Top Ten RV Fixes for 2008 Alert RVers to Most Called-About Problems

Coach-Net, a leading provider of emergency roadside assistance for RVs, has announced its Coach-Net Top Ten RV Fixes for 2008 list, which tallies the items that generated the most phone calls in 2008 for Coach-Net assistance regarding coach- and towable-related components.

Lake Havasu City, Arizona (PRWEB) March 18, 2009 — Leveling jacks and slideouts lead the Coach-Net Top Ten RV Fixes for 2008 list, which tallies the items that generated the most phone calls in 2008 for Coach-Net (www.coach-net.com) assistance regarding coach- and towable-related components.

Coach-Net, a leading provider of emergency roadside assistance for RVers, provides a 24/7 on-call staff of RV Master Certified Technicians to help RVers, either with over-the-phone instruction or by arranging assistance from authorized mobile mechanics and RV service centers.

“We are releasing this list to give RV owners a heads-up about the kind of things that RVers have found most troublesome or annoying, so they can pay extra attention to these areas,” said Patrick Cipres, RV technical service manager for Coach-Net. “These all involve components that RVers should make sure are in good working order before they hit the road, and which they should know how to handle and how to troubleshoot if necessary.”

“Of course they can count on our expert help if needed, but we hope that it won’t be,” said Cipres.

Either leveling jacks or slideouts usually lead the top ten list, said Cipres. “Leveling jack concerns range from basic operation and power requirements to troubleshooting failures,” said Cipres. “The most common call on leveling jacks is retraction failure. Two options that we offer are a walk-through on how to manually retract or dispatching a mobile mechanic who will help get the jacks fully retracted. We will then locate a service center to have the concern diagnosed and repaired.”

Retraction failure is also the main problem people run into with slideouts, said Cipres. Coach-Net also fields a number of basic operational questions, including power requirements, for the slideouts.

Electrical 110v concerns, including shore power connections, appliance power requirements, and basic troubleshooting with such things as GFI testing and resetting procedures, were No. 3 on the list.

Here is the complete list of Coach-Net Top Ten RV Fixes for coaches and towables in 2008:

1. Leveling jacks
2. Slide room
3. Electrical, 110v
4. Batteries
5. Electrical 12v
6. Plumbing — fresh water
7. Water heater
8. Exterior accessories
9. Generator
10. Furnace

Common issues with the rest of these components include knowing what appliances require 12v power; how to fill the fresh water tank and city water connection requirements; purging and filling the hot water heater; starting the generator; basic operation and power requirements for the furnace; re-attaching awnings undone by high winds while driving.

Coach-Net has also assembled a list of top chassis concerns, led by various engine problems including odd noises, maintenance needs, low power concerns, fluid leaks, turbo charger issues, and a vast range of minor and major failures. The top ten list for chassis:

1. Engine/exhaust
2. Brake systems
3. Chassis electrical
4. Wheels-tires
5. Transmission
6. Cooling system
7. Fuel system
8. Suspension
9. Gauges
10. Axle

Calls about the rest of these components most often involve operational failures, operational and maintenance questions, fluid leaks, and basic performance requirements and concerns.

“RVing is a lot of fun, but there are also a lot of operational systems involved,” said Cipres. “These lists offer priorities to focus on in terms of maintenance and education to ensure trouble-free operation. At Coach-Net, we want to do everything we can to provide our members with the best RV experience possible.”

America’s largest RV Rally set for April in Albuquerque, New Mexico

The largest RV rally held each year in the USA is coming to Albuquerque, NM April 17-20. Visitors to The Rally can check out the latest in recreational vehicles and accessories, enjoy live entertainment and participate in family friendly activities and educational seminars.

New to The Rally, which will celebrate its 10th year, are two eco-focused initiatives, providing RVers the opportunity to celebrate and explore Green RVing. Attendees will be able to tune into “Reality RV” to watch and learn as conservation expert Brian Brawdy is challenged to show how many resources can be conserved in an RV. Additionally, the inaugural “Going Green” ideas contest invites Rally participants to submit green ideas to make RVs more environmentally friendly.

Many charity events are planned. The Rally’s hosts will adopt the Rio Grande Community Farm in Albuquerque with a day of volunteer work planned for April 15. On April 18 and 19, The Rally will host dog and cat adoptions courtesy of Albuquerque Mayor, Martin Chavez. The Rally’s official charity is the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps (http://www.holeinthewallcamps.org/). Activities are planned to raise funds for the organization.

Rally-goers can learn more about the RV lifestyle by getting a close up look at the latest model RVs. Vehicles ranging from entry-level trailers to million-dollar motor homes will be available for test drives or immediate purchase. Additionally, The Rally’s indoor exhibit will showcase hundreds of travel products and the latest high-tech RV accessories and gadgets. For additional information about entertainment and costs, read the rest of this article on RV Travel.

How to clean your RV water system after a trip, by Mark J. Polk

When you return from a trip and you won’t be using the RV for awhile you need to drain the entire water system to prevent it from getting stale and musty.

Start by draining the water heater. Go to the outside compartment where the water heater is located. The drain plug, or petcock is located in the bottom left hand corner. Remove the plug and open the pressure relief valve on top of the water heater to assist in draining. CAUTION: NEVER drain the water heater when it’s hot or under pressure.

