What Did You Do To Your RV TODAY?

[colby]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

Caulked all of the seams in the front overlapping aluminum siding with clear Proflex RV. Then went down both sides of the two front edge strips, fridge vent, pass-through storage doors and running light housings. They actually all looked pretty good, but I figured this will fill any little cracks and provide a little peace of mind!

Hmm, hadn’t heard of doing this. Is there something I missed?

[colby]

I did some more relaxed de-winterization and sanitized the water system. Also tested out the water heater and as a cherry on the top of things, I cleaned out the filter of my water pump. Considering I was always on city water, this was the first time I have used the tank and pump (it was winterized when I bought it and the service center de-winterized and winterized it last year). Found some interesting gunk!


I also tried to fix a dent in the very top of the cap with a paintless dent repair kit but didn’t have any luck. Didn’t see any marks that caused the dent, I think someone leaned on it at some point in time.

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by colby

Hmm, hadn’t heard of doing this. Is there something I missed?

Although I’ve never had any leak problems, even towing in the rain, some on the forum have done this for good measure. Figured it can’t hurt and I have the time. Taped it off with blue painter’s tape — with clear caulk it’s not noticeable.

[edatlanta]

Today is replace the water heater anode day. I have one and it will be done right after I finish my second cup. The water is running now with the power off to remove most of the hot water so when I take the anode out I don't get a bit of a burn.

[Brad81987]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

Although I’ve never had any leak problems, even towing in the rain, some on the forum have done this for good measure. Figured it can’t hurt and I have the time. Taped it off with blue painter’s tape — with clear caulk it’s not noticeable.

This is on my to do list. I'm one who has experienced a little water ingress in the front after towing in the rain.

[LuckyDuck]

I long ago stopped underestimating the tiny places water can get into. Figured it was cheap insurance. Pretty simple job.

[colby]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

I long ago stopped underestimating the tiny places water can get into. Figured it was cheap insurance. Pretty simple job.

True. More sealant to buy...

[Dskyward]

Repacked the bearings after sitting still for 174 days.

My story on which method:
A pro can do it the old fashioned way in 4 hrs or maybe less, but 6 hrs for me, I added two hrs for complications and excess grease cleanup of EQ wet bolt mechanism encountered over two days in 90 deg weather on my 54 year old 230 lb IPA fed frame, still feeling the effects. I need another beer now thinking about it this.

This marks the 4th round, with the 3rd & 4th done the old fashioned way, with 7,605 mi/13 mos, when we arrived home back on 11/4. There was hardly any evidence of dirt contamination in the red tacky Lucas grease that was last used. It all looked very clean and fresh, very little dirty spots.

So the old frequency question comes up of 12 months or 12k miles? I was told by the Rv tech who did the first repack at 7,306 mi/5 mos, “I don’t care if you tow 5 or 500 mi every day, repack your bearings every 12 mos-and do it the old fashioned way.” He saw the new bearings from the disc brake install, and said 3 wheels had bad bearings from the castle nuts being over tightened. He gave them back to me showing burn marks on them. I was 1200 miles from the installers at the time, and it didn’t matter anyway
Fast forward to round 2, I slowly pumped nearly a whole tube of red No2 Mystik JT6 into each EZ lube zerk fitting and saw the old black streaks in the grease sausage finally (after 100+ pumps)coming out each well until clean under an Rv friend’s suggestion and supervision. He’s done it that way for many years on his 5er and never had a problem.

Fast forward 3400 mi/4 mos, we suffer a disc brake failure near Ft Wayne IN, 9/20/18, it is un-related. After 2.5 yrs/25K mi, all 5 axle flange bolts to the LF caliper arm fell out and the hydraulic brake hose to the caliper broke away losing all trailer brakes...very luckily while pulling into an interstate rest area at 15 mph! I ended up performing the disc brake repair, which took me four days at the campground to discover the installers didn’t properly torque the caliper arm nuts to axle flange. All 5 on the opposite side were completely loose, as were all ten nuts on the rear axle needed extra torquing to get to 24lb/ft for grade 5 fine. I then discover two failed grease seals and grease was caked all over the inner rotor hubs and inner wheel rims. So with this, I vowed to never take the easy way out repacking bearings again after that big event. The bearings do need to be visually inspected for added safety.

