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.

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!