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Author: Henderson RV Repair offers Mobile Repair, Installation and Maintenance

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Common Maintenance for Your RV

It’s the New Year and it’s the time when most people decide what RV adventures they want to go on in this new chapter of life. If you live in the Henderson or Las Vegas area, you are fortunate because you can use your RV year round. You don’t have to be cooped up in the house, just waiting for the cold to dissipate. It stays warm enough here you can use your home away from home all winter long. However, the question is not can you take your RV on an adventure, but rather have you made sure its maintenance is up to date. You don’t want to have mechanical trouble on the road and that’s why you should always maintain your RV. Here are the most common RV maintenance services you need to have checked before going on a trip.

Electrical System

Electrical issues on the road can make a fun, relaxing trip turn into one full of inconveniences. Imagine no lights or working appliances. Even worse, cold showers. Before heading out on a trip, you will need to do a thorough check of your electrical system. This will help you determine whether there are faults that need to be corrected before you head out.

Propane System

If your RV has a propane system installed, then you definitely have to test it out before heading out. The propane sensor is usually located on the floor of the vehicle. This is because propane is heavier than air, and will fall towards the bottom whenever there is a leak. Not only is a propane leak inconvenient, but it also is dangerous. The first thing to do is check if it powers on by using the included test feature. If not working, then you will want to visit us at TNT RV Repair to have a professional look at it.

If the test feature is working, then it’s time to test for a leak. You do this by turning the propane valves open. You will need to leave it in this position for about two hours. If there is a leak, then the sensor will pick it up, and you need to get it repaired. If the sensor did not go off then there is no leak and you should be good to go.

Tire and Brake

In order to remain safe on the road, you have to have well maintained tires and brakes. When looking at your tires you want to make sure there is still ample tread and they aren’t worn more than fifty percent. If they are not in proper condition you need to stop in to get new tires or to have a professional give you their opinion.

Secondly, you need to check your brakes. RVs are larger and harder to control than standard cars, so your brake system has to be in tip-top shape, so you are safe on the road. It is best to rely on the experience of a qualified mechanic to determine if your brakes meet these guidelines.

Oil and Air Filter

Similar to a car, some of the simplest fixes you can make to get your engine up and running is by simply changing the oil and air filters. Both of these services are preventative at protecting your engine, but we highly recommend maintaining them because they are inexpensive and prolong the life of your engine.

Air filters work by blocking particles that would otherwise make it into the cylinders of your engine. If an air filter gets too dirty, it stops working. That is why it is imperative to change them annually. They are a cheap and quick fix to protect your engine.

Oil is essential for the health of your engine and like a car you should change your oil every three to five thousand miles. As parts in your engine move, they rub against each other. If no oil is present, the heat generated will be dangerous to the engine components and will likely cause the engine to seize up. The oil works by lubricating your engine parts to keep them working smoothly and it draws heat away from the engine.

If you need help with any of your RV maintenance services contact TNT RV Repair today! Request service now.

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Quick RV Lunch Ideas

When you first get an RV the last thing on your mind is food, but once you start your first trip, you will quickly realize how important having a plan around your food is. Since lunch is in the middle of your day and you are either moving from one destination to the next or if you are stopped you are out and about exploring the area, you want to keep your lunches on the road pretty simple. One thought is using your leftovers from dinner for lunch, but if that isn’t an option, we are going to go over some fun lunch ideas below. Just remember with all of the current technology you can cook just about anything on the road that you can cook at home if you are prepared.

Hot Meals

To start, you have to have the right tools in order to cook. RVs are large and don’t fit through drive-throughs, also a lot of times there are limited food options on the road, and eating out all of the time will get expensive. Two cooking tools we highly recommend for anyone with an RV are a griddle and a microwave. The griddle will allow you to make hot sandwiches with ease and very little supplies and the microwave allows you to heat everything up quickly. One of our favorite griddle meals is grilled cheese sandwiches. They go great with microwaved soup and make an easy lunch everyone will love.

Cold Meals

On days we are out exploring, cold lunches are a better option. All you need is a portable and easy-to-carry cooler to keep everything at a safe temperature and you are free to go about your day and eat when you’re ready. Some of our favorite cold meals are meat and cheese lettuce wraps, pasta salad and boiled eggs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and cold spaghetti. These meals aren’t as fancy, but they will suffice as you are out and about enjoying your day.

Large Meals

For those that want a bigger lunch without taking up a lot of time, the Instant Pot is the way to go. The Instant Pot electric pressure cooker is a wildly popular kitchen tool with full-time RVers. It’s no wonder! It doesn’t take up that much space, it’s easy to operate, and it does the job of several other kitchen gadgets. There are so many recipes out there, the meal ideas are truly endless. Some recipe ideas for your Instant pot are soups and stews, pot roasts, beef tips and rice, baked potatoes, roasted vegetables, and just about any meat dish you can think of. I like to set up the Instant Pot outside on our outdoor table. This prevents food smells and moisture from the steam from getting into our RV.

