RV Maintenance 

Subcategories

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  Electrical

  Things to Know About your RV Electrical System

   

  One of the best perks of being a camper and having an RV nowadays is the comfort of being able to use your appliances and other types of devices with the help of your trailers electrical system. Getting yourself familiar with the basics of this system helps a lot for regular tune-ups or if you might need some quick fixes on the road and no one is available to help. Here are the basic parts of your Electrical System.

   

  RV Power Cords

  This is the part that you use to recharge and transfer power in and out of your trailer. It comes with two types of plug the 30 amp plug which has three prongs and usually have shorter cords and a 50 amp plug with four prongs and a longer cord. You might notice sometimes that some RV parks do not have 50 amp plug with them so it will be handy if you have a 50 to 30 amp power cord adapter with you which is available from JR Products, Voltec and other brands.

   

  RV Switches and Receptacles

  These include your light and appliances switches, charger outlets, cables and receptacles where your appliance and other devices are connected to access electricity. Make sure that these things are tightly attached from where it should be and no wire or screws are exposed or loose or there are no cracks or damage that might cause issues not just to your RV but most importantly to your safety. You can also use different tools to easily save electricity such as toggle switches from Wirthco and illuminated lamp from Diamond Group.

   

  RV Surge Protection

  These products provide protection and avoid damage for your electrical system. You can find items such as surge guards light, voltage regulators, voltage defender, remote display, power monitors and other safety hardware from Technology Research, Progressive Ind and more.

   

  RV Power Centers

  RV power center helps distribute electricity to you trailer and converts electricity to different amps or voltage for efficient electric energy consumption. Before doing anything else on it, always turn your electric power off first. You would know if there is something wrong with your power center if there are fuses and wires that are broken, burned or overheated.  

   

  RV Batteries and Generators

  These are the sources of your RV power. They keep your trailer running during your trips or when there are outages. Most RV batteries usually comes in 12-volt but you can use converters to change the current up to 120-volt for your other  appliances .There are also many accessories you can find to help keep the life of your batteries and generators longer such as cleaners, protectors, safety boxes and more.

   

  Other RV Electrical Parts

  Many environment friendly RV trailers now use Solar Panels to convert solar power to electric energy. Your electrical system also includes your lightings, transfer switches and other types of lights used inside the recreational vehicle.

   

  Though it is tempting to do things your way sometimes, there are also things that you have to consult with professionals. If you notice that your fuse, wire and other parts of your electrical system and wirings are compromised, always think about safety first and have it fixed as soon as possible.

   

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  Heating and Cooling

  Heating and Cooling – Weather Extremes Driving

   

  Tired of enduring the sweltering heat all summer and then freezing as soon as the temperature begins to drop? Our heating and cooling options will have you enjoying your RV any season after you check out our air conditioners, vents, screens, furnaces, fireplaces, accessories and all the parts you'll need to keep your system running for years to come.

  RVs, for the most part, are all-around vehicles. They are within our command whether we want them hot or cold inside, and not just the appliances and all the other things inside.

   

  Using the climate control inside the RV is simple enough, but you need to know some specifics to make it work. You need to know the difference when to run the propane furnace versus the heat pump.

   

  Keeping Cool

   

  Some of the things that can help keep things cool fast on hot days inside your RV are simple actions before you can crank up you air conditioning units to help cool the place.

   

  This would include closing all the vents in the bedroom, opening the vents on the front A/C along with the three vents in the living area, and shutting the door to the back area of the RV.

   

  With the rear vents closed, most of the cold air will be forced into the larger part of the coach and help it cool down quickly enough. If needed, close all the shades especially if the sun is coming in the driver’s area.

   

  Summer heat

   

  The heat in summer is one large beast. Some HVAC may not strong enough top cool the entire RV. During extreme heat, it may be necessary to run the generator to power up the living room A/C so the RV gets cooled.

   

  Some RVers declare that running the generator to powe3r the roof A/C is more fuel efficient than running the cab A/CV. Sometimes, however, you need to run both A/C units coming from the windshield.

   

  Leaking heat from engines

   

  For RVs running on diesel engines, you can close the bedroom door closed and all the rear AC/C vents for the simple fact that the rear engine diesel leaks a lot of heat into the back of the vehicle.

