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RV Water Pump Losing Prime: Troubleshooting & Winterization
Plumbing Medium 2-4 hours 533 👍 9

RV Water Pump Losing Prime: Troubleshooting & Winterization

Got a 2022 Tiffin Open Road 34PA with a water pump that keeps losing prime during winterization — about to buy a replacement but wondering if I'm throwing money at the wrong problem? I can get it back by quickly opening and closing one of the lowest drain valves, but then it just loses prime again after a while. This has happened on other RVs I've winterized too, but it's particularly stubborn on this Tiffin.

I'm suspecting it might be the inline check valve next to the pump or maybe the one behind the Truma hot water heater, but I'd love some guidance on proper diagnosis. What are the most common causes of prime loss during winterization, and what's the best way to troubleshoot and fix this? I want to make sure I'm covering all my bases for winter storage prep. …more
RV Liquid Spring Adjustment Guide: Setup & Tuning Tips
General Medium 30-60 minutes 292 👍

RV Liquid Spring Adjustment Guide: Setup & Tuning Tips

Three different adjustment knobs on my 2022 Tiffin Open Road 34PA's LiquidSpring suspension and I'm staring at them with zero clue about the limits.

I've got LiquidSpring suspension on all four corners, but I'm specifically wondering about the rear struts. Can I raise and lower just the rear ones independently, or am I stuck adjusting everything at once like some kind of suspension caveman? I'd love to dial in the perfect ride height and handling, but I need to know if I can fine-tune the back end separately from the front. Between the control panel and what I assume is some fancy smartphone app, surely there's a way to make this old road warrior ride like a dream without turning into a mechanical engineer, right? …more
RV Sidewall Blistering & Delamination Repair Guide 2024
Exterior Hard 2-8 hours for temporary fix, 1-5 days for permanen 290 👍 1

RV Sidewall Blistering & Delamination Repair Guide 2024

According to three different RV shops, fixing my bubbling sidewall delamination will cost thousands, but I'm wondering if tackling this DIY repair myself is actually feasible. My 2004 Itasca Sunova has decided to sprout some lovely blisters on the right sidewall - two beauties that are about 12-14 inches long and 3-4 inches wide, running vertically right behind the awning arm. Perfect timing since we're currently on the road living our best RV life!

I'm pretty sure water snuck in somewhere (probably from the roof rail or that shower skylight we never use), and now my RV looks like it's got chicken pox. Since we can't exactly pull into the nearest RV surgeon's office, I need to know: what can I do right now to stop this from getting worse, and what's involved in actually fixing this mess properly? I'm hoping there's some kind of emergency containment plan that doesn't involve duct tape and prayers! …more
RV Rubber Roof Bubbling? How to Repair EPDM Separation
Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 229 👍

RV Rubber Roof Bubbling? How to Repair EPDM Separation

After 8 years of faithful service, my RV's EPDM rubber roof is starting to bubble with the membrane separating underneath — should I repair or replace? I'm concerned that if I don't address this soon, water could get in and cause major damage.

But I'm also nervous about trying to fix it myself. What if I make it worse by cutting into the roof or using the wrong products? Is this something that can actually be repaired, or am I looking at a full roof replacement? I'd really appreciate some guidance on whether this is a DIY-friendly repair and what the basic process involves. …more
1999 F53 V10 Oil in Coolant: Complete Head Gasket Diagnosis & Repair Guide
Engine Hard 2-3 hours for diagnosis 208 👍

1999 F53 V10 Oil in Coolant: Complete Head Gasket Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Called three dealerships about warranty coverage for oil contamination in my 1999 Ford F53 V10's coolant system — before I tackle this head gasket nightmare myself. The unit overheated after the oil level dropped significantly, though it still starts and runs without throwing any codes.

Based on the symptoms, I suspect a blown head gasket, but I want to perform proper diagnostic testing before committing to a major repair. What specific diagnostic procedures should I run to confirm whether this is actually a head gasket failure versus other potential causes like a cracked head or block issue?