If you are in or traveling through the Las Vegas area, make sure to give TNT RV Repair a call. We are an experienced RV Company who will make sure your RV is in tip-top condition before you take it on the road, or will fix your RV if you have something that is giving you an issue. Contact us here to obtain a free quote.

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Basic Facts You Need to Know About RV Repair

Basic Facts You Need to Know About RV Repair

Whether you are already an RV owner or you are looking to buy an RV in the near future, chances are one of your main concerns is the maintenance and repair of the RV. This is for a good reason, while RV’s are a great way to see this beautiful countryside, all of those miles will put wear and tear on your home on wheels.

In order to help you assess what can break on your RV the maintenance team at TNT RV has compiled a list of some common RV repairs and how to prevent and protect against them. Before we get started, we want to caution you to always go to a reputable RV repair center. It will save you a lot of time and money in the long run because these machines are complicated and need to be fixed by technicians that are experienced fully understand what they are doing. 

Plumbing Issues

There is nothing worse than having an issue with your toilet or pump while traveling in your RV. Not only do you not have a working restroom, you also can have a foul smell that will ruin your trip. To prevent this from happening you should:

          •        Limit the amount of toilet paper you use. If you need to use more, have a wastebasket you can throw the excess into.

          •        Never leave the black water drain pipe open, this causes all of the liquid waste to drain and will leave the sticky stuff stuck inside.

          •        Have a snake line available as the first layer of defense. However, if this doesn’t work, it might be time to call TNT RV

Electrical Problems

Trying to repair anything having to do with electricity on your own is a bad idea. Electrical connections can cause fires if they are wired incorrectly and the electricity itself can electrocute someone who doesn’t fully understand what they are doing. If you are having electrical issues, take your RV to an RV repair center immediately. In order to prevent electrical issues you should:

          •        The outlet boxes in RV tend to become loose from the vibrations of constant travel. These can easily be replaced without having much experience.

          •        RVs typically come with lead-acid batteries, although there is nothing wrong with this, switching to using lithium batteries can make maintenance much easier and they have a much longer life span.

RV HVAC 

When you are traveling across the country, comfort is extremely important. Having an HVAC system that works at providing you both heat and air conditioning is essential to that comfort. In order to prevent HVAC issues you should:

          •        Replace air vent filters if your AC is blowing air but it isn’t cold.

          •        Check to make sure your thermostat isn’t the issue.

Conclusion

Traveling in an RV is a great experience to do as a family or by yourself, but maintenance issues will happen. Help yourself to avoid these frustrating experiences by contacting TNT RV today for a check up before you head back out on the road.

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4 RV Camping Tips for Beginners

As you get ready to go on your first RV trip it is exciting to think about this new adventure. However, like anything, there is a learning curve and a few things you need to be aware of. Below we have compiled four tips to keep in mind as you get started on your first road trip!

Tip #1: Finding Parking For Your RV is Tricky

Parking is the trickiest part of RV life and what stresses people the most when they are on a trip. When stopping by large outlets like malls or grocery stores there is always plenty of spacious parking, but quick restaurant stops and drive-thrus are not always so accomodating.

Tip #2: Choose The Right RV Campsite For Your Needs

When it comes to where you are going to camp overnight, the key is to plan ahead. When people run into trouble is when they decide to book a campsite last minute. You should plan on booking your campsite two weeks out in a normal season, and up to two months out in a busy season. On top of booking early, you also need to consider:

          •        Are there hookups available? (electric, water, septic)

          •        Is there a dumping station or are hookups at specific sites?

          •        Is there a shower if needed?

          •        Does the campsite offer cable and WiFi?

Tip #3: Set Up Your RV Campsite Efficiently

Setting up an RV campsite may seem like it’d be quick and easy, but

RV campsite set up tips include:

-Allow at least 2 hours of daylight to set up and break down your site

-Disconnect any towed vehicles

-Check for trees, rocks, etc that could obstruct you when backing in

-Park so that you have enough space for an outdoor seating area

-Be sure to have blocks to level your RV if needed

-Set up an awning, outdoor rug, and seating area/table outside your RV 

-Do not leave awnings out while away for long periods of time or during windy days

Tip #4: Learn How To RV Safely

While RV camping can offer luxury and comfort at your campsite, those same luxuries have to be securely stored anytime your vehicle is in motion. Frequently, new RVer’s have plates, wine bottles, eggs, and other fragile items fly across the RV and shatter when they are on the road because they weren’t properly secured.

Here Are Some Additional Tips To Take With You On Your RV Camping Trip:

-Frequently check your RV health, tires, and fuel gauge.

-When driving, do not leave anything loose (all items should be stored away, locked, or secured against the wall or floor).

-If you have a tall RV, always know bridge clearance heights and weight restrictions

-Because of the size of your vehicle, you should drive slower and add time to your projected ETA.

-Always secure your RV wheels (level, chocks, parking brake) when parked.

Now You’re Ready For RV Camping!

I hope you found these RV camping tips for beginners useful. If you ever are in the Las Vegas area and need your RV inspected or repaired please give TNT RV Repair a call. One of our representatives will be more than happy to assist you!