   

  One long shot is finding a tree. If there is one near the road, rest up a while near that tree (till things cool down). Have the tree block the windshield or the driver’s side of the RV while putting up your awning to have as much shade around your vehicle as possible.

   

  Winter cold

   

  If you plan to do RVing in freezing temperatures, make sure you have a full tank of propane. The heat pump is build into the AC and can work great if used correctly.

   

  However, the heat pump will not work when temperatures fall below 45 degrees. Don’t try to run the heat pump when plugged into a 20-ampere outlet.

   

  It can only work properly if you plug it into a 30 or 50-ampere plug.

   

  Thermostat setting

   

  Cranking the thermostat way up when using the heat pump will trigger the propane furnace to kick in.

   

  Many thermostats are set up so that both the furnace and the heat pump kick on when selecting a temperature more than 5 degrees higher than the current one. Try heating the RV with the heat pump setting the temperature at 4 degrees increments to keep the propane furnace from kicking in.

   

  Heating and cooling your RV in extreme weather can be challenging.

   

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  Roof Maintenance & Repair

  When it comes to your RV's roof, it's important to make sure that you're using all the right components, which are all right here. We have sealants, lap sealants, repair kits, rubber roofs, rubber roof activators, adhesives, roof cleaners, roof coatings, roof primers, protectants, roof rollers, roof tapes and roof TPO membranes.

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  Skylights

  Increase the light and make the interior of your motohome or travel trailer more spacious or replace your existing skylight dome to prevent expensive leaks, mold and damage to your RV's roof and interior. We have all of the popular sizes in square, rectangular and neo-angle skylights to fit your RV in various colors and heights.
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  Hardware

  Hardware – Maintenance Keeps your RV in Great Shape

   

   

  To most enthusiasts, an RV (recreational vehicle) is fondly regarded as a home on wheels. Like a home (only that it moves around), it comes complete with familiar features like doors, windows, steps, cabinets, skylight awnings and an air conditioner. Like fixtures in your home, these could also become worn and broken, especially those hardware and equipments used in moving around.

   

  Since the equipments (and practically all of the hardware) for RVs are specially designed, these many gears are all unique to RVs and not just found in any vehicle. You can forget dropping by at some hardware depots and look for hardware replacements for your RV.

   

  Parts and more

   

  To ensure you get everything you need in hardware, the RV Part Shop is the one shop that has it all regarding RVs and trailers. With strategically located RV Part warehouses across the country, you can have your parts whenever you need them.

   

  With the use of the latest shipping and parcel technology, they can ship to your home, business or at your campground or site where you are currently enjoying your outdoor adventure.

   

  As it is, maintenance is the most important action in keeping your RV in great shape. It is the difference of being on the road enjoying your journey or simply thinking about it wherever you are.

   

  Oil

   

  Like motor cars, RVs also need their oil and filters changed at regular periods. This is necessary in order to keep your engine running properly. Left undone, it can eventually cause your engine to cease. The huge cost is around $10,000.

   

  Manufacturers urge RV owners, like their counterparts that own cars, to have an oil change every 3,000 to 4,500 miles. (You could always check your owner’s manual for the precise time intervals between oil changes.)

   

  Air / fuel / coolant / hydraulic filters

   

  Your RV also needs replacements of the oil, fuel, coolant and hydraulic filters regularly.  Damage caused by the non-replacement of these parts could result in increased fuel use, overheating issues with the cooling system, and oxidation in the hydraulic system.

   

  Damage can mount from $2,500 and up are the results from this neglect in the necessities. In other areas, do a thorough check on the roof seals and seams of your RV at least every 6 months.

   

  Generators

   

  Servicing your RV generator is very important. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations on how often its oil and filter should be changed.  Neglecting this responsibility can cost you as much as $9,000 in repairs alone, not to mention parts that have to be changed, if ever.

   

  You need to run your generator regularly when your RV is stored and not in use. This includes checking all the sensors regularly to ensure there is power or that the batteries are holding a charge. Without this, the build up on your carburetor can set you back up to $400 to remove them.

   

  Your roof is also an important hardware that also needs to be checked. In a way, maintenance is simply having your RV ready at any time you want.

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  Cleaning Supplies

  RV Cleaning Supplies – Keeping Things Neat and Clean

   

  Find the cleaning products and tools here that you need to keep your RV, motorhome or travel trailer looking and smelling great. Remember that a wll-maintained RV retains its resale value, so look for cleaners, polishes, and waxes as well as brushes, mops, poles and squeegees.