AND along with that...Another reminder for those DIYers whenever repacking bearings on disc brake installs, check the torque on all 20 nuts on the caliper arms. I have upgraded the 3/8” bolts to grade 8 fine(6 ticks on the boltheads) and grade 8 locknuts and still used blue lock tite. I checked them this time at 34 lb/ft setting and about 6-7 did turn an 1/8 turn before clicking of the wrench. All the rest were tight. I should’ve painted those that turned with a nail polish mark for reference next time.

[Gord60]

Changed out a light switch, white one to brown, removed canister water filter and installed pex pipe. Installed digital Coleman/Mach thermostat. Installed Trik-L-Start. Good day to get stuff done, just waiting to see if campgrounds open at all this year....

[madmaxmutt]

Looked at it still trapped in the dealership storage lot, as my teenager was taking me on a driving lesson.

I am not sure the warranty would have gone faster pre-covid, but it sure isn't going faster now.

[MichaelO]

Originally Posted by madmaxmutt

Looked at it still trapped in the dealership storage lot, as my teenager was taking me on a driving lesson.

I am not sure the warranty would have gone faster pre-covid, but it sure isn't going faster now.

Your teenager is giving you a driving lesson?

[Dskyward]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

Opened it up and turned on the AC...but it wouldn’t come on! I’m now trying to figure out why I can get the compressor to run if the t-stat is on “run” but not when it’s on “auto”. I’m leaning to a bad t-stat because once the set temperature is reached, and the compressor shuts off, it won’t come on again if I lower the temperature.

These crappy Coleman Mach thermostats are pricey if you need a black one with furnace and heat pump!

I’d know I’d be fuming if the a/c didn’t perform. Sorry to hear that woe. Let us know what you find out what fixed it.

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by MichaelO

Your teenager is giving you a driving lesson?

He might think so, but is more like a horror ride at the amusement park.

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by Dskyward

I’d know I’d be fuming if the a/c didn’t perform. Sorry to hear that woe. Let us know what you find out what fixed it.

Darin,

I don’t know what is going on with the AC! It didn’t work for me in our driveway but we are “camping” at our friends property and of course the AC is working fine now! Maybe it was getting some cabin fever from being home for too long and once it got out in the woods it decided to work normally again.

[Dskyward]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

Darin,

I don’t know what is going on with the AC! It didn’t work for me in our driveway but we are “camping” at our friends property and of course the AC is working fine now! Maybe it was getting some cabin fever from being home for too long and once it got out in the woods it decided to work normally again.

That is weird, Tom. Glad it’s working again. I know what you mean. Our kitchen slide switch went dead at a campground in N TX upon leaving for home here, 1 hr later took the panel off wiggled the switch blades on back and it’s working again. Stay safe.

[edatlanta]

Changed the oil and filter, inspected air filter in my Onan 5500 EVAP.

All looks good and works great. 560 hrs.

[norty1]

Cleaned all 3 slide out tops and awnings. Scrubbed with a brush and mop using a extension pole and awning cleaner followed by car wash soap and a good rinse.

[S.H.M.I.L.Y]

Bought the countertop for the kitchen area, bought more paint, bought the new toilet, bought our electric bikes and the doggy pull behind stroller. Gearing up. This year's going to be epic. 2020 has already been so horrible. Only one way....UP

[LuckyDuck]

Took it in to have the bearings packed and brakes checked. I sanitized the water system yesterday and reinforced some thin, sagging shelves in the bathroom vanity. Just waiting now.

[SeventyGTX]

Since it was winterized when I bought our '17 Eagle HT used last January in Boise, I got it out today and went through the process of getting all the anti-freeze out of it and making sure all the plumbing works as it should. It does, but I was really disappointed to find the black tank had not been cleaned.......yuck. Of course the dealer said it had been. Wasn't a huge deal, just didn't expect it and took a lot more time than I anticpated.

Next year it will not get that anti-freeze in it and I will just blow out the lines like I have been doing with all my RV's for years. Unless of course we can fulfill our plans on moving to southern Alabama which is on hold with this virus. Don't think it will need winterizing there.