Looking for a systematic approach to pinpoint the exact problem before I start tearing into this engine. …more
Fix RV Low Water Pressure on City Connection: Troubleshooting Pump Assembly
Plumbing Easy 30 minutes 148 👍

Fix RV Low Water Pressure on City Connection: Troubleshooting Pump Assembly

Last week my pressure regulator started reading a solid 40 PSI on city water but my water pump keeps cycling on for 5-6 seconds when everything says it should stay completely off. When I connect to city water, my water pressure regulator shows a solid 40 PSI, which should be plenty, right? But here's the weird part - my water pump keeps kicking on for about 5-6 seconds then shuts off, even though I'm connected to city water and the pump switch is supposed to be off.

The really frustrating thing is that the pressure feels weak throughout the RV, with specifically the bathroom sink and kitchen sink seeming low, though the shower has good pressure. I've already changed out the intake/check valve and don't currently have a filter in the system. I can see the pump running while on city water, which I know is not normal. I noticed the kitchen and bathroom sink screens were plugged - which might explain some pressure issues - but now I'm wondering about the toilet's low pressure. Could there be a screen in the toilet line I'm not seeing?

I've been full-timing for two years and never had this issue before. What should I be checking for? I'm handy enough to do basic repairs but need to know where to focus my troubleshooting efforts. …more

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RV Water Pump Running But No Water? Complete Troubleshooting Guide 202
Plumbing Easy 30-45 minutes 146 👍

RV Water Pump Running But No Water? Complete Troubleshooting Guide 202

Finally looking at my RV water pump right now and it's running constantly but there's absolutely zero water coming out of any faucets. However, when activating any fixture throughout the system, the water pump initiates and runs continuously without producing water flow at any outlet point.

All system components appear to be functioning mechanically - pump motor engages properly, electrical connections are secure, and there are no visible leaks in accessible plumbing runs. The symptom manifests uniformly across all water delivery points including kitchen, bathroom, and exterior service connections.

What diagnostic steps should be performed to identify the root cause of this no-flow condition despite continuous pump operation? …more
How to Fix RV Fresh Water Tank Leaks: Complete Diagnosis & Repair Guide
Plumbing Medium 1-4 hours 145 👍

How to Fix RV Fresh Water Tank Leaks: Complete Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Nobody warned me how tricky RV fresh water tank leaks could be — got my tools ready and determined to fix this dripping mess under my trailer myself. The dripping was pretty steady at first but seems to have slowed down overnight to just occasional drops. My tank gauge still shows full, so I don't think it's completely emptying out.

I can see there's an underbelly cover that would need to come down to access everything underneath, but I'm hoping maybe there are some easier spots I should check first? I'd rather not tackle removing panels if I don't have to - any guidance on where these leaks typically start would be really helpful, especially near the drain valve! …more
RV Heater Lines Reversed: How to Diagnose and Fix Hot Dashboard Air
Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 143 👍

RV Heater Lines Reversed: How to Diagnose and Fix Hot Dashboard Air

Dashboard vents are blowing hot air even with the heater off and the AC running. Drove three hours in 95-degree heat with hot air hitting my face the whole time. Mechanic says the heater hose lines might be reversed from a previous repair job. …more
RV Black Tank Flush Not Working - Water Wont Go In
Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 137 👍

RV Black Tank Flush Not Working - Water Wont Go In

According to my neighbor I need to replace the valve, the RV dealer says it's just a clog, and YouTube insists it's a pump issue with my 2012 36 QSP's black tank flush system. When I connect my hose to the flush port and turn on the water, nothing seems to go into the tank - the water just doesn't flow in like it should.

I'm wondering if there's a check valve that might be stuck or if something is clogged up? I've used the flush connection earlier in the year without any problems, so this is puzzling. I've heard about debris getting in the spray nozzle too. What are the most common causes when the black tank flush won't accept water, and what should I try to fix it? Any guidance would be really appreciated since I'm not sure what to troubleshoot first! …more
How to Winterize RV Dishwasher and Washing Machine with Antifreeze - Complete Guide
Appliances Easy 30-45 minutes 132 👍

How to Winterize RV Dishwasher and Washing Machine with Antifreeze - Complete Guide

During my first walkthrough of this RV I bought last month, I discovered the previous owner never properly winterized the dishwasher and washing machine. I've got a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher and a Contoure front loading washer that I absolutely cannot let freeze up.