   

  From a practical point of view your RV is your home away from home. Consequently, while you stay inside your mobile home, you need to clean it up like you do at home. Like what happens at home, you do need to have your cleaning supplies at hand, although not necessarily like those you keep at home.

   

  Since your RV has lesser space than even a studio, it should be important that you keep it neat, clean, and organized. This will discourage all pests and insects to make it their home, too.

   

  Keeping your RV sparkling, however, needs a little more effort than buying Windex or Clorox wipes. The following are some random ideas on keeping up with your cleaning regimen.

   

  A compact vacuum RV cleaner that is handheld and cordless is one of the best equipments that can help you make your mobile abode spic and span. It is light, is easy to put away and store, and quite easy to charge. (You can always opt for a full-size model.)

   

  A multi-purpose cleaner is best when attacking the dirt and grime inside your small home. A good commercial cleaning product that is light on chemicals and heavy on natural ingredients will do the trick.

   

  An air freshener does away the usual smell of RVs. There are commercial odor eliminators in the market and bringing them with you is cool, even if your stay is short. A good breeze is also good, if the weather’s fine. Simply open your windows and doors and let nature do its magic.

   

  Microfiber cloths are best for the little messes we make all around, especially at the table or in the kitchen, or wherever else. They clean up spills quickly and efficiently. They also hold up well wash after wash.

   

  Using the limited space inside your RV can help a partial solution from plastic containers, either large or small. They keep things organized in one place, and are quickly identifiable because of their contents.

   

  Buying hanging organizers for the RV can be of great help. You will have a neat place for anything and almost everything that needs to be organized. You will have a place to keep organized more things including shoes and getting off the floor.  

   

  Another thing to invest in is command hooks. They are also a great help in more organization and storage difficulties inside your RV. The best part is that they are easy to install and just as easy to get rid of after a job had been finished.

   

  Disposable gloves are the best things to invest in times of extreme emergencies like taking care of your RV holding tanks. (You never know when the time comes for your holding tanks to get problematic.) Even with proper care and maintenance, you would want to have a nice pair of disposable gloves around.

   

  More for maintenance problems than anything else, a small toolkit is also good to lug around with your RV on the road. Just like your cleaning supplies, you would not know when you need to use the tools to keep things working. 

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  Pests Mold and Odors

  RV Pests Mold and Odors

   

  RV Dehumidifiers

  Someone loves to go on adventure on the road or mountains will spend the major time within your RV and acts as your send home away from home and a place where perform the primary activities like bathing, cooking and cleaning which can accumulate of water vapors being undertaken in a small restricted atmosphere that generates a lot of discomfort and affect all the furnish within the RV. Allergies can be one of the main reason when having excess humidity lead to difficulty in breathing which is such a bad experience and RV dehumidifier can avoid it and an essential choice and more comfortable when having a runaway vacation on the road. One of the best dehumidifier is homelabs 400 to prevent the presence of excess moisture in the air with complete touch panel controller function making the greatest performer in the industry.

   

  RV Mold Removal Treatments

  Mold can be a big problem in the fall and wintertime because moisture from rain and snow in the air can give a toxic fungus in a nice damp environment and finding a growing anywhere from cabinets and drawers in the walls and ceiling in RV, cleaning mold right away can save your RV from expensive damage. Some types like black mold are also dangerous because of spore-borne toxic secondary metabolite produced by organisms of the fungus and using a strong chemical is the best solution remedies that will help get rid of any unwanted fungus on RV. The camco 41024 pro-strength awning cleaner is safe that removes stains and dirt that cleans effectively and this RV product brand is greatly use in many materials.

   

  RV Mouse Repellants

  If you trying to keep the rats and mice out of the RV or trying to get rid of them once they have invaded it’s pretty much the same process in keeping them out because these rats and mice are intelligent critters not easily fooled which is why it is so hard to get rid of them once they have invaded. One of the best to use is DX610 electronic pest repeller product in RV because when store it the rodent repeller uses high frequency sound output to keep the mice and rats away and sound creates a constant uncomfortable environment and works on the rodents’ nervous system. This mouse and rat repeller are effective with auto-changing sound levels and patterns that prevent the rats and mice from nesting which is what they do when RV is stored and best way to keep mice and rats out of the RV.

   

  RV Odor Absorbers

  People spend a lot of time of the road on RV on road trips and odor can be an issue making trips with kids are laughing and embracing which is going to spend much time in the RV that wanting it to be a clean pleasant place to be. But with every drink spills and meals on the go and keeping the traffic life odor free can be difficult. Living on the road for a long distance tour in the RV and the problem becomes even more challenging and the first impression matters even more but using the innofresh auto odor absorbers are natural activated charcoal miracle workers will keep the RV fresh and odor free without resorting to weird fragrances hanging thing inside the RV making the journey long an easier and enjoyable trip.

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  Slideout Parts

  Slideout won't slide? Check here for replacement motors,gears and other parts that can help you regain access to all that extra space that a slideout room provides.

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  Lighting

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  Winterizing

  RV Winterizing

   

  RV Blow Out Plugs

  The quick disconnecting brass plug connects to RV's city water inlet allows to completely blow out the water lines before winterizing to prevent dilution of antifreeze on how to prevent it on water connection. The interior and exterior including any kitchen faucets might have on the inside and outside, showers and any other water fixture may have in the RV. The quick-connect brass plug connects to the RV's inlet will completely remove water from the water lines and keep antifreeze from diluting when winterize is simply open all faucets and drains to apply air pressure all the way to the plug. These blow-out plug clears water from RV's water lines and eliminate the dilution of antifreeze during winterization with the quick-connect style has a simple installation by inserting the plug into the city water inlet that will open all drains and faucets and attach and activate oil-less air compressor until all lines are clear with durable brass construction.

   

  RV By-Pass Kits

  Many reasons to drain an RV water heater and a routine maintenance should be performed more often because winterizing the RV should have to troubleshoot and taking the RV out of a winterized state, it is a simple task to perform and does not take very long. Emptied the water heater to consider flushing before refill back, the used RV antifreeze in water system over the winter must flush out the tank prior to refilling it. It is a simple installation of the by-pass kit allows to save antifreeze by by-passing the water heater when winterizing on RV with ease but be careful when the water in the water heater is under pressure that may be extremely hot so let the water cool to a safe temperature before draining the RV water heater. There are many types of by-pass kit that will found like crimp-resistant nylon reinforced hose and sturdy, brass valves for non-restrictive flow with 6 to 10-gallon tank and heavy duty lead free brass valve with brass check valve and some have adjustable wrench are installed for easy access.

   

  RV Diverter Valves

  Spending time on rustic place where a camp meeting is held is part of the RV experience is one reason why most RVs are self-contained and the chances are good that the fresh and gray water tanks aboard the RV hold gallons. The tanks can empty and fill quickly and few things more frustrating than having to pass on a shower because of fluid-capacity restraints and many environmental conscious RV owners has a water conservation are very important them. Helping the department is the high-quality water diverter that redirects wasted cold water back into the freshwater tank. Waiting for hot water to reach the showerhead does the device save water that keep the blast of cold water from hitting the body when the mixer valve for the showerhead is first turned on. These diverter valves are the best option when it comes to winterization because it utilizes heat-activated technology integrated into a color-changing return pipe that visually signals the user when the water is warm.

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  Doors

  The more you use your RV, the more wear and tear there is on your doors which can lead to problems pretty quickly. So if you're door seems like it's on its last legs, come check out the doors in this section. We carry many shapes and sizes of door as well as the essentials to go with them like latches and locks.

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  Glues and Adhesives

  Don't let yourself get stuck using the wrong adhesives. When you need something to stay exactly where you want it, it's time check out our high quality adhesives such as Sikaflex, Cold Weld Bond, Blue Thread Locker, contact cement, high temperature thread sealant, blue silicone, weather strip adhesive, general purpose epoxy, spray adhesive, high temperature spray adhesive and Sticky Stuff.

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  RV Repair Kits

  When something breaks on your RV, it's not always necessary to head to a shop, a lot of repairs are easy enough to do in your driveway. The repair kits in this section cover two of the most common issues which would be leaking fuel tanks, and fabric rips, both which can be tackled by even those not so mechanically inclined.

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  Windows

  Enjoy all the sights on your adventure through the window options we have here for your RV. Cover it up, fix it up or dress it up with our selection of products sure to have you seeing clearly. Here you'll find window covers, window insulation, windshield curtains and shade repair kits.

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  Wiper Blades

  Keep a clear view of the road in even the worst of weather with any of our wiper blades designed for your truck or RV. We carry sizes including 20", 22", 24", 26", 28", 32", and even the massive heavy duty 39" wiper blades for the most serious applications.

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  Automotive Filters

  Keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently. Change your filters when required. RV Part Shop carries air, fuel and water filters from quality manufacturers to fit most common motorhome and truck engines.
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  Fuel Accessories

  Browse our selection of funnels and fuel filters for use with your motorhome, generator or other gas or diesel-powered appliance in your RV.
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  Fasteners

  If you need something fastened securely to your RV, then you need the right hardware for the job. Here you have square head screws, flat head screws, hex head screws, pan head screws and self-tapping screws available in multiple configurations. We also carry plastic rivets for when a screw just won't do.

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  Engine Computers

  Whether you want to monitor your engine and vehicle performance, or tweak engine settings for better performance or fuel economy, we have the engine computers to do the job.

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  Engine Treatments

  Here's our selection of Fuel and Oil treatments to keep your engine running well for years to come.

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  Lubricants

  Here's a selection of lubricants of various types that are useful around your RV , motorhome or travel trailer

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  Maintenance and Repair

  Maintenance and Repair – Some Old School Tactics

   

  Before you head out on your next adventure only to realize the roof is still leaking, the paint is chipping and you're still missing that bolt, check out our maintenance and repair section. Here you'll find roof repair products, scan gauges, replacement hardware, fuel funnels, spray paint, primer, tape, repair kits, and plumbing hardware so you can fix up your pride and joy.

   

  Maintenance and repair are the twin engines, in a manner of speaking, that keep RVs going strong. Recreation vehicles (RVs) are getting more popular these days and becoming a favorite among many people with its proven context of a lifestyle and the outdoor fun it has in store for their owners.

   

  Maintenance keeps your RV in great shape, and repairs will give it a new lease of life.

   

  The most important form of maintenance concerns your RV engine and its overall health. Like any other motor or engine that is currently in use, there will always be wear and tear that can lead to breakdown of parts which consequently would need repairs.

   

  Tips on repair

  Most RV owners know that if there is need to pay, they always pay up. This does not mean, however, in going for broke when you are only trying to maintain or upgrade your camper, travel trailer or motor home.

   

  Repair labor and parts can be expensive (older models tend to have higher rates than newer models), but there are ways to mitigate some of these expenses. First is doing your own inspections. After all these years (if you’re an RVer for years), you would know by experience what are some of the things that need to be looked into.

   

  Regular inspections

  These inspections would let you see the problems when they are still small and do not require expensive repairs. Discovering early signs of water leaks, excessive rusts, cracks, or breakage of any kind is well worth your effort and your time.

   

  Doing this means more than taking a casual look once in awhile. Instead, spend a half hour every month to check every interior and exterior area of your coach with an eye to finding problems.

   

  The monthly inspections can save you big because inspections allow you to discover problems before they can become worse (and expensive).

   

  Research

  When you are paying, you need to research into your case before you fork the money over without question. You would need information on competing shops, or you would need some unique sources for your products (parts) and labor.

   

  Another thing to consider is active negotiations for the price quotes you are given. Shops are sometimes reasonable, and the first quotations are more for show than real.

   

  Knowing what you are talking about, the parts and the needed repairs and the connections of one to the others can greatly help convince your shop to go down to a realistic price.

   

  Repairing fast

  The longer you hold off deciding on the repair of your RV, the more expensive it can become. It will also be a time-consuming issue. The more you wait, the wear and tear do not stop and wait alongside with your decision.

   

  A small leak might have done some small damage, but it can lead to black mold and wood rot and both issues can create a major damage to the coach inside your rig.

   

  As owner of your RV, you need to take an active role in the maintenance and repair of your vehicle, if you want it to last longer.

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  Tools

  You never know when you might have to take something apart to figure out what's wrong, or put something together that didn't come with a screwdriver. Be prepared for these situations and others with our variety of screw drivers, interchangeable bits, crimping tools, screws, nut setters, torque wrenches, cable fasteners and more.