon monoxide detector installed, but I'm honestly not sure if that's enough protection.

I've heard mixed things about running generators while sleeping - some people seem to do it regularly while others say it's dangerous. What safety precautions should I be taking if we do this? Should I be worried about which windows are open or wind direction? I want to make sure we're being as safe as possible but also want my wife to be comfortable. Any guidance from more experienced RVers would be really appreciated! …more

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Electrical Easy 1-2 hours 131 👍 0

How to Install Wireless Backup Camera on Towed Vehicle - RV Setup Guide for Safe Towing

Since I'm probably asking a dumb question here, but I'm completely lost on setting up the optimal wireless backup camera configuration for my specific towing setup. I have a 38-foot Class A motorhome that I use to tow my Jeep Gladiator, which has a fiberglass shell topper and a bike rack mounted on the receiver hitch. The bike rack creates a significant blind spot that makes it impossible to see what's happening behind my entire rig when I'm driving.

I'm considering mounting a wireless backup camera somewhere on the rear of the Gladiator to give me visibility past the bike rack and bikes. The challenge is that I need the wireless signal to transmit reliably from the back of the towed vehicle, through approximately 38 feet of motorhome length, to reach a monitor mounted on my dashboard. The signal would need to pass through the fiberglass rear cap of my motorhome and maintain a clear connection while we're traveling down the highway.

What's the best approach for this type of long-distance wireless camera setup? Should I mount the camera on top of the shell topper for maximum clearance over the bike rack, and what specifications should I look for in terms of transmission range and power options to ensure reliable operation? …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 130 👍 0

Complete RV Lithium Battery and Solar Setup Guide for Trolling Motors: Safe Installation Tips

Wondering if my 8-year-old lead acid trolling motor batteries that are barely holding a charge anymore are worth repairing or if I should upgrade to lithium? I need either a 24V or 36V lithium battery system, but I keep reading horror stories about people using the wrong chargers and damaging expensive lithium batteries.

I'm particularly worried about the charging setup - both for shore power charging at the marina and solar charging when I'm anchored out. I've heard you absolutely cannot use regular lead-acid chargers with lithium batteries, but I'm not sure what type of chargers I actually need. And for solar, someone mentioned something about MPPT controllers being required?

What specific type of chargers do I need for 24V and 36V lithium trolling motor batteries? I want to make sure I get the right equipment and don't fry a $1000+ battery pack. Are there particular lithium battery brands that are more reliable and safer than others? …more

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Best RV Sewer Hoses & Kits

4.6 (31,500 reviews)

Exterior Hard 2-4 hours 129 👍 0

Monaco Windsor Driver Window Removal: Complete Weight, Safety, and Replacement Guide

Driver side window on my Monaco Windsor needs to come out for a seal replacement but this thing is massive — easily 80+ pounds of curved glass. Trying to figure out how to safely remove it without dropping it or cracking the frame. Two-person job minimum but need to know the actual process. …more

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General Medium Several days for quotes 128 👍 0

RV Windshield Damage: Repair vs Total Loss Decision Guide

Around $3,200 to replace both front windshields on my 2005 Fourwinds Hurricane after they popped out and cracked, wondering if this is even worth fixing. I'm staring at a $2,400 glass estimate, but my gut tells me this is just the tip of the iceberg since there's likely structural damage behind all this mess.

I'm at that classic RV crossroads where I need to decide: throw good money after bad trying to fix this thing properly, or admit defeat and salvage/sell it as-is? The glass quote alone has me wondering if I'm looking at one of those repair jobs that costs more than the rig is worth. Anyone have guidance on how to make this painful financial decision? …more

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Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 124 👍 0

RV Window Water Leak Repair Guide - DIY Solutions

Between the excitement of buying our RV two months ago and our first Arizona rainstorm, I discovered the previous owner left every window leaking like a sieve. I discovered wet carpet around the passenger seat area that has a musty smell. The dampness is directly below our sliding window, and I can see some wallboard swelling at the bottom right corner of the window frame. What's puzzling me is that the exterior window seals look fine, and there's no visible water damage on the inside wall surface. Could this be water running down inside the window frame itself? I'm wondering if blocked window drains could cause this issue. We're on a tight budget - is this something I can tackle myself by re-caulking, or do I need professional help? I'd rather avoid dealer costs if possible. …more

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Exterior Easy 30 minutes 123 👍 0

RV Mirror Mounting Screws Rusting: Prevention & Replacement Guide

Apparently I'm standing in the hardware store aisle staring at dozens of different screws with no clue which ones will actually replace these rusted-out driver-side mirror mounting screws. The screws are rusty, with one small mounting cap found on the ground, following previous mirror replacements by NIRVC after a semi truck sideswipe and subsequent facility incident.

The mirror assembly mounts directly to a fiberglass sidewall surface, which presents specific torque considerations to avoid stress cracking. What type of replacement screws and installation procedures should I implement to ensure long-term durability and prevent future corrosion issues? I'm particularly concerned about material selection and proper installation techniques for this application. …more

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