I know I need to use RV antifreeze, but I'm honestly confused about the exact process. Do I just pour it in and run a cycle? How much do I use? I've read horror stories about people using the wrong type of antifreeze and ruining everything. I really need someone to walk me through the correct steps before I mess this up! …more
RV Water Pump Pulsing & Cycling Issues: 7 Causes + DIY Solutions
Plumbing Medium 45 minutes 132 👍

RV Water Pump Pulsing & Cycling Issues: 7 Causes + DIY Solutions

Noticed my RV water pump keeps pulsing and cycling on its own even when no faucets are running - is this dangerous with kids around? The water pump keeps turning on and off rapidly - like every few seconds - even when I don't have any faucets or anything running. It's doing this pulsing thing constantly.

I've heard someone mention something about an accumulator tank, but I'm not really sure what that is or how to check it. Could there be other things causing this too? I'd really appreciate some guidance on what might be wrong and where I should start looking. This is all pretty overwhelming as a beginner! …more
How to Fix RV Slide Out Topper Awning Problems: Common Issues and Solutions for Smooth Operation
General Medium Varies by issue 130 👍

How to Fix RV Slide Out Topper Awning Problems: Common Issues and Solutions for Smooth Operation

Before buying our first RV, I never even knew slide topper awnings existed, and now ours is acting up and I'm completely lost. We're having all three slide toppers professionally replaced next week, but I'm honestly worried we'll end up with the same problems all over again if they're not installed properly.

I've been reading horror stories about misaligned toppers, wrong spring tension, and fabric bunching up during slide operation. Since this is costing us a pretty penny, I really need to know what specific things I should insist the installer check and test before they leave. What are the critical adjustments that need to be made during installation to prevent these common topper problems from happening again? …more

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Glendinning Power Cord Reel Problems: 2020+ Model Reliability Issues &
Appliances Medium 45 minutes 127 👍

Glendinning Power Cord Reel Problems: 2020+ Model Reliability Issues &

The neighbor's 2020 Glendinning power cord reel works flawlessly while mine keeps having slip ring connection failures despite the supposed dielectric grease fix. I'm looking at their newer post-2020 units but still concerned about long-term reliability issues that plagued earlier models.

Should I trust the updated slip ring design or go with their Cable Master bucket system instead? The Cable Master uses a bucket to house the wound-up power cord, which eliminates the slip ring issue, but the bay with the Transfer Switch might be too small for my specific setup.

Need to know if the 2020+ models actually solved the connection problems or if I should stick with the more reliable bucket design despite the potential space constraints. …more
Everchill 12V Fridge Not Cooling But Freezer Works - Fix
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 123 👍

Everchill 12V Fridge Not Cooling But Freezer Works - Fix

The freezer in my 2024 Jayco Eagle's Everchill 12V fridge works perfectly, but I'm tackling the non-cooling fridge section this Saturday — what should I check first? The Everchill 12V four-door refrigerator/freezer unit has developed what seems to be a common problem - the freezer compartment is working perfectly and maintaining proper temperatures, but the refrigerator section has completely stopped cooling.

I've verified that the internal fan is running normally, so it's not a power issue. The unit gets power, the controls light up, and I can hear it cycling on and off as expected. However, despite the fan running and the freezer working fine, the fridge compartment just won't get cold anymore. This seems like it happened suddenly rather than gradually losing cooling capacity.

I've read online that this is a known issue with these Everchill units, but I'm not sure what specifically causes the freezer to work while the fridge fails. What are the most likely culprits when you have this exact symptom pattern, and what should I check first to diagnose whether it's something I can fix myself or if I need to call for warranty service? …more
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