Next, you need to locate the low point water line drains. It may take a while to find them, but I assure you they are there. There will be one for the hot and one for the cold water lines. This is the lowest point in the water system. Open these and let the water drain out. There’s one more thing left to do, find the drain for the fresh water holding tank and drain all of the water from it. At this point you can turn the water pump on for a moment to force any remaining water out. Do not let the pump continue to run once the water stops draining. Close all the drains.

Now, do not make the mistake that this is how you winterize the RV water system. If you do, it can be a very costly mistake next spring. All we have accomplished so far was to evacuate the majority of water from the system. If by accident you forget to drain the water system and you get that notorious stale odor all is not lost. You just need to sanitize the water system.

•Start by draining all of the old water out, and then close all of the drains.

•Take a quarter cup of house hold bleach for every fifteen gallons of water that your fresh water tank holds.

•Mix the bleach, with water, into a one-gallon container and pour it into the fresh water holding tank.

•Fill the fresh water tank completely full of water.

•Turn the water pump on, open all hot and cold faucets and run the water until you smell the bleach at each faucet.

•Close the faucets and let it sit for twelve hours.

•Drain the entire system and re-fill the fresh water tank with water.

•Open all of the faucets and run the water until you no longer smell any bleach. Once this is done it is safe to use your water system. It’s also a good idea to use a water filter at campgrounds and to keep bottled water on hand for drinking
.

Mark Polk, owner of RV Education 101, produces professional RV how-to instruction training videos and DVD’s, books and e-books on using and maintaining your Recreation Vehicle (RV).

Saving space and weight in your RV, by Adrienne Kristine

Ms. Kristine shares with us the top ten list for saving space and weight:

First, think square and rectangular. Your cabinets and drawers are square and rectangular so you want to take advantage of all the nooks and crannies.

Second, think plastic instead of aluminum, steel or glass. You can save weight by using square or rectangular plastic containers.

Third, think bags instead of boxes. A box of cereal has the notice “This package is processed by weight, not volume. Contents may have settled during shipment.” Open the box, pour the cereal into a quart- or gallon-size zipping plastic bag, remove the air and stack the bag on top of other items in your cabinet or drawer.

Fourth, think folding instead of hanging. Most items hanging in your closet can be folded and placed in stacking plastic tubs.

Fifth, think soft instead of rigid. Dirty laundry can be placed in a pillowcase with a shoelace threaded through the top as a drawstring.

Sixth, think individual instead of bulk packaging. Take the individual rolls of toilet paper or paper towels out of the package and stack them in available space.

Seventh, think multiple instead of single use. White vinegar can be used to clean windows, mirrors, chrome, counter tops, toilets, etc.

Eighth, think usage instead of volume. You don’t need more dishes, glasses, cups, flatware or placemats than you have space at your table.

Ninth, think filler instead of folded. Place extra washcloths and towels between and around glasses, cups or breakable items.

Tenth, think dehydrated and freeze dried instead of liquid or canned. Many of the canned food items can be found dehydrated or freeze dried and just need water.

Taking your job — and life — on the road via ‘workamping’

Courtenay Edelhart filed this report on ‘workamping’ for The Bakersfield Californian.

RV innovation may energize market

Here’s an interesting article in The Washington Times by Jeff Johnston explaining the new models RV dealers are now offering.

RV innovation may energize market

“Best of Adventure Gear 2008” according to National Geographic Adventure

Here’s a look at the hottest thing in camping – SylvanSport’s “GO” It’s now available in camo for the avid sportsman.

Shrink wrap plastic now covers more than boats

Here’s a link to an interesting article in the San Fransicso Chronicle by Sandra Chereb of the Associated Press.

Traveling with pets? Some RV tips

With spring approaching, people might be getting the itch to take their recreational vehicle out of dry dock and hit the road again. An RV is a great way to travel to a campsite or national park if you have a pet, because there is more room, and your pet has access to amenities, such as fresh water, not normally found when hiking to a campsite in the hills. However, you should follow the safety guidelines that car owners practice when traveling with a pet.

Among them: Make sure an RV park or campground permits pets on the premises; remember that it may have size restrictions or limit the number of pets. Never leave a pet locked inside an RV without the air running or proper ventilation. Provide a pet with plenty of water and air circulation if it must be left alone for short periods. Don’t tie a pet to an RV with a metal chain; a power surge can travel along the chain and injure or kill the pet. Check the type of metal steps on the RV; some steps have little holes in them and may pose a hazard to pets.

— McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

http://www.star-telegram.com/travel/story/1227852.html

KOA to offer free camping in May

Join us for KOA’s special Come Kamp & Care With Us Weekend, May 8 & 9, 2009. Pay for Friday, May 8 and kamp Saturday May 9 at the same kampground for FREE! KOA’s Come Kamp & Care With Us Weekend has become a favorite way for many families to kick off their summer camping season.

For the sixth year, kampgrounds will be collecting donations and holding fundraising events to benefit KOA Care Camps for children with cancer, the official charity of the KOA Owners Association. This network of 35 specialized summer camps gives children with cancer, and their siblings, a chance to experience the joys of camping while continuing their treatments.

For more information and a list of participating KOA locations click here.