PRVCA Explore Magazine PRVCA Explore PA 2019 | Page 19

Consider the time factor. Always plan
your approach to any maintenance task.
Alot yourself plenty of time to complete
whatever it is you are undertaking. Do
not rush. You are more likely to omit a
step or make a mistake if you are under
pressure to complete a task when in a
hurry.
How to “Do It Yourself”
Okay, so you feel like you just may qualify
as a true RV “do-it-yourselfer,” so now
what? Well, now for some strategic plan-
ning and implementation. The following
suggestions will get you started.
Prepare a proper and clean work area. A
clean work area is vital in order to avoid
confusion and also help keep the coach
clean. Be sure to cover and protect car-
peting or finished floors. When changing
the oil in the generator or on the chassis
engine, have an area cleared so complete
access is easily accomplished. Don’t
forget to have your replacement oil ready
to go before you remove the drain plug!
If you will need electricity, have your
extension cord uncoiled and strategically
placed prior to starting.
Have all replacement parts ready to go.
Have all replacement parts prepared
and laid out for easy access. If your
maintenance task involves threaded
fittings, apply the sealant before actually
starting the work. It’s much neater and
easier when your hands are relatively
clean. Lay the fittings aside and cover
them with a shop towel or cloth until
needed. If the new parts need any type of
pre-assembly, do it now, before you get
engrossed in the task at hand. Separate
and discard any parts in the repair kit that
are not needed. This will simplify your
repair and avoid any confusion you may
encounter later when you realize you
have a few parts left over.
Obtain the necessary support materials.
Make sure you have all wiring diagrams,
service notes, installation instructions
or any other type of resource open and
within easy reach before starting the
job. If you feel you may need additional
help or support information, postpone
the maintenance until all the necessary
information is in your hand. Preparation is
much easier for a preventive maintenance
procedure as opposed to an unwanted
crisis repair.
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Backup vehicle. It’s always advisable to
have another vehicle available, “just in
case.” Always plan to have a mode of
transportation available just in case you
forgot something or for emergencies.
Establish a relationship with a local
service facility. Even though you may be
wishing to perform some maintenance
yourself, always get to know a local dealer
or service center in your area. Aside from
being there to order parts for you, they
can also be a good source of information.
They should work in concert with you
and not feel threatened that you elect to
perform some of your own maintenance
tasks. Obviously, you will need to rely on
them for any technical area you decide
not to pursue, and there will be plenty
left for them to do. You will want to check
out your local area to find the appropriate
service department that best fits your
needs. All service facilities are not created
equal.
Additional tips.
• Never attempt to adjust your RV
generator yourself. This is one area that
is definitely better left to your service
shop. Many specialty tools are required
since the generator needs to be load test-
ed while making governor and carburetor
adjustments. Load banks and specialty
testers are beyond the scope of the do-it-
yourselfer.
• Do not adjust the propane regulator
without the knowledge and use of a
water column manometer. Changes in
the delivery pressure, though crucial to
each appliance cannot be determined by
visually watching a burner flame. Too high
gas pressure will damage many appliances,
while too low of a delivery pressure will
result in improper combustion and ineffi-
cient appliance operation.
By carefully evaluating your technical
expertise, learning and gathering a
resource library for those items on your
coach, acquiring the proper tools and
parts and most importantly, having the
right attitude, you may be just the candidate
to experience the fun of maintaining
your investment for your leisure enjoy-
ment. By doing it yourself, your goal is to
avoid major repair costs and enjoy the
experiences of working on your own RV.
Remember, RVing is more than a hobby,
it’s a lifestyle!
Characteristics
of the DIY RVer
Have a willingness to learn. In order
to perform some routine maintenance
items, be willing to do a little home-
work. Each appliance is different, but
you only need to learn those that
pertain to your RV. And, it’s not that
difficult to learn. Read and study the
literature that came with your coach.
If the owner’s manual or user’s guide
is missing, contact the component
manufacturer directly. Most are willing
to provide the literature you need.
Or check online to see if it’s available.
Additionally, many local community
colleges now offer classes for the RVer
and RV shows offer seminars on RV
maintenance.
Be properly equipped. Be aware that
many maintenance tasks require a se-
lection of tools and that some require
specialty tools that you may not have
in your tool kit. One example is the
long flue brush needed for cleaning
and servicing the RV refrigerator. If
you commit to performing this step
yourself, purchasing the needed spe-
cialty tool would be a wise investment
to make. Aside from the flue brush,
here are a two more specialty tools
you may want to eventually acquire:
• Battery hydrometer - one that is
temperature compensated is more
accurate.
• Digital multi-meter (DMM) - for
measuring voltage, resistance and
current flow.
Determine if replacement parts are
required for the task.Have the correct
parts available. You will want to avoid
being part way through a task, then
having to stop and take the risk of not
finding the parts you need right away.
Always keep a small assortment of
frequently replaced parts on hand. If
you are performing maintenance on
any electrical item, if available, always
have a wiring diagram or schematic
available as part of your resources.
Most diagrams are usually included in
the owner’s literature and many will
come with the replacement parts.
EXPLORE Pennsylvania 2019